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Recent events and activities
February 25, 2017 Brown Derby Ballroom, Waterloo IA 2 concert performances of “Vivaldi, The Seasons II” program with the Waterloo Cedar Falls Chamber Orchestra as a principal bass February 23, 2017 – Great Hall, GBPAC Performance with UNI Symphony Orchestra, two world premieres February 18, 2017 – Great Hall, GBPAC 12:00 – Play for Kurt Rosenwinkel’s clinic 4:30 pm - Performance with jazz faculty at the pre-awards of Tallcorn Jazz Festival 7:15 pm - Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall, UNI Conducting the UNI Jazz Panthers band concerts at the Tallcorn Jazz Festival February 17, 2017 – Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall, UNI Conducting the UNI Jazz Panthers band concerts at the Tallcorn Jazz Festival February 12, 2017 – “Spicoli’s” bar, Cedar Falls, IA Conducting the UNI Jazz Panthers band as part of the UNI jazz concert February 10, 2017 – “Elm’s Pub” New Aldaya Retirement Community, Cedar Falls Performance with the jazz trio February 8, 2017 – Davis Hall, GBPAC My faculty recital of classical and jazz music February 2, 2017 – Davis Hall, GBPAC UNI bass studio recital of classical and jazz music January 20, 2017 – “Elm’s Pub” New Aldaya Retirement Community, Cedar Falls Performance with the jazz trio January 19, 2017 – Waterloo HS Teaching a bass lesson to a jazz band student January 18, 2017 – “Noce” Jazz Club, Des Moines, IA Guest artist performance with Des Moines Jazz Band January 14, 2017 – Wartburg College, Waverly, IA Judging the concerto competition January 10, 2017 – Paramount Theater, Cedar Rapids, IA Guest artist on recording of the Corridor Jazz Project, w/ Linn Marr HS jazz band January 7, 2017 – “Octopus” bar on College Hill, Cedar Falls, IA Performance with a jazz trio December 15, 22, 29, 2016, Jan 5 - “Cup of Joe” coffee house, Cedar Falls, Iowa Performance with a jazz quartet December 10, 2016 – Waukee HS Jazz Festival, Des Moines, IA Conducting clinics for the competing jazz band December 9, 2016 – Des Moines Social Club Performance with a jazz trio December 8, 2016 - “Cup of Joe” coffee house, Cedar Falls, Iowa Performance with a jazz quartet December 6, 2016 – Bengtson Auditorium, UNI Performance with the UNI violin position candidate, December 6, 2016 – Bengtson Auditorium, UNI Performance with the UNI violin position candidate, Ross Winter November 24, 2016 - “Cup of Joe” coffee house, Cedar Falls, Iowa Performance with a jazz quartet November 20, 2016 – Cedar Valley Chamber Music Series Performance with the jazz trio November 13, 2016 – Westminster Presbyterian Church Performance with WCFSO chamber series and community outreach November 11, 2016 – Des Moines are high schools Recruitment and performance trip with the UNI jazz faculty to Johnston HS, Valley HS, and Waukee HS November 5, 2016 - Davis Hall, GBPAC Performance of chamber music at the UNI Viola Festival November 3, 2016 - “Elm’s Pub” New Aldaya Retirement Community, Cedar Falls Performance with the jazz trio October 30, 2016 - Great Hall, GBPAC Concert performance with the WCF Symphony Orchestra as a principal bass October 15, 2016 - Davis Hall, GBPAC “UNI Bass Jamboree”, recruitment event composed of performances, clinics, and master classes, which attracted 24 bass students from various areas of Iowa state and featured guest artist clinician Karl McComas-Reichl October 14, 2016 – Waverly-Shellrock High School Recruitment visit and performance with UNI Bass Ensemble October 12, 2016 - Linn-Mar High School Recruitment visit, orchestra bass section coaching October 8, 2016 – Brown Derby Ballroom, Waterloo IA 2 concert performances of “Vivaldi, The Seasons I” program with the Waterloo Cedar Falls Chamber Orchestra as a principal bass October 5, 2016 - Davis Hall, GBPAC UNI Bass Studio recital of classical and jazz music October 3, 2016 – Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall, UNI Performance at the guest trombone artist’s recital, Tony Baker October 1, 2016 - PAC 30, GBPAC UNI All-State String Workshop, coaching bass students September 28, 2016 - Davis Hall, GBPAC My faculty recital performance of classical and jazz music September 24, 2016 – PAC 30, GBPAC UNI Violin Caucus, coaching bass and cello section for September 13, 2016 – 101 Russell Hall, UNI Demonstration clinic at the jazz pedagogy class September 9, 2016 - Russell Hall, UNI Performance at the jazz concert w/ guest artist Matt Wilson September 7, 2016 – Great Hall, GBPAC Performance at the Prizm concert September 7, 2016 – Linn-Mar High School Recruitment visit, orchestra bass section coaching September 1, 2016 – Russell Hall, UNI Performance at Dr. Anthony Williams’s recital August 26, 2016 - New Aldaya Retirement Home, Elm’s Pub Performance with the jazz trio August 20, 2016 - “Octopus” bar on UNI College Hill Performance with UNI jazz faculty June 19-24, 2016 - UNI Jazz Combo Camp Clinician and performer June 11, 2016 – Bread Garden performance series, Iowa City, IA Performance with the jazz trio “Octopus” bar on UNI College Hill Performance with UNI Jazz Trombone Ensemble May 20, 2016 - New Aldaya Retirement Home, Elm’s Pub Performance with the jazz trio May 13, 2016 - New Aldaya Retirement Home, Elm’s Pub Performance with the jazz trio May 4, 2016 – UNI student event PMA outside concert Performance with UNI Bass Ensemble April 28, 2016 - “Cup of Joe” coffee house, Cedar Falls, Iowa Performance with a jazz quartet April 25, 2016 - Davis Hall, GBPAC Performance with percussion ensemble at 50-year reunion concert April 25, 2016 – Recruitment tour of Des Moines area high schools with NISO chamber group and UNI Bass Ensemble. April 24, 2016 - Davis Hall, GBPAC Performance with percussion ensemble at 50-year reunion concert April 23, 2016 - Great Hall, GBPAC Concert performance with the WCF Symphony Orchestra as a principal bass April 18, 2016 - Great Hall, GBPAC Concert performance with Northern Iowa Wind Symphony April 15, 2016 – Park Place Event Centre , Cedar Falls, IA Performance with Bill Shepheard Big Band. April 14, 2016 - Great Hall, GBPAC Concert performance with UNISO April 8, 2016 – Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall Assist Jazz Band 1 with reading session of student compositions April 5, 2016 - Great Hall, GBPAC Performance with the WCF Symphony Orchestra as a principal bass April 2, 2016 - Brown Derby Ballroom, Waterloo IA 2 concert performances of “Bach II” program with the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra as a principal bass March 25, 2016 – “The Mill”, Iowa City, IA Performance with the jazz trio March 21, 2016 - Davis Hall, GBPAC Judged the preliminary round of the UNI scholarship competition March 10 – 19, 2016 – Tour of Italy performing with UNI Wind Symphony March 8, 2016 – Davis Hall, GBPAC Performance at Dr. Amanda McCandless’s recital March 5, 2016 - Great Hall, GBPAC Performance with the WCF Symphony Orchestra as a principal bass March 4, 2016 - Great Hall, GBPAC Performance with NISO February 26, 2016 – “Des Moines Social Club”, Des Moines, IA Concert performance with jazz trio February 20, 2016 - Great Hall, GBPAC Performance with UNI jazz faculty for presentation at Tallcorn Jazz Festival February 19, 2016 – Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall Substitute judge for the Tallcorn Jazz Festival February 18, 2015 - “Cup of Joe” coffee house, Cedar Falls, Iowa Performance with a jazz quartet directed by Prof. Chris Merz, February 12, 2016 - New Aldaya Retirement Home, Elm’s Pub Performance with the jazz trio February 12, 2016 – McElroy Lobby, GBPAC Performance of Bach’s cantata February 11, 2016 – Russel Hall, 101 Performance assistance at the graduate student audition. February 6, 2016 - Brown Derby Ballroom, Waterloo IA 2 concert performances of “Bach I” program with the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra as a principal bass January 30, 2016 – Ankeny HS, Ankeny, IA Clinics and performance at the Ankeny Jazz Festival. January 29, 2016 – Russel Hall, 101 Performance