INTERNATIONALLY-ACCLAIMED BILLY HARPER QUINTET TO PERFORM AT KUNTU ANNIVERSARY BASH

PITTSBURGH, May 1 -- Tickets are still available for the University of Pittsburgh's Kuntu Repertory Theatre's 25th Anniversary Gala, beginning at 6 p.m., Saturday, May 13, in the newly-renovated Masonic Temple, 4227 Fifth Avenue in Oakland.

Cool jazz, great food and warm memories will highlight the event, which includes an art auction, dinner, concert by the internationally-known Billy Harper Quintet, and coffee and dessert with the artists.

"What a wonderful way to celebrate Kuntu Repertory Theatre and all that it has accomplished over the years," said Kuntu founder and artistic director Vernell Lillie. "It's an opportunity for our friends and supporters to gather in one place, have a great time, and celebrate what they have helped us to become: one of the longest-standing and finest black theaters affiliated with a major university in the United States."

Tenor saxophonist Billy Harper will lead a talented and accomplished group of performers at the gala. The Houston-born Harper, who now lives in New York, has been compared to the great John Coltrane by the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, to name just two. He has played in Africa, Europe, the Far East, and the United States, with such big name groups as Art Blakey, Randy Weston, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Gil Evans, Turner McCoy, Max Roach, Lee Morgan, and Donald Bird.

Rounding out the Billy Harper Quintet are Eddie Allen on trumpet, Newman Taylor Baker on drums, Clarence Seay on bass, and Francesca Tanskley on piano. They will be joined by vocalist Judy Bady, who has performed at such notable venues as the JVC Jazz Festival at Waterloo Village, New York City's famed Blue Note jazz club, and the Newport Jazz Festival.

The Quintet represents a veritable all star line up of musicians. Allen, for example, is one of the most versatile musicians on the New York scene. He is a trumpeter, composer, arranger and author, who has performed with numerous jazz greats and in the orchestra of Broadway hits. He currently leads a quartet, a quintet, and a big band.

Tanksley, an internationally acclaimed jazz pianist and composer, has performed throughout East and Southeast Asia, Europe and Scandinavia, South America, and North America. A U.S. citizen born in Italy who grew up in Germany, Tanksley began her career in Munich. In 1980, she moved to New York City and joined the group, Melba Liston & Co., appearing at major jazz clubs and festivals, including the Kool Jazz Festival in Carnegie Hall with Dizzy Gillespie. She joined the Billy Harper Quintet in 1983.

Seay, who taught at Virginia Commonwealth University, has performed or recorded with Blakey, Lou Donaldson, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Charlie Byrd, Wallace Roney, Chico Freeman, John Hicks, Clifford Jordan, and Wynton Marsalis.

Baker began performing at age 15. He has toured throughout Europe, South America, Japan, and Southeast Asia with bands and artists that include the Sam Rivers Quartet, the Henry Threadgill Sextet, Abdullah Ibrahim and Ekaya, the Erica Lindsay Quintet, the Escorts, Charlie Rouse's Cinnamon Flower, Ahmed Jamal, Shirley Scott, Harold Vick, and John Blake. Currently, besides the Billy Harper Quintet, Baker is a member of the Fred Hopkins-Diedre Murray Quartet, Craig Harris and Tailgator's Tales, Howard Johnson and Gravity, and the Jeanne Lee Quartet.

For more information on how to purchase individual tickets to the Gala at $60 apiece, reserve a table, or become a corporate sponsor for the event, call 412-624-7298.

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