Former students, family & friends honor the memory of faculty member Charlie Haden—one of the most important bassists in the history of jazz and founder of the Jazz program at CalArts.
Stellar lineup includes Quartet West member Ernie Watts; Jazz Program alumni Ravi Coltrane and Ralph Alessi; Jazz Program faculty Joe LaBarbera and Vinny Golia; The Haden Triplets and many more.
Event highlight: an open invitation to Haden’s students, from the past 32 years, to join the CalArts Liberation Music Orchestra in performing “We Shall Overcome."
Legendary jazz bassist, composer, producer and bandleader
Charlie Haden was passionate about teaching. As the founder of the
Jazz Program at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Haden devoted himself to encouraging a new generation of exceptional musicians. The concert at CalArts honors Haden’s multi-faceted musical legacy—and celebrates his enduring influence through the music of those who knew and learned from him. The lineup includes esteemed musicians such as Ernie Watts from Haden’s band
Quartet West, a selection of former students performing with Jazz Program faculty; his daughters Petra, Tanya and Rachel Haden,
The Haden Triplets, and the
CalArts Liberation Music Orchestra—an homage to Haden’s groundbreaking
Liberation Music Orchestra. Performances will be introduced by Haden's wife and collaborator Ruth Cameron Haden.
Haden was an NEA Jazz Master, a Guggenheim Fellow, a recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and a conferee of the French distinction of the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. The outdoor concert in his memory takes place on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 7 pm at the Wild Beast music pavilion on the CalArts campus. Hosted by The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts, the
Wild Beast Concert Series is free and open to the public.
RSVP suggested.
Haden mentored hundreds of musicians during his 32-year tenure at CalArts. This tribute reflects aspects of his rich and varied life—as one of the most important bassists in the history of jazz; a brilliant bandleader, producer and composer; an inspiring teacher and mentor; and a supportive husband and father of a phenomenally talented musical family. His legacy continues through the innumerable artists he inspired—many of whom have gone on to become acclaimed musicians in their own right and who will be performing at the event.
The theme of musical families, both biological and artistic, runs though the event. Haden’s wife, Ruth, who was also his manager and co-producer, will emcee. The concert opens with a set of duets and trios in which Quartet West member Ernie Watts and former students and faculty will perform Haden’s compositions. Jazz Program faculty David Roitstein and Blue Note artist and alumnus Ravi Coltrane perform “For Turiya,” a
composition written by Haden for Ravi’s mother Alice Coltrane, with whom Haden performed many times.
The Haden Triplets will lend their harmonies to American country and traditional songs. Bringing the music of social justice to the concert, the
CalArts Liberation Music Orchestra will conclude its set with “We Shall Overcome.” All those present who studied with Haden will be invited to sit in.
More information:
Review: Charlie Haden Memorial Concert at Manhattan’s Town Hall, Blouin ArtInfo, January 2015
http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/1072881/message-at-charlie-haden-memorial-hey-man-were-family
“Appreciation: Jazz musician Charlie Haden spoke for beauty,” Los Angeles Times, July 2014
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-appreciation-charlie-haden-jazz-20140712-story.html
CalArts Jazz Program
https://music.calarts.edu/academics/jazz-studies
Charlie Haden website:
http://www.charliehadenmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CharlieHadenMusic/
https://twitter.com/charliehaden