Columbia College Jazz Series

Hello to all from the Columbia Jazz Series!! We hope this letter finds you all well and we’re hoping to be back with you again when possible. Here’s the latest news from us:... 1. I have officially retired from full-time teaching at Columbia College. I started full-time at Columbia in 1979 and I loved every single day of teaching music. I hope to continue long into the future as a part-time instructor. 2. The amazing and highly-qualified Krista (White) Sturgis has been hired to replace some of my classes. We will work together to keep a strong and vibrant music department at the college. 3. For obvious reasons, the Jazz Series is currently on hold. We will be enthusiastically back scheduling concerts as soon as that is feasible. Thanks to all of you for many years of wonderful audience and community support. We will keep you posted as we eventually look forward to a fun and adventurous jazz series concert future, Best wishes, Rod Harris

Highlights from concerts, Friday and Saturday, March 7th and 8th, 2020

Here are a few highlights from the Columbia Vocal Jazz Festival on March 7th & 8th: Featured artists were: - Barbara Morrison - Matt Falker - Alex Lucero - David Hawkes... and the Columbia Vocal Jazz Quintet What a couple of great shows and a great opportunity for the festival attendees to learn and grow as artists themselves. See more

Photos from the 2019 Reunion Concert

Hello all, We just heard from Bria Skonberg that she has to cancel because is unable to travel due to multiple cancelations in her schedule. Therefore, we won’t have a concert next Wednesday, 3/18 and we will try to reschedule Bria for sometime this summer. (if you recently purchased a ticket for the Bria concert, please email [email protected] for refund info)

The Columbia College vocal jazz festival kicks off tonight with the one and only Barbara Morrison!! (always fun, tunes by Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles.) Friday @ 6pm Saturday @ 6pm... At the College Dogwood Theater Tickets $18 at the door (plenty available) or advanced reserved seating at the outlets Also joining Barbara: the amazing piano and vocals of Matt Falker With the Columbia Big Band and singers...and Saturday only: Alex Lucero!!!

Bria will be back on March 18th at 6:30! Our Vocal Jazz Festival starts this Friday with the evening concert!

Come out and Funk it up with a few members and featured guests of the jazz series!

The fun continues on Day 2!

What a great opportunity for hundreds of young kids to learn and perform with some outstanding musicians!

Festival Schedule (TBA): https://facebook.com/events/s/vocal-jazz-fest-2020/178660860237741/ Friday night show: https://facebook.com/events/s/festival-concert-friday-6pm/2580678188874380/ Saturday night show: https://facebook.com/events/s/festival-concert-saturday/2660188450756298/ Friday and Saturday, March 6-7 both nights concert at 6pm, In the College Dogwood Theater. ... Featuring: The one and only - Barbara Morrison! Extraordinary pianist and singer Matt Falker! R&B singer and guitarist - Alex Lucero! With the Big Band and Ringers and Singers! Tickets $18 reserved seating are now on sale at the Mountain Bookshop and at the College Bookstore. Tickets by mail: Send a check with your email and phone# to: Columbia Jazz Artist Series 11600 Columbia College Dr. Sonora, CA 95370 (just mail the check and we’ll contact you and have your tickets waiting for you at the door) . THREE CONCERT DISCOUNT: Our final shows of the Season are: #1 Vocal Festival Concert March 6th or 7th #2 Wed, March 18 @ 6:30pm (College Dogwood Theater) $18... Bria Skonberg!!! #3 Sunday, April 19 @ 4pm (College Dogwood Theater) $15... Big Band Goes Latin (lots of guest artists, we’ll pull out all the stops) . Tickets by mail special: (more than 25% discount if you purchase by mail all 3 remaining shows) Send your check now (see above) and get all 3 shows for only $40

Big, Big Band Jazz Festival Weekend! FULL FRIDAY SCHEDULE BELOW This Saturday, February 8 @ 2pm matinee Columbia College Big Band Jazz Festival concert At the... College Dogwood Theater (our main event for the big band year) Reserved seating - $18 (available in advance or at the door, parking lot shuttle begins at 1:30pm) Featuring The Columbia Kicks Big Band and singers With guest artists Chris Barnes, lead trumpet/flugelhorn Jamie Dubberly, trombone Gordon Giedt, saxes, woodwinds Bob Secor, piano and trumpet Keith Evans, guitar Clint Day, bass David Hawkes, drums Mike Miller, timbales, bongo Mario Flores, congas Share this link with your friends: https://facebook.com/events/s/festival-artist-concert-feat-c/209014070266633 FULL FRIDAY SCHEDULE BELOW Friday afternoon, Feb 7 (free to attend school group performances and jam sessions at this educational jazz festival) 12:00 Curtis Creek Elementary Mic Harper, director 12:25 - Golden Valley HS III Mike Vasquez, director 12:50 ON STAGE CLINIC with Golden Valley and guest artists 1:15 - Merced HS II Jon Schmid, director 1:40 - Golden Valley HS II - Mike Vasquez, director 2:05 -Folsom Middle School John Zimny, director 2:30 - Hillview Jr HS Diane Klaczynski, director 2:55 - Merced HS I - Jon Schmid, director 3:20 - Golden Valley HS I - Mike Vasquez, director 3:45 -Sutter Middle School - John Zimny, director 4:10 - ON STAGE CLINIC with Sutter and guest artists 4:35 Instrument Clinics in different classrooms (directions available at Dogwood), trumpets, trombones, saxes, rhythm 5:30pm - JAM SESSION! Everyone plays together!

