FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 16, 2000 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 JAZZ QUARTET TO PERFORM AT DRAKE MONDAY, FEB. 21 The Matt Wilson Quartet will perform at Drake University on Monday, Feb. 21. The concert will start at 8 p.m. on the Jordan Stage in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main, 26th Street and University Avenue. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 for adults, $3 for students or free with a Drake ID. Matt Wilson, a drummer, leads the quartet, which received glowing reviews of its first CD, "As Wave Follows Wave." "Wilson is a great drummer, a promising composer and he knows how to lead a band," wrote Bob Blumentahl in the Boston Globe. Ken Franckling of United Press International described Wilson as "a wizard of sounds, pulling from his bag of tricks a spectrum of musical colors and accents to fit whatever jazz moment he is in at the time." Born in Knoxville, Ill., Wilson started playing the drums when he was 8 years old. "While in high school I played in rock bands, a big band and some small groups; I learned to be versatile early on," he said. At Wichita State University, Wilson studied percussion with J.C. Combs and gained further experience. He played with jazz violinist Steve Story's group during his last year in college and his first year after graduating, touring on weekends and teaching music in clinics. From 1987 to 1992, Wilson was an important part of the Boston jazz scene. After moving to New York in 1992, Wilson quickly became established as a talented and enthusiastic player who is very adaptable. During the past few years, Wilson has played with many groups, including the bands of Kohlhase, Fewell, Dewey Redman, Cecil McBee, Sam Newsome, Allan Chase, Vic Juris, Lee Konitz, Don Friedman and Ingrid Jensen, among others. Wilson also is active as a jazz educator, teaching part time at Long Island University, giving private lessons to students at the New School and conducting clinics and workshops. For more information about the Matt Wilson Quartet's concert at Drake, call (515) 271-3975.