Michelle Zangara live in NY, tonite!

Tonight, and all Tuesdays, from 7 to 1opm, sensational vocalist Michelle H. Zangara will be performing in NY @ Lime Leaf (128 West 72 Street, NYC, btw Broadway and Columbus Aves.)

Thai food delicious and pocket-friendly...try the chicken dumplings and pad thai...nice and spicy!

"I have some incredible setlists prepared and new arrangements to enthrall you," Zangara says. Check it out!

R.I.P.: Pete Rugolo

(born on Dec. 25, 1915, in San Piero Patti, Sicily, Italy;
died Oct. 16, 2011, in Sherman Oaks, California, USA)

Pete Rugolo, a leading figure in the synthesis of jazz and classical music and an award-winning composer and arranger with a recording career of his own, died in Sherman Oaks, California on Sunday evening, October 16th, of age-related causes. He was 95. He was known mainly as the arranger responsible for shaping the "progressive jazz" sound of the Stan Kenton Orchestra.

Composer/conductor John Williams issued the following statement:“Pete Rugolo’s passing is a notable event as he was a true and powerful original whose music made an invaluable contribution to a very rich period in American music.”

Over his long career, Rugolo collaborated with the most accomplished American jazz and pop artists, arranging for Peggy Lee, Charlie Parker, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, June Christy, The Four Freshmen, Patti Page and Mel Torme, among others. During his years as musical director of Capitol Records, he produced Harry Belafonte’s first singles; he also released and titled the legendary Miles Davis “Birth of the Cool” album, which compiled all the sessions previously recorded and released only as 78rpm singles.

(Those groundbreaking sessions recorded by Miles' nonet for Capitol in 1949 and 1950 -- with revolutionary arrangements by Gerry Mulligan, John Lewis, Gil Evans, Johnny Carisi, and featuring such musicians as Lee Konitz, Kai Winding, J.J. Johnson, Max Roach, Kenny Clarke & John Barber -- were supervised by Walter Rivers, a relative of composer (and Capitol co-founder) Johnny Mercer, who was briefly employed by the label in the late 40s and early 50s. Some years after those tracks had been released as singles, eight of them were reunited in 1954 onto a 10-inch LP as part of Capitol's "Classics in Jazz" series. Then, in February 1957, all the eleven instrumental performances finally came out on a 12-inch vinyl album, for the first time under the title "Birth of the Cool," coined by Pete Rugolo.)

Rugolo was also responsible for having introduced the great Brazilian guitarist (and my dear friend) Laurindo Almeida to Stan Kenton, who immediately hired Laurindo for his orchestra. Arnaldo DeSouteiro and Pete Rugolo met in 1999, when both were interviewed in Los Angeles for Leonardo Dourado's documentary "Laurindo Almeida, Muito Prazer" ("Laurindo Almeida, Pleased To Meet You"), brodcasted in the Brazilian TV channel GNT. Like Rugolo himself remembered, he met Laurindo in 1947, when the guitarist asked for an appointment at Capitol Records. "Laurindo played for me for half-an-hour and I was astonished and fascinated," he said. "Then I gave a phone call to Stan Kenton, who lived near Capitol Records, and told him to come to my office, 'cause I was listening to best guitarist I had ever heard. Kenton drop by and offered Laurindo Almeida a job in his band."

A classically-trained musician and composer who loved jazz, Rugolo got his professional start as chief arranger for the Stan Kenton Orchestra, one of the most successful big bands of the 1940s and 50s. He wrote more than 100 compositions for the band, according to the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers, and was largely responsible for the distinctive sound called “progressive jazz” that enabled Kenton to take his group from the ballroom dance circuit to the concert stage.

For more than three decades, Pete Rugolo was one of the most sought-after musicians in Hollywood. He worked for MGM from 1951-1956 as a staff composer and arranger, scoring most of the film musicals produced by Joe Pasternak as well as contributing arrangements for productions like “Kiss Me Kate.” While his main focus was scoring for movies and television, he also served as musical director for Mercury records. He briefly led his own touring band in the fall of 1954, performing at Birdland, the Paramount Theatre and the the Savoy Ballroom, and following up with a concert tour including Peggy Lee and Billy Eckstine. Rugolo’s contract with Mercury allowed him to release a series of LPs featuring his own arrangements and compositions, many of which enabled him to experiment with odd combinations of instruments and bore names like “Reeds in Hi-Fi,” “An Adventure in Sounds—Brass,” “10 Trumpets and 2 Guitars” and “10 Saxophones and 2 Basses.” Rugolo also worked for a year in A&R for Barclay Records in Paris.

Rugolo’s TV credits, for which he received two Emmys and multiple nominations, included scores for “The Fugitive,” “Leave It to Beaver,” “Thriller,” “The Twilight Zone,” “The Thin Man,” “Richard Diamond,” “The Stranger,” “Run for Your Life,” “Family,” “The Bold Ones,” “The Untouchables,” and “M.A.S.H.” He also was Grammy-nominated and was honored multiple times by “Down Beat,” “Playboy” and “Esquire.”

Rugolo was a member of BMI and the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC), serving on ASMAC’s Board of Directors for 25 years and receiving it prestigious Golden Score Award for Composing and Arranging in 1993, an honor previously won by Michel Legrand, Henry Mancini and Jerry Goldsmith.

