UB Faculty Jazz Quartet brings new series to Slee

The year 1968 was one of the most tumultuous in American history.

And a new concert series curated by Buffalo jazz heavyweight and UB faculty member John Bacon aims to reflect on the musical, social, political, historical and artistic aspects of this era.

“Jazz Impressions: 1968” will take place at locations throughout Buffalo during October and November.

The series, Bacon explains, asks musicians and literary artists to reflect on the impact of 1968 on the current era of social and political turbulence, and try to answer such questions as: How have we honored the struggles and achievements of 1968? Has the promise of 1968 been fulfilled? What does the legacy of 1968 mean today? And can we find answers for our current difficulties in the efforts and achievements of 1968?

Ed Cardoni, writer and executive director of Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center, will provide topical readings on the era.

The series comes to UB on Oct. 18 with a performance of the music of Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner by the UB Faculty Jazz Quartet. The quartet — Bobby Militello, alto saxophone/flute; George Caldwell, piano; Sabu Adeyola, bass; and Bacon, drums — will perform at 7:30 p.m. in Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall, North Campus. Joining the quartet for this concert will be Mark Filsinger, trumpet; John Hasselback Jr., trombone; and UB music department chair Jonathan Golove, cello.

The program features Hancock’s 1968 works “Speak like a Child,” “Riot” and “The Sorcerer’; songs from McCoy Tyner’s 1968 album “Expansions,” including “Vision,” “Song of Happiness,” “Smitty’s Place” and “Peresina”; and “I Thought I’d Let You Know” by Cal Massey.

Tickets for the UB concert are available through a variety of outlets at the following pricing structure:

UB faculty, staff, alumni, seniors and non-UB students

$10 plus $2 fee online at www.ticketfly.com

$10 plus $4 fee by phone at 877-987-6487 (Ticketfly)

$14 in person at the Center for the Arts (noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday)

$17 in person at the door (one hour before concert time)

General public

$15 plus $2 fee online at www.ticketfly.com

$15 plus $4 fee by phone at 877-987-6487 (Ticketfly)

$19 in person at the Center for the Arts (noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday)

$22 in person at the door (one hour before concert time)

UB students are admitted free with ID.

“Jazz Impressions 1968” continues an annual initiative that began in 2017 with a concert at UB celebrating the 100th birthday of legendary jazz artist Thelonious Monk and featuring series curator Bacon, as well as Militello and Caldwell.

Bacon, adjunct instructor in the UB music department, is a composer and percussionist, and a member of some of the most prominent jazz groups in Western New York, including Star People, the Bobby Militello Quartet, the Buffalo Jazz Octet, and the Buffalo Jazz Composers Workshop, in addition to the UB Faculty Jazz Quartet. He also teaches at Villa Maria College and SUNY Fredonia, and has been honored as a composer through the New York State Foundation for the Arts (2013 Artist Fellow) and the New York State Council on the Arts (Individual Artist Composer Commission).

A full calendar of the “Jazz Impressions 1968” concerts is available here.

For a complete listing of all concerts being presented by the Department of Music, visit the department’s website.