Author: mitchmuse

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

Mitch’s Reflection: Mother Teresa’s “Do It Anyway”

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date December 15, 2010

I noticed the following poem on the wall at an office one day, and it brought many things into perspective. This poem has circulated throughout the world. I hope that the following words may be a blessing for you, too.

“Do It Anyway”

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

– Mother Teresa

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Mitch’s Reflection: “Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball” by Donita K. Paul

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date December 7, 2010

Just in time for the holidays, author Donita K. Paul weaves a brilliant tale of family, relationships, romance and religion all into one for an unlikely couple in “Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball: A Novella“ Searching for a perfect gift leads Cora Crowder to an unusual bookshop on Sage Street, where she meets bookshop owners Bill and William Wizbotterdad. The owners not only direct Crowder to finding perfect gifts for her unruly family members, but Cora Crowder also encounters co-worker Simon Derrick. Derrick is not only Crowder’s boss, but his distant manner makes her hesitant to approach him. But the unlikely bonus of special tickets to a Christmas Ball from the Warner, Werner and Wizbotterdad’s bookshop leads Crowder and Derrick down an unusual path. The storyline is easy to follow, and the reader will chuckle or frown along the way. “Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball” is so heartwarming and inviting that the book could be finished in a day! With just the right elements, Paul makes it possible for anyone “to dream of a true love beyond imagination.”

Editor’s Note: A copy of this book was provided by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. Rate this review here: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/587

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Three groups form strategic alliance with JAZZ ROOTS: A Larry Rosen Jazz Series

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date December 5, 2010

JAZZ ROOTS: A Larry Rosen Jazz Series, one of America’s leading performing arts and education programs announces the formation of a new alliance with three strategic partners: IMG Artists, Sony Masterworks and The Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium.

The alliance was made official when JAZZ ROOTS signed an exclusive worldwide representation agreement with IMG Artists, one of the world’s premier talent management and presenting organizations.

“The JAZZ ROOTS brand and unique presentations provides an opportunity to bring this powerful music genre to fans across all demographic and territorial boundaries,” said IMG Artists’ President, Jeff Fuhrman in a recent news release. “We are extremely excited to offer our global resources to help take JAZZ ROOTS to audiences around the world.”

The six-part JAZZ ROOTS series offers a complete 360° experience from concerts and educational programs at performing arts centers across America, to touring theme based shows at concert halls and festivals around the world, to CD packages, television, video and radio productions (including an award-winning National Public Radio program) and iPad Apps.

Launched in 2008 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami- Dade County, JAZZ ROOTS, has the distinction of selling out every one of its concerts in the 2000 seat James L. Knight concert hall from inception to date and is now also being presented at the Winspear Opera House, located in the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, TX, and the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Ind.
Joining forces is Sony Masterworks, who announced an agreement to produce JAZZ ROOTS products, starting with a branded two disc compilation package (targeted for April 2011 release) tracing the story of the “Drums from Africa” and their effect on the musical DNA of the America.
“JAZZ ROOTS presents the music of the Americas in a most compelling fashion,” said Alex Miller, President, Sony Masterworks. “Larry Rosen’s long career in the music business from musician to producer to entrepreneur has a track record of very successful enterprises, and we are honored to play a role to celebrate JAZZ ROOTS and the amazing musical legacy of the music of the Americas.”
Legendary artist/producer Quincy Jones joins the alliance with a plan to implement his Quincy Jones American Popular Music Curriculum, which will be presented in schools across the country in collaboration with the JAZZ ROOTS education program. The JAZZ ROOTS education and outreach components are designed to reinforce audience development, targeting area middle and high schools as well as adults within respective communities. The series provides an opportunity for schools to bring their students to sound checks and performances, with artist conversation (pre and post show), as well as pre-concert workshops for adults. These initiatives organically connect to local community groups, art centers, and the local board of education.
“Larry Rosen’s JAZZ ROOTS is the most important new concert and educational Jazz series in America,” Jones said. “It’s so important that Americans and particularly our children learn about their culture. This series is simply imperative. You can’t know we’re you’re going unless you know where you’ve come from.”

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Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir hosts dinner/concert for homeless on Dec. 18, 2010

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date December 4, 2010

According to a recent news release, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir will sponsor a holiday celebration for more than 1,500 homeless people at 3 p.m. Dec 18, 2010, at the Brooklyn Tabernacle, 17 Smith St. in Brooklyn, NY. The church that the choir is named for will rent buses and bring hundreds of men, women and children from eight different New York-area shelters to the historic church for a hot meal, a gift bag of toiletries, and a special performance of the choir‘s annual Christmas concert.
“We’re in the inner-city,” choir founder/director Carol Cymbala says of the church’s year-round outreach activities like their February benefit that raised $80,000 for Haitian relief efforts. “A lot of the people come from deprived neighborhoods. When they come in the church, it’s an oasis. It brings joy to their hearts. I think of that when we decorate the church for Christmas. The Word of God says we should reach out to the poor. When we go to prisons, Jesus is there to meet us. The poor are very special. We do a special Christmas production just for the people in the shelters and pack this place out with the homeless and they just love it.”
This year’s concert will feature songs from the choir‘s new CD, “A Brooklyn Tabernacle Christmas” (Integrity Music). The project consists of several tracks ranging from elegant Nelson Riddle-styled tunes such as “It’s Christmas Once Again” to festive pop tunes like “Amazing Love.”
The 300-voice troupe was founded by Cymbala (wife of The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir‘s Senior Pastor Jim Cymbala and daughter of the church founder, the late Rev. Clair Hutchins) with eight members in 1973. The ensemble is a blend of ethnic and economic backgrounds, with members ranging from lawyers and doctors to ex-drug addicts. Over the years, the choir has performed at major venues such as Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden. The ensemble has backed gospel artists such as CeCe Winans and Michael W. Smith. The choir’s musical legacy includes six Grammy Awards, seven Dove Awards, two #1 Billboard charting CDs and sold more than four million albums.

