Jazz hype at the University will be at an all-time high this Thursday, as it marks the first installment of the two-part Sudden Sound Concert Series, where prominent progressive jazz artists will be showcasing their music in the Krannert Art Museum’s Gelvin Noel Gallery.

The William Parker Quartet will be displaying their style of progressive jazz, a form of jazz originating in the 1950s. It is an experimental form of jazz, branching off and creating a style characterized by loud and brassy voices.

The Quartet has been “one of the most in demand rhythm sections in progressive jazz over the past 13 years,” said Jason Finkelman, curator of the concert series.

“It is probably one of today’s greatest progressive jazz units. (Listening to) William Parker’s quartet is the equivalent of one of these historical moments in music,” he said.

The group, which formed in 2000 in New York City, comprises bassist William Parker, drummer Hamid Drake, alto saxophonist Rob Brown and trumpet player Lewis Barnes.

Performing during the second part of the Sudden Sounds Concert Series, scheduled for Nov. 7, is progressive jazz artist Adam Rudolph, who will be performing alongside woodwind and reed player Ralph M. Jones.

According to Finkelman, Rudolph is a pioneer of improvisational music who has made a career performing on non-western instruments — primarily as a percussionist — in projects that bring together jazz and world music. He is also credited with spearheading the cross-cultural music ensemble, GO: Organic Orchestra, according to a news release.

“In Adam Rudolf’s case, he has a long history of working in cross-cultural combination of jazz and world music,” Finkelman said. “Adam Rudolf and Ralph Jones embrace elements of musical forms from all over the world.”

The concert series comes at a time when progressive jazz is a rarity in this part of the U.S. and underrepresented in most main stream media, Finkelman said.

“The Sudden Sound Concert Series aims to develop new audiences for music that principally operates outside of mainstream media. It is one of the only opportunities to experience this kind of music live in our area, and many of these artists are acclaimed artists throughout the world,” he said.

While jazz may not have the popularity that once bonded generations during the 20th century, University students are still showing plenty of interest in the genre.

“I enjoy listening to jazz when I’m doing homework,” said Craig Radke, senior in Business. “There’s a decrease in interest, and people are listening more to pop music. I enjoy it … and it would be cool if people could get into it, too, instead of just pop.”

Dave Rodgers, junior in Education, shares a similar sentiment, and calls jazz “God’s music.”

“Progressive jazz definitely perks my curiosity,” he said. “It saddens me that jazz isn’t as big in the modern age.”

The Sudden Sound Concert Series began in January 2005 . It has since found firm ground in the Krannert Art Museum Galleries, showcasing many shows per year.

“We’ve had a continuous series of about four concerts per year since then. To have a series of music, in a contemporary art gallery, was a very nice pairing,” Finkelman said. “We are honored to have the support of the Krannert Art Museum. All the artists presented in the series have unique voices in progressive jazz and improvised music, and I do think that opportunities to experience this music is rare.”

The concert series begins at 7:30 p.m. with the William Parker Quartet, and although admission is free, there is a $3 suggested donation. The Krannert Art Museum will host the second session at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 7 with Rudolf and Jones performing. The museum will also be hosting a workshop run by Rudolph that will introduce fans to conductive improvisation that he employs in his group. The workshop will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 8 to 10 p.m.

Eliseo can be reached at [email protected].