UVa Jazz Ensemble
The University of Virginia McIntire Department of Music presents the UVa Jazz Ensemble featuring guest artist tenor saxophonist and composer, John Petrucelli on Friday, April 10th, 2015 at 8pm in Old Cabell Hall.
Photo credit: Joey Kennedy
The McIntire Department of Music presents the UVA Jazz Ensemble in concert under the direction of John D’earth on Friday April 10th at 8:00 p.m. The program features guest saxophonist and recent UVA alumnus, John Petrucelli. Petrucelli played lead tenor sax in the Jazz Ensemble before attending Terence Blanchard’s jazz program at Loyola University and attaining two masters degrees (in Jazz Performance and Jazz History and Research) at Rutgers University.
Jazz Times critic Bill Milkowski describes tenor saxophonist John Petrucelli’s work as “flowing and intense… Petrucelli weds astounding technique to harmonic and rhythmic invention and a forceful sense of swing.” Born in Trenton New Jersey, John began playing at the age of 10. He recently released his debut album titled The Way alongside musicians Peter Park on guitar, Victor Gould on piano, Alexander Claffy on bass, and Gusten Rudolph and Victor Lewis on drums. On the album, Petrucelli creates new interpretations of classic tracks such as “I Hear a Rhapsody.”
The concert takes place as a part of Petrucelli’s Jazz Residency, which runs from April 9th through the 11th. In conjunction with his residency, Petrucelli will host a master class on Saturday, April 11th, free and open to the public, in room B12 of Old Cabell Hall at 11 a.m.
Jazz Ensemble director John D’earth says that the concert represents more than honoring an accomplished graduate. “John Petrucelli was one of the finest and most dedicated music students we have had at UVA and I have been teaching here since the mid-eighties. He is developing his gifts and career with amazing facility. We became friends and colleagues on the bandstand. For me, it is an evolving and compelling musical relationship.”
Petrucelli shared a personal message about returning here to perform music from his new CD and to present five original extended compositions for large jazz ensemble:
“I attended University of Virginia from 2006-2009 (graduating with a degree in Philosophy in 2010). During that time, I studied with John D’earth, cultivating a deep friendship, and under John’s tutelage began playing both in the University Jazz Ensemble and around the Charlottesville jazz scene: sitting at the now legendary Miller’s Thursday night session, learning from the likes of JC Kuhl, Jeff Decker, Jamal Milner, Pete Spaar, Brian Caputo and Devonne Harris as well as forming my own group “One Giant Step Quartet” that played at C-ville Coffee, Enoteca, Fellini’s and College Inn.”
Equally important to his development as a musician were his experiences collaborating with the artists-in- residence he had the opportunity to collaborate with at UVA: Ira Sullivan, Dave Liebman, Richie Cole and Terence Blanchard. “I feel honored to assume that role with the current UVA jazz ensemble.”
Tickets for the performance are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets for UVa students are free if reserved in advance. Tickets can be purchased at the Arts Box Office by calling 434.924.3376 or visiting www.artsboxoffice.virginia.edu. Tickets are available in advance or at the door.
Old Cabell Hall is located on the south end of UVA's historic lawn, directly opposite the Rotunda. (map) 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.
To read a review of John Petrucelli's debut album "The Way" visit http://www.allaboutjazz.com.
For more information please call the McIntire Department of Music at 434.924.3052.
To find out more about Jazz events at UVa visit https://music.virginia.edu/jazz-events.