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The ASU Dixie Devils is a traditional jazz ensemble that specializes in playing Dixieland music and early jazz. The group is comprised of ASU undergraduate and graduate musicians, all students in the ASU School of Music. The ensemble is led by Professor of Music, Sam Pilafian. The Dixie Devils are associated with the ASU Athletic Bands and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. The Dixie Devils perform at the President’s Tailgate before every home football game as well as other outside performances for the Sun Devil Marching Band and the School of Music Jazz Department. This is their first appearance at Arizona Musicfest.
Trombone/Director: J. Samuel Pilafian
Sam Pilafian is perhaps best known as a founding member of the internationally renowned Empire Brass Quintet. His amazing career has earned him the Walter Naumberg Chamber Music Award, the Harvard Music Association Prize, the University of Miami's Distinguished Alumni Award, the Brevard Music Center Distinguished Alumni Award, the Robert Trotter Annual Visiting Professorship at the University of Oregon and the annual Outstanding Teacher Award for the College of Fine Arts at Arizona State University.
He is currently Professor of Music at Arizona State University, having previously served for twenty years on the faculties of Boston University and The Tanglewood Institute. Pilafian is the Associate Conductor and Chief Arranger for the Salt River Brass and also serves on its Board of Directors.
As an arranger, composer and recording producer, Sam has recently produced and written for Joseph Alessi (New York Philharmonic), the Boston Brass, the Brass Band of Battle Creek, the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps and the United States Air Force Band. Sam is the co-author of the best selling pedagogy texts The Breathing Gym and The Brass Gym.
Saxophone/Clarinet: Jeremy Lappitt
Hailing from Tucson, Arizona, Jeremy is the youngest of the Devils. He is a junior at ASU, double majoring in jazz saxophone performance and music education. Jeremy studies under the direction of Michael Kocour and other associated jazz faculty. He is new to the world of Dixieland, and is enjoying everything the music has to offer. Currently, Jeremy is becoming familiar with the clarinet, having no previous experience. This semester, he is also performing in the Sun Devil Marching Band, the ASU Concert Jazz Band, and various outside bands and gigs.
Trombone: Amy Swietlik
Amy Swietlik is currently a graduate student and teaching assistant in the Ethnomusicology program at ASU. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at ASU in May 2009 and decided to continue with school to pursue her love of world music and culture. Amy is working on research for her thesis pertaining to Brazilian culture and music in the Phoenix, Arizona valley.
Amy has played trombone in ASU Dixie Devils for three years. She is a euphonium player in the ASU Tuba & Euphonium studio and studies with J. Samuel Pilafian and Patrick Stuckemeyer. Amy also plays in the Arizona Wind Symphony, the ASU Wind Ensemble program, the ASU Gamelan, and is a private teacher for trombone and euphonium.
Banjo/Accordion/Vocals: Gabriel Hall-Rodrigues
Gabe is currently a Music Therapy major at ASU. Gabe plays piano, banjo, accordion, and sings. He teaches piano lessons through Arizona Piano Lessons in Tempe, Arizona. Gabe also performs with local rock-reggae group Another Day.
Gabe has played banjo with the Dixie Devils for three years and has recently added his talents on the accordion to the dynamic group.
Tuba: Gabriel Sears
Gabriel Sears is quickly establishing himself as a leader among the new generation of brass musicians. Gabriel was heralded by the US Air Force Band as an "amazing talent" after being the first and only brass musician to win the Col. George S. Howard Young Artist Competition. Additional credits include winning 2nd prize at the '08 and '09 Leonard Falcone International Tuba/Euphonium Artist Competition.
An avid chamber musician, Gabriel serves as tubist with the Southwest Brass Quintet as well as the Sears-Bledsoe Duo, collaboration with trombonist Joshua Bledsoe.
In addition to his performance activities, Gabriel is dedicated to arts education and is currently pursuing a BME at Arizona State University. Gabriel is currently a student of brass giant Samuel Pilafian. Previous teachers include tuba virtuoso Patrick Sheridan and Donna Schmidt, Albuquerque area instructor.
Trumpet: Ken Johnston
Bio not available
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Sunday
March 7, 2010
4:00 pm
American Lutheran Church
17200 N. Del Webb Blvd.
Sun City
$6 Dinner
$22 Concert
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© 2010 Arizona Musicfest. All rights reserved.
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