JAZZ@FIRST | THE ART OF THE UNEXPECTED: SCOTT WOJAHN

What happens when a jazz vocalist takes songs by Jimmy Webb, Sting, Paul McCartney and Hank Williams and makes them his own? Cincinnati newcomer Scott Wojahn brings three decades of experience as a singer, arranger, composer and producer—including award-winning work for American Idol and collaborations with artists such as Vince Gill, Buddy Guy and Shawn Colvin—to an intimate afternoon of surprising songs and fresh interpretations. With warmth, wit and a voice that draws you in, Wojahn transforms familiar favorites and lesser-known American Songbook gems into something entirely new.

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A complimentary wine and cheese intermission is included with your ticket.

 

Jazz@First Series Sponsor: Al Harris

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​About the Artist: Scott Wojahn, guitar

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Scott Wojahn is a teacher, lecturer, composer, producer, arranger and singer-songwriter. For 30 years he composed and produced music for Wojahn Bros Music in Santa Monica, California, a boutique music production company specializing in commercials and television. Scott created award-winning original and branded music for some of the most recognizable national and global companies, from Ford to AT&T and “American Idol,” working with artists including Vince Gill, Buddy Guy and Shawn Colvin.

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Scott draws from many genres, bringing warmth and humor to his performances.

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Learn more at scottwojahnmusic.com.

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About the Artist: Phil DeGreg, piano

 

Phil DeGreg began playing the piano in his childhood and now performs as a jazz pianist internationally. His earliest jazz influences were Bud Powell and Bill Evans, but he is accomplished and comfortable in a wide range of jazz styles, ranging from mainstream to bebop to Brazilian jazz. A graduate of Yale and the University of North Texas, he toured with the Woody Herman Orchestra in the 1980s and has 10 CDs to his credit as a leader. For 13 years he accompanied many national and international jazz artists in the house trio in Cincinnati’s famous Blue Wisp Jazz Club. He has been on staff with the renowned Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops since 1983, and has performed and taught in Europe and South America.

 

Phil DeGreg is the retired Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and is the recipient of two National Endowment for the Arts study grants. In 2008 he was awarded a 4-month Fulbright Fellowship as a lecturer in Brazil.

 

His text “Jazz Keyboard Harmony” is a practical text for teaching jazz harmony for all musicians, and is used all over the world in universities and for private study.

 

Learn more about Phil DeGreg on his website phildegreg.com.