Blue on Blues
Poetry, Music, and Community
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Dennis EscobedoDennis Escobedo is the screenwriter of Bookworm, Advice For Teenage Outcasts, Last Summer of Nathan Lee, & The Unlucky.
Last Summer of Nathan Lee will make its world premiere at CAAMFest 2023 in San Francisco directed by award winning director Quentin Lee, produced by Margin Films. Advice for Teenage Outcasts is in development with award winning director B Kelley (The Real Thing) and Sophie Giannamore (The L Word, Transparent) set to star. Dennis' plays The Poet of Columbus Avenue and Charlotte Second Chance have been performed in NYC Off-Broadway (Pan Asian Rep), Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Stanford University. |
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Officer Jarvis Selby, Pasadena Police Officer
Officer Shelby hails from New Orleans, La. He is a graduate of Crenshaw High and attended HBCU, Texas Southern University studying Criminal Justice. Officer Shelby is a Pasadena Police negotiator, outreach officer and a training officer for the department.
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Rickey Woodard
Rickey Woodard is an American jazz saxophonist. born in Nashville, Tennessee. From 1980, he spent seven years with the Ray Charles band. A member of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Woodard has recorded with Frank Capp and is a member of Jeannie and Jimmy Cheatham's Sweet Baby Blues Band.
In 1993, he embarked on a series of yearly visits to the Peterborough Jazz Club in England, billed with veteran British jazz musicians such as Dick Morrissey, John Burch, and Tony Arche. |
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Mel Colins, Jazz, Blues singer
Mel Collins was born and raised in Hacienda Heights, CA, just outside Los Angeles. The youngest of four children, she was surrounded by music from the start. Her mother played "a little piano" and her father played the organ at their church in Los Angeles. He was also the Director of the So. Cal. State Youth Choir, a renowned gospel choir that Mel spent many nights listening to. From an early age, she idolized Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson, and sang in her church choir. But she never considered a career as a vocalist until she attended Citrus College, where she entered as a communications major and was also taking acting courses. She loves to tell stories. Her first love was acting, not singing. She got into musical theatre by combining her two loves. So began Mel's career in musical theatre. She has enjoyed starring roles in numerous productions including Ain't Misbehavin', Smokey Joe's Café, and the touring company of Purlie. She also landed a full-time gig at Disneyland in the standing production of Animazement. She continues to perform regularly at Disneyland in multiple roles (singing everything from Christmas carols to jazz standards to "The Circle of Life"), an affiliation that has lasted over 15 years. It was at Disneyland in her role as Queeny, backed by the Royal Street Bachelors, that Mel found herself singing jazz standards made famous by her childhood idols, Ella and Nancy.
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Adam Ledbetter, Pianist
Adam Ledbetter was born into a creative family bot his first performance experience as a 3-year-old soloist in a community choir directed by his mother. At 10 he began taking formal piano lessons and within a few months he was working as the church’s full-time musical director. Growing up in that role allowed him to fine tune his musical instincts while his classical studies gave him a keen proficiency at the piano.
This combination led to many musical experiments of mixing influences as diverse as Busta Rhymes and Chopin. In his early teens he inherited his father’s jazz record collection which led to a lifelong love of bebop and the blues. Having broad tastes from the beginning, Adam’s musical talents include rap, piano, production and composition. Adam is just as at home giving a solo piano recital as he is freestyling on the mic. As an MC he has been featured on work by Lightheaded, Omega Watts, Jabee, Sean C. Johnson and many more. Adam believes music is a spectrum and for him styles of music are instruments in his band and their best when they play together. |
CLAZZKIDZZ!
Presents:
Don't Worry! It's Just Opera!
Acclaimed, two-time Emmy-winning mezzo-soprano Suzanna Guzman performs her award-winning show and reveals the universal appeal of opera for all ages. With this friendly diva as a guide, the audience will discover just how entertaining and moving this beautiful music can be. Guzmán breaks through stereotypes and preconceptions in a funny, accessible, and hands-on performance. In this high-energy, informative, multi-lingual, and interactive program, she performs excerpts from some of opera's greatest works: Puccini, Rossini, Bizet, and a dash of Mozart.
Singer, Suzanna Guzmán
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Pianist, Lucas Nogara
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Saturday, May 20, 2023
ALKEBULAN CULTURAL CENTER
1435 N. Raymond Ave
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Musical Instrument Petting Zoo, Program 10:00 AM -10:45 AM.
Children (Free), Adults, $10.00 per person (pay at the door).
Please signup for emails for future ClaZZKidZZ! programs.
www.clazziclnotes.org
ALKEBULAN CULTURAL CENTER
1435 N. Raymond Ave
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Musical Instrument Petting Zoo, Program 10:00 AM -10:45 AM.
Children (Free), Adults, $10.00 per person (pay at the door).
Please signup for emails for future ClaZZKidZZ! programs.
www.clazziclnotes.org
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Suzanna GuzmánSuzanna Guzmán- mezzo-soprano, TV/radio host, and principal soloist with orchestras and opera houses around the world, fresh from a sold-out run of Ventura’s Rubicon Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of In The Heights in the role of Abuela Claudia, Guzmán reached international attention for the title role in Bizet’s Carmen (Fire-breathing, singing actress, devastatingly sexy," TIME magazine). She is a champion of premiere works, creating for the Kennedy Center Menotti’s Goya (The Duchess), Daniel Catan’s Florencia en el Amazonas (Paula), the Industry Opera’s Hopscotch (Lucha), and Eric Whitacre’s Gift of the Magi (Shelia), to name a few.
Honors include two-time L.A. Area Emmy Award winner (2019 & 2021) for Co-Host of Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration, PBS/SoCal (Ken Shapiro, dir.), a Grammy nod for the 2006 Best Classical Recording with the Southwest Chamber Music; Helen Hayes Award Best Actress nod for Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors directed by Giancarlo Menotti. Host of the KCET weekly TV series Open Call (Bohdan Zachary, dir.), she is a 2022–23 Los Angeles Opera Legacy Ambassador, holds an Honorary Doctor of Music from Occidental College, and received the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nederlanders for service to the Arts and Community. Future engagements include a world premiere of Nick Benavides’s Carvana de Mujeres for Opera America in NYC. More info? Visit www.suzannaguzman.com |
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Lucas NogaraPianist Lucas Nogara has been gaining major recognition on the operatic and art song stage as a collaborator and opera coach. A recent graduate of Indiana University, Lucas holds a master's of music and a performance diploma in collaborative piano, both under the mentorship of Kevin Murphy. His projects included collaborations with IU Opera Theatre in the productions of Parsifal, La Bohème, La Rondine, and The Barber of Seville. He has also served as a pianist, rehearsing and performing in Carol Vaness’ renowned opera workshop.
He began working as a collaborative pianist, mostly with singers, as an undergraduate at the State University of Sao Paulo - Unesp. After college, he joined the São Pedro Theatre Opera Studio, playing song recitals and opera rehearsals and performances. He also worked on opera productions in his country, among them Faust and Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas at the Manaus Opera Festival; A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Makropulos Affair at São Pedro Theatre; and Roméo et Juliette with São Paulo Opera Company. In 2018, he was invited to play Don Giovanni for the Tel Aviv Summer Opera Festival, to which he will return in the summer of 2022. In 2021, he was invited as a fellow at the prestigious Ravinia Steans Music Institute to collaborate with the program for singers, to which he will also return this upcoming summer. Most recently, he performed at the last edition of the Concours Musical International de Montréal. |
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Suzanna GuzmánMezzo-soprano, tv/radio host and principal soloist with orchestras and opera houses around the world, fresh from a sold out run of Ventura’s Rubicon Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of In The Heights in the role of Abuela Claudia, Guzmán reached international attention for the title role in Bizet’s Carmen, (Fire-breathing, singing actress, devastingly sexy.” TIME magazine). She is a champion of premiere works creating for the Kennedy Center Menotti’s Goya (The Duchess), Daniel Catan’s Florencia en el Amazonas (Paula), the Industry Opera’s Hopscotch (Lucha), Eric Whitacre’s Gift of the Magi (Shelia,) to name a few.