Pete Rugolo was born on Christmas Day, 1915, in San Piero Patti, Sicily. The family emigrated to Santa Rosa, California in 1920, where the boy emulated his father who played baritone horn. He quickly picked up other instruments, including the French horn and classical piano and became interested in jazz from listening to bands like Gene Krupa, Duke Ellington and Ray Noble on the radio. Rugolo anticipated becoming a teacher after earning a B.A. degree from San Francisco State College. However, when he learned that the renowned composer Darius Milhaud would be teaching at Mills College, he applied even though Mills was at the time an all-female institution. He was Mills’ first male student and became what veteran jazz trombonist Milt Bernhart called “without question Milhaud’s prime disciple.” (Space Age Musicmaker, 12/28/2003)

After receiving his M.A. from Mills, Pete Rugolo was hired as an arranger and composer by guitarist and band leader Johnny Richards. He was drafted in 1942 and spent most of his time in an Army band at Fort Scott in San Francisco, playing alongside later Brubeck cohort Paul Desmond. After discharge, he joined the Stan Kenton Orchestra.

In 1958, Pete Rugolo married Edye Gaffney in Santa Rosa. In addition to his wife, he is survived by their three children, Gina Rugolo Judd (Loren), Pete Rugolo Jr. and Tony Rugolo. There are three grandchildren, Tyler and Will Judd and Jordan Kucharski.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to ASMAC for the Pete Rugolo Scholarship for Big Band Arranging and Jazz related Master Classes (www.asmac.org) (street address: ASMAC, 5903 Noble Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91411).

Funeral arrangements are for immediate family only, with a public remembrance to be announced at a later date. Pete Rugolo Dies at 95; Jazz Arranger, Composer
by Dennis McLellan
Los Angeles Times, October 18, 2011

Pete Rugolo, an award-winning composer and arranger who came to prominence in the world of jazz as the chief arranger for Stan Kenton's post-World War II band and later wrote the themes for TV's "The Fugitive" and "Run for Your Life," has died. He was 95.

Rugolo, who also had a recording career with his own band, died Sunday of age-related causes at a nursing facility in Sherman Oaks, said his daughter, Gina Rugolo Judd.

"Pete Rugolo's passing is a notable event, as he was a true and powerful original, whose music made an invaluable contribution to a very rich period in American music," composer John Williams said in a statement to The Times on Monday.

As a composer and the chief arranger for Kenton from 1945 to 1949, Rugolo is credited with being a major force in shaping the progressive jazz sound of the Stan Kenton Orchestra.

"Big bands of the Swing Era were on their way out, and he came along and brought this remarkable new life to that big band instrumentation," music critic Don Heckman told The Times.

Rugolo won the DownBeat magazine poll as best arranger in 1947 -- the first of five wins as best arranger over the next seven years.

After leaving Kenton, Rugolo began a two-year stint as the musical director for Capitol Records in New York, where he was responsible for discovering and recording new acts.

"Bebop was just starting then, and I signed all the bebop players for Capitol," he recalled in a 1993 Times interview. "When their stars would come to New York -- Peggy Lee, Mel Torme -- it was up to me to record them."

Among the artists Rugolo signed was Miles Davis, and he produced the famous "Birth of the Cool" sessions with Davis' group.

But the Capitol job took too much time away from his main love: Writing music.

"I came out to Los Angeles to do a Nat Cole album and just decided to stay," said Rugolo, who recorded numerous albums with his own bands in the '50s while also arranging and conducting recording dates for Billy Eckstine, June Christy, Peggy Lee and others.

He was working as an arranger and orchestrator at MGM and was West Coast musical director for Mercury Records when he broke into television in 1958 by writing a new theme for "The Thin Man," the 1957-59 series starring Peter Lawford and Phyllis Kirk.

He went on to write a new theme and music for "Richard Diamond: Private Detective," the 1957-60 series starring David Janssen.

Among the shows he wrote themes and underscores for in the '60s are the Boris Karloff-hosted anthology series "Thriller" and, most notably, Janssen's "The Fugitive" and "Run for Your Life," starring Ben Gazarra -- the latter series earning Rugolo three consecutive Emmy nominations.

For his extensive work as a composer in television, Rugolo won two Emmys -- in 1970 for the TV movie "The Challengers" and in 1972 for an episode of "The Lawyers," which was one of the rotating elements of "The Bold Ones" dramatic series.

"Pete Rugolo is one of only a handful of jazz writers to have made an immediate splash in writing original music for television in the late '50s and early '60s," said Jon Burlingame, author of "TV's Biggest Hits," a 1996 book that chronicles the history of television themes.

"The trend starts in the fall of 1958 when 'Peter Gunn' goes on the air with a Henry Mancini score," Burlingame said. "In 1959, Pete does 'Richard Diamond: Private Detective' with equally compelling dramatic jazz."

But when "Thriller" debuted in the fall of 1960, Burlingame said, "Pete demonstrated a broader talent for writing music of a dark, mysterious and suspenseful tone."

Indeed, Rugolo's music for television extended far beyond jazz.

"'Richard Diamond' was a show written for a small jazz ensemble," Burlingame said. "'The Fugitive' was written for a 55-piece symphonic orchestra. And that alone, I think, demonstrates Pete's versatility as a composer."

