Nationally renowned musician Jeremy Kittel will delight audiences with his special brand of Celtic fiddle and jazz music on Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Clarkston High School Performing Arts Center. The event is sponsored by the Clarkston Area Optimist Club.
All proceeds from the concert support music scholarships for Clarkston string music students to attend Blue Lake, Interlochen and Michigan American String Teachers Association music camps. Jeremy will teach two workshops with Clarkston students during the day and perform one number each with the high school and middle school string students at the evening concert, before performing with guitarist Bob Gerics.
A 2004 graduate of the University of Michigan jazz program, Jeremy was awarded the first Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin for exceptional musicianship. He was recently described by a reviewer as having ‘played with a festive ferocity that almost set his bow on fire.?
Jeremy has performed at hundreds of concerts and festivals over the past few years including the Millennium Stage of the Kennedy Center, ‘A Prairie Home Companion,? the Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony, Chicago Celtic Fest, Bethlehem Musikfest, Detroit Festival of the Arts & Milwaukee Irish Fest. His first CD, Celtic Fiddle, was called ‘one of the top 20 Celtic albums of 2000, and certainly the best by a new young artist,? by the syndicated radio show Celtic Connections. Jeremy’s second release, Roaming, received praise from a broad range of publications including Sing Out and Fiddler Magazine, and took second place for Best Celtic Instrumental Album in a competition of 10,000 CDs. His third CD, Jazz Violin has just been released. As one reviewer said, ‘It’s a much over-used clich?, but I really believe this is what genius sounds like. Highly recommended!?
Guitarist Bob Gerics was named ‘Outstanding Soloist? at both the Montreaux-Detroit Jazz Festival and the Aquinas Jazz Festival. For twenty years he has performed extensively as a solo guitarist/singer at pubs, concerts and festivals, and has played in jazz, folk, rock, and acoustic groups, backing up acts such as Mitzi Gaynor, The Maguire Sisters, & Tom Paxton. Bob has released two CDs of instrumental guitar music: On the Other Hand and Second Hand Guitar.
The music performed is suitable for all family members. The Clarkston Area Optimist Club is privileged to have Jeremy return for a visit.
Tickets are $6 each, $4 for students and seniors. They are available through the main offices of Clarkston school buildings and at the Clarkston Community Schools Administrative Offices at 6389 Clarkston Road by calling 248-623-5413.
Remaining tickets will be available at the door. Clarkston High School is located at 6093 Flemings Lake Road off Clarkston Road, between Main Street and Sashabaw Road. For more information about Jeremy, visit his Web site at www.JeremyKittel.com.