Jazz Room Series Continues with Trombonist Marshall Gilkes on September 24


Marshall Gilkes, recognized as one of the great up-and-coming jazz trombone voices on the scene today, will perform on Sunday, September 24 as part of the fall 2023 season of the Jazz Room at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. The concert begins at 4 p.m. in the Shea Center for Performing Arts on campus.

Gilkes has become one of the central solo voices of the Maria Schneider Orchestra and just joined the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra as one of its newest members. His trombone has been heard on the Latin jazz scene as well, with bands led by Machito, Chico O’Farrill, Tito Nieves, and many others. He continues to tour worldwide as a bandleader, arranger, and composer, and appears at numerous major festivals. After receiving his early training at the University of Northern Colorado and William Paterson, he earned a degree from The Juilliard School.

The concert will be preceded by “Sittin’ In,” the Jazz Room’s accompanying “meet the artist” concert preview featuring interviews with jazz artists and guest speakers. This informal discussion, free to all Jazz Room ticketholders, begins at 3:00 p.m. in the Shea Recital Hall.

Tickets are $15 for the general public, $12 for WP faculty, staff, alumni, and senior citizens, $8 for non-WP students, and WP students are admitted free. Tickets are an additional $5 if purchased on show day. For tickets or additional information, visit wp-presents.org, or contact the Shea Center Box Office at 973.720.2371 or boxoffice@wpunj.edu.

William Paterson University’s Jazz Room series is the longest-running program of its kind in the United States. Launched in 1978, the Jazz Room has welcomed more than 500 jazz legends to the stage, including Sonny Rollins, Wynton Marsalis, Wayne Shorter, Joe Williams, Marian McPartland, Slide Hampton, Kenny Burrell, Joe Lovano, Kenny Garrett, Clark Terry, Michael and Randy Brecker, the Vanguard Orchestra, and more. Concerts have encompassed the entire spectrum of jazz, from early jazz and swing to avant garde, and from intimate solo performances to big bands.

Upcoming performances include vocalist Karrin Allyson Alves on Sunday, October 15; baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan with the William Paterson Jazz Orchestra on Sunday, October 20; the multi-horn Spirit of Life Ensemble on Sunday, November 5; and saxophonist Steve Wilson on Sunday, December 3.

The performance series provides support for the University’s internationally renowned Jazz Studies Program, founded in 1973, and currently celebrating its 50th anniversary during 2023. The program draws students from across the United States and abroad under the current direction of Grammy Award-winning pianist Bill Charlap.

The Jazz Room at William Paterson University has been made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

09/21/23