Ben has found a way to embrace the music of Cedar Walton and transform it into
stellar big band arrangements that express his voice, sound and musical genius. --
Terell Stafford
Pianist Ben Markley, along with special guest trumpeter
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data-original-title="" title="">Terell Stafford, celebrates one of the more influential and beloved figures in jazz through this unique project, showcasing many of the late pianist and composer Cedar Walton's most revered tunes through new arrangements for big band. Performing iconic compositions such as “Hindsight," “Bolivia," and “Holy Land," Markley brings together fellow faculty members from the University of Wyoming and top-flight Denver-area musicians to produce an honest and swinging recording that honors Cedar Walton while presenting his music in a bright new light.
“...to hear a big band's interpretation of Cedar's music has to be the most beautiful thing I have ever heard in my life!... I know Cedar is beaming at the results!!"—Martha Walton
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data-original-title="" title="">John Fedchock. Markley's latest recording project is Clockwise: The Music of Cedar Walton (OA2 records).
Markley is active as a composer and arranger with many big band and vocal jazz charts published through UNC Jazz Press. Recent arranging commissions include the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia and Wyoming Jazz Educators All-State Jazz Band. Compositions from Markley?s first two albums have earned him ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Awards. Markley was selected to participate in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program held at the Kennedy Center.
Markley's book A Practical Approach to Improvisation—The David Hazeltine Method was published by Jamey Aebersold Jazz in December of 2014. It documents David Hazeltine's process of creating etudes from transcriptions. Markley is an active performer in the Denver-metropolitan area and along the front range. He can be seen regularly at in Ft. Collins as part of the Subterranean jazz trio at Ace Gillett's Lounge.
Markley currently serves as Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Wyoming where he directs and coaches the Wyoming Jazz Ensemble, Western Blue (vocal jazz), and combos. He also teaches applied jazz piano, improvisation and is the director of the UW Jazz Festival.
Upcoming Performances:
March 24: University of Wyoming Jazz Festival March 25: Dazzle Jazz Club, Denver
Personnel:
Saxophones: Wil Swindler/Scott Turpen/Peter Sommer/Serafin Sanchez/Sam Williams Trombones: Scott Crump/Paul McKee/Adam Bartczak/Gary Mayne Trumpets: Peter Olstad/Greg Gisbert/John Lake/Terell Stafford Rhythm: Ben Markley (piano), Steve Kovalcheck (guitar), Ken Walker (bass), Chris Smith (drums)
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For more information contact Scott Thompson Public Relations.
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