assistance at the graduate student audition. January 28, 2016 – “Noce” jazz club in Des Moines, IA Concert performance with Dave Rezek Quartet. January 28, 2016 – Russel Hall 101 Demonstration/lecture of bass techniques for the jazz arranging class, prof. Merz January 20, 2016 - Davis Hall, GBPAC Performance assistance for the percussion search. January 16, 2016 - Davis Hall, GBPAC “UNI Bass Jamboree”, initiated by me recruitment event which attracted 15 bass students from various areas of Iowa state and featured guest artist clinician Fred Bretschger January 12, 2016 - Davis Hall, GBPAC My recital performance of classical and jazz music December 19, 2015 - Great Hall, GBPAC Concert performance with “Christmas Big Band”, B. Shephard dir. December 17, 2015 - “Cup of Joe” coffee house, Cedar Falls, Iowa Performance with a jazz quartet directed by Prof. Chris Merz, December 12, 2015 – Winterset High School, Winterset, IA Clinician at SCIBA jazz festival December 11, 2015 – New Aldaya Retirement Home, Elm’s Pub Performance with the jazz trio December 2, 2015 - Davis Hall, GBPAC Concert performance with the UNI Percussion Ensemble December 1, 2015 - Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS Performance and clinic with the UNI string faculty November 16, 2015 - “Octopus” bar on UNI College Hill Performance with UNI Jazz Trombone Ensemble November 12, 2015 - Great Hall, GBPAC Concert performance with Northern Iowa Wind Symphony November 11, 2015 - Great Hall, GBPAC Concert performance with UNI Symphony Orchestra November 7, 2015 - Great Hall, GBPAC Concert performance with Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra November 5, 2015 - Marion, Linn-Mar HS Performance and clinic with the UNI string faculty November 2, 2015 - Ames, City HS Performance and clinic with the UNI string faculty November 1, 2015 – “Spicolli’s” bar, Waterloo, IA Performance with the UNI Jazz Panthers October 31, 2015 – Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL Performance with UNI Jazz Trombone Ensemble October 28, 2015 - Des Moines, Valley West & North HS Performance and clinic with the UNI string faculty October 22, 2015 - Great Hall, GBPAC Concert Performance with Northern Iowa Wind Symphony October 18, 2015 - Dubuque Youth Symphony Orchestra (several local HS) Performance and clinic with the UNI string faculty October 17, 2015 – Cindy and David Mason’s residence. Performance with the “Alex Pershounin Jazz Trio” for Cedar Valley Chamber Series October 16, 2015 - Iowa City, City HS Performance and clinic with the UNI string faculty October 15, 2015 – Davis Hall, GBPAC Concert performance with the UNI Percussion Ensemble October 10, 2015 - All-State Strings Workshop (GBPAC) October 9, 2015 – 1. Hearst Center for the Arts, Performance with Sean Botkin and the UNI Bass Ensemble 2. Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall Concert performance with the UNI Jazz Panthers October 8, 2015 – 1. Iowa City, West HS - Performance and clinic with the UNI string faculty 2. “Octopus” bar on College Hill - Performance with UNI jazz faculty combo featuring Guest artist Bobby Shew October 3, 2015 – Neumann Auditorium, Wartburg College, Waverly, IA Concert Performance with WC Symphony orchestra and Sean Botkin October 2, 2015 - Great Hall, GBPAC Concert Performance with Northern Iowa Wind Symphony September 25, 2015 – Great Hall, GBPAC Scholarship Benefit Concert Performance with faculty jazz combo, Northern Iowa Wind Symphony, and UNI Symphony Orchestra September 18, 2015 – Bar/Restaurant “Cellar” Waterloo, IA Performance with the Bob Washut Jazz Trio September 11, 2015 - Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall Performance with the UNI Jazz Dodectet concert September 3, 2015 Davis Hall, GBPAC My recital performance of classical and jazz music August 22, 2015 – Performance with the Bob Washut jazz trio at the “Octopus” August 21, 2015 – Performance with the jazz trio at the New Aldaya Retirement Community June 21-26 – Clinician and performer at the UNI Jazz Combo