Jazz Quartet Featured in First of Four Free Concerts at Leonardtown Campus
The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is continuing its Benny C. Morgan Recital Series this year at the Leonardtown Campus. This recital series, honoring the late music teacher, will feature performances from the Bruce Swaim Jazz Quartet on Oct. 7; Michael Langlois on the piano Nov. 18; Anthony Zwerdling, baritone, Feb. 17; and the Calvert Chamber Players on March 17.
All performances start at 3 p.m. and are held in the auditorium of Building A. Admission to the shows are free due to the generosity of community sponsors.
“The music series on our Leonardtown Campus continues the musical spirit of the gentleman to whom it serves as a memorial,” said CSM Chair of the Division of Communication, Arts and Humanities Dr. Stephen Johnson. “Benny C. Morgan was an active musician whose love of his art continues to serve as an example to CSM’s students and the Southern Maryland community through the high caliber of musicians featured in the series.”
The first program in this year’s series will feature a Washington, D.C. jazz group, the Bruce Swaim Quartet, which consists of Bruce Swaim on saxophone, Paul Langosch on bass, Jay Cooley on piano and Dominic Smith on drums.
Swaim attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro as a performance major in saxophone. Since moving to Washington, he has worked professionally with many notable musicians, including the Four Tops and the Temptations. Langosch began his college studies at Montgomery College’s School of Music in Rockville and then attended American University. He resides in Metropolitan Washington, D.C., and has worked with many leaders in the jazz world including Herb Ellis, Al Cohn and Bud Shank.
Cooley studied music at Montgomery College’s School of Music as well as Catholic University’s School of Theory and Composition. Cooley has appeared with Charlie Byrd, Chuck Redd and Ethel Ennis and has been the musical director and guest accompanist for many musicians. Smith attended Towson University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance. He has studied in New York City with musicians such as Kenny Washington, Ralph Peterson and Kim Plainfield and has played with jazz musicians Buster Williams, Mark Elf and Dennis Erwin.
In 2010, the Bruce Swaim Quarter received Washington Area Music Association awards for Jazz Group of the Year as well as the Jazz Recording of the Year for “Winter’s Waltz,” repeating the honor the following year with their CD, “My Heart Stood Still.”
“From classical piano and chamber music to jazz and a wide variety of song performance, the Benny C. Morgan Recital Series provide a unique cultural offering to Southern Maryland,” Johnson said.
Morgan was a beloved music educator in St. Mary’s County schools for 30 years and served as organist and choir director in several area churches. In January 2016, Morgan generously donated his prized Steinway grand piano to the CSM’s Leonardtown Campus. Sadly, Mr. Morgan passed away several weeks later, however, with the knowledge that his generosity will add to the musical culture of CSM’s students as well as the Southern Maryland community for years to come. The Benny C. Morgan Recital Series was instituted last year in his memory.
For information on the Bruce Swaim Quartet, visit www.bruceswaim.com/quartet.html. For information on the Benny C. Morgan Series and the other featured performers, visit www.csmd.edu/community/the-arts/music/benny-c-morgan-series/index or call 301-934-7828.
Calendar
CSM Benny C. Morgan Recital Series. Bruce Swaim Jazz Quartet. 3 p.m. Oct. 7. College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus, Building A, Room 206, 22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown. Free. bxoffc@csmd.edu, 301-934-7828 or visit www.csmd.edu/community/the-arts/music/benny-c-morgan-series/index.
CSM Benny C. Morgan Recital Series: Michael Langlois, piano. 3 p.m. Nov. 18. College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus, Building A, Room 206, 22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown. Free. bxoffc@csmd.edu, 301-934-7828 or visit www.csmd.edu/community/the-arts/music/benny-c-morgan-series/index.
CSM Benny C. Morgan Recital Series: Anthony Zwerdling, baritone. 3 p.m. Feb. 17. College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus, Building A, Room 206, 22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown. bxoffc@csmd.edu 301-934-7828 or visit www.csmd.edu/community/the-arts/music/benny-c-morgan-series/index.
CSM Benny C. Morgan Recital Series: Calvert Chamber Players. 3 p.m. March 17. College of Southern Maryland, 22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown. Free. bxoffc@csmd.edu, 301-934-7828 or visit www.csmd.edu/community/the-arts/music/benny-c-morgan-series/index.
CSM’s campuses are accessible to patrons with disabilities. Audio description for the visually impaired and sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired are available with a minimum two week advanced notice. If you are interested in these services, please contact the academic support/ADA coordinator at 301-934-7614.