Multi-Grammy Winning Jazz Artist to Guest with USU Jazz Bands
Jazz saxophonist Chris Vadala will visit Utah State University for a three-day residency culminating in a concert with USU’s jazz big bands at the Ellen Eccles Theatre in downtown Logan, 43 S. Main. The concert is Wednesday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for the concert are $5. Admission is free for USU students with valid ID. Tickets are available at the theatre’s box office or call (435) 752-0026 ext. 14
“Chris Vadala is much more than a saxophonist,” said USU’s director of jazz studies Jon Gudmundson. “He is renowned as a world-class jazz soloist on all of the saxophones, flutes and clarinets. I remember the first time I ever saw a bass flute was when he played one at a concert in Rochester, New York, with Chuck Mangione.”
It was as a member of Mangione’s group that Vadala first achieved international mega-stardom, Gudmundson said. The albums “Feels So Good” and “Children of Sanchez” sold millions of copies worldwide. While he still performs with Mangione, Valdal keeps busy in a myriad of other musical pursuits, having appeared on more than 100 recordings, various film and TV scores, five Gold albums, two Platinum albums and winning two Grammy, one Emmy and a Golden Globe award.
Vadala has performed and recorded with artists that include Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, B.B. King, Chick Corea, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Placido Domingo, Sarah Vaughn, Natalie Cole, Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles, Henry Mancini, Doc Severinsen, Phil Woods, Joe Lovano and many others.
“Certainly he is a great player,” Gudmundson. “Better yet, he is also an outstanding educator. He is the jazz director at the University of Maryland, and he is on the road as much for his teaching as his playing.”
Vadala has been selected to direct 38 All-State jazz bands, including the Utah All-State Jazz Band this past February.
“We are very excited to have Mr. Vadala here to work with our students, coach our jazz combos, conduct jazz improvisation clinics and perform with our Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble,” Gudmundson said.
Related links:
- USU Jazz
- Department of Music
- Caine School of the Arts
- College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Contact: Jon Gudmundson (435) 797-3003
Source: Music Department
Source: Music Department
Jazz saxophonist Chris Vadala will be a guest with USU's student jazz groups. The photo is from Vadala’s Web site, where he acknowledges 'yes, the sax is backwards.’
Students in USU's jazz program enjoy a "lighter" moment in the courtyard of the Chase Fine Arts Center, home to the Department of Music.
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