Born in San Piero Patti, Sicily, on Dec. 25, 1915, Rugolo moved to the United States in 1920 and settled in Santa Rosa, Calif. After earning a bachelor's degree from San Francisco State College, he studied with avant-garde composer Darius Milhaud at Mills College in Oakland.

He heard his first Kenton records during World War II while stationed at Ft. Scott in San Francisco, where he was in charge of the Army band.

"I just loved the sound of the [Kenton] band," he recalled in the 1993 Times interview. "I started copying the music down from the records and began writing that way; my band sounded like a young Stan Kenton Orchestra."

When he discovered that Kenton's band would be playing at a San Francisco theater, Rugolo took several of the best arrangements he had written in the Kenton style backstage and gave them to Kenton.

A couple of months later, Rugolo received a phone call from Kenton, who had finally been able to try the arrangements.

"He said, 'Gee, you write just like I do. As soon as you're out of the Army, you've got a job.' It sounded like a fairy story."

In addition to his daughter, Gina, Rugolo is survived by his wife, Edye; his sons, Pete Jr. and Tony; and three grandchildren.

A funeral will be held for immediate family only; a public remembrance will be announced later.

Female Singer/Songwriters Needed by Top Hollywood Music Supervisor

Below is a special opportunity that we wanted to give you a heads up about. Just got the word about this project today, and TAXI needs the music by 5 pm (PDT) Wednesday, October 19th, 2011. You can find this listing under the Singer/Songwriter (Film & TV) genre in the Submit Music section of your TAXImusic.com hosting site.

Major broadcast network TV drama needs Female Singer/Songwriter Songs in the spirit of Cat Power's "I Don't Blame You," St. Vincent's "Cruel," Angus and Julia Stone's "Hold On," Lucy Wainwright-Roche's "Bridge," and Agnes Obel's "Avenue." Please take the time to check these artists' videos/songs out if you're not already familiar with them! They exactly reflect the vibe, mood and spirit of the music this Hollywood Music Supervisor likes to use on this show.

But, as always, please be considerate and do NOT rip any of these artists or songs off in any way, shape, or form! Please make sure your songs SOUND CURRENT and CONTEMPORARY. Modern production values and vocal melodies will go a long way for this pitch! UNIVERSAL LYRIC THEMES about Life, Love, Loss and common Emotions are always needed by this show's Supervisor. All submissions need to be Broadcast Quality (excellent home recordings are fine). You must own or control 100% of the Master and Composition rights.

This is DIRECT to the Music Supervisor, so you will KEEP 100% of the income should you get a placement. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS by a person hand-picked by the Music Supervisor. NO critiques from TAXI due to the short deadline. Submissions must be received no later than WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19TH at 5pm (PDT). TAXI # Y111019SS
Good luck!

Feinstein's Jazz Series continues with Jerry Costanzo & Joe Cohn, NY, Oct. 19

Jazz singer and popular song stylist Jerry Costanzo leads his jazz music trio at Feinstein’s At Loew’s Regency (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street, New York City, ph: 212-339-4095) on Wednesday October 19th, at 10:30 PM., and will be featuring special guest jazz music guitarist Joe Cohn. As the jazz singer continues this monthly jazz music series accompanied by Tedd Firth (piano), Jennifer Vincent (bass) & Jimmy Madison (drums), Mr. Costanzo will be performing classic gems as well as jazz music from his new CD "Can’t We Be Friends?" from Daywood Drive Records, where the jazz singer and popular music vocalist continues "Bringing the American Songbook into the 21st Century"

Son of legendary saxophonist Al Cohn and vocalist Marylin Moore, Joe Cohn has steadily risen to through the jazz music ranks and has made his mark as one of the most inventive and catalytic guitarists in jazz. He has toured the United States and Europe and played with groups led by his father, Al Cohn, Freddy Cole, Bob Mover, Nick Brignola, Artie Shaw, Zoot Sims, Buddy DeFranco, Al Grey, Warren Chiasson, Carmine Leggio, Claude "Fiddler" Williams and Harry Allen and others.

Jerry also leads his own big band and smaller jazz music ensembles, along with musical director Andy Farber. Noted for working with the best jazz musicians in the business he counts Steve Ash, Tedd Firth, Neal Miner, Dave Glasser, Mike LeDonne, Jerry Weldon, Ralph Lalama, Ben Wolfe, Jimmy Madison, and many others among those with whom he has recorded and performed widely.

Jerry has announced the following artists and dates for his continuing jazz music and popular song series. November 16: Vibraphonist/recording artist Mark Sherman, joins Jerry and his trio; December 2: Saxophonist Andy Farber and His 8-piece Swing Mavens will accompany Mr. Costanzo’s performances of Andy’s original swinging arrangements of classic standards, recorded on his first CD Destination Moon; January 18: Tenor Saxophonist Jerry Weldon joins Jerry and his trio; February 15: Saxophonist/Clarinetist, Dan Block joins Jerry and his trio; and March 21: Jerry Costanzo will perform with the band from his latest CD "Can’t We Be Friends?"

"not a clone of Cole, Sinatra or any of those icons. His voice is smooth but has a slight gravelly quality. As all great singers do, he tells a story. . . Costanzo wows" - Jazz music critic Walter Kolosky.

