Special Note

The concert webcast will begin at 12:30pm PT/2:30pm CT/3:30pm ET today.

Webcast link: http://www.fabchannel.com/lizz_wright_concert

Press release

Amsterdam/London October 28th 2008

LIZZ WRIGHT IN EXCLUSIVE CONCERT WEBCAST
Free video webcast of the accomplished American songwriter

Tune in tomorrow night for a musical journey with Jazz singer Lizz Wright live at the Paradiso, Amsterdam. Online concert channel www.fabchannel.com brings viewers across the world Wright’s magnetic performance with a live webcast from their website. The webcast will start at 19.30 (GMT).

In just a few days after the live webcast the entire recording will be included to Fabchannel’s online video archive. So should you some how miss the live webcast, you will still be able to watch the show later on in the archive.

Fabchannel weekly webcasts and records concerts at the Paradiso and Melkweg in Amsterdam and is home to the most extensive concert video archive on the web. The Fabchannel video archive includes over 900 full-length concert recordings, including the likes of Brand New Heavies, Solomon Burke, Stereophonics, Grayson Capps, Paul Weller, James Hunter, Southside Johnny, Eric Roberson, and Bettye Lavette.

About Lizz Wright

Lizz Wright, born January 22nd 1980, is an American jazz singer. Being a daughter of a minister, Lizz Wright predominantly grew up with gospel music. In High School, where Lizz Wright was nationally awarded for her singing talent, she became more interested in jazz and blues music. In 2002 Verve Records discovered the talented singer and there she released her mix of soul, jazz and pop music.

She made a name quickly in the jazz scene when releasing ‘Salt’, her first album, in 2003. Her debut immediately got her favorable comparisons to Tracy Chapman and Anita Baker. In 2005, follow-up album, ‘Dreaming Wide Awake’ was released. Her success and popularity grew and Wright toured the world soon after.

In 2008 her third album ‘The Orchard’, was released and featured more slow soul and rhythm & blues songs than her previous work. It’s a milestone for Lizz Wright herself. "This record was a huge learning experience, in every way, and I think it showed me a lot about myself," she states

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For more information, don’t hesitate to contact:

Charlotte Raffo
Fabchannel – Amsterdam, Holland
Press and Publicity
T: +31 (0)20 - 788 27 02
publicity@fabchannel.com
www.fabchannel.com

Posted by at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am sure the rest of the world knows about the music of vocalist Jamie Davis but I got to hear him for my first time at the 51st Annual Monterey Jazz Festival with a big band on the Garden Stage this year. He played on the closing night of the festival and he and his band were fantastic. I was most impressed by the way Jamie and his band took songs like "Isn't She Lovely" and "Hello" and gave them the big band treatment. Last Sunday, Jamie and his quintet put on a swinging set at Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland.

Jamie and his quintet will be performing at The Rrazz Room at 8pm on Monday, October 27, November 3, and November 24. For further details and ticket information, contact the The Rrazz Room.

Posted by at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The 51st Annual Monterey Jazz Festival is this Friday through Sunday. There is a fantastic lineup this year. Here is the latest festival news.

• Golf 'n' Jazz Tournament
• Jazz with Steinbeck
• Important Information About Parking
• Free Bike Valet Service Available At MJF/51
• Enjoy An MJF/51 Private Party
• Volunteer for MJF/51
• Latest Performance Schedule

Posted by at 9:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have lived in the Bay Area for 10 years now. September is my favorite month. The weather is usually hot and there is something fun to do every weekend.

On Saturday, I started off the day by walking in the East Bay AIDS Walk around Lake Merritt in Oakland. I later went to an outdoor concert at Yerba Buena Gardens to see jazz sax legend John Handy and Friends including Clairdee on vocals, David K. Matthews on piano, Jeff Chambers on bass, Akira Tana on drums, Carlos Reyes on violin and harp, and a wonderful string section. Next stop, was the Ghiradelli Chocolate Festival benefitting Project Open Hand. Unfortunately, I got there less than 30 minutes before closing and was unable to purchase tickets to try any of the tasty treats. Not to worry, the festival opens on Sunday at 12pm but get there early because there will be long lines.

Today, I am headed up to the Russian River Jazz Festival at Johnson Beach in Guernville. Today's lineup includes Earl Klugh, George Duke, Urban Jazz Coalition, Guitars & Saxes 2008: Gerald Albright, Peter White, Jeff Lorber & Jeff Golub, Terrence Brewer, and Forté. Bring your water and sunscreen for it will be a hot day of music. Also, Sarah Wilson Brass Tonic opens the Jazz at Intersection at the de Young Museum Sunday Concert Series.

Here are just a few of the upcoming events this month that I definitely want to checkout.

• September 13 - Experience On The Green - A day of music, art, and wine at the Oakland Museum of California featuring a concert with Roberta Flack, Patrice Rushen, Michael Henderson, Donald Byrd, and Kevin Toney
• September 14 - Solano Avenue Stroll
• September 19-21 - Monterey Jazz Festival - 3 days of music on 8 stages!
• September 28 - Out and About in Rockridge

Posted by at 5:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LiveNation has setup a special $25 ticket for Herbie Hancock on Friday, September 19 at Mountain Winery.

Link is: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C00409380B91AAB?artistid=737108&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=4

Password is: “travel"

Limited number of tickets. While supplies last. Plus applicable charges.

Photo of Herbie Hancock at the 2006 Sonoma Jazz Festival by James Knox

Posted by at 1:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For the third consecutive year, Intersection and the de Young join forces in a unique collaboration to present eight family-friendly outdoor Sunday afternoon performances. Experience some of the most exciting Bay Area jazz musicians in beautiful Golden Gate Park.

All performances are FREE and start at 2:30PM

Outside at the de Young Café Terrace in Golden Gate Park
(If inclement weather inside the de Young at Wilsey Court)

Sunday September 7 - Sarah Wilson's Brass Tonic
Sunday September 14 - Richard Howell Quintet
Sunday September 21 - Lovely Builders with Scott Amendola & Ross Hammond
Sunday September 28 - Howard Wiley & The Angola Project
Sunday October 5 - The Sephardic Music Experience featuring Kat Parra
Sunday October 12 - The Nice Guy Trio - Root Exchange Finale!
Sunday October 19 - The Robbie Kwock Melecio Magdaluyo Quintet
Sunday October 26 - Kihnoua

For detailed information on each band, http://www.theintersection.org/calendar/program_jazz.php.

About this photo: Saxaphonist Howard Wiley, Jazz at Intersection - November 2007
Photo Credit: James Knox

Posted by at 3:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The 6th Annual Oakland Black LGBT Film Festival opened on Thursday evening. We were treated to a showing of the Diana Ross classic "Mahagony" followed by the indie film "Blueprint." The festival runs through Sunday, 8/17. All films will be held at the Parkway Theater. For a complete film festival, click here.

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra is at Yoshi's Oakland and Kenny Burrell & The Jazz Heritage All-Stars are at Yoshi's San Francisco this weekend.

San Francisco’s award-winning AfroSolo Theatre Company presents the 15th Annual AfroSolo Arts Festival, celebrating African American artists giving voice to the Black experience. Paying homage to and exploring the rich legacy of African Americans and people of African descent, the theme of this year’s festival is RESILIENCE: My Culture, My People, Me! Festival events (August 2-October 16) featuring live music, visual art, and new works for the stage will take place at various venues around San Francisco: Yerba Buena Gardens, the Main San Francisco Public Library, The Marsh, and Yoshi’s San Francisco Jazz Club. Most events, unless otherwise noted, are free and open to the public. For more information, the public may visit afrosolo.org or call 415-771-AFRO(2376).

Posted by at 12:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Denise Lamott Public Relations
(415) 897-5089
lamoore1@verizon.net

JAZZ ON THE RIVER RETURNS TO GUERNEVILLE

FOR THE 32ND YEAR ON SEPTEMBER 6 & 7

World-Class Line Up Features George Duke; Bobby Caldwell;
Wayman Tisdale; Earl Klugh; Mindi Abair plus
Guitars & Saxes: Gerald Albright, Peter White, Jeff Lorber and Jeff Golub

Guerneville, CA – Kick back and enjoy the cool sounds from some of the country’s hottest jazz musicians at the 32nd Annual Jazz on the River festival on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7 at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville. Jazz on the River has become one of the country’s top jazz events, and the classic Northern California celebration brings great music and the finest local wines together with a picturesque outdoor setting along the banks of the Russian River. The 32nd anniversary will feature some of the biggest names in the contemporary jazz scene.

The Saturday, September 6 line-up includes Wayman Tisdale, Bobby Caldwell, Mindi Abair plus a few more acts to be announced. The Sunday, September 7 line-up includes Earl Klugh, George Duke; Guitars & Saxes 2008 with Gerald Albright, Peter White, Jeff Lorber & Jeff Golub and more acts to be announced. For additional information on the musicians and festival, please visit russianriverfestivals.com.

In addition to great jazz music, patrons can sample Sonoma County and the Russian River Wine Region’s world-famous wines in the Wine Garden Area while enjoying the performers on the wine garden stage.

2008 Jazz on the River tickets can be purchased in advance for the best savings. Ticket prices are $45 per day or $80 for both days through September 5. Tickets purchased at the gate are $50 per day. Children 10 and under are free. Gold Tier tickets are available for $90 per day or $170 for both days (advance price only). With Gold Tier tickets, guests are allowed entrance to the preferred seating area near the front of the stage, use of a private beach chair and three wine tasting tickets.

Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at (707) 869-1595 or visiting russianriverfestivals.com; or in person at The Russian River Chamber of Commerce, 16209 First Street (at the Historical Bridge), Guerneville, CA 95446, (707) 869-9000. For additional information, call (707) 869-1595 or visit russianriverfestivals.com.

No glass, alcohol or high-back beach chairs will be permitted. Low-back chairs only (no higher than 32” in full upright position).

Jazz on the River is produced by Omega Events, a leader in live entertainment on the West Coast, bringing world-class musicians and their fans together at a variety of music festivals, winery concerts and special events, including the Rodney Strong Vineyards Concert Series (Healdsburg), the 11th Annual Doheny Blues Festival (Dana Point) and the 13th Annual JazzFest West (So. California).

For electronic or print photos of the artists or festival, contact Denise Lamott at (415) 897-5089 or lamoore1@verizon.net.

About this photo: Drummer Deszon X.Clairborne at the 2006 Jazz on the River Festival
Photo Credit: James Knox.

Posted by at 1:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In its second full slate of archival releases, Monterey Jazz Festival Records (Concord Music Group) has released a new series of never-before-heard concert performances by jazz icons: Art Blakey, Dave Brubeck, Shirley Horn, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader and classic blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon.

The new series features the following 6 titles, available now on CD & digitally:

Art Blakey and the Giants of Jazz - Live at the Monterey 1972 Jazz Festival
Dave Brubeck - 50 Years of Dave Brubeck: Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival 1958-2007
Shirley Horn - Live at the 1994 Monterey Jazz Festival
Tito Puente & His Orchestra - Live at the 1977 Monterey Jazz Festival
Cal Tjader - The Best of Cal Tjader: Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival, 1958-1980
Jimmy Witherspoon featuring Robben Ford - Live at the 1972 Monterey Jazz Festival

The MJF record label was founded in 2007 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Monterey Jazz Festival. It made its debut with a remarkable series of historic Live-at-Monterey CDs, rolled out shortly before the September festival, including recordings of legendary artists such as Louis Armstrong & His All Stars (recorded in ’58), Miles Davis Quintet (’63) and Thelonious Monk Quartet (’64), with all proceeds from recordings going to Monterey Jazz Festival-supported jazz education programs.

“We’re not going to be stuck in a jazz time warp. We’re excited to deliver important historical music, as well as assemble special projects and all-star ensembles to debut at the festival each year.” - Label general manger Jason Olaine

http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/labels/Monterey-Jazz-Festival-Records/

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Posted by at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The 19th Annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival is this weekend. 1000 performers on 10 stages will be providing wonderful music including jazz, R&B, latin, blues & salsa. I enjoy this festival because you get to see some great local and national acts. Headliners this year include Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Sanborn, Javon Jackson, Les McCann, and Manhattan Transfer. Local favorites include Dayna Stephens, Gini Wilson, Nicolas Bearde, and Mo' Rockin Project. If the music gets too hot outside, you can always cool down and enjoy the music at San Jose Repertory Theatre, Cinema 3, Theatre on San Pedro Square, or The Tech Museum of Innovation. After the sun goes down, there will be Festival Club Crawl on Friday and Saturday and a CEO Jam Session on Friday. At just $10 per day or $25 for a three-day pass, this festival is one of the best deals around for live music. See you there!

Backstage photo of 2006 San Jose Festival performers bassist Marcus Miller and organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith by James Knox

Posted by at 3:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friends of Golden Gate Library presents live jazz & blues by the Frank Jackson Quartet featuring jazz legends, Al Obidinski, bass, Akira Tana, drums, and Noel Jewkes, reeds, and yes, Frank on piano & vocals....

Oakland Library - Golden Gate Branch
5606 San Pablo Avenue - at 56th Street
Oakland, CA 94608

Doors open at 2:30pm

Performance Time: 3:00pm to 4:00pm

This place gets packed early and even the standing room is filled to capacity.

This concert is part of the Friends of Golden Gate Library Jazz on Sunday Series which runs through August 31. Performers in the coming weeks include John Handy, Chester Smith, Julius Courtney's Band, and the lovely Rhonda Benin closes out the series.

Please note the August 24th performance for Julius Courtney's Band will be held at:

Temescal Creek Park
47th Street between Adeline and San Pablo Avenue

All concerts are free of charge. For more information, http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/Branches/GG/JAZZ2008.pdf

Posted by at 9:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I had the pleasure of hearing drummer Issa Mwongozi (above) for my first time in 2006 with the Young Musicians Program when they performed at the Fillmore Jazz Festival. This young man, who sat not much taller than his drum set, played drums like a jazz legend. I was so inspired by the Young Musicians Program students that I attended their benefit concert at Yoshi's in July 2006 where I took this photo of Issa. Tonight, I will have the pleasure of hearing the Issa Mwongozi Trio - Swang to the Future at The Jazzschool in Berkeley at 8pm. Tickets are $10. This concert is part of the Jazzschool Institute Rising Stars Summer Series.

This afternoon, the East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC) will hold their 4th Annual Something for Everyone Fundraiser Event in Lafayette. In 2008, EOYDC celebrates its 30th year of providing educational and recreational programs for youth in East Oakland.

The 14th Annual North Beach Jazz Festival, which has been in full swing since last Sunday, will close on Sunday. There is still time to hear some great live music. This is the first year the festival has been a week long event. Kudos to Sunset Promotions!

On Sunday, the San Francisco Theater Festival will be held at the beautiful urban park setting of Yerba Buena Gardens as part of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival from 11am - 5pm. Festival performances range from 15-30 minutes and include all kinds of theater: Shakespeare, comedy, drama, musical theater, children’s shows, solo performances, improv, one acts, excerpts, classics, new works…

Featured at the 2008 festival:

• AfroSolo presents Angela Dean-Baham as Black Patti


• Amiri Baraka’s provocative plays of black experience, including his new play, “Sisyphus Syndrome”


• Lamplighters Music Theatre’s “The Mikado”


• Best of Playground’s one act plays


• Aleshia Brevard & Gina Grahame's transsexual production of "One Damn Man!"


• Oh My Godmother, gay Cinderella


• Best of the Buddy Club, 16 great children’s shows


• Improv Groups: Blue Blanket, BATS, SPF, Big City & Stagebridge's Over-50 Improv


• The Exit Theatre


• The Marsh


• Tell it on Tuesday

Posted by at 9:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Fillmore Jazz Festival is this weekend from 10am to 6pm today and tomorrow on 3 stages on Fillmore Street.

"Blending art and soul in one of the country’s most unique neighborhoods, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is the largest free Jazz festival on the West Coast, drawing over 90,000 visitors over the Independence Day weekend. From sunup to sundown, visitors can groove to the sounds of live music from multiple stages, browse the offerings of over 8 blocks of fine art and crafts and enjoy gourmet food and beverages. Asian to Cajun, paintings to pottery, old favorites and new directions, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is not to be missed."

I took this photo of The Dynamic Faye Carol and Denise Perrier at the 2007 Fillmore Jazz Festival after Faye performed with the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra.

Photo Credit: James Knox

Posted by at 6:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 1, 2008; Monterey, CA; The Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon, launches its second half-century of legendary live jazz presentation, reflecting the artistic excellence that has made MJF the longest running jazz festival in the world. The world-renowned event takes place September 19-21, 2008 on the familiar oak-studded and beautiful grounds of the Monterey Fairgrounds, the location of the Festival since its inception in 1958.

Featuring some of the living legends in the music world as well as the future superstars of jazz, MJF/51 raises the bar set in 2007, and will be one of the most anticipated live jazz events of the year.

Tickets are on sale now by phone at (925) 275-9255 and on the Monterey Jazz Festival’s website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org. Full Weekend Arena Packages from $220; Daily Grounds Tickets from $35.

The Arena/Jimmy Lyons Stage will be one of the hottest sites of the Festival, with a lineup that promises the musical adventure of a lifetime with multiple award winning artists, including vocalists Cassandra Wilson, Jamie Cullum, Ledisi, Kurt Elling, and Nancy Wilson; saxophonists Wayne Shorter, Joshua Redman, and Maceo Parker, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Christian McBride’s new Quintet, Cuban flautist Orlando "Maraca" Valle, guitarist Derek Trucks and the twelve-time Grammy-winning pianist, Herbie Hancock.

2008 ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE, SHOWCASE ARTIST & COMMISSION ARTIST

MJF/51 Artist-In-Residence, bassist Christian McBride, will be in fine company with several of his musical projects, and will be performing through out the weekend with his new acoustic Quintet, with the electrified Quartet, and with MJF's spotlight on the future of jazz, the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. MJF/51 Showcase Artist, drummer Matt Wilson will be at large on the grounds, performing with his own Arts and Crafts, with the collective-improvisation group, Trio M, and in a duo with guitarist-extraordinaire Bill Frisell. MJF/51 Commission Artist Maria Schneider will unveil her large-scale orchestra piece, her second commissioned work for the Festival since 1995.

The long-time tradition of Arena artists performing on the grounds is also unusually rich for MJF/51. The Joshua Redman Trio, Maceo Parker, Christian McBride, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Tom Scott, Terence Blanchard, Orlando "Maraca" Valle, Ledisi, Maria Schneider Orchestra and Kurt Elling will all put in dual performances on the Grounds during the MJF/51 weekend.

Two special tributes will be featured during the weekend, both on the Arena Stage and on the Grounds. On Saturday night, A Tribute to Cannonball Adderley will feature a modern take on the music of the influential and celebrated saxophonist with renowned vocalist Nancy Wilson, trumpeter Terence Blanchard (2007 MJF Artist-In-Residence and Grammy Winner) and legendary saxophonist Tom Scott. Sunday will spotlight John Coltrane’s beloved collaborations with vocalist Johnny Hartman, with Kurt Elling’s Dedicated to You. This special band features Ernie Watts, and the ETHEL String Quartet, backed by the Laurence Hobgood Trio.

Continue reading "51st Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Lineup Announced" »

Posted by at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

From www.ernestineanderson.com

ERNESTINE NEEDS YOUR HELP

Dear Friends,

We hear stories daily of people who are being forced to foreclose on their homes and it is truly heartbreaking. Recently, celebrities such as Ed McMahon and Evander Holyfield are in foreclosure. Unfortunately, that is a reality for many in this troubled economy and now, it has affected our own living legend, the incomparable Ernestine Anderson who is a four-time Grammy Nominee. We are reaching out and seeking support to help Ms. Anderson save her home, where her family has lived since 1946, in Seattle's Central District. Any financial contribution to avoid this misfortune will gladly be accepted. An account has been set-up for her at Bank of America in Washington State under the name of "The Ernestine Anderson Fund". You can go to any Bank of America to make a donation to this fund. People who live outside of Washington State may also make a donation at Bank of America. Please let them know to reference
Bank of America - Washington State for “The Ernestine Anderson Fund”.

Checks can also be mailed to:
The Bank of America
"The Ernestine Anderson Fund"
1201 East Madison,
Seattle, WA. 98104

Ms. Anderson has exhausted all resources and she has until June 30th to raise at least $45,000 or her family home will be foreclosed. Any additional money raised will be used to assist Ms. Anderson to offset the existing mortgage of this property which will give her peace of mind in the future. Without our financial support, her home is scheduled to be auctioned off on July 11th. We appeal to everyone who has been touched by Ms. Anderson's artistry, to join us in this effort. As 2008 marks Ms. Anderson's 80th birthday - a true milestone, we hope that as a community we can rally and give back for all the gifts she has bestowed on so many.

Please feel free to forward this email to anyone and everyone who is willing to help. We need everyone’s support now as the clock is ticking.

With much gratitude and sincere appreciation,

Nancy McKernon
Publicist

Photo Credit: www.ernestineanderson.com

Posted by at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I had the pleasure of photographing the final dress rehearsal for the Duke Ellington musical "Queenie Pie." I watched the first act of the play and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am hoping to go back this weekend to see the play in its entirety. "Queenie Pie" at the Oakland Metro Operahouse runs through Sunday, May 25. For ticket information, call 510-763-1146 or visit www.oaklandopera.org.

Oakland Opera Theater, applauded by local critics and audiences for its intimately staged, professionally produced performances of 20th and 21st century operas, presents local audiences with a thrilling first look at jazz master Duke Ellington’s only opera, QUEENIE PIE. Begun in the 1940’s and left unfinished at the time of Ellington’s death, QUEENIE PIE, the story of a Harlem beauty queen, was written as a tribute to Madame C. J. Walker, the first female African-American millionaire. Under the artistic direction of Tom Dean and musical direction of Deirdre McClure, Oakland Opera Theater has assembled an expert team to complete this jazzy opera gem, including renowned stage director Michael Mohammed, musical orchestrator and arranger Marc Bolin, and playwright Tommy Shepherd. Originally intended as an hour long TV special, this production will be set on a television sound-stage in the late 1960’s à la The Ed Sullivan Show, and will feature the live big-band sounds of the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra. Bay Area chanteuse Amanda King, stage and film actress Kathleen Antonia, and stage veteran Noah Griffin star in this toe-tapping take on one of Ellington’s final works.

See more dress rehearsal photos here.

SHOWS: May 9-11, 15-18, 22-25; Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at 2pm

WHERE: Oakland Metro Operahouse - 630 3rd Street
(three blocks from Jack London Square)

TICKETS: For tickets ($24 seniors, $28 advance, $35 at the door) the public can call 510-763-1146 or visit www.oaklandopera.org

Review:

The cast and the music were spectacular despite some of the uneven moments in the play. Some of the scenes did not fit well. The tv commercial break during the play felt awkward. They were used to provided the audience the concept of the play being tv drama. For example. there was a sudden commercial break up the scene when the main love interest for Queenie Pie and Café au Lait was shot dead by Cafe au Lait. This was an attempt to give you a "sitting on the edge of your seat" moment but it just felt out of place.

The first act flowed much better than the second act. The dream sequence in the begininng of the second felt out of place. Also, Queenie Pie did not have her solo until midway into the second act and just as soon as you got into the song, it was gone. She needed a song that would showcase her beautiful voice and pull the audience into her in the first act in the same way that Café au Lait's theme song lingered in our minds throughout the play. There were also some uneven moments with the sound. If a cast member moved to certain spots on the stage, they could not be heard well.

Overall, the production definitely had its bright moments and with a little more polish, it will only be better.

Posted by at 6:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

During its inaugural year at a new, spacious building in East Oakland's San Antonio District, EastSideCulturalCenter showcased some of the greatest living jazz royalty who never quite got their due. The center's 2007 Malcolm X Jazz Festival kicked off with a concert by tenor saxophonist Billy Harper, who recorded a lot of material for the Italian independent label, Black Saint. This year's jazz festival features a Bay Area lineup, with such notable locals as the John Santos Quintet, the Freedom Now! Band led by Howard Wiley, the Ambrose Akinmusire Project with special guest Goapele, and the Muziki Roberson Quintet with vocalist Dwight Trible. Held this Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. in San Antonio Park (18th Ave. and Foothill Blvd., Oakland), the event also features poets, dancers, live graffiti, crafts, games, and on-site HIV testing. EastSideArtsAlliance.org

Price: free
Time & Date: Sat., May 17,
11 a.m.-7 p.m.
San Antonio Park
18th Ave. (at Foothill Blvd.)
Oakland CA

Posted by at 4:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MARY D’ORAZI
EMAIL: mdorazi@lifemarkgroup.com
4499 Piedmont Ave. - Oakland , CA 94611 - Ph: 510/ 228-3218

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CLAIRDEE TO PERFORM AT JAZZ AT THE CHIMES MAY 18

“Jazz-inspired storyteller” brings it to Oakland ’s Chapel of the Chimes

WHAT: vocalist Clairdee at "Jazz at the Chimes" concert and artist reception
WHEN: May 18, 2008 - Sunday 2 pm
WHERE: Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. Oakland
TICKETS: $10 - $15 general admission for concert and reception.
Kids under 12 free. Purchase tickets at the door. Cash only.
Ticket sales begin at 12:30 pm.
Info: 510/ 228-3218

Website: http://www.lifemarkgroup.com/oakland/special_events.asp

SAN FRANCISCO/OAKLAND – Bay Area vocal artist CLAIRDEE will perform at JAZZ AT THE CHIMES 4499 Piedmont Avenue , Oakland , on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 2pm. Tickets are $10-$15. For more information, visit http://www.lifemarkgroup.com/oakland/special_events.asp or call 510/228-3218.

Clairdee - who describes herself as a “jazz-inspired” storyteller – is a Bay Area jazz artist who has toured nationally and internationally and shared the bill with the likes of Etta James, the Count Basie Orchestra, Gladys Knight, Johnny Mathis, Eddie Henderson and Billy Higgins to name a few.

Jazz reviewer Andrew Gilbert writes: With her lustrous voice and soulful delivery, she hearkens back to a time when jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues often blended seamlessly together. Combining scene-stealing charisma with heartfelt humility and a sincere belief in the transformative power of music, Clairdee has honed a repertoire of standards set to state of the art arrangements that are equally smart and entertaining.

The May 18 performance will showcase Clairdee’s sophisticated yet contemporary flair with classic American songs by such composers as the Gershwins, Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, Jobim, and Cole Porter. "I choose songs that have relevance to my life experiences and to human vulnerabilities. I want the music I sing to stir emotions and touch each listener."

She appears with pianist/arranger Ken French and his trio.

The concert at Oakland 's Chapel of the Chimes on May 18th will be followed by an artist reception where the public can meet the artist, enjoy refreshments and purchase CDs.

Jazz at the Chimes is a monthly series sponsored by the Lifemark Group Arts program that features Bay Area talent. Concerts are held at the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland – a designated City of Oakland Landmark designed by Julia Morgan. The Chapel provides a wonderful visual backdrop and acoustic listening venue for live music in a setting like no other.
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Photo Credit: James Knox

Posted by at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Kim Nalley at Jazz at Pearl's:

May.1.2008

Greetings,

Thanks for the many phone calls and emails of support that we have received in the past month with concern for Jazz at Pearls. I am pleased to announce that on April 23 we received an 11th hour reprieve and will remain open. We have accepted an offer from some local jazz aficionados that love Jazz at Pearls as much as I do and want to keep the club open, with the same terrific jazz and all the old familiar faces on staff, on the stage and in the audience, including myself. As soon as we go through the normal process of transfer of ownership we will announce the names of the new owners. In the meantime please enjoy a wonderful month of world class jazz that I put together at the last minute with the help and patience of many musicians. I hope you can spread the word that Jazz at Pearls is alive and well.

Posted by at 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By the time I post this entry, you will have bought your tickets already. Or you may be like me and trying to decide how many times you will see her during this run. It has been about 3 years since I have seen Lizz Wright in concert. She is at Yoshi's this week promoting her new Verve release, The Orchard, which hit the stores on 2/26. I have listened to it a couple of times and like what I have heard so far. I am most happy that she gets to sing the music that she enjoys. Stop back soon for a review of her concert and the new album.

Photo Credit: James Knox

Posted by at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I am a little behind on concerts this season but I definitely do not want to miss seeing Paula West at the new Rrazz Room in The Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. Paula will be playing there through Sunday, March 16. I have been enjoying her music since I saw her perform Oscar Brown's classic tune, "The Snake," (which has become her signature song) at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 2004. She divides her time singing between San Francisco and New York City and the world beyond. Paula has the ability to blow the dust off a classic song and bring new life to it. Her phrasing is impeccable and the way she interprets a lyric is incredible. In addition, she can give you extensive history on every song in her repertoire. She is definitely not to be missed. See you there!

Posted by at 6:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Season Subscriptions Now Available at San Jose Jazz Office
Single Tickets Now On Sale at the Improv

Our twentieth annual Sunday Jazz Series features nine acclaimed jazz acts, performing at the historic Improv in downtown San Jose.

Season subscriptions for all nine concerts available through the San Jose Jazz offices: San Jose Jazz member price: $160-that's like getting three concerts free!
General public: $240
Your season pass is fully transferable-can't attend a concert after all? Lend your pass to a friend or call/email by 5 pm on the Thursday prior to the Sunday you'll miss and we'll put your substitute's name on the door list.
Season pass purchase: 408-288-7557 x2335
Single tickets available through the Improv Box Office:
San Jose Jazz members - $20-$30 (you must have the member code)
General public: $30-$40
Students with id: $20-$30 (walk-up only)
Improv Box Office: 408-280-7475; online at www.symfonee.com/improv/sanjose or 62 S. Second St. between Santa Clara and San Fernando streets

Schedule:
1/20/2008 Brubeck Brothers Quartet
1/27/2008 Ernie Watts Quartet
2/10/2008 Mike Vax Orchestra (Stan Kenton alumni)
2/17/2008 John Worley and Bari Bari featuring three baritone sax players
2/24/2008 San Jose Youth Jazz Orchestra (our high school all star band)
3/2/2008 Patois Records Showcase featuring Wayne Wallace, Alexa Weber Morales, and Kat Parra
3/9/2008 Kim Nalley
3/16/2008 Silicon Valley Composers Showcase (over 90 composers submitted; tunes selected by Gus Kambeitz, Dr. Aaron Lington, and Dave Eshelman; performed by the West Valley Jazz Band)
3/30/2008 Toshiko Akiyoshi

The series features nationally and internationally acclaimed jazz artists including the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Ernie Watts, pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi, Mike Vax Orchestra, John Worley and baritone sax players-Aaron Lington, Fil Lorenz, and Geoff Roach, vocalist Kim Nalley, and the Patois Records Showcase. Ranging from contemporary and big band to Latin and vocalist's jazz, this 2008 20th Annual Sunday Series has something for the jazz enthusiast in everyone. More information about the Sunday Series at: www.sanjosejazz.org

All concerts start at 3 pm at The Improv, 62 S. Second St. in downtown San Jose. No concert on February 3 (Super Bowl Sunday) or March 23 (Easter), 2008.

Posted by at 1:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For Immediate Release

BERKELEY, California, January 14, 2008 – The Jazzschool proudly announces the opening of Capturing The Moment – Jazz & Photography, a photography exhibit celebrating the rich Bay Area jazz scene by photographer James Knox. The exhibit will run from January 12th through March 29th, 2008, in The Bassment, the Jazzschool’s Books and Records store located at 2087 Addison Street in Berkeley California (downstairs in The Jazzschool.) The Bassment hours are Mon-Thurs 4:00-8:30 pm, Friday by appointment, Saturday 10:00-4:00 pm, and Sundays before, between sets, and after concerts. The phone number is 510-845-5373.

James will discuss his passion for jazz and photography on Sunday, February 24th from 1:30-3:30 pm at The Jazzschool followed by Bay Area sax great Howard Wiley in a tribute concert to the music of sax legend Dexter Gordon at 4:30 pm.

“Your shots are really the closest to capturing the moment of just about any photographer I've seen. We all strive to be outside of ourselves, to be another member of the audience when we perform, and your great work really makes that possible, giving you just the right amount of detail that those who weren't there really wish they were. You show us performers a different but equally valid side of our expression with precision & mastery. Thanks for all you do!” – Dayna Stephens, saxophonist

“James’ natural good spirit appears in his photographs. They are fresh, alive and capture the essence of the music being performed.” - Natasha Miller, vocalist

"James Knox is a true talent: a modern-day Francis Wolff who skillfully uses photography to convey the spirit, talent and humanity--as well as his love and respect--of those who create and nurture America 's great musical art form." - Lee Bey, photographer

About the Artist

James Knox is music reviewer/photographer for www.j-notes.com. He has been photographing and reviewing the Bay Area jazz scene for over five years. In summer 2007, James completed a jazz photography exhibit at the San Francisco Public Library African American Center. It received rave reviews. His work is featured on www.jazzreview.com, www.blogcritics.com, and www.sfgate.com. His photographs are featured on album covers for Clairdee and Adam Shulman, in addition to numerous artists’ websites. He recently provided a photo for the Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition. James credits his passion for jazz and photography to his father and dedicates the exhibit to his parents, Ritson and Elizabeth Knox.

For more information, please visit www.jazzschool.com or www.j-notes.com.

Attention Calendar Editors:

What: Capturing The Moment: Jazz & Photography by James Knox
When: January 12 – March 29, 2008
Where: The Bassment, the Jazzschool’s Books & Records Store, 2087 Addison Street , Berkeley , Ca. 94704 (downstairs in The Jazzschool.) The Bassment hours are Mon-Thurs 4:00-8:30 pm, Friday by appointment, Saturday 10:00-4:00 pm, and Sundays before, between sets, and after concerts. The phone number is 510-845-5373.

Artist Discussion – James will discuss his love for jazz and how he captures special moments in music through his lens on Sunday, February 24th from 1:30-3:30 pm at The Jazzschool, 2087 Addison Street , Berkeley , Ca. 94704. Cost $10

The discussion will be followed by Bay Area sax great Howard Wiley in a tribute concert to the music of sax legend Dexter Gordon at 4:30 pm. Cost $10

Media Contact:

James Knox
Music Reviewer/Photographer
www.j-notes.com – where music gets its voice…
simplyjazz@j-notes.com
510-654-4538

Posted by at 11:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you happen to be in Oakland tonight, jazz legend Andy Bey will be performing at Yoshi's Oakland for two shows at 8 and 10pm. It is definitely a show not to be missed.

Posted by at 7:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Award-winning and platinum-selling music producer, musician and songwriter Narada Michael Walden will present The Spirit of Giving, a concert featuring a number of his friends and colleagues, including Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt and Bonnie Hayes.

Other musicians performing at The Spirit of Giving include:
- R&B and dance hit singer Jeanie Tracy, who was one of Sylvester’s back-up singers along with Martha Wash and Izora Armstead.
- Canadian singer Naomi Striemer, whose 2006 CD Images was produced by Walden. Carlos Santana plays on the CD’s single, “Cars.”
- Percussionist Karma Moffett, whose music features Tibetan Singing Bowls, Tibetan Longhorns, Hand Bells, Tingsha Cymbals, Conch Shells, Drums, and Bone Horn Trumpets.
- Jazz bassist Troy Lamkpins.
- Pianist and vocalist Tina Malia, who has been compared to such legendary female artists as Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLaughlin, and Loreena McKennitt.

The show will be a tribute to Angela Bofill. Bofill scored several dance hits in the 1970s and 80s, such as "Angel of the Night," and "Too Tough," but has recently suffered significant health setbacks. Walden and Bofill have worked together for more than 25 years – Arista Records’ then-chief Clive Davis teamed Bofill with Walden in 1981 to produce her first commercial jazz-pop-R&B crossover recording, Something About You. Walden produced her next two recordings, 1983’s Teaser and Too Tough. The concert will also remember Joe Zawinul of Weather Report, who died in August.

For event and ticket information, go to the Grace Cathedral website.

Posted by at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

YOSHI'S SAN FRANCISCO JAZZ CLUB & JAPANESE RESTAURANT ANNOUNCES
GRAND OPENING DATE AND STELLAR LINE-UP OF PERFORMERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Located at 1330 Fillmore at Eddy Street, on the ground floor of the Fillmore Heritage Center, the nearly completed 420-seat Jazz club & 370-seat Japanese Restaurant is slated to open to the public on November 28th. Tickets for grand opening night and December shows will go on sale October 29th at 10am. Get the most up-to-date information at www.yoshis.com.

Grand Opening Night November 28, 2007
Roy Haynes and the Yoshi's Birds of a Feather Super Band with Gary Burton, Ravi Coltrane, Nicholas Payton,
Kenny Garrett, David Kikoski, and John Patitucci

November 29th - December 2nd
Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band

December 3rd
Frank Jackson

December 4th - 9th
Chick Corea and the Freedom Band
with Hubert Laws, Eddie Gomez, and Airto

December 10th
Mimi Fox

December 12th - 16th
Charlie Hunter
with special guests The Campbell Brothers

December 17th
Rebeca Mauleon
December 18th - 22nd
Mike Stern
with Richard Bona, Dennis Chambers, and Bob Francescini

December 23rd
Boney James

December 26th - 31st NEW YEAR'S EVE
The Count Basie Orchestra with special guest Ledisi

Continue reading "Yoshi's San Francisco Jazz Club & Japanese Restaurant Announces Grand Opening Date" »

Posted by at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's something you don't want to miss, or if you need to, make sure to record to view later.

In the recent news are articles on the seven-part series of "The War," directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, with the first episode, "A Necessary War," to air Sunday, September 23, at 8 p.m. on KQED.

The Local War Programs, Bay Area documentaries produced by KQED & KTEH to air along with the Ken Burns series, includes original musical compositions by our own jazz legend, FRANK JACKSON.

What KQED knew was that Frank's music/sound would be an ideal fit, that he was a resident of the San Francisco's Fillmore Jazz District from the early 1940s and they learned after approaching Frank to compose the music that he also was a WW II veteran stationed in Saipan - the Mariana Islands.

KQED's "The War: Bay Area Stories," tells the diverse stories of local veterans and citizens, 60% of the music is composed by Frank Jackson, which airs Friday, September 21, at 9 p.m. Along with Frank's intro and closing music, his compositions were utilized throughout the documentary. Also airs on KQED World: visit www.kqed.org/dtv for details.

*** SO remember to watch KQED - Friday, September 21, at 9 p.m. - Channel 9 in most areas ***

KQED's "WW II Hispanic Soldiers," explores the stories of Latino servicemen who answered the country's call during the World War II, and Frank's intro and closing and one of his original songs (performed with Latin instruments), airs Monday, September 24, at 10 p.m.

Produced by KTEH, "The War: Nisei Soldiers," focuses on Japanese American veterans in the South Bay and Central Coast. "The War: Soldados," which tells the story of the South Bay's Latino community, includes Frank's intro, closing and one of his original songs (Nisei Soldiers: performed with Japanese instruments), airs Saturday, September 29, at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Please make an effort to view these powerful local documentaries and see if you can figure out along the way, was that Frank we were listening too.

Enjoy & Please Take Good Care.

Kathy & Frank Jackson
Kasis Records, LLC
SF, CA USA

Photo: Bay Area Jazz Legend Frank Jackson and his wife, Kathy, at the 2006 Vallejo Jazz Festival.

Photo Credit: James Knox

Posted by at 9:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Anita Baker is on tour and below are the tour dates. Hmmmmm...is there a new album in the works?

Fri 10/26/07 Saint Louis, MO Fox Theatre
Sat 10/27/07 Southaven, MS DeSoto Civic Center
Fri 11/02/07 San Francisco, CA Golden Gate Theatre
Sat 11/03/07 Los Angeles, CA Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
Sun 11/04/07 Seattle, WA Marion Oliver McCaw Hall
Fri 11/30/07 Saginaw, MI Temple Theatre
Sat 12/01/07 Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
Wed 12/05/07 Greenville, SC Peace Center
Fri 12/07/07 Charenton, LA Cypress Bayou Casino
Sat 12/08/07 Charenton, LA Cypress Bayou Casino
Thu 12/13/07 West Palm Beach, FL Raymond Kravis Ctr. For Perf. Arts
Fri 12/14/07 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
Sun 12/16/07 Miami, FL James L. Knight Center

Posted by at 12:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MEDIA ALERT!

Important Information from the 50th Monterey Jazz Festival

Saturday Ground Tickets Gone--Earliest Date in 50 Years!

Limited Number of Friday and Sunday Grounds Tickets Still Available.

Fans Urged to Buy Friday and Sunday Grounds Tickets Now to Avoid Disappointment.

More information at www.montereyjazzfestival.org / (925) 275-9255

###

Timothy Orr
Marketing Associate
Monterey Jazz Festival
9699 Blue Larkspur Lane, Suite 204
Monterey, CA 93940
timorr@montereyjazzfestival.org
www.montereyjazzfestival.org
MJF Office: 831-373-3366 x252

Photo: Roy Hargrove & RH Factor at the 2006 Monterey Jazz Festival

Photo Credit: James Knox

Posted by at 12:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Please note that the artist times shown below are subject to change without notice. This just gives you a general idea for when your favorites will appear on stage. It also means I need to get on the road early tomorrow. Don't forget to wear comfortable clothes (it gets hot and dusty up there!!!), bring your sunscreen and drink plenty of water. Enjoy your weekend!

Sat:
Ledisi – 11:15 – 12:10
Poncho Sanchez – 12:45 to 1:55
Boney James – 2:30 – 4pm
Chaka – 4:35 – 6

Sun:
Lavay Smith 11:15 – 12:15
Christian Scott – 1pm – 2:10
Joe Sample – 2:45 – 3:55
Norman Brown, etc. 4:30 – 6pm

Photo above: Bassist Arlington Houston at the 2006 Russian River Jazz Festival.

Photo Credit: James Knox

Posted by at 6:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2007
www.montereyjazzfestival.org

Media Contact: Timothy Orr
Direct Line: 510-652-1122
MJF Phone: 831-373-3366 X252
timorr@montereyjazzfestival.org

Monterey Jazz Festival Launches 50th Grounds Entertainment With 500 Artists On 8 Stages For Nonstop Celebration Of Milestone Event

Hip New DJ Dance Club " Lyons Lounge" Debuts, New " Lyons Lane " Showcases MJF History, "New Grooves in New Orleans " on Friday, Sunday Salutes "Family Day"

Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Terence Blanchard, Ernestine Anderson, Jim Hall, Dave Holland, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter, Eric Harland, Kenny Burrell, Otis Taylor, Nnenna Freelon, Benny Green, James Moody, Mort Sahl, John Sayles, Clint Eastwood, And More Slated For The Jazz Party Of The Century, September 21-23 On Monterey Fairgrounds

September 7, 2007; Monterey, California; The 50th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon is going to offer jazz fans both an historic and groundbreaking weekend, September 21-23, 2007. The most anticipated jazz event of the year, MJF/50 will feature over 500 artists on 8 stages of Grounds entertainment, along with 3 venues simulcasting the MJF Arena’s 5 concerts. With prices starting at just $35 for Friday, MJF/50 Grounds Tickets are the answer to a jazz fan’s dreams and a bargain to boot.

Grounds Artists will include the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Terence Blanchard, Ernestine Anderson, Jim Hall, Dave Holland, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter, Eric Harland, Kenny Burrell, Otis Taylor, Nnenna Freelon, Benny Green, James Moody, Rashied Ali, and many more over three nights and two days of music.

In honor of this historic occasion, the Festival has opened a new area, Lyons Lane (named in honor of MJF founder Jimmy Lyons), with a call to fans to "celebrate our past and sample the future." The Festival's history-laden past will be showcased by "Monterey through the Eyes of the Media," a display of previews, reviews, and articles about MJF from 1958 through 2007. Featuring autograph sessions, free samples of cool products, a new E-Mail Station, and a chance for fans to share their MJF memories, Lyons Lane will be open during all Festival hours.

At the end of Lyons Lane , fans will discover Lyons Lounge, the Festival's first new venue in years and the Festival's first ever dance venue. DJ Logic and Vinnie Esparza will be remixing hip-hop, jazz and dance tracks from 8:00 pm nightly, with the Lounge opening at 7:00 pm on every Festival evening.

The 50th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by Verizon offers fans three nights and two days of legendary music, international food, shopping, and entertainment for families and fans of all ages, in one of the world's most beautiful settings.

Continue reading "Monterey Jazz Festival Launches 50th Grounds Entertainment" »

Posted by at 5:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2007
www.montereyjazzfestival.org

Media Contact: Timothy Orr
Direct Line: 510-652-1122
MJF Phone: 831-373-3366 X252
timorr@montereyjazzfestival.org

50th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Seeks Volunteers
Volunteers Act as MJF Ambassadors,
Participate in MJF Events, Gain Valuable
Experience in Festival Production

August 29, 2007; Monterey, CA; The Monterey Jazz Festival is looking for volunteers to assist MJF staff in producing the historic 50th annual MJF, to be held at the Monterey Fairgrounds, September 21 - 23, 2007. Volunteers will see the Festival up close, act as MJF Ambassadors, work with stage, public relations, hospitality, and other MJF related activities. Positions are open to all, from students to seniors, and everyone in between. Volunteers may work behind the scenes or in a crowd, and are able to stay on the grounds after serving a shift to enjoy the Festival music, events and activities. Volunteers are needed starting Monday, September 17, continuing through Monday, September 24. There is a special need for help early in the Festival week, with positions available to help set up for the Festival.

To apply to be a volunteer for the Monterey Jazz Festival, please visit the Festival’s website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org and look for the “Volunteer for the Festival” button on the homepage. You will find volunteer information and an application you can print out, fax or email to the Festival.

You can visit the Volunteer page here: http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org/info/volunteers.htm

###

For more information, please contact:

Timothy Orr
Marketing Associate
Direct Line: 510-652-1122
MJF Phone: 831-373-3366 X252
timorr@montereyjazzfestival.org
www.montereyjazzfestival.org

Posted by at 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 9, 2007

CONTACT:

Denise Lamott Public Relations
(415) 897-5089
lamoore1@verizon.net

THE 31st ANNUAL RUSSIAN RIVER JAZZ FESTIVAL TO FEATURE MUSIC LEGEND CHAKA KHAN, PLUS BONEY JAMES, JOE SAMPLE TRIO, PONCHO SANCHEZ, NORMAN BROWN & OTHERS

FESTIVAL ON SEPTEMBER 8 & 9 BRINGS WORLD-CLASS JAZZ, WINE & FOOD TO THE PICTURESQUE BANKS OF THE RUSSIAN RIVER AT JOHNSON’S BEACH IN GUERNEVILLE

WHAT:
The 2007 Russian River Jazz Festival celebrates 31 years of bringing world-class music and festival revelry to the Bay Area on Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9, at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville.

Established in 1976, the Russian River Jazz Festival has evolved into one of the nation’s top jazz events, and the quintessential end-of-Summer celebration for Northern Californians. Enjoy great music and the finest local wines at a picturesque outdoor setting on the banks of the Russian River.

WHEN:
Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9, 2007.
Gates opens 10:00 a.m. Music begins 11:00 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m.

WHERE:
Johnson’s Beach along the Russian River, Guerneville (1st & Church Sts.)

ARTISTS:
Saturday, September 8:
Chaka Khan – eight-time Grammy Award© winner
Boney James – top selling saxophonist
Poncho Sanchez – the King of the Congas
Ledisi – urban jazz vocalist with new Verve release coming Aug. 28
Forté (jazz combo) and Michaele on the Wine Garden Stage

Sunday, September 9:
Norman Brown’s Summer Storm featuring vocalist Peabo Bryson, Marion Meadows (sax) and Jeff Lorber (keys)
Joe Sample Trio – legendary contemporary pianist
Christian Scott – trumpeter named “next big thing”, new CD on Concord
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers – swinging jazz band
Michaele on the Wine Garden Stage

TICKETS: Ticket prices are $45 per day or $80 for the 2-day Pass (through Sept. 7)

Gold Tier tickets are available for $90 per day or $170 for both days. Gold Tier guests are assigned a reserved sand chair in front of the main stage, use of a private beach chair and 3 wine tasting coupons.
• Tickets purchased at the gate are $50 per day (general admission) or $100 per day (Gold Tier)
• Children 10 and under are free!

Tickets can be purchased by phone by calling the Jazz on the River Box Office at (707) 869-1595; or online at www.RussianRiverFestivals.com.

OUTLETS Tickets are also available (cash only) at three local tickets outlets, including the Russian River Chamber of Commerce (16209 Main Street in Guerneville), the Last Record Store in Santa Rosa (1899a Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa) and at Back Door Disc in Cotati (7665 Old Redwood Hwy.)

INFO
Box Office: (707) 869-1595
E-mail tickets@omegaevents.com
Website http://www.RussianRiverFestivals.com

For full artist bios and electronic photos, contact Denise Lamott at lamoore1@verizon.net.

No glass, cans, alcohol, pets or high-back beach chairs will be permitted. Low-back chairs only (no higher than 32” in full upright position).

Posted by at 12:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

UPCOMING JAZZ AT THE INTERSECTION PERFORMANCES

8 Performances Offsite at the de Young's Sculpture Garden/Cafe in Golden Gate Park
FREE performances start at 2 PM

Sun Sept 2 - Howard Wiley & The Angola Project
Sun Sept 9 - The Babatunde Lea Quartet
Sun Sept 16 - The Kasey Knudsen Group
Sun Sept 23 - Marcus Shelby presents Harriet Tubman & Jazz
Sun Sept 30 - Erik Jekabson's "West Coast" Quartet + Strings
Sun Oct 7 - Ben Goldberg Quintet
Sun Oct 14 - Angela Wellman's New Roots
Sun Oct 21 - Mitch Marcus Quintet + 13

2 Performances At Intersection for the Arts
Performances start at 8 PM and are $10-$25/sliding scale
Make a reservation here>>

Tues Oct 9 - Scott Amendola Quartet with Ches Smith, Matthias Bossi & Devin Hoff
Tues Nov 13 - Howard Wiley & The Angola Project

For more detailed information on this concert series, go to the Intersection for the Arts website.

Posted by at 11:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just as the summer winds down, the Bay Area music festivals are in full swing. There will be a lot of great talent coming our way so get out and enjoy some live music.

Downtown Berkeley Jazz Festival - August 22-26
Art & Soul Oakland - September 1-3
Russian River Jazz Festival - September 8 & 9
Montclair Jazz & Wine Festival - September 16
Monterey Jazz Festival - September 21-23

See you there!

Photo Credit: James Knox

Posted by at 9:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On a personal note:

I recently had the pleasure of attending Jon Lucien's performance with the Original All-Stars of Jazz Fusion at the Berkeley Jazz Festival a few weeks ago. He was not in the best of health but when he got up to the microphone, all his troubles and cares melted away. The richness of this baritone voice silenced the crowd as he sung the Jobim classic "Dindi."

After his performance, I got to chat with him and his wife, Delesa. I thanked him for his wonderful music. I also bought three of his CD's and he signed them for me. His voice will definitely be missed. His passing reminds us that we have to see the legends while we can because before we know it, they are gone.

I took the above photo last summer when Jon performed with the Original All-Stars of Jazz Fusion at the Russian River Jazz Festival. Thank you, Mr. Lucien!

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-lucien23aug23,0,7003313.story?coll=la-home-obituaries

Jon Lucien, 65; pioneer in smooth jazz

By Jon Thurber, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer August 23, 2007

Jon Lucien, a singer who used his rich, expressive baritone to pioneer smooth jazz years before it was fashionable to do so, died Saturday at a hospital in Orlando, Fla. He was 65.

Lucien died of respiratory failure and complications from kidney surgery, according to his wife, Delesa. He had undergone a kidney transplant two years ago, she said.

With his blend of Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms and a suave style, Lucien emerged on the music scene in the early 1970s with a recording contract for RCA. But although his early albums drew devoted fans, the records never sold in large numbers.

An original performer and songwriter, Lucien performed music that wasn't easy to categorize. Although stores generally placed his records in the jazz bins, they weren't straight-ahead jazz and they didn't easily fit into the traditional pop or R&B categories.

The issue of genres hurt his chances for radio airplay, but he ultimately found success when the smooth jazz format came along in the late 1980s and '90s. This was more than a decade after he recorded some of his best-known songs, including "Rashida," "Lady Love," "Hello Like Before" as well as his cover of Antonio Carlos Jobim's classic "Dindi."

Writing in The Times in 1979, jazz critic Leonard Feather praised a performance by Lucien, which featured pianist Herbie Hancock, for his "resonant baritone, assured timber and phrasing, the West Indian piquancy of his announcements." But Feather also noted that standards were not Lucien's strength and that "contemporary material works better for him."

Born Lucien Harrigan in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and raised on neighboring St. Thomas, he was the oldest of eight children. Born into a musical family, he was a fan of Nat "King" Cole. In his early teens, he began playing bass in his father's Latin jazz band.

A few years later, Lucien moved to New York to play at resorts in the Catskill Mountains. He was spotted by an RCA official during one of those gigs and signed to a contract, his wife said.

In addition to RCA, he recorded for CBS, Shanachie and Mercury as well as his own Sugar Apple label. He had a large following in England and played to packed auditoriums on a tour there in the mid-1990s, his longtime drummer Kim Plainfield told The Times on Wednesday.

He was struck by personal tragedy on two occasions. In the early 1980s, his 5-year-old daughter drowned in a backyard swimming pool; and in 1996, her twin sister, then 17, was among the 230 people killed in the crash of TWA Flight 800 off Long Island, N.Y.

In addition to his fourth wife, Lucien is survived by two sons, a daughter, four brothers, two sisters and two grandchildren.

jon.thurber@latimes.com

Posted by at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Dave Brubeck is one of the most well-known jazz pianists of all time. The classic Dave Brubeck Quartet produced the first ever million-selling jazz tune (Take Five) and toured the world many times. The Quartet's experimentation with time signatures unusual to jazz produced works like "Blue Rondo a la Turk" and "The Duke", introducing millions of enthusiastic listeners to unexplored regions of jazz.

But Dave Brubeck is not one to get stuck in a rut, he has continued to develop as a musician, exploring new avenues in composition and performance. Brubeck's style ranges from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills. He is still touring, and still releasing albums, at the age of 86. He is one of the most influential musicians of jazz history.

Friday, August 24, 2007, 8pm
Fox Theatre - 2215 Broadway, Redwood City
Ticket Prices - $65, $45, $40, $35
The show is almost sold out... Don't wait to purchase your tickets!
Box office: (650) 369-4119
www.foxdream.com
www.ticketmaster.com

Photo Credit: James Knox

Posted by at 6:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

LUCINDA WILLIAMS, AGAINST ME!, TED LEO AND THE PHARMACISTS, JEFFREY OSBORNE, PIECES OF A DREAM WITH REGINA BELLE

THE BAY AREA’S BEST SUMMER FESTIVAL

COMCAST ART & SOUL OAKLAND LABOR DAY WEEKEND

OAKLAND, California (July 27, 2007)—The City of Oakland announced headliners and featured performers for this year’s 7th Annual Comcast Art & Soul Oakland . Thanks to guaranteed stellar lineups, abundant parking, easy BART accessibility and the bargain price of just $10 per day, Comcast Art & Soul Oakland has been named the Bay Area’s “best annual cultural event” by Oakland Magazine. The SF Weekly added, “Art & Soul is dialed in to practically everything that makes Oakland great.” Held in beautiful, re-energized downtown Oakland over Labor Day weekend September 1–3, 2007, this seventh annual celebration features an eclectic all-star lineup of 60 national recording artists and hot Bay Area bands sure to please every musical taste.

Comcast Art & Soul Oakland gets off to a running start on Saturday with the catchy punk-folk sounds of Against Me! (in association with LIVE 105). Lucinda Williams has top billing Sunday (in association with KFOG 104.5 FM/97.7 FM.) Soulful funk/R&B star Jeffrey Osborne, former lead singer of L.T.D. whose solo career boasts five platinum and gold albums, headlines Monday’s show (in association with KBLX 102.9 FM.). Osborne has scored several top 40 hits including “On the Wings of Love,” Don’t You Get So Mad,” Stay With Me Tonight” and “Love Power” which he performed with Dionne Warwick.

Against Me! anchors the main stage on opening day. Renowned for energetic live shows, their unique brand of punk-folk and country creates socially conscious impassioned anthems. Sharing the main stage on Saturday are Ted Leo and the Pharmacists whose punk-soul bristles with energy and conviction, and Army of Me whose super polished hooks retain a down to earth quality. Oakland ’s own The Lovemakers bring their wild, passionate, borderline-out-of-control live show for the home town crowd.

Triple Grammy Award winner Lucinda Williams is a modern musical cult-heroine whose relentless exploration of her art makes for utterly compelling and riveting music. The st ron g Sunday lineup also includes Bay Area indie favorites Luce and the get-up-and-dance bi-lingual Latin rock of deSol.

Capping Comcast Art & Soul Oakland on Monday, in addition to headliner Jeffrey Osborne the ever-popular KBLX 102.9 FM stage features powerhouse contemporary jazz from Pieces of a Dream featuring Regina Belle and the smooth sounds of keyboardist Peter Horvath. Keeping with Art & Soul tradition international gospel sensation Edwin Hawkins commands the gospel stage. This year it will be a family affair with Walter and Tramaine Hawkins in the house.

Continue reading "7th Annual Comcast Art & Soul Oakland - Labor Day Weekend" »

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For more information, www.dbjf.org.

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'Harriet Tubman: Bound for the Promised Land' is a secular oratorio for jazz orchestra and vocalists, composed and written by Marcus Shelby, performed by the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra with guest vocalists Faye Carol, Kenny Washington, Jeanine Anderson and Joseph Mace premieres on May 5 from 1-4pm at Yerba Buena Gardens In San Francisco.

Based on Kate Larson¹s book, Shelby's oratorio tells the remarkable story of Harriet Tubman, a woman who rose out of humble beginnings, escaped slavery and dedicated her life to challenging the grave injustices in her day. Tubman was a genuine American hero in a period in America's history that bears a striking resemblance to our own.

Don’t miss this significant new work, commissioned by YBGF with major support provided by The Creative Work Fund and the LEF Foundation!

The 2007 Yerba Buena Gardens Festival features nearly 100 events, including classical and jazz concerts, opera, international music events, theater, dance, children's and family programs, educational programs and cultural events. All events are FREE to the public!

YBGF is located on Mission Street between 3rd & 4th Streets in downtown San Francisco. Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, Mission Street between 3rd and 4th, 415-543-1718, www.YBGF.org

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Pianist Tammy Hall plays Tuesdays in April; Saxophonist Dayna Stephens performs in May

( San Francisco , CA – April, 2007) This month, Jazz at Pearl ’s in San Francisco has been pleased to introduce their new Tuesday Night Jazz Residency program. Each month, Pearl ’s will feature a top-flight local musician for a “month of Tuesdays.” The idea is to give Bay Area music fans an extended opportunity to get to know one of our region’s astounding roster of world-class jazz musicians. At the same time, the month-long residency allows musicians a chance to stretch out, get comfortable and do their best work.

Tammy Hall in Tuesday Residence during April

The Jazz at Pearl’s Tuesday Residency Program began admirably with pianist Tammy Hall taking over the Pearl’s stage on Tuesday nights through April and into May, as she finishes up her current Pearl’s engagement on Tuesday night, May 1. Hall, who recently returned from a performing trip to Japan , performs with a bluesy, gospel-tinged bravura that has made her a longtime audience favorite at Pearl ’s. Last year, Hall stepped forward with a new jazz CD, Blue Devine, and a live DVD, Reflections.

Jim Harrington of the Oakland Tribune said these works, "give the rest of the country a chance to witness what local jazz lovers have been fortunate enough to enjoy for years."

Hall continues her Tuesday residency through May 1, fronting a wonderful band including guitarist Josh Workman, bassist Mike Zisman and drum Kent Bryson.

Dayna Stephens takes on Tuesday Residence in May

Settling into the Jazz at Pearl ’s Tuesday Residency chair beginning May 8 and throughout the month of May will be stirring young tenor saxophonist Dayna Stephens. Stephens is a deeply impressive musician, with a saxophone style that’s warm, heartfelt and direct. A graduate of Berklee School of Music and the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute, Stephens has long been a fixture on the Bay Area music scene, and for the past few years has been making his mark in New York City , as well. He’s performed recently with heavyweights like Kenny Barron, Oliver Lake and Josh Roseman.

Stephens recently released his first CD, The Timeless Now, featuring stars including John Scofield, Taylor Eigsti and Eric Harland. As the CD gains the national attention it’s sure to receive, Stephens’ star is sure to gain a speedy ascendance.

Famed guitarist John Scofield met Stephens when the young saxophonist was studying at the Monk Institute.

“Dayna was a great improviser,” Scofield recalled recently of that first meeting. “He could burn, but he could also play lyrically, and he had a nice warm sound on the saxophone. He and I had an immediate chemistry. The jazz improvisers I like best are not flashy, and for Dayna, it’s all about the music.”

As noted, Scofield was impressed enough to agree to appear on Stephens’ first CD, a substantial endorsement, to say the least.

Dayna Stephens will play at Jazz at Pearl ’s for four Tuesdays in May:

May 8 and May 22, Stephens will bring a fiery organ trio to Jazz at Pearl ’s, featuring B3 master Dave Mathews (who tours regularly with Etta James) and drummer Jeff Marrs.

May 15 and 29, Stephens lead a straight-ahead quartet featuring some of the Bay Area’s finest young jazz stars, including pianist Adam Shulman, bassist Devon Hoff and drummer Jeff Marrs.

For more information

Jazz at Pearl ’s is located at 256 Columbus Avenue, near Broadway, in the heart of San Francisco ’s historic North Beach District. Performances begin nightly at 8:00 and 10:00 pm, with doors opening at 7:30. For more information, please contact Jerry Karp at (415) 731-6468 or jerry@rocketwords.com. For more information about Jazz at Pearl ’s, please visit www.jazzatpearls.com

Photo Credit: James Knox

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NEWS FROM:

Cultural Arts & Marketing Department - City of Oakland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2007

Contacts: Angela Wellman
Oakland Public Conservatory (510) 836-4649, ext. 113
awellman@opcmusic.org

Samee Roberts
City of Oakland (510) 238-2136
sroberts@oaklandnet.com

Music Conservatory Adds To Downtown Oakland 's Cultural Resurgence

OAKLAND, Calif. (April 10, 2007) Downtown Oakland's burgeoning arts and entertainment scene is getting a major boost from new performance venues and unique arts education facilities popping up in and around the Uptown district. One of the key players in downtown's resurgence is the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music currently being showcased as the "Featured Venue" on www.MeetDowntownOak.com, the City of Oakland 's online guide to all that is hip in the heart of Oakland .

The Oakland Public Conservatory of Music (OPCM) is the only public conservatory of its kind in the nation. The school strives to open the world of music to people of all ages and backgrounds through high-quality, economical music education. Programs and activities include a preparatory program offering conservatory-quality training complete with private lessons, master classes, keyboard and theory classes, in addition to ensembles and performance opportunities; a children's performing arts camp; teen music mentors; Saturday classes for infants and children; and the Community in music Education Program which offers a variety of classes from Blues Piano to Caribbean music for older teens and adults. The talent of the school's pupils is highlighted during a variety concerts and special performances throughout the year.

The school was founded in 2005 under the dynamic leadership of Angela Wellman. Recently spotlighted in "Woman with a Horn," an article in the March 25th edition of San Francisco Chronicle, Wellman is a highly-accomplished bandleader and trombone player.

In celebration of National Jazz Appreciation Month, "Celebrating the Kid from Red Bank: A Tribute to Count Basie," will be held on Sunday, April 15, 2007, as part of the Chapel of the Chimes' "Jazz at the Chimes" Series. Highlighting this OPCM fundraiser will be a special performance by the Count Basie Tribute Orchestra under the direction of Wellman. The orchestra will also feature Count Basie alum and legendary bassist John Heard and pianist Bill Bell. The concert, which begins at 2:00 p.m., will be preceded by a conversation starting at 12:30 p.m. with Orrin Keepnews, founder of legendary jazz recording labels Milestones Records and Riverside Records.

Continue reading "Music Conservatory Adds To Downtown Oakland 's Cultural Resurgence" »

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SAN JOSE, Calif, April 9, 2007 – San Jose Jazz today announced details of the many venues and performances which will participate in honor of Jazz Appreciation Month. More than 30 performances ranging from straight ahead to big band will take place throughout the month of April including the following:

Live Performances:

The Agenda Restaurant and Lounge
All shows 7:30pm to 9:45pm (unless noted)
no cover charge with dinner
399 South First St.
San Jose, Ca. - (408) 287-3991
www.agendalounge.com

The Bleu Ginger Restaurant and Lounge
All shows 7pm to 10pm
no cover charge with dinner
90 S. Abel Rd.
Milpitas, CA
(408) 719-9998
www.bleuginger.com

Savanna Jazz & Friends present Louie Bellson
Friday, April 27th Saturday, 28th 2007
Time: Two shows 8 pm and 10 pm.
Artist: In a Tribute to Jazz Legend Drummer Louie Bellson will perform and be honored at Savanna Jazz. The master of ceremony is KCSM's Sonny Buxton.
Location: 2937 Mission Street
Price: $30 and only available at the venue
San Francisco, CA 94110
San Jose Jazz members receive a free appetizer
http://www.savannajazz.com/

Continue reading "Press Release: SJ Jazz Celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month" »

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DAYNA STEPHENS' DEBUT "THE TIMELESS NOW" FEATURING JOHN SCOFIELD AVAILABLE MAY 15, 2007 ON CTA RECORDS

New York, NY, March 26, 2007 – On May 15, 2007 CTA Records will release "The Timeless Now", debut album by tenor saxophonist Dayna Stephens. He is joined by a superb group of musicians including guitarist John Scofield, pianist Taylor Eigsti, bassist Ben Street and drummer Eric Harland. With the aid of Rale Micic, who produced the album, Stephens delivers music that is vibrantly imaginative and pure.

A fluid, vigorous soloist with a warm, soulful sound, Dayna Stephens has been described as "One of the most exciting young tenor sax players". Showcasing brilliant playing as well as writing, he penned seven out of nine selections on the album. Versed listener can hear traces of tenor great Wayne Shorter, who, besides being one Stephens' inspirational heroes, was also his mentor.

Dayna Stephens, 28, showed serious talent early on, winning many awards and scholarships with various music programs. After graduating Berklee College of Music in Boston on a full scholarship, he was selected by judges Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Terence Blanchard for the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz at USC. While there, he studied and played with, among others, Shorter, Hancock, Dave Holland and Mark Turner. Since graduating from the Monk Institute in 2003, Dayna Stephens has worked with the likes of Roy Hargrove, Carlos Santana, Kenny Barron, Terence Blanchard, Steve Coleman and Stefon Harris.

The Timeless Now establishes Dayna Stephens as an exceptional talent with a bold new vision of jazz today.

Read more about Dayna Stephens on his new website, www.daynastephens.com.

Photo Credit: James Knox

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Patti Austin Master Class @ Borders, 04/11/07, originally uploaded by in2jazz.

I cannot think of any place that I would rather be than here!

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I first heard about guitarist Terrence Brewer last summer during a conversation I was having with drummer Glen Iwaoka. The first time I heard Terrence for myself I was totally impressed and bought his music on the spot. You can hear and see that he loves the music he plays. He and his band are a tightly woven and cohesive. Terrence is definitely one of the hardest working musicians in the Bay Area. I have since had the pleasure of hearing Terrence play throughout the Bay Area and am very excited that he will be making his first apprearance at Yoshi's on March 20. Terrence will feature music from his latest recordings, The Calling Volume One and The Calling Volume Two, along with new compositions and other favorites.

See you there!

Related Articles

sfgate.com: Guitarist Terrence Brewer's melodies inhabit your head. That's his magic.

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For Immediate Release
March 7, 2007

YOSHI'S JAZZ CLUB & JAPANESE RESTAURANT 2007 ANNIVERSARY ART CONTEST
Artwork representing 10 years at Jack London Square and 35 years of world-class Jazz in the Bay Area sought Deadline for entries is March 26th.

Oakland, Ca (March 5, 2007) - In May 2007 Yoshi's will celebrate its 10th year at its Jack London Square location, and the 35th year of presenting great Jazz and Japanese food in the Bay Area. Throughout the month of May, Yoshi's will celebrate its anniversary with special events and commemorative memorabilia.

Artists are invited to submit original artwork for consideration as the official anniversary logo, which will be used on the website and all promotional material for the celebration. Artwork should represent Yoshi's history in the Bay Area (10 years at Jack London Square and 35 years in the Bay Area), the world-class Jazz it presents and its Japanese heritage & cuisine.

One Grand Prize winner will be chosen whose artwork best captures the essence of this special time for Yoshi's Jazz Club & Restaurant. The winner of the art contest will receive 5 pieces of merchandise and/or CD featuring their artwork along with $500 Yoshi's gift certificate.

Artwork must be submitted in a rectangular format matching the dimensions of a music CD, although the artwork size does not necessarily have to be the exact size of a CD as it may also be used on T-shirts and other merchandise. Yoshi's will accept artwork in color, black & white, mixed media and digital. Artwork on computer disc is also eligible as long as a printout of the artwork is submitted along with the disc. Work should not be matted. All entries must have artist's full name, address and phone number on the back.

All submissions must be received by Monday, March 26th at 6:00PM PST and should be sent to Art Contest / YOSHI'S Jazz Club 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA 94607. Art can also be emailed to replies@yoshis.com in PDF format. For complete rules & regulations all inquiries should be directed to www.yoshis.com. Winner will be notified by Yoshi's directly by April 2nd.

Joan Rosenberg
Director of Marketing & Publicity
Yoshi's Jazz House & Restaurant
510 Embarcadero West
Oakland, CA 94607
(510)238-1350 - Office
joan@yoshis.com

Photo Credit: James Knox

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Singer/Keyboardist/Songwriter/Entertainer André dos Santos Morgan will be performing at the Empire Plush Room in SF on March 7 and 8 at 8pm each night. These shows also celebrate the release of his new CD, Edge of the Fog.

For more information, contact the Empire Plush Room Box Office or andredossantosmorgan.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2007
www.montereyjazzfestival.org

Media Contact: Timothy Orr
Direct Line: 510-652-1122
MJF Phone: 831-373-3366 X252
Email: timorr@montereyjazzfestival.org

Monterey Jazz Festival Presents Terence Blanchard Quintet Live in Concert at Monterey ’s Historic Golden State Theatre, Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 8:00 PM

Internationally Renowned Trumpeter/Composer Kicks Off MJF’s Next Generation Festival Weekend, March 22-25 in Downtown Monterey

February 16, 2007; Monterey, California; The Monterey Jazz Festival, a leader in jazz education since 1958, is pleased to announce that MJF's 2007 Artist-In-Residence, Terence Blanchard, will play a special concert with his Quintet at the historic Golden State Theatre in Downtown Monterey on Thursday, March 22 at 8:00 PM. Tickets go on sale on February 20th and are available through the MJF website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org or by calling the MJF Ticket Office at 925-275-9255.

Tickets are priced at $30 for General Admission, $45 for Premium General Admission and $75 for Gold Circle Admission, which includes an after-concert reception with the Grammy Award winning artist.

The concert kicks off the 3rd Annual Next Generation Festival, which is sponsored by MJF. The weekend-long event is an expansion of the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Annual National High School Jazz Competition, now in its 37th year. Featuring over forty groups from across the nation, the top big bands, combos and vocal ensembles will win cash awards and an invitation to perform at the 50th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by Verizon, September 21-23, 2007. Auditions will also be held for chairs in the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, which tours internationally and is a featured ensemble on the Festival's Sunday afternoon Arena/Lyons Stage.

Blanchard was named as the 2007 MJF Artist-In-Residence last fall, and has been a committed supporter of jazz education throughout his career. Terence was one of the fire-tempered “Young Lions” of the early 80s, and has been on the cutting edge of the resurgence of hard-bop and other modern jazz styles for his entire adult life. As one of his generation’s most artistically mature and innovative artists, Blanchard will be thoroughly engaged with the Monterey community in 2007. He will perform with his own group on the stage of the newly renovated and historic Golden State Theatre, act as a clinician during the MJF's 37th Annual National High School Jazz Competition, mentor students at the MJF Summer Jazz Camp and perform with the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra at the Monterey Jazz Festival presented by Verizon, September 21-23, 2007.

"We are very excited to feature Terence this year as our Artist-In-Residence,” says Tim Jackson, MJF’s General Manager and Artistic Director. “His artistry, breadth of experience and ability to communicate will make this a residency worth remembering for our community and for our young students. We are also pleased to present our first concert at the beautiful Golden State Theatre in downtown Monterey and hope that this will be the first of many MJF musical moments at this historic facility."

Featured in Terence’s band will be some of the most talented new stars on the jazz scene: Brice Winston on saxophone; Fabian Almazan on piano; Derrick Hodge on bass and Kendrick Scott on drums. Winston’s work includes membership in Terence’s regular band, and he is a featured musician and soloist on numerous soundtracks by Terence as well. Fabian Almazan is a Cuban native and recently graduated from the Manhattan School of Music. Derrick Hodge and Kendrick Scott are both members of Terence’s Flow group, have contributed to Blanchard’s recent soundtracks, and have gigged or recorded with Donald Byrd, Dianne Reeves, Pat Metheny, Mulgrew Miller, Kanye West, Mos Def, David Sanborn, and many others.

Tickets for the Terence Blanchard concert will go on sale on February 20 at 9 AM, and can be purchased through the Festival’s website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org or by calling the MJF Ticket Office at 925-275-9255.

The Golden State Theatre is located at 417 Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey , California , and has been recently restored to its stately and opulent 1926 glory, with beautiful frescos, gilded details and stained glass lighting. For more information on the Golden State Theatre, please visit www.goldenstatetheatre.com.

Continue reading "Monterey Jazz Festival Presents Terence Blanchard Quintet Live in Concert" »

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The Lodge at Sonoma and the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society are presenting Live Music every Friday and Saturday from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Here is the line-up for February:

February 10th - Dana Land Trio John Hoy and Tom Schader
February 16th - David Aguilar Acustic Trio
February 17th - Noam Lemish and George Marsh
February 23rd - Dana Land Duo w/John Simon
February 24th - Stephanie Ozer Trio w/Claudia Villela and Mary Fettig

The Lodge at Sonoma is located at 1325 Broadway, Sonoma. The music will be in the hotel lounge where they have great food and beverage selections.

Janice King
President
Sonoma Valley Jazz Society
707-373-0700

Posted by at 9:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2007
Media Contact: Jason Arnold
510/326.4353 cell
Jason@themeproductions.com
http://www.kimnalley.com
Hi-res photos available at http://www.kimnalley.com/html/photos.shtml

SULTRY JAZZ VOCALIST KIM NALLEY TO PERFORM IN NAPA, OAKLAND AND PALO
ALTO, MARCH 10-18

CONCERTS PAYS TRIBUTE TO VOCAL LEGENDS NINA SIMONE AND BILLIE HOLIDAY
WITH SPECIAL PERFORMANCES FOR BAY AREA AUDIENCES

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
March 10, 2007, 8:00pm
Kim Nalley Sings Nina Simone
COPIA, The American Center for Wine, Food & The Arts
500 First Street, Napa CA 94559
$25 general/$22.50 member
Ticket Information: 707.259.1600 or 888.512.6742, www.copia.org

Tuesday, March 13, 8:00pm and 10:00pm
Kim Nalley: The Heart of Lady Day
Yoshi’s at Jack London Square
510 Embarcadero West, Oakland CA 94607
8pm Show $16, 10pm Show $10
Ticket Information: 510.238.9200, www.yoshis.com

Sunday, March 18, 2007, 2:00pm
Kim Nalley: The Heart of Lady Day
Palo Alto Elks Lodge
4249 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306
$20-$25 admission
Produced by the Palo Alto Jazz Alliance

February 5, 2007; San Francisco, CA; With three upcoming performances around the regional Bay Area, San Francisco’s sultry chanteuse Kim Nalley is making herself known outside the intimate confines of her regular North Beach performance venue, her “Jazz at Pearl’s” club. The trio of events will showcase Nalley’s powerful jazz singing and signature blues stylings while also celebrating her musical idols, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. Music fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early, as shows may sell out at each event.

Following a sold-out engagement last year with Hammond B-3 specialist Rhoda Scott, Kim Nalley will return to COPIA, in the heart of Napa Valley, on Saturday, March 10 to perform a special tribute to Dr. Nina Simone, the beloved High Priestess of Soul,. Paying homage to the fiery vocalist and civil rights activist, Nalley will perform her own inspired versions of incendiary classics from the Simone repertoire, such as “House of the Rising Sun” and “I Put a Spell on You.”

The performance at COPIA follows a year-long stretch following the release of Kim Nalley’s critically acclaimed album, She Put a Spell on Me: Kim Nalley Sings Nina Simone. As SFStation.com has noted with a four-star review, “Nalley doesn't mimic Simone's style so much as she captures the rousing spirit of the era in which the high priestess of soul performed and, in doing so, makes each number her own. Nalley shows off her soaring, sultry vocals as she powers through an appropriately eclectic set of jazz, blues, showtunes and folk. There is a seductive smoothness to Nalley's sound that should never be confused with slickness, making She Put a Spell On Me equally accessible to Simone aficionados and jazz neophytes alike.”

Fans have also been drawn in recent months to Kim Nalley’s portrayal of another inspirational vocal hero, Billie Holiday. Last July and August, 2006, Nalley acted and sang in the role of Holiday in a wildly successful run of “Lady Day in Love” at the Fellowship Theater in San Francisco. In a rave review for the Berkeley Daily Planet, Ken Bullock wrote, "The difficulty of portraying Billie the singer and the woman has been solved by the presence of vocalist Kim Nalley, who not only sings Lady Day's numbers wonderfully, but manages to convey something of the sense of her character.”

Following her successful theatrical run, Kim Nalley is now taking the Billie Holiday songbook to the jazz club stage. Nalley will present the softer side of Billie Holiday with “The Heart of Lady Day” at Yoshi’s Jazz Club in Oakland on Tuesday, March 13, and in a special presentation produced by the Palo Alto Jazz Alliance at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge on Sunday, March 18. Interpretting love songs and ballads made famous by Holiday in her own unique style, Nalley will be joined by talented pianist Tammy Hall, guitarist Josh Workman, bassist Mike Zisman and drummer Kent Bryson.

###

For more information, please contact:
Jason Arnold
Tel: 510/326.4353
Fax: 480/247.5111
Jason@themeproductions.com

Photo Credit: James Knox

Posted by at 2:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Meredith Melville (510) 655-5200
Deleonart@aol.com
Denise Lamott (415) 897-5089
Lamoore1@verizon.net

RUSSIAN RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL, RUSSIAN RIVER JAZZ FESTIVAL UP FOR SALE

Guerneville, CA – It is with much regret that after bringing years of world-class music to Sonoma County and the Russian River, Lupe De Leon, long-time producer of the Russian River Blues Festival and Russian River Jazz Festival (Jazz on the River) is putting both events up for sale. After suffering a heart attack in 2005, De Leon retired as executive producer of the festivals. Due to his continued illness, De Leon has chosen to sell the music festivals and stay focused on his recovery.

“I hope that the right person will step up to the plate and take over the festival so that this 30-year tradition of great music along the banks of the beautiful Russian River will continue for all to enjoy,” said De Leon.

Since the first festival in 1976, the Russian River Jazz Festival has evolved into one of the country’s top jazz events, and the quintessential Northern California celebration bringing great music and the finest local wines together with a picturesque outdoor setting along the banks of the Russian River. The Russian River Blues Festival recently celebrated its 11th anniversary. Some of the greatest names in blues and jazz have graced the stages of the two festivals, including Etta James, John Lee Hooker, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, Bobby Hutcherson, Stanley Clarke, Chris Botti, Taj Mahal, Al Green, Keb 'Mo, Bonnie Raitt among others.

Inquiries about the sale of the festival can be made through the Russian River Blues and Jazz Festivals’ office at deleonart@aol.com.

# # # #

Photo Credit: James Knox

Posted by at 1:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

PATTI AUSTIN BENDS, STRETCHES GERSHWIN ON ‘AVANT-GERSHWIN’ (RENDEZVOUS ENTERTAINMENT, MARCH 6, 2007)

NEW JAZZ ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDING “SWANEE,” “WHO CARES” PLUS TWO PHENOMENAL MEDLEYS

Patti Austin’s adventurous new album ‘Avant-Gershwin’ (Rendezvous Entertainment, March 6, 2007) finds the remarkable entertainer moving beyond basic covers of Gershwin songs and taking risks with the music and sometimes the meaning. “You can judge a brilliant piece of music by how you can bend and stretch it, “ said Austin. “ I always believed George Gershwin to be avant-garde so I wanted to challenge myself and rework everything melodically and lyrically.”

She traveled to Germany to collaborate again with WDR Big Band and its arranger Michael Abene who worked with Austin to tailor the music to her voice and her style. “I wanted to keep the jazz influence running throughout but also wanted to keep it contemporary.”

What results is eight ambitious tracks including the opening “Overture/Gershwin Medley,” “Who Cares,” “Swanee” and her “Porgy & Bess Medley.”

Five Gershwin tunes make up the sweeping “Overture/Gershwin Medley” including “I Got Rhythm,” “ Fascinating Rhythm,” “Clap Your Hands, “Slap that Bass” and “Strike Up the Band.” Leading off with a rousing fanfare, Austin wanted to bring back the concept of the medley because it was a popular way of presenting music for her generation.

She also makes a bold statement with the “Porgy & Bess Medley” by selecting all songs sung by the dominate male characters save the classic “Summertime.” To hear Austin deliver on Jake’s put down “A “Woman Is a Sometime Thing” or Sportin’ Life’s sly “There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon For New York” forces the listener to reconsider the more submissive roles assigned to Bess and the other female characters.

Determined to remove the old school image associated with “Swanee” Austin calls her version a “love song to the south,” making it the most provocative track on the record. Most pointedly, Austin changes the word “mammy” to “momma.” On “Who Cares” Austin converts the tune into a horn-driven samba.

During her illustrious career, Patti Austin has crossed all music genres over the course of 16 solo albums and has performed her award-nominated hit songs on the GRAMMY'S® ("Baby Come to Me") and the Oscars ("How Do You Keep the Music Playing"). In addition to her own CD 'Avant-Gershwin,' Patti also performed on and contributed to the critically acclaimed "Ray Sings, Basie Swings" project as well as the Luther Vandross tribute album "Forever, For Always, For Luther Volume II" and is featured on the new George Benson/Al Jarreau project.

