Livingston College
Livingston College opened in 1969 and was the first coeducational, liberal arts college at Rutgers University. It embodied “the spirit of social responsibility and cultural awareness demanded by students" during the sociopolitical changes in the United States in the 1960s. As a result, the college offered new and progressive academic departments including urban studies and planning and journalism. The music department at Livingston College offered a variety of instrumental and vocal classes and was headed by Laurence Ridley-the first jazz professor at Rutgers who was also the primary architect of jazz performance as a field of academic study at Rutgers University. In addition to the music program, Livingston also hosted a college band and Jazz Ensemble, a Jazz Society dedicated to promoting and preserving awareness and knowledge of jazz as an art form, yearly music festivals featuring ethnic dance, poetry, music, and drama; and college-sponsored events including music tribute nights and an array of concerts.
The Livingston Trio Concert Program, 1969-1970.
Livingston Jazz Professors' African Tour, 1978 Rock Yearbook.
The tour was conceived and planned by jazz bassist and associate member of the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies Monk Montgomery who wanted to bring musicians back to the birthplace of jazz and provide concerts and education workshops to the people of the Kingdom of Lesotho. The tour began in December 1978 and participants included professors Larry Ridley (bass), Freddie Waits (drums), Kenny Baron (piano), Frank Foster (reeds), and Ted Dunbar (guitar). Proceeds went to the Dizzy Gillespie Scholarship Fund which financed the education of a Lesotho music student at Livingston College.
Liberated Gospel Choir, 1978.
The Liberated Gospel Choir was founded in 1969. The choir provided an outlet for students to express their beliefs, explore their relationship with God, and inspire public interest in gospel music.
The Liberated Gospel Choir’s mission is summarized by the acronym PRAISE which stands for Purpose, Relationship, Accountability, Intimacy, Sanctification, and Endurance. These words describe the kind of relationship members of the choir aim to have with God and each other.
Livingston Jazz Society performance, undated.