Long Beach City College’s Performing Arts and ASB are hosting their final concert of the year with a Latin Jazz performance Friday.
This event will be held in front of the Bob and Barbara Ellis Auditorium from 6 – 8 p.m., and is free to all attendees.
There will be a small concession stand and limited edition commemorative T-shirts available as fundraisers for the event.
Afro-Cuban tones and rhythms are on the music menu for the evening with guest trombonist Doug Beavers and conga drummer Jesus Diaz.
Director of Instrumental Jazz Studies, Patrick Sheng is inviting the entire LBCC community to enjoy LBCC’s Big Band play with additional musical guests.
This year has allowed artists to travel to campus from other parts of the state and country.
“Usually my budget is pretty light and I don’t get anyone outside the Los Angeles area,” said Sheng. This year’s budget allowed funding to bring in artists from the Bay Area and New York.
Students have been rehearsing music written by Doug Beavers who will be traveling from New York and they will have the honor to play alongside him on Friday.
Sheng hopes to continue this event next year with more guest musicians.
Highlights for the evening include performances from the student LBCC Big Band and the Long Beach Big Band that is made up of semi-professional, professional, LBCC Alumni and local weekend warrior musicians.
Wilson High School graduate and LBCC Big Band member, Jack James will play the alto saxophone at the concert.
“A lot of the music we are playing you don’t really find when you think of a big band. We will be playing along with the actual artist which is very exciting for us. Don’t expect the normal style of jazz, come open minded,” James said.
“Every concert I have been to so far this year has been so professional and exciting. I think that students are really lucky to have this community college near their homes. They have free access to professional musicians and classes,” student jazz vocalist Jennifer Abod said.
All are welcome to bring their chairs, blankets, and picnic-dinners for a night of jazz performances.