JAZZforum—Lee Konitz: Future and Past
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
7:00 PM
Alto saxophonist Lee Konitz has been an influential force in jazz since the 1940s. From his work on the pioneering Birth Of The Cool sessions with Miles Davis, his association with pianist Lennie Tristano, and his tenure with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, to his decades of creative work as an improviser, bandleader, and recording artist, Konitz is regarded as an outstanding figure in jazz. Still active and still challenging himself with new projects, he will speak with fellow musicians Brad Linde and Dan Tepfer about his extensive career and will focus on a newly commissioned work composed by Tepfer to be premiered at Strathmore by Linde's nonet with Konitz as guest soloist. Recital Hall (Performing Arts - Bldg. 46-West). [poster]
JAZZAlive—Anthony Nelson Jr. - Concert & CD Release
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
7:30 PM
Saxophonist Anthony Nelson, Jr. returns to UDC to celebrate his recent recording - Testament-Live at Cecil's and CD preview release for Tenor for Two. Joining Anthony are Allyn Johnson (piano), Steve Novosel (bass), and Howard "Kingfish" Franklin (drums). CD signing follows concert. Recital Hall (Performing Arts - Bldg. 46-West).
JAZZAlive—The Legacy Continues: A Showcase of the UDC Jazz Studies Program
Monday, October 24, 2011
7:30 p.m.
The legacy of great jazz continues at the University of the District of Columbia as the UDC Jazz Ensembles under the direction of the "awesome" Allyn Johnson, kick off another year of JAZZAlive concerts and our Scholarship Benefit Series.
Produced by the Jazz Studies Program and the Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives, this annual showcase began in 2005 in celebration of the legacy of Calvin Jones who was director of the Jazz Studies Program from 1976-2004 and a legendary figure in the Washington, D.C. community.
The evening will highlight performances by the University's powerhouse big band, the UDC Jazz Ensemble, joined by UDC's gifted vocalist Krislynn Perry and the exciting Calvin Jones Legacy Ensemble with DC favorites Allyn Johnson, Steve Novosel, Lyle Link, Douglas Pierce and Howard "Kingfish" Franklin. As a special treat JAZZAlive will feature the soul-stirring young lion, saxophonist and recording artist Bruce Williams.
Tickets are $20, $15 (senior) and $10 (student) and can be purchased in advance at the UDC Music Program, Performing Arts Building 46-West or online at InstantSeats.com. (Complimentary tickets for UDC students.) University Auditorium (Performing Arts - Bldg. 46-East).
JAZZforum—Tad Hershorn on Norman Granz: The Man Who Used Jazz For Justice
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Producer and manager Norman Granz was one of the most significant contributors to jazz between the 1940s and 1980s. While in his twenties, he created Jazz At The Philharmonic, which became the premier international touring package of the day and was instrumental in breaking down racial barriers in the United States. His record labels, including Verve and Pablo, presented the very finest jazz musicians—Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, and Louis Armstrong, to name a handful—and he served as the longtime personal manager for both Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson. Archivist, researcher, photographer, and author Tad Hershorn of the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies is the author of the newly published biography of Granz. He will provide lively coverage of his exhaustive research of Granz's life and career. Recital Hall (Performing Arts - Bldg. 46-West).
UDC Small Jazz Ensembles Concert
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
12:30 PM
Join the jazz ensembles under the direction of Allyn Johnson for an exciting afternoon of jazz. Recital Hall (Performing Arts - Bldg. 46-West).
JAZZforum—Blair Ruble and Rusty Hassan: Washington's U Street: A Biography
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Join renowned author Blair A. Ruble and veteran jazz broadcaster Rusty Hassan for a discussion on Ruble's most recent book, Washington's U Street: A Biography. (Woodrow Wilson Center Press and The John Hopkins University Press, 2010). A prominent urbanist, jazz aficionado and longtime Washington, D.C. resident, Blair Ruble is director of the Kennan Institute and of the Comparative Urban Studies Programs at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Rusty Hassan has been described by author and jazz journalist, Willard Jenkins as "...one of the warmest, most knowledgeable interviewers in jazz radio... one of those cornerstones of the jazz cognoscenti in the DC area." Washington's U Street: A Biography traces the history of this neighborhood from its Civil War-era origins to its recent gentrification. Book signing will follow presentation. Recital Hall (Performing Arts - Bldg. 46-West).
Annual Holiday Concert
Thursday, December 8, 2011
7:30 PM
The University of the District of Columbia presents its annual holiday gift to the Washington, D.C. community. The UDC Chorale directed by William Jones, starts the evening with a program of choral music followed by the gospel sound of The Voices, directed by Gerry Gillespie. The UDC Jazz Ensemble directed by Allyn Johnson closes the program with big band jazz sure to spread the holiday spirit. University Auditorium (Performing Arts - Bldg. 46-East).
UDC Small Jazz Ensembles Concert
Thursday, February 9, 2012
12:30 PM
The District of Columbia Public Library hosts a performance of the UDC Small Jazz Ensembles under the direction of Allyn Johnson in celebration of Black History Month. Join us at the Great Hall at the Martin Luther King Memorial Library for an afternoon of great jazz. Great Hall (Martin Luther King Jr. Library - 901 G Street NW).
