International Jazz Day – Meeting with Ryan Coonerty and Bruce McPherson

Mr. Lawsha met with Mr. Coonerty and Mr. McPherson today to discuss International Jazz Day and the upcoming celebration on the Santa Cruz Wharf.

 

It’s not every day you can see Grammy-nominated jazz musicians perform, let alone for free and with an ocean view. International Jazz Day isn’t until Monday, April 30, but Santa Cruz couldn’t wait that long, so join Andy Narell, Price Lawsha, the Sandra Manning Quartet, local vocalist Tammi Brown, Jazz Tap Dancer Tara Firenzi and many more for a fantastic day of jazz by the sea!

Jazz In The Schools is Noteworthy Photo of the Day in the Santa Cruz Sentinel

Saxophonist Dawan Muhammad, pianist Sandra Manning, guitarist Calvin Keys and percussionist Prince Lawsha perform for the students of Soquel Elementary School Tuesday morning as an installment in the fifth annual International Jazz Week in Santa Cruz County schools.

Working with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and with the special support of Superintendent Michael Watkins, Mr. Lawsha created the program over five years ago.

An extension of International Jazz Day worldwide, the City of Santa Cruz joins the global celebration with a free afternoon of jazz concerts at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf on Saturday.

The daylong festivities are intended to promote jazz music’s strong positive values, which include peace, intercultural dialogue and cooperation between nations. Saturday’s concerts will headline world renowned jazz steel drummer Andy Narell, who will perform at 3 p.m.

Special thanks to Shmuel Thaler of the Santa Cruz Sentinel for the fantastic (and very noteworthy!) photo.