The MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) Jazz Artist in Residence program kicks off its 10th year this October at the Michigan State University College of Music, and the line-up features passionate, vibrant, and multi-dimensional jazz artists, including a legendary jazz vocalist to mentor students at MSU and schools state-wide.

The dynamic series of working musicians, educators and composers for the 2022-23 season supported by the MSUFCU includes artists Carmen Bradford, vocals; Adrian Mears, trombone; Bruce Forman, guitar; and Camille Thurman, saxophone. Launched in 2013, the pioneering residency program imports high-level talent to spend a week teaching and performing with MSU jazz studies and K-12 students at schools and academies across the state. Coordinated by the MSU College of Music and supported by a $1 million endowment by MSUFCU, the program follows the jazz tradition of established musicians passing on their knowledge to aspiring musicians, while often enriching resource-strapped jazz programs in urban and rural communities.

Jazz Vocalist Carmen Bradford is the first of the four scheduled artists coming to MSU for weeklong residencies. As the third generation of a family of incredible musicians, Bradford has carved out her own place in jazz music history. Discovered by Count Basie at the age of 22, she was the featured vocalist in his band for nine years. Since then, she has proven herself to be jazz royalty through performances with everyone from Wynton Marsalis to Lena Horne, from Tony Bennett to James Brown, and from Frank Sinatra to Willie Nelson. She brings passion to the lyrics, and her work reflects a depth of musical experience and technical brilliance.

“Carmen Bradford is one of the most incredible jazz vocalists alive, and she embodies the tradition of many of the jazz vocal greats while maintaining her own original voice,” said Director of Jazz Studies Rodney Whitaker. “With her wealth of knowledge and experience, having Ms. Bradford tour with our students will help to elevate their performance abilities.”

Bradford will be in residence from Oct. 3-9. During her residency, the award-winning jazz vocalist will mentor College of Music students and perform for the public. She will also visit high schools and art academies statewide, accompanied by MSU Jazz Orchestra I, the College’s premier student jazz ensemble. Bradford performs with MSU Jazz Orchestras I, II and III on Friday, Oct. 7, 8 p.m., at Fairchild Theatre, in the MSU Auditorium.

“We’re ecstatic to kick off our 10th season with our first-ever jazz vocalist, followed by a multi-dimensional slate of artists who are contributing to the incredible legacy of American jazz,” said Whitaker. “Jazz is built on teaching and sharing, and we’re honored to welcome exceptional talent who are devoted to mentoring young musicians.”

The MSUFCU Jazz Artist in Residence program represents the largest investment in the College’s jazz program and provides one-on-one instruction, collaboration and performance opportunities with some of the world’s best jazz musicians. In a typical year, artists in residence travel with MSU’s jazz ensembles to give up to 20 performances state-wide in support of jazz programs at non-profit organizations and at middle and high schools. All combined, the residencies of the 35 artists to-date included workshops, concerts, events and outreach to more than 41,200 students and adults in communities across Michigan. The impressive lineup over the years has included:

• Year One 2013-14: Saxophonist Antonio Hart, Trumpeter Jon Faddis and Drummer Jeff Hamilton
• Year Two 2014-15: Bassist Christian McBride, Trombonist Robin Eubanks, Guitarist Peter Bernstein, and Michigan icons Saxophonist Vincent Bowens and Drummer Tim Froncek
• Year Three 2015-16: Trumpeter Brian Lynch, Drummer Jimmy Cobb, Pianist Kenny Barron and Saxophonist Tim Warfield, Jr.
• Year Four 2016-17: Guitarist Russell Malone, Bassist Rufus Reid, Clarinetist-Saxophonist Anat Cohen and Trombonist Conrad Herwig
• Year Five 2017-18: Trumpeter Michael Philip Mossman, Drummer Harvey Mason, Pianist Helen Sung and Saxophonist Steve Wilson
• Year Six 2018-2019: Saxophonist Melissa Aldana, Guitarist Mark Whitfield, Bassist Mimi Jones and Trombonist Steve Davis
• Year Seven 2019-20: Trumpeter Tanya Darby, Drummer Kenny Washington, and Pianist Bruce Barth
• Year Eight 2020-21 (Virtual): Trumpeter Terell Stafford (rescheduled from 2019), Guitarist Dave Stryker, Trombonist Wycliff Gordon, and Saxophonist Charles McPherson
• Year Nine 2022-23: Pianist Renee Rosnes, Drummer Lewis Nash, Vibraphonist Stefon Harris, and Vocalist Vanessa Rubin.

