Upcoming Events:

7:00 p.m. - Pre-show wine & cheese reception
8:00 p.m. - Concert
9:30 p.m. - Post-show dessert reception

Preferred Seating: $60
General Admission: $40

Pre- and post-show receptions are included in both ticket prices. Preferred seating will be reserved in the front rows. General admission seating will be available in all other rows. All seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

To purchase tickets, please call The Jazz Bakery box office at (310) 271-9039.
Tickets will be held at the door and available beginning at 7:00 pm when doors open.

Acceptable forms of payment:
• Check made payable to the JAZZ BAKERY.
• All credit cards accepted (5% service charge).
• Online ticket sales at www.jazzbakery.org.
• Ticket sales at the door will be cash or check only.

Map, directions, and parking:
Lot 4 – Enter UCLA from Sunset Blvd. at Westwood Plaza.

Questions, please call (310) 271-9039.

Tickets are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law and net proceeds from this event will benefit the Jazz Bakery and Friends of Jazz at UCLA.

Media Support Provided By KKJZ.

Catering generously donated by Toscana Restaurant.


Past Events:

This SOLD OUT event was a delightful afternoon spent with the Friends of Jazz at UCLA, the UCLA Jazz Studies Faculty, and featured Author Claire Gordon and the Alan Broadbent Trio, Catalina Bar & Grill, Saturday, June 13, 2009.

Claire Gordon, Duke Ellington’s former band secretary and author of My Unforgettable Jazz Friends, discussed her life with some of the greatest jazz musicians of the century while growing up in Los Angeles during the 30’s and 40’s.

Two-time Grammy winner Alan Broadbent performed jazz standards from the 30’s and 40’s.

And very special invited guests, the UCLA Jazz Studies faculty and emeriti faculty:
Kenny Burrell, James Newton, George Bohanon, Oscar Brashear, Garnett Brown, Clayton Cameron, Billy Childs, Jeff Clayton, Charley Harrison, Tamir Hendelman, Wolf Marshall, Roberto Miranda, Barbara Morrison, Charles Owens, Ruth Price, Tom Ranier, Dr. Bobby Rodriguez, Michele Weir, Anthony Wilson, and Gerald Wilson.


The Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies
and the
Kenny Burrell Archive of African American Music
Present

The Gerald Wilson
Living Legends Music and Lecture Series

Featuring: Buddy Collette
Hosted by: Gerald Wilson and Kenny Burrell

Thursday, May 21, 2009

This unique series was created to honor Maestro Gerald Wilson for his many years of outstanding contributions in the fields of music and music education. The series features Wilson with guests who are experts in the fields of jazz and popular music. As a NEA Jazz Master, Wilson brings his usual wit and wisdom to the interaction with the guests and the audience. This year’s honoree is Buddy Collette.

An important force in the Los Angeles jazz community, Collette was an early pioneer at playing jazz on the flute. Collette started on piano as a child and then gradually learned all of the woodwinds. An early teacher of Charles Mingus, Collette became the first black musician to get a permanent spot in a West Coast studio band (1951-1955). He gained his greatest recognition as an important member of the Chico Hamilton Quintet (1955-1956). He mostly stuck to the L.A. area, freelancing, working in the studios, playing in clubs, teaching, and inspiring younger musicians.

Collette was a pioneer civil rights activist, working to desegregate the musician's union of Los Angeles. Gerald Wilson, Frank Sinatra, Nat “King” Cole, and Benny Carter were some of his early supporters. He also helped organize a concert and rally protesting government repression of singer, actor and political activist Paul Robeson. He continues to remain active in jazz education, having founded numerous programs for youth in the Los Angeles area. For more information on Collette’s amazing life, please visit the following websites: www.buddycollette.com and www.npr.org/programs/jazzprofiles/archive/collette.html.

This event was co-sponsored by the UCLA Graduate Division, the UCLA Friends of Jazz, and the UCLA Department of Anthropology.



April 23-25, 2009: 2009 Reno Jazz Festival
University of Nevada, Reno
This is the second year that the Friends of Jazz at UCLA sponsored the trip to the Reno Jazz Festival for UCLA's Traditional Jazz Orchestra and Contemporary Jazz Ensemble. The Festival featured a standing room only performance by the Orchestra, directed by Charley Harrison.

They left on a Wednesday morning, drove to San Jose, performed at a local high school then played a joint concert in the evening. The next day they went to UC Berkeley where they sat in on jazz improvisation classes and later played a concert with UC Berkeley Jazz Ensembles. From there, they traveled on to compete in the Reno Jazz Festival.

Neither group won, but both bands were finalists. There were approximately 18 bands in the collegiate division and 200 high school bands. Most of the participants at the Reno Jazz Festival were from California. The UCLA bands filled the room wiith spectators and there was a line down the hall of people wanting to get in. Overall, the trip was a fabulous success. Congratulations to everyone!

