Category: music

Mitch’s Reflection: The Whispers “Thankful”

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date October 21, 2009

Legendary R&B group The Whispers release their first gospel project “Thankful” this week on Kingdom Records. Grammy-winning gospel artist Fred Hammond lends his creative production skills to the project, along with the songwriting and vocal skills of Magic of Magic Muzik Productions Inc., Ralph Hawkins of ND Hawk Entertainment and Nicholas Caldwell of Heavens Gate and Unified Tribe.

“Working with The Whispers was truly a dream come true,” Hammond said in a news release. “I grew up listening to The Whispers and patterned a large part of my personal vocal style after, who have now become affectionately known as, uncles Scottie and Walker.”

The Whispers’ perfect, harmonious style is prevalent throughout the 10-track CD. Fans will appreciate up-tempo tracks such as “Praise His Holy Name” and the soft disco rhythm track of “In the Name of Jesus.” For a bit of Quiet Storm, The Whispers offers the track “For Thou Art With Me,” now viewed as a hit for Urban AC and gospel radio formats.

With almost 50 R&B chart singles, The Whispers are one of the most successful vocal groups in soul music history. The Grammy and American Music Award nominated ensemble has earned seven gold or platinum singles/albums, a 2002 NAACP Image Award and an induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.

Editor’s Note: Review CD was provided by record label.

events jazz music Oklahoma Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame tulsa

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame honors inductees on Wednesday

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date October 21, 2009

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame presents the 21st Annual Induction Banquet Gala at 6 p.m. Wed. Oct. 21 at the Jazz Depot, 111 E. First Street, in Tulsa. There is a reception at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and awards ceremony at 8 p.m. Tickets are $100 each, and dinner is catered by Just Catering by Orr. The black-tie fundraiser assists the Jazz Hall with educational programming.

The event’s theme is “Swinging All the Way Up,” which honors Oklahoma music all-stars such as the legendary western swing patriarch Bob Willis, the late former NBA player and jazz musician Wayman Tisdale, Steve Pryor, Dr. Stephen Wiley, Olivia Duhon and John C. Wooley.

There will be special musical performances by saxophonist Tom Braxton, members of Rockin Acoustic Circus, vocalist Brenda Johnson and Jazz Rhapsody Trio, Olivia Duhon, Steve Pryor and Dr. Stephen Wiley. The gala chair for 2009 is Regina Tisdale, and honorary gala co-chairs are Cassandra Gaines and Grady Nichols.

Tickets may be obtain by calling the Jazz Depot at (918)281-8600, (918) 281-8608 or (918) 281-8609 or online at MyTicketOffice.com.

contemporary jazz jazz music national releases United States Vijay Iyer

Vijay Iyer releases a bit of “Historicity”

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date October 11, 2009

In a recent news release, Vijay Iyer explains the word “historicity” as the simple fact of being placed in the stream of history — along with everything it may imply. The idea of today’s creations drawing from older sources compelled Iyer to title his new trio CD “Historicity.”
A presentation of interpretations of other composers’ material, “Historicity” explores tunes ranging from Leonard Bernstein to Andrew Hill to Stevie Wonder to M.I.A. Joining Iyer on this project is bassist Stephan Crump and drummer Marcus Gilmore.
Iyer has worked with a wide range of contemporary artists, including Steve Coleman, Roscoe Mitchell, Amiri Baraka, Wadada Leo Smith, Oliver Lake, Imani Uzuri, Dafnis Prieto, Karsh Kale, and John Zorn, composed pieces for classical ensembles including the string quartet ETHEL and Imani Winds, and scored film, dance and theater works. Iyer shares a bit about his project to fans via youTube.

arts concert Donald Ryan jazz music Oklahoma Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame piano ragtime tulsa

Final musical tribute to ragtime for Tulsa

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date October 3, 2009

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame inductee pianist Donald Ryan and Barron Ryan, a recent piano graduate of the University of Oklahoma, will perform at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame’s Jazz Depot, 111 E. First Street (Upper Level), Tulsa.
The concert is dedicated to the memory of David Sahler, friend and Ragtime board member. Concert tickets are $15 adults; $10 for seniors, Jazz Hall members and college students; and $5 students older than 12 years. Limited seating is available. For more information, call (918) 281-8600. Also, the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame will host Argentinean group Viento Sur Trombone Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Wed. Oct. 7. Ticket prices for this engagement are same as Sunday concerts.

