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News Release

JOHN BENITEZ TO PEFORM IN THE JAZZ ROOM SERIES AT WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY

Grammy award-winning bassist John Benitez will perform at William Paterson University on Sunday, October 26 as part of the fall 2003 Jazz Room Series.

The concert will begin at 4 p.m. in the Shea Center for Performing Arts on the campus in Wayne. Tickets are available in advance or on the day of the performance at $12 standard and $9 for senior citizens, non-William Paterson students and William Paterson faculty, staff and alumni. William Paterson students may attend free of charge.

Prior to the concert, Benitez will be the guest for “Sittin’ In,” an informal discussion about jazz, at 3 p.m. in room 101 of Shea Center. Admission is free to all Jazz Room ticketholders.

Joining Benitez for the concert will be Donny McCaslin, tenor saxophone. Luis Bonillia, trombone, Alon Yavnai, piano, Luisito Quintero, percussion, and Jeff Ballrds, drums.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Benitez attended the City College of New York where he studied under the guidance of legendary acoustic bassist Ron Carter and later with contrabass guitarist Anthony Jackson. He has recorded with Roy Hargrove’s Crisol Band (whose recording, “Habana,” was awarded the Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Performance in 1997), David Sanchez, Tito Puente, Hilton Ruiz, Antonio Hart, the Tropi-Jazz All Stars, the Mingus Big Band, the Caribbean Jazz Project and Eddie Palmieri. Benitez has also be seen on “Good Morning America,” “The Today Show” and “Jazz” on BET.
He has performed in major jazz festivals and venues around the world. Benitez was chosen by the United States Information Agency and the Kennedy Center to represent the United States as a Jazz Ambassador on a tour of South America.

Now in its 26th year of exciting performances, The Jazz Room 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.

For more information, call Shea Center for Performing Arts Box Office at 973-720-2371.

Log #24-26

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For Further Information, contact:
Mary Beth Zeman, Director, Public Relations 973-720-2966

 


10
/13/03