Pianist Roland Paolucci is one of Northeast Ohio's jazz gems. As the founder of the Jazz Studies program at the University of Akron and former Musical Director of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Paolucci is highly respected among his peers on the local music scene. Under his direction of the CJO, he has worked with renowned jazz artists such as Lew Soloff, Clark Terry, Louie Bellson, Sarah Vaughn, Milt Hinton, Tom Harrell, Benny Carter, Rufus Reid, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Guido Basso, Jiggs Whigham, Carl Fontana, Tony Bennett, Diane Schuur, and Tommy Flanagan to name a few.
Join us in this exciting opportunity to hear Roland as he makes his BLU Jazz+ debut as part of our Solo Piano Wednesday series!
Our Solo Piano Wednesday series showcases the finest pianists in the greater Northeast Ohio area from 7PM-11PM every Wednesday. Join us at 6PM as we open our doors, with live music starting at 7PM (no cover)!
Enjoy a cocktail and some midweek swingin' jazz every Wednesday!
BIOGRAPHY
Roland Paolucci is a retired professor from The University of Akron, Ohio, where he was Coordinator of Jazz Studies in the School of Music. He holds a Bachelor degree in Music and MA in Arts Management from Akron, where he founded the Jazz Studies Program. Under his direction, the University of Akron Jazz Ensemble and its members received numerous awards at jazz festivals, both regional and national. They toured Europe, performing at the Nice and Montreux Jazz Festivals. Paolucci retired from teaching in July 2000, and was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus.
In 1993, Mr. Paolucci retired as Musical Director of The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra (CJO), a position he held since the spring of 1986. During this period, he directed performances with such internationally renowned jazz artists as Lew Soloff, Clark Terry, Louie Bellson, Sarah Vaughn, Milt Hinton, Tom Harrell, Benny Carter, Rufus Reid, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Guido Basso, Jiggs Whigham, Carl Fontana, Tony Bennett, Diane Schuur, and Tommy Flanagan.