Gary Smulyan, winner of the 2009 DownBeat Critics Poll for baritone saxophone, will be in residence on the UVM campus Nov. 17 and 18.

On Thursday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m., he will appear in a free concert in the Recital Hall with the UVM Jazz Ensemble, directed by Alex Stewart. He also led an open rehearsal of the ensemble on Wednesday afternoon from 4 to 6.30 p.m. in the Recital Hall.

"Gary Smulyan is one of the most in-demand jazz musicians on the scene today," said Stewart, who also directs UVM's Jazz Studies program. "In some hands his tool of trade, the baritone sax, may be cumbersome, but Smulyan makes the 'bari' sing like the most agile of instruments."

While all the student musicians are looking forward to the experience, the Jazz Ensemble's saxophonists, especially, are excited about working with a sectional player of Smulyan's caliber, Stewart said.

His playing continues the legacy of great baritonists such as Gerry Mulligan, Pepper Adams, and Nick Brignola. Smulyan has held the baritone chair in the Vanguard Orchestra for more than twenty-five years, as well as performing in the Mingus Big Band, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, and many others.