WCU’s Criterions Jazz Ensemble to Perform at Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center on Nov. 7
State of Affairs – West Features Pittsburgh Jazz Legends Dwayne Dolphin & Roger Humphries
West Chester, PA — West Chester University’s renowned Criterions Jazz Ensemble takes the stage for a powerhouse concert, State of Affairs – West, on Friday, November 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, 226 N. High Street, West Chester. Tickets are $12-$17 and available at: uptownwestchester.org
Under the direction of Professor of Jazz Studies Jonathan Ragonese, the Criterions will be joined by two of Pittsburgh’s finest: virtuosic electric and piccolo bassist Dwayne Dolphin and jazz drumming legend Roger Humphries. Together, they’ll deliver an electrifying evening of rhythm, artistry, and swing that bridges generations of jazz mastery.
Dolphin, known for his work with Wynton Marsalis, Geri Allen, and Stanley Turrentine, brings technical brilliance and infectious groove to every performance. His longtime collaborator and mentor, Roger Humphries, is one of the most respected drummers in jazz, celebrated for his work with Horace Silver on the landmark Blue Note recordings Song for My Father, Cape Verdean Blues, and The Jody Grind.
“Having Dwayne and Roger perform with the Criterions is an extraordinary opportunity for our students and audiences alike,” says Ragonese. “Their artistry embodies the living tradition of jazz — where history, mentorship, and innovation all meet on stage.”
The State of Affairs – West concert highlights the Wells School of Music’s commitment to bringing world-class artists to collaborate with its students while celebrating jazz’s enduring impact on American culture.
Join the Criterions for this unforgettable evening of music, collaboration, and improvisation that pays tribute to the deep roots and bright future of jazz.
The Criterions is one of the longest-running university jazz bands in the nation, tracing its roots to the 1920s as a student-led dance band before evolving into a premier jazz ensemble. Known for its artistry and swing, the group continues to uphold West Chester University’s proud legacy of jazz excellence through performance, education, and collaboration.
West Chester University’s Wells School of Music offers nationally accredited programs and exceptional performance opportunities for students pursuing careers in music education, performance, composition, and more.