For the City Times

The Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra (CWSO) announces the inaugural performance of the Central Wisconsin Jazz Ensemble (CWJE) in concert at 7:30 PM on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 in Michelsen Hall in the Noel Fine Arts Center of UW-Stevens Point.

Tickets are $25 and available at the Central Wisconsin Symphony orchestra office located on the second floor of the Smith Scarabocchio Art Museum. The event will feature trumpet soloist and jazz artist Rex Richardson.

Rex Richardson. (Contributed)

Hailed as “An artiste with an exceptional talent …one of the finest trumpet players in the world today,” (4barsrest.com) and “one of the world’s most engaging and astonishingly versatile trumpeters,” (Style Weekly) Yamaha Performing Artist was named the 2008 Brass Herald Personality of the Year.

The CWJE, a 16-member big band managed by the CWSO, comprises the best professional jazz musicians of the area, and presents performances of contemporary big band music, including Count Basie, Thad Jones, John Clayton, Bob Mintzer as well as original compositions.

The concert is offered in conjunction with the Wisconsin Trumpet Guild conference sponsored by the College of Fine Arts & Communication.

For more information, go to cwso.org or call the CWSO office at (715) 345-7726.