‘Uptown Jazz Series’ Returns for Another Season
A Mary Pappert School of Music series featuring jazz styles from Duquesne faculty, visiting artists and ensembles is back for another season.
The popular Uptown Jazz Series, led by artistic director Mike Tomaro, returns for six concerts, thanks, in part, to the generosity of the John R. Matterns Estate. Tomaro, director of jazz studies in the music school, also is a saxophonist in the series.
Each year, the series features a common thread, such as the history of jazz and works of local jazz legends, among others. This season’s theme, “Jazz and…”, will explore the connections between jazz and various types of media.
The series kicks off Tuesday, Sept. 21, with Uptown Jazz Series: Jazz and the Movies at 7:30 p.m. in PNC Recital Hall. The concert will present themes from movies that featured jazz scores as well as American popular songs prominently featured in movies that were adapted by jazz musicians.
In addition to Tomaro, music faculty performing in the series include:
- JD Chaisson, adjunct professor of jazz trumpet
- Jeff Bush, adjunct professor of jazz trombone
- Eric Susoeff, adjunct professor of jazz guitar
- Max Leake, adjunct professor of jazz piano
- Paul Thompson, adjunct professor of jazz bass
- Tom Wendt, adjunct professor of jazz percussion.
As a genre, jazz has always expanded horizons of music. This ensemble, as both teachers and working musicians, offers Duquesne students a horizon-expanding education.
Additional concerts in the series include:
- Uptown Jazz Series: Jazz and Broadway, Tuesday, Oct. 26
- Uptown Jazz Series: Jazz and Television, Tuesday, Nov. 30
- Uptown Jazz Series: Jazz and Classical Music, Tuesday, Jan. 18
- Uptown Jazz Series: Jazz and World Cultures, Tuesday, Feb. 22
- Uptown Jazz Series: Jazz and Pop Culture, Tuesday, March 29.
All concerts in the Uptown Jazz Series begin at 7:30 p.m. in PNC Recital Hall. General admission tickets are $10 at the door.
Visit the series’ website for more information.