Acclaimed jazz pianist to perform and teach at Radford

Grammy Award-nominated stride pianist Judy Carmichael will be featured March 23 at 6:30 p.m. in “An Evening With Judy Carmichael” in Radford University’s Bondurant Auditorium.

Nicknamed "Stride" by legendary jazzman Count Basie, Carmichael has established a successful career as a jazz performer and hosts the public radio program “Judy Carmichael’s Jazz Inspired,” which airs on Public Radio WVRU at 1 p.m. on Sundays. Carmichael is also a philanthropist and educator who advocates learning through listening and being an active listener through the Jazz: Listening for Life Foundation.

“It is a joy to bring Judy Carmichael to Radford University. She inspires our students – not only by her masterful performances, but through her energetic and poignant classroom presentations,” said Ashlee Claud, general manager of WVRU.

Carmichael will share her experience and knowledge with Radford students during her visit, including a master class for music faculty and students. During the encore of her performance, the RU Jazz Ensemble will perform with Carmichael.

Carmichael has just released "I Love Being Here With You," her first all-vocal CD that features an all-star lineup of Mike Renzi on piano, tenor saxophonist Harry Allen and bassist Jay Leonhart.

Carmichael will earn an added distinction during her visit. She will be the only Steinway – endorsed pianist to perform at Radford since the university earned its prestigious All-Steinway School designation.

Public Radio WVRU, the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Scholar-Citizen Initiative (SCI), Radford's Club Programming Committee, the RU Broadcasting Club and the SCI Club are sponsoring the event. 

For more information, call Public Radio WVRU at (540) 831-6059 or email aclaud@radford.edu.