Friday, January 21, 2011

Dr. Everett N. Jones III Gives 'Solo Recital of Piano Works by African American Composers,' Kennedy Center & 3 other venues in Feb.

[Dr. Everett N. Jones III]

Pianist Dr. Everett N. Jones III has widely performed works of such African American composers as William Grant Still and George Walker. In the month of February, 2011 he will give a “Solo Recital of Piano Works by African American Composers” in Washington, D.C. at the Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, Feb. 20 at 6:00 p.m. Dr. Jones will perform the same program at Wilberforce University in Ohio at 2:00 p.m. Feb. 3, and at Columbus State Community College in Ohio at 8:00 p.m. Feb. 15. A “Lecture Recital of Piano Works by African American Composers" will be presented at 2:00 p.m. Feb. 9 at Cumberland County College in New Jersey.

Biography
“Jones was born in Philadelphia and showed a natural talent for music at the age of three. Everett studied with Charles Pettaway at the Settlement Music School while completing high school. He quickly learned a large part of the standard repertoire and went on to Rowan University to study with Veda Zuponcic on a full scholarship. There, he received a Bachelors of Music Degree (Magna Cum Laude) and Master of Music Degree (with a 4.0 G.P.A.). Everett continued his education at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music. He received a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in piano performance with a cognate in composition. He studied with Elizabeth and Eugene Pridonoff, and the late Richard Fields. Everett has certificates from the Moscow State Conservatory Summer School, the Prague Master Classes, and the Belgium International Piano Master Classes..

“'Jones set the tone with his fluid style pouring out the complex rhythms and ornamentations in the Dayton Philharmonic debut performance of Kaintuck', a poem for piano and orchestra...'
-The Oakwood Register

“Jones sustains an active performing career throughout the U.S. and abroad playing traditional repertoire and the music of African-American composers. Jones had his orchestral debut with the Glassboro Community Orchestra performing Grieg's Piano Concerto; more recently, he was the soloist with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Mississippi Symphony. As a collaborative pianist, he has worked with many noted musicians including, Metropolitan Opera soprano, Angela Brown at the Dayton Opera Gala and Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Donnie McClurkin. In addition, he also direct and performs with the Eden Project: a multi-cultural chamber group in the Cincinnati Arts Association's 'Artists on Tour' Program.

“Jones has pioneered performances of William Grant Still and George Walker at many colleges and universities. As the Artistic Director of the 2008 William Grant Still Festival, he wrote and secured a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts to produce and direct concerts at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the University of Dayton, and the Schuster Center.” “As a leading expert on William Grant Still, Dr. Jones is currently editing, performing, and recording the piano and chamber works of William Grant Still in association with William Grant Still Music Inc. and NAXOS.”

“As a piano and education laureate, some awards include: First Prize winner of the N.A.N.M. National Piano Competition, First Prize winner of the Rowan University Concerto Competition, Finalist in the Steinway Piano Competition (NJ), Cincinnati State Technical and Community College 'Outstanding Teachers Award,' N.A.A.C.P. Image Award, and a full piano scholarship throughout his higher education career.” [William Grant Still (1895-1978) and George Walker (b. 1922) are profiled at AfriClassical.com]

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