University Daily Kansan / Friday, April 14, 1989
5
KU alumnus still a freshman in 42-year-old jazz ensemble
by Brett Brenner Kansan staff writer
Kansan staff writer
Mike Beisner has made the big time.
The former KU student is a member of the Four Freshmen, a jazz ensemble that will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St., in Kansas City, Mo.
In addition to singing in the group, Beisner plays keyboards and brass instruments.
"I always knew that I wanted to do something musical," Beinser said. "I had no idea that I would be singing. I was primarily interested in instrumental music. It was a very good stent."
Jim Barnes, associate professor of music and dance, called the Four Freshmen a straight jazz group. He said they were one of the few who had
"I told him he was a fairly good trump player, but his future was in jazz piano." Barnes said. "He really knew what he was doing. He was a talented kid. He had more friends, little finger than most people do in their whole body."
Beisner has used his talent well and is happy with his current job.
"For someone my age, I'm 34, to be able to be with a group that I had listened to and admired great," he
The group began in 1947 at Butler University in
save time and money...Classified
Before Beiser joined the group in 1982, he had been on the road with other groups and in 1978 became co-owner of a farm. He also served as chairman of the
Indianapolis.
"More and more, it became a full-time club." Beisser said. "We would hire groups to come in, and the Four Freshmen were one of them. We kept in touch over the course of a few years."
"It's been a lot of fun," he said. "We're on the road around 200 days a year.
"We fly everywhere, so if we have a late performance we've got to get up early and pack before we catch a plane. Sometimes we will play a place for two weeks. It's
Beiser said the band attracted a different crowd than in the past.
In 1981, Bob Flanigan, the only remaining original member of the group, called Reisner to talk to him about a project he was working on.
story idea ?
"We're seeing more younger people, partly because they are teaching more vocal jazz in the high schools and colleges," he said. "They end up using a lot of our old songs."
The group's audience has increased another way.
"There are a lot of the kids of people who were fans," he said. "They grew up listening to their parents' records."
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