Honors include two-time L.A Area Emmy Award winner (2019 & 2021) for Co-Host of Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration, PBS/SoCal (Ken Shapiro,dir.), a Grammy nod for the 2006 Best Classical Recording with the Southwest Chamber Music; Helen Hayes Award Best Actress nod for Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors directed by Giancarlo Menotti. Host of the KCET weekly tv series Open Call (Bohdan Zachary, dir.), she is a 2022-23 Los Angeles Opera Legacy Ambassador, holds an Honorary Doctor of Music from Occidental College and received the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nederlanders for service to Arts and Community. Future engagements include a world-premiere of Nick Benavides’s Carvana de Mujeres for Opera America in NYC. More info? Visit www.suzannaguzman.com . Suzanna Guzmán 626 818 8496 www.suzannaguzman.com |
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JOANNA WALLFISCHGrew up in London. Her parents are Australian-born violinist Elizabeth Wallfisch and cellist Raphael Wallfisch. After studying fine arts at the Chelsea College of Art and Design (2005/06), at Central Saint Martins’ College of Art and Design (2006–2009) and at the Beaux-Arts de Paris (2008), she earned a master's degree in jazz at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In an interview with “15 Questions Magazine” Wallfisch mentions Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Celine Dion as biggest influences when starting as a singer". In 2011 Joanna Waallfisch published her debut album "Wild Swan" and moved to New York, collaborating with Wynton Marsalis and his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as well as with Kenny Werner, Sam Newsome, Lee Konitz and Dan Tepfer. She also did workshops with the Cirque du Soleil.
Sunnyside Records released Wallfisch's albums The Origin of Adjustable Things in 2015, and Gardens in My Mind in 2016.[3] Most notable performances include the National Concert Hall in Dublin, Woodford Folk Festival, London Jazz Festival, Salisbury International Festival, Sundance Film Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She has been an artist in residence at the Banff Center for Arts and Creativity in Alberta, Canada multiple times.[4] Other fields of work include teaching at the songwriting faculty of the Los Angeles College of Music,[5] offering early childhood and elementary music education programs with her own company "Little Whale Music"[6] as well as being the voice of the nationwide ad campaign for Hillshire Farm |
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MAIYA SYKESMaiya Sykes is a classically trained vocalist, producer, vocal arranger and entrepreneur. She has a degree in political science from Yale university and a master’s of distinction from her fellowship at Oxford. She also studied keyboard performance at the Musicians Institute, where she was an instructor until 2021.
Maiya has an extensive resume as a back-up vocalist. Her credits include Macy Gray, Rod Wave, Lil Durk, Wayne Brady, Fantasia, Kate Hudson, Michael Buble, Everlast, Avril Lavigne, My Morning Jacket and Ringo Starr. Her vocals have been featured in many films including the Oscar award winning film La La Land, the critically acclaimed Dolomite is My Name, the Netflix series Waffles and Mochi and most recently in Creed 3. Her vocals are featured on The Void on the Creed 3 soundtrack. Shortly after her four-chair turning debut on season 7 of The Voice, Maiya began working with 2 groups that became YouTube sensations, Postmodern Juxebox and Scary Pockets. Her featured videos with both groups have received over 17 million views and have been mentioned in Time Magazine and the Huffington Post. Currently, Maiya has been busy working on her own projects, including an album of all original music. Social Media: Instagram: maiyasykes Twitter: @maiyasykes1 Facebook: MaiyaSykesEntertainment Maiya Sykes Performer, writer, vocal arranger www.maiyasykes.com |
BLACK MECCA
The Cultural and Artistic Revival of African Americans
AKA
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Alkebulan Cultural Center
1435 N Raymond Ave,
Pasadena, CA 91103
Pasadena, CA 91103
Friday, February 10, 2023, 7:00pm
Suggested Donation
$20.00
Free Street Parking
www.clazzicalnotes.org
[email protected]
995 E. Green St., # 430
Pasadena, CA 91106
626-833-2750
Suggested Donation
$20.00
Free Street Parking
www.clazzicalnotes.org
[email protected]
995 E. Green St., # 430
Pasadena, CA 91106
626-833-2750
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The Nolan Shaheen Quintet
Nolan Shaheed, Trumpet He is a trumpeter and producer born in Pasadena, California, also previously known as Nolan Andrew Smith. He began his career in the late 1960s/early 1970s after attending college and doing his military service and in 1974/5 became a studio musician in Los Angeles and took on a two-year stint with Marvin Gaye as his Musical Director. He moved on from there to take on the position of Lead Trumpet with the Count Basie Orchestra for the years 1976 to 1979 and from there he worked continually with a string of acclaimed artists and musicians that include Anita Baker, Natalie Cole, Phil Collins, Earth, Wind & Fire, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Gap Band, the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and many more. The albums he has appeared on are countless and include his own Lamentation from the Middle Passage, Golden Years by Count Basie, City Life by The Blackbyrds, Dangerous by Natalie Cole, Live from the Nation’s Capital by the Buddy Collette Big Band, Take It To The Limit by Norman Connors, Who’s Been Talkin’ by Robert Cray, Dingo by Miles Davis & Michel LeGrand, All This Love by DeBarge, Knee Burns by David Byrne, Faces and Illuminations by Earth, Wind & Fire, Best of My Love by The Emotions, Classy Pair by Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie, The Gap Band, Live at the London Palladium, In Our Lifetime and Here, My Dear by Marvin Gaye, Pleasure One by Heaven 17, Simple Things by Carole King, Burnin’ by Patti LaBelle, S.O.S. by The S.O.S. Band, It Only Takes a Minute by The Emotions, Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards by Tom Waits, Whisper in Your Ear by The Whispers, Hotter than July and Conversation Peace by Stevie Wonder. In the 1990s he changed his surname to Shaheed and nowadays he is also a music producer and has his own recording studio. He is also a master athlete having won countless championships worldwide in track events. The Gap Band recordings Baby Baba Boogie (Lonnie Simmons/Charlie Wilson) |
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Marvin Smitty Smith, Drummer
Marvin Smith is an American jazz drummer and composer. was born in Waukegan, Illinois, where his father, Marvin Sr., was a drummer. "Smitty" was exposed to music at a young age, receiving formal musical training at the age of three. After graduating from Waukegan East High School, Smith attended Berklee, graduating in 1981. Smith has recorded 200 albums with various artists, as well as two solo albums. He has toured with, among others, Sting, Dave Holland, Sonny Rollins, Willie Nelson, and Steve Coleman. He is a former member of The New York Jazz Quartet, and was the drummer for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno band, led by Kevin Eubanks, from January 30, 1995 until the show's end on May 29, 2009. Smith was also the drummer for the Jay Leno Show band in 2009-10. |
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Theo Saunders, Piano
Pianist, Keyboardist, Composer, Arranger Theo Saunders has been on the international jazz scene for more than 55 years and performed and recorded with a dizzying array of Jazz artists from Slam Stewart to Carla Bley. His career also includes extensive work in the musical spheres of Latin Jazz, R&B, Funk, Musical Theater, Dance and Opera. |
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Ricky Woodard, Saxophone
Rickey Woodard picked up early experience playing in a family band. After attending Tennessee State University, Woodard joined Ray Charles in 1980. In 1988, he moved to Los Angeles and then recorded (both as a leader and as a sideman) for Concord Records, has led quartets, and been a member of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, |
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Tony Dumas, Bass
