News

William Paterson University Student to Perform Original Suite of Music and Poetry Inspired by the Award-Winning Novel and Film Life Of Pi

--Concert on April 23 will feature Miguel Rodriguez of Howell in performance of Life of Pi Suite, written for jazz quintet and string quartet

Miguel Rodriguez of Howell, a senior at William Paterson University, will perform as saxophone and bass clarinet soloist in the debut performance of his Life of Pi Suite, composed for a jazz group and string quartet, on Thursday, April 23at 7:30 p.m. in the Shea Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall, Room 101 on the University’s campus in Wayne. Admission is free.

Rodriguez will be joined by world-class jazz musicians from New York City and fellow William Paterson jazz students Connor Koch of Stroudsburg, PA on bass, Gabe Valle of Monroe, NY, on violin and vocalist Vuyo Sotashe of Capetown, South Africa. The string quartet will feature William Paterson’s Jeremy Zipf on viola and Justin Louie on cello.

“He will create a musical event that makes a huge statement,” says David Demsey, professor of music and Rodriguez’s advisor for the project. “He is combining his abilities as a performer, which have grown and developed so much over his four years in the Jazz Studies Program, with his talents as a composer and arranger.”

A jazz performance major and a member of the University’s Honors College, Rodriguez analyzed the novel Life of Pi and translated its events into musical expression. He will perform his composition as the culmination of his thesis project for the honors track in performing and literary arts. The six-movement suite took four months of focused work to complete.  A work of music this orchestrated and complete is rare for someone 21 years of age. The performance also will include readings from the novel and some original poetry.

Rodriguez is a 2011 graduate of Howell High School and is slated to graduate from William Paterson this May. He is a recipient of the Honors College Scholarship, Music Talent and Music Trustee Scholarships. He is a Dean’s List student at William Paterson.

For additional information on the concert, contact Rodriquez  through his website, www.rodriguezmiguel.com