TENTATIVE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE BELOW Columbia College Vocal Jazz Festival Kicks off in seven days with our Friday concert at 6pm in Dogwood, featur...ing the legendary Barbara Morrison, Pianist/Vocalist Matt Falker, and our own jazz Choir and bid band! Tickets $18 reserved available at the College bookstore and the Juntion Mountain Bookshop. School schedule: Saturday March 7th only! These student performances are free and open to the public to attend. Please be respectful and quiet during their performances: 10:30 - Soquel HS, Zina Urquhart, director 10:55 - Summerville HS, Jim Wells, director 11:20 - Cabrillo College, Mark Bidelman, director 11:45 - Christian Brothers HS, Gaw Williams, director 12:10 - Folsom HS, Curtis Gaesser, director 12:35 - directors PANEL DISCUSSION CLINIC with Curtis Gaesser, Gaw Williams, Steph Austin, Matt Falker -- discussion of successful techniques in vocal jazz, rehearsal, materials, ideas 1:25 - Rio Linda HS - Craig Murray, director 1:50 - CSU Sacramento - Vox Now - Gaw Williams, director 2:15 - Contra Costa College JazzaNova - Dr. Stephanie Austin, director 2:40 - Summerville HS Jazz @ 8 - Jim Wells, director 3:05 - CSU Sacramento C-Sus Voices - Gaw Williams, director 3:30 - Contra Costa College Jazz-ology - Dr. Stephanie Austin, director 3:55 - Kingsburg HS - Richard Mynderup, director 6pm Evening concert with Festival guest artists Matt Falker and Barbara Morrison, plus guitarist/vocalist Alex Lucero! 6pm in Dogwood, tickets $18 reserved

Don’t miss the first concert of 2020 on January 24 at Sonora High!

Friday, January 24th @ 6pm The concert will be held at the beautiful Sonora High Auditorium All seats $15... Columbia Kicks Big Band, Rod Harris, director Featuring guest artists: R&B vocalist Alex Lucero Sax and flute master- Paul Contos With the amazing Krista Sturgis (piano), John Ady (upright bass) and Dave Hawkes (drums) Opening the show will be Sonora High Jazz Band under the direction of Yvonne Denton Proceeds will help benefit the Sonora HS music program Tickets ($15) are available at the college bookstore and at the Mt. Bookshop at the Junction Tickets will also be available at the door, the auditorium is big and there will be plenty of seats. .. Coming next (for your calendar) Columbia Big Band Jazz Festival Fri/Sat, Feb 7-8 At college Dogwood Theater

A wonderful time was had at Murphy's at this concert featuring outstanding jazz series alumni: Krista Sturgis, piano Tyler Combs, vibes... Clint Day, bass David Tanner, drums Marcus Jensen and Rod Harris, saxes And the Vocal Jazz Sextet from 2016-18 Vocalists -Caroline, Andrea, Rebecca, Miriam, Marcus, plus, Krista, Aaron, Christie, Chala and Forrest.

Remember to get your commemorative pins at the concert tomorrow! $6 for one pin or $10 for two. All profit goes to the Jazz Series.

Come out to Murphy’s this Saturday at 2 P.M. for a fun-filled afternoon of Columbia College Jazz alumns.

Our next Columbia Jazz Artist Series show is: Saturday, December 28 @ 2pm at the Murphys Creek Theater... featuring outstanding jazz series alumni Krista Sturgis, piano Tyler Combs, vibes Clint Day, bass David Tanner, drums Marcus Jensen and Rod Harris, saxes And the Vocal Jazz Sextet from 2016-18 Vocalists -Caroline, Andrea, Rebecca, Miriam, Marcus, plus, Krista, Aaron, Christie, Chala and Forrest. Tickets are only $15, available in advance at the Mt Bookshop at the Junction (there are no tickets by mail for this one because the college will be closed for the holidays) By the way these tickets make great Christmas presents! You can also get tickets at the door. Murphys Creek Theater has great parking and access. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Big Band Christmas Show last Sunday with the new Quartet singing The Chipmunk Song. Great job guys! Christie Straw Ashley Mikita Aaron David Rod Harris Mario Flores Susan Foiada Kay Pritchard David Geyer Rhoades Kenny Kamerman Gaylin Howard Ray

Commemorative 41st season pins are now available at every concert! 1 pin for $6 or 2 pins for $10. All profit goes to helping the Jazz Series. Limited quantities available. Pins are clear acrylic and have butterfly clutches. Designed by Christie Straw (the shortest soprano)

Almost full house tonight at the Columbia College Christmas jazz concert. That's the vocal jazz quartet with a few alumni that came up.

