One of Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame’s favorite vocalists, Olivia Duhon sings at the Jazz Depot, 111 E. First St. in Tulsa, OK, at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 19, 2011, for a special Fathers’ Day concert. One of Urban Tulsa’s “Hot 100” artists, a “Best of Tulsa” nominee, and the Jazz Hall’s Legacy Tribute recipient in 2009, Duhon performs throughout Oklahoma. Accompanied by the Frank Brown Trio, Duhon delivers the standards that Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday made famous with a “mesmerizing” voice. General admission is $15, and reserved table seating is $20. Attendees may order tickets online at http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=2762&pid=7047841. For more information, call (918) 281-8609.
With Common Ground, Gary Burton, the Grammy-winning pioneer of the four-mallet technique of playing the vibes, is not only delivering his first studio album since 2005, but is also introducing his latest band. Known as the New Gary Burton Quartet, the group is comprised of guitarist Julian Lage, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Antonio Sanchez.
Common Ground features 10 tunes, including six remarkable originals by quartet members as well as two impressive numbers by pianist Vadim Neselovskyi (a former Burton band member), a gem from the Keith Jarrett songbook and an intriguing arrangement of the standard “My Funny Valentine,” spotlighting Lage.
Well-known throughout his five-decade career for his quartets (beginning with his 1967 group featuring Larry Coryell, Roy Haynes and Steve Swallow), Burton is returning to the configuration for the first time since the mid-’90s.
The quartet served as a reunion of Lage with Burton, who has known the guitarist since he was a teen wunderkind and has featured him in his bands up until three years ago. (During the hiatus from working together, Burton was focusing on revisiting the 1973 chamber jazz classic Crystal Silence duo with Chick Corea, while Lage finished college and worked on his long-awaited debut album, Sounding Point.)
“Julian has matured so much since I first met him 10 years ago when he was 12 years old,” Burton said in a recent news release. “Julian has kept on growing and developing a sound of his own. He’s a knock out.” Lage fills the quartet guitar chair that was once held by such rising-star six-stringers as Pat Metheny, John Scofield and Kurt Rosenwinkel, among others.
“I’ve always liked the vibraphone-guitar sound,” says Burton, whose masterful vibes glisten throughout Common Ground. “It’s something that I discovered when Nashville country guitarist Hank Garland invited me in the ’60s to record with him. The sound of the two instruments together has an ideal timbre and coolness.” For the quartet’s rhythm section, Burton called Sanchez, who has played with the vibraphonist on and off in recent years. But Colley is new to Burton’s employ. “Once I decided to have Antonio be a part of the group, I asked him what bass player he’d suggest, and he said Scott is the one,” says Burton. “They are a terrific rhythm team.”
While Burton has crossed multiple stylistic borders since he broke into the jazz ranks in the ’60s, he finds that he often returns to the straight-ahead jazz quartet setting. That’s why Common Ground by the New Gary Burton Quartet is so special to him.
“Since my very first group in 1967, I can count maybe three times that one of my groups over the years clicked so perfectly,” Burton said. “Whenever I start a new group, I often wonder how things will work, to see if the musicians will enjoy playing together and are ready to take the music to a higher level. With the new band, I’m thrilled. It’s proving to be one of the standout bands of my career and has already quickly developed its own identity.”
