January 2009 Archives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Earl Klugh's The Spice of Life Nominated for the 2009 GRAMMY® Awards

ATLANTA, GA (December 3, 2008) - GRAMMY® Award-winning guitarist Earl Klugh received his 12th career GRAMMY nomination today in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category for his latest project, The Spice of Life. The winners will be announced at the 51st annual GRAMMY Awards on February 8, 2009. The Spice of Life is Klugh's first full-production album in nine years following his GRAMMY-nominated solo release, Naked Guitar, which earned Klugh his 11th career GRAMMY nomination in 2006.

The Spice of Life is an iTunes Jazz bestseller for 2008, reached the Top Five Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums, and produced a Top Five single, Driftin', on the Billboard and R&R smooth jazz songs charts. In Earl's January 2009 Acoustic Guitar feature, Adam Levy writes "Spice's variety makes for an intriguing listen, and it's just that sort of variety that has propelled Klugh's career for more than three decades."

This new Klugh collection touches on the many inspirations of Earl's lifetime, playing through with the authority and impact of a greatest-hits album, and at the same time, the fresh discovery of a journeyman still in the prime of his creativity. Klugh reflects, "I wanted to create something that would encompass a wide spectrum of directions: solo, standards, originals, electronic, acoustic and orchestral. I wanted to make a recording that would reflect where I am at this moment in my life, and something I am proud to present to my fans."

Highlighting Earl's Spice of Life tour, he has been playing across the U.S., internationally, and recently performed at the White House for a dinner hosted by President Bush honoring American Jazz.

During his multi-million-selling career of more than 30 years, Klugh has recorded 22 Top Ten charting records - four of them Number One - on Billboard's Jazz Album charts. As a composer and songwriter, Klugh's credit appears on recordings by Aretha Franklin, Jamie Foxx, Roberta Flack, Mary J. Blige, Al Jarreau and many others. He has been invited to play as a guest artist by such diverse peers and admirers as Jimmy Buffett, Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis and Brenda Russell. Additionally, Klugh has collaborated on legendary albums with George Benson and Bob James, and Earl currently hosts an annual event at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, in which March 2009 will mark his 6th annual "Weekend of Jazz at The Broadmoor."
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Audrey Birnbaum
Earl Klugh, Inc.
404.862.5600
audrey@earlklugh.com

Join this rising star and his quartet for an exciting afternoon of jazz! Featuring Ranzel Merritt, tenor saxophone; Samora Pinderhughes, piano; Atemu Aton, bass; and Forrest Mitchell, drums.

I have had the pleasure of hearing Ranzel with the Young Musicians Program and Jazzschool's Rising Stars Concert Series. You will definitely be in for a treat.

Photo of Ranzel Merritt @ The Jazzschool by James Knox.

Rhythmic Concepts Inc. presents
In the Name of Love
The 7th Annual Musical Tribute Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sunday, January 18, 2009, 7:30 pm at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center.

Rhythmic Concepts, Inc., with the generous support of Target Corporation, will present In the Name of Love, the 7th Annual Musical Tribute honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Oakland's only non-denominational musical tribute honoring Dr. King. Since its debut in 2003, this program has become one of Oakland's most prominent civic and cultural events, bringing our diverse community together to celebrate the life and work of one of the greatest humanitarians of our time. With Barack Obama as our President-Elect, and only two days from his historical inauguration, this year's event promises to be a profound celebration of civil rights.

"In the Name of Love" features both local and national talent, children from our Oakland public schools, archival footage of Dr. King shown on a larger than life screen, and the presentation of the "City of Oakland Citizen Humanitarian Award", given to an outstanding member of our community working to make a difference. All of these elements help make "In the Name Of Love" one of the most memorable and soulful events of the year.

Each year, 1,400 adults, elders, children and families, from extremely diverse backgrounds, come together to share in the inspiration of Dr. King's teachings, through the joy of music. Our talent for this year includes the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra featuring The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol, Kenny Washington, Jeannine Anderson, and Nicolas Bearde; the powerful 60-voice Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir; an exciting performance by Destiny Arts Youth Performance Group; and the Oakland Children's Community Choir with over 100 children from our Oakland elementary schools, backed up by Khalil Shaheed's Oaktown Jazz Workshops.

Our emcee for the evening will be Clifford Brown Jr., KCSM, KDYA, KDIA. Archival footage of Dr. King's powerful oratories will be shown throughout the evening and the Citizen Of Oakland Humanitarian Award, chosen in conjunction with the Oakland Department of Human Services, will be presented to an individual who has given back to the community in extraordinary ways.

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Concert date/time: Sunday, January 18, 2009, 7:30 pm

Location: Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA

Box office opens 5:00 pm; doors open at 6:30 pm

Advance Tickets: $12 general admission; $5 children (6-12); under 6 FREE.

Affordable ticket pricing made possible by Target.

Tickets by phone: (800) 838-3006, or to purchase online: click Brown Paper Tickets.

Local Ticket Outlets (click for info and directions):

Berkeley: Reid's Records, Pegasus Books (two locations)
Oakland: Pendragon Books, Marcus Bookstore, Laurel Bookstore

For more info, please contact:
Stacey Hoffman, Executive Director
2501 Harrison Street, Oakland, Ca., 94612
(510) 287-8880
RCI@jazzcampwest.com

Presented by Rhythmic Concepts, Inc. RCI is an Oakland-based non-profit organization. "In the Name of Love" has been made possible through the generosity of Target Corporation, City of Oakland, Cultural Funding Program; William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; Alameda County Arts Commission; R.O.O.F Foundation; See's Candies; Bay Area News Group East Bay; Oakland Tribune; KBLX; and Solstice Press.

I closed out 2008 by seeing the Roy Hargrove Big Band at Yoshi's Oakland. Roy put on a good show and played to a packed house for the late show on Tuesday night. His sound was solid and his band was incredible. Their set consisted of original compositions and some jazz standards including a fantastic arrangement of "Every Time We Say Goodbye." Singer Roberta Gambarini joined the band for a couple of tunes. She and Roy even traded licks on one tune. Roy also sang a couple of verses on "September in the Rain" before he did a call and response scat with the band. I think the folks who went to see the Roy Hargrove Big Band on New Year's Eve for $100 definitely got their monies worth.

Photo of Roy Hargrove & RH Factor at the 2006 Monterey Jazz Festival by James Knox.

Sure, it is a few days after the beginning of the new year! Hope everyone had a great holiday season. Mine was pretty good. I spent time with family and friends. Of course, I missed my mom as this was the first holiday season without her. 2009 is definitely about change from the White House to my house.

I am starting off the new year with a brand new groove for j-notes.com too! I am sorry but the old banner with Billie Holiday had to come down. Not to worry, I will eventually have a new banner. I upgraded my publishing software and to take advantage of all the new functionality, I had to delete the old blog and start over from scratch. Once I figure out how to use the new features, I will start added them to the site. Oh yeah, there will be some photos too!!! Anyone who knows how to add widgets, please contact me. I will be your friend for life.

Welcome to the new groove!!!