The School of Arts and Humanities at UT Dallas has scheduled an evening of jazz featuring guitarist Jack Petersen.

The concert is Friday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m. in the Jonsson Performance Hall.

Guitarist Jack Peterson

Jack Petersen has influenced generations of jazz students.

Petersen is a renowned pioneer in jazz education. He helped design guitar studies programs at the Berklee School of Music and The University of North Texas (UNT). He also built a jazz guitar program at The University of North Florida.

“Petersen will perform pieces that both the jazz connoisseur and the jazz novice alike will truly dig. The audience will definitely enjoy it,” said Kelly Durbin, a music faculty member who created and directs the UT Dallas Jazz Ensemble.

Dan Haerle, who was a faculty member at UNT for 25 years, will join Petersen on piano.  Haerle was inducted into the International Association of Jazz Education “Hall of Fame” in 2003.

“I studied under both Petersen and Haerle at UNT when I was pursuing a graduate degree,” Durbin said. “Petersen taught me about jazz improv and playing in a big band. Haerle mentored me in jazz theory and piano. I use some of the same materials that were shown to me by these teachers in my jazz history and jazz ensemble classes.”

Two current UNT professors will also perform: Ed Sop on drums and Fred Hamilton on bass.  

Tickets for the show are $15 for general admission; and $5 for faculty, staff and non-UT Dallas students. Tickets are free to UT Dallas students with valid identification. The ticket office is open 2 to 5 p.m. Friday and one hour before show time. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or by calling 972-883-2552.