Jazz Ballet Sweet Synergy Suite to be streamed on Jazz 88.3FM

For the first time in KSDS-FM’s history, the nonprofit radio station, broadcasting  as Jazz 88.3 FM, will video stream a live, San Diego performance on March 8, 2014.

“Sweet Synergy Suite,” an original jazz ballet composed by renowned saxophonist Charles McPherson, in partnership with the San Diego Ballet and Jazz 88.3 FM, will captivate audiences as it’s performed at San Diego’s Saville Theatre and video streamed live around the globe, from 8 to 9:30 p.m., Pacific Standard Time.

The workshop performance of the original ballet, choreographed under the direction of San Diego Ballet’s Artistic Director Javier Velasco, will marry dance with McPherson’s passionate and intricate musical arrangements.

“This is an exciting event for Jazz 88.3 and jazz-lovers everywhere,” said Station Manager Mark DeBoskey. “Four cameras will be in The Saville Theatre, capturing every note and movement, so viewers from all over the world will be able to enjoy the same incredible performance that theatregoers will be treated to!”

The ballet will be proceeded by a 30-minute jazz set, featuring the musical stylings of the Charles McPherson Sextet, with McPherson on saxophone, Gilbert Castellanos on trumpet, Randy Porter on piano, Fernando Gomez on drums, Katie Thiroux on bass and Charlie Chavez will provide the percussion.

McPherson, a Charlie Parker devotee, brings his own lyricism to the jazz language; he’s been a notable figure in the modern, mainstream jazz scene for more than 35 years. As a Detroit native, he studied with the celebrated pianist Barry Harris, and began playing professionally at the age of nineteen. McPherson has toured internationally with his own group, as well as with the jazz greats Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, Nat Adderley and others. San Diego has been his home since 1978.

Responsible for the choreography of “Sweet Synergy Suite,” Velasco has created dances for productions at the La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego’s Old Globe, and has staged productions of “Cabaret,” “Hairspray,” “Tommy,” “In the Heights” and many others. For the San Diego Ballet, he’s created more than 80 original pieces for the company. Velasco was also recently awarded a Creative Catalyst Fellowship by the San Diego Foundation to create new work.

Made possible through a generous grant from the San Diego Foundation Creative Catalyst Fund, “Sweet Energy Suite” will be presented on Saturday, March 8, 2014, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. (PST), at The Saville Theatre on the campus of City College, located at 14th and C Street. Audiences can also watch the performance live on the station’s website. For more information, to purchase tickets or to watch “Sweet Synergy Suite” live online, visit www.jazz88.org.