Join the musicians of the Stetson University Jazz Ensemble as they pay homage to former director, Don Waldrop (pictured below, right), and welcome Greg Parnell to the stage as our guest artist.

Prior to taking over the directorship of the jazz ensemble at Stetson University in 2012, Don Waldrop was best known for his work as a low brass specialist in the Los Angeles studio scene. Over the course of his 35-year career, Waldrop performed, toured, and recorded with a veritable Who’s Who of the music and entertainment industry. Sadly, Don Waldrop succumbed to cancer this past December. The jazz ensemble will be joined on stage by vocalist Davette Fulford and saxophonist Ray Guiser to honor Waldrop’s legacy.

Greg Parnell, drummer extraordinaire, joins the ensemble as the evening’s special guest artist. A native of Vandergift, Pa., Parnell spent many years on the road with the Glenn Miller Orchestra as drummer and road manager. Now living in Sanford, Fla., with his wife Amy, he enjoys performing in a wide variety of settings including big bands, backing headliners, and small jazz groups. Parnell has performed with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Les Brown Orchestra, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Terry Myers Orchestra, Fat Tuesday Big Band, American Vintage Orchestra and Michael Andrew & Swingerhead. He has also backed headliners such as The Mills Brothers, The Four Aces, Kay Starr, John Davidson, Eartha Kitt, Bowzer, Della Reese, Jack Jones, The Four Freshmen, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, The Pied Pipers, Rita Moreno, Petula Clark and many others.

In addition to maintaining a hectic performance schedule, Parnell is currently the vice president of Glenn Miller Productions, Inc., serves on the Board of Directors of the Central Florida Jazz Society, and is co-founder and musical director of the Orlando Jazz Orchestra.

The Stetson University Jazz Ensemble concert is Wednesday, Feb. 25, in the Stetson Room, second floor of the Carlton Union Building, 131 E. Minnesota Ave., beginning at 7:30 p.m. The ensemble is directed by Patrick Hennessey, Ph.D.

For ticket information, contact the School of Music at Stetson University, or call 386-822-8950.