Music of Resilience
Come and meet the performers!
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NOLAN SHAHEED, TRUMPETNolan Shaheed, Trumpet Shaheed began his musical career in 1973, rising to be a top studio musician. He was musical director for Marvin Gaye, lead trumpet with Count N Basie and has an extensive resume of other acts he has worked and traveled with: Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Phil Collins, Anita Baker. He is a master music producer as well as a songwriter and arranger and leads his own jazz band. Lead Trumpet with Count Basie Orchestra 1976-1979. He has also performed and toured with: Eddie Harris, Teddy Edwards, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Jeannie & Jimmy Cheatham, and Francisco Aquabea. Nolan has been one of LA’s top studio musicians since 1974 and is in great demand in the Jazz scene. He currently owns a recording studio and is a music producer.
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VALERIE “MZVAL” MONROEValerie “Mzval” Monroe - It all started with Jazz music for Valerie. She began singing at the age of 19. Valerie sang in front of her first audience trying to win scholarship money for college. From that point on she was bitten by the performance bug. Being introduced to jazz first, Valerie developed her talent by listening to such artists as Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Nancy Wilson and Nina Simone. Valerie has performed in various arenas with a wide array of artists such as Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs performing the National Anthem, opening for Jazz Greats Dizzy Gillespie and Mel Torme and Comedian Redd Foxx in Las Vegas. Valerie also traveled internationally with Ray Charles as one of his Raelettes. Valerie’s career has been extensive and fulfilling. Musical Theatre credits include: Ain’t Misbehavin, Chicago (Mama Morton) and Newsies (Medda Larkin) just to name a few. This native Texas girl has come a long way since moving to California after completing her college education in San Antonio Texas.
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ADAM LEDBETTER, PIANOAdam Ledbetter was born into a creative family and got 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. This combination led to many musical experiments of mixing influences as diverse as Busta Rhymes and Chopin. 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, Ohmega 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 its best when they play together.
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MARVIN “SMITTY” SMITH, DRUMSMarvin "Smitty" Smith, Born June 24, 1961 in Waukegan (Illinois). "It was a very natural inclination for me to play drums," says Marvin "Smitty" Smith. A glance at his early life validates that truth. Born the son of a drummer, Marvin, Sr., was always surrounded by music in the house. Featured on more than 45 albums and has been Downbeat Critics' Poll winner for Talent Deserving Wider Recognition, 1985 through 1987, and 1989. Smitty performed on the Soundtrack of filmmaker Spike Lee's "School Daze", appeared in Sonny Rollins' music video "Saxophone Colossus", and a member of Sting's "Nothing Like the Sun" South American tour, 1987. Regarded as a well-rounded musician with the ability to play all styles, his success has earned him two albums as a bandleader. As a versatile drummer, there seems to be nothing he cannot do. It's been said that he is the "John Coltrane of the drums."
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TONY DUMAS, BASSTony Dumas was born in Los Angeles California. By 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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Music of Resilience
Come and meet the performers!
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NOLAN SHAHEED, TRUMPETNolan Shaheed, Trumpet Shaheed began his musical career in 1973, rising to be a top studio musician. He was musical director for Marvin Gaye, lead trumpet with Count N Basie and has an extensive resume of other acts he has worked and traveled with: Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Phil Collins, Anita Baker. He is a master music producer as well as a songwriter and arranger and leads his own jazz band. Lead Trumpet with Count Basie Orchestra 1976-1979. He has also performed and toured with: Eddie Harris, Teddy Edwards, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Jeannie & Jimmy Cheatham, and Francisco Aquabea. Nolan has been one of LA’s top studio musicians since 1974 and is in great demand in the Jazz scene. He currently owns a recording studio and is a music producer.
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VALERIE “MZVAL” MONROEValerie “Mzval” Monroe - It all started with Jazz music for Valerie. She began singing at the age of 19. Valerie sang in front of her first audience trying to win scholarship money for college. From that point on she was bitten by the performance bug. Being introduced to jazz first, Valerie developed her talent by listening to such artists as Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Nancy Wilson and Nina Simone. Valerie has performed in various arenas with a wide array of artists such as Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs performing the National Anthem, opening for Jazz Greats Dizzy Gillespie and Mel Torme and Comedian Redd Foxx in Las Vegas. Valerie also traveled internationally with Ray Charles as one of his Raelettes. Valerie’s career has been extensive and fulfilling. Musical Theatre credits include: Ain’t Misbehavin, Chicago (Mama Morton) and Newsies (Medda Larkin) just to name a few. This native Texas girl has come a long way since moving to California after completing her college education in San Antonio Texas.
