Category: United States

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir hosts dinner/concert for homeless on Dec. 18, 2010

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date December 4, 2010

According to a recent news release, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir will sponsor a holiday celebration for more than 1,500 homeless people at 3 p.m. Dec 18, 2010, at the Brooklyn Tabernacle, 17 Smith St. in Brooklyn, NY. The church that the choir is named for will rent buses and bring hundreds of men, women and children from eight different New York-area shelters to the historic church for a hot meal, a gift bag of toiletries, and a special performance of the choir‘s annual Christmas concert.
“We’re in the inner-city,” choir founder/director Carol Cymbala says of the church’s year-round outreach activities like their February benefit that raised $80,000 for Haitian relief efforts. “A lot of the people come from deprived neighborhoods. When they come in the church, it’s an oasis. It brings joy to their hearts. I think of that when we decorate the church for Christmas. The Word of God says we should reach out to the poor. When we go to prisons, Jesus is there to meet us. The poor are very special. We do a special Christmas production just for the people in the shelters and pack this place out with the homeless and they just love it.”
This year’s concert will feature songs from the choir‘s new CD, “A Brooklyn Tabernacle Christmas” (Integrity Music). The project consists of several tracks ranging from elegant Nelson Riddle-styled tunes such as “It’s Christmas Once Again” to festive pop tunes like “Amazing Love.”
The 300-voice troupe was founded by Cymbala (wife of The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir‘s Senior Pastor Jim Cymbala and daughter of the church founder, the late Rev. Clair Hutchins) with eight members in 1973. The ensemble is a blend of ethnic and economic backgrounds, with members ranging from lawyers and doctors to ex-drug addicts. Over the years, the choir has performed at major venues such as Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden. The ensemble has backed gospel artists such as CeCe Winans and Michael W. Smith. The choir’s musical legacy includes six Grammy Awards, seven Dove Awards, two #1 Billboard charting CDs and sold more than four million albums.

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Northeastern State University Jazz Ensemble to perform at Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date December 3, 2010

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame presents Northeastern State University Jazz Ensemble at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, at the Jazz Depot, 111 E. First Street, in Tulsa, OK. Attendees will hear NSU Jazz professor and music director Dr. Tommy Poole and his band, along with special guest vocalists Cynthia Simmons and Shannon Unger plus Jon Bueno on percussion and Mike Bennett on trumpet. General admission is $15, or $10 for seniors and students. Front-row table seating available for $20 per person. Tickets can be obtained online at http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=2762&pid=6852091 or by calling (918) 281-8600. Tickets are also available at the door on the evening of the concert. Doors will open at 4 p.m.

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Ryan and Ryan duo performs Sunday at Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in Tulsa

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date November 13, 2010

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame will host Jazz Hall inductee, piano icon Donald Ryan and his son Barron at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, at the Jazz Depot, 111 E. First Street in Tulsa, OK. Donald and Barron will play favorite jazz standards and a bit of ragtime.
Doors will open at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15, or $10 for seniors and students, and front-row table seating is available for $20 per person. Tickets may be purchased online at myTicketOffice.com or call (918) 281-8600.

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Saxophonist Steve Cole releases project “Moonlight” on Feb. 1, 2011

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date November 13, 2010

Saxophonist Steve Cole returns to the spotlight with a new release “Moonlight,” scheduled for Feb. 2011 on Mack Avenue/Artistry Music label. The project is described as ” a collection of classic pop songs and standards set against an orchestral backdrop.” The project includes such iconic songs as Burt Bacharach’s The Look of Love, the classic torch song Cry Me a River, Lennon/McCartney’s The Long and Winding Road, the Guess Who’s Undun and James Taylor’s Close Your Eyes.
Cole is considered one of the most celebrated players in contemporary jazz, having sold hundreds of thousands of albums worldwide and scored four #1 R&R Smooth Jazz hits. His previous projects are on the Atlantic, Warner Brothers and Narada Jazz music labels.
In a recent news release regarding “Moonlight,” Cole says, “I am so anxious to have the opportunity to present this new project to audiences in live theater settings where I will have the chance to connect with them in an emotional way, providing a memorable night of music for all to enjoy. The legacy of popular music in an orchestral setting is timeless, and I am quite fortunate to be able to present this collection of timeless songs in this fashion.”

