Category: music

Former Isley Brothers vocalist Elaine Norwood prepares for June 2010 release

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 28, 2010

After two decades of performing as a backup singer for Mariah Carey, James Ingram and the Isley Brothers, Elaine Norwood is standing in the spotlight. After years of paying her dues, Norwood has her first bona fide national hit.
The dramatic ballad “He’s Still Working on Me” is #19 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and building momentum.
“A lot of people think that when you get saved that you are perfect and that you have no more trials,” Norwood said in news release. “They make idols out of ordinary people, but this let’s people know that in spite of what they used to be or what they used to do, God is still working on us. We’re striving towards perfection. When you make a mistake, don’t throw in the towel because God forgives. We will be perfected when He comes back.”
On her forthcoming fourth CD Released (Highly Favored Music), Norwood shows all the dimensions to her dynamic personality. Her father, Rev. Charles Norwood, joins her on their remake of Rev. James Cleveland‘s 1976 smash, “God Has Smiled on Me.” The polished but passionate album vacillates from traditional ballads such as “Soon I Will Be Done” and a sanctified rendition of Alicia Key’s “Ain’t Got You” to churchy romps like “I’ll Say Yes!” and funky, up-tempo tracks like “Never Let a Day Go By.” Producing duties fell to ’70s funkster Leon Haywood (of “Don’t Push It, Don’t Force It” R&B fame) and gospel producer Sanchez Harley (Shirley Caesar, Mighty Clouds of Joy).
“These songs really affirm my heart,” Norwood said. “I’ve been a praise-and-worship leader since 1996. The other albums didn’t capture that side of me totally. In the studio, you are locked into the track, and when it ends, you are done but God might not be! We can sing a tag in church for ten minutes but to do that on a CD, the record label is going to say that radio needs no more than four or five minutes of the song. They aren’t going to play a ten-minute song. But, on this project, I was allowed to go longer, so I truly feel that with these songs I’ve been released.”
For more information on Norwood’s project (to be released on June 8, 2010), visit www.elainenorwood.com.
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Myron Butler to produce gospel artist Tonya Baker’s first live recording in July 2010

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 28, 2010

Kingdom Records has tapped Grammy-winning producer Myron Butler to produce Tonya Baker‘s first live recording. The live recording takes place at 7 p.m. Friday, July 23, 2010, at
The Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio. Admission is free.

Baker made her national debut with the acclaimed CD “Special Friend” in 2008, and Dayton, Ohio, native has been critically-praised for her unusual blend of jazzy vocal riffs with a straightforward gospel message.

“I would be lying if I said I weren’t a bit nervous,” Baker said in a news release. “I’ve been asked for several years, `When are you going to do a live recording?’ Well, I guess this is the time and I pray that God will be pleased with our offering and the people will be blessed and encouraged. There’s nothing like the live experience. You feel the energy from the people and the presence of God in the place. Most importantly, I don’t want the people to just come looking for a great show – but an encounter with God.”

Butler has produced projects with such notables as Smokie Norful and Tamela Mann from TBS’s “Meet The Browns” series. He’s also made a name for himself as an EMI Gospel recording artist with hits such as “Stronger,” “Set Me Free,” and his current single, “Revealed.”

Baker said, “Myron Butler is an incredibly anointed and gifted artist, songwriter, and producer. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to work with him. I’m equally thankful that Kingdom Records’ A&R director Michael Weatherspoon was able to make it happen.”

For more information about Tonya Baker’s recording, call (708) 339-9301 or visit www.kingdomrecordsinc.com.

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Kirk Whalum to appear on TV One’s “Washington Watch with Roland Martin” on Sunday

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 26, 2010

According to a news release, multi-Grammy nominated saxophonist Kirk Whalum will appear as a guest onTV One’s ‘Washington Watch with Roland Martin” on Sunday, May 30.

Citing Kirk Whalum as one of his favorite musicians, Martin invited Whalum on the show to discuss current events and issues relating to the African American community. Also, as both are avid technology enthusiasts, the conversation is sure to touch on Whalum’s interactive marketing strategies and his active Facebook following of more than 37,000 fans, as well as his latest, chart-topping CD “The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter III.”

From health care to the economy, Roland Martin covers issues that matter most in his new “Sunday Brunch” style show, “Washington Watch with Roland Martin.” The show airs every Sunday at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST on TV One. Check local listings for information on TV One.

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Lucinda Moore to appear on TBN’s “Praise the Lord” program on Monday, May 23, 2010

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 21, 2010

Lucinda Moore, who has done vocal cameos on recordings with Hezekiah Walker and Tramaine Hawkins, is celebrating a milestone. The 20-year music veteran, best known for her 2006 breakthrough smash “Pressure into Praise,” has just released her sophomore CD “Blessed, Broken & Given” (Tyscot Records). The album has debuted at #13 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart – her highest entry to date (Her prior self-titled CD peaked at #18 on the same chart in 2007). Now, Pastor Zachary Tims has chosen to have Moore as his special psalmist on Monday, May 23, 2010, episode of TBN’s “Praise The Lord” program.
Tims will host the program and conduct interviews with Bishop Larry Trotter, Dr. Todd Hall, and Pastor Lawrence Powell. Moore will sing songs throughout the broadcast. Visit www.tbn.org and the “Praise Tonight” tab for more information. Visit www.lucindamoore.com or www.tyscot.com for more information on Moore.

