Top artists to perform at 28th New Music Festival

NEW MUSIC, LEGENDARY MUSICIAN—Jazz trombonist Wayne Wallace, who has played with greats like Sonny Rollins, and the Count Basie Orchestra, is among the headliners at the University’s 28th Festival of New American Music Nov. 3 to 13. Dozens of national, local and campus artists and composers will perform at the Festival which is one of the nation’s longest-running annual events dedicated to contemporary music.

One of the nation’s longest-running annual events dedicated to contemporary music, the Festival of New American Music, returns to the Sacramento State campus for its 28th year Nov. 3 to 13.

National, local and Sacramento State new music artists and composers will perform at venues ranging from the University’s Music Recital Hall to Crocker Art Museum. Other offerings include forums with composers, classes taught by performers and presentations at area community colleges and schools. All events are open to the public and nearly all are free.

The festival’s gala opening concert, simulcast on Capital Public Radio’s KXPR 90.9 FM, starts the 11-day event at 8 p.m., Nov. 3 in the Sacramento Grand Ballroom at 629 J St.

Headlining visiting performers include jazz trombonist Wayne Wallace, who has played with greats like Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner and the Count Basie Orchestra; guitar virtuoso David Starobin, known for his innovative approach to contemporary music; and soprano Kathleen Roland, whose work spans the world of opera, orchestral and contemporary music.

Nearly 20 additional visiting composers are set to present major modern musical works as well as discuss their compositions in forums and pre-concert talks. The lineup includes festival keynote speaker Richard Felciano, an award-winning composer; Richard Festinger, a founding director of Earplay; cellist and performance artist Joan Jeanrenaud; and percussionist David Colson.

Ensembles performing include the New Century Saxophone Quartet and Kairos, a group known for its improvisational music. The New York New Music Ensemble, a voice in the field of new music for nearly 30 years, and the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players will also take the stage.

Artists from Sacramento State include the Festival Ensemble, a faculty group with local artists; the Sacramento State Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Sacramento State Percussion Group. The Sacramento State Jazz Ensemble and the Latin Jazz Ensemble will perform with Wayne Wallace at the festival’s final performance at 8 p.m., Nov. 13 in the Music Recital Hall in Capistrano Hall.

Festival of New American Music Schedule

For more information, call the Music Department at 278-5155.