Author: mitchmuse

Global communicator, Journalism, Entrepreneur, Web editor, Blogger, Freelance writer, Jazz enthusiast

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame presents “A Salute to Curly Lewis: Texas Western Swing Reunion” on July 21

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date July 20, 2011

Curly Lewis

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, 111 E. First St. (Upper Level) in Tulsa, OK, will play a tribute at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 2011, to Curly Lewis, the only sideman immortalized on the Cain’s Ballroom Walk of Fame.
Lewis lent his fiddle and vocal talent to many of the greatest western-swing bands in history, including Hank Thompson, Leon McAuliffe, Bob Wills, and Tulsa’s own Johnnie Lee Wills.
In 1936, Lewis beat all the competition — both kids and adults — in a fiddling contest sponsored by Bob at Tulsa’s Avery Coliseum. He was only 11 then, but his career path had been set. After playing local radio shows (and bars for tips) during his teen years, Lewis joined Johnnie Lee Wills and His Boys, who’d taken over Bob Wills’ daily broadcasts at the Cain’s.
The tribute concert, led by trombonist Steve Ham, will feature songs made famous by the bands Lewis graced, along with a few surprises. Many of the musicians in this first-class tribute group, assembled byHam, have known and played with Lewis for many years.
Tickets are $15 and can be obtained by calling (918) 281-8609 or go online to http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=2762&pid=7071478.

Concord Jazz jazz releases Terri Lyne Carrington The Mosaic Project United States

Producer/Composer Terri Lyne Carrington releases The Mosaic Project on Concord Jazz

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date July 19, 2011

According to a news release, Hebert-Carrington Media co-founder Terri Lyne Carrington has released her visionary musical odyssey entitled The Mosaic Project (Carrington’s fifth album overall and her first on Concord Jazz).

Carrington, a veteran producer and composer, is joined by Esperanza Spalding, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nona Hendryx, Cassandra Wilson, Helen Sung, Tineke Postma, Geri Allen, Patrice Rushen, Ingrid Jensen, Sheila E. and Gretchen Parlato, with special appearances by iconic figures such as the legendary Angela Davis.

Since her debut in 1989, Carrington has established a reputation for assembling artists of varying styles into an eclectic brand of jazz that incorporates elements of bebop, soul, funk and much more. The Grammy-nominated artist creates music that adheres to the traditions of jazz yet speaks to a much broader and more diverse audience. Carrington brings this same diverse sensibility to The Mosaic Project, an album that once again gathers a myriad of voices and crystallizes them into a multi-faceted whole that far outweighs the sum of its parts.

“The Mosaic Project is a beautiful gathering of great female artists,” Carrington said. “Though it is my project, it is the personalities, the lives, and the talent of all of these women that make this project so special and indeed a group offering and unique statement we made together based on common, yet diverse, points of view.”

Donald Lawrence gospel music releases United States

Grammy Award Winner Donald Lawrence releases new CD YRM: Your Righteous Mind on Aug. 9, 2011

