Sammy Miller And The Congregation Come to The Center For The Arts

Sammy Miller and The Congregation bring their joyful jazz sound to Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre at 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 27 at the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts.

Tickets, priced starting at $15 for adults and $10 for full-time Pepperdine students, are available now by calling (310) 506-4522 or visiting arts.pepperdine.edu. More information about Sammy Miller and The Congregation is available at sammymillercongregation.com.

The Congregation, which includes bandleader, Grammy-nominated drummer, and singer Sammy Miller, tenor saxophonist Ben Flocks, trombonist Sam Crittenden, trumpeter Alphonso Horne, and pianist David Linard, are on a mission to put the generosity back into jazz and bring art back to the people.

Sammy Miller, the ensemble's founder and a Los Angeles native, has become known for his unique maturity and his relentless focus on making music that feels good. Upon completing his Master's at The Juilliard School, Miller formed The Congregation with the intention to make jazz more accessible and spread joy throughout the world. As a band, they share the power of community through their music in a style that entertains, enriches, but most of all uplifts.

The group recently released their self-titled debut album, and the band members have performed independently at venues including the White House, Lincoln Center and the Hollywood Bowl, and have recorded with notable artists including Wynton Marsalis, Lady Gaga, and Queen Latifah.

Besides their extensive touring, Sammy Miller and The Congregation is also committed to community outreach. The group has hosted over 100 education events, including interactive concerts and master classes and workshops, in New York City, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Ferguson, and Ohio public schools, providing a cultural, historical, and technical perspective for jazz music.

Additionally, Ars Nova selected The Congregation for the 'Makers Lab' in 2017 to produce their original theater jazz show, Great Awakening.

The Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University provides high-quality activities for over 50,000 people from over 1,000 zip codes annually through performances, rehearsals, museum exhibitions, and master classes. Located on Pepperdine's breathtaking Malibu campus overlooking the Pacific, the Center serves as a hub for the arts, uniquely linking professional guest artists with Pepperdine students as well as patrons from surrounding Southern California communities. Facilities include the 450-seat Smothers Theatre, the 118-seat Raitt Recital Hall, the "black box" Helen E. Lindhurst Theatre, and the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art.