The Gift of Jazz - A Talented Musician

by: Ebony Smith

[Slide-Show available here]

RICHMOND, Va. – Jazz is all about good improvisation, on-the-spot creativity and a respectable admiration for the historic genre. VCU student, Jake Sherman has been interested in all of these important concepts of a genre that he has come to love.

When Sherman arrived at Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall of 2008, his goal was to become a great jazz musician. The Arlington native auditioned over the summer and was accepted into the prestigious VCU Arts Foundation to study his passion, jazz. Antonio Garcia, associate professor of music, leads the well-respected music program, known and referred to as jazz studies.

Sherman is enrolled in a class instructed by Bryan Hooten, an adjunct professor of jazz and music theory who teaches small jazz ensembles, jazz labs and music theory. Sherman admires the talented and knowledgeable staff that teaches him the standards for becoming successful in performing arts.

“The VCU Music Department provides really good faculty for the students,” Sherman said.

Sherman has performed in various gigs in and around Richmond, ranging from the VCU Barnes & Noble Bookstore to the Richmond Pump House. He has contributed to the Yorktown Jazz Ensemble, Virginia Big Band and the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra.

Founded in 1985, the Blues Alley Jazz Society works with Washington, D.C., area student musicians to promote the philosophies of youth, jazz and education. Sherman embodies all of these same characteristics.

Sherman says that his dream gig would be to play for the Air Force Jazz Band, as well as doing solo performances. He would not be out of his league, as Sherman has been playing jazz guitar for eight years. He describes jazz music as a much different way to express himself.

“There is the complete freedom to verbalize and improvise,” Sherman said. “Listen to jazz because a lot of people don’t give it a chance. Now-a-days music is all too much the same.”

Lucy Anne Hurston Celebrates the Life of Her Aunt Zora

RICHMOND, Va.— Lucy Anne Hurston, shared her book on Wednesday, “Speak, So You Can Speak Again: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston”, to VCU students, guests and faculty. The 3D multimedia biography includes poems, removable artifacts, photographs and a CD featuring Zora singing.

Hurston, the niece of acclaimed Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston, shared her appreciation and respect for the life and work of her aunt, as well as detailing her research of putting together the book.

“It represents the physical residue of what’s left of the life of Zora,” Hurston said. “I began building a library of books as gifts at a young age. After you read a good book, you have to share it. This was a 30-year exchange of ideas about who Zora was.”

A Professor of Sociology at Manchester Community College in Manchester, Connecticut, Hurston delved into her journey of exploring Zora’s life as a graduate student at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, where she received her master’s degree in sociology.

There were occasional and tastefully humorous tales and discoveries about the life of her aunt, emphasizing Zora’s outspoken, individualistic and at times rebellious personality.

“Zora was an individual character. This was seen in her novels and plays, and in the way she wore her trousers and smoked her cigarettes.” Hurston said.

Elisa Chong, biology major, said the event was at the top of her list among others that have been featured at VCU.

“I’ve been to prior readings and this one was definitely the most engaging and amazing,” she said.

As the night progressed, listeners were captivated as Hurston began to unfold the many layers of Zora's life.

Kamya Kommaraju, a bioinformatics major, described the event as captivating and relatable to all VCU students.

“I found it to have quite a significant impact, she said. “Hurston discussed various racial themes that I felt were important.”

One of the themes discussed, were the obstacles Zora faced as a female, African-American writer during her stay in Harlem.

“At the time, black writers wanted to fit in and emulate the issues of whiteness,” Hurston said. “Zora’s work did not follow that tradition and at times she was told to stop acting like a minstrel.”

The 1937 novel, “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, was written in southern black vernacular and criticized for it's dialect. Today, the novel is recognized as one of the greatest literary works of the Harlem Renaissance.

When asked if Hurston had any preconceived plans for the artifacts she said, “I didn’t want Zora’s work in an ivory tower away from people, I wanted to make it available for everyone.”