JAZZforum—Steve Novosel with Rusty Hassan
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
7:00 PM
Legendary bassist and cornerstone of the Washington, DC jazz scene, Steve Novosel, discusses his career with veteran jazz broadcaster and historian, Rusty Hassan. From his first touring and recording gig with the Trio ESP in the 60's, Steve moved up rapidly in the world of jazz bassists, playing and recording with Andrew White, Roland Kirk, Stanley Cowell, David "Fathead" Newman, Eddie Harris and Shirley Horn. He has toured with Red Norvo, Tal Farlow, Al Grey and Larry Willis and has performed with a list of jazz greats that includes Cedar Walton, McCoy Tyner, Hank Jones, Milt Jackson, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Sonny Rollins, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Harry "Sweets" Edison, James Moody, Archie Shepp and Blue Mitchell. Always in great demand as an accompanist for singers, he has played with everyone from Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams and Donny Hathaway to Anita O'Day, Roberta Flack, Betty Carter and Shirley Horn. An educator and mentor to generations of bass players, Novosel has taught in programs throughout the area and has been on the Music Program faculty at the University of the District of Columbia since 1989. Recital Hall (Performing Arts - Bldg. 46-West).
UDC Small Jazz Ensembles
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
12:30 PM
Join the jazz ensembles under the direction of Allyn Johnson for our Black History Month celebration. Recital Hall (Performing Arts - Bldg. 46-West).
JAZZforum—Maurice Lyles with W.A. "Bill" Brower
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
7:00 PM
Join us for another evening of DC jazz history as drummer Maurice Lyles discusses his career with writer and producer W.A. "Bill" Brower. "Brother Maurice," as he is affectionately called, has a long and interesting history. A student of the renowned Philly Joe Jones, he played with the great saxophonists Leo Parker and Jimmy Heath, piano legend, Earl "Fatha" Hines, trumpeter, Roy Eldridge and vocalist, Sarah Vaughan. In 1968, Brother Maurice invented what he called "The Rhythm Stick" which incorporates cymbals, a washboard, a woodblock, cowbells, tambourine and African bells. Recital Hall (Performing Arts - Bldg. 46-West).
Senior Recital: Leon Rawlings, trombone
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
7:30 PM
Kick-off Jazz Appreciation Month with trombonist and Jazz Studies major, Leon Rawlings in his senior recital. Recital Hall (Performing Arts - Bldg. 46-West).
UDC Small Jazz Ensembles
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
12:30 PM
Jazz ensembles under the direction of Allyn Johnson celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month in a variety of flavors. Recital Hall (Performing Arts - Bldg. 46-West).
Junior Recital: Reginald Cyntje, trombone
Thursday, April 12, 2012
12:30 PM
The Jazz Studies program treats you to another exciting performance as trombonist Reginald Cyntje presents his junior recital. Recital Hall (Performing Arts - Bldg. 46-West).
JAZZforum—"Sharing Jazz's Treasures: a panel discussion on new educational resources"
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
7:00 PM
Curator of American Music at the Smithsonian Institution, Dr. John Hasse, along with Richard J. Burgess and Daniel Sheehy of Smithsonian Folkways discuss new educational resources. Hasse has been at the forefront of many of the most important jazz programs around the district and across the nation, including Jazz Appreciation Month. He will be speaking about his involvement with Discover Jazz, an innovative jazz history textbook and will be joined by the co-producers of the monumental collection of historic recordings titled Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology. Recital Hall (Performing Arts Bldg. 46-West).
Calvin Jones Big Band Jazz Festival
Monday, April 30, 2012
8:00 PM
The Calvin Jones Big Band Jazz Festival celebrates 26 years of world-class jazz at the University of the District of Columbia. Powerhouse jazz ensembles from the University of the District of Columbia (directed by Allyn Johnson), Howard University (directed by Fred Irby III) and the University of Maryland (directed by Chris Vadala) once again cap off Jazz Appreciation Month with a with a hand-clapping, finger-snapping, foot-stomping good time. Produced by UDC's Jazz Studies Program and the Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives, the festival began in 1987 as part of a city-wide tribute to Duke Ellington, and it remains one of the most anticipated events on Washington, DC's jazz calendar. Scholarship Benefit Series. University Auditorium (Performing Arts - Bldg. 46-East).
Tickets are $20 (general admission), $15 (seniors), and $10 (students) and can be purchased in advance at the UDC Music Program, Building 46-West or online at InstantSeats.com.
UDC Jazztet (dir. Allyn Johnson) at the 2012 Smithsonian Folklife Festival: Campus and Community—Public & Land-grant universities and the USDA at 150
Saturday, July 07, 2012
6:00-7:30 PM
"The University of the District of Columbia Jazz Studies program has produced premier jazz ensembles with a rich history of involvement in outreach activities in the D.C. metro region. An invaluable cultural resource for the city, they have performed at the Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Blues Alley, among other venues." - Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Justin S. Morrill Performing Arts Center (near 14th & Madison Dr. NW). FREE and OPEN to the public.
The UDC Jazztet (dir. Allyn Johnson):
Allyn Johnson, piano (Director of UDC Jazz Studies Program)
Steve Novosel, bass
Doug Pierce, trumpet
Lyle Link, saxes
Howard 'KingPhish' Franklin, drums
Map: [pdf]
Metro: Smithsonian (orange & blue)
Schedule
