Indiana State University Newsroom

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Terre Haute's Jazz Piano Trio will perform in conjunction with Indiana State University's Jazz Artist Series at 3 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Recital Hall of the Center for Performing and Arts, 300 N. Seventh St.

The group consists of three of Terre Haute's busier musicians -- pianist John Spicknall, bassist Todd Gallagher and drummer John DiCenso, who have been working as a unit since the fall of 2005 when they began performing at the "Coffee Break" on Wabash Avenue.

The musicians began working on arrangements of "Great American Song Book" repertory and jazz standards that they continue to grow and develop. The band has often appeared backing up guest musicians at Indiana State including performances with Bobby Shew, Jim Ketch, and Jim Perry.

The program will feature Alex Noppe, the new ISU Jazz Ensemble director, playing several of his original jazz compositions. Other selections on the program include Peggy Lee's "I Love Being with You," Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark," Jerome Kern's "All the Things You Are" and Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Porkpie Hat."

Noppe holds trumpet positions with the Columbus, Ind. Philharmonic and Terre Haute Symphony and previously with the Lansing Symphony. He regularly plays with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Bach Collegium, and is an active studio musician in Indianapolis. Also a jazz musician, he plays with the Stardusters Jazz Orchestra and has performed with the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra, Hal Leonard Jazz Orchestra, and David Baker Big Band.

He is a founding member of the Mirari Brass Quintet and is completing a Doctor in Music in Brass Literature and Pedagogy at Indiana University. He previously completed a Masters in Music at Indiana, studying with John Rommel, Anthony Plog, and David Baker, and holds dual bachelor's degrees in trumpet performance and jazz studies from the University of Michigan, where he studied with Bill Campbell, Bill Lucas, and Dennis Wilson.

DiCenso grew up in a musical family in the Boston area, playing in high school concert and stage bands as well as earning first-chair parts in regional jazz bands. He played in his college's big band and was an active working drummer in Boston's general business music industry through his late teens, 20s, and early 30s. John is director of materials for Raybestos Powertrain, LLC in Sullivan.

Gallagher teaches bass at both Indiana State University and St. Mary of the Woods College and plays in several regional symphony orchestras including Danville, Champaign and Lafayette and Charleston. He is also employed as a psychiatric nurse.

Spicknall recently retired from the ISU department of music but continues to teach jazz piano there in an adjunct position. He also is visiting professor of Jazz Piano at DePauw University, second clarinet in the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, and house pianist at Stables Restaurant.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the ISU Music Department at 812-237-2772.

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Contact: John Spicknall, jspicknall@isugw.indstate.edu

Writer: Paula Meyer, ISU Communications & Marketing, (812) 237-3783 or paula.meyer@indstate.edu