The Black Mountain Institute (BMI) at UNLV presents the following events as part of its Readings & Panels Series. Distinguished speakers and writers from across the nation who specialize in literature, politics and social issues are part of this season's thought-provoking lecture series. Events are subject to change. Please check the Black Mountain Institute Web site for updated event information or call (702) 895-5542. All events are free and open to the public. Directions to UNLV and campus locations may be found on the campus maps web page.
"Jazz: America's Gift to the World" Moderated by Marlena Shaw
Date/Time
Thursday, March 24, 2011, 7 p.m.
Location
UNLV Doc Rando Hall in the Beam Music Center
Description
David Loeb, Ellis Marsalis, Ishmael Reed, Marlena Shaw and Richard Williams provide a history of jazz music and its impact globally.
Dave Loeb, director of UNLV Jazz Studies and an associate professor of music, conducts jazz ensembles and is instructor of jazz piano and jazz composition. Loeb has performed with renowned jazz artists including Freddie Hubbard, Tom Scott, Bobby Shew, Bill Watrous, Tom Harrell, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams and Anita O'Day. He has played for many television shows.
Marsalis is a longtime New-Orleans born musician whose influence helped spawn the careers of his sons Branford and Wynton as well as Harry Connick Jr.
Reed is poet, essayist and novelist, author of nine novels and is the recipient of several awards including the American Civil Liberties Award and Guggenheim Foundation Award. Before he was chief sports writer for The Guardian, Williams was head of artists at Island Records. He recently authored a book on Miles Davis album "Some Kind of Blue."
Marlena Shaw is among the most versatile and charismatic jazz vocalists performing today. Her music career began in 1963, when she worked with jazz trumpeter Howard McGhee, and by the mid-'60s she was performing regularly for audiences in the Catskills, around Manhattan. She went on to tour with the Count Basie Orchestra for four years, and was eventually signed to Blue Note Records, recording five albums and several singles for the label. She toured for a time with the late Sammy Davis, Jr. and continues to perform today.
