Category: Jazz

January 3, 2020

Women In Jazz? For Artemis, It’s Bigger Than A Cause

If the Avengers are the supergroup of the silver screen, then consider Artemis the super sextet of Jazz. The six powerhouse women that make up this group are world-renowned for their musical talents. Before you catch Artemis at Purdue on...

October 28, 2019

Defining Centennial Anniversary in Harlem 100

After World War I, African-American neighborhoods in uptown Manhattan came together. Cities such as Detroit, Pittsburgh, and New York became a haven in the 1920’s it became a culprit for arts in African-American culture: this became the Harlem Renaissance. Imagine...

September 18, 2019

Harlem 100: Artists that Steered the Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance introduced America to a new style of music, dance and a way of life. It represented expression for Civil Rights in America through the arts. Harlem 100 brings together Michael Mwenso and The Shakes, Vuyo Sotashe, Brianna...

September 10, 2019

Review: Cameron Graves’ Planetary Prince

By Michael J. Agovino, Pitchfork The collective known as the West Coast Get Down may have made its emphatic mark on the jazz world in 2015, but the bandmates have been honing their sound and approach for nearly two decades together...

January 14, 2019

Who is Stefon Harris?

Stefon Harris's passionate artistry and astonishing virtuosity have propelled him to the forefront of the jazz scene. Heralded as "one of the most important artists in jazz" (The Los Angeles Times), he has been named a recipient of the 2018...

October 29, 2018

Brass quartet The Westerlies to perform at Purdue on Nov. 9

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Convocations presents the brass quartet The Westerlies in the Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse at 8 p.m. Nov. 9. Blown eastward from Seattle into New York City like their eponymous prevailing wind, the Westerlies are a...

October 25, 2018

A sneak peek at The Westerlies program

Wherein Lies The Good - American Mavericks of the 20th Century The Westerlies trace the sound of the 20th Century through a variety of American musical traditions. From the art songs of Charles Ives, to the spirituals of the Golden...

September 7, 2018

The journey behind Alfredo Rodriguez’s “The Little Dream”

Humble Beginnings “The Little Dream,” the title track of Cuban pianist and composer Alfredo Rodríguez’s fourth studio album (Mack Avenue Records), gently builds into an uplifting statement – one that reflects the hope children hold in building a brighter future,...

April 2, 2018

Program Notes: Songs of Freedom

Under the direction of Grammy Award-winning drummer, Ulysses Owens Jr., the 1960’s are explored through the work of three prolific artists: Joni Mitchell, Abbey Lincoln, and Nina Simone. To effectively deliver this vast repertoire, the program features vocalists Theo Bleckmann, Alicia Olatuja, and Joanna Majoko.

April 5, 2018 | LOEB PLAYHOUSE SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PERFORMANCE PARTNER Purdue University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Center Songs of Freedom WITH MUSIC DIRECTION BY ULYSSES OWENS JR. FEATURING THEO BLECKMANN, ALICIA OLATUJA, AND JOANNA MAJOKO Purdue Convocations...

February 28, 2018

Convos Piano Giving Circle

The Convos Piano Giving Circle brings together the Friends of Convocations who believe in the importance of making live piano music performances regularly available in our community.

Photo by Dr Michael Seretny The Convos Piano Giving Circle brings together the Friends of Convocations who believe in the importance of making live piano music performances regularly available in our community. By pooling resources, the Circle will have a...

October 10, 2017

The Joey Alexander Trio

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Joey Alexander Trio will perform at Loeb Playhouse on Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. This performance is presented by Purdue Convocations with support from the Robert B. and Patricia Peyton Truitt Piano Performance Endowment, Purdue...

March 9, 2017

David Bowie’s ‘Blackstar’ band, Donny McCaslin Quartet, performs April 6

The saxophonist and his group surged into the mainstream with David Bowie’s Blackstar. But the jazz world had long known and celebrated the work of McCaslin.

With Jason Lindner, keyboards Nate Wood, bass Mark Guiliana, drums Donny McCaslin and his group surged onto the mainstream’s radar in early 2016 with the surprise release of Blackstar—David Bowie’s brilliant, shape-shifting, and sonically mercurial final album, released just two...