It’s hard to deny the history behind the artists that were
honored at the Friends of Jazz tribute and luncheon concert Sunday
at the Faculty Center. Honorees such as Tony Bennett, Clark Terry
and Louie Bellson couldn’t help but trade their memories of
each other and of past friends such as Duke Ellington and Benny
Carter.
But few could forget to acknowledge the impetus behind the
event: keeping jazz a vital element of the academic and scholarly
setting.
In an afternoon meant to raise money for the jazz studies
program, an impressive cast of music artists used the luncheon as a
look back, as well as a look forward, into the growth of jazz as a
personal and national treasure.
In a series of performances by members of the jazz studies
faculty, the group of renowned artists kicked off the event by
paying musical tribute to some of the figures in attendance,
including Quincy Jones, Horace Silver, Clark Terry and Louie
Bellson.
Far from being a rigid lineup, several musicians were invited on
stage for separate numbers.
Soon after the ensemble shuffled off stage, though, all eyes and
lenses were on Bennett, who was awarded the Friends of Jazz at UCLA
Humanitarian Award. He spoke enthusiastically of the art form,
which he called the only American tradition besides baseball that
ever really “worked.”
But he also emphasized the importance of nurturing that
tradition.
“I travel all over the world and we have a very
magnificent country ““ but it’s very new,” Bennett
said. “Everywhere in the world they understand jazz a lot
more than American citizens do, because it’s so similar to
some of the arts that (other cultures) have.”
Organizers initially planned to honor legendary musician Benny
Carter at the event; though he passed away in July, speakers were
eager to recall memories they had of the saxophonist, who often
came to UCLA as a musician and a lecturer.
But many were also eager to look toward the future and draw
attention to the afternoon’s importance. When Friends of Jazz
president Ralph Ehrenpreis reminded the audience of the recent
tuition hikes at UCLA, he elicited low murmurs from the audience
members.
According to Friends of Jazz board members, the money raised at
the event will go a long way toward supporting the jazz studies
program during the financial crunch.
“You’ll be seeing more scholarships created, and
more resources for graduate programs,” said Friends of Jazz
board member Claudia Mitchell Kernan, who is also th vice
chancellor for graduate studies and the dean of the graduate
division at UCLA.
“And there will be new programming which will give
students more venues for performing. It’s going to be
exciting,” she continued.
Students have a reason to look forward to the future of Jazz
Studies, but judging from the attitudes they flaunted on Sunday,
the educators were the ones who wanted to celebrate.
Before and during the luncheon, Prof. Gerald Wilson spoke
eagerly of the opportunities that Friends of Jazz could bring.
“I’ve been teaching jazz in California for 39
years,” he said, recalling his path to UCLA. “I went
out to replace a young man for six weeks at Cal State Northridge,
and I stayed for 13 years. I then went to Cal State L.A. and I
stayed there for six years. And then my lucky day came, and I got
an offer to come here, to this great institution.”
And then, without the slightest trace of irony from a man who
once arranged songs for Duke Ellington, he said, “I’m
on top now.”