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Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives

Past Events Fall 2012-Spring 2013

SEPTEMBER 2012

  • Eddie Harris, saxophone photograph JAZZforum: A Family Celebrates the Life and Music of Eddie Harris

    Wednesday, September 26, 2012
    7:00 PM

    Eddie Harris (1934-1996) was a multi-faceted musician—an imaginative tenor saxophonist, pianist, composer, trumpeter, vocalist, and inventor "whose career was marked by a hearty appetite for experimentation." Our very special guests—Harris' wife, Mrs. Sara Harris and his daughters Yvonne Harris Burnley and Lolita Harris, and granddaughter Nia Harris Burnley—will provide a rare perspective on his life and career. They will share insights both personal and professional about the remarkable body of work that Eddie Harris created and how they have continued his legacy. Recital Hall (Performing Arts Bldg. 46-West).

  • UDC Small Jazz Ensembles Concert UDC Small Jazz Ensembles

    Tuesday, October 16, 2012
    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 JAZZforum: A Family Celebrates the Life and Music of Rufus Harley "the world's first jazz bagpiper"

    Wednesday, October 24, 2012
    7:00 PM

    Multi-instrumentalist, Rufus Harley (1936-2006) started studying the bagpipes after watching the Black Watch at John F. Kennedy's funeral procession in 1963. In addition to several recordings as a leader, he recorded with Herbie Mann, Sonny Stitt and Sonny Rollins—and in later years, the Roots and Laurie Anderson. In 2007 Pipes Of Peace, a documentary by George Manney, was released. Several of his children—sons and trumpeters, Messiah and America Patton Harley, who frequently performed with their father, as well as daughters, Noah Harmony and Egypt will join us for this special evening. Recital Hall (Performing Arts Bldg. 46-West).










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  • UDC JAZZtet JAZZAlive—Concerts in the Community: UDC JAZZtet with Sandra Y. Johnson

    Monday, October 29, 2012
    6:30 PM

    Join us at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library as we kick off JAZZAlive—Concerts in the Community. The evening will feature performances by the University's resident ensemble the UDC JAZZtet with DC favorites Allyn Johnson piano - Steve Novosel, bass - Lyle Link, saxophones - Douglas Pierce, trumpet - Reginald Cyntje, trombone and Howard 'Kingfish' Franklin, drums. As a special treat JAZZAlive will feature the soul-stirring vocalist Sandra Y Johnson. (Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library - Great Hall, 901 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C, 20001.)

    The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library is conveniently located on Metro's Red Line (Metro Center) and Red/Yellow/Green Lines (Gallery Pl-Chinatown).

  • small photograph of Marian McPartland from the cover of the book: Shall We Play That One Together? JAZZforum: A New Look at Marian McPartland

    Thursday, November 1, 2012
    7:00 PM

    Join us as author Paul de Barros discusses his just-published biography, Shall We Play That One Together?: The Life and Art of Jazz Piano Legend Marian McPartland. Though she is well-known as the award winning host of NPR's long-running Piano Jazz program, McPartland's remarkable career began in the 1930s in her native England and has involved performing, composing, teaching, and running her own record label. De Barros will discuss the book and read from it. An open Q&A session and book signing will follow. Recital Hall (Performing Arts Bldg. 46-West).


  • Reginald Cyntje Senior Recital Senior Recital: Reginald Cyntje, trombone

    Wednesday, November 07, 2012
    7:30 PM

    The Jazz Studies program treats you to another exciting performance as trombonist and Jazz Studies major, Reginald Cyntje presents his senior recital. Recital Hall (Performing Arts Bldg. 46-West).


  • Rico Huff, piano Junior Recital Junior Recital: Rico Huff, piano

    Tuesday, November 13, 2012
    12:30 PM

    The Jazz Studies program presents pianist and Jazz Studies major, Rico Huff in his junior recital. Recital Hall (Performing Arts Bldg. 46-West).


  • UDC Small Jazz Ensemble Concert UDC Small Jazz Ensembles

    Tuesday, November 20, 2012
    12:30 PM

    Join the jazz ensembles under the direction of Allyn Johnson for our "Thanksgiving" celebration. Recital Hall (Performing Arts Bldg. 46-West).

