Jazz Small Groups A and X

Milan Sastry ’26, Alto Saxophone
Isaac Yi ’24, Tenor Saxophone
Pranav Vadapalli ’25, Trombone
Rohit Oomman ’24, Guitar
Shlok Shah ’26, Piano
Patrick Jaojoco GS, Bass
Ryder Walsh ’26, Drums

Small Group A 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.

“I am in a phase in my life where I am trying to connect with and develop relationships through the music around the globe, anywhere there are people that can benefit from the positive and universal power of the music. In a time where so much of the world is trying to divide us from one another, I believe this is of the highest importance.”

Lukas Arenas ’26, Alto Sax
Thomas Verrill ’25, Trombone
Alex Egol ’24, Piano
Mihir Rao ’26, Drums
Matthew Parrish, (Faculty) Bass

Small Group X Director Matthew Parrish is a sought-after performer, arranger, composer, producer, and instructor whose bass career is grounded in Philadelphia. His late teens and early twenties included performing with Shirley Scott, Mickey Roker, Bobby Durham, Cecil Payne, Johnny Coles, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Sylvia Simms, and fellow young musicians of that era, Orrin Evans and Byron Landham. He then toured with legendary trombonist, Al Grey and performed with Clark Terry, Marion McPartland, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson, Joe Cohn, Savion Glover, and Bill Charlap. After the sad passing of Al, an important mentor and friend, Matthew continued to tour the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America with the bands of Greg Osby, James Newton, Stefon Harris, Regina Carter, Houston Person, Ruth Floyd, Michelle Lordi, and Vana Gierig with Paquito D’Rivera. Matthew frequents regional jazz venues, especially in New York City. The Jazz Standard, the Blue Note, Dizzy’s ‘Coca Cola’ Club at Lincoln Center, Smalls, Birdland, Smoke, and the Iridium rely on his warm, innovative compositions, arrangements, and steady performing.

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.