2008 Woodie Awards
Professor's wings span beyond university walls
By Caleb Pardick
Rocket Editor-in-Chief
Issue date: 2/10/06 Section: Entertainment
Steven Hawk, associate professor of music at SRU, has had his share of successes. He's been a professor for 17 years, traveled the world, directed and performed with the best musicians Pittsburgh has to offer. He was also featured on an album entitled "The Hawk's Out."
Now "the Hawk" is in search of a bit more success.
Hawk has teamed up with Charlie Richard, a jazz educator from Los Angeles, to produce "Reunion," a jazz orchestra CD that will be released when the SRU jazz ensemble performs selections from the album this Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets will be $3 for general public and no charge for students.
The 10-track CD will be available at the performance, as well as in the SRU bookstore.
Hawk said that releasing a second album on which he is featured is slightly different than releasing the first.
"It's just as exciting, really, but it's not quite the same as releasing a CD for the first time," Hawk said. "It's been a lot of fun, though."
Hawk's contributions to the latest CD have helped garner excellent reviews prior to its release, a fact that Hawk found reassuring.
"It has turned out to be very well received by the few people who have reviewed it so far," Hawk said. "As a performing artist, that's always satisfying."
The CD, which was produced on the SeaBreeze label out of Pismo Beach, Ca., includes tracks entitled, "My Funny Valentine," "September Song," and "Suite for Jazz Orchestra and Alto Saxophone." Also included is an original work by hawk entitled "Ground Zero," intended to depict through music the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Hawk said that while he has no specific intention to release another album, he wouldn't necessarily rule it out, either.
"I think that it's important for any musician to continue to record and perform," Hawk said. "It's an essential way to always be honing your craft, and recording is just a way to have a lasting memory of what you've done and how it sounds."
In addition to working with the SRU jazz ensemble, Hawk also directs and performs with the Three Rivers Jazz Orchestra, who is slated to accompany the SRU dance department for a Feb. 24 concert at Butler County Community College.
Now "the Hawk" is in search of a bit more success.
Hawk has teamed up with Charlie Richard, a jazz educator from Los Angeles, to produce "Reunion," a jazz orchestra CD that will be released when the SRU jazz ensemble performs selections from the album this Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets will be $3 for general public and no charge for students.
The 10-track CD will be available at the performance, as well as in the SRU bookstore.
Hawk said that releasing a second album on which he is featured is slightly different than releasing the first.
"It's just as exciting, really, but it's not quite the same as releasing a CD for the first time," Hawk said. "It's been a lot of fun, though."
Hawk's contributions to the latest CD have helped garner excellent reviews prior to its release, a fact that Hawk found reassuring.
"It has turned out to be very well received by the few people who have reviewed it so far," Hawk said. "As a performing artist, that's always satisfying."
The CD, which was produced on the SeaBreeze label out of Pismo Beach, Ca., includes tracks entitled, "My Funny Valentine," "September Song," and "Suite for Jazz Orchestra and Alto Saxophone." Also included is an original work by hawk entitled "Ground Zero," intended to depict through music the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Hawk said that while he has no specific intention to release another album, he wouldn't necessarily rule it out, either.
"I think that it's important for any musician to continue to record and perform," Hawk said. "It's an essential way to always be honing your craft, and recording is just a way to have a lasting memory of what you've done and how it sounds."
In addition to working with the SRU jazz ensemble, Hawk also directs and performs with the Three Rivers Jazz Orchestra, who is slated to accompany the SRU dance department for a Feb. 24 concert at Butler County Community College.
