Macomb, IL – You might think big bands are confined to the dust bin of history. The music reached its zenith in the 1930s and '40s. But the sound it alive and well and you'll be able to see that firsthand this week in Macomb.
Western Illinois University is hosting two top jazz musicians from Europe. Marco Renzi and Bepi D'Amato are both with the "Italian Big Band." They are musicians in-residence at WIU through Wednesday April 22.
Renzi started the "Italian Big Band" in 1993. D'Amato, who plays the clarinet, has been the band's featured soloist since its founding.
Renzi and D'Amato will participate in the WIU Jazz Bands Concert in the College of Fine Arts and Communication Recital Hall. The concert begins at 7:30 pm on Tuesday April 21. General admission is $5 at the door. WIU students will be admitted free with a valid ID, and School of Music faculty will also be admitted free.
During the concert, WIU's Jazz Studio Orchestra and Jazz Band will play a few of the numbers they've been working on. They will also play Italian songs orchestrated for big bands.
The next night, the Renzi and D'Amato will give the presentation "Jazz in Europe." The lecture begins at 7:00 pm in Browne Hall 215. It's free and open to the public.
The Italian government is paying all of the expenses for Renzi and D'Amato to spend the week in Macomb.
Michael Stryker, assistant professor of jazz piano and Director of Western's Jazz Band, says jazz remains popular in Europe. "In many countries, the state sponsors orchestras, both jazz and classical," says Stryker. "There are many jazz festivals n Europe. Many American musicians live in Europe because they can play the type of music they want to play."
Stryker says Renzi's musical studies were in cello, piano, organ and composition. He was a concert organist in Italy and abroad. Renzi has also worked as a pianist and arranger with famous Italian artists, and he has written many compositions for organ.
D'Amato graduated from the Pescara Conservatory "L. D'Annunzio," and he was first clarinet in the Pescara Symphony Orchestra (1986-1992). He played chamber music and was self-taught in jazz until he attended the Conservatory of Music of Campobasso, where he earned a degree in jazz music (1999).