Emory Jazz Fest begins its three-day series of events including open workshops and performances, on Thursday, Feb. 6.
A jazz improvisation class will be offered at 10 a.m. in the Tharp Rehearsal Hall of the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. This improvisation class will feature the Gary Motley Trio (Gary Motley, piano; Rodney Whitaker, bass; Sean Dobbins, percussion) as well as talented Emory jazz students. Motley is senior lecturer and director of jazz studies.
On Thursday, Feb. 6, at 8 p.m., the Emory Big Band and Faculty Jazz Band take the stage for Big Band Night at 8 p.m. The faculty ensemble will also debut their new CD “Professors at Play."
A vocal master class with jazz legend Barbara Morrison and the Gary Motley Trio will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The Morrison-Motley collaboration continues Friday, Feb. 7 at 1:30 p.m. with an open rehearsal and at 8 p.m. a concert with the Emory University Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 for discount category members, and $5 for Emory students.
The Newport Jazz Festival will perform as a part of the Now 60 tour in the Flora Glenn Candler Concert Series. This tour celebrates the history of the Newport Jazz Festival and its role as one of the most active presenters of contemporary jazz artists. The repertoire of this concert spans from the classics of Louis, Duke and Miles to Latin, Brazilian and fusion. Tickets are $50 for general admission, $40 for discount category members, and $10 for Emory students.
Musical Bedtime Stories, designed for young audiences but inviting for music lovers of all ages, is Friday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Reception Hall of the Michael C. Carlos Museum. Enjoy some hot chocolate on this cold winter evening while listening to relaxing music, and, if you like, wear your pajamas and bring a pillow.
The Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. This ensemble features talented high school musicians under the direction of conductor and composer Richard Prior.
On Thursday, Feb. 13 at 8 p.m., the 75-voice St. Olaf Choir will bring their artistry to Emory. Tickets are $45 for general admission, $35 for discount category members, and $10 for Emory students.
Valentine’s Day Love Songs will be played on Friday, Feb. 14 at noon as a part of the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta Noontime Series. This performance, in the Carlos Museum Reception Hall, will include instrumental and vocal music centered on love, and will feature tenor Bradley Howard and the Vega String Quartet.
World-renowned pianist Lang Lang will visit Emory on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. as a part of the Flora Glenn Candler Concert Series. This concert is sold out. Lang Lang has inspired over 40 million Chinese children to learn to play classical piano and has been featured at the Grammy Awards and opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Emory Wind Ensemble, a select group of instrumentalists will perform at 8 p.m., in their first performance of the semester.
Christopher Young, organist, offers the final performance of the month at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23. Young is an organ professor at Indiana University and Eastman School of Music alumnus.
All concerts are free and take place in the Schwartz Center, unless otherwise noted. For tickets and event information, visit arts.emory.edu or call the Arts at Emory Box Office at 404-727-5050.