Pianist, Composer, Director and long-time educator with the Jazz Program at William Paterson University, Bill Charlap, under the direction of Dr. David Demsey have been regular participants in WBGO’s annual Jazz Appreciation Month celebration honoring the growth through education of the next generation of jazz musicians. These up-and-coming student players are often already performing in the professional realm while continuing their growth in the program, and Bill Charlap and other professional musician educators who are a part of the faculty at William Paterson guide the students in such a way that growth is inevitable. The program at William Paterson has several large ensembles, but the focus really is on the individual attention that goes along with small ensemble playing.
In mid-March, Dr. Demsey and Charlap accompanied one of their many quintets to Yamaha Artist Services midtown Manhattan studio for the opportunity to record a professional session. WBGO presents the songs from this session today (April 10 through Monday April 14)
William Paterson University Jazz Quintet, Directed by Bill Charlap
This season’s quintet consists of the following student musicians:
Sydney Mecca, Tenor Sax
Nicholas Mikhail, Trumpet
Lasse Corson, Piano
Evan Wohlrabe, Bass
Cole Johnson, Drums
They performed “Short Story” & “La Mesha” by Kenny Dorham, “Trinkle Tinkle” by Thelonious Monk and “Blues on the Corner” by McCoy Tyner.
Watch the video of the session below from the Yamaha Artist Services midtown Manhattan studio:
The William Paterson University Jazz Quintet performs "Blues on the Corner"
The William Paterson University Jazz Quintet performs "Short Story"
The William Paterson University Jazz Quintet performs "La Mesha"
The William Paterson University Jazz Quintet performs "Trinkle Tinkle"