If you haven’t experienced University of North Carolina at Wilmington’s Arts in Action Performance Series yet, the fifth event in this seven-part sequence is sure to delight a wide range of music lovers.

The Marcus Roberts trio brings both a sense of the past and future in American Jazz to UNCW’s campus. The trio is compiled of Marcus Roberts on piano, Roland Guerin on bass, and Jason Marsalis on drums.

Roberts is a native of Jacksonville, FL, and was first exposed to music in church where his mother was a gospel singer. Blind since the age of five, he finally got his chance to receive formal training at the age of 12. Attending Florida State University, he pursued his passion for jazz while listening to the sounds of Duke Ellington, Mary Lou Williams, Art Tatum, Vladimir Ashkenazy and James P. Johnson.

Guerin, the bassist for the trio, contributes a great deal of talent to American jazz. His slap-bass technique brings innovative flair to the group, as he has been leader on four recordings of his own and appeared on over 45 albums worldwide.

Marsalis, who joined the group at age 17, started playing the drums at just 3 years old. His eminent talent contributes to the trio’s style that makes them so unique.

The trio does not limit itself to just ordinary jazz. It prides itself in playing everything from famous American ballads to original jazz compositions. The piano has long been the focal point of many jazz performances, but Roberts does things differently. He makes a habit of having his musicians share the stage and their music equally. This is part of why the group harmonizes uniquely as one. For the event in Wilmington, the group will pay tribute to North Carolina greats John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk.

Shannon Hooker, assistant director for programs and marketing, commented in a recent press release, “North Carolina has such a great lineage when it comes to jazz, having produced the likes of Coltrane and Monk as well as vocalist Nina Simone, drummer Max Roach, pianist Dr. Billy Taylor, and, Wilmington’s own, bassist Percy Heath. It’s wonderful to have the high-caliber musicians of Marcus Roberts Trio introduce that legacy to our students, many of whom may never have experienced this kind of music in a live setting before.”

The trio will hold an open rehearsal/discussion, Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. at UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium, featuring the UNCW Jazz Ensembles. Dr. Frank Bongiorno, UNCW department chair of music and band director, comments that the ensembles are hoping to play a couple of compositions such as “Well You Needn’t” and “Straight No Chaser by Thelonious Monk, as well as “Manteca” by Dizzy Gillespie. The rehearsal is free and open to the public.

Performing at UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium, the trio will then take stage at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 29. Tickets are $6 for students, $12 for staff/faculty and senior citizens, and $18 for all others. For tickets, call Kenan Auditorium Box Office at (910) 962-3500. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.