CD contemporary jazz Jason Stein jazz music national releases traditional jazz

Chicago Bass Clarinetist Jason Stein presents 2 releases in November

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date October 1, 2009

When he was 16, Chicago-based Jason Stein was known to be more of a rock guitarist than a base clarinetist. But it was jazz great Thelonius Monk who drew him in. And later when he heard Eric Dolphy play the bass clarinet, Stein was so inspired that he forged an unwavering commitment to cultivate a single tonal voice.
Also a student of drummer Milford Graves, saxophonists Charles Gayle and Donald Walden and brass player/theoretician Ed Sarath, Stein assimilated from these powerful figures the conceptual and philosophical lessons that compelled him to capitalize on his innate nature as a serious, self-motivated musician.
Fans will have two chances to appreciate Stein’s talent on November 10. His compositions are contained in the upcoming release “Three Less Than Between,” from a reconfiguration of Stein’s original trio, Locksmith Isidore, on the Clean Feed label, and in Stein’s debut solo outing on Leo Records, “In Exchange for a Process.”
“Three Less Than Between” will feature Chicago bass player Jason Roebke and drummer Mike Pride in a traditional jazz setting. “In Exchange for a Process” is described as “an articulated source for endless discovery of the elements indigenous to a world that is known only to Jason Stein. Treating the bass clarinet with energy equal to that applied by sax players, he follows in the footsteps of many contemporary avant-garde solo saxophonists, who have each expanded the concept of tonality.”

jazz Mack Avenue Records music piano releases

Pianist Danilo Pérez signs with Mack Avenue Records

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date September 23, 2009

Mack Records has announced that Grammy winning pianist Danilo Pérez will be joining the label. An extraordinary Panamanian artist, composer and educator, Pérez’s distinctive blend of Pan-American jazz (covering the music of the Americas, folkloric and world music) has attracted critical acclaim and loyal audiences.
“It has been a long journey full of unexpected twists up to now and I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life,” Pérez said.
“Danilo is an artist of uncompromising artistry,” Mack Avenue Records President Denny Stilwell said. “We are pleased to have him as a member of the Mack Avenue family and look forward to an album that will mark a new beginning in his expansive career.”
Pérez has recorded and performed with Wayne Shorter, Steve Lacy, Roy Haynes, Jack DeJohnette, Charlie Haden, Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, Tito Puente, and Wynton Marsalis, among others.
He plans to release his debut Mack Avenue Records album in 2010.

Chuck Cissel contemporary jazz gospel jazz music Oklahoma Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame traditional jazz tulsa

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame announces 2009 Autumn Jazz Concert Series

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date September 13, 2009

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in Tulsa has announced two upcoming musical events for the 2009 Autumn Music Season.
Chuck Cissel, artistic director and executive producer of the Autumn Jazz Concert Series said, “We are thrilled to present four months of Sunday afternoon concerts from September through December 2009 at the Jazz Depot.”
The series is titled “Sounds of the Spirit” and kicks off at 5 p.m. Sunday, September 13 with smooth jazz Tulsa saxophonist, Grady Nichols. Nichols is also the 2003 Legacy Tribute Award recipient from the Jazz Hall and one of Tulsa’s most popular entertainers.
Other artists that will be featured in the series include Maestro Marc Gottlieb and his string quartet, with special guests vocalist Charlotte Blakely and New York Philharmonic pianist, Harriett Wingreen. In addition, University of Tulsa’s Big Jazz Band will feature trumpeter great Walter White of the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s jazz ensemble in New York City, led by JALC artistic director, Wynton Marsalis.
Also on board for the Autumn season, the Rev. Cortez Rex performs his special musical tribute to gospel legend, the Rev. James Cleveland.
Cissel said the Viento Sur Trombone Quartet from Argentina will also make a return appearance this Fall at the Hall, and the concert series will conclude with the Holiday Concert featuring Jazz Hall inductee, the Rev. Joey Crutcher and the Gospel Workshop Choir of America.
According to Cissel, “This is perhaps our most ambitious Autumn series programming effort yet, because we are covering the bases from ragtime, classical, Dixieland, big band, swing, traditional jazz, blues and gospel, while several of our musical guests will be making their debut at the Jazz Depot and many of the musical artists will be from New York City. Our programming efforts are to make it fresh and exciting by putting a new spin on the music each season; give the Jazz Hall members and music lovers new music to enjoy and new artists to become acquainted with.”
All Autumn Jazz Concert performances are held at the Jazz Depot (1st and Cincinnati – upper level)at 5 p.m. on Sundays. General admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, college students and Jazz Hall members and $5 for students. You may also reserve a seat at $20 per person at one of our tables of eight. Reserved seating and table reservations need to be purchased in advance of the concert date(s). For tickets or more information, call the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame at (918) 281-8600/8609 or go online. Gift shop and concessions are available. All major credit cards are accepted. *Tickets for weeknight performances are the same price as Sunday performances. All weeknight performances begin at 7:30pm.

