Chris Parker Quintet presenting 'For the Love of Jazz' master class

MIDDLETOWN — A master class entitled "For the Love of Jazz" is being presented by the Chris Parker Quintet on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 in Orange Hall room 23. The two-hour class, which starts at 11 a.m., is free and open to the public.

During the session, the musicians will discuss music as a profession, particularly the topics of discipline required, composing, playing, and teaching. They will also demonstrate their instruments, each with a unique voice.

The Chris Parker Quintet is led by Chris Parker on piano. Members of the ensemble are Rob Thomas playing his five-string violin, Tony Marino on standing bass, and Marko Marcinko on drums. In addition, special guest performer Chris Vadala, who is originally from Poughkeepsie and is now one of the foremost saxophonists in the United States, rounds out the quintet.

Parker has been a professor of music at SUNY Orange for nearly 30 years. Known for his jazz, he has an extensive repertoire of original compositions including classical pieces.

Vadala is the director of Jazz Studies and Saxophone Professor at the University of Maryland. The recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Study grant, he has published a number of original compositions and arrangements, and his book, "Improve Your Doubling," is acclaimed as a valuable addition to woodwind literature.

This program is one of many master classes produced by Cultural Affairs. For more information, call 845-341-4891, email cultural@sunyorange.edu or go to www.sunyorange.edu/culturalaffairs.

Evening concert
The Chris Parker Quintet will perform at 8 p.m. in the Orange Hall Theatre. The ensemble will play a mix of original Latin, funky and straight ahead jazz tunes, many selected from Parker's new CD, "Full Circle."

Tickets for the performance are $15 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and alumni. Students are admitted free. Tickets are available online at www.sunyorange.edu/arts_comm/ticketing.shtml or at the Orange Hall box office one hour before concert time.

Attachments: photos of Chris Parker and Chris Vadala

Orange Hall is located at the corner of Wawayanda and Grandview Avenues in Middletown, on the campus of Orange County Community College.