College of the Canyons professor Dr. Eddie Becton will deliver the scholarly presentation “The Soul of a Nation: A History of Black Music Informing Democracy” on Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center.

Becton’s presentation will offer a historical examination of Black music in America, exploring how artists have used their songs to define and challenge the nation’s ideals of democracy, freedom, and justice. By focusing on the evolution of Black music, the presentation will reveal how it has continually served as a powerful force in urging America to live up to its promise as a just and democratic society.

“Black music has long served as a powerful form of expression, communication, and cultural identity,” said Becton. “This presentation will explore its origins, from field hollers and work songs to spirituals and blues, highlighting how these early forms laid the foundation for the evolution of Black music in America.”

The scholarly presentation “The Soul of a Nation: A History of Black Music Informing Democracy” will begin at 6 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information about the scholarly presentation, please contact the COC Foundation at (661) 362-3434.

About the Presenter

Dr. Eddie Becton is a full-time professor in the Ethnic Studies Department at College of the Canyons. Before joining COC in 2024, he served as a visiting professor in the African American Studies Department at Loyola Marymount University and previously taught in both the Africana Studies and History Departments at Morehouse College. His research centers on jazz historiography, with a particular emphasis on the work and cultural impact of Miles Davis.

In addition to teaching, Becton has more than 20 years of experience in jazz journalism, broadcasting, and concert organizing. For the past four years, he served as a judge for Seven Jazz Virtual Jazz Competition, an international jazz competition, and he co-founded the former print version of All About Jazz-Los Angeles. His journal article, “Miles Davis: The Prince of Sonic Afrofuturism,” will be published by the University of Edinburgh Press in 2026.

He can be heard on KXLU 88.9FM-Los Angeles where he produces and hosts “The Jazz Journey,” an internationally recognized program that is streamed at www.kxlu.com every Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. PST. Throughout his career in broadcasting, he has interviewed renowned artists such as Terri Lyne Carrington, Harvey Mason, Marcus Miller, and, among others, late musical titans Abbie Lincoln, Ahmad Jamal, Charlie Haden, Horace Silver, and McCoy Tyner.

Becton earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in counseling from the University of Dayton. He completed his doctorate degree in Africology & African American Studies from Temple University.

A member of the Santa Clarita chapter of the NAACP, Becton spends his time reading, playing chess, promoting artists, traveling, listening to jazz, and collecting vinyl records.