16-year alto sax prodigy Grace Kelly has released her fifth album, “Mood Changes” on Pax Productions.
Kelly’s star is becoming brighter each day. Kelly, who enjoyed critically acclaimed success on her previous “GRACEFULEE” album, has dominated the DownBeat Student Awards over the past four years. From 2006-09, the saxophonist has garnered 12 student awards, including her latest three for Jazz Soloist, Outstanding Jazz Vocalist, and Pop-Rock Blues Soloist.
“I’m just trying to listen to as much music as possible, which makes it hard for me to put together a CD about just one thing,” Kelly says in explaining her inspiration for “Mood Changes.” “A year before the session, I wrote ‘Tender Madness,’ which is slow and sad, and around the same time, when I was in a good mood, I wrote `Happy Theme Song.’ At that point, I realized that a concept for my next album was taking shape. Two more originals, ‘101’ and ‘But Life Goes On,’ extended the idea, as did the six standards.”
Grace studies saxophone with Lee Konitz, Jerry Bergonzi, and Allan Chase. Grace is the youngest ever to complete the four-year Jazz Studies certificate program at New England Conservatory Prep School. Grace also plays piano, soprano and tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute, and some drums.
As the rain falls quietly outside today, I am thinking of dear friends who have lost loved ones in the past few months. My prayers are with the families, and as a close friend, I can only imagine the sense of loss they are feeling.
In my efforts to offer a kind, gentle word, this morning I am reminded of God’s mercy and how his faithfulness is new every morning. He feels our pain and is available to carry any burdens we may have – financially, emotionally, physically. John 15:13 says “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” So as a parting thought, I leave this song “No Greater Love” by Grammy-winning gospel Fred Hammond in memory of those who are with God, and to my friends who are celebrating the fact that one day they will meet with them again.
Bassist/composer/arranger Kyle Eastwood returns on June 2 with his fourth release, “Metropolitain,” on Mack Avenue Records. Recorded at Studio Ferber in Paris, France and co-produced by Erin Davis (son of Miles Davis) and by Eastwood’s longtime writing partner, Michael Stevens, “Metropolitain” features pianist Eric Legnini, trumpeter Till Brönner, drummer Manu Katché, and special guest, French vocalist Camille.
For jazz fans who are familiar with him, Eastwood grew up in Carmel, California and is the son of actor-director Clint Eastwood. While doing his homework, Kyle remembers listening to records of jazz icons such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Miles Davis. Clint Eastwood had been attending the Monterey Jazz Festival since it began in 1958, and when his children were born, it became an annual family outing.
Kyle’s projects include 1998’s “From Here To There,” 2004’s “Paris Blue,” and 2006’s “Now.” He has also contributed to the scores for six of his father’s films: “The Rookie” (1990), “Mystic River” (2002), “Million Dollar Baby” (2004), “Flags Of Our Fathers” (2006), “Letters From Iwo Jima” (2006), and “Gran Torino” (2008).
This release should be a fun listen.
I found this on the Community Bible Study Web site, and thought it was profound. May it richly bless you as well.
By Greg Asimakoupoulos
Ask the Lord to bless your future.
Be assured that’s His desire.
Cast your cares upon your Father.
Don’t despair.
Entertain hopes
For the new year.
Give no heed to old regrets.
Have a daily time to hear from God in prayer.
If you doubt what He is saying,
Just compare it with His Word.
Kings and prophets (even shepherds) found Him true.
Let the Bible give you courage.
Meditate on what you read.
Never under-estimate what God can do.
Own your fears, but keep on trusting.
Persevere and don’t give up.
Quit the rat race so that you can catch your breath.
Risk rejection.
Share your struggles.
Take some time for fun each day.
Understand it’s wrong to work yourself to death.
Vent your stress by exercising.
Worship weekly with God’s friends.
X out guilt that tends to steal your sense of peace.
Yesterdays have no more power thanks to what the Lord has done.
Zero in on what He offers…. life’s new lease!
Broadway in Bartlesville continues its season with rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Bartlesville Community Center, 300 S. Adams Blvd. Starring actor Ted Neeley as Jesus of Nazareth and newcomer James Delisco as Judas Iscariot, the opera centers on the political and interpersonal struggles of Judas Iscariot and Jesus. “Jesus Christ Superstar” is based on the canonical gospels’ accounts of the last week of Jesus’ life, beginning with Jesus and his followers arriving in Jerusalem and ending with the Crucifixion.
Jesus’ disciple (and later traitor) Judas Iscariot is the focus of most of the opera, as he struggles internally regarding his devotion to Jesus and his misgivings about the rising popularity of his ministry and its effect on the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
This is not just an ordinary production; “Jesus Christ Superstar” has a 21st century feel to it. A live orchestra played multi-layered musical arrangements, featuring rock and classical elements.
