Sublime, powerful, and all-embracing: We're presenting Bach's Mass in B Minor

Our 2023-24 classical series concludes IN MAY with a Magnificent choral masterpiece!

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B minor is widely recognized as one of the supreme triumphs of Western classical music. Heroic in its scope and articulation, this piece was crafted as an ideal representation of the Mass, rather than being designed for practical use. Described by one music historian as the “greatest musical masterpiece of all times and nations,” the Mass in B minor encapsulates Bach’s musicianship and his profound sense of the sacred. On May 4 and 5, Santa Cruz Symphony will join forces with Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus and four stellar vocalists to bring you the brilliance and theatricality of this magnum opus.

Bach’s masterwork offers a perfect showcase for the vocal power and harmonic expression of Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus, under the direction of Cheryl Anderson, and our four guest soloists. Prepare to be transported, both spiritually and emotionally, by the sublime voices of contralto Sara Couden, soprano Hera Hyesang Park, bass-baritone Christian Pursell, and tenor Andrew Stenson. Under the direction of Maestro Daniel Stewart, these singers will join forces to create a thrilling conclusion to our 2023-24 classical concert series.

We invite you to share this unforgettable performance with us!

Saturday, May 4 at 7:30 PM
Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz
Pre-concert talk at 6:30 PM

Sunday, May 5 at 2:00 PM
Henry J. Mello Center in Watsonville
Pre-concert talk at 1:00 PM

 

You asked for her, and she's back! Destiny Muhammad's inspired jazz will thrill you again. 

Award-winning jazz harpist Destiny Muhammad is back by popular demand, presenting a fabulous recital for Santa Cruz Symphony. Our 2023-24 Recital Series continues on Sunday, April 21 with Textures, Colors, Tones: Sketches in Jazz, performed by Destiny and her trio. Destiny created this program as a tonal tapestry in tribute to the legacy of the late African-American improvisational quiltmaker and fabric artist Rosie Lee Tompkins. The New York Times called her fabric creations “one of the century’s major accomplishments.” You can learn more about the recital program here.

Destiny Muhammad will rock the rafters with a trio of phenomenal musicians: Leon Joyce, Jr. on drums and percussion, Sundra Manning on piano, and Arthur "Chico" Lopez on upright bass. Destiny and her trio will be joined by two incredible poets and spoken word artists. Devorah Major, San Francisco Poet Laureate Emeritus, will speak the energy of Rosie Lee Tompkins. Enid Pickett, Healdsburg Jazz Festival Poet Laureate, will speak the energy of Effie Mae Howard.

We know you'll love this inspiring afternoon of storytelling through jazz!  


WHEN: Sunday, April 21 at 2PM
WHERE: Samper Recital Hall at Cabrillo College
TICKETS: 831-479-6154 or cabrillo.edu/vapa

Leon Joyce, Jr.’s drumming and percussion savvy are in international demand. A consummate professional, Leon has worked with a variety of top artists worldwide, including Ramsey Lewis, Nancy Wilson, Scott Hamilton, Smokey Robinson, Norman Connors, Billy Harper, James Carter, Clark Terry, Conti Condoli, and Ellis Marsalis, among others. As an instructor, Leon has led clinics around the United States with various educational institutions and music programs. His musical career began in high school and was shaped in the US Marine Corps, where he served, trained, and performed as a drummer and percussionist for over 20 years. Leon is a regular with the Leon Joyce Trio, Quartet, and Quintet, Jamie Davis, Nicolas Bearde, The Destiny Muhammad Trio, and guitarist Calvin Keys. He has appeared at many jazz festivals internationally, including Montreaux and Lugano Jazz Festivals, Villingen Swing/Jazz Festival, the Monterey Jazz and Blues Festival, the JVC Jazz Festivals, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and many more.

Sundra Manning is a Grammy-nominated pianist, keyboardist, Hammond B3 Organ player, and producer. Respected for her wide-ranging musical versatility, Sundra brings a funky, fresh, and gritty approach to her playing that is emotional, unique, and special. Sundra has recorded, written, and performed around the world with many artists such as Larry Graham with Prince, Sheila E., Lalah Hathaway, Raphael Saadiq, Peter Tork of The Monkees, Bobby Womack, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ledisi, Michael Franti and Spearhead, MC Hammer, Walter Hawkins’ Love Center Youth Ministry, Jody Watley, Jubu and Legally Blynd, The Braxton Brothers, Martin Luther, Peabo Bryson, Maysa Leaks, Pete Escovedo, Miguel Migs, EnVogue, Avery Sunshine, Anessa Strings, Nona Hendryx and Black Women Rock. She has written and produced music for several major films and television networks including Sony Pictures, Warner Pictures, HBO Films, and Bose Corp.

Bay Area native Arthur "Chico" Lopez is a sought-after jazz bassist. Proficient on both upright acoustic and electric bass, he brings his unique passionate precision to both instruments. Chico Lopez has enjoyed collaborating and performing with Clifford Brown aka ‘CB3’ (the grandson of jazz trumpet legend Clifford Brown, Jr.), Doug Ellington (the grandson of Duke Ellington), and jazz harpist Destiny Muhammad and The Destiny Muhammad Trio. His bevy of performance venues include SFJAZZ (the largest non-profit jazz presenter in the world), the Sundays in the Redwoods concert series in Oakland, the famed Yoshi’s Jazz Club, the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, and the San Jose Jazz Festival.

A California granddaughter of immigrants, both documented and undocumented, devorah major is San Francisco’s third Poet Laureate. A baker of pies and a lover of jazz, her poetry has carried her to many countries where she has performed with and without musicians. In 2022, she received Italy’s Regina Coppola International Literary Award. Published by Willow Press, her seventh book of poetry, Califia’s Daughter, was a Willow Press Editor’s Choice. Individual poems can be found in numerous magazines and anthologies including Callaloo, The New Black Fire, and Bum Rush the Page. She will put down her pen to march, act, and call for justice.

A northern California resident, Enid Pickett has been a Fulbright teacher in several countries, an advisor on issues of human rights, a jazz singer, and is now a celebrated poet. She has served on the Advisory Board of Learning for Justice, a Southern Poverty Law Center publication, as a Diversity Trainer for the NEA’s Human and Civil Rights Department, and as a Special Education and General Education teacher. She has appeared onstage with many poets and artists both as a singer and a poet and spoken word artist. The 2018 Poet Laureate for the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, Enid has published one volume of poetry, Through the Eyes of Enid, with a second volume expected to be published this year.

While certainly inspired by Alice Coltrane, Muhammad brings her own unique touch to the strings, as well as a contemporary melodic style that is exacting, whether she is working solo or accompanied. -Downbeat  

Festivals Rebroadcast Is This Sunday April 7th!

Our Festivals concerts on March 23/24 were incredible! If you missed the Festivals concerts, or just want to relive this performance, you can listen to the concert rebroadcast.

At 4 PM on Sunday, April 7 go to KAZU.org's online or HD classical station to experience the entire program performed by the Santa Cruz Symphony!

Learn more about our concert rebroadcasts and how you can listen to them here.