The 2016-17 Clare College Jazz Concert Series opens Thursday at 7 p.m. with “Jazz ’N’ Wings” at the Rathskeller, featuring St. Bonaventure’s Dr. Les Sabina and the Sextet.

The series is generously funded by the university’s Keenan-Martine Endowment as a means to enhance student experiences within the Clare College (core) curriculum. 

“This is the second year that the endowment has sponsored several on-campus jazz concerts that not only benefit our students, but also the campus and regional communities at large,” said Sabina, longtime music professor at the university.

Admission to all events is free and open to the public.

The Sabina Sextet features some of the best jazz musicians in the region, including Ken Crane (Houghton College jazz director), trombone; Cody Anderson, trumpet; Tom Gestwicki (SUNY Fredonia guitar instructor), guitar; Jan Rhody (OHS music director), piano; Tim Sullivan (Nazareth College emeritus music faculty); and SBU's percussion instructor, Moses Howden, on drums.

The concert includes free chicken wings for all jazz lovers. The Rathskeller entrance is located on the west side of Hickey Dining Hall.

The Sabina Sextet will perform a second “Jazz ‘N’ Wings” at the Rathskeller in April; time and date will be announced early in the spring semester.

The remaining events in the Clare College Jazz Concert Series include:

The Andy Middleton Trio
Monday, Nov 7, at 7 p.m.
Rigas Family Theater, Quick Center for the Arts

Andy Middleton is an Austrian-based saxophonist who regularly performs and records throughout Europe. He teaches at Vienna’s Music and Arts University and comes to SBU as part of a two-week U.S. tour. 

Joining Middleton in this presentation of chamber jazz is his longtime friend and accompanist, Steve Rudolph, on piano, as well as SUNY Fredonia bass instructor Kieran Hanlon. They will play choice standards from the Great American Songbook and some of Andy’s original jazz compositions.

Community members can call the Quick Center Box Office at 375-2494 to reserve free tickets for the concert.

Sal Andolina and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Big Band
Tuesday, March 14, at 7 p.m.
Rigas Family Theater, Quick Center for the Arts

The Clare College Jazz Series welcomes this hard-swinging, wall-rattling big band back for a 2017 encore engagement.

Last year, saxophonist/clarinetist Andolina led the group of BPO all-stars through big band classics from the swing era, such as “April In Paris,” “Accentuate The Positive,” and “Take the 'A' Train.” Buffalo vocalist Colleen Williams will also join in on a few selections.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, we believe in the goodness of every person and in the ability of every person to do extraordinary things.  St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. Named the #6 best college value in the North by U.S. News and World Report, we are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition.