Jazz drummer Kobie Watkins teams up with CCU faculty and students for concert
Watkins will perform a series of his original songs as well as numbers composed by CCU Department of Music faculty in an eclectic, fluid musical performance. The first half of the program will feature Watkins playing with the CCU student Jazz Combo, including Nick Lewis on trombone, Bobo Ferguson on tenor saxophone, Tyler Hughes on bass, Conner Mills on piano, Tyrice Murray on drums and Cynthea Kelley on vocals. The second half will feature Watkins performing with Tim Fischer, associate professor of music, on guitar; Matt White, associate professor of music, on trumpet; and guest musician Brett Belanger on bass.
A Chicago native, Watkins earned a master's degree in jazz pedagogy from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and has played with Branford Marsalis, Joe Lovano, Curtis Fuller and jazz legend Sonnie Rollins.
"Kobie absolutely represents a link to the jazz lineage and history; Sonnie Rollins is one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, and to get someone who played with him -- to get a musician of his stature at CCU - is an event not to be overlooked," said Fischer.
Fischer is a jazz guitarist, composer and educator who has performed across the United States and Europe. His debut album as a leader, "Due South" (2014), features his original compositions and arrangements. Fischer earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in studio/jazz guitar from the University of Southern California.
Trumpeter, composer, and educator White is coordinator of ensembles and commercial music and jazz and manager of the Wheelwright Recording Studio at CCU. White recorded "The Super Villain Jazz Band" in 2017, featuring original music including the commissioned St. Helena Suite inspired by the Gullah music of South Carolina's sea islands.
A native of Greenville, S.C., Belanger earned a bachelor's degree in jazz performance under the mentorship of Frank Duvall at the College of Charleston and plays professionally throughout the Southeast.
General admission is $17. Senior citizens, OLLI members, CCU alumni, teens and CCU/HGTC faculty and staff are $12. Tickets for children and CCU/HGTC students are $5.
The Edwards Recital Hall is located in Room 152 in the Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts at 133 Chanticleer Drive W. on the Conway campus. Parking is available in lots directly adjacent near the back of the building or in J lot near the Singleton Building. Visit www.coastal.edu/aboutccu/campusmap.
For tickets or for more information, call the Wheelwright Box Office at 843-349-ARTS (2787) or visit ticketreturn.com or coastal.edu/culturalarts. The Wheelwright Box Office is located at 108 Spadoni Park Circle on the Conway campus, and hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.