Nancy King and Steve Christofferson combine with CWU Jazz Groups

Nancy King and Steve Christofferson combine with CWU Jazz Groups April 30, 2008 Contact: Chris Bruya, 509-963-1426, fax: 509-963-1239, e-mail: bruyac@cwu.edu ELLENSBURG, Wash.- The extraordinary jazz vocalist, Nancy King, and her equally talented pianist, Steve Christofferson, will appear with the CWU Vocal Jazz I and Jazz Band I on May 16th, 8pm, at the CWU Music Building. A singer that The Oregonian says has ?the instincts of a true jazz improviser?; she is considered by many to be one of the few great jazz singers still alive. Karrin Allyson, who recently headlined at the Seasons Performance Hall in Yakima, calls her ?one of the best singers that ever walked the planet.? The great bassist Ray Brown featured her on his 1998 CD ?Some of My Best Friends Are Singers? followed by a European tour in 1999. King has appeared in festivals in Bulgaria, France, Canada and throughout the United States. The Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) commissioned a number of recordings of the duo that has received extensive airplay in Canada and on NPR stations throughout the US. This year Steve and Nancy have continued their busy schedule with performances in Australia, New York and California. The CWU Jazz Studies Area is proud to present these world-class performers on a concert that will showcase the duo by themselves and in collaborations with the Vocal Jazz I, directed by Vijay Singh, and the Jazz Band I, directed by Chris Bruya. ?We have been trying for a number of years to get these guys up here for an event. Finally our schedules lined up and we are ecstatic about the opportunities to perform with and present these musicians to the community,? says Bruya. In addition, King and Christofferson will present clinics at Ellensburg High School (7am, May 15) and Central Washington University (1pm, May 16), which are open to all. Support by the Jazz in the Valley Education Fund and the CWU Jazz Fund makes the duo?s visit possible. Tickets for the concert will be sold at the door, $5 general admission, $3 students and seniors. Please note: the concert will start at 8pm in order to accommodate other events in the Music Department that evening. For more information contact Chris Bruya, CWU Director of Jazz Studies, 509-963-1426 or bruyac@cwu.edu Nancy King?s website: http://www.nancykingjazz.com/