DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

Jazz Choirs Hold Auditions January 19 & 21

01/14/2021  Howard University's three jazz choirs — HU Jazz Singers, SAASy and Afro Blue — will hold University-wide auditions via Zoom on January 19 and January 21. Attendance on both days is required.

On Tuesday, January 19, audition materials will be distributed and taught via Zoom at 2:10 p.m. Request Zoom info from Prof. Connaitre Miller at conmiller@howard.edu. *Please use your HU email address.

On Thursday, January 21, individual auditions begin at 12:30 p.m. A time will be assigned to you and communicated via email.

Click the flyer at right to print all information. Recordings may be found throughout the Department of Music website.

Afro Blue Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas"

12/09/2020  Afro Blue, Howard University’s premier vocal jazz ensemble, honors the legacy of Donny Hathaway by releasing his classic song “This Christmas” on December 9, 2020 – 50 years from the initial release.

The connection of Howard University to Donny Hathaway stems from his time as a student in The Department of Music on a Fine Arts scholarship in the 1960’s, where he would form many of the friendships that would lead to the greatest collaborations of his life: Leroy Hutson (co-writer of “The Ghetto” and other hits), Roberta Flack (his long-time recording partner of hits such as “Where is the Love”) and of course, his wife Eulaulah Hathaway.

In keeping with their signature “vocal big band” sound, Afro Blue sings a fun, swingin’ a cappella version that is sure to please. With the clever use of Hathaway’s instrumental riff’s as backgrounds, walking bass line, vocal percussion, added soli section and vocal improvisations from stellar soloists Tyree Austin and Ekep Nkwelle, Afro Blue offers a unique twist to this favorite Christmas classic.

Prof. Connaitre Miller is the director of Afro Blue. The single is available on all digital platforms.

Watch the video.