Wycliffe Gordon Artist In Residence Wycliffe Gordon is an outstanding trombonist, composer, and arranger. He has been in the limelight since 1988 when he joined the Wynton Marsalis Septet and subsequently joined the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Currently, Gordon tours the world as a soloist and with his own group; in 2018 he represented the US on State Department tour to Sri Lanka where he premiered a piece written for Sri Lanka’s 70th anniversary. He has 21 CDs as a leader, has been named the Jazz Journalist’s Association’s Trombonist of the Year 13 times and Downbeat’s Critic’s Poll six times. Recipient of numerous awards and honors, Gordon has an extensive catalog of original compositions, and his arrangement of the theme music of NPR’s “All Things Considered” is heard daily around the globe. He is also a committed music educator, serving as Director of Jazz Studies at Augusta University as well having been a visiting artist at Arizona State University and with National Youth Ensemble Jazz. Steve La Spina Bass, Small Ensemble Tours and recordings with Jim Hall, Stan Getz, Toots Thielemans, Joe Williams, Benny Carter, Chet Baker, Pat Martino, Zoot Sims, Tommy Flanagan, Richie Bierach, and Marian McPartland. Five solo recordings with own group on Steeplechase Records, one on Italy’s Ram label; sideman on more than 90 recordings. BM, University of Illinois. William Paterson jazz instructor since 1999. Marcus McLaurine Bass, Small Ensemble Studied with Jack Kulawich of the American Symphony while in the 590th Air Force band. He has studied at The University of Nebraska at Omaha, Queens College and Empire State College. Regular bassist in Clark Terry’s Quintet for thirty years, with numerous tours and recordings to his credit. Performed with Kenny Burrell, Jon Hendricks, McCoy Tyner, Abbey Lincoln, Cleo Laine, Lou Donaldson, Abdullah Ibrahim, Joe Williams and the Count Basie Orchestra. Recorded with Kenny Burrell, Abbey Lincoln, Michael Cochrane, Grover Mitchell, John Hicks, Hank Jones, Vincent Herring, Bob Trowers, Jay Hoggard, Nancy Monroe, and the Spirit of Life Ensemble, and has appeared in the motion pictures, Cotton Club and Sweet and Lowdown. Has been a William Paterson University Jazz instructor since 1997. Timothy Newman Workshop Director, Trombone, Small Ensemble Professor, William Paterson University Jazz Studies program. Veteran of New York’s big-band and freelance scene. Performed and recorded with, among others, the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Slide Hampton’s World of Trombones, the Mario Bauza Afro-Cuban Orchestra, the Bill Mobley Jazz Orchestra, the Manhattan Bones, They Might Be Giants, as well as numerous Broadway show orchestras. PhD, New York University; MM, Manhattan School of Music; BM William Paterson. Full-time faculty member at WP since 2004. Kelly Green Piano, Small Ensemble Kelly Green is a pianist, vocalist, and composer based in NYC. She has headlined at prestigious venues worldwide, including The Kennedy Center, Dizzy's Jazz Club NYC, and the DC Jazz Festival. She has released three albums which have received critical acclaim and airplay on XM radio and WBGO; one features Christian McBride, Steve Nelson and Josh Evans. Kelly’s longstanding trio will release an album, Seems, in March 2024. She is dedicated to exploring concepts of spirituality and mental well-being and seeks to inspire unity among diverse communities and promote awareness and action for the regeneration of our Mother Earth. Jon DiFiore Head Counselor, Drum Set Jon Di Fiore is a drummer/composer performing throughout New York City. Major projects include two albums of his own compositions: Yellow Petals (2014, Third Freedom Music) featuring the Jon Di Fiore Trio, and Patience (2012) for mixed ensemble featuring saxophonist Rich Perry and trumpeter Joe Magnarelli. The Jon Di Fiore Trio is completed by Adrian Moring, bass, and Billy Text, piano. His music is a fresh yet insightful take on the jazz tradition, influenced by jazz, classical, and world music. Both of his albums have received critical acclaim from major publications, and can be heard on radio stations across the United States, Europe and Japan.
