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Dennis Mackrel is a jazz drummer who has recorded and/or performed with Count Basie and his Orchestra, the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, the American Jazz Orchestra, the Carla Bley Very Large Band, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, and many others.He is the recipient of numerous awards including Who's Who in Music, a National Endowment for the Arts grant for composition, and an Outstanding Alumni award from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In addition to being a seasoned musician, Dennis is also a highly respected composer/arranger whose works have been recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra, the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, the United States Military Academy at West Point's Jazz Knights Big Band, the Temple University Jazz Ensemble, the University of North Texas "One O'Clock" Big Band, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and, most notably, the McCoy Tyner Big Band, whose Grammy winning CDs "The Turning Point" and "Journey" included four of Dennis's arrangements.He is an experienced jazz educator who conducts master classes, seminars, and workshops throughout Europe, Asia, Canada, and the United States. In addition to being a member of the jazz faculty at the Birch Creek Summer Music Academy in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, and the Skidmore Jazz Institute in Saratoga Springs, NY., he is currently a professor and the director of jazz studies at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in Flushing, NY.
Dr. Nathan Webb strives to serve through his gifts, believing it is his calling to leave a legacy as a drummer, musician, educator, and mentor. He has performed for presidents and celebrities alongside some of the most renowned jazz artists worldwide. Nathan earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from William Paterson University in 2024, focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the music classroom. With 13 years of teaching experience in Paterson and Belleville public schools, he is a passionate advocate for giving back to the community through music education.
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.
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 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 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.
Dr. Mitch Butler is a jazz trombonist, composer/arranger and educator. He is currently Coordinator of Jazz Studies at William Paterson University; previously he was Director of Jazz Studies at Claflin University, Cal State East Bay, University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory, and Director of Jazz Ensemble and Professor of Low Brass at South Carolina State. He also serves as Director of Education at the ColaJazz Foundation.Dr. Butler is an accomplished trombonist, playing and arranging for the Grammy Award winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, the Tiffany Austin Quintet, and the Jazz Professors, led by Carl Allen. His performing and recording associations include Dee Dee Bridgewater, Robert Glasper, Slide Hampton, Conrad Herwig, Branford Marsalis, Bob Mintzer, Fred Wesley among many others.
Mike LeDonne, jazz pianist and organist, has played with a "Who's Who" of jazz as both sideman and leader. He worked with the Benny Goodman Sextet, had a long-time run with the Milt Jackson Quartet (1987-1999), and with Benny Golson (1997-2019). Other notable associations were with Buddy Tate, Al Grey, Ruby Braff, the Art Farmer–Clifford Jordan Quintet, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, Stanley Turrentine, Charles McPherson, Sonny Rollins, and Bobby Hutcherson; as well as an organist with Lou Donaldson, George Coleman and David "Fathead" Newman.LeDonne has sixteen albums as a leader and has played on over one hundred as a sideman. He currently teaches in the jazz studies program at WP. A devoted supporter of promoting the inclusion, awareness, and visibility of people with disabilities, LeDonne organized the inaugural Disability Pride march in New York City in 2015.
Dennis Mackrel
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Director: Timothy Newman
