Neil Young
Beck
Californian alternative icon and pop polymath Beck experiments with genres and has an approach to style so fluid that the only thing one could expect from a new record is that it would be different from the last. The ubiquity of his 1994 lo-fi rap/folk slacker anthem "Loser" pointed toward one-hit-wonder status, but those predictions were punctured by the boundary-pushing work that quickly followed. Far from the short-lived novelty act his early success might have suggested, Beck continued down his unique and ever-winding path for decades, taking on new forms with every release.
Lana Del Rey
American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, rose to international prominence with her 2011 viral single, "Video Games," and the critically acclaimed album Born to Die (2012). Known for her atmospheric, cinematic sound and husky vocals, Del Rey has established a unique artistic identity built on themes of tragic romance, classic Americana, and nostalgic Hollywood glamour.
Her influence extends beyond music, shaping modern aesthetics and pop culture. With a catalog of chart-topping and culturally significant albums, including Ultraviolence(2014) and Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd (2023), she has garnered multiple Grammy nominations and other awards. A distinctive and influential voice, Del Rey continues to captivate audiences with her intricate storytelling and stylized artistry.
Masanga Marimba
Masanga Marimba plays traditional and popular music from Africa and Latin America. The instruments used in this ensemble consist of 7 Zimbabwean marimbas of various sizes along with vocals, drums, percussion, saxophone and trumpet. The word “Masanga” comes from an African word that means the coming together of rivers or roads representing the meeting of African, Latin and American traditions in this group. Masanga Marimba formed in the year 2000 and has performed at the Hollywood Bowl, Grand Performances, Skirball Cultural Center, Madrid Theater, and the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre. The ensemble also played for the inauguration of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and was honored to be selected to perform for the World Festival of Sacred Music.
The group is led by Dr. Ric Alviso, a Cal State Northridge ethnomusicologist, professor of World Music, and the director of the CSUN African Music Ensemble. Professor Alviso studied traditional African music in Senegal, Zimbabwe and Ghana. The members of Masanga have degrees in percussion performance, music composition, music education, jazz performance, art, and ethnomusicology. Masanga is the only marimba ensemble in Southern California that combines Latin and African traditions. Their music is upbeat, danceable, and family-oriented. The sight and sound of Masanga's giant marimbas is unlike anything you've ever seen or heard before.