Guest Musicans Jazz Things Up
Christopher Feliciano
Last Updated:3:52 PM PST 3/27/08 Section: Entertainment
Soothing sounds of jazz echoed through the Fine Arts Rehearsal Hall Feb. 29 when jazz vocalist Sunny Wilkinson and pianist Tom Garvin gave a guest performance and shared their knowledge and experience of 20 years performing together.
The duo began promptly at 12:30 p.m. to around 30 listeners.
The event was open to the entire campus, but was primarily attended by vocal jazz ensemble students who were treated to this event during their normal class time.
"It is nice to sometimes break up the monotony of a class by adding something new and bringing somebody else in rather than the same person," said Dr. Kate Reid, director of the Cypress College jazz department.
Wilkinson, an assistant professor of jazz at Michigan State is no stranger to Reid's life.
"Sunny Wilkinson was my vocal teacher back in college," said Reid.
Earlier this year in January, Reid got a phone call telling her that Wilkinson would be coming out to perform in L.A. in celebration of the release of a collaborative album featuring Wilkinson and Garvin.
"Because she was coming into town, I just took it upon myself to say this is a rare opportunity for students to get near actual jazz musicians in such a relaxed and very safe environment so they could ask questions," said Reid.
After performing a couple songs, the artists spoke about their experiences with jazz music and how it has brought them to this point in their career.
Two jazz ensemble students were chosen by Reid to perform at the event.
Sarah Sheets, a former Cypress student who now attends California State University Long Beach but remains a member of the jazz ensemble was the first student to perform and sang "Almost Like Being in Love."
After Sheets' performance, Wilkinson offered advice to improve Sheets vocal abilities.
After a few minutes of being coached by Wilkinson, Sheets immediately improved right before the audience's eyes.
"It's such a learning experience and there is so much to take in," said Sheets.
After Sheet's performance Tadashi Yamaoka, a music student at Cypress who moved to the states from Japan three years ago performed "Dindi."
Again, Wilkinson offered her advice on how to improve his performance and the students took note.
"Some safe space to catch your breath and not be afraid of the music but to leap into the music and embrace it a little more," is what Wilkinson said she wanted to convey to the audience.
Wilkinson finished coaching the students and took the stage with Garvin once more.
They closed the event with an impromptu vocal duet of a popular jazz song, "It Could Happen to You," featuring Reid and Wilkinson.
The duo began promptly at 12:30 p.m. to around 30 listeners.
The event was open to the entire campus, but was primarily attended by vocal jazz ensemble students who were treated to this event during their normal class time.
"It is nice to sometimes break up the monotony of a class by adding something new and bringing somebody else in rather than the same person," said Dr. Kate Reid, director of the Cypress College jazz department.
Wilkinson, an assistant professor of jazz at Michigan State is no stranger to Reid's life.
"Sunny Wilkinson was my vocal teacher back in college," said Reid.
Earlier this year in January, Reid got a phone call telling her that Wilkinson would be coming out to perform in L.A. in celebration of the release of a collaborative album featuring Wilkinson and Garvin.
"Because she was coming into town, I just took it upon myself to say this is a rare opportunity for students to get near actual jazz musicians in such a relaxed and very safe environment so they could ask questions," said Reid.
After performing a couple songs, the artists spoke about their experiences with jazz music and how it has brought them to this point in their career.
Two jazz ensemble students were chosen by Reid to perform at the event.
Sarah Sheets, a former Cypress student who now attends California State University Long Beach but remains a member of the jazz ensemble was the first student to perform and sang "Almost Like Being in Love."
After Sheets' performance, Wilkinson offered advice to improve Sheets vocal abilities.
After a few minutes of being coached by Wilkinson, Sheets immediately improved right before the audience's eyes.
"It's such a learning experience and there is so much to take in," said Sheets.
After Sheet's performance Tadashi Yamaoka, a music student at Cypress who moved to the states from Japan three years ago performed "Dindi."
Again, Wilkinson offered her advice on how to improve his performance and the students took note.
"Some safe space to catch your breath and not be afraid of the music but to leap into the music and embrace it a little more," is what Wilkinson said she wanted to convey to the audience.
Wilkinson finished coaching the students and took the stage with Garvin once more.
They closed the event with an impromptu vocal duet of a popular jazz song, "It Could Happen to You," featuring Reid and Wilkinson.
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