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Chris Vadala

One of the country's foremost woodwind artists, Chris Vadala is in demand as a Jazz/Classical performer and educator. He has appeared on more than ninety recordings to date as well as innumerable jingle sessions, film and TV scores performing on all the saxophones, flutes and clarinets. A native of Poughkeepsie, New York he graduated from the Eastman School of Music earning the honor of the Performer's Certificate in saxophone as well as a B.M. in Music Education and received an M.A. in clarinet from Connecticut College. His teachers have included William Osseck of the Rochester Philharmonic, renowned classical saxophonist Donald Sinta and jazz great Phil Woods. Professor Vadala is currently Director of Jazz Studies and Professor of Saxophone at the University of Maryland, College Park. Previous academic appointments include teaching studio woodwinds and conducting Jazz ensembles at Montgomery College, Connecticut College and Hampton University, as well as serving as Visiting Associate Professor of Saxophone at the Eastman School of Music. He is also President of the Maryland Unit of the International Association of Jazz Educators. Mr. Vadala's performing career has been highlighted by a long tenure as standout woodwind artist with the internationally recognized Chuck Mangione Quartet which included performances around the world and performing credits on five gold and two platinum albums, plus one Emmy and two Grammy Awards. As one of The Selmer Company's most requested clinicians, Mr. Vadala travels worldwide performing with and conducting student and professional Jazz ensembles, symphonic bands and orchestras. Within just the past few years alone he has appeared at over 200 high schools and colleges across the nation and Canada! Mr. Vadala's column on woodwind doubling appears regularly in Saxophone Journal and he has authored articles for many other magazines. He has been a Downbeat magazine poll finalist in four categories, the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Study grant and has published a number of original compositions and arrangements. His book, "Improve Your Doubling", published by Dorn productions is acclaimed as a valuable addition to woodwind literature.


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134
Album Review

Chris Vadala: Out of the Shadows

Read "Out of the Shadows" reviewed by Jack Bowers


For me, Chris Vadala stepped “out of the shadows" the first time I heard him perform as a guest artist at an IAJE conference. “Who is this guy," I thought to myself, “and where has he been hiding?" I later learned that he had logged serious time with the Chuck Mangione Quintet, appeared on more than a hundred albums as well as film and television soundtracks, and was director of the Jazz Studies program at the University of Maryland in ...

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1

Recording

Chris Vadala & Rick Whitehead release "Eastern Standard Time" on Art Of Life Records

Chris Vadala & Rick Whitehead release "Eastern Standard Time" on Art Of Life Records

Source: Art of Life Records

Following up on his debut release Out of the Shadows, Art of Life Records is pleased to present, “Eastern Standard Time", a new quartet recording by Chris Vadala and guitarist Rick Whitehead featuring Barry Hart on drums and John Previti on acoustic bass. Recorded at Bias Studios in Springfield, Virginia in January of 2015, “Eastern Standard Time" features songs composed by Sonny Rollins ("Doxy"), Luiz Bonfa ("Gentle Rain"), Phil Woods ("Waltz for a Lovely Wife"), Chris Vadala ("It's a “U"), ...

Performance / Tour

Chris Vadala to Perform with Bands from Western Illinois U, Webster Groves HS on November 7 at Jazz at the Bistro

Chris Vadala to Perform with Bands from Western Illinois U, Webster Groves HS on November 7 at Jazz at the Bistro

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Saxophonist Chris Vadala is coming to St. Louis to perform with student jazz groups from Western Illinois University and Webster Groves High School at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 7 at Jazz at the Bistro. Vadala, who teaches at the University of Maryland and also is a clinician for Selmer saxophones, still is perhaps best known among jazz fans for his long association with trumpeter Chuck Mangione, during which he toured all over the USA and the world and performed on ...

118

Recording

Chris Vadala's "Out of the Shadows" CD Art of Life Records

Chris Vadala's "Out of the Shadows" CD Art of Life Records

Source: All About Jazz

Art of Life Records is proud to welcome saxophonist & woodwind artist Chris Vadala to its roster of recording artists which includes saxophonists Bob Mintzer, Denis DiBlasio, Tubby Hayes and Ryan Oliver. Joining Chris on “Out of the Shadows" are Mark Cook on keyboards, Steve Fidyk on drums and Pepe Gonzalez on acoustic bass. Best known for his long tenure with the Chuck Mangione Quartet, Mr. Vadala's debut recording features music written by Cannonball Adderley ("Sticks"), Freddie Hubbard ("Little Sunflower"), ...

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Performance / Tour

Chris Vadala with the Central New York Jazz Orchestra Apr. 24

Chris Vadala with the Central New York Jazz Orchestra Apr. 24

Source: All About Jazz

The CNY Jazz Arts Foundation will present Chris Vadala in concert with the CNY Jazz Orchestra on April 24th at 7:30PM in the Oncenter Carrier Theater. Tickets are on sale now at the Oncenter Box Office for $19.50, $23.50 and $26.50, with a $5 student discount (315-435-2121).

Mr. Vadala's appearance here supports the annual CRC Youth Jazz Festival, held throughout that day. The outstanding combo and big band from the day-long event will get a chance to perform with him ...

"There is never any doubt that this is Vadalas session. One of the countrys foremost woodwind artists, will add a certain sparkle to an already shining reputation. Chris Vadala has taken songs that have survived over the years and presents them with a lyrical passion that is as old as, in some cases as the songs themselves, but also fresh and now. You will get so involved listening in to "Out of the Shadows" that you will not want it to end." Tony Mowad - Pittsburgh Jazz Society As the woodwind guru of the acclaimed Chuck Mangione Band for years, Chris Vadala has truly developed a great reputation

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Primary Instrument

Saxophone

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Eastern Standard Time

Art of Life Records
2015

buy

Out of the Shadows

Art of Life Records
2008

buy

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