Blog

A Whole ‘New World’:
History, Jazz, and the Educational Value of Live Performance

In addition to an evolving lineup of some of the brightest bandleaders in jazz, the SFJAZZ Collective is known for its distinctive approach to repertoire. Each year the members of the octet contribute original arrangements of a composer's work.  From Ornette Coleman to Michael Jackson, the group has thrived by drawing inspiration from the past while pushing jazz in interesting new directions. This season, the Collective tackles the work of Antonio Carlos Jobim, composer of countless Bossa Nova classics including "Corcovado," "Wave," "Chega do Saudede" and, of course, "The Girl from Ipanema." 

Each year, the Barbara K. Jackson Rising Stars of Opera concert pairs stunning vocal talent with the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra for an evening of vocal artistry. Program in hand, we've created a Spotify playlist of the evening's entertainment, both to get prepared for the evening, and to return to following the performance.

As part of its new "This Month in Live Jazz" column, The New York Times featured trumpeter Marquis Hill as one of its "September Standouts" for the best live jazz happening in New York. 

Although the Mondavi Center maintains a large inventory of stage equipment, a lot of performers prefer to bring specific items for their shows. How they move their stuff is as varied as the artists’ performances.

Julie Fowlis -- vocals, whistles, shruti
Éamon Doorley -- guitar-bouzouki, backing vocals
Duncan Chisholm -- fiddles, backing vocals
Tony Byrne -- guitar, backing vocals

Julie Fowlis is one of the preeminent modern interpreters of traditional Gaelic songs and a deeply knowledgeable scholar of Highland and Gaelic culture. Her latest album, alterum, is a continued exploration of those storied traditions and further evidence of her unique gift.

When you visited Barbara, her first words often would be: “What do you know that’s good?”  That would invite an analysis of the Giants’ bullpen, a recent symphony concert at the Mondavi Center or a great new tenor just seen in HD.  But, more consistently, what’s good was to be a friend of Barbara’s, a beneficiary of her philanthropy and a fellow music-lover. 

Barbara K. Jackson, a founding philanthropist of the Mondavi Center, passed away on September 7, 2018, only a few weeks short of her 100th birthday.  Along with Larry and Rosalie Vanderhoef and Robert and Margrit Mondavi, Barbara Jackson helped give life to the dream of a performing arts center on the UC Davis Campus.  Her generous gift to name the Center’s largest performance space as Barbara K. and W. Turrentine Jackson Hall played a significant role in launching this great performing arts center.