October 24, 2000

BIRMINGHAM, AL — University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Professor Henry Panion III, Ph.D., will make history October 31 when he produces a music CD made by a group of musicians — each performing live from different cities — via Internet2, the high-speed second generation of the Internet.

Internet2 is a research and development consortium led by 182 research universities, including UAB. A $1.1 million National Science Foundation grant in 1998 enabled UAB to connect with the high-performance networks participating in Internet2.

The debut of Internet2’s virtual recording capabilities will take place Halloween night on the stage of the Rialto Theatre at Georgia State University, where Internet2 is hosting its fall Halloween-themed gala member meeting. The purpose of the Halloween concert is to highlight both the capabilities of Internet2 technology-enabled performances and the talents of performers and artists from Internet2 member institutions.

Panion will produce the CD from the stage in Atlanta, working with well-known musicians via Internet2 networks from campuses in Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and Birmingham. As producer, he will record the individual live performances, download the music and mix the album on stage.

The 800-member audience will see, hear and interact with Panion on stage and with each of the musicians as their performances and images are broadcast on screens above the stage via Internet2 networks. CDs of the performance will be made that night and distributed the next morning to audience members.

“Through Internet2 networks we can stream CD-quality audio as well as broadcast-quality video, at the same time,” Panion said. “The audience will witness the entire recording process as if those musicians were in the studio right on stage in Atlanta.”

The musicians and host universities are: Eric Essix, guitarist, UAB recording studio; Wayne Linsey, keyboardist, University of Southern California recording studio; Ed Calle, saxophonist, the University of Miami-Florida recording studio; Tom Barney, bassist, New York University recording studio; and “Little John” Roberts, drummer, and Lynne Fiddmont-Linsey, singer, on stage in Atlanta. Find more information on the musicians at allmusic.com.

Internet2 issued a call for member performers for the event. Event coordinators approached Panion to perform so he could demonstrate how the new technology would positively impact the world of music, where distance is often a problem, he said.

Internet2 recently launched its second discipline-specific effort, focusing on the arts and humanities, so Panion’s selection is a great honor, said Jill Gemmill, UAB assistant director of academic computing.

“I can’t think of anyone more suitable for this honor than Henry Panion and the UAB Music Department,” Gemmill said. “For UAB to be featured in this gathering of national universities is great, but for it to be from arts and humanities is outstanding.”

Panion is a pioneer in the field of music technology and started the music technology program at UAB. The UAB Department of Music is one of only a few programs in the United States offering undergraduate degrees with a concentration in music technology.

Since 1992, Panion has been conductor and arranger for Stevie Wonder and recently began to arrange and conduct for Aretha Franklin. He also has worked with the Winans and many of the world’s most notable orchestras as conductor and arranger. Panion’s own works for orchestra are in heavy rotation by major orchestras throughout the United States. As a producer, composer, arranger and orchestrator, his work has produced two Grammy Awards, two Dove Awards, and many other national music awards. Panion was appointed the distinguished position of University Professor in April by the University of Alabama Board of Trustees. In 1995, Panion was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.