Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. - The Concordia College Jazz Ensemble I

The Concordia College Jazz Ensemble I

In addition to four major concerts a year, Jazz Ensemble I performs on Concordia’s annual Day of Percussion, with some of the country’s most sought-after players including Dave Weckle, Peter Erskin, Zoro, Greg Field, Will Kennedy, Ignacio Berroa, Terri Lyne Carrington, Colin Bailey, Louie Bellson, Gregg Bissonette, Bob Breithaupt and Ed Clift. Jazz Ensemble I was even featured with legendary alto saxophonist Phil Woods at the 2005 Concordia Jazz Day and recorded its first CD in 2004.

Director
Russell Peterson, an accomplished classical and jazz saxophonist, bassoonist and composer, directs both Concordia College Jazz Ensembles. He is an active chamber musician, performing extensively throughout Europe and The United States with The Transcontinental Saxophone Quartet, and is currently also performing with the Hard-Bop Jazz Saxophone Quartet in Fargo-Moorhead. As an orchestral player, Peterson has served as bassoonist with several symphony orchestras, and is currently principal bassoonist with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, as well as bassoonist with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Wind Quintet.

Winner of numerous prizes, including the top prize at the International Geneva Saxophone Concours in Switzerland and first place winner of the MTNA National Music Competition, Peterson has soloed with orchestras in the United States as well as Europe, including the Dana Chamber Orchestra, Concordia Orchestra, Bowling Green Philharmonic and L’Orchestra de la Suisse Romande in Switzerland.

He has written several commissioned works, including “Concerto for Timpani and Orchestra” for the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony and “Trio for Alto Saxophone, Violin and Piano,” which premiered at the Region 3 NASA convention in April 2007.Peterson holds degrees from Youngstown (Ohio) State University, Le Conservatoire de Bordeaux in France and Bowling Green (Ohio) State University. He has previously served on the faculty at Youngstown State University, The University of Toledo in Ohio, Minnesota State University Moorhead, The Interlochen Summer Arts Camp in Michigan and The International Music Camp.

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