Camp May 1, 2015 – Hearst Center for the Arts Performance with the UNI Jazz Trombone ensemble April 22, 2015 – 1. Coaching at UNI Invitational Orchestra Festival 2. Performance with the UNI Jazz Combo at Sidecar Coffee Shop April 17, 2015 – Great Hall, GBPAC Concert Performance with Northern Iowa Wind Symphony/Concert Chorale and UNI Singers April 16, 2015 1.McElroy Lobby, GBPAC Performance of Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater” with UNI string faculty 2.Bengtson Guest appearance performance with “Jazz Panthers” UNI big band April 15, 2015 – Great Hall, GBPAC Performance with the UNI Symphony Orchestra March 12, 2015 – Great Hall, GBPAC Performance with the UNI Symphony Orchestra March 7, 2015 – Great Hall, GBPAC Concert performance of “Imagine” A Mystical Mystery”with the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra as a principal bass February 24, 2015 - Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall Performance at the UNI Jazz Combo concert with the UNI trombone ensemble February 17, 2015 - Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall My recital performance of classical and jazz music February 13, 2015 - Great Hall, GBPAC Performance at the UNI Band Festival with the UNI trombone ensemble February 7, 2015 – Brown Derby Ballroom, Waterloo IA 2 concert performances of “Mahler’s Vienesse Transformation” with the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra as a principal bass January 16, 2015 – Des Moines, IA high schools Recruitment trip to the Des Moines area high schools with UNI string faculty December 8, 2014 – Davis Hall, GBPAC Performance at the faculty recital presented by Dr. Cayla Bellamy, Instructor of Bassoon December 6, 2014 – Davis Hall, GBPAC Performance at the Viola Festival organized by Dr. Julia Bullard, Professor of Viola and Music Theory, Associate Director of Graduate Studies December 2, 2014 - Davis Hall, GBPAC My recital performance of classical and jazz music November 12, 2014 - Great Hall, GBPAC Adjudication on the jury panel for the UNI Concerto Competition November 7, 2014 – Ames, IA and Fort Dodge, IA Recruitment trip to the area high schools with jazz faculty members which included concert performances November 6, 2014 – Ames, IA and Fort Dodge, IA Recruitment trip to the Des Moines area high schools with string faculty members which included performance and mini presentations November 2, 2014 - Great Hall, GBPAC Concert performance with the “Rat Pack Show” project October 26, 2014 - First Congregational Church, Waterloo, Iowa Concert performance of Baroque chamber music “Miah and Friends” October 23, 2014 - Great Hall, GBPAC Concert performance with the UNI Symphony Orchestra October 20, 2014 - Davis Hall, GBPAC Performance at the faculty recital presented by Dr. Heather Peyton, Assistant Professor of Oboe and Music Theory October 10, 2014 - Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall Performance at the Jazz Ensembles concert with Jazz Band One October 4, 2014 - Jebe Hall, GBPAC Conducting a clinic and master class for the bass students at the UNI All-state Strings Workshop September 26, 2014 - Great Hall, GBPAC Concert performance with the UNI Jazz Band One and UNI Symphony Orchestra at the Scholarship Benefit Concert “County Fair” September 19, 2014 - Davis Hall, GBPAC Coaching a cello/bass sectional rehearsal for UNI symphony September 18, 2014 - Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall Performance at the faculty recital presented by Dr. Anthony Williams, Assistant Professor of Trombone September 6, 2014 - RiverLoop Expo Plaza, Waterloo, Iowa Concert performance as principal bassist with the Cedar Falls/Waterloo Symphony Orchestra August 28, 2014 - “Cup of Joe” coffee house, Cedar Falls, Iowa Performance with a jazz quartet directed by Prof. Chris Merz, Director of Jazz Studies at UNI August 16, 2014 - RiverLoop Expo Plaza, Waterloo, Iowa Performance with the jazz quartet at the community event fest “Stem and Stein” August 14, 2014 - “Cup of Joe” coffee house, Cedar