Concert features percussionist

SCOTTSDALE – A free concert, "Concept to Concerto," a sneak preview of a new percussion concerto featuring percussionist Maria Flurry, and composed by Kenneth LaFave, is open to the public, 4 p.m., June 24, at Steinway Hall, 14418 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale.

Flurry, of Prescott, Ariz., who has played with major symphony orchestras, requested that composer LaFave to create a concerto for a panoply of percussion instruments, ranging from tribal drums to new mallet instruments. This presentation is a precursor to its Oct. 8 premiere at the Phoenix Art Museum.

For more information, visit www.mariaflurry.com or www. kennethlafave.com.

Catching summer stars at Kerr

The goal of Kerr Cultural Center’s “Catch a Rising Star” series is to create young jazz idols. Four concerts throughout the summer will pair established Valley jazz artists and mentors with exciting young “next‑generation” jazz musicians. The series kicks off June 14 with two quartets.

The Paul‑Eirik Melhus Quartet features Paul‑Erik Melhus on tenor sax. Among his teachers is saxophonist Lucas Pino, another “rising star” who just completed his freshman year at the Brubeck Institute. Both musicians attended Marshall Ranch Middle School in Glendale.

The Barb Catlin Quartet is headlined by one of the Valley’s finest pianists, Barb Catlin, who plays a major role in the development of rising stars as director of Phoenix Young Sounds, comprising top jazz students from high schools around the state.

The ASU Kerr Cultural Center is located at 6110 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $7.50 for students and seniors and are available at the box office or any Ticketmaster outlet. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., starting Wednesday June 14. For information, call (480) 596‑2660.