Calendar of Events

Shea Center
for Performing Arts

The Jazz Room Series

Inaugurated in 1978, the Jazz Room is the longest running university-sponsored jazz series in the nation. Jazz Room events encompass the complete spectrum of the genre, ranging from early jazz and swing to the avante garde, from intimate solo concerts to big bands.

George Kanzler, veteran jazz critic who covered the New Jersey jazz scene for The Star-Ledger for more than three decades, writes, “The Jazz Room occupies a very special place in jazz in New Jersey...It is first and foremost a listening room, where you can hear jazz in optimum conditions...Even a casual jazz fan...who attended Jazz Room events regularly...could boast of having seen and heard many of the best jazz musicians of his or her time.”

Each Jazz Room concert is preceded by a “Sittin’ In” meet-the-artist session at 3:00 PM in which audience members have a chance to meet and interact with that day’s artist in a question-answer format.

Clark Terry performs with students

The series also includes performances by large groups including the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and has presented big bands led by Mel Lewis, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Dave Liebman and others, along with smaller ensembles such as piano trios led by Marian McPartland, Hank Jones, Hilton Ruiz and Eliane Elias. Outstanding William Paterson University student jazz ensembles are featured prominently by opening each Sunday’s concert.

The Jazz Room has received over two decades of continuous grant support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, as well as numerous grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. The series has been featured on national and metropolitan-area media, including recorded broadcasts.z

*Click here for Jazz Room Series fall 2008 events