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Meet the Musicians: Jazz Festival

Enjoy the 21st annual Jazz Festival from February 23 – 24 at Moores School of Music.


The Storyteller
Name: Dominick Farinacci
Instrument: Trumpet

Hailed as “a trumpeter of abundant poise” by The New York Times and named Global Ambassador to Jazz at the Lincoln Center, trumpeter Dominick Farinacci is a force to be reckoned with. The Juilliard alumnus has traveled the world, performing in more than 120 cities across 14 countries and drawing inspiration from each new stop along the way. His recent work, “Short Stories,” brings together music from around the globe with his original compositions to create a new, genre-defying, narrative-driven musical universe.

Farinacci, the 2018 Jazz Festival featured guest artist, will perform Saturday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Moores Opera House.

The Pedagogue
Name: Dennis Dotson
Instrument: Trumpet

Houston-based trumpeter Dennis Dotson brings over 50 years of jazz experience to the Moores Opera House stage. He’s played with some of the leading names in big bands, including Carl Fontana, Bobby Shew, Tom Harrell and Kenny Wheeler, free-lanced in New York City and graced many-a-stage in Las Vegas. Also a dedicated music educator, Dotson has led several All-Region high school jazz bands to success and helped shape emerging Houston musicians at the UH Moores School of Music and Houston Community College.

Dotson will perform “Always Forever” on Friday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Moores Opera House.

The Trailblazer
Name: Johnny Gonzales
Instrument: Saxophone

An adept performer able to span genres, from pop to jazz to Latin music, Johnny Gonzales imbues each performance with style and beauty. His expressive, lyrical style on alto, tenor and saxophones have earned him a spot onstage stage alongside household names such as Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Ray Charles and the original Temptations. He has also been featured in numerous music festivals as a tenor soloist and as a lead alto with many of today’s jazz greats, such as Sean Jones and John Fedchock.

Gonzales will perform “Quintessence” on Friday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Moores Opera House.

The Texan
Name: Joel Fulgham
Instrument: Drums

Native Houstonian Joel Fulgham’s music career started when he was just a high school student. While studying at the High School for Performing and Visual Arts in Montrose, he began playing with some of the major society bands including Ed Gerlach, Bob Smith, E.C.Holland, Ricky Diaz and Bob Henschen. Over the next three decades, his professional experience and list of accolades grew exponentially. Fulgham has performed with numerous jazz orchestras, including the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Theater Under the Stars (TUTS), Houston Symphony (pops), American Pops Orchestra, David Caceres, Matt Lemmler and many more. He is currently an affiliate artist in percussion at the Moores School of Music.

Fulgham will perform “Ascendant” on Friday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Moores Opera House.