Department of Music

In accordance with UVA's latest UVA COVID-19 policy this event is cancelled. 
Ticket holders to cancelled events will be contacted by e-mail.  
If you have questions, please contact the UVA Music Department at 434.924.3052 or e-mail music@virginia.edu.

The McIntire Department of Music is pleased to present the Free Bridge Quintet on Saturday, April 4th at 8:00pm in Old Cabell Hall.  The concert entitled "Bird Lives! A Centennial Tribute to Charlie Parker" is part of the international celebration commemorating the 100th anniversary of Charlie Parker's birth (August 29th, 1920).  The Free Bridge Quintet will perform a concert dedicated to the legacy of the great alto saxophonist and jazz innovator.“The centennial of Charlie Parker is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate his life, legacy and art form with the world. We are thrilled to honor Bird’s transformative musical impact on past, present and future generations,” said the Estate of Charlie Parker.

The FBQ will play some of Parker’s most famous compositions, such as "Confirmation", "Yardbird Suite", and "Ornithology", as well as jazz favourites "Shaw Nuff" and "Segment". The quintet will also perform his classic calypso "My Little Suede Shoes", and an arrangement of his haunting rendition of George Gershwin’s "Embraceabe You", featuring guest pianist Bob Hallahan.

This concert will feature Jeff Decker on saxophones, Robert Jospé on drums, Peter Spaar on bass, John D’earth on trumpet and flugelhorn, and special guest and founding member of the Free Bridge Quintet, Bob Hallahan on piano.

"Charlie Parker represents the bedrock of the style of the music the Free Bridge Quintet is rooted in: Bebop; modern mainstream jazz. " says FBQ trumpeter John D'earth. " His virtuosity and innovative force became a beacon for all subsequent players of Jazz music."

The quintet has been a staple of not only the UVA and Charlottesville jazz scene but also the greater Central Virginia jazz scene for more than two decades. The quintet is known for its tributes to the giants of jazz including Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and John Coltrane as well as presentations of its own innovative works. The quintet has also performed with many internationally renowned guest artists such as Pat Metheny, Cyrus Chestnut, Kurt Rosenwinkel and John Abercrombie.

Tickets are $15 General, $13 for UVA Faculty & Staff, $5 for Students and Free for UVA Students who reserve in advance. Tickets can be purchased at the Arts Box Office at artsboxoffice.virginia.edu or by calling 434.924.3376.

Old Cabell Hall is located on the south end of UVA's historic lawn, directly opposite the Rotunda. Parking is available in the central grounds parking garage on Emmet Street, in the C1 parking lot off McCormick Rd, and in the parking lots at the UVA Corner.  Handicap parking is available in the small parking lot adjacent to Bryan Hall.

All programs are subject to change. For more information please call the McIntire Department of Music at 434.924.3052. For tickets please visit www.artsboxoffice.virginia.edu or by call 434.924.3376.

To see a list of all the UVA Jazz Events visit http://music.virginia.edu/jazz-events