Belgrave jazz experience
Top-shelf bebop and jazz classics
Jessica Kneller
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Arts
Markel Auditorium will be buzzing and ringing on Friday night with the tunes of one of America's last remaining jazz legends. The Belgrave Jazz Experience, which features renowned trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, his vocalist wife Joan Bow-Belgrave and their jazz combo, will be performing at Hillsdale College on Oct. 30 at 8 p.m.
"These are top-shelf professional musicians," said Associate Professor of Music James Holleman.
In order to find performers for the Hillsdale Professional Artist Series, Holleman seeks requests from faculty members. Belgrave, who has performed with musical icons including Ray Charles and Ella Fitzgerald, was at the top of the list.
"You're in the presence of greatness," Holleman said. "He's sustained the test of time."
During his time at Hillsdale, Belgrave will be teaching a Master Class, part of the artist series program contract. The teaching session will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Friday in Markel and is designed to allow students to learn from the best.
"It's important to have that one-on-one contact," said Holleman. "It's even better, then, being able to experience the performance."
Belgrave, who is known for cultivating young jazz talent, said he is excited to pass on his experience and expertise.
"I want to encourage young people who have a talent to go out and pursue it," he said.
Belgrave recently received the Kresge Eminent Artist Award, an honor given to an artist who gives back through education. Belgrave said he wants to teach others as he himself was taught.
"I was very fortunate to have been around some of the greatest trumpeters in my early life. I was inspired by the people that I heard."
Beyond featuring Belgrave's talents alone, the Belgrave Jazz Experience also highlights his wife's vocal prowess. Bow-Belgrave, with her versatile, rich voice, has recorded two CDs and worked with countless jazz combos.
"I consider Joan one of the great ladies of song of our generation," said Holleman. "She's high energy and high quality."
"These are top-shelf professional musicians," said Associate Professor of Music James Holleman.
In order to find performers for the Hillsdale Professional Artist Series, Holleman seeks requests from faculty members. Belgrave, who has performed with musical icons including Ray Charles and Ella Fitzgerald, was at the top of the list.
"You're in the presence of greatness," Holleman said. "He's sustained the test of time."
During his time at Hillsdale, Belgrave will be teaching a Master Class, part of the artist series program contract. The teaching session will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Friday in Markel and is designed to allow students to learn from the best.
"It's important to have that one-on-one contact," said Holleman. "It's even better, then, being able to experience the performance."
Belgrave, who is known for cultivating young jazz talent, said he is excited to pass on his experience and expertise.
"I want to encourage young people who have a talent to go out and pursue it," he said.
Belgrave recently received the Kresge Eminent Artist Award, an honor given to an artist who gives back through education. Belgrave said he wants to teach others as he himself was taught.
"I was very fortunate to have been around some of the greatest trumpeters in my early life. I was inspired by the people that I heard."
Beyond featuring Belgrave's talents alone, the Belgrave Jazz Experience also highlights his wife's vocal prowess. Bow-Belgrave, with her versatile, rich voice, has recorded two CDs and worked with countless jazz combos.
"I consider Joan one of the great ladies of song of our generation," said Holleman. "She's high energy and high quality."
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