December 30, 2009

McCoy Tyner. Download image.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB's Alys Stephens Center will present the McCoy Tyner Trio with special guest Savion Glover at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29 at the center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Tickets are $65, $55, $45; $20 for students. A limited number of VIP tickets are available. Call 205-975-2787 or go to www.AlysStephens.org.

National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master and five-time Grammy-winning pianist McCoy Tyner is joined by Tony Award-winning tap-dancing genius Savion Glover for a unique jazz exploration that showcases both artists at the top of their game. The two teamed up this past year for six nights at the legendary Blue Note to celebrate Tyner's 70th birthday, performances hailed by critics as "brilliant" and "art at its best." Modern jazz has been shaped by the music of Tyner, known for his groundbreaking collaborations and recordings with John Coltrane. Glover delivered one of the best performances in ASC history during his 2007 visit.

Tyner's blues-based piano style, with sophisticated chords and an explosively percussive left hand, has transcended conventional styles to become one of the most identifiable sounds in improvised music. His harmonic contributions and dramatic rhythmic devices form the vocabulary of a majority of jazz pianists. Born in 1938 in Philadelphia, he became a part of the fertile jazz and R&B scene of the early '50s. At 17 he began a career-changing relationship with Miles Davis' sideman saxophonist John Coltrane. Tyner joined Coltrane for the classic album "My Favorite Things" (1960), and remained at the core of what became one of the most seminal groups in jazz history, The John Coltrane Quartet. More recently he has arranged for big bands, employed string arrangements and even reinterpreted popular music. Today, Tyner has released nearly 80 albums under his name. He continues to leave his mark on generations of improvisers, and yet remains a disarmingly modest and spiritually directed man.

Savion Glover. Download image.

As an innovator, performer, choreographer and director, Glover always entertains. The 1996 Tony award winner for his choreography in the Broadway smash "Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk," also has a Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, two Obies and two Fred Astaire awards under his belt.
 
This show is part of the Red Hot & Jazz Series and is sponsored by The Birmingham News, WBHM and Viva Health.

About UAB's Alys Stephens Center

UAB's Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center is one of the Southeast's premier performing arts centers, hosting the best in international, national and local performance. Home to the UAB departments of theatre and music and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the ASC also presents its own season, bringing the world's best music, dance, theater, comedy and family entertainment to Alabama.