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It was an emotional night Monday with members shaking hands after the show and telling one another it was good while it lasted. It would be the last time the band would be together at PCC.The strumming of a bass, the drum’s beat, the trombone’s tempo and the guitar’s melody inspired social sciences Professor Pete Mhunzi to form ‘The History of African American Secular Music,’ a series of concerts held once per semester at PCC in honor of jazz and blues.

“We wanted to find a venue to [perform in], so we decided, why not play at [PCC]?,” said Mhunzi. Held once every semester, Mhunzi gathers a band and musical guests for a jazz and blues concert at PCC.

For 16 years, Mhunzi has held this jazz and blues event. History was made Monday, as it was the final performance because he is retiring this year. When it comes to having someone follow in his footsteps and start a musical event like he did, Mhunzi would be delighted if that were to happen.

“I would love it if someone would be able to do that because music brings everyone together,” said Mhunzi.

The Ebonic Blues Orchestra warmed up the crowd at the Sexson Auditorium with a 13-piece ensemble with Mhunzi as guitar, fusing jazz and blues. Each member demonstrated their skills driving solo performances. The tenor saxophone players were blowing to their lungs’ desire to a sound surpassing other instruments.

Munzhi didn’t let go of his fingers as he pressed along the frets to the comprehensive strumming on his Gibson ES175, which he cherishes the most. Playing instruments since he was 16, Munzhi has over 40 years of expressing his musical talent.

The group closed its performance with the song “You Can Make It If You Try.” Singer Lerman Horton humorously dedicated the song to “those who are failing, you know who you are,” referring to students.

After Ebonic Blues Orchestra’s performance, jazz singer Barbara Morrison headlined as part of the ‘Ladies in Blues and Jazz’ theme of the event. Before her performance, Morrison held a question and answers session with the crowd. For over 40 minutes, Morrison showed that not only does she have a voice for singing, but she is also talented in communicating.

Born and raised in Michigan, Morrison had ample experience that she shared to the audience about her visits to jazz clubs around the world and the legendary jazz and blues musicians with whom she has performed with.

Some moments even led her tears of memories she had with members who have passed. She was able to cover up her emotions using her witty personality. Although she enjoyed the clubs in countries such as England, Italy and Japan, she has the most fun at the venues she performs in California. One that she mentioned was Pasadena’s Levitt Pavilion for its outdoor scenery.

She said the highlights of her life were meeting Ella Fitzgerald at the Hollywood Bowl, and recording her first LP.

Morrison snapped her fingers and tilted her waist for the band’s cue to start playing along with her rhythm. Morrison played tunes that were familiar to an audience of all ages. The song, ‘Hit the Road Jack,’ written by Percy Mayfield and recorded by Ray Charles, was performed in a unique rhythm that flourished well with Morrison’s low-key voice. Morrison expressed emotion through her vocals when she played her all-time favorite song, ‘My One and Only Love.’

“I like Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane, and when I found out they performed a song together, I fell in love with it when I was a little girl,” said Morrison. The finish saw Morrison performing the classic ‘What a Wonderful World,’ written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss.

The audience cheered the performers on stage as it was the last they would have. “I really enjoyed the performance,” said 21-year-old music major Josh Gandela. “[Morrison] had a natural voice, she was powerful in the way she sang, if only she sang more than she talked,” he said.

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