ROOF
THE JAZZ ORCHESTRA AT DR. PHILLIPS CENTER
AND THE BETHUNE-COOKMAN CONCERT CHORALE
EXPLORE THE INTERSECTION OF GOSPEL AND JAZZ.
FALL 2018 | artsLife 67
BY RANDY NOLES
ospel and jazz music are inexorably
linked, with artists from each
genre drawing inspiration from
one another. Early in the 20th century,
though, gospel was considered antithetical
to jazz and the blues.
After all, gospel called for obedience to
God and avoidance of sin. Jazz and the
blues, however, often celebrated misbehavior
despite the consequences of straying too
far from the path of righteousness
But as new generations of artists emerged,
the languages of jazz and gospel became
more interdependent. No less a jazz icon
than Duke Ellington (1899–1974) wrote three
sacred concerts — in 1965, 1968 and 1973.
And Thomas Dorsey (1899–1993), known as
the father of gospel music, began his career
as a blues pianist and later melded Christian
praise with jazz and blues rhythms.
From Gospel to Jazz, featuring the Jazz
Orchestra at Dr. Phillips Center and the Bethune
Cookman University Concert Chorale,
will lead audiences through this sacred and
swinging musical intersection during two
shows at the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater: Saturday,
September 29, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday,
September 30, at 4 p.m. Tickets are priced
starting at $40.
World-renowned bassist Rodney Whitaker,
heartened by the diverse audiences that
packed the house for Jazz for Lovers and
Going to Kansas City, which the 19-piece ensemble
presented in February and April.
So, he talked to leaders in the African-
American community to solicit programming
ideas that would continue to attract a wide
cross section of music lovers — particularly
people of color.
-
ter to be inclusive,” says Whitaker, who also
records for Detroit-based Mack Avenue and
is a distinguished professor of jazz bass and director
of jazz studies at Michigan State Univer-
for ways to keep people coming back.”
From Gospel to Jazz certainly ought to
accomplish that goal.
The orchestra, formed in 2016, already has
a passionate following in Central Florida. The
chorale, formed in 1904, performs around
the U.S., including at the 2016 White House
Holiday Party for President Barack Obama
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F E A T U R E D P E R F O R M A N C E