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Music professor releases wide-ranging CD

Sept. 4, 2009

KALAMAZOO--A new compact disc by a Western Michigan University music professor has a decidedly personal touch.

Dr. Stephen Zegree, the WMU Bobby McFerrin Professor of Jazz and director of WMU's award-winning vocal jazz ensemble Gold Company, has just released his latest effort, "Steve Zegree and Friends" on the Sea Breeze Jazz label. The CD features Zegree as piano soloist on several selections, in addition to including the musical talents of several close associates from the WMU School of Music. The CD was recorded in Kalamazoo, both in the School of Music's Western Sound Studios and local recording house Arcadia Recording.

In addition to Zegree at the keys, the disc includes instrumental performances by Trent Kynaston on saxophone; Tom Knific on bass; and Tim Froncek and Billy Hart on drums. Vocal performers include collaborations with Metropolitan Opera baritone Tim Noble and WMU professor of vocal jazz, Duane Davis. Kynaston and Knific are both WMU professors of music, while Froncek and Hart are visiting artists in the School of Music.

The release is musically eclectic, ranging from classical to straight-ahead instrumental jazz to vocal jazz, including a selection arranged by Zegree and recorded by Gold Company. The recording includes some of Zegree's favorite compositions by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Leonard Bernstein and Frederic Chopin and represents his many and varied musical interests.

The disc is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, wmugoldcompany.com and a variety of other sites.

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Media contact: Mark Schwerin, (269) 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu

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