The Yale Jazz Ensemble, Thomas C. Duffy, Music Director, will present its Season Opener on Monday, October 14, 2019, at 7:30 pm, in Morse Recital Hall in Sprague Memorial Hall (470 College Street, New Haven). As part of Yale’s year of celebration of women, the band will feature the music of Melba Liston, a prolific bandleader, arranger, composer, and trombonist. Liston was born in Kansas City in 1926, picking up the trombone when she was seven years old. Often referred to as “the first lady of the trombone,” she would go on to compose and arrange numerous jazz charts, and record with Randy Weston, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, and Art Blakey. The concert will also feature music by Gordon Goodwin and Thad Jones. Admission is free. Public info: 203-432-4111 or www.yale.edu/yaleband.