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ADAM LEDBETTER, PIANOAdam Ledbetter was born into a creative family and got 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. This combination led to many musical experiments of mixing influences as diverse as Busta Rhymes and Chopin. 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, Ohmega 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 its best when they play together.
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MARVIN “SMITTY” SMITH, DRUMSMarvin "Smitty" Smith, Born June 24, 1961 in Waukegan (Illinois). "It was a very natural inclination for me to play drums," says Marvin "Smitty" Smith. A glance at his early life validates that truth. Born the son of a drummer, Marvin, Sr., was always surrounded by music in the house. Featured on more than 45 albums and has been Downbeat Critics' Poll winner for Talent Deserving Wider Recognition, 1985 through 1987, and 1989. Smitty performed on the Soundtrack of filmmaker Spike Lee's "School Daze", appeared in Sonny Rollins' music video "Saxophone Colossus", and a member of Sting's "Nothing Like the Sun" South American tour, 1987. Regarded as a well-rounded musician with the ability to play all styles, his success has earned him two albums as a bandleader. As a versatile drummer, there seems to be nothing he cannot do. It's been said that he is the "John Coltrane of the drums."
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TONY DUMAS, BASSTony Dumas was born in Los Angeles California. By 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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La Voluntad de Triunfar
The Will to Succeed
The Will to Succeed
Exploring how to win in life as viewed through the work of Latino performers and geared to youth in the Adelante Youth Alliance Program, to be held in November at Madison Elementary School in Pasadena.
Perseverance Never Quits
Instead, It Boldly Says, “I Can!”
November 13, 2019 5:00 pm
Madison Elementary School
515 E. Ashtabula Street
Pasadena, CA 91104
Madison Elementary School
515 E. Ashtabula Street
Pasadena, CA 91104
CLAZZICAL NOTES
The Los Angeles College of Music
Present
The Los Angeles College of Music
Present
Behind the Screen
The Creativity of Film, TV and Video Game Composers
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Los Angeles College of Music
300 S. Fair Oaks Ave.(The Garage)
Pasadena, CA 91105
Friday, October 25, 2019
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Free Admission
300 S. Fair Oaks Ave.(The Garage)
Pasadena, CA 91105
Friday, October 25, 2019
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Free Admission
MARTIN DAVICH
Born in Arizona, Martin Davich began playing piano at the age of four. His musical studies led him to USC where he discovered his love for composition and performance. Soon after, he began writing for many episodic shows, movies and miniseries and has earned 15 Emmy nominations, won 2 Emmy awards and 17 BMI awards. Davich has conducted and performed with a number of musicians including Anthony Newley, Burt Bacharach and The Smothers Brothers before creating musical libraries for various soap operas. In the early 90’s, Martin composed music for the hit show Beverly Hills 90210 and went on to write the music for every episode of ER (with the exception of the pilot, which was written by James Newton Howard). Davich and Newton Howard continued their collaborations after ER and wrote the music for the movies Mad Money and I Bring What I Love. In the latter film, Davich worked with Youssou N’Dour, with whom he had worked previously on two special ER episodes. |
Mark Cross (HOST)
Mark Cross is an award winning Producer, Composer, Mixer, Educator and Author with an extensive discography in both film and television that spans over 2 decades. As a Engineer / Mixer Mark has worked on numerous albums, film scores, and television episodes, including the Grammy-winning “I Am Shelby Lynne”, Randy Newman's Oscar-nominated and Grammy-winning “CARS” and “Meet the Parents” score and soundtracks, along with mixing hundreds of episodes of the NBC prime time series: ER. Additional film credits include: Alien Resurrection, Seabisquit and Beavis and Butthead Do America. As a Composer Mark has created thousands of registered tracks in use in hundreds of films and television shows worldwide. Mark recently composed several songs for the “Fifty Shades of Grey” movies. He was the lead composer for the NBC Prime Time Series: Last Comic Standing as well as contributing additional music for: American Idol, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The CBS Evening News, HBO’s: Getting On and Comedy Central’s: Key and Peele. Mark has created musical themes for Nickelodeon's Wow Wow Wubbzy, the Seinfeld Season 8 DVD, as well as producing and performing with Grammy winner John Legend on HBO's: Curb Your Enthusiasm. |
