ENMU Professor Releases Album Featuring Ellis Marsalis By Desiree Cooper Grammy Award® considered saxophonist
getting the opportunity
and songwriter Dr. Richard Andrew
to record two original
Schwartz, an associate professor of music
compositions, “Alpha
at ENMU, recently released his new album
Cat” and “7-11 Blues,” with
Song for My Mother. The album features
Ellis for the album was a
two of the last recordings – made on the
dream come true.
campus of Louisiana State University
“Ellis was not only an
– with jazz legend Ellis Marsalis, the
extremely talented
patriarch of the Marsalis family who died
musician and a major
on April 1 from the coronavirus. As a fan
inspiration in my life,
of Mr. Marsalis, Dr. Schwartz felt that
but a class act human being. We had a great time hanging out
Dr. Richard Andrew Schwartz (with saxophone) plays with Ellis Marsalis at the piano during a recording session at Louisiana State University.
while working on the recordings,” says Dr. Schwartz. “I was excited about releasing these two songs knowing that Ellis enjoyed playing my compositions and devastated when I heard how Ellis lost his battle with the coronavirus. It’s a tragic blow for not only
Dr. Schwartz dedicated the album to his mother, who recently had a stroke and still suffers from its side effects. “My mother has always been my number one supporter through my musical journey,” he shares. “She made sure each of her children received piano lessons.”
the jazz community, but for the music
You can hear Song for My Mother on
industry as a whole. Ellis loved recording
Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon
these tunes, and I wish he was here to
Music, iTunes, YouTube, Tidal and other
help me cross the finish line.”
digital music outlets.
Young Alumni Success
Making Beautiful Music in Farmington James Golden (MED 19 GC 15 BS 12) is the director of the choir program at Piedra Vista High School (PVHS) in Farmington, New Mexico. James said his learning continues, even after earning his degrees and teaching for eight years. “PVHS has a history of excellence that I have the joy of continuing. This makes me push harder, prepare better and raise the level of expectation for the choir,” James said. James is also the Minister of Music at First Presbyterian Church in Farmington, where they have been holding online services since March. The COVID-19 pandemic has also affected how he is preparing for the upcoming school year. “The plan is to offer in school and online instruction, and the students and parents will choose in which they will participate,” James said. “We still don’t have much direction for choir. We are waiting on results from an aerosol study and guidance from the powers that be.” Why does James enjoy teaching choir and music to young men and women? “I feel that I am most impressed by music in general and its ability to bring so many different types of people together for a greater good,” he said. “Getting to work with musicians of all ages, races, and walks of life both in and out of the classroom is one of the biggest blessings.”
