On Friday, Nov. 16, join the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Jazz Combo for an evening of special performances. Under the direction of Don Stapleson, guests will hear the combo’s rendition of music by Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, and Carlos Santana. The concert will be held in Montgomery Hall, room 25, at St. Mary’s College starting at 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. 

Stapleson, director of the St. Mary's College Jazz Combo, is well-known locally and in the Washington metropolitan area. An accomplished saxophonist and gifted flutist, he performs with his own group, The Don Stapleson Quartet, as well as with the popular classical/jazz crossover group, Clazzical Jam. He has performed with Ray Charles, Dexter Gordon, Nancy Wilson, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Martha Reeves. He has also appeared on MTV with Danny Gatton.

Stapleson has performed at the National Theater as a member of the pit orchestra during its productions of “Annie Get Your Gun” and “Cats.” He is a former member of the Peabody Ragtime Ensemble and has recently appeared as guest soloist with the Chesapeake Chamber Orchestra. His flute playing can be heard on television's “America's Most Wanted,” The National Geographic Special “The Inca Ice Maiden” and “The Serval Cats,” and in the upcoming PBS series, “Realms of the Deep.” Stapleson can also be heard with the rock group, Xyra and Verborgen, on their recently released CD.