Frost School of Music students prepare to perform with some of the best artists at this season’s Frost Music Live concert series.
The joy of attending live music is rekindled at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. The critically acclaimed Frost Music Live concert series is back, offering in-person concerts featuring award-winning Frost faculty artists and outstanding students performing a range of music.
“COVID has limited live music, but it’s time to finally rediscover how beautiful it is to come together, each hearing different things, while allowing us to collectively feel – which is so necessary after distance be the default way to live life,” said Janelle Finton, a junior jazz trumpet performance student.
Finton is one of many students who will have the opportunity to perform alongside some of the best artists in the music industry. On September 15, Finton will play lead trumpet in the Studio Jazz Band with seven-time Grammy Award-winning bassist Christian McBride.
“I’m really excited to work with Christian McBride. Last year I was part of the JAS Aspen Academy big band (along with Frost) and had the chance to work with him virtually. It will be so cool to perform the music of a master of this music, with him here in person,” she said. “I’m also grateful and thrilled to be performing alongside such talented peers, with a live audience. open to the public for the first time post-COVID.”
Jaden Kim, a young jazz music and performance studio, will also be performing alongside McBride in the Studio Jazz Band, playing second trombone. He is grateful for this rare opportunity and hopes people will come to see this special concert.
“If I hadn’t signed up for Frost, I never would have been able to share the stage with Christian McBride,” Kim explained. “People should come to this concert because it’s not often you get to see a world-class musician on stage with the next generation of great musicians.”
Shelly Berg, Dean of the Frost School of Music, explained that such opportunities for students are essential learning experiences for them in their professional careers.
“Students can get closer to these exceptional artists. It’s like a college basketball player training with an NBA superstar like Stephen Curry,” Berg said. “You’re discovering that little bit of extra intensity that great professionals have and it’s very significant. It is truly an irreplaceable experience.
Berg explained that Frost has brought in some of the best guest artists this season to celebrate the return of live music.
“We are delighted to welcome live audiences to our concerts. Although we are not at full capacity, we hope to expand our audience over the semester with all protocols in place. The Frost School of Music is deeply committed to the health and safety of our guests, performers, students and concert staff,” he said.
The new season kicks off on September 11 with an “All Chopin Recital” featuring guest pianist Avery Gagliano, winner of the 2020 Grand Prize of the Chopin Foundation National Competition.
On September 20, the public will be able to enjoy an “Au ballet” evening. Renowned Tuba Teacher Frost and Principal Tuba Player of the Sarasota Orchestra, Aaron Tindall, will light up the stage with two of the most famous ballet masterpieces of all time, including ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Cinderella’ .
“Tindal is one of the greatest tuba virtuosos in the world and he will perform ballet music that has been rearranged for tuba and piano. It’s going to be very unique and spectacular,” Berg noted.
The last concert of the month will take place on September 24 when the Frost Studio Jazz Band celebrates “The Musical Legacy of Melton Mustafa”, a pillar of the South Florida music community. Grammy-nominated Melton Mustafa Jr. and his uncle, South Florida Jazz Hall of Famer Jesse Jones Jr., will join Frost director Etienne Charles in celebrating the life of Melton Mustafa Sr. through the music.
“Melton Mustafa was a legendary jazz trumpet player and jazz educator for decades in South Florida. Mustafa Sr. has played with Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Woody Herman,” Berg explained. “He was so important in teaching a large number of students of color who went on to professional careers because of his influence. This concert is going to be a very exciting but also very meaningful evening for our school and for our artists.
Visit http://www.frostmusiclive.com/ for more information and to buy tickets.
