The Northeastern State University Jazz Studies Program has released the second CD by the NSU Jazz Ensemble, Appointment in Milano. The album, featuring original music by NSU faculty and students, along with a legendary jazz performer, builds on the success of the critically acclaimed debut CD Hour of the Pearl. Bobby Watson, long regarded as one of the top jazz musicians in the world, returned to NSU to be featured as guest artist on the album. Watson, a Lawrence, Kansas-native who now is the Distinguished Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, has a long and distinguished career as a performer, composer and educator. Watson was musical director for Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers for many years, and has led various incarnations of his top selling group Horizon. He has recorded over 90 albums, 26 as a leader, with some of the most recognizable names in jazz, including Wynton Marsalis, Max Roach, Joe Williams and Lou Rawls. Watson has numerous Grammy nominations under his belt as well. “This CD is only the beginning of many good things to come from NSU Jazz. I have heard the band grow tremendously in just the one year of my association with the band under Arthur’s leadership,” Watson said. The album also features the NSU Jazz Ensemble I, the flagship ensemble of the NSU Jazz Studies Program, under the direction of Arthur White. The album highlights the debut of brand new original compositions and arrangements by White, Watson, and NSU Jazz Studies students Bradley Spears, Tracy Patterson, Aaron Hollon and Cory Martin. “Arthur inspires creativity and personal expression from his students, which are the hallmarks of jazz and jazz education, and is evidenced by the wonderful student arrangements included on this CD, as well as Arthur’s splendid arrangements of my compositions,” Watson said. For White, this new album is going to turn many heads and create new fans of NSU Jazz. “Having the presence of Bobby Watson on this recording really elevated the performance of the band. People are going to be amazed by the result,” said White. Watson was particularly impressed with the recording session. “It was my extreme pleasure to perform with the students on this recording and I want to congratulate them on a job well done. I am certain that people will enjoy the fresh sounds found on this CD,” Watson said. In April 2007, Appointment in Milano received accolade from Herb Wong (IAJE) titling the album among the "Top 10 Campus CDs of 2006," an honor shared with nine other national jazz ensembles including the University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band, Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra, and the University of North Carolina - Greensboro Jazz Ensemble to name a few. All proceeds from the sale of this album will support NSU Jazz Studies. NSU Jazz has released it's third album entitled "The Point" featuring guitarist Henry Johnson!