This is a 360-degree video. Either click or tap and drag your finger to get a good look at Quentin Baxter’s office as he plays the drums.
The accolades keep on rolling in for Quentin Baxter ’98.
Quentin Baxter at the Verner Awards ceremony in the South Carolina State House on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. (Photo by Michael Haga)
The adjunct faculty member and musician received a Verner Award, a South Carolina Arts Commission honor recognizing outstanding achievement and contributions to the arts in the Palmetto State. Baxter was one of five individuals and two organizations to receive the award at a ceremony on May 2, 2017, at the South Carolina State House in Columbia.
“To be considered, nominated, and supported by people who I consider to be my heroes, mentors, fellow musicians, advocates, and friends (students) is truly humbling and encouraging,” Baxter says. “For what it’s worth, I am grateful for any and all forms of appreciation. However, receiving the Verner and sharing yesterday with my parents, my daughter, my brothers, and some of my closest and dearest friends makes this experience quite a special one.”
It comes on the heels of two other honors for Baxter. Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg proclaimed April 25, 2017, “Quentin Baxter Day” in honor of his contributions to the “city, state country and world in the arena of jazz music.”
“The proclamation from Mayor John J. Tecklenburg was absolutely shocking,” says Baxter. “As a Charleston native, being recognized by the City of Charleston is really special. It is really refreshing to know that we artists are appreciated in our attempts to enlighten, enhance, and entertain the citizens of the Lowcountry and represent this rich cultural paradise around the world.”
And during the College’s ExCEL awards earlier in April, Baxter received the Eddie Ganaway Distinguished Alumni Award, which is named for CofC’s first African-American graduate.
“To be associated with the character, courage and accomplishments of Mr. Ganaway and his fellow colleagues is a standard I hope to exemplify daily,” Baxter says.
Baxter, second from right, with René Marie, left, Michael Haga, Scott Shanklin-Peterson, Karen Chandler, and Valerie Morris. (Photo by Michael Haga)
In February, Baxter headed to Los Angeles as part of the team that created and performed on jazz singer and composer René Marie’s Grammy-nominated album Sound of Red. Though the album didn’t win, Baxter said at the time that he was honored to be part of a project that was even considered.
Baxter will also be ending the 2016-17 academic year with a bang. The Department of Music and the “Quentin Baxter Presents….” music series will host the Champian Fulton Quartet at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, in the Simons Center Recital Hall. The jazz quartet is a mainstay of the New York City jazz scene. The group was originally scheduled to perform at the College in October, but the show was canceled due to Hurricane Matthew. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for general admission.