Track Listing:
1. Overture/Gershwin Medley
2. I’ll Build a Stairway To Paradise
3. Who Cares
4. Funny Face
5. Loved Walked In Love is Sweeping the Country
6. Swanee
7. Porgy & Bess Medley
8. Lady Be Good

Hear tracks from Avant-Gershwin at http://rendezvousmusic.com/v2/

Posted by at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What more could you possibly do to warm your heart on Valentine's Day?

Two truly gifted and talented performers, Derek Lassiter and Cedric Brown, sharing the same stage for what will be a magical evening. I have had the pleasure seeing both of them perform on stages throughout Bay Area so I can guarantee you will be in for a treat. Bring yourself and a friend and hear some wonderful music. See ya there!

Posted by at 4:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Associated Press

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, Associated Press Writer
Wed Jan 10, 2:25 AM ET

WASHINGTON - The lady is a stamp! The U.S. Postal Service honors the First Lady of Song — Ella Fitzgerald — with her own postage stamp Wednesday.

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The 39-cent stamp is being released at ceremonies at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, and will be on sale across the country.

People who don't know about her will see the stamp and think: "What makes this person special? And perhaps find out about the person and about the music," said her son, Ray Brown Jr.

Fitzgerald wasn't self-important, perhaps reflecting the values she sang about in the Rodgers and Hart song "The Lady is a Tramp":

"I don't like crap games, with barons and earls. Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls. Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of the girls. That's why the lady is a tramp."

Phoebe Jacobs, executive vice president of The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation and a longtime friend of Fitzgerald, described the singer as "a very private lady, very humble."

After Fitzgerald confided in 1961 that she had never had a birthday party, Jacobs gathered a star-studded collection of people for the special event. The party was a secret, so Fitzgerald was told to dress up because there was a television interview.

"When the lights came on she took her pocket book and hit me on the shoulder," Jacobs recalled. "She was like a little kid, she was so happy."

Fitzgerald was a baseball fan and the guests included her favorite player, Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle. They embraced and traded autographs.

Fitzgerald's appearance on a stamp comes less than a year after Mantle was featured among baseball sluggers.

Born in Newport News, Va., in 1917, Ella Jane Fitzgerald moved with her mother to Yonkers, N.Y., as a youngster and began to sing and dance from an early age. She began winning talent competitions in the early 1930s and was hired to sing with Chick Webb's band.

She later became famous as a scat singer, vocalizing nonsense syllables, and performed with most of the great musicians of the time. She recorded the song books of such composers as Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, George and Ira Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, and Johnny Mercer.

Over the years, Fitzgerald won 13 Grammy Awards and many other honors, including the National Medal of Arts, presented to her in 1987 by President Reagan.

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Collin Artists
(323) 467-4702 Fax (323) 292-9127

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!

The Andy Bey Duo, featuring Paul Meyers on guitar will be appearing at The Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave. in Culver City on Wednesday, November 8 through Saturday, November 11, at 8:00 PM and 9:30 PM (two shows each night). Don't miss the special magic that these two artists bring to the stage!

Please call The Jazz Bakery for ticket information and reservations at 310-271-9039.

If you missed Billie Holiday, Johnny Hartman or Bill Evans, don’t miss this rare appearance by the legendary singer/pianist Andy Bey. Come and hear for yourself what the critics are raving about. His latest CD, "American Song" garnered him a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocals.

For further information, bookings, press needs and interviews please contact Barbara Collin at 323-467-4702 office, 323-556-1046 mobile or collinartists@sbcglobal.net.

"After a lifetime of rubbing shoulders with jazz's greatest artists, Andy Bey has finally joined their ranks." - Andrew Gilbert, San Francisco Chronicle

"In fact if there’s a better jazz singer than Bey ---male or female in action these days, I, for one would like to know who it is." Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times

“An Extraordinary Talent” - N.Y. Times

“His voice is warm, enormously rich and enveloping, his techniques are unpretentiously virtuosic and imaginative.” - Rolling Stone

"Bey's baritone is like a warm, loving embrace and there's an intimacy and elegance in his phrasing and delivery that's unsurpassed." - Toronto Star

Collin Artists
collinartists@sbcglobal.net
www.collinartists.com

Photo Credit: James Knox

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JAZZ AT PEARL’S TO HOST NEW ORLEANS DUO

Singer Kim Prevost and Virtuoso Guitarist Bill Solley Return to San Francisco for a Post-Katrina Concert

SONOMA, California (September 14, 2006)—They lost their home to Katrina, were evacuated for Rita and had to flee from Wilma. Husband and wife duo Kim Prevost and Bill Solley are happy to have 2005 behind them. The couple will perform for three night’s at Jazz at Pearl ’s October 6, 7, and 8, 2006. There will be two shows each night: one at 8 PM another at 10 PM. Tickets are $20 per person per show.

Kim Prevost’s vocals ooze smoky sensuality. She is an inspiring vocal improviser with a delivery both soaring and sultry, and with more than a hint of that special New Orleans flavor. Her range is amazing and her voice insinuates and then soars moving seamlessly from Duke Ellington to Stevie Wonder to Hoagy Carmichael. Meanwhile Bill Solley makes music that jumps and jives and then makes you cry with its pristine beauty. Solley’s musicianship is truly amazing, as he works melody, improvisations and baseline simultaneously with virtuosity and ardor on his trademark 7-string guitar. Their repertoire spans vibrant arrangements of jazz, blues, R&B and gospel favorites, with some lively originals, as well. The results are nothing short of astonishing.

Solley and Prevost burst upon the scene winning the 1999 Black Entertainment Television’s Vocal Jazz Discovery Award. The duo has worked with New Orleans legends Johnny Adams, Luther Kent and Allen Toussaint. They have more recently performed with artists as diverse as Bobby McFerrin, Arturo Sandoval and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.

JazzTimes Magazine reviews the duo’s work, “This kind of chemistry comes a lon g only once in a blue moon. Think Joe Pass and Ella Fitzgerald in their classic Pablo encounter of the early 70s . . . with a modernist spin.” New Orleans ’s Gambit Weekly says, “Individually, they are both tremendous talents, as a team they are the perfect complement of harmony, rhythm and emotion.”

Kim Prevost and Bill Solley will perform at Jazz at Pearl’s located at 256 Columbus Ave. (at Pacific) on Friday, October 6, Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8, 2006. There are two shows nightly, one at 8 PM another at 10 PM. Cost is $20 per person, per show. Ticket information is available at Pearl ’s (800) 838-3006.

# # #

Media Contact: Lance Cutler (707) 996-5980 or lance@winepatrol.com

Photos are available.

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Patrice "Baby Fingers" Rushen, originally uploaded by in2jazz.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 4, 2006

Media Contact: Timothy Orr
Direct Line: 510-652-1122
MJF Phones: 831-373-3366 X252
Email: timorr@montereyjazzfestival.org

Monterey Jazz Festival Grounds Entertainment Features Exciting Array of Traditional, Blues, Gospel, Vocal, Future, World, Contemporary Jazz and More for 3-Day Jazz Party, September 15-17, 2006

New Grooves on Friday, Family Day on Sunday, Plus Weekend-Long Exhibitions, Conversations with Artists, Panel Discussions, Clinics, Food, Festivities and Nonstop Jazz Entertainment

2006 Grounds Tickets Selling at Record Pace

August 4, 2006; Monterey, California; For the 49th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon, Grounds Weekend Passes offer a wealth of sparkling musical gems and riches for families and fans of all ages. Grounds tickets are now available, but are selling at a record pace. Fans are strongly urged to buy tickets now to avoid disappointment and increased ticket prices on day of show. Whether youre looking for jazz chanteuses, cutting-edge future jazz, hard-driving big bands, six-cylinder blues artists, world and contemporary fusion, funky soul-jazz or classic jazz combosor just a great weekend cultural experience, surrounded by music and family fun--the 2006 Monterey Jazz Festival Grounds artists deliver a wide and far-reaching slice of the jazz world, and beyond.

Many of the Lyons Stage headlining artists are appearing in Grounds venues, including world-fusion bassist Richard Bona, sonic groundbreaker and trumpeter Roy Hargrove, contemporary jazz fusion masters the Yellowjackets, MJFs Artist-in-Residence extraordinaire, vocalist Kurt Elling, the hard-driving 14-piece brass band McCollough Sons of Thunder, and blues guitar master Robben Ford. In addition, members of Dave Brubecks expanded ensemble performing the Cannery Row Suite will be performing on the Grounds and include Chris Brubecks own group, Triple Play and vocalist Roberta Gambarini, who will be featured with the legendary 88-year old pianist, Hank Jones. Swinging drummer Jeff Hamilton, who co-leads the Clayton-Hamilton Big Band, will also perform on the Grounds with his trio.

Tickets are now on sale from the Ticket Office (925-275-9255) and online at www.montereyjazzfestival.org. Grounds Tickets are priced at $30 for Friday, $40 for Saturday or Sunday and $95 for all three days. Tickets bought at the door will increase by $5 per ticket during the Festival. Grounds Tickets include daily access to all Grounds concerts, events and activities on 6 stages spread throughout the Monterey Fairgrounds, plus simulcasts of all Arena concerts in The Jazz Theater, The Bose Performance at Home Pavilion and the Festival's Champagne Bar, Klub Korbel.

Continue reading "Monterey Jazz Festival: 3-Day Jazz Party with 500 Top Artists" »

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Willie G, originally uploaded by in2jazz.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RICKIE LEE JONES, NEW FOUND GLORY, WAYMAN TISDALE, ANGIE STONE
AND EDWIN HAWKINS

THE BAY AREA’S BEST SUMMER FESTIVAL COMCAST ART & SOUL OAKLAND
LABOR DAY WEEKEND

OAKLAND, California (July 27, 2006)—The City of Oakland announced headliners and featured performers for this year’s 6th Annual Comcast Art & Soul Oakland. Thanks to guaranteed stellar lineups, abundant parking, easy BART accessibility and the bargain price of just $5 per day, Comcast Art & Soul Oakland has been named the Bay Area’s “best annual cultural event” by Oakland Magazine. Held in beautiful, re-energized downtown Oakland over Labor Day weekend September 2–4, 2006, this sixth annual celebration features an eclectic all-star lineup of 50 bands sure to please every musical taste. Comcast Art & Soul Oakland gets off to a running start on Saturday with the catchy punk-pop of New Found Glory (in association with LIVE 105). Rickie Lee Jones and the subdudes share top billing Sunday (in association with KFOG 104.5 FM/97.7 FM.) Fiery, soulful R&B star Angie Stone headlines Monday’s show (in association with KBLX 102.9 FM.) which also features jazz great Wayman Tisdale.

New Found Glory anchors the main stage on opening day. Renowned for energetic live shows, their unique brand of punk-pop is influenced by everything from hardcore and thrash to new wave. Sharing the main stage on Saturday are Lostprophets, the Welsh band with their sonic guitar-driven splendor, and Plain White T’s whose music is less punk than power pop and always pleasing. The Silversun Pickups bring their textured melodies and indie-rock stylings.

Grammy Award winner Rickie Lee Jones is a modern musical cult-heroine whose relentless exploration of her art makes for utterly compelling and riveting music. Her rare live performance at Art & Soul promises to be a highlight. The strong Sunday lineup also includes the New Orleans funk, R&B and gospel sounds of the subdudes; the Latin jazz, mariachi trumpet, pedal steel guitar delights of Calexico; and Oakland-based rising stars The Bittersweets introducing music from their full-length debut album The Life You Always Wanted.

Capping Comcast Art & Soul Oakland on Monday, the ever-popular KBLX 102.9 FM stage features the sassy, fiery and soulful R&B singer Angie Stone plus the dynamic funk drenched sounds of NBA star-turned-jazz-bassist Wayman Tisdale. Rounding out this exciting lineup are the legendary smooth jazz super group Fattburger and Oakland-based R&B duo Christión.

Continue reading "6th Annual Comcast Art & Soul Oakland Lineup Announced" »

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Marshall Lamm
marshalllamm@earthlink.net
510.928.1410

(June 14, 2006) – JUPITER presents the 2nd annual Downtown Berkeley Jazz Festival (DBJF), Wednesday, August 23 through Sunday, August 27th, made possible by the Downtown Berkeley Association. The summer festival celebrates jazz and related styles of music from around the world, presenting over 45 events in 15 different Downtown Berkeley venues. Music, poetry, dance, film and cuisine are featured throughout the Downtown, promoting our city’s unique businesses and contributing to a more vibrant downtown community.

Expanding on the eclectic nature of Downtown Berkeley, this year’s Downtown Berkeley Jazz Festival features a wide range of music. Confirmed artists include Mingus Amungus, Terry Riley, Ray Obiedo’s Mambo Caribe with Pete Escovedo, Kai Eckhardt’s Area 61, Zoe Ellis, John Santos and Machete Ensemble, Natasha Miller and Bobby Sharp, Jean Fineberg and Saxophunk, Laurie Antonioli and Zilberella, Myra Melford Group, Kenny Washington, Julian Pollack Trio, Taylor Eigsti Trio, AguaLibre, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Tera Johnson, Realistic Orchestra, John Stowell, John Schott’s Dream Kitchen, Ambrose Akinmusire, Wil Blades Duo, George Brooks Summit, Sarah Manning Trio, Poetry by California Poet Laureate Al Young, Richard Silberg, David Meltzer, Ivan Arguelles and many more.

Berkeley is fast becoming a destination to hear exciting, cutting-edge live jazz. On any given night during the DBJF, one can witness the sights and sounds of Berkeley by stepping into Jupiter, Jazzschool, downtown Restaurant, Anna’s Jazz Island, La Note, Venus Restaurant, Ristorante Raphael, Shattuck Down Low and others. Free outdoor performances featuring Festival headliners are held at BART Plaza and Jazzschool students groups perform at Berkeley Farmer’s Market. Poetry readings are scheduled at the Berkeley Public Library and Half Price Books and films are shown at GAIA Arts Center.

Berkeley’s Honorable Mayor Tom Bates proclaims, “The Downtown Berkeley Jazz Festival just the latest of many wonderful additions to our arts community and reinforces Berkeley’s reputation for a lively and creative arts and entertainment scene.”

For more information regarding artists, scheduling, venues, ticket pricing and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.downtownberkeleyjazzfestival.org.

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Bobby Watson and the Live and Learn Quartet, originally uploaded by in2jazz.

Complete Festival Lineup

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I had the pleasure of seeing Oleta Adams in concert at Love Center in January. She put on an incredible evening of music so this will definitely be another outstanding performance. See you there!

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It has been six years since we had new music from Randy Crawford. Soon the waiting will be over. Randy Crawford and Joe Sample have joined forces again and their new release, Feeling Good, will hit the stores on August 24. Joe Sample and legendary producer Tommy LiPuma produced this album which includes classic standards and fresh takes on a couple of songs that Randy made popular in the 80's. It will be an import release on the Emarcy/Universal label. It should be released in the states next year.

Here is the track listing:

1. Feeling Good
2. End Of The Line
3. But Beautiful
4. Rio De Janeiro Blue
5. Lovetown
6. See Line Woman
7. I Want Some More
8. Everybody's Talkin
9. When I Need You
10. Save Your Love For Me
11. Danceland
12. All Night Long
13. Late Late Show
14. Mr. Ugly

Thank you Mark for the heads up! This is as right as rain.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2006
Media Contact: Jason Arnold
Theme Productions
510-326-4353
jason@themeproductions.com
http://www.ferrymusic.org

FERRYMUSIC PRESENTS DENNY ZEITLIN "SOLO VOYAGE" ON JULY 22 AND ERIC ZIVIAN PERFORMING DEBUSSY & RAVEL WITH MELISSA KLEINBART & TANYA TOMKINS ON JULY 29

REMAINDER OF CONCERT SEASON ONBOARD FERRYBOAT "SANTA ROSA" STRAINED DUE TO FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES

PATRONS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND JULY EVENTS TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF SAN FRANCISCO'S FINEST MUSICIANS IN THE INNOVATIVE CONCERT SPACE

San Francisco, California; July 13, 2006; FerryMusic, one of San Francisco's newest and most promising nonprofit performing arts presenters, may be sailing away after it presents its last two jazz and classical concerts on Saturdays July 22 and 29.

The concept of FerryMusic - a floating concert series presented on a boat set against the backdrop of the breathtaking San Francisco Bay - has been the sparkling vision of the organization's Founder and President, Jane MacLean, for the past two years. The idea was originally based on Bargemusic, a successful venture launched in New York by classical arts maven Olga Bloom, a friend of MacLean's.

MacLean fell in love with an under-utilized space onboard the historic 1927 ferryboat "Santa Rosa," which has been owned and operated by Hornblower Yachts as its corporate offices. After favorable meetings with Hornblower, MacLean incorporated her new business as a 501c3 nonprofit organization to include concert presentation and educational programming activities, and quickly enticed many of San Francisco's art patrons to participate on its Advisory Board and Board of Directors. FerryMusic presented a phenomenally successful classical and jazz trial concert in October 2005 and scheduled concerts April through October 2006.

Continue reading "FerryMusic Presents Denny Zeitlin "Solo Vogage" on July 22 and Eric Zivian on July 29" »

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Thursday, August 17th Event at Santana Row Part of the 2006 Annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 20, 2006 -- The San Jose Jazz Society (www.sanjosejazz.org) today announced that New Orleans trumpeter and vocalist Kermit Ruffins will perform at the San Jose Jazz Societys Opening Night Gala & Concert Fundraiser at Santana Row in San Jose. The New Orleans themed reception takes place on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Kermit Ruffins concert and fundraising auction. Tickets are now available.

The evening titled "Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez" is the San Jose Jazz Society's premiere social event. The semi-formal outdoor evening includes an hors doeuvre and cocktail reception in the Maggiano's courtyard. Guests will then be escorted to the concert area where they will be treated to a lively performance featuring Kermit Ruffins and his band, The Barbecue Swingers. Additionally, at intermission, there will be a live auction will feature original artwork, vacation packages and gourmet dining experiences.

Kermit Ruffins is a New Orleans-based trumpeter, bandleader, singer and songwriter who has been compared to a modern day Louis Armstrong. The Barbecue Swingers were formed in 1992 and the band is aptly named as it reflects the two things for which Ruffins is highly noted -- hot jazz and a smokin barbecue. In 1992, Ruffins also made his recording debut as leader with World on a String on the Justice label. For his first album, Ruffins put together an all-star cast of New Orleans musicians including pianist Ellis Marsalis. Over the years, he has penned memorable pieces including "The Big Butter & Egg Man", "Ill Drink Ta Dat" and "The Undertaker Man" as well as re-recording such tunes as "Struttin with Some Barbecue," and "Light Up."

"The outdoor setting of Santana Row is the perfect backdrop for the energy and excitement Kermit Ruffins brings to the stage," said Geoff Roach, executive director of the San Jose Jazz Society. "Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez Let The Good Times Roll - the motto of the city of New Orleans represents the casual elegance of this event coupled with our tribute to our friends who continue to rebuild their community."

Sold out for the past three years, the Gala and Concert is the kickoff to one of San Jose's most popular attractions, the Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival August 18-20 in downtown San Jose.

About the San Jose Jazz Society:
The San Jose Jazz Society is a nonprofit organization with whose annual jazz education and performance programs serve 170,000 youth and adults in Silicon Valley. Programs include, the annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival August 17-20, 2006 presented by Southwest Airlines, the annual Sunday Concert Series, Free Summer Jazz at Santana Row, free in-school jazz programs in Silicon Valley Schools, Jazz Goes to College summer camp, the Smith Dobson Youth Stage and the annual Youth Jazz Festival. A mainstay for Bay Area jazz fans, the Festival also helps keep Silicon Valley strong, generating an estimated six million dollars for the downtown San Jose economy.

Attention Calendar Editors:
Who: 17th Annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival presented by Southwest Airlines Opening Night Gala and Concert Fundraiser "LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULEZ" featuring Kermit Ruffins
When: Thursday August 17, 2006 Time 6:30-10:00pm
Where: Location: Gala Reception: Park Valencia, Santana Row (near Maggiano's Little Italy)
Concert will be held in between Borders Bookstore and Diesel
Price: $150 SJJS Members/ $175 Non-Members 10 person table $1500 (with premier seating)

Availability: Contact: San Jose Jazz Society Contact 408-288-7887 ext.2310, Email at rubelynl@sanjosejazz.org Santana Row Concierge 368 Santana Row Suite 1020 San Jose, CA 95128 408-551-4611 srconcierge@federalrealty.com

Media Contact:
Anne Smith
Publicist
408-313-8089
anne@annesmithcommunications.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2006
Media Contact: Jason Arnold
Theme Productions
510/326.4353
Jason@themeproductions.com
http://www.kimnalley.com
Hi-res photos available at http://www.kimnalley.com/html/photos.shtml

SULTRY SAN FRANCISCO SINGER & “JAZZ AT PEARL’S” CLUBOWNER KIM NALLEY CROSSES THE BAY TO PERFORM AT YOSHI’S JAZZ CLUB, JULY 18

CONCERT PAYS TRIBUTE TO "HIGH PRIESTESS OF SOUL" NINA SIMONE WITH SPECIAL PERFORMANCE FOR EAST BAY AUDIENCES

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Tuesday, July 18
Kim Nalley: A Tribute to Nina Simone
Yoshi’s at Jack London Square
510 Embarcadero West, Oakland CA 94607
8pm Show $16, 10pm Show $10
Ticket Information: 510.238.9200, www.yoshis.com

June 20, 2006; San Francisco, CA; San Franciscans can occasionally catch sultry singing sensation Kim Nalley tear down the house with her scorching blues and jazz set at her North Beach club, Jazz at Pearl’s. But this July 18, it's East Bay residents who will have to cool themselves down when Nalley travels across the Bay for a rare performance at Yoshi’s Jazz Club in Jack London Square, Oakland.

With performances at 8:00 and 10:00pm, Kim Nalley will present a special tribute to the beloved High Priestess of Soul, Dr. Nina Simone. Paying homage to the fiery vocalist and civil rights activist, Nalley will perform her own inspired versions of incendiary classics from the Simone repertoire, such as “House of the Rising Sun” and “I Put a Spell on You.” The Yoshi’s engagement follows a six-month stretch following the release of Nalley’s critically acclaimed album, She Put a Spell on Me: Kim Nalley Sings Nina Simone.

As SF Station attests with a four-star review, “Nalley doesn't mimic Simone's style so much as she captures the rousing spirit of the era in which the High Priestess of Soul performed and, in doing so, makes each number her own. Nalley shows off her soaring, sultry vocals as she powers through an appropriately eclectic set of jazz, blues, showtunes and folk. There is a seductive smoothness to Nalley's sound that should never be confused with slickness, making She Put a Spell On Me equally accessible to Simone aficionados and jazz neophytes alike. Invariably, her bold voice and impressive range will inspire comparisons to the likes of Dinah Washington and Ella Fitzgerald, but it's a tribute to Nalley that she distinguishes herself as a unique talent.”

Nalley's distinguished vocal talent has given her a worldwide reputation for turning a chattering, cocktail-sipping crowd into a rapt audience of lifelong fans in minutes, combining a devastating stage presence with finely tuned powerful voice. A vocalist, bandleader and producer with acting credits include leading roles in “Swing!” and Madame Zinzanni in Teatro Zinzanni, she has recently been named the “Most Influential African-American in the Bay Area” for Entertainment. Pacifica Tribune music journalist Jean Bartlett describes the vocal tour-de-force best by asking, "Ever have that feeling that you're sitting in on something special - a music, a singer, a style that makes you feel a certain wistful reminiscence for this same night to begin all over again, even though it's barely begun? That is the effect of a Kim Nalley performance.”

Following several sold-out San Francisco performances of Kim Nalley’s Tribute to Nina Simone, East Bay audiences are sure to feel the full effect of Kim Nalley’s presence in Oakland on July 18.

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For Immediate Release

LEDISI SIGNS WITH VERVE RECORDS

Acclaimed performer brings showstopping blend of soul, funk, R&B, gospel, and jazz to new label home

Popular soul singer is scheduled to perform as part of the Bill Withers Tribute at the 2006 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards on June 26th in Los Angeles.

The acclaimed Bay Area-based vocalist Ledisi has signed with Verve Records. It was announced by Ron Goldstein, Chairman and CEO of The Verve Music Group. This unique performer brings her showstopping blend of soul, funk, gospel, jazz, and R&B to her new label home, where she will be in the company of such artists as Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Joe Sample, Roy Hargrove, Lizz Wright, and more.

Ron Goldstein, President and CEO of The Verve Music Group, said: “Ledisi has one of the most soulful and pure voices that I have ever heard. She is a true talent and she has the energy on stage to keep an audience on it’s feet throughout her incredible shows. I am so pleased that she chose to be part of the Verve Music Group roster.

After signing with Verve, Ledisi immediately made her mark as a force to be reckoned with on the label. At the recent Urban Network Entertainment & Marketing Summit in Palm Springs , CA , she received a standing ovation after her performance at the Universal Music Distribution luncheon. UMD President Jim Urie said, “Never have seen anything like it. After one minute I was worried about how it was going to go over. After two minutes the whole room was on its feet. Amazing.” Ledisi recently also turned in bravura performances at Verve’s private listening party at the Urban Network Conference as well as ASCAP’s Rhythm and Soul Café in Los Angeles

Ledisi is currently in production on what will be her Verve Records debut which is scheduled for early 2007 release. The urban/soul flavored album will be produced by Ledisi, Rex Rideout and Mano Hanes and will include a wide repertoire of material and showcase a number of her own originals.

Stephen Holden of the New York Times wrote of the multi-talented performer: “Ledisi’s application of her formidable voice to any number of soul, funk and jazz hybrids, however, could be intimidating to singers who lack her wealth of raw talent…. Her voice is her own portable playground.”

For more information, contact: J’ai St. Laurent-Smyth 212.331.2047

[jai.stlaurent-smyth@umusic.com]

www.vervemusicgroup.com

Posted by at 8:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2006
Media Contact: Jason Arnold
Phones: 831/373.3366, cell 510/326.4353
Jason@montereyjazzfestival.org
www.montereyjazzfestival.org

MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL LAUNCHES SUMMER YOUTH JAZZ CAMP JUNE 19 - 30 AT MONTEREY PENNINSULA COLLEGE

INSTRUCTORS INCLUDING MJF ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE KURT ELLING TO TEACH MONTEREY COUNTY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ STUDENTS

$125,000 IN SCHOLARSHIP MONEY OFFERED TO 250 POTENTIAL MJF SUMMER JAZZ CAMP PARTICIPANTS

MJF ALSO PRESENTS ADULT JAZZ CLASS ON JUNE 20, 22 & 27 WITH PIANIST MARK LEVINE AT MPC

Monterey Jazz Festival Summer Youth Jazz Camp
Ages 13-18
June 19-30, 9:00am-5:00pm
Monterey Peninsula College
980 Fremont St, Monterey, 93940

Camp Vocal Solos & Combos Concert
Wednesday, June 28, 7:00pm
Location: National Steinbeck Center
1 Main St, Salinas, CA 93901
Free & Open to the Public

Camp Big Bands & Vocal Ensembles Concert
Thursday, June 29, 7:00pm
Location: Pacific Grove Middle School Auditorium
835 Forest Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Free & Open to the Public

MJF Adult Jazz Class
June 20, 22, & 27, 6:00-8:00pm
Monterey Peninsula College
980 Fremont St, Monterey, 93940
$75 Tuition for Three Class Sessions

June 8, 2006; Monterey, California; The Monterey Jazz Festival holds its two-week Summer Jazz Camp for middle and high school students at Monterey Peninsula College this June 19 – 30, 2006. This year, 250 students from 24 schools in Monterey County have been offered the opportunity to immerse themselves in jazz study and performance with a star-studded line-up of professional musicians and educators. As part of its long-standing commitment to jazz education, the Monterey Jazz Festival has offered a total of $125,000 in scholarship funding for participating students, making the camp not only educationally rewarding and fun, but inexpensive as well.

The MJF Summer Jazz Camp is an intensive immersion program for young jazz students to learn and develop music skills and knowledge, with classes including big bands, small ensembles, vocal performance, instrumental master classes, and daily workshops on different music subjects. The camp also includes special sessions for students to attend combo rehearsals and theory classes. MJF staff expect total enrollment of 160 young musicians to participate in this worthwhile music endeavor, keeping classes and ensembles to a small size. The students – ranging in age from 13 to 18 years old - earn one unit of credit from Monterey Peninsula College at the completion of camp. Students will the opportunity to show off their newly-honed skills in recital performances for fans, friends and family on June 28 at the National Steinbeck Center and June 29 at the Pacific Grove Middle School Auditorium. Student jam sessions, giving students the opportunity to play with the pro's, will take place at Monterey Live with dates and times to be announced.

This year's MJF Summer Jazz Camp is distinguished by the presence of this MJF 2006 Artist-in-Residence, vocalist Kurt Elling. The seven-time GRAMMY Award nominee, who astonished attendants at this year's MJF Next Generation Festival in April, will inspire young musicians with his open and enthusiastic approach to jazz education as well as his lauded vocal talent.

Continue reading "Monterey Jazz Festival Lauches Summer Youth Jazz Camp June 19 - 30" »

Posted by at 5:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

No, not just because it is sunny outside (for the moment.)
No, not just because I have a birthday soon.
No, not just because you just got paid.

Our first 3-day summer holiday weekend of the year is here which also means it is the beginning of summer jazz festival season.

May 2 - September 26
Santana Row Summer Jazz Series
Santana Row is pleased to announce the return of its Tuesday night Summer Jazz Series. Every Tuesday evening, May through September from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Park Valencia, the Summer Jazz Series at Santana Row will feature a variety of jazz musicians provided by the San Jose Jazz Society.

May 25 - 28
Somona Jazz Festival
Performers include B. B. King, Herbie Hancock, Steve Miller Band, John Handy, Natalie Cole, Dianne Reeves, and Rickie Lee Jones.

June 1 - 11
Healdsburg Jazz Festival
Performers include Marc Cary, The Heath Brothers, Mark Murphy, and McCoy Tyner.

June 8 - 11
ReNew Orleans Jazz Festival - Berkeley Public Library
Performers include Tammy Hall Quartet featuring Helena Jack, Charles Hamilton Jazz Ensemble, and Orquesta La Moderna Tradicon.

June 8 - October 11
SFJAZZ Summerfest
SFJAZZ Summerfest is the organization's annual series of free outdoor concerts, featuring over 25 events from June through October in parks and commercial centers throughout the Bay Area.

From the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto to the bucolic park-like setting of Levi's Plaza near the waterfront, SFJAZZ presents an array of fascinating local and national jazz acts. You'll see up-and-comers, established artists and everything in between, all the while enjoying beautiful weather and free music!

June 10 - 11
36th Annual Live Oak Park Fair
An arts and crafts showcase featuring 125 of the region’s top artists and craftspeople in Berkeley’s lovely Live Oak Park. Artists offer one-of-akind handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, clothing, paintings, photography, toys, art glass and more. Children’s entertainment, live music by the nonprofit Jazzschool and delicious food & drink make it a perfect day for the whole family.

June 18 - August 20
Stern Grove Festival
Concerts every Sunday. Performers include Aimee Mann, San Francisco Symphony, Rebirth Brass Band, Mavis Staples, and Spanish Harlem Orchestra.

June 24 - August 5
Stanford Jazz Festival
Over the three-plus decades of presenting the Stanford Jazz Festival, we've found that there is a special energy to our concerts. Most of the performers are also faculty for our educational programs, which coincide with the festival. From veteran statesmen to emerging talents and local standouts, these artists work closely together – collaborating, teaching, interacting, jamming. These artists encourage and befriend each other, while inspiring and being inspired by our enthusiastic students aged 12 to 80.

July 1 - 2
Fillmore Jazz Festival - San Francisco
Performers include Mitch Marcus, Sony Holland, Marcus Shelby, Pyeng Threadgill, Howard Wiley, Kim Nalley and Will Bernard.

July 3 & September 4
KKSF 103.7 Concerts on the Coast at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

July 3
Rendezvous All Stars features Wayman Tisdale, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, and Brian Simpson

September 4
Summer Storm features Norman Brown, Patti Austin, Paul Taylor, and Alex Bugnon

July 6 - 20
Broadway Plaza Summer Jazz Series
Performers include Richard Smith, Gregg Karukas and Nick Colionne. Broadway Plaza’s Summer Jazz Series will take place in the Stanford’s Parking Lot from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. For more information call 925-933-6589.

July 12 - August 30
Oakland City Center Summer Sounds 2006
Hot music from noon to 1pm every Wednesday in the Oakland City Center. Performers include Natasha Miller, Lil' Wolf and The Hellcats, Sistahs in the Pit, and Mo' Rockin' Project.

July 19 - September 30
Jazz on the Plazz: Los Gatos Summer Jazz 2006 Series
Performers include Mary Stallings, Mose Allison, Rita Coolidge, Jamie Davis, Houston Person, and Pete Escovedo. Unless otherwise noted, all performances will take place from 6:30 to 8:30p.m. at the Los Gatos Town Plaza, located at the intersection of West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue in downtown Los Gatos. Come out and enjoy!

July 26-30
North Beach Jazz Festival
Founder and producer Alistair Monroe created the North Beach Jazz Festival in 1995 as a vehicle for celebrating the legendary jazz history of San Francisco, and for introducing jazz of all types to a new generation of listeners. Since then, the festival has become one of the nation’s most up-and-coming musical gatherings, and has hosted top talent such as Carlos Santana, Pharoah Sanders, Carl Craig, Bill Summers, Roy Ayers, Ray Obiedo, Pete Escovedo, Kermit Ruffins and Poncho Sanchez. Although the festival has grown significantly since its debut eight years ago – last year’s festival hosted over 75,000 people.

July 29
Berkeley Jazz Festival
Performers include Chaka Khan, Will Downing, George Duke & Stanley Clarke, Norman Brown, Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, and Pieces of a Dream.

August 17-20
San Jose Jazz Festival
The Festival will pay respect to the genre's deep roots in New Orleans with a full line-up of superstars, including the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Sonny Landreth, and more. The Festival will take place on nine stages, each dedicated to a flavor of jazz: Blues, Latin, Salsa, Big Band, Youth and Straight Ahead.

August 19
JVC Jazz Festival Concord
Performers include Boney James, Guitars & Saxes featuring Gerald Albright, Richard Elliott, Peter White, & Jeff Golub. Fourplay featuring Bob James, Nathan East, Larry Carlton, Harvey Mason and also appearing will be Najee and LaToya London

August 26 - 27
Vallejo Jazz Festival
Performers include Frank Jackson, Mary Stallings, Mo' Rockin Project, Montclair Women’s Big Band, Larry Vuckovich Quartet, and CSUS Latin Jazz Ensemble

September 2 - 4
Art and Soul Oakland Festival
Northern California's most accessible festival with direct access from BART and free parking for thousands of cars. Enjoy three sensational days of music, food, fun and art in beautiful downtown Oakland. Live rock, blues, jazz, gospel and more on five concert stages. Exciting national and local acts blended with cultural diverse art, poetry, music and food. Children of all ages revel in the festive Family Fun Zone.

September 9 -10
Jazz on the River/Russian River Jazz Festival
The festival celebrates 30 years of jazz on the Russian River this year. Performers include Etta James, KEM, Clairdee, Bobby Hutcherson, Clark/Duke Project, and The Original Superstars of Jazz Fusion featuring Roy Ayers, Jean Carne, Wayne Henderson, Bobbi Humphrey, Ronnie Laws, Jon Lucien & Lonnie Liston Smith.

September 15-17
49th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival
This will be my fifth year attending the festival and I look forward to it every year. The lineup this year is amazing. Performers includes Dave Brubeck, Bonnie Raitt, Eldar, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Oscar Peterson, The Yellowjackets, Roy Hargrove, Robert Glasper, Chris Botti, Babatunde Lea, and many, many more.

It is definitely going to be a great and very musical summer. Enjoy your music.

Updated: 07/10/06

Posted by at 3:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 26, 2006 -- The San Jose Jazz Society (www.sanjosejazz.org) today announced headliners for the 17th Annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival, presented by Southwest Airlines. The Festival, which runs August 17-20 2006, will pay respect to the genre's deep roots in New Orleans with a full line-up of superstars, including the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Sonny Landreth, and more. The Festival will take place on nine stages, each dedicated to a flavor of jazz: Blues, Latin, Salsa, Big Band, Youth and Straight Ahead.

"The Jazz Festival is our biggest fundraiser of the year, which helps serve more than 8,000 school children through our music and education programs," said Geoff Roach, executive director of the San Jose Jazz Society. "So many jazz fans live in the Bay Area and nostalgia for New Orleans is particularly strong this year, given the turmoil experienced in the region. We want to pay respect and homage to the birthplace of Jazz with this year’s lively lineup and we expect this year’s event to draw an enthusiastic crowd."

This year’s artists range from world-famous jazz legends to up-and-coming stars. Additional headline artists include the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Bud Shank, pianist Eldar, and Dr. Lonnie Smith. Other artists performing at the festival include pianist Bill Mays, Hiroshi Kamekura from Japan, Anton Schwartz, and Roger Smith and Tom Politzer of "Tower of Power."

The Festival will kick off with a bang Thursday Night at Santana Row with a Marti Gras themed Gala event and concert. The opening night Gala has been a sold-out event the past four years, helping to raise funds for the San Jose Jazz Society’s year-round education and performance programming. Details of this event will be announced at a later date.

Friday through Sunday brings the Festival back to downtown San Jose with three days of non-stop jazz events. From Friday night’s high octane opening at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez to the much-anticipated appearance by Festival headliners the Neville Brothers on Sunday evening, the San Jose Jazz Festival has something for everyone. Saturday and Sunday performances begin at noon and continue after hours with the Festival’s newest stage "Jazz Beyond." Arts and crafts, photography exhibitions, jazz films, and even a Silicon Valley CEO jazz jamsession will be featured during this year’s Festival. For more information about the 17th annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival, please visit, www.sanjosejazz.org.

Continue reading "2006 Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival Lineup Announced" »

Posted by at 9:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Denise Lamott Public Relations
May 11, 2006
(415) 897-5089
Lamoore1@verizon.net

THE 2006 RUSSIAN RIVER JAZZ FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF JAZZ ON THE RIVER
September 9 and 10

Featuring World-Class Artists Etta James, KEM, Bobby Hutcherson, Clark/Duke Project and Many Others

WHAT: 2006 Jazz on the River
Celebrating 30 years of world-class jazz, great wine and delicious food along the Russian River.

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, September 9 and September 10
Doors open at 10 a.m.; music flows from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

WHERE: Johnson’s Beach on the Russian River, Guerneville, California

PERFORMERS:

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH

KEM

The Bobby Hutcherson Quartet

Eddie Marshall’s Holy Mischief Ensemble

Al Williams featuring Barbara Morrison

Nina Sheldon

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH

Etta James

Clarke/Duke Project

The Original Superstars of Jazz Fusion

Featuring Roy Ayers, Jean Carne, Wayne Henderson, Bobbi Humphrey, Ronnie Laws, Jon Lucien & Lonnie Liston Smith

Clairdee

APPEARING BOTH DAYS ON THE WINE GARDEN STAGE

Bob Dorough

TICKETS:

Before June 18, 2006: $42.50/day or $80/weekend

June 19 to July 30, 2006: $45/day or $85/weekend

July 31 to September 8, 2006: $47.50/day or $90/weekend

At the Gate: $55.00/day or $100/weekend

Gold Tier Seating: $100/day or $200/weekend, includes a wine tasting voucher and premiere seats

Tickets can be purchased by phone by calling (925) 866-9599 or at Jazzontheriver.com; in person (cash or check only) at the River Reader in Guerneville (16355 Main Street); and at Back Door Disc in Cotati at (7665 Old Redwood Highway).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: (925) 866-9599;
E-mail info@rrfestivals.com or visit www.Jazzontheriver.com.

For electronic photos or full bios on any of the artists, contact Denise Lamott at lamoore1@verizon.net .

No glass, cans, alcohol or high-back beach chairs will be permitted. Low-back chairs only (no higher than 32” in full upright position).

# # # #

Posted by at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2006
Media Contact: Jason Arnold
510/326.4353
jason@themeproductions.com
For more information, please visit http://www.ferrymusic.org
For hi-res photos, please visit http://www.clairdee.com/images.html

NEW SAN FRANCISCO PERFORMING ARTS NONPROFIT LAUNCHES DEBUT JAZZ CONCERT IN DAZZLING, FLOATING WATERFRONT VENUE

FERRYMUSIC TO PRESENT CLAIRDEE WITH THE KEN FRENCH TRIO ON FRIDAY, MAY 26

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CONCERT TO CELEBRATE JAZZ IN THE CITY FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AND MUSIC FANS

Concert Details:
Clairdee with the Ken French Trio
Friday, May 26
8:00 show $30, 10:00pm show $15
FerryMusic
On-board Ferry Boat “Santa Rosa”
Pier 3, Embarcadero, San Francisco
Ticket Information: (415) 392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com
Venue Information: www.ferrymusic.org

May 3, 2006; San Francisco, California; Known for its tourism and popular Ferry Building, the Waterfront District in San Francisco is in for a cultural treat with a musical new tenant. A new performing arts nonprofit organization, FerryMusic, has formed in downtown San Francisco to present the finest local and international live chamber classical and jazz music. Located onboard the historic 1927 Ferry Boat “Santa Rosa," which is permanently docked along San Francisco's restored Embarcadero waterfront, FerryMusic offers music aficionados an exceptional experience of world-class music, fine cuisine and unparalleled bay views.