George Oldziey
(Film Composer) Award winning composer George Oldziey began his career as a film and game composer with film director Robert Rodriguez to create the score for Spy Kids 2 and has since served as composer, orchestrator and score producer for numerous feature films including: Spy Kids 3D, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Kill Bill, Volume 2, Sin City, The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Shorts and Sin City. George has also scored numerous documentaries and short films, including the award winning short film “Remember Me” and “Arrow and Oil”, both are award winning scores. Additionally, George has also served on the orchestration team for Danny Elfman's 2018 score for The Grinch. George was also an in-house composer for Electronic Arts, for whom he created scores for some of the biggest hits in the video game industry including the Wing Commander, Ultima and Crusader series. He continued to compose and produce music for other major video game titles, including Spongebob Squarepants for Playstation 2, the epic orchestral score for Shaiya, Red Faction: Guerilla, and Crimson Alliance. |
Sanjeev Nachiappan
Sanjeev Nachiappan is a 17 year old budding film composer who attends Pasadena High School. His passion for video music composing will be on display at the Behind the Screen program presented by Clazzical Notes on Friday, October 25 |
Heng Yang
Heng Yang is a Bachelor of Music student in the Composing for Visual Media Dept. at the Los Angeles College of Music. He is an outstanding academic and an amazing composer with much diversity whom we are extremely proud of. It is an honor to have him as one of our guests for the student-critique segment of the Clazzical Notes “Behind the Screen” event here at LACM. |
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Be a Take Note Member
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$100.00 yearly
Spontaneity
The exhilaration of Improvisation
June 5th, 2019 at 7:00 pm.
Los Angeles College of Music
300 S. Fair Oaks Ave , Pasadena, CA 91105
June 5th, 2019 at 7:00 pm.
Los Angeles College of Music
300 S. Fair Oaks Ave , Pasadena, CA 91105
The world is a slightly better place for having improvisation in it. There is something about it that says something positive about the human spirit, that a bunch of people can get together and by following a few simple traffic rules can create art and create art can entertain audience and thrill and exalt each other. Del Close
Tracy LJ Robertson
About Tracy
LA based vocalist, educator, and vocal percussionist Tracy LJ Robertson enjoys working in a variety of musical settings. While studying at Berklee College of Music, he directed the award winning a cappella group “Pitch Slapped”, and performed in ensembles of global influence ranging from Balkan, to contemporary Indian, to Latin, to western jazz and classical music. With his predilection and impartiality with music, he has found himself on stage with Bobby McFerrin, Valerie Simpson, Victor Wooten, Jose Merce, Andy Grammer, and Dream Theater to name a few. Tracy has worked heavily in the world of contemporary a cappella, touring and teaching with groups like Overboard, Vocalosity, D Cappella and now the renowned jazz and R&B group, m-pact. Tracy is excited for upcoming projects and performances with m-pact as he spreads his passion for life through music as clinician, performer, arranger, session singer and improvisor. Tracy also enjoys continually deepening his relationship with and understanding of the natural world. |
Joey Navarro
ABOUT Joey
Born and raised in the onion fields of Tolleson, AZ, this third generation Mexican-American cut his teeth on R&B, Jazz, Fusion, Mexican Heritage and Latin influenced pop of the late 60's and 70's. A few years removed from high school, Joey landed a major record deal with Island Records ~ Antilles New Direction (NY). The Album “On The Rocks”, was a melting pot of Funk, R&B and the fusion sounds of the mid 80's. At 23, Joey Navarro was in on the birth of contemporary jazz. Concurrently, Joey toured with recording artists as a keyboardist and musical director. After years of honing his skills world-wide, Joey returned home to sabbatical with teacher "El Maestro" Ernesto Chavarria. While