The Lee University School of Music will welcome Gregory Tardy, saxophonist, multi-reedist, and composer, to conclude the 2021-2022 Performing Arts Series (PAS). Tardy will be joined by David Potter, drums, and Sean Conly, bass, for a trio concert on Thursday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m. Tardy will also lead a masterclass at 4 p.m., and both events will take place in the Dixon Center.

“Mr. Tardy is one of the most brilliant saxophone performers of our time,” said Alan Wyatt, Lee University associate professor of music. “We are so fortunate to have him close by as a member of the jazz faculty at UTK after spending many productive years in the NYC jazz scene working with the icons of jazz. Mr. Tardy is also a professing Christian who considers his music to be a sacrifice of praise unto the Lord. I am thrilled that he will be on campus to minister to our students through his music and his testimony.”

Tardy, a professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, began his musical career studying classical clarinet, but early on moved to New Orleans to become a jazz musician. After recording his first solo project in 1992, Tardy moved to New York to perform and record with many prominent artists, including Elvin Jones, Aaron Goldberg, and Avishai Cohen. In 1998, Tardy’s first major label, Serendipity, was released on Impulse Records and was nominated as Best Debut Artist for the New York Jazz Awards.

Tardy has been featured on several Downbeat Albums of the Year and has many Grammy-nominated recordings, including a Grammy-winning CD with trumpeter Brian Lynch. Tardy has recorded 14 CDs featuring his unique compositions, and his latest project, “If Time Could Stand Still,” was released in the fall of 2020 on WJ3 Records.

Potter began playing drums in high school and started performing at the age of 16. Following his graduation from Florida State University (FSU), he was chosen to be a member of the Louis Armstrong Quintet at the University of New Orleans. Potter was accepted to the Julliard Jazz Program in New York City, but instead returned to FSU to pursue his master’s degree. In 2010, he was featured in a novel, “The New Face of Jazz,” about the younger generation of jazz musicians making an impact on the current scene. Potter is now in Atlanta where he teaches, performs, and tours internationally with The Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet.

Conly is a bassist and composer who has performed and toured internationally with a diverse list of artists. In 2020, Conly recorded his first piano trio recording with Francisco Mela, drums, and Leo Genovese, piano. Conly also teaches and has been on faculty with The Collective School of Music since 2009. In 2017, he was honored to be chosen as a Jazz Master in The Alaadeen JazzMaster/Apprentice program (AMAP), giving him a chance to impart some of his experience to younger musicians.

The Thursday evening Trio Concert will feature original pieces by Tardy.

The performance is free and open to the public, but tickets are required and can be reserved at leeu-music.eventbrite.com or at the Dixon Center Box Office by calling (423) 614-8343.

Livestream viewing will be available at leeu.live.

For more information about Tardy, visit //gregorytardy.com/.

For more information about Potter, visit //davepottermusic.com/.

For more information about Conly, visit seanconly.com/.

For more information about PAS or Lee’s School of Music, visit //leeuniversity.edu/academics/music/ or call (423) 614-8247.