Margitza quartet jazzes up HUB Late Night’s music scene

By CHERYL YANKOLONIS
Collegian Staff Writer

He played saxophone with jazz legend Miles Davis.

That's his horn on Miles' Live Around the World and Ellis Marsalis' A Night at Snug Harbor.

But career sideman Rick Margitza is no longer a second fiddle as he leads his own quartet onto campus at 10 tonight.

The Rick Margitza Quartet will perform in the HUB ground floor as part of HUB Late Night's efforts to provide free live music.

Aside from playing on three Davis records and accompanying him on his world tour in 1989, Margitza has released six of his own albums, four on the famous Blue Note record label.

John Harlow, assistant director of student activities and HUB Late Night coordinator, said he chose the Quartet because of Margitza's good reputation.

"He played with Miles Davis, and knowing Davis' high standards in choosing his band personnel, we can expect good quality," Harlow said.

As part of a quartet, Margitza has played at elite venues including The Blue Note, Birdland and Carnegie Hall in New York City, and world-renowned jazz festivals in the United States, Holland, Switzerland and Germany.

Melanie Ulrey (freshman-liberal arts) said she is excited about going to the show because of Margitza's work with well-known musicians.

"I am looking forward to seeing somebody who has actually performed with Miles Davis," she said.

In addition to performing and recording, Margitza conducts workshops at universities around the country.

These focus on jazz skills such as improvisation, composition and practice technique.

Margitza is just one of the many performers coming to the HUB this semester.

Next Saturday, the HUB will kick off its Gallery Music Series.

The series features performances in a quiet and more intimate setting.

This will provide limited seating and prevent people from walking in and out during songs.

For information on the Gallery series and other upcoming HUB Late Night activities, contact the HUB Late night office at (814) 863-4659 or visit www.psu.edu/HUB.