A Conversation with Randall Goosby
Ascending international violinist of African descent, Randall Goosby, will converse with students, faculty, staff and the community. Signed exclusively to Decca Classics in 2020 at the age of 24, American violinist Randall Goosby is acclaimed for the sensitivity and intensity of his musicianship alongside his determination to make music more inclusive and accessible, as well as bringing the music of under-represented composers to light. June 2021 marked the release of Goosby’s debut album for Decca entitled Roots, a celebration of African-American music which explores its evolution from the spiritual through to present-day compositions. Goosby is deeply passionate about inspiring and serving others through education, social engagement and outreach activities.
Walker|West Music Academy Performance Hall
Saturday, March 11, at 4:00 – 5:15pm
760 Selby Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104
This event is free and open to the public.
Please contact Tonya Gregory at tonya@walkerwest.org or 651-789-1685 with any questions.
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About Randall Goosby
“For me, personally, music has been a way to inspire others” – Randall Goosby’s own words sum up perfectly his commitment to being an artist who makes a difference.
Signed exclusively to Decca Classics in 2020 at the age of 24, American violinist Randall Goosby is acclaimed for the sensitivity and intensity of his musicianship alongside his determination to make music more inclusive and accessible, as well as bringing the music of under-represented composers to light.
Highlights of Randall Goosby’s 2021/22 season include debuts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Gustavo Dudamel at the Hollywood Bowl, Baltimore Symphony under Dalia Stasevska, Detroit Symphony under Jader Bignamini, London Philharmonic Orchestra and Philharmonia Orchestra. He makes recital appearances at London’s Wigmore Hall, New York’s 92nd Street Y, San Francisco Symphony’s Davies Symphony Hall and Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
June 2021 marks the release of Goosby’s debut album for Decca entitled Roots, a celebration of African-American music which explores its evolution from the spiritual through to present-day compositions. Collaborating with pianist Zhu Wang, Goosby has curated an album paying homage to the pioneering artists that paved the way for him and other artists of color. It features three world-premiere recordings of music written by African-American composer Florence Price, and includes works by composers William Grant Still and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson plus a newly commissioned piece by acclaimed double bassist Xavier Foley, a fellow Sphinx, Perlman Music Program and Young Concert Artists alumnus.
Randall Goosby has performed with orchestras across the United States including the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Nashville Symphony and New World Symphony. Recital appearances have included the Kennedy Center, Kravis Center and Wigmore Hall.
Goosby is deeply passionate about inspiring and serving others through education, social engagement and outreach activities. He has enjoyed working with non-profit organizations such as the Opportunity Music Project and Concerts in Motion in New York City, as well as participating in community engagement programs for schools, hospitals and assisted living facilities across the United States.
Randall Goosby was First Prize Winner in the 2018 Young Concert Artists International Auditions. In 2019, he was named the inaugural Robey Artist by Young Classical Artists Trust in partnership with Music Masters in London; and in 2020 he became an Ambassador for Music Masters, a role that sees him mentoring and inspiring students in schools around the United Kingdom.
Goosby made his debut with the Jacksonville Symphony at age nine. At age 13, he performed with the New York Philharmonic on a Young People’s Concert at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall and became the youngest recipient ever to win the Sphinx Concerto Competition. He is a recipient of Sphinx’s Isaac Stern Award and of a career advancement grant from the Bagby Foundation. A graduate of the Juilliard School, he continues his studies there, pursuing an Artist Diploma under Itzhak Perlman and Catherine Cho. An active chamber musician, he has spent his summers studying at the Perlman Music Program, Verbier Festival Academy and Mozarteum Summer Academy among others.
Randall Goosby plays a 1735 Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu on generous loan from the Stradivari Society.
Learn more about Randall Gosby here: https://randallgoosby.com/
Past Events
Alexa Tarantino Masterclass
Esteemed jazz saxophonist, woodwind artist, composer and mentor, Alexa Tarantino conducted a masterclass for Walker|West students and community members.
Monday, March 6th | 6:30pm – 7:45pm
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About Alexa Tarantino
In the words of Wynton Marsalis, Alexa Tarantino is a “one-woman wrecking crew, […] an indomitable force for expression, education, and absolute excellence.”
The vibrant and versatile jazz saxophone & woodwind artist has been triple-nominated as a Rising Star Alto Saxophonist by Downbeat Magazine’s Critics’ Poll from 2020-2022, was named one of the Top 5 Alto Saxophonists of 2019 by the JazzTimes Critics’ Poll, and was one of 100 alumni to receive the Centennial Award from the Eastman School of Music (2022). Alexa “lights up rooms when she [plays]” (JazzTimes). Her radiant spirit and artistry uplifts and inspires her audiences one performance at a time.
