PROGRAMS 2021
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