FREE

Lesley University presents a rare night of inspiring, jump-jiving, soul-diving, funky and sweet soul-jazz music featuring renowned musicians Stan Strickland and Jeannie Gagné.

Performing with Berklee faculty all-stars Danny “Mo” Morris and Jon Hazilla, the ensemble will present twists on classic songs and introduce new compositions.

The concert is free and open to the public, to be held at 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 13 in the Marran Theater at Lesley University, located at the corner of Mellen and Oxford streets, Cambridge.

Strickland is a vocalist, saxophonist, flutist, songwriter and actor who has performed around the world. In addition to radio and television appearances, Stan has performed in clubs and concert halls, including Jordan and Symphony Halls in Boston, Carnegie Recital Hall and Town Hall in New York, and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Gagné has been a professional vocalist for over 25 years and has performed for Philip Glass, Penn & Teller, Barenaked Ladies and NBC-TV, among others. A pianist and songwriter, Gagné is celebrating the release of her new book that offers a wellness-focused approach to musicianship, based on her Lesley graduate work, titled “Your Singing Voice: Contemporary Techniques, Expression and Spirit.” She will sign copies of her book at the concert. Read more about her book and her studies at Lesley in Vocal Performance and Wellness HERE.

“Jeannie is an extraordinarily talented scholar, musician and educator,” said Lesley Associate Professor Dr. Marion Nesbit. “It was a true privilege to serve as Jeannie’s core faculty during her studies at Lesley and to relish her success in combining exceptional academic and performance talents with a passionate commitment to creating connections between musical performance, wellness and joy.”

Strickland and Gagné are Lesley University alumni who teach at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Morris and Hazilla, the other members of the ensemble, play bass and drum set/percussion, respectively.

The free concert, sponsored by the Self Designed Masters Degree Program of Lesley's Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences and The Dean of Students Office, celebrates the launch of the group’s new collaboration and upcoming tour.