Mesa Legend - ARCHIVES - Vol. 40, Issue 7


Volume 40, Issue 7. Today is .

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Volume 40, Issue 7.
December 3, 2002

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Album celebrates MCC talent
By Dan Smith
Mesa Legend

MCC faculty, local musicians perform
Photo by Dan Smith/Mesa Legend
MCC faculty along with local musicians perform at the Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale for the release of “Playground,” which is a collection of jazz musical scores that was recorded here on campus.

MCC is home to some well known jazz musicians in the Valley and they recently released an album of six songs arranged by Assistant Band Director Fred Forney.

The album title is “Playground,” and showcases Forney, Armand Boatman, Tony Malaby, Tom Miles, Hugh Lovelady, Dwight Killian, Dom Moio, Alan Ferber, and 35-year faculty member Grant Wolf, who passed away this last August.

The recording of the CD took place in the fall of 2000 and was mixed this spring and released in combination with a performance at the Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale on Nov. 21.

All the proceeds from the album and the performance are going to fund student jazz scholarships.

Forney spoke about the uniqueness of the music faculty at MCC, pointing out that they not only teach classes about jazz but perform often as well.

This uniqueness, in combination with the high quality recording equipment available at MCC is what prompted Forney to start the project.

“We have some real good jazz players here and a killer recording program, all I had to do was write some music, so I did,” said Forney.

In addition to raising money for scholarships the CD will be used to interest students in the jazz program at MCC.

There were 1,000 copies of the album produced and 500 have already sold.

Forney may in the future broaden the range of the album sales by offering it at Border’s or possibly seeking a label such as Virgin Records.

Upcoming jazz events will include the State Jazz Festival taking place here on campus in April and a Grant Wolf tribute concert also taking place in the spring.

A recording of the “Playground,” release concert should be available at these events, said Forney.

To purchase a copy of “Playground,” contact the music department at (480) 461-7575 and ask for Alma Queros.

The albums are $20 per copy.