John Malveaux: Part 21-30 year history LBCAA

John Malveaux of 

www.MusicUNTOLD.com  

writes:

Part 21-30 year history LBCAA

The late vocalist Billie Holiday was born April 7, 1915. MusicUNTOLD presented a touring 100^th anniversary tribute to Billie Holiday on March 7, 2015 by pianist Lara Downes at the Long Beach Public Library-Main Library Auditorium titled “But Beautiful – A Pianist Remembers Billie Holiday”.  The solo recital included commentary and visuals projected on an onstage screen. Lara Downes shared a sensitive classical interpretation of songs forever associated with Lady Day. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KYgKH731SE

“The Watts riots or Watts rebellion, took place principally in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles from August 11 to 16, 1965. Los Angeles police needed the support of nearly 4,000 members of the California Army National Guard to quell the disturbance, which resulted in 34 deaths and over $40 million in property damage. The riots were blamed principally on police racism. It was the city's worst unrest until the Rodney King riots of 1992.” The California Army National Guard also cordoned off the Central Area of Long Beach.

The Watts-Willowbrook Music Conservatory, in partnership with Watts-Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club, is dedicated to transforming the lives of youth through music education. MusicUNTOLD presented 50^th anniversary concert of the Watts riots on August 29, 2015 at the Long Beach Public Library-Main Library Auditorium featuring Watts-Willowbrook Youth Chamber Orchestra under direction of Joseph Taylor. Two violin and two cello teachers performed with their students on the program. Conductor/Director Joseph Taylor shared a pre-concert talk covering the history of the former Watts Symphony Orchestra. Composer William Grant Still often attended rehearsals of the Watts Symphony Orchestra. The Watts Symphony also programmed William Grant Still music.

See Watts-Willowbrook Conservatory 2016 promotional video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlpXty6fXiA