Jazz Quartet To Perform At Haas Library

DANBURY -— The Western Connecticut State University Faculty Jazz Quartet will present a free concert at 8 pm on Friday, March 9, at the Ruth A. Haas Library at WCSU’s Midtown campus, 181 White Street. The concert is part of a series of cultural events, from musical performances and poetry readings to lectures and art exhibits, planned for the newly refurbished and expanded Haas Library.

The quartet — comprised of Dan Goble, saxophones; Chris Morrison, guitar; David Ruffels, bass; and David Smith; drums and vibraphone — will play the music of Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, John Scofield, Wayne Shorter and other jazz greats.

Dan Goble is director of jazz studies at WCSU. He has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Japan, including performances with New York Philharmonic Orchestra, New York City Ballet and Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra.

Chris Morrison, a graduate of WCSU’s Jazz Studies program, has studied with Sal Salvador, Don Neary and Charlie Banacos, and has performed professionally with Richie Cole, Joe Beck, Ralph Lalama, and Adam Nussbaum. He also leads his own group, which performs throughout the tri-state area.

David Ruffels is a graduate of William Patterson University, where he studied with the great Rufus Reid. He also studies classical bass with Robert Black and Linda McKnight, and performs and teaches throughout the tri-state area.

David Smith, a member of WCSU’s faculty for more than 30 years, was selected as the Connecticut Higher Education Music Educator of the Year in 1995. He is the principal percussionist with New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the Paul Whiteman Band throughout the US and Italy. He has recorded on CRI and Desto Records with New England Contemporary Ensemble and for National Public Radio.

The concert, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the library’s first floor CyberCafé.  Free parking is available in the Student & Visitor’s parking lot adjacent to the library, at the intersection of Osborne Street and Hospital Avenue, with additional parking in the White Street Garage. Neither tickets nor reservations are required. For more information on this event or for arrangements for persons with special needs, call 837-8628.