As a part of this year’s annual Research and Creativity week (February 21-25), the NMSU Music department will host a number of free events at the Atkinson Recital Hall. Events scheduled for the week include performances by Nosotros, the Shearer, Spitzer Trio, the NMSU Jazz Band, and Randy Granger.

The Shearer, Spitzer trio will perform the music of Alvin Singleton, Justin Raines, and Tom Clary Wednesday, February 22^nd, at 3:30 pm. This concert represents both new and old research undertaken by Regents Professor Jim Shearer and colleagues over a number of years. Most recent is a new work for tuba and piano from noted composer Alvin Singleton titled Topless, for which Dr. Shearer served as the lead commissioner. This marks Mr. Singleton’s first solo work created for tuba, and it was premiered as part of the Chatter concert series in Albuquerque and Santa Fe in late January of 2023. The work will be recorded soon with NMSU piano faculty member Dr. Laura Spitzer for release on Summit Records. Also featured on the concert will be a solo piano work by Mr. Singleton titled In My Own Skin. In addition, Dr. Shearer and Dr. Spitzer will be joined by horn player Celeste Shearer for the works Two Lovers Dream by Memphis composer Tom Clary (commissioned by the Shearers) and Haunted America Suite by noted Hollywood film composer and NMSU alumni Justin Raines.

The NMSU Jazz Ensembles will perform on Thursday, February 23^rd, at 7:30 pm. The ensembles directed by Dr. Jacob Dalager and Dr. Allan Kaplan will feature works, by Stan Kenton, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie and others. The concert will feature soloists from Nosotros, Jesse Joaquin Parker, Ziggy Garcia, Chadd James, and Michael Trujillo.
 

Nosotros will perform on Tuesday, February 21^st, at 7:30 pm. Nosotros has been drawing music lovers to their distinctive Latin groove for over 20 years. What began as a guitar trio in 1994, quickly took on a life of its own, becoming something that no one could have predicted, including becoming one of the most recognizable and original Latin bands in the Southwest United States. The band’s remarkable evolution over the years - taking on new members and leadership along the way - has resulted in the 11-piece Latin music powerhouse it is today. The group seamlessly combines a myriad of Latin rhythms with elements of rock, salsa, jazz and cumbia creating an innovative and imaginative Latin sound that is, unique, undefinable and unmistakably Nosotros.

Randy Granger will perform on Friday February 24^th at 7:30 pm. Granger is a New Mexico based musician, storyteller, teacher and renowned Native American Flute player. NPR’s All Things Considered featured Granger and an instrument called the Hang, an ethereal pan instrument played by hand. He combines the Hang along with world percussion, guitar rand voice in his award-winning music .A touring musician, he headlines festivals and concerts across the U.S. often teaching at Native American flute schools.