UCLA Traditional Jazz Orchestra conducted by Charley Harrison

Ryan Baker - Trombone
Will Baker - Bass
Travis Barnes - Drums
Russell Bowerman - Trombone
Anthony DeBenedetti - Baritone Saxophone
Nick DePinna - Trombone
Mark Einhorn - Alto Saxophone and Clarinet
Miles Freeman - Tenor Saxophone and Flute
Derek Ganong - Trumpet
Ritter Ganong - Trumpet
Mike Greenwood - Piano
Anna Kent - Tenor Saxophone and Clarinet
Jack Kent - Trumpet
Andrew Longaker - Guitar
Ryan Mahlstedt - Bass
Alan McFarlane - Trombone
Zach Meyerowitz - Trumpet
Daniel Richman - Trumpet
Iris Yellum - Alto Saxophone and Flute

UCLA Contemporary Jazz Ensemble student director Nick DePinna

Ryan Baker - Trombone
Russell Bowerman - Trombone
Anthony DeBenedetti - Baritone Saxophone
Charlie Domingo- Bass
Mark Einhorn - Alto Saxophone
Miles Freeman - Woodwinds
Derek Ganong - Trumpet
Peter Hargreaves - Alto Saxophone, Composer
Jake Jamieson - Drums
Anna Kent - Woodwinds
Dan Marschak - Piano, Composer
Alan McFarlane - Trombone
Zach Meyerowitz - Trumpet
Hitomi Oba - Alumni Composer / Conductor
David Sedgwick - Trumpet


Saturday and Sunday, April 4-5, 2009:
Duke Ellington's 110th Birthday Anniversary Festival of Music
Schoenberg Hall, UCLA

Saturday, April 4, 2:00-5:00 pm
UCLA Jazz Student Combos play Ellingtonia, directed by Kenny Burrell, George Bohanon, Clayton Cameron, Charles Owens, Michele Weir, and Charley Harrison.

Saturday, April 4, 7:00 pm
UCLA Philharmonia Orchestra, Neal Stulberg, Conductor. Performing specially selected Ellington extended works. Special guest: renowned vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater. Jens Lindemann, trumpeter and director of a new student brass ensemble, playing Ellington compositions. Ellington's Music for String Quartet arranged by Paul Chihara. Solo guest artists: violinist Lesa Terry; pianist Tom Ranier; percussionist Clayton Cameron; bassist Roberto Miranda; guitarist and Jazz Studies Director, Kenny Burrell.

Sunday, April 5, 1:00-3:30 pm
Southern California Premiere of Ellington's Folk Opera Queenie Pie (excerpts), featuring some of UCLA’s finest vocalists and instrumentalists, conducted by Marc Bolin.
Duke Ellington's Sacred Music Concert (excerpts). Featuring Dwight Trible and Chester Whitmore, with Kalil Wilson, Lauren Michelle and Joseph Buchanan, conducted by Charles Owens.

Sunday, April 5, 7:00 pm
UCLA Jazz Orchestra directed by Charley Harrison, UCLA Contemporary Jazz Orchestra directed by Kenny Burrell and James Newton, UCLA Latin Jazz Ensemble directed by Bobby Rodriguez. UCLA Jazz Faculty soloists with Kenny Burrell, Charles Owens, Barbara Morrison, Clayton Cameron, Roberto Miranda and others. Special guests: Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ernie Andrews, Dwight Trible, Herb Jeffries, and Bill Henderson; plus conductors Gerald Wilson and Chester Whitmore.


Wednesday, December 31, 2008: New Year’s Eve Celebration
The Jazz Bakery, Los Angeles
The New Year’s Eve Celebration at The Jazz Bakery kicked off the new year with two shows featuring the all-star quintet - James Moody, Kenny Burrell, Benny Green, Cameron Clayton and Trevor Ware. Tickets to the concert included a pre-show reception of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine, champagne and coffee. Net proceeds benefited The Jazz Bakery, Friends of Jazz at UCLA and KKJZ-FM.

Thank you to our sponsors: Toscana Restaurant, Beacon Restaurant, S. Martinelli & Company, EmpireCLS, The Wine House, KKJZ-FM, The Jazz Bakery, UCLA Graduate Division, and Friends of Jazz at UCLA.


Sunday, October 12, 2008: A Great Day in LA
Royce Hall, UCLA
On the 50th Anniversary of Art Kane's legendary photograph, Harlem 1958, noted Los Angeles jazz musicians Dr. Bobby Rodriguez, Kenny Burrell, and Kenny Dennis gathered over 250 artists, vocalists, composers, and arrangers for A Great Day in L.A. - an event for timely photo documentation and a gathering of celebration.


Monday, June 16, 2008: David L. Abell Jazz Piano Salons featuring Benny Green
Fowler Museum at UCLA, Lenart Auditorium
The salon featured jazz pianist, BENNY GREEN, a player with a sensitive touch, stunning technical command and a sturdy sense of swing. Green performed two solo sets of music and engaged in an interactive dialogue with LA Jazz Institute Founder and Director, KEN POSTON, and the audience.


