CaliJazz, an independent Jazz and Voice Institute, was started in 2005 by Cheryl A. Lockett. In Lockett's own words, the Institute focuses on delivering a “cultural enrichment experience” by integrating musical and visual art. Lockett has been a professional vocalist and fine artist for many years. In 1993, she began promoting art education through workshops, classes, and performances in the greater Northern California area.
Originally born Cheryl Craig, she is heir to the legendary 1950s rhythm and blues band, The Merced Blue Notes. Her father, Kennneth Craig, a guitarist/songwriter, appears on all the band's recordings from local valley labels to Galaxy, Mammoth, and Motwon's SOUL Records.
Cheryl has been performing from a young age, “My family did a lot of gospel tours. We listened to all sorts of roots music—folk, jazz, rock, RnB and we performed all of them. When I was 11 or 12, I hung onto jazz because it left more room for self-expression. I don’t know if I chose it, I guess it chose me. I migrated to it.”
In Sacramento, there were a handful of musicians she worked with such as Jimmy Malone, Carol J Roca, Larry Lunetta, Jeff Alkire and the DBaba Project (Darius Babazadeh). “There is a certain essence about the way these musicians play their instruments. They have the academic and the natural.”
Lockett stressed how important it is for her to have versatile and eclectic jazz artists. She currently works with musicians from the Bay Area, Stanislaus County and Southern California. Her big shows include tribute concerts to Nina Simone, Phoebe Snow, Abbey Lincoln, Sarah Vaughn, and Billie Holiday.
When asked about the scene in Sacramento, Lockett had a few piercing comments, “Its not doing well in Sacramento. There is one or two venues but it is closed-fist meaning there are only a few people doing it and not allowing other fresh artists to come in.”
Lockett's work today is focused primarily on performing and art education. In Merced, she works with a group of artists to encourage a fine arts residency in the schools.
Lockett explains the reason for encouraging the residency, “It (the class) is a lot of work. If there is not enough time, it robs the artists, the student, and the teacher from injecting more into the experience.” The purpose of the class is to fuse the historical, mathematical, and scientific component of the music and instrument-building. Yet, obtaining funding and support are “tooth and nail” for art education in the area.
Cheryl plays a host of private events and bookings over the summer. In February, at Groveland's Hotel Charlotte, you can catch her performing with pianist Dennis Brown. The performance is open to the public. For more information on lessons, shows, and workshops contact CaliJazz at www.calijazz.com or e-mail cheryl@calijazz.com.
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