Category: charlie christian international jazz festival

Categories
charlie christian international jazz festival contemporary jazz festivals music Oklahoma Oklahoma City United States

It’s Grady Nichols vs. Straight Ahead in Battle of the Bands on Friday, June 4, 2010

In what is sure to be a heated “Battle of the Bands,” internationally renowned saxophonist Grady Nichols and his band will take on Detroit’s best known all-female quintet, Straight Ahead, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 4, 2010, at Regatta Park located just south of downtown Oklahoma City.

From small-town Midwest beginnings to the big time, Grady Nichols enjoys an audience as broad as his musical taste.  The recording star has opened for artists such as Ray Charles, Luciano Pavarotti, Jay Leno, The Temptations, The Righteous Brothers, Al Green, O’Jays and so many more including Wayman Tisdale, Roy Clark, Kim Waters, and Bob James.
Out of Detroit’s lively jazz scene, an all-female quintet, Straight Ahead, emerges and they have shown themselves to be powerful and imaginative composers and arrangers.  The Straight Ahead sound ranges from mainstream jazz, R&B, ballads, avant-garde to Brazilian funk.  The group has opened for many greats including Nina Simone and Nnenna Freelon.  In 1990, the group recorded their first album for Atlantic Jazz, “Look Straight Ahead” which made the Billboard Contemporary Jazz top 20 list.  Two other albums followed, “Body and Soul” and “Dance of the Forest Rain.”  
Mark Temple, president of the board of directors of Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. said in a news release, “It will be a lot of fun and a great way to continue the celebration of our 25th annual Charlie Christian International Music Festival.”
Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at Capitol Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz, Rhythm and Blues Store, Hopkins Hair Enterprises, KM66 and Learning Tree Toy Store in Oklahoma City.  For more information call (405) 524-3800 or visit www.charliechristianfestival.com.  Sponsors of the Charlie Christian International Music Festival include BancFirst, EMSA, City of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Arts Council, Oklahoma Breast Care Centers, Inc., Oklahoma City Beautiful, Oklahoma Department of Tourism, and University of Central Oklahoma.  

Categories
BLAC Inc. Black Liberated Arts Center Inc. charlie christian international jazz festival contemporary jazz jazz Oklahoma Oklahoma City United States

Contemporary jazz artist Najee to headline 25th annual Charlie Christian International Festival in June 2010

Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. announced today that contemporary jazz artist Najee will headline the 25th annual Charlie Christian International Jazz Festival at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 5, 2010, at Regatta Park in Oklahoma City, OK.
With three platinum and five gold albums, Najee (born Jerome Najee Rasheed) is one of the pioneers of what is commonly known as contemporary jazz.  A native of Queens, New York, Najee began his career playing clarinet and later saxophone and flute.  While in high school, he began studying under the direction of Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, and Billy Taylor at Jazzmobile in Harlem.  Najee also studied flute with Harold Jones at the Manhattan School of Music. 
Najee, along with his brother Fareed, attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston with a concentrated study in performance and composition. The brothers moved back to New York and were asked to tour with the R&B songstress Chaka Khan. 
After the release of his debut album “Najee’s Theme” in 1986, Najee embarked on a U.S. tour with Freddie Jackson.  “Najee’s Theme” went platinum and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1987.  Najee’s sophomore album “Day by Day” also went platinum.  These albums were followed by “Tokyo Blue” and “Just an Illusion.”  In 1994, Najee recorded “Share My World.” 
Najee’s 1995 recording on EMI records was dedicated to one of his favorite artists and good friend, Stevie Wonder.  It was titled “Najee Plays Songs from the Key of Life: A Tribute to Stevie Wonder.” 
In 1998, Najee produced “Morning Tenderness.”  He is the recipient of many awards. Over the years, Najee has worked with may great artists such as Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, George Duke, Lionel Richie and Prince. 
Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the gate. Tickets may be purchased online at ProTix or at any Buy for Less store.  For more information, call (405) 524-3800 or go to www.charliechristianfestival.com.




Categories
arts Black Liberated Arts Center Inc. Charlie Christian charlie christian international jazz festival contemporary jazz festivals jazz Najee Oklahoma Oklahoma City

25th annual Charlie Christian International Music Festival to convene June 1-6 in Oklahoma City

Black Liberated Arts Center Inc. announced this week that the 25th annual Charlie Christian International Music Festival will be held June 1-6, 2010, in Oklahoma City. This popular event will be held at several downtown venues.
 The Charlie Christian International Music Festival is the center piece of Oklahoma’s rich music history that produced international personalities Charlie Christian, father of Bebop; jazz and blues singer Jimmy Rushing; the Blue Devils, famous Territorial Band and Ralph Ellison, the voice of jazz music.
Urban contemporary jazz artist Najee and other well-known music acts (yet to be announced) will be the headliners for this year’s festival. There are more than 12 jazz, blues, gospel, rhythm & blues bands from Europe and the United States features in this year’s festival.
The Charlie Christian International Music Festival has featured music greats such as Regina Carter, the late Isaac Hayes, Branford Marsalis, the late Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Jay McShann and Little Milton; George Benson, Kirk Whalum and many others. Over the past 24 years, more than 500,000 people have danced to the music, snapped their fingers, and had a ball at the indoor and outdoor activities of the festival.
 For more information, call (405) 524-3800 or e-mail blac37inc@yahoo.com.

