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Oct 18 Wed
1:00pm
Free

Nabil Ayers—His Life in the Sunshine: The Intersection of Music, Race, and Family

Nabil_Ayers_Author_Photo
lectures-symposia
Lani Hall Watch Livestream

In 1971, a white, Jewish, former ballerina chose to have a child with the famous Black jazz musician Roy Ayers, fully expecting and agreeing to his absenteeism. Like Roy, Nabil became deeply involved in the music industry, first as a musician, and currently as the President of Beggars Group USA. The title of Nabil's memoir MY LIFE IN THE SUNSHINE is a homage to the opening lyric from his father’s 1976 song, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” which has always followed Nabil as both a painful and hopeful reminder of his connection to his father, reflecting the passion and ambition that they share as well as the close relationship that they don’t. The book puts into words Nabil's journey to build an identity of his own despite his father’s absence. Nabil Ayers is the President of Beggars Group US, where he has run campaigns for The National, Big Thief, Grimes, Future Islands, and St. Vincent as well as reissue campaigns including Pixies’ album Doolittle which was certified Platinum in 2019.

At age 25, Ayers and his business partner opened Seattle's Sonic Boom Records store, which they sold to a longtime customer in 2016. As a drummer Ayers has performed in several bands including The Long Winters and Tommy Stinson. On his own record label, The Control Group/Valley of Search, Ayers has released music by Cate Le Bon, Lykke Li, The Killers, PJ Harvey, and his uncle, the jazz musician Alan Braufman.

Join us in this talk and conversation where you will learn about the music industry, race, and family. Q&A and mixer to follow.

Like most of UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music’s programs, this event is FREE!  Early arrival is recommended. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis. No RSVP required.

While Inside the Venue:

No Food or Drink allowed in the building.

Ticketing

This event is FREE! No RSVP required. Early arrival is recommended.

PARKING

Self-service parking is available at UCLA’s Parking Structure #2 for events in Schoenberg Music Building and the Evelyn and Mo Ostin Music Center. Costs range from $1 for 20 minutes to $20 all day. Learn more about campus parking.

ACCESSIBILITY

The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is eager to provide a variety of accommodations and services for access and communications. If you would like to request accommodations, please do so 10 days in advance of the event by emailing ADA@schoolofmusic.ucla.edu or calling (310) 825-0174.

PHOTOGRAPHY

The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music welcomes visitors to take non‐flash, personal‐use photography except where noted. Share your images with us @UCLAalpert / #UCLAalpert on Twitter + Instagram + Facebook

FOOD & DRINK

Food and drink may not be carried into the theaters. Thank you!

Acknowledgment

The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As a land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

Oct 5 Thu
7:00pm
Free
talks
Ric'key Pageot
Join pianist, music director, and Steinway Artist Ric’key Pageot performing and discussing his new educational initiative and documentary project “Classic Black” celebrating Black excellence in Classical music showcasing historically significant symphonic composers of African descent spanning the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Montreal-born pianist, accordionist, producer, composer, music director and Steinway Artist Ric’key Pageot will
Lani Hall
Oct 21 Sat
12:00pm
Free
contemporary, jazz
Root Progressions - A Workshop with Gloria Cheng and star Jazz Composer-Improvisers
In partnership with Angel City Jazz, Piano Spheres, and the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, Grammy-winning faculty pianist Gloria Cheng launches her latest commissioning project: Root Progressions (named for a seminal jazz theory method). The intent is to bridge two genres steeped in experimentation and exploration—jazz and contemporary classical music—yet perennially divided by genre
Lani Hall
Oct 27 Fri
1:00pm
Free
lectures-symposia, world-music
Nexus: Ethnomusicology and Education
Alan P. Merriam once remarked on the presence of a few scattered teachers in SEM working at the cusp of ethnomusicology, and had referred to them as “sandbox ethnomusicologists.” More recently, there appears to be change of heart within the field of ethnomusicology that includes attention to (1) the musical agency of children (and as such, children as important contributors to the study of music in cultures and communities), (2) teachers as collaborators with ethnomusicologists in school and community work, and (3) research by ethnomusicologists and educators together on pedagogical approaches to the development of intercultural understanding in and through music. I offer observations of ethnomusicology’s evolving commitment, often through collaborative efforts with teachers, to understanding and activating on questions of music, education, and culture for learners of every age, experience, and circumstance.
Zoom
Oct 29 Sun
3:00pm
Free
classical
Second Annual Judith L. Smith Voice Recital Featuring Issachah Savage
Tenor Issachah Savage is the featured artist of the second annual Judith L. Smith Voice Recital Series, celebrating talented vocalists and the distinguished tenure of UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, Founding Dean Judith Smith. Issachah will join us again on October 31st to hold a masterclass for students of the Department of Music.
Schoenberg Hall
Oct 31 Tue
8:00pm
Free
classical
UCLA Fall Philharmonia Halloween Concert
Join us as the UCLA Philharmonia opens its 2023-24 season with a special Halloween program. This event is made possible by the David and Irmgard Dobrow Fund. Classical music was a passion of the Dobrows, who established a generous endowment at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music to make programs like this possible. We
Schoenberg Hall