Canadian jazz vocalist Alex Pangman will make her Justin Time Recordsdebut in the United States with a new disc, appropriately titled, 33, on July 12, 2011. The vocalist explains the meaning behind the title in a recent news release: “as a longtime devotee of music from the classic genre, I find something of a kinship with the music that buoyed nations through the ‘dirty thirties.’ The initial concept of this record was to honor that kind of spirit with songs popular in 1933; indeed the bulk of the material (save for one self-penned number) are songs that were popular in the year 1933 – recorded while I was 33.” Along with her longtime band the Alleycats and featuring guest vocalists Ron Sexsmith and Denzal Sinclaire – the music is presented with all the love, fun and respect it deserves. A compelling talent in her own right, Pangman’s voice can be regarded as even more impressive, knowing she received a double lung transplant just a few years ago. The smoke-filled venues where Pangman often frequented finally caught up to the singer, who was battling lung disease at the time. She reluctantly took a break to recoup; her interest in singing and playing music never waning. A bit of background: After discovering a songbook of classics at an early age, Pangman quickly began delving deeper into the sophisticated shellac of the 20s and 30s, which eventually led to a fortuitous connection with the late guitar great Jeff Healey, who knew a rare talent when he heard it. In very short order, Healey produced her impressive 1999 debut ‘They Say’ (Sensation Records) as well as the 2001 follow-up, ‘You Can’t Stop Me From Dreaming.’While facets of Ella Fitzgerald, Connie Boswell and Ruth Etting could be discerned in Pangman’s zesty delivery, that crisp clear voice was unequivocally her own. After receiving a Songwriter of the Year nod from the National Jazz Awards in 2001 and a slew of other nominations shortly after, Pangman quickly became busy scheduling collaborations with everyone from Grammy-nominated trumpeter Kevin Clark and the dashing Denzal Sinclaire to pianist Tyler Yarema and even Jim Galloway’s All-Stars.
From left: Saxophonist Igor Butman and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis
According to a recent music release, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis will join Russia’s premier jazz musician, saxophonist Igor Butman in a concert that reaches across time and geopolitical borders.
Jazz – America’s model for collaboration and improvisation – will come to fans LIVE from Lviv, Ukraine’s cultural center at the Alfa Jazz Festival in Boghdan Khmelnitsky Culture Park. Participants will experience the rich, swinging feeling of jazz as two great musicians unite on the global stage on Friday, June 3, 2011 at 20:30/(1:30pm EST/10:30am PST). You can watch the Live Stream from Facebook and Ustream and on your iPhone using the (free) Wynton Marsalis app. http://www.facebook.com/wyntonmarsalis
Tulsa saxophonist Grady Nichols has been added to the lineup of a concert featuring guitarist Kevin Eubanks. Eubanks, the former band leader for the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” will be performing at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 2, 2011, at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker, in Oklahoma City, OK. Anita G. Arnold, Executive Director of Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC), Inc., said that the 2011 Charlie Christian International Music Festival will feature fresh, new talent in the almost week-long event along with some familiar faces. The outdoor festival that runs June 3 and 4 at Bi-Centennial Park will showcase the musical talents of 10 bands playing continuous music throughout the weekend.
NIKKI & DA MIXX and Brother Enoch are first timers at the festival. NIKKI & DA MIXX, a hip, swinging group from Broken Arrow promises to “light your fire” with the sultry vocals of Nikki Washington Givens. Brother Enoch whose founding members are Timothy Haverkamp, John Carter, and Boris Connally met and formed their musical trio at the University of Central Oklahoma in the spring of 2010. Timothy is an accomplished pianist and composer who completed a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies. John is an established and experienced percussionist and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Brother Boris is a saxophonist, clarinetist, and flutist with a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies. Their eclectic style is a combination of jazz, R&B, soul, classical, hip-hop, gospel and blues. Familiar faces at the festival include Taylor Made Jazz, Kelvin Drake (Mr. Guitar), James Slaw & Friends, Jeremy Thomas Band, Cara Black Band, 411 Band, and the two headliners, Lao Tizer on Friday Night and All Funk Radio Show on Saturday Night. The Charlie Christian International Music Festivaladds a new family friendly performance piece, Amazing Childrenon Saturday afternoon. From 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., the festival attendees will have a rare opportunity to see gifted children from Oklahoma City perform amazing feats during “friendly” student competition in solving rubrics cube puzzles in approximately one minute from the Dove Science Academy Elementary School, martial arts performed by championship students from M. L. King, Jr. as well as ballroom dancing. Wilson Arts Integration School students will showcase their excellent talents in instrumental and vocal music. Ms. Arnold said, “Too often the public has a negative perception of students today and they never get to see the amazing things that students can do. We are delighted to put the spotlight on such talent.” Wristbands for the two-day event may be purchased now for $10 per day or both days for $17 at the following locations: BLAC Inc., Capitol Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Store, City Cuts and Design Group, Hopkins Haircare, KM66 and Learning Tree Toy Store. For more information, call (405) 524-3800 or go to http://www.charliechristianfestival.com/. BLAC Inc. is running a week-long special discounted ticket sale from Thursday, May 26 – noon Wednesday, June 1 on main floor seats. This is the highlight of the Community Engagement Program. All $40 and $60 tickets to the Kevin Eubanks concertwill sell for $30 each. Sponsors for the festival include BancFirst, Friends of the Oklahoma Historical Society Archives, Oklahoma Centennial Commission, OG &E and The Oklahoma City Chapter of the Links, EMSA, The City of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Arts Council.