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Silent film “Louis” to premiere with five-city tour in late August

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 20, 2010

(Actor Anthony Coleman as a young Louis; photo credit: Peter Sorel)

According to a news release, “Louis,” a silent film directed by Dan Pritzker and starring Jackie Earle Haley, Shanti Lowry and Anthony Coleman, will premiere in the U.S. in late August with live musical accompaniment by Wynton Marsalis, renowned pianist Cecile Licad and a 10-piece all-star jazz ensemble, including Sherman Irby, Victor Goines, Marcus Printup, Ted Nash, Kurt Bacher, Vincent Gardner, Wycliffe Gordon, Dan Nimmer, Carlos Henriquez, Ali Jackson, and conductor Andy Farber.

Marsalis will play a score comprised primarily of his own compositions. Licad will play the music of 19th century American composer L.M. Gottschalk. The group will perform live with the film in a series of special performances in New York City, Chicago, Washington DC, Detroit, and Philadelphia on August 25-31. Partial proceeds from the five concerts will benefit Providence Saint Mel School in Chicago, IL, in honor of Paul J. Adams III

Shot by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond as a modern re-imagining of early silent film, “Louis” is an homage to Louis Armstrong, Charlie Chaplin, beautiful women and the birth of American music. The grand Storyville bordellos, alleys and cemeteries of 1907 New Orleans provide a backdrop of lust, blood and magic for 6-year-old Louis as he navigates the colorful intricacies of life in the city. Young Louis’s dreams of playing the trumpet are interrupted by a chance meeting with a beautiful and vulnerable girl named Grace (Lowry) and her baby, Jasmine. Haley, in a performance reminiscent of the great comic stars of the silent screen, plays the evil Judge Perry who is determined not to let Jasmine’s true heritage derail his candidacy for governor.
“The idea of accompanying a silent film telling a mythical tale of a young Louis Armstrong was appealing to me,” Marsalis says in a news release. “Of course, calling it a silent film is a misnomer – there will be plenty of music, and jazz is like a conversation between the players so there’ll be no shortage of dialogue. I look forward to playing with Cecile. The contrast between Gottschalk’s music and jazz can be a revelation to those unfamiliar with Gottschalk’s music and jazz.” “Louis” is a companion piece to Pritzker’s “Bolden,” starring Anthony Mackie, Wendell Pierce and Lowry. “Bolden” will be released theatrically in 2011.

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American Pianist Association names five jazz pianists as finalists in competition

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 15, 2010

In a recent news release, Dr. Joel Harrison, president/CEO and artistic director of the American Pianists Association announces five finalists who will compete for the $50,000 prize and the title of 2011 Cole Porter Fellow in Jazz of the American Pianists Association. The five finalists, in no particular order, are:

Emmet Cohen, 20, Miami

Aaron Diehl, 24, New York City

Zach Lapidus, 23, Indianapolis

Jeremy Siskind, 23, New York City

Glenn Zaleski, 22, New York City

First Alternate: Christopher Ziemba
Alternates: Stuart Mindeman; Richard Sears

The preliminary round was held May 7-9, 2010, in Indianapolis by a group of five nationally-distinguished professionals, including: Frank Kimbrough, jazz pianist and teacher at the Juilliard School; jazz pianist Darrell Grant from Portland, OR; Dana Landry, head of the jazz studies program at Northern Colorado University in Greeley; John Salmon, jazz and classical pianist and 1983 Fellow of the American Pianists Association; and Brent Wallarab, founder and artistic director of the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra.

According to Harrison, the jury heard, in anonymous fashion, the CDs submitted by 40 pianists nominated earlier this year for the awards. Harrison said in a news release, “I am especially pleased that this year we had pianists nominated from virtually every region of the country. The jury, of course, is not aware of any of that during deliberations, but I am glad we are reaching a wide geographic constituency.”

The REI Real Estate Services Jazz Premiere Series, featuring each of the five finalists in a fully produced set at Indianapolis’ Jazz Kitchen, over a period of five months, begins in September 2010. Jazz Discovery Week (finals) will be April 10-17, 2011, and will feature the five finalists in a variety of settings around Indianapolis, including the Indiana State Museum, the Jazz Kitchen and the Athenaeum. The Cole Porter Fellowship, with its cash prize of $50,000 to the winner of the competition, is the largest prize in the world for a young jazz pianist.

The mission of the American Pianists Association is to advance the careers of American jazz and classical pianists between the ages of 18-30. The organization was founded in 1979 in New York City and has been in Indianapolis since 1982.

