Oberlin

A more perfect day couldn't be imagined. On Friday, April 30 at 4:00 p.m., under clear and sunny skies with 80 degree temperatures, Oberlin conferred the honorary doctor of humanities to Camille Cosby and Bill Cosby and an honorary doctor of music to Stevie Wonder from the band shell in Tappan Square. The afternoon was a bit more like a Hollywood movie opening than a solemn degree granting ceremony. A student jazz group played lightly and coolly in the background and press photographers lined the walkway and front of the band shell. When the Cosbys and Steve Wonder arrived, driven in "stretch" golf carts, the crowd erupted and the photographers clicked away. Johnnetta Cole gave profound and heartily delivered introductions for Bill and Camille Cosby and Wendell Logan gave the introduction for Stevie Wonder, first referring to Stevie by his given name: Stevland Hardaway Judkins which elicited humorous responses from Stevie and the audience. Bill Cosby made jokes and kidded around at the beginning of his introduction so much that Dr. Cole could barely stop laughing to begin her remarks. The ceremony was opened by board chair Robert Lemle and the degrees were officially conferred by President Marvin Krislov.

In the evening, Bill Cosby performed for a packed house at Finney Chapel, weaving funny stories about his childhood and the joys and pains of growing up poor in a Philadelphia public housing development. I enjoyed the performance, but did overhear more than a few people say that they were somewhat uncomfortable with some of the topics he brought up. After the show, there were jam sessions all over campus, including the disco (now called the "'Sco") and the "Cat in the Cream."

On Saturday, the new Bertram and Judith Kohl building for Jazz was officially dedicated. (The College announced the name change from Litoff to Kohl just before the weekend. The building is now named in memory of Kohl's parents who, between the donation and the time of the grand opening, passed away.) The major dedication ceremony took place in Warner Concert Hall with Conservatory Dean David Stull acting as MC. Remarks were given by board chair Robert Lemle, President Krislov, actor Avery Brooks, Donna and Stewart Kohl, the building's principal architect, a student, and Wendell Logan, the founder of the Jazz Studies department. He spoke eloquently and honestly about the early days of the Jazz program at Oberlin and how he was invited by Conservatory Dean Emil Danenberg to start a program of African American music. He talked about the early struggles, including lack of support and respect for Jazz in those days.

Donna and Stewart Kohl's remarks were very beautiful and heartfelt. And, Donna had the audience cracking up when she thanked the young architect (I think he's in his late 20's or something like that) for being "easy on the eyes." She linked this statement to her love of beauty and transitioned that into the beauty of the building. Which it REALLY is.

In a word it is spectacular. If you weren't at the weekend, you have to make a point to see it on your next visit. It has a beautiful outdoor deck called "Bert & Judy's Garden," an indoor atrium to bring in natural light and grow plants on the top floor (this will be especially welcomed in the long Oberlin winters), an excellent computer lab, fantastic faculty offices and workrooms and a state-of-the-art recording studio with New York and Hamburg Steinway concert grands. And the building's most spectacular feature, to me at least, is that it is flooded with light. Just about all exterior walls are glass.

While I have always loved the old conservatory building, the new Kohl building makes its aging condition more noticeable. The exterior, in particular, is due for a sprucing up now that the new building is completed and they sit side by side.

The Saturday night concert was one of the best concerts I've attended - ever. And one of the longest at nearly 4 hours! It featured the Jazz program's first class of students from the late 1970's (not sure if there was a major then) and included Fred Nelson, Michael Mossman, Leon Dorsey and James McBride. These were my years at Oberlin, so they all happen to be my classmates. (By the way, I think the Jazz program probably has the highest rate of graduates who become professional musicians. It would be interesting for the Con to study this.) There were also student performers, including the Oberlin Jazz Ensemble with a small string orchestra. One of the highlights of the evening was the performance of a Stevie Wonder medley, arranged by Mike Mossman, for Jazz ensemble and string orchestra. It is a masterpiece, beautifully conceived and maybe around 30 minutes long.

The concert ended with a wonderful, relaxed set by Stevie Wonder playing harmonica first and then moving to piano and singing many of his most famous songs, including "Superstitious," which got the audience up on its feet. He is a genius, as everyone knows. Many of his songs, I am convinced, will become part of the "American Songbook" along with the Gerswhins, Cole Porter and Harold Arlen. After his performance, the College presented Stevie with a birthday cake and everyone sang his version of Happy Birthday. (His birthday is on May 13 and he'll be turning 60, he said.) Also, after Stevie's performance, David Stull announced that the Jazz Piano studio in the Kohl Building would be dedicated to and named after Stevie Wonder. Stevie appeared very moved by this gesture. Throughout the weekend, he also referred frequently to Oberlin's history of access to people of African descent and to women. He also continued to refer to himself as "Class of 2010" and to his pride in being a part of the Oberlin family and proud history. Stevie and David both gave special thanks to Leon Dorsey and Chesley Maddox-Dorsey for bringing Stevie to Oberlin and for their support of the new building.

It was a picture perfect weekend - from an attendee's point of view. I know, however, that the amount of work that went into making the weekend possible was significant. The phenomenal staff at Oberlin is owed a huge debt of gratitude for pulling this high profile and complex event without a hitch - at least from my vantage point. David Stull, Mary K. Gray, Gloria Kim, Andrea Kayln, Marci Alegant and Michael Lynn from the Conservatory were everywhere, all the time. And the Development Office, Alumni Office, President's Office, Security, Building & Grounds, etc., etc., were really on top of this weekend. They all must be exhausted today, but should be very pleased and satisfied. We are all extremely grateful. Thank you!!!

Great pictures, but it's a wee bit ironic that there are no sounds. A full documentary will be released later?