Falls, Iowa Performance with a jazz quartet directed by Prof. Chris Merz, Director of Jazz Studies at UNI Feb 21, 2013 @ 6pm, free admission "Mardi Gras Jazz" with "The Pershounin Project" at Columbus Museum Mar 8, 2013 @ 7pm, free admission "Let's Touch Bass" CD release concert at The Loft Mar 10, 2013 @ 6pm "Columbus Jazz Society" with "The Pershounin Project" at St. Thomas Episcopal Church Mar 28, 2013 @ 7:30, free admission Concert with CSU Jazz Band, featuring trombone virtuoso Conrad Herwig in RiverCenter Legacy Hall Mar 29, 2013 @ 7pm, free admission Concert with Conrad Herwig and "The Alex Pershounin Trio" at The Loft Apr 12, 2013 @ 7pm, free admission Concert with CSU Jazz Ensembles at The Loft Apr 19, 2013 @ 7pm, free admission Concert with "The Pershounin Project" at The Loft |
Currently scheduled events and activities
April 30, 2017 – First Presbyterian Church, Waterloo, IA Concert performance of “Spring Mass” by Robert Chilcott April 29, 2017 - Great Hall, GBPAC Performance with the Waterloo Cedar Falls Chamber Orchestra as a principal bass April 23, 2017 - “Spicoli’s” bar, Cedar Falls, IA Conduct the UNI Jazz Panthers band as part of the UNI jazz concert April 21, 2017 – “Elm’s Pub” New Aldaya Retirement Community, Cedar Falls Performance with the jazz trio April 20, 2017 – Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall Conduct performance by UNI Jazz Band II, Jazz Panthers April 6, 2017 - Great Hall, GBPAC Perform a clinic for the UNI Orchestra Invitational event -Davis Hall, GBPAC Perform at Robert Dunn’s rfecital (UNI guitar professor) April 4, 2017 - Iowa State University, Aimes, IA Adjudicate Iowa Jazz Championships 2017 - Great Hall, GBPAC Performance with UNI music faculty of the “Mercy Bell” by Christopher Stark April 1, 2017 - Great Hall, GBPAC Performance with the Waterloo Cedar Falls Chamber Orchestra as a principal bass March 30, 2017 – Great Hall, GBPAC Performance with the Waterloo Cedar Falls Chamber Orchestra as a principal bass March 9-19, 2017 - Havana and Veradero, Cuba Tour performances and clinics with UNI Jazz Band One March 8, 2017 – Noce Jazz Club, Des Moines, IA Performance with UNI Jazz Band One March 6, 2017 – Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids, IA Performance as part of the Jazz Corridor Project, with Linn Mar HS jazz band March 4, 2017 – Cedar Rapids, IA Judging at the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association Jazz Festival |
ALEX PERSHOUNIN
"LET’S TOUCH BASS"
A superb bassist who is equally skilled in jazz and classical music, Alex Pershounin is the director of jazz studies and the professor of the bass studio at Columbus State University. In his career he has been on the soundtracks of motion pictures and worked with such artists as Mulgrew Miller, Benny Golson, Yo Yo Ma and Ray Charles among others. As he shows throughout Let’s Touch Bass, Alex Pershounin uses the full range of the bass, tuning in fifths rather than fourths which allows him to get the lowest possible notes along with the highest. He is a brilliant player both technically and in his creativity.
Let’s Touch Bass showcases the virtuoso in several creative settings. The first four selections are all Pershounin originals and feature his bass in a jazz combo with Tyrone Jackson, Geoff Haydon or Jose Garcia on piano and drummer Marlon Patton. “Let’s Touch Bass,” which has Sam Skelton’s alto playing the lead during the melody statement along with a soulful and inventive solo, has a catchy melody line. The blues-with-a-bridge piece also has fine spots for Jackson’s electric keyboard and the leader’s bass. “Tales Of The East,” a song with hints of the Mideast, is most notable for Skelton’s passionate soprano and the hypnotic bass pattern. “Waltz For Natalia” has flugelhornist Gordon Verrick in Skelton’s place. The interplay between Pershounin and Verrick including a closing tradeoff is impressive. “Samba For Daniel” is an attractive and infectious piece that is quite fun. Skelton’s flute playing adds heat to the music.