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Pastor Jasper Williams Jr. makes musical comeback with “Down through the Years”

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 14, 2010

Jasper Williams Jr., pastor of the Atlanta-based Salem Bible Church is back on the music scene with his first new musical recordings in 20 years.

Fans may best remember Williams from the 1960s through the 1980s when he recorded two dozen best-selling sermon LPs such as 1986’s “I Fell in Love With a Prostitute” and a handful of memorable gospel music albums. The radio single “Down through the Years” is a throwback to the old-fashioned but never out-of-style Pentecostal church services of the early 20th century. After just being released a few short weeks ago, the song has stormed into the Top 100 most played songs at gospel radio.
“Every time I normally preach, I hit that song, and everywhere I go people cling to it,” Williams said in a news release. “When I sing it, they grab it. I told my producer, ‘Let’s do it the old way with no music.'”
“Down through the Years” is one of 13 songs comprising Williams’ July 20, 2010, CD release “Landmark” (Church Door Records). The album is a celebration of William’s musical heritage. Amid gospel standards such as “Born Again,” “Calvary,” and other classics arranged by Salem’s Minister of Music/Producer Kelvin A. Manson, are new songs with an old-school feel by Dorinda Clark Cole’s tunesmith Derrick Starks, Bishop Means, Malcolm Williams, Morris Mingo, and Oscar Williams.
In the meantime, Williams is pleased with the buzz on the album.
“If I leave this world now,” he said. “I feel that God has given me a fullness of life for which I’m proud and pleased and this would be a great exit for this album to hit and make it.”

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

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 12, 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 25^th 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.

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Jazz Journalists Association announces musical lineup for awards

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 12, 2010

According to a news release, the musical lineup is confirmed for the 14th annual Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Awards gala to be held from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 14, 2010, at City Winery, 155 Varick St. at Vandam in New York City.

Bobby Sanabria‘s Big Band, alto saxophonist Tia Fuller‘s Quartet, pianist Marc Cary‘s Focus Trio, Serbian guitarist Rale Micic‘s trio and solo pianist Ayako Shirasaki will perform at the JJA event, which features announcement of Awards winners, “A Team” and “Jazz Hero” honorees followed by a buffet reception. The general public may purchase tickets to either the awards ceremony and the reception ($150, doors open at 3:30 p.m.) or only the reception ($75, doors open at 5 p.m.). Tickets for the Awards, all nominations for JJA 2010 Jazz Awards, information about the JJA and its initiatives and updates about the Awards are available at www.JJAJazzAwards.org.

The JJA Jazz Awards is the only broad-based international celebration of jazz excellence. It was begun in 1997 as a collaboration between the Jazz Journalists Association and Michael Dorf (then executive director of the Knitting Factory, now director of City Winery) and has been produced annually since 1999 independently by the JJA, a 501 (c) (3) professional organization dedicated to growing the jazz audience by using all available forms of media.

JJA Jazz Awards are presented in more than 40 categories encompassing jazz music, presentation and documentation. The JJA’s “A Team” honors activists, advocates, altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz whose work has had far-reaching implications, and the new “Jazz Heroes” category celebrates jazz people who have had significant effect on their immediate locales.

atlanta gospel Lucinda Moore music releases reviews United States

Mitch’s Reflections: Lucinda Moore “Blessed, Broken & Given”

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date April 24, 2010

What an incredible worship experience! Gospel vocalist Lucinda Moore draws in listeners with her sophomore CD “Blessed, Broken, & Given” (Tyscot Records). Moore doesn’t just project heartfelt praise; she is a living testimony that God can mend broken hearts. Once the listener starts to tune in to the songs on this CD, there is the realization that not about Moore, but it’s about giving praise and honor to God.
However, on the 15-track compact disc, Moore shares her story through inspiring ballads regarding deliverance from the pain of her past — childhood abuse, depression over her father’s death and a failed 16-year marriage to someone she says “never loved me.” Moore says of the first single “Blessed, Broken & Given”: “This is my testimony of what God did for me. He’s blessed me with a voice, but he had to break some things in me in order for me to be given to the nation.” She penned the song as she was going through a divorce.
“I’m doing it to help other people come out of what they are coming out of,” Moore said in a news release. “You don’t have to be unhappy and sit in abuse. This is the happiest time of my adult life.”
Moore is accompanied by the Elizabeth Baptist Church Mass Choir of Atlanta, Ga., background vocalists Donica Johnson, Natasha Cobbs, Claudius Craig, Trevon Davis, Tesha Lockley and Kim Edwards, as well as a host of musicians and band leader Natalie Ragins.
Stand-out track: “There’s a River.” There is a healing in the anointing, and this song makes you want to replay it. The “Bishop’s Prayer” (Dr. Kevin A. Williams) follows, continuing the worship experience.

Editor’s note: Review CD supplied by Capital Entertainment.