EDMOND —
Armstrong Auditorium continues the 2012-13 performing arts series with “An Evening with Branford Marsalis,” featuring the Branford Marsalis Quartet. The Grammy-winning saxophonist and his quartet will make their Armstrong Auditorium debut at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Marsalis comes from a family considered “jazz’s most storied living dynasty” by the New York Times and “jazz royalty” by NPR. Marsalis’ career includes winning three Grammy awards, multiple Tony nominations, the distinction of National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master and the role of musical director on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” for two years. Currently, he constantly expands his instrumentalist skills, composes original Broadway music and leads a quartet that the Associated Press calls “one of the most cohesive, intense small jazz ensembles on the scene today.”
“Branford Marsalis brings a rich history of jazz performance to Edmond,” said Shane Granger, house manager at Armstrong Auditorium. “With only 823 luxurious seats, Armstrong Auditorium offers a uniquely intimate evening with this jazz master and his innovative ensemble.”
The evening’s program will feature jazz classics, as well as tunes from the quartet’s recently released album, including ambitious original compositions by members of the band, a Thelonious Monk classic and one standard dating to 1930.
The Branford Marsalis Quartet is the second performance of Armstrong Auditorium’s 2012-13 performing arts series. The season continues in 2013 with back-to-back performances from the Russian National Ballet Theatre on Jan. 28 and Jan. 29.
Armstrong Auditorium provides a flexible ticket pricing system. Tickets to see Branford Marsalis start at $42 for balcony seating and $94 for orchestra seating.
Armstrong Auditorium also is currently host to the world premiere of nearly a dozen archaeological artifacts discovered in Jerusalem in the exhibit, “Seals of Jeremiah’s Captors Discovered.” The interactive exhibit includes figurines, large vessels and royal seal impressions dating to biblical times, which will be on display in the lobby during the performance.
For more information on ticket options, subscriptions, group rates, shuttle availability or current exhibits, visit www.ArmstrongAuditorium.org or call 285-1010. Armstrong Auditorium is at 14400 S. Bryant Road in Edmond.
The 2012-13 Performing Arts Series at Armstrong Auditorium, 14400 S. Bryant Road, includes the following events:
An Evening with Branford Marsalis at 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Russian National Ballet Theatre, Cinderella at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28
Russian National Ballet Theatre, Romeo and Juliet, Chopiniana at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29
Alexandre Schimpf, piano, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4
Bands of the Scots Guards and Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17
China National Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28
Byron Berline Band at 7:30 p.m. April 7
Clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera & The Assad Brothers, Sergio and Odair, at 7:30 p.m. April 16
Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet at 7:30 p.m. April 29