"The divas have been getting all the attention the last few years but here’s a cat that knows how to swing it 50s style and could give Steve Tyrell a few pointers on how to sharpen it up to get his groove back. Costanzo and his swinging pals know how to grab the Vegas vibe that most of us have heard about but never were old enough to really experience. It’s not a time piece, just a good time that doesn’t try to recreate, but exists in its own place bringing some authenticity along for the ride. . " - Chris Spector, Publisher & Editor.

For more information visit (http://www.jerrycostanzo.com) or call 646-449-9027

EP of the Week - "David Guetta: Erotica 17"

12" EP of the Week (picture disc)
David Guetta featuring SIA: "Erotica 17 - Titanium" (Juno) 2011

Side A
1. Esquire Remix Re-Edit (7:46)
2. Original Club Mix (6:00)
Side B
1. George M Extended Mix (6:53)
2. We Are Stardust Remix (6:33)

Obama: "The first million"

"Dear Arnaldo DeSouteiro --

You are receiving this message beacuse, according to our files, you are currently registered and living in California's 30th Congressional District, having joined "Obama for America."

Our campaign is about to hit 1 million grassroots donors.

I wanted to write to you because this is something that only happens once.

No matter what our opponents do, and however many people end up becoming a part of this campaign -- this first million will always be the group that put this movement in the best position possible for the fights ahead.

Today, I'm asking you to make a donation and be one of them.

When you give, you're not just becoming one of the first million to help fund this campaign -- you're representing millions more across the country who are counting on us.

None of us can do this alone. We've always relied on each other, not Washington lobbyists or corporate interests, to build our campaign. So today, another supporter who's already among the first million has promised to match whatever you can give. I hope you'll take them up on it:
https://donate.barackobama.com/Million-Match

Thanks,

Barack Obama"

NPR - "West Side Story" at 50

'West Side Story' Film Still Pretty, and Witty, at 50
NPR's "Talk of the Nation," October 17, 2011

Fifty years ago, the film version of the acclaimed Broadway musical "West Side Story" premiered in theaters across the country. Like the original production, the film set Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" against the backdrop of 1950s New York, and for many the story holds up just as well today as it did five decades ago.

Two of the film's stars -- Rita Moreno, who played Anita, and George Chakiris, who played Bernardo -- join NPR's Neal Conan to talk about the film's enduring meaning. Theater critic Misha Berson, author of "Something's Coming, Something Good: 'West Side Story' and the American Imagination," also joins the conversation to discuss the musical's evolution and its lasting influence on musical theater and pop culture.

30-minute segment: http://www.npr.org/2011/10/17/141427333

NYT - Coldplay and Colin Davis

The New York Times
Chris Martin of Coldplay Asks: What Would Bruce Do?

With the release of "Mylo Xyloto" this month, Coldplay has had to prove itself a worthy inheritor to the biggest-band-in-the-world title and savior of the commercial viability of rock.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/arts/music/chris-martin-of-coldplay-discusses-mylo-xyloto.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha28

A Maestro Reflects on a Life of Batons and Knitting Needles

Colin Davis, president of the London Symphony Orchestra, is at 84 settling ever deeper into the reflective, donnish introspection that has been his way in recent years.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/arts/music/colin-davis-brings-london-symphony-to-carnegie-hall.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha28

More Arts News
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/arts/index.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha28

R.I.P.: Marty Harris

Marty Harris; Pianist Performed with Jazz and Pop Greats
Los Angeles Times
October 16, 2011

Marty Harris, 77, a pianist who performed with such jazz and pop greats as Benny Goodman and Diana Ross, died of colon cancer Thursday at his Toluca Lake home, said his wife, Bonnie.

Born Dec. 9, 1933, in New Jersey, Harris was reared in Florida and studied the piano in high school. He served in the Navy in the early 1950s and moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1961.

Since the 1950s, he had played with such jazz names as Woody Herman, Clark Terry, Bob Cooper and Anita O'Day. Harris also accompanied the singer Tom Jones and had frequently performed locally with trumpeter and singer Jack Sheldon.

Drawn to the rhythms of jazz from a young age, Harris told The Times in 1997: "I liked the beat; it just felt good. Then someone showed me how to play a little bit, and I got to be pretty good."

McCoy Tyner & Jose James: The Coltrane-Hartman Project live in California

Tyner Does Coltrane and Hartman
by Andrew Gilbert for San Jose Mercury News
October 13, 2011

John Coltrane is best remembered as jazz's quintessential spiritual seeker, an indomitable improviser whose epic quest drew him steadily into uncharted musical realms.

But among the many enduring albums he recorded for Impulse! in the 1960s with his classic quartet, one particular collaboration stands out as an island of yearning romanticism amid Coltrane's stoic laments, ecstatic prayers, beatific benedictions and cross-cultural investigations. Recorded in 1963, "John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman" ranks among jazz's greatest albums by a male singer, a session that ensured that the velvet smooth bass crooner wouldn't be forgotten.

Nearly half a century later, pianist McCoy Tyner, the musician around whom Coltrane built his epochal quartet, is touring with a project inspired by the Hartman album, featuring the prodigious saxophonist Chris Potter and rising vocal star Jose James in the title roles. As Tyner recalls the original session, he hadn't heard Hartman sing much, though Coltrane had played with him back in the late 1940s when they were both members of Dizzy Gillespie's big band.

