The Santa Monica College (SMC) Jazz Ensemble will perform a live concert, led by conductor Frederick Keith Fiddmont, on Monday, March 31, at 7 p.m. in the Music Hall at the SMC Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th Street(at Santa Monica Boulevard), Santa Monica. “DEI (Dynamic Energy and Improvisation)” willfeature cutting-edge jazz compositions and arrangements by individuals who had to fight against convention to have their unique genius recognized.
Conductor Frederick Keith Fiddmont noted:
Oliver Nelson (1932-1975) enjoyed undeniable success with his landmark 1961 album “Blues and the Abstract Truth, but when he moved to Los Angeles in 1967, he and his fellow African American composers faced an industry holding prejudices that questioned the musicians’ competence and kept them out of more lucrative industry opportunities.
As Black women in a world dominated by men, pianist and composer Mary Lou Williams (1910-1981) and trombonist and composer Melba Liston (1926-1999) had to fight the double-edged sword of racism and sexism. Williams traveled as the only female in Andy Kirk’s territory band out of Kansas City, as did Liston with Dizzy Gillespie’s band.
Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967), one of the preeminent geniuses in jazz history, lived as an openly gay African American man at a difficult time for members of the LGBTQ community. As a result, he lived much of his public life in the shadow of his mentor/collaborator Duke Ellington. Apart from his collaborative work with Ellington, Strayhorn’s compositions stand as some of the finest in the American lexicon.
The program will honor these musicians with performances of works that include “Walking and Swinging” by Mary Lou Williams, “Lush Life” by Billy Strayhorn, and “If You Could See Me Now,” arranged by Melba Liston.
Tickets are $10 general admission (plus a modest service charge); free for all students with any student I.D. Advance tickets can be purchased online at smc.edu/tickets or by calling 310-434-3005 (Monday-Friday; limited hours). Tickets may also be purchased — starting 45 minutes before the performance begins — at The Broad Stage Box Office at the SMC Performing Arts Center. Free parking on premises. Seating is strictly on a first-arrival basis.
More information is available by calling 310-434-4323. Concert is subject to change or cancellation without notice.
