Department of Music

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The Jon-Erik Kellso Quintet

Trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso’s playing is described as “eloquent and expressive . . . full of ideas and spirit” by Will Friedwald and as marked by “singular individuality” by Michael Steinman. He’s performed and recorded with many greats, including Milt Hinton, Wynton Marsalis, Dick Hyman, Catherine Russell, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Elvis Costello, Linda Ronstadt, Leon Redbone, Wycliffe Gordon, and Bob Wilber. Kellso performs internationally in clubs and festivals, and locally at many NYC clubs, with weekly engagements at The Ear Inn with the EarRegulars and at Birdland with Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks. He can be heard on television and film soundtracks, including Ghost World, The Aviator, Mildred Pierce, Bessie, Revolutionary Road, Boardwalk Empire, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Kellso brings an all-star band to Shea, with reed player Jay Rattman, pianist Rossano Sportiello, bassist Tal Ronen, and drummer Charles Goold—they are sure to provide a rousing start to the week! … Organization: Music Department. Email: newmant@wpunj.edu. I confirm outside organizations/individuals will not use University space to raise money or conduct political activities: TRUE. Monday, July 20, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Shea 100 - Auditorium.

The Summer Camargo Quintet

Hard-boppin’ trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Summer Camargo was recently named one of DownBeat magazine’s “25 for the Future” rising jazz stars. A native of Hollywood, Florida, and a graduate of the Juilliard School, Summer is a regular performer at New York City jazz clubs like Dizzy’s and Birdland and is a member of the Mingus Big Band. She is the newest member of the Saturday Night Live house band and appears as a band member in the Broadway musical Just in Time. Summer has toured with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, performed with Jon Batiste at the Newport Jazz Festival, and appeared as a guest artist at Wynton at 60. She released her debut album, To Whom I Love, on Blue Engine Records in March 2024; it received a notable review in DownBeat and was featured in the magazine’s “Hot Box.” Up-and-coming? One might say Summer has arrived! General Admission: $20 (including fee) http://sheacenter.vbotickets.com/event/the_jon-erik_kellso_quintet/192593  Summer Jazz Pass: $75 (including fee)… Organization: Music Department. Email: newmant@wpunj.edu. I confirm outside organizations/individuals will not use University space to raise money or conduct political activities: TRUE. Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Shea 100 - Auditorium.

The Joe Farnsworth Big Room Quartet Feat

Joe Farnsworth, one of today’s most highly regarded jazz drummers, has showcased his blazing speed, precision, musicality, and melodic playing on more than 400 recordings. Mentored by masters such as Alan Dawson, Arthur Taylor, and Jimmy Lovelace, and a graduate of William Paterson’s Jazz Studies Program, Farnsworth has in turn become an inspiration and mentor to a younger generation of musicians. He has collaborated with a who’s who of jazz greats, including McCoy Tyner, Benny Golson, Harold Mabern, Cedar Walton, and Wynton Marsalis, and co-founded the acclaimed group One for All with a group of his outstanding peers, including Jim Rotondi, Eric Alexander, and Steve Davis. With seven albums as a leader, Farnsworth’s latest release, The Big Room, has received much critical acclaim. For this performance, he is joined by special guest pianist Emmet Cohen, alto saxophonist Sarah Hanahan, and bassist Peter Washington for what certainly will be an electrifying performance! General Admission: $20 (including fee)… Organization: Music Department. Email: newmant@wpunj.edu. I confirm outside organizations/individuals will not use University space to raise money or conduct political activities: TRUE. Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Shea 100 - Auditorium.

The Duduka Da Fonseca Quartet

Joined by Special Guest Maucha Adnet, Duduka Da Fonseca is one of the most recorded Brazilian jazz drummers of his generation, with appearances on more than 300 albums, including 25 as a leader or co-leader. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he began performing professionally as a teenager, co-founding influential samba-jazz groups before moving to New York in 1975, where he built a rich and significant career bridging Brazilian and American jazz traditions. He has performed and recorded with a long list of iconic artists, including Antonio Carlos Jobim, Astrud Gilberto, Gerry Mulligan, Kenny Barron, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, John Scofield, Eliane Elias, and many more. Duduka is a longtime educator and author of the bestselling Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset. He, along with guest vocalist Maucha Adnet and a group of well-established musicians, brings to Shea a masterful blend of rhythmic sophistication, swing, and Brazilian spirit for what will be a vibrant and unforgettable evening! General Admission: $20… Organization: Music Department. Email: newmant@wpunj.edu. I confirm outside organizations/individuals will not use University space to raise money or conduct political activities: TRUE. Thursday, July 23, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Shea 100 - Auditorium.

The Dennis Mackrel Jazz Orchestra

Drummer, composer, arranger, bandleader, and WP Summer Workshop Artist in Residence Dennis Mackrel’s long list of performances and recordings includes work with Count Basie and His Orchestra, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, the American Jazz Orchestra, the Carla Bley Very Large Band, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and the Maria Schneider Orchestra. His arrangements and compositions have been recorded by, among others, the Basie and Gillespie bands, the University of North Texas One O’clock Lab Band, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, and on two Grammy-winning albums by the McCoy Tyner Big Band. Mackrel served as leader and conductor of the Count Basie Orchestra from 2010 to 2013. As an educator, he leads master classes, seminars, and workshops throughout the world and is currently Director of Jazz Studies at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. Mackrel’s world-class jazz orchestra will cap off the week in resounding fashion! General Admission: $20 (including fee)… Organization: Music Department. Email: newmant@wpunj.edu. I confirm outside organizations/individuals will not use University space to raise money or conduct political activities: TRUE. Friday, July 24, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Shea 100 - Auditorium.