Guest Saxophonist Vadala to Perform with Faculty, Student Musicians

A School of Music faculty jazz quartet concert with acclaimed saxophonist, guest artist Chris Vadala, is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, in the Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall.  The concert, which is part of the Charles W. Bolen Faculty Recital Series, is free and open to the public.

Welcoming Vadala to the concert stage will be quartet members saxophonist Paul Nolen, pianist Kevin hart, bass player William Koehler and drummer Tom Marko. The program will be announced from the stage and may include comments from the performers.

Vadala, who is in demand as a jazz/classical performer and educator, will also appear the following day as guest soloist with ISU student jazz big bands as part of the 2:30 p.m. concert in the CPA which is also a free concert.  That program will include big band works by Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Thad Jones, Bob Mintzer, Sammy Nestico and others.

The Poughkeepie, N.Y.-born Vadala has appeared on more than 100 recordings, as well as innumerable jingle sessions, film and TV scores, performing on all the saxophones, flutes, and clarinets.  He is currently director of Jazz Studies and Saxophone Professor at the University of Maryland.   He has performed and/or recorded with greats such as the Chuck Mangione Quartet, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Ella Fitzgerald, Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles and many others.