Another great jazz guest makes a virtual visit to MSU

Michigan State University, 2020

By: FOX 47 News

LANSING, Mich. — A revered acoustic bassist from Detroit’s jazz bass legacy will share her unwavering tempo and style with students and community as the eighth annual MSUFCU Jazz Artist in Residence Program continues to roll out its virtual season, November 4-6.

Former MSU Jazz Studies student Marion Hayden (‘81–‘84) is the second guest in the lineup of working musicians, educators and composers conducting week-long residencies focused on jazz music and performance through the MSU College of Music. Hayden’s residency will feature streamed performance and interactive virtual sessions, mirroring the university’s switch to remote learning and performances during the pandemic. She will also “virtually tour” with the MSU Jazz Octets—an advanced ensemble featuring a big band sound through a small group.

Remote sessions, video conferencing and interactive webinars will be tailored for different audiences that include MSU jazz studies students, high school students, students at the MSU Community Music Schools in East Lansing and Detroit, and the general public. The week-long residency wraps with a high-energy video performance of Hayden and the MSU Jazz Octets that is free and open to the public via the College’s Livestream channel on November 6.

“Marion Hayden was one of my role models growing up in the City of Detroit. Her sense of swing and sophistication had a profound effect on me as a young aspiring bassist,” said Director of Jazz Studies Rodney Whitaker. “She embodies the Detroit jazz tradition of performing with and mentoring the next generation of jazz musicians. She’s the perfect guest artist to join our line-up and show that the spirit of jazz continues to thrive in these unusual and challenging times.”

Hailing from the Detroit legacy of bassists, Hayden displays openness and mobility through her playing, tempered by an unwavering sense of time and a lyrical solo style. A co-founder of the jazz quintet Straight Ahead, a fivewoman ensemble, she has recorded with Atlantic Jazz and performed with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Ellis Marsalis, Kirk Lightsey, Martha Reeves, and many other prominent jazz musicians. Hayden has received rave reviews from publications ranging from the Detroit Free Press to the Boston Globe to the New York Times. Hayden is a former masters student in MSU’s jazz studies program.

The Jazz Artist in Residence series is made possible through an endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union. Since 2013, the program has attracted high-level talent and serves as a model for jazz studies programs nationwide. All combined, the residencies of the 27 artists to-date included workshops, concerts, events and outreach to more than 35,000 students and adults at non-profit organizations, middle and high schools, and communities across Michigan.

Hayden is the second in the dynamic line-up of MSUFCU Jazz Artists in Residence currently scheduled for the 2020-21 season. She is followed by jazz guitarist Dave Stryker in December, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon in February, and saxophonist Charles McPherson in March. The series kicked-off in September with jazz trumpeter Terell Stafford.

Jazz Artist in Residence: Marion Hayden, Bassist
Residency Schedule Overview
November 4-6, 2020

Virtual Webinars and Discussions Open to the Public:

Wednesday, November 4, 6 to 9 p.m.: Question and Answer webinar with the artist.
Thursday, November 5, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.: Ensemble Concepts. Webinar discussion on fundamental concepts and listening techniques.

Webinars and discussions are free and open to the public. Advance request to attend is required. Visit the website and click on links to register to attend.

Virtual Concert Open to the Public