Johnson County Community College
Press Release

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

Ed Pharr

Greg Whitfield

Tom Morgan

9/08/09
Story by Peggy Graham

Ed Pharr Trio plays free Oct. 6 Jazz Series

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- The Ed Pharr Trio will perform at noon Tuesday, Oct. 6, in the Recital Hall of the Carlsen Center, Johnson County Community College, as part of the free fall Jazz Series featuring local musicians.

Pharr, piano, will be joined by Greg Whitfield on bass and Tom Morgan on drums. Part of the Kansas City jazz scene since 1975, Pharr credits pianists Frank Smith, Pete Eye and Steve Miller as well as teachers George Salisbury, John Elliot and Ronald Brown for his musical development. Pharr has gigged with many talented local and national musicians —  Doug Talley, Stan Kessler, Tommy Ruskin, Julie Turner, Kim Park, Bob Bowman, Gary Sivils, David Brandom, Mike Metheny, Bud Shank, Nick Brignol and Shorty Rogers. His work can be found on three CDs: Dreamer (solo), Black Tie (trio) and Bo-Bay Bo-Day (ensemble).

Whitfield has played in many local groups, including Rob Whitsitt, Gary Sivils, Paul Smith, Vince Bilardo, Frank Smith-Richard Ross, Steve Miller, Julie Turner, Mike Metheny, Carmell Jones, Russ Long and Ida McBeth. He has also played with major artists including Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Dianne Reeves and Paquito D’ Rivera. Currently, Whitfield maintains a full schedule with many entertainers, such as, Sons of Brasil, Stan Kessler, Greg Meise, Millie Edwards, Joe Cartwright, Scott McDonald, Julie Turner, Rob Whitsitt and McBeth, The Boulevard Band and Kathleen Holeman. He also plays at Unity Church of Overland Park.

Morgan, who has a doctorate in percussion performance, is an associate professor of music and director of percussion studies, Washburn University, Topeka. An active  performer in the Kansas City area, he has performed and/or recorded with The Trilogy Big Band, Boulevard Big Band, Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony Orchestra and in a wide variety of other musical settings.

The Jazz Series continues at noon Tuesday in the Recital Hall unless otherwise noted:
Oct. 13    Beach Nuts
Oct. 20    Chris Clarke Trio
Oct. 27    Bram Wijnands Quartet
Nov. 3     Kansas City Bass Quartet, Polsky Theatre

The series is cosponsored by the JCCC music departments, Community Services and the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts. Seating is available first-come, first-served.

For information, call 913-469-8500, ext. 3605.

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