Categories
blues charlie christian international jazz festival festivals jazz music Oklahoma Oklahoma City

Charlie Christian Jazz Festival to kick off in Oklahoma City


Oklahoma City radio personality and singer Cara Black will serve as mistress of ceremony during the 24th annual Charlie Christian International Jazz Festival on June 6-7. She will introduce Tulsa jazz saxophonist Grady Nichols and Dallas band All Funk Radio Show at 7:30 p.m. June 6th at Stage Center’s Tolbert Theater.
Gates open at noon at Regatta Park on June 7th for the outdoor festival. At 1:00 p.m., HypeLife from Memphis will pay a special tribute to Charlie Christian, Wayman Tisdale, Elvis Presley, all nationally recognized guitarists who were major forces in the field of guitar music.
Jazz organist Jeremy Thomas, accompanied by his trio; Kelvin Drake and his band “Mr. Guitar” will also perform as the evening continues with the likes of Drummer Walter Taylor and his group “Taylor Made.” Blues performer Garrett “Big G” Jacobson and Kirbie Greene and Friends will perform, leading to the final act – ”Class Act.”
Festival goers are asked to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Festival tickets may be purchased at Capital Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz Rhythm & Blues Store, KM66, Learning Tree Toy Store, Sage Restaurant and Black Liberated Arts Center Inc. For more information, call (405) 524-3800.

Categories
band charlie christian international jazz festival festivals funk jazz music Oklahoma City

Texas band All Funk Radio Show to perform at jazz festival


All Funk Radio Show has performed at the Charlie Christian International Music Festival three times. They will return to the stage at 7:30 p.m. June 6 at Stage Center, 400 West Sheridan in Oklahoma City. A frequent performer at the casinos in Oklahoma, the Texas band was introduced to the music scene in Oklahoma by the festival. The combined musical experiences of the group include having played with the Emotions, Denise LaSalle, Chi-Lites, Tyrone Davis, Bobby Rush, Staple Singer, George Clinton, and The P Funk All Stars. Other experiences include the Bobby “Blue” Bland Band, Johnny Taylor, Archie Bell & The Drells, Benny Latimore, Freddie King, Qunicy Jones, Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield, Bee Gees, Donny Hathaway, Ronnie Laws, Wildman Steve, Roy Ayers, Fingerprints, The Temptations, Teddy Pendergrass, and LED & The Love Company.
Tickets to the show are $20 and are on sale now at Capitol Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Store, KM66, Sage Restaurant, Learning Tree Toy Store and Black Liberated Arts Center, Inc. For more information, call (405)524-3800 or view schedule information online at http://www.charliechristianfestival.com.
Sponsors for the festival include, BancFirst, Oklahoma Arts Council, City of Oklahoma City, Temple & Sons Funeral Directors, Fine Arts Institute of Oklahoma City University, Deep Deuce Business Association, Sage Restaurant, & H & J Management, Inc., a McDonald Franchise operation and EMSA.

Categories
BLAC Inc. charlie christian international jazz festival festivals grady nichols jazz music Oklahoma City

Tulsa saxophonist Grady Nichols joins jazz festival lineup


Tulsa saxophonist Grady Nichols returns to the 24th annual Charlie Christian International Jazz Festival at 7:30 p.m. June 6 at Stage Center, 400 W. Sheridan, in Oklahoma City. Nichols has been the opening acts for jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum and legendary guitarist George Benson. He also has shared the stage with the late Wayman Tisdale, Ray Charles, The Temptations, The Righteous Brothers, Al Green, The O’Jays, Luciano Pavarotti, Jeffrey Osborne, Ellis Marsalis, David Benoit, Stanley Turrentine, Roy Clark, Kim Waters, and many others.
Tickets to the show are $20 and are on sale now at Capitol Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Store, KM66, Sage Restaurant, Learning Tree Toy Store and Black Liberated Arts Center, Inc. For more information, call (405)524-3800 or view information online at http://www.charliechristianfestival.com.
Sponsors for the festival include, BancFirst, Oklahoma Arts Council, City of Oklahoma City, Temple & Sons Funeral Directors, Fine Arts Institute of Oklahoma City University, Deep Deuce Business Association, Sage Restaurant, & H & J Management, Inc., a McDonald Franchise operation and EMSA.