ORONO – The University of Maine Chamber Jazz Ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at Minsky Recital Hall.

Karel Lidral, pianist and director of the ensemble, will be retiring from the School of Performing Arts Division of Music at the conclusion of the academic year. In addition to teaching and directing, Lidral has performed with jazz greats Red Rodney, Jon Faddis, Clark Terry, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Dennis Wilson, Laurence Hobgood, Jeff Stitely and Chuck Israels.

When he lived in New York, Lidral performed as a regular member of pioneer jazz organ legend Jack McDuff’s quintet as well as with bands of The Temptations, The Fifth Dimension, Wayne Newton and Engelbert Humperdinck and with comedians Sammy Kaye, Red Skelton, Milton Berle and Henny Youngman. For five years, Lidral was a member of the house band on “The Nite Show, with Dan Cashman.” The Lidral Duo is taping a performance on the show this week, which will air on an upcoming Saturday segment.

UMaine students scheduled to perform April 1 are: Cathy Bruno of Hampden, piano; Joshua Hunnewell of Alexander, guitar; Benjamin Dostie of Greene, alto saxophone; Elizabeth Dunbar of Southwest Harbor, flute; Margaret Ker of Winslow, oboe; Chelsea Lord of Belfast, trumpet; Joanna Lynne of Hermon, violin; Rachel Scala of Windham, alto saxophone; and Ethan Manning of Vernon, Vermont, tenor saxophone.

Cost for the performance, which will include selections by Duke Ellington and John Coltrane, is $9, or free with a MaineCard. For tickets, call 207-581-1755. To request disability accommodations, call 207-581-1781.


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