Toast to Tony May 4
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Legendary drummer and Austin resident Butch Miles heads an impressive lineup of jazz musicians for the ninth annual Toast To Tony tribute concert at the Spicewood Vineyards Event Center Friday evening, May 4. The concert begins at 7 p.m.
Back by popular demand, the Real New Orleans Restaurant food truck will be available for dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. for those that would like to eat before the performance.
The concert is a celebration of the life of Tony Campise, a mainstay at Austin’s Elephant Room and a mentor and inspiration to a generation of young musicians. Under the leadership of Michael Mordecai, musicians who knew and admired Tony will present an evening of inspired jazz.
Mordecai (trombone) will be playing with Jeff Helmer (piano), Director of Jazz Studies at UT; John Fremgen (bass) played with the Christopher Cross Band; Dennis Dotson (trumpet), Stan Kenton Band; Tom Scott (saxophone) composer, arranger, L.A. Express; with Abra Moore, vocals.
Butch Miles has performed with jazz and pop music’s outstanding musicians. As a drummer for the Count Basie Orchestra, he became renowned for his swinging big band style and techniques. He’s a veteran of the Newport Jazz Festival and the Grand Parade de Jazz in Nice, France, and has performed at many other jazz festivals.
After a long career that included playing lead alto sax with the Stan Kenton band, Tony Campise settled in Austin where he led his own band, backed many music legends, and gathered an impressive list of awards. His album “Once in a Blue Moon” was nominated for a Grammy in 1992, reaching top ratings on national charts.
Campise died in 2010 after a fall, but his musical heritage lived on. The Paul Motheral family, local Spicewood residents, sponsor the concerts, always closing the regular season.
The concert is included in season tickets. Additional tickets ($50) are available at www.spicewoodarts.org. The Spicewood Vineyards Event Center is located at 1419 Co. Rd. 409, Spicewood. Please do not bring alcohol onto the Vineyard property.
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