In a recent news release, Anita G. Arnold, executive director of Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC), Inc., said that the 2011 Charlie Christian International Music Festivalwill feature fresh, new talent in the almost week-long event along with some familiar faces. The outdoor festival that runs June 3-4, 2011, at Bi-Centennial Park in Oklahoma City will showcase the musical talents of 10 bands playing continuous music throughout the weekend.
NIKKI & DA MIXX and Brother Enoch are first timers at the festival. NIKKI & DA MIXX, a hip, swinging group from Broken Arrow,OK, promises to “light your fire” with the sultry vocals of Nikki Washington Givens. Brother Enoch, whose founding members are Timothy Haverkamp, John Carter, and Boris Connally, met and formed their musical trio at the University of Central Oklahoma in the spring of 2010. Timothy is an accomplished pianist and composer who completed a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies. John is an established and experienced percussionist and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Brother Boris is a saxophonist, clarinetist, and flutist with a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies. Their eclectic style is a combination of jazz, R&B, soul, classical, hip-hop, gospel and blues.
Familiar faces at the festival include Taylor Made Jazz, Kelvin Drake (Mr. Guitar), James Slaw & Friends, Jeremy Thomas Band, Cara Black Band, 411 Band, and the two headliners, Lao Tizer on Friday Night and All Funk Radio Show on Saturday Night.
The Charlie Christian International Music Festivaladds a new family friendly performance piece, “Amazing Children” on Saturday, June 4. From 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., the festival attendees will have a rare opportunity to see gifted children from Oklahoma City perform amazing feats during friendly student competition in solving rubrics cube puzzles in approximately one minute from the Dove Science Academy Elementary School, martial arts performed by championship students from Martin Luther King Jr. school as well as ballroom dancing. Wilson Arts Integration School students will showcase their excellent talents in instrumental and vocal music. “Too often the public has a negative perception of students today and they never get to see the amazing things that students can do,” Arnold said. “We are delighted to put the spotlight on such talent.”
Wristbands for the two-day event may be purchased for $10 per day or both days for $17 at the following locations: BLAC Inc., Capitol Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Store, City Cuts and Design Group, Hopkins Haircare, KM66 and Learning Tree Toy Store. For more information, call (405) 524-3800.
Sponsors for the festival include BancFirst, Friends of the Oklahoma Historical Society Archives, and The Oklahoma City Chapter of the Links, EMSA, The City of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Arts Council.
Song stylist Rebecca Kilgore will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2011, to celebrate the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame‘s 80th anniversary of the opening Tulsa’s historic Union Depot. The event will be held at the Jazz Depot, 111 E. First Street (Upper Level) in Tulsa, OK. Accompanying Ms. Kilgore is saxophonist Harry Allen, a master of ballads and blues whose own robust sound supports the instrumental perfection of Kilgore‘s vocal opulence. With a prolific discography of over 30 recordings, Kilgore has performed worldwide and for such venues as New York’s Mabel Mercer Cabaret Convention and Carnegie Hall. Regular admission is $20, and $40 for reserve table seating. Limited reserve seating available. Tickets are available online at http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=2762&pid=7014751. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; concert begins at 7:30. For tickets, call the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame at (918) 281-8609.
