Idyllwild Arts Brings Together a Plethora of Talent for Black History Jazz Concert on February 17

In honor of Black History Month, Idyllwild Arts Academy announces its annual Black History jazz concert, which is free and open to the public. The concert and will take place at the school’s stunning campus on February 17 from 7:00pm to 9pm (Lowman Concert Hall, 52500 Temecula Road #38, Idyllwild, CA).

The event is the brainchild of Idyllwild Arts iconic Jazz Program founder, Dr. Marshall Hawkins — who has played bass with many legends including The Miles Davis Quintet – as well as Dr. Daniel Bassin (IA Director of Orchestra) and will be hosted by the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Board.

The theme of the event will be the “Replacement of the Drum,” reflecting both the hardships and triumphs black Americans have experienced in the United States when drums, a principal form of communication in Africa, were taken away during slavery. Africans in America had to fashion different types of drums and percussion instruments from whatever materials they could gather, profoundly reinventing and reshaping music for generations to come.

The concert will feature Dr. Marshall Hawkins Seahawk Modern Jazz Orchestra (MOJO), which he formed in 2002, joining the school’s own Jazz and Classical music students, faculty and alumni along with a plethora of professional performers for this highly anticipated event, including jazz artist Sherry Williams, jazz musician Bob Boss, vocalist Yve Evans, Nigerian artist Najite and Latin percussionist Ray Gonzales.

Listeners will be taken on a journey from Africa where music began with the drum through the new world and into modern music, showcasing the unifying power of music.

For more information visit: https://idyllwildarts.org/event/black-history-concert/