OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble will present “From Maxville to Vanport” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, in the Memorial Union Ballroom at Oregon State University in Corvallis.
“From Maxville to Vanport” is a new multi-media concert of songs and video from the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble featuring vocalist Marilyn Keller. It tells the story of two little-known Oregon towns and the diverse residents that made them unique. The performance includes music by Ezra Weiss, text by Renee Mitchell and video by Kalimah Abioto created in a community-guided process.
Maxville, a now-abandoned logging town in rural Wallowa County, and Vanport, a community hastily built just north of Portland for shipyard workers during World War II, were multicultural communities with significant African American and immigrant populations. “From Maxville to Vanport” examines the prejudice that residents of these towns faced and also celebrates their resilience, courage and contribution to Oregon’s history.
The Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble is a 12-piece jazz chamber orchestra dedicated to performing original works by its members and jazz composers from the Portland music community. The ensemble was founded in 2007 and is now directed by trumpeter and composer Doug Detrick. In addition to regular performances, the PCJE operates an independent record label dedicated to releasing albums of original music by local jazz artists.
The OSU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ryan Biesack, will also perform at the show.
The event is free and open to the public, though reservations are encouraged. To reserve a ticket, visit: http://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/Maxville. For accommodations relating to a disability, please call 541-737-4671 at least one week in advance. The Memorial Union Ballroom is located at 2501 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis.
About the OSU College of Liberal Arts: The College of Liberal Arts encompasses seven distinct schools, as well as several interdisciplinary initiatives, that focus on humanities, social sciences, and fine and performing arts. Curriculum developed by the college’s nationally and internationally-renowned faculty prepares students to approach the complex problems of the world ethically and thoughtfully, contributing to a student's academic foundation and helping to build real-world skills for a 21st century career and a purposeful life.
Zachary C. Person, 541-737-4671, [email protected]
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