Presented in partnership with BluePort Jazz
Charles Lloyd Sky Trio featuring Larry Grenadier & Kweku Sumbry
Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 8PM Soka Performing Arts Center at Soka University of America
Featured Performers
Charles Lloyd tenor saxophone
Larry Grenadier double bass
Kweku Sumbry drums
This concert is presented in partnership with BluePort Jazz In partnership with KCRW and KJAZZ
CHARLES LLOYD
tenor saxophone
NEA Jazz Masters and recipient of the Ordre de Chevalier des Arts et Lettres, Charles Lloyd, continues to elevate the art form with each performance and recording. Born in Memphis, Tennessee March 15, 1938. From an early age, Lloyd was immersed in that cityās rich musical life and was exposed to jazz. He began playing the saxophone at the age of 9. Pianist Phineas Newborn became his mentor, and took him to Irvin Reason for lessons. His closest friend in high school was trumpeter, Booker Little. Lloyd worked in Phineas Srās band, and became a sideman in the Blues bands of B.B. King, Howlinā Wolf, Johnnie Ace, Bobbie āBlueā Bland, and others.
In 1956 Lloyd moved to Los Angeles and graduated from the University of Southern California. During this period Lloyd played in Gerald Wilsonās big band, and formed his own group that included Billy Higgins, Don Cherry, Bobby Hutcherson, Scott LAFaro, and Terry Trotter. Lloyd joined Chico Hamilton in 1960. His influence as a composer quickly pushed the group in a more progressive post-bop direction when Hamilton asked him to be the groupās āmusic director.ā In 1964 Lloyd left Hamiltonās group to join alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley. He recorded two albums as a leader for Columbia Records, Discovery and Of Course, Of Course; his sidemen included Gabor Szabo, Don Friedman, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams, and Pete La Roca. In 1965
Lloyd formed a quartet with pianist, Keith Jarrett, bassist, Cecil McBee, drummer, Jack DeJohnette. It was a meeting of of straight-ahead post-bop, Free jazz, rock, and world music. Their music quickly caught the attention of jazz fans and critics. They achieved crossover success with young rock fans and became the first jazz group to play in the famed Fillmore. The album Forest Flower, Live at Monterey, sold over one million copies.
When approached by pianist, Michel Petrucciani in 1981, he resumed performing for two years
to help Petrucciani get a footing on the world stage, before retreating again to his secluded life in Big Sur. Following a near death experience in 1986, Lloyd decided to rededicate himself to music. In 1989, Lloyd reestablished an active touring schedule and began recording for ECM Records. Noteworthy albums include Fish Out of Water, Canto, Voice In The Night, The Water Is Wide (featuring Brad Mehldau, John Abercrombie, Larry Grenadier and Billy Higgins) Sangam with Zakir Hussain and Eric Harland.
His āNew Quartetā with Jason Moran, piano, Reuben Rogers, bass and Eric Harland, drums has three recordings on ECM; Rabo de Nube (2008) was voted #1 recording for the 2008 Jazz Times Readerās and Criticās Poll, and Mirror ( 2010 ) and Passinā Thru on Blue Note Records (2017). Commissioned by Jazztopad in Wroclaw, Poland to write a new composition to premiere at their 2013 festival, Lloyd wrote Wild Man Dance Suite for piano, bass, drums, cimbalom and lyra, released on Blue Note Records in April 2015. Lloyd formed a new group called The Marvels featuring Bill Frisell on guitar, Reuben Rogers, Eric Harland and Greg Leisz on steel guitar. Their first release I Long To See You (Blue Note 2016) featured guest tracks by Willie Nelson and Norah Jones. Vanished Gardens ( Blue Notes Records 2018 ) is a Marvels collaboration with the great American singer and poet, Lucinda Williams.
