Jazz Small Groups 1 and Z

Small Group 1 Performers

Gabriel F. Chalick ’24 – Trumpet

Adithya Sriram ’24 – Baritone Saxophone

Isaac H. Yi Jr. ’24 – Tenor Saxophone

Milan K. Sastry ’26 – Alto Saxophone

Rohit K. Oomman ’24 – Guitar

Charles T. Dutta ’27 – Piano

Ari S. Freedman, GS – Bass

Ryder Walsh ’26 – Drums

Small Group 1 Director, Miles Okazaki: Miles Okazaki is a NYC-based guitarist originally from Port Townsend, a small seaside town in Washington State. His approach to the guitar is described by The New York Times as “utterly contemporary, free from the expectations of what it means to play a guitar in a group setting — not just in jazz, but any kind.” His sideman experience over the last two decades covers a broad spectrum, from standards to experimental music (Kenny Barron, John Zorn, Stanley Turrentine, Dan Weiss, Matt Mitchell, Steve Coleman, Jonathan Finlayson, Jane Monheit, Amir ElSaffar, Darcy James Argue, and many others).

He has released ten albums of original compositions over the last 12 years, and is currently an artist on the Pi Recordings label. Other large projects include a six-album recording of the complete compositions of Thelonious Monk for solo guitar, a duo double album with drummer Dan Weiss, and a published book, Fundamentals of Guitar, with Mel Bay. He has been voted #1 rising star in the Downbeat Critic’s Poll (2018), is a grantee of The Shifting Foundation, The Jazz Gallery Commissioning series, SouthArts, and Mid-Atlantic Arts, and runs the Cygnus Recordings record label. He taught guitar and rhythmic theory at the University of Michigan from 2013-22, joined the faculty a Princeton University in 2021, and holds degrees from Harvard University, Manhattan School of Music, and the Juilliard School.

Small Group Z Performers 

Arnav Vyas ’27 – Alto Saxophone

Lukas Arenas ’26 – Alto Saxophone

John Cureton ’26 – Trumpet

Riley Bonner ’27 – Trombone Otto Trueman ’27 – Piano

Evan Callas ’27 – Bass

Dom Palombi (Guest Artist) – Drums

Small Group Z Director Ted Chubb:  Over the past two decades, Ted Chubb has developed into both a deeply expressive trumpeter and an inventive composer. He is both an accomplished bandleader and has served as sideman to an impressive list of NYC’s top musicians, including Winard Harper, Christian McBride, Wallace Roney, Antonio Hart, Houston Person, Charenee Wade, Norman Simmons, Don Braden, Vince Ector, Melissa Walker, Bruce Williams, Billy Hart,  and Cecil Brooks III.  He has performed at venues from NYC jazz clubs Smalls; Fat Cat, The Jazz Standard, and Dizzy’s at Jazz at Lincoln Center, to Jazz Festivals across North America, South America and Europe. Ted received his MM from Rutgers University and studied with master trumpet teacher, William Fielder. From 2006-2011, he toured with the Tony Award-winning show, Jersey Boys. Ted is a passionate jazz educator and served as Jazz House Kids, Director of Music from 2012-2015.  He is currently Adjunct Professor of Jazz Trumpet at Princeton University, Jazz at Lincoln Center Middle School Jazz Academy Band Director, and continues to serve as Jazz House Kids, Vice President of Jazz Education + Associate Producer. He is also a member of the artistic leadership and production team responsible for curating all events for the Montclair Jazz Festival. He has led tours, master classes and cultural exchange programs across the US as well as the globe from Peru to most recently Bahrain. Along with his wife, Rachel Ryll, Ted is co-owner, President & Artistic Director of “The Statuary” an active artist live/work/present space that serves as a hub for the Jersey City jazz community and presents world class jazz to the people of Jersey City. His solo release, “Gratified Never Satisfied,” Chubb demonstrates an innate ability to adapt his knowledge, talent and worldliness to every aspect of his art and work.

JAZZ AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY serves to promote this uniquely American music as a contemporary and relevant art form. Its goals are to convey the vast musical and social history of jazz, establish a strong theoretical and stylistic foundation with regard to improvisation and composition, and emphasize the development of individual expression and creativity. Offerings of this program include academic course work, performing ensembles, master classes, private study, and independent projects. Jazz at Princeton University thanks you for joining them on this evening’s journey of beauty, exploration, discovery, and hope.