Tony Dumas (born in Los Angeles California. By the age of 14, he started playing bass and studying in the high school orchestra and went on to study music at Pasadena City College. He first started playing professionally with Organist Johnny Hammond Smith then went on to play with Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. He has toured, played, and recorded with the likes of: Herbie Hancock, Carmen McCrae, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, The Manhattan Transfer, Chick Correa, Etta James, Mariah Carey, Bill Cosby (playboy jazz festival band), Patrice Rushen and the list goes on and on. |
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Brittany Daniels, Dancer
Brittany Daniels began dancing ballet at the age of eight and later studied hip-hop, jazz, modern, and ballroom at the age of 14. She completed Cecchetti examinations 1-5 and earned international honors for her last examination. Some summer dance intensives she attended are Cecchetti USA (nominated for an award in her division), American Ballet Theater, Ballet Magnificat! (full scholarship), and LINES Ballet (scholarship). She was awarded the most promising dancer in her home city, Temecula, California, by ODC modern dance company, as well as offered a full scholarship to their dance intensive. She was offered an apprenticeship to the modern company, PGK Dance Project when she was 18. She traveled and danced in Washington D.C., New York, Italy, and Cuba with Dunamix Dance Project. She was honored with many opportunities to perform, serve, and teach dance at places that served underprivileged children, abused children, individuals with HIV/AIDS, and individuals who are homeless. Brittany led the dance program at Maranatha High School for 3 years and currently teaches dance at The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks. Brittany joined Lineage in 2018. |
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Sylvia MacCall, Singer
Sylvia MacCalla is one of the founding members of the R&B group LivinOutLoud, Sylvia and her brother wrote/produced several records. The UK embraced their sound early on. Sylvia is an all-genre music writer and lover. She has spent the last seven years going back and forth to Nashville from LA to co-write with a variety of great writers. Sylvia has also had the honor of working alongside the incomparable Artie Butler who is best known for his award-winning song Here’s to Life made famous by Shirley Horn and Barbra Streisand. And his arrangements on songs like What a Wonderful World. Sylvia and Artie have written over 1/2 dozen songs and are still going strong. She is currently working as a vocal coach to a few of the industry's top pop Artists as well as writing for early-stage talent helping them fine-tune their Vocals and Artistry. Part of the Broadway community, Sylvia has cuts with Eden Espinosa’s, Yvette Cason, Chester Gregory, and Terron Brooks’s name a few. |
Three Communities, One World!
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This program is sponsored in part by the Tournament of Roses Foundation
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June 3, 2022
Three Communities, One World!Bridging Cultures
A fascinating evening of cross-cultural and diverse ethnic music performances Pasadena City College Westerbeck Concert Hall 1570 E Colorado Bl Pasadena, Ca 91106 General Admission $ 15.00 June 3, 2022 7:00pm Free Parking $2.00 Featuring Grammy Nominee
Luis Villegas Latin Guitar Mijan Owens
Gospel, Spirituals Classic Vocalist Silk Trio
Asian American String Trio 
Yihan Chen
Pipa Qin Xiang Erhu Haowei Cheng Guzheng |
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Grammy Nominee
Luis Villegas, Latin Guitar Luis Villegas is a Mexican American guitarist best known for his debut CD Cafe Olé, which mixed new age music, flamenco, and jazz and garnered a spot on the Grammy ballot for Best New Age Album of the Year in 1999. He is known for using a technique of playing fast, intricate lines by using the fingernail of his right index finger in place of a guitar pick. He also had a small role, as a member of a band, in the film Collateral starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx. Currently, he is a member of the group "Heavy Mellow" along with founder Benjamin Woods and percussionist Mike Bennett. |
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Mijan Owens
Mijan burst onto the scene in the late 90s with Garage Gospel House Dance classics. Her massive #1 hit “Alright” on 95 North Records. She’s known for her classic hits “Save Your Soul”, “Music Is Life”, The Way I’m Feeling” and “Do You Love Me”, which was Billboard charted. Mijan graced many stages, throughout Europe, the United States and with the Agape Spiritual International Choir. She won numerous times the famous Apollo Theater. Mijan became the Top 100Artist on Traxsource. She released a remix of Rickie Byars record “From Within”, it was #5 on the Dance Charts. Mijan’s new release Love & Happiness a classic by Al Green & Teenie Hodges, a reinterpretation produced by Groove Junkies. Its soaring Traxsource Top 10 Soul/Funk/Disco Charts & Top 100 Tracks. The powerhouse diva has performed with Stevie Wonder, Pattie Labelle, 1001 Black Inventions and countless events: Spirit Awakening Voices Unheard, and more. Mijan is now recording new music and is one of the guest vocalist member at Agape International Spiritual Choir. |
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Yihan Chen is an internationally renowned pipa virtuoso and educator. Yihan has performed at leading venues in Asia, North America and Europe, including the Lincoln Center Festival, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Library of Congress, Spoleto Festival USA, the World Stage Series at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Festival de Création Musicale (Radio France), La Cité de la Musique, Le Festival Avignon, Le Festival Musique en Scène, Encontros Acarte Portugal, and Winnipeg Symphony’s New Music Festival. She was the resident pipa soloist with Huaxia Chamber Ensemble in Beijing and Music From China in New York City.
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She has collaborated with such award-winning composers as Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Chen Qigang and Bright Sheng. She has also recorded with PRISM Quartet, Chicago's Civitas Ensemble, Testament's Alex Skolnick, and Eric Moe. She was a prize winner of international accolades such as 1995 Freedom International Chinese Instrument Competition and the 1989 Art Cup. She graduated from China Conservatory of Music, Beijing in 1995. |
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Qin Xiang, a well-known erhu virtuoso, was born in the famous Xiang family of music inChina. She won the gold prize in the first Cuckoo Cup Competition. She also won the silver prize in the National Children’s Folk Music Competition.
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Since she immigrated to the USA, Ms. Xiang has performed at leading venues such as KodakTheater, Hollywood Bowl, the San Gabriel Theater, Universal Studio, Disneyland, Las Vegas,etc. She has collaborated with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Balluff Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. She was invited by the famous pop singer Jay Chou to participate in his World Tour as an erhu soloist and collaborated with A Thousand Miles Away. Ms. Xiang is currently the director o Zhonghua Chinese Orchestra. |
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Haowei Cheng guzheng soloist, who received a B.S. degree of guzheng performance from Nanjing Arts University in 2015 and the M.S. degree of Music Education from Auburn University in 2020.
During her graduate studies, she was employed by the International Cultural Center of Auburn University as a campus ambassador. She actively organized and participated in 2019 Chinese New Year Gala and traditional Chinese culture publicity lectures; she has taken an active part in a number of cultural publicity activities in various countries. She is a past vice president of the Auburn University Student and Scholars Organization. She is currently a guzheng soloist of Zhonghua Chinese Orchestra-USA. |
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Christopher Garcia is a Meso American percussionist performer/composer/improviser/educator who continues to garner critical and popular acclaim in 28 countries on 5 continents for his original compositions for indigenous breath and percussion instruments of Mesoamerica/Mexico and India alongside either classical guitar, marimba, pedal harp, piano, violin, woodwind quintet and/or mixed chamber ensemble in acoustic and/or electronic settings. He is also a frequent featured soloist on these instruments with chamber and symphonic orchestras in Europe and the Americas.