"John was more familiar with him, but I really enjoyed that particular session," says Tyner, 72, who brings the Coltrane-Hartman project to Kuumbwa for two shows Saturday and to Herbst Theatre on Sunday as part of the San Francisco Jazz Festival. "The thing about John Coltrane was that he was very lyrical. He played like a vocalist."

Coltrane could sing through his horn with unsurpassed lyricism, but Tyner has never pursued a project of his own with a singer. Coming up as a teenager, he worked with various vocalists around Philadelphia, but once he hit the road with Trane, his days as freelance accompanist were over (well, if you don't count his stint with Ike and Tina Turner in the early 1970s). Noting that singers have always inspired him, Tyner says that he keeps three photos over his desk: Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday.

"The human voice is a wonderful instrument when you get someone who's got some experience, who understands how they want to phrase and what the vocal chords are about," Tyner says. "I look at Jose like a horn, that's how I accompany. I lay things down on the piano, and I listen. You've got to open your ears. You have to really color it and make it interesting."

In the project's first incarnation earlier this year, Eric Alexander held down the tenor sax chair, but James is the only singer who's been involved (bassist Gerald Cannon and drummer Joe Farnsworth round out the band). Born some 15 years after the Coltrane quartet recorded with Hartman, he has listened to the album countless times, absorbing the relaxed, effortless phrasing on Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life," Irving Berlin's "They Say It's Wonderful" and Rodgers and Hart's "You Are Too Beautiful."

Given that his timbre bears a striking resemblance to Hartman's, it's not surprising James would find himself drawn to the crooner. He never imagined that one day he would get a call inviting him to perform the songs from the landmark album with one of its creators.

"It's pretty insane," says James, 33. "I love the Hartman album. It's probably my favorite vocal jazz album of all time. That's the only thing that Trane did with a vocalist, so it really stands out."

While there are more extreme examples of brilliant male jazz singers falling through the cracks (Jimmy Scott, Jackie Paris and Andy Bey were all criminally under-recorded in their 30s and 40s), Hartman's relative obscurity is hard to square with his sumptuous voice, good looks and suave stage persona.

His stature and visibility have slowly increased since his death at 60 in 1983, starting when Clint Eastwood featured several Hartman recordings on the soundtrack of his 1995 film "Bridges of Madison County." Kurt Elling, who's in no danger of falling prey to the male jazz singer's curse, recorded his own tribute inspired by the Hartman-Coltrane album "Dedicated to You" (Concord Jazz), a sumptuous ballad-laden program recorded live at Lincoln Center that earned him a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album last year.

The Hartman project isn't James' first effort to tackle the Coltrane canon. In 2009, he and pianist Jef Neve were invited to a major theater in Brussels to premiere "Facing East: The Music of John Coltrane," a project featuring James' original lyrics for classic Trane tunes and new arrangements of standards famously interpreted by the saxophonist. At the time, he couldn't come to licensing terms with Coltrane's estate, so he never recorded the material.

"I was young and didn't want to give up all my publishing, so I didn't release any of that stuff," James says. "I have about 20 songs I've written material for, some set lyrics to his solos, like 'Equinox,' but mostly based on the melodies.

"I'm still thinking of putting together a whole Trane album, but everything has to be right."
*********
McCoy Tyner Trio with Jose James and Chris Potter. When: 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday. Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. Tickets: $35, 831-427-2227, http://kuumbwa.org/ . Also: 7 p.m. Sunday, Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, $30-$75, (866) 920-5299, http://www.sfjazz.org/

Free tix to Dam-Funk & Master Blazter

Dam-Funk and his live band Master Blazter will be bringing their fall tour through NYC later this month, performing at the Highline Ballroom. Of course, any performance by LA's Ambassador of Boogie Funk already gets our highest recommendation, but this bill is unstoppable, with NY's own Metro Area as well as DJ sets from Matthewdavid and DJ Spinna opening the night. We've got two pairs of tickets up for grabs, and you can enter to win a pair by emailing giveaway@othermusic.com.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25
HIGHLINE BALLROOM
431 W. 16th Street
NYC, NY

Dizzy Gillespie's 94th Birthday Celebration with Mike Longo's Big Band, Ira Hawkins, Annie Ross & Jimmy Owens, Oct 18

Join us at Jazz Tuesdays on October 18, at 8pm, for a very exciting evening to celebrate Dizzy Gillespie's 94th birthday with Mike Longo's swinging 17-piece Big Band,"The NY State of the Art Jazz Ensemble" featuring fantastic jazz vocalist Ira Hawkins, with special guests jazz legend Annie Ross and trumpet master Jimmy Owens, PLUS archival film footage of Dizzy performing in his prime.

Jazz Tuesdays is located @ the John Birks Gillespie within the New York City Bahá'í Center at 53 East 11th Street(between University Place & Broadway). For tickets and information, please call 212-222-5159.

