The UCLA Student Committee for the Arts is known for bringing
big-name concerts to campus, from Love and Arthur Lee last year to
George Clinton in spring 2002. But faced with a budget that cut
their spending power in half from 2002-2003, the group has aimed
for a more low-key affair with less star power but just as much
artistic viability.
The product of SCA’s savvy is “Jazz at the
Grand,” a unique offering that may not have come along if it
weren’t for the committee’s budget constraints. For one
night each month until May, SCA will feature performances from
underground jazz favorites Winnard Harper, Robert Stewart, Tenth
World and Dwight Trible. The series starts tonight with a
performance by Trible, whose vocal talents have made him a
celebrated artist around the L.A. jazz circuit since his arrival to
the city in 1979.
“Usually, we try to go with more rock and pop-oriented
acts,” said Kristen Bowen, who is serving her second year on
SCA. “This year we went for jazz and we managed to get a lot
of good talent for a good price. It was a miracle.”
The four acts each hail from different metropolitan scenes, from
the Bay Area to New York. Trible, the only L.A. musician in the
series, has a virtuosic voice that’s made him a favorite of
local publications. A common performer at Leimert Park and local
jazz venues, Trible isn’t as well-known outside of Los
Angeles, but his local status is indicative of the nature of jazz
scenes, which often contain artists that rarely embark on
nationwide tours.
In his quest to contact talent from around the nation, Malik
Chaudhary, the series’ producer, worked closely with the
well-connected local jazz artist Dennis Sullivan. Sullivan performs
often at the Farmers’ Market in Westwood.
“I was not that familiar with all of (the musicians,) I
was just very interested in bringing the music to campus in a
format that previously didn’t exist,” Chaudhary said.
“What’s unique is that we have artists from all over
the country, and the price is way lower than the Jazz Bakery or
another club. (The series) provides students with an opportunity to
hear music that they otherwise may not be exposed to.”
The SCA’s financial troubles put relentless pressure on
the committee as it planned the series. Though the
committee’s 18 members ““ made up of undergraduates and
graduates from a wide range of departments ““ approved the
initial proposal for the series, it also needed a green light from
the dean’s office, which is ultimately responsible for
allocating the funds. The office sent the proposal back and
declared it financially unsound, forcing the committee to further
cut down on costs.
“A lot of people were expecting to spend the money that
was first allocated and to not be able to use that money, they
obviously weren’t pleased,” Chaudhary said.
But Chaudhary and Bowen are both very pleased with how the
series has managed to turn out. Though they weren’t able to
publicize the event as much as they would have liked or start the
series in January as once planned, the resulting series has managed
the tight budget while providing the students with a unique campus
experience. Chaudhary is quick to point out that sometimes, a
modest event is in fact the more special one.
“You don’t need to buy drinks, the cover isn’t
nearly as high, emphasis is on the music,” Chaudhary said.
“After going to local shows you notice little things
that you didn’t see (before).”
Dwight Trible performs tonight at 8 at Kerckhoff Grand
Salon. Regular tickets are $15; student tickets are $7. Tickets are
available at the Central Ticket Office or at
www.uclalive.com.