Two Christiansens to perform in concert
When he started teaching his son to play the guitar at age 5, Mike Christiansen, the head of the guitar program in the Utah State University music department, said he knew Corey was going to be good.
“He was a natural,” Christiansen said. “I’m just real proud of him.”
Corey Christiansen graduated from USU with a master’s degree in jazz performance, and now he’s returning to do a jazz concert March 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center Auditorium.
“There’s going to be some great music,” Mike Christiansen said.
“We’ve got a pretty good variety, some real first-rate stuff,” he said.
The elder Christiansen is going to sit in on a few numbers. Lars Yorgenson will accompany on bass and Doug James on drums.
“They’re very seasoned musicians,” Mike Christiansen said.
Their program, sponsored by the USU guitar program, will include a selection of jazz music.
Corey Christiansen will teach guitar classes while he is in Logan.
“It will be really good for the students. Weather he’s my son or not I’d still be happy to have him come,” Mike Christiansen said.
Corey Christiansen lives in the St. Louis area and works for Mel Bay Publications, Inc. He’s his father’s editor.
“Our relationship is cool,” Mike Christiansen said. “We have a really good professional relationship as well as a father/son relationship. We have a real respect for each other.”
After getting his degree, he taught guitar at the University of South Florida in Tampa. This gave him access to opportunities in the music world.
“His skills made it possible for him to make it happen when these opportunities came,” Mike Christiansen said.
He has participated in the Embria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy, and the Clearwater Jazz Festival in Clearwater, Fla.
In May, father and son will be performing in New York City at a guitar builder’s convention.
Mike Christiansen said he’s very excited to be able to do this with Corey. They don’t get to very often.
“I typically do my thing and he does his,” Mike Christiansen said.