Jazz at the Pollock Features Faculty
College of the Desert’s “Jazz at the Pollock” series will feature Professor of Music, guitarist, and composer Anthony Fesmire, who will perform a concert of original modern jazz compositions at 7 p.m. Friday, April 6, in the Pollock Theatre at College of the Desert. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5 for students, $10 for public.
Professor of Music Anthony Fesmire, DA, is a versatile guitarist, composer and music educator. He is the founder of the Jazz Studies program at COD and directs the jazz combos and teaches guitar and the full sequence of music theory courses in addition to overseeing the instrumental music major program. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music and a Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California, both in guitar performance. He received his Doctor of Arts degree in music education and music theory from the University of Northern Colorado.
Fesmire is a guitarist with extensive performance experience that includes the release of three albums: “Songs Without Words,” under his name, and “Sunless City” and “Reclaimed” with the band Outside Pedestrian. As a guitarist and composer, he draws heavily on the harmonic language and improvisation of modern jazz fused with a solid grasp of rock, blues, and other contemporary styles. Referring to “Sunless City,” All About Jazz stated “Fesmire's prominent guitar work is to be commended not only for his rapid fire guitar antics, but also for his skill and depth.” He has studied guitar with Joe Diorio, Jon Finn, and Bret Willmott.
Fesmire will be joined by Adjunct Faculty members Dan Waddell on piano and Carl Rigoli on vibraphone; and guest artists David Lockeretz on bass and David Oromaner on drums. This concert is made possible through the Carol G. Meier Visiting Artist Fund.
Each season, the “Jazz at the Pollock” series presents faculty, student and guest artist concerts that take advantage of the intimacy of the college’s Pollock Theatre and showcase the Jazz Studies program at College of the Desert.
Mark your calendars now for a future “Jazz at the Pollock” concert on May 15, featuring the Jazz Combo students directed by Fesmire.
