Jazz guitarist, composer and educator Dave Stryker will be in residence at the University of Vermont this week, culminating his stay with a concert sponsored by the Lane Series on Thursday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the UVM Recital Hall.

Stryker, who has released 26 albums over the past 25 years as a leader and appeared on twice that many as a sideman, was voted one of the "top 10 guitarists" in Down Beat magazine's 2013 critics and readers poll and was named a "rising star" in the magazine’s critics poll from 2004 to 2007. His most recent album, Eight Track, was voted one of the best of 2014 in the Down Beat readers poll.

For the March 19 performance, Stryker will perform as the featured soloist with the UVM Jazz Ensemble, a rare case when guitar fronts a big band. 

The idea for the unusual instrumental configuration came from Jazz Studies director Alex Stewart, who recorded an album with Stryker in 1994 called Nomad, which featured the guitarist soloing over big band arrangements.

“We’re going to be doing a lot of selections from that CD,” Stewart said. “The music is very true to Dave’s roots. It’s influenced by blues and soul jazz but also by the modal jazz grooves of musicians like McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones.”

Before launching his solo career, Stryker toured with the jazz funk organist Jack McDuff and with soul jazz tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, a pioneer of urban fusion jazz.  

Master class and open rehearsals

Stryker will teach a guitar master class for UVM guitar students on Wednesday in the UVM Recital Hall from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The free event is open to the public.  

Stryker will also rehearse with the UVM Jazz Ensemble on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the Southwick Ballroom, room 301, and on Wednesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. in the Recital Hall. The rehearsals are also free and open to the public.

The Thursday concert is co-sponsored by UVM’s Department of Music and Dance. Tickets are free for UVM students and $15 for all others. Learn more about the Lane Series event, and purchase tickets.