Reserved seating tickets for the performance on Oct. 7 are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors (age 60 and older), and $7 for students with ID and anyone under 18, and can be purchased online (music.msu.edu), by calling (517) 353-5340, or at the door.

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Jazz Artists in Residence Schedules

Carmen Bradford, October 3-9, 2022
Click here to see the artist’s full bio

• Monday, Oct. 3, Blue Mondays, MSU Federal Credit Union (limited seating, RSVP required)
• Tuesday, Oct. 4, Rehearsals and Workshops with MSU Jazz Orchestras and Jazz Area Students
• Wednesday, Oct. 5, Workshop and Concert at MSU Community Music School-Detroit, with MSU Jazz Orchestra I, 6 p.m. showtime
• Thursday, Oct. 6, Workshop and Concert at Byron Center High School, Byron Center, with MSU Jazz Orchestra I, 7 p.m. showtime
• Friday, Oct. 7, Masterclass and performance at MSU Fairchild Theatre with MSU Jazz Orchestras, 8 p.m. showtime
• Saturday, Oct. 8, Concert at West Shore Community College, Ludington, with MSU Jazz Orchestra I, 7:30 p.m. showtime
• Sunday, Oct. 9, Workshop and Concert at City Opera House, Traverse City, with MSU Jazz Orchestra I; 3 p.m. showtime

Adrian Mears, trombone, December 5-11, 2022
Click here to see the artist’s full bio

One of the strongest voices on trombone in the European jazz scene, Adrian Mears has nurtured a distinguished career with numerous collaborations and accomplishments. In addition to a long list of recording credits, Mears was a member of the international sextet Ugetsu which recorded four albums that included many of his compositions and performed at 200 concerts and festivals throughout Europe, China, and Australia. Originally from Australia, he is a dedicated educator at conservatories in Germany and Switzerland.

Bruce Forman, guitar, January 30-February 5, 2023
Click here to see the artist’s full bio

With his Texas origins, his early career in San Francisco and New York, and his years on the road, Bruce Forman will bring his unique spin on jazz to his residency this year. The guitarist, who always has multiple projects in the works, “can shred bebop at blistering tempos with the best of ‘em,” but his music has also been described as “hobo chic” and “western bebop.” An innovator and an educator, Forman will surely add a new wrinkle to an already diverse history of the MSUFCU Jazz Artist in Residence program.

Camille Thurman, saxophone, February 27-March 5, 2023
Click here to see the artist’s full bio

Camille Thurman is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist, and she is making her own dynamic contribution to the legacy of jazz while also paying tribute to its heroes. Described as “fluid and powerful on the tenor saxophone and highly inventive as a vocalist,” she also plays bass clarinet, flute, and piccolo. A New York City native, Thurman is a two-time winner of the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award and a winner of the Fulbright Scholars Cultural Ambassador Grant, among other honors.

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Press materials

View or download the press release (PDF)
Contact Michael Sundermann, 517-353-2043, sunderm7@msu.edu 

Photography and graphic downloads

Event graphic courtesy MSU College of Music

Carmen Bradford will be in residence at MSU from Oct. 3-9, 2022 to mentor College of Music students and perform for the public. Photo Courtesy CarmenBradford.com.

Jazz vocalist Carmen Bradford. Photo Courtesy CarmenBradford.com.