The Delta State University Department of Music will present Dr. Kumiko Shimizu, associate professor of music (collaborative piano), and Dr. Bret Pimentel, assistant professor of music (woodwinds), in a faculty recital on Thursday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Bologna Performing Arts Center.
The recital explores the interactions between classical music and jazz, with works selected collaboratively by Shimizu and Pimentel that connect both traditions in a variety of ways, sometimes with surprising results. One of the defining characteristics of jazz is improvisation (the art of spontaneous, onstage composition of new melodies), which figures into several of the works. The program includes compositions by Claude Bolling, John Coltrane, Keri Degg, Bill Evans, Alyssa Morris, Igor Stravinsky, and Takashi Yoshimatsu.
As a collaborative pianist, Shimizu plays for recitals with music faculty, guest artists, and students at the Delta State Department of Music. She also plays for Delta State Opera performances and the Delta State Chorale. Besides playing the piano, she provides vocal coaching for the Delta State Opera and voice students in preparation for their recitals and other performances. She has played for several competitions, including the District Metropolitan Auditions and the National Opera Association Vocal Competitions. Through her work as a collaborative pianist, she understands the importance and value of collaborative piano and promotes it whenever chances arise.
Pimentel teaches oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone at Delta State and directs the Delta State Jazz Ensemble. He is at home with the classical solo repertoire of all the woodwind instruments, as well as chamber and symphonic music, jazz, rock, and pop. In addition to the major modern woodwinds, he is skilled at a number of folk, ethnic, and period woodwinds. His varied career has included performances with Dave Brubeck, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the King’s Singers, the O’Jays, and more. His regular performing groups have included the Xenos Quartet, Countdown to Ecstasy, and the Georgia Double Reed Ensemble. For more information visit his website at http://www.bretpimentel.com.
The recital is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Music Department at (662) 846-4615.
