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Rhythmic Concepts, Inc., with the generous support of Target Corporation, will present In the Name of Love, the 7th Annual Musical Tribute honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Oakland's only non-denominational musical tribute honoring Dr. King. Since its debut in 2003, this program has become one of Oakland's most prominent civic and cultural events, bringing our diverse community together to celebrate the life and work of one of the greatest humanitarians of our time. With Barack Obama as our President-Elect, and only two days from his historical inauguration, this year's event promises to be a profound celebration of civil rights.

"In the Name of Love" features both local and national talent, children from our Oakland public schools, archival footage of Dr. King shown on a larger than life screen, and the presentation of the "City of Oakland Citizen Humanitarian Award", given to an outstanding member of our community working to make a difference. All of these elements help make "In the Name Of Love" one of the most memorable and soulful events of the year.

Each year, 1,400 adults, elders, children and families, from extremely diverse backgrounds, come together to share in the inspiration of Dr. King's teachings, through the joy of music. Our talent for this year includes the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra featuring The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol, Kenny Washington, Jeannine Anderson, and Nicolas Bearde; the powerful 60-voice Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir; an exciting performance by Destiny Arts Youth Performance Group; and the Oakland Children's Community Choir with over 100 children from our Oakland elementary schools, backed up by Khalil Shaheed's Oaktown Jazz Workshops.

Our emcee for the evening will be Clifford Brown Jr., KCSM, KDYA, KDIA. Archival footage of Dr. King's powerful oratories will be shown throughout the evening and the Citizen Of Oakland Humanitarian Award, chosen in conjunction with the Oakland Department of Human Services, will be presented to an individual who has given back to the community in extraordinary ways.

Marcus Shelby and the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra

Born in February 1966, Marcus Anthony Shelby has been playing the acoustic bass for 30 years. In this time, he has built a diverse and accomplished biography. As the 1991 winner of the Charles Mingus Scholarship, Shelby's studies include work under the tutelage of composer James Newton and legendary bassist Charlie Haden. Shelby is currently the Artistic Director and leader of The Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra and the jazz education organization he founded in 2005, MSJO. His extensive work in education, has included residencies at institutions ranging from Rooftop Elementary/Middle School to Stanford University. Since 2004, Shelby's work has focused on using jazz composition and performance to honor African American heroes. Using his orchestra to create the narrative, Shelby has composed full length jazz suites such as "Port Chicago," a tribute to African American sailors killed in the WWII Port Chicago explosion (just outside of Oakland) and most recently, "Harriet Tubman," a jazz oratorio featuring vocalists Kenny Washington, Jeannine Anderson, Joseph Mace and Faye Carol, which celebrates the life of this great American hero.

Marcus Shelby's current work honors Martin Luther King Jr. Of this project Shelby writes, "I am composing an oratorio for jazz orchestra and choir based on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, using Civil Rights songs, Freedom songs, and original composition. The language of jazz composition is powerful and moving in its ability to evoke character and mood. MLK's use of language to express his ideas was full of character, strength, rhythm, soul, inflection, dynamic contrast, and effect. His speeches and sermons were Shakespearean in organization and provide an inspirational model from which to organize a musical composition.

Marcus Shelby's Web Site

The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, an Academy Award-winning multiracial choir with its exquisite vocal harmonies and stirring gospel repertoire, is a multiracial interfaith group of 55 vocalists united in their love of gospel music with its message of hope, joy, unity and justice - under the direction of Terrance Kelly. From 1999-2003, the OIGC earned the Gospel Academy Award for "Best Community Choir of the Year". Terrance Kelly received the 2003 Gospel Academy Award for Best Director. The choir's has preformed with recording stars Tramaine Hawkins, Take 6, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Gabriel, and Jeffrey Osborne.

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir's Web Site

The Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company

The Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company (DAYPC) is a multicultural group of teens who create original performance art pieces, in collaboration with professional artists, that combine hip-hop, modern, and aerial dance, theater, martial arts, song and rap. The productions are a dynamic, creative forum for the young people to express their fears, hopes and strategies for confronting challenging personal and social issues. The company has performed locally and nationally since 1993 for over 25,000 audience members annually. DAYPC comes out of Destiny Arts Center, an Oakland-based nonprofit violence prevention and arts education organization that has been serving youth for over 20 years, through after-school, summer and weekend programs in dance, theater, martial arts, conflict resolution, self-defense, and youth leadership at our Oakland center and in over 25 East Bay public schools and other community centers.

DAYPC Artistic Directors: Sarah Crowell & Simón Hanukai

The Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company Web Site

Khalil Shaheed, Oakland native, well-known jazz musician and educator, and founder and director of the Oaktown Jazz Workshops (OJW). Mr. Shaheed has performed with the legendary Buddy Miles, Woody Shaw, and many others, and has appeared on recordings with Miles, John Handy, Bobby Hutcherson, Tootie Heath, Pharoah Sanders, and Jimi Hendrix. He is dedicated to promoting, preserving, and presenting jazz so that young people are exposed to the form.

The Oaktown Jazz Workshops is a multifaceted presentation, and preservation organization dedicated to celebrating the artistic and cultural significance of America's Classical Music - Jazz. Under the musical direction of Khalil Shaheed, OJW was formed in 1994 and celebrates jazz music as an American indigenous art form of profound artistic & cultural significance. The purpose of OJW is to promote, preserve, and present this music so that all youth, and especially African American youth, develop a sense of ownership and pride in jazz music as a uniquely American cultural tradition. OJW creates a safe, structured environment in which young people with different levels of musical experience are able to come and be a part of a creative jazz ensemble under the guidance of professional master musicians.

Oaktown Jazz Workshops' Web Site

Oakland Children's Community Choir, under the musical direction of Melanie DeMore (founding member of the Cultural Heritage Choir and former music director of the Oakland Youth Chorus) and accompanist Ben Heveroh, the Oakland Children's Community Choir (OCCC), is made up of children from Cleveland and Glenview elementary schools. OCCC is a 4-month music education and performance program provided by RCI for Oakland elementary schools with little or no access to the arts. Each year, 200 children are provided high quality music education free of charge, and the chance to perform at a high profile public showcase. OCCC's performances at past In the Name of Love events have truly embodied the convergence of music, community, and intergenerational harmony that characterize the whole of this musical tribute to Dr. King. OCCC will perform three original compositions and arrangements of Ms. Demore's, chosen specifically for this event because of their message of hope, courage, and community. The Oaktown Jazz Workshops, along with Ben Heveroh, will back up OCCC.

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 Location: Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA

 Box office opens 5:00 pm; doors open at 6:30 pm

Advance Tickets: $12 general admission; $5 children (6-12); under 6 FREE.

Affordable ticket pricing made possible by Target.

Tickets by phone: (800) 838-3006, or to purchase online: click Brown Paper Tickets.

For more info, please contact:
Stacey Hoffman, Executive Director
2501 Harrison Street, Oakland, Ca., 94612
(510) 287-8880
RCI@jazzcampwest.com

Presented by Rhythmic Concepts, Inc. RCI is an Oakland-based non-profit organization. "In the Name of Love" has been made possible through the generosity of Target Corporation, City of Oakland, Cultural Funding Program; William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; Alameda County Arts Commission; R.O.O.F Foundation; See's Candies; Bay Area News Group East Bay; Oakland Tribune; KBLX; and Solstice Press.

Official Sponsors: