SBC Jazzy Fryday
Youth Jazz Nite
May 26, 2017 at 7:00 pm
The Second Baptist Church
2412 Griffith Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011
This month, get ready for an amazing evening of jazz hosted by the Agretta Epps Scholarship Fund. The youth musicians are the stars of the evening! The lineup features upcoming musicians Katelyn Hunter-Robinson, Arianna Chisolm, Jamael Dean, Ian Sims, Evan Wright, Flower Van Vactor, Vandrick Van Vactor, A Place Called Home, and a Dolo Coker Jazz Group of 10th graders and up.
We have an all-star band of teachers and mentors. Our house band of seasoned jazz pros is there to backup and support the jazz youth artists. Most of them are teachers and have heavy affiliations with youth jazz programs. Distinguished trumpeter Nolan Shaheed, legendary drummer Donald Dean Sr., celebrated bassist Richard Simon, and outstanding pianist Rick Hills will be bringing out the best in our youth performers.
A delicious fish fry dinner will be served throughout the evening. See you there!
A Place Called Home
Tony Rosales - Guitar
Mizan Willis - Percussion
Jaziah Gibson - Vocals
Dolo Coker Foundation 10th Graders
Mathew Kuperberg - Piano
Christopher Astoquillca - Saxophone
Justin Gilmore Gresham - Trumpt
Kenneth Brown - Trumpet
Christopher Powe - Alto Saxophone
Solo Musicians
Evan Wright - Vocals/Keyboard/Composer
Ian Sims - Vocals/Keyboard/Composer
Katelyn Hunter-Robinson - Vocas
Tyler Ransom - Guitar
House Band
Nolan Shaheed - Trumpet
Rick Hills - Piano
Donald Dean, Sr. - Drums
Richard Simon - Bass
Nolan Shaheed
As Nolan Smith, he began his musical career in 1974, rising to be a top studio musician. He was musical director for Marvin Gaye, lead trumpet with Count Basie and has an extensive resume of other acts he has worked with including: Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Phil Collins, Anita Baker, Carole King, Tom Waits, John Handy, David Byrne, Raymond Harry Brown, Freddie Hubbard and Niki Nana.
Donald Dean, Sr.
Donald Dean is a dynamic jazz drummer who has played with many of the world's greatest jazz legends such as Les McCann, Jimmy Smith, and Betty Carter. He is the proud grandfather of Darynn Dean, upcoming jazz vocalist, and Jamael Dean, rising jazz pianist. Donald has recently been honored as a Legend of Jazz due to his substantial contribution to jazz.
Rick Hills
When speaking of Rick Hills, one thing stands out- singers love Rick Hills on piano! Why? He can play in any key, has a huge musical repertoire, and shows classy restraint when supporting vocalists through a musical interlude. He is one of the most requested musicians of our time. When you hear him, you will understand why!
Richard Simon
Richard Simon earned a Master of Arts degree and taught English in the Los Angeles Community College District before picking up the bass at the age of 30. He then studied with the legendary bassist, Red Callender, and began working with LA's elder jazz elite, including Buddy Collette, Teddy Edwards, Lorez Alexandria, and Plas Johnson.
Richard plays a broad range of styles: he plays "traditional" jazz with trombonist Dan Barrett, vocalist Rebecca Kilgore and guitarist Eddie Erickson; "mainstream" jazz with Nancy Wilson's pianist, Llew Matthews, and flute virtuoso, Sam Most; and "be-bop" with vibraphonists Dave Pike and Terry Gibbs.
He has toured and recorded with the great clarinetist, Ken Peplowski ("Last Swing of the Century," on Concord), and performed and recorded with the singer, Keely Smith ("Swing, Swing, Swing," Concord). In mid-2006, he recorded with LA's premier jazz vocalist, Ernie Andrews, and tenor saxophonist Houston Person ("How About Me," High Note).
In 1994, Richard began teaching bass in Buddy Collette's fledgling JazzAmerica program. Today, he is Program Director. JazzAmerica conducts jazz "WorkChops" for middle school and high school students. He recruits the students, hires the faculty, assembles the repertoire, organizes the rehearsals, books the performances and solicits the donations. In 2005-06, Richard wrote a proposal to and received a grant from theLos Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. (JazzAmerica is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.)
Having toured Japan three times, and played with the jazz-loving King of Thailand twice, Richard is among today's avid jazz ambassadors. He is available for tours, festivals and clinics worldwide.