The Jazz Room Concert Series at William Paterson University Marks Silver Anniversary

-- Renowned trumpeter Clark Terry and Friends to perform in gala concert on October 20

William Paterson University will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its Jazz Room Series this fall with special concerts, a commemorative book of photographs, an exhibit of photographs from the book, and a poetry reading.

Launched in 1978, the Jazz Room Series is one of the largest and most prestigious college-sponsored jazz events in the country. Performers include renowned professionals who encompass the complete spectrum of jazz, from practitioners of traditional jazz to avant-garde to bebop to swing to Afro-Latin jazz – as well as William Paterson’s own student ensembles. The series has won numerous grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for its innovative programming.

In celebration of the anniversary, renowned trumpeter and jazz statesman Clark Terry, who performed in the Count Basie and Duke Ellington bands as well as the Tonight Show Orchestra, will perform in a gala concert on October 20 at 4 p.m. in Shea Center. Among those performing with Terry will be pianist James Williams, director of the Jazz Studies Program at William Paterson University.

The concert will be preceded by an opening reception from 1 to 3 p.m. in the University’s Ben Shahn Galleries for "25 Years of The Jazz Room at William Paterson University," an exhibit of photographs by JoAnn Krivin. Krivin, whose husband Martin Krivin founded the Jazz Room Series during his tenure as a William Paterson professor of music, has chronicled the numerous jazz artists who performed on campus. Featured in the exhibit are black and white photos of some of the jazz world’s most well-known musicians, including Sonny Rollins, Joe Williams, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Milt Hinton, Jane Ira Bloom, Rufus Reid, and others. A commemorative book of the photographs is being produced in conjunction with the exhibit.

"During the past 25 years, the Jazz Room Series has featured hundreds of the world’s jazz masters, providing both our students and the greater community with an opportunity to see performances by some of the greatest musicians of our time," says Williams. "This is an important milestone for our program."
The fall season of the series will include a variety of other well-known jazz performers. The series opens on September 29 with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Originally led by drummer Mel Lewis and Thad Jones, the first director of the William Paterson Jazz Program, this stellar group now holds a unique permanent residency at the University.

On October 6, veteran pianist Hal Galper takes to the Shea Center stage. Known for his spontaneous and imaginative improvisation, Galper has over 82 recordings to his credit, including 24 as a leader. Joining Galper will be drummer Billy Hart and bassist Rufus Reid, former director of the University’s Jazz Studies Program.

Carl Allen, who has established himself as one of the premier jazz drummers on the scene today, performs on October 13. A 1983 graduate of William Paterson, Allen returns to campus during this special anniversary season to captivate audiences with the power of swing.

Dynamic Latin jazz musician Chico Mendoza, a member of William Paterson’s jazz faculty for more than 30 years, will perform with his Latin Jazztet on October 27. A well-known jazz pianist and percussionist, Mendoza has been featured on over 40 recordings.

The fall season concludes on November 3 with "TO YOU" - A Tribute to William Paterson Jazz Program Directors. The William Paterson University Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of David Demsey, William Paterson professor of music, performs the music of Thad Jones, who was the first director of the University’s jazz program from 1973 to 1980. Also, Rufus Reid, who directed the jazz studies program from 1980 to 1999, and current director James Williams will perform their original compositions.

A special event featuring poetry readings about jazz will be presented on Thursday, October 24 at 2 p.m. in the Ben Shahn Galleries. David Shapiro, poet and professor of art at William Paterson University, will read original and subject-related poetry. Admission is free.

Concert time for all Jazz Room concerts is 4 p.m. on Sundays in the Shea Center for Performing Arts at William Paterson University in Wayne. A 3 p.m. informal discussion with the afternoon’s performers, titled "Sittin’ In," in Shea 101 is a special feature of the series.

Each concert opens with a half-hour set by a student jazz ensemble. Admission prices are $12 standard and $9 for senior citizens. For information, call the Shea Center for Performing Arts Box Office at 973.720.2371.

# # #

9/24/02
For Further Information, contact:

Mary Beth Zeman, Director, Public Relations 973-720-2966