INFORMATION FOR
Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Christian Sands will perform with his trio in the Shea Center for the Performing Arts at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ on Sunday, April 3 as part of the spring Jazz Room series. The performance will begin at 4:00 p.m.
Sands and his top-level trio will bring a performance packed with the history of jazz and blues to the Shea stage, showcasing their inventive and swinging approach to the piano trio tradition.
A five-time Grammy Award nominee, Sands was mentored by the legendary Billy Taylor, who featured him early on a WP Summer Jazz Room performance, and was endorsed by former WP jazz director Mulgrew Miller, a great proponent of his talents.
Sands has performed alongside jazz giants such as Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Ulysses Owens, and vocalist Gregory Porter, and his albums have featured saxophonist Craig Handy and drummer Louis Hayes.
The concert will be preceded by “Sittin’ In,” the Jazz Room’s accompanying “meet the artist” concert preview featuring interviews with jazz artists and guest speakers. This informal discussion, free to all Jazz Room ticket-holders, begins at 3 p.m., one hour prior to each concert, in the Shea 101 Recital Hall.
William Paterson University’s Jazz Room series is the longest-running program of its kind in the United States. Launched in 1978, the Jazz Room has welcomed more than 500 jazz legends to the stage, including Sonny Rollins, Wynton Marsalis, Wayne Shorter, Joe Williams, Marian McPartland, Slide Hampton, Kenny Burrell, Joe Lovano, Kenny Garrett, Clark Terry, Michael and Randy Brecker, the Vanguard Orchestra, and more. Concerts have encompassed the entire spectrum of jazz, from early jazz and swing to avant garde, and from intimate solo performances to big bands. The performance series provides support for the University’s internationally renowned Jazz Studies Program, founded in 1973, which draws students from across the United States and abroad under the current direction of pianist Bill Charlap.
Tickets are $15 for the general public, $12 for WP faculty, staff, alumni, and senior citizens, $8 for non-WP students, and WP students are admitted free. Tickets are an additional $3 if purchased on show day. For tickets, visit wp-presents.org, or contact the box office at 973.720.2371 or boxoffice@wpunj.edu.
The Jazz Room at William Paterson University has been made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
