(WAYNE, NJ) -- William Paterson University's Jazz Room Series has several shows coming in April and May. The lineup includes performances by Camille Thurman, Chico Alvarez with the William Paterson Latin Jazz Ensemble, Christian McBridge & Bill Charlap Duo, and Will Downing.  All shows take place at the Shea Center for Performing Arts.

Sunday, April 6, 2025 @ 3:00pm - Saxophonist-Vocalist Camille Thurman. Camille Thurman has gained worldwide respect as a saxophonist as well as for her singing.  A graduate of the famed New York LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, she was a finalist in the 2013 Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition.

She has a recording contract with Chesky Records, just released her fourth album on that label, and she was nominated as Best Jazz Album in the 50th NAACP Image Awards. Ms. Thurman is also a dedicated teacher and mentor, leading to her association with the Heart of Jazz Foundation that awards scholarships and pairs young students with professional jazz mentors.

Tickets are available for purchase online. Free to all ticketholders. Sittin’ In Meet–the–Artist sessions are one hour prior to each concert in Shea Center Recital Hall and feature a rare opportunity for audience members to hear from and interact with the artist of the day.

Thursday, April 17, 2025 @ 3:00pm - Chico Alvarez with the William Paterson Latin Jazz Ensemble. Vocalist Chico Alvarez was born in New York City, but grew up in Cuba and gained his musical background there, now as a New Jersey resident.

He is an active singer, performing with the Afro-Cuban band Mafimba, where he has been mostly their lead singer for nearly 40 years.  He has also been jazz radio host of “The New World Gallery” on New York radio station WBAI, having won an award from the National Association of Community Broadcasters and interviewed many jazz giants.

In this concert, Alavarez combines with the WP Latin Jazz Ensemble.

Tickets are available for purchase online. Free to all ticketholders. Sittin’ In Meet–the–Artist sessions are one hour prior to each concert in Shea Center Recital Hall and feature a rare opportunity for audience members to hear from and interact with the artist of the day.

Sunday, April 27, 2025 @ 3:00pm -  Christian McBride & Bill Charlap Duo. This concert creates a truly rare performance by bringing together two true jazz giants who have only performed together rarely in the past and never have toured.

Christian McBride has a solid reputation as one of the world’s most respected jazz basists and bandleaders, but that is only the beginning: he leads the Newport Jazz Festival, and co-leads Jazz House Kids with his wife Melissa Walker.

Bill Charlap is one of the world’s foremost pianists, touring and recording with his trio of 27 years with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, releasing award-winning albums on the Blue Note label and winning a 2016 Grammy Award with Tony Bennett.  This promises to be a truly memorable event, a very rare collaboration between two New Jersey residents who are worldwide jazz icons.

Tickets are available for purchase online. Free to all ticketholders. Sittin’ In Meet–the–Artist sessions are one hour prior to each concert in Shea Center Recital Hall and feature a rare opportunity for audience members to hear from and interact with the artist of the day.

Friday, May 9, 2025 @ 8:00pm - Will Downing. They say a man’s “soul” is his spiritual essence.  Life’s twists and turns can lift that soul high into the sky or send it crashing to the ground below.  Unfortunately, 2023 started with the latter for Will Downing, following the unexpected and soul-crushing loss of daughter Aron Siobhan Downing in January.

As a father, he was devastated... heartbroken.  As an artist, he sought solace and comfort through his craft...facing the hurt head-on and exploring multiple themes of love to begin the healing. Persevering through the pain Downing is poised to finish the year with his soul rising…literally!  The Prince of Sophisticated Soul is ready to share his 7- song masterclass in triumph over tragedy, Soul Rising!

Celebrating an insane 35 years in the “bizness” and 27 Albums to his credit Will Downing will not be stopped! Flexing on his international appeal, the lead single "What Part of My Love" shot to the top of the UK Soul Chart Top 30 and parked there.  Those who no longer listen to new releases as the collective work it was intended to be, should make an exception in this case.  Although not a "concept" album, the pieces of Soul Rising fit together beautifully as a single statement and should be enjoyed as such.  We all know the about the smoothness, but there's a brand-new kind of...dare I say..."Funkiness", that I think is here to stay! 

Make no mistake...Will Downing didn't forget the "smooth" that made the Man the Myth the Legend!  Nor did he abandon his world-famous knack for what he affectionately calls "interpretations" of classic hits.

Tickets are available for purchase online.  NOTE: There will be no Sittin' In session prior to this concert.

Shea Center for the Performing Arts is located at 300 Pompton Road in Wayne, New Jersey on the campus of William Paterson University. It is an intimate 922-seat theater built in 1965. The theater boasts a customized, state-of-the-art sound system, computerized lighting system and a unique seating/stage configuration that ensures a close performer/audience connection. Shea Center is air-conditioned and handicapped accessible.

WP Presents! and The Jazz Room Series events are made possible in part by a grant from the NJ Council on the Arts/Dept. of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.