Category: United States

Grammy Award nominee Kirk Whalum, others to perform at “It Started With a Dream Benefit” on Feb. 13, 2011

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date February 13, 2011

According to a recent news release, the Dream Center, twelve-time Grammy Award Nominee Kirk Whalum and Victory University are hosting “It Started With a Dream” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time (It will be noon Central Time) on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, at Angelus Temple, 1100 Glendale Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA. In celebration of this year’s Gospel GRAMMY® Nominees, the event is a pre-awards ceremony, concert and service honoring the nominees and benefiting The Dream Center’s Project Hope. “It Started With a Dream” will feature live performances by Grammy nominees Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Forever Jones, Gungor, Israel Houghton Lecrae, VaShawn Mitchell, Karen Peck and New River, Lalah Hathaway and Kirk Whalum with special guest George Duke.
The event is free and open to all that can attend. The concert’s stellar performances will be streamed live on the web at DreamCenterLive.com inviting the entire world to view for $4.99 for a limited time after airing with proceeds benefiting Project Hope.
The vision of Project Hope is to provide a restoration home for immediate care to those rescued from human trafficking; rebuild one’s physical, mental and spiritual wholeness; and prepare individuals toward returning to society. Project Hope exists for the purpose of helping the lives of individuals who have fallen victim to human trafficking. This home offers a safe place to rebuild lives based on biblical principles. The home will focus on the specific needs for each individual.

books Gabe Lyons releases religion United States

Coming Up: Livestream with author Gabe Lyons on Feb. 17th @ 2pm ET.

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date February 10, 2011

Check out author Gabe Lyons on Feb. 17th @ 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CST). The event will be moderated by Tim Keller, and Gabe will be answering questions about his new book – The Next Christians.

Watch live streaming video from waterbrookmultnomah at livestream.com

Bartlesville blues fundraiser jazz music nonprofit Oklahoma performances rock United States

GNOTE to headline 9th annual All That Jazz Fundraiser on Feb. 19 in Bartlesville

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date January 25, 2011

GNOTE (from left): George Allen, Annette Peters and Toby Denton

GNOTE, a high energy trio that specializes in music from the 50s through today’s hits, will headline the 9th annual All That Jazz Fundraiser at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, at the Hillcrest Country Club, 1901 Price Road in Bartlesville, OK. Attendees will enjoy a reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and music by the Bartlesville High School Jazz Band at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., program at 7:45 p.m. and music by GNOTE from about 8:15-11:15 p.m. For ticket information, call (918) 336-6760.
GNOTE, consisting of group members George Allen, Annette Peters and Toby Denton, covers genres from R&B to country to rock-‘n’-roll to jazz as well as blues. Oklahoma Magazine selected the group as one of the Who’s Who of Oklahoma Entertainment in 2005.
All That Jazz is a fundraiser that supports the programs of the Westside Community Center (WCC) in Bartlesville. The Westside Community Center, founded in 1950 as a center for the black community, has enriched the lives of Bartlesville residents through the encouragement of self-motivation and self-reliance. The Westside Community Center also provides vital services and meets many needs that aren’t addressed by other local organizations. Although the center primarily serves minorities, low-income families, senior citizens and children who reside in the western sector of Bartlesville, membership is open to anyone who wishes to join and benefit from WCC programs.

gospel Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church music releases United States

Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church recording debuts at #7 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date January 25, 2011

Bishop Alfred A. Owens Jr. and co-Pastor Susie C. Owens, founders and pastors of the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, celebrate the Greater Mount Calvary Recording Choir and Calvary Records’ new CD, Greater Mount Calvary LIVE As Told By The Music Ministry, for debuting at #7 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart in its first week sales. “I believe it’s truly a testament to the vision of the church and will give people another chance to experience Calvary,” Bishop Owens said in a recent news release.

This is the first time that Calvary Records and its Choir have landed on a Billboard chart. However, its music ministry is no stranger to the spotlight. The music department produced the Greater Mount Calvary Men of Valor ensemble that won Verizon’s “How Sweet The Sound” Regional (Washington, D.C.) and National VCast People’s Choice Awards gospel choir competition in 2010. Stellar Award winner Maurette Brown-Clark, Courtney Nero, and Grammy-Award winner Steve Lawrence (Bishop T.D. Jakes & The Potter’s House Mass Choir) all hailed from Calvary’s music department.

Greater Mount Calvary LIVE As Told By The Music Ministry is a power-packed, 17-song live set that gives its listeners a front row seat to experience the Pentecostal fervor of a Sunday morning service at the 3,000 member Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church that was founded in 1976. The album was produced by Grammy Award winner Steven Ford who has also produced other artists such as Vickie Winans, Tye Tribbett and Richard Smallwood.

reflection religion Ruth Myers United States Warren Myers

Mitch’s Reflection: A Basic Act of Worship in a Season of Change

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date January 20, 2011

Sometimes seasons in life can be difficult and trying. But in the end, those trials give away to renewal and positive results. In my quiet time, I stumbled across this prayer this today from the book “31 Days of Prayer: Enjoying God Anew” by Ruth and Warren Myers, and it truly blessed me. It’s empowering to find the right words for such a time as time. I pray that it blesses you as well.

