The University of Toledo Department of Music welcomes Grammy-nominated pianist, vocalist and composer Peter Eldridge as the guest performer of the 2023 Jon Hendricks Memorial Concert on Thursday, April 27.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. in the UToledo Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall and will include songs by Hendricks and Eldridge as well as a host of other jazz artists. A UToledo student choir also will sing on some of the songs.
Eldridge
Eldridge has five critically acclaimed albums: “Fool No More,” “Stranger in Town,” “Decorum,” “Mad Heaven” and “Disappearing Day,” which was called “an out and out masterpiece” by allaboutjazz. Most recently, Eldridge and iconic jazz pianist and composer Kenny Werner joined forces on “Somewhere,” a collection of lush ballads for voice, string orchestra and jazz trios.
Eldridge also is a founding member of the internationally acclaimed vocal group New York Voices. The group continues to tour internationally and has performed in some of the world’s most preeminent venues and festivals, including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and the Kennedy Center. For Eldridge’s complete bio, visit his website.
Hendricks, a Toledo jazz legend, was one of the originators of “vocalese,” a jazz singing technique in which a vocalist improvises lyrics to existing instrumental songs and replaces many instruments with their voice and that of other vocalists. Hendricks also was a beloved member of the UToledo Department of Music faculty in the jazz studies program for many years before he passed away in November 2017.
Concert admission is free, but RSVPs are required. To RSVP, visit the concert’s UToledo.tix website. Complimentary parking will be provided in parking Areas 12 and 12S — with the exception of metered spaces. Parking in other areas will require payment via the ParkMobile app or a parking meter. Visit the ParkUToledo website for more information.
Those interested in supporting the study of jazz at UToledo are encouraged to support the Art Tatum Scholarship fund, which is awarded to students majoring in music, with preference given to African American students.
To support the Art Tatum Scholarship, visit The University of Toledo Foundation website and type “Tatum” in the search tool.
For more information on the 2023 Art Tatum Celebration Concert and other UToledo Department of Music events, visit the department’s website.
