February is African American Heritage Month\, a fitti ng time to honor Black artists whose creativity and innovation have shaped American culture. The year 2026 also marks a milestone in music history: the centennial birthdays of Miles Davis (1926–1991) and John Coltrane (1926–1967)\, two modern jazz giants whose work transformed the art form and co ntinues to influence musicians worldwide.
This special celebration features a jazz concert by some of today’s most respected jazz musicians and educators: Professor Kei Akagi (piano)\, Darek Oles (bass)\, Jason Harnell (drums)\, and Dr. Teodross Avery (saxophone). Together\, they bri ng fresh insight and new perspective to the iconic Davis–Coltrane repertoi re\, offering jazz lovers both reverence and reinvention.
The concert will be followed by a panel discussion with all of the musicians\, moderated by Professor Mark Fisher.
About the Artistic Team
Kei Akagi is Professor Emeritus of Music at UC Irvine and an internationally re nowned jazz pianist and composer. He worked extensively with Miles Davis a s a member of the Miles Davis Band.
Darek Oles is a Lectu rer of Music at UC Irvine\, specializing in jazz bass and jazz combo. He h as performed and collaborated with Kei Akagi for many years.
Jason Harnell is a Lecturer of Music at UC Irvine and specializes in j azz drums. He has worked closely with Kei Akagi for many years.
Te odross Avery is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of the Jazz Band at California State University\, Dominguez Hills. A specialist i n jazz saxophone\, he earned his DMA in Jazz Studies from the University o f Southern California.
Mark Fisher (moderator) is Profess or of Neurology at UC Irvine and a longtime jazz advocate.
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260212T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260213T000000 LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T205839Z SUMMARY:100 Years of Music\, Wisdom\, and Community Centennial Celebration of Miles Davis and John Coltrane TRANSP:OPAQUE END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR