On Friday, the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music presented musical pioneer Elayne Jones with the first National Treasure Award during an evening of music and entertainment at the Piedmont Piano Company.

A hugely respected musician and Julliard graduate, Jones is recognized for her tireless efforts toward breaking the color barrier for numerous classical musicians around the world since the 1950s.

Jones' talent as a timpanist and percussionist drew national attention in 1949 when she became the first African American to play with the New York City Opera and Ballet. Her love of music, her skill as a professional musician and her absolute spirit of excellence made her one of the most sought after freelance musicians in the country during the 1950s, 60s and 1970s. She received international acclaim when in 1972 she became a timpanist with the famed San Francisco Symphony making her, again, the first African American to hold a principal position with a major symphony orchestra.

Small in stature with the most endearingly road smile, this powerhouse has spent the greater portion of her life and career fighting against the racial and sexual barriers that have hampered black female musicians throughout the ears. Jones' stint with the San Francisco Symphony was not without controversy when she was ultimately denied tenure. Although she may have lost the skirmish with the symphony, she continued to fight against discrimination in the world of music by helping to initiate the “behind screen” audition process that is practiced by symphony orchestras across the nation. 

Any accolades and recognition that this trailblazer receives are well deserved and some might say long overdue.

The National Treasure Award was presented by the dean of students and founding member of Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, Angela Wellman, an gifted jazz musician herself. A renowned trombonist, Wellman is a third-generation jazz musician and educator with a Ph.D. in musical education. She told the audience Friday that the conservatory was founded on the desire to give every child and opportunity for a conservatory experience.  The core values of the conservatory includes creativity, integrity, love and a whole lot of fun for its students while providing affordable, quality music education for all ages.

Friday night’s event, "Music, She Wrote," was celebration of women composers. The OPCM’s Frederick Douglas Youth Ensemble opened the show. The ensemble of musicians as young as 16 - under the direction of Steven Turner - rocked with a number of tunes including the all time jazz favorite "Spain" by Chick Corea. A real standout was a young man by the name of Tracy who played the trumpet with a skill and expertise far beyond his years. An all female jazz ensemble then took the stage and brought down the house with Angela Wellman playing lead trombone and Jones on drums.  Jazz classic, "Willow Weep For Me" never sounded so good.

In these tough economic times, the conservatory, or OPCM, manages to keep its 4400 sq. foot facility, located at 1616 Franklin St., afloat. A strong board of directors and a faculty that is a who’s who of internationally acclaimed artists and teachers work diligently to ensure that a positive light shines on local youth instead of the negative one that often plagues the city. Donations that benefit Oakland youth through the art of music are greatly appreciated. 

All of the proceeds from tickets sales went directly to the Frederick Douglas Youth Ensemble. To learn more about the Oakland Public conservatory of Music, visit its website at www.opcmusic.org or call (510) 836-4649.