Jazztopad Festival created two additional and important
commissions for Lloyd ā the 2017 project titled Red Waters, Black Sky, was an homage to his great grandmother Sallie Sunflower Whitecloud, who refused to walk the Trail of Tears and all of the indigenous people who had their homelands taken away from them. This multi media project, project was written for string quartet, choir and the Marvels. The lush arrangements were written by Michael Gibbs. Lloydās wife Dorothy Darr created the video that became the backdrop for the performance. In 2019, Jazztopad requested a new performance of the Wildman Dance Suite, this time with orchestra. Michael Gibbs, again, wrote the arrangements and the resulting performance was a resounding success.
In celebration of his 80th birthday in 2018, Blue Note Records released a limited edition box set; 8, Kindred Spirits, Live from the Lobero featured fellow Memphian, Booker T. Jones. The box set includes CD, LP and DVD of the concert along with a 96 page book of photos commemorating Lloydās life and legacy. His newest recording, the sixth for Blue Note Records (2021) is Tone Poem, and once again, features the Marvels.
LARRY GRENADIER double bass
As one of contemporary jazzās most respected and accomplished bassists, Larry Grenadier has built an expansive body of work that encompasses a variety of significant projects with many
of the genreās most inventive and influential musicians. Over the course of a performing and recording career that spans three decades, heās earned a far-reaching reputation, for his instrumental talent, for his instantly recognizable tone, and for the sensitivity, imagination and creative curiosity that have established him as an in-demand sideman and valued collaborator.
Grenadierās trademark upright bass work has been a longstanding fixture in the bands of pianist Brad Mehldau and guitarist Pat Metheny, and has graced albums by a broad array of prestigious artists, including Paul Motian, Charles Lloyd, Enrico Rava, Danilo Perez, Chris Potter, Joshua Redman and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Heās also found time to make three albums with his own acclaimed trio Fly, and to record five more with his wife, noted singersongwriter Rebecca Martin.
āIām hyper-aware of the balance between a studied approach to music and a more primal, instinctual understanding of the way music works,ā Grenadier states. āHaving access to technique is useful in being able to communicate and express yourself musically. But music is about intuition and emotion. Compassion, strength, flexibility and stamina are all important qualities in playing music, but the most important thing is the ability to listen.ā
āEven after all these years, playing music is still a learning experience for me,ā he concludes. āIām always
working on the technical aspects of my playing, but at the same time, I know that what happens on stage between musicians isnāt about that. The level of telepathy and intuition that exists in music, especially in jazz, is a constant reminder of what weāre capable of, both inside and outside of music.ā
Kweku Sumbry is a multipercussionist, sound healer, composer, and bandleader from Washington, D.C. Heās grounded
KWEKU SUMBRY drums
in the traditions of the Djembe Orchestra, and his journey began at age four, studying under his uncle and founder of Farafina Kan, Mahiri Fadjimba Keita. Today, Kweku proudly serves as the artistic director of the ensemble, continuing its rich legacy.
With a mission to heal through the power of the drum, Kweku has collaborated with a diverse array of artists. His extensive work includes performances and recordings with Ganavya Doriswami, Ambrose Akinmusire, Cyrus Chestnut, Solange, and Shabaka Hutchings. A core member of the acclaimed Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, Kweku contributed to their three Blue Note Records releases: Omega (2020), The 7th Hand (2022), and Blues Blood (2024). The group was recently honored as Best Jazz Ensemble by Downbeat Jazz magazine.
As Kweku enters this next phase of his artistry, he continues to push creative boundaries. His commitment has been recognized through his selection for the Bloodlines Interwoven 2025-2026 cohort, a program dedicated to supporting and developing emerging artists.
Don Was and The Pan Detroit Ensemble
SUNDAY, FEB. 01, 2026 | 3 PM
Presented in partnership with BluePort Jazz
āThereās only two kinds of music, selfish music and generous music.ā
Don Was
Concessions
A wide variety of wine, beer, soft drinks and freshly prepared snacks will be available before the concert. Pre-order your concessions and skip the line!
