Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

9/18/06
Story by Peggy Graham

This Trumpeter Is Classic
    
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. ­– Trumpeter Keith Benjamin will perform at noon Monday, Oct. 16, in the Recital Hall of the Carlsen Center, Johnson County Community College, as part of the free Ruel Joyce Recital Series featuring Kansas City artists. His accompanist is Patricia Higdon.

Benjamin, professor of trumpet at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, earned his doctor of musical arts degree and a performer’s certificate from the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, N.Y. While in New York, he was a member of the Rochester Philharmonic and held principal chairs in three other orchestras. Current orchestra positions include principal trumpet in the Colorado MahlerFest and extra trumpet for the St. Louis and Kansas City symphonies. Benjamin is an active recitalist and chamber musician and the first trumpet in the Missouri Brass Quintet. He has commissioned and premiered numerous works, including compositions of Samuel Adler, James Mobberley and Eugene O'Brien. Benjamin and Los Angeles organist Melody Steed recently released Clarion: New Vintage, their second disc on Gothic Records.
   
 Ruel Joyce Recitals will continue at noon Monday in the Recital Hall.

• Oct. 23    Spencer Consort
• Oct. 30    Laura New, horn, and Lee Anne Rogers, piano
• Dec. 4    Quartet Accorda

    The series is named for Ruel Joyce, a longtime jazz bassist who headed the local musicians federation from 1977 until his death in 1989. For more information, call 913-469-8500, ext. 3605.