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professor and director of jazz studies at PLU. He is a native of Memphis, Tenn., mentored by jazz piano great James Williams. Deacon-Joyner came to western Washington from the University of North Texas in Denton, where he held the position of associate professor of jazz studies from 1986 to 2000. He has served as clinician and adjudicator at festivals and workshops in Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Ohio, Oregon, Nevada, California, New Mexico, Idaho and Washington. He is the lead instructor for the Great

Center for the last several years. The Icicle Creek Piano Trio, an ensemble she performs with, recently recorded two CDs on Con Brio label, which were reviewed with much acclaim and featured on multiple live radio broadcasts. Read Previous Student Musicians Charm European Audiences Read Next Seattle Opera’s ‘Porgy and Bess’ – five Lutes, one stage, hitting the high notes in fun LATEST POSTS PLU’s Director of Jazz Studies, Cassio Vianna, receives grant from the City of Tacoma to write and perform

. The Cassio Vianna Jazz Orchestra performed in the Professional Ensemble Concert category. The 50-minute set included pieces from the 2017 album Infância (meaning “childhood” in Portuguese) as well as a new piece composed especially for the conference. Performers included a face familiar to PLU Jazz followers – former Director of Jazz Studies, David Deacon-Joyner on piano. Other talented performers included Greg Yasinitsky from Washington State University (tenor sax), José Aponte from University of