You’re Invited: Free “Jazz in the ‘Hoods” concert at UDC June 15

Mark your calendars and bring your friends and family to a soul-stirring evening of jazz – Wednesday, June 15th at 7 p.m. at UDC’s Theatre of the Arts.

UDC’s JAZZAlive and Van Ness Main Street join the DC Jazz Festival as part of Jazz in the ‘Hoods. Jazz in the ‘Hoods is a major feature of the DC Jazz Festival and is an exciting partnership with local venues in celebration of jazz in our nation’s capital.

This free concert features superb saxophonist and educator Charlie Young along with pianist Allyn Johnson and the UDC JAZZtet. The UDC JAZZtet includes DC favorites Steve Novosel (bass), DeAndre Shaifer (trumpet), Douglas Pierce (trumpet), Howard “Kingfish” Franklin (drums) and a special guest – vocalist Sandra Y. Johnson.

The JAZZAlive concert series is produced by UDC Jazz Studies Program and the Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives.

For more information, call (202) 274-5803 or visit jazzaliveudc.org.

Artist bios:

Native Washingtonian Allyn Johnson is a multi-talented musician, composer, arranger and producer whose trademark sound gives brilliance and fortitude to the art of jazz improvisation. He was mentored by the late great jazz legend Calvin Jones and served for more than six years as assistant director of the UDC Jazz Studies program before succeeding Jones as director in 2005.

Described by Luke Stewart in Capital Bob as the “Dean of D.C. Jazz,” Allyn Johnson “… is known as both a performer who can draw capacity crowds to venues around the city and an educator whose position as the director of Jazz Studies at the University of the District of Columbia makes him a key player in the cultivation of D.C.’s next generation of torch carriers.”

Charlie Young has served as Professor of Saxophone at Howard University for over 20 years and was recently appointed to the position of Coordinator of Instrumental Jazz Studies. He joined the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra in 1995 as the ensemble’s principal saxophonist and was appointed Artistic and Musical Director in 2013. Young has had a rich career of performing, recording, and appearing with various bands and orchestras such as The National Symphony Orchestra, The U.S Navy Band, The Count Basie Orchestra, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. In addition to working with legendary groups, Young has accomplished a great deal with his own jazz quintet. He is a recognized clinician in the field of jazz education and has earned a stellar reputation among the most respected in music and education.

Sandra Y. Johnson is a native Washingtonian and has been singing most of her life. She performs throughout the area and is a favorite with DC audiences. Sandra has two CD releases – “Steppin’ Out” and “What are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?”