INFORMATION FOR
Three William Paterson University student groups—the William Paterson University Jazz Orchestra and two other small jazz ensembles—will perform at Dizzy’s Club/Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Monday, March 30, 2026 with sets at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., respectively.
Virtuoso saxophonist and flutist Steve Wilson will join the WP Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Mitch Butler, coordinator of jazz studies, as guest soloist for the first set. The set will feature music composed by Steve Wilson and arranged by William Paterson graduate music students, including “Perry Street,” arranged by Hunter Allison; “Grace,” arranged by Duncan Lemay; “Tortola,” arranged by Ernest Royeppen, and “Passages,” arranged by Gabriel Schmid-Doyle.
The second set will feature two William Paterson University small groups: the WP Female Composer ensemble, directed by Bill Charlap, director of jazz studies, and the WP Woody Shaw Ensemble, directed by Bruce Barth.
The ensembles represent three of the 29 jazz groups that are the core of William Paterson University’s historic Jazz Studies Program, currently in its 53rd year. The program is unique among college programs, with an emphasis on small group playing, improvisation, and a genuine commitment to the jazz tradition. Its artist/teacher faculty is made up of world-class, New York-area professionals. Jazz majors come to William Paterson from across the country and around the world; enrollment has included numerous international Fulbright Scholars. The program is one of the five longest-running jazz programs in the U.S.
For more information, or to make a reservation, visit Dizzy’s Club.
The WP Jazz Orchestra features Nate Tota, Clinton, NJ, and Carter Stein, Easton, PA, alto saxophone; James Ambrose, Alexandria, VA, and Fortunato Occhino, Buffalo, NY, tenor saxophone; Evan Gongora, East Hanover, NJ, baritone saxophone; Mayuko Abe, Miyagi, Japan, Seth Burke, Fairbanks, AK, Josh Mercado, Orlando, FL, Violet Mujica, Montclair, NJ, and Dorian Wylde, Brooklyn, NY, trumpet; Bryan Castillo, Paterson, NJ, Eric Goffnet, Bangor, PA, Ron Rybaczuk, Kissimmee, FL, and Brian Simontacci, Denville, NJ, trombone; Simon Bahadoran, Paris, France, piano; Ryan Williamson, Hawthorne, NJ, guitar; Gabriel Schmid-Doyle, Canton, NY, bass; Hunter Allison, Orlando, FL and Phil Perea, Cedar Rapids, IA, drums; and Maya Mirkova-Livni, Norfolk, VA, vibes.
The WP Female Composer Ensemble features Sydney Mecca. Providence, RI, tenor saxophone; Violet Mujica, Montclair, NJ, trumpet; Sally Shupe, Maplewood, NJ, guitar; Joy Cho, Busan, South Korea, piano; Killian Winn, Richmond, VA, bass; and Maria Kolesnik, Bronx, NY, drums.
The WP Woody Shaw Ensemble features Joshua Mercado, Orlando, FL, trumpet; Carter Stein, Easton, PA, saxophones; Brian Simontacchi, Denville, NJ, trombone; Leon Hsu, Taichung, Taiwan, piano; Chris Gomez, Ramsey, NJ, bass; and Jared Spears, St. Louis, MO, drums.