For its first jazz concert, FerryMusic is proud to feature vocalist Clairdee with the Ken French Trio. Known as San Francisco’s sassy and soulful vocalist, Clairdee has gained a national reputation following explosive performances at the 2005 Monterey Jazz Festival and the January 2006 IAJE Conference in New York. Vocal jazz luminary Nancy Wilson says of Clairdee, "In the tradition of all great vocalists, Clairdee infuses each song with her own unique style while always remaining true to the song itself." Clairdee's dynamic style combines with her natural grace and humor to make each performance an exhilarating celebration.

With a performance in her own home neighborhood, Clairdee is sure to make FerryMusic’s first jazz concert an extravaganza for all San Francisco residents and jazz fans to enjoy. "I'm thrilled to be a part of FerryMusic's program,” says Clairdee. “This is an amazing vision to bridge music, education and community in such a unique setting."

Continue reading "FerryMusic presents Clairdee with the Ken French Trio on Friday, 5/26" »

Posted by at 5:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The wait is over. Vocalist/Composer Carmen Lundy is making her long-awaited return to Yoshi's this Tuesday and Wednesday for two shows each night, 8 and 10pm. I am still mesmerized from the first time I saw her at Yoshi's in 2003. She will be performing songs from her recent 2-disc release, Jazz and the New Songbook: Live at the Madrid. You will definitely be in for a treat. See you there!

Posted by at 11:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2006
Media Contact: Jason Arnold
831/373.3366, cell 510/326.4353
jason@montereyjazzfestival.org
For hi-res photos or more information, please visit
http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org

MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL PLANNING FOR SPECTACULAR 2ND ANNUAL NEXT GENERATION FESTIVAL, APRIL 21-23

KURT ELLING "MEET THE PRESS" RECEPTION PLANNED FOR 12:15PM SATURDAY, APRIL 22

MONTEREY MAYOR DAN ALBERT TO PROCLAIM JAZZ WEEK MONTEREY, APRIL 17-23, 2006

RANDY CRENSHAW JOINS NEXT GENERATION FESTIVAL ADJUDICATORS

MJF TEAMS WITH MIIS TO CONDUCT SURVEY DURING 2ND ANNUAL NEXT GENERATION FESTIVAL

SPITZER MUSIC JOINS D'ADDARIO, JAZZTIMES & TOWER RECORDS WITH NGF PROMOTIONS

MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES THE BOB PHILLIPS MJF COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ALL-STAR BAND ENDOWMENT FUND

KURT ELLING "MEET THE PRESS" RECEPTION PLANNED FOR 12:15PM SATURDAY, APRIL 22

Journalists, photographers, TV crews, radio personalities and bloggers are invited to a special "Meet the Press" Reception with Kurt Elling on Saturday, April 22. Following Kurt Elling's "Vocal Solo Workshop" on Saturday at 11:00am in the Portola Plaza DeAnza Ballroom, the vocal luminary will meet with press to answer questions and discuss his year-long Artist-in-Residence Program, the Next Generation Festival, and his upcoming performance at the 49th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon, September 15-17, 2006. Members of the Media are asked to check-in at the NGF Registration Table in the lobby of the Monterey Conference Center on the morning of Saturday, April 22 for additional details regarding "Meet the Press."

The "Meet the Press" Reception is set to be an informal, intimate gathering for Members of the Press to spend time with Kurt Elling. Press are asked to confirm attendance by Thursday, April 20 so that staff can plan accordingly. Please contact MJF Marketing Associate Jason Arnold at 831/373.3366, cell phone 510/326.4353, or jason@montereyjazzfestival.org to confirm attendance or request more information.

Continue reading "MJF Planning for Spectacular 2nd Annual Next Generation Festival, 4/21-23" »

Posted by at 9:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Coming up next at Yoshi's, originally uploaded by in2jazz.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Jason Arnold
510.328.1350, cell 510.326.4353
jarnold@yoshis.com
http://www.yoshis.com

YOSHI'S WORLD CLASS JAZZ HOUSE & JAPANESE RESTAURANT ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & PUBLICITY

JOAN ROSENBERG, FORMER MARKETING DIRECTOR FOR BILL GRAHAM PRESENTS, TO LEAD YOSHI'S THROUGH EXCITING GROWTH WITH NEW SAN FRANCISCO FILLMORE STREET VENUE

INTERIM PUBLICIST JASON ARNOLD TO CONTINUE MANAGEMENT OF THEME PRODUCTIONS AND PR FOR MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL & OTHERS

April 7, 2006; Oakland, CA; The coolest gig on the planet is officially off the market. Yoshi's World Class Jazz House and Japanese Restaurant is proud to announce that Joan Rosenberg, former Marketing Director for local concert promoter Bill Graham Presents (owned by Live Nation), has been appointed as Yoshi's new Director of Marketing & Publicity. Rosenberg will assume the duties of the position officially on April 17, 2006, ending a lengthy nationwide search and several months of speculation.

In the new position, Rosenberg will oversee marketing, advertising and public relations for Yoshi's music and restaurant operations. Currently located in Oakland's Jack London Square, Yoshi's is regarded as one of the greatest jazz clubs in the world, pairing its high-class Japanese cuisine and sushi with two jazz shows per night featuring such legends as McCoy Tyner, Diana Krall, and Oscar Peterson. Yoshi's placed 2nd in the JazzTimes Magazine Readers' Poll as Best 2005 Jazz Club, close behind the historic Village Vanguard in New York. Guitarist Pat Metheny once remarked about the esteemed venue, "I thought clubs like this only existed in the movies."

Yoshi's performers, patrons and diners will have even more to cheer about in 2007 as Yoshi's opens a second club and restaurant in the Fillmore District of San Francisco. The new venue, “Yoshi’s San Francisco,” is currently under construction inside a new twelve-story Fillmore Heritage Center on the corner of Fillmore and Eddy streets. In a neighborhood where musicians once came to jam in over a dozen jazz clubs, Yoshi's San Francisco will offer more jazz aficionados - 420 per show - greater opportunities to enjoy world-class jazz and expand the list of major jazz destinations in the U.S.

Continue reading "New Director of Marketing & Publicity @ Yoshi's" »

Posted by at 6:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Clifford Brown-Stan Getz Fellows, originally uploaded by in2jazz.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2006
Media Contact: Jason Arnold
831/373.3366, cell 510/326.4353
jason@montereyjazzfestival.org
For more information and hi-res photos, please visit
http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org


MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 49TH ANNUAL MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL
PRESENTED BY VERIZON, SEPTEMBER 15-17, 2006, AT MONTEREY FAIRGROUNDS

ARENA/LYONS STAGE TO FEATURE OSCAR PETERSON, BONNIE RAITT, DAVE BRUBECK, MCCOY TYNER, KEB'MO', CHRIS BOTTI, ROY HARGROVE, KURT ELLING, DIANNE REEVES, CHARLES LLOYD, ROBBEN FORD, YELLOWJACKETS, RICHARD BONA, CLAYTON-HAMILTON JAZZ ORCHESTRA, BOBBY HUTCHERSON, MCCOLLOUGH SONS OF THUNDER, NEXT GENERATION JAZZ ORCHESTRA & MORE

GROUNDS ARTISTS TO INCLUDE LIONEL LOUEKE, HANK JONES, ROBERTA GAMBARINI, TAYLOR EIGSTI, DR. LONNIE SMITH, TIERNEY SUTTON, HIROMI, ROBERT GLASPER, ELDAR, SASHA DOBSON FEATURING RICHARD JULIAN & JESSE HARRIS, BABATUNDE LEA, PETER APFELBAUM & THE NEW YORK HIEROGLYPHICS FEATURING ABDOULAYE DIABATE, DUKE ROBBILARD BAND FEATURING HUBERT SUMLIN, JEFF HAMILTON, JOHN WORLEY, TRIO PARADISO, THE FINS, ROBERT LOWERY & VIRGIL THRASHER, BEN MONDER, AARON GOLDBERG, BABY LOVES JAZZ, CHRISTINE TOBIN, SADZA, CLIFFORD BROWN-STAN GETZ ALL-STARS, BERKLEE-MONTEREY QUARTET, COUNTRY'S BEST HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE JAZZ MUSICIANS

2006 MJF HIGHLIGHTS:
- WORLD PREMIERE OF DAVE BRUBECK MJF COMMISSION "CANNERY ROW SUITE"
- WORLD PREMIERE OF "RED MAN-BLACK MAN" PERFORMED BY KURT ELLING WITH
SPECIAL GUESTS CLAYTON-HAMILTON JAZZ ORCHESTRA
- BONNIE RAITT MJF DEBUT
- YELLOWJACKETS CELEBRATE 25TH ANNIVERSARY
- CHARLES LLOYD CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF FOREST FLOWER
- FRIDAY NIGHT "NEW GROOVES" WITH ROY HARGROVE & RH FACTOR, URI CAINE & BEDROCK AND OTHERS
- ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE KURT ELLING & SHOWCASE ARTIST ROY HARGROVE
APPEARING THROUGHOUT FESTIVAL WEEKEND
- DOWN BEAT'S "BLINDFOLD" TEST WITH YELLOWJACKETS
- SPECIAL EXHIBIT "JOHN STEINBECK & CANNERY ROW"
- INTERNATIONAL SHOPPING, FOOD, FESTIVITIES & MORE

TICKETS AVAILABLE BY PHONE 925.275.9255 AND MONTEREYJAZZFESTIVAL.ORG

March 30, 2006; Monterey, California; With an array of over 500 artists appearing on 7 stages for 3 nights and 2 days of nonstop jazz, the 49th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon offers a wealth of sparkling musical gems and riches for families and fans of all ages. From celebratory anniversaries reflecting the music’s storied past to today's "New Grooves," from piano masters like Dave Brubeck to newcomers like Taylor Eigsti, from the world premiere of commissioned music to debut of MJF artist Bonnie Raitt, the world's longest running jazz festival reveals a treasure trove of world class jazz, September 15-17 at the magnificent forested Festival site in Monterey, California.

Tickets are now on sale from the Ticket Office (925/275-9255) and online at www.montereyjazzfestival.org. Arena Packages start at $190 for a reserved seat to all 5 concerts on the Arena/Lyons Stage plus access to all Grounds concerts, events and attractions for the entire weekend. Grounds Tickets are priced at $30 for Friday, $40 for Saturday or Sunday and $95 for all three days. Grounds Tickets include daily access to all Grounds concerts, events and activities on 6 stages spread throughout the Monterey Fairgrounds, plus simulcasts of all Arena concerts in The Jazz Theater and in the Festival's Champagne Bar, Klub Korbel.

Continue reading "49th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Lineup Announced" »

Posted by at 5:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dancing in the street, originally uploaded by in2jazz.

SAN JOSE JAZZ SOCIETY CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY AT SANTANA ROW APRIL 25, 2006

Performances include Bud Shank, Nate Pruitt, The San Jose Jazz Society Youth Orchestra Directed by Aaron Lington, Gail Dobson and Smith Dobson Jr., Terry Summa, Dave Eshelman, Denny Berthiaume Trio.

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 29, 2006 – Celebrating 20 years of music, education and great Bay Area jazz, the San Jose Jazz Society (www.sanjosejazz.org) today announced details of their platinum celebration. On April 25, 2006 the Society will hold a concert and fundraiser at the Park Valencia at Santana Row in San Jose, California. Additionally, the celebration will feature a live auction and a tribute to musicians and Jazz Society members who have helped make the San Jose Jazz Society one of the most respected and successful arts organizations in the Bay Area. The April 25 also marks the kick off of the 24-week Santana Row Summer Series, produced by the San Jose Jazz Society. Details on the Summer Series are available at www.santanarow.com

"For 20 years the San Jose Jazz Society has lived true to our mission of celebrating jazz through education and performance. The April event celebrates those who have been an integral to our success," said Geoff Roach, executive director of the San Jose Jazz Society. "Since April 2006 has been designated ‘Jazz Appreciation Month’ by the Smithsonian we felt this was the perfect time to celebrate jazz in our community. This event highlights jazz as pure art form and showcases the important way music can positively impact the quality of life in Silicon Valley."

The San Jose Jazz Society 20th Anniversary Gala and Concert will feature performances by legendary saxophonist Bud Shank, vocalist Nate Pruitt, the San Jose Jazz Society Youth Orchestra directed by Aaron Lington, as well as artists Gail Dobson, Smith Dobson Jr. , Terry Summa, Dave Eshelman and the Denny Berthiaume Trio. Attendees will enjoy a formal dinner provided by Maggiano’s as well as merchant gift bags.

Continue reading "San Jose Jazz Society Celebrates 20th Anniversary" »

Posted by at 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Maria Halyna
2937 Mission St.
San Francisco CA, 94110
415-368-9485
mariahalynanew@yahoo.com
www.savannajazz.com

An interview with legendary Donald "Duck" Bailey for Black History Month

San Francisco, CA - February 20, 2006 - Performing on the 23rd and 24th at Savanna Jazz, Donald "Duck" Bailey has performed in the Chet Smith Orchestra, backed up Jimmy Smith, played the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1999, toured with the gifted Robert Stewart, and teaches at the Acme Music School in Oakland where some of the kids can barely touch the ground and they're already hitting those drums.

Donald says the California be-bop sound isn't the Oakland be-bop sound and it's still different than the Philly be-bop sound. In fact, when he played with Chet Smith, who is from Philly, he said they "got a different beat in the East. It's a different kind of be-bop." He loves playing with the current group of younger players, because they still surprise each other as they try to find new sounds, add to their standard list of songs. Donald says, he plays his brother Morris Bailey's songs (writer-arranger for many Philly records) and he'll play 8 of them at the Generations in Jazz event at Savanna Jazz this Thursday and Friday, some of which he'll play keys and let Michael Lansford sit behind the kit.

A very interesting jazz musician who still encourages his students and fans to listen to Thelonius Monk, Benny Goldson, John Coltrane, Max Roach and Charlie Parker.

To contact Donald "Duck" Bailey before the show, reply by email or call 415.601.6073.

Savanna Jazz proudly presents Feb 23rd & 24th, 2006 at 8:00 pm an explosive 2-night event entitled "Generations In Jazz" with Elder Statesman and Master Percussionist Donald Bailey Quintet and from NYC Drummer Winard Harper and his Sextet. This is an unprecedented concert of generational excellence in Jazz. In keeping with the educational mission of Savanna Jazz, a quintet of high school students will open the events both nights. We look forward to your support of Live Jazz".

Savanna Jazz, 2937 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Tel; 415-285-3369
www.savannajazz.com

Maria Halyna
Publicity/Public Relations/Promotions/Artist Development/Booking
415.601.6073
fax 415-358-8632
Independently Owned and Operated

Posted by at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

“My goodness, SHIRLEY HORN, that is some modulation.” So marvels MARIAN McPARTLAND at the conclusion of Horn's rendition of “Violets for Your Furs,” heard on The Jazz Alliance's newest Piano Jazz CD (street date 2/28).

Taped for McPartland's National Public Radio program in December 1984, three years before the release of I Thought About You, Horn's breakthrough album for Verve, the 55-minute session is a musical delight. The two women quickly establish a warm and mirthful rapport punctuated with more than a few contagious belly laughs.

Horn has three vocal features (”I Could Have Told You,” “Violets...,” “There's No You”), and finds common ground with McPartland as they duet on three “dirty old blues” (”Billie's Bounce,” “Cherry,” “Shirley's Blues”) and a slice of Ellingtonia (”Love You Madly”). The women's unabashed mutual admiration and sterling musicianship make this document all the more precious in light of Shirley Horn's passing just four months ago, at the age of 71.

Posted by at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From David Nathan @ SoulMusic.com

COMMUNICATIONS/DONATIONS ADDRESS

Hi everyone:

Trust all is well with each of you. We got word this past weekend that ur good friend and much-loved soul music artist ANGELA BOFILL suffered a stroke on January 10. She is coherent, but paralyzed on her left side and will require speech and physical therapy. She was released from intensive care January 15 and remains in Sutter Hospital in Santa Rosa, California.

Her agent, Rich Engel is organizing a benefit concert in conjunction with New York radio stations KISS-FM and CD 101.9 to be held March 11 at Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey and is looking into the possibility of doing similar events in Detroit and Los Angeles.

He is also seeking words of encouragement for Angela and donations can be sent for Angela's medical care to her along with communications from fans and friends to Live At Night, P.O. Box 1140, Maplewood, NJ 07040. If you wish to make a donation, please make it out to "Angela Bofill." Meanwhile, everyone at SoulMusic.com sends prayers and love to this great artist for her speedy recovery and return to full health.

UPDATE: Please click here for updates on Angie's condition.

Posted by at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (24)

Celebrating Her 10th Anniversary at the Plush Room

Ms. Paula West has been thrilling national and international audiences with her heartfelt renditions of well-known standards and unique interpretations of dynamic jazz songs. With a particular dusky soulfulness, West has captured the hearts of critics and audiences alike from coast to coast - from festivals to cabaret clubs - with just the lilt of her voice.

"Appearing with Paula from Jan 24 to Feb 5: The Eric Reed Trio"
"Appearing with Paula from Feb 8 to Feb 19: The Bruce Barth Trio"
"Appearing with Paula from Feb 22 to Feb 26: The Xavier Davis Trio"
"Appearing with Paula from Mar 1 to Mar 4: The Eric Reed Trio"

Posted by at 8:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2006
Media Contact: Jason Arnold
831/373.3366, cell 510/326.4353
Jason@montereyjazzfestival.org
For hi-res photos, please visit www.montereyjazzfestival.org

MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES VOCALIST KURT ELLING AS 2006 ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED VOCALIST SLATED TO TEACH AT 2ND ANNUAL NEXT GENERATION FESTIVAL, APRIL 21-23 IN DOWNTOWN MONTEREY

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE ALSO SCHEDULED TO APPEAR AT "MONTEREY LIVE" APRIL 20, MJF SUMMER JAZZ CAMP JUNE 19-30, AND THE 49TH ANNUAL MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY VERIZON, SEPTEMBER 15-17, 2006

January 10, 2006; Monterey, California; The Monterey Jazz Festival is kicking off the new year with a bang with the announcement of 2006 Artist-in-Residence, Kurt Elling. The internationally renowned jazz vocalist will visit Monterey throughout the year to teach and inspire some of the world’s greatest emerging jazz talent through the Festival’s acclaimed youth education programs.

Kurt Elling's residency will commence in full swing April 20 with with a concert at “Monterey Live,” an intimate performance venue located in the heart of Monterey, and will continue April 21-23 at the 2nd Annual Next Generation Festival, a celebration of youth in jazz taking place in the historic and lively hub of downtown Monterey. The Next Generation Festival includes the Monterey Jazz Festival’s 36th Annual National High School Competition for big bands, combos and vocal ensembles, with top musicians competing to win a spot on the stages of the 49th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by Verizon. Returning events include Middle School band performances, a Big Band Composition Competition, and auditions for the international touring all-star ensemble, the MJF Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. New events include a College Big Band Competition and both performances and clinics featuring the Berklee-Monterey Quartet. In a very special appearance, Kurt Elling will present a Vocal Solo Workshop for aspiring jazz singers, musicians and enthusiasts and appear as a competition adjudicator throughout the Festival weekend. Next Generation Festival events, including the Vocal Solo Workshop, will take place in downtown Monterey's Conference Center and will be open to the public, free of charge.

Continue reading "MJF Announces Vocalist Kurt Elling as 2006 Artist-in-Residence" »

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SAN JOSÉ, Calif., November 29, 2005 – The San Jose Jazz Society (www.sanjosejazz.org) today announced the lineup for the 18th Annual Sunday Jazz Series. For twelve Sundays beginning January 8, 2006, downtown San Jose will once again host some of the best names in Bay Area and national jazz. Top performers include 2005 Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival artists, vocalist Mary Stallings, saxophonist Kristen Strom, and vocalist Michelle Amador. The lineup also includes returning favorites, vocalist Jamie Davis and saxophonist Aaron Lington, and new to the series, vocalist Paula West and Latin jazz pianist Mark Levine.

The Sunday Series will take place at a new location this year, the Improv, 62 S. Second Street in downtown San Jose,. The San Jose Jazz Society and the Improv are working together to bring new excitement to downtown San Jose. All performances begin at 3:00 pm.

The Sunday Series is made possible in part by First American Title and Silicon Valley Community Newspapers.

"The Sunday Series has been a Silicon Valley favorite for more almost two decades," said Geoff Roach, executive director of the San Jose Jazz Society. "This year we are thrilled to be in the Improv. Music lovers will truly enjoy the acoustics and jazz lovers will love the increase seating capacity. Each year the Sunday Series sells out on subscription so this new venue will make this great music available to more people throughout the Bay Area."

Highlights of the 2006 season include a dynamic mix of powerful vocals and inspiring instrumentalists. To start off with a bang, the Sunday Series kicks off with vocalist Mary Stallings (January 8, 2006) whose long career in jazz and latest CD release "Live at the Village Vanguard" has brought her critical acclaim. Modern jazz vocalist Michelle Amador, whose 2006 Festival performance received a standing ovation, returns January 15, 2006. Bay Area favorite, saxophonist Kristen Strom, performs February 26. Strom’s recent CD Release "Intention" (Open Path Studios) has created a strong buzz in the jazz scene. One of the most anticipated shows takes place March 26, 2006, with luxurious vocals by bi-coastal vocal favorite Paula West.

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NEWS FROM:
Cultural Arts and Marketing Division
City of Oakland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 15, 2005

Media Contact: Andrea Leal
(510) 238-6843

OAKLAND CULTURAL FUNDING PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
City of Oakland Offers Arts Education, Organizational, and Individual Artist Grants

OAKLAND, Calif. (November 15, 2005) - The City of Oakland's Cultural Funding Program has announced that individual artists and arts organizations maypick up applications for its Fiscal Year 2006-07 Cultural Funding Program at Oakland Public Library branch locations or the Cultural Arts offices in Oakland City Hall, One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 9th Floor. Applications are also available online at www.oaklandculturalarts.org.

The Cultural Funding Program offers four different grant categories for Fiscal Year 2006-07 through which approximately $1 million will be awarded: the annual Project Support for Individuals and Organizations, Art in the Schools, and Organizational Assistance for nonprofit organizations with a two-year funding history with the program. All applicants must be Oakland-based, and all activities proposed for Project Support and Art in the Schools must be presented in Oakland. The grants support art activities in Oakland that will occur between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007. The Cultural Funding Program relies on a competitive panel process to determine award recipients and funding allocations. Individual Artist Project Grants support up to $4,999 for Oakland resident individual artists producing public art activities in Oakland. Past recipients have been awarded funds for activities such as performing arts, classes and workshops, exhibits, and literary activities. Completed Individual Artist applications are due on January 6, 2006. Organization Project Grants support up to 20 percent of the project expenses up to $20,000 of Oakland-based nonprofit organizations producing public art activities in Oakland such as performing arts, classes and workshops, exhibits and literary activities. Completed Organization Project applications are due on January 6, 2006.

Continue reading "Oakland Cultural Funding Program Grant Applications Available" »

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Sunday, November 20th - 5 p.m.
Crystal Ballroom - San Francisco

“As he performed two sold-out shows at Lincoln Center, Mr. de Haas elicited the same sense of awe produced by Stevie Wonder’s best records. The earth opened up and released a torrent. The seasons flashed by; passions flared and died; new life took root.” (New York Times). Witness the Bay Area debut of this Obie Award-winning Broadway actor (Running Man, Rent, Kiss of the Spider Woman). Tickets $45 (subscribers $40)

Ticket and show information

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From WGBO:

Many musicians have been influenced by the slow, delicate sounds of Shirley Horn. Before her recent passing, artists including Regina Carter, Stefon Harris and Lizz Wright came together to pay tribute to Horn in a special concert from the Kennedy Center. We bring you this concert TONIGHT in this evening’s broadcast of JazzSet with DeeDee Bridgewater, beginning at 6:30 p.m. EST. Click here for more.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2005
Media Contact: Jason Arnold
831/373.3366, cell 510/326.4353
Jason@montereyjazzfestival.org
For high-resolution photos, please visit
http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org/presskit/photos.htm

MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL "JAZZ AT SUNSET" FALL 2005 CONCERT SERIES TO
FEATURE GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA

“GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN” CHRISTMAS SHOW TO TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY,
DECEMBER 6 AT SUNSET CENTER IN CARMEL, CA

CONCERT SERIES DETAILS:
"Go Tell It On the Mountain"
The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show
Tuesday, December 6, 8:00pm
Sunset Center, Mission Street at 8th Avenue
Carmel By The Sea, CA 93922
$60 / $40 / $30
Ticket Information: 925-275-9255
www.montereyjazzfestival.org

October 31, 2005; Monterey, California; When the Blind Boys of Alabama come to town, Jolly Old St. Nick follows close behind. Bringing the joy of the holidays with them, the legendary gospel singers return to Carmel for a rousing special performance as part of the Monterey Jazz Festival's "Jazz at Sunset" Fall 2005 Concert Series on December 6 at the historic and acoustically acclaimed Sunset Center. Because last year's "Jazz at Sunset" concert with the Blind Boys of Alabama sold out, patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets as quickly as possible.

Formed six and a half decades ago, The Blind Boys of Alabama predate Elvis, Little Richard and Al Green. Still active in their 70’s, they have earned three consecutive Grammy Awards in the past three years and remain on the top of the gospel charts. “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” the Blind Boys of Alabama’s Christmas Show, gives fans the special opportunity to get into the holiday spirit with the legendary singers. The Blind Boys will delve into songs featured on their star-studded landmark 2003 album of the same name, delivering their soulful, toe-tapping gospel interpretations of holiday classics such as “Joy to the World,” “Away in the Manger,” “Born in Bethlehem,” and “White Christmas.” With such a stirring repertoire, The Blind Boys of Alabama are sure to sweep the Monterey Peninsula into the holiday season with a whirlwind of rousing music and festive goodwill.

Sunset Center, the site of the first jazz concert presentations on the Monterey Peninsula by Monterey Jazz Festival founder Jimmy Lyons, offers luxurious seating in a beautiful historic venue. Located on San Carlos between 8th and 10th in downtown Carmel, Sunset Center offers parking on site.

Jazz at Sunset partner, Inns of Monterey, offers jazz fans a “Jazz at Sunset Getaway” with special rates. Patrons are invited to call for details (800/232-4141). The Monterey Jazz Festival also thanks Jazz at Sunset media partners including the Monterey County Weekly, KION and KCBA.

Tickets for the Spring 2005 Jazz at Sunset concert series are available from the Monterey Jazz Festival Box Office (925/275-9255) or online at www.montereyjazzfestival.org.

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Photo © Larry Busacca

http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001349816

Jazz Veteran Shirley Horn Dies

By Bill Holland, Washington, D.C.

Shirley Horn, the Grammy-winning jazz vocalist and pianist known for her intimate, whispery vocals and top-drawer piano playing, died yesterday (Oct. 20) at Gladys Spellman Nursing Home in Cheverly, Md., following an extended battle with diabetes. She was 71.

Always respected critically, Horn became an unlikely star in her 60s with a series of luminous albums for Verve Records throughout the 1990s. Accompanying herself at the piano, Horn and her trademark vocal style also became a major influence on younger jazz singer/pianists such as Diana Krall and Norah Jones.

Horn was nominated for nine Grammys in the last decade. She won the best jazz vocal performance award in 1998 for her album "I Remember Miles," dedicated to her good friend and mentor Miles Davis.

On several of her Verve albums, she worked with top arranger Johnny Mandel. On others she augmented her trio with guest artists like Davis, Wynton and Bradford Marsalis, Gary Bartz and Toots Thielmanns.

Horn began playing piano at age 10. At 18, she was awarded a music scholarship to Juilliard, but financial difficulties kept her in D.C. After studying music at Howard University, she began her career in the late '50s as a pianist in local restaurants and nightclubs and eased into her role as a vocalist. She was a headliner at Washington's now-defunct One Step Down for more than 20 years.

In 1960, Davis coaxed Horn to open for him at New York's Village Vanguard after being captivated by her debut recording, "Embers and Ashes." That engagement led to a contract with Mercury Records, where she cut albums with Quincy Jones and other top arrangers. She also sang on the 1968 movie soundtracks of "For Love Of Ivy" and "A Dandy in Aspic."

Despite critical acclaim, Horn rarely toured, instead remaining in D.C. to raise her daughter. When Verve signed her in 1987, she was ready to expand her horizons. For her 1996 album "Main Ingredient" she convinced the brass at Verve to record her at her home in the nation's capitol. It was a casual affair.

As jazz royalty like drummer Elvin Jones and tenorman Joe Henderson and others arrived from New York at midday, Horn, brandy snifter in hand, invited them into her kitchen, which was packed with friends and food. As Jones said at the time, "When I wasn't playing, I was busy eating Shirley's beef and beer stew."

Horn previously told Billboard of the session, "I wanted it to be like the old days when folks would get off work at two or three, drop by my place, and play till dawn. Good company, good food, good music."

Horn cut back but did not stop touring in recent years due to her diabetic condition, which eventually resulted in the amputation of a foot. She is survived by her husband, a daughter and two grandsons.

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I have been listening to Frank McComb since his Love Stories album back in 2000. I got to see him playing keyboards and singing with Lalah Hathaway last year and he was amazing. He has the kind of musical talent that makes you wonder why he is not more of a household name. He will be performing this Saturday at Linen Life Park Avenue in Emeryville. For event and ticket information, www.groovetickets.com.

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Please vote for your favorite jazz artists and albums in the JazzTimes Magazine Reader's Poll. The deadline is tomorrow at 12pm EST. I cannot give any suggestions on whom to give your votes but it would be really cool to see Shirley Horn win in the JazzTimes Hall of Fame category. :)

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I am currently organizing my music collection so I can get back to writing reviews and get stacks of music off my dining room table. Here are a few quick picks from my collection. This list consists of what I have been playing in heavy rotation over the past few months. I know you want samples, so I will come back later and provide some links. I am not supercool like EJ with a radio blog on my site yet but I am thinking about it.

Terence Blanchard - Flow
Jeremy Pelt - Identity
Sean Jones - Gemini
Lizz Wright - Dreaming Wide Awake
Clairdee - Music Moves
Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Swings Soulfully
Jason Moran - Same Mother
Louie Vega - Elements of Life - Extensions
Sarah Vaughan - Live at Mister Kelly's
Earl Klugh - Naked Guitar
Sarah Vaughan - After Hours at the London House
Eldar - Eldar
Wynton Marsalis - Live at the House of Tribes
Ron Blake - Sonic Tonic
Cook, Dixon and Young - Volume One
Louie Vega - Dance Ritual
George Duke - Duke
Me'Shell Ndegeocello Presents The Spirit Music Jamia: Dance of the Infidels
Miguel Zenón - Jibaro
David Harness - Heartbeat: The Pulse of the Groove Generation
Natasha Miller - I Had A Feelin': The Bobby Sharp Songbook
Beady Belle - Closer
Gerald Wilson Orchestra - In My Time
Marlon Saunders - A Groove So Deep: The Live Sessions
Mary Stallings - Remember Love
James Carter Organ Trio - Out of Nowhere
Will Calhoun - Native Lands

If I have missed something really good, please leave me a comment.

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HURRICANE KATRINA BENEFIT SHOWS AT YOSHI'S!

All proceeds go to American Red Cross to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Thursday, September 15
Bay Area Sings for New Orleans
Shows at 8:00pm & 10:00pm!
MC: Jesse 'Chuy' Varela
Featuring:
Kirk Joseph (founder, Dirty Dozen Brass Band) Rebeca Mauleon, Bobi Cespedes, Carolyn Brandy, Calvin Keys, David Belove, SoVoSo, Maria Marquez, Susan Muscarella, Gary Brown, John Calloway, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Jackie Rago + the Snake Trio, Mike Zilber, Faye Carol & Kito Gamble, Josh Jones, Nicholas Bearde, Paul Van Wageningen, Alex Murzyn & MORE!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, September 16
Ledisi
Benefit for Hurricane Katrina Victims
8:00pm Show Only!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, September 17
Sunny Hawkins
Benefit for Hurricane Katrina Victims
8:00pm Show Only!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, September 18
Taj Mahal - Solo!
Benefit for Hurricane Katrina Victims
8:00pm Show Only!

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Photo Credit: David Sinclair

Extraordinary trumpeter Jeremy Pelt will be playing Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco this Friday, 9/9 and Saturday, 9/10 for two shows nightly. He will be featuring music from his new MAXJAZZ release, Identity, which is now in stores. I had the pleasure of seeing Jeremy live in concert last year as part of the "Newport Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary" celebration and he was sensational. In his sound, you can hear a great respect for the elders while he creates a new sound of his own. See you there!

eCard for Identity

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I just received this information this afternoon. We send our thoughts and prayers to Shirley and her family.

Dear Friends, Shirley Horn...

...is not doing well. received from one of Shirley's best friends, singer Gail Marten:

"I don't know if you know that Shirley Horn is quite ill. She has been moved from hospital critical care to Spellman Nursing Home in DC. She is conscious, but as yet unable to speak. She is on dialysis, breathing assistance and feeding tube. We are hoping for the best."

Shirley most definitely would appreciate flowers, cards, prayers, etc. Here is her contact information and where cards and flowers can be sent:

Shirley Horn Deering
Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital and Nursing Center
2900 Mercy Lane
Cheverly, MD 20785

Posted by at 3:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For Immediate Release
August 24, 2005
Media Contact: Jason Arnold
831/373-3366, (c) 510/326-4353
Jason@montereyjazzfestival.org

GROUNDS TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR 48TH ANNUAL MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY MCI, SEPTEMBER 16-18

TICKETS SELLING QUICKLY � FANS ENCOURAGED TO PURCHASE TICKETS NOW

DAILY GROUNDS TICKETS AND WEEKEND PACKAGES OFFER INTERNATIONAL ARRAY OF MUSIC, SHOPPING, FOOD AND FESTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES AND FANS OF ALL AGES

GROUNDS HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Mavis Staples, Madeleine Peyroux, The Lost Chords, Christian McBride Situation & Much More


• New Grooves Jazz Party with John Scofield Uberjam Band and Banyan


• The Country�s Best College and High School Bands


• Conversations with Branford Marsalis, Carla Bley & Steve Swallow,
  DownBeat Magazine Blindfold Test with John Handy


• Jazz on Film: "Miles Electric: A Different Kind of Blue" & "Brotherly Jazz: the Music and Stories of the Percy, Jimmy, and Albert �Tootie� Heath�

August 24, 2005; Monterey, CA; The 48th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by MCI is selling tickets faster than ever for its three-day event September 16-18. Fans are advised to buy in advance to guarantee their place at the annual jazz party. Ground tickets are still available for purchase, offering a wide array of world-class jazz, shopping, food and festivities on the beautiful 20-acre, oak-studded Monterey Fairgrounds.

From intimate encounters with vocal luminaries Mavis Staples and Madeleine Peyroux on the Garden Stage to powerhouse performances with the Lost Chords and the Christian McBride Situation in the Nightclub, grounds passes offer a wealth of opportunities to see jazz stars shine on the Monterey Jazz Festival�s 6 indoor and outdoor grounds stages. Families and fans can enjoy the fun and excitement at affordable grounds ticket prices while witnessing living jazz history. However, since tickets are selling more rapidly than in previous years � and carry an extra $5 charge when purchased during the festival - fans are encouraged to get their tickets to the world's longest-running jazz festival as quickly as possible.

Continue reading "MJF Grounds Tickets Still Available" »

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Maria Halyna
2937 Mission St., San Francisco CA, 94110
415-368-9485
mariahalynalew@yahoo.com
www.savannajazz.com

Savanna Jazz Festival 2005 brings world class jazz music to San Francisco in September

San Francisco, CA - August 23, 2005 - The Savanna Jazz Festival 2005 is bringing world class jazz music to San Francisco all at the historic Savanna Jazz Club located at 2937 Mission St. This year�s Festival takes place September 13th through the 18th. Opening the festival, Tuesday and Wednesday September 13th and 14th, is renowned pianist Cedar Walton and his Quartet. Having graced jazz festivals like the JVC Jazz Festival in Toronto and just back from playing the Lincoln Center�s Dizzy�s Club, Cedar is not to be missed.

Cedar Walton plays modern straight-ahead jazz and features alto saxophonist Vincent Herring, one of the most demanded musicians on the jazz scene. He�s written film compositions like �Bolivia� and �Clockwise� now part of the standard jazz repertoire and noteworthy are his performances with Art Blakey�s Jazz Messengers. Cedar Walton has been likened to Herbie Hancock and Bill Evans, and deserves to be up there with the greats - Red Garland, McCoy Tyner and Wynton Kelly.

Gina Harris, Patricia Dobashi, and Victoria Phillips, three female jazz vocalists will perform on Thursday September 15th. Be prepared for the revival of the swing era. This glorious evening will begin at 8 pm.

Preserving the spirit of West Coast jazz, Octobop will perform on Friday September 16th directed by Geoff Roach with special guest LA trumpeter Carl Saunders. An eight-member ensemble with impressive salutations to leading jazz luminaries including Art Pepper, Shorty Rogers, and Gerry Mulligan compositions, Octobop brings a nostalgia to the festival for the 50�s and 60�s jazz orchestrations. As Jazz Journal International writer Carl Fontana put it "Carl Saunders�probably the best trumpet player you�ve never heard."

On Saturday, September 17th, The Barry Finnerty Group will share the stage with The Pascal Bokar AfroJazz Band. Barry Finnerty has performed at the Montreaux Jazz Festival, on Joe Sample�s records and on a few occasions with Miles Davis, Terry Bozio in the Brecker Brothers and Taj Mahal. Pascal Bokar has performed with US Top Jazz Luminaries such as Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody, Barney Wilen, Roy Haynes, Donald Brown, Tommy Campbell, and George Mraz. His AfroJazz Band is inspired by his conviction about bebop: "For people who have an ear for traditional music in West Africa, you can hear that it is not an accident that bebop was born out of the communities of Africa that have been displaced." (Mercury News, 2001)

On Sunday September 18th, the final evening of the festival, join moderator Sonny Buxton in the �Conversations on Jazz� forum with a special guest to be announced. The topic is �Are We Rewriting Jazz History?�

Tickets for the Savanna Jazz Festival 2005 are sold per show and can be purchased in person at the Savanna Jazz Club. Savanna jazz is a member of the �Open Table� an online reservation system. Reservations accepted for each performance night. The Savanna Jazz Club won the 2005 Best Jazz Club award in a readers� poll in the SF Weekly and has been recognized in the San Francisco Chronicle as a regular space for some of San Francisco�s senior jazz masters like Herb Gibson and Donald Bailey who played on Blue Note recordings with Jimmy Smith during the 50�s and 60�s.

Tickets are on sale now at the Savanna Jazz Club, or by calling (415) 285-3369. Visa and Mastercard are accepted. All evening performances begin at 8:30 pm.

More information about the Savanna Jazz Festival 2005 can be found at www.savannajazz.com

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Save August 27 & 28 (from noon to 6:30 pm) for the 12th Annual Vallejo Jazz, Art & Wine Festival, a two-day cultural event featuring world class jazz performers with Vallejo�s beautiful waterfront and marina as a scenic backdrop. It is one of the finest and most anticipated events in the North Bay, attracting over 5,000 attendees.

Considered "the most significant showcase for Bay Area talent" and a favorite of jazz musicians, three stages provide friends and families a venue to gather and enjoy outstanding entertainment. Legendary Jazz vocalist Jon Hendricks with LHR (Lambert, Hendricks & Ross) Redux heads up a spectacular lineup featuring the best of Bay Area talents.

A Fine Art Gallery, Art Jam (a children's art experience), fine wine and micro brew tastings, food, art, craft, and commercial vendors complete this extraordinary weekend. Proceeds provide fine arts scholarships for young artists and non-profit arts education programs, as well as additional revenue for local non-profit organizations.

Tickets are $15/one day and $25/two days (children 10 and under free) with free parking. Order advance tickets through the Vallejo Convention and Visitors Bureau at 707-642-3653 or visit www.VallejoJazzFestival.com.

For more information call The Vallejo Convention and Visitors Bureau @ 707.642.3653 or visit their site @ www.visitvallejo.com.

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The 11th Annual North Beach Jazz Festival starts tonight and runs through Sunday, 7/31.

"Jazz on Grant" kicks off the NBJF every year with free jazz in more than a dozen clubs, cafes, bars and restaurants. This year the event will kick off at the SF Italian Athletic Club with a performance by the REALISTIC ORCHESTRA. Led by composer/trombonist/bassist Adam Theis, Realistic is a big band made up of players from Theis' "Jazz Mafia" collective. The majority of the rest of the Jazz on Grant schedule will be announced piecemeal, but included among this year's artists will be BOCA DO RIO, WILL BERNARD, HYIM, THE PUSH, DAN LEBOWITZ, BLOWOUT, GREGORY JAMES, KEATON SIMONS, DAMON AARON, KNEEBODY, MEGAN JACOBS .

