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The Arts

Award-Winning Artist Featured in Fall Jazz Concert

By November 4, 2011November 16th, 2018No Comments

Don Stille performs with Kirkwood ensembles and instructs free master class

Chicago-based pianist and accordionist Don Stille takes the stage at Kirkwood Community College on November 12, as a famed jazz musician and educator. Proclaimed as the Mainstream Jazz Pianist of the Year by the Twin Cities Jazz Society, Stille headlines the performance beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Ballantyne Auditorium. Stille shares the stage with the Kirkwood Jazz Ensemble and Cedar Rapids Jazz Big Band.

Stille performs with both groups as a featured artist, led by Kirkwood Instrumental Jazz Music Director Timothy Feldkamp. A free masterclass will be conducted as part of the November 12 performance. The public is invited to the free clinic in 375 Cedar Hall from 1-2:30 p.m.

A native of St. Louis, Mo., Stille was introduced to music instruction at the early age of five-years-old. His music has a wide range of style from ragtime to stride, mainstream to bebop, high energy latin to hard-driving straight-ahead jazz. Performing with many acclaimed jazz artists such as Clark Terry, Red Holloway, Roy Hargrove, Terry Gibbs and many more, Stille has been recognized as a standout jazz musician.

“Don Stille proves he is an artist to be reckoned with,” said Chicago Tribune music critic Howard Reich. “The fluidity of his technique, the depth of his tone and the intellectual sophistication of his improvisations firmly established him as a polished and accomplished artist.”

Stille’s latest works include a CD project titled, “Keys to My Heart,” featuring him on the accordion and piano.

Tickets for this November 12 event are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students with a current ID. Kirkwood students and employees are admitted free. For ticket information, please call (319) 398-5899 ext. 4331.