MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTORROB PARTONWhat a crazy first two and a half years at UNT for me. I thankDean John W. Richmond, for his confidence and support andto jazz division staff Craig Marshall, Madison Russell andChristopher Walker – your assistance has been nothing short ofremarkable. This Two O’Clock Lab Band has given me the mostincredible thrill since moving to Denton and I’m fortunate towork with these fine people and superb musicians. The Collegeof Music Division of Jazz Studies faculty is an extraordinarygroup able to attract some of the finest student musicians.In Spring 2021, recording began and we were able to safelyplay without bell covers and masks. When considering theprogram for Midwest, I felt that the music being recorded alsowarranted live performances in what I consider my hometownof Chicago. So here we are. Many thanks to Michael Abene,Richard DeRosa, Michele Fernández and the late Lyle Mays. Aswe learned of Lyle’s death, I immediately thought of his workF.M. which has been significant in my personal development.I recall listening to the One O’Clock Lab Band’s Lab ‘75 when Ireceived this piece to play as an undergraduate student. I thinkthis new Two O’Clock Lab Band recorded version would makeLyle smile and be proud of all the students he influenced overhis lifetime. An additional thank you goes to Agustín Alonso whoguided me and kept me from going too fast in the studio so asto catch any mistakes or clams.An added bonus is that North Texas Jazz celebrates its 75thAnniversary along with the celebration of 75 years of theMidwest Clinic. Congratulations.I hope you enjoy the new era of the Two O’Clock Lab Band,starting with this CD, Long Way On A Blues.ABOUT ROB PARTONRob Parton is Associate Professor of Jazz Trumpet and Chair ofthe Jazz Studies Division at the University of North Texas wherehe also teaches jazz trumpet and directs the Two O’Clock LabBand. Prior to joining the faculty at UNT, he held positions atCapital University, Roosevelt University, and Chicago StateUniversity. A dedicated jazz educator, he has directed All-StateJazz Ensembles in twelve states as well as serving as a clinicianat universities and high schools throughout the United States.A versatile and in-demand trumpet player, Parton has been called on toperform or record the music of diverse composers from Karel Husa toLeonard Bernstein to Duke Ellington. He has performed with many ofAmerica’s major orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra,Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and Detroit SymphonyOrchestra, to name a few. He has also performed as lead trumpet onnumerous Broadway shows in the Midwest and with Grammy, Tony,and Academy Award-winning artists from Faith Hill to Natalie Cole toTony Bennett. As a recording artist, he has performed on hundredsof recordings for national commercials and with various artists onConcord, Verity, Mark Records, Sea Breeze and Sony record labels.While comfortable in various musical settings, be it jazz trio orbrass quintet or as a soloist with larger ensembles, leading aprofessional big band is the area in which he has enjoyed themost acclaim. Founded in 1984, the Rob Parton Big Band hasreleased eleven recordings, received three preliminary Grammynominations, performed at the Midwest Clinic three times, atthe International Trumpet Guild Conference, and at numerousjazz festivals featuring guest artists such as Lew Soloff, ConteCandoli, and Joe Williams. Dozens of the Band’s recordings andlive videos can be found on YouTube.6 UNT Two O’Clock Lab Band
The Midwest Clinic 7