CBU to perform Black History Month Celebration Concert

Riverside, Calif. (Feb. 13, 2025) – The Jazz Ensemble from California Baptist University with members of the Symphony Orchestra will perform the Black History Month Celebration Concert on Feb. 16 in Corona. 

They will be joined by special guest jazz bassist Dr. Marshall Hawkins and actor-singer LaVan Davis from Tyler Perry’s show “House of Payne.”  

The concert will include music by Duke Ellington, such as “Limbo Jazz,” Count Basie, such as “Kansas City Shout,” and a rare performance of music from Charlie Parker’s “Bird with Strings.”  

“I want the audience to get a sense of the immense contribution from African American folk traditions that created jazz and the musicians who influenced music and culture worldwide,” said Dan St. Marseille, director of jazz studies and the concert’s conductor. 

Cora Glaudin, a piano performance junior, said her favorite piece in the concert is in the “Bird with Strings.”  

“I hope the audience gets to see how rich the history of jazz is,” Glaudin said.   

Rebekah Campbell, a music education senior, plays baritone saxophone. Her favorite piece is “Kansas City Shout” by Count Basie. 

“This piece has multiple exciting features that complement each section in the ensemble,” she said. “Playing this piece is both educational and inspiring as an instrumentalist. There are many fun aspects of this piece, but I also enjoy getting to play this as a piece of American history and culture.” 

Campbell believes there is much to be gained from the concert in terms of history and culture.  

“This concert will display the beauty, uniqueness and individuality of jazz music,” she said. “This concert will address the historical importance of African American musicians and how they helped to develop one of the most important American music genres.” 

Black History Month Celebration Concert 

When: 6 p.m. Feb. 16 

Where: Northpoint Church⁠, 988 W Ontario Ave., Corona, CA 92882⁠