The Flagstar Strand Theatre will host the Oakland University jazz and world music programs, which will include student and faculty ensembles with OU artist-in-residence Regina Carter, from March 30 to April 2.
The Oakland University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, in cooperation with the OU-Pontiac Initiative, is hosting these exceptional events.
โAs usual, Iโm looking forward to my next residence at Oakland University, where Iโll be performing with students and staff from the music department,โ Carter stated. โThis tour will be extra memorable because weโll be spending the week in downtown Pontiac, practicing and playing at The Strand Performing Arts Theatre.โ
The Oakland University jazz and world music programs, featuring student and faculty ensembles with OU artist-in-residence Regina Carter, will be in residency at the Flagstar Strand Theatre from March 30 โ April 2.
The Oakland University jazz and world music programs โ featuring student and faculty ensembles with OU artist-in-residence Regina Carter โ will be in residency at the Flagstar Strand Theatre from Wednesday March 30 โ Saturday, April 2.
These special events are being presented by the Oakland University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance in collaboration with the OU-Pontiac Initiative.
โAs always, Iโm looking forward to my upcoming residency, performing with students and faculty of the Oakland University music department,โ Carter said. โThis visit will be extra special as weโre spending the week, rehearsing and performing at The Strand Performing Arts Theatre in downtown Pontiac.โ
Performances will include:
โขย Akwaaba, Ngoma, and Pan-Jumbies with Regina Carterย โ at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30: OU African Ensemble (Akwaaba) will present Dagara gyil xylophone music of Ghana; World Percussion Ensemble (Ngoma) will perform Dagomba praise drumming of Ghana, along with original arrangements; and Steel Band (Pan-Jumbies) will feature Caribbean music arranged for the steel pan. Mark Stone and Patrick Fitzgibbon, directors.ย Tickets are $10 general, $8 student/senior/OU employee. Purchase tickets through Ticketmaster atย www.ticketmaster.com/event/08005C35E2585540.
โขย Oakland Jazz Singers, Golden Grizzly Jazz Singers and Jazz Band with Regina Carterย โ at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 31:ย The Oakland Jazz Singers and Golden Grizzly Jazz Singers, led and accompanied by Scott Gwinnell, are close-mic vocal jazz ensembles dedicated to performing contemporary and traditional jazz vocal arrangements. The OU Jazz Band, led by Tim Blackmon, continues to uphold the American Big Band Tradition with a collection of fine soloist and ensemble players performing jazz music from the past, present, and the future.ย Tickets are $10 general, $8 student/senior/OU employee. Purchase tickets through Ticketmaster at this link:ย www.ticketmaster.com/event/08005C35C34D4B1F.
โขย Latin Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo and Creative Jazz Ensemble with Regina Carterย โ at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 1: The Latin Jazz Ensemble, directed by Enrique Rios-Ellis, performs dynamic selections featuring a variety of Latin rhythms, celebrating the breadth of the Americas, spanning from the United States to Mexico, Cuba, and Brazil. The Creative Jazz Ensemble, directed by Mark Stone, explores improvisation within the American experimental jazz tradition, taking an organic approach to musicking that transcends but includes jazz. The Jazz Combo is directed by Marion Hayden and performs jazz styles from traditional to contemporary in a small ensemble setting.ย Tickets areย $10 general, $8 student/senior/OU employee. Purchase tickets through Ticketmaster atย www.ticketmaster.com/event/08005C35C2714B01.
โขย Community Jazz Workshop with Regina Carterย โ from 12-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 2: This interactive workshop will give students and community members an opportunity to engage with Regina Carter on the fundamentals of musicality and improvisation. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring their instruments as there will be opportunities to play.ย To attend, RSVP via email tosmtdboxoffice@oakland.edu.
โขย Oakland University Jazz Collective with Regina Carterย โ at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 2: The OU jazz faculty โ including Mark Stone, Tim Blackmon, Scott Gwinnell, Mark Kieme, Marion Hayden, Gayelynn McKinney, Terry Kimura, and Enrique Rios-Ellis โ will perform with OU artist-in-residence and acclaimed violinist Regina Carter. Featuring compositions by Djavan, Geri Allen, Sara Cassey, Thad Jones, Mark Stone and Scott Gwinnell.ย Tickets are $10 general, $8 student/senior/OU employee. Purchase tickets through Ticketmaster atwww.ticketmaster.com/event/08005C35B57D4682.
Dr. Enrique Rios-Ellis, visiting assistant professor of music at Oakland University, remarked, โBoth the jazz and world music programs are excited to showcase the talent of Oakland University staff and students in the Pontiac community.โ โThroughout these thrilling four days at the Flagstar Strand Theatre for the Performing Arts, world-renowned violinist and OU alumnus Regina Carter will perform alongside all of the OU musical ensembles participating.โ Iโm looking forward to meeting new people and having them join us for some amazing music!โ
For more information about these and other upcoming events, visitย oakland.edu/smtd/performances-and-events.