Join us for Bard Graduate Center Gallery’s First Wednesdays events! Enjoy cool jazz, warm vibes, and a glass of wine; see our fascinating exhibitions and learn from provocative conversations about the objects on view.

Music provided by:

Marcus Strickland (saxophone)
Vic Juris (guitar)
Ronnie Burrage (drums)
Gene Perla (double-bass)


First Wednesdays Jazz in the Gallery is guest curated by musician Gene Perla.

Gene Perla
was raised in New Jersey where he studied classical piano and trombone. After attending Berklee School of Music he moved to New York and began his musical career as a jazz bassist. He has performed and/or recorded with Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Elvin Jones, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Chuck Mangione, Joni Mitchell, Buddy Rich, Sonny Rollins, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Stone Alliance, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, and others. In the early 1970’s he formed music publishing and record companies, and his group “Stone Alliance” traveled to South America and Europe which gave him experience in management and booking. Other efforts include Broadway sound design (Tony Award for “City of Angels”), recording studio operations, and Webmaster for the Jazz Education Network.
Leading support for Public Programs at Bard Graduate Center comes from Gregory Soros and other generous donors.