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Dr. Pamela Short Powell, host is a retired Superintendent. She served as the Superintendent of Schools for Inglewood Unified School District; Interim Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer for the Oklahoma City Public Schools; Assistant Superintendent, Director of Elementary Education, and Principal in PUSD. She was the Chief Executive Director of the Greater Crenshaw Educational Partnership with the Los Angeles Urban League and LAUSD. Dr. Powell was the President of the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators and is President of the National Council on Educating Black Children. She has been on numerous Boards focused education, the arts and community empowerment.
She is active in her community, advocating for children, youth, and seniors. |
This program will explore how music styles across races and nationalities can express their unique identities and shared emotions through musical collaboration.
Clazzical Notes partners with USC Pacific Asia Lunar New Year Program
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A Virtual Event through Zoom
Register on Eventbrite. com/this webpage Thursday, January 27, 2022 7:00pm-8:00 pm $10.00 General Admission (children 12 and under free) Cedric Berry - Bass-Baritone Cedric Berry wields “a bass-baritone of considerable power and agility” (The Chicago Tribune), projecting “machismo and a voice of fabulous mettle to the theatre’s last row…. tossing off difficult passagework and deploying dazzling thunderbolts of sound at the top of the range” (Voix des Arts). He received his music diploma from Interlochen Arts Academy, and both his Bachelor’s ad Master’s degrees from the University of Southern California. He gained his first professional experience as a Resident Artist with Los Angeles Opera, performing the roles of Fiorello in The Barber of Seville, Schaunard in La Boheme, Second Philistine in Samson et Dalila, Wagner in Faust, Crébillon in La Rondine, and First Mate in Billy Budd. READ MORE..
Other roles include the title role in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Collatinus in Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia, Falstaff in Nicolai’s Merry Wives of Windsor, and Sarastro in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte all with USC Opera, Méphistophélès in Gounod’s Faust with Pacific Repertory Opera, Leporello in Mozart’s Don Giovanni with UCLA Opera, Dewaine in John Adams’ I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky with Long Beach Opera, and The Good Man / Baron Carrefour in Anne LeBaron’s Crescent City with The Industry. Cedric made his first European stage appearances as Jake in a concert version of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess in Madrid, and Cuenca, Spain. He also appeared with Los Angeles Opera at the Savonlinna Opera Festival singing the role of First Nazarene in Salome, and sang a concert in tribute to Paul Robeson for the Banlieues Bleues festival in Paris, France. On the concert stage he has appeared with Bakersfield Symphony, Fresno Philharmonic and Santa Fe Symphony in Handel’s Messiah, Pacific Symphony in Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor, Arizona Symphony as Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, the Telemann Chamber Orchestra in a performance of Handel’s Messiah in Tokyo, Japan and of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in Osaka, Japan, the Luckman Jazz Orchestra singing Duke Ellington’s Scared Songs, the New West Symphony as Zuniga in Carmen, the Southwest Chamber Orchestra in Wuorinen’s The Haroun Songbook, the Pasadena Pops Orchestra in Jerome Kern’s Showboat Symphonic Suite, the California Philharmonic in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess Concert Suite, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in Michael Torke’s Book of Proverbs. He has been the recipient of several awards including first place in LA’s Artist of the Future Competition, the Italian Educator’s Vocal Competition, and the Metropolitan Opera Western Region Competition. Notable engagements include the lead role of Kublai Khan in Invisible Cities, an opera which was a Pulitzer Prize Finalist. The production was deemed Best of the year by the Los Angeles Times. The documentary of the production received an Emmy Award and both an audio CD and DVD of the production were recently released. He also recently debuted the role of Ron (King Oberon) in Chicago Opera Theatre’s adaptation of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. He received great acclaim in many publications including The Chicago Tribune, Musical America and Voix des Arts. |
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Shana Blake Hill - Soprano
Recently hailed as an “excellent Soprano” by Mark Swed of The LA Times and as “...a revelation” by LA Weekly, Soprano Shana Blake Hill is known for being a multi-dimensional artist and for creating and premiering contemporary works. Hill has sung principal roles with: The Los Angeles Opera, Savonlinna Festival Opera (Finland), Dayton Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Long Beach Opera, Santa Barbara Opera, and Opera Southwest. She has been a featured soloist with: The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, The Seattle Symphony, The Pacific Symphony, The Naples Philharmonic, The Pasadena Symphony, The Louisville Orchestra, and The Colorado Symphony. READ MORE..
Hill is a Naxos and Sony recording artist, and is featured on Sony’s Favorite Film Score Compilation. Her most recent world premiere performance was as Angela in Adam Del Monte’s Flamenco Opera Llantos 1492 with the Tucson Desert Festival of Song. Her performance as Ghita in Zemlinky’s Der Zwerg at the Theater at Ace Hotel in DTLA was critically acclaimed and her performance of the title role in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah with Festival Opera in 2019 won her third place in the “Best Opera Singer” category in San Francisco Classical Voice’s “Best of the Bay” awards; the production itself won “Best New Discovery”. Hill finished 2019 with Numi Opera as Laura in Korngold’s Der Ring Des Polycrates, a production that garnered her rave reviews in the international and Los Angeles press. Recent engagements and projects include A Veterans Voices World Premier collaboration with LA Opera, a series of online concerts with LA Opera for the faculty, staff and patients of USC Keck Medical Center, An online concert for The Clazzical Notes series in honor of Suffragists and Women who vote, and an online concert with LA Opera in celebration of Black History month in which she was commissioned to write and deliver a spoken word poem entitled “Lifting Voices”. Hill was thrilled to be commissioned this year as writer and performer of an original libretto, entitled Sacajawea: Woman of Many Names (composer Dawn Avery), and to interpret the title role as part of the Decameron Collective’s most recent project entitled “Heroes”. Hill is descended from distant Waccamaw Siouan ancestry, a tribe that has been historically recorded in Columbus County, NC since at least the 16th Century. She is immensely proud of those roots and of her mixed-race Black/white heritage and perspective. She writes under her married name, Blake Hill-Saya and as of 2020 is a published author in both book and article form and was recently a featured author in Cal Techs Behind the Book series. Hill is slated to return to Numi Opera in works By Korngold and to Festival Opera in the title role of Norma by Bellini in 2022. |
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Ericalynn Priolo - Contemporary Dancer
Ericalynn Priolo was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in South Florida. She received her early training at Dreyfoos School of the Arts and attended various dance programs such as Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive, the Ailey Extension International Dance Exchange, and Dance Makers Choreographic workshop in Toronto, Canada. Ericalynn recieved her BFA in Dance from New World School of the Arts, Miami, Florida. Here she was able to perform works choreographed by Peter London, Gerard Ebitz, Darshan Bhuller and Robert Battle. Priolo was also honored to perform Robert Battles "Battlefield" in the Czech Republic and Peter London's "Frida" in Puerto Rico. Ericalynn Priolo has been a company member with Lineage Dance for 10 years and teaches dance at The Buckley School as well as Eliot Middle. |
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Cathy Miller - Piano
M.M. The Juilliard School Active as a vocal coach and recitalist. Long time music staff member of L.A. Opera and Opera Pacific. Currently coach/accompanist for San Diego Opera and Artistic Director of the Pasadena Vocal Competition. Very active as a vocal competition and audition accompanist: L.A. Met District competition, Zachary Vocal Competition, Santa Fe auditions. Recitals with operatic singers at Kennedy Center, Wigmore Hall, Ravinnia Festival, Dayton Opera, the Redlands Symphony, L.A. Public Library, Community Concert Series, Cerritos Center for the performing Arts, Mondavi Center and extensively in the Los Angeles area. Coaching languages include German, Italian, French and Hungarian. Also proficient in Broadway/pop/jazz styles as well.BM, University of Southern California, Fulbright Liszt Academy, Budapest. |
Heads Up, The Time is Now!
