The great bandleader, composer, and cornetist, and William Paterson’s inaugural Jazz Studies director, Thad Jones (1923-1986) would have turned 100 on March 28. During his lifetime, he was already one of the most influential jazz arrangers in jazz, and that influence has only deepened since his passing. He was a full-time WP faculty member from 1972-78, during the time he co-led the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra every Monday night at the Village Vanguard. The Thad Jones Archive now resides at William Paterson, containing original pencil manuscripts and ink parts for his well-known pieces as well as unpublished rarities. This performance features the WP Jazz Orchestra with special guests and will highlight Jones’s compositions for Count Basie and for his own bands in New York and in Copenhagen.
Reserved Seating: $15 General Public • $12 WP community & senior citizens • $8 Non-WP students • WP Students admitted free with ID • $5 additional charge on show day per ticket
This concert is preceded by a Sittin’ In meet-the-artist session one hour prior to performance in Shea Recital Hall 101.
Free to all ticket holders. Audience members have a chance to meet and interact with that day’s artist in a question-answer format.