Happy Thanksgiving! We’re getting lots of buzz regarding the It’s a Big Band Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec 8 at 2pm at the College. You can purchase advanced tickets at the Mountain Bookshop (Junction) or at the college bookstore...... Tickets by mail Because many of you are having trouble with the online ticket purchase system, we're going to try something new tickets by mail! Make check payable to: CJAS (Columbia Jazz Artist Series) Mail your check to: Columbia College Jazz Series 11600 Columbia College Drive Sonora, CA 95370 $15 per ticket. Please include your name and phone number on check, and specify if you have any reserved seating placement request. When we receive your check, we will assign best available seating. Then pick up your reserved seats at will call at the door. . Coming Events - You can also purchase mail-order pre-purchase reserved seats for: Dec 28 @ 2pm (Murphys Creek Theatre) Jan 24 @ 6pm (Sonora HS Auditorium) All seats are $15

Photos by Martin Straw Editing by Christie Straw

The holidays are fast approaching, and tickets are now on sale for: It’s a Big Band Christmas Sunday, Dec 8 at 2pm At the College Dogwood Theater Jazzed-up ve...rsions of all your holiday favorites. It’s going to be a VERY fun show. We’ve added more special guests to this one: Bob Secor, piano and trumpet Clint Day, bass Marvin McFadden, trumpet (Huey Lewis and the News) Kevin Porter, trombone Mike Miller, percussion Mario Flores, congas Tickets are reserved seating ($15) now on sale at college bookstore and Mt. Books at the Junction. . Free? Anyone want free reel-to-reel tapes? The college is housecleaning and wants to get rid of 3 boxes full of tapes (from the 70s) probably lots of student concerts, plays, etc.. If anyone is interested please let Rod Harris know.

Columbia College Big Band, with guest artist Barbara Morrison, played at the Murphy's Creek Theater Saturday, November 2nd and at Columbia College Dogwood Theat...er on Sunday, November 3rd. Barbara Morrison is amazing to experience because she is not only an amazing jazz singer she is also a great entertainer. During her concerts she relays stories about performing with greats like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Etta James, to name a few. If you have never seen her live she will be returning to Columbia College Dogwood Theater on March 6th and 7th, 2020. See more

November 2-3 2019 with Barbara Morrison.

Coming to a theater near you this weekend: Barbara Morrison is back in town! with the 24-piece Columbia Big Band... Two days and 2 very special shows with our much beloved and legendary guest artist. She’s a comedian, TV star, blues singer, theater owner and complete joy to listen to. Come and see why Ray Charles chose to perform with her so many times (also Santana, Count Basie, Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, etc) Note: critics says she’s electric and powerful. Saturday night Nov 2nd @ 7pm in Murphys Murphys Creek Theatre (aka Black Bart’s Playhouse) Box office at 6pm, doors at 6:30 All seats $15 (available at the door) Sunday matinee Nov 3rd @ 2pm at Columbia College College Dogwood Theater Box office and doors at 1pm Reserved seating $15 (available at the door) Advanced tickets for both shows are still available at the College Bookstore and at the Mountain Bookshop at the Junction in Sonora. Purchase tickets online?? On the Columbia College Manzanita Bookstore’s site you need to enter an account before you can complete the order. There is a required field for student ID. Just enter your phone number instead of student ID and that should work, Here’s the link for Barbara tickets - http://www.manzanitabookstore.com/MerchList?ID=22114 Or call the bookstore (M-F) if you have questions 588-5126

Saturday @ 7pm in the College Dogwood Theater Paul, Marvin, Krista, Clint, Brian, singers, Big Band.. beautiful musicians making beautiful music advanced tickets available until Fri noon at college. and until Sat noon at Mt. Bookshop... Tickets (only $15) will also be available at the door Parking lot shuttle is available for those that want it starting at 6:30pm (from staff parking lot to Theater door)

Free event this Saturday, Sept 28: Columbia Big Band Jamestown Rocca Park. 5 to 7pmFree event this Saturday, Sept 28: Columbia Big Band Jamestown Rocca Park. 5 to 7pm

Some photos from the latest concert!

