L.A. saxophonist Vergara returns to Troesh for performance

Vergara, whose credits include work with luminaries Poncho Sanchez, Hugh Masekela, Les McCann and many others, will headline a free-admission performance for the Pierce Street Jazz professional artist series on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. He will perform with noted artists Henry “the Skipper” Franklin, bass, Theo Saunders, piano, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums.

Vergara last appeared at La Sierra in 2017. A native of Mexico, his work as a professional artist has centered him in Los Angeles with participation in international tours, concerts and festivals from Turkey to Taiwan and around the United States. Over the years he has played and recorded with a roster of famed talent including Carol Burnett and Francisco Aguabella, and performed for major events such as Singapore’s Jazztec and the International Association of Jazz Educators. He has appeared in many of the world’s top venues such as New York City’s Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and Greek Theater in Los Angeles, House of Blues in New Orleans, the Blue Note in Tokyo, and the National Concert Hall in Taipei, Taiwan.

Vergara also plays on the soundtrack for the 2017 PBS documentary “John Lewis – Get in the Way,” a biographical film by Kathleen Dowdey relaying the life of the late congressman and activist.

La Sierra’s Pierce Street series which showcases professional artists, began in 2009 as a free-admission summer community outreach through the efforts of Franklin and the university’s Summer Program with assistance from former provost Warren Trenchard. It later expanded to offer performances throughout the year and is currently made possible through a collaboration with the Zapara School of Business.

A Los Angeles native and Inland Empire resident, Franklin has held a career as a professional musician since 1959 and has performed on stage and in the studio with many greats from ‘60s star Masekela to Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Freddie Hubbard, Count Basie and many others. He has played on and produced more than 150 recordings including gold releases, and appeared at venues around the U.S., South America, Europe and Asia. Southern California performance locales have included Riverside’s Historic Mission Inn where he played for 13 years. He recently appeared on the recording “Showers of Blessings,” a sextet performance released in February 2021.

Saunders, who is also a composer, 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.

Smith, a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, has recorded his own solo albums and has worked on over 300 albums with various artists. He has toured with Sting, Dave Holland, Sonny Rollins, Willie Nelson, Steve Coleman and worked many other famous acts. He is a former member of The New York Jazz Quartet, The Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet and The Dave Holland Quartet, and is a former drummer for “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” where he was a band member for over 14 years. He has also ventured into the world of composing and arrange and has recorded two albums as bandleader.

Admission to the Nov. 2 performance is free. The Zapara School of Business is located at La Sierra University, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, Calif., 92505.