In Healdsburg: Free Community Concert Celebrates Black History Month

Marcus Shelby, the multi-talented composer, musician and bandleader who last year presented his oratorio about Harriet Tubman at the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, will direct a free community Black History Month program this Friday night, Feb. 27, at the Raven Performing Arts Theater on North St., Healdsburg.

The program draws from Duke Ellington’s extensive oeuvre of song and orchestral works, and Langston Hughes’ poetry and prose pieces. This will be the third year of the Freedom Jazz Choir’s participation in Shelby’s Healdsburg performances. Approximately 60 adult members of the local amateur choir have already begun rehearsals in preparation for the Feb. 27 concert.

Along with the Marcus Shelby Quintet featuring Tiffany Austin, performers will include the HJF Freedom Jazz Choir, and all-volunteer organization of about 60 area residents. The Freedom Jazz Choir also worked with Sheby the past two years, in tributes to Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King Jr.

In addition, the Student Jazz Choir and Ensemble will participate, drawn from Healdsburg area 5-8th graders who participate in the Healdsburg Jazz Black History Month education program. Shelby conducted Civil Rights-themed assemblies at eight Healdsburg and Geyserville schools during the first week in February. Those schools’ fifth graders will attend concert performances at the Raven during the day on Feb. 27, with all area residents invited to the evening concert, starting at 7 pm.

There is no charge for the concert, but donations to Healdsburg Jazz’s education programs are encouraged. Along with the Black History Month program, Healdsburg Jazz has several other jazz education programs, and offers scholarships and support to area students in music education.