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Northeastern State University Jazz Ensemble to perform at Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date December 3, 2010

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame presents Northeastern State University Jazz Ensemble at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, at the Jazz Depot, 111 E. First Street, in Tulsa, OK. Attendees will hear NSU Jazz professor and music director Dr. Tommy Poole and his band, along with special guest vocalists Cynthia Simmons and Shannon Unger plus Jon Bueno on percussion and Mike Bennett on trumpet. General admission is $15, or $10 for seniors and students. Front-row table seating available for $20 per person. Tickets can be obtained online at http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=2762&pid=6852091 or by calling (918) 281-8600. Tickets are also available at the door on the evening of the concert. Doors will open at 4 p.m.

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Oral Roberts University presents “Christmas Joys” in December 2010

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date November 14, 2010

Oral Roberts University presents “Christmas Joys” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 2010, at the ORU Mabee Center, 81st Street and South Lewis Avenue in Tulsa, OK.
“Christmas Joys” is a musical celebration featuring ORU combined choirs and orchestra, Victory Christian School Children’s Choir, Andrew “The Whistler” Parker, the ORU Singers, Souls A’Fire and the Ladies and Gentlemen of Jazz. According to a news release, a Children’s Open House will take place before the concert with games, hands-on activities and refreshments from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
Admission to the concert is an unwrapped toy. All donations will be distributed to families in the Tulsa community through the Salvation Army. For more information, call (918) 495-6591.

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Ryan and Ryan duo performs Sunday at Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in Tulsa

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date November 13, 2010

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame will host Jazz Hall inductee, piano icon Donald Ryan and his son Barron at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, at the Jazz Depot, 111 E. First Street in Tulsa, OK. Donald and Barron will play favorite jazz standards and a bit of ragtime.
Doors will open at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15, or $10 for seniors and students, and front-row table seating is available for $20 per person. Tickets may be purchased online at myTicketOffice.com or call (918) 281-8600.

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Saxophonist Steve Cole releases project “Moonlight” on Feb. 1, 2011

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date November 13, 2010

Saxophonist Steve Cole returns to the spotlight with a new release “Moonlight,” scheduled for Feb. 2011 on Mack Avenue/Artistry Music label. The project is described as ” a collection of classic pop songs and standards set against an orchestral backdrop.” The project includes such iconic songs as Burt Bacharach’s The Look of Love, the classic torch song Cry Me a River, Lennon/McCartney’s The Long and Winding Road, the Guess Who’s Undun and James Taylor’s Close Your Eyes.
Cole is considered one of the most celebrated players in contemporary jazz, having sold hundreds of thousands of albums worldwide and scored four #1 R&R Smooth Jazz hits. His previous projects are on the Atlantic, Warner Brothers and Narada Jazz music labels.
In a recent news release regarding “Moonlight,” Cole says, “I am so anxious to have the opportunity to present this new project to audiences in live theater settings where I will have the chance to connect with them in an emotional way, providing a memorable night of music for all to enjoy. The legacy of popular music in an orchestral setting is timeless, and I am quite fortunate to be able to present this collection of timeless songs in this fashion.”

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Heller Theatre continues performances of production “And the Winner Is” this weekend

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date September 30, 2010

Heller Theatre continues performances of the production “And the Winner Is” by Mitch Albom at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1-2 and 2 p.m. Oct 3, 2010, at Henthorne Performing Arts Center, 4825 S. Quaker Ave. in Tulsa, OK.
“And the Winner Is,” the newest play by Mitch Albom, is a quirky, heartfelt and slightly wicked tale of life, death and sacrifice. Fans remember Albom, who authored “Tuesdays with Morrie” and “The Five People You Meet in Heaven.” Tickets, also available at the door, are $7-$10.

For reservations and more information, call (918) 746-5065.

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Kevin Eubanks signs with Mack Avenue Records

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date September 30, 2010

Kevin Eubanks (Photo Credit: Raj Naik)

Mack Avenue Records recently announced the signing of guitarist Kevin Eubanks. The former leader of the Tonight Show Band is set to release Zen Food on Nov. 23, 2010, his debut for the label and first project since his Tonight Show departure.
“It’s so refreshing to find a record label that feels ‘right’ from so many aspects,” said Eubanks, who completed his final and 18th season of The Tonight Show in May. “Mack Avenue Records is the company I’ve been hoping to find to release the music I’ve been wanting to play.”
“When Kevin first announced that he was departing the Tonight Show with a desire to record and tour again I knew he would be an ideal artist for us,” says Mack Avenue Records President Denny Stilwell in a news release. “He is a musician of uncompromising artistry who has chosen an opportune moment to re-establish his roots in jazz and Mack Avenue is honored to be working with him.”
Over his 30-year career, Eubanks has performed with esteemed musicians such as Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Roy Haynes, Slide Hampton, Sam Rivers, Dave Holland, Greg Osby, and Jean Luc Ponty, among others. In 1992, Eubanks moved to the West Coast to assume the guitar spot in the Tonight Show Band and become the band’s leader from 1995 – 2010.
Hailing from a musical family (distinguished uncles, pianist Ray Bryant and bassist Tommy Bryant, and brothers, trombonist Robin Eubanks and trumpeter Duane Eubanks), the Philadelphia native and Berklee College of Music alumni has appeared on more than 100 albums, with releases on Elektra, GRP and Blue Note; as well as founding his own record label, Insoul Music.