Rufus Reid's Quiet Pride was commissioned by the 2006 Raymond and Beverly Sackler Composition Prize. It will be performed by the Louisiana State Jazz Ensemble whose members have been working on this orchestra as their semester project, under the direction of jazz artist, jazz educator and composer Rufus Reid. LSU Assistant Professor of Trumpet & Jazz Studies Brian Shaw will join the LSU Jazz Ensemble to perform during the two-night world premiere of 'Quiet Pride.' As a special addition for this event, Mr. Reid composed a fifth movement entitled 'Tapestry In The Sky' inspired by another of Elizabeth Catlett's pieces 'Stargazer'. Attendees may view the sculptures before and/or after the concert. For more info on this exhibition: [url]http://www.lsumoa.com/[/url].

Under Mr. Reid's - http://www.rufusreid.com - leadership and direction, this master production of music and art encompasses a diverse amalgam of music, art, education, jazz studies, art history, black history, and art education is designed to be one extraordinary event.

The two days of performances in Baton Rouge will be followed in New Orleans with Workshops at a center for jazz music, the Thelonious Monk Institute on March 1 and 2. There will also be public workshops as well as private educational workshops at NOCCA. The public can get a bird's-eye preview of the jazz music workshops as Mr. Reid is interviewed in studio for drive time on WWOZ starting at 5PM on March 1. Mr. Reid will also be the lead guest on a taping of 'Future Focus' with jazz artist Delfeayo Marsalis on WVUE. For more information visit: http://www.geodesicmanagement.com/quietpride

Elizabeth Catlett, one of America's prized artists and sculptors, has had am artistic career spanning more than 70 years. She has created numerous sculptures, drawings and prints that celebrate African-American and Mexican women, from nurturing mothers to strong workers.

The 'Quiet Pride' concerts will be shared with an exhibition at the Louisiana State University Museum of Art titled 'Faces of Pride,' which features selected works of Catlett's art. The exhibition will be on display from February 4 through August 26 in the museum, which is also located in the Shaw Center for the Arts in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

For more information about the concert events, including how to purchase tickets, visit http://www.manship.org