Pianist/composer/arranger, and Steinway artist, Mike Longo, who has earned many accolades as a jazz pianist, formed the New York State ofthe Art Jazz Ensemble in 1999 to play the Jersey Jazz Festival when they wanted to feature him in a setting of composer/arranger. The program was received so enthusiastically that Mike was prompted by jazz fans and the members of the band to keep it going. As a result, he began composing new material and arranging it for the band, which was booked back each year at the Jersey Festival, followed by several appearances at New York City's famed Birdland jazz club. Their latest CD, “Oasis”, climbed to #7 and remained on the charts for an unprecedented 20 weeks. We are proud to present this fabulous group of musicians, featuring jazz singer Ira Hawkins.
Mike Longo (pictured above) has performed with a "who's who" of jazz legends that include Cannonball Adderley, Henry Red Allen, Coleman Hawkins, George Wettling, Gene Krupa, Nancy Wilson, Gloria Lynn, Jimmy Witherspoon, Joe Williams, Jimmy Rushing, James Moody, Astrud Gilberto and many others. It was in the mid-60s when Longo’s trio was playing at the Embers West, that Roy Eldridge told Dizzy Gillespie about this new pianist he had heard. Dizzy came to hear him play and soon asked him to become his pianist. This started a life-long musical relationship and friendship. From 1966 through 1975, Longo worked exclusively as Dizzy’s pianist and musical director. Mike left the Gillespie group officially in 1975 to venture out on his own, but continued to work for Gillespie on a part-time basis until his death in 1993.

Jazz singer & actress Annie Ross moved with her aunt, singer Ella Logan, to Los Angeles at the age of three, where she became a juvenile film actress, starting on the "Our Gang" series at five. Asa teenager, she moved to New York to study acting, then back to England, where she became a nightclub and band singer. She returned to the U.S. and gained attention in 1952 for her song "Twisted," a "vocalese" setting of humorous lyrics to what had been a saxophone solo by Wardell Gray. (More than 20 years later, Joni Mitchell made a popular recording of the song.) In 1958, Ross teamed with Dave Lambert and Jon Hendricks in the vocalese trio Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, and they toured and recorded successfully, their best-known album being their first,"Sing a Song of Basie," a legendary session produced by Creed Taylor for ABC (and later reissued on his own CTI label in 1993, with new cover art and pristine remastering). Ross left the trio in 1962 and settled in England, continuing to sing and work as an actress. She returned again to the U.S. in 1985. In 1993, she had a featured role in the Robert Altman film"Short Cuts."

Trumpeter and NEA jazz master Jimmy Owens, a fine hard bop soloist, started on the trumpet when he was ten and later studied with Donald Byrd. Owens has played as a sideman with many major players, including Lionel Hampton, Hank Crawford, Charles Mingus, Herbie Mann, Duke Ellington, Gerry Mulligan, Count Basie, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, and the Dizzy Gillespie Reunion Band. He was one of the founders of the Collective Black Artists and is closely involved with the Jazzmobile in New York. Gillespie's huge admiration for Owen's artistry is also documented on the historic LaserDisc "Wolf Trap Salutes Dizzy Gillespie, An All-Star Tribute to the Jazz Master" filmed on June 6, 1987 with such other guests as Mike Longo, Oscar Peterson, Carmen McRae, Freddie Hubbard, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Sonny Rollins, James Moody, Lalo Schifrin, David Amram, Mongo Santamaria, Candido, Nicky Marrero et al.

Admission is 15.00, $10.00 for students.

Tickets will be sold at the door, or call 212-222-5159 for reservations and information.
Not to be missed!

They got it wrong...

"Dear Mr. Arnaldo DeSouteiro --

You are receiving this message beacuse, according to our files, you are currently registered and living in California's 30th Congressional District, having joined "Obama for America."

Just six days before the last fundraising deadline, one major newspaper ran a story under the headline "Small donors are slow to return to the Obama fold."

You and a whole lot of other supporters turned that headline upside down. Today we filed a report with the FEC that shows this movement isn't just as strong as ever -- it's growing.

Sometimes the media gets so caught up in its own echo chamber that the storyline separates from the facts.The great thing about building a grassroots organization based outside of Washington is that the press won't decide what happens here -- you will.

In fact, right now, just shy of 1 million people like you have taken ownership of this campaign by pitching in whatever they can afford. You can help us all get to that milestone today.

A grassroots supporter has made a pledge to match whatever you're able to give right now. If you're able to pitch in, you'll be able to see who that person is, and where they're from. They may have even left a note for you about why they wanted you to join them as one of the first million donors of this campaign.

Donate today and own a piece of this movement. No matter what happens in the inside-the-beltway media circus, or what the pundits are predicting, we've got to stay focused on building this campaign from the ground up, one grassroots donation at a time.

When each of us takes responsibility as a supporter, the combined impact sends a stronger message than any single newspaper story. You can do that right now.

Become one of the first million people giving, and your donation will be matched -- doubling your impact:
https://donate.barackobama.com/Million-Match

Thanks,

Rufus Gifford
National Finance Director - Obama for America"

Contributions or gifts to Obama for America are not tax deductible.

NYT - Los Angeles Stakes Its Claim as a World Art Center

By ADAM NAGOURNEY for The New York Times
Published: October 12, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/arts/design/southern-california-claims-its-place-on-the-art-world-map.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha28

LOS ANGELES — For the next six months, Southern California will be awash in celebrations of Southern California art: close to 170 separate exhibitions at 130 museums and galleries stretching from San Diego to Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. Pacific Standard Time, as this festival is known, is an exhaustive accounting of the birth of the Los Angeles-area art scene, but it is also a statement of self-affirmation by a region that, at times, appears to feel underappreciated as a serious culture center.

