BINGHAMTON, NY – A duo of Binghamton University alumni will return to campus for a special jazz CD release and concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 20, in Casadesus Recital Hall, located in the Fine Arts Building, on campus. This event is free and open to the public.

Ira Antelis, composer, and Lee Musiker, performer and pianist, will perform songs from their latest CD, Dreams & Variations. All attendees will be able to download the album for free from the website.

Antelis is one of the most prolific and successful composers/producers in the music industry. He has created music for commercials, records, movies and theatre for over 30 years. His first company, Shafer/Antelis Music, became a top music ad agency, writing and producing music for major brands like Allstate, Budweiser, Coca Cola, Kraft and McDonald’s. Their acclaimed Gatorade jingle "Be Like Mike" won multiple awards, was made into a record and has been placed in multiple movies. From 2000- 2011, he was composer in residence/music director for ad agency giant Leo Burnett. It was during his time there that he penned some of the most iconic brand anthems, including arranging McDonald’s "I’m Lovin’ It."

For the past thirty years, Musiker has enjoyed a rich and diverse musical life, performing and recording with artists like Tony Bennett, Michael Buble, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban and many others. He has performed with the New York Philharmonic and Principal Brass Quintet, New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Orpheus, New York Pops, Boston Pops, Hollywood Bowl, and London Symphony Orchestra. He has guest conducted The New York Philharmonic, the Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, National Symphony Orchestras, and was recently appointed music director/principal conductor of the Palm Beach Pops for the 2014-2015 season. He most recently was music director/vocal arranger for the Grammy-winning Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga collaboration "Cheek to Cheek".

The event is sponsored by the Binghamton University Music Department and the Harpur Dean’s Office.