Due to social distancing constraints, Gavilan’s Bach to Blue concert is streamed for free

Annual concert began streaming May 14

By Staff Reports

Bach to Blues, a longstanding community and Gavilan College musical event, transformed delivery to video for its 2021 performance.

“Last year the event was cancelled one week before the performance date,” said Maria Amirkhanian, pianist and co-organizer of the event. “It was a big deal for us because it was also the Gavilan Centennial celebration. Plus a number of special performances were planned.”

With the continuing pandemic protocols and required social distancing stretching into the second year, the music organizers reached out to faculty in the Communication Studies and Television and Film programs to re-imagine the event.

Bach to Blues, the 2021 edition, will showcase recorded performances of featured musicians with headliner JJ Hawg Blues Band, along with faculty Maria Amirkhanian, Dahveed Behroozi and Albert Marques. The local winner of the 2021 Youth Piano Competition, Diego Carillo, will also perform.

In addition to the musical performances, Bach to Blues will feature interviews with communications instructor Denise Besson, local musician Eric Siverson and retired Liberal Arts and Sciences dean Fran Lozano.

“Bach to Blues showcased talent and welcomed family each year,” said Communications instructor Denise Besson. Her daughters were both invited to sing at the event. “It’s really golden, and brings out the community in community college.”

“One of my favorite moments was to sing, in Armenian, with my goddaughter Ava,” said Amirkhanian.

The 2021 Bach to Blues event began being streamed at 6 p.m., Friday, May 14 at www.gavilan.edu/bachtoblues.  It is a free concert to showcase musical talent at the college and in the community.

“There’s no charge,” said faculty member Albert Marques, “But if you want to donate, all the money goes back into the music program. We hope to see everyone, face to face, at Bach to Blues 2022.”