April 18: University Jazz Mavericks Concert

Monday, April 18, 2022
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Elias J. Halling Recital Hall

Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Music and Entertainment Industries News Release

MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State University, Mankato Jazz Maverick big band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 18 in Halling Recital Hall of the Earley Center for Performing Arts, 320 Maywood Avenue. The group is directed by Douglas Snapp, director of jazz studies.

The concert features saxophonist Eric Marienthal. Marienthal is an eight-time Grammy nominated and two-time Grammy Award winning musician.

Marienthal started his professional career in 1980 with famed New Orleans trumpeter Al Hirt. After returning to Los Angeles, Marienthal became a member of the famed Chick Corea Elektric Band. He recorded 6 CDs with the band and won 2 Grammy Awards. Marienthal went on to join the Jeff Lorber Fusion group. Among the CDs Marienthal recorded with Lorber, two were nominated for Grammy Awards. Other artists Marienthal has performed with include Elton John, Barbara Streisand, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, David Lee Roth, B.B. King and many others. Marienthal has performed in over 75 different countries, recorded 15 solo CDs and has played on hundreds of records, films, television shows and commercial jingles. 

His latest CD is a collaboration with legendary trumpeter Randy Brecker entitled “Double Dealin” on Shanachie Records. Eight of the songs that Marienthal has recorded have made it to the top 10 of the National Contemporary Jazz Radio Charts and three have made it to #1. Marienthal has also written 3 instructional books published through Alfred Publishing/Belwin Jazz.

For the past 23 years, Marienthal has organized an annual fundraising concert for High Hopes. High Hopes is a non-profit organization in Orange County, California, that works with people who have suffered traumatic head injuries. With the help of many guest artists who have donated their time to perform, these concerts to date have raised well over $2,000,000 for this charity.

Minnesota State Mankato students are admitted free with a valid MavCARD. General admission is $9 and $7 for students (K-12) and children. Those who wish to purchase tickets online should go to https://link.mnsu.edu/musictickets. Select the ‘Upcoming Performances’ link, then select ‘View Events and Purchase Tickets.’ 

Contact the Performance Series office, (507) 389-5549, for more information,