Student groups perform Big Band, Afro-Cuban, World, Gospel, Funk — and Stevie Wonder
SAN FRANCISCO, October 31, 2008 — San Francisco State University’s annual Fall Into Jazz concert festival showcases the genre’s diversity and global influences. Each night at 7:30 from Nov. 17 to 21 features an advanced student group in Knuth Hall, including the Creative World and Afro-Cuban Jazz ensembles, Gospel Choir and a Vocal Jazz class’ performance of Stevie Wonder songs. SF State faculty members, who are all stalwarts in the Bay Area’s jazz scene, lead the ensembles.
Fall Into Jazz kicks off Monday, Nov. 17, with performances by Bill Langton’s Experimental Funk Ensemble, Nasim Gorgani’s Daf Quintet (Persian frame drum) and Hafez Modirzadeh’s Creative World Ensemble. The latter group, led by the professor and saxophonist, is comprised of two soprano saxophones, four Persian daf drums, a North Indian sarod, Irish fiddle, contrabass and acoustic guitar. Its original music is inspired by sounds of North India, Southern Spain, Ireland, China, Iran, Ornette Coleman and Yusef Lateef.
Tuesday, Nov. 18, features the SF State Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble, led by Lecturer John Calloway. The 25-member group, which has a loyal following on and off campus, performs a wide variety of Latin jazz genres, from traditional and folkloric Afro-Cuban styles to the most contemporary sounds.
The SF State Big Band, led by Lecturer Pete Yellin, plays Wednesday, Nov. 19. The 12-piece band, featuring Yellin on alto saxophone, will play compositions by Charlie Parker, George Russell, Joe Henderson, Jimmy Heath and Yellin.
A performance by Dee Spencer’s Vocal Jazz course on Thursday, Nov. 20, features the music of Stevie Wonder. Rhythmically complex and undeniably funky, Wonder’s music provides valuable, uplifting and fun musical lessons. Spencer said the singer and songwriter relates a universal meaning and draws from funk, jazz, R&B, Latin, reggae and gospel like nobody else. She will play keyboards with the student group, in performances of hits including “Sir Duke” and “Superstition.”
The week concludes Friday, Nov. 21, with the popular SF State Gospel Choir, directed by student Ja Ronn Thompson. Advised by Spencer, the 32-member choir will perform a mix of traditional and contemporary songs. Founded by Thompson in 2004, the Gospel Choir performs to packed crowds on campus as well as at Bay Area churches and conferences.
Tickets for each concert are $10 general and $5 for students and seniors.
The SF State School of Music and Dance, based in the College of Creative Arts, offers professional and liberal arts degrees, with more than 400 students enrolled in major programs. Music students can study jazz, classical, choral, world music, electronic music, composition, music education and more. Dance students are trained in techniques such as ballet, modern, jazz, capoeira, flamenco, kathak, Afro-Haitian and Dunham as well as preparation for K-12 dance education. Alumni include Tony and Grammy winners who conduct Broadway musicals and symphony orchestras and perform in operas. Some work as composers, arrangers, producers, conductors, singers, dancers, choreographers, educators, and leaders of professional arts organizations. The School of Music and Dance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Visit: http://musicdance.sfsu.edu.
Location and Parking
Knuth Hall is located in the Creative Arts Building on the SF State campus, 1600 Holloway Ave. (at 19th Ave.), San Francisco. Public parking is available in Lot 20, accessed from Lake Merced Boulevard between Winston Drive and Font Boulevard. On weekends and evenings only, public parking is available in Lots 1 and 2, on Holloway Ave. (at 19th Ave.). Parking is $1 per hour with a $5 daily maximum. Nearby street parking is readily available on weekends. For details, visit www.sfsu.edu/~parking.
Calendar Editors, Please Note: SF State Fall Into Jazz Nov. 17 – 21, 7:30 p.m. Knuth Hall, Creative Arts Building, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. (at 19th Ave.), San Francisco, CA 94132 Information/Tickets: 415/338-2467; http://creativearts.sfsu.edu/fallintojazz Admission: Each concert is $10 general/$5 students and seniors
San Francisco State University’s annual Fall Into Jazz concert festival showcases the genre’s diversity and global influences. Each concert features an advanced student group led by SF State faculty members who are stalwarts in the Bay Area’s jazz scene.