This multi-museum event, in all of its Los Angeles-like sprawl, suggests a bit of overcompensation from a city that has long been overshadowed by the New York art establishment, a place that — arguably unfairly — still suffers from a reputation of being more about tinsel than about serious art, and where interest in culture starts and ends with movie grosses and who is on the cover of Vanity Fair.

“It’s corny,” said Dave Hickey, an art critic and a professor in the art and art history department at the University of New Mexico. “It’s the sort of thing that Denver would do. They would do Mountain Standard Time. It is ’50s boosterish, and I would argue largely unnecessary.”

Still, for many Los Angeles artists and critics, Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980, is a long-needed accounting of the emergence of the region as an art capital in the same league as New York, Berlin and London. Indeed, Los Angeles these days has more than its share of ambitious museums, adventurous art galleries, wealthy collectors, top-notch art schools and — perhaps most important — young artists drawn here by relatively cheap rents, abundant light and an atmosphere that encourages experimentation.

“Since 1980 the art world has become global — New York is not the epicenter,” said Peter Plagens, a painter and essayist who has worked extensively in Southern California and who was here for some of the openings. “So L.A. is kind of doing this joust: ‘We want our art history to be in the books.’ ”

The shows cover the postwar outpouring of art from the Southern California region. The festival will run for half a year, and just as well: art enthusiasts intent on seeing all the exhibitions are approaching this as the art world equivalent of an Ironman Triathlon.

“I am going to treat it like a graduate course in art history,” said Jeffrey Deitch, the director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.

For less determined mortals, highlights can be seen at the Getty, which features works by Los Angeles sculptors and artists like Ed Ruscha and George Herms, from 1950 to 1970; the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, with an exhibition of California-inspired modern furniture design and a retrospective of work by the Chicano performance and Conceptual art group Asco; the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego, with a light and space exhibition; the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, with a display of prints; and the Hammer Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles, with work by local African-American artists.

In many ways, this multi-museum extravaganza goes against type, or at least stereotype. “It’s a coming of age for a city that sometimes doesn’t think of itself as having an art history,” said Michael Govan, the executive director of the county museum.

That novelty alone seems likely to feed curiosity about what is taking place here. “Los Angeles just presents itself as a fresh and new story — people will be interested in hearing some different narrative they haven’t heard before,” said Thomas E. Crow, an art historian. “And because so much of the art is really, really good, that will sustain the interest in these new narratives.”

No one is suggesting that Los Angeles is about to supplant New York as an art capital; it is not lost on people here that the executive directors of three of the four biggest museums in Los Angeles came here from New York. James Cuno, the president of the J. Paul Getty Trust, which is financing the event, noted the abundance of galleries, auction houses and money in New York.

“It’s understandable that artists and collectors would find their way there,” he said. “In the art world, the world tilts to New York. New York has been dominant and held our imagination since the late 1950s. That has cast everyone else in the shadows.”

There are certainly obstacles here to the establishment of a thriving art scene. The sheer sprawl of the city means that it is hard to have the kind of concentrated art district that has characterized New York over the last 50 years, though there has long been an influential colony of artists out in Venice. And there are obstacles that come with living in this part of the country: Curators talk about the difficulty of encouraging people to walk indoors for anything but a movie in a city that has glorious weather so many months of the year.

But increasingly over the decades, there has been an abundance of art produced here and no shortage of people who want to see it, even if it is not necessarily the old masters exhibition your parents might have taken you to see at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A show devoted to graffiti at the Museum of Contemporary Art downtown set a record for the institution by drawing 201,352 visitors before it closed in August. A Tim Burton show at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, organized by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, has also brought overflow crowds.

The draws for young artists are particularly compelling now, including renowned art schools, among them California Institute of the Arts; the University of California, Los Angeles; and the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. And the sheer size of the city means that there are plenty of large spaces to rent for relatively little money.

“I drove around Echo Park, Silver Lake, Highland Park, and a lot of this reminds me of New York in the 1970s, where artists lived in real interesting neighborhoods near each other, and the rents aren’t really that high,” said Mr. Deitch, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art. “Compared to New York City, compared to London, the rents here are affordable. A studio space that in Brooklyn would be $6,000 a month you can get here for $1,000.”

“There is now enough critical mass of galleries, of places where artists meet, blogs, magazines,” he added. “There is enough of a strong community in places for artists to see each other’s work that it now makes sense to be here. L.A. is increasingly central to the art dialogue.”

Mr. Cuno said his perception was that people in Los Angeles did not really spend a lot of time worrying about what other people thought of them. “I don’t feel or hear any ‘second city’ mentality here,” said Mr. Cuno, who came from Chicago, where that kind of talk is common. “People in Los Angeles are pretty happy with their position in the world and needn’t get the confirmation from elsewhere.”

Los Angeles: City of Art
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/10/03/arts/100000001087883/los-angeles-city-of-art.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha28

This article has been revised on October 14, 2011 to reflect the following correction:

Because of an editing error, an article on Thursday about the Pacific Standard Time art festival, at 130 museums and galleries in Southern California, misstated at one point the name of the Los Angeles museum where Jeffrey Deitch is the director. As the article correctly noted elsewhere, it is the Museum of Contemporary Art, not the “Los Angeles Modern.” (There is no museum by that name.)

