Idyllwild Arts Hosts a Vibrant Black History Jazz Concert

In the spirit of Black History Month, the Idyllwild Arts Academy proudly presents its yearly Black History jazz concert. This event, which is complimentary and open to everyone, is scheduled to occur on February 17, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Lowman Concert Hall nestled within the academy's picturesque campus at 52500 Temecula Road #38, Idyllwild, CA.

The creative minds behind this year's concert are the distinguished Dr. Marshall Hawkins, who initiated the academy's Jazz Program, and Dr. Daniel Bassin, the Director of Orchestra. The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Board will host the evening. This year's concert theme, 'Replacement of the Drum,' symbolizes the adversities and victories experienced by African Americans, particularly focusing on how their fundamental mode of communication through drums was stripped away during the era of enslavement. This event led to the innovative recreation of drums and percussion instruments using available materials, which transformed and influenced music for successive generations.

Performers at the concert will include Dr. Marshall Hawkins' Seahawk Modern Jazz Orchestra (MOJO), created in 2002, and will feature the academy's jazz and classical music students, teachers, and alumni, as well as professional artists like jazz singer Sherry Williams, jazz guitarist Bob Boss, vocalist Yve Evans, Nigerian musician Najite, and Latin percussionist Ray Gonzales. These talents will take listeners on a musical voyage from Africa—where music originally issued from the drum—to the present day, celebrating music's power to connect people.

The concert will pay homage to trailblazing black female artists who influenced Hawkins over the years, including Shirley Horn and Jeannie Cheatham. Dr. Marshall Hawkins, a self-taught musician, began playing the string bass in 1964 and has played alongside premier artists like The Miles Davis Quintet. After founding the Idyllwild Arts Jazz Program and shaping it into a globally recognized institution, Hawkins continues to contribute passionately to the art of jazz through an integrative educational strategy encompassing theory, improvisation, and diverse musical styles.

Now at 84 years of age, Dr. Hawkins remains an active educator and is working on his autobiography as well as a documentary that will highlight his significant contributions to music.

Interested individuals seeking further details about the concert can visit the Idyllwild Arts website.

About Idyllwild Arts:
Idyllwild Arts, a hub for the arts community, is situated within a 205-acre pine forest in Idyllwild, nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California. Known for bringing together global talents, this arts enclave is home to a boarding arts high school, a summer arts program, and year-round activities for people of all ages through camps, workshops, and online courses. As an epicenter for creative collaboration, Idyllwild Arts empowers individuals with artistic exploration, intercultural understanding, and a reimagined sense of the artist's role in society.

Contact:
Emma Haber
9178924700
[email protected]

concert, jazz, history