Saxophonist Paliga bring his jazz from classroom to stage

Saxophonist Mitch Paliga, a member of North Central College’s acclaimed jazz faculty, performs next month at the college.

The performance begins at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, in North Central College’s Madden Theatre at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors; call the North Central College Box Office at (630) 637-7469 or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Paliga is an active performer, educator and composer based in the Chicago area. He has taught at Benedictine University, Governor’s State University and the Old Town School of Folk Music. Since 2007 he has been touring with actor/musician Gary Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band. As a member of the band, he has performed in Europe, Canada, Afghanistan, South Korea, Japan and throughout the United States.

In 2008, he performed with the band Kimotion at the Ho Chi Minh Conservatory of Music and the Hue Festival in Vietnam. He also has performed with Marie Osmond, Randy Brecker, the Temptations, Bob Newhart, Victor Kraus and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra.

Paliga has a master’s degree in jazz pedagogy from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in music from Eastern New Mexico University. He has been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Chicago Community Arts Assistance Program. His personal discography includes the albums “Blythe Moments” and “Fall Night.”

North Central College’s 2013-14 Fine and Performing Arts Season is partially sponsored by USG Corporation and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. For a comprehensive schedule of musical performances, theatrical and dance productions, art exhibits and more, visit northcentralcollege.edu/show or call the box office at (630) 637-7469.