NOTE: Realistic kicks off at 7:30. Most other shows begin at around 8pm and end around 11pm. A few of the clubs will start and end later. MAKE SURE TO GET DOWN THERE EARLY. :)

• Will Bernard & Motherbug at Savoy Tivoli - 1434 Grant Ave


Boca do Rio at Mojito- 1337 Grant Ave

• Hyim at Cafe Trieste- Grant @ Valejo


• Dan Lebowitz (of A.L.O) at Magnet- Grant Ave


• the Push at the Saloon- Grant @ Valejo


• Keaton Simons, Kneebody at Royale - 1326 Grant Ave


BJ Papa at Panta Rei - 431 Columbus Ave

• Miles Ahead at Cafe Figaro- 1318 Broadway


• Gregory James at Ideale - 1309 Grant Ave


• Damon Aaron, Megan Jacobs, Mike the Poet at Lost & Found Saloon: - 1353 Grant Ave


• Tony Mattioli at Grant and Green - 1371 Grant Ave


• Benito Taylor at Cafe Blanca- 1441 Grant Ave


• Blowout at Steps of Rome- 348 Columbus Ave


• Mitch Marcus at Tony Nik's - 1534 Stockton


• Scott Chernis photography + Steve Rossi Trio at Live Worms Gallery- 1341 Grant Ave


• Dukes of Socket at Cafe Roma


• John Turi at Blend - 659 Columbus Ave

Posted by at 4:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For Immediate Release
July 22, 2005

Portfest World Music & Jazz Festival Comes to Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, Port of Oakland
(Free music concert and festival with arts and crafts)

Who: Hosted by Port of Oakland and East Bay Regional Park District
What: Portfest World Music & Jazz Festival - featuring Hugh Masekela, Kenny Garrett Quartet, Dave Ellis Quintet, Mo�Rockin Project, Oaktown Jazz Workshops Band
Where: Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, Oakland - Located at the end of 7th Street in the Port of Oakland (2777 Middle Harbor Road � see directions at end of release)
When: Saturday, July 30, 2005; 11:00AM - 7:00pm
Hotline: (510) 627-1111
Website: www.portofoaklandpublicartprogram.com

Oakland, Calif (July 21, 2005) - The Port Of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Park District are hosting the first annual free Portfest World Music & Jazz Festival, Saturday, July 30 from 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. The festival will be held at beautiful Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, located near the end of 7th Street, in Oakland at the Port. This free outdoor music festival will feature South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela, the dynamic jazz of alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett and his quartet, local saxophone titan Dave Ellis and his Quartet, the Mo'Rockin Project that merges traditional Moroccan melodies with jazz, and youth from the Oaktown Jazz Workshop.

The festival is organized by Khalil Shaheed who leads the Oaktown Jazz Workshop and co-leads the Mo'Rockin Project, �As Artistic Director of the World Music & Jazz Festival, I am honored to be working closely with both the Port of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Park District. The goal of this collaboration is to develop and grow the festival into a world-class event that will draw people to Oakland from around the globe.� Shaheed added, �Since we are a port city, it only makes sense that we present music from around the world just as we do business with people from around the world; and what could be more international than World Music and Jazz?!"

The Festival will also feature a "World Food Court," local clothing and crafts vendors, interactive and informative exhibits from the Port of Oakland and East Bay Regional Park District and a family-friendly emphasis with games and activities for kids.

Continue reading "Portfest World Music & Jazz Festival" »

Posted by at 11:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Dancing in the street, originally uploaded by in2jazz.

CONTEMPORARY JAZZ, VIBRANT ELECTRONIC MUSIC, LIVE DJ's AND MODERN MUSIC SAMPLING TO CONVERGE ON THE COMCAST SAN JOSE JAZZ FESTIVAL'S NEWEST STAGE "JAZZ BEYOND"

First time Ever: The World's Largest Free Jazz Festival to Feature Some of the Hottest Names in Contemporary Music including The Bad Plus, Jason Moran and Mark de Clive-Lowe

165,000 people expected to attend four-day festival in downtown San Jose, California

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 8, 2005 - Signifying a new trend in jazz and modern music, the San Jose Jazz Society announced the complete lineup for the new "Jazz Beyond" stage at the 16th Annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival, presented by Southwest. Jazz Beyond is a unique fusion of contemporary jazz, electronic music, DJ turntables and music sampling. Jazz Beyond is one of nine stages at the 2005 Jazz Festival, which annually attracts more than 165,000 to downtown San Jose, California for the four day event (August 11 - 14, 2005). Jazz Beyond is two days only, Friday August 12, and Saturday August 13, at the San Jose Repertory Theater from 8:00 pm to 1:30 am.

"San Jose is the epicenter of Silicon Valley, the heart of innovation and discovery. It only makes sense that the San Jose Jazz Society is the first to present a totally unique and progressive group of artists on one stage," said Michelle Amador, performer and artistic director of Jazz Beyond. "What better way to see some of the modern innovators in jazz today, all at an unbeatable price: free!"

Jazz Beyond is made possible through a generous grant from the James Irvine Foundation and by Adobe Systems. For more information on Jazz Beyond or the 2005 Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival, please visit www.sanjosejazz.org.

Continue reading "Full "Jazz Beyond" Lineup for SJ Jazz Festival Announced" »

Posted by at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Art and Soul Oakland Festival, originally uploaded by in2jazz.

BLUES TRAVELER ON THEIR WAY TO
5TH ANNUAL COMCAST ART & SOUL FESTIVAL OAKLAND

GEORGE DUKE, ROY AYERS, EDWIN HAWKINS AND MARIA MULDAUR
ALSO ON BOARD FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND FESTIVAL

OAKLAND, California (June 16, 2005)�The City of Oakland is pleased to announce headliners for the 5th Annual Comcast Art & Soul Oakland. Blues Traveler, led by the inspired singing and harmonica playing of John Popper, is back in top form. As evidenced by their latest Live on the Rocks CD, Blues Traveler plays with plenty of fire, loads of solid improvisation and tons of funky blues jamming. They continue in their tradition as a glorious jam band, but have become more focused, exuding tremendous musicianship. This fall Blues Traveler will release their 8th studio effort �Bastardos! on Vanguard Records. Blues Traveler headlines Sunday�s show sponsored by KFOG 104.5 FM/97.7 FM.

The legendary George Duke headlines Monday�s show in association with KBLX 102.9 FM. Duke is an extraordinary musician of tremendous range. He has played with artists as diverse as Al Jarreau, Cannonball Adderley, Billy Cobham, Stanley Clarke and Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. In addition to having recorded 30 albums of his own, Duke has been a Grammy Award-winning producer working with Dianne Reeves, Jeffrey Osborne, Anita Baker and Smokey Robinson. As an in-demand session musician, Duke has played with everyone from Sarah Vaughn to Quincy Jones to Aretha Franklin. Also on Monday, Roy Ayers brings his prodigious talents as a vibraphonist to the festival. A longtime classic jazz player, Ayers pioneered �acid jazz� and has been championed by hip-hop artists who have frequently sampled his music. The hugely popular Gospel Monday stage culminates with Edwin Hawkins, a trailblazing force behind the contemporary Gospel sound. Hawkins, a native of Oakland, is a multiple Grammy winner best known for his classic �Oh Happy Day.�

The 5th Annual Comcast Art & Soul Oakland is Northern California�s most accessible festival offering direct service from BART and free parking for thousands of cars. Last year 60,000 people enjoyed three sensational days of music, food, fun and art in beautiful downtown Oakland. This year, in addition to the KBLX stage on Monday, the festival is adding an all-jazz stage on Saturday with Frankye Kelly, Michael O'Neill featuring Kenny Washington and Babatunde Lea, whose soulful African inspired jazz has made him one of the hottest acts on the national and international touring circuit. The Bay Area Blues Society�s ever popular three-day Blues Stage will expand to include Cajun Zydeco on Saturday, featuring Platinum selling artist Maria Muldaur & Her Louisiana Hot Band in addition to Tom Rigney & Flambeau (A Bay Area native, Tom is the son of baseball great Bill Rigney). Also new this year is an LGBT stage on Sunday featuring Latin jazz group Orquesta d�Soul, the nationally-recognized all-female African American rock group Sistas in the Pit, and other great local artists.

Continue reading "5th Annual Comcast Art & Soul Festival Oakland" »

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Denise Lamott
415) 897-5089
Lamoore1@verizon.net

BIG BANDS COME WEST TO RUSSIAN RIVER

Jazz on the River Features Jazz at Lincoln Center�s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, A Salute to the Music of Frank Sinatra by the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Dave Holland Big Band, The Pat Metheny Trio, Dan Hicks, Chris Botti, Carla Bley and More

GUERNEVILLE, CA � This year�s festival will be music to the ears of jazz aficionados when the best big bands and other jazz greats perform at the 2005 Jazz on the River on Saturday and Sunday, September 10 and 11, at Johnson�s Beach in Guerneville. Jazz on the River continues the 29-year tradition of bringing world-class jazz along the banks of the beautiful Russian River. This year�s festival features a rich and diverse lineup that runs the full spectrum of the state of jazz�from Afro-Cuban and Latin to big band; from straight-ahead to contemporary and modern. Many of the great players from the New York jazz scene will perform at the 2005 festival.

The 2005 Jazz on the River lineup includes: The Pat Metheny Trio with Christian McBride and Antonio Sanchez; Jazz at Lincoln Center�s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra with Arturo O�Farrill and special guest Paquito D�Rivera; Chris Botti; Dave Holland Big Band; Guitars and Saxes featuring Mindi Abair, Jeff Golub, Warren Hill and Wayman Tisdale; Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks; Carla Bley The Lost Chords with Andy Sheppard, Steve Swallow and Billy Drummond; A Salute to the Music of Frank Sinatra by the Nelson Riddle Orchestra directed by Christopher Riddle featuring guest vocalist Bryan Anthony; Kim Nalley; Cedar Walton Quartet; and the Benny Barth Trio.

Produced by Lupe De Leon, long-time producer of the Russian River Blues Festival, Jazz on the River combines the best in jazz, food and wine into a memorable festival for all ages to enjoy. For a nominal fee, in addition to world-class jazz, patrons can sample Sonoma County and the Russian River Wine Region�s world-famous wines in the Wine Garden while enjoying the music of the Benny Barth Trio.

TICKETS:

Before June 3, 2005: $42,50/day or $80/weekend
June 4 to July 8, 2005: $45/day or $85/weekend
July 9 to September 9, 2005: $47.50/day or $90/weekend
At the Gate: $52.50/day or $100/weekend
Gold Tier Seating: $95/day or $190/weekend, includes a wine tasting voucher and premiere seats

Tickets can be purchased without a service charge at the Jazz on the River office at (510) 655-9471 or JazzontheRiver.com; the River Reader in Guerneville at (707) 869-2240; and at Back Door Disc in Cotati, CA at (707) 795-9597.

No glass, cans, alcohol or high-back beach chairs will be permitted. Low-back beach chairs only! For more information call (510) 655-9471; e-mail info@rrfestivals.com or visit www.JazzontheRiver.com.

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JUST A FEW TICKETS LEFT
Jazz At Hangar One
Featuring Ray Obiedo
with Pete Escovedo Fri. July 1- 7pm

Tickets include:

Creative Designer Spirits
Chocolates by Alice Medrich
Delicious Hors d'oeuvres
Join OJazz, Oakland Magazine & Hangar One Vodka for an amazing evening with world-renowned Latin Jazz artists Pete Escovedo & Ray Obiedo

[Details] http://www.ojazz.org/jazzlife/jazzathangarone.htm

JUST ADDED "DENISE PERRIER & MARTY WEHNER"
With Hal Stein
At Café Van Kleef July 2 - 8pm

[Details] http://www.ojazz.org/jazzlife/halstein.htm

Now FREE!
Jazz Symposium Sat. July 9 - 4pm
Featuring
Earl Watkins
Randy Moore
& Special Guest Melvin Butts Quintet

This will be a real treat! Join us for a discussion and lecture about Bay Area Jazz History at the beautiful African American Library & Museum.

Tickets include:

Light refreshments
A performance from the Melvin Butts Quintet

[Details] http://www.ojazz.org/jazzlife/jazzsymposium.htm

Just a Few Tickets Left
At The Chef's Table
Featuring
Executive Chef Jacob Alioto

Alioto hails from Lalime's in Berkeley, but is now at Luka's restaurant. See what wonderful delicacies he will create paired with delicious wines from Europe and California. Chef Alioto will demonstrate how to combine & handle the freshest ingredients to receive cheers from the most discriminating palate. Don't miss this exclusive gourmet experience.

[Details] http://www.ojazz.org/jazzlife/chefstable.htm

Proceeds from JazzLife supports OJAZZ education programs. OJAZZ supports neighborhood awareness efforts to revitalize East Bay communities. JazzLife is produced by the Oakland Jazz Foundation. OJAZZ is a 5013C non-profit organization.

Order tickets online at: www.ojazz.org or Call 510 550-4919
Must be 21 or older to attend event

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For Immediate Release
June 28, 2005
Media Contact: Jason Arnold
831/373-3366, (c) 510/326-4353
Jason@montereyjazzfestival.org

ARENA PACKAGES STILL AVAILABLE FOR 48TH ANNUAL MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY MCI, SEPTEMBER 16-18, 2005

TIME IS SHORT FOR THIS RARE OPPORTUNITY - ATTENDEES ENCOURAGED TO PURCHASE ARENA PACKAGES NOW

EXCLUSIVE ARENA PERFORMANCES INCLUDE:

� TONY BENNETT
� SONNY ROLLINS
� PAT METHENY TRIO
� MAVIS STAPLES
� BRANFORD MARSALIS QUARTET
� LEE RITENOUR & FRIENDS
� JOHN HANDY �40TH REUNION� QUINTET
� SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA
� JOHN SCOFIELD BAND�S �TRIBUTE TO RAY CHARLES�
� CARLA BLEY BIG BAND PREMIERE OF �THE BLACK ORCHID�

June 28, 2005; Monterey, CA; With a phenomenal cast of the world�s finest musicians, the 48th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by MCI is selling admissions tickets quickly for its three-day event this September 16-18. Arena Packages are still available for purchase, and those interested in attending are encouraged to purchase tickets as soon as possible.

Opportunities to purchase Arena Packages are very rare. Nearly half of the Monterey Jazz Festival audience returns to the festival eight years or more, and Arena Package holders have the option to renew or upgrade their seats for the next year�s festival. Purchasing Arena Packages now is an enticing way to join the ranks of Monterey Jazz Festival elite, and those that purchase these extraordinary seats have the opportunity to enjoy the dazzling jazz celebration year after year.

The year�s Arena Packages also offer many improvements for Monterey Jazz Festival attendees. In addition to traditional seating arrangements on the arena floor and side bleachers, the center bleacher section has been upgraded with brand new, state-of-the-art contoured stadium style-seats with spectacular views of the stage.

Tickets are on sale from the MJF Ticket Office (925/275-9255) and online at www.montereyjazzfestival.org. Arena Packages start at $180 for a reserved seat to all 5 Arena Concerts plus access to all festival concerts, events and attractions for the entire weekend.

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MEDIA ALERT!
For Immediate Release
Contact Jason Arnold
510/326.4353
Jason@themeproductions.com

MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL AUCTIONS FRONT BOX SEATS FOR 2005 FESTIVAL

ENTHUSIASTIC BIDDERS RAISE MONEY TO BENEFIT MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL�S JAZZ EDUCATION PROGRAMS

AUCTION ENDS JUNE 1st AT 4PM � TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO MAKE A BID!

May 20, 2005; Monterey, California; Bidding has commenced for the Monterey Jazz Festival�s 2005 Front Box Auction with 4 seats up for bid. However, time is short and bidders have less than two weeks � until June 1st � to claim the coveted seats.

Every year, enthusiastic jazz fans have the opportunity to win four of the best seats in the house: the front center box seats in the Lyons Stage Arena of the Monterey Jazz Festival presented by MCI. This year�s winners will be able to virtually wipe the sweat off the brows of Tony Bennett, Sonny Rollins, Branford Marsalis and other stellar Lyons Stage performers. The auction package includes the front box seats plus one parking pass, four VIP Artist Bar Passes, and four Souvenir Magazines.

Proceeds from the auction benefit the Monterey Jazz Festival�s Jazz Educational programs, including the Traveling Clinicians Program, Monterey Summer Jazz Camp, and other outreach projects that change the lives of youth through music education.

Front Box Auction participants are encouraged to place a bid as soon as possible by logging onto www.montereyjazzfestival.org or calling the Monterey Jazz Festival Ticket Office at 925-275-9255.

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Remembering Percy Heath - This photo was taken of legendary bassist Percy Heath at the 45th Monterey Jazz Festival in 2002 after an interview that he and his brothers, Jimmy and Albert "Tootie" Heath, did with Orrin Keepnews. Percy, who passed recently, was the last living member of the Modern Jazz Quartet.

The new Lizz Wright album, Dreaming Wide Awake, will be released on June 14. If you need a tasty appetizer while you are waiting, Lizz does a remake of "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" on David Sanborn's latest album, Closer. Your musical taste buds will thank you.

Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt has a new album, Identity, which will be released on July 19. All original material will be featured on this new disc. Samples of the new grooves can be found at http://www.peltjazz.com/mp3.html. I just finished listening to them and they left me wanting more. Jeremy will performing on September 9 and 10 with his quartet at Jazz at Pearl's in SF and October 25-30 as part of the Clifford Brown 75th Birthday Celebration at Yoshi's.

I ran across the Essentials of Music Glossary as looking up the meaning of bel canto, which was used to describe the music of Shirley Horn. It is an excellent reference.

Your favorite links for Upcoming Grooves, Cool Music Sites, My Favorite Places to Buy Tunes, and Jazz Clubs and Events have been moved from the front page to the Category section on the right. They are much easier to update as entries now. Hope you enjoy them.

Jill Scott - The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours
Tuesday, 17 May, 2005 12:30pm at Alexander Book Co in SF.

Update: Jill Scott is also scheduled to do a book signing/reading on Monday, 5/16, 7:30pm, in Berkeley, sponsored by Cody's Books. It will be held at a separate venue and tickets are now on sale. For more details, http://www.codysbooks.com/calendar/calendar.jsp

"A collection of poetic works drawn from the personal writings of the award-winning music artist and lyricist explores such themes as love, the self, and the author's experiences as an African-American woman."

Have you checked out Oaklandish yet? It is a very cool site.

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Photo Credit - James Knox

Vocalist Clairdee will be performing at Yoshi's on May 18 at 8 and 10pm for the CD Release Party of her new album, Music Moves. The album was recorded at Yoshi's last April. I attended a couple of the shows that were used for this recording so I can guarantee that you will definitely be in for a treat. Her album will be available at performances starting on May 18 and in stores nationwide on June 28.

I ran into Clairdee and her husband Ken French (who is also her pianist and music director) before the Shirley Horn concert last evening (which was excellent and I will tell you about it later!!) and they gave me the postcard that is shown above. I had the great good fortune of taking the photo used for the postcard at one of her performances last year. It will also be used for the album cover on Clairdee's upcoming release and on her website. She and Ken had been keeping this a secret from me for awhile until everything was finished. I was totally speechless and overjoyed at the same time. It is a great photo of a songbird with a beautiful spirit. Thank you Clairdee and Ken!

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SAN JOSE JAZZ SOCIETY TO HOST FOUR DAY MULTI-CULTURAL ARTS EVENT

FESTIVAL OF CULTURES: JUNE 9-12, 2005

Sponsored by Arts Council Silicon Valley

Distinctive Multi-Cultural Arts Festival Features Twelve Extraordinary and Diverse Groups: Jazz, Indian Dance, Filipino Dance, Chinese Classical Music, Mexican Folklorico, Hip Hop Dance, Japanese Taiko and more

SAN JOSE, Calif. April 20, 2005 � The San Jose Jazz Society, renowned for its annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival, will present the 2005 Festival of Cultures, sponsored by Arts Council Silicon Valley with additional support provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Community Foundation Silicon Valley. Featuring twelve performing arts groups from in and around the Bay Area, including jazz, Brazilian, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Brazilian, and hip-hop, the June 9 through 12, 2005 festival will bring together San Jose�s diverse cultures under one roof at the California Theater in downtown San Jose, California.

"We are fortunate to live in one of the most richly diverse communities in the world," said Bruce Davis, executive director of Arts Council Silicon Valley presenting sponsor of the event. "The California Theater will be the backdrop for this unique and distinct group of artists which literally spans the globe on talent, drive and creativity. This event promises to be both thrilling and inspiring for people of all ages and cultures."

The Festival of Cultures opens Thursday June 9 at 8pm with "Modern Jazz Meets The Great Brazilian Songbook," a concert previewing the 16th annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival in August. Headlining the concert will be one of the foremost interpreters and composers of Brazilian music today, vocalist Claudia Villela. Villela perform fresh interpretations of Brazilian jazz standards by Jobim, Gilberto, Donato, and more with a 7-piece ensemble of the finest Brazilian/jazz musicians in the Bay Area. As part of the Jazz Festival preview, the concert will open with a special modern jazz set by 24-year-old jazz pianist and San Jose native Dahveed Behroozi with his trio.

The Festival of Cultures continues on Friday, June 10 at 8pm with "Dance Underground" a vibrant dance showcase collaboration featuring San Jose-based "Visual Rhythm Dance Company" with special guests: Filipino hip hop group Nu Origins, theatrical hip hop group Mobility, and San Jose�s Asian hip hop group Bsyde, accompanied by vocalist Jacqueline Herrara.

Saturday�s events continue the cultural exploration with "Pacific Overtures I & II" beginning with a matinee at 2:00 pm featuring the Bay Area�s Firebird Youth Chinese Orchestra, followed by the Tahitian dance group, Kawailehua Hula Ohana. Evening festivities begin at 8pm and feature one of the Bay Area�s premiere South Indian classical dance organizations, the Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose. 2005 marks the Abhinaya�s 25th anniversary in the Bay Area. San Jose-based Kaisahan, San Jose�s Filipino-American folk dance company, follows to close the second day of the Festival.

The Festival of Cultures closes on Sunday, June 12, with "Rhythm is the Root" a 2pm matinee featuring a unique pairing of Mexican and Japanese cultures. Watsonville-based Mexican folk dance company Xochipilli Grupo Folkl�rico de Santa Cruz makes their San Jose debut, followed with a bang by one of the most powerful and exciting drum acts in the Bay Area, San Jose Taiko.

About the Festival of Cultures

The Festival of Cultures, formerly known as the "Performing Arts Series" and "Downtown Arts Series" founded by the City of San Jose, is a multi-arts, multi-cultural event, sponsored by Arts Council Silicon Valley with additional support provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Community Foundation Silicon Valley. The Festival of Cultures is designed to bring the community and ethnic performing arts groups together. The San Jose Jazz Society is producing the event. Known primarily as the presenter of the Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival, the San Jose Jazz Society serves more than 170,000 youth and adults through education and performance programs throughout the year. For more information, please visit www.sanjosejazz.org

Continue reading "4-Day Festival of Cultures in Downtown San Jose" »

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MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NEXT GENERATION JAZZ ORCHESTRA

YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM ALL ACROSS USA AND CANADA TO PERFORM ON INTERNATIONAL TOUR AND AT MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY MCI
SEPTEMBER 16 - 18, 2005 IN MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA

WINNER OF MJF'S COMPOSITON COMPETITON ALSO ANNOUNCED WITH WORLD PREMIERE BY NEXT GENERATION JAZZ ORCHESTRA SLATED FOR 48TH ANNUAL MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL

April 20, 2005; Monterey, California; The Monterey Jazz Festival has announced members of the 2005 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, the Festival's international high school all-star big band. Created as a part of the Monterey Jazz Festival's continuing commitment to jazz education, the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra includes some of the top high school level jazz students from all parts of the U. S. and, for 2005, even boasts one member from Canada. The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra represents the very highest level of musicianship as evidenced by past members of the ensemble (formerly known as the MJF High School All-Star Big Band) including pianists Benny Green and Patrice Rushen, bassist Larry Grenadier, drummer Chad Wackerman, saxophonists Joshua Redman and Dave Koz, to name a few.

Under the tutelage of Mr. Paul Contos, renowned saxophonist and flautist who serves as the director of the Orchestra, the ensemble is dedicated to the study and performance of the most challenging big band literature available. The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra will embark on a performance tour during the summer, to include gigs in New York at Sweet Rhythms on July 3 and in Lincoln Center's "Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola" on July 4. The tour will cross the border for a performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival on July 6. In addition, NGJO performances are slated for the 48th annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by MCI, September 16 - 18, 2005.

Members of the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra were selected through a rigorous audition process that included review by a national panel of judges comprised of professional jazz musician/educators. For the first time ever in the 35 year history of its high school all-star band, the Monterey Jazz Festival invited auditions via video tape in addition to in-person auditions, which took place during the Next Generation Festival, April 8 - 10 in Monterey.

In conjunction with the announcement of the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, the Monterey Jazz Festival has also recognized the winner of the Next Generation Festival's Big Band Composition Competition. Adam Bravo, a Junior at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo, California, wrote the winning piece, "Perpendicular to Reality". Shelly Berg, noted pianist/educator and a judge for the competition, commented that the piece was "an amazingly mature composition." "Perpendicular to Reality" will be performed by the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra in a world premiere at the 2005 Monterey Jazz Festival.

Continue reading "MJF Announces Next Generation Jazz Orchestra" »

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SAN JOSE JAZZ SOCIETY ANNOUNCES HEADLINE ACTS FOR 2005 COMCAST SAN JOSE JAZZ FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

World's Largest Free Jazz Festival to Feature Hank Jones, Eliane Elias, Eddie Palmieri, Ernestine Anderson, Soulive, Poncho Sanchez, The Bad Plus, Karrin Allyson, Jason Moran and more

165,000 people expected to attend four-day festival in downtown San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 18, 2005 -- The San Jose Jazz Society (www.sanjosejazz.org) today announced headliners for the 16th Annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival, presented by Southwest Airlines. The free Festival, August 11-14, 2005, will feature scores of premiere jazz artists on nine stages in downtown San Jose, Calif. With more than 165,000 people expected to attend the four-day event, the San Jose Jazz Festival is the largest free jazz festival in the world.

"This year's Jazz Festival promises to have all of the traditional aspects people know and love, as well as some great new events," said Steve Saperstein, general director of the San Jose Jazz Society. "We have an amazing lineup of top jazz performers in all jazz styles. This year, we are very excited about the after-hours Jazz Beyond stage, guaranteed to keep people up with a new and unique fusion of music, visual art and technology."

Premiere jazz artists take the stage

The Festival features a diverse lineup of jazz luminaries, including top Latin pianist Eddie Palmieri, percussionist Poncho Sanchez and the Latin Band, the buzzworthy and innovative trio The Bad Plus, cutting-edge pianist Jason Moran, legendary vocalist Ernestine Anderson and much more. This year's lineup also includes two NEA Jazz Masters, pianist Hank Jones and drummer Louie Bellson.

Jazz + Ideas = Jazz Beyond

This year marks the opening of a new attraction at the Jazz Festival, the "Jazz Beyond" stage, made possible by generous support from the James Irvine Foundation. Performances will be from 8:30 pm to 2:00 am on Friday, August 12, and Saturday, August 13. At Jazz Beyond, the frontiers of jazz will be explored by artists who push boundaries, using both traditional live instrumentation and electronic sampling, DJ turntables, looping and other effects.

"This dynamic new stage is an exciting opportunity for jazz music to reach across genres to electronic musicians and electronic music fans," said Michelle Amador, performer and artistic director of Jazz Beyond. "There's an important dialog going on right now between jazz and electronic music, and by shining the spotlight on cutting-edge artists in both genres, we?ll help pave the way for new developments in jazz. Jazz has always prized innovation and this stage put that idea to the test it will be an experience that Festival patrons won't soon forget."

Continue reading "The 2005 San Jose Jazz Festival Lineup Announced" »

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CALENDAR LISTING

Run Dates:
Now through September 6, 2005 Media Contacts:
Michael Coats,
Coats Public Relations
(707) 935-6203
michael@coatspr.com

Harry Hamilton,
City of Oakland
(510) 238-2107
hhamilton@oaklandnet.com

Labor Day weekend:
September 3-5, 2005
City of Oakland�s 5th Annual Art & Soul Festival
11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Frank H. Ogawa Plaza/City Center/14th & Broadway, downtown Oakland
Admission Fee: $5; children 12 and under free.

City of Oakland�s 5TH ANNUAL ART & SOUL FESTIVAL

The Bay Area�s best new festival returns! Three big days of live rock, blues, jazz, gospel and more on four concert stages. Fifth anniversary festival blends exciting national and local acts with extraordinary cultural diversity in art, poetry, music and food. Stroll through eclectic artisan booths. Sample delicious, exotic foods. Children of all ages revel in the festive Family Fun Zone. Listen to readings by acclaimed authors. Admission: $5 per day; children 12 and under free. www.artandsouloakland.com or (510) 444-CITY.

# # #

Editor�s Note: This is an initial calendar listing. A more detailed release with headliners and other event details will be issued later.

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Press Release
Immediate Release

New Jersey Performing Arts Center Presents

Guitarist, Ron Jackson and Friends with special Guest, Organist, Dr. Lonnie Smith

Ron Jackson: www.ronjacksonmusic.com
Date: May 14, 2005
Time: 7:00 pm

Location: New Jersey Performing Arts Center
NJPAC is conveniently located in the heart of the Newark Downtown Arts District,on the Newark riverfront between Military Park and McCarter Highway -- near Gateway Center, Newark's Penn Station, and the Ironbound District. Easily accessible by car or by public transportation.

Ticket Price: $22.00 (Children: $9.00)

Ticket Purchasing Options: www.njpac.org

Phone: 1-973-642-5229.

Guitarist, Ron Jackson, �projects the art of jazz guitar in the traditional manner by obvious nods to Wes and Charlie, but adopts a contemporary attitude with Metheny, Scofield and Klugh adding their influences." (Jazz Times) Jackson is joined by Dr. Lonnie Smith, �One of the most influential organists to ever man the helm of the B-3�, (All About Jazz).

Jackson's resume is so vast it is hard to capture it all on paper. He was the winner of the 1996 Heritage Guitars, International Jazz Guitar Competition. He has performed and recorded in over 30 countries as a bandleader and ensemble performer, and is well established in the international jazz scene. His recordings have featured prominent sideman like pianists; Benny Green and Lafayette Harris, Bassist; Lonnie Plaxico, Essiet Essiet, Drummers; Cecil Brooks III, Dion Parson and Yoron Israel.

Dr. Lonnie Smith is internationally known as one of the premier jazz keyboardists in the history of the idiom. A dominant talent and pace-setting proponent of the Hammond B3 Organ, Smith is a widely recognized pianist. Lonnie has been at the forefront of the jazz scene since 1969 when he was named �Top Organist,� by Downbeat Magazine. Most recently, he was awarded the �Organ Keyboardist of the Year� award 2002 & 2003 by the Jazz Journalist Association.

Jackson and Smith will be back by seasoned veterans, Don Braden (saxophone), Mike LeDonne (piano), Art Martin (baritone saxophone), Earl McIntyre (trombone), Dion Parson (drums), Valery Ponomarev (trumpet), Joris Teepe (bass) and Roseanne Vitro (vocals).

This concert is a part of the Family Time performance, recommended for ages 13 and up. Presented in association with WBGO/Jazz 88.3FM.

Kari-On Productions
P.O. Box 436
Evans, GA. 30809
706.294.9996
karionprod@knology.net

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JAZZ ASPEN SNOWMASS CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

JAS JUNE FESTIVAL (JUNE 23 - 36) FEATURES BOZ SCAGGS, DAVID BYRNE, ISSAC HAYES, STEEL PULSE, BOBBY MCFERRIN & DIANNE REEVES AMONG OTHERS!

JAS LABOR DAY FESTIVAL EXTENDED TO FIVE DAYS!! (SEPT 1 - 5)

"Reward your yearlong labors with a trip to Jazz Aspen" - Elle Magazine

New York, NY - March 31, 2005 -- Jazz Aspen Snowmass announces its 15th Anniversary Season with a series of events to bookend your summer vacation plans. The JAS June Festival will kick off the season June 23 - 26 at Rio Grande Park in downtown Aspen and will celebrate a return engagement by Boz Scaggs as well as other headlining acts including David Byrne with the Tosca Strings, Issac Hayes, British reggae masters Steel Pulse, Bobby McFerrin, Diane Reeves and more.

Now in its 15th season, the JAS June festival was inspired by the legendary Marciac Festival in France, which is located in a charming village among the rolling hills of Gascogne. Similar in design, Jazz Aspen is nestled in the scenic and breathtaking Rocky Mountains where music devotees enjoy four days of music from top performers in a lively mountain town.

In addition to the headlining acts, performances will be held in smaller venues around Aspen, including a special new 15th year kick-off concert featuring the veteran jazz giant Ramsey Lewis Trio, as well as the internationally recognized jazz guitar sounds of John Scofield, in a "Tribute to Ray Charles" at the Hotel Jerome Ballroom. Additional shows included the funk and jazz of keyboardist Robert Walters 20th Congress and the wildly inventive Crescent City sounds of Bonarama, a group of seven trombones from New Orleans.

Gospel will fill the air once again in a "free" concert in the tent featuring JAS alumnus Ricky Dillard's New Generation Chorale, a 30+ member Gospel Choir from Chicago, in their third JAS appearance. Additional free stage artists will be announced shortly.

In addition, this year's incredible JAS Labor Day festival, which has become a stalwart among the summer concert scene, will be extended to five days for the first time in the festival's history and will be the biggest Labor Day Festival yet. "We have full intentions of beating last summers attendance records," stated festival producer Jim Horowitz.

The JAS Labor Day festival takes the opportunity each year to depart from its year-round-jazz-oriented programs and sister festival held in June to present a festival that celebrates all genres of music from roots, pop, bluegrass, rock, reggae, etc. The JAS Labor Day line-up will be announced shortly.

JAS June Festival tickets will go on sale to JAS Club members Wednesday March 30th and to the public Monday, April 4th. Tickets, priced from $35 and up, will be on sale through the JAS Box Office at 866 527 8499 ( JAS TIXX ) , or at www.jazzaspen.org.

For more information on JAS please contact Allison Elbl at PFA, 212.334.6116 or aelbl@pfamedia.net. Please also visit www.jazzaspen.org for regular updates.

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Legendary vocalist/pianist Andy Bey comes to Yoshi's this Saturday at 8pm and 10pm and Sunday at 2pm and 8pm. His most recent album, American Song, has received critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination. Andy is a rare gem and if you have not had the opportunity to hear his music, you will definitely be in for a treat. Andy will also be performing at the Jazz Bakery in LA from April 27-May 1 and at the Monterey Jazz Festival in September. If you are wondering which shows I will be attending, I will only miss the Sunday afternoon matin�e. There are still a good amount of tickets available for all shows. See you there!

Posted by at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Twenty-six year old Jones fills the lead trumpet chair as he puts finishing touches on his second CD release for Mack Avenue Records.

After six months of performances with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Sean Jones has announced that he has decided to accept the esteemed ensemble's offer to become a permanent member as lead trumpet player.

"It is a great honor and privilege to perform with musicians of this caliber and diversity. I have learned a great deal from Wynton as well as from the rest of the band and I look forward to performing and learning much more from them in the future," says Jones.

Jones has just completed mixing Gemini, his second CD for Mack Avenue Records, which is scheduled for release on June 28, 2005. Gemini features a wide array of original compositions that, as Jones says, "represent the various sides of my musical nature, from blues to funk, to fusion, acid jazz, and gospel." Jones' first recording as a leader, Eternal Journey (also on Mack Avenue,) reached #5 on the Jazz Week chart.

Jones also recently joined the faculty of Duquesne University, where he will continue to teach while maintaining his rigorous performance schedule. In addition to his upcoming performances with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Jones also will continue to perform with his own eponymous quintet, as well as with other small and large ensembles. A full performance schedule can be found on his website, www.seanjonesjazz.com.

The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (LCJO), composed of 15 of the finest jazz soloists and ensemble players today, has been the Jazz at Lincoln Center resident orchestra for over 10 years. Jazz at Lincoln Center features the remarkably versatile LCJO in nearly all aspects of its programming: the LCJO performs and leads educational events in New York, across the U.S., and around the globe; in concert halls, dance venues, jazz clubs, public parks, river boats, and churches; and with symphony orchestras, ballet troupes, local students, and an ever-expanding roster of guest artists.

Mack Avenue Records is the Detroit based independent label that is home to such jazz legends as Gerald Wilson, Terry Gibbs and Oscar Castro-Neves, as well as to talented newcomers such as Ron Blake, Sean Jones and Ilona Knopfler. For additional information on the label and its artists visit www.mackaverecords.com

Cary Goldberg
GoMediaPR
310-676-1692
gomediapr@earthlink.net

Posted by at 2:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 31, 2005; Monterey, California; With an appetizing array of over 500 artists appearing on 7 stages for 3 nights and 2 days of nonstop jazz, the 48th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by MCI offers fans a taste to please every palette. From reunions reflecting its storied past to today's "New Grooves", from vocal masters like Tony Bennett to newcomers like Madeleine Peyroux, from the world premiere of commissioned music to the Festival premiere of its Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, the world's longest running jazz festival serves up a generous helping of world class jazz, September 16 - 18, at the magnificent forested Festival site in Monterey, California.

Tickets are now on sale from the Ticket Office (925/275-9255) and online at www.montereyjazzfestival.org. Arena Packages start at $180 for a reserved seat to all 5 Arena Concerts plus access to all Festival concerts, events and attractions for the entire weekend. Grounds Tickets are priced at $30 for Friday, $40 for Saturday or Sunday and $95 for all three days. Grounds Tickets include daily access to all Grounds concerts, events and activities on 6 stages spread throughout the Monterey Fairgrounds, plus simulcasts of all Arena concerts in The Jazz Theater.

The Festival's opening night Arena concert on the Jimmy Lyons Stage will witness the return of Sonny Rollins to the Monterey Jazz Festival, his first appearance since 1997, playing the same stage where he helped launch the MJF in 1958. In another nod to the Festival's past, saxophonist John Handy will revisit his classic 1965 performance, recorded live at the MJF, with a "40th Anniversary Reunion" featuring many members of the same '65 quintet. Spanish Harlem Orchestra will add some spice to the Friday night lineup with their 2005 Grammy award winning salsa style.

Continue reading "The 48th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Lineup Announced" »

Posted by at 5:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

GRAMMY Nominee FRED HERSCH Releases Musical Version of Walt Whitman�s, Leaves of Grass, on FEB 22, 2005

[*** The 150th Year of Its Original Publication ]

* * *

10-Piece Ensemble @ HERBST THEATRE MARCH 6 -- Includes Kurt Elling and Kate McGarry

Performing Words of Walt Whitman to Music by Hersch

Over his 30-year career, pianist and composer Fred Hersch has established himself as a master in solo, duo, trio and quintet settings. For his third release on Palmetto Records, he departs radically from these forms with his biggest and most personal musical compositional statement to date, Leaves of Grass (February 22, 2005).

In Leaves of Grass, Hersch leads a 10-piece ensemble in a full-evening work that features vocalists Kurt Elling and Kate McGarry singing the words of Walt Whitman set to compositions by Hersch. The instrumental players are: Ralph Alessi, trumpet/flugelhorn; Mike Christianson, trombone; Bruce Williamson, clarinet/alto sax/bass clarinet; Tony Malaby, tenor sax; Erik Friedlander, cello; Drew Gress, bass; John Hollenbeck, drums/percussion; and Hersch on piano.

For the first time, Hersch found himself stepping away from the piano and letting words guide him in his composing. He explains:

The complete Leaves of Grass is more than 600 pages. To distill and create a libretto from this life�s work of poems was a lengthy and personal process. In setting out to compose the music, I had no idea where these words would take me. But I followed my instincts and, away from the piano, I simply started to sing the poems. Over time, musical themes emerged � and I began to find internal rhythms as I lived with the subtleties of the words. Like Whitman, I tried not to limit myself, and when the words wanted to take me somewhere � stylistically, melodically, rhythmically and harmonically � I did my best to just get out of the way.

Hersch thrives on challenging himself and, with Leaves of Grass, has surpassed his own reputation for artistic brilliance. That reputation won him the prestigious Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship in 2003, which he used to support the development of this defining and compelling project. As Hersch approaches his 50th year, we are left to ponder what other creative leaps he will make in the second half of his professional life.

Tour Dates for Leaves of Grass Ensemble

March 6: Herbst Theatre, San Francisco

March 12: Kimmel Center, Philadelphia

March 10: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

March 13: Troy Savings Bank, Troy, NY

March 11: Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, NYC.

March 31: Lied Center, Lincoln, NE

fredhersch.com/palmetto-records.com

JANLYN PR
145 Dunnell Road
Maplewood, NJ 07040
ph: 973 762 5580
fx: 973 270 2495
www.janlynpr.com

Posted by at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

For Immediate Release:

DIANA KRALL AND TONY BENNETT TO HEADLINE INAUGURAL SONOMA JAZZ + FESTIVAL MEMORIAL WEEKEND 2005

ACTS TO PERFORM IN SONOMA'S VALLEY OF THE MOON

February 24, 2005-- Diana Krall, Tony Bennett, Boz Scaggs with Steve Winwood, Regina Carter and Lizz Wright are set to bring world-class jazz to the town of Sonoma when they headline the inaugural Sonoma Jazz+ Festival this Memorial Day weekend May 26 - 29. This four-day event will take place in Sonoma's historic town plaza under a spectacular 3,000 capacity canopy tent. Sonoma Jazz+ Festival will also partner with the pre-eminent local wine industry to provide food and wine hospitality at the highest possible level.

For four days in May, the town of Sonoma will be a gourmet's delight and a music fan's paradise. Additional diverse "Wine and Song" events will be held at multiple venues around the central town plaza, making Sonoma Jazz + a pedestrian-friendly experience steeped in the ambience of great European summer music festivals. Unlike most first-time events, the festival will enjoy an exceptional level of experience and sophistication because it is a sister festival to Jazz Aspen Snowmass, one of America's premiere music festival events.

