Jazz Ensembles in UNLV concert

Monday, Oct. 28, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Jazz Ensemble I, directed by Rocky Winslow, will perform music composed by Grammy-nominated Pate and original student compositions. Jazz Ensemble II, directed by Stefan Karlsson, will be playing with Solis.

Bassist Pate is famous for the Chicago trio that bore his name from 1954 until the mid-60s. Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Jones, B.B. King, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Donna Summer and Johnny Nash are just a few of the big names that Pate has worked with.

Pate's symphonic arrangements have been performed by the Boston Pops and the Cincinnati Pops, among others.

Pate has served as musical director in Las Vegas for the "Cotton Club on Parade" at the Dunes Hotel, Jimmy Smith jazz concert at the Hacienda, the Greg Morris Scholarship Fund at the Aladdin and the Joe Williams Scholarship Fund drive at Community College of Southern Nevada.

Solis comes to Las Vegas via Montreal, with the Cirque du Soliel's show at Treasure Island. Solis has also performed at the Nevada Jazz Artists Orchestra concerts presented by the Las Vegas Jazz Society.

Two student compositions will be performed, including "Inkling" written by UNLV graduate jazz teaching assistant Doug Wright and "Schizophrenia" by UNLV senior David Phillipus.

"Both compositions display 'on the edge' contemporary big-band writing skills," Winslow said.

Winslow and Karlsson took over the ensembles this year after the retirement of Frank Gagliardi.

"For long-time UNLV Jazz Ensemble fans, the new ensemble will present a slightly different sound, but you will not be disappointed," Winslow said. "The future goals of the program will be to build on the fantastic ensemble playing stressed over the years by Gagliardi and add to that a major emphasis on spontaneous creativity, solo improvisations and student compositions."

Tickets are $8 at the Performing Arts Center box office, 895-3801, and at Dillard's, (800) 654-9545. Tickets are half price for seniors, students and members of the Las Vegas Jazz Society. The box office is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.