SF Sate holds free performance series

The sound of jazz trumpeted from Knuth Hall in the Creative Arts building when five musicians, including two SF State students and a faculty member, came together to create a performance that would have impressed jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Count Basie.

"The music sounded so good, and it moved me so much, I had tears in my eyes," said Angela Morrison, a theatre arts student who attended the free concert Friday afternoon.

The SF State Jazz Faculty Concert Series is the first in a string of concerts put together by Dee Spencer, director of jazz/pop performance studies at SF State and a pianist in the series.

Although jazz was chosen to kick off the concert series, Spencer said other musical styles will be explored throughout the semester.

"You could come and hopefully learn each of the art forms and see professional artists who are here on campus, and develop a communication between the community artists and the faculty here," Spencer said.

The music performed in the series is taken from some of the greatest jazz musicians in history. Friday's program included a piece, "Straight, No Chaser", from Thelonious Monk, a jazz pianist and composer, and one of the founders of the jazz style that became known as be-bop.

During the 45-minute concert, more than 60 people with smiling faces tapped their feet in time with the music.

"I came out here because I love jazz," said Loren Jay, a retiree, who came from San Rafael for the concert.

Whether playing together or performing solo, band members gave it their all on stage, thankful to be a part of the program and to share their talent with the audience.

The trumpet player, Mondre Moffett, a recording artist and SF State music department graduate student, said it was Spencer who first recommended the program to him.

Moffett said he hopes to get a chance to invite some of his friends who are professional musicians to come and lecture and play at SF State as well.

Brian Kirsch, an undergraduate in the music department, was able to play guitar in the series after continuously asking Spencer for the opportunity this past summer.

Other members included Bay Area musicians Mark Lingnell on drums, who has played at the Monterey Jazz Festival, and Mark Williams on bass.

Williams was able to perform due to a grant from the Urban Institute. He will also be teaching bass through November at SF State.

The final Jazz Faculty Concert will be held today at 1:10 p.m. in Knuth Hall, but the concert series will run every Tuesday and Friday at the same time and location. Admission is free to the general public.

[ Golden Gater Online October 3, 1995 ]

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