Category: United States

Jazz saxophonist Grady Nichols, others highlight Charlie Christian International Music Festival on May 31-June 4

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 26, 2011

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 Festival adds a new family friendly performance piece, Amazing Children on 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 concert will 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.

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Jazz Journalists Association announces musical lineup for awards show in June 2011

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 21, 2011

According to a recent news release, pianist Randy Weston headlines the artist lineup, and tickets are now on sale at www.JJAJazzAwards.org for the 15th annual Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Awards gala, to be held on Saturday, June 11, 2011, from 1 to 5 p.m. EDT at City Winery, 155 Varick St. at Vandam in New York City.

Randy Weston/African Rhythms
Photo credit Ariane Smolderen

Besides Weston, trumpeter Wallace Roney’s sextet, Canadian flutist/soprano saxophonist Jane Bunnett with Cuban-born pianist Hilario Duran and special guest Candido on congas, singer Gregory Porter (a nominee for the JJA’s Male Vocalist of the Year Award) and the Hammer Klavier Trio from Hamburg will perform at the event. The JJA gala, a fundraiser for the non-profit professional organization that promotes coverage of jazz in all media, will also feature announcements and presentations of the Awards to winners, and introductions of “Jazz Heroes” honored for extra-musical jazz activism in locales across the U.S. (in order to highlight the decentralized aspect of jazz activism, the JJA is not inducting “A Team” jazz activists this year).

The Jazz Awards is being produced as live streaming video, viewable online (and later archived) at JJAJazzAwards .org. Free satellite parties have been convened to watch the Awards in Berkeley, Boston, Nashville, Phoenix, Portland OR, Seattle and Washington, D.C, among other sites.

The general public may purchase tickets to the Awards gala in New York for $150. Ticket reservations, the list of all nominees for 2011 JJA Jazz Awards, details about the satellite parties and videos of the performers are also available at JJAJazzAwards .org.

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2011 Charlie Christian International Music Festival features new talent, events in Oklahoma City

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 21, 2011

Brother Enoch

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 Festival will 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 Festival adds 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.

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TIZER comes to Charlie Christian International Music Festival in June

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 8, 2011

Lao Tizer

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.

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Steelehouse Productions present “A Very Special Mommy” for Mother’s Day

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 8, 2011

This video from Steelehouse Productions present a poignant view on Mother’s Day from a child’s perspective using Crayola images. Give it a listen. Happy Mother’s Day! 😀

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Kenny Garrett joins other Honorary Doctorate of Music degree recipients at Berklee College of Music

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date April 30, 2011

Kenny Garrett/Credit: Jimmy Katz

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.

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Jazz Journalists Association announces 2011 Jazz Awards Finalists

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date April 27, 2011

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 at jjajazzawards.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 at jjajazzawards.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.

View an except from last year’s awards ceremony:

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Stan Kenton Alumni Band performs tonight at Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame; other performance Sunday

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date April 27, 2011

Stan Kenton Alumni Band

The Stan Kenton Alumni Band, directed by Mike Vax, will offer phenomenal big band jazz in the finest Kenton tradition – with bellowing brass, cutting woodwind solos and vividly vibrant arrangements tonight at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame‘s Jazz Depot, 111 E. First St. (Upper Level) in Tulsa, OK. The performance is a celebration of Stan Kenton’s 70th year anniversary at the Jazz Depot. Vax directs a jazz salute worthy of the genius that defined Stan Kenton and his musical legacy. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and showtime is 7 p.m. General admission is $15.

Vocalist Dionne White

On Sunday, May, 1, 2011, Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Sonny Gray and vocalist Dionne White will present “My Shining Hour.” Doors will open at 4 p.m., and showtime is at 5 p.m. For more information on either performance, call (918) 281-8609 or go online to http://myticketoffice.com/events.asp?id=11&loc=254 to purchase tickets.

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Pianist Eldar Djangirov performs in Oklahoma on Sunday, April 17, 2011

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date April 15, 2011

Jazz pianist Eldar Djangirov will give a solo piano concert at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame’s Jazz Depot (111 E. First St. – Upper Level in Tulsa, OK) at 5 p.m. Sunday, April. 17, 2011. He will perform jazz standards, classical music and original compositions from his new CD “Three Stories.”

The Grammy-nominee has worked with the late Dr. Billy Taylor, Marian McPartland, Dave Brubeck, Michael Brecker, Wynton Marsalis, Ron Carter and Herbie Hancock. Doors will open at 4 p.m. General admission is $15 and reserved table setting is $20. Tickets may be bought online at http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=2762&pid=6950618. For more information, call (918) 281-8609.

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Michael Franti and Spearhead replace Lenny Kravitz at JAS Labor Day Weekend Festival

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date April 12, 2011

Michael Franti

According to a recent news release, organizers of the JAS Labor Day weekend festival announced today that Michael Franti & Spearhead will replace Lenny Kravitz, for his previously announced performance on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011, at the JAS festival. Michael Franti & Spearhead will co-headline and perform prior to the Zac Brown Band, winner of the Best New Artist award at the 2011 Grammys, in Franti’s only scheduled 2011 appearance in Colorado.

Representatives of Kravitz explained to JAS that the release of his new record, previously scheduled for early spring 2011, had been pushed back to fall 2011, and thus his scheduled summer 2011 tour had been postponed. Festival organizers and representatives of the artist are looking to potentially reschedule the performance for 2012, pending artist availability, but no commitment has been made yet.

Michael Franti & Spearhead have previously performed at the JAS festival in two acclaimed shows, including a single day attendance record set in 2007 in a co-bill with the Allman Brothers Band.

Individuals who have purchased tickets to the Lenny Kravitz show on Sept 4, 2011, may get a refund if processed by May 1, 2011. Previously announced artists at the Sept. 2-4, 2011, festival include Steely Dan, Zac Brown Band, Girl Talk, Thievery Corporation, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Fitz & the Tantrums and the Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses.