Performance and Instructional Session with Jazz Legend Benny Golson
In a memorable event, the renowned jazz artist Benny Golson made a special appearance at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music on Oct. 16. The occasion marked the inauguration of the Global Jazz Studies program.
During the event, a small combo of Global Jazz Studies students performed "Stella by Starlight," a classic tune by Victor Young. The performance was a testament to the students' dedication and skill, as they showcased their talent in front of the esteemed artist.
Benny Golson, a Philadelphia native, is a living legend in the world of jazz. He has made significant contributions as a saxophonist and composer, and is the only living jazz artist to have written eight standards for the jazz repertoire. Some of his notable standards include "Killer Joe," "Along Came Betty," "Stablemates," "Whisper Not," "Blues March," "Five Spot After Dark," and "Are you Real?"
One of his eight standards, "I Remember Clifford," honoured the life of Clifford Brown. Benny Golson shared personal stories about Brown, as well as other jazz greats such as Sonny Rollins, Lionel Hampton, and Art Blakey. However, specific details about his interactions with these jazz legends during the Global Jazz Studies program at UCLA were not available.
The Friends of Jazz at UCLA, a UCLA Herb Alpert Support Group, played a significant role in making the program possible. The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble at UCLA also performed "Take the Coltrane," a composition by Duke Ellington.
Benny Golson expressed his intention to transport the students back to New York during his talk. He shared invaluable insights with the packed house, offering a unique perspective from his extensive career in the jazz industry.
The event was a testament to the rich history of jazz and the continued dedication to nurturing the next generation of jazz artists. Benny Golson's appearance was a truly inspiring moment for the students and the jazz community at UCLA.
Evening the knowledge gap between self-development and entertainment, the Global Jazz Students showcased their skill in music by performing one of Benny Golson's renowned compositions, "Stella by Starlight." Despite this remarkable performance, the personal stories shared by Benny Golson about jazz greats such as Clifford Brown, Sonny Rollins, Lionel Hampton, and Art Blakey, during the inauguration of the Global Jazz Studies program at UCLA, did not include specific instances from their collaborations within the program.
