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Friday, March 17, 2023
7:30 PM
The series opens on Friday, March 17, with a celebration of the life and artistry of master saxophonist Charles Lloyd on the occasion of his 85th birthday, which falls two days before this event. A recipient of this nation’s highest jazz honor, the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master fellowship, as well as France’s Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, Lloyd is widely revered as one of the greatest living jazz artists, having played the world’s leading festivals and stages throughout a remarkable seven-decade career.
The New York Times wrote, “Lloyd has come up with a strange and beautiful distillation of the American experience, part abandoned and wild, part immensely controlled and sophisticated… His concerts and recordings are events of pristine beauty and elegance, full of intensely felt emotion and passion that touches deep inside the heart. This is not entertainment, but the powerful uncorrupted expression of beauty through music.” Carlos Santana commented, “Charles Lloyd is an international treasure.”
Now in his mid-80s, he remains at the height of his powers and is as prolific as ever. In fall 2022 Lloyd issued a critically-acclaimed set of three new recordings, a trio of trios, on Blue Note Records, each with a distinct lineup of outstanding musicians.
For this special birthday celebration concert, Lloyd is joined by his Ocean Trio, featuring two brilliant longtime Athenaeum favorites, pianist Gerald Clayton and guitarist Anthony Wilson. Bassist Larry Grenadier will be joining the Ocean Trio as a special guest.
This March 17 concert will take place at the beautiful Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Auditorium, 5775 Morehouse Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, located at the headquarters of Qualcomm in Sorrento Mesa. The hall is easily accessible from La Jolla and from I-805 at Mira Mesa Boulevard with ample free parking immediately adjacent to the hall.
The concerts will be in person at the Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Auditorium. There are no physical tickets for these events. Your name will be on an attendee list at the front door. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. These events will be presented in compliance with State of California and County of San Diego health regulations as applicable at the time of each concert.
Masks optional. If you have a fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms, please stay home.