William Paterson University Announces Summer Jazz Week Lineup

William Paterson University will hold its 14th annual Summer Jazz Week from July 23-28, bringing several notable jazz musicians to its campus in Wayne, N.J. There will be performances every night of the week at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s Shea Center for Performing Arts, and the Billy Taylor Trio (Taylor is pictured) will cap off the festivities with a performance on Friday, July 27. Tied into the Jazz Week is the University’s Summer Jazz Improvisation Workshop for high school and college students, with clinics and small group sessions to be held with the guest artists.

The festival begins on July 23 with a faculty concert featuring pianist James Weidman, who has toured with jazz legends Max Roach and Woody Herman, among others. July 24 is Swing Night featuring clarinetist Dan Block, who has worked with artists such as Charles Mingus and Toshiko Akiyoshi. A “Jazz for Kids” program is scheduled for the morning of July 25. That program is designed to introduce elementary school children to the music and headed by the Blackman Brothers. Later that evening, saxophonist Lenny Pickett will perform with the William Paterson Summer Student Band, directed by Steve Marcone. Pickett is the musical director for NBC’s Saturday Night Live and has been a member of the show’s band since 1985. The July 26 event features vocalist Rebecca Parris, who has released several albums and has performed with jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich and Terry Gibbs.

Originally Published June 8, 2007