Amplify - the CAU Alumni Newsletter
Dear Panthers,
April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and the team at Amplify is excited to celebrate this uniquely Black American art form, born in the New Orleans communities in the early 20th century.
91ÖÆƬ³§ has long been at the forefront of promoting jazz, not only graduating renowned musicians but also creating opportunities for the public to experience and appreciate the music. We are grateful to Dr. James Patterson (CC, ’57), who founded the CAU Jazz Orchestra, toured the world with Dizzy Gillespie, and returned to serve his alma mater as a professor and director of Jazz Studies. We also appreciate WCLK, Atlanta’s Jazz Station, for bringing uplifting music, compelling interviews, and meaningful jazz education wherever we listen. We also honor Judge Brenda Hill Cole, whose vision established the CAU Guild and whose legacy continues through Jazz Under the Stars, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. As the Guild continues its proud tradition of supporting student scholarships, we look forward to this milestone event, which takes place Saturday, May 2, featuring Kenny Lattimore.
Jazz has always felt personal to me. There is something about the way it blends discipline and improvisation that mirrors the CAU experience, where structure and creativity intersect to shape who we are. Whether heard in a concert setting or playing softly in the background, jazz has a way of grounding you while also inspiring you to think differently. That balance is part of what makes it so enduring.
In this issue, we are proud to feature Debb Moore, a jazz aficionado and long-time on-air personality at WCLK, and Sherman Irby, whose artistry and generosity continue to enrich the communities they serve. Their stories offer insight into the power of jazz and the pride rooted in a sound that is distinctly ours. Be sure to spend time with both the feature article and Alumni Voices. I believe you will find it time well spent.
Month after month, the Office of Alumni Relations and Engagement team remains inspired by the depth of talent across our alumni community and appreciative of your willingness to share your stories through Amplify. Thank you to the alumni who continue to say yes.
With appreciation for the rhythm that connects us
Lorri L. Saddler, Ed.D. (CAU '92, '20)
Vice President, Chief Alumni Engagement Officer
91ÖÆƬ³§