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date July 19, 2011

Grammy Award winning producer, composer and recording artist Donald Lawrence and his dynamic support ensemble, Co., return to retail shelves with a new CD entitled, YRM: Your Righteous Mind (Verity Gospel Music Group/ Quiet Water), on August 9, 2011. Over the past two decades, Lawrence has dazzled audiences as the front man for the now retired Tri-City Singers, while carrying on a solo career that has produced radio hits such as the #1 smash “Back II Eden” and “Healed.”
On YRM, Lawrence blends the classicism of traditional gospel music and retro soul grooves with uplifting, messages of self-affirmation and practical exercises of faith. “Spiritual,” a bass heavy old school soul-styled groove is currently #17 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart. Among the collection’s highlights are the upbeat mantra “YRM (Your Righteous Mind)” featuring Dorinda Clark Cole; the smooth “We Agree” with Israel Houghton; The “I Am” Factor sermonette by Zimbabwe’s charismatic Bishop Tudor Bismark; siblings Tobbi White Darks and Tommi White’s rousing makeover of Chaka Khan’s 1984 hit “Through the Fire”; and a spirited update of Lawrence’s mentor – the late Bishop Walter Hawkins’ 1984 gem “When the Battle is Over.”
YRM is a continuum of what he’s been preaching for years. “This project really doesn’t differ from my past ones,” he says in a news release. “I want to continue to teach, through song, spiritual principles and laws based on scriptures.”
Lawrence and Co. are doing in-store appearances such as J&R in New York City on Friday, Aug. 12 and a Dallas performance at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Manpower conference on the Aug. 13. They will be joined by special guest artists for a full concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14 on the main stage during Central Park’s Summer Stage concert series. Lawrence will also appear on BET’s flagship gospel television program, “Bobby Jones Gospel” and a special episode of TV One’s “One on One with Cathy Hughes.” There’s also a Sirius XM Satellite Radio in-studio concert in the works for the Praise Channel 64.The Chicago-based Lawrence began his career as a music director for R&B legend Stephanie Mills and vocal coach for En Vogue. In the mid 1990s, he made headlines as the leader of the Grammy-nominated Tri-City Singers choir that enjoyed a dozen radio hits such as “The Blessing of Abraham,” “The Best is Yet to Come” and “Encourage Yourself.” In 2004, Lawrence launched a solo career that has included signature songs such as “Back II Eden” and “Healed.” Since 2007, Lawrence has served as spokesman for Verizon Wireless’ “How Sweet The Sound” national gospel choir talent competition.

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Post author By mitchmuse
Post date July 14, 2011

Grammy-winning artist and Tulsa legend David Teegarden takes center stage at the Jazz Depot this July. He has performed with blues, rock, and swing superstars including J.J. Cale, Eric Clapton, Joe Walsh, and Bob Seger. After a spectacular performance last summer, the David Teegarden Quartet is back in Tulsa for another quality concert! Showtime 5PM.

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Post author By mitchmuse
Post date July 14, 2011

The Oklahoma Jazz Camp is in full swing! More than 40 jazz students are learning and jamming this under the instruction of our outstanding guest clinicians, including Pat Kelley, Julie Bonk, Eldar Djangirov, and composer David Amram. At the end of the week, the jazz camp will conclude with a showcase concert at the Jazz Depot! Come on out and hear some talented young musicians!

The Oklahoma Jazz Camp concert will start at 2:00PM this Saturday, July 16.

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Post author By mitchmuse
Post date July 14, 2011

On Friday, the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame celebrates the genius of American jazz double bassist, cellist and composer Oscar Pettiford. Members of the Richie Pardo Quintet will perform alongside jazz great David Amram, an accomplished American composer, musician, conductor and writer. Not only is Amram a living jazz luminary, he was also a close friend and musical consort of the late Oscar Pettiford.

The concert will also feature Heath Brothers accompanist Jeb Patton, as well as Bill Crosby, Jordan Hehl, David Moore, Ryan Tedder, and our special guest — Grammy nominee Eldar Djangirov. Don’t miss this outstanding tribute to a real jazz innovator! Showtime 7:00PM.

Bishop T.D. Jakes gospel releases rhythm and blues Shirley Murdock The Journey Tyscot Records United States

Singer Shirley Murdock collaborates with Bishop T.D. Jakes on radio single “Dream”

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date July 13, 2011

Veteran soul and gospel vocalist Shirley Murdock is on a journey just as the title of her forthcoming release The Journey (Tyscot Records) suggests.

Back in the ’80s, Murdock set out to become a gospel singer, but her path led to becoming a back-up singer for the funk band, Zapp.