Alexa tours worldwide with Cecile McLorin Salvant, ARTEMIS, and the Alexa Tarantino Quartet. She appears frequently with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Her records (Firefly, Clarity, Winds of Change) and compositions have consistently topped jazz radio charts, and her discography includes 25+ released recordings as a leader and/or sidewoman.
Tarantino is in-demand internationally as an energetic and impactful clinician, mentor, and coach and also represents Jazz at Lincoln Center as a visiting educator for various programs with students of all ages and levels. She holds a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School and bachelor’s degrees in Jazz Saxophone Performance and Music Education with a certificate in Arts Leadership from the Eastman School of Music. Alexa is Founder and Artistic Director of the Cape Ann Jazz Workshop in Rockport, Massachusetts (est. 2014).
Alexa Tarantino is a Vandoren Artist, a Yamaha Performing Artist, and endorses BAM Instrument Cases. Learn more about Alexa here: alexatarantino.com
Music, Resistance, and Activism
Due to the snowstorm this panel has been moved online. Please RSVP below for info on how to join via zoom. Join us for a panel discussion moderated by Earl Ross, String Department
Thursday, February 23 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Walker|West Music Academy
760 Selby Ave, Saint Paul
PANELISTS:
- Former Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter
- Composer, Musician, and Walker West Alum deVon Gray
- Performing Artist and Activist Jayanthi Rajasa
Due to the snowstorm this panel has been moved online. Please RSVP here for info on how to join via zoom.
*Light Refreshments will be served.*
About the Discussion
This panel discussion is a part of a month-long series of community and university events produced by Concordia University, St. Paul in partnership with Walker|West and other community and faith-based organizations. The series culminates in a concert featuring a community-centered performance of Joel Thompson’s “The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed”. For tickets or more information about the culminating concert, please visit www.csp.edu/tickets/
About the Panelists
Toni Carter
Toni Carter is the first African-American ever to serve on a county board in Minnesota. While serving as Ramsey County Commissioner, she led several system change efforts such as the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative that has reduced the number of youth held at Ramsey County’s Juvenile Detention Center and increased system and community alternatives for low-risk youth. Active in community building for over 30 years, Toni has served on numerous community boards, including the Saint Paul Planning Commission, the Metropolitan Area Library Service Agency (MELSA), the Walker West Music Academy, the West Side Community Health Center, the Saint Paul YWCA and the Jeremiah Program. She also has served as member and chair of the Saint Paul Board of Education.
deVon Gray
The multi-instrumentalist, classically trained composer is as comfortable writing orchestral and operatic works as he is churning out jazz riffs and hip-hop bravado. His breadth of knowledge saturates various instruments, multiple genres, and limitless styles. And he does it all so effortlessly even he is unaware that he’s working. While many creators spend hours perfecting their craft & skills, dVRG, as he is known, envisions the pen and watches the music write itself. In addition to performing, Gray collaborates with artists (mostly musicians) to produce impactful journeys of socially conscious sound and art. Lending his expertise to several different local, regional, and national performing ensembles he’s fortunate to have shared stages and screens with folks including: Heiruspecs, Brother Ali, Chastity Brown, and many more.
Jayanthi Rajasa
Jayanthi and Gospel Machine guitarist Wes Burdine wrote the song “Hand in Hand” in for the Million Artist Movement. The song, inspired by the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, was first performed at the Million March MN rally on December 13, 2014. “Hand in Hand” addresses both the police and elected officials;[8] Jayanthi also performed the song at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre‘s May Day Parade in 2015 and at Black Lives Matter events. The song has become an unofficial anthem for the Minneapolis Black Lives Matter movement Jayanthi was also active in protests following the death of Philando Castille, where she used her singing to process grief and deliver hope. She currently facilitates the Homies in Harmony, Walker West’s early childhood program.
September 2022 – February 2023
We’re excited for the 2022 Rondo Community Music Series, sponsored by the Harlan Boss Foundation for the Arts. This year’s lineup features more of our talented faculty, and more concert dates for you to join.
Rewatch all performances with the link below.
Let’s Get Our Jazz Ensembles Gig Ready for Give to the Max!
For this year’s GTMD project we’re raising funds for our Youth and Adult Jazz Ensembles. We’ll need to update and add to some of the instruments and equipment they use when traveling to performances all over the region. Our Youth and Adult ensembles have opened for international musicians at the Twin Cities Jazz Fest, graced the stage of the Selby Avenue Jazz Fest, performed at the Landmark Center and recently they opened for Wynton Marsalis at Orchestra Hall.