Neeley, who has worked with notables such as Bo Diddley, Keith Carradine and Meat Loaf, hits the high notes perfectly and precisely during Act One and Two. The self-explanatory storyline ends with the Crucifixion and the orchestral piece, “John 19:41” – “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.”
I think most of the audience thought there was more to the story after Jesus ascended to heaven, but the lights came on, and cast members walked on stage for the final encore. Hearing one audience member say, “Oh, I guess it’s over. We should stand” was an indicator that although the play was good, a flawless finish would not leave those in suspense.
However, it is awesome that Broadway productions do cater to the smaller market. The appreciation for arts in Bartlesville was certainly there.
The fictional “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” series obviously has been out for a while, but there is now an HBO series, and renewed attention has been drawn toward author Alexander McCall Smith.
Viewers and readers are introduced to the engaging Precious Ramotswe, who opens a small storefront business in Gaborone – thanks to her hardworking father. Filled with poignant stories, “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” chronicles important events in Mma Ramotswe’s life as well as her clients who hire her because of her stellar private-eye skills. Mma Ramotswe does everything from tracking down a missing husband to following the missing case of an 11-year-old boy, which tugs at her heart. Smith’s storytelling will conjure feelings of engagement, exhilaration and sadness at the same time. The books are not only worth reading, but the HBO series staring three-time Grammy Award-winning Jill Scott receives accolades as well.
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Mitch’s Reflection: Psalm 62:6
In these uncertain times, it is comforting to know that we have God to lean on. Psalm 62:6 (New International Version) says “He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” I especially love Matthew Henry’s Commentary regarding this verse, which says “David having put his confidence in God, foresees the overthrow of his enemies. We have found it good to wait upon the Lord, and should charge our souls to have such constant dependence upon him, as may make us always easy. If God will save my soul, I may well leave everything else to his disposal, knowing all shall turn to my salvation. And as David’s faith in God advances to an unshaken steadfastness, so his joy in God improves into a holy triumph. Meditation and prayer are blessed means of strengthening faith and hope.”
May God give you hope and strength today.
Muskogee resident Connie Wetz will receive the the Community Film Education Initiative Citizen Arts Award on Sunday, April 26 during the closing ceremonies of the 10th annual BareBones Independent Film and Music Festival in Muskogee.
Wetz, executive director of the Muskogee Little Theatre, has steered the organization to local and regional recognition, winning the prestigious Octavision Award from the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association and the 2008 Theatre of the Year Award.
Wetz will share the stage with actors Jerry Maren and Randal Malone. Maren, best remembered as the Lollipop Munchkin in “The Wizard of Oz” is a veteran of 99 film and television appearances and will be a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Malone, a veteran of some 50 Hollywood films also made numerous guest appearances on television, will also be recognized for his contributions to the performing arts.
The awards ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. at the Roxy Theatre, 220 W. Okmulgee Ave. The event will proceed with a Red Carpet Walk at 6:30 p.m. The awards ceremony is open to the public. General admission is $5. For more information, call (918) 616-1335.
For those who may be familiar with her ministry, Dr. Cynthia Hale will be speaking at 6:30 p.m. each evening from Thursday, May 7th through Saturday, May 9th at Wildewood Christian Church, 6900 N. Kelley, in Oklahoma City. Hale is the founding and senior pastor of the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia.
Selected by the President-elect Barack Obama and the Democratic Party, Hale gave the opening invocation at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. In 2009, she was privileged to participate at the National Prayer Service for the inauguration of President Barack Obama. She also served as co-chair for “Women in Ministry for Obama.”
On Saturday, May 9th, Dr. Hale will be the honorary guest at the Wildewood Christian Church’s Women’s Day Breakfast at The Center, 4325 NW 50th St. in Oklahoma City. The cost for the breakfast is $15. For more information, call (405) 478-0781.
Jazz legend Gary Burton is returning with friends Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow and Antonio Sanchez to reprise the Gary Burton Quartet of the 1970s via a new CD called “Quartet Live.”
Although the compact disc is not released until May 26, the 11-song album was recorded live at Yoshi’s Jazz Club in Oakland, Calif.
It will be a musical reunion of sorts for the group. The story begins in 1967 when bassist Steve Swallow joined with vibraphonist Gary Burton to form the original Gary Burton Quartet. In the early 1970s, then 19-year-old guitarist Pat Metheny joined Burton’s band, and one of the most celebrated careers in music began. This would be the start of a 35-year musical friendship between the vibist and guitarist that continues today. A decade ago, Metheny discovered drummer Antonio Sanchez, inviting him to join The Pat Metheny Group, and the two have been playing together ever since.
Sounds like an exciting collaboration as modern jazz history comes to life on stage. Having already toured in Japan, the U.S., and Europe, the new Gary Burton Quartet plans to do a third tour in June 2009.