The jazz program at William Paterson University has been helmed by Bill Charlap since 2015. There are 24 active ensembles, and Charlap, who serves as the school's Director of Jazz Studies, joined saxophonist and author Dr. David Demsey in bringing one of them to perform in our studio for Jazz Appreciation Month.
The William Paterson University Organ Quintet, under the direction of saxophonist Vincent Herring, performed four songs, including a version of Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life” sung by junior and New Jersey native Mollie Friedman; an original composition by tenor saxophonist Alex DeLazzari, called “Clear Cut”; Kenny Dorham’s “Short Story”; and Smokey Robinson’s “The Way You Do the Things You Do.”
The quintet features junior Tom Killackey (trumpet), freshman Alex DeLazzari (tenor saxophone), junior Will Gorman (organ), sophomore Noah Flint (guitar), and freshman Hank Allen-Barfield (drums).