NEPA Scene Staff

University of Scranton premieres music by jazz trombonist Javier Nero on April 30

University of Scranton premieres music by jazz trombonist Javier Nero on April 30
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From a press release:

Continuing its commitment to presenting world-class musical talent, Performance Music at the University of Scranton will spotlight the work of guest composer/conductor Javier Nero at its 39th annual World Premiere Composition Series Concert on Saturday, April 30.

The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center (342 Jefferson Ave., Scranton), situated at the corner of Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue in downtown Scranton. Admission is free, with seating on a first come, first served basis.

At the concert, the University of Scranton Concert Band and Concert Choir will premiere two brand new commissioned works by Nero written specifically for the university’s student ensembles, entitled “The Return” (for the concert band) and “One Day” (for the six-part choir), according to Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga.

An internationally award-winning jazz trombonist, composer, arranger, and educator, Nero recently won the position of lead trombone in the prestigious U.S. Army Blues, the big band jazz element of the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, D.C. His compositions have been described by Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Brian Lynch as “modern, sophisticated yet accessible, pleasing the player and listener alike.”

In addition to his career with the Army Blues, he also performs in the D.C. and New York City areas with two of his ensembles, the Javier Nero Septet and the Javier Nero Jazz Orchestra. With the septet, he released his first album, “Freedom,” in 2020, and his big band album will be released later this year. He has also been a member of the award-winning Haitian band Klass, who has toured the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, South America, and France.

Nero’s compositions and arrangements have earned him awards from Downbeat magazine as well as participation in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program and the Banff Centre’s international workshop in jazz and creative music, and his works have been performed by the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, Frost Symphony Orchestra, Studio Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Vocal 1, Extensions, the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, and the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra.

As a trombonist, Nero has won first place in four international jazz solo competitions, including the 2011 International Trombone Association’s Carl Fontana Competition, the ITA’s 2013 JJ Johnson Competition, the 2014 American Trombone Workshop National Jazz Solo Competition, and the 2015 Texas State Trombone Symposium Jazz Trombone Competition. He was also a finalist in the Detroit Jazz Festival’s Curtis Fuller National Solo Competition, and he recently won and placed as finalist for two consecutive years in the Ithaca College Jazz Composer Contest.

Nero received his bachelor of music from the Juilliard School, a master of music in studio/jazz writing from the University of Miami, and a doctor of musical arts with a minor in classical trombone performance from Miami’s Frost School of Music.

All audience members are required to wear a high-grade mask (N95, KN95, KF94, or double masking) at all times. Check the Performance Music website within 24 hours of the concert for the most current information on additional required audience COVID-19 mitigation measures (masking, vaccination, social distancing, etc.).

For further information on the concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu, or visit scranton.edu/music.