Category: United States

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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Mitch’s Reflection: Jazz legend Hank Jones dies at 91 in New York City

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 18, 2010

Hank Jones, pianist and jazz legend, beloved husband of Theodosia, dear uncle to his nieces and nephews across the country, friend to music, inspiration to countless musicians, died May 16, 2010, in New York City, after a brief illness. He was 91 years old and would have been 92 on July 31.
Jones’ longtime manager and Justin Time Records representative Jean-Pierre Leduc says in a news release,”Today we celebrate his spirit, his gift, his joy, his wisdom and his friendship. Hank lived and breathed music, and was never far from a keyboard, even at the end. His incredible burst of productivity these last few years – concerts, recordings, fundraisers, clinics – was unprecedented and truly remarkable.”
Born in 1918 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Hank Jones grew up in Pontiac, MI, the eldest of the acclaimed Jones Family, which included trumpeter, composer and bandleader Thad Jones and drummer Elvin Jones.
Jones started playing in local bands in Michigan, Ohio and Buffalo before moving to New York City in 1943. His first job was with Hot Lips Page at the Onyx Club on 52nd Street, where in 1945 he joined Billy Eckstine’s big band. The following year, he joined Coleman Hawkins, and from 1947-51 he toured the world with the Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP) accompanying Ella Fitzgerald. In 1952, he joined Artie Shaw and then worked with Johnny Hodges followed by Tyree Glenn. In 1956 he joined Benny Goodman and the CBS studios as staff pianist in 1959, a position which would last for 17 years. Additionally, Jones accompanied Marilyn Monroe as she sang “Happy Birthday Mr. President” to John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden in 1962.
Although the thought of retirement had crossed his mind, at 87, Jones stayed busy playing concerts worldwide, recording and performing at jazz master classes at various schools, such as Harvard University and New York University.
Jones’ recent awards include a Congressional Achievement Award, NEA Jazz Master (1989), induction in DownBeat Magazine’s Jazz Hall of Fame (2009), Jazz Journalists Associations Pianist of the Year (2009) and a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award (2009).
Jones released his most recent album, Pleased to Meet You, as a co-leader on Justin Time Records in October with label mate pianist Oliver Jones. Before his death, Jones recorded as a guest artist on a duets album with vocalist Hilary Kole, August 10 release on Justin Time. His final recording is an album of duets with bassist Charlie Haden, due out late this year on Universal France.

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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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Rick Gill’s J3 Acoustic Jazz and Blues Band takes the stage at the Jazz Depot on Sunday, May 16, 2010

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 14, 2010

Rick Gill’s J3 Acoustic Jazz and
Blues Band, considered one of the most popular jazz and blues groups to hit the stage at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame‘s Depot, this quartet play a variety of jazz standards, blues and popular tunes. The band will perform at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 16, 2010, Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame (The Jazz Depot), 111 E. First Street (Upper Level), in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Attendees will hear Rick Gill on guitar and vocals, Jack Wolf on piano, Damon Daniels on drums, and Doug McDuffie on bass. General admission is $15 or $10 for seniors and students. Table seating is available for $20 per person. Click here for tickets or for more information, call (918) 281-8600. You can also buy tickets at the door the night of the event. Doors will open at 4 p.m.

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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.

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Owasso Community Theater Co. sets auditions for “Robin Hood” in May 2010

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 1, 2010

Owasso Community Theater Company will be having open auditions for children/teens ages 6-18 for “Robin Hood”. Auditions are scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 15, 2010 and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2010, at the Owasso Public Library. Performances are scheduled Sept 9-11, 2010. The cast will include 14 or more children/ teens (male and female).
For more information, e-mail kay.neldon@octok.org or call (918) 237-1656.

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Contemporary jazz artist Najee to headline 25th annual Charlie Christian International Festival in June 2010

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date April 27, 2010

Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. announced today that contemporary jazz artist Najee will headline the 25th annual Charlie Christian International Jazz Festival at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 5, 2010, at Regatta Park in Oklahoma City, OK.
With three platinum and five gold albums, Najee (born Jerome Najee Rasheed) is one of the pioneers of what is commonly known as contemporary jazz. A native of Queens, New York, Najee began his career playing clarinet and later saxophone and flute. While in high school, he began studying under the direction of Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, and Billy Taylor at Jazzmobile in Harlem. Najee also studied flute with Harold Jones at the Manhattan School of Music.
Najee, along with his brother Fareed, attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston with a concentrated study in performance and composition. The brothers moved back to New York and were asked to tour with the R&B songstress Chaka Khan.
After the release of his debut album “Najee’s Theme” in 1986, Najee embarked on a U.S. tour with Freddie Jackson. “Najee’s Theme” went platinum and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1987. Najee’s sophomore album “Day by Day” also went platinum. These albums were followed by “Tokyo Blue” and “Just an Illusion.” In 1994, Najee recorded “Share My World.”
Najee’s 1995 recording on EMI records was dedicated to one of his favorite artists and good friend, Stevie Wonder. It was titled “Najee Plays Songs from the Key of Life: A Tribute to Stevie Wonder.”
In 1998, Najee produced “Morning Tenderness.” He is the recipient of many awards. Over the years, Najee has worked with may great artists such as Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, George Duke, Lionel Richie and Prince.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the gate. Tickets may be purchased online at ProTix or at any Buy for Less store. For more information, call (405) 524-3800 or go to www.charliechristianfestival.com.

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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.