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Kenn Cox named King, Chavez, Parks Visiting Scholar at University of Michigan - Dearborn |
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Written by JazzStage Productions
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Tuesday, 14 October 2008 |
 Kenn Cox, internationally acclaimed jazz musician, composer and educator, has been awarded the King, Chavez, Parks (KCP) Visiting Professorship for 2008-2009 at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Mr. Cox has been named to this post in recognition of his extraordinary brilliant and productive career as a jazz leader, pianist and composer of music in widely diverse genres. His fame began with the highly-esteemed Contemporary Jazz Quintet (CJQ), which he founded and developed during the 60's and 70's. Jazz historian and critic Nat Hentoff, describing CJQ's essential sound, wrote:... there is a core of lyricism - a soaring of feeling.' This characterization continues to be true of Mr. Cox's inspiring compositions and performances.
Mr. Cox will begin his residency at the University with a Fall KCP Visiting Professor series of lectures/performances, exploring the historical evolution of African American music from the Blues, to spiritual and religious music, to jazz, which he considers African American classiscal music. These lectures will begin on October 9th, and will be free and open to the public. Some of the area's most popular musicians will be invited to perform with him in this educational project, including Peter Gabriel of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Gregory Patrick, and Dorinda Clark Cole of the Grammy-award winning gospel group, the Clark Sisters.
In conjunction with the lecture series, the UM-Dearborn will host a traveling photo exhibit entitled, Rock, Rhythm and Soul:The Black Roots of Popular Music.' This exhibit, prepared by Indiana University's Archives of African American Music and Culture, will be installed in the Mardigian Library, with an opening reception on November 6, 2008 at 6:00 p.m., immediately preceding Mr. Cox's lecture of that evening. This reception is free and open to the public.
As Visiting Professor, Mr. Cox will collaborate with faculty of the Music Department and African American Studies Program to enhance the regularly offered courses, while offering individual mentoring opportunities to outstanding music students.
Beginning January 12, 2009, Mr. Cox will teach a course entitled, 'Back to the Future:A Survey of African American Music', on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m.
This series is funded by the State of Michigan King/Chavez/Parks Visiting Professor Initiative, administered by the Office of the Provost at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Please see the attached schedule of the Fall lecture series. For further information, please contact Dr. Gloria House, 313-593-5366 or Ms. Sharie Beard, 313-593-4925.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 14 October 2008 )
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