On Friday, February 28th, The Don Byron New Gospel Quintet with featured vocalist Carla Cook will perform at Onondaga Communtiy College as a part of the continuing Legends of Jazz concert series.
Don Byron has gained much individual attention for his mastery of the clarinet. He released his first album in 1992. Since then, Byron has been exploring and executing musical styles and themes— everything from hip-hop to classical. The Don Byron New Gospel Quintet, which was formed in 2009, evolved from Byron's study of Gospel music from a cultural and personal perspective.
"?I am combining my own compositions with traditional Gospel pieces in a way I have not attempted before. This project coincides with a growth in my own faith and is for me a religious expression," said Byron.
Dr. Frank Malfitano, the Legends of Jazz series producer, saw the quintet perform for the first time last year. "It's a great piece and an important project, and an engagement that both highlights and culminates the college's annual month-long Black History Month Celebration on campus in wonderful fashion," said Malfitano.
He continued, "In addition to being a jazz master of the first magnitude, Don is also a brilliant scholar and a great teacher, and someone who brings their stories to life in incredible musical fashion."
Tickets to the performance are $25 and can be purchased online here or by phone at (315) 498-2772. The show will take place at OCC's Storer Auditorium at 7 p.m.