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Alto Saxophonist Lou Donaldson and his Quartet to Perform as part of Jazz Room Series at William Paterson University on March 29

Lou Donaldson, the legendary jazz saxophonist, brings his Quartet to William Paterson University in Wayne on Sunday, March 29, 2015. The 4 p.m. performance, to be held in the University’s Shea Center for Performing Arts on campus, is part of the spring 2015 Jazz Room series.

The concert was rescheduled from its original date of November 23, 2014. Tickets from that date will be honored.

Prior to the concert, Donaldson will be the guest for “Sittin’ In,” an informal discussion about jazz, at 3 p.m. in Shea Center 101.  Admission is free to all Jazz Room ticket holders. Tickets are available in advance at the Shea Center Box Office at 973-720-2371 or wp-presents.org for $15 general, $12 for senior citizens and William Paterson faculty, staff, and alumni, $8 for non-William Paterson students, and free for William Paterson students with valid I.D. There will be an additional $3 charge for tickets purchased on show day.

Donaldson is famous for blending the great traditions of blues and bebop. During World War II, he was a member of the Great Lakes Air Station band, where he played the clarinet and alto saxophone at dances.  After World War II, Donaldson continued to collaborate, tour and record with numerous jazz artists, including Philly Joe Jones, Clifford Brown, Thelonious Monk and Milt Jackson. He was a member of Art Blakey’s group, and appeared on some of Blakey’s most famous albums including the three recordings released of A Night at Birdland.

Before being drafted into the U.S. Navy, Doanldson matriculated to North Carolina A&T College at 15, and where he joined the marching band as a clarinetist and earned a bachelor of science degree. Later in his career, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of letters by North Carolina A&T University and was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame.

Launched in 1978, 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, as well as William Paterson’s own student ensembles. The series has won numerous grants from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for its innovative programming. 

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