It was smooth and cool. Risdall McKinney Public Relations helped fill the seats for an April concert by renowned trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, who performed at St. Paul’s Northwestern College with The Noteables, part of the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band. The highlight of the event’s media coverage was an hour-long, in-studio performance and interview by Gordon and The Noteables on Minnesota Public Radio’s “Midmorning,” one of the station’s most popular programs.

Renowned trombonist hits the airwaves to provide a sneak preview of Northwestern College concert on MPR’s “Midmorning”

Northwestern College, a private Christian liberal arts college in St. Paul, Minn., brought renowned trombonist Wycliffe Gordon to its campus on April 22. Gordon, one of the top jazz artists in the country, gave a free master class followed by a free concert with The Noteables.

Gordon is a frequent performer with Wynton Marsalis at the Lincoln Center in New York and has served on the faculty of the jazz studies program at The Juilliard School. His trombone playing has been hailed by jazz critics as mixing powerful, intricate runs with sweet notes extended over clean melodies.

The Noteables, part of the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, describes itself as a sleek, vibrant jazz ensemble that presents exciting, uplifting music which inspires audiences to increased patriotism.

RMPR’s media relations efforts were focused on promoting the master class and concert; a highlight was an hour-long in-studio appearance on Minnesota Public Radio’s “Midmorning” by Gordon and The Noteables. Listeners were treated to a live interview and performance from the station’s spacious Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio as well as the opportunity to call in with questions.

Minnesota Public Radio was a natural choice for RMPR to pitch for Northwestern College because of its reach across the entire state and the fact that nearly 60 percent of its listeners are college educated and almost 25 percent have an advanced degree. In addition, the station is known for its in-studio musical guests and performances – a perfect opportunity to highlight Gordon and The Noteables.

The evening was a resounding success, with Northwestern College’s Maranatha Hall nearly full of concertgoers grooving through the night.

Client: Northwestern College

Media Outlet: Minnesota Public Radio’s “Midmorning”

Date: April 22, 2009