Department of Music

• Friday, October 22, 2010
• Old Cabell Hall
• 8:00 p.m.
• $15 Adults / $8 Students / Free for UVa students (if reserved in advance)

With the rise of bebop and the decline of the big bands in the 1940's, the jazz quintet of bass, drums, piano, trumpet and saxophone emerged as one of the most dynamic and influential combinations of instruments in the new style. Small enough to accommodate inter-group dialogue and breakneck bop tempos, yet big enough to allow for a wide range of colors and harmonies, the quintet became the ensemble of choice for some of the most important innovators in jazz. This concert will highlight the music of some of the most important quintets throughout jazz history from Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie's early bop units to the classic Blue Note groups of the 50's and 60's to the late Miles Davis quintets.

The Free Bridge Quintet is the official faculty jazz quintet of the University of Virginia McIntire Department of Music. It features Jeff Decker on saxophones, Robert Jospe on the drums, Wells Hanley on piano, Peter Spaar on bass, and John D'earth on trumpet and flugelhorn.

The FBQ is especially excited to introduce our newest member, Wells Hanley, who will be making his debut as the group's pianist.  A Richmond native, he has been active on the jazz scene locally and in New York City for many years now. A graduate of Manhattan School of Music, Wells has performed with such jazz artists as Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis and Chris Potter.  In addition to teaching at the University of Virginia, Mr. Hanley also teaches at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. He has also served on the faculty at The New School University in NYC and at James Madison University.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $8 for students and free for UVA students who reserve at least one day in advance. Tickets can be reserved by visiting www.artsboxoffice.virginia.edu or by calling 434.924.3376.

A special thanks to our media sponsor: The Hook.