BGSU welcomes Four Freshmen alumnus Greg Stegeman

The University will welcome Greg Stegeman, a former member of the Four Freshmen, to campus Thursday-Saturday (Feb. 19-21).

Stegeman, who was both a performer and arranger with the well-known vocal jazz group from 1989-2001, will meet with students in jazz classes and be the guest judge for BGSU's annual Jazz Day on Saturday.

The Four Freshmen, founded in 1948 at Butler University in Indianapolis, led the way for many rising vocal jazz ensembles with their inventive, modern style.

Stegeman recently released a solo CD titled "Culmination," which includes songs such as "Unforgettable" and Tony Bennett's "Yellow Days."

Five Ohio and Michigan high school jazz ensembles will participate in the annual workshop and competition.

Hosted by the College of Musical Arts, the day will begin at 10 a.m. with 30-minute performances by the area ensembles. Among those attending the all-day event will be students from Garfield Heights, Maumee, Miamisburg and Monroe (Mich.) high schools, and the Toledo School for the Arts.

After each ensemble's performance, Russell Schmidt, jazz studies, will hold individual performance clinics. These will be followed by instrumental clinics conducted by several jazz faculty members in the college.

The day's events end at 4:30 p.m. with a concert by the BGSU Jazz Lab Band I and members of the Faculty Jazz Group.