High Notes

Ep. 3 Dr. Pam Confer talks about Horace Silver Song for My Father

Pam Confer, Ph.D., is an international, award-winning, bilingual professional speaker, jazz singer, business consultant, public relations guru, and sports clay enthusiast. She explodes with confidence— teaching everyone how a simple smile can move the world!
 
With a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University, Dr. Confer is a TEDx Women presenter, corporate humorist and master soft-skills trainer. She is published in the area of cross-cultural literacy and globalization, and is highly sought after for her on-point perspective on how "good differences" can be activated to restore harmony. Dr. Confer is a certified Six Sigma Diversity and Inclusion Yellow Belt and Six Sigma Black Belt. Along with serving as a Gallup Strengths Coach, Dr. Confer is also a certified Franklin Covey, a certified Myers-Briggs, and a certified Crucial Conversations practitioner. She is the author of the theory of "Circle-Shifting," influencing the movement of personal and professional circles from within. Dr. Confer has graced the cover and been featured in several publications, including, Jackson Free Press (2017), Southern Automotive Magazine (2018), Medium Magazine (2020) and Thrive Global Magazine (2020). Her open mind, personal stories and amusing training style are unmatched.
 
Dr. Confer has a certification in online learning from the National Institute of Online Learning (NIOL). She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, the Association of Talent Development, and the National Speakers Association. She has served as a lead instructor and curriculum developer for the Mississippi State Personnel Board for approximately 17 years. Dr. Confer also travels in person or virtually across the world, offering specialized keynotes, trainings, and comedic self-help talks for governmental entities, educational institutions, public and private sectors.
 
A singer/songwriter, Dr. Confer is recognized for her signature, interactive performances. She is an artist on the Mississippi Arts Commission's roster and travels throughout the Southeast with her band, Jazz Beautiful. Her voice is described as, "velvet soul... dipped in Jazz!"
 
In December of 2017, Dr. Confer debuted “Mississippi Beautiful”, a song she wrote, produced and recorded in tribute to the state’s bicentennial and the opening of the Two Mississippi Museums. The anthem plays each day in the “Where Do We Go From Here” Gallery of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. She regularly performs the song across the state. In 2019, former Governor Phil Bryant issued a proclamation declaring May 10 as “Mississippi Beautiful Day” statewide.
 
On June 19, 2020, Dr. Confer debuted her single, “Stand!“, a foot-stomping anthem that provides a cadence for the injustices in communities of color. Dr. Confer is a strong advocate for community partnerships. Where there are possibilities for progress, you’ll find Dr. Pam Confer.

Ep. 2 Gerard Howard talks about Grant Green Idle Moments

High Notes is a monthly series of conversations with Jazz aficionados about their favorite albums off the timeless label Blue Note records. Open to the public for people who love Jazz or curious to get into the genre. Each monthly conversation will be recorded and posted on youtube and other services to listen to it as a podcast. Moderated by WJSU. Seating is limited.
Gerard Howard is the host of "Jazz Reflections." A Native of New Orleans, Howard grew up in an environment where jazz flourished. While growing up in New Orleans, Howard was a heavy listener to WWOZ and cites the late Bob French and Mike Gourie as his primary influences in announcing the music. His laid back delivery has been successful in turning new ears onto the music and garnering him a wide base of fans and supporters to WJSU.
In addition to his work on the air, Howard is an internet entrepreneur. He started the internet's first site for Black college marching bands in the late 90s, www.blackcollegebands.com. Howard is also a fine art photographer with work featured in several galleries in the Jackson, Miss. area. He's also an original member of Jackson's Southern Comfort Brass Band.
 

Ep 1. Arden Barnett talks about Herbie Hancock Maiden Voyage

High Notes is a monthly series of conversations with Jazz aficionados about their favorite albums off the timeless label Blue Note records. Open to the public for people who love Jazz or curious to get into the genre. Each monthly conversation will be recorded and posted on youtube and other services to listen to it as a podcast. Moderated by WJSU. Seating is limited.Our first guest is owner/promoter of Ardenland, Arden Barnett.
With a ~not all who wander are lost~ personality and a need to share his love of music with anyone and everyone, Arden put down the gps backpack and set out to do just that. 12 years later, Ardenland has produced events in every corner of Mississippi and across the country. The only thing Arden loves more than his job (and family) is his perfectly tuned listening room and collection of 45,000 records from every artist imaginable.