This program will provide an overview of the life and creative genius of ground breaking musician, Dizzy Gillespie. 

About the Speaker:

Award-winning musician and educator, Todd Wright is director of jazz studies at Appalachian State University. He has been responsible for conducting Jazz Ensemble I and II, and teaching courses such as jazz improvisation, jazz history, jazz piano, jazz tunes, and coaching combos. He oversees the course of study for the Jazz Certification Program, and created the university's Jazz Vocal Ensemble. He has earned degrees from University of Pikeville (KY), Appalachian State University, and University of South Florida (Tampa).

In 2013 Wright was nominated for O. Max Gardner Award, given annual by the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina to a faculty member who "has made the greatest contribution to the welfare of the human race." He has been the recipient of several university and community service awards, and was selected a winner of the Jazz Fellowship Award given by the North Carolina Arts Council.

He serves as a jazz clinician, an adjudicator at festivals, and speaks on the history of jazz. He is an active jazz saxophonist. His Appalachian students have gone to perform worldwide.