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Heller Theatre continues performances of production “And the Winner Is” this weekend

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date September 30, 2010

Heller Theatre continues performances of the production “And the Winner Is” by Mitch Albom at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1-2 and 2 p.m. Oct 3, 2010, at Henthorne Performing Arts Center, 4825 S. Quaker Ave. in Tulsa, OK.
“And the Winner Is,” the newest play by Mitch Albom, is a quirky, heartfelt and slightly wicked tale of life, death and sacrifice. Fans remember Albom, who authored “Tuesdays with Morrie” and “The Five People You Meet in Heaven.” Tickets, also available at the door, are $7-$10.

For reservations and more information, call (918) 746-5065.

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Kevin Eubanks signs with Mack Avenue Records

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date September 30, 2010

Kevin Eubanks (Photo Credit: Raj Naik)

Mack Avenue Records recently announced the signing of guitarist Kevin Eubanks. The former leader of the Tonight Show Band is set to release Zen Food on Nov. 23, 2010, his debut for the label and first project since his Tonight Show departure.
“It’s so refreshing to find a record label that feels ‘right’ from so many aspects,” said Eubanks, who completed his final and 18th season of The Tonight Show in May. “Mack Avenue Records is the company I’ve been hoping to find to release the music I’ve been wanting to play.”
“When Kevin first announced that he was departing the Tonight Show with a desire to record and tour again I knew he would be an ideal artist for us,” says Mack Avenue Records President Denny Stilwell in a news release. “He is a musician of uncompromising artistry who has chosen an opportune moment to re-establish his roots in jazz and Mack Avenue is honored to be working with him.”
Over his 30-year career, Eubanks has performed with esteemed musicians such as Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Roy Haynes, Slide Hampton, Sam Rivers, Dave Holland, Greg Osby, and Jean Luc Ponty, among others. In 1992, Eubanks moved to the West Coast to assume the guitar spot in the Tonight Show Band and become the band’s leader from 1995 – 2010.
Hailing from a musical family (distinguished uncles, pianist Ray Bryant and bassist Tommy Bryant, and brothers, trombonist Robin Eubanks and trumpeter Duane Eubanks), the Philadelphia native and Berklee College of Music alumni has appeared on more than 100 albums, with releases on Elektra, GRP and Blue Note; as well as founding his own record label, Insoul Music.

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“Oklahoma City Music: Deep Deuce and Beyond” presented to Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date September 24, 2010

From left: Gov. Brad Henry and author Anita Arnold

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry was presented a copy of the recently published book, “Oklahoma City Music: Deep Deuce and Beyond” by Anita Arnold, author and executive director of Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. in Oklahoma City.

Gov. Henry was pleased to receive the book that covers more than 70 years of music history from the late 1920s to the late 1990s. Henry said he was interested in this history that has contributed so much to Oklahoma.
According to Emily Higgins, publicist of Arcadia Publishing of Mount Pleasant, S.C., “Oklahoma City Music: Deep Deuce and Beyond” was also selected to compete with 10 other books in the region as part of a national sales competition within Arcadia.

“We have already had a number of book signings in and around Oklahoma City that have been fun,” Arnold said. “Each audience is different and raises new questions each time.”
Arnold will participate in other book signings scheduled through February 2011 at various locations in the Oklahoma City area. “Oklahoma City Music: Deep Deuce and Beyond” is available at Barnes and Nobles, Borders, Capitol Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Store, Dean’s Typesetting, Hastings Books, Music and Videos, Hopkins Haircare, Learning Tree Toy Store and Walgreens.

