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DAY 2: Third Annual Emerging Artist Festival
November 21, 2020 @ 7:00 pm
TICKETS
Lakecia Benjamin, alto saxophone
Saturday, November 21, 2020
Alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin won the 2019 Downbeat Critic’s Poll Rising Star Award as well as the Jazz Journalist’s Award for Up and Coming Jazz Musician of the Year. She recently recorded Pursuance, a tribute to the Coltranes (Alice and John) which was produced by her “god father” and mentor Reggie Workman (who also served as John Coltrane’s bassist). The sublime character of that recording is not that it is merely a tribute to Coltrane, but that she captures the spirit, the fire and the essence of their music, channeling their authentic tradition while infusing it with young energy and influences. Benjamin will be performing material from this recording in a pre-filmed, exclusive-content concert at the VJC. She says “Our job is to heal and spread joy throughout the planet. That’s the reason I play music.”
A new highlight for this year’s festival is the presentation of 5-minute videos from college, high school and youth jazz ensembles. We will present videos from approximately ten student groups performing in situations that reflect the creativity of working within the limits of social distancing.
7:00 pm Pre-Concert Feature: Short Videos from High Schools & Colleges
- Flynn Center Combos – Flynntones Jazz Orchestra, Tom Cleary, Director: Low Tide (Elmo Hope)/Hot Fun in the Summertime (Sly Stone)
- The Kinetic Four, UMass, Amherst– Amherst, MA; Jeff Holmes, Director: Stop This Train – (John Mayer, Joshua Redman, Arr.)
- Harwood Assembly Band, Harwood Union High School – Moretown, VT; Bruce Sklar, Director: Colors -The Black Pumas (Eric Burton, Adrian Quesada)
7:15 pm Live Zoom Conversation
Lakecia Benjamin and Reggie Workman come together to discuss her recent project dedicated to the music and profound influences of Alice and John Coltrane. Eugene Uman moderates.
8:00 pm Concert: Lakecia Benjamin Quartet (VJC website only)
Opening Video – The Groovy Truth Jazz Ensemble, PVPA-Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School; Frank Newton, Director: The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing (Irving Berlin)
Concert: Exclusive footage of concert filmed in NYC with Benjamin on alto saxophone, Zaccai Curtis, piano; Lonnie Plaxico, bass; EJ Strickland, drums. Ms. Benjamin and her quartet were filmed performing music from her new, highly acclaimed album, Pursuance, as a means to create excitement around this awe-inspiring release.
2020 Downbeat Critic’s Poll Rising Star Award winner
