Founder/Executive Director
Clazzical Notes
Heads Up! The Time is Now!
Sunday, September 13 at 5:00 pm
Free Program
Suggested Free Will Donation $10.00
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Luis Villegas (born July 28, 1969) 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.
Please reorganize that program to be attractive not just sitting there. This is the issue that came up with the Board and a group that analyzed our website. I will be making some changes for it to become a more interesting resource for the organization. |
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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 to...ok flight. He has appeared and recorded on over 35 TV shows and movies to date. 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. 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. 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. |
WOMEN RISE!
October 18, 2020!
Shana Blake Hill
Cedric Berry
A commemoration of the Right to Vote through Music, Dance and Spoken Word.
An all musical salute to the women, artists and others who fought for a woman's right to vote.
Past Programs
February 2020
Clazzical Notes and the Pasadena NAACP
MAYA!
A Jazz, Gospel Music, and Spoken Word Celebration of the life and legacy of poet, author Maya Angelou
Thursday, February 13th, 2020
Free Parking
Boston Court Performing Arts Center
70 Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106
Free Parking
Admission $15.00
Children 12 & under free
Tickets Available Here
Featuring
Lanny Hartley, Jazz Pianist
Yvette Freeman-Hartley, Actress, Singer
Robert Henley III, Gospel Singer
Brittany Daniels, Dancer
Beverly Lafontaine, Poet, Host
Santiago Hayden, Cello
Mina Thorenson, Piano accompanist
Akasha Royal, Background singer
An early life of bad breaks and unfortunate choices led the young Marguerite Annie Johnson to a short-lived choice of prostitution, an early pregnancy and failed marriages but the world would come to see this determined young woman, Maya Angelou was not going let anything or anyone define her life by circumstances. She met people who believed in her and discovered although by societies standards she wasn’t pretty, or slim, she had a multitude of talents such as the ability to write, act, sing and speak so eloquently that she was a gifted teacher on the importance of self-determination, human decency and female empowerment. She taught us that we decide it will be and it will not be defined by others. Her ability to make words sing with poignancy and hope, made her a generational icon loved and respected by people around the world.
2019 MARKS 50 YEARS SINCE THE DEBUT OF MAYA'S triumphant autobiography I" Know Why the Cage Bird Sings"
Yvette has starred in the Broadway, First National, Paris and International companies of "Ain't Misbehavin'" the New York production of "Dinah Was," based on the life of the legendary jazz singer Dinah Washington, and won the 1998 Obie for Best Actress. Most recently she starred in Ma Rainey at the Huntington Theater in Boston. She played the role of 101 year old Dr. Bessie in Having Our Say at the acclaimed McCarter Theater directed by Emily Mann.
Two of the TV roles she is most proud of is - Nurse Haleh Adams on the acclaimed dramatic series ER, and the character of Evelyn Smalley on the NBC sitcom Working. In 2010 and 2011, Yvette had the honor of being nominated for NAACP Image Award for her role as Dr. Lewis in the soap opera "The Bold and The Beautiful". Her second album "In My Arms" was released in May 2012.
Lanny is a member of Northridge United Methodist Church, is a jazz pianist, conductor and composer, and studied Music Education at Indiana University. Jazz piano became his love and he performed with such great Jazz artists as Wes Montgomery, Lou Rawls, and Linda Hopkins. Lanny has also played for such Pop Artists as Thelma Houston, The Fifth Dimension. He has been the Musical Director/Conductor for such shows as Ain't Misbehavin', Tracks (Yolanda King); The Late Great Ladies of Blues and Jazz (Sandra Reeves: The Della Reese Musical Tour; and Dinah Was (New York, Los Angeles, and Williamstown)
Bob Henley III's musical foundation began first in the world of gospel and church music, where he was first able to explore his vocal talents. Throughout his formative high school and early college years, Bob had the chance to perform with an eclectic number of musical acts, choir groups and jazz bands. He is a true tenor with a powerful vocal range. He is also a gifted bandleader and choir director, as well as a masterful keyboardist and percussion player. Not one to be kept to only one type of music or live performance style, he has also worked in the world of theater. His work includes 'West Side Story,' 'Black People Who Knew' and 'The Message is in the Music.'
Brittany Daniels began dancing ballet at the age of eight and later studied hip-hop, modern dance, 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 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. Currently, Brittany leads the dance program at Maranatha High School in Pasadena, and dances with the Lineage Dance Company at the Lineage Performing Arts Center.
Beverly Lafontaine, Moderator, poet is a Los Angeles-born poet and playwright. She has enjoyed four productions of her plays in the Los Angeles area and has had her poetry published in various online and print poetry journals and anthologies, including MORIA, Poets Reading the News, Blue Satellite, Spillway, the Anthology of the Valley Contemporary Poets, So Luminous the Wildflowers: An Anthology of California Poets, and Beyond the Lyric Moment. Four of her poems are to be published in Waves, an upcoming anthology published by the AROHO Foundation. As a collaborative artist she has worked with composer Tom Flaherty to create Scenes from Sarajevo, a prize-winning chamber music piece.
Additionally, she was commissioned to create six poems that were incorporated into the sculptural work of Walk a Mile in My Shoes, a public art project dedicated to Martin Luther King sponsored by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. As a journalist she has written for publications as wide-ranging as Essence Magazine, Soul Magazine and Caesura: the Journal for the San Jose Center for Poetry and Literature.
Attends St Marks Episcopal School
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