It’s hard to deny the history behind the artists that were honored at the Friends of Jazz tribute and luncheon concert Sunday at the Faculty Center. Honorees such as Tony Bennett, Clark Terry and Louie Bellson couldn’t help but trade their memories of each other and of past friends such as Duke Ellington and Benny Carter.
But few could forget to acknowledge the impetus behind the event: keeping jazz a vital element of the academic and scholarly setting.
In an afternoon meant to raise money for the jazz studies program, an impressive cast of music artists used the luncheon as a look back, as well as a look forward, into the growth of jazz as a personal and national treasure.
In a series of performances by members of the jazz studies faculty, the group of renowned artists kicked off the event by paying musical tribute to some of the figures in attendance, including Quincy Jones, Horace Silver, Clark Terry and Louie Bellson.
Far from being a rigid lineup, several musicians were invited on stage for separate numbers.
Soon after the ensemble shuffled off stage, though, all eyes and lenses were on Bennett, who was awarded the Friends of Jazz at UCLA Humanitarian Award. He spoke enthusiastically of the art form, which he called the only American tradition besides baseball that ever really “worked.”
But he also emphasized the importance of nurturing that tradition.
“I travel all over the world and we have a very magnificent country – but it’s very new,” Bennett said. “Everywhere in the world they understand jazz a lot more than American citizens do, because it’s so similar to some of the arts that (other cultures) have.”
Organizers initially planned to honor legendary musician Benny Carter at the event; though he passed away in July, speakers were eager to recall memories they had of the saxophonist, who often came to UCLA as a musician and a lecturer.
But many were also eager to look toward the future and draw attention to the afternoon’s importance. When Friends of Jazz president Ralph Ehrenpreis reminded the audience of the recent tuition hikes at UCLA, he elicited low murmurs from the audience members.
According to Friends of Jazz board members, the money raised at the event will go a long way toward supporting the jazz studies program during the financial crunch.
“You’ll be seeing more scholarships created, and more resources for graduate programs,” said Friends of Jazz board member Claudia Mitchell Kernan, who is also th vice chancellor for graduate studies and the dean of the graduate division at UCLA.
“And there will be new programming which will give students more venues for performing. It’s going to be exciting,” she continued.
Students have a reason to look forward to the future of Jazz Studies, but judging from the attitudes they flaunted on Sunday, the educators were the ones who wanted to celebrate.
Before and during the luncheon, Prof. Gerald Wilson spoke eagerly of the opportunities that Friends of Jazz could bring.
“I’ve been teaching jazz in California for 39 years,” he said, recalling his path to UCLA. “I went out to replace a young man for six weeks at Cal State Northridge, and I stayed for 13 years. I then went to Cal State L.A. and I stayed there for six years. And then my lucky day came, and I got an offer to come here, to this great institution.”
And then, without the slightest trace of irony from a man who once arranged songs for Duke Ellington, he said, “I’m on top now.”