In a recent news release, Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. in Oklahoma City, OK, announces one of three headliners for the 26th annual Charlie Christian International Music Festival. The nearly week-long event runs May 31 through June 4, 2011, in various venues in Oklahoma City. Keyboardist and recording artist Lao Tizer will headline the Friday, June 3 outdoor concert at Bi-Centennial Park located in front of the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker Ave. in Oklahoma City. Lao, a “Best New Jazz Artist” nominee, a Yamaha-endorsed pianist and keyboardist and his all-star band (called TIZER) have graced the world stages alongside well-renowned artists including Isaac Hayes, Boney James, Wayne Shorter, George Benson, The Commodores, The Rippingtons, The YellowJackets, and Spyro Gyra. In 2001, his band TIZER released Golden Soul through Frat House Records. The single, “Her Poetry,” received accolades from all sectors of the industry and charted on both the Gavin Charts and Radio & Records’ reports and reached Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart. In 2006, TIZER returned to the studio to record Diversify for Yse Records. Two singles from the album charted on both Radio & Records Jazz Indicator and SmoothJazz.com charts. Diversify continues to appear on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Album charts thanks to airplay and Lao’s very busy concert schedule. Lao Tizer’s concert tour includes performances at Joy of Jazz, Johannesburg, South Africa; Dubai Jazz Fest; Barbados Jazz Fest, Java Jazz Festival- Jakarta, Indonesia, The Caribbean Sea Jazz Fest, Aruba and club performances in Seoul, South Korea. Other bands performing on Friday, June 3 are Mitch’s Brew, Kelvin Drake “Mr. Guitar,” Cara Black Band, and Taylor Made Jazz. For more information, call BLAC Inc. at (405) 524-3800 or go online to http://www.charliechristianfestival.com.
According to a recent news release, Mack Avenue Records recording artist Kenny Garrett will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Berklee College of Music. The presentation will be made at the college’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7, 2011, at the 7,000-seat Agganis Arena at Boston University. Additionally, Garrett will serve as the commencement speaker, addressing more than 900 Berklee graduates, their parents, and invited guests. Other renowned musicians to receive an honorary degree with Garrett include: Chucho Valdés, Bebo Valdés, Mavis Staples, and Michael McDonald. “I was totally elated when I was advised that I’d be receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the world’s largest college of contemporary music!” Garrett said. “This is a dream come true, and I’m deeply appreciative and honored to be a member of this illustrious group of recipients.” For over 30 years, Garrett has garnered critical recognition for his versatility in jazz, blues, and R&B. The Detroit native began his career performing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and Mel Lewis Orchestra. In the early 1980s, Garrett began working with Miles Davis, becoming a member of Davis’ working group — a collaboration that lasted for five years. These days, he is working on his sophomore Mack Avenue release, due to be released during the first quarter of 2012.
According to a news release, The Jazz Journalists Association has announced more than 200 finalist nominees in 39 categories of excellence in music creation and music journalism from which winners will be chosen for the JJA’s 15th annual JJA Jazz Awards. The complete list can be found atjjajazzawards.org.
The winners in each category will chosen by the votes of the professional journalist members of the JJA, the non-profit professional organization of jazz writers, broadcasters, photographers and new media producers.The winners will be announced at a benefit Gala at City Winery in New York City on June 11, 2011, from 1 to 5 p.m. EDT. The Gala, with awards presentations and featured musical performances, will be emceed by Josh Jackson, host of WBGO’s “The Checkout.” The entire event will be video streamed live online atjjajazzawards.org.
“The finalists for 2011 Jazz Awards prove that jazz is a lifetime music,” said Howard Mandel, president of the Jazz Journalists Association, about the ballot. “Get good when you’re young, stick with it and the music gets even better.”
The JJA’s Jazz Awards Gala is a fundraiser for the nonprofit JJA‘s ongoing operations, which include training of and advocacy for journalists working in all forms of media. At the Gala, a coterie of “activists, advocates, aiders and abettors of jazz” who comprise the JJA’s “A Team,” and roster of community “Jazz Heroes,” from around the country, will be introduced.
Tickets for the general public to attend the Jazz Awards Gala at City Winery on June 11, 2011, go on sale on May 2, 2011, at jjajazzawards.org.
