Midday Artist Series - Fall 2016

Shea Center for the Performing Arts
Thursdays at 12:30 P.M.

September 8 - Jon Gordon, Saxophone, Mike Moreno, Guitar

Jon Gordon

Jon Gordon is one of the leading alto saxophonists on the jazz scene today. As a young protogé of the legendary Phil Woods, Gordon's early career included tours with Clark Terry, Benny Carter, Bob Mintzer and others. More recently, he has led his own groups at Ronnie Scott's club in London, and major jazz festivals in Wales, Norway, and at Wolf Trap. He is on the faculty of the University of Manitoba. He is joined by guitarist Mike Moreno, who has appeared with many of today's leading modernists, including Jason Moran, Robert Glasper, Joshua Redman, Ambrose Akinmusire, and with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis. 

September 15 - Merynda Adams - The Harp Through The Ages

Merynda Adams

Harpist Merynda Adams will present a recital of music by Bach, Handel, Debussy, Grandjany and Mathias, exploring the history and music of one of the world's oldest instruments.

September 22 - Gabriel Ensemble (String Quartet)

Gabriel Ensemble

The Gabriel Chamber Ensemble from Pennsylvania are returning to the Midday Series following their enchanting concert several seasons ago. They will perform two contrasting string quartets – Schubert’s powerful and tragic Death and the Maiden and the Borodin lyrical and flowing Quartet no. 2.

September 29 - Payton Macdonald and Rohan Krishnamurthy, Percussion and Vocal

Payton MacDonaldRohan Krishnamurthy

Payton MacDonald and Rohan Krishnamurthy present a unique concert of both North and South Indian classical music. Lyrical vocals and fiery drumming characterize this dynamic duo.

October 6 - Itay Goren, Pianist

ItayFall16

Internationally renowned concert pianist and William Paterson alumnus Itay Goren, who is the founder and artistic director of the highly popular Open Door Concert Series at Ramapo College, will perform one of the great masterpieces of all times - Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, which will be paired with the pictorial Preludes of Debussy.

October 13 - Seth Himmelhoch and Gabriel Handy, Guitarists

Seth HimmelhochHandgyGabe

Gabriel Handy and Seth Himmelhoch, both classical guitar faculty at William Paterson University, will present an exciting program of guitar solos and duos at this Midday performance. Their interpretive expertise and technical virtuosity will be on display in a concert featuring music of Europe and Latin America. Be sure to join us for a diverse program including composers such as Villa-Lobos, Koshkin, Orbon, Merlin and more!

October 20 - Bill Charlap, Solo Piano

Bill Charlap

Bill Charlap was appointed as William Paterson University's Director of Jazz Studies a year ago. He has just returned from a three-week trio tour of Japan and China in August, and serves as the artistic director of Jazz in July at New York's 92nd Street Y. Last year, he won a Grammy Award for his all-Jerome Kern CD collaboration with the legendary vocalist Tony Bennett. He was a longtime member of the bands of two historic saxophonists, Phil Woods and Gerry Mulligan. His pianistic command and deep knowledge of the American Popular Songbook as well as the jazz repertoire makes him one of the most respected pianists in jazz, both as a solo artist and with his trio of over 20 years, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, who performed on the Shea stage last year.