'Jazz at the Pollock' Guest Artist, Emma Larsson
College of the Desert’s first guest artist concert of the 2017-2018 “Jazz at the Pollock” season will feature New York-based jazz vocalist and composer Emma Larsson.
Larsson will perform a set of original compositions at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, in the Pollock Theatre. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5 for students, $10 for public.
Hailing from Sweden, with her vocal and composition skills further honed in Finland,
Emma Larsson released two critically acclaimed recordings in Europe before moving
to New York in 2011. Her latest release, “Sing to the Sky,” on Origin Records, presents
a set of seven original songs along with evocative arrangements of the classic "Here's
to Life" and Sade's "No Ordinary Love." Along with veteran NY drummer, Billy Drummond,
bassist Eric Revis, pianist Shedrick Mitchell and saxophonist Kenneth Whalum III,
Larsson harkens the spirit of Betty Carter in her approach to time and tempos, adventurous
song forms, and her embrace of soaring melodies.
“All About Jazz” has hailed Larsson as “a new class of vocalists who are pushing the limits of jazz vocals to the edge of post bop conventional wisdom into a realm not otherwise traveled.” Emma Larsson will be joined by Professor of Music Anthony Fesmire, D.A., on guitar; Reed Gratz, D.M.A., on piano; David Lockeretz on bass; and David Oromaner on drums. This concert is made possible through the Carol G. Meier Visiting Artist Fund.
Each season, the “Jazz at the Pollock” series will present faculty, student and guest artist concerts that take advantage of the intimacy of the college’s Pollock Theatre and showcase the Jazz Studies program at College of the Desert.
Mark your calendars now for future “Jazz at the Pollock” concerts scheduled for Oct. 20, featuring COD Adjunct Music Faculty member and pianist Dan Waddell; and Dec. 6, featuring the Jazz Combo students directed by Fesmire.
