BEMIDJI, Minn. – Grammy-nominated trumpet player Wayne Bergeron, protégé of the legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and member of his famed band, will perform Saturday, March 1 as the fourth installment of the sixth annual Bemidji Concert Series presented by the Bemidji State University Department of Music.
The 7:30 p.m. concert will be held in the Main Theatre of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex at Bemidji State. Individual event tickets are $20 for the general public and $10 for students. Tickets may be purchased at the BSU Department of Music, Lueken’s Village Foods North and Tutto Bene. If available, tickets also will be sold at the door.
In addition, Bergeron will serve as judge for the BSU Northland Trumpet Competition earlier in the day and present a clinic at 2 p.m. in the Thompson Recital Hall. The clinic is free and open to the public. At the evening concert, he will also perform with BSU Jazz I.
“Wayne is ‘the guy’ these days in Los Angeles,” said Dr. Del Lyren, concert series coordinator and BSU professor of instrumental music. “He is in constant demand as a soloist by top recording artists, big band musicians and TV and movie producers. Before Steven Spielberg books a recording date for his movie soundtracks, he calls Wayne to make sure he’s available. I could go on for hours about this guy. We’re excited to have him in Bemidji and expect a terrific concert.”
Lyren noted that most people are familiar with Bergeron’s work whether it’s from network themes on ESPN, Grammy Awards night, movie soundtracks or a favorite recording artist CD.
Wayne Bergeron
Bergeron, one of the most active trumpet players in Los Angeles, landed the lead trumpet position with the Maynard Ferguson Band in 1986. He played lead trumpet in Maynard’s band for many years and the two became good friends. Maynard played a duet with Bergeron on his solo album shortly before his death in August 2006. Bergeron can be heard on such Ferguson recordings as “Body & Soul,” “Big Bop Nouveau” and “Brass Attitude.” His first solo Big Band CD, “You Call This A Living,” earned him a Grammy nomination in 2004 for Best Large Ensemble. His latest CD, ” Plays Well With Others,” is being considered for Grammy nomination in four categories.
With a passion for big bands, Bergeron has performed with some of Los Angeles’ most well respected bands and recorded with many notable big band artists including Quincy Jones, Gordon Goodwin, Pat Williams and many more. Highly sought by producers and musicians, Bergeron has been involved with hundreds of CD projects that include Michael Buble, Christina Aguilera, INXS, Michael Bolton, Gwen Stefani, Ronnie Milsap, Rosemary Clooney, Celine Dion, Mel Tormé, Ray Charles, The Pussycat Dolls, Earth, Wind and Fire, and more.
A partial list of his film credits include Superman Returns, Mission: Impossible 3, The Guardian, National Treasure, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Incredibles. His trumpet solos can be heard on Rocky Balboa, High Crimes, Rounders, The Mask, The Rat Pack, Aladdin King of Thieves and others. He has worked on more than 300 TV and motion picture soundtracks and played on countless radio and TV jingles.
Bergeron’s numerous TV credits include shows such as NBC, ESPN and TNT sports themes; Entertainment Tonight; 2001-02 American Idol; Emmy Awards; and Grammy Awards. He is also a National Artist of the Yamaha Corporation of America, works as a clinician and guest soloist and tours in the U.S. and abroad.
Remaining performance schedule
Chiu Ling Lin and Chiu Tze Lin, 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 11; the dynamic Lin sisters are world-renowned pianists who have developed a unique rapport as duo pianists touring and performing widely.
History and sponsorship
The Bemidji Concert Series began six years ago with the goal of making Bemidji the cultural center for northern Minnesota and providing the Bemidji region with music that could not commonly be heard without traveling to the Twin Cities. All performances will be held at the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex.
The series is supported by sponsorships from the BSU Department of Music, Bemidji Pioneer, the Bemidji Super 8 Motel, and the BSU Student Activity Allocation Committee.
For more information, please call the Department of Music at (218) 755-2915.
FOR YOUR CALENDAR
March 1 – 7:30 p.m. – Grammy-nominated trumpet player Wayne Bergeron in the fourth installment of the sixth annual Bemidji Concert Series. Location: Main Theatre of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex, Bemidji State University campus: Admission: $20 adults, $10 students.