  • UDC Holiday Concert Annual Holiday Concert

    Thursday, December 6, 2012
    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 Richard Odom, 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—Theatre of the Arts (Bldg. 46-East).

  • Tom Teasley, percussionist Tom Teasley: New Directions in Percussion

    Tuesday, February 19, 2013
    12:30 PM

    Tom Teasley, described in the Washington Post as "a percussionist in the widest and most exuberant sense of the word," maintains a unique career as a solo percussionist, composer and educator. A 2010 and 2011 Helen Hayes Theater Award recipient for outstanding sound design, Teasley will present a lecture/demonstration on New Directions in Percussion. Recital Hall (Performing Arts Bldg. 46-West).


  • JAZZforum JAZZforum: Joann Stevens, Program Director - Jazz Appreciation Month

    Wednesday, February 20, 2013
    7:00 PM

    Check out this JAZZforum featuring the Smithsonian JAZZ Appreciation Month Director JOANN STEVENS on PinterestJoann Stevens is the Program Director of Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Her presentation will focus on her work at the Smithsonian, and career as communications strategist, writer and public relations professional with diverse organizations.

    Launched by the Smithsonian in 2002, the JAM initiative advances global appreciation and recognition of jazz as America's original music, a global cultural treasure. It is celebrated each April in every state in the U.S., the District of Columbia and some 40 countries. Ms. Stevens is also a regular contributor to Smithsonian Magazine's Around the Mall blog, reporting on music, history and culture. Born into a musical family, she is the sister of jazz trumpeter Eddie Gale, and performed on Gale's albums Ghetto Music and Black Rhythm Happening, produced by Blue Note co-founder Francis Wolf. Recital Hall (Performing Arts Bldg. 46-West).


  • UDC JAZZtet JAZZAlive—Concerts in the Community
    UDC JAZZtet with Sandra Y. Johnson

    Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library

    Monday, February 25, 2013
    7:00 PM

    JAZZAlive - Concerts in the Community celebrates Black History Month with a performance at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. The evening features the University's resident ensemble: the UDC JAZZtet with DC favorites Allyn Johnson, piano - Steve Novosel, bass - Lyle Link, saxophones - DeAndre Shaifer, trumpet - Douglas Pierce, trumpet - Reginald Cyntje, trombone and Howard 'Kingfish' Franklin, drums. As a special treat JAZZAlive vocalist Sandra Y Johnson.

    (Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library - Great Hall, 901 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C, 20001.)
    The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library is conveniently located on Metro's Red Line (Metro Center) and Red/Yellow/Green Lines (Gallery Pl-Chinatown).

  • Eddie Harris, saxophone photograph Senior Recital: Russell Carter, saxophone

    Wednesday, April 3, 2013
    7:30 p.m.

    The Jazz Studies program presents saxophonist and Jazz Studies major, Russell Carter in his senior recital. Recital Hall (Performing Arts Bldg. 46-West).


  • Krislynn Perry JAZZAlive—UDC Small Jazz Ensembles

    Tuesday, April 9, 2013
    12:30 PM

    Jazz ensembles under the direction of Allyn Johnson celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month. Recital Hall (Performing Arts Bldg. 46-West).

  • Rico Huff, piano Junior Recital Senior Recital: Rico Huff, piano

    Monday, April 15, 2013
    7:30 PM

    The Jazz Studies program presents pianist and Jazz Studies major, Rico Huff in his senior recital. Recital Hall (Performing Arts Bldg. 46-West).










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  • Pepper Adams' Joy Road by Gary Carner JAZZforum: Pepper Adams' Joy Road - Gary Carner

    Wednesday, April 17, 2013
    7:00 PM

    Gary Carner is producer of several projects related to the late baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams, including a digital box set (2012, Motema) that document all of Adams' rarely heard compositions. Carner is also the author of the new book Pepper Adams' Joy Road (2012, Scarecrow Press). He will speak about Adams' fascinating life and career as well as the unique approach he has taken in preserving such a rich legacy through these various projects. Recital Hall (Performing Arts Bldg. 46-West)


  • Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival logo. Calvin Jones Big Band Jazz Festival

    Monday, April 29, 2013
    8:00 PM

    The Calvin Jones Big Band Jazz Festival celebrates 27 years of world-class jazz at the University of the District of Columbia. The Big Band sound returns to UDC as the 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—Theatre of the 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.