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"The Medicine Show" comes to Dalton Sunday

Nov. 3, 2005

KALAMAZOO--One of the most creative and exciting events of this year's WMU jazz series takes the stage of the Dalton Center Recital Hall when Jamey Haddad brings "The Medicine Show" to Western Michigan University for a rare appearance at 8:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6.

General admission tickets are $15 and $5 for students and senior citizens and are available from the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office at (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858. Remaining tickets will be available at the door.

Featuring all original music, "The Medicine Show" features Haddad on drums and percussion, Billy Drewes on saxophones, Tino Derado on piano and keyboards, Kip Reed on bass, and Satoshi Takeishi on percussion.

"The Medicine Show" name comes from a style of early American traveling entertainment troupe that combined the seduction derived from an evening's entertainment along with the sale of exotic medicines to cure whatever ailment patrons might have. Haddad's contemporary musical "Medicine Show" has traveled the world to bring its listeners the musical message that blends the differences of our planet into a voice of harmony.

Born in Cleveland, Haddad holds a unique position in the world of jazz and contemporary music. His musical voice transcends styles and trends, and the universal quality of his playing has attracted several international collaborations. He has performed with Paul Simon, Simon and Garfunkel, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Alan Farnham, The Paul Winter Consort, Carly Simon, Betty Buckley, Rabih Abou Khalil, Simon Shaheen, and Kazim El Sahir. Haddad currently teaches at the Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory, and Cleveland Institute of Music. He is a Fulbright Scholar and a National Endowment for the Arts grant recipient.

Saxophonist Drewes is best known for his long-time jazz associations with Joe Lovano and Bill Frisell, and 20 years as a member of the Mel Lewis Orchestra, which is now the Vanguard Orchestra. Drewes has written over 400 compositions, and he and his music can be heard on literally hundreds of recordings.

Together with Haddad, Takeishi has recorded with Dave Liebman and Drewes and on two recordings with pianist Derado. Satoshi has been a long time member of the trio with Eliana Elias and Mark Johnson.

Bass player Reed is in constant demand in New York City. He has been performing with many of Brazil's top performers and can be heard on recordings of Tania Maria.

After living in NYC for 12 years, Derado now makes Berlin his home base. He is making a name for himself in Europe and is working on his sixth record as a band leader.

Media contact: Kevin West, (269) 387-4678, kevin.west@wmich.edu

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