Staff Drink Pick
Cranberry Bourbon Smash
We asked the staff for their favorite drink pick to feature at concessions! Cranberry Bourbon Smash was selected and will be available for purchase before the performance.
Our mission is to Engage, Educate, and Elevate the Human Spirit
Soka Performing Arts Center is dedicated to elevating the human spirit through transcendent live experiences. Discover the unmatched beauty of our acoustics. Expand your understanding and appreciation of music through our programs that illuminate new perspectives. Build community and forge deep connections through the shared experience of live performance. We invite you to become a part of our Soka Performing Arts Center family and to Listen. Feel. Transform.
Soka Performing Arts Center is located on the beautiful hilltop campus of Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo. Our facility includes the 1,042seat Concert Hall featuring world-class acoustics designed by master acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota, designer of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and Suntory Hall in Tokyo, among many others. We also have an intimate 350-seat Black Box Theatre that allows for multiple seating configurations including club seating with bistro tables.
More than 800 performances have taken place since the centerās dedication on May 27, 2011. The 2025-26 season marks our fifteenth season presenting first-class programming in our world-class concert hall. We are continuing to expand our programming and outreach with the addition of a Childrenās Concert Series and the only Great Pianists Series on the West Coast. From classical and jazz to world and contemporary music, the Soka Performing Arts Center has become a prized space for artists and audiences alike.
We are proud to be the home of the Pacific Symphony Chamber Orchestra. Our Sundays @ Soka Series with Pacific Symphony continues to be one of our most popular series year after year. Our presentations with other Orange County arts organizations have enabled us to reach further into our community to offer arts education and programming. Our partnership with the Philharmonic Society of Orange County includes our Philharmonic Society Series, which brings superlative artists to our stage. We also partner with Philharmonic Society for our Outreach Program, bringing over 7,000 school children to Soka Performing Arts Center to experience live performances with outstanding musicians.
With its world-class acoustics and first-class performances, Soka Performing Arts Center is quickly becoming one of the cultural jewels of Orange County.
OUR SUPPORTERS
DIRECTORāS CIRCLE ($75,000+)
Dr. Kenneth & Sandra Tokita
Sam* & Lyndie Ersan
CONCERTMASTER ($10,000+)
Ms. Emi Maeda
STAGE CHAMPION ($5000+)
Yoshitomo & Takemi Daido
STAGE BENEFACTOR ($1000+)
Anonymous
OC Chinese Cultural Club
John and Sue Prange
Terumi Saito
Jochen Schumacher
Alex & Sandy Scott
Scott A Shuping
Anson and Marilyn Wong
PLATINUM CLEF ($500+)
Anonymous
Jeffrey Hendrix
Edward D. Jones
Jane A. Lynch
GOLD CLEF ($200+)
Judy Kaufman
Lorraine Leiser
Naomi Uchiyama
SILVER CLEF ($100+)
RenƩe Bodie
Sam Chang
Masako Inage
Debrah Jiang
Chiharu Nagai
Paul Porto
Thomas Prigorac
Jonia Suri
Joseph Whittaker
BRONZE CLEF ($25+)
Raquel Bruno
Kenneth Hanawa
Ryosuke Iga
Jeannette Pease
Joyce M Wrice
Taro Yamanashi
* Deceased
List current as of 09/26/2024
The Soka Performing Arts Center deeply appreciates the support of its sponsors and donors, and makes every effort to ensure accurate and appropriate recognition. Contact RenƩe Bodie, General Manager at (949) 480-4821 to make us aware of any error or omission in the foregoing list.
DONATE TO SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Your support helps ensure Soka Performing Arts Center fulfills its purpose: to engage, educate, and elevate the human spirit. Your gift supports the programming of world-class performances, provides transformative educational outreach experiences, and opens the opportunity to build engagement with our community by sharing the joy of live music.
Our subscription and renewal program provides you with even more flexibility in our season packages*. With our enhanced program, you now have the power to curate your very own unique experience.
