Jazz master Joe Henderson will be honored Thursday in the latest installment of the Jazz Underground series.
Tony Dagradi, associate professor of saxophone and jazz studies, leads the performance at 7:30 p.m. in the Underground. Dagradi plays saxophone in the New Orleans jazz band Astral Project. Henderson was a jazz saxophonist and composer who won three Grammy Awards as a solo artist and one with his group, the Joe Henderson Big Band.
Henderson died in 2001. His work has influenced several generations of saxophonists, Dagradi said.
“Joe Henderson’s music has always been inspiring for me personally,” Dagradi said. “I am looking forward to exploring some of the compositions which he made famous.”
Dagradi began the series in the fall of 2000. It is designed to pay tribute to jazz composers and players, he said.
“One of my goals for the series was to present some of the finest local jazz artists in an intimate concert setting available to the Loyola community, as well as the greater community of New Orleans,” Dagradi said.
The other musicians who will perform are Chris Severin, bass; Ocie Davis, drums; and Victor Atkins on the piano.
Michael “Mr. Jazz” Gourrier of WWOZ’s Jazz from the Park will host. The performance is free for students, faculty and staff with Loyola ID. Admission is $5 for other students and $10 for the general public.
