DiBlasio showcases chordless quartet in spotlight concert

Jazz artist Denis DiBlasio offers music and a few lessons when he appears as part of a unique quartet for his Faculty Spotlight Series concert at Rowan University on Wednesday, October 14 at 8 pm in Boyd Recital Hall.

DiBlasio, playing baritone saxophone, performs in a chordless quartet with trombonist Jim McFalls, bassist Steve Varner and drummer Jim Miller. The chordless group represents a unique style from the “cool jazz” era and pioneered by baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and trombonist Bob Brookmyer. The selections will feature improvisations on classic and original material. For the uninitiated, DiBlasio will provide a mini lecture at the start to describe exactly what is going on and what to listen for.

A noted jazz musician and recording artist, DiBlasio directs the jazz program at Rowan and is Executive Director of The Maynard Ferguson Institute of Jazz Studies at the university. In addition to his academic credentials, he has released 10 CDs of his own, in addition to appearing on more than 20 other recordings. For five years he served as musical director for the late Maynard Ferguson and his compositions and arrangements can be found on recordings by artists such as McCoy Tyner, Dianne Schurr, Jeff Jarvis and more. He resides in Pitman, NJ.

Boyd Recital Hall is located in Wilson Hall on the campus of Rowan University, Route 322 in Glassboro, NJ. All Faculty Spotlight Series events are free and open to the public. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact the box office at 856-256-4545 or visit www.rowan.edu/fpa.