PHILADELPHIA -- Jazz pianist and composer Jason Moran will teach a series of master classes and perform in concert as the Spring 2012 Artist in Residence for the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Africana Studies April 2-4.  All events are free and open to the public.

Moran, a 2010 MacArthur Fellow, is artistic director for jazz at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The Blue Notes recording artist performs with his group, The Bandwagon, with bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits.

Moran's debut recording as a leader, Soundtrack to Human Motion, was released in 1999 to critical praise.  Ben Ratliff of The New York Times named it the best album of the year, and the Jazz Journalists Association awarded it "Best Debut Recording."  The following year, Facing Left established The Bandwagon trio, and prompted JazzTimes Magazine to declare the album "an instant classic."  For his third Blue Note release, Black Stars, Moran augmented the trio by adding avant-garde icon Sam Rivers to play saxophone, flute and piano on the recording. Moran’s most recent release is TEN, his 10th anniversary album with The Bandwagon.

Two master classes will be held April 2-3. Each class will be in Room 101 of the Music Building, 201 S. 34th St.n from 5:30 to 7p.m.  Moran will discuss his compositional process and influences and his artistic collaborations and curating activities as Kennedy Center artistic adviser for jazz.

On April 4 Moran and The Bandwagon will perform a 90-minute jazz set in Irvine Auditorium, 3402 Spruce St., starting at 6 p.m.  Tickets for the free concert tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Irvine Auditorium Box Office.

Additional information is available at www.sas.upenn.edu/africana/spring-2012-artist-residence-jason-moran-master-classes-final-performance-april-2-4-2012.