Guitarist Rodney Jones to Perform with Fairfield U Jazz Ensemble

From Meltwater Press: Jazz guitarist and former Dizzy Gillespie band member, Rodney Jones, will join The Fairfield University Jazz Ensemble on stage for their annual fall concert at the Fairfield University Gonzaga Auditorium on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the performance are $5 and will be available for purchase at the door.

The seven-piece ensemble, led by student leader James Ulness, will perform jazz classics with their signature twist. Highlighting the work of renowned jazz artists like John Coltrane, Nat Adderley and Stanley Turrentine, the concert will feature performances by renowned bassist, composer and Fairfield University Music Program Director, Brian Q. Torff, along with singer-songwriter Joe Barbieri and Jones.

“Rodney Jones is one of the premier jazz guitarists in the world,” said Torff, “And we are excited to have him as a guest with our young but promising jazz ensemble this fall.”

Jones rose to prominence while performing alongside Dizzy Gillespie between 1976 and 1979, when he was in his early twenties. Jones had previously worked with Jaki Byard and recorded with Chico Hamilton, and then followed the association with Gillespie by working for a time as Lena Horne's accompanist. Jones is currently a faculty member at The Julliard School.

Jones’ performance with the ensemble adds to the growing list of famous artists who have performed with the ensemble over their 25-year history, including Howard Johnson, Bill Evans, Tony Lombardozzi, David Spinozza and Jaimoe of the Allman Brothers.

Torff began his professional career in 1974 and has gone on to record and perform with artists such as Mary Lou Williams, Marian McPartland and Stephane Grappelli. Torff was also part of a duo with pianist George Shearing, and in their nearly four-year collaboration, they toured throughout the U.S., Europe, Brazil and South Africa and were featured on NBC’s The Tonight Show, The Merv Griffin Show and their own PBS special from the Café Carlyle in New York City.

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