 Media Credit: Alma Anuinaga Singer Rochelle Rabouin and pianist Rolland Elbert perform at the Coffee Concert. They also performed at the Concert in the Café Oct. 3.
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Jazz music filled the Brookhaven College cafeteria Oct. 3, during one of the Concerts in the Café, a series organized by the psychology club sponsored by Sam Govea, assistant instructional dean.
Jazz singer Rochelle Rabouin and pianist Rolland Elbert performed at the concert.
The Concerts in the Café project initially started in fall 2006.
Govea said the purpose of these concerts is to provide a relaxing environment for staff and students in which they can take a break from their busy day.
Govea said the concerts are usually held twice a month and Charlie Warnberg, music department assistant of the Brookhaven School of the Arts, books the performers. He said the performers are often Brookhaven music students and/or faculty.
Rabouin said she attended school at Brookhaven and wanted to perform at the college for that reason. She said she has been singing jazz since age 12 and also plays the guitar. She said some of her influences are singers such as Bettye Carter, Della Reese and Sarah Vaughn.
Rabouin said she enjoys jazz more than other types of music because she finds it creative and open ended. Rabouin previously performed at Brookhaven a few years ago as part of a South African program.
"I always believed, and still do, that music makes connections, builds bridges. … It truly is the universal language," Rabouin said.
Elbert said he has been playing since he was 3 years old and he likes a variety of music. He said he and Rabouin play together around three to four times a year, but this was Elbert's first time playing at Brookhaven.
Govea said students and staff who attend the Concerts in the Café have given her plenty of positive feedback.
Margarita Chavarria, a computer engineer sophomore, said she liked the relaxing rhythm of the songs. She said the lyrics of these songs are very different than the songs of today.
Daniela Linares, a bilingual elementary school education sophomore, said, "The concerts can inspire students to learn about music or support music for those who already like it."
Govea said there are concerts scheduled Oct. 31 and Nov. 7. He also said students can look forward to enjoying new concerts in the spring semester in the newly remodeled cafeteria.
2008 Woodie Awards
