Mar 19, 2024

IN THE PHOTO: Rehearsing for the April 18 Jazz ’n’ Wings event on campus are SBU Jazz Band members (from left) Tyler Muir, a senior from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, on guitar; Nathaniel Deutscher, a freshman from Rochester, New York, and Emily Duncan, a freshman from Allegany, New York, on strings; Sean Wallace, a freshman from Leesburg, Virginia, on drums; and Dominik Vaughn, a freshman from North Collins, New York, on trombone.

New faces — lots of them — will take the stage when the popular Jazz ’n’ Wings series returns to the St. Bonaventure University Rathskeller, 7-8 p.m. Thursday, April 18.

The series usually features SBU Professor of Music Dr. Les Sabina and a handful of musicians from his own jazz combo. For this semester’s performance, however, Sabina is sharing the stage with members of the SBU Jazz Band, which he directs.

“Some of the players in my jazz combo who usually play this gig were unavailable this year, so I thought I’d feature our talented jazz band students. With more than 15 players at any given time on the Rathskeller stage, the sound will be full and meaty,” Sabina said.

As is part of the Jazz ’n’ Wings tradition, chicken wings will be available during the performance, courtesy of the university provost’s office.

The event is free and open to the campus and Olean-area community.

“Everyone’s invited,” Sabina said. “I think people will be impressed with the performers, especially some of our student soloists, such as Nic Gelyon on piano, Domini Dalfonso on alto sax, and Sean Wallace on drums.”

The performance will feature big-band jazz music in swing, Latin and rock styles. Songs include the well-known “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” by Joe Zawinul, and Tito Puente’s “Oye Como Va,” with some vocal arrangements and original tunes by Sabina.

The event will be a valuable new experience for some students.

“I think it’s important for our students, especially those participating in a jazz group, to get out of the concert hall on occasion and play in real-world music situations,” Sabina said. “The Rathskeller is the perfect place where the performers and the audience alike can relax and enjoy a more casual atmosphere, which is often where jazz is found.”

In addition to those mentioned above, student performers include Urmi Upadhyay, Jack Haskell, Abbie Dutcher, Ethan Baxter and Marissa Sealander on saxophones; Noah Trapp and Dominik Vaughn on brass; Emily Duncan and Nathaniel Deutscher on strings; Tyler Muir on guitar; Matt Schnaunfer on bass; Vincent Del Vento on percussion; and Ryan Addeo on vocals.

Dr. Cyril Bodnar, director of middle and high school bands at Allegany-Limestone Central School, will join the ensemble as a special guest on trumpet.
 
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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #6 for value and #14 for innovation by U.S. News and World Report (2024).