Indiana State University Newsroom

John Spicknall's Jazz Piano Trio will perform in the ISU Recital Hall on
Sunday, Oct. 17, 2 p.m.

The program is open to the public without charge.

The trio consists of three of the town's busier musicians: pianist John Spicknall, bassist Eric Schatz and drummer John DiCenso who have been working as a unit since fall 2005 where 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 continue to grow and develop. The band has often appeared backing up guest musicians at ISU and other venues.

This program will feature trumpeter Mike Hackett, the new ISU jazz ensemble director, playing several jazz compositions including "Have You Met Miss Jones," "Estate" and Thelonious Monk's "Bemsha Swing". Mike is a multifaceted performer who has toured, performed or recorded as a freelance artist with Natalie Cole, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra Jr., Ben Vereen, Aretha Franklin, Wayne Newton, Larry Willis, Sir Roland Hanna, Larry Coryell, Ketter Betts, Vincent Herring and many others. An Oregon native, Mr. Hackett was until recently located in New York City where he appeared with the Anita Brown Jazz Orchestra and the Toshiko Akioshi Jazz Orchestra. He has performed with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and is currently a member of the Buselli/Wallarab Jazz Orchestra in Indianapolis. "Circles" his first recording as leader was released on Summit Records in 2005. Past academic appointments include the jazz faculties of Ohio State University and Butler University. has toured,

Drummer John 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 Materials Manager for Raybestos Powertrain, LLC in Sullivan.

Bassist Eric Schatz from Ferdinand, has been a member of the Terre Haute musical scene for more than a decade. After finishing his Bachelors in Music Education degree from Indiana State he chose to pursue a Masters in Bass Performance. Since graduation he has served as the director of band and orchestra programs at Chauncey Rose Middle School as well as director of the jazz program at Terre Haute South High School. When not teaching or playing jazz, he also serves as principal bassist for Eastern Illinois Symphony.

Pianist John Spicknall retired from the ISU department of music in 2008 but continues to teach jazz piano there in an adjunct position.He also is visiting professor of jazz piano at DePauw University, secondclarinet in the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, house pianist at Stables Restaurant and clarinetist with the MSJ Trio with pianist Martha Krasnican and violinist Sharilyn Spicknall.

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/photos/1038929831_MDNsx-S.jpg
John Spicknall, JohnDiCenso and Eric Schatz