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JAZZAlive Events

The JAZZAlive calendar is full of concerts and educational forums. Please visit the JAZZAlive events calendar online here for full descriptions of events. ALL events are FREE, OPEN to the public (unless otherwise noted) and METRO accessible.

SEPTEMBER 2019

Allyn Johnson and Meet the Artist on the Bandstand - Muneer Nasser
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
12:30 p.m.

Pianist and UDC Jazz Studies Director Allyn Johnson invites author and trumpeter Muneer Nasser for a session of conversation and performance. Muneer’s recording, A Soldier's Story is the musical companion to the book he authored, Upright Bass: The Musical Life and Legacy of Jamil Nasser. The recording is a musical tribute to his father, the late great bassist Jamil Nasser.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West)
JAZZforum: Maxine Gordon in Conversation with Reuben Jackson
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
7:00 p.m.

Maxine Gordon is an arts advocate, jazz historian, archivist, scholar, manager and producer with a lifetime career working with jazz musicians. Maxine will discuss her remarkable career and recently published book, Sophisticated Giant: The Life and Legacy of Dexter Gordon with archivist, poet, writer and radio broadcaster Reuben Jackson who is the Jazz Archives Specialist at the Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West)

OCTOBER

Meet the Artist in a Workshop – Joe Chambers
Tuesday, October 01, 2019
12:30 p.m.

Acclaimed percussionist, composer and recording artist Joe Chambers will share his expertise as a master performer and educator. Chambers has worked with some of the most influential jazz figures of the last several decades and is a recognized performer and composer whose works have been performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. As a sideman and leader, Chambers has recorded more than 500 albums and is one of the original members of Max Roach’s ensemble, M’Boom . Workshop is open to the public.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West)
JAZZforum: Lennie Cuje with Rusty Hassan
Monday, October 07, 2019
7:00 p.m.

The legendary vibraphonist Lennie Cuje has been a fixture on the jazz scene for over 60 years. International Musician notes that he “has experienced life on a grand scale–in music, in war, and in two homelands.” A screening of the Washington Post’s award-winning documentary A Life in 4/4 Time will be followed by Lennie Cuje in conversation with veteran jazz broadcaster Rusty Hassan.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West)
JAZZforum: George Schuller – Film Screening & Discussion: The Modern Jazz Quartet: From Residency to Legacy
Monday, October 21, 2019
7:00 p.m.

JAZZforum presents a screening of George Schuller’s recently produced film The Modern Jazz Quartet: From Residency to Legacy. The drummer, composer/arranger, producer and director of the film George Schuller, will join author and discographer Michael Fitzgerald for a discussion on this new documentary that examines the role of the MJQ while in residence at Music Inn and The School of Jazz (Lenox, MA) during the mid to late 1950s.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West)
Allyn Johnson and Meet the Artist on the Bandstand
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
12:30 p.m.

Join pianist and UDC Jazz Studies Director Allyn Johnson for a lively session of conversation and performance.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West)

NOVEMBER

Jazz Concert: UDC Small Jazz Ensembles
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
12:30 p.m.

Join the Jazz Ensembles under the direction of Allyn Johnson for our Thanksgiving celebration.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West)

DECEMBER

Annual Holiday Concert
Thursday, December 12, 2019
7:30 p.m.

The University of the District of Columbia presents its annual holiday gift to the Washington, D.C. community. The UDC Chorale directed by Richard Odom, starts the evening with a program of choral music followed by the gospel sounds of The Voices, directed by Gerry Gillespie. The UDC Jazz Ensemble directed by Allyn Johnson closes the program with big band jazz sure to spread the holiday spirit.
UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM (Theatre of the Arts—Bldg. 46-East)

FEBRUARY 2020

Jazz Concert: UDC Small Jazz Ensembles
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
12:30 p.m.

Join the jazz ensembles under the direction of Allyn Johnson for our Black History Month celebration.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West)

MARCH

JAZZforum —To be announced

Monday, March 2, 2020
7:00 p.m.

The Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives at the University of the District of Columbia presents another research and outreach program.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West)

Allyn Johnson and Meet the Artist on the Bandstand
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
12:30 p.m.

Join pianist and UDC Jazz Studies Director Allyn Johnson for a lively session of conversation and performance.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West)

APRIL — JAM 2020 (Jazz Appreciation Month)@UDC

JAZZforum —To be announced

Monday, April 6, 2020
7:00 p.m.

The Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives at the University of the District of Columbia presents another research and outreach program.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West)

Jazz Concert: UDC Small Jazz Ensembles
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
12:30 p.m.

Jazz ensembles under the direction of Allyn Johnson celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month in a variety of flavors.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West)

Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival
Monday, April 27, 2020
8:00 p.m.

The Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival celebrates 34 years of world-class jazz at the University of the District of Columbia. The Big Band sound returns to UDC as the powerhouse jazz ensembles from the University of the District of Columbia (directed by Allyn Johnson), Howard University (directed by Fred Irby III) and the University of Maryland (directed by Tim Powell), once again cap off Jazz Appreciation Month with a hand-clapping, finger-snapping, foot-stomping good time. Produced by UDC’s Jazz Studies Program and the Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives, the festival began in 1987 as part of a citywide tribute to Duke Ellington, and it remains one of the most anticipated events on Washington, DC’s jazz calendar. Scholarship Benefit Series.
Tickets are $20 (general admission), $15 (seniors), and $10 (students) and can be purchased in advance at the UDC Music Program, Performing Arts-Bldg. 46-West or online at InstantSeats.com.

Please note that all events, dates, and times listed are subject to change. Additional events may be scheduled throughout the year. Unless otherwise noted, all programs are FREE and OPEN to the public.