The Caltech jazz band, under the direction of Barb Catlin, presents the annual Jazz Guest Artist Concert featuring the music of Patrick Williams with performers Peter Erskine, Chuck Berghofer, Wayne Bergeron, Kirsten Edkins, and Mike Dana on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. in Beckman Auditorium. Tickets are $7 for students, seniors, and faculty; $15 for general admission and can be purchased by calling the Caltech ticket office at (626) 395-4652. Parking is free.  

Oscar and Pulitzer-nominated composer Patrick Williams will be honored in a concert that features compositions from the Grammy-nominated albums Sinatraland, Aurora, Home Suite Home, as well as music from his acclaimed television and film scores (Breaking Away, The Streets of San Francisco, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show). Joining the Caltech jazz band will be musicians who recorded on many of Williams’ projects.

Peter Erskine is regarded as one of today’s top drummers. Erskine started his career with the Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson Orchestras and was a member of the critically acclaimed jazz fusion groups Weather Report, Yellowjackets and Steps Ahead. In addition to being featured on over 700 albums and film scores, Erskine is a Grammy-winning performer/producer, author, retired professor from USC, has been voted Best Drummer of the Year 10 times by Modern Drummer, and inducted into The Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame.

Bassist Chuck Berghofer has played on thousands of recordings as a member of the infamous Wrecking Crew (i.e., These Boots are Made for Walkin’) and has performed on over 400 TV and film soundtracks.

Wayne Bergeron came to prominence playing lead trumpet for Maynard Ferguson. Bergeron has recorded over 500 TV and film soundtracks and was recently featured in Spielberg’s West Side Story, La La Land, and The Incredibles.

Saxophonist Kirsten Edkins has been a fixture in many Los Angeles bands, including those of John Daversa, Bill Holman, John Beasley and Johnny Mandel. Edkins’ first album, Art and Soul,  reached the top 15 on Jazz Week’s radio play charts.

Guitarist Mike Dana is an emeritus professor of music at Fresno City College where he served as director of Jazz Studies. Dana, a notable composer, was awarded the California Jazz Educator of the Award and was recently inducted into the California Alliance Hall of Fame.