Bandleader Roger Troutman eventually snagged Murdock a record deal with Elektra Records, where she recorded Top 10 R&B hits such as “As We Lay,” “Go on Without You,” “Husband” and “In Your Eyes.” In 2002, renowned evangelist Bishop T.D. Jakes made Murdock’s lifelong dream of recording a gospel CD come true when he released her first gospel album, Home.

Jakes has now made another dream come true for Murdock. A while back, he launched a “Back to the Bible” conference. When Murdock’s husband and songwriting partner, Dale DeGroat, heard about it, he wondered if there was a theme song for it.
“Dale e-mailed Bishop one evening and shared some ideas with him about a song,” said Murdock, in a recent news release. (Murdock first collaborated with Jakes on his 1999 Sacred Love Songs set.)
“By 8 a.m. the next morning, Bishop had e-mailed Dale some incredible lyrics. If you’ve ever sat down and talked to Bishop … OMG, then, you know his words are so full of wisdom, knowledge and revelation.”
So DeGroat and Murdock took those lyrics, added music and crafted a new radio single, “Dream.”
“The song is anointed because it’s full of the word,” Murdock says of the inspiring ballad of hope and perseverance. “It’s like the voice of God speaking directly to your spirit, reminding you, that He’s not a man that He should lie…if He spoke it, will He not do it? This song will stir up and rekindle that word, that’s been spoken into your spirit and remind you that your dream can not…will not die.”
The song is one of 12 musical chestnuts that Murdock either wrote or co-wrote for The Journey, produced by Kevin Bond (who’s produced Yolanda Adams and Marvin Sapp) and recorded live at The Broadcast Group Complex in Charlotte, NC. R&B singers Kelly Price, Regina Belle and gospel powerhouse Beverly Crawford performed with Murdock on various tracks.
The Journey will be released Oct. 8, 2011, and is Murdock’s second gospel project with Tyscot Records. For more information on Murdock, go to www.tyscot.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shirley-Murdock/138053567564.

food Fresh Express offers United States Vocalpoint

Mitch’s Exclusive: Snag free coupon for Fresh Express® salads on Vocalpoint

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date July 12, 2011

Fresh Express^® has developed a breakthrough, eco-friendly produce wash called Fresh Rinse^™ that is 7x more effective in cleaning salads than traditional chlorine wash,¹ but is still gentle on lettuce.

Environmentally friendly
Acceptable for use on organic produce

Hurry! Snag a free sample by going to vocalpoint.com/FreshSavings.

¹Based on average reduction of bacteria (Total Aerobic Plate Counts,
and indicator for the level of microorganisms on a product)

*Must be a Vocalpoint member; limited quantities available. Only one package will be mailed per member. Please allow 5-7 weeks for delivery. Offer only available in certain areas.

benefit Black Academy of Arts and Letters gospel performances releases Texas United States

“Medicine – Live at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters Star-Studded Project” hits stores July 26, 2011, and will benefit The Black Academy

