This Week at VCU Jazz

The Statesmen of Jazz organization, overseen by Mathew Domber, consists of a roster of some of the world’s greatest living jazz musicians, with a mission to present concerts and educational programs internationally. The Statesmen of Jazz programs are primarily funded by private donors; this concert was also made possible by a generous gift from Max Corzillius.

Chuck Redd is a seasoned performer on both drums and vibraphone. He is currently the artist-in-residence at The Smithsonian Jazz Cafe in Washington, D.C. Chuck began performing internationally when he joined the Charlie Byrd Trio in 1980 at the age of 21. That year, he joined the Great Guitars (Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, and Herb Ellis). To his credit are thirteen extensive European tours and five tours of Japan with the Barney Kessel Trio, Ken Peplowski, Terry Gibbs, and Conte Candoli. He has toured and performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Mel Torme, Tommy Flanagan, Ray Brown, Monty Alexander, Laurindo Almeida, Tal Farlow, Red Norvo, Scott Hamilton, and Frank Vignola and is featured on over 65 recordings. In addition to leading his own group, Chuck is a member of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and is on the faculty at The University of Maryland School of Music. His January 2008 Noteworthy Jazz release is “When Redd is Blue.” a collaboration with his brother Robert, featuring saxophonist Harry Allen.

Houston Person is one of the most popular saxophonists in mainstream jazz. After a long successful association with vocalist Etta Jones and many years as a producer and bandleader, he has distilled his experience to become a master with a ballad, swinging standard or a romping blues.

Mickey Roker is one of the great drummers in the history of jazz. He has appeared on countless classic jazz recordings including Lee Morgan’s “Live at the Lighthouse” and Herbie Hancock’s “Speak Like a Child.” He also spent many years touring with Milt Jackson, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ella Fitzgerald and replaced Connie Kay with The Modern Jazz Quartet. Into his seventies he still plays with fire and a great sense of joy.

Bob Cranshaw is one of the most recorded bass players in history. He has been Sonny Rollins’s first-call bass player for more than 40 years and continues to tour with him. Bob also performed on the soundtrack for all of the Sesame Street programs for 30 years and was a member of the original Saturday Night Live Band. He was a member of Milt Jackson’s Quartet from the 1960s through the 1990s.

Award-winning jazz pianist Tamir Hendelman has performed with the Jeff Hamilton Trio, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Harry Allen, Teddy Edwards, Warren Vache, Jeff Clayton, Nick Brignola, Phil Upchurch, Rickey Woodard, John Clayton, Barbara Morrison, and also leads his own trio.

From 4-5:30p they will present a Jazz Workshop in Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Center. Admission is free and open to the public. At 8p they will present their concert, also at Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Center. Admission is $10 General Public and $5 VCU students (free to VCU Music students who sign up in advance in the Music Office). Call 828-6776, Monday through Friday, 2-4p to purchase your tickets via credit card.

On Wednesday, trumpeter Marvin Stamm will be coming to VCU to give a master class on Wednesday at 4:30pm and to perform with Jazz Orchestra I at 8pm on Thursday. Also on his itinerary is a lecture with VCU Jazz Director Tony Garcia for VCU’s Brandcenter, which will take place on Friday at 11am in Vlahcevic Concert Hall.

His biography tells of his numerous musical experiences: