Jazz sax virtuoso Ken Hitchcock to deliver masterclass and concert Thursday, Sept. 28

Renowned sax player Ken Hitchcock, one of the most versatile jazz artists of the past 40 years who has played with top names such as Michael Jackson, Michael Buble, Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder, will give a masterclass and concert on the Jacksonville University campus Thursday, Sept. 28.

The guest artist, who began performing in New York in 1977, got his first big break while attending The Juilliard School when he was invited to perform with the Charles Mingus Orchestra alongside some of the very top jazz names of the day.

He has since performed with a who’s who in the music business, ranging from major recording dates and featured movie soundtracks to performances with top classical, jazz and pop artists, chamber groups, big bands and orchestras.

Other artists with whom Hitchcock has worked include Sting, Steely Dan, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Gerry Mulligan, Jerry Bergonzi, Lyle Lovett, Rod Stewart, Tony Bennett, Etta James, Diana Kral and K.D. Lang, to name a few. He has played with every type of performer in nearly every setting, including on three Grammy award-winning albums: Mulligan’s “Walk on the Water,” Machito’s “Big Band Latin Jazz 1982” and Steely Dan multiple winner “Two Against Nature.”

In 2002, Hitchcock was featured soloist on alto sax playing the Oscar-nominated soundtrack to the Leonardo DiCaprio film “Catch Me If You Can.”

Hitchcock, who is also a multi woodwind performer, will deliver a free public masterclass at 3 p.m. Sept. 28 in Terry Concert Hall, followed by his concert in the same venue at 7:30 p.m. with the JU Jazz Orchestra and JU Jazz Combo I.