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Cool Summer Jazz with the Skipper and Crew

Presented by La Sierra University

August 18, 2009

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He’s played his upright bass with jazz and pop greats Al Jarreau, Stevie Wonder, Count Basie, Freddie Hubbard and Milt Jackson and was part of the legendary Hugh Musekela’s band during the late 1960s. And after more than 40 years honing his craft on stage and in the studio, Henry “The Skipper” Franklin keeps on jazzing it up. This summer, Franklin brought his talents and musical connections to La Sierra University by coordinating four concerts for the university’s summer jazz series. The first three performances consisted of various industry jazz musicians and bandleaders with Franklin on bass. Now it’s Franklin’s turn to showcase his own ensemble. The Henry Franklin Quartet will perform Tues., Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. in the university’s Student Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. Franklin’s group has performed and recorded together the past three years and includes Franklin; Ramon Banda on drums, a former 24-year member of the Grammy award-winning Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band; worldwide pianist and composer Theo Saunders; and renowned saxophonist Azar Lawrence, one of a handful of sax players to follow successfully in the John Coltrane vein. The band’s latest album, “Home Cookin’,” is available on Franklin’s Web site. Franklin, together with other artists, has performed over ten years at The Mission Inn in Riverside, Calif. The Los Angeles native’s storied background includes recordings on gold albums and work with many high-profile musicians. He has performed on more than 100 albums, many of which he produced. Franklin produces artists under his label, SP Records.