Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 12, 1993 TAG: 9311110128
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Donna Alvis-Banks
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Although he's only in his early 30s, Marsalis is one of the most celebrated trumpeters and composers in jazz music. He has won eight Grammy Awards, made 30 recordings and toured all over the world. He played at President Clinton's Inaugural gala last January.
Known for his austere image, Marsalis' playing style is serious and dignified. Author and music critic Gary Giddings calls it a "self-consciously exquisite sound."
"Ultimately," Marsalis has said, "you blow your personality through the horn. You can't change that by buying a horn or getting a different mouthpiece."
Raised in a New Orleans family of musicians, Marsalis says he was influenced by Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Clifford Brown, Clark Terry and - especially - his father, Ellis. Marsalis' three brothers, Branford, Jason and Delfeayo, are musicians and record producers.
In addition to his notoriety in the world of jazz, Marsalis is a popular classical recording artist and composer. He recently wrote a ballet score for Garth Fagan's modern dance company.
Tickets for Thursday's concert are on sale now at Radford University's Heth Hall information desk. Admission is $14 for adults, $7 for children and free for Radford University students and staff. Call 831-5420.
\ MEET ME AT HIGH NOON: The High Noon Band got together the year Michael Jordan was a freshman at UNC. That was in 1982.
The original Floyd County band was made up Darrell Thompson, George Slusher, Joel Pratt, Terry Thompson and Jimmy Short. They played their first gig at a Future Farmers of America banquet at Floyd County High School.
Over the years, the band changed. Vince Hatcher replaced Jimmy Shortt later in 1982. Other members of the country rock group included Breck Kitts and Mark Lewis. Singer Teresa Baker joined the group in 1986. Terry Thompson left in 1989.
After 12 years of playing music in Southwest Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia, the High Noon Band is retiring at the end of the year. Their last playing date will be on New Year's Eve. Their last concert is Saturday.
The band will give a final benefit concert for the Floyd Recreation Authority at Floyd County High School. It starts at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. The South 40, a bluegrass band, will open the show.
Country, rock, classic tunes from the '50s, bluegrass and gospel music is what you'll hear when High Noon takes the stage. The group also will perform original tunes from the two albums it has recorded.
Advance tickets, available at Something to Do, Phil's IGA and the Floyd Recreation Office in Floyd, are $4. Admission at the door is $5. All kids 6 and under will be admitted free.
\ OH, APPALACHIA: "An Appalachian Evening" is the treat at the Christiansburg headquarters of Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library next week. Olen Gardner and Jack Hinshelwood will be there pickin' and grinnin', and Chris Saunders will be spinning yarns. The Confederate Cloggers, led by Amy Rush, will swish and swirl.
The family fun starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the library on Sheltman Street. Refreshments will be served and the lucky will receive door prizes.
For more information, call Elizabeth Lindsey, children's coordinator for the library, at 382-6966.
\ PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM: If you haven't seen Virginia Tech's production, "A Banquet of Beckett," hurry over to Squires Student Center for your tickets. The last performance is Saturday.
The production features eight of Samuel Beckett's one-act plays: "Come and Go," "Play," "Rockabye," "Catastrophe," "Footfalls," "That Time," "Not I" and "What Where." The plays are performed in groups of three and are presented at the Studio Theatre and Haymarket Theatre in Squires Student Center. Here's the twist: the audience moves between the theaters!
Show times today and Saturday are at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets, $7 for adults or $5 for students and senior citizens, are available at the student center box office. Call 231-5615 for reservations.
\ NIGHT OF THE IGUANAS: The Iguanas, the popular touring group for Jimmy Buffet, will be at Blacksburg's South Main Cafe Tuesday to perform music ranging from New Orleans R&B to Tex-Mex rock.
The band records on Buffet's Margaritaville Records label. It features a guitarist who doubles on button accordion and two saxophonists.
Tuesday's show starts at 10 p.m. Advance tickets are on sale now at the cafe, 117 S. Main St. They are $7 for students or $9 for adults. Admission at the door Tuesday is $12.
by CNB