Charlie Parker’s tongue-twisting “Donna Lee” is performed by Alex Pershounin, guitarist Trey Wright and drummer Marlon Patton. Pershounin’s bowed bass and Wright’s swinging guitar blend together and contrast each other quite well.
The trio of Pershounin, Patton and pianist Geoff Haydon turns a pair of Bach melodies (“The Bouree from Cello Suite No. 3” and “The Courant from Cello Suite No. 3”) into swinging and inventive jazz. The close and often-spontaneous communication between piano and bass (whether bowed or plucked) is outstanding throughout. With Jose Garcia taking over on piano, Chick Corea’s “Armando’s Rhumba” is quite complementary to the Bach pieces, with each of the musicians getting some solo space between the tight melody statements.
Concluding this very enjoyable set is a version of “Georgia On My Mind” that features Alex Pershounin overdubbing his bowed bass over his walking bass. As with everything else on Let’s Touch Bass, the music is memorable, flawless played, and full of subtle surprises.
Let’s Touch Bass is an outstanding effort and highly recommended!
Scott Yanow, jazz writer and critic, including Jazz Times, Down Beat, Jazziz, etc, author of 11 books including The Great Jazz Guitarists, Trumpet Kings, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76,
"LET’S TOUCH BASS"
A superb bassist who is equally skilled in jazz and classical music, Alex Pershounin is the director of jazz studies and the professor of the bass studio at Columbus State University. In his career he has been on the soundtracks of motion pictures and worked with such artists as Mulgrew Miller, Benny Golson, Yo Yo Ma and Ray Charles among others. As he shows throughout Let’s Touch Bass, Alex Pershounin uses the full range of the bass, tuning in fifths rather than fourths which allows him to get the lowest possible notes along with the highest. He is a brilliant player both technically and in his creativity.
Let’s Touch Bass showcases the virtuoso in several creative settings. The first four selections are all Pershounin originals and feature his bass in a jazz combo with Tyrone Jackson, Geoff Haydon or Jose Garcia on piano and drummer Marlon Patton. “Let’s Touch Bass,” which has Sam Skelton’s alto playing the lead during the melody statement along with a soulful and inventive solo, has a catchy melody line. The blues-with-a-bridge piece also has fine spots for Jackson’s electric keyboard and the leader’s bass. “Tales Of The East,” a song with hints of the Mideast, is most notable for Skelton’s passionate soprano and the hypnotic bass pattern. “Waltz For Natalia” has flugelhornist Gordon Verrick in Skelton’s place. The interplay between Pershounin and Verrick including a closing tradeoff is impressive. “Samba For Daniel” is an attractive and infectious piece that is quite fun. Skelton’s flute playing adds heat to the music.
Charlie Parker’s tongue-twisting “Donna Lee” is performed by Alex Pershounin, guitarist Trey Wright and drummer Marlon Patton. Pershounin’s bowed bass and Wright’s swinging guitar blend together and contrast each other quite well.
The trio of Pershounin, Patton and pianist Geoff Haydon turns a pair of Bach melodies (“The Bouree from Cello Suite No. 3” and “The Courant from Cello Suite No. 3”) into swinging and inventive jazz. The close and often-spontaneous communication between piano and bass (whether bowed or plucked) is outstanding throughout. With Jose Garcia taking over on piano, Chick Corea’s “Armando’s Rhumba” is quite complementary to the Bach pieces, with each of the musicians getting some solo space between the tight melody statements.
Concluding this very enjoyable set is a version of “Georgia On My Mind” that features Alex Pershounin overdubbing his bowed bass over his walking bass. As with everything else on Let’s Touch Bass, the music is memorable, flawless played, and full of subtle surprises.
Let’s Touch Bass is an outstanding effort and highly recommended!
Scott Yanow, jazz writer and critic, including Jazz Times, Down Beat, Jazziz, etc, author of 11 books including The Great Jazz Guitarists, Trumpet Kings, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76,