Photos from the August 11 concert!

Bria Skonberg concert July 27, 2019

Happy August! Our next one will be fun!! Sunday, August 11 @ 4pm matinee... Columbia College Jazz Series presents Vocalist Kerry Tweedy Krista Sturgis piano Clint Day bass David Hawkes drums with Rod Harris saxes And special guests At the College Dogwood Theater No advanced tickets, all seats at $15 at the door... Season Ticket holders and reserved are included. See more

THIS SATURDAY! Bria Skonberg with the Columbia Kicks Big Band 7pm, College Dogwood Theater Advance tickets still available by phone today until 3pm at 588-5126. Or at Mt Bookshop until Saturday. Remaining seats available at the door (doors at 6pm) parking lot shuttle to Dogwood at 6:30 Bria Skonberg with the Columbia Kicks Big Band Also featuring the Vocal Jazz Quartet (Caroline, Sheryl, Drea, Joel)... And Saxman Nate Berkus (also clarinet) And Krista Sturgis - piano See more

I few highlights by the wonderful Gary Johnson Photography!

TONIGHT! Columbia Big Band Street Dance From 7:30 to 10pm Optional 40s costume and dance contest This is a free event in Columbia State Park (main street by the blacksmith shop)

Hello all.. the jazz series is off for the month of June.. but we’ll start back with a bang in July. We’re working on the details (exciting!) for the 2019-2020 Jazz Series and wanted to give information for reservation of Season Tickets. Our first concert of the new season will be Saturday, July 27 @ 7pmfeaturing the return of trumpeter/vocalist Bria Skonberg in the college Dogwood Theater. This concert will also feature her sax/clarinet player Nate Berkus and our own specia...l guestKrista White Sturgis on piano. Reserved seating tickets ($20) will go on sale in July. That gives us the month of June to reorganize all the season tickets. (note: we want to go big this year and expect a very special new season) As you probably know, our hard- working and dedicated box office manager for the last several years, Gaylin Ray, has officially retired (but she will still enjoy concerts, maybe now more than ever). Our new box office manager will be Ashley Albertson (many of you know her). She recently graduated with a BA in Music from SF State and is a marvelous private piano teacher. To reach Ashley regarding Season Tickets call or text (209) 483-4725. 2019-2020 Jazz Series Season Tickets - $110 (more than a $40 discount) Includes first choice of reserved seats for monthly guest artist concerts and access to VIP reservations for all season events. Call Ashley now to reserve or renew your season tickets (209) 483-4725(reserve your seats by phone and pay at the door in July) Note: this phone number is only for season tickets, for general admission call the college bookstore at 588-5126 (starting in July) . Also announcing: Columbia Big Band Street Dance Free event in Columbia State Park Saturday, July 20 at 7:30pm

More videos from the Latin Jazz Concert

Latin Jazz Concert!

Free Guitar Master Class with Keith Evans Tuesday April 16th at Columbia College. It starts at 1:00 in Aspen building room 1. All guitar players welcome. Acoust...ic or Electric guitar. I will share all my guitar picking stlye secrets. Questions and one-on-one assistance on guitar style technique welcomed. Please share and tell friends. Best wishes!! See more

Some photos by Gary Johnson from the Gallo show on March 31st. Full album: https://m.facebook.com/pg/GaryJohnsonCPP/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2177312529052822 What great shots! Thank you!

https://www.facebook.com/events/583232752154345/ Reserved seating tickets are now on sale for our Spring Big Band Bashfeaturing amazing pianist Patrick Hogan of Las Vegas (full list of musicians below) We will also feature a group of swing dancers led by Rosanna Sampson. They will be wearing Big Band Era costumes and dancing along to some of the selections.... Saturday, March 30 @ 7pm College Dogwood Theater $15 reserved seating Tickets at usual outlets or RSVP at Columbia College bookstore 588-5126 Special Guest Rhythm Section Patrick Hogan piano Clint Day - bass David Hawkes - drum Columbia Kicks BIG BAND Rod Harris, director Saxes Gordon Giedt Kyle Dooley Steve Foiada Sue Foiada David Rhoades Len Otley Mark Castle Marcus Jensen Trumpets Sam Tune Chala Scholkowfsky Edward Sudduth III Larry Mangili Ken Kamerman Trombones Dan Ray Bruce Giudici Elena Smith Tyler Van Zuiden Aaron David Danielle D’Bartolomeo Rhythm Keith Evans guitar Jeff Luhn - bass Percussion Katra Pritchard Jeff Hartwig Eddie Barry Columbia Vocal Jazz Septet Christie Straw Ashley Mikita Sheryl Max Gianna Tippett Aaron David Caroline Walsh Johnson Andrea Hayes