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Luis Villegas is a Mexican American guitarist best known for his debut CD Cafe Olé, which mixed new-age music, flamenco, and jazz and garnered a spot on the Grammy ballot for Best New Age Album of the Year in 1999. He is known for using a technique of playing fast, intricate lines by using the fingernail of his right index finger in place of a guitar pick. He also had a small role, as a member of a band, in the film Collateral starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx. Currently, he is a member of the group "Heavy Mellow" along with founder Benjamin Woods and percussionist Mike Bennett.
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Ryan Cross, is a name that is synonymous with professionalism and musical excellence. Glee, Friends, ER, The West Wing, Studio 60, Cold Case, Along Came Polly and Poseidon are just a few of the television and film productions that have benefited from his expertise. Ryan Cross is a rare find in that his administrative skills strongly rival his musical talent. Ryan's passion for music was birthed at the tender age of 8 when he began to study classical cello. At the age of 16, he discovered the acoustic bass and seized the opportunity to study under Ray Brown, one of the most well-known and prolific bass players of our time. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Ryan moved to Los Angeles, California when he received a full scholarship to attend the University of Southern California where he studied under John Clayton. He graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and his career immediately took flight. He has appeared and recorded on over 35 TV shows and movies to date.
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Due to his high level of proficiency in all styles of music, Ryan is able to readily adapt his live performance skills to the studio-recording environment on a moment's notice. His reputation has also afforded him the ability to consistently build and maintain a network of highly sought-after musicians who have respect for his leadership and talent. This has helped him become a polished film composer of award winning films. Ryan served as the contractor for Alicia Keys' CD release, "As I Am", on which he contracted twenty-five musicians and personally recorded bass and cello tracks. He has also graced the recording studio and stage with Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott, John Legend, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Ciara, P-Diddy and Rihanna. Ryan produces live shows weekly at the world renown Biltmore Hotel, Harvelle's and The Hotel Angeleno where he features the world's top jazz musicians and vocalists. This is an environment that allows him to continually keep his skills sharp and his eyes open for new talent as well as undiscovered seasoned professionals. Ryan plays a strong advocacy role in the preservation and implementation of music in school. For several years, he has maintained a strong relationship with the Pasadena Jazz Institute and has gone out to many schools in the Los Angeles' Unified School District to spark the interest of children to play classical instruments. Most recently, Ryan founded the Elevation Orchestra, a 17-piece multicultural string orchestra with piano, bass and drums. The orchestra's inaugural performance took place on February 1, 2009 at the California African American Museum. The Elevation Orchestra strives to work closely with children and parents in the urban community to elevate their knowledge of culture, history and art by playing concerts all over the country in schools, churches, museums and symphony halls. Ryan Cross is a well-rounded musician who has perfected the art of multi-tasking without compromising the quality of his work. He is consistent, reliable and committed to giving nothing less that the best. From the stage to the studio to the community-at-large, Ryan Cross is a gifted individual who leaves an unforgettable mark of musical notes daily. |
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Teresa James. Originally from Houston, Texas, Teresa is based in Los Angeles where she has assembled a group of some of the top LA based touring and session musicians in her band, The Rhythm Tramps. They have been working in the LA area and at blues festivals and clubs throughout the US and Europe for many years. For the last 12 years, the band has also been a favorite on Delbert McClinton's Sandy Beaches Blues Cruise.
She has released 8 CDs - her most recent, COME ON HOME, was released in August, 2012 and has been getting regular airplay on stations around the world and charting for weeks at a time on the Roots Radio Charts (topping off at the #3 spot). It has been listed on many ‘best of’ lists for 2012 and has been receiving raves reviews from writers and DJs everywhere. Read more..
Her 2008 release, THE BOTTOM LINE, garnered her a nomination by the Blues Foundation for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year and her 2010 CD, YOU KNOW YOU LOVE IT, was a finalist for an Independent Music Award (IMA). She has performed live with such legendary artists as Levon Helm, Delbert McClinton, Eric Burdon, Marcia Ball, Tommy Castro, Big Al Anderson, Kirk Whalum, and many others. Her voice is featured on albums by Randy Newman, Eric Burdon, Tommy Castro, Bill Medley, and Walter Trout, among others. She has also sung for television and movie soundtracks; She and her band were featured in the Disney movie and soundtrack for "HOLES". Teresa's band is an eclectic mix of Los Angeles based musicians who have worked with a wide range of artists including: Jimmy Reed, Eric Burdon, Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Jennifer Warnes, Was Not Was, Johnny Nash and many, many others. |
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Lynette Williams - Piano
Born in Berkeley, Ca, Lynette Williams knew at an early age that music would be part of her life. At age 18 she won a scholarship to Berklee College of Music through a worldwide audition. While attending the prestigious school in Boston her background was mainly Gospel but her musical knowledge expanded and she learned various Genres of music including Jazz, Latin, R&B*, Country, Pop, and more, while majoring in Music Composition/Songwriting. In 2006 she toured with Will.i.am of the *Black Eyed Peas for two years as part of his All Girl Band during his solo act promoting his album “Songs About Girls”.. Heads Up will be a soul-stirring, thought provoking, and joyful program that is just what is needed now. Enjoy this program with family and friends virtually! Read more..
He also used her in many sessions including Mariah Carey and Lynette can be heard on his Ode to Barak Obama on his song ‘It’s A New Day”. In 2009 Lynette was selected as one of 10 keyboardists out of thousands to be on P Diddy’s MTV show “Making His Band” she was one in 3 of the final keyboardists to be selected in his band. In 2011 She joined David E. Talbert’s play “What My Husband Doesn’t Know” as the main keyboardist. During the second half of the tour she became the Musical Director, arranging underscores organically that added more to the play. From there she co-scored 2 DVDs of David’s plays “What Goes Around Comes Around” and “A Fool and His Money” and solely scored his DVD play “Suddenly Single”. Lynette has always had a passion for scoring and David mentored her and helped her expand that passion. She then went on to tour and play for several artist such as Childish Gambino, Cee-lo, 98 Degrees, Kenny Lattimore, Goapele, PJ Morton, Chaka Khan, BBD, and more. Lynette hopes to complete and “Organ Trio” EP to share not only her Hammond talents but her vocals as well. |
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Jud Friedman, composer/songwriter grew up in New York and Connecticut and went to Yale and Harvard Law School (long story…), all the while playing in various bands, performing in musical theater, and writing songs. After headlining a show in New York City I had an epiphany – I loved performing, but I didn’t crave it or the limelight the way I think you need to if you want to be a star. What I really craved was….to make music. And I realized I could do it for other people.
