As the founder, director and guiding spirit of Oakland-based CO-LLAB, Cava Menzies has created a powerful vehicle for bringing musicians together for synergistic collaboration. The 20-member contemporary vocal ensemble develops new works by vocalists and singer-songwriters through an exacting process of co-arranging and co-writing. The ensemble also collaborates with professional artists on studio recordings and performances. Following up on its Yerba Buena Gardens Festival debut last year, the choir presents a soul-steeped program with special guests, including rapper/vocalist Rob Woods and soul star PHER, who recently performed at Living Jazz’s Stevie Wonder tribute at the Paramount Theatre. The concert also features the choir’s house band MeloDious, an Oakland sibling trio featuring keyboardist Micaiah, bassist Matthias, and drummer Memphis Dempsey. Highlighting original compositions created by the singer-songwriters and arrangers within the ensemble, including a new composition commissioned by YBG Festival, the concert represents the next step in a deepening relationship between two organizations that share a common vision. 

This program is supported by: