West Virginia University will welcome Rufus Reid to the College of Creative Art’s Curiosity Series March 22 at the Creative Arts Center in Morgantown.
Reid is one of a handful of true renaissance figures in the arts. The bassist and composer has had an active presence in the jazz world since the 1970s. He has recorded more than a dozen albums as a leader, over 400 recordings as a sideman. His latest 2017 Newvelle Records release, Terrestrial Dance, is on vinyl.
Reid can be heard on recordings with Dexter Gordon, Andrew Hill, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Quartet, Kenny Barron, Stan Getz, J. J. Johnson, Lee Konitz, Jack DeJohnette and many others. Reid has written for jazz ensembles of varying sizes, solo bass and two symphonic works and concert band. In 2017, the American Composer’s Forum commissioned Reid to compose for the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble eight-piece chamber ensemble, which premiered in July 2018.
Reid’s reputation as an educator is equal to that of his musical achievements. His book, “The Evolving Bassist” remains an industry standard for double bass methodology. Reid and Martin Krivin created the Jazz Studies and Performance Program at William Paterson University where he taught as Director for twenty years. In 2008, Reid received the prestigious John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship for composition. His 2014 release, Quiet Pride – The Elizabeth Catlett Project – received GRAMMY Nominations for Best Large Jazz Ensemble and for Best Instrumental Composition.
Reid will be joined by WVU jazz students for this performance in coordination with the WVU Mountaineer Honor Jazz Festival. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the performance are available at ticketmaster.com or by calling 304-293-SHOW.
The Curiosity Series is a sampling of the diverse art events that happen in the college each year. These events feature students, faculty and internationally acclaimed guest artists hosted by the School of Art & Design, School of Music and School of Theatre & Dance. Exhibitions at the Art Museum of WVU feature artists from West Virginia and around the world. For more information, visit ccarts.wvu.edu/curiosity.