Announcing the first performance of the year for the Freedom Jazz Choir…
Celebrating Black History through Music and Poetry:
A Tribute to Duke Ellington and Langston Hughes
Take part in the new year of the Healdsburg Jazz’ Freedom Jazz Choir, learning from and singing with the Marcus Shelby Quintet featuring Tiffany Austin at their first concert of 2015. “A Tribute to Duke Ellington and Langston Hughes” will be the theme of this special Black History Month show, to be held in Healdsburg at the Raven Theater. Presented by Healdsburg Jazz.
- When: Friday, February 27
- Where: Raven Theater, 115 North St., Healdsburg
- Time: 7:00 pm.
The concert will be free, with donations gratefully accepted to support our music education programs in local schools.
Marcus Shelby, the multi-talented composer, musician and bandleader who last year presented his oratorio about Harriet Tubman at the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, will compile this year’s program from Duke Ellington’s extensive oeuvre of song and orchestral works, and Langston Hughes’ poetry and prose pieces. This will be the third year of the Freedom Jazz Choir’s participation in Shelby’s Healdsburg performances. Approximately 60 adult members of the local amateur choir have already begun rehearsals in preparation for the Feb. 27 concert.
The Student Jazz Choir and Ensemble will be drawn from Healdsburg area 5-8th graders who participate in the Healdsburg Jazz Black History Month education program, when Shelby will conduct Civil Rights-themed assemblies at eight Healdsburg and Geyserville schools the first week in February. Those schools will attend concert performances during the day on Feb. 27, with all area residents invited to the evening concert, starting at 7 pm.
There is no charge for the concert, but donations to Healdsburg Jazz’s education programs are encouraged. Along with the Black History Month program, Healdsburg Jazz has several other jazz education programs, and offers scholarships and support to area students in music education.