40th Anniversary Celebration & Gala
APRIL 27, 2024
BLOC15 | Jack London, Oakland
Rhapsody in Red(wood)
40th Anniversary Gala
April 27, 2024, 5:30pm
BLOC15, Jack London, Oakland
Attire: Forest Formal or Festive Cocktail
Embark on an unforgettable evening commemorating 40 years of Living Jazz at BLOC15 in the heart of Oakland’s Jack London Square. Partake in a vibrant cocktail reception, savor a California-inspired banquet dinner, and engage in alluring silent and live auctions.
Adding to the enchantment, we proudly present our headline performer for the night — Elena Pinderhughes, an illustrious Living Jazz alumna and Oakland's very own rising star.
Get ready for a night to be cherished!
All proceeds benefit Living Jazz’s transformative jazz rooted education programs.
40 years ago a small and mighty crew of jazz musicians, dancers, and arts lovers gathered in the ancient redwoods of Northern California. This beautiful symposium allowed teens through seniors to explore jazz-rooted art forms as peers. In 1984, this community was in danger of financial collapse. They needed a visionary and a leader to help this celebration of humanity to continue. When a vibrant Stacey Hoffman and her band of culture keepers took action to save this beloved camp, Living Jazz was born.
Jazz Camp WEST became the grandmother tree, with many programs sprouting from her roots. Jam Camp WEST guides our youth in self-discovery, the Living Jazz Children’s Project provides free music and dance education to over 1,400 students in 14 East Bay elementary schools, Jazz Camp acted as the catalyst for the cherished Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, and more—our circle of trees continues to grow.
Join us on Saturday, April 27 at BLOC15 in Oakland, for Living Jazz’s Rhapsody In Red(wood) Gala, and immerse yourself in 40 years of our jazz-rooted story through dance, music, and interactive exhibitions. The night guarantees a lively cocktail reception, California-inspired cuisine, and a spirited auction, all hosted at BLOC15 in the heart of Oakland’s Jack London Square.
Together, let's raise crucial funds to uphold Living Jazz’s deeply rooted legacy—a truly intergenerational musical network fostering care, chosen family, excellence, and, above all, providing life-saving access to creative expression.
Gala Committee
Terrence Brewer, Co-Chair
Linda Shear, Co-Chair
Laura Anderson
Afi Ayanna
Tracy Cruz
Kenya Moses
Jordan Perlman
Joi Rhone
Pamela Rose
Steve Snider
Jeff Weinmann
GALA SPONSORS
Oakland Venue Management
Bank of Marin
Paul Fogel
Thomas Gregory
SPECIAL THANKS
Kerry Fiero, Gala Producer
Matisse Geenty, Advisor
Frank Hanna, Auctioneer
Elena Ayodele Pinderhughes
Elena Ayodele Pinderhughes is an award winning flutist, vocalist, composer, and songwriter.
Pinderhughes's style seamlessly blends jazz, hip-hop, and R&B influences, reflecting her diverse musical upbringing and open-minded approach to music. She began her musical journey at a young age and has since established herself as a prominent figure in the contemporary jazz and R&B music scenes, performing and touring in venues and festivals throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, and South America. Described by The Guardian as the “most exciting and creatively assured jazz flutist to have emerged in years”, Elena has performed in venues and festivals including: Carnegie Hall, the White House, the Kennedy Center, Coachella Music Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Marciac Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival and Newport Jazz Festival.
Elena was raised in the Bay Area, CA and moved to New York City to study flute and voice at The Manhattan School of Music. In New York, she began recording, touring and performing with artists in multiple genres including Common, Herbie Hancock, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Terrace
Martin, Robert Glasper, Hubert Laws, Kenny Barron, Stefon Harris, Lionel Loueke, Terri Lyne Carrington, Josh Groban, Vijay Iyer, Future and others. Most recently, Elena is featured on Terrace Martins album, "Fine Tune", Herbie Hancock’s upcoming album, Common’s album, ”Black America Again”, Lupe Fiasco’s “Drogas Wave,” Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah’s albums "Stretch Music: Introducing Elena Pinderhughes” and “Diaspora”, Ambrose Akinmusire’s Blue Note album, “The Imagined Savior is Far Easier to Paint,” Terri Lyne Carrington’s Grammy Winning album “New Standards” as well as many others. Performing with a range of musicians, as well as with her own group, Elena tours internationally with Herbie Hancock, Terrace Martin, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah and Common. Her unique voice, flute playing, and writing style bring her musicality, harmony, rhythm, and culture to create a very specific sound all her own.
Further your impact with a gift to support accessible music and dance education in Title 1 East Bay Elementary and Middle Schools, and for kids and adults of all ages at Jam and Jazz Camp West.
All donations made as part of a Gala purchase will automatically support Living Jazz programs.
