In the Spotlight!
Steve Kujala (1973) A Special Announcement

Two Chicago Area Appearances June 2022

The first Appearance:  Jazz Ensemble Alum, and 1972 Montreaux Jazz Festival Competition winner, Steve Kujala, appeared at the Chicago Theater a guest artist.

The Chicago Philharmonic Society performed Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in Concert at the historic Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., June 18, 2022, at 7:30 p.m.  Guest artists joining Chicago Philharmonic’s prestigious musicians during the concert include conductor Emil de Cou; world-renowned Tama Senegalese talking drum player Massamba Diop, who has received much acclaim for his collaboration on Marvel’s “Black Panther” soundtrack; and Chicago native flutist Steve Kujula. Ludwig Göransson’s score for this movie is truly a wonder of modern composition, and an ingenious blend of traditional African and Western music,” said Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Scott Speck.

From the Promo:  “The two main characters are both given leitmotifs, which is a classical music tradition, but with a twist. T’Challa’s leitmotif is a talking drum rhythm, which Massamba Diop created and recorded for the original recording of the score. Killmonger’s leitmotif is played by the Fula flute, which will be performed in Chicago by Steve Kujala, one of the world’s foremost experts in ethnic flutes.”  Click here for a preview

The Second Performance:  Jazz Ensemble Alum Steve Kujala appeared on June 29, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., with The Chicago Philharmonic at the Ravinia Park Pavilion, in Highland Park Illinois. The Philharmonic presented a screening of Disney’s “The Lion King” with Hans Zimmer’s Oscar-winning musical score performed live to the film. Conductor Thiago Tiberio will direct the orchestra.  Click here for more information 

Steve Kujala, pictured here, on Tenor Saxophone, as a Featured Student Soloist at The Ravinia Festival on July 4, 1973.

Note:  Steve appeared, in concert, at the Ravinia Pavilion on July 4, 1973, as a student member of the New Trier West High School Recording Jazz Ensemble.  Visit the 1972 Band and 1973 Band on this site, along with Steve’s Autobiography, and the Our Pros TAB

This is yet another part of our ‘Story That Needs To Be Told.’

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