Wanda's Picks Radio Show, Friday, May 5, 2017

1. Safiya Fredericks, a Richmond native, director, join us to talk about a new play opening this weekend, May 6-7, 6-8 p.m., Richmond Renaissance at El Cerrito High School.

2. Shifting Movement:Art Inspired by the Life &Work of Yuri Kochiyama (1921-2014) artists: Susan Almazol, Jocelyn Jackson, Lenore Chinn. The exhibit is up at SOMarts Gallery through May 25. Special programs are May 20 and closing night.

3. Dorsey Nunn, Executive Director, LSPWC, joins us to speak about Quest for Democracy Advocacy Day at the state capital,  Monday May 8.

4. George Spencer, Musician, Composer, is being featured at City College of San Francisco Advanced Band Workshop, Tuesday, May 9, 8 p.m.-10 p.m. with Professor David Hardiman Jr. at Diego Rivera Auditorium, City College Ocean Campus, 50 Phelan Avenue, SF.

George is an educator, musician, composer and producer. He has been the music director for the Whispers, music director/road manager for the late Esther Phillips and toured nationally and internationally with John Handy, Johnny Otis, Oscar Brown Jr., and the Johnny Nocturne Band. A musician of great demand, George has performed with Don Shirley, Dakota Staton, Nina Simone, Mc Coy Tyner, Charlie Hayden, Marshall Royal, The Dells, The Manhattans, The Four Tops, Jerry Butler, Tammi Terrell, Martha Reeves, Lennie Williams, Brook Benton, Rufus Thomas, and Charles Brown. He has recorded with Johnny Otis, Barbara Morrison, John Handy, Bill Summers, Paul Jackson, James Levi, Spider Web, Sugar Pie De Santo, Bill Bell, Carolyn Ayana, Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra, San Francisco Allstar Big Band, Fillmore Preservation Jazz Orchestra, Junius Courtney Jazz Orchestra, Rev Dr. Isaiah Jones, and the Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church Choir George “Jazbeau” has performed at many festivals including Switzerland’s Bern International Jazz, Italy’s Umbria International Jazz, Japan’s UMK Jazz, Monterey Jazz, Monterey Blues, Houston International Jazz, Vancouver Jazz, and the New Orleans By-the- Bay Festival, to name a few.

He has taught at San Francisco State University, University of Santa Clara, UC Berkeley Summer Music Program, Laney College, Merritt College, Peralta College, San Francisco City College, Oakland Technical High School and Emery High School.

George is a prolific writer, arranger, producer and publisher and has cataloged his music through his publishing companies: Kenkuyu Music and Beau’s Original Music.

He continues to perform with the Johnny Otis Tribute Band, the San Francisco All Star Big Band, the Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra, and is Music Director for the Junius Courtney Big Band and Music Director at Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church.

George is committed to bridging the digital divide between private industry, urban schools, and under privileged communities through music, publishing, performance and education.