Your Most Basic Act of Worship

“Lord, I’m Yours. Whatever the cost may be, may Your will be done in my life. I realize I am not here on earth to do my own thing, or to seek my own fulfillment or my own glory. I’m not here to indulge my desires, to increase my possessions, to impress people, to be popular, to prove I’m somebody important, or to promote myself. I’m not even here to be relevant or successful by human standards. I’m here to please You.
I offer myself to You, for You are worthy. All that I am or hope to be, I owe to You. I’m Yours by creation, and every day I receive from You life and breath and all things. And I’m Yours because You brought me, and the price You paid was the precious blood of Christ. You alone, the Triune God, are worthy to be my Lord and Master. I yield to You, my gracious, and glorious heavenly Father; to the Lord Jesus who loved me and gave Himself for me; to the Holy Spirit and His gracious influence and empowering.
All that I am and all that I have I give to You.
I give You any rebellion in me, that resists doing Your will. I give You my pride and self-dependence, that tell me I can do Your will in my own power if I try hard enough. I give You my fears, that tell me I’ll never be able to do Your will in some areas of life. I consent to let You energize me … to create within me, moment by moment, both the desire and the power to do Your will.
I give You my body and each of its members … my entire inner being: my mind, my emotional life, my will … my loved ones … my marriage (or my hopes for marriage) … my abilities and gifts … my strengths and weaknesses … my health … my status (high or low) … my possessions … my past, my present and my future … when and how I’ll go Home.
I’m here to love You, to obey You, to glorify You. O my Beloved, my I be a joy to You!”

contemporary jazz jazz Justin Echols music Oklahoma Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame tulsa United States

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame kicks off 2011 concert series on Sunday, Jan. 16

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date January 14, 2011

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, 111 E. First Street (Upper Level) in Tulsa, OK, is pleased to start the new year with pianist & vocalist Justin Echols. Mr. Echols will kick-off the series with his show: “An Evening of Romance” performing some of his favorite jazz love songs. Doors open at 4 p.m., and showtime is 5 p.m. General admission is $15 for adults; $10 for seniors and college students; and $5 for high school students and younger; and children under age 12 is free. Attendees may also reserve a front-row table seat for $20 per person. For tickets or more information, call (918) 281-8600. Concessions and Gift Shop are available. All major credit cards accepted.

BLAC Inc. Black Liberated Arts Center Inc. contemporary jazz jazz Kirk Whalum Oklahoma Oklahoma City performances United States

“Kirk Whalum Plays Donnie Hathaway” on January 22 at Soul Food Dinner Theater in Oklahoma City

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date January 7, 2011

Kirk Whalum, smooth jazz saxophonist, music educator and songwriter, will perform on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2010, at the Petroleum Club in downtown Oklahoma City, OK. A soul food buffet begins at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m.

“It is not everyday that one has an opportunity to have a scrumptious meal and see an 11-time Grammy nominee perform live at the most elegant restaurant in their city,” Anita Arnold, executive director of Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC), Inc. said in a news release. Whalum is the opening act of BLAC Inc.’s 2011 season opener.

Whalum, born in Memphis, Tenn., grew up surrounded by music.

“He was the son of a preacher man, Rev. Kenneth Whalum and wife, Helen,” Arnold said. “Memphis was known as the R&B capital of the South during those days.”

In addition to singing in his father’s church choir, Whalum also learned to love music from his grandmother, Thelma Twigg Whalum, a piano teacher and two uncles, Wendell Whalum and Hugh “Peanuts” Whalum, who performed with jazz bands across the country.

These influences proved lasting, as Kirk Whalum once told magazine “Ebony” in a 1994 profile: “The music I like to play and write encompasses the four elements I grew up with: Memphis R&B, gospel, rock and jazz. The emphasis, though, is on melody, period.”

In recent years, Whalum’s musical genius and experiences have led to him obtaining 11 Grammy nominations, becoming chief executive officer of Soulsville Foundation and other honors. The Soulsville Foundation includes oversight responsibility for the STAX Museum of American Soul Music and the Soulsville Charter School of Memphis.

Cost is $70 for the dinner and show. Tickets can be purchased at Capitol Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz Rhythm and Blues Store, Hopkins Haircare, KM66, and Learning Tree Toy Store or through BLAC Inc., all in Oklahoma City. For more information, call (405) 524-3800. The Oklahoma Arts Council and the Ad Astra Foundation are sponsors of this event.

contemporary jazz jazz music releases United States world yellowjackets

The Yellowjackets mark 30th anniversary with new Mack Records release on March 15

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date January 6, 2011

The Yellowjackets will release Timeline on March 15 on Mack Records. Spearheaded by keyboardist Russell Ferrante and bassist Jimmy Haslip, The Yellowjackets offer fans its 21st official recording, not including special side projects and guest spots. The band’s background gleams with various honors, including 17 Grammy nominations and two Grammy awards to show for their efforts.

