The Ndugu Chancler 60 Years Of Life And Music @ The Bovard Auditorium

It was begun by Chris Simpson, the Associate Dean of the Department of Jazz and Popular Music at University of Southern California, on Sunday, September 23, 2012, inside the Bovard Auditorium sitting on the 3551 block of Trousdale Parkway in the campus, where Simpson opened the show and introduced the host of the evening, Mykelty Williamson, in a show presented by the University of Southern California Visions and Voices: The Arts and Humanities Initiative, and organized by the USC Thornton School Of Music.

It was also an evening prepared to roast the most important drummer in the business, Ndugu Chancler, the cat on some of Michael Jackson's greatest hits, the cat who have traveled all over the globe doing his thing, the cat who have been in sessions and have worked with the top notch performers in the business -- Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Donald Duke, Carlos Santana, Ernie Watts, Patrice Rushen, Greg Walker, Alphonso Johnson, Frank Sinatra, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, John Lee Hooker, Kenny Rogers, Stanley Clarke, The Crusaders, Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Tina Turner and several others -- over the years from the first day he handled the sticks to test the drums at Locke High School in Los Angeles through his academic pursuit with a degree in music education at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Ndugu, drummer, percussionist, producer, composer, clinician, educator, father and leader, gets the chance to conduct and arrange for jazz orchestras in Houston and elsewhere around the United States every summer. In addition, Ndugu teaches at the Stanford University Jazz Workshop for three weeks every summer. Ndugu has been teaching music at USC the last 20 years and in 2006 was made the school's Adjunct Associate Professor at the Thornton School Of Music.

On Sunday, September 23, 2012, Ndugu Chancler was roasted in a grand style at the Bovard Auditorium, University of Southern California to celebrate "NDUGU CHANCLER: 60 YEARS OF LIFE AND MUSIC," and was presented with a Certificate of Recognition by the United States Representative for California 33rd Congressional District, Karen Bass.

The Meeting (Quartet) featuring Ndugu Chancler, drums; Patrice Rushen, Keyboards; Alphonso Johnson, bass and Ernie Watts, Saxophone, performing "walk Your Talk" from the"The Meeting" album.

The Trio featuring Ndugu Chancler on drums, Patrice Rushen on keyboards, and Alphonso Johnson on bass, playing "Variance" by Ndugu Chancler and recorded on the AIX DVD/CD, Piano, Bass and Drums.

Ndugu Chancler's drum set at the Bovard Auditorium before commencement of what would be a splendid evening of performances hosted by Mykelti Williamson with opening remarks by Chris Simpson, Associate Dean, Department of Jazz and Popular Music, University of Southern California.

ALAJE (Afro Latin American Jazz Ensemble) directed by Aaron Serfaty performing "Dance Sister Dance" by Ndugu Chancler and Tom Coster, featuring Gary Walker, vocals and recorded by Carlos Santana on the Gold Album "Amigos".

Thornton Jazz Orchestra directed by Bob Mintzer and featuring Ndugu Chancler, guest conductor performing "Silk" by Ndugu Chancler, arranged by Leslie Drayton and recorded by Fuse One on the Gold In japan Album "Silk Out Of Here" and featuring Ernie watts on tenor saxophone.

Saxophonist Phil Ranelin (L) and the audience outside the Bovard Auditorium during intermission of celebrating Ndugu Chanceler's 60 Years Of Life And Music.

The Duo Ndugu Chancler, vibes, and Patrice Rushen, keyboards, perform "Con Mio" recorded by Ndugu Chancler from the album "Old Friends, New Friends," as part of festivities commemorating Ndugu Chancler's 60 years of life and music scholarship.

The audience exiting the Bovard Auditorium after brilliant performances by the Afro Latin American Jazz Ensemble, the Thornton Jazz Orchestra, Ndugu As One Drum Solo, The Duo - Ndugu Chancler & Patrice Rushen, The Trio - Chancler, Rushen & Johnson, and The Meeting (Quartet) Ndugu Chancler, Patrice Rushen, Alphonso Johnson and Ernie watts.

The Meeting (Quartet) bowing in appreciation and saluting the audience after series of performances in "Walk Your talk" and "Stepping Out" from The Meeting.

The Meeting (Quartet) (L-R) Patrice Rushen, Ernie Watts, Alphonso Johnson and Ndugu Chancler leaving the stage after performances and the last jam to bring the evening to an end.