Jazz Ensemble spring concert set for John Fumasoli and The Jones Factor guest with Donnelly Award winner | Press Releases

Spring jazz is a tradition at Fairfield University. This year's concert, under the direction of John Fumasoli, features the customary high-level performances from the student Jazz Ensemble, the sound of the University's Big Band and special guests The Jones Factor, Fumasoli's ten-piece group. In addition, the 2008 winner of the Kim and Tim Donnelly Music Scholarship, guitarist James Debicella who is also a member of the Jazz Ensemble, will receive his award during the evening. There are two shows at the Quick Center for the Arts' Wien Experimental Theatre at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $8, general, $5, students and seniors.

Debicella, a resident of Shelton, Conn., joins seven of his classmates, Mike Meehan and Allen Pangilinan (trumpet), Brian St. Denis (tenor sax), Dan Bailey (guitar), Nate Whittaker (piano), Derek Curley (bass) and John McGrath (drums) in some hot selections that include music by Joe Henderson, Frank Zappa, Freddie Hubbard and Pee Wee Ellis.

Trombonist and bandleader Fumasoli formed The Jones Factor in 1986 attracting the members of this dynamic performing unit from diverse musical backgrounds. The list of renowned artists with whom they have individually worked is long indeed and includes Nancy Wilson, Tito Puente, Buddy Guy, B. B. King, The Gil Evans Band, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Spyro Gyra, Stevie Wonder and Elton John, to name but a few. Each member has a unique history and a thriving career as a New York City and a road musician; most are composers and have recorded as leaders. They can be found in studios, symphonies, on Broadway, in clubs and in classrooms.

Notably, they can be found on April 17 under the same roof at the Quick Center for the Arts.

Tickets are available online at www.quickcenter.com or by calling (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 1-800-ARTS-396. For more information, please visit the website at www.quickcenter.com.