“We get extremely engaged with every project and we try to elevate and open things up,” Haslip said in a news release. That’s always the goal with every project. I’m not saying we always succeed. But the focus is to always try to do something that is hopefully engaging. And being that Russell, myself and the guys in the band have a certain chemistry. It’s not easy to accomplish this after 30 years.”

The band moves forward with a new relationship with respected jazz label Mack Avenue Records, and the first new album with an important alumnus back in the ranks, the dynamic and flexible drummer Will Kennedy. Kennedy, who worked with the group for 10 years and appeared on half its discography to date, returns to the ranks after a dozen years away. He fits seamlessly into the band, alongside Ferrante, Haslip and the multi-talented saxophonist-composer Bob Mintzer, whose critical role in helping define the group’s current sound goes back to 1991.

Timeline is described as characteristically diverse but also cohesive, melodically accessible and also experimental, in keeping with the Jackets’ concept for three decades. Beautiful balladry, such as Ferrante’s “Indivisible” and Mintzer’s “My Soliloquy,” intertwine with modern-day variations on traditional swing themes, on Mintzer’s “Like Elvin” (also one of the songs featuring a new sound for the band, guest trumpeter John Diversa) and Ferrante’s “Numerology.” Kennedy’s one composition, “Rosemary,” explores an inventive rhythmic-melodic feel, with its lyrical balladic melody laying atop an exotic drum groove.

Mother Teresa reflections religion United States world

Mitch’s Reflection: Mother Teresa’s “Do It Anyway”

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date December 15, 2010

I noticed the following poem on the wall at an office one day, and it brought many things into perspective. This poem has circulated throughout the world. I hope that the following words may be a blessing for you, too.

“Do It Anyway”

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

– Mother Teresa

arts education JAZZ ROOTS music United States world

Three groups form strategic alliance with JAZZ ROOTS: A Larry Rosen Jazz Series

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date December 5, 2010

JAZZ ROOTS: A Larry Rosen Jazz Series, one of America’s leading performing arts and education programs announces the formation of a new alliance with three strategic partners: IMG Artists, Sony Masterworks and The Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium.

The alliance was made official when JAZZ ROOTS signed an exclusive worldwide representation agreement with IMG Artists, one of the world’s premier talent management and presenting organizations.

“The JAZZ ROOTS brand and unique presentations provides an opportunity to bring this powerful music genre to fans across all demographic and territorial boundaries,” said IMG Artists’ President, Jeff Fuhrman in a recent news release. “We are extremely excited to offer our global resources to help take JAZZ ROOTS to audiences around the world.”

The six-part JAZZ ROOTS series offers a complete 360° experience from concerts and educational programs at performing arts centers across America, to touring theme based shows at concert halls and festivals around the world, to CD packages, television, video and radio productions (including an award-winning National Public Radio program) and iPad Apps.

Launched in 2008 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami- Dade County, JAZZ ROOTS, has the distinction of selling out every one of its concerts in the 2000 seat James L. Knight concert hall from inception to date and is now also being presented at the Winspear Opera House, located in the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, TX, and the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Ind.
Joining forces is Sony Masterworks, who announced an agreement to produce JAZZ ROOTS products, starting with a branded two disc compilation package (targeted for April 2011 release) tracing the story of the “Drums from Africa” and their effect on the musical DNA of the America.
“JAZZ ROOTS presents the music of the Americas in a most compelling fashion,” said Alex Miller, President, Sony Masterworks. “Larry Rosen’s long career in the music business from musician to producer to entrepreneur has a track record of very successful enterprises, and we are honored to play a role to celebrate JAZZ ROOTS and the amazing musical legacy of the music of the Americas.”
Legendary artist/producer Quincy Jones joins the alliance with a plan to implement his Quincy Jones American Popular Music Curriculum, which will be presented in schools across the country in collaboration with the JAZZ ROOTS education program. The JAZZ ROOTS education and outreach components are designed to reinforce audience development, targeting area middle and high schools as well as adults within respective communities. The series provides an opportunity for schools to bring their students to sound checks and performances, with artist conversation (pre and post show), as well as pre-concert workshops for adults. These initiatives organically connect to local community groups, art centers, and the local board of education.
“Larry Rosen’s JAZZ ROOTS is the most important new concert and educational Jazz series in America,” Jones said. “It’s so important that Americans and particularly our children learn about their culture. This series is simply imperative. You can’t know we’re you’re going unless you know where you’ve come from.”