Byron Stripling and Kevyn Lettau to headline BYU-Idaho jazz concerts

Headlining this year's Brigham Young University-Idaho Jazz Festival concerts will be trumpet player Bryon Stripling and vocalist Kevyn Lettau, along with the Sound Alliance and Vocal Union from BYU-Idaho.

Concerts will be held Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8, in the Kirkham Auditorium at BYU-Idaho. The main show will start at 7:30 p.m. each night, but a preshow featuring the top high school group of the festival will start at 7 p.m. on Saturday night only.

Tickets can be purchased from the BYU-Idaho Ticket Office by calling 496-2230 or online at www.byui.edu/tickets. Cost is $10 for the general public and $5 for BYU-Idaho students.

Stripling was once lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra. He has also played and recorded extensively with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson and Buck Clayton.

An accomplished actor and singer, Stripling was chosen to star in the lead role of the Broadway bound musical "Satchmo." As soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra, Stripling has performed frequently under the baton of Keith Lockhart, as well as being featured soloist on the PBS television special, "Evening at Pops," with conductors John Williams and Lockhart. Currently, Stripling serves as artistic director and conductor of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra.

Lettau grew up in Berlin, Germany, and in the age of 14 moved to San Diego. She got her big break when the legendary Brazilian pianist and bandleader, Sergio Mendes, discovered her. She toured and recorded with Mendes for eight years, developing her own vocal style along the way.

Her first two solo releases led to critical acclaim and a loyal following both in the United States and abroad, particularly in Japan and the Philippines, where she achieved near-superstar status. She is currently the spokesmodel for Philippine Airlines and Sunlife Insurance.

Jazz Festival director Mark Watkins said the concerts on Friday and Saturday nights are the culmination of the two-day festival. The annual event draws numerous young musicians from schools in Idaho and Utah. The student groups perform before judges and attend workshops offered by professional jazz musicians.