Miami, Oct. 20, 2023 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Arts and Philosophy Department at the Wolfson Campus’ Jazz at Wolfson Present series continues with a performance by saxophonist Dick Oatts at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 1. This and all Jazz at Wolfson Presents concerts are free and open to the public.
Oatts was raised in a musical family in Iowa. His father, Jack Oatts, a respected jazz educator and saxophonist, introduced him to the saxophone. Oatts attended Drake University, and in 1972 began his professional career in St. Paul, Minnesota.
In 1977 Oatts moved to New York City and became a member of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra. Since then, he has recorded and toured with several small groups, including Red Rodney, Eddie Gomez, Vic Juric, Bob Brookmeyer, Mel Lewis, Dom Salvador, Jerry Bergonzi, Flim & the BB`s, Fred Hersch, Dave Berkman, Terell Stafford, Jon Faddis, Lalo Schifrin and Ray Mantilla.
His big band and larger group experience include performances with the Grammy Award-winning Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Mel Lewis, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Lester Bowie, Joe Lovano, Sam Jones-Tom Harrell, Paquito D`Rivera, Jim McNeely, Tito Puente, Kenny Wheeler and Gunther Schuller. Oatts has also been featured with the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra, Danish Radio Big Band, Norboton Jazz Orchestra, and the UMO Big Band in Helsinki. He has accompanied such vocalists as Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Neene Freelon, Mel Torme, and Milton Nascimento. In addition, he has recorded solos for artists Luther Vandross, James Taylor and Everything But the Girl. As a Steeplechase recording artist, he released six albums as a leader. He also released three albums on the DMP label with pianist and co-leader Garry Dial.
About Jazz at Wolfson Presents
Jazz at Wolfson Presents is Miami-Dade County’s longest continuously running free jazz series. All concerts are open to the public year-round at MDC Wolfson Campus in the heart of downtown Miami. Jazz at Wolfson Presents is funded in part with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County mayor and the Board of County Commissioners through the Hannibal Cox Jr. Cultural Grants Program. MDC’s Jazz at Wolfson Presents features live performances that run monthly from September through April. To view the complete list of concerts and for more information, visit www.mdc.edu/jazzatwolfson.
For more information about Jazz at Wolfson Presents, please contact Monica D’anetra at 305-237-3721.
WHAT: Jazz at Wolfson Presents Saxophonist Dick Oatts
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 1, at noon
WHERE: Wolfson Campus, Auditorium (Building 1, Room 1261), 300 N.E. 2nd Ave.