WESTERN JAZZ QUARTET, a resident faculty group at Western Michigan University’s School of Music, is a member of the School of Music. The quartet was formed in 1974 and promotes jazz music and jazz education with a busy schedule of concerts, workshops, and tours. The activities include performances for children, concerts, tours, recordings, and performances with artists such as Stefon Harris and Tim Hagans, Kenny Werner and Bobby McFerrin, Randy Brecker and Dave Liebman, Janis Sigel, Bobby McFerrin, Bobby McFerrin, Stefon Harris and Stefon Harp, Tim Hagans and Kenny Werner. After a shift in faculty and a retirement, the NEW WESTERN JAZZ QUARTET was formed with Rathbun and Siskind, Hall, and veteran Tom Knific. In the fall 2013, the NEW WJQ will release a new CD. This CD will include a tour through Russia and concerts throughout the U.S. The Western Jazz Quartet has performed all over the world, from Boston to Los Angeles. It has performed at festivals across Canada, Europe, and the U.S. and was featured at La Villa, Paris, France, for a week. The Arts America Program sponsored the group and they often tour as ambassadors for the US Department of State in countries like Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. They have also toured Europe with Wlodek Pawlik (piano), drummer Billy Hart (drums), and Randy Brecker (jazz). Five CDs have been released by the Western Jazz Quartet in the USA: Mayan Myths (2006) and Premiere (2005) with Scott Cowan; Sabine’s Dance ((2000), Blue Harts (1995), and Firebird (1992), with Billy Hart. Blue Harts and Firebird received high reviews from Down Beat magazine. Firebird was named the best CD of the 1990s. With pianist Wlodekpawlik, the group has released several CDs in Europe: Waning Moon (2000, Universal Mercury Records); Turtles (1996), on Polonia Records; Live at the Jazz Club Aquarium (1995), with Billy Hart, on the Koch International label. The quartet was invited to Thailand to celebrate the 50th anniversary the King’s accession to power. Recently, the Western Jazz Quartet has been performing solos in the United States with symphony orchestras. They performed Patrick Williams’ “An American Concerto”, as well as other works. Since 2004, the WJQ, a contemporary music ensemble, has premiered more than a dozen new works in New York City.
