UT Tyler Jazz Concert to Feature Flautist Althea René

February 3, 2004

Jazz flautist Althea René will be in concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at The University of Texas at Tyler’s R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center.

The concert, sponsored by the UT Tyler Office of Student Activities, also will feature Tyler’s own George Faber & Friends.
General admission will be $5 for adults and $3 for non-UT Tyler students. Admission will be $1 for band students with current identification. UT Tyler students, faculty and staff will be admitted free with current ID.

A native of Detroit, Mich., René began her career as a classical flautist at age 4. She was influenced by her brothers and father, Dezie McCullers Sr., who performed with many Motown stars. After years under the direction of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Clement Baron, she focused her attention to jazz and popular music.

René studied classical music while attending Howard University in Washington, D.C., and gained musical inspiration from the accomplishments of Yusef Lateef and Donald Byrd. She has since developed her own creative style.

In June of 1997, René began touring with the all-female, internationally acclaimed jazz quintet Straight Ahead. She is featured on Straight Ahead’s most recent CD titled “City Cuts.’’ The band makes a single guest appearance on René’s 2003 solo CD release “Chocolate Rush.’’

For more information about the concert, contact Ernest McAllister, UT Tyler coordinator of student activities, at (903) 566-7281 (emcallis@mail.uttyl.edu).