The Fall 2025 concert season at Sonoma State has officially begun, with the first series of performances taking place over the past two weeks. The Jazz program concert on October 2nd, titled “Actual Proof,” featured special guest Mike Clark, a legendary funk and jazz drummer, and wrapped up a run of performances from all genres.
“Actual Proof” featured three ensembles, including the Latin Band, Concert Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Orchestra. Students had the opportunity to play several songs with the renowned musician, who helped shape the sound of jazz drumming in his recordings with iconic funk group The Headhunters. “To me, jazz means freedom, expression, the unknown, danger, taking a chance,” Clark said. “You can really develop your humanity after being on the road for 50-60 years.”
From instrumental solos by trumpeter Gabriel Martinez and tenor saxophonist Estella Zea to long-form drum duets between Clark and Jazz Studies majors Adam Lance and Joe Campbell, the concert displayed the skill of the department’s students. “That was a super fun night with a super amazing artist who was so respectful and encouraging to the students,” said Doug Leibinger, Director of Jazz Studies.
The setlist included “Help the Poor” by Charles Singleton, sung by pianist Tony Sandoval, and “Bohemia After Dark” by Cannonball Adderley, featuring a solo by vocalist Ella Hoffman. “It was great!” keyboardist Justis Jones said, reflecting on his solo on “Butterfly” by Herbie Hancock. “Even though they had another [keyboard] player…I still got to shine.”
Among the audience were a wide range of family, friends, musicians, and students from all majors coming together to support their peers.
“Performing arts are very special; they’re something that brings a lot of people together,” said Charlotte Yalch, a third-year music performance major who played flute in the Wind Ensemble concert earlier in the series. “I feel very fortunate to work with everybody in the music program, and I feel everyone else can have a bit of that experience too by going to the concerts.”
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Chabot College Wind Symphony began the series on September 26, followed by the Symphony Orchestra on September 27 and the Concert Band on September 30. With a weekend of performing ensembles ranging from classical to jazz, the series showcased the varied talents of the university’s quickly growing music program and the community that has formed within it.
