BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University will present Minnesota Orchestra trumpeter Charles Lazarus and his quartet, The Charles Lazarus Group, in a special concert at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 23, in the Thompson Recital Hall of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex.

Admission is $20 for adults and free for all students.

“The Lazarus Group will offer a distinctive blend of lounge/exotica and funk fired jazz, plus a sneak preview of Eastern European gypsy-dance flavored tunes from Chuck’s upcoming CD ‘Zabava,'” said Dr. Del Lyren, BSU professor of instrumental music and concert coordinator.

Lazarus is an avid proponent of original music and is an active soloist and composer. His last solo CD “Solo Settings” released in 2005 is a testament to his commitment to original music. Each of the 13-track recordings is a work by a living composer. His mastery of many styles of playing allows him to present eclectic pairings, ranging from world music and classical settings to jazz solos and electronic grooves.

Lazarus, who joined the Minnesota Orchestra in 2000, made his main stage Carnegie Hall solo debut with the New York String Orchestra at the age of 19 while completing his studies at The Juilliard School in New York. A year later, he joined the Dallas Brass, touring nationally and internationally for nine years, before joining New York’s Meridian Arts Ensemble and then the Minnesota Orchestra.

During the 2005 season, Lazarus joined the world renowned Canadian Brass, touring seven countries and appearing on three recordings and a chart topping video from Bravo Canada. He has been on the trumpet faculties of St. Olaf College and Princeton University and has performed and taught master classes in every U.S. state and throughout Europe and Asia.

In addition to the Canadian Brass, Lazarus has recorded with the Dallas Brass, Montréal Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, the Societe de Musique Contemporaine du Québec, the Ensemble Contemporaine de Montréal, as well as with numerous pop artists for the IMAX film scores.

For more information, please call the Department of Music at (218) 755-2915.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Sept. 23 – 7:30 p.m. – Bemidji State University presents Minnesota Orchestra trumpeter Charles Lazarus and his quartet, The Lazarus Group, in concert. Location: Thompson Recital Hall of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex, BSU campus. Admission: $20 adults and free to all students.

NOTE TO EDITORS
Photos of Charles Lazarus are available at his Web site, http://www.charleslazarus.com