*Jazz is a monument of the Black American experience, as much a celebration of heritage as it is a powerful act of civil disruption, which makes the Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political & Economic Institute (MDAAPEI) at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) the ideal venue for honoring the genre and the culture that comes with it, with the Dymally International Jazz & Arts Festival.
Taking place on Saturday, April 26th, at the Dignity Health Stadium on the campus of CSUDH.
It was the iconic songstress Nina Simone who once said that “jazz is not just music; it’s a way of life, it’s a way of being, a way of thinking.” Wynton Marsalis–legendary musician and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center–echoed this sentiment when he described jazz as “democracy in action.”
Jazz is so much more than the passionate improvisations and fiery brass melodies we hear–it’s about what we feel.
Jazz connects us to its soulful origins amongst African American communities in New Orleans in the late 19th century, where early musicians blended ragtime, hymns, marches, blues, vaudeville conventions, African rituals, and even European harmonies to create the expressive manifestations of this unique, highly expressionist genre.
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The Dymally Jazz Festival headliner is Grammy-winning musician and record producer PJ Morton, best known for his critically acclaimed studio albums Gumbo and New Orleans, in addition to his work as the keyboardist for the pop rock band Maroon 5.
With two stages to enjoy, additional featured artists include Will Downing, Tito Puente Jr., Maysa, Nedra Wheeler, JAZZ, Funk Soul (Jeff Lorber, Everett Harp, and Paul Jackson, Jr.), among many others.
The festival is co-hosted by legendary radio personality Pat Prescott and actor/comedian Jay Lamont, whose credits include BET’s Comicview, Def Comedy Jam, Showtime at the Apollo and the 2009 feature film The Mail Man.
The festival is produced in partnership with Rainbow Promotions, which has over 35 years of experience in talent procurement and concert production. This family business–owned and operated by three generations of entertainment entrepreneurs is a leading concert promoter in the Southern California region, with additional productions including the Long Beach Jazz Festival, the San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival, and the Desert Jazz Festival in Palm Desert.
“Whether you are a seasoned jazz aficionado or someone who is experiencing jazz for the first time, our festival is the place to be,” stated Dr. Anthony Samad, the Executive Director of the Dymally Institute.
Designed to empower the community as much as its students, this all-day festival invites all ages and backgrounds to attend in celebration of this enduring tenet of Black American history and culture.
Tickets are available for purchase at Axs.com, as well as the Dignity Health Sports Park Box Office.
Source: LB Alexander
Gibson Public Relations
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