Founded in 1991, and now celebrating its 15th season, Jazz Aspen Snowmass began as a simple three-day festival and evolved into two major summer festivals as well as year-round free and paid concerts and renowned educational programs. Jazz Aspen Snowmass will be announcing thier line-up for the June and Labor Day festival soon.

Jim Horowitz, founder of Jazz Aspen Snowmass and the Executive Producer of Sonoma Jazz + noted, "The community of Sonoma has embraced this idea and made planning for the inaugural festival a smooth experience. There seems to be great anticipation surrounding the festival. This first foray into Sonoma promises fabulous music, memorable wines and a great time for audiences."

The Sonoma Jazz + Festival is a not-for-profit organization, and all net proceeds are earmarked for distribution equally to the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation and the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation. James Z. Pugash, Chairman of the Festival Board, commented, "Sonoma Jazz Plus is being organized not just to be a world-class music festival, but to deliver a substantial contribution to the local community in the areas of health and education. As such, we're pleased to announce our commitment to the Valley Education and Hospital Foundations for the year 2005."

Founding Sponsors to the festival will include Hearthstone (one of the nation's leading investors in residential development), the Marin IJ (part of the Alameda News Group, which includes, locally, the Oakland Tribune, Vallejo Times Herald, San Mateo Times, and many more), NelsonJobs.com, part of the Nelson Family of Companies (a national leader in human resources and employment solutions), the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa, Southern Wine & Spirits (one of California's leading distributors of premiere wine and spirit products), and Sherman-Clay (the Bay Area's home for Steinway Pianos.

Tickets will go on sale on Monday, February 28, 2005, and are available at (toll free) 1 866 527 8499. They will range in price from $35 to $85. Patron Tickets (which will include admission to the festival's patron tent, with premiere seating, nightly gourmet dinner, and on-site parking) will be available at 1 866 468 8355. Further information will be available at www.sonomajazz.org

For more information please contact Allison Elbl at PFA, 212.334.6116 or aelbl@pfamedia.net . Please also visit www.jazzaspen.org

Posted by at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Vocalist Clairdee tonight at 8:30pm and 10:30pm at Jazz at Pearl's. On Saturday, February 12, Clairdee returns to Copia in the romantic Napa Valley for a very special Valentine's concert, "What's Love Got to Do With It?" Her new live CD, Music Moves, will be released on March 1.

Jazz legend Abbey Lincoln will be at Yoshi's starting tomorrow through Monday. Tickets are already sold out for the 8pm show on Saturday. Upcoming shows include a tribute to Jimmy Smith with Joey DeFrancesco and James Moody, Goapele (tickets going fast), Pat Martino, Bill Charlap, René Marie, Ruth Brown and Andy Bey. View complete schedule of upcoming shows.

Vocalist Paula West is warming up The Plush Room now through March 20.

Sax legend David "Fathead" Newman comes to Jazz at Pearl's on February 26-28.

Guitarist Norman Brown will be at Kimball's East on February 25-26.

Save the date! May 26-29 - Sonoma Jazz Festival in the heart of Napa Valley. More information to follow as it becomes available.

Tickets are now on sale for the 6th Annual SFJAZZ Festival Spring Season which runs from March 12 through June 26. There will be lots of great shows this season including Shirley Horn, Cyrus Chestnut, Madeleine Peyroux, Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner, Manhattan Transfer, Brandford Marsalis, Ivan Lins, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Ahmad Jamal, Mingus Big Band, SF Jazz Collective and many others. View complete schedule of the festival.

The San Jose Jazz Society's Sunday Jazz Series 2005 is in full swing through March. Upcoming shows include Ed Johnson and Novo Tempo, Jovino Santos Neto, and Russell Malone & Benny Green.

Vocalist Cedric Brown will be performing with Robert Moses' Kin Dance Company. The company will be premiering a new work, The President's Daughter, an exploration of power, love, and race, based on the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings. Performances are Thur-Sat, Feb 17-19 and Thur-Sun, Feb 24-27. All shows are at 8pm (with a Sunday matinee on Feb 27) at Kanber Hall, Jewish Community Center, 3200 California Street (at Presido), San Francisco. For tickets ($26), call 415-292-1233 or see www.jccsf.org.

Posted by at 6:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

From LiveDaily.com

by Rob Evans
liveDaily Editor

Jimmy Smith credited with a style that revolutionized the Hammond B3 organ in the '50s and '60s, died at his Phoenix home on Tuesday (2/8), apparently of natural causes, his Verve Music Group publicist confirmed. He was 76.

Jimmy Smith was truly without peer," said a statement issued by Verve president and CEO Ron Goldstein. "His creativity and original style put him in a class above all other organists. Fortunately, Jimmy leaves behind a wealth of recordings that can be discovered and cherished forever."
Smith recorded his most notable works for Blue Note Records from the mid '50s through the early '60--an especially productive period that saw the artist issue about three-dozen albums. During this period, his unique, high-energy, blues-and-gospel-influenced technique established and popularized the B3 as a jazz instrument.

Though his recorded output slowed in his later years, he continued to tour regularly.

Smith's final studio album, 2001's "Dot Com Blues," was a blues-heavy set that featured a long list of big-name guests, including B.B. King, Etta James, Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' and Dr. John.

On Feb. 13, Concord Records is scheduled to release "Legacy," an album Smith recently recorded with fellow acclaimed B3 player Joey DeFrancesco.

"Jimmy was one of the greatest and most innovative musicians of our time," Defrancesco said in a statement. "I love the man and I love the music. He was my idol, my mentor and my friend."

Posted by at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Make your Reservations Now!

Don't miss this very special show! "Shades of Nina" - A Birthday Celebration of the Music and Memories of Nina Simone, will be performed at Los Angeles' premiere jazz club,

Catalina Bar & Grill
6725 W. Sunset Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028
323-466-2210 for reservations & information

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15

8:30 PM (One Show)

$25 cover charge

We will be celebrating the great Nina Simone's Birthday, Valentine's Day, along with David Nathan and Barbara Collin's birthdays!

This show will feature vocalist/author, David Nathan, singing sensation, Ledisi, jazz & blues vocalist/pianist, Sonji Kimmons, and song stylist,Thelma Jones performing selections from Nina Simone's vast repertoire. This is a unique presentation of Ms. Simone's songs, along with stories, and readings from the recent biography of Nina Simone, entitled, "Nina Simone: Break Down & Let it All Out" by David Nathan and his sister, Sylvia Hampton, published earlier this year.

A couple of surprise special guests may be added to the show!

Reservations are highly recommended. Admission is $25.00. For reservations, contact Catalina Bar & Grill at 323-466-2210. For further information Collin Artists at 323-467-4702.

Continue reading "Shades of Nina: A Tribute to the Great Nina Simone" »

Posted by at 3:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Vocalist Lalah Hathaway will be performing at the Fairfield Center for Creative Arts on Saturday, February 5 at 8:00pm.

Downtown Oakland Record Show. Thousands of LPs, 12�, 45s, featuring hard to find vinyl soul, jazz, rock, reggae and more. DJs, talent showcase. Saturday, February 5 from 10am-4pm. Mama Buzz Caf�, 2318 Telegraph Ave., Downtown Oakland. I stopped through their last show in December and there were definitely some gems to be found.

More to follow...

Posted by at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Paula West returns to the Plush Room following her fourth consecutive year at New York's Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, Jazz at Lincoln Center and her debut at the Blue Note. This six-week engagement will feature three noteworthy jazz trios comprised of three of the best jazz pianists performing today. Returning to open the run will be Eric Reed, who most frequently works with Paula and whom the New York Times calls "a rare combination of assiduous writer/arranger and fast thinking improviser." Week three brings back Grammy-nominated pianist/producer Bruce Barth, whom Downbeat Magazine says "...is self-assured and full of ideas" and "...digs deep to his true soul in the keyboard language." The fourth week, Blue Note recording artist, Bill Charlap will make his debut at the Plush Room following the Grammy nomination of his latest recording, "Somewhere: Songs of Leonard Bernstein." Eric Reed returns for the final two weeks of the 2005 run.

First call side musicians performing with these piano greats include bassists Ray Drummond and Gerald Cannon, and drummers Joe Farnsworth, Rodney Green, and Ulysses Owens.

This new show will run only six weeks. Enjoy an evening of romance, swing and humor at the Empire Plush Room.

Show and ticket information is available on the Empire Plush Room website.

Posted by at 8:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FIRST 2005 RELEASE FROM MACK AVENUE RECORDS WILL BE RON BLAKE�S SONIC TONIC, PRODUCED BY MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO

Saxophonist�s Second CD For Label To Hit Stores April 26, 2005

Mack Avenue Records will initiate its 2005 release schedule with saxophonist Ron Blake�s �Sonic Tonic,� produced by celebrated bassist Meshell Ndegeocello. The CD, due in stores on April 26, fuses the diversity of musical flavors that Blake has brought to his work with Christian McBride, Yerba Buena and Ndegeocello�s Spirit Music Sextet, as well as on his own critically acclaimed projects.

Among the musicians joining Blake on �Sonic Tonic� are bassist Christian McBride (who produced Blake�s Mack Avenue debut, �Lest We Forget,�) on five of the CD�s ten tracks and Terreon Gully, who plays with Blake in McBride�s band, on drums on one tune. Two more McBride sidemen also contribute to �Sonic Tonic� � Michael Cain on keyboards and Greg Hutchinson on drums. Blake�s Mack Avenue label-mate Sean Jones, joins in on flugelhorn for one song. Also on the CD are Reuben Rogers (Joshua Redman, Dianne Reeves) on acoustic and electric basses, Chris Dave (Mint Condition and Spirit Music Sextet) on drums, Gilmar Gomes (Angelique Kidjo) on percussion, Josh Roseman (Dave Holland, Don Byron) on trombone, Vincent Chancey (Cassandra Wilson, M-Base Collective) on French horn and Marcus Rojas (Wayne Shorter) on tuba.

�Sonic Tonic� is the first full CD produced by Grammy nominee Meshell Ndegeocello, who says, �Producing this record was an honor and a joy mainly because Ron is that rare combination of inheritor and innovator. His lyricism matches his power and his emotion matches his technique. Combining Ron's vision and creativity with great players like Christian, Ruben, Michael, Chris Dave and all the other cats created a healthy, challenging and good vibration to work in and I am so grateful for their trust and open mindedness. I think the music is worth any listener's time.�

Following the April release of �Sonic Tonic,� Mack Avenue�s release schedule for the remainder of the year includes an as-yet untitled release from French vocalist Ilona, trumpeter Sean Jones� second release, �Gemini,� and a live session from vibist Terry Gibbs, as well as offerings from Brazilian guitarist Oscar Castro Neves and pianist Eugene Maslov.

Posted by at 3:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 1, 2004; Monterey, California; An all-star cast of jazz greats will be featured in the Monterey Jazz Festival's Spring 2005 Jazz at Sunset concert season, with performances scheduled for March 17th, April 7th, and April 20th in Carmel's historic and acoustically acclaimed Sunset Center.

The season kicks off with the SFJAZZ Collective on March 17th, led by SFJAZZ Artistic Director Joshua Redman, and featuring a virtual who's who of notable players. In addition to the renowned saxman, the 8-person Collective features vibraphone master Bobby Hutcherson, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, Renee Rosnes on piano, Miguel Zenon on alto saxophone, drummer Eric Harland, Matt Penman on bass and trombonist Issac Smith (a former member of the Monterey Jazz Festival's High School All-Star Band). The SFJAZZ Collective is one of the only ensembles of its kind in the country and divides its repertoire between all-new compositions by band members and works by a selected jazz master, with John Coltrane's music as the focus for 2005. The New York Times recently recognized members of SFJAZZ Collective as "among the most in-demand" artists in the jazz world.

On April 7th, the multi-talented, Grammy award-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis appears at Sunset Center. This is a special occasion for both Marsalis and the Monterey Jazz Festival, his first appearance as the Festival's 2005 Artist-In-Residence. In addition to his Jazz at Sunset appearance, Marsalis will perform and conduct clinics in the Monterey Jazz Festival's new Next Generation Festival Kick-Off Concert, conduct clinics at the Monterey Jazz Festival's Summer Jazz Camp, and perform throughout the weekend of the Monterey Jazz Festival. Marsalis is widely recognized by the jazz, classical, pop and entertainment worlds for his many talents as a composer, arranger, producer, educator and player. The Chicago Tribune described Marsalis as achieving "a new level of emotional intensity and instrumental brilliance."

The Spring series final performance on April 20th will bring a true jazz icon to the Sunset Center stage. Legendary pianist Dave Brubeck appears with his quartet in a much anticipated concert. Brubeck has a long and storied history with the Monterey Jazz Festival, even before the first Festival note was sounded. It was Brubeck's impromptu performance before the City Council that convinced members to issue a permit for the first Monterey Jazz Festival in 1958. Brubeck, one of the stars of that historic weekend, also brought the 2002 Monterey Jazz Festival audience to its feet with the reprise of his tribute to Louis Armstrong, "The Real Ambassadors", which was commissioned by the Monterey Jazz Festival and debuted on the Festival's stage in 1962. With ticket sales already reported as brisk, the Brubeck appearance is likely to sell out, so patrons are advised to order tickets now.

Individual concert tickets are priced as follows:

SFJAZZ Collective
$57/$42/$27

Branford Marsalis Quartet
$67/47/32

Dave Brubeck Quartet
$77/$47/$32

Jazz at Sunset Series Packages (Including one seat to all three concerts) are priced at $190/$130/$88

Jazz at Sunset partner, Inns of Monterey, is offering jazz fans a Jazz at Sunset Getaway, with special rates at Hotel Pacific, Spindrift Inn, Monterey Bay Inn or Victorian Inn. Patrons are invited to call for details (800/232-4141).

Sunset Center, the site of the first jazz concert presentations on the Monterey Peninsula by Monterey Jazz Festival founder Jimmy Lyons, offers luxurious seating in a beautiful historic venue. Located on San Carlos between 8th and 10th in downtown Carmel, Sunset Center offers parking on site.

Tickets for the Spring 2005 Jazz at Sunset concert series are available from the Monterey Jazz Festival Box Office (925/275-9255) or online at www.montereyjazzfestival.org.

Posted by at 4:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL PARTNERS WITH MSN MUSIC AND BLUE NOTE RECORDS TO RELEASE EIGHT EXCLUSIVE DOWNLOADS FROM 2004 FESTIVAL

Terence Blanchard, Don Byron & Bill Charlap Live Performances from The 47th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Now Available

December 1, 2004; Monterey, California; The Monterey Jazz Festival, MSN Music and Blue Note Records have teamed up for the online release of eight exclusive downloads from live performances recorded at this year�s 47th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by MCI. The eight tracks, from Blue Note artists Terence Blanchard, Don Byron and Bill Charlap, are now available for individual track and full album purchase through MSN Music. A dedicated page can be found at http://music.msn.com/music/mjf2004.

"This is a very exciting development for the Monterey Jazz Festival," commented MJF General Manager Tim Jackson. "We're looking forward to sharing some of the wonderful music recorded at Monterey with jazz fans around the world via this new avenue."

Jeff Zakim, Director of New Media for Blue Note Records added, "This is a great way to further extend the Blue Note brand in the digital environment. This is outstanding live material from top artists performed at the top festival, and we wanted to make it available to as wide an audience as possible. The launch of the MSN Music service provides us with that opportunity."

Acclaimed trumpeter, composer, bandleader Terence Blanchard joined the Blue Note family in 2003 with the release of Bounce, which JazzTimes magazine said showed Blanchard �at the top of his game� as he led a young and dynamic band. Featured here with a sextet, Blanchard stretches out on the pulsating �Transform� (from Bounce) and the previously unrecorded �Simply Over There.�

Clarinetist Don Byron�s adventurous spirit was on display at Monterey, as he and his trio, consisting of young piano firebrand Jason Moran and drum paragon Jack DeJohnette, moved through a program of tunes from Byron�s new Blue Note recording Ivey-Divey, a session inspired by tenor sax legend Lester Young�s post-war bass-less trio with pianist Nat King Cole and drummer Buddy Rich. Featured here are the standard �I Covered The Waterfront� and Miles Davis�s �Freddy Freeloader.�

Bill Charlap has been leading one of the tightest-knit piano trios (with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington) in the jazz business for several years now. His recordings of American songbook composers, from Hoagy Carmichael (Stardust) to Leonard Bernstein (Somewhere) prompted The New Yorker magazine to declare him �an exceptional stylist poised to replace Bill Evans and Tommy Flanagan in the public imagination." Here the trio swings through a set that includes �God Child� (best known from it�s incarnation on Miles Davis�s Birth of the Cool), Irving Berlin�s �The Best Thing For You,� Vernon Duke�s �Round About,� and Gerry Mulligan�s �Curtains.�

The Monterey Jazz Festival, the world's longest running jazz festival, takes place on the same Monterey Fairgrounds site on which it first showcased top name jazz artists in 1958. Founded as a nonprofit educational corporation, the Festival invests some $500,000 annually in its renowned jazz education programs. The 48th annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by MCI will take place on September 16 - 18, 2005.

Available tracks include "Transform" (3:30) and "Simply Over There" (7:58)by Terence Blanchard Sextet; "I Cover The Water Front" (10:31) and "Freddy The Freeloader" (9:07) by Don Byron Trio; "God Child" (5:19), "The Best Thing For You" (4:54), "Round About" (6:33), and "Curtains" (8:27) by Bill Charlap Trio.

Posted by at 9:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA CHRISTMAS SHOW "GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN" PRESENTED BY MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH, AT 8:00PM IN CARMEL'S HISTORIC SUNSET CENTER

November 15, 2004; Monterey, California; The Monterey Jazz Festival will bring its Fall 2004 "Jazz at Sunset" concert season to a spectacular and festive close with The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show, "Go Tell It On the Mountain". The concert will take place at 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 30th in Sunset Center in the heart of Carmel. The concert will give fans an opportunity to celebrate the start of the holidays with the Grammy winning Blind Boys of Alabama, featuring songs from the first holiday themed album in their 60-year history. As Rolling Stone commented, this concert appearance will offer "another stunning set of songs from Alabama's finest, and more proof of gospel's influence on R&B and Rock & Roll."

Good seats are still available for the concert and are priced from $25 to $50. Patrons may purchase tickets online at montereyjazzfestival.org, by phone at 925/275-9255, or at the Sunset Center Box Office on the day of the concert, starting at 7:00 pm.

Jazz at Sunset partner, Inns of Monterey, is offering jazz fans a Jazz at Sunset Getaway, with special rates at Hotel Pacific, Spindrift Inn, Monterey Bay Inn or Victorian Inn. Patrons are invited to call for details (800/232-4141).

The November 30th concert marks the close of the inaugural "Jazz at Sunset" season, which saw the Monterey Jazz Festival returning to its roots. Sunset Center was the venue in which Festival founder Jimmy Lyons first presented jazz concerts on the Monterey Peninsula in the mid-1950's. The Festival will launch its Spring 2005 "Jazz at Sunset" concerts on March 17th, with details to be announced.

Posted by at 5:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Tribute to Shirley Horn: "The Music Never Ends"

On December 11, 2004, some of today's brightest jazz talents come out to pay homage to Grammy? winner and Washington, D.C. native Shirley Horn?whose trademark velvet vocals and smooth piano stylings have been enchanting international audiences for more than 40 years. For one performance only, vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater, Sheila Jordan, Kevin Mahogany, and Lizz Wright, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, pianist Kenny Barron, vibist Stefon Harris, the Clayton Brothers Quintet, violinist Regina Carter, and other musical guests join this legendary queen of jazz piano and song to celebrate her amazing career.

Photo ? Larry Busacca

Posted by at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Strong Medicine Concert 2004: A Benefit Concert for the Native American Health Center featuring Blues legend Taj Mahal on Saturday, November 6 at The Paramount Theatre in Oakland. Tickets are available from the Paramount Theatre Box Office or Ticketmaster. Proceeds to benefit construction of a new health care facility. For more information, contact www.nativehealth.org.

Posted by at 3:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL "JAZZ AT SUNSET" FALL 2004 CONCERT SERIES FEATURES MICHEL CAMILO TRIO, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28th AT 8:00 PM IN CARMEL'S HISTORIC SUNSET CENTER

October 15, 2004; Monterey, California; The Monterey Jazz Festival continues its Fall 2004 "Jazz at Sunset" concert season with Michel Camilo Trio on Thursday, October 28th at 8:00 pm in Carmel's historic Sunset Center. Michel Camilo, who held his 2003 Monterey Jazz Festival fans spellbound, promises to have the same riveting effect on his Jazz at Sunset audience in his 8:00 pm concert on Thursday, October 28th. Camilo, who will perform solo and with his trio, is a multi-Grammy winner having been awarded both a Latin Grammy (2000) and a Grammy (2003) for Best Latin Jazz Album. JazzWeek Artist of the Year for 2003, Pianist Michel Camilo was described in OffBeat Magazine as dazzling, " . . . with lightning two-handed runs whose braided complexity makes you giddy. He coaxes a shimmering liquid coolness out of the piano and he can caress it so sweetly that the audience stays hushed at tune's end."

Good seats are still available for the concert and are priced from $25. Patrons may purchase tickets at 925/275-9255, online at montereyjazzfestival.org, or at the Sunset Center Box Office on the day of the concert, starting at 7:00 pm.

This is the third concert in the Monterey Jazz Festival's 2004 Fall "Jazz at Sunset" Concert series. Remaining concerts on the calendar include Tuck & Patti (November 6) and The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show, "Go Tell It On The Mountain" (November 30).

Posted by at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Elemental Consulting in conjunction with Cumulus Records and j-notes.com presents an opportunity to win a copy of Ed Johnson's "Movimento" on CD.

Movimento is Ed Johnson's third solo recording of vibrant, original contemporary jazz with a Latin feel and a refreshing emphasis on harmony vocals and horn arrangements. It includes seven original compositions and three covers, including the classic Jobim/De Moraes samba A, "Felicidade" and a rocking take on "O Bom Alvinho" by Gerry Mulligan and Jane Duboc. Five of the tracks are vocal pieces sung in Portuguese, Spanish and English. The five instrumentals include up-tempo Brazilian Bai�os, several straight ahead numbers and a classic medium swing.

One Friday evening this past summer after work, I was checking my email and found out that Ed Johnson and his band Novo Tempo, were playing at The Jazzschool in Berkeley. I stopped cooking dinner and rushed out the door. I had been enjoying his new album so I definitely wanted to see the band live. I was not disappointed. The rhythms were intoxicating and the vocals were contagious as I found myself chanting and singing along (quietly, of course) during the songs. His influences include Ivan Lins and Pat Matheny. The concert was excellent.

Ed and Novo Tempo are playing Saturday Nov. 20 at the Jazz and Blues Co. in Carmel. The concert is at 7:30pm and will be broadcast live on KRML, their internet radio station.

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In the past couple of months, I have had the pleasure of seeing Paula West twice in concert. Each time I have been enthralled and captivated by the way she caresses a note and the clarity of her voice. New Yorker's get to have her for the next three weeks but fret not Bay Area, she will be playing The Plush Room in SF for 6 weeks starting in February. I will be there in the corner with my journal and a big grin.

Posted by at 5:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The 47th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival starts today! Here are a few last minute updates. See you there!

*New Information!

David "Fathead" Newman Stands In for Frank Wess

Frank Wess, scheduled to be one of the Festival's Artists-In-Residence has taken ill. He will be replaced in all performances (with the exception of "Flutology") and in the scheduled Conversation with Clark Terry, by David "Fathead" Newman, legendary sax and flute player, whose start was with Ray Charles Band in the early '50's.

*New Information!

Festival Partners with Monterey Institute of International Studies Fisher Graduate School of International Business in Festival Survey

The Monterey Jazz Festival will be working with MIIS students in Dr. Fredric Kropp's marketing research class on a survey of fans. Both "Do-It-Yourself" surveys and one-on-one interviews will be conducted.

*New Information!

Festival hosts 500 Monterey County music students in free noontime concert, featuring Milton Fletcher, Jr. Trio, Thursday at Garden Stage.

Continuing a Festival tradition, the Monterey Jazz Festival will host a free concert for music students from all around Monterey County. MJF Jazz Education Programs star Milton Fletcher, Jr. performs with his trio (see below for more on Milton).

* Monterey Salutes Gillespie Roots with 2004 Commission

�A Mood for Dizzy� / Terence Blanchard Sextet with Special Guests Jon Faddis, Slide Hampton, James Moody (Arena, Friday Night)

World premiere of The Monterey Jazz Festival�s 2004 Commissioned Work, created by Terence Blanchard, dedicated to longtime Festival star Dizzy Gillespie, featuring an all-star array of artists associated with both Gillespie and Monterey history.

* Artists-In-Residence Clark Terry, Regina Carter and Showcase Artist Jack DeJohnette Perform Throughout the Fairgrounds, Throughout the Festival Weekend

Legendary stars perform with a long list of artists throughout the weekend in a variety of groups (Arena and Grounds, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)

Monterey Jazz Festival Artists-In-Residence Clark Terry, Regina Carter and Showcase Artist Jack DeJohnette will be performing all around the grounds, all throughout the weekend, including sets with High School All-Stars, and with artists ranging from Bobby McFerrin to Don Byron to Bill Charlap. Great opportunity for all fans to catch these legends of jazz in multiple settings, groupings and venues.

* Conversations with Clint Eastwood, Marian McPartland, Clark Terry David "Fathead" Newman, Bill Charlap

The Monterey Jazz Festival presents four jazz luminaries in these entertaining and enlightening chats with the artists (Dizzy�s Den, Saturday and Sunday).

Eastwood and McPartland discuss their favorite subject, �Piano Jazz� (Dizzy�s Den, 4:00 pm, Saturday); Clark Terry and David "Fathead" Newman add their stories to the Festival�s �Jazz Legends� Series with legendary producer Orrin Keepnews in the moderator�s seat (Dizzy�s Den, 4:00 pm, Sunday); Jazz Journalist Andrew Gilbert quizzes Bill Charlap on �The Great American Songbook� (Dizzy�s Den, 2:00 pm Saturday).

* Reprise of Festival�s Hot �New Grooves� Party

Last year�s �New Grooves� had fans dancing in Dizzy�s Den aisles

The Bad Plus and the Charlie Hunter Trio are featured artists in this year�s �New Grooves�, with the front of Dizzy�s Den cleared of chairs for the Party (Dizzy�s Den, 8:30 pm, Friday)

* A �Focus on Flutes�

The Monterey Jazz Festival salutes the flutes. �Focus on Flutes� features Kenny Stahl with special guest Paul Contos; John Calloway & Diaspora; and Flutology featuring Holly Hofmann, Aly Ryerson and Frank Wess (Night Club, 8:00 pm, Friday).

* A "Plethora of Pianos"

The Monterey Jazz Festival hosts a contingent of top piano artists throughout the weekend. Pianists performing throughout the weekend will include Marian McPartland (on the Arena/Lyons Stage with Lynne Arriale, Bill Charlap and Jason Moran), Jean Michel Pilc, Uri Caine (both performing in Starbucks Coffee House Gallery in addition to Lynne Arriale), and Milton Fletcher, who is a story in his own right (See below).

* Don Byron's Ivey-Divey Trio

Monterey Jazz Festival favorite Don Byron returns with this tribute trio. Monterey will host the West Coast debut of Don Byron's tribute to Lester Young. Inspired by the classic 1946 recording, the trio (with Jason Moran and Jack DeJohnette joining Byron) honors original trio members Lester Young, Nat King Cole and Buddy Rich.

* �Ladies of the Bay� Light Up Friday Night

Friday night�s Night Club showcases three stellar Bay Area vocalists. An evening with Claudia Villela/Ricardo Peixoto Group, Kitty Margolis and Paula West, in a Festival salute to these San Francisco Bay Area stars.

* Saturday's Got The Blues

The Monterey Jazz Festival's traditional Saturday offering of The Blues on both the Arena/Lyons Stage and the Garden Stage. Buddy Guy, Bettye LaVette, and the Jackie Greene Band perform on the Arena/Lyons Stage, with Bettye LaVette and Jackie Greene on the Garden Stage, as well as Charlie Musselwhite and Danny Caron's Good Hands.

* A World of Jazz in Monterey

Jazz stars from around the world come to Monterey. Boban Markovic & The Serbian Jazz Orkestar, Lee Sara Special Big Band from Japan, E. S. T./Esbjorn Svensson Trio from Sweden, and a contingent of Russian jazz artists performing with the Brubeck Ensemble add an international flavor to the Festival.

* Milton Fletcher to Open Festival Weekend (Jazz education works!)

The Milton Fletcher, Jr. Trio opens the Festival, as this star of the Monterey Jazz Festival�s Jazz Education Programs proves jazz education works. Milton Fletcher has been a part of the Festival�s Jazz Education Programs since he was 13, when he auditioned for the High School All-Star Band. The first recipient of the Jimmy Lyons Scholarship (a full tuition, four-year scholarship given by Berklee College of Music and named in honor of Festival founder Lyons), Milton plays the Garden Stage with his own trio (6:30 pm, Friday) and with �Jazz Across America� (5:00 pm, Saturday). The Festival will feature more than a dozen of the country�s top student jazz groups performing throughout the weekend in various venues.

Posted by at 8:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The wait is over!! Ms. Baker is back with her new Blue Note release, My Everything, which hits the stores today. Were you at your local record store last night at midnight to be one of the first to have it? No, I was not there. No, I do not have a copy of the album yet. I have heard three of the songs on the new release and I was pleased. Good, bad, or indifferent, I just think it is wonderful that Anita finally has new music out. Her last album, Rhythm of Love, was released on September 13, 1994 so we have waited 10 long years. Hopefully, we will not have wait that long again. As soon as I give it a few listens, I will post a review. In the meantime, leave a comment and let me know what you think about the new album.

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The 11th Annual Vallejo Shoreline Jazz, Art and Wine Festival is one of the biggest and most anticipated events in the North Bay. The excitement begins on August 28th and 29th from 11:30 am- 6:30 pm Located along Vallejo's beautiful municipal marina on Harbor Way, the Vallejo Jazz Festival, one of the Bay Area's most significant stages, consistently presents world-class jazz and blues artists making the Bay Area their home. A Fine Art Gallery, children's art, micro brews and fine wine tastings, food, art, craft, and commercial vendors, along with many non-profit community groups round out this event for two fun-filled days. Proceeds benefit local community organizations. Mark your calendars for August 28th and 29th . . . And be sure to bring your family and friends to this two-day summer celebration!

For more information call 707.642.3653

Clairdee will be making her Pacifica Performances debut on Saturday, August 28 with an evening's worth of sizzling sounds ranging from Irving Berlin and the Gershwins to the blues. Sanchez Hall has amazing acoustics and a beautiful nine foot Baldwin concert grand piano.

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Big Band and Beyond: Kurt Elling and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra perform at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park with special guest Von Freeman

**Chicago Jazz Festival Kick-off, Monday, August 30 at 6:30pm** FREE CONCERT

At 6:30pm on Monday, August 30, three Chicago jazz favorites will unite for a special free performance in the new Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Big Band and Beyond will feature vocalist Kurt Elling and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra joined by saxophonist Von Freeman in his first big band collaboration since 1946. The program will include swing hits made famous by Frank Sinatra and the classic big bands along with new arrangements for choice selections from Elling�s repertoire by arranger Bob Mintzer (of the Yellowjackets) and Chicagoan Brad Wheeler. This concert celebrates the opening of the 26th annual Chicago Jazz Festival.

Also Kurt will sing a few songs at this event:

Saturday, August 28, 2004
The New City YMCA Grounds

Making history�.
Seeking to raise public awareness of the importance of reading as well as literacy, a group of leading Chicago recording artists will band together to perform at the Chicago Sun-Times "Rock for Reading," a day-long outdoor music festival for adults and children. The first-time event, spearheaded by Chicago singer/songwriter Alice Peacock, will be held on Saturday, August 28, from 1:00-11:00 p.m. on the grounds of the New City YMCA at the corner of Halsted & Clybourn in Chicago. Admission is $10. Children 6 yrs. & under are admitted free. Entertainment on the kids stage will kick off around 1:30pm with music on the main stage getting underway at 5:30pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.tickets.com or at the main gate. Visit www.rockforreading.com for more information, directions and updates on artists scheduled to perform or call Chicago Special Events Management at 773.868.3010.

Proceeds from Rock for Reading will be donated to the Chicago Public Library, the Chicago Public Schools' Children

Posted by at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Extraordinary singer/pianist Andy Bey will be performing in the Bay Area starting this weekend. His tour will include three dates at Jazz at Pearl's next week. If you have not had a chance to experience his music, you definitely don't want to miss out. He is an incredible musician and man. He will be featuring songs from his latest release, American Song, and other great music. I got to see him in concert in LA earlier this year and he was phenomenal. Be sure to stop back by here for a review of his shows.

Andy's California Tour

08/29-30 House Concert - Sebastopol, Ca.
09/01 Jazz at the Plaza - Los Gatos, Ca.
09/02-04 Jazz at Pearl's - San Francisco, Ca.

The showtimes for Jazz at Pearl's on Thursday are 8:30 and 10:30pm and 9:00pm and 11:00pm on Friday and Saturday. See you there!!

More concert dates can be found on www.maxineharvard.com.

Posted by at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

LOS LOBOS, CHRIS ROBINSON, NORMAN BROWN, TONY! TONI! TON�! AND

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

FIRE UP LABOR DAY WEEKEND AT OAKLAND�S ART & SOUL FESTIVAL

OAKLAND, California (August 1, 2004)�The City of Oakland, in partnership with Albertson�s, revealed plans to host the largest Art & Soul festival ever. Held in beautiful, re-energized downtown Oakland over Labor Day weekend September 4th�6th, 2004, this year�s festival features an all-star lineup of 60 bands with the biggest headliners to date. Celebrating their 20th anniversary, Los Lobos headlines on Sunday (in association with KFOG 104.5/97.7). New parent (along with actress Kate Hudson) Chris Robinson is on Sunday�s schedule as well. Jazz Grammy winner Norman Brown takes the main stage on Monday (in association with KBLX 102.9 FM). He follows the amazing Brian Culberstson with Michael Lington. In this election year, Art & Soul gets started Saturday with Presidents of the United States of America (in association with LIVE 105).

Los Lobos is one of America�s most distinctive and original bands. They blend rock, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues and traditional Mexican music into their unique graceful, gritty sound. Their new album, The Ride, finds Los Lobos joined by friends like Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Bobby Womack and Mavis Staples. Also featured on Sunday�s Plaza Stage will be former Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson who has just released his second solo project entitled This Magnificent Distance and Mindy Smith who seamlessly blends big city sophistication with the passion of classic country and folk.

Presidents of the United States of America were the surprise success story of the post-grunge alternative scene in Seattle. While other bands worked with screeching guitars and heavy angst, the Presidents loaded up on humor, writing short, simple punk songs brimming with fun-filled goofiness. They headline the main stage on the festival�s opening day. Sharing the stage on Saturday is amazing rap vocalist Lyric�s Born whose growling sing-speak uses every vocal trick possible, and My Chemical Romance whose loud, fast and aggressive music is built on a strong base of wonderful melody.

Closing out the Art & Soul festival on Monday with the traditional helping of smooth jazz is Grammy winner Norman Brown. His brilliant After the Storm album spent more than two years on the charts, but his magnificent live performances have made him the crowd-pleasing king of contemporary jazz guitarists. Talented young composer, arranger, keyboardist and trombonist Brian Culbertson with Michael Lington precedes Brown as does Oakland�s own Ledisi who owns a voice and style that can take your breath away.

Four stages offer simultaneous talent and diversion from 60 bands including local favorites Tony! Toni! Ton�!, Jeff Narell, the Oakland East Bay Gay Men�s Chorus and the Oakland Jazz Choir. The Bay Area Blues Society runs continuous blues acts all three days at the City Center Blues Stage and the Oakland World Dance Festival features continuous dance performances throughout the festival at the 12th and Broadway Stage. Full Festival Schedule to Date (check back for updates)

Continue reading "Oakland Art & Soul Festival 2004 - Labor Day Weekend" »

Posted by at 3:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

For Immediate Release

JAZZ ASPEN SNOWMASS ANNOUNCES SISTER FESTIVAL IN THE MAJESTIC SONOMA VALLEY

SONOMA JAZZ + FESTIVAL TO DEBUT MAY '05
Produced in Association with Jazz Aspen Snowmass

Matching Music with the Wine Country's Celebrated Chefs & Vintners

New York, NY - August 3, 2004 -- Organizers of Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) festivals and education programs announced today they are joining forces with a new California-based not for profit organization to produce Sonoma Jazz + (SJ+), a four day world-class music, food and wine festival in the heart of California wine country scheduled to debut Memorial Day weekend of 2005 (May 26-29). SJ+ will also have as a central part of its mission the support of regional education programming similar to that of its elder sibling.

Sonoma Jazz + not only marks the first "JAS sister festival" but also marks the first festival of its kind in the Sonoma Valley. The European ambiance of wine country and world-class music is the perfect marriage for a music festival that will feature programming including today's top jazz artists plus a diverse range of performers across a dizzying array of musical genres. SJ+ will also feature the renowned gastronomy of the region's leading restaurants and wineries. SJ+ will announce headline artists in October of 2004, and the complete program will be on sale by early February.

"We welcome the opportunity to work with SJ + to build a like-spirited institution of enduring regional value and national reputation. Our goal is to create a musical experience that matches the quality and sophistication of the region's food & wine, played side by side," states JAS Founder & Executive Producer James Horowitz.

Also proudly celebrating its 15th year in production in 2005, Jazz Aspen Snowmass will bring to the Sonoma Valley the same quality production and hospitality that has made JAS a stalwart among the summer concert scene.

"The opportunity to extend our work with artists, audiences and educators into such a sophisticated and ideal setting is the perfect realization of the original inspired model for JAS which is Jazz in Marciac festival located in a small medieval town in the rolling hills in the south of France," states JAS Founder & Executive Producer James Horowitz.

SJ + will be modeled after the JAS June festival which is traditionally located in downtown Aspen. Similar to the JAS June festival, music lovers attending SJ+ will enjoy performances from today's top headlining artists in a spectacular 3000 seat tent centrally located walking distance from Sonoma's historic central plaza, where free concerts will be held daily. Additional "SJ + After Dark" concerts will be held in numerous clubs in and around Sonoma, initially and throughout the region eventually.

Continue reading "Sonoma Jazz + Festival to Debut May 2005" »

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From the San Jose Mercury News:

Slated for Aug. 5-8, the nation's biggest free jazz festival is once again bringing in hundreds of top musicians for a long weekend of music. Among this summer's headliners are tenor saxophone legend James Moody, trombonist Steve Turre, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, young singing star Lizz Wright and three of the Latin jazz world's best percussionist-band leaders: Ray Barretto, Bobby Sanabria and Pete Escovedo.

"We're really trying for a very balanced festival of straight-ahead jazz with the liveliness that the Latin side brings,'' says Steve Saperstein, general director of the San Jose Jazz Society, which runs the event. "It's a real good blend of the Latin influence in jazz and the jazz influence in Latin, without stooping to commercialism and forsaking the art. It's a combination of the accessible and the artistic.''

The music begins Aug. 5 with a pricey opening-night gala and concert at Santana Row, with the San Jose Jazz Orchestra, featuring singers Kim Nalley and Jamie Davis, and a trio led by young pianist Taylor Eigsti, raised on the Peninsula and now gathering a national following. (The Thursday gala is the weekend's only paid event).

Then the festival unfolds Friday, Saturday and Sunday on seven downtown stages, mostly outdoors, with the smells of barbecue and grilled catfish wafting in the air and spicing the performances.

As always, there will be jazz, blues and salsa and Latin sounds. A youth stage will feature talented young players from Bay Area schools and jazz programs.

San Jose Jazz Festival Schedule

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Last minute reminder!

World renowned, Grammy nominated drummer, Terri Lyne Carrington will be making a rare local appearance with her band at "The Vic" in Santa Monica this Thursday, July 29th. Don't miss an opportunity to see her "up close and personal" ..."The Vic" is a true listening room, with great food, atmosphere and acoustics.

Terri Lyne Carrington developed a reputation as a child prodigy, jamming with veterans Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, and Joe Williams and many more. She played her first public performance at the Wichita Jazz Festival with the great Clark Terry at age 10. By age 11, she had received a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music where she played with such musicians as Branford Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks, Mike Stern, Greg Osby and others.

In the 1980's Terri became the drummer for "The Arsenio Hall Show" and later on the late night show, "Vibe" hosted by Sinbad. Her debut release"Real Life Story" was nominated for a Grammy and featured Carlos Santana, Patrice Rushen, Grover Washington, Jr. and others. She has toured the globe with Joe Sample, Al Jarreau and Wayne Shorter, to name only a few. Recently, Terri has been touring with Herbie Hancock and Cassandra Wilson, as well as her own stellar band and enjoying the success of her latest CD, "Jazz is A Spirit".

"THE VIC"
(The Victorian at Heritage Square)
2640 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA
A SPEAK-EASY JAZZ CLUB
Thursday, July 29th, 2004
8:00 PM to Midnight
Two sets 8:00 and 10:00
(BY INVITATION ONLY)

Terri Lyne Carrington

With
Mitch Forman (Piano)
Alan Hampton (Bass)

The password �TLC� will get you in with a COVER CHARGE
Seating is limited and reservations are recommended.

