By In a vibrant tapestry of music, movement, and spoken word, Pasadena’s Clazzical Notes will present “Our Communities, Our World – Stories of Our Youth” this Sunday, June 23rd. This latest program by the non-profit organization, dedicated to fostering engagement and education through music, promises an afternoon rich with cultural exploration.
The Neighborhood Unitarian Church will serve as the stage for this multifaceted event, showcasing a diverse array of talented young artists. From the soulful poetry of Terrylene, interpreted in American Sign Language by Elizabeth Greene, to the infectious Latin jazz of pianist Esteban Adame and his Mezclado Quintet, the program promises a captivating journey through artistic expression.
Acclaimed percussionist Munyungo Jackson will bring his vast repertoire, encompassing everything from funk to traditional world music, to the performance. Esteemed vocalist Tina Wall will lend her talents to the blues, while Chicana singer Eddika Organista infuses the program with her bilingual compositions drawing on elements of jazz and Latin American music.
Spoken word artists Christian and Jocelyn will add their voices to the mix, while Brittany Daniels showcases her mastery of modern dance. Multi-instrumentalist Kevin O’Neal rounds out the lineup with his virtuosity on bass, piano, and guitar.
“This program presents a fusion of powerful performances,” promises the event description, aiming to “engage, educate and entertain, providing a unique and inspiring experience.”
A Fusion of Experience and Emerging Voices
Esteban Adame, an East Los Angeles DJ and pianist who emerged from the Chicano/Latino rave scene in the 1990s, formed the Mezclado Quintet in 2022. The group explores Afro-Latin, jazz, and electronic music through original compositions and reimagined standards.
Four-time Grammy winner Munyungo Jackson brings a wealth of experience, having collaborated with musical giants like Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, and Herbie Hancock. His expertise spans a wide range of musical styles.
Tina Wall, a veteran of the gospel scene, lends her powerful vocals to the blues in this performance, demonstrating her respect for the genre and its enduring legacy.
Eddika Organista, a Boyle Heights native, draws inspiration from her Mexican heritage and her studies in jazz and ethnomusicology to create bilingual compositions that explore themes of life and experience.
Terrylene, a co-founder of the Deaf Arts Council, is a celebrated artist who has used her platform to advocate for and educate the deaf community. She will perform her American Sign Language poetry with voice interpretation by Elizabeth Greene.
Brittany Daniels, the dance program director at Maranatha High School in Pasadena, brings her years of training and performance experience to the stage, showcasing her versatility in ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and modern dance.
Aligning with a Mission of Engagement
This event exemplifies Clazzical Notes’ core mission: to engage audiences through high-quality performances, educate them about diverse cultures and musical traditions, and foster meaningful interaction between artists and patrons, ultimately achieving their three-fold objective of engagement, education, and audience interaction.
“Our Communities, Our World – Stories of Our Youth” is supported by the City of Pasadena and Los Angeles County Arts & Culture.
Tickets are available for $20 on the Clazzical Notes website: www.clazzicalnotes.org.
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