Grammy-nominated artist Morrison to perform at Troesh

  Arts+Culture   School of Business  

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – La Sierra University this month will feature Grammy-nominated vocalist Barbara Morrison, a celebrated artist and music educator, in concert at Troesh Conference Center.

<p>Renowned vocalist Barbara Morrison in performance at La Sierra University in 2015, with bassist Henry Franklin, background. She will perform again for the Pierce Street Jazz series on July 18.</p>

Renowned vocalist Barbara Morrison in performance at La Sierra University in 2015, with bassist Henry Franklin, background. She will perform again for the Pierce Street Jazz series on July 18.

Morrison will perform Wednesday, July 18 at 7 p.m. as part of the university's Pierce Street Jazz series. Admission is free.

A trio of noted jazz industry musicians will accompany Morrison – bassist Henry “the Skipper” Franklin, pianist Theo Saunders, piano, and featuring Tina Raymond on drums.

Renowned for her three-and-a-half-octave range, Morrison has performed around the world in her own concerts as well as with a roster of A-list artists including Gerald Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, Etta James, Esther Phillips, Jimmy Smith, Nancy Wilson and many others. Notable appearances include participation in a television tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, and as co-headliner of a 33-city tour honoring famed composer Harold Arlen.

She has recorded more than 20 albums and has garnered three Grammy nominations. In 2010 she was voted by NPR listeners as one of the “50 Greatest Jazz Vocalists.”

In 2008, she opened the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles and is also credited with founding the California Jazz and Blues Museum. She serves as an adjunct associate professor of jazz performance and vocals at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music.

A Detroit native, Morrison made her first professional appearance at the tender age of 10 in a recording for a radio station. She moved to Los Angeles in 1973. Morrison continues to perform around California and tours throughout the United States and abroad.

Franklin has organized the Pierce Street Jazz concerts at La Sierra University since their inception as a summer jazz series in 2009. He has recorded and produced more than 150 albums and compact discs including gold releases. He has performed with many headline artists and was part of the legendary Hugh Masekela's band during the late 1960s.

Saunders has performed in many of the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals and concert halls with distinguished artists including Freddie Hubbard, Carla Bley, David “Fathead” Newman, Gladys Knight, and many others. He has directed music for opera productions and international musical theatre. He also has numerous compositions to his credit as well as original scores for theatre, radio and multimedia production.

Raymond is a professor of jazz music at Los Angeles City College and has shared the stage as a drummer and percussionist with such luminaries as Bobby Bradford, Vinny Golia, Benny Maupin, Moon Zappa and others. She performs, adjudicates and presents workshops worldwide at festivals, conventions and other venues. In 2007, she was chosen as the drummer for the prestigious International Association of Jazz Educator’s “Sisters in Jazz” Ensemble, her bio states. She completed a master’s degree in jazz studies at the California Institute of the Arts in 2010.

Troesh Conference Center is located in the Zapara School of Business at La Sierra University, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, Calif., 92505. For further information call 951-785-2148. A campus map is available at https://lasierra.edu/campus-map/.

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