Celebrated jazz saxophonist Dick Oatts to join faculty combo for Ke-Nekt concert

Renowned alto saxophonist Dick Oatts will join the Oswego Jazz Project at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, in SUNY Oswego's Sheldon Hall ballroom concert for the Ke-Nekt Chamber Music Series.

Oatts has performed with many notable names in jazz and beyond: vocalists Sara Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, Everything but the Girl and many more.

The internationally touring artist will appear with host Eric Schmitz and other members of SUNY Oswego music faculty in the Oswego Jazz Project. A preconcert talk will take place at 7 p.m.

Born and raised in Iowa, Oatts moved to New York City and joined the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. He has performed as a sideman in small groups with Bob Brookmeyer, Red Rodney, Eddie Gomez, Ray Mantilla, Flim & the BBs, Lalo Schiffrin and others. 

As a Steeplechase recording artist, Oatts has recorded 10 solo CDs and five co-led CDs. He has recorded three CDs on the DMP label with co-leader and pianist Garry Dial and another on the Temple University record label entitled "That Music Always Round Me." 

For the past 35 years, Oatts has appeared at college jazz festivals as a soloist and clinician throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, Mid-East, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and Taiwan.

Oatts is a professor at the Boyer School of Music and Dance at Temple University and has been an Artist in Residence at the Amsterdam Conservatory since 1998.

Tickets are $15 ($5 for students kindergarten through college) and are available at all SUNY Oswego box offices, online at tickets.oswego.edu or by calling 315-312-3073. People with disabilities needing assistance to attend should call 315-312-3073 in advance of the performance.