FOR Reservations
Call Ray Slayton
(888) for-jazz
(888) 367-5299
free parking

"The Vic" features an eclectic menu with reasonably priced

APPETIZERS�ENTR�ES�LIBATIONS

For further information, contact Collin Artists at 323-660-1016
collinartist@earthlink.net

Posted by at 9:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sunset Promotions Alistair Monroe welcome you to the historic 10th Anniversary of the North Beach Jazz Fest. After 10 years, NBJF has pulled out all of the stops to present its finest lineup ever, a feast of sights and sounds from around the United States. Headlining our 10th Anniversary Gala celebration on July 31 at the Palace of Fine Arts will be the Dakah Hip Hop Orchestra, an unparalleled 60-piece ensemble. Add to that a superb mix of flavors that include Brooklyn�s Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra , New Orleans own Wild Magnolias, Miami�s Spam All Stars, and Bay Area legends like Mingus Amungus, Vinyl, and the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra. With over 50 acts and hundreds of musicians, it�s easy to see why this year�s North Beach Jazz Fest will be the best ever.

Posted by at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There are so many wonderful venues in the Bay Area to see concerts this summer. It is impossible to list all the summer concerts but here are some links to some great venues. I am looking forward to seeing Chaka Khan & Ledisi at Mountain Winery on August 21.

Wente Vineyards
Villa Montalvo Arts Center
Mountain Winery
Shoreline Amphitheatre
Chronicle Pavilion
Robert Mondavi Winery
The Fillmore
The Warfield
Rodney Strong Vineyards

Posted by at 2:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Blending art and soul in one of the country�s most unique neighborhoods, the 20th Annual Fillmore Jazz Festival will bring today�s best jazz to the streets that once welcomed icons of Jazz history like Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holliday.

The largest free Jazz festival on the West Coast, Fillmore draws over 100,000 visitors to the tree-lined streets of a treasured neighborhood. Complementing the musical sounds of local players, this festival also celebrates the Bay Area's up-and-coming visual artists. From sunup to sundown, visitors can groove to the sounds of live music from multiple stages, browse the offerings of over 300 artists and enjoy gourmet food and beverages. Asian to Cajun, paintings to pottery, old favorites and new directions, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is not to be missed.

The Fillmore Jazz Festival is held on July 3 & 4 from 10am to 6pm each day and located on twelve blocks of Fillmore Street between Jackson and Eddy. This year's festival schedule includes performances by Paula West, Lonnie Tuck w/The Dee Spencer Trio, Kim Nalley, Frank Jackson Quintet, Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, and many others. See you there!

Posted by at 5:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Thursday evening, I had the pleasure of seeing Monty Alexander and Freddy Cole, brother to Nat and Ike, in concert at Yoshi's. They will be playing there through Sunday, so if you get a chance, definitely catch this show. I put my reviewer's pen and pad aside for the evening and just enjoyed this great performance. Monty is a dynamo on the piano and Freddy is a fine vocalist and pianist as well. Monty sings a little but his true love is the piano and he pours his heart into it. They shared the piano for one tune then Monty sang "Too Marvelous" and Freddy came in on "Little Girl." As an encore, Freddy dedicated "I'll Be Seeing You" to Ray Charles. They were joined by Harold Jones on drums and Hasaan Shakur on bass. After the show, Freddy signed autographs and joked with the crowd. He is quite a personality.

Roy Haynes, Kenny Garrett, and Frank Morgan will be playing the final day of the 6th Annual Healdsburg Jazz Festival in the heart of Sonoma County's Wine Country. I missed seeing the Carmen Lundy Quartet yesterday but I am definitely planning to attend the festival next year.

Today, Regina Carter will headline the 67th season opening concert for the Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco. The Tin Hat Trio will be the opening act and Regina will host a pre-concert talk in the Trocadero Clubhouse on the festival grounds. See you there!

Coming up next at Yoshi's...

06/15-16 Stefon Harris & Blackout
06/17-20 Joe Sample
06/24-27 Dee Dee Bridgewater
06/28-30 Dave Murray's Creole Project
07/01-03 Kenny Rankin

Kimball's East

06/25-27 Marion Meadows & Phil Perry
08/06-08 Ronny Jordan
08/13-15 Roy Ayers

SF Jazz Spring Season

06/15 Hugh Masekela
06/18 Sonny Rollins
06/19 Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Dave Holland, Brian Blade
06/25 Jo�o Gilberto

Also check out the SF Jazz Summerfest, a series of summer concerts throughout the Bay Area.

Clairdee will be playing Jazz at Pearl's 6/25-26 for three shows each night.

Jill Scott will be playing Bimbo's 365 Club in SF for one show on Friday, July 9. General admission seating so plan on getting there early. Doors open at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm. Her new album, Beautifully Human - Words and Sounds Vol. 2, will be released on August 31.

The Invitational Musician's Showcase (IMS) Competition "The Vocalist Series" which features some of the Bay Area's best up and coming male and female singers is underway. Each singer gets to sing several songs to display his/her different styles of music. These are dynamic, entertaining, and powerful singers who have been given the chance to show off their talents in an excellent venue to a panel of well-known judges in the music industry. Backed by the ever talented Dee Spencer Trio, it's a show like no other in San Francisco. The competition is held on Thursdays at 8pm thru July 1 at Club Jazz Nouveau.

Posted by at 3:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I promise to be back to blogging real soon. I have a few pressing committments to fulfill at the current time. They are taking most of my creative energy as well. I was saddened last week by Elvin Jones' passing but glad I got to see him in one of his last concerts last month at Yoshi's. I have seen several great concerts recently including Oleta Adams, Ren� Marie, Roy Hargrove, Faye Carol, Natalie Cole, and Andy Bey. Reviews will be forthcoming.

There is a new young trumpeter on the scene. His name is Sean Jones and his debut album, Eternal Journey, was released on Mack Avenue Records last week. It is good and I will be telling you more about it soon.

Have you heard Andy Bey's American Song album yet? It is a collection of 10 wonderful meloldies from the great American songbooks. If you go to Border's, there is a bonus track which Andy co-wrote with Beth Nielsen Chapman. I got to see him in concert at the Jazz Bakery in LA last month and he was excellent.

Speaking of The Jazz Bakery, I went to see pianist Cyrus Chestnut last night. It was great show and great way to unwind after a long day. His run at TJB has been extended and he will be playing Tuesday thru Thursday of this week.

Pianist Danilo Perez will be playing Yoshi's on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Pssssst... Lizz Wright will be playing the San Jose Jazz Festival on August 8.

Posted by at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Looking for something extra special for your mom? Vocalist Ren� Marie will be at Yoshi's from Friday through Sunday. Her current album is Live at Jazz Standard and her fourth MAXJAZZ album will be coming out this fall.

Posted by at 3:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The incomparable vocalist Clairdee will be performing tonight at Yoshi's for two shows, 8 and 10pm. I first heard her in concert in 2002. She was sensational and I have been a fan ever since.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a Vocal/Piano Improvisation Workshop at The Jazzschool taught by Clairdee and pianist Larry Vuckovich. The first half of the two-hour class was devoted to demonstrating the relationship between accompaniment and vocal styling and phrasing. The second half was for question and students got a chance to sing while being accompanied by fellow students who had never seen their music charts (notes for their songs) before. It was very exciting, inspiring, and educational. It gave me an opportunity to sharpen my ear as a reviewer. No, I did not get a chance to sing but I promised Clairdee that I would next time. See you at Yoshi's tonight!

And now a review of the show...

Clairdee - Vocals
Ken French - Piano
Charles McNeal - Saxophones
Ron Belcher - Bass
Deszon X. Clairborne - Drums

There is something very special about Clairdee. She is kind, warm, gorgeous, and very personable. She is amazingly gracious as greets old and new fans before and after her shows. She definitely makes everyone feel right at home.

Both of her Yoshi's shows were recorded for KCSM-FM91 and may be used for her next album. Clairdee opened her set with a soulful and mellow rendition of "I Only Have Eyes For You." She added a little funk to the swinging on "You Can't Take That Away From Me." The Nat King Cole classic tune "L-O-V-E" began with a touch of Latin rhythm, then broke into a swing, and came back down to a gentle rhythm. She flowed effortlessly on every note. She soared on "Too Marvelous For Words" which featured Deszon on drums and Ron on upright bass. The Frank Sinatra classic "All The Way" was infused with a soulful groove and featured Charles on a soprano sax solo. She also sang wonderful arrangements of "This Can't Be Love" and "What A Difference A Day Makes." She kicked it up a notch on Bobby Hebb's "Sunny" which featured Ken on the keys. Clairdee closed out the evening with an arrangement of "Alright Okay" that was reminiscent of Les McCann's "Trying Make It Real Compared To What?" Now if you have not seen her in concert yet, you are definitely missing a great show.

And now an extra special treat...

Photo by j-notes.com

Tuesday evening, I had the honor of attending a reception and a web broadcast of Clairdee and her band. It was hosted by her record label, Declare Music and held in the Meyer Sound Performance Hall of the Ex'pression College for Digital Arts in Emeryville. The hall held about 30 people so it was very intimate but we made it sound like large concert venue with our cheers and applause. Her hour long web broadcast featured much of the music from her concerts the night before. She also included "Summertime" and "Comes Love." It was a great evening.

Special thanks to Clairdee for inviting me to be a part of this event.

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We will be able to hear the beautiful sounds of Regina Carter's violin all around the Bay Area this year. The Monterey Jazz Festival recently named Regina their first year round artist-in-residence and tonight she will be playing in the MJF Spring Concert Series at Sunset Center in Carmel. Tomorrow through Sunday, she will be playing Yoshi's for two shows each night. Tickets will go quickly for these shows. On Sunday, June 13, she will be playing Stern Grove and in September, she will be playing the 47th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival. Go Regina!

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Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt will be joining Cedar Walton, Lew Tabackin, Ken Peplowski, Lea DeLaria, Howard Alden, Peter Washington, and Kareem Riggins for the Newport Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary Tour concert at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley on Friday, March 19 at 8:00pm.

History of the Newport Jazz Festival

2004 marks the 50th anniversary of the first American jazz festival: The Newport Jazz Festival�. Known for the past few decades as the JVC Jazz Festival Newport, R.I., the event is regarded by many as the single most important event in jazz. Produced by George Wein's company, Festival Productions, Inc., this year's festival will celebrate this golden anniversary as well as the jazz icons who have made the event legendary.

Founded in 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival is acknowledged worldwide as the Grandfather of all jazz festivals. Born from the vision of New England socialites, Elaine and Louis Lorillard -- who wanted to bring jazz to their community, and created by jazz impresario, George Wein, the event was an immediate success. Its inagural year featured Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Errol Garner, Gerry Mulligan and other greats, and was hailed by local and national media as a groundbreaking sensation.

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It is another warm and sunny day here in the Bay Area. I am playing hooky from church and getting some much needed rest. My big project for work is done but there are still a few rough edges to smooth out. I am looking forward to getting back to researching and writing about good music.

There are a few events happening around town today that are definitely worth checking out:

• Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre - Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley (One can never see "Revelations" enough!!!)
• Yellowman - Berkeley Repetory Theatre (The last day of a really great play!)
• Alex Bugnon - Kimball's East - Emeryville
• Ledisi w/ The Marcus Shelby Orchestra at The Jazzschool in Berkeley (Great show!!!)

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There are not enough words in Webster's to express the magnificent talents of my good friend, vocalist Cedric Brown. His vocal stylings and range are incredible. He can take an old standard and make it very new while never distorting its original context. In other words, you need to be there to hear Cedric Brown perform on Sunday. See you there!!!!

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Work is still busy and my big project is moving forward.

The Lalah Hathaway show was awesome. She is playing @ Yoshi's through the weekend so definitely go check her out.

Vocalist Lonnie Tuck has been co-producing the IMS Showcase @ Club Jazz Noveau during the month. It is a jazz vocal competition showcasing some great local talent. I attended the 2/19 competition and it was intense. The final competion is tomorrow evening at 8pm. The next IMS Showcase will be in the summer and I will provide more information as it becomes available.

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Last year's celebration featured wonderful tributes to jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald and poet June Jordan. The 3rd Annual San Francisco Black History Month Celebration features a tribute to Motown legend Marvin Gaye. For event and ticket information, go to www.sfnoir.org.

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Vocalist Lalah Hathaway is coming back to give us her love from 2/26-29 at Yoshi's. I saw her with Joe Sample in 1999. She was excellent and has a new album coming out in the spring.

BaltimoreSun.com: Hathaway sings honest, straight-up music from the soul

Grammy Nominee Kurt Elling kicks off Oak Room's 2004 Lineup in Limited Engagement January 27-31

BB JAZZ proudly presents Kim Waters on February 7, 2004. The most romantic east coast saxophonist will kick off the Huntington Beach Smooth Jazz Series held at the HB Library Theatre, 7111 Talbert Avenue, Huntington Beach. Don't miss an opportunity to see this performer in such an intimate theatre. Proceeds benefit children with autism. Tickets are on sale now!!

Jazz at Lincoln Center: Jazz Education, Performance and Broadcast"

San Jose Business Journal: Permission to Play

WGBO.com: Onaje Allan Gumbs Broadcrast Live February 6 at 5:30pm

NYTimes.com: Forget Radio, Musical Path to Success Is TV, TV, TV

NYTimes.com: The Sweet Sounds of Really Bad Singing

NYTimes.com: Music Royalties Rise, Even as CD Sales Fall

MiamiHerald.com: Lizz Wright Has Stellar Jazz Album

SignOnSanDiego.com: Debut album is more crucial than ever, but it's no assurance of future success

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Monterey Jazz Festival announces �Jazz at Sunset� Spring Concert Series featuring Ahmad Jamal, Regina Carter, Wayne Shorter, Poncho Sanchez

Pianist Ahmad Jamal launches New Series on March 23rd,
Regina Carter Quintet performs on March 31st,
Wayne Shorter Quartet appears on April 15th,
Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band Stars on May 7th;
Tickets On Sale February 2nd

January 26, 2004; Monterey, California; The Monterey Jazz Festival, the longest running jazz festival in the world, has announced its new Spring concert series, scheduled to take place in Carmel�s historic Sunset Center, from March through May, 2004. The new series of all-star performances, which will be presented in addition to the annual three-day Monterey Jazz Festival in September, follows the successful launch of last Fall�s inaugural Jazz at Sunset season.

Legendary pianist-composer Ahmad Jamal launches the Jazz at Sunset Spring concert season on Tuesday, March 23rd in an 8:00 pm concert. A veteran of six decades in jazz and over 50 recorded albums (including the best selling �But Not For Me/At The Pershing�, from which Clint Eastwood featured two selections in his film �The Bridges of Madison County�), Ahmad Jamal will perform with his trio, including Idris Muhammad on drums and James Cammack on bass.

On Wednesday, March 31st at 8:00 pm, jazz violinist Regina Carter will perform with her quintet (Chris Lightcap/bass, Mayra Casales/percussion, Alvester Garnett/drums). Named top jazz violinist in JazzTimes Magazine 2003 Readers� Poll, Regina Carter is also The Monterey Jazz Festival�s first ever year-round Artist-In-Residence. She�s played with top artists from the world of pop to R&B to jazz, wowed Monterey Jazz Festival audiences in her 2001 appearance with Kenny Barron, and delighted classical and jazz fans with her new recording �Paganini: After A Dream� (on which she plays Paganini�s historic �Cannon� violin, the first jazz artist and first African-American ever to be so honored).

Wayne Shorter, also a major winner in the JazzTimes Readers Poll, will perform with his quartet (Danilo Perez/piano, John Patitucci/bass, Brian Blade/drums) in an 8:00 pm concert on April 15th. Shorter was not only named JazzTimes Jazz Artist of the Year (for the second year in a row), but was also selected as #1 artist on soprano saxophone. His all-acoustic album �Algeria� (the title piece features the work commissioned by and premiered at the 2000 Monterey Jazz Festival) was named JazzTimes Best New Release and is nominated for a Grammy as the year�s Best Jazz Instrumental Album.

Longtime Monterey Jazz Festival favorite Poncho Sanchez (he has appeared at the Festival seven times) will close the Jazz at Sunset Spring season in an 8:00 pm concert on Friday, May 7th. Widely recognized as one of the most artistically consistent and popular Latin jazz artists in the world, Sanchez� latest recording, �Out of Sight!� (featuring Ray Charles, Sam Moore and Billy Preston) is winning rave reviews, combining joyous Latin rhythms with funky R&B sounds. His Jazz at Sunset appearance showcases his Latin Jazz Band, whose performance of �Latin Soul� was a 1999 Grammy Award winner.

Tickets for individual concerts are priced as follows:

Ahmad Jamal
$55 / $40 /$25

Regina Carter Quintet
$40 / $30 / $20

Wayne Shorter Quartet
$55 / $40 / $25

Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
$40 / $30 / $20

Jazz at Sunset Series Packages, with one seat to all four concerts, are priced at $175 / $125 / $80.

In the 1950�s, Sunset Center was the site of the first jazz concert presentations on the Monterey Peninsula by Monterey Jazz Festival founder Jimmy Lyons.

Majestically renovated and acoustically acclaimed, Sunset Center re-opened its doors in 2003, with the Festival�s Jazz at Sunset series the first jazz concerts to be presented in the renovated venue. Sunset Center is located on San Carlos between 8th and 10th in downtown Carmel with parking available on site.

Tickets for the Jazz at Sunset Spring series will be available starting February 2nd from the Box Office (925/275-9255) and online, montereyjazzfestival.org.

For out of town visitors and guests, Inns of Monterey are offering jazz fans a Jazz at Sunset Getaway, with special rates at Hotel Pacific, Spindrift Inn, Monterey Bay Inn or Victorian Inn. Patrons are invited to call 1-800-232-4141 for details.

The 47th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by MCI will take place on September 17 � 19, 2004 at the Monterey Fairgrounds. Tickets for the Festival will go on sale on April 2, 2004. They are also available online at The Monterey Jazz Festival�s web site (www.montereyjazzfestival.org) and by phone (925/275-9255).

For more information about The Monterey Jazz Festival and Jazz at Sunset concerts, patrons are invited to phone 831/373-3366.

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Were you there last night? Did you experience the magic of her beauty and sensual voice? Did she quench your musical thirst with her power and sultriness. Well, if you were not there, you definitely missed a great show but wait, all is not lost. Lizz Wright will be performing at 8 and 10pm tonight at Yoshi's. The audiences loved her last night and we even saw people coming out of the 8pm show running to get in line for the 10pm show. See you there!

A review will follow after I go see her captivate the room again tonight with a spirit of tranquility, painting the room with magnificent colors and hues with each of her notes. Okay, I better stop before I run out of words for my review.

Lizz Wright's video of "Open Your Eyes, You Can Fly" directed by Spike Lee

"Meet Ms. Wright"

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Tickets for the San Francisco Jazz Festival Spring Season went on sale over the weekend. Continuing in its fine tradition of providing a wonderful mixture of music, this plans to be a very exciting season featuring the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Poncho Sanchez, Wayne Shorter, Brad Mehldau, Sam Rivers, Jimmy Scott, Jason Moran, and Toots Thielemans, Sonny Rollins, and many more. The Spring Season runs from March 12 thru June 25.

One of the major highlights of this season is the introduction of the SF Jazz Collective:

Hailed as a "high-powered octet" (San Francisco Chronicle) that "will feature a first-call cast of musicians," the group's line-up is a true "who's who" of today's jazz: the number one vibes/marimba giant of today Bobby Hutcherson, artistic director and "crown prince of tenor sax" Joshua Redman, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, alto saxman Miguel Zen�n, trombonist Josh Roseman, pianist Renee Rosnes, bassist Robert Hurst, and drummer Brian Blade. This group of jazz all-stars will focus on "modern" jazz, music from the 1950s to the present, dividing its repertoire between new compositions by the Collective's own members and classic works by a different modern jazz master each year (for this debut season, the consummate innovator and fellow Spring Season 2004 artist Ornette Coleman).

In December, SFJAZZ Artistic Director/Saxophonist Joshua Redman and SFJAZZ Executive Director Randall Kline previewed the music of several artists whom we will be hearing this spring and provided some insight on the new SFJAZZ Collective. Joshua also spoke highly two young saxophonists, Mark Turner (whose parents happened to be in the audience) and Chris Potter, who will both be performing during the SFJAZZ Spring Season. I have since checked out Mark Turner's Ballad Sessions and Dharma Days releases and Chris Potter's Gratitude release and I am very impressed and definitely look forward to seeing them in concert this spring.

SFJAZZ Spring Season 2004 Schedule
SFJAZZ Festival Membership
SFJAZZ Collective

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Extraordinary vocalist Lizz Wright will be making her Bay Area debut on January 20 & 21 @ Yoshi's for two shows each night. If you have not had a chance to see her live, you do not want to miss these shows. Tickets for the 8pm shows are $14 and $10 for the 10pm shows. You really can't beat these prices so let's give her a great big Bay Area welcome and sell out all the shows. I will be at the 10pm shows each night.

Hey New York City!! You can see Lizz at the Blue Note, January 6-11.

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KKJZ (formerly KLON) in the Los Angeles area is challenging WBGO to a race to raise a million dollars for jazz. The first station to raise a million by the end of their winter membership drive, February 13, will win.

Though the East-West Jazz Challenge is a competition to see who can raise a million dollars, it's also about keeping jazz alive. "It's more of a friendly competition," according to WBGO fundraising producer Peter Zehren. "As the jazz format continues to fall off the public radio spectrum, the two powerhouse jazz stations are looking for support and appreciation for the art form of jazz on a national level."

WBGO member John spends half his time in LA, and listens to both stations. "I have adopted a neutrality stance on the race - contributing the same amount to each station."

Click here to submit an e-pledge towards the challenge!

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I will be starting off my New Year by seeing jazz guitarist Earl Klugh at Yoshi's. He was smooth before there was smooth jazz. I am hoping he will have a new release in the new year.

Poncho Sanchez is closing out the year at Yoshi's and Rick Braun will be at Kimball's East. Poncho is sold out but there are still tickets available for Rick Braun. Gerald Levert with special guest Will Downing will be at the Paramount Theatre on 1/3.

If you are staying home tonight, check out Toast of the Nation, on your local NPR station. Throughout the evening, there will be live broadcasts from some great concerts across nation including Lizz Wright, Herbie Hancock, Kurt Elling, Stefon Harris, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Marian McPartland, Cedar Walton and many more.

Coming Up at Yoshi's

• Earl Klugh - 1/1-4
• Marcus Shelby Orchestra - 1/6
• Frankye Kelly - 1/11
• Bobby Hutcherson All Stars - 1/15-18
• Lizz Wright - 1/20-21
• Robben Ford Band - 1/22-25
• 10th Annual McCoy Tyner Two Week Residency - 1/27-2/1
• 10th Annual McCoy Tyner Two Week Residency - 2/3-8

Coming Up at Kimball's East

• Greg Adams - 1/2-3
• Bob Baldwin - 1/9-11
• Oleta Adams - 1/16-18 Cancelled
• Kem - 1/21-22
• Roy Ayers - 1/23-25
• Marcus Miller - 1/31-2/1
• Peter White - 2/6-8

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There are a some great concerts coming up at Yoshi's that will make your spirits bright. Sensational vocalist Ledisi will be playing on Monday and Tuesday, 8 & 10pm shows. Vocalist Clairdee will be warming up Christmas Eve with 8 & 10pm shows. Tickets are going fast for both of these shows. Concert tickets always make wonderful stocking stuffers.

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The above photo was taken on the beach in Carmel the same weekend as the Monterey Jazz Festival. I try to get to this beach once a year as it is one of my favorite places. Hopefully, I will have more photos as soon as I get them organized.

This post is envolving as I gather more news.

From The Crusade.net, The Ru Report featuring jazz news on Abbey, Shirley, Lizz, Regina, and Wynton and whole lot more.

From JazzTimes.com, Danilo Perez Given Keys to Panama and Irvin Mayfield's in Overdrive

Guitarist Earl Klugh, who was smooth before there was even smooth jazz, will be playing Yoshi's from 1/1-4. A great way to kick off your New Year's resolution to see more live music. :)

Vocalist Kurt Elling will be playing The Green Mill in Chicago for New Year's Eve. The show will be from 9-12:30. NPR's Coast-to-Coast will be broadcasting live from 11-midnight Chicago time. The special guest will be Ed Petersen - the great tenor player. The booths/tables in front are $40 a person to reserve and will go quickly, so if you want a place to sit with an unobstructed view - call today, 773-761-7500. For all you aspiring musicians, there will be a jam session from 1-4am so bring your instruments! General admission tickets will be $20 and only available at the door.

NYTimes.com Article: Regina Carter Keeps in Touch With a 260-Year-Old Friend

NYTimes.com Jazz Review | Regina Carter: The Specter of Paganini Hovering Slyly Over a Performance

We can expect new music from singer/songwriter Brenda Russell in 2004. Read more...

EURWEB.com: Nnenna Freelon Gets Live: But what took her so long?

Anita Baker has an official website now but you probably knew that already.

Broadway's Dreamgirl Subs for Holiday Performances in New Musical Like Jazz

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Picture this: You arrive at J&R Music World on Saturday, Nov. 15 a little after 4:00 pm. You browse through the CD titles, make your selections and stand in line to make your purchase. You have this great jazz tune in your head but can't quite figure out where it's coming from. Then you realize, it's not in your head, it is live music!

Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt performs live from J&R Music World, Saturday, November 15 at 4:00 pm and joins Saturday Afternoon Jazz host Monifa Brown. Jeremy will be playing tunes from his most recent CD, Close To My Heart, which is now available on MAXJAZZ Records. Jazz88 broadcasts the "Live from J&R" series on the third Saturday of each month.

Currently Pelt is a featured performer in the Mingus Big Band, Ralph Peterson Quintet, Lewis E. Nash Ensemble, Cannonball Adderley Legacy Quintet and the Frank Foster Loud Minority Band. You can hear him broadcast live, or listen in person at J&R Music World, located on Park Row, adjacent to City Hall Park in NYC.

The performers for this show includes:

Jeremy Pelt - trumpet/flugelhorn
Vicente Archer - bass
Danny Grissett - piano
Israel Bannerman - drums

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Have you had a chance to catch much of the SFJAZZ Festival? This is the last few days of what has been an outstanding and eclectic festival. I have seen McCoy Tyner, Mavis Staples, and Cecil Taylor. This week I will be seeing the Hammond B-3 Summit featuring Jimmy Smith and Joey DeFrancesco at Bimbo's 365 on Thursday, Marian McPartland at the Herbst Theatre on Friday, and Nancy Wilson and Ramsey Lewis at Masonic Auditorium on Saturday. I will be putting together a review of this year's festival adventures in the next couple of weeks as soon as I think up a good title. :)

Vocalist Carmen Lundy with special guest violinist Regina Carter will be at Yoshi's on 11/11.

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01/20-21/04
Yoshi's
OAKLAND, California

Yep, that's right. I was doing a snoopy dance all over the place when I found this out yesterday. Hopefully, there will be additional dates added. For more concert information on Lizz Wright, go to lizzwright.net.

Enjoy your weekend!!!

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I figured I had better leave a note here before the web journal police stop by and give me a citation for not having fresh entries. I'm alright, I'm okay. Just busy as ever. I took a little break to do some other important stuff like listening to new music, checking out a couple of concerts, and getting a little fresh air. The SFJAZZ Festival began last week and I attended McCoy Tyner's opening night solo piano performance at the Herbst Theatre and saw Mavis Staples in her tribute to the music of Mahalia Jackson at Grace Cathedral last Friday evening. Last night, I went to see Ledisi with the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra in a tribute to the music of Ella Fitzgerald at Yoshi's. Tonight, I am going to see Cecil Taylor in his solo piano performance at the Palace of Fine Arts.

In my inbox...

The Royal Initiative to Combat AIDS (RICA) presents Songs for Life, an album dedicated to raising AIDS awareness in South Africa.

NYTimes.com Article: Taking Jazz Into Strange (90 Minute) Territory

NYTimes.com Article: The Perils of Living Too Long

Brazzil.com: Sinatra Revealed Me the Sounds of Brazil - an excellent piece on the history of bossa nova.

Boston.com: "If the buzz of the mid-1990s was to be believed, neo-soul was
supposed to change everything."

Oakland Tribune.com: Yoshi's jazz club to open S.F. venue

j-notes.com: A shameless plug!

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There is music all around the town for the next few weeks.

Yoshi's

Brad Mehldau 10/10-12
Goapele 10/14-15
Dianne Reeves 10/16-19

The Fillmore

Ledisi 10/11
Me'Shell N'degeocello & Soulive 10/12-13

Kimball's East

Brian Culbertson 10/10-12
Kenny Latimore & Chante Moore 10/16-19
The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman 10/21-26

San Francisco Jazz Festival 10/23-11/09

Palace of Fine Arts

Stanley Clarke & Jean-Luc Ponty 11/11

Whew!!!

In the news....

For a King of Jazz, a Castle in Queens

Weddings/Celebrations: Vows; Alicia Hall and Jason Moran

Young Man and Horn, With Buzz

Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs will release a new live recording, Return to Form, Live at the Blue Note, on November 7. In addition to his previous solo work, he has played with violinist John Blake and also played piano on the Phyllis Hyman song "The Answer is You." I have casually check for new music from him for years so this is very good news.

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Three great new releases hit the stores today. I have had the pleasure of listening to each album and I am very impressed.

Jeremy Pelt - Close To My Heart - MAXJAZZ

Jeremy Pelt has big chops, great stage presence and enormous talent for composing and playing. He's one of those rare young performers who seems like he's been around a very long time, because he loves what he's doing and is very comfortable doing it. Moreover, he is all about being himself.

Geoffrey Keezer - Falling Up - MAXJAZZ

Due to his taking to the piano at age three, Geoffrey Keezer worked early with such legends of jazz as Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Brown and Art Blakey, becoming the last pianist - and one of the youngest at age 18 - to join Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Keezer has also played with current jazz stars Benny Golson, Diana Krall, Joshua Redman and Dianne Reeves among others. Most frequently, he has collaborated and toured with the Christian McBride Band. As a leader, Keezer leads a variety of groups spanning jazz, classical, rock and world genres.

Various Artists - A Twist of Motown - GRP

Guitarist/producer Lee Ritenour brings a fresh twist to Motown classics on A Twist of Motown. Ritenour's latest CD in the the Twist Of series brings together a host of contemporary jazz stars including George Benson, Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot, Bob James, Mindi Abair, and others. Vocal guests include Will Downing on The Temptations classic, �Just My Imagination�, Lisa Fischer (yes, Lisa Fischer!!!) on �Papa Was a Rolling Stone� and Brenda Russell on "Tracks of My Tears."

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I was sitting here trying to put together a few reviews since I have not posted this week and my mind is just cloudy. Of course I know the reason why. I am Monterey bound. I am headed to the sounds of good jazz at the Monterey Jazz Festival for 3 days with my journal and pen in hand. Last year, I came back so on fire after the festival, I called ej and we secured the domain name for j-notes.com. I will be writing about the year in review on j-notes.com in mid-October. It has been quite a journey and I am loving every minute of it.

Speaking of the journey, Wednesday night I attended a Blue Note Records listening party in the city. We were treated to upcoming new grooves from Cassandra Wilson, Van Morrison, and Al Green. They were all very good and will definitely worth checking out when they hit the stores soon.

Monday night, I checked out Jason Moran and The Bandwagon. He has a sound that is in tune with the past but he is definitely cutting a new path into the future. I will be checking him out again at Monterey this weekend.

I also saw the Terence Blanchard Sextet last weekend and they gave a great show. Terence is definitely innovator cultivating new grooves and new talent.

More reviews when I return from Monterey. Here is my list of must sees for Monterey in no particular order.

• The Crusaders featuring Randy Crawford
• Carla Cook
• Mary Stallings
• Soulive
• Kurt Elling
• Jacky Terrasson
• Herbie Hancock Quartet w/ Bobby Hutcherson
• Dena DeRose
• Gary Burton
• Nnenna Freelon
• Peter Cincotti
• Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
• Jay McShann
• Dave Ellis

The challenge is that some of the performances overlap so I will catch as many artists as possible.

Enjoy your music! I know I will! :)

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• International stars of jazz Michel Camilo, John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Eddie Palmieri, Omar Sosa, John Stetch, Makoto Ozone, Iks, bring �Global Perspectives� to Monterey
• Clint Eastwood premieres new film, �Piano Blues�, featuring Jay McShann; McShann performs Sunday
• Neo Soul-Funk artists Soulive and Metalwood showcase �New Grooves�
• �New Orleans in Monterey� features Neville Brothers, Buckwheat Zydeco and Preservation Hall Jazz Band
• Reunion of The Crusaders featuring Randy Crawford
• Vocalists Nnenna Freelon, Carla Cook, Mary Stallings, Dena DeRose featured throughout weekend
• Young piano stars Peter Cincotti, Jason Moran, Jacky Terrasson to make Monterey Jazz Festival debuts
• Tribute to Bay Area guitarists Eddie Duran, Bruce Forman, Calvin Keys
• Ralph Towner premieres �Monterey Suite�, (commissioned by MJF) and performs throughout weekend as �Showcase Artist/Monterey�
• Four Brothers (Jon Hendricks, Kurt Elling, Kevin Mahogany, Mark Murphy) perform and take part in Downbeat �Blindfold Test�
• Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and Gary Burton perform throughout weekend as Artists-in-Residence
• Over 500 top name jazz artists on 7 stages for 3 days and 3 nights
• 46th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by MCI September 19 � 21, Monterey Fairgrounds
• Grounds Tickets from $25 may be purchased online (montereyjazzfestival.org) and by phone (925) 275-9255

Posted by at 4:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Elk Grove Music Festival is this weekend featuring Lalah Hathaway, Howard Hewett, Jimmy Smith, Jonathan Butler, Bobby Lyle, Eric Marienthal, Pieces of a Dream, Rick Braun, Chuck Loeb, and Fattburger.

Posted by at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From EURWEB:

(Aug. 27, 2003) *This may turn out to be one of those eclectic sets that everyone's gonna wish they got their hands on in a decade or so.

Bird Up: The Charlie Parker Remix Project, is slated to feature some of Hip-Hop's most creative and original producers, as well as great musicians from other genres, in remixing some of Bird's great hits.

The remix project, produced by Matthew Backer, took artists from every genre of music, granted the artists access to the original Parker recordings, including alternate takes and false starts, and allowed them to create and compose their own interpretations of his music.

The interpretations consist of Parker's Savoy Records material, which was recorded during 1944-1948. When each artist was finished interpreting Parker's version of each particular song, the artist also renamed the song to reflect the new version.

Bird Up: The Charlie Parker Remix Project, hits stores October 21. Don't be surprised if this raises a few hackles form the jazz-purist crowd.

Posted by at 7:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The 46th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival is less than three weeks away and I am getting excited. This year's lineup includes The Crusaders featuring Randy Crawford, Carla Cook, Mary Stallings, Herbie Hancock, Nnenna Freelon, Jason Moran, Soulive, Michael Camilo and Dena DeRose. I will post my personal must-see list right before the festival.

George Duke will be playing Kimball's East this weekend. Hmmmm....I wonder if he will be playing his Dukie Stick!!!

Jazz on the River will be held on Saturday, 9/6 and Sunday, 9/7 at Johnson Beach on the Russian River in Guerneville, Ca. The lineup includes Al Jarreau, George Benson, Stanley Clarke, Brian Culbertson, Norman Brown, Ledisi, Joyce Cooling, Bobby Hutcherson/Cedar Walton Quartet, Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Benny Green & Russell Malone and Orquesta La Moderna Tradici�n.

The Soul Survivors featuring Les McCann, Ernie Watts, Cornell Dupree, Chuck Rainey, and Buddy Williams will be performing at Yoshi's starting tomorrow thru Sunday. Next Thursday, 9/11 thru Sunday, 9/14, the Terence Blanchard Sextet will be there and on Monday, 9/15, Jason Moran & The Bandwagon will be there right before heading to Monterey. Hiroshima, Branford Marsalis Quartet, and Kurt Elling are scheduled for later in the month and Dianne Reeves will be there in October.

The San Francisco Jazz Festival runs from 10/23 thru 11/09. Etta James, Mary McPartland, McCoy Tyner, Dave Holland, Mavis Staples, Ren� Marie, Ramsey Lewis, and Nancy Wilson are just a handful of the artists scheduled to perform during this wonderful music event. There will also be a preview concert with Herbie Hancock and Bobby Hutcherson on Saturday, 9/20. Check out the complete schedule for more details.

Me'Shell Ndeg�Ocello and Soulive will be at The Fillmore on Sunday, 10/12 and Monday, 10/13.

Posted by at 6:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Where did summer go? All of a sudden you look up and it's Labor Day weekend. Don't fret for there are many new music releases and summer concerts all around so get out and enjoy them!

AFRICAN FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS - Washington Park - Chicago

In addition to the phenomenal African marketplace, art, and food, there is some great music lined up for this year's African Festival of the Arts. Friday, 8/29, Donnie, Lizz Wright, Roy Hargrove and The RH Factor, and Kindred will be on stage. Saturday, 8/30, Pharoah Sanders, Dazz Band, Bar Kays, Con Funk Shun, and Lenny Williams. Sunday, 8/31, Les Nubians and Chaka Khan. Monday, 9/1, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago and The Gap Band. The Chicago Reader has a complete listing of performers and showtimes.

OAKLAND ART AND SOUL FESTIVAL

Reggae singer Ziggy Marley headlines the Plaza Stage on Sunday, August 31, presented by KFOG 104.5 FM. R&B/Jazz vocalist Rachelle Ferrell will be performing on Monday, September 1 with special guest, her brother Russ Barnes. Check the Oakland Art & Soul Festival website for a complete listing of times and events.

Are you looking for the current and upcoming events in the Bay Area? Check out The Lineup and SF Station for comprehensive information on all the latest happenings.

NEW MUSIC RELEASES

As hard as I try, I just cannot keep up with all the good music that is out. As I was browsing the record stores last weekend, I found a few noteworthy titles in addition to what I have listed in the Upcoming Grooves section.

Narada Jazz recently released a new album from Ramsey Lewis and Nancy Wilson entitled Simple Pleasures, a follow up to their pairing on last year's Meant to Be album. Urban Knights are back with a new release, Urban Knights V. Narada has also signed Incognito for their U.S. release of their Who Needs Love album on September 30.

Jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut has a brand new release on Warner Brothers Jazz entitled You Are My Sunshine. It is definitely my favorite of the week along with Kurt Elling's new release Man in the Air and Dianne Reeves' new release A Little Moonlight.

Pianist Danilo P�rez features vocalist Lizz Wright on two songs on his new Verve Release, ...Till Then. He provided the amazing piano work on "Afro Blue" on her Salt album.

Speaking of Lizz Wright, "Spike Lee To Direct New Lizz Wright Video"

Posted by at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The San Jose Jazz Festival begins today and runs through Sunday. Jazz Superstars Nnenna Freelon, Jimmy Heath, Cubanismo, Nester Torres, Yellowjackets, Greg Osby, Ledisi, and Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca are among the hundreds of fascinating local and national jazz musicians who will appear at the world�s largest free jazz festival.

The JVC Jazz Festival will be held on Saturday, August 16 at the Chronicle Pavilion. The lineup includes The Crusaders featuring Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Ray Parker Jr. and special guest Randy Crawford, BWB featuring Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, and Norman Brown. Also Larry Carlton, Stanley Clarke, and Joyce Cooling.

Legendary saxman Pharoah Sanders is at Yoshi's this week. Next week, saxophonist Greg Osby (8/11) and trumpeter Roy Hargrove (8/14-17) will be there.

Brenda Boykin and Folklorico 57 bring new traditions in jazz and blues to the Jazzschool stage this Friday at 8pm.

Jazz vocalist/pianist Diane Schuur has a new release on Concord Records entitled Midnight and it will be in stores on 08/12. It features special guests Karrin Allyson, Brian McKnight, and Barry Manilow. Also from Concord Records, Playboy Jazz presents Jazz After Dark, the ultimate 2-CD collection of late-night, mood-setting jazz featuring Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Patti Austin, Ella Fitzgerald, and many other greats.

Vocalist/songwriter/producer Marlon Saunders of Jazzhole has a new release entitled Enter My Mind. Vibe Magazine describes it as "...timeless music that can chill, ache and percolate yet never ever smell, feel, or sound neo".

Posted by at 5:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lizz Wright and Roy Hargrove Sweepstakes

There is still time to enter the sweepstakes to win a trip to New York City and concert tickets for Lizz Wright (ends 8/13) and Roy Hargrove (ends 8/25). The ever so cool j-notes logo appears on each contest page. I am honored. Roy Hargrove and RH Factor will be funking up Yoshi's from August 14 to 17. I cannot wait!

Telluride Jazz Celebration - August 1-3, 2003

Honoring former board advisor to the festival, Herbie Mann, the Telluride Jazz Celebration is one of the most unique and enjoyable festivals in the U.S. This year's lineup includes: Guest of Honor, Cedar Walton; John Scofield Band; Kenny Garrett; Jane Bunnett & Spirits of Havana; Karrin Allyson; Kevin Mahogany; Larry Coryell; Chuchito Valdes; Leroy Jones; Astral Project; DJ Logic; Robert Walter's 20th Congress; LA's Washington Prep Gospel Chorus; Black Frames; Mariachi Nuevo Mexico; and as always, The Telluride All-Stars. Please see the www.telluridejazz.com website for more information.