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So I moved to Los Angeles and started honing my writing and producing craft. After several years, I had my first Number One hit as a writer and arranger: “I Don’t Have The Heart” by James Ingram. And the ball was rolling. Next, Whitney Houston recorded “Run To You” for her film “The Bodyguard”. I made the record with David Foster, worked on producing Whitney’s vocals and even sang backgrounds with her. “Run To You” was nominated for an Oscar and a Grammy. Then I wrote “For The First Time” for the film “One Fine Day” with Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney. Kenny Loggins performed it and the song garnered another Oscar and Grammy and also a Golden Globe nomination. Along the way, there were lots more hits and nominations, with amazing artists such as Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Leann Rimes, Chaka Khan, Kristine W., Oleta Adams, Gladys Knight, and Dave Koz. And recently, big records with Charice (“The Truth Is”), Toni Braxton (“If I Have To Wait”) and Kimberley Locke of American Idol fame, number-one singles on the number one CDs of Italian divas Giorgia and Elisa, and songs recorded by massive pop/classical group The Tenors on their Juno-winning CD, Right Said Fred and many more. Also a couple of things for television: the theme song from the Michael Jackson show “Man In The Mirror” (“Believe In Me”) and the score for the TV the film “The Prince and The Pizza Boy”, starring Joey Lawrence. (One of my biggest TV successes; I still get mobbed by little kids on the street. Haha.) 65 million records sold worldwide. At last count. Nominations for 2 Academy Awards, 2 Grammys, 2 Golden Globes, and, for artists singing my songs, nominations for two more Grammys and a Soul Train Award. In March 2016 The Grammy Museum did a special night celebrating the more than 25-year career of my long term songwriting partner Allan Rich and me. Check out the opening video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSGzTu6NOcA. In recent years I have been teaching songwriting and music business and law in various capacities, from the global Intensive Songwriting Workshops and 1-On-1 Writing and Studio Mentoring Sessions which I co-founded with Debbie James and have so far run in Los Angeles (several times), Edmonton, London and (in 9/19) Florence, Italy – as well as over the internet – to my work as a Professor at the Los Angeles College of Music. I help aspiring writers and artists with their writing, producing, performing and understanding of “how to make it in the music business,” based on what I have learned over my many years of working with some of the greatest recording artists and writers in the world. And of course, I continue to write songs for and with both established and new, aspiring artists and for film, television, commercial and corporate usages, in all genres. Jud also produces and arranges music. " I think you need to if you want to be a star. What I really craved was….to make music. And I realized I could do it for other people." His first Number One hit as a writer and arranger: “I Don’t Have The Heart” by James Ingram. And the ball was rolling. Next, Whitney Houston recorded “Run To You” for her film “The Bodyguard”. I made the record with David Foster, worked on producing Whitney’s vocals, and even sang backgrounds with her. “Run To You” was nominated for an Oscar and a Grammy. Then I wrote “For The First Time” for the film “One Fine Day” with Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney. Kenny Loggins performed it and the song garnered another Oscar and Grammy and also a Golden Globe nomination. |
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Allan Rich is a two time “Oscar”, “Grammy”, and “Golden Globe” nominated songwriter. He has co written hit songs for Natalie Cole, “I Live For Your Love”, James Ingram’s #1 pop hit “I Don’t Have The Heart”, Whitney Houston’s “Run To You” from the 45 million selling “Bodyguard” sound track, Kenny Loggin’s #1 adult contemporary hit “For The First Time” from the Michelle Pfeiffer/George Clooney movie “One Fine Day”, “I Drive Myself Crazy” from N’Sync’s 10 million plus selling CD, “Before I Fall In Love” from the “Runaway Bride” movie and soundtrack, as well as two #1 dance singles “Stronger” and “Walk Away” by Kristine W.
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Allan has had other songs recorded by everyone from Barbra Streisand, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, Barry Manilow,Oleta Adams, Toni Braxton, George Benson, BeBe and CeCe Winans, and many others. He scored his first #1 song in Italy with Italian superstar Giorgia , and had another #1 with Italian singing star Elisa with “No Hero”. His song “Run To You” is performed every night in the smash hit musical of “The Bodyguard”still touring Europe after spending three years touring the United States. He’s been very fortunate to have had the same writing collaborator Jud Friedman for over 25 years. His songs have sold over 65 million copies……. And there’s more to come. |
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Tiffany Owens, host is a Professional Development Trainer, Facilitator and Curriculum Specialist. She is a classically trained actor, veteran educator, event producer, and arts advocate.
Tiffany has served as the chair and mayoral representative for two mayors of the City of Pasadena Arts and Culture Commission. She has worked as a teaching artist in Drama, and as a credentialed teacher for schools in LA County including as chair of the English Department at the highly-acclaimed and nationally renown Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. READ MORE...
She designs and delivers custom, targeted training in interpersonal communication, the arts, and education. Tiffany has served as both a grant writer for arts education grants and as a grant panelist-evaluator for school districts, for the LA County Arts Commission, and for the National Endowment for the Arts. As a public speaker she has presented on arts education to Innovate Pasadena, Leadership Pasadena at the Pasadena Playhouse, Clazzical Notes, as Honorary Event Chair of the ASID of Pasadena, and at The Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens. Tiffany’s ongoing professional practice in theater includes appearances in productions with Parson’s Nose Theater Company, Lineage Dance, Machine Project, and Downtown Repertory Theater Company. |
Clazzical Notes Celebrates Juneteenth
Thursday, June 19, 2020
A private celebration, hosted by
Studio City
A Marketing and Media Corporation
Performers
Karen Evans,vocals
Yvette Freeman Hartley,vocals
Lanny Hartley, piano
Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
Thursday, June 19, 2020
A private celebration, hosted by
Studio City
A Marketing and Media Corporation
Performers
Karen Evans,vocals
Yvette Freeman Hartley,vocals
Lanny Hartley, piano
Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
MARCH 2021
One Note to Blues and Jazz, and 2 Steps to Country!
A Delicious Gumbo Mix of Music
March 26, 2021, 7:00 pm
Virtual Program
March 26, 2021, 7:00 pm
Virtual Program
Join us for a lively evening filled with music and delight! Since this event will be virtual we encourage you to fill a bowl up with something delicious, sit back in the comfort of your home with a glass of wine or a cold beer, and let us bring the entertainment to you.
PRESTON SMITH, Bluesman
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Preston Smith is a singing, guitar, and harmonica playing virtuoso of blues and jazz, which makes him a great fit. His stuff is upbeat, intelligent, and classy, He's known for his widespread appeal to a variety of audiences and some say his music knows no boundaries. While Smith's songwriting skills have received a big thumbs up from critics all over the map, his live gigs are legendary" says John Sollenberger July 28th, 2006, The Pasadena Weekly"
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An How does one categorize an artist, who during the sn of his career has sung for Barbra Streisand's wedding, performed at countless functions for people such as Steven Spielberg, Bruce Willis,Aaron Spellings,Brad Grey ,The Cast of The Soprano's and the late Sonny Bono, played harmonica and scat rapped alongside Salt n’ Pepa on Quincy Jones’ TV show “Vibe”, and has had the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Eddie Van Halen and Jerry Lee Lewis, among countless others, join him on-stage for impromptu jam sessions. Preston appeared on “The Tonight Show” along with the late Jimmy Stewart and released an album on Curb Records entitled “Preston Smith.” He was featured on the hit movie soundtrack “Cocktail” starring Tom Cruise with the title song “Oh I Love You So,” which he composed, produced and performed. The soundtrack went on to sell over six million units foreign and domestically. He And His Band Performed on The Hit TV show "StarSearch" .... Roseanne Cash then recorded his song “Black and White,” which released as a single, andwas a hit on the country radio charts and was included in her greatest hits CD which went on to sell gold. Preston’s latest CD's “That Real Feel,” "RomancingTheBlues" and "A Night Blooming Jazzman" and "Christmas Blues " and his latest release "Blue Skies For A Rainy Day" all which he produced and released on his own label many of which he played all the instruments himself or recorded live with his band in the studio, they are all a mix of his own Orginals and a combination of many genres of the past ........................................................... Preston has performed on many live radio and cable TV shows on both the east and west coasts, and has performed live on club circuits in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville. His multifaceted talent has enabled him, both with his band and solo acoustic, to share stages with a diverse crowd of performers ranging from KROQ alternative rock favorites Blues and Soul Legends Robert Cray,Albert Collins Foreigner,Salt N Pepa,The Red Hot Chili Peppers,..James Brown, .haka Khan,George Duke..Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Bonnie Raitt ,Spencer Davis,Ellis Hall ,Bill Chaplin,Bobby Kimball,The Robert Cray Band, Fine Young Cannibals, Fishbone,Social Distortion, Wall of Voodoo, Concrete Blonde,,Savoy Brown, Charlie Sexton, The Mighty Lemon Drops, and The Bonedaddy’s, to rock, R&B, and blues legends such as k.d. Lang, John Mayhall, Tower of Power, Joe Satriani, The Ventures, Dick Dale & the Deltones, Eric Burden & the Animals, Delbert McClinton, Paul Butterfield, Poco, Santana,Charlie Musselwhite, Joe Louis Walker, Booker T. & the MG’s, The Ink Spots, The Coasters, Savoy Brown, Spencer Davis, Al Kooper, Marshall Tucker Band, Bachman Turner Overdrive, The Youngbloods, Donovan, Commander Cody, Asleep at the Wheel, N.R.B.Q., Buster Poindexter, Mink DeVille, The Tubes, The Busboys, David Lindley & El Rayo X, John Stewart, Al Stewart, The James Harmon Blues Band, Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers, Billy Vera & The Beaters, The Palladins, The King Bee’s, and Jack Mack & the Heart Attack .............. "An exceptional, gutsy singer, songwriter, and guitarist…a phenomenal artist, who appeals to all types of music lovers, Preston always "delivers!" Whether he's wailing on the harmonica, or singing through a megaphone, the audiences love him!" UNIVERSITY REPORTER ........... "Indeed, Preston is a man of melody. Talent oozes from him. As a vocalist, his delivery possesses a subtle growl charismatic of the great bluesmen of past decades. His snarlin' guitar sound blends with his screamin' harmonica work to produce a raw, soulful treat for any music lover. He has been known to break into a guitar solo using his tongue." SANTA CLARITA SIGNAL "…originals that could easily sound good on the airwaves of your local triple A stations…" ENTERTAINMENT TODAY "Smith writes memorable songs. Tunes that you hum in the shower for weeks after seeing the band." Santa Barbara NEWS AND REVIEW |
​Buddy Bolden, The Father of Blues
Lauren Braddock Havey
w/Don Henry
Country Singers
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Lauren Braddock, Country
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Lauren Braddock
Nashville songwriter and actress, Lauren Braddock (Havey) grew up in Music City the only child of Hall of Fame songwriter Bobby Braddock. Lauren graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Manhattan and worked there and in Los Angeles before returning to her hometown for a music publishing deal with Sony/ATV Tree. Read more...
She has released two CD's produced by Grammy-winner Don Henry, including the folk-rock opera, A Journey to the Son, written to accompany Lauren's parenting memoir by the same name. Among her song cuts, Blake Shelton recorded Lauren and Don Henry’s cowrite If I Was Your Man on his platinum-selling debut CD. A self-proclaimed Daddy’s girl, she is honored to have accompanied her dad in concert venues around the country from the renowned Bluebird Cafe to the Bottom Line in New York to the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco, singing his classic country hits like D-I-V-O-R-C-E by Tammy Wynette and Unwed Fathers are co-written with folk legend John Prine. Lauren has starred/appeared in numerous theater, film, television, and music video productions. She first got into the Screen Actor’s Guild playing Lindsay Wagnor’s teenage sister in the Made for Television movie “Shattered Dreams.” Last year, Lauren released a new EP, Witch Hairs Don’t Care, and a book, Homebound Healing in Troubled Times, that offers tips and tricks for anxiety reduction during COVID and beyond through peaceful modalities including arts/music therapies. "If you ever wanted to know what happened to that kid born at Woodstock, Lauren Braddock is your answer" -Amplifier Magazine |
Don Henry, Blues & Country
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Don Henry
Grammy Award winner Don Henry's songs have been recorded by legends like: Ray Charles, Patti Page and Conway Twitty By country crooners like: Gene Watson, John Conlee and B.J. Thomas By young hit makers of today like: Blake Shelton, Lonestar and Miranda Lambert …. .....and the list goes on. Read more...
And he’s shared the stage with performers as diverse as Joey Ramone to Keith Urban. The wit and wisdom of Don's songs are widely renowned whether it's campfire favorites, the hilarious "B.F.D." and biker lullaby "Harley", to the wonderfully poignant tribute to Martin Luther King "Beautiful Fool", and of course his Grammy Award winning country classic "Where've You Been". In addition to a Grammy, Kathy Mattea's version of "Where've You Been" won Don (and co-writer Jon Vezner) song of the year honors from ACM (Academy of Country Music), CMA (Country Music Association) and NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International). "Where've You Been" was the first song in country music history to be awarded all four honors in the same year! |
​Jimmie Rodgers, The Father of Country
Gary Matsumoto, Jazz Pianist
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Gary Matsumoto Pianist and educator Gary Matsumoto has been a mainstay in the Southern California music scene for over two decades. As a regular touring musician, he has shared the stage with such notable names as George Benson, Haley Reinhart, Gordon Goodwin, and Macy Gray. Currently, he can be seen nationally with Grammy Award winning vocalist Steve Tyrell. As an educator, Matsumoto has taught nationally recognized and award-winning students in programs including Young Arts, Grammy Band, and Los Angeles’ Music Center Spotlight. He is on faculty at UC Riverside, El Camino College, and Los Angeles College of Music.
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Matsumoto started playing piano at the age of 6, but his interest in music began to peak while attending the University of California, Irvine. There, in addition to classical lessons with Dr. Lorna Griffith and Keiko Halop, he studied jazz piano with Kei Akagi. In 1999, he graduated with a B.M. in music performance and in 2002 received his master's degree in jazz studies from the California Institute of the Arts, where he studied with David Roitstein. Much of his early musical development can also be attributed to the variety of great teachers he was exposed to Charlie Haden, Joe LaBabera, Larry Koonse, Darek Oles, Wadada Leo Smith, and James Newton. Over the course of his career, Matsumoto has strived to keep a well-rounded portfolio of work. His first multi-state tour was with famed MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer, opening for Cheap Trick. He also worked with film composer Nathan Wang on a variety of projects, including performing in concerts with international pop recording artists Coco Lee, JJ Lin, Vivian Hsu, and Jenny Tseng. Some of his earliest jobs were in musical theatre, where he worked as a pianist and musical director. However, Matsumoto is most well known for his work as a jazz pianist. In 2008, SP records released The Matsumoto Trio - Days Ahead, his first as a leader. It featured Henry “Skipper” Franklin on bass and Tony Austin on drums. As a sideman, he has been featured on over two dozen recordings, most recently with Haley Reinhart, Crystal Lewis, and Dave Damiani. Other recording credits include Bruce Forman, Dave Koz, Renee Olstead, Spencer Day, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., Aubrey Logan, Maiya Sykes, Erin Boheme, and Kate Flannery (from NBC’s the Office). Other live performance credits include Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Jeff Clayton, James Carter, Herman Riley, Tierney Sutton, Jane Monheit, Sara Gazarek, Roy McCurdy, Sam Most, Azar Lawrence, James Tormé, Bobby Rodriguez, Grant Geissman, Keith David, Joe Piscopo, Don Most, Robert Davi, Sal “the Voice” Valentinetti, and Billy Vera. In 2020 he worked alongside Steve Tyrell as co-arranger and accompanist for Ben Platt in Father of the Bride Part 3(ish). |
Melissa Morgan, Jazz Singer
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Melissa Morgan, You have to check out this voice. It is interesting. It is sassy. It is sexy.", says producer John Clayton. Brought up in the jazz clubs of New York City, Melissa Morgan has a voice that is unexpected. From the exterior, you would assume a sultry lounge singer, which does make an appearance once in a while, but from inside she contains a powerful instrument. "Prepare to fall in love" (Bay Area Reporter), and fall in love you do. On stage, she bares everything and makes you laugh while doing it. While belting a blues or tenderly massaging a ballad, she has come a long way from her appearance at the 2004 Thelonious Monk Competition. While you will always hear definitive influences from Nancy Wilson, Dinah Washington, and Billie Holliday, "Melissa isn't copying anybody" (London Evening Standard) and most certainly has a definitive sound all her own.
