DETROIT, MI (March 1, 2004) - Wayne State University Department of Music proudly presents their 85th Anniversary Benefit Concert at Orchestra Hall on Tuesday, April 20, 2004. The concert will feature special performances by Motown singer/impressionist Spyder Turner, the legendary Johnny Trudell Big Band, and the Detroit Chamber Winds. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and ticket prices range from $50 to $125. All proceeds from the concert will benefit the WSU Department of Music students, scholarships, and music programs. Tickets may be purchased by calling (313) 993-4354.

Opening the Benefit Concert will be the Detroit Chamber Winds performing WSU resident composer James Hartway's "Portrait of a Man". The piece was recently commissioned by the family of T. Norris Hitchman and the Office of the President at Wayne State University.

Spyder Turner, a.k.a. "Mr. Stand By Me", grew up in the Motor City and often sang with Motown groups such as The Temptations. As a young boy he formed his own "doo-wop" group, The Nonchalants. At the age of 16 Spyder won a talent show at the famous Apollo Theater. In 1966 Spyder broke into the national spotlight with his remake of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me". The "number one hit" earned him a place in music history at the age of nineteen. After recording "Stand By Me" he returned to the Apollo to perform his hit song, and is now considered an "Apollo Theater Living Legend".

Spyder also co-wrote with famed Motown producers/writers such as Norman Whitfield. Rose Royce's 1977 hit "Do Your Dance" released on Whitfield Records earned Spyder gold and platinum records. Spyder performed the title song himself in the Berry Gordy movie "The Last Dragon" and co-wrote and performed "Mean Machine" in the movie "Bad Guys". As an impressionist, Spyder has performed renditions of artists such as Smokey Robinson, Chuck Jackson, Billy Stewart, Otis Redding, Eddie Kendricks, and James Brown.

Johnny Trudell is regarded as one of today's finest trumpet players. He is also the respected director of the Johnny Trudell Orchestra/Big Band. Johnny has performed with the big bands of Tommy Dorsey, Bob Crosby, Tex Beneke, and Quincy Jones. He served as lead trumpet player for Motown Records, recording with such greats as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, The Temptations, and The Four Tops. Johnny's classic style and exceptional versatility has led to performances with Dizzy Gillespie, Jon Faddis and Donald Byrd to performing as a featured artist with leading symphonic ensembles.

Johnny Trudell is music director for Detroit's Fox Theater and his famed Orchestra has backed the legendary Bob Hope, Wayne Newton, Tony Bennett, Johnny Carson, Red Skelton, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bill Cosby, among others. They have also played for various Broadway shows including Evita, Gypsy, The King and I, Fiddler On The Roof, Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, and many others. Johnny is also serving as music director of the Detroit Lions Orchestra, The Gem Theatre, and the Meadow Brook Music Festival.

The Johnny Trudell Orchestra has performed for national political events such as the 1980 Republican Convention and has played for Presidents Bush and Reagan, among other politicians and dignitaries.