By: Amanda Clarke Staff Writer
“The Artistry of Art Lillard,” is an event sponsored by the WOU Music Department, featuring drummer, bandleader, and composer Art Lillard, along with WOU students and staff who will play his tunes.
According to his website, Art Lillard has been playing music professionally since 1970 and his nine-horn Heavenly Big Band has been playing in concert venues since 1987.
They play a variety of music, from old jazz standards to samba, bossa nova, and swing styles.
The WOU Heavenly Band will be covering Art Lillard’s music. The band is composed of mostly Western students and some faculty, and is “recreating a Heavenly Band performance,” said Bergeron.
The event is part of the Guest Artist Series, as stated on the WOU music homepage. The Guest Artist Series is “sponsored by IFC funds,” said Bergeron, so students can make use of their incidental fees through music.
Art Lillard also appears as a guest drummer in Tom Bergeron’s Brasil Band, which performed at Western on Jan. 26 in Smith Music Hall, and will play in Eugene, OR, on Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Jazz Station.
This event will take place on Friday, Jan. 29, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., there will be a performance by the WOU Heavenly Band in the Smith Music Hall, room 121 on campus. It is open to the public. Admission is $8 for general and $5 for students and senior citizens. WOU students with student ID get in free.
