[Shotimes] OT great Jazz from NIU tonight

[Donald Mallinson]

A local high school with a progressive music educator in charge put on a 
jazz clinic today for area high school and middle school musicians.  The 
guest clinicians were the Northern Illinois University Jazz band, 
Directed by Ronald Carter, with Conrad Herwig on Trombone as the guest 
soloist.

Never heard of Conrad Herwig?  Well, I don't think I had either, but he 
is probably the best trombonist in the nation if not the world, or at 
least in the top tiny %.  He does things with a Trombone that I didn't 
think were possible (musically for those that must think in odd terms!)  :)

Oh and Ronald Carter is heavily involved in the Lincoln Jazz Center, and 
is a bunch of fun to watch direct, and he isn't a bad singer.

The NIU jazz band is consistently rated at the top of the college Jazz 
world, and would compare to any pro outfit.

Not much in this world is better than live music, and live big band 
jazz, done really right is something to treasure.

Just had to share.

Don Mallinson