Jeff Denson’s Secret Society
at Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA. – Jazz Studies at Saddleback College is pleased to present world-renowned bassist and composer Jeff Denson with his quartet in the McKinney Theatre on Monday, September 10th at 7 pm. The music of the Jeff Denson Quartet pushes through the boundaries of conventions in music. By inventively mixing the world of composed and improvised music, Denson creates a unique language of his own where intoxicating melodies and rhythms transport the listener away to unknown lands where vivid hues of tone paints the aural canvas of the inner ear.
The music is steeped in the jazz tradition where the propulsive rhythms are the heartbeat of the music and the musicians are master improvisers of the harmonic structures, song forms and melodic invention. The music diverges from the jazz tradition and creates its unique fingerprint in the handling of the juxtaposition of the composed and improvised material and the roles and uses of the instruments within the compositions. The quartet consists of Denson (bass and vocals), Ralph Alessi (trumpet), Florian Weber (piano) and Gerald Cleaver (drums). “A secret masterpiece!” – Jazzthing, Germany
Tickets are $10 general; $7 students/seniors. Call the ticket office at 949-582-4656 (Wednesday through Saturday, noon-4) or order your tickets online at www.saddleback.edu/arts. Tickets on sale starting August 22nd.
Jazz Studies at Saddleback College emphasizes creativity through improvisation and ensemble performance. Focusing on the historical, theoretical and intuitive aspects of this American music, Director Joey Sellers and an outstanding cadre of nationally recognized musicians comprise the jazz faculty. Curricula include Improvisation, Jazz Composition and Arranging, Jazz History Syllabus, Jazz History Audio, Jazz History Podcast, Jazz Piano, Saddleback Big Band, Jazz Lab Ensemble, and Combos. Students in Jazz Studies at Saddleback College have transferred to prestigious institutions including University of Southern California, Eastman School of Music, Berkeley School of Music, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Cal State Fullerton, University of California at San Diego, and other regional institutions. Some of our alumni have gone on to play professionally with Frank Zappa, Diana Ross, and other high-profile artists and organizations.
Saddleback College is located at 28000 Marguerite Pkwy in Mission Viejo, just east of Interstate 5 at the Avery Parkway exit. Parking is available in Lot 12. Take Avery Parkway to Marguerite Parkway turn left to the third traffic light, which is Saddleback’s Marguerite entrance. Turn right into the campus and take the second left to “Theatre Circle,” turning right into Lot 12.
Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community. Having served more than 500,000 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers more than 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals. For more information, please visit www.saddleback.edu. For Fine Arts events, visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.
