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TSU and MSU: HBCUs shine at the Monterey Jazz Festival

Written by on September 25, 2022

Texas Southern University students and faculty

Texas Southern University joined Morgan State University Thursday, Sept. 22 in an all-expenses paid trip to the Monterey Jazz Festival (MJF) in Monterey, California.

TSU’s Jazz Ensemble, University Choir, and Journalism department have taken flight to Monterey, along with 20 other jazz and choir students from Morgan State University, to perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

In partnership with the MJF, Alaska Airlines has provided the students with an all-expense paid trip, offering the opportunity to continue participating in what has been a 4 year-long partnership with the Monterey Jazz Festival.

“When we learned how much it would cost to fly students to the Monterey Jazz Festival, there was no doubt in our minds that we wanted to ensure there were no barriers to attending one of the best music festivals on the West Coast,” David Tucker, managing director of Public Affairs in California said on AlaskanAirline.com.

Not only will the jazz and choir students be participating in an array of performances, but the TSU journalism students will also have the opportunity to hone their skills by reporting and writing stories about activities at the 2022 festival.

“Monterey Jazz Festival is excited to build on the spirit of inclusiveness inherent in jazz as it continues this unique partnership with Texas Southern University,” Colleen Bailey, MJF executive director, said in a press release.

This partnership between TSU and the MJF has allowed students to participate in a ground-making activity.

“Beyond the performances, this is a wonderful opportunity for them to ask questions of the different artists and corporate entities that will be present, and it’s an opportunity for them to see something outside of Texas,” TSU choir director and professor Dr. Kiana Williams said in a press release. “For some of our students, that will be a first.”

The Dean of TSU’s School of Communication said this is an event that students will not soon forget.

“This is a life-changing experience for our students. To be at the Mecca of jazz festivals and get the opportunity to perform amongst the greats and cover the activities as professionals will always be an indelible moment for our students,” Dr. Christian Ulasi said.

“This is a life-changing experience for our students. To be at the Mecca of jazz festivals and get the opportunity to perform amongst the greats and cover the activities as professionals will always be an indelible moment for our students,” Dr. Christian Ulasi said.

The Monterey Jazz Festival was founded in 1958 and is the longest continually running jazz festival in the world, according to https://montereyjazzfestival.org/