Grammy-winning Maria Schneider Orchestra to play the Phillips Center

November 7, 2006

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Maria Schneider Orchestra will take the stage of the Phillips Center at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 17. A pre-performance discussion led by University of Florida School of Music Professor Gary Langford is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.

Formed in 1993 by Maria Schneider, the Maria Schneider Orchestra first appeared at Visiones in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The orchestra has since gained an international following, with invitations to perform at jazz festivals and concert halls around the world.

Schneider’s work “Concert in the Garden,” released only through mariaschneider.com (an Artist Share site), won a Grammy award in 2005 and became the first Grammy-winning recording with Internet-only sales. Her debut recording, “Evanescence,” was nominated for two 1995 Grammy awards: Best Large Jazz Ensemble Recording, and for its title piece, Best Instrumental Composition. Schneider’s second and third recordings, “Coming About” and “Allégresse,” also were nominated for Grammy awards. The Maria Schneider Orchestra plans to return to the recording studio in January.

Tickets are available by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at (352) 392-ARTS (2787) or (800) 905-ARTS (toll-free within Florida) or by calling Ticketmaster at (904) 353-3309.