April 24-26, 2008: 2008 Reno Jazz Festival
University of Nevada, Reno
The Friends of Jazz at UCLA sponsored the UCLA Traditional Jazz Orchestra’s trip to the 2008 Reno Jazz Festival. The Festival featured a standing room only performance by the Orchestra, directed by Charley Harrison. Accolades go out to Nick DePinna, trombonist, who received an award for Outstanding College Performer, and the entire UCLA Traditional Jazz Orchestra as they placed in the top five among the Four Year College Bands. Congratulations to everyone!

Watch some clips from their festival performances by clicking here.


March 11, 2008: Gerald Wilson Tribute Concert & Reception
Schoenberg Hall - UCLA
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, Department of Ethnomusicology presented a “standing room only” big band jazz concert in special tribute to Gerald Wilson. The Friends of Jazz at UCLA hosted a private reception following the concert.


February 12, 2008: David L. Abell Jazz Piano Salons featuring Hank Jones
Fowler Museum at UCLA, Lenart Auditorium
The salon featured Grammy-nominated, NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) Jazz Master pianist, HANK JONES, accompanied by JOHN CLAYTON (bass) and JOE LA BARBERA (drums).


December 4, 2007: Holiday Jazz Concert
Schoenberg Hall - UCLA
Performances feature the UCLA Jazz Orchestra, directed by Charley Harrison; the UCLA Latin Jazz Ensemble, directed by Bobby Rodriguez; and the UCLA Contemporary Jazz Ensemble, directed by Kenny Burrell and Roberto Miranda.


December 3, 2007: Student Jazz Showcase Concert
Schoenberg Hall - UCLA
Performances feature UCLA jazz combos directed by Kenny Burrell, George Bohanon, Clayton Cameron, Charles Owens, Michele Weir and Charlie Harrison.


November 4, 2007: Sunday at Catalina's with the Friends of Jazz at UCLA
The Friends of Jazz at UCLA presented some of the finest UCLA Jazz Studies students and ensembles directed by world-renowned faculty members Kenny Burrell, Charley Harrison, Dr. Bobby Rodriguez, and Roberto Miranda.


The David L. Abell Memorial Jazz Piano Salons
Presented by the Friends of Jazz at UCLA and the Fowler Museum
August 6, 2006: Harold Mabern Trio (with John Clayton & Roy McCurdy)
October 15, 2006: Jessica Williams
January 7, 2007: George Cables
March 4, 2007: Fred Hersch


April 2, 2006 – Third Annual Awards Celebration and Jam Session,
with Terry Gibbs, Lalo Schifrin, Buddy Collette, Mike Melvoin, Ann Patterson, and Howard Rumsey


December 2, 2006 – Tribute to Kenny Burrell at Royce Hall:
Master guitarist, prolific composer and pioneering educator, Kenny Burrell is one of the most respected instrumentalists of our time, lauded not only for his dazzling talent and lyrical sensitivity, but also for his immense contribution to the worlds of jazz and blues. “Duke Ellington’s favorite guitar improviser,” Burrell is now in his 28th year at UCLA as Professor of Ethnomusicology and Music, and the director and founder of the Jazz Studies Program. In a very special 75th year tribute, guest artists celebrate the long and illustrious career of this “historic figure of American guitar.”


December 6, 2005 – Holiday Themed Concert, Tribute to Big Bands
featuring Kenny Burrell, Schoenberg Hall

June 5, 2005 – Tribute to David L. Abell

March 15, 2005 – Big Band and Reception for sponsoring and charter members

March 14, 2005 – Combo Concerts

November 4, 2005 – Special Invitation Event:
Legendary jazz producer George Avakian was honored with the Claudia Mitchell-Kernan Award for Contributions to Scholarship and Education in the Field of Jazz. The highlight of the event was a speech by producer George Avakian about a once in a lifetime, never released, recording of Louis Armstrong with the Duke Ellington orchestra. December 5, 2005 – Jazz Combo Concert, Schoenberg Hall

November 3, 2005 – Latin Jazz Special, Tribute to Dizzy Gillespie,
featuring Bobby Rodriguez

November 1, 2005 – Tribute to Big Bands and major jazz composers,
featuring Kenny Burrell and UCLA Jazz Faculty

December 6, 2004 – Combo Concerts

December 1, 2004 – Reception for Sponsoring and Charter Members

September 12, 2004 – Concert Honoring Gerald Wilson

June 10, 2004 – Jazz Studies Big Band Concert

June 7, 2004 – Jazz Studies Combo Concert

March 4, 2004 – Jazz Studies Big Band Concert

March 3, 2004 – Jazz Studies Combo Concert

December 2, 2003 – Reception for Charter Members

December 2, 2003 – Jazz Studies Big Band Concert

December 1, 2003 – Jazz Studies Combo Concert

August 24, 2003 – Tribute and Luncheon Concert