Oakland 3rd Annual Art and Soul Festival - August 30, 31 & September 1

Reggae singer Ziggy Marley headlines the Plaza Stage on Sunday, August 31, presented by KFOG 104.5 FM. R&B/Jazz vocalist Rachelle Ferrell will be performing on Monday, September 1 with special guest, her brother Russ Barnes.

The Oakland Art & Soul Festival expands to all three days of Labor Day weekend! August 30, 31 & September 1, 2003.

Groove to live rock, blues, jazz, gospel and more on five big stages; stroll through eclectic artisan booths; savor exotic international foods; frolic in the festive family fun zone; enjoy readings by acclaimed authors; and celebrate cultural diversity at the City of Oakland's 3rd Annual Art & Soul.

Keep checking the festival website for updates and detailed music lineup.

Posted by at 5:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The 9th Annual North Beach Jazz Festival in SF starts today and runs through Sunday, August 3.

The Grand Opening Night Gala of "JAZZ ON GRANT" is a tribute to North Beach's glorious past when jazz spilled out of the streets from every corner shop. Restaurant, Bars & cafes all along Grant Avenue and the neighborhood at large, will open their doors and spotlight local jazz musicians in this block party-style kickoff celebration. All of tonight's events are free.

Posted by at 7:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
The Urban Gospel Alliance
Curtis Jermany
P.O. Box 5211
Oakland Ca. 94605
510-472-0177

THE URBAN GOSPEL ALLIANCE TO LAUNCH FREE MONTHLY CONCERTS THROUGHOUT THE U.S.

OAKLAND CA. The Urban Gospel Alliance recently announced plans for free monthly concerts to be held on a monthly basis throughout the U.S. through various chapters.

Starting in September, chapters in Oakland and Los Angeles CA. as well as St Louis MO, Detroit MI, Houston TX and Newport News VA will host concerts featuring gospel hip hop, Christian jazz, reggae, spoken word, comedy, and urban contemporary gospel music.

Performance opportunities are now available to those willing to expose their ministry outside of their immediate areas.

ABOUT THE UGA

Established to provide a vehicle for alternative gospel artists to give a voice to their ministry, UGA will be a source of encouragement and support for its members, the Urban Gospel Alliance's (UGA) focus will be on the urban market. It will be a forum and platform for all facets of urban gospel music- contemporary gospel, holy hip hop, inspirational, gospel jazz, neo-soul, and reggae.

For more info on the Urban Gospel Alliance or concert locations email Curtis Jermany at crj_lawn@msn.com or call 510-472-0177

SEND YOUR NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS TO OVER 15,000
Call 510-472-0177 or write mail to: crj_lawn@msn.com for details.

www.theGospelZone.com
www.GZemporium.com

Posted by at 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Update: The 9th Annual North Beach Jazz Festival in SF will be held from July 30 to August 3. I got the facts and their website!

Now through August 3, the San Jose Repetory Theatre presents "Cookin' At The Cookery", a musical celebration of the late blues legend Alberta Hunter.

Jazz guitarist Jonathan Butler will be one of the featured performers at the Oakland Jazz Festival on Sunday, July 27 on the grounds of the Dunsmuir Historic Estate in Oakland.

Update: Singer Erykah Badu will headline the festival which will benefit the Castlemont High School and Elmhurst Middle School music programs.

Cold Stone Creamery will host their second annual World�s Largest Ice Cream Social at participating locations nationwide, a special night to join together and share the simple pleasures of life with FREE ice cream, family activities and good-natured fun. On July 24th from 5:00 - 8:00pm, guests will be treated to a regular size �Make-A-Wish® Creation�*.� In exchange for the free Creation�, customers are encouraged to make donations to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation®.

The 24th Annual Gilroy Garlic Festival will be held July 25-27 in Gilroy, Ca. I went for the first time last year and had a great time. Be sure to try the garlic ice cream. It really was quite tasty.

Posted by at 6:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Oakland Black Expo 2003 is this weekend at the Oakland Convention Center.

Ledisi is definitely on the move this summer. She is playing with Me'Shell Ndeg�Ocello at the Great American Music Hall in SF on Friday, 07/11 and Saturday, 07/12. She will be playing with Rachelle Ferrell at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. on Friday, 07/25 and with the Yellowjackets at the San Jose Jazz Festival on Saturday, 08/09. She will also be teaching another vocal seminar on Saturday, 08/16 at The Jazzschool in Berkeley. I got my CD's signed and took photos with her when she was at Rasputin Music in Berkeley last Saturday. She was so much fun.

Pianist Geoffrey Keezer will be playing at The Jazzschool tonight. He will be playing songs from his new release, Sublime: Honoring the Music of Hank Jones. I saw him earlier this year with Christian McBride and he is a great improvisationist. Saxophonist Dave Ellis will be playing at The Jazzschool on Sunday afternoon. The Berkeley native will be playing songs from his new release, State of Mind.

Does anyone know if there is going to be a North Beach Jazz Festival this year? Their website is down and I have not seen any listings for the event.

Pete Escovedo and his Orchestra will be at Yoshi's this weekend. He's Sheila E's dad. Upcoming shows include Joey DeFrancesco with Dr. Lonnie Liston Smith, Mulgrew Miller Trio, Kenny Burrell Quintet, Bob James Quartet, Pharoah Sanders Quartet, Gato Barbieri, Greg Osby Four, Roy Hargrove & The RH Factor, SoVoS�, and Oscar Peterson. If they keep this up, I will just have to sign my paycheck over or get a job there.

The Jazz Institute of Chicago has finally posted schedule for the Chicago Jazz Festival 2003 which runs from August 28-31. Highlights of the festival include the Branford Marsalis Quartet and "The Message Lives: A Tribute to Art Blakey" featuring: The Jazz Messenger Alumni All-Stars: Terence Blanchard, Curtis Fuller, Bobby Watson, Branford Marsalis, Cedar Walton, Peter Washington and Winard Harper. The McCoy Tyner Big Band will be closing the festival.

Vocalist Clairdee will be making her only Bay Area performance this summer, Sunday, July 27, at the Jazzschool in Berkeley. This special concert is dedicated to the incomparable Nat "King" Cole, who led one of the most influential jazz trios in history and went on to become one of America's most beloved song stylists. Seating is limited, so please call ahead for your tickets at 510-845-5373.

Posted by at 7:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ledisi will be performing with Oakland East Symphony on Friday, July 4 at 7:45pm at Jack London Square in Oakland. She will also be signing albums on Saturday, July 5 at 1pm at the Rasputin Music in Berkeley.

My letter to the editor in the St. Louis Riverfront Times voicing the importance of the independent record stores.

I received an email from a friend with a list of artists that are definitely worth checking out. Some of them you are already know and others, you need to know.

Posted by at 6:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I have been enjoying some wonderful music this week. I saw jazz violinist Regina Carter on Tuesday and Wednesday night and jazz vocalist/pianist Shirley Horn last night at Yoshi's. I caught Regina both nights for only $10 per night. I am still formulating the words to describe both of these great woman and I promise to expound on each of them later next week. In short, they were both spectacular. If you missed Regina, she will be back in April and Shirley will be here through the weekend. Soulful jazz guitarist Ronny Jordan will be there June 19-22.

Tonight, I am going to see the Berkeley High School Jazz Band in their final concert of the season at 7pm at the Florence Schwimley Little Theater - Berkeley High School (Allston & M.L.K. Jr Way).

Tomorrow, I will be checking out singers Lenny (oh, oh, oh....) Williams (3:00pm) and Oleta Adams (4:30pm) at the Port of Oakland PortFest 2003 event.

Friday night, neo-soul artist Musiq with special guests Vivian Green and Aaries will be at The Fillmore.

Ledisi won the California Music Award for Outstanding Jazz Album for her Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue album. She will be signing autographs at Rasputin Music in Berkeley on Saturday, July 5 at 1:00pm. Also, check out the Rasputin in-store calendar for upcoming special events including genre music parties with 10% discounts.

Posted by at 3:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Oleta Adams to star at PortFest 2003 on Saturday, June 7 at 4:30pm at Jack London Square in Oakland.

Donnie's critically acclaimed album, The Colored Section, was re-released on 05/20. This is a joint venture between Motown/Universal Records and Giant Step Records which should mean a greater distribution for this great album.

Check out the Jazz at the Bistro schedule for the 2003-2004 season in St. Louis. Highlights include Cyrus Chestnut, The Yellowjackets, Toots Thielemans, Lizz Wright, Stefon Harris, and Nnenna Freelon.

Looking for a jazz or blues festival in your town? Check out the JazzTimes Jazz and Blues Festival Guide, sponsored by Marantz.

It looks like we can expect some new music from Rachelle Ferrell in the fall.

Be sure to vote for your favorite smooth jazz artist for the 4th Annual National Smooth Jazz Awards.

The 66th season of the Stern Grove Festival Concert Series opens on June 15. All concerts are free to the public and it is great place to see a show. Volunteers are always needed.

Up Next at Yoshi's...

Trumpeter Nicholas Payton & Sonic Trance from 05/21-25, trumpeter Russell Gunn & Ethnomusicology from 05/27-28, vocalist Frankye Kelly on 6/2, violinist Regina Carter from 06/03-04, vocalist/pianist Shirley Horn from 06/05-08, Yellowjackets from 06/13-15, and vocalist Janis Siegel of Manhattan Transfer on 06/16.

Posted by at 5:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Anita Baker and Wynton Marsalis have signed to Blue Note Records.

Read more news about Anita, Wynton, Lizz, and Roy Hargrove from the International Association of Jazz Education 2003 Conference recently held in Toronto, Canada.

New releases dropped yesterday from René Marie ("Live At Jazz Standard"), and Regina Carter ("Paganini: After The Dream").

Ledisi's "Soulsinger: The Revival" album was released yesterday. Her original "Soulsinger" album has been remixed, repackaged and includes two additional tracks. It is distributed nationally by Tommy Boy Records. The CD release party will be held on Friday, May 2 at Bimbo's 365 Club.

Standing in the Shadows of Motown was released on a 2 DVD set yesterday which includes additional footage of The Funk Brothers, the backbone of the Motown sound. Definitely a must have for your collection. Thanks Nita for the reminder.

Check out songwriting dynamo Cynthia Biggs. She crafted, along with Dexter Wansel, such gems as "The Sweetest Pain" for Loose Ends, "If You Only Knew" for Patti LaBelle, and "Nights Over Egypt" for The Jones Girls and Incognito. She has quite an impressive discography.

Posted by at 3:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The past few days have been a little busy for me. Friday night, I went to see Christian McBride at Yoshi's. Saturday night, I saw Soulive at The Fillmore and Monday, I made a little road trip to LA to see Lizz Wright at the Cerritos Center for Performing Arts. All were excellent shows and I will have reviews posted later in the week along with a new Flashback Friday entry that I am sure you will enjoy.

It rained all day while I was LA. I stopped off at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in Hollywood for lunch and was served enough waffles and gospel bird to feed a family of five. An interesting lesson I learned, fly gear is universal. I saw a good suburban kid rockin' a Gucci bucket hat and gold chain with a cross while his mom was rockin' a white velour Phat Farm jogging suit [laughs]. I was saddened by the number of homeless people I saw in the rain. As we pay our taxes today, we know our monies will go towards paying for this senseless war while the homeless still continue to suffer.

On a happier note, I stopped into Amoeba and found a couple of gems. I picked up "Q: The Musical Biography of Quincy Jones" and Christian McBride's "Vertical Vision."

Posted by at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Today is devoted to enjoying the day. Spring is here. The weather is great and I am going out to be a part of it.

Much love, thanks, and devotion to my "web magician" Gwen for the fresh new j-notes banner. You are truly a great talent.

Today's flowers are devoted to the supermom of moms, A.J., who's celebrating her birthday today.

The 2003 Monterey Jazz Festival schedule came out on Friday. The artist lineup includes Carla Cook, Mary Stallings, Herbie Hancock, Nnenna Freelon, Bobby Hutcherson, and The Crusaders featuring Randy Crawford which should definitely be a treat. On a side note, it was in 1979 when Randy recorded "Streetlife" with The Crusaders.

Check out the Soul Brother Records website for funk, soul, organic soul, nu-jazz, jazz and all kinds of good grooves. Thanks Dee!

For the baking fans, I made the cranberry oatmeal chocolate chip cookies using dried cherries instead of cranberries. Yummy!!

MAXJAZZ vocalist René Marie will be performing in Chicago for a benefit on April 3 and at the Green Dolphin Street on April 4 and 5.

Posted by at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Vocalist extraordinaire Cedric Brown will be performing his show, "I Swing Like That" with The 1150 Trio at the Jon Sims Center for the Arts in SF on Friday, April 18. This will be the last show in a series of three shows that Cedric has performed as artist-in-residence at the Jon Sims Center.

I attended his recent performance and Cedric was incredible. His voice and his narrative transformed the exposed painted brick room into a smoky, dimly lit jazz club in Harlem or Paris. His vocal stylings and choice of songs were impeccable. Anyone who can handle the Cannonball Adderley/Nancy Wilson classic "I'll Never Marry" and Jobim's "Dindi" in the same show definitely gets big props from me. The 1150 Trio never missed a beat as well. After the show, he solicited and received great feedback from the audience. I would suggest that you reserve your tickets in advance and get there early for the seats go fast for this shining star.

Actor Ted Lange in the hilarious comedy "The Dance On Widow's Row" at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre in SF running through April 13. This new comedy written by Samm-Art Williams is about Magnolia Ellis and her widow friends who have buried nine husbands between them and cashed in the life insurance policies. Rich and ready for love or more cashed in insurance policies, the ladies throw a part for the town's rich and eligible bachelors. There are some great lines and I laughed from beginning to end.

Check out the KANU (University of Kansas) Jazz in the Night website for great links to jazz music, festivals, artists, and record labels. Thanks Dee!

Posted by at 7:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Today's image is a handmade greeting card by my friend and music buddy Vanessa in Atlanta. For more information, please email Vanessa. Thanks boo!!!

MAXJAZZ vocalist Carla Cook will be part of the lineup for this year's Monterey Jazz Festival in September. I guess better start saving up now!

Extraordinary vocalist Ledisi has been nominated for two three California Music Awards (formerly the Bammies) in the categories of Outstanding R&B Album and Outstanding Jazz Album for her "Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue" release and Outstanding Female Vocalist. The awards will be presented on Sunday, May 25 at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza in front of and around Oakland City Hall and in City Center.

I was introduced to Jazz Online last week and from there I found JazzWeek which both track the top music in jazz and have some great music reviews. Hours and hours of fun reading.

Did you say you still have not heard Donnie yet? His website donniesoul.com is moving to donniemusic.com. This is in conjunction with signing his new record deal between Giant Step Records and Motown Records. More information to come.

Bassist Christian McBride is on the cover of the March JazzTimes and here is a great article from the International Herald Tribune Online.

There is a thought provoking article in the Village Voice by Daniel King entitled "Lincoln Center Thaws Its Cold War on Jazz Activism: Fire Music".

Posted by at 7:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

I have been doing just a little music shopping online and in my local record stores and have come back with a few treasures. I am listening to Sarah Vaughan, Cyrus Chestnut, Soulive, James Carter, The Crusaders, Stanley Turrentine, Jessica Williams, Yellowjackets, Dionne Farris, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, Julie Dexter, and Tramaine. More goodies are on the way so you can expect some new music reviews in the coming weeks. As always, thanks for stopping by and for the love.

In other news...

Roberta Flack will be performing with the San Diego Symphony Summer Pops on August 8 and 9. Can you say road trip?

Incognito's import releases "Who Needs Love" and "Life Stranger Than Fiction" along with the Inner Shade release "Four Corners" are now available from Dusty Groove at great prices.

The band Soulive will be performing at The Fillmore in San Francisco on April 11 and 12. I am currently grooving to their "Next" release.

Coming soon!!! The new Lizz Wright official artist website and sound clips from her upcoming release "Salt" will be added to her Verve homepage soon.

Maxjazz vocalist René Marie , whose new release "Live At Jazz Standard" comes out on April 22, will be performing at Yoshi's on May 6.

Tony Award winning singer Lillias White will be performing at The Plush Room from April 8-19.

My homeslice, local jazz singer/stylist/vocalist Cedric Brown will be performing his show, "I Swing Like That" at the Jon Sims Center for the Arts on March 21 and April 18. Don't miss it!!

Here's a great review on jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut's recent performance in Savannah, Ga. He and his trio will be coming to Yoshi's on April 29 and 30.

From the Washington Post, "The Unstoppable Showstopper: Shirley Horn Returns" She will also be performing at Yoshi's from June 5-7.

Posted by at 7:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Thanks KB for the really cool pictures from the SF Flower Show. I selected this picture because my blogging homie, Living Nappy, is taking a break so we will not get to see her cool pictures and wonderful life experiences for awhile.

Get ready tomorrow for Flashback Friday. "You can bet your last money, it's gonna be a stone gas, honey!"

Posted by at 7:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I was in my local record store over the weekend and noticed a new category called Nu Jazz in the jazz section. I asked about it and found out that Nu Jazz is a more electronic version of acid jazz. I would like to learn a bit more about this new genre of music. I searched Google but I was unable to find any articles on Nu Jazz so if you know where I can find more information, please leave me a comment or send me an email.

Posted by at 7:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Bumptown Alert!!!

Songtress Anita Baker is bringing her sweet love to the Paramount Theatre in Oakland on Friday, 4/4 at 8pm. Tickets go on sale at Ticketmaster on Friday, 2/28 at 12:00pm. Tickets are $49.50 and $77.50. A second show has been added for Saturday, 4/5 at 8pm.

From The Kansas City Star, "Anita Baker eases back into performing"

This Just In......

"It appears that Anita Baker is close to signing a brand new record deal. The Grammy award winning singer has been without a label since her departure from Atlantic Records four years ago. One rumor claims that Anita is in negotiations with Def Soul Records, a predominately Hip-Hop and Rap record label. Artists currently signed to Def Soul include Kelly Price, Dru Hill and Sisqo. Anita has already contributed her talents to the upcoming album for Soul singer Foxy Brown's upcoming CD. Foxy is signed to Def Jam Records, a sister company to Def Soul. In the meantime, Anita is currently putting together a brand new tour. Cities already confirmed include Atlantic City, Cleveland and Seattle." [SmartJock]

From the SF Chronicle, "Jazz at Pearl's fails to renew its lease." The jazz club will be closing its doors on 4/30.

Special shout out to Gotham Jazz, an authoritative weblog on the New York jazz scene. Thanks for the link.

The March 2003 issue of The Atlantic Monthly has an interesting article on Wynton Marsalis written by David Hajdu.

Posted by at 10:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Love 'em or hate 'em, the Grammy Awards are what they are. I have been checking out winners on the Grammy Awards website. Below are winners are of the categories that are close to my heart. You will instantly notice that Diana Krall beat out Patti Austin, Natalie Cole, and Etta Jones for the Best Jazz Vocal category. While I will admit it is a good album, I was really, really hoping that Patti Austin would finally get Grammy nod for her excellent tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, "For Ella". In happier news, India.Arie picked up a couple of awards . Stevie Wonder and Take 6 won for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. Chaka Khan and The Funk Brothers won for their excellent contributions to the "Standing In The Shadows of Motown" documentary soundtrack. Etta James, Johnny Mathis, and Tito Puente received Lifetime Achievement Awards. Maya Angelou won for Best Spoken Word Album.

The really good thing about Norah Jones winning 5 awards is that the real jazz artists and vocalists over at Blue Note Records can keep making good music.

By the way, you can search on the Grammy Awards website to see how many awards your favorite artists have won.

Found a couple of interesting commentaries on the Grammy Jazz category entitled "Safe choices dominate the jazz noms" in the Miami Herald and "Outstanding and overlooked in jazz" in the Orange County Register.

Best Contemporary Jazz Album

Speaking Of Now
Pat Metheny Group

Best Jazz Vocal Album

Live In Paris
Diana Krall

Best Jazz Instrumental Solo

My Ship
Herbie Hancock, soloist
Track from: Directions In Music (Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker & Roy Hargrove)

Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group

Directions In Music
Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker & Roy Hargrove

Posted by at 6:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Ahhhh...the joy of coming home and finding new music on my doorstep or a yellow slip in my mailbox letting me know new music is waiting for me at the post office. Yes, I am a audiophile, which is the polite way of saying "music junkie." Buying music is my guilty pleasure and while I enjoy combing through racks and racks of new and used CD's in the stores, I have also been checking out some of the online music stores. I have definitely found some gems and learned a few good lessons. Below are the website that I for my online music treasure hunting and a couple of wisdoms about each one. A.J., this is for you!!!

Tower Records

I think the mighty Tower was the first place I ever bought music online. Tower has good customer service and they turnaround the orders quickly. They are great for CD singles but their new CD's are a little pricey but decent prices on the oldies. A good place to search for new releases. I often find it on Tower and get it for a better price elsewhere.

Amazon

I better be nice since I am an Amazon associate. Great prices on used CD's but the new ones are a little pricey. Usually a good turnaround on the orders. Also a great reference for music.

Update: Somewhere along the way CD Now and Amazon.com have merged. Good or bad? You be the judge!!

eBay

Now this is a music buyer's paradise and since my mom is not reading my blog, I can admit that I spent $50.00 for the new Incognito release last year. It was my first auction and I got a little overzealous. I bid cautiously and carefully and know when to throw in the towel. You can find some rare gems here but it all depends on how much you are willing to spend. Shirley Horn's first release sold for $137.51 recently. I have won auctions for under $10 and spend as much as well, you know that already. If you bid, be sure to check up on your item during the last few hours before the bidding closes. Someone could easily sneak in and outbid you. My best gem was Patti Austin's 1984 self-entitled release which was really hard to find.

half.eBay.com

So you say you don't like playing the auction game? There is some really good stuff here and you could easily spend your whole paycheck. Just as with eBay, you just never know what people are willing to unload from their music collections. This place is like the K-Mart for online music shoppers with great deals on good music. The orders are turned around quickly. I was quite happy because I was able to find music by Mica Paris, Carmen McRae, and Roberta Flack that I had been searching for in the stores for years.

Continue reading "Satisfying your my guilty pleasures of buying music online..." »

Posted by at 7:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre makes their annual return to Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley for 10 performances from 2/21 to 3/2. Tickets are available from the Cal Performances box office.

For the Patrice Rushen fans, the "Patrice" (1978), "Pizzazz" (1979), "Posh" (1980), and "Now" (1984) albums will be reissued on CD on 2/25. These are some wonderful classic albums from this very talented singer/musician/producer/music director. I had a chance to see her in concert for my first time last year and she was phenomenal.

Ashford & Simpson's 1973 "Gimme Something Real" and 1981 "Performance" releases are now available on the www.soulmusicsite.com website.

Three Mo' Tenors are coming to the Paramount Theatre in Oakland on 3/19. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.

The Jill Scott remix of "He Loves Me" takes local San Francisco DJ Jay-J to the Grammys. Thanks Tubba!!

Christian McBride's new release "Vertical Vision" hits the stores on 2/25.

Just a little more Lizz....the song titles, musicians, and producers have been listed for her upcoming debut release "Salt." I am really glad to see that Kenny Banks is playing piano on several of the songs. He is an amazing musician. No, I am not president of the Lizz Wright west coast fan club. At least, not yet!!!

Posted by at 6:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Who could ask for anything more? I am there.

Update: Ledisi performed an outstanding tribute to Ella Fitzgerald Friday evening, 2/23, with the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra as part of the 2nd Annual SF Black History Celebration sponsored by SFNoir. Ledisi brought her unique vocal stylings to such time tested Ella classics as "Perdido", "Don't Mean A Thing", "A Tisket-A-Tasket", "Goody Goody" and a beautiful rendition of "Someone To Watch Over Me." She also performed the Monk classic "Straight No Chaser." Later in the evening, Ledisi performed with her band, Anibade. They performed songs from her current releases and upcoming release "Soulsinger Revisited" which is the repackaging of her successful "Soulsinger" album for national distribution by Tommy Boy Records. There were will be new songs included on the album and it will be in stores on 4/22.

Posted by at 12:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

For Immediate Release

VERVE TO RELEASE SALT, THE EXCITING DEBUT RECORDING FROM VOCALIST/SONGWRITER LIZZ WRIGHT ON MAY 13, 2003

Throughout its existence, Verve has particularly excelled in recording most of the fiercest chanteuses on the planet. Billie, Ella, Sarah, Dinah, Nina, Betty, Abbey, Shirley, Dee Dee, Cassandra, Diana� so off-the-iconoclastic-genius-meter that we refer to them on a strictly first-name basis. These are the true chanteuses; the rare ones who could sing anything (jazz to blues to pop) and who owned everything they sang.

It's 2003 and fierce young chanteuses are hard to find. Fittingly, Verve has signed 23-year-old Lizz Wright. The most promising of a very short list, this Georgia native has been singing since childhood. A minister's daughter, Ms. Wright naturally started out singing gospel in church. By the end of high school, she was heavily into '70s black pop and drum 'n bass. For the last three years, the artist has been polishing her star in Atlanta's vibrant neo-soul/jazz underground scene.

On May 13th, Verve will release Ms. Wright's debut album, Salt produced by Tommy LiPuma, Brian Blade, and Jon Cowherd. Ain't no half-stepping here: The backing musicians including Blade, Danilo Perez, and Chris Potter are Gen-X all-stars; the repertoire, an eclectic blend of jazz/pop standards, five Lizz Wright originals, one song written for her by Blade, and one Broadway showstopper. Salt reveals Ms. Wright to be uniquely blessed with a mellifluous, full-bodied contralto, emotionally-nuanced phrasing and an intuitive ability to swing.

Strong enough to transform Flora Purim's high-stepping "Open Your Eyes, You Can Fly" into a sly 'n slinky, neo-soul groove. Fearless enough to remodel both Stephanie Mills� immortal rendition of The Wiz's "Soon as I Get Home" and the late Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue." Open enough to flow from jazzy Latin-soul slo-drags ("Goodbye", "The End of the Line") to AC-friendly folk-rock ("Lead The Way", "Silence"). Genius enough to work her self-penned title song into a dope R&B/blues homage to Donny Hathaway.

Better start getting used to calling her just "Lizz".
Lizz Wright press release � page 2

Salt [314 589 933-2] available May 13, 2003 on CD.

For more information, contact:
J�ai St. Laurent-Smyth, 212.331.2047 [jai.stlaurent-smyth@umusic.com]
Lauren Fox, 212.331.2021 [lauren.fox@umusic.com]

www.ververecords.com
Images available at www.umvd.com

Posted by at 6:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Make your own candy heart!! Thanks Gwen!!

New vocalist Lizz Wright has tour dates listed now on her Verve site. She will be playing the House of Blues in Chicago with Al Green on April 13 and the Cerritos Center in Cerritos, California on April 14. She is definitely a must see. You can hear a couple of her sample tracks on her Simblist Group webpage.

Jazz singer/pianist Shirley Horn is touring and will be coming to Yoshi's June from 5- 8. She also has a new album coming out later this year. Stay tuned!!

Vocalist Carla Cook has an updated website with new information and tour dates.

Legendary singer Roberta Flack, who turns 64 tomorrow, is working on a new album. More details as they become available.

Check out soul music ambassabor David Nathan's recent exclusive interview with Dionne Warwick and her website, www.dionnewarwick.com.

Vocalist René Marie has a new Maxjazz release "Live At Jazz Standard" coming out on April 22.

Vibraphonist Stefon Harris has a new Blue Note release "The Grand Unification Theory" coming out this week.

Vocalist Dianne Reeves is wrapping up work on her upcoming Blue Note release "A Little Moonlight" which is scheduled to be released on August 5. It will includes 11 tunes that range from standards like "Skylark," "Darn that Dream" and "You Go to My Head" to more modern songs like Stevie Wonder's "Make Sure You're Sure."

Legendary saxaphonist Wayne Shorter has a new Verve release "Alegria" coming out on March 25.

Verve Records will release "Paganini: After a Dream", a landmark album from the acclaimed violinist Regina Carter on April 22. This album was recorded from a December 2001 concert in Genoa, Italy on the 200 year old Guarneri violin belonging to classical violinist Nicol򠐡ganini (1782-1840). Regina is the first jazz musician and African-American to lay hands on this classic instrument. She said in a recent San Francisco concert that she played the violin with a room full of armed guards.

Hey!! Singer Lalah Hathaway has a website!! Hopefully, we will hear some new music from her soon.

Posted by at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Tickets for the San Francisco Jazz Festival Spring Season go on sale today. The Spring Season features an eclectic mixture of music styles. Featured performers include Marcus Roberts, Herbie Hancock, Jo�o Gilberto, Dave Brubeck, Hank Jones, and Joshua Redman who will be in concert with his father, Dewey Redman and Charlie Haden. The SF Jazz Spring Season run from March 21 through June 13.

For the complete schedule of events, check out the SF Jazz Festival website.

Posted by at 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Smooth jazz and quiet storm saxophonist Gerald Albright will be performing from Friday, 2/7 through Sunday 2/9. Shows at 8 and 10pm on Friday and Saturday. 5 and 8pm on Sunday.

Guitarist Larry Carlton will be performing from Thursday, 3/20 through Sunday, 3/23.

Contemporary jazz keyboardist Alex Bugnon will be performing from Saturday, 4/5 through Monday, 4/7 and guitarist Stanley Jordan will be performing from Friday, 4/11 through Sunday, 4/13.

My personal favorite, extraordinary vocalist Patti Austin will be performing from Friday, 4/18 through Sunday, 4/20.

For ticket and show information, check the Kimball's East website.

Posted by at 9:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The much anticipated release of Lizz Wright's debut Verve album "Salt" is scheduled for May 13, 2003. If this album is anything like her phenomenal performances on Joe Sample's "Pecan Tree" album and at last year's Monterey Jazz Festival, then it promises to be filled with a rich jazz, R&B, and gospel vocals laced with some funk. Tommy LiPuma will be producing the album. My wish would be to get an promo copy of her album to review.

Read more about Lizz Wright in my previous blog entry, "What's The Buzz On Lizz Wright" and check her out on the Verve website.

Posted by at 6:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I love this time of year at Yoshi's Jazz and Supper Club in Oakland. The new year brings some wonderful performers to the club. This is also when I am breaking my piggy bank trying to go see as many acts as possible.

The Jacky Terrasson Trio will be performing Tuesday through Thursday of this week at 8 and 10pm. The trio features Jacky Terrasson on piano, Sean Smith on bass and Eric Harland on drums. Tickets are half-price for the 10pm show.

The following week legendary jazz pianist McCoy Tyner will begin his 9th annual two-week residency at Yoshi's. In week one (1/21 - 1/26), McCoy is joined by vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson , bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Jack DeJohnette. In week two (1/28 - 2/2), McCoy leads a trio with bassist Christian McBride and drummer Lewis Nash. I attended both week's of his residency last year and am definitely planning to do so this year as well. These two weeks sell out quickly so get your tickets early.

A couple of romantic and enchanting evenings with Ledisi on Tuesday, 2/11 and Wednesday, 2/12. Shows at 8 and 10pm.

Pieces Of A Dream will be warming your heart with their contemporary R&B and jazz from Thursday, 2/13 through Sunday, 2/16. Shows at 8 and 10pm. I have been enjoying this group since their first album in 1981 so I am sure this will be a great show.

The James Carter Trio with special guest legendary saxophonist David Murray will be performing from Tuesday, 2/18 through Sunday, 2/23. The trio features James Carter on saxophones, Hammond B3 organist Gerard Gibbs, and drummer Leonard King. Shows at 8 and 10pm.

Other upcoming performances include Shirley Horn, Oscar Peterson, Christian McBride, Abbey Lincoln, and Brandford Marsalis.

Tickets, dinner reservation, and upcoming show information are available on the Yoshi's website or by contacting the Yoshi's Box Office @ 510-238-9200.

Posted by at 11:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Anita Baker takes revelers back in time

By MICHAEL D. CLARK
Staff

Prince once mused about partying like it's 1999, but until Anita Baker took the stage at H'Town's Arena Theatre on New Year's Eve, nobody had thought about cuddling like it was 1986.

You remember Baker : the Grammy-winning contralto who defined early R&B with hits such as Sweet Love and Giving You The Best That I Got. Many couples with children ages 13 to 17 certainly remember those sweet songs as the soundtrack to conception.

On Tuesday night at the arena, as 2002 was set to become 2003, a packed house welcomed the opportunity to step back to a time before Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion - a day when romantic balladry was not hyped with dance mixes and guest rappers.

Baker was happy to oblige.

"It's been so long and we appreciate you coming out," said Baker , whose stop in Houston is one of the first on a brief tour that kicked off last month. "The question in my mind was `Will they (the fans) be back?' "

Answer: In droves.

Continue reading "Just a little mo' Baker for you..." »

Posted by at 10:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Now that 2002 is winding down, here is my list of favorite CD's purchased this year. What is amazing to me is that I purchased over 200 CD's in 2002. My choices are an eclectic mixture of music styles so here we go in no particular order.

Patti Austin - "For Ella"
Natalie Cole - "Ask A Woman Who Knows"
Carla Cook - "Simply Natural"
Donnie - "The Colored Section"
India.Arie - "Voyage to India"
Cannonball Adderly - "Something Else"
Darius de Haas - "Day Dream - Variations on Strayhorn"
Miles Davis & The Modern Jazz Quartet - "Bag's Groove"
George Benson - "Anthology"
Ella Fitzgerald - "Like Someone In Love"
The Kissing Jessica Stein Movie Soundtrack
Body & Soul NYC - Volume 4
Masters At Work - "Our Time Is Coming"
Verve Remixed
The Original Salsoul Classics
Jonathan Butler - "Surrender"
Gerald Albright - "Groovology"
Count Basie - "April In Paris"
Donald Byrd - "A New Perspective - Donald Byrd Band & Voices"
Casino Lights - Live At Montreux (1982)
Casino Lights '99
Julie Dexter - "Peace of Mind - The EP"
Joe Sample - "Pecan Tree" (introducing Lizz Wright)
Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - "Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway"
Aretha Franklin - "Precious Lord" (a 1956 recording)
Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, and Carmen McRae at Newport
Kirk Whalum - "The Gospel According To Jazz - Chapter II"
Ledisi - "Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue"
McCoy Tyner Trio - "Infinity"
Duke Ellington - "Duke Ellington's 70th Birthday Concert"
Duke Ellington/Coleman Hawkins - "Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins"
Marcus Roberts Trio - "Cole After Midnight"
Yolanda Adams - "Live In Washington"
Carla Cook - "All About Love"
The Best of the Jones Girls
Gladys Knight & The Pips - "Touch"
Carla Cook - "Dem Bones"

There is more to follow......

Continue reading "j-notes Best of the Best for 2002" »

Posted by at 2:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well, we are less than 10 days away from Christmas and like portions of the rest of the world, I have not started any shopping, Christmas cards, or baking. This was a restful weekend since it was raining most of the time. I listened to music and surfed the web. I finally received my Incognito CD on Friday. I almost turned a cartwheel when the mail carrier called and said I had a package. It is a very enjoyable CD as you probably know by now since I have been talking about it for the past few weeks. I submitted a few CD and concert reviews to jazzreview.com and they posted my work in the guest reviewer's section. In addition, I have signed up to be a volunteer staff reviewer for their site. I think it will be great exposure and help me to further my music reviewing skills.

I also found a copy of Patti Austin's 1984 self-entitled release on CD on Ebay. I found it totally on a random search of her music. It had been on auction for a week, no one had bid on it, and the bidding closed in 5 hours. Well, I was the lucky winner and this was truly a music blessing because I have been looking for this CD for 10 years all over the country and online.

Well, let me get back to finishing the egg nog rum cake that I am bringing to work tomorrow. Otherwise, my co-workers will not let me in the building.

Posted by at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The day after Thanksgiving has become the biggest day for holiday shopping but for me it is special because it is the first official day to start playing Christmas music. Growing up there were certain songs that ushered in the holiday season for me. Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" was always the season opener along with Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas", James Brown's "Santa Claus Go To Straight To The Ghetto", The Jackson 5's "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", Aretha Franklin's "Winter Wonderland", and Lena Horne's "Let It Snow." Oh, let me not forget The Drifters' "I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas", The Temptations "Silent Night", and Gladys Knight and the Pips' "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

Now every year, I go out looking for old and new Christmas music favorites. This year was a little different because there was less of a selection but I still found some gems. Verve remastered Ella Fitzgerald's 1960 release "Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas" and added 6 additional tracks and I also got "Ella Fitzgerald Christmas", a 1967 Capitol release of traditional Christmas songs. I found Lena Horne's classic rendition of "Let It Snow" on the 1966 "Merry from Lena" album. If you listen closely, you can hear Lena snapping her fingers while the band is playing. Nancy Wilson's 2001 release "A Nancy Wilson Christmas" is superb and has some great photos of Nancy with her grandchildren. Kirk Whalum's 2001 release "The Christmas Message" is filled with wonderful music. "Christmas Songs with the Ray Brown Trio" features guest vocalists Dee Bridgewater, Etta Jones, Kevin Mahogany, Vanessa Rubin, and Marlena Shaw. Oscar Peterson's "An Oscar Peterson Christmas" is a welcome addition. I was playing Roberta Flack's 1997 release "The Christmas Album" long before the holiday season began and I also got Daryl Coley & Beloved "Christmas Is Here" and I am sure it is going to be good. Hmmmm....with all this new music and other favorites, I may be listening to Christmas music well into February.

Special shout out!! The boy and girl angels were created and handpainted with loving care by my sister-in-law sister-in-law and dearest niece. They will be coming to the web next year.

Posted by at 6:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Extraordinary vocalist Ledisi will be appearing at Kimball's East on Thursday, December 19 for two shows, 8pm and 10pm. She is definitely a Bay Area favorite. Check out a review of her current releases on Groovenation.

Smooth jazz guitarist Norman Brown will also be appearing at Kimball's East from December 20-22. Shows at 8pm and 10pm nightly.

Vocalist Clairdee will be having a release party for her new release "This Christmas" at Yoshi's on Christmas Eve for two shows, 8pm and 10pm. I met and saw her perform at Yoshi's earlier this year and she was wonderful.

Posted by at 6:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am not sure whether to laugh or cry but it looks like I have gotten my first Christmas present. I was trading IMs with dj last week and he mentioned that he was bidding on a copy of the new Incognito release, "Who Needs Love" on Ebay. Well, inquisitive me decides to check out the bidding war and toss my hat in the ring since the bids were still low. I went back a few days later and noticed that I had been outbid so I think nothing more about it. This morning before I went to work, I check the bids again since they were closing today and just for fun, I raised my bid. Well now I am the highest bidder and there are only 5 hours left until this item closes. Well guess what.....I won the bid. It was a bittersweet victory because I spent more than I intended but on the other hand, I will have the new Incognito groove in my hands before the end of the week. My lesson learned - bid cautiously!

By the way, I finally saw the movie Barbershop this evening. Of course, it had gotten away from all the local theatres so I drove 30 miles to the dollar theatre but it was worth it. I thoroughly enjoyed the film. Yeah, there was some crazy stuff said but I have heard a lot worse in barbershops.

Posted by at 11:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

I was checking out the recently updated Natalie Cole website and found a great interview and some performance footage in Windows Media Format. It provides a glipse into the making of her recent Verve release, "Ask A Woman Who Know" which I will probably need another copy of since I am wearing the grooves off my first copy. It is very enjoyable.

Natalie Cole Interview and Performance Footage

Posted by at 4:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The new Incognito album, "Who Needs Love" was released in Japan on November 20. There are no plans at this time to release this album in the U.S. I have been listening to the sample tracks on the Incognito website and they are really nice. I have also been checking the website forum to find out where the album can be purchased. It is available on CDJapan ($20.20 + $10 for shipping.) It is temporarily out of stock on Dusty Grooves America. If anyone finds a better price, please let me know.

Posted by at 9:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

No, this is not a dream. It is really true. Seven-time Grammy award-winning songtress Anita Baker is making her long awaited return. She will be doing two concerts on December 27 and 28 at the Star Plaza Theater in Merrillville, Indiana (just a few miles outside of Chicago.) Tickets are available via the internet only on Friday, November 22 at 12pm from Ticketmaster and go on sale to the public on Saturday, November 23 at 12pm. The ticket prices are between $65-75. This is definitely a concert that you do not want to miss. What a great gift for Christmas!!! Also check out other upcoming Star Plaza Theatre events. Thanks shb!!

I also found a Pollstar article on "The Return of Anita Baker" which mentions she is working on a new album so hopefully there will be some music next year.

Posted by at 6:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

I am a one-man fan club for vocalist/pianist Shirley Horn. I have been enjoying her music for the past 10 years and was probably one of the youngest people in the audience when I saw her perform in 1993. I first heard Shirley when I bought the movie soundtrack, "Glengarry Glen Ross" and on which she sang, "You'd Better Go Now." I also first heard Jimmy Scott on this same soundtrack. Soon after I purchased her critically acclaimed 1992 album, "Shirley Horn With Strings Here's To Life" and my love affair with Shirley began. I will be doing future blogs on her so you will definitely get to know her music.

Continue reading "Shirley Horn is still singin' and swingin'...." »

Posted by at 6:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

This news just in...there will be new a Incognito album coming out on November 20. Unfortunately, it will be an import so it may be a bit pricey but worth it.

Continue reading "j-news - Upcoming Album Releases" »

Posted by at 9:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)