Jazz Duo Rory Stuart & Glenn Wilson

Tickets
​$10 Adult
$5 Student
Available at the door
​Ticket price includes refreshments
On Tuesday April 25th at 5:00pm, Arts in McNairy will welcome the duo of guitarist Rory Stuart and
baritone saxophonist Glenn Wilson to the Latta Theatre for a unique musical event in Selmer,
Tennessee. Rory, a jazz guitarist and composer based in New York, has been called by Jazz Times
“Perhaps THE most innovative straight-ahead jazz guitarist to emerge in years,” and named as one of
the greatest living jazz guitarists by Scott Yanow in The Great Jazz Guitarists. Glenn, an exceptional
baritone saxophonist, has been called "an unsung hero in modern jazz" by the All Music Guide. Their
CD "Bittersweet" is the first known guitar/baritone saxophone duo recording.
In addition to his CDs as a leader, Glenn has worked and recorded with everyone from The Buddy Rich
Band, Lionel Hampton Orchestra, and the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, to pianist Bruce Hornsby,
to Tito Puente, Machito, and scores of other jazz and latin-jazz groups. Rory's critically acclaimed CDs
as a leader have received 4 stars in Downbeat, and he has played with a wide range of artists, from
organists Brother Jack McDuff and Bill Doggett, to Steve Coleman's early MBASE group with Geri
Allen and Cassandra Wilson, to Charlie Rouse, George Garzone, Larry Coryell, Billy Harper, and
Reggie Workman.
Rory and Glenn are coming to the Latta Theatre as part of a 4-week tour of the South, the first part of
which has been made possible in part by funding from South Arts' national Jazz Road initiative. They
will perform in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, and Alabama, as well as Tennessee, at performing arts
centers (Timucua, Capital Arts Center, Woodstock Arts Theatre, Bamboo Center for the Arts) and
other venues, and give clinics at universities and schools. Both are also renowned as educators; Glenn
was Director of Jazz at Illinois Wesleyan University after teaching at the University of Illinois, and runs
a non-profit, Further Jazz, Inc., that is dedicated to fostering, promoting and advancing greater
knowledge, understanding and appreciation of jazz music. Rory, a Fulbright Scholar, created and taught
the flagship rhythm curriculum at New School University, has directed workshops in Singapore, Italy,
and Korea, and is the author of a recently published 6-volume book series on rhythm
(www.therhythmbooks.com); a list of his former students reads like a "Who's Who" of rising stars
(Becca Stevens, Robert Glasper, Gilad Hekselman, Camila Meza, Joel Ross, Tigran Hamasyan...).
What will you hear in their concert at the Latta Theatre? Larry Dickson in Jazz News wrote "...it is
fascinating to hear how these two artists interact...a demonstration of how a horn and a chordal
instrument can intelligently support each other." Carl Baugher in Cadence said "It is especially unique
to hear Wilson's baritone comping behind Stuart's fleet single-note lines." With original compositions,
improvisation, and their remarkable rapport, you can be certain of one thing: expect the unexpected!
Glenn and Rory look forward to sharing their music with the citizens of Selmer and the surrounding
area; whether you are new to jazz or a seasoned jazz fan, they hope to see you on April 25th for their
Arts in McNairy concert!
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​McNairy County is proud of its long and varied music heritage, particularly its Rockabilly roots! Currently, AiM's Music Committee organizes or cooperates with local partners for several music events and series.

Live! at the Latta features a variety of musical performances in all genres on the Latta stage. Check out AiM's social media for dates and showtimes. 

Saturday in the Park Music Festival (informally known as "The Hootenanny" )  is a live music festival hosted by AiM every September. The daylong Hootenanny features local and regional blues, bluegrass, gospel and country groups performing on the Selmer City Park stage.

Music at the Mural/First Friday are regular downtown Selmer events featuring live music sponsored by various local agencies including the McNairy County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Selmer. Arts in McNairy occasionally offers financial and technical support for these events and opens the Latta as a hospitality center.  

Jammin' at the Latta events are staged on an impromptu basis throughout the year. They may be sponsored by AiM or hosted by other community partners with AiM's cooperation. You never can tell who you'll see (and hear!) jammin' at the Latta.

Traditional and Old-Time Music are a huge part of McNairy County's identity, consequently the AiM Music and Folklife Committees often partner for preservation programs.  Audio and video material such as the Stanton Littlejohn recordings and recently digitized 8mm documentary footage by community music scholar David Killingsworth are vital links to the county's musical roots.     

The Rockabilly Highway Revival first began when AiM commissioned Rockabilly Highway Mural I, by Brian Tull. What began as a dedication ceremony for the mural, has become a full-fledged cultural festival sponsored by the McNairy County Chamber of Commerce.  AiM hosts the McNairy County Music Hall of Fame inductions and tribute concert on the eve of the festivities.  Rockabilly Highway Revival is the largest music event on the local calendar with live music on multiple stages, a car show, and all types of vendors and food trucks. The celebration of local music heritage attracts thousands of visitors to downtown Selmer, the second weekend in June.  

Community Band and Chorus offers opportunities for local musicians and vocalists to participate in a concert band and community choir. This was a highly successful program from 2006-12, staging a popular spring/summer and Christmas concert each year. While these programs are currently on hiatus, AiM remains open to reviving them when new band and chorus directors can be found.