By Victoria Durgin, Digital Media Editor
A performer hailed as one of the “very best trumpet soloists in the world today” by the International Trumpet Guild will join the Susquehanna jazz ensemble at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 20 in Stretansky Concert Hall.
Rex Richardson will come to Susquehanna as part of the Martha Barker Blessing Musician-in-Residence program.
“He’s an incredibly giving musician,” said Gail Levinsky, the current director of the jazz ensemble and music professor at Susquehanna.
Levinsky also called Richardson a dear friend and expressed how excited she was to see him come to campus.
“He’s got quite the reputation,” Levinsky said.
According to his website, Richardson has performed all over the world and recently toured eight European countries for a variety of clinics and festival performances. He also teaches at several schools including Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the Royal Northern College of Music in England.
He has been hailed as one of the top jazz trumpet performers by multiple music critics and has performed on six continents.
The Brass Herald described him as “one of the finest virtuosos of our time” and a “brilliant” performer.
Richardson’s website also states that he has been awarded both the VCU School of Arts Award of Excellence and the 2011 Theresa Pollack Prize for Excellence in the Arts.
He has recorded nine studio albums, several of which have received wide critical acclaim.
For Levinsky, this success is vital for students to see. She said she hopes students learn not just from Richardson’s musical experience but also from his entrepreneurial growth.
“He brings such a great diversity of understanding… and also such an entrepreneurial spirit,” Levinsky said.
According to his website, Richardson will lead several workshops during his residency, which will last from Nov. 17 to Nov. 20.
Levinsky said some of Richardson’s work will include a masterclass on Nov. 19 and a workshop on the trumpet. He will also focus on rehearsing with the jazz ensemble ahead of the Nov. 20 performance in which he will be a featured soloist.
Levinsky also said Richardson will bring dimension to performers of all types of music.
“We as performers cannot be one-dimensional,” Levinsky said. She also explained that she thinks it is important for musicians to learn from well-rounded artists such as Richardson regardless of what music they typically play.
Richardson will perform with the jazz ensemble on Nov. 20. Levinsky promised the concert would be an exciting event for the audience.
“Jazz is supposed to be fun. Every jazz concert should be fun,” Levinsky said.
She also noted that jazz is a significant part of American musical history and thus should be celebrated by everyone.
“Jazz is us,” Levinsky said.
