Jazz at the San Ramon Library

San Ramon Jazz – A History

It all started when Branch Librarian Joyce Gunn successfully competed for the only California appearance of the Smithsonian Institute's first traveling jazz exhibit, "Beyond Category: The Musical Genius of Duke Ellington." The exhibit was on display at San Ramon Library October 17 - November 28, 1996. During those six weeks, the Library and the San Ramon Library Foundation presented 31 public jazz programs and provided educational assemblies in each of the local schools. Featured were such Ellington alumni as Kenny Burrell and Bill Berry, and scholars and writers including Philip Elwood of the San Francisco Chronicle and John Hasse of the Smithsonian. An initial collection of over 300 CDs was donated by performing artists and recording companies. A record turnout provided funds for acquisition of additional CDs, videos, books and sheet music for the Jazz Collection.
Fall, 1997, the Library presented another successful series of jazz concerts-- "More Jazz at the Library"--with performances by Donald "Tee" Carson, Weslia Whitfield, Red Holloway with Gail Dobson and the Smith Dobson Trio.
"More Jazz at the Library 1998" featured performances by Weslia Whitfield, Jim Rothermel's Neoclassic Swing Quintet, Smith and Gail Dobson and a special performance by Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers for dancing and listening at the Blackhawk Automotive Museum.
Meanwhile, our collection of jazz materials keeps growing. There are over 1200 CDs, 125 videos and 220 books available for checkout and subscriptions to 10 jazz magazines and newsletters. Recent donations include a vintage Wurlitzer jukebox, a collection of 800 CDs (the entire catalog of Concord Records), and a personal library of 150 books about jazz.

2008 Jazz Concerts:

Octobop: West Coast Jazz - November 14 - Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center
Recreating and updating the experience of the early days of “cool jazz” on the West Coast, when new ideas, harmonies, ensemble playing and great improvisation were all happening, is the mission of the Octobop. Performing and promoting the music that began with The Birth of the Cool -- and the innovations of Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Shorty Rogers, and Howard Rumsey among others -- Octobop makes cool jazz hot again.

John Worley and Worlview 7.0 - November 21 - Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center
Trumpet/Flugelhorn artist and leader of WorlView, John Worley has been a member in many of the San Francisco Bay Area’s creative music ensembles for the last 20+ years. Combining a hard-hitting approach with potent lyricism, Worley has created a unique sound. His WorlView ensemble touches on all corners of the Americas, riding a world chart of bop, straight ahead jazz, tango, Afro Cuban and “all ports in between.”

Jazz & Blues Art Exhibit
October 1 – December 30
San Ramon Library
This year, the Jazz Concert Series is launched with a special exhibition--Jazz & Blues--featuring the art of Emmy Award-winning artist, James Gayles, from October 1 – December 31 at the San Ramon Library. Gayles, who attended the Pratt Institute in New York, presents a stunning collection of vibrant and lyrical works in watercolor, mixed media, and acrylic paintings. The free exhibit is a tribute to Bay Area Jazz and Blues legends.
http://www.sanramonlibraryfriends.org/jazz.html