Ben Hur Opening Event

Come join us for the silent film Ben-Hur accompanied by live jazz music played by J.C. Sanford and the Central New York Jazz Orchestra. This is the opening event of The Syracuse International Film Festival 2009 and sure to be a wonderful evening with toga clad doormen and photo opp's for all!

Composer and Trombonist:

J.C.Sanford completed his D.M.A. in Jazz Studies at New England Conservatory in 2001 where he studied with Bob Brookmeyer. J.C. spent one year at Eastern Illinois University studying with legend- ary New Orleans jazz pianist Henry Butler. He is currently Director of Jazz Studies at Le Moyne College. J.C. leads the improvisational trio Triocracy with Andy Laster and Chris Bacas. J.C. also recorded with the Danilo Pérez Trio on the soundtrack to the movie “Hugo Pool” directed by Robert Downey. As a composer/arranger/bandleader, J.C. co-leads the jazz orchestra, Sound Assembly, with David Schumacher. He is the conductor of the Grammy-nominated John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, the Chris Jentsch Group Large, and the Alice Coltrane Orchestra, featuring Ravi Coltrane, Jack DeJohnette, and Reggie Workman. He has guest conducted the BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra, the Diane Moser Composers’ Big Band, the Luther College Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Band, and the University of Northern Iowa Jazz Band I. He is a found- ing member of the composers’ federation Pulse and was a member of the BMI Jazz Composers’ Workshop. J.C. has received numerous commissions, including the world premier of his score to the 1925 silent film Ben-Hur, at the Syracuse International Film Festival.

Performers:

Members of the Central New York Jazz Orchestra with J.C. Sanford
J.C. Sanford, Trombone
Mike Dubaniewicz, Soprano Saxophone
John Jeanneret, Tenor Saxophone
John Delia, Bass Clarinet
Jeff Stockham, Trumpet
Rick Montalbano, Electric Keyboard
Pete Chwazik, String Bass
Larry Luttinger, Drums

The Ben Hur program is produced by Andy Russo (Le Moyne College), in collaboration with Larry Luttinger (Director of Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation), and composer J.C. Sandford.

Sponsors: Le Moyne College, The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, Music Journeys, Inc., The Cultural Resources Council 2009 Decentralization Grants, Williams College, American Music Center, The Society for New Music, The Bandier Program and Setner School of Music at Syracuse University, and Andrew Russo. Mr. Sanford’s appearance is made possible through a generous award from Meet The Composer, Inc.