SAN FRANCISCO, October 31, 2008 — San Francisco State University’s annual Fall Into Jazz concert festival showcases the genre’s diversity and global influences. Each night at 7:30 from Nov. 17 to 21 features an advanced student group in Knuth Hall, including the Creative World and Afro-Cuban Jazz ensembles, Gospel Choir and a Vocal Jazz class’ performance of Stevie Wonder songs. SF State faculty members, who are all stalwarts in the Bay Area’s jazz scene, lead the ensembles.Fall Into Jazz kicks off Monday, Nov. 17, with performances by Bill Langton’s Experimental Funk Ensemble, Nasim Gorgani’s Daf Quintet (Persian frame drum) and Hafez Modirzadeh’s Creative World Ensemble. The latter group, led by the professor and saxophonist, is comprised of two soprano saxophones, four Persian daf drums, a North Indian sarod, Irish fiddle, contrabass and acoustic guitar. Its original music is inspired by sounds of North India, Southern Spain, Ireland, China, Iran, Ornette Coleman and Yusef Lateef.
Tuesday, Nov. 18, features the SF State Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble, led by Lecturer John Calloway. The 25-member group, which has a loyal following on and off campus, performs a wide variety of Latin jazz genres, from traditional and folkloric Afro-Cuban styles to the most contemporary sounds.
The SF State Big Band, led by Lecturer Pete Yellin, plays Wednesday, Nov. 19. The 12-piece band, featuring Yellin on alto saxophone, will play compositions by Charlie Parker, George Russell, Joe Henderson, Jimmy Heath and Yellin.
A performance by Dee Spencer’s Vocal Jazz course on Thursday, Nov. 20, features the music of Stevie Wonder. Rhythmically complex and undeniably funky, Wonder’s music provides valuable, uplifting and fun musical lessons. Spencer said the singer and songwriter relates a universal meaning and draws from funk, jazz, R&B, Latin, reggae and gospel like nobody else. She will play keyboards with the student group, in performances of hits including “Sir Duke” and “Superstition.”
The week concludes Friday, Nov. 21, with the popular SF State Gospel Choir, directed by student Ja Ronn Thompson. Advised by Spencer, the 32-member choir will perform a mix of traditional and contemporary songs. Founded by Thompson in 2004, the Gospel Choir performs to packed crowds on campus as well as at Bay Area churches and conferences.
Tickets for each concert are $10 general and $5 for students and seniors.
The SF State School of Music and Dance, based in the College of Creative Arts, offers professional and liberal arts degrees, with more than 400 students enrolled in major programs. Music students can study jazz, classical, choral, world music, electronic music, composition, music education and more. Dance students are trained in techniques such as ballet, modern, jazz, capoeira, flamenco, kathak, Afro-Haitian and Dunham as well as preparation for K-12 dance education. Alumni include Tony and Grammy winners who conduct Broadway musicals and symphony orchestras and perform in operas. Some work as composers, arrangers, producers, conductors, singers, dancers, choreographers, educators, and leaders of professional arts organizations. The School of Music and Dance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Visit: http://musicdance.sfsu.edu.
Location and Parking
Knuth Hall is located in the Creative Arts Building on the SF State campus, 1600 Holloway Ave. (at 19th Ave.), San Francisco. Public parking is available in Lot 20, accessed from Lake Merced Boulevard between Winston Drive and Font Boulevard. On weekends and evenings only, public parking is available in Lots 1 and 2, on Holloway Ave. (at 19th Ave.). Parking is $1 per hour with a $5 daily maximum. Nearby street parking is readily available on weekends. For details, visit www.sfsu.edu/~parking.
Calendar Editors, Please Note: SF State Fall Into Jazz Nov. 17 – 21, 7:30 p.m. Knuth Hall, Creative Arts Building, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. (at 19th Ave.), San Francisco, CA 94132 Information/Tickets: 415/338-2467; http://creativearts.sfsu.edu/fallintojazz Admission: Each concert is $10 general/$5 students and seniors
San Francisco State University’s annual Fall Into Jazz concert festival showcases the genre’s diversity and global influences. Each concert features an advanced student group led by SF State faculty members who are stalwarts in the Bay Area’s jazz scene.
- Monday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m.: Bill Langton’s Experimental Funk Ensemble, Nasim Gorgani’s Daf Quintet and Hafez Modirzadeh’s Creative World Ensemble. Led by Professor Hafez Modirzadeh.
- Tuesday, Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m.: Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble, led by Lecturer John Calloway.
- Wednesday, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m.: Big Band, led by Lecturer Pete Yellin.
- Thursday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m.: Vocal Jazz: The Music of Stevie Wonder, led by Professor Dee Spencer.
- Friday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.: Gospel Choir, directed by student Ja Ronn Thompson. Professor Dee Spencer, faculty adviser.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
