Wednesday, March 19, 2003

WILMINGTON – Saxophonist Ralph Bowen is the featured performer for the annual UNCW Guest Artist Jazz Festival scheduled for Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29. Bowen will give a solo performance with the UNCW Big Band on Friday. On Saturday, he will perform with his quartet comprised of drummer Tony Reedus, bassist Kenny Davis and pianist Stanley Cowell. Both concerts are scheduled for 8 p.m. in the Warwick Center Ballroom.



Born in Canada, Bowen started piano lessons at age five, followed by clarinet and saxophone lessons. At 13, Bowen was leading his own quartet and performing in major jazz clubs around Canada. In the mid-1980s, Bowen recorded four records for Bluenote as co-leader of OTB (Out of the Blue). He began touring and recording with pianists Horace Silver and Michel Camilo, and in the 1990s, he performed and recorded with Renee Rosnes, Hank Jones, Orrin Evans, Jim Beard, Shirley Scott, Benny Carter and Trudy Pitts.

Bowen joined the jazz faculty at Rutgers University in 1990. He serves as coordinator of the Jazz Department, director of the Jazz Ensemble and professor of saxophone and music theory. He continues to tour the world - performing, teaching and conducting master classes.

In addition to Bowen’s appearance, other events for the UNCW Guest Artist Jazz Festival include performances by high school and collegiate bands from across the state as well as clinics conducted by Bowen. These performances and clinics, which will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Warwick Center Ballroom, are free and open to the public.



Tickets for each 8 p.m. concert is $5; UNCW students admitted free with a valid I.D. Tickets will on sale at the door.

For more information, call the UNCW Department of Music at 962-3390.