What: The Chuck Redd Quartet Where: Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD 20832 When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 Tickets: $26; discounts available for groups Box Office: 301-924-3400; olneytheatre.org

PRESS RELEASE

Olney Theatre Center welcomes vibraphonist Chuck Redd and his quartet, performing the swinging music of George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, and Cole Porter. Chuck is joined by John Toomey on piano, Victor Dvoskin on bass, and Nucleo Vega on drums. This is the final performance of Olney’s 2009 Jazz Series.

The Chuck Redd Quartet will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab. General admission tickets are $26, and may be purchased by calling the box office at 301-924-3400.

Chuck Redd is an accomplished performer on both vibraphone and drums. Chuck began performing and recording internationally when he joined the Charlie Byrd Trio in 1980 at the age of 21. That year, he also joined the Great Guitars (Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, and Herb Ellis). To his credit are 13 extensive European tours and five tours of Japan with the Barney Kessel Trio.

Chuck was the featured vibraphonist with the Mel Torme All-Star Jazz Quintet from 1991 to 1996. Jazz Times said of a New York performance with Torme, “Redd’s vibes were equally notable for vigor and melodiousness.” The Washington Post has admired his “melodic sparkle.”

In 2007, Chuck was featured with the prestigious Milt Jackson Tribute Band. He has recently enjoyed stints with Bucky Pizzarelli and Ken Peplowski at Dizzy’s Club (Jazz at Lincoln Center) and headlining with his trio at The River Room of Harlem. He has toured and performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Tommy Flanagan, Dick Hyman, Ray Brown, Monty Alexander, Laurindo Almeida, Tal Farlow, Red Norvo, Scott Hamilton, Mickey Roker, and Frank Vignola.

Chuck’s most notable performances include a concert with the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet in Africa for the Namibian Independence Celebration, a recital at the White House with the Barney Kessel Trio, concerts at Carnegie Hall with Mel Torme’s Quintet, and The Tonight Show. In 2008, he was featured in the finale concert at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival with the Lionel Hampton Big Band and the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.

In addition to leading his own groups, Chuck was a member of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra for 15 years. He frequently performs in New York City and headlines internationally at festivals and clubs. His newly released Noteworthy CD, When Redd is Blue, is a collaboration with his brother Robert, featuring saxophonist Harry Allen. His Arbors CD, Happy All the Time, is a critically acclaimed tribute to his mentor Barney Kessel, and features Monty Alexander, Jeff Hamilton, and Howard Alden.

Chuck is on the faculty at the University of Maryland’s School of Music, and presents master classes, workshops, and lectures around the country. He served as Artist-in-Residence at the Smithsonian Jazz Café from 2004 to 2008.