On Sunday, July 27th, Bill Dobbins, Professor of Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media at the renowned Eastman School of Music and Director of the school’s Jazz Ensemble, will perform at Becky Ogden’s Bungalow Jazz home starting at 7:30pm. Bill will be joined by local bassist Andy Woodson and Jim Rupp on Drums. They will be performing a “Dave Brubeck program.”
Dobbins will then be the featured guest at a July 28th concert of the 21-piece Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra. The orchestra’s standard repertoire includes music of Count Basie, Stan Kenton, and Woody Herman, among others.
Dobbins Bio:
Dobbins has won several international jazz competition awards and grants. For several years he led prominent jazz and broadcast orchestras in Germany and the Netherlands. He has also been featured with classical orchestras and chamber ensembles.
Education-wise, jazz education programs worldwide have adopted Dobbin’s volumes of jazz piano solos and jazz textbooks for use in courses. He has nurtured students who eventually played with many of the world’s primary big jazz groups. One of his claimed finest students was Columbus pianist Mark Flugge.
As a composer/arranger, Dobbin’s prolific efforts are known for their original plus embellished harmonies. It is said that he has probably worked with more contemporary jazz artists than not. He is especially known for his transcriptions of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Clare Fischer. His many commissions have included several exclusively for the Famous Jazz Orchestra, some of which will be performed on the 28th.
The orchestra performs every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Clintonville Woman’s Club, 3951 N. High Street. Admission is $10 ($5 for students), with ample free parking. A concession stand serves light snacks and drink.