Madison Music Collective and Sun Prairie High School proudly presents...

"Jazz on a Sunday"

MVP* QUARTET

(*Most Valuable Players of the NYC Jazz Scene)

MVP Quartet

February 19, 2017, 3:00 pm

at the Unitarian Society Atrium

900 University Bay Drive, Madison, WI • (doors open 2:30 pm)

Four legendary musicians who have crossed paths on multiple occasions unite to perform as an ensemble. In presenting this celebratory concert, attention is bestowed upon the late James Williams and Mulgrew Miller - two jazz artist whose careers evolved out of the extraordinary piano tradition of Memphis and who appeared on the Walton Arts Center Jazz Series on multiple occasions. Their program is entitled “Remembering James Williams and Mulgrew Miller” (two highly-revered jazz pianists who both passed since 2000, sadly both in their 50s). Kansas City native and former musical director of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, saxophonist Bobby Watson frontlines the band of leaders along with “The Tonight Show” alumnus, drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith; veteran bassist Ray “Bulldog” Drummond; and revered pianist Donald Brown in a remembrance and celebration of the music being produced 25 years ago by these two talented artists.

The Madison Music Collective’s first collaboration with the top-rated Sun Prairie High School (SPHS) Jazz Band and its 2017 Jazz Festival clinicians will culminate in a who’s who of jazz groups - the MVP Quartet. This concert will be one of the most celebrated jazz events in Madison in 2017 (and an MMC landmark presentation), bar none. The day before the concert, Saturday, Feb. 18th, these musicians will be working with high school jazz musicians from a variety of area schools as part of the SPHS Jazz Festival, with a collaborative student/professional concert that evening.

  • Gen’l Admission, $25/$30 door
  • MMC, MJS members, $20/$25 door
  • Students with ID, $10

General Seating Only/Tickets Also Available at the Door Until Sold Out

Madison Music Collective

“Jazz on a Sunday” is presented by Madison Music Collective (MMC). Madison Music Collective is a non-profit membership organization founded in 1985 that works to build a thriving creative music community in the Greater Madison area by growing the local audience for jazz and other forms of improvised music. MMC offers a seasonal series of concerts and educational programs, as well concerts featuring local, regional, and nationally known jazz artists.


Madison Music Collective’s 2017 Winter-Spring Series is made possible by grants from Dane Arts (with additional funds from the Endres Mfg. Company Foundation), The Evjue Foundation, Inc. (The charitable arm of the Capital Times, the W. Jerome Frautschi Foundation, and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation), Greater Madison Jazz Consortium, Madison Gas & Electric (MGE), Cardinal Bar, Janus Galleries, Madison Opera, membership dues and charitable gifts from members and supporters of the Madison Music Collective, in-kind support from The UW School of Music, Sun Prairie High School, The Brink Lounge, the UPS Store-Fitchburg, Hilton Madison Monona Terrace, and promotional support from Isthmus, WORT-89.9 FM, and the Capital City Hues and our partners in jazz: Greater Madison Jazz Consortium, Madison Jazz Society, Wisconsin Union Theater, Overture Center, Stoughton Opera House, Farley's House of Pianos, and Prairie Music and Arts.

The Brink Lounge Bobby Watson Donald Brown Ray Drummond Marvin Smith