FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 4, 2000 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 DRAKE JAZZ ENSEMBLE WINS REGIONAL FESTIVAL Drake University Jazz Ensemble I recently won the Eau Claire Jazz Festival 2000 in Eau Claire, Wis. This marks the third time the ensemble has won the regional festival, which draws college big bands from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Conducted by Andrew Classen, Drake Jazz Ensemble I also won the honor of being the featured college big band in the festival's evening concert in which trumpeter Jon Faddis and trombonist Bill Reichenbach performed. Pianist Steve Gilbertson, a sophomore finance major from Minnetonka, Minn., received the Outstanding Soloist Award for the entire festival and received a scholarship to this summer's Birch Creek Jazz Camp. Drake Jazz Ensemble II also performed at the festival and received excellent comments from the judges. Dominic Spera, professor emeritus of Indiana University, told the students that "many colleges would be proud to have you (Drake Jazz Ensemble II) as their first jazz ensemble." Both ensembles will perform free concerts this month. Drake Jazz Ensemble II will roar through compositions from Ellington through Pat Methany in a concert at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, on the Jordan Stage in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main, 26th Street and University Avenue. Drake jazz combos also will play standard and original compositions. The 19-member Drake Jazz Ensemble I will perform its final concert of the year, which features a variety of classical and contemporary big band music, at 8 p.m. Friday, April 21, on the Jordan Stage in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main.