Join us for Jazz
The Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts joins the world in celebrating International Jazz Day on April 30, 2018. EMCVPA will be hosting a Jazz Concert on the East Lawns of Devon House at 7 pm. The 2018 Concert, as is customary, will feature an all- star cast from the School of Music led Ibo Cooper, Orville Hammond, Rafael Salazar, Kayo Yoshida, Gerd Beyens, Ruth Browne, Jon Williams, William Eggleston, Derrick Stewart, Reuben Betty, Devon Richardson, June Lawson, Jamila Falak, and International Pianist, Randy Weston, and the African Rhythms Trio.
Jazz and EMCVPA
The EMCVPA offers a degree in Jazz and Popular Music Studies and is delighted to join the rest of the world to acknowledge the role jazz has played in society. As the first and only institution of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean, the College plays a major role in using the arts to educate, heal and enrich the nation. The International Jazz Day Concert celebrates the rich history of Jazz; it brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about jazz and its roots, future and impact; raise awareness of the need for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding; and reinforce international cooperation and communication.
The EMCVPA has been a part of this global movement for the past seven years to promote peace and dialogue through music and is delighted to join the rest of the world to acknowledge the role jazz has played in society.
The International Jazz Day concert is made possible through a partnership with the United States Embassy in Kingston. The College appeals to the public to contribute $2500 per ticket with the proceedings going towards the improvements to the rehearsal space at the School of Music.
About International Jazz Day
In December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly formally welcomed the decision by the UNESCO General Conference to proclaim April 30 as International Jazz Day. The day is used to draw public attention to jazz and its extraordinary heritage and is a culmination of a month-long focus on the on jazz. Former Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova said in her announcement that “Jazz embodies the spirit of UNESCO. It brings people together and builds peace, tolerance and understanding. It has been the soundtrack for positive social change, from the fight against racism to the struggle for democracy.”
About the Special Artiste
Randy Weston is an American jazz pianist and composer of Jamaican parentage. He was described by Marian McPartland as “one of the world’s great visionary pianists and composers”. Weston’s piano style owes much to Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk (he has paid direct tribute to both on the “portraits” albums), but it is highly distinctive in its qualities: percussive, highly rhythmic, capable of producing a wide variety of moods. He has been characterized as a “griot of jazz and its African roots”, Weston has said: “It’s so important to teach the history of our music and the origins of our music, which comes directly from the African continent… Musicians must be historians, too.”
For more information please contact the Marketing Department at the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts at 920-4633 or marketing@emc.edu.jm.
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