We want the ensembles looking, feeling, and playing their best when they represent Walker|West. The goal is $4,000 for instruments & equipment.
Let’s get our Jazz Ensembles gig ready together. Help us reach this goal by making your annual or monthly gift, the giving period is open now through November 17.
Join us virtually or in-person for Gospel According to Jazz, a musical healing experience linking the improvisational style and techniques of Jazz with a spirited interpretation of the Gospel, driving community connection and conversation.
Previous Dates:
August 7, 2022 – Give Get Sistet – Rewatch the entire service courtesy of Liberty Community Church
August 14, 2022 – Kevin Washington Rewatch the entire service courtesy of Liberty Community Church
August 21, 2022 – Jack Breen, Music of Coltrane Rewatch the entire service courtesy of Liberty Community Church
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More about this series:
This collaboration with Liberty Community Church and Walker|West explores how Jazz music has been closely intertwined with the concept of spiritual identity. The ties between Gospel music and the Jazz tradition run deep.
Jazz is rooted in freedom, joy, and trust. It’s innately spiritual, fueling a creative spirit that loves community and collaboration. Like the Gospel and gospel music traditions, great jazz has a story to tell. Stories that require faith (improvisation), collaboration, and passion to deliver!
From Louis Armstrong performing Spirituals, to the sacred music of Mary Lou Williams and Duke Ellington –many Jazz artists have mixed sounds and performance styles within each genre and tradition.
Join us for the 2022 series, as we celebrate and elaborate on this connection. We can’t wait to share the Gospel According to Jazz with you!
The Burning Truth Project – Live-streaming June 3rd
Presented by Pangea World Theater and Walker West Music Academy
Featuring vocalists Andrina Brogden, Katia Cardenas and Sarah M. Greer with Theo Brown (keys), Miguel Hurtado (drums) and Nii Mensah (bass).
The Burning Truth Project is a 90-minute performance that weaves together songs and story with space to share and reflect some of the many thoughts, lessons and feelings we have been holding as a community since the summer of 2020. We invite you to join us as we once again share what we have discussed and discovered together, in the Burning Truth Project.
Created and performed by vocalists Andrina Brogden, Katia Cardenas and Sarah M. Greer.
Original artwork by Jordan M. Hamilton. Donations accepted and appreciated.
Walker|West Student Ensemble Joins PaviElle French & Friends
May 22, 2022 | 6:30pm | Fitzgerald Theatre
“Join us for a very special evening featuring Emmy Award-winning, interdisciplinary artist PaviElle French, alongside outstanding local musicians, members of her illustrious 6-piece band, and a student ensemble from Saint Paul’s Walker West Music Academy. This concert at the historic Fitzgerald Theater will feature all original music by PaviElle, including the world premiere of a new work, commissioned by Schubert Club, celebrating themes of Black liberation, and youth empowerment. Weaving together a tapestry of Jazz, Soul, Hip-Hop, and Classical music styles, the work reflects PaviElle’s response to current happenings in our country.”
This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Generous support has also been provided by Bill and Susan Sands and the I.A. O’Shaughnessy Foundation.
String Ensemble at Sundin Music Hall
February 5 | 7PM
We invite you to join our Kamoinge String Ensemble as they play side-by-side with Artaria String Quartet this Saturday February 5. Tickets are available for this in-person (safely distanced) performance. Music by Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, William Grant Still, and Anthony Green premiering his new work Joy Diptych.
Sundays At Landmark Student Concert
Join us Sunday for our student concert at the Landmark Center, in downtown Saint Paul. Our Kamoinge String Ensemble and Student Jazz Ensembles will perform.
Performances start at 1pm.
(This event has ended. Stayed tuned for more student concerts)
More about the event: The Walker|West student concert is part of the Sundays at Landmark Program series at Landmark Center. The series is sponsored by Ramsey County, Ecolab and Xcel Energy.
Give to the Max Day 2021
You’ve already helped us raise more than $8k for instrument repair. Thank you!
Make your gift to support music education access for students of all ages during the giving period beginning November 1st. This year we’re raising $1,500 to repair and purchase drums for our African Drumming programs. Help us reach this goal by making your annual or monthly gift on or before the “Great Minnesota Day of Giving,” November 18th.
(This event has ended. Make a gift anytime year-round visit: walkerwest.org/donate)
Rondo Community Music Series (2021)
October – December
We are so excited for this year’s lineup for The Rondo Community Music Series! We have moved to virtual music performances so that we can continue social distancing protocols.
This event has ended – rewatch shows anytime here: crowdcast.io/walkerwest