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Famed African Children’s Choir to perform in Oklahoma City in November 2010

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date September 23, 2010

According to a recent news release, the world-renowned African Children’s Choir will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, at the Frederick A. Douglass High School auditorium, 900 N Martin Luther King Ave. in Oklahoma City. The event marks the opening performance of the 2010-11 season of performing arts presented by Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. As BLAC Inc. nears the end of its 40th anniversary, the choir that started in 1984 will be the first performance of the season but will end a year-long celebration of the arts as presented by BLAC Inc.

The African Children’s Choir performances are a fundraiser to help orphans on the continent. Funds from performances support projects that provide food, medical assistance and education. Through the music of choir members, many of whom are homeless, millions of dollars have been raised to start schools, fight diseases such as AIDS and establish centers where children are fed.
“Good Morning America” featured the choir in 2009 in concert following a magnificent performance on “American Idol.” The African Children’s Choir have also appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and at the White House in August 2008 as former President George W. Bush signed the H. R. 5501, or the Global AIDS Initiative Renewal bill, to greatly increase foreign aid for those in Africa suffering from AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The African Children’s Choir performed for Her Majesty the Queen of England and former South African President Nelson Mandela.

“It is a way that Oklahoma can make a contribution to these projects while enjoying a performance fit for a Queen or President, for that matter,” said Anita Arnold, BLAC Inc. executive director. “This is one of many ways, Oklahoma can make an impact felt around the world, through BLAC Inc. and its programs. The performance is open to the public, and we encourage you to come.”

The performance is made possible through funding provided by the Oklahoma Arts Council. Tickets are on sale and may be purchased at the following Oklahoma City locations: Capitol Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Store, KM66 and Learning Tree Toy Store. For more information, call (405) 524-3800 or to sample some of the choir’s music, go online to http://africanchildrenschoir.com/.

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Danilo Pérez obtains 2010 ASICOM International Award

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date September 10, 2010

According to a recent news release, Panamanian pianist, educator and social activist Danilo Pérez has been awarded the 2010 ASICOM International Award by the (ASICOM) and the University of Oviedo (Principality of Asturias). ASICOM gives this prize each year to individuals who have made or are making significant contributions in IBEROAMERICA, helping to build and rebuild that historical region through their work and vision.
“It is encouraging and a tremendous honor to be considered for such an important award,” said Pérez, who will be honored along with four other prominent individuals at 7 p.m. Oct. 8, 2010 at the University of Oviedo in Spain.
His annual Panama Jazz Festival has brought world-renowned musicians to the country for the last seven years, not only to perform but also to work closely with local youth. That mission is carried on yearlong by the Fundación Danilo Pérez, which offers musical and cultural education to disadvantaged young people in Panama City. In the United States, Pérez serves as artistic director of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute in Boston, which offers music students an opportunity to explore creativity, advance the social power of music, and connect music with the restoration of ecology and humanity.
Pérez released his Mack Avenue records debut, Providencia, on August 31. He made his first U.S. performance in support of the album on Labor Day weekend at the 2010 Detroit International Jazz Festival.

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“A Letter to the Depot” opens 2010 fall season at Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date September 10, 2010

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame‘s fall season opens on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, with “A Letter from the Depot” at the Jazz Depot, 111 East First Street – upper level in Tulsa, OK.
Sandy Gardner’s original one-woman musical that will take audience participants back to the glory days of train travel. The second half of the show also will feature Sandy and the Chuck Gardner Trio, who will offer great jazz standards and a few surprises. The trio consists of arranger and pianist Chuck Gardner, Bill Crosby on bass and Tony Yohe on drums. General admission is $15, and $10 for seniors and students. Front-row seating is available for $20 per person. For more information, call (918) 281-8600 or go to http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=2762&pid=6852081. Tickets will also be available the day of the show. Doors will open at 4 p.m.