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date July 7, 2011

Black Academy of Arts and Letters

Dallas, TX – In October 2010, several renowned stars came to celebrate and help raise operating revenue for the Black Academy of Arts and Letters that was founded by Curtis King 34 years ago.
“In a bad economy the first thing that gets cut is arts funding,” says King, whose 250,000 square foot complex is adjacent to the Dallas City Hall, in a news release. “However, it’s the plays, concerts, poetry readings and other inspiring programming we offer that helps people get through rough times like these. So, we’re thrilled that these artists came together to make a CD that will raise money to help keep these programs going.”
The majority of the songs on the 13-track, Medicine – Live At The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (MCG Records/ $13.99 SRLP), were written or co-written by Sam “Shake” Anderson, a veteran bassist who has toured with the likes of Ray Charles, Curtis Mayfield and Bruce Hornsby. It was recorded live at The Black Academy. Backed by the 80-voice Black Academy Choir, American Idol champion Ruben Studdard performed two of the album’s highlights. “Medicine For Someone Else” has a bluesy feel and shows off a raspier tone for Studdard, while the ballad “Teach Me to Love” boasts an unplugged groove.
The album is not a typical gospel set. On it, the songs range from a brash critique of parasite preachers on “PTYHOMP (Please Take Your Hands Out My Pocket)” to the bloody waters of the Atlantic Slave Trade on Jasmine Guy’s spoken-word recitation of Curtis King’s “My Language” poem. Ann Nesby (former lead singer for The Sounds of Blackness) wraps her big voice around the poignant anthem, “What Would You Have Me Do?” Yarbrough & Peoples, best known for their 1981 #1 R&B smash “Don’t Stop the Music,” deliver the funk on the percolating street jam, “Jump Til’ You Feel Something.” Tommie Young West, who recorded classic R&B sides for Louisiana’s Soul Power label in the early ’70s, rocks the house on the pulsating “Won’t Have to Worry” while Brenda Ellis’ full alto pulverizes the paean, “Bask (In the Presence of the Lord).”
“I look back on my days of the handling of such mega superstars as Phillip Bailey of Earth Wind & Fire, Leon Patillo of Santana, Helen Baylor, Shirley Caesar, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Denise Williams, and the incredible Al Green,” says James Bullard, president and CEO of Majestic Communications Group (MCG). “This project, in my opinion, is comparable to those superstars. My blood is pumping like never before. This is going to be a big project and is destine to go all the way to the top. I am excited beyond words about this project.”
Although, The Black Academy has been a fixture on Dallas’ local arts scene for over three decades, the organization also has a national standing. Its 1987 fundraising CD by Eartha Kitt entitled, My Way: Musical Tribute to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (Caravan of Dreams) sold over 250,000 copies. The Academy later funded national touring productions of “Black Music and the Civil Rights Movement,” “Symphony with the Divas,” and the musical, “Blues Bar.” For more information, go to www.tbaal.org.

2012 NEA Jazz Masters Award arts jazz Jazz at Lincoln Center National Endowment for the Arts New York United States

National Endowment for the Arts announces the 2012 NEA Jazz Masters Award recipients

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date June 24, 2011

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced via news release the recipients of the 2012 NEA Jazz Masters Award – the nation’s highest honor in jazz. The five recipients will receive a one-time award of $25,000 and be publicly honored at the annual awards ceremony and concert, produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center at its home, Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City.

With this class, the NEA is celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the NEA Jazz Masters Awards, which recognizes outstanding musicians for their lifetime achievements and significant contributions to the development and performance of jazz.

The 2012 NEA Jazz Masters are:

Jack DeJohnette, Drummer, Keyboardist, Composer

(born in Chicago, IL; lives in Willow, NY)

Von Freeman, Saxophonist

(born in Chicago, IL; lives in Chicago, IL)

Charlie Haden, Bassist, Composer, Educator

(born in Shenandoah, IA; lives in Agoura Hills, CA)

Sheila Jordan, Vocalist, Educator

(born in Detroit, MI; lives in Middleburgh, NY and New York, NY)

*Jimmy Owens, Educator, Trumpeter, Flugelhorn Player, Composer, Arranger

(born in Bronx, NY; lives in New York, NY)

*Jimmy Owens is the recipient of the 2012 A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Award for Jazz Advocacy.

“These artists represent the highest level of artistic mastery and we are proud to recognize their achievements,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman in a news release. “Through their contributions, we have been challenged, enlightened, and charmed, and we thank them for devoting their careers to expanding and supporting their art forms.”

“Jazz is considered by many as one of America’s greatest cultural gifts to the world,” said Wayne S. Brown, NEA Director of Music and Opera. “These artists are being recognized for their extraordinary contribution to advancing the art form and for serving as mentors for a new generation of young aspiring jazz musicians.”

The NEA Jazz Masters awards were announced in conjunction with the announcement of the NEA National Heritage Fellowships and NEA Opera Honors recipients. Please go to arts.gov for the list of these recipients.