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“Give your Norah Jones collection a break and pop in this 27-year-old’s debut CD of classic and obscure jazz tunes. Her sultry voice shines on Nancy Wilson’s ‘Save Your Love for Me’ and ‘I Wonder,’ in which she asks a past love, ‘Will your heart come running back to me?’”
“Morgan is a consistent joy, and unlike some singers, she commands the band, not the other way around. Given the spicy edge in her sexy voice, her dry allure, and the way she pops the words like a whip on a gospel choir, Morgan’s time has come.” - DownBeat Magazine “Every once in a while, a jazz singer appears with a voice so filled with soul and deeper meaning that you wonder how you could have possibly survived so long without her. That singer is Melissa Morgan…Morgan’s voice speaks with knowing sophistication; her mastery of innuendo is supreme. Backed by an excellent rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass drums) and horns, she has an uncanny ability to bring a contemporary outlook to the classic jazz sound of the 1950s and ’60s…As Morgan grooves through 11 selections that range from ballads to blues, prepare to fall in love.” - Bay Area Reporter |
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Maiya Sykes, Jazz SingerMaiya Sykes is a classically trained vocalist, producer, vocal arranger and entrepreneur. She studied independently with Nina Simone and Betty Carter. A Yale graduate, Maiya starred in a reality show, VH1’s “Bands On The Run” immediately after graduation. She was also featured nationally in both television and radio commercials for “Green Light Financial”.
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Maiya was highlighted on the commercial trailers for the “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” & “The Return of the King”, chosen personally by the films director, Peter Jackson. Maiya has provided back-up vocals on recordings for The Black Eyed Peas, Macy Gray, Fantasia, Joss Stone, and Allen Stone. She was a featured backup singer for Macy Gray in her live show for more than three years. As a recording artist, Maiya released a dance single with DJ Manny Lehman, “Body Rock”, recorded under the pseudonym Oceana. The single reached the number one position on the Billboard Charts in July 2009. Currently, Maiya has been busy as the lead singer of The Endangered. The band’s second release, produced by legendary producer Steven Miller (Dave Mathews Band, Chaka Kahn), was released in early May 2012 to excellent reviews. Though she currently touring and performing with her band, Maiya is grateful for every opportunity to make good music. |
WC Handy, The Father of Jazz
JUNE 19, 2021
Juneteenth
A Celebration Deferred
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LitzaLitza may be considered a phenom in the world of today's music culture. Her musical experience began during her childhood years as she and her five sisters sang as “The Cadet Sisters”. She was blessed as a child prodigy with the ability to not only sing, but also, she played piano by ear before receiving formal training. After nurturing her God given skills, She catapulted herself, through sheer desire and love for music, to attain a Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Oakwood University in Boston; she also received a Master's degree in Contemporary Improvisation from the New England Conservatory.
She made her imprint on the music world in 2016 by releasing her solo debut album entitled My Journey. The album showcased her rich vocal range with an influence of jazz, pop, and r&b song selections. Most recently she has written and released several singles that can be found on Google and other streaming services. Those projects have involved Natalie with her skilled writing, singing, producing and her ability to do song arrangements. Her talents and versatility have garnered the attention from other’s prominent in the world of music such as Carl Gustafson, a Grammy nominated producer with whom Litza demonstrated her range of skills in music written for over 50 songs involving nearly 500 singers and musicians, including many Grammy nominees. Yet there are other distinguished accolades of which she can boast, is that she has gained the experience to do musical works associated with 7 different languages. Natalie has recently applied to the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music as a candidate for a Master of Music in Screen Scoring in the Spring semester of 2021. Litza is simply a beautiful musical talent with a kind and wonderful spirit that is so very powerful. Litza is ready to make new inroads by challenging herself to continue creating new music that bridges the gap among all music lovers. |
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Brittany DanielsBrittany Daniels began dancing ballet at the age of eight and later studied hip-hop, jazz, modern, and ballroom at the age of 14. She completed Cecchetti examinations 1-5 and earned international honors for her last examination. Some summer dance intensives she attended are Cecchetti USA (nominated for an award in her division), American Ballet Theater, Ballet Magnificat! (full scholarship), and LINES Ballet (scholarship). Brittany, an audience favorite makes her third appearance in a Clazzical Notes program.
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Carmen Dreher JordanLyric Soprano Carmen Dreher Jordan is a native of Columbia, South Carolina where she received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina. It was there where her love for the performing arts has stayed a passion in her life.
Carmen‘s roles range from playing iconic singer Darlene Love in the musical “Leader of the Pack”, a standout performance that was greatly enjoyed by Darlene Love who was in the audience. She has toured internationally and in Europe, she had the opportunity of a lifetime to perform solo at St. Peters Basilica in Rome. This experience confirmed that music is that piece of her soul that makes her unique in her own right. The art of vocal performance continues to be her concentration with her vocal mentor, Dr. Angela S. Blalock. As a solo artist, Carmen’s repertoire includes many well-known arias, art songs, and spirituals. Carmen is happy to make her vocal debut in the Clazzical Notes program. |
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Zac HarmonBorn and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Zac Harmon is an award-winning guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose distinctive style continues the lineage of American Blues music. America’s classical music.
Blues Revue called Harmon “a masterful musician and performer of the blues.” Blues journalist Don Wilcock referred to his “Bobby Blue Bland uptown sophistication with a touch of Freddie King guitar.” And JazzReview said, “With his big blues sound from Mississippi, Harmon can go toe to toe with some of the best blues men in the business. Please don’t be shy, go ahead and mention Harmon’s name in the same sentence with Bobby “Blue” Bland, Albert King and Bobby Rush—just to name a few |
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Del AtkinsDel Atkins earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology from Cal State University Dominguez Hills, Del and his Master of Arts degree in Music Industry Administration from Cal State University Northridge. He is a bass player and producer who comes to us with deep roots in Jazz and R&B. Del performs with Yuko Mabuchi Trio among other ensembles, including performances with Patti Labelle, Hank Crawford, Les McCann and the late Lou Rawls.
Del attended took healthy advantage of the rich music programs available at the time of growing up, including studies in harmony, arranging and jazz concert performance. This began his musical journey. His foundation became stronger under the guidance of Reggie Andrews, Don Harris and Frank Harris. Del attended Los Angeles Community College and collaborated with upcoming artists like Gerald Albright and ultimately began performing with Latin artist Willie Bobo at the Playboy Jazz Music Festival. |
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D. Eric PogueHost, Rick Pogue is a human resources executive, executive coach and consultant with over 35 years of experience in industries including, chemicals, consumer packaged goods, non-profits and most recently healthcare. Most recently he served in an interim executive capacity as the VPHR for New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. Prior to that he served as Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for The Institute for Family Health, and as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Continuum Health Partners (now Mount Sinai Health System). His other non-profit experience includes serving as the Senior Vice President for Human Resources and Diversity for the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. He serves as board member of the William Appling Singers and Orchestra and in the capacity of Board President for over seven years. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in psychology from Heidelberg University and a Masters of Arts degree in personnel administration from Bowling Green State University. Mr. Pogue resides in New York City.
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SEPTEMBER 2021
Remembrances
Unforgettable Story of two Pasadena/Altadena Families told through song
NOVEMBER 11, 2021
MUSIC OF INSPIRATION AND HOPE
Inspired by students who share their thoughts for positive change