Drummer Carmen Intorre Jr. Concert Set for Oct. 29

Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present a concert featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band and acclaimed drummer Carmen Intorre Jr. on Saturday, Oct. 29. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Performance Music Conductor and Co-Director Philip J. Kuehn says, “Carmen is one of the first musicians I met when I moved to New York. He is a great human and musician, who has worked with a ‘who’s who’ of musicians. It is always a joy to work with him.”

According to Cheryl Y. Boga, Conductor and Director of Performance Music, “I first got to know Carmen in 2001 when he was 18 and a member of the very first class admitted into The Juilliard Jazz Studies program. He impressed me from our first meeting with not only his musicianship but also the way he exudes happiness when making music, cheerfully perseveres when undertaking hard work, and supports and champions his peers.”

A drummer since the age of 5, Intorre has performed and recorded with numerous musical luminaries such as George Benson, Larry Coryell, Wynton Marsalis, Monty Alexander, George Coleman, Eric Alexander, George Cables, Benny Golson, Richie Cole, Joe Locke, Lew Tabackin, Bobby Watson, Ira Sullivan and Bucky Pizzarelli. He currently serves as the drummer for legendary jazz guitarist Pat Martino, touring extensively throughout the world with the guitarist’s trio and quintet.

A 2011 Grammy nominee for co-producing the late Joey DeFrancesco’s critically acclaimed album, “Never Can Say Goodbye: The Music of Michael Jackson,” Intorre also performed alongside DeFrancesco and Dr. Lonnie Smith on the PBS show “Legends of Jazz,” hosted by Ramsey Lewis.

Receiving both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School, Intorre has always been eager to uncover and share new approaches to drumming.

“This is my job. I have to give back what I was given a chance to do,” he says in a statement on his website. “Music is an opportunity for me to give up my soul, while in the process connecting with the audiences’ souls as well. I want the musicians on the bandstand and the members of the audience to feel uplifted after a performance, to feel great about themselves through the experience that they encountered.”

Intorre proudly endorses Craviotto, DW, Sabian, ProMark, Evans and LP products.

The University of Scranton Jazz Band is made up of 24 students and alumni from majors throughout the curriculum – none of them majoring in music - all brought together by their love of music making. The primary focus of Performance Music at The University of Scranton is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles, there is no major in music at the University, and all enrolled Scranton students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible for membership in the University Bands, University Performance Choirs, University String Orchestra and Ensembles and Steel Drum Ensemble. A number of members of the faculty and staff, as well as alumni from the region, also perform with the groups. Each year, hundreds of students participate in the ensembles.

Please check Performance Music’s website, scranton.edu/music, within 24 hours of the concert for information regarding venue requirements for audiences, as policies regarding campus health and safety may change throughout the season.

For additional information on the concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music. For more info on Intorre, visit carmenintorrejr.com.