Jazzy Evening!
The Last Southern Gentlemen Tour.
Toes were tapping and shoulders were moving to the beat Monday evening! When Delfeayo Marsalis, pictured left with resident Suzanne Pollard (a jazz singer herself!), took the stage in Westminster Canterbury Richmond’s Sara Belle November Theater for The Last Southern Gentlemen Tour. The audience’s energy and excitement were palpable. The artistry of the music was a modern ode to Louis Armstrong and many early jazz entertainers. With each selection, the exquisite and deliberate intertwining of bass, trombone, piano and drums made the performance a virtuoso!
“The Marsalis program was part of our Cultural and Educational Series. Securing the best possible entertainment available underscores our goal to be an innovator in senior living by providing enriching and engaging programs for our residents,” says John Burns, president and chief executive officer, Westminster Canterbury Richmond. “Performing and studio arts programs are made possible through generous donors who appreciate the role music and other cultural events play in developing an active senior community.”
Delfeayo and the Marsalis family have earned the nation’s highest jazz honor – a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award. Delfeayo’s performance was built on the intimacy of American ballads and the trombone’s expressive mimicry of the human voice. The music was both provocative and relaxing. If you are interested in seeing him live, visit his website www.delfeayomarsalis.com for upcoming tour dates.
Do you have a senior friend or family member who loves music? You could purchase a variety of CDs and listen to them together. Or perhaps look for local concerts to attend. You will feel connected to each other, but there are other residual benefits, too. Here are a few to consider:
- Studies indicate that music enhances the memory of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients by stimulating certain parts of the brain.
- Participating in arts programs may have a positive effect on mental health, physical health and social functioning in older adults, regardless of their ability.
- Seniors’ perceptions about the quality of their lives might be positively influenced by music activities.
If you are interested in learning more about the Westminster Canterbury Richmond Cultural and Educational Series, please contact Anita Adkins at 804.264.6202 or aadkins@wcrichmond.org.