SDSU Alumnus Returns to Perform with Jazz Ensemble
The acclaimed jazz guest artist series continues with Christopher Hollyday
April 9, 2019
By Elizabeth Allison
April 9, 2019
On Thursday, April 18, the SDSU School of Music and Dance presents a performance by the acclaimed SDSU Jazz Ensemble with special guest artist and alumnus Christopher Hollyday on the alto saxophone. Under the direction of Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies Bill Yeager, this performance will be an invigorating celebration of jazz music.
There will be two performances, one at 5:00 p.m. and one at 7:00 p.m., in SDSU’s Smith Recital Hall. Tickets are available at music.sdsu.edu.
An Alumnus Returns to Campus
A graduate alumnus of the SDSU jazz program, Christopher Hollyday returns to campus as a featured guest artist.
Christopher Hollyday began performing publicly in 1983 in the Boston area. He has since toured across the globe and recorded with RCA records. Hollyday’s tour performances include a week headlining the historic Village Vanguard in New York City, as well as performing as a featured soloist on Maynard Ferguson’s “60th Birthday Big Band” and “Big Bop Nouveau” albums.
Hollyday completed a master’s degree in jazz studies at SDSU, and has taught privately and performed in San Diego for over twenty years.
“I am humbled to have the opportunity to be out front this time as the guest artist,” said Hollyday. “It’s like coming home, sharing my experience, and continuing my own education as an artist and jazz educator myself. The concert will also be extra special to me because three of my former private students are now currently pursuing their own music degrees at SDSU.”
“Christopher Hollyday has certainly made his mark on the music industry and deserves the recognition,” said Yeager. “Audiences can expect a high-energy performance from both Christopher and the band.”
Hollyday is enthusiastic about his experience as a student at SDSU, and he is looking forward to returning to campus. In addition to performing the two public concerts with the SDSU Jazz Ensemble, he will be leading a free masterclass for music students on Wednesday, April 17th.
“Bill Yeager’s guest artist series is an invaluable experience for students, faculty and the San Diego jazz community,” said Hollyday. “My visit to SDSU is a continuation of my education. I hope that students will benefit from watching us work together. As musicians, we are always both students and teachers.”
“Bill has a rare ability to methodically teach students how to swing hard as well as play sensitively with musicality, so his bands always sound good and his concerts are always exceptional,” said Hollyday.
Jazz at SDSU
The SDSU Jazz Studies Program has long been one of the premier jazz studies programs in the United States and regularly attracts the finest talent from the U.S. and abroad. The program offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in jazz studies.
The Jazz Ensemble is composed of standard big band instruments: trumpets, trombones, woodwinds, piano, bass, guitar, drums, and miscellaneous percussion. The Ensembles perform at festivals as well as on-campus concerts, providing students experience with jazz musicianship, techniques, and education.
The SDSU Jazz Ensemble guest artist series is the brainchild of Director Bill Yeager. “Every semester for the last 34 years, I have brought in at least one world class artist. This gives students a different perspective on music and hopefully it inspires them," he said.
Where and When
The SDSU Jazz Ensemble with guest artist Christopher Hollyday will perform Thursday, April 18 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Smith Recital Hall. Tickets are available online at music.sdsu.edu and will be available at the box office outside Smith Recital Hall.
Tickets are $20 for general audiences, $15 for seniors and military, and $10 for students.
For more information visit music.sdsu.edu.
The content within this article has been edited by Lizbeth Persons.
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