Jazz Concert Set for Oct. 2

September 28, 2012

UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Jazz Ensembles in Concert Oct. 2

September 28, 2012

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

September 28, 2012

The University of Texas at Tyler School of Performing Arts will present the UT Tyler jazz ensembles in concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2 in the University Center theater, Dr. John Webb, director of jazz studies, announced.

The public concert will feature guest artist J.T. Pundt on trumpet. Pundt will perform with the UT Tyler Jazz Patriots Combo and then with the 18-piece UT Tyler Jazz Ensemble, both under Webb’s direction.

“The program will feature everything from jazz swing standards to high energy fusion, ballads to bossa novas, and of course some great trumpet playing from our very well-known and outstanding local guest artist! So bring your friends and family for this exciting musical treat,” Webb said.

A native of San Antonio, Pundt is a mechanical engineer and has worked for Eastman Chemical Co. since 1979.

“Though he did not pursue music as a career, trumpet playing has remained a very important part of his life, and he has dovetailed musical opportunities with career opportunities wherever they may be. This approach has allowed him to play trumpet in places as far away as Singapore, Wisconsin, Illinois, New Orleans and of course, Texas,” Webb added.

Pundt’s first musical opportunity in the East Texas area was with the Longview Symphony, where he played for three years. Other venues included orchestras for the Longview Community Theater, East Texas Symphonic Band and a brass quintet called the East Texas Brass. Since the mid-1980s, he has played in numerous Big Bands including The Tyler Big Band, Sounds of Swing and East Texas Jazz Orchestra.

He plays with various musicians in jazz combos and most recently has been a member of the Jazz Connection, which is under Webb’s direction.

For more information, contact Webb, 903.566.7387 or jwebb@uttyler.edu.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler offers excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 7,000 high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.