William Paterson Jazz Room Launches 'At Home' Series

WAYNE, NJ — William Paterson University's storied Jazz Room series is shifting forms due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, jazz performances can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home.

The jazz series is going virtual, and all performances will be streamed from the Shea Center at WPU.

Jazz Room organizers have also released the upcoming schedule, with performances already scheduled through early May. (See the list below.)

All shows are preceded by a "Sittin’ In" concert preview, which features the artist answering viewer questions. The sessions are scheduled for 3 p.m., one hour prior to each concert. They can be seen on the WP Presents! You Tube channel.

Ticket prices for Jazz Room at Home are are “Pay What You Choose,” with options of $25, $20, $15 and $10 available for the public. William Paterson students can view the sessions for free.

Here's the upcoming schedule:

Valentine's Day Concert with Vocalist Marion Cowings

Sunday, Feb. 14 at 4 p.m.

• From the Jazz Room: "The silky and versatile baritone voice of Marion Cowings has been a major part of the vocal jazz world since the 1960s. A native New Yorker with early mentorship from Jon Hendricks and a LaGuardia High School education that included performing with Leonard Bernstein, he has gone on to perform at such prestigious venues as the Kennedy Center in Washington, and was the lead in the Duke Ellington opera Queenie Pie directed by Mercer Ellington at Lincoln Center. He has collaborated with such jazz giants as Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Ron Carter, Gary Bartz and Bobby Watson, and is a co-founder of the jazz vocal department at New York University, where he taught for years."

Johnathan Blake’s “Pentad”

Sunday, March 7 at 4 p.m.

• From the Jazz Room: "Drummer Johnathan Blake has built a major career since his graduation from William Paterson’s jazz program in the 1990s, appearing on more than 50 albums and touring and with multiple generations of artists, including a trio with Dave Holland and Kenny Barron, Michael Brecker, Oliver Lake, Roy Hargrove, rapper Q Tip, Tom Harrell, and more. Winner of the 2006 ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award and an experienced bandleader, his versatility has made him one of the most in-demand drummers on today’s scene."

John Fedchock’s New York Sextet

Sunday, March 21 at 4 p.m.

• From the Jazz Room: "John Fedchock is one of the veteran stars of the jazz trombone world. He spent a number of years with the Woody Herman Orchestra, not only as one of the band’s main soloists but also as one of its most widely known arrangers. An Eastman School of Music graduate and student of the great Rayburn Wright, he went on to tour with Gerry Mulligan, Louis Bellson, and Rosemary Clooney. "

The WPU Latin Jazz Ensemble with guest artist bassist Ron Naspo

Sunday, April 25 at 4 p.m.

• From the Jazz Room: "Bassist Ron Naspo continues to be one of the mainstays of the New York and New Jersey jazz scenes. Naspo played for many years with Dick Meldonian and with the great Bucky Pizzarelli, he is the regular bassist with the widely acclaimed Diane Moser Orchestra, and he is one of the foremost bassists on the latin jazz scene. He is also a veteran teacher, having been on William Paterson’s faculty in the 90s, and gaining a wide reputation as one of the go-to teachers around New York."

The Steve LaSpina Quartet

Sunday, May 2 at 4 p.m.

• From the Jazz Room: "Bassist and longtime WP jazz faculty member Steve LaSpina is one of the most respected and versatile bassists in jazz. A Chicago native, he has spent years on the road and in recording studios with such diverse artists as Stan Getz, Marian McPartland, Jim Hall, Benny Carter, Dave Liebman, Bob Brookmeyer, and Al Cohn, and he is known as the perfect singers’ bassist, having performed for years with Morganna King, Suzanna McCorkle, and Chris Conner. This concert celebrates his new CD, "A Change in the Weather."

Houston Person and Bill Charlap

Sunday, May 9 at 4 p.m.

• From the Jazz Room: "This spring’s Jazz Room Series ends with a true all-star duo, a special Mother’s Day concert featuring the Grammy-winning pianist and WP Jazz Studies Director Bill Charlap in a lyrical and blues-drenched duo with the veteran tenor saxophonist Houston Person. Person's many recordings with longtime partner, singer Etta Jones, and his duo album with the legendary bassist Ron Carter are among his best-known music. Charlap’s trio for over 20 years is considered to be among the finest ensembles in jazz. He recently collaborated on an award-winning CD with the legendary Tony Bennett and Diana Krall."

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