ā¢ 15% Discount for a 3 performance package
ā¢ 18% Discount for a 4 performance package
ā¢ 20% Discount for a 5+ performance package
*full details online at soka.edu/pac
OUR PARTNERS
ā¢ Blueport Jazz
ā¢ Philharmonic Society of Orange County
ā¢ Pacific Symphony
ā¢ Parnassus Society
SOKA PAC MANAGEMENT TEAM
RenƩe Bodie
General Manager & Artistic Director
John Morgan
Box Office Manager
Antoinette Rossman
House Manager/Assistant to the General Manager
Steve Baker
Production Manager
Jarmil Maupin
Internal Events Manager
Ian Smith
Technical Services Manager
Katie Ohrn
Lighting Supervisor
Piano Tuners
Kathy Smith Lead Tuner
Ron Elliott
David Stoneman
David Vanderlip
Website soka.edu/pac
Soka Performing Arts Center resides on the beautiful campus of Soka University of America. We thank the SUA Board of Trustees and the SUA Leadership Council for all of their support.
SUA BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Stephen S. Dunham, JD | CHAIR
Vice President and General Counsel Emeritus,Ā Pennsylvania State University | Baltimore, Maryland
Tariq Hasan, PhD | VICE CHAIR
Chief Executive Officer,Ā SGI-USA | New York, New York
Andrea Bartoli, PhD
President,Ā SantāEgidio Foundation for Peace and DialogueĀ | New York, New York
Matilda Buck
BenefactorĀ | Los Angeles, California
Lawrence E. Carter, Sr, PhD, DD, DH, DRS
Dean, Professor of Religion, College Archivist and Curator,Ā Morehouse College | Atlanta, Georgia
Andy Firoved
CEO, HOTB SoftwareĀ | Irvine, California
Jason Goulah, PhD
Professor of Bilingual-Bicultural Education and Director, Institute for Daisaku Ikeda Studies in Education,Ā Director of Programs in Bilingual-Bicultural Education, World Language Education, and Value-Creating Education for Global Citizenship,Ā College of Education, DePaul University | Chicago, Illinois
Clothilde V. Hewlett, JD
CommissionerĀ of Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, State of California | San Francisco, California
Karen Lewis, PhD
Sondheimer Professor of International Finance and Co-Director, Weiss Center for International Financial Research, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Luis Nieves
Founder, Chairman Emeritus AUL Corp, Benefactor | Napa, California
Isabel NuƱez, PhD, MPhil, JD
Professor of Educational Studies, Dean of School of Education, Purdue University Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, Indiana
Gene Marie OāConnell, RN, MS
Health Care Consultant, Associate Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing | Corte Madera, California
Adin Strauss
General Director, Soka Gakkai International-USA | Santa Monica, California
Yoshiki Tanigawa
Benefactor, Soka Gakkai | Tokyo, Japan
Gregg S. Wolpert
Co-president, The Stahl Organization | New York, New York
Edward M. Feasel, PhD
President, Soka University of America (ex-officio member) | Aliso Viejo, California
Edward M. Feasel, PhD
President
Chief Academic Officer
Professor of Economics
Archibald E. Asawa
Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Investment Officer
Katherine M. King, PHR
Executive Vice President of University
Community
Chief Human Resources Officer
Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator for Faculty, Staff and Others
Michael Weiner, PhD
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor of East Asian History & International Studies
Bryan E. Penprase, PhD
Vice President for Sponsored Research and External Academic Relations Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Tomoko Takahashi, PhD, EdD, LHD
Vice President for Institutional Research and Assessment
Dean of the Graduate School Professor of Linguistics and Education
David Welch, JD Vice President University Counsel
M. Robert Hamersley, PhD Dean of Faculty Professor of Environmental Biogeochemistry
Hyon J. Moon, EdD Dean of Students
Title IX and Section 504 Deputy Coordinator for Students
Michelle Hobby-Mears, MBA
Associate Dean of Students Director of Student Activities
Andrew Woolsey, EdD Dean of Enrollment Services
Martin Beck, MA
Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications