Ebony & Ivory is proud and pleased to announce the appointment of distinguished American clarinetist Fred Jacobowitz as our new Ebony.

Following the retirement of David Veilleux, who wanted to spend more time at home with his young family, Ebony & Ivory advertised widely across North America, attracting interest from over 30 candidates in Boston, New York, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Texas, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Missouri, California, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and New Hampshire. Auditions took place in Toronto and New York. Mr. Jacobowitz won the position by virtue of his beautiful and expressive sound, his awe-inspiring technique, and his familiarity with and skill in a wide range of musical styles.

Fred Jacobowitz received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the Juilliard School where he studied with the late Leon Russianoff. Fred made his New York debut at Carnegie Recital Hall (now Weill Hall) as winner of the Artists International Competition. He was a featured soloist on radio station WBAI and WQXR in New York City with the Goldman Band, and in recital throughout the metropolitan New York area. Fred has played virtually all styles of music at one time or another, from classical to jazz, Klezmer to Appalachian bluegrass, Gypsy village music, Irish pennywhistle and beyond.

As a chamber musician, he has participated in the Marlboro Music Festival and played in the Verrazano Winds Woodwind Quintet in Brooklyn, New York. Some of his awards include the Montpelier Cultural Arts Center Recital Contest, Montpelier, MD; the Guggenheim Concerts Band Performance Award, New York City; and the Milton Kahn Memorial Concerto Competition, Westchester, NY.

Fred was born in Brooklyn, NY and can still speak "Brooklynese." He toyed with the idea of becoming a professional dancer, taking ballet, jazz and acrobatics (he can still do handsprings and cartwheels!) along with his musical studies.

Fred is married to Bonnie Thron, currently Principal 'Cellist in the North Carolina Symphony in Raleigh and has a 6-year-old son named Louie who also answers to the name "Bubbele." Fred likes to do home repair and fix-it projects, and recently made a kid-sized computer hutch for his son. A closet stand-up comedian, Fred has a 33-page computer file of musical jokes.

Mr. Jacobowitz is currently Principal Clarinetist in the Annapolis (Maryland) Symphony Orchestra and teaches and freelances in the Raleigh, NC area.

The Ebony & Ivory Fall Mailing will reach the post office in a few days and zoom its way to you. As always, the mailing was designed for you, the Presenter, and contains food for the body as well as the mind! Look for the small brown cardboard box from Ebony & Ivory in your mailbox, and have a treat on us.

Have you heard about ice wine, that rare vintage produced from frozen wine grapes? You will have a chance to win a bottle of ice wine just by visiting the Ebony & Ivory booth at the fall conventions listed below. In addition, there will be a draw for a bottle of authentic Canadian Maple Syrup and a presentation box of Lindt Swiss Chocolate. All you have to do is drop your business card (or your name on a slip of paper) into our draw and cross your fingers. In addition, the first 10 visitors to the Ebony & Ivory booth will receive a Special Thank You Gift, and everyone who visits Ebony & Ivory will walk away with a chocolate pick-me-up! (NOTE: If your name is drawn and you are not able to claim your gift, we'll be sure to ship it to you right after the convention.)

Ebony & Ivory will be displaying at the following conventions this fall: Western Arts Alliance, Midwest Arts Conference, and Performing Arts Exchange. Please come and visit us (Robert Baird will be your host) and enter our Gourmet Giveaway Draws! Be among the first 10 visitors to the booth for a Special Prize, or just come for a chocolate pick-me-up! See you soon!

Western Arts Alliance (WAA) Annual Conference in Long Beach, California

September 2-6, 2003

Midwest Arts Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 11-13, 2003

Performing Arts Exchange (PAE) Booking Conference & National Arts Leadership Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina

September 17-20, 2003

Robert Baird is looking forward to seeing you in September at these conventions.