completing his 4 year tutelage under Chavarria, Joey found the road and stage calling him yet again. In 2001, Joey Relocated to Los Angeles to seek opportunities as a premier keyboardist and producer. Since then, his list of musical credits include working with Tierra, El Chicano, East Bay Soul, Greg Adams, Pete Escovedo, Jeffrey Osborne, Tom Scott, Sister Sledge, Walfredo Reyes Jr, Paul Brown, Abraham Laboriel, Oscar Cartaya, Brandon Fields, Boney James, Ersi Arvizu, Leland Sklar, Vinnie Colaiuta, Ronn Moss & Peter Beckette (from the group, Player), Dawn Robinson (En Vogue), Jennifer Paige, DW3, Brian Bromberg, Eric Marienthal, and a long list of others. Joey got the opportunity of a lifetime to co-write the bulk of the tunes for Epitaph/ Anti recording artist, "Ersi Arvizu's latest album entitled, "Friend for Life". This is an autobiographical musical journey about her amazing life. It was produced by Ry Cooder. (Buena Vista Social Club). Worldwide release date was May 9th, 2008. In 2014, Joey joined forces with Grammy winning producer, Paul Brown and recorded Grover Washington’s “Strawberry Moon.” The track was released on Woodward Avenue Records, 9 Mile Road with Joey on piano, Paul Brown on guitar, The late Ricky Lawson on drums, Lenny Castro on percussion, & Roberto Vally on bass. |
Alfredo Lopez
ABOUT Alfredo
Alfredo Lopez was born and raised in Chile and grew up in a musical family. started his music career at age 13 with his main instruments being the electric and upright bass. Studied formally at the Conservatory of university de Valparaíso. At the age of 15 was influenced by great local jazz musicians like Gonzalo Palma , Jorge Gonzalez mancilla (jazz radio host) bruno Riveros among others went on to start working with local bands in many different styles such as jazz, salsa, cumbia, pop etc. By committing to his music pasión had the opportunity to work in television, tour and record in Chile with many different people. In 2008 he moves to the US to start new beginning's and In 2013 went to Los Angeles College of Music formerly known as LAMA (Los Angeles music Academy) for an associates degree. He is now currently working at LACM, recording and playing in the local scene and has played with top musicians like Justo Almario, Joey Heredia, Boy Katindig,Bill Bottrell, Homayun Sakhi (Afghanistan master Rubab player), Pop artist Ana Barbara and working on his own project. |
Elin Sandberg
About Elin
Elin Sandberg is a 25-year-old bass player from Sweden who from an early age was surrounded by music thanks to her deeply musical family. She started playing bass at the age of 13, and five years later, Elin was offered a full tuition scholarship to attend world - renowned Berklee College of Music. Since coming to the U.S. Elin has performed and recorded numerous highly esteemed recorded bass for the tracks that were used by Chloe x Halle when they opened for Beyoncé and Jay Z on the ”On the run II” North America tour. Elin has also continued her work with multi Grammy and Oscar winning composer and artist AR Rahman, performing at many shows in India, and performing on the AR Rahman North America tour in 2018. Elin is currently based in Los Angeles where has performed and recorded with a number of artists and highly esteemed producers/musicians across the country such as Jae Deal (Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga, Ne-Yo), Philip Lassiter ( Prince, Kirk Franklin, Ariana Grande), Aliandro Prawl, (Bebe Rexha, Ty Dolla sign), Peter Ortega (Beyonce, Stevie Wonder) and many more. |
Eboni Adams
About Eboni
Eboni considers herself an action figure. She keeps it moving. Originally from Austin, Texas, Eboni went on to have a pretty fruitful career as a professional dancer after receiving her BFA in Dance from Sam Houston State University. From Cirque du Soleil to the L.A. Opera, she has worked with many greats in the industry. The highlight of her career was dancing for Celine Dion's, "A New Day...", at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. When Eboni's not dancing, she's acting, writing, directing and producing. She likes to call it getting her "Debbie Allen" on. Eboni has recently turned her focus to storytelling in front as well as behind the camera. Her award-winning short film, Grace made its world premiere at the 2018 Pan African Film Festival and will soon be featured on Magic Johnson network, Aspire TV. Eboni is committed to exploring her voice as a woman and an artist in the industry. She hopes to continue to tell stories that inspire. For more information: www.eboniadams.com |