La Sierra University to present ‘A Night of Jazz’

  Arts+Culture   College of Arts & Sciences  

La Sierra University’s Big Band and jazz combos, under direction of entertainment industry and concert saxophonist David Brennan, will present “A Night of Jazz” this Saturday evening.

Dr. David Brennan will direct the La Sierra University Big Band and jazz combos in "A Night of Jazz." (photos by Natan Vigna)
Dr. David Brennan will direct the La Sierra University Big Band and jazz combos in "A Night of Jazz." (photos by Natan Vigna)
Members of the La Sierra University Big Band perform in the 2013 "Sounds of the Season" concert.
Members of the La Sierra University Big Band perform in the 2013 "Sounds of the Season" concert.

Brennan, a La Sierra music department adjunct faculty member, has recorded music for and appeared in several feature films, including “A Bright Shining Lie,” “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” and the television animated short, “Shrek the Halls.” In addition, he has played for President Bill Clinton and worked as a consultant for the hit ABC television show, “Grey’s Anatomy.”

On Sat., Feb. 28, Brennan will lead La Sierra’s Big Band, Jazz Combo 1 and Jazz Combo 2 in a night of jazz tunes by acclaimed composers Louis Prima, Mongo Santamaria, Count Basie and many others. The performance will be held in Hole Memorial Auditorium at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Jazz Combo 1 is a piano, bass and drums trio performed respectively by La Sierra students Isai Moran, Tim Swanson, and Kevin Jimenez. Jazz Combo 2 is a sextet of flute, two saxophones, piano, bass and drums. Respective performers are Jason Anthony, Gianluca Gibbons, Kerron Hislop, Kevin Alexander Njoloma, Jean Miguel Fils-Aime, and Alberto Calvillo.

Brennan’s ensemble experiences include performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Long Beach Opera, New West Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, West Hollywood Orchestra, the Gang Nam Symphony from Seoul, South Korea, among others. He has performed with such notables as The Mills Brothers and Nick Waterhouse, and has performed the national anthem for the NCAA Tournament Championship Finals for gymnastics and volleyball competitions. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles.

For further information call 951-785-2036, email music@lasierra.edu, or visit https://lasierra.edu/music/. La Sierra University is located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside.