Now in its 11th year, the MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) Jazz Artist in Residence program in the Michigan State University College of Music launches its season with Grammy-winning pianist, composer and arranger Geoffrey Keezer.

Since his New York City arrival in 1989, Keezer has amassed a stellar recording and touring list that includes some of the biggest names in jazz like Ray Brown, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman, Diana Krall, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Barbara Hendricks, and many others.

“Geoffrey’s mastery as a musician has given him the freedom to explore Jazz from so many different angles,” said Xavier Davis, MSU associate professor of jazz piano. “The one constant in his music is creative excellence. I am very excited to see what he shares with our eager students!”

The dynamic jazz residency series of working musicians, educators and composers for the 2023-24 season includes Keezer as well as Sylvia Cuenca, drums; Jazzmeia Horn, vocals; and John Clayton, bass. Launched in 2013, the pioneering residency program attracts 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 a tradition of teaching aspiring musicians, while also giving underserved programs in urban and rural communities a boost with visiting performances.

Keezer will be in residence from Oct. 16 through 22. During his residency, he will mentor College of Music students and perform for the public. He will also visit schools accompanied by MSU Jazz Orchestra I, the College’s premier student jazz ensemble. Keezer performs with MSU Jazz Orchestras I, II and III on Friday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m., at Fairchild Theatre, in the MSU Auditorium.

“We’re proud of our rich tradition of bringing jazz guests to MSU with this residency, now running for more than a decade thanks to the MSU Federal Credit Union,” said Director of Jazz Studies Rodney Whitaker. “A motto here in jazz is ‘each one teach one,’ and we’re honored to welcome such talented and devoted artists who can continue to pass on this noble torch of jazz mentoring.”

The residency series continues throughout the season, drummer Sylvia Cuenca will close out the semester with her visit Dec. 4 through 10, followed by the spring semester’s presence of jazz vocalist Jazzmeia Horn Feb. 5 through 11, and bassist John Clayton March 18 through 24.

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 statewide in support of jazz programs at non-profit organizations and at middle and high schools. All combined, the residencies of the 39 artists to date have included workshops, concerts, events, and outreach to more than 44,500 students and adults in communities across Michigan.

Reserved seating tickets 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

Geoffrey Keezer, piano, October 16–22, 2023. For a full bio, visit: geoffreykeezer.com

• Monday, Oct. 16, Blue Mondays, MSU Federal Credit Union (limited seating, RSVP required)
• Tuesday, Oct. 17, Rehearsals and Workshops with MSU Jazz Orchestras and Jazz Area Students
• Wednesday, Oct. 18, Workshop and Concert at MSU Community Music School-Detroit, with MSU Jazz Orchestra I, 6 p.m. showtime
• Thursday, Oct. 19, Workshop and Concert at Byron Center High School, Byron Center, with MSU Jazz Orchestra I, 7 p.m. showtime
• Friday, Oct. 20, Jazz Piano masterclass, Murray Hall of the Music Building, followed by performance at MSU Fairchild Theatre with MSU Jazz Orchestras, 8 p.m. showtime
• Saturday, Oct. 21, Concert at the Carr Center, Detroit, with MSU Jazz Orchestra I, 7:30 p.m. showtime
• Sunday, Oct. 22, Workshop and Concert at Traverse City Central High School with MSU Jazz Orchestra I, 3 p.m. showtime

Sylvia Cuenca, drums, December 4-10, 2023. For a full bio, visit: sylviacuenca.com
Sylvia Cuenca is an active drummer on the New York City and San Francisco Bay Area jazz scenes collaborating and performing with a variety of artists. She has had the honor of sharing the bandstand with saxophone legend Joe Henderson for 4 years and trumpet legend Clark Terry for 17 years. She has toured frequently with the Joe Henderson quartet in European countries Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, England, Switzerland, France, Italy and Germany and venues across the U.S.

Jazzmeia Horn, voice, February 5–11, 2024. For a complete bio, visit: artistryofjazzhorn.com
Vocalist and composer Jazzmeia Horn has earned top honors at two of the most high-profile jazz competitions, Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, and the 2015 Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition. Her talents are shared in her most recent album release, Dear Love, a recording that brims with a combination of her signature vocal delivery, deft arrangements, and fiery musical ideas.

John Clayton, bass, March 18–24, 2024. For a full bio, visit: www.johnclaytonjazz.com
Bassist, composer, arranger and producer, John Clayton is a Grammy-winner with nine additional nominations and has written and recorded with artists such as Milt Jackson, Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Regina Carter, Dee Bridgewater, Gladys Knight, Queen Latifah, and many others. Clayton was the principal bassist in the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (The Netherlands) from 1980-1984. In 1986, he co-founded the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and rekindled The Clayton Brothers Quintet. In addition to his individual clinics and workshops, he also directs the educational components of Centrum, The Port Townsend Jazz Festival, and the Vail Jazz Workshop.

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Press materials

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

Grammy-winning pianist Geoffrey Keezer will perform, teach and tour with musicians from MSU Jazz Studies, part of the MSU Federal Credit Union Jazz Artist in Residence program.

In addition to top honors, awards, and numerous recordings and albums, Geoffrey Keezer is a Yamaha artist and a faculty member of The Juilliard School. Photo courtesy geoffreykeezer.com.