Sheila Jordan Trio to Perform on Jazz Room Series at William Paterson University on October 21

Jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan will perform with her trio as part of the fall 2012 Jazz Room Series at William Paterson University in Wayne on Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 4 p.m. in the Shea Center for Performing Arts on campus. The acclaimed Sunday afternoon concert series is currently celebrating its 35th anniversary season.

Prior to the concert, Jordan will be the guest for “Sittin’ In,” an informal discussion about jazz, at 3 p.m.  Shea Center. Admission is free to all Jazz Room ticket holders. Tickets are available at the Shea Center Box Office in advance, 973.720.2371 or wp-presents.org <http://wp-presents.org> , or on the day of the performance at $15 general; $12 senior citizens, William Paterson faculty, staff and alumni; and $8 for non-William Paterson students. William Paterson students may attend free of charge.

Jordan is considered an icon in the world of jazz vocalists and is both a top bebop vocal improviser and a sensitive ballad singer. She gained recognition in 1962 with her Blue Note release “Portrait of Sheila,” and continues to sing her soulful renditions of standards and classic jazz bebop. Jordan recently made news when she received the National Education Association Jazz Masters Award this year. She is joined by Steve Kuhn on piano, Steve LaSpina on bass, who is also an adjunct professor at William Paterson University, and Billy Drummond on drums.

Launched in 1978, the Jazz Room is one of the largest and most prestigious college-sponsored jazz events in the country. Performers include renowned professionals who encompass the complete spectrum of jazz, as well as William Paterson’s own student ensembles. The series has won numerous grants from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for its innovative programming.

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