Pierce Street Jazz
Pierce Street Jazz (PSJ) is a free, straight-ahead jazz concert series held on the campus of La Sierra University in Riverside, CA.
History[edit]
The origin of PSJ at La Sierra University can be traced to the summer of 2009 when the director of the summer program and the university provost invited Henry “The Skipper” Franklin, a local bass player, to organize an ensemble for a few concerts in the campus Student Center. Franklin agreed, invited a pianist and drummer to join him in a trio, and, with guest soloists, delivered several performances.[1][2]
After the summer events, the director and provost persuaded Franklin to continue the concerts, called PSJ, in the Alumni Center, located on Pierce Street. With several, free Wednesday evening concerts each quarter, PSJ continued in this venue for over four years. By 2013 having outgrown the Alumni Center, PSJ moved to the Troesh Conference Center in the Zapara School of Business, its loctation ever since.[3][2]
In time, Franklin developed a de facto house trio with Theo Saunders on piano and Ramon Banda on drums. After Banda's death in 2019,[4] Marvin “Smitty” Smith or Yayo Morales have usually filled that role. These musicians and many of the guest soloists have regularly performed in the Friday night jazz events at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)[5] in Los Angeles.
Guest Soloists[edit]
Over the years, the trio has hosted many regional and national soloists,[6] including the following selection:
- Fuasi Abdul-Khaliq (saxophone)[7]
- Bob Boss (guitar)[8]
- Bobby Bradford (trumpet)[9]
- Gilbert Castellanos (trumpet)[10]
- Carol Chaikin (saxophone)[11]
- Mayuto Correa (percussion)[12]
- Mon David (vocal)[13]
- Dale Fielder (saxophone)[14]
- Gary Foster (saxophone)[15]
- Holly Hofmann (flute)[16]
- Rumi Inoue (flute)[17]
- Azar Lawrence (saxophone)[6]
- Nick Mancini (vibraphone)[18]
- Chuck Manning (saxophone)[19][20][21]
- Barbara Morrison (vocal)[22]
- Charles Owens (saxophone)[23]
- John Payne (guitar)[24]
- Ron Stout (trumpet)[25][26]
- Justin Thomas (vibraphone)[27]
- Dwight Trible (vocal)[28]
- Louis Van Taylor (saxophone)[29]
- Javier Vergara (saxophone)[30]
- Doug Webb (saxophone)[31][32]
- Sherry Williams (vocal)[33][34]
- Teodross Avery (saxophone)[35]
Importance[edit]
In a region where straight-ahead jazz music was once popular, PSJ helps to preserve this musical genre in Riverside, while introducing it to students.[3][6][2] Local and regional media not only acknowledge this but also carry notices of the events, e.g., The Press-Enterprise of Riverside;[20] the City of Riverside;[30] KSGN radio;[8] performing arts LIVE;[17] City News Group;[19] WAVY;[36] Hipster Sanctuary;[21] Redlands Community News;[22] Jazz Clubs;[31] Jazz Near You;[11] and Spectrum magazine.[27]
See also[edit]
- Vinny Golia (woodwinds)
- Jacques Lesure (guitar)
- Phil Ranelin (trombone)
- Nolan Shaheed (trumpet and flugelhorn)
- Rickey Woodard (saxophone)
References[edit]
- ^ Howe, Andrew (2022). Higher Ground: A Centennial History of La Sierra University 1922-2022. La Sierra University. p. 140. ISBN 979-8-218-07277-3.
- ^ a b c St. Clair, Becky (September 2023). "Pierce Street Jazz: Bringing Back an Art Form". Pacific Union Recorder. 123 (9): 32–34.
- ^ a b "Free jazz concerts at La Sierra University help keep America's music alive". The Press-Enterprise. September 3, 2018.
- ^ "Timbales Maestro Ramon Banda Dies". World Music Central. May 31, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- ^ Koton, Chuck (14 Feb 2023). "Jazz At LACMA: 30 Years Of Friday Night Jazz". All About Jazz.
- ^ a b c Isberto, Michael (26 Nov 2014). "Riverside builds up a new age jazz scene". Viewpoints Online.
- ^ "RIVERSIDE: Saxophonist Abdul-Khaliq to Play Jazz Series". The Press-Enterprise. 7 April 2012.
- ^ a b "Pierce Street Jazz with Bob Boss". 89.7 KSGN. 2 Mar 2022.
- ^ "Bobby Bradford: Timeline: work in progress". Mark Weber: Jazz for mostly. 30 December 2021.
- ^ "Riverside: Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos to Lead Pierce Street Jazz". The Press-Enterprise. 21 August 2012.
- ^ a b Tucker, Darla (29 Nov 2022). "Christmas Jazz With Carol Chaikin at La Sierra University". Jazz Near You.
- ^ "RIVERSIDE: Brazilian Percussionist to Join Jazz Series". The Press-Enterprise. 31 March 2015.
- ^ "RIVERSIDE: Pierce Street Jazz Features Mon David". The Press-Enterprise. 30 April 2013.
- ^ "Riverside: Pierce Street Jazz Welcomes Fielder June 20". The Press-Enterprise. 15 June 2012.
- ^ "RIVERSIDE: Saxophonist Gary Foster to Lead Pierce Street Jazz Concert". The Press-Enterprise. 23 June 2014.
- ^ "La Sierra University in Riverside to host free jazz concert". The Press-Enterprise. 18 July 2017.
- ^ a b "Pierce Street Jazz Concert". Performing Arts Live. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "RIVERSIDE: La Sierra Hosts Nick Mancini Quartet". The Press-Enterprise. 23 May 2012.
- ^ a b "Saxophonist Manning to Play Pierce Street Jazz". City News Group, Inc. 7 Nov 2019.
- ^ a b "Hear saxophonist Chuck Manning on La Sierra University Jazz series". The Press-Enterprise. 17 Aug 2018.
- ^ a b Carmack, Robert J. "Chuck Manning Appearing - Pierce Street Jazz Series La Sierra University". Hipster Sanctuary. Retrieved 1 Feb 2023.
- ^ a b "Jazz series returns with Henry Franklin birthday bash". Redlands Community News. 26 Nov 2021.
- ^ "Charles Owens". All About Jazz. 17 January 2023.
- ^ "RIVERSIDE: Blues Guitarist to Headline Pierce Street Jazz Concert". The Press-Enterprise. 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Ron Stout at Pierce Street Jazz Series at La Sierra University". Jazz Near You. 5 May 2015.
- ^ "Pierce Street Jazz to Showcase Trumpeter Ron Stout". Performance Arts Live. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ a b Anderson, Hallie (11 May 2016). "La Sierra University Welcomes Famed Vibraphonist to Campus for Pierce Street Jazz Series". Spectrum.
- ^ "Pierce Street Jazz Series - Barbara Morrison (now with Dwight Trible)". 89.7 KSGN. 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Pierce Street Series to Feature Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor". Performing Arts Live. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Pierce Street Jazz". City of Riverside. 2 Nov 2022.
- ^ a b "Pierce Street Jazz". Jazz Clubs. Retrieved 1 Feb 2023.
- ^ "Pierce Street Jazz with Doug Webb". City of Riverside. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "Pierce Street Jazz Welcomes Sherry Williams". 89.7 KSGN. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "Sherry Williams at Pierce Street Jazz Series at La Sierra University". Jazz Near You. 21 February 2023.
- ^ "LA Jazz Quick Calendar: Wednesday 11/29". LA Jazz.com. Retrieved 28 Nov 2023.
- ^ "Pierce Street Jazz Birthday Bash at La Sierra University:". WAVY.com. 23 Nov 2021.