american idol autumn concert grady nichols jazz music Oklahoma Oklahoma City Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

Tulsa saxophonist Grady Nichols to perform Sunday

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date September 11, 2009

Saxophonist Grady Nichols will make his Autumn Jazz concert debut at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, 111 E. First Street (Upper Level), in Tulsa. Performing with Nichols is his outstanding band, with guest vocalist, Krista Branch, of American Idol fame.
Tickets are $15 adults; $10 seniors, Jazz Hall Members and College Students; and $5 students older than 12 years old. Attendees can purchase tickets at the door
or call the Jazz Hall to make table seating reservations ($20 each). Call on/before Friday each week by 5pm at (918) 281-8609.
There is free parking in the Grand Central Parking Lot (across from the entrance
of the Jazz Depot).

BLAC Inc. festivals jazz music Oklahoma Oklahoma City

Plans under way for 2010 Charlie Christian International Music Festival

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date September 10, 2009

Mark Temple, board president of the Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc., appointed Orville Prince as chairman of the 2010 Charlie Christian International Music Festival. The festival is scheduled to be held in early June 2010.
Soul Bowl Party in the Park kicks off the beginning a serious effort to fund a memorable experience for the 25th year of the festival.
“The idea behind the Soul Bowl Party in the Park is to give the community an opportunity to come together in a fun filled evening of hearing great music and seeing new talent as they enter into a little friendly competition in a T-Shirt contest that will benefit some high school in the area,” Prince said. “At the same time, it should be fun to see folks display their pride in their alma maters.
“I think the community is ready for this event. In fact, if we are as successful as we think, we will make it an annual event,” he concluded.
Temple indicated that in an act of strengthening the organization, several new board members will be seated in October prior to Oct. 18’s Ailey II performance at Rose State Performing Arts Center.
“We expect a big year for BLAC, Inc.,” Temple said. “In fact, it is exciting to me that so many people are coming forward asking to be involved with BLAC. It is amazing to me that in 2010, BLAC, Inc. will celebrate 40 years, the festival will celebrate 25 years, and we will celebrate 15 years of being a partner in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partners in Education Program. There is no doubt it will be a year of celebration.”
For more information about BLAC, Inc. and its activities, call (405) 524-3800.

jazz Kenny Rankin music national releases

Mack Avenue/Sly Dog Records to release 7 titles by late singer/songwriter Kenny Rankin

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date September 4, 2009

Mack Avenue label imprint Sly Dog Records has released seven titles by Kenny Rankin (who died in Los Angeles from lung cancer on June 7, 2009 at 69) for download and the titles will be available by compact disc at popular retailers on Nov. 3, 2009.
The following titles are “Mind-Dusters,” “Family,” “Like a Seed,” “Silver Morning,” “Inside,” “The Kenny Rankin Album,” and “After The Roses.” All seven CDs will be available at online digital sellers (iTunes, Rhapsody, eMusic, etc.).
Rankin, who grew up in New York City, came into the larger public consciousness in the early 1970s. It was the era of the singer-songwriter, and although he fit the profile, Rankin transcended that genre. Rankin brought a finely tuned sophistication and a capacity for a surprising variety of musical expression to contemporary pop music.
absorbed the many forms of music around him like a sponge. He sang a cappella in the hallways of the same neighborhood that Dion DiMucci and Teddy Randazzo lived in. It would be no surprise to his old friends when doo-wop elements surfaced later in songs such as “Roll-A-Round” on the “Inside” album.
A Greenwich Village apprenticeship brought Rankin into contact with producer Tom Wilson in 1965. At Wilson’s invitation, Rankin played rhythm guitar on “Subterranean Homesick Blues” and “Maggie’s Farm” for Bob Dylan’s “Bringing It All Back Home.”