A version of this article appeared in print on October 13, 2011, on page C1 of the New York edition with the headline: Los Angeles Stakes Its Claim as a World Art Center.

Barbara Morrison celebrates Steamers' 17th Anniversary this Friday

THIS FRI-SAT OCT 14-15 8:30P-1A $8 ALL AGES!
STEAMERS CELEBRATES IT'S 17 YEARS ANNIVERSARY WITH BARBARA MORRISON!

Steamers Jazz Club and Cafe
138 W. Commonwealth Ave
Fullerton, CA 92832
Ph: (714) 871-8800

Critically acclaimed vocalist Barbara Morrison returns to Steamers this Friday & Saturday, October 14-15, to celebrate the 17th Anniversary of Steamers! The dazzling Barbara Morrison has been featured on over 20 recordings in almost every genre from traditional jazz and blues to gospel and pop. Her melodic voice, with its two-and-a-half-octave range, is known worldwide, as are her rich, unique, soulful and highly spirited interpretations of both, familiar jazz and blues classics, and original contemporary tunes. Most striking is her ability to belt out down-home, soul-stirring blues. Breathtaking are her impassioned renditions of old and favorite torch songs.

It come as no surprise that listeners have experienced the pleasures of Morrison's rich and vibrant tones as the lead vocalist on the movie sound track for The Hurricane, starring Denzel Washington, as well as her vocals on The Duke Ellington Millennium CD, and Johnny Otis's most recent CD, "Ooo Shoo Be Dooo." Additional credits include the hit NBC TV comedy The Naked Truth, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Dennis Miller Show.

Born and raised in and around Ypsilanti, Michigan, Barbara Morrison recorded her first appearance for radio in Detroit at the age of 10. Well known in the Los Angeles area for her duo and trio dates, Morrison also tours extensively across the continental United States, Western Europe, the Far East and "Down Under", wowing audiences with her own band, and opening for such greats as Ray Charles. She appeared a a guest star with the Count Basie Orchestra, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and Doc Severinsen's Big Band. In additional to her gigs with such luminaries, she also performs at festivals around the world including Montreux, Nice, Pori, Carnegie Hall, North Sea, Monterey, and Long Beach. Her Salute to Dizzy Gillespie and her Tribute to Benny Golson, are fondly remembered by Morrison fans that return again and again to share her rare, unique and exceptional vocal gifts.

Obama: "I will not take no for an answer"

"Dear Arnaldo DeSouteiro --

According to our records, you are currently registered and living in California's 30th Congressional District.

Last night, the American Jobs Act was filibustered by Senate Republicans. There was no vote on the actual bill.

But it would have succeeded: the American Jobs Act has at least 51 votes -- a clear majority -- to pass the Senate. And a new poll shows that 63 percent of Americans support it, too.

Today the President recorded a message he wants you to see, laying out where we go from here in the fight for jobs.

Watch President Obama's video -- and pass it on to anyone you think should see it.
Watch the video -- and make sure your friends do, too:
http://my.barackobama.com/President-on-Jobs

The Republicans who voted yesterday to block this bill weren't thinking about middle-class families. In fact, at last night's GOP debate, one of their leading candidates actually refused to say he'd extend a payroll tax cut that puts more than $1,000 in the pockets of everyday working Americans.

They might believe it's in their political interest to oppose whatever the President proposes for the next 13 months, but we know that when it comes to jobs and restoring economic security, Americans can't afford to wait.

The American Jobs Act would get to work now, providing incentives for businesses to hire unemployed veterans, helping hire tens of thousands of teachers, cops, and firefighters, and rebuilding and modernizing our schools, railways, bridges, and airports. Even though it's fully paid for and made up of proposals both parties have supported, Republicans yesterday said no.

Now the President wants you to hear directly from him about what's next.

Thanks,

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager - Obama for America"

Sara Gazarek Pre-Recording LA "Secret" Shows

Sara Gazarek and her band are going into the studio at the end of the month to record their 3rd studio album! Curious about the music? Come join us as they work out the kinks...

First gig, next Monday, October 17, 8:30-11pm, $10
Blue Whale
123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St. Suite 301
Los Angeles, CA
Ph: (213) 620-0908
www.bluewhalemusic.com
(minors allowed with parent or guardian!)

Then, on October 21, Friday, 7:30-11pm, Free!
Casa Del Mar
1910 Ocean Way
Santa Monica, CA 90405
www.hotelcasadelmar.com
(310) 581-5533
All Ages - Free!

Sara Gazarek, voice & glockenspiel
Josh Nelson, piano & keyboards
Hamilton Price, bass
Zach Harmon, drums
(plus some very special guests)

Sandra Collins, Angeline & Syrenna - Global DJs @ Crocker Club, LA, Oct 20

Sandra Collins, Angeline & Syrenna deejaying @ "Crocker Club" (453 S. Spring St. in Los Angeles, CA) next October 20.
Pre-Halloween, Surprises, Chic place and Best House Beats)) Don't miss!
I love this sophisticated more of a private setting venue with LOTS of surprises and truly classy style of combining music, dance, networking, and madness at night.(DJ Sandra Collins)

(DJ Angeline)

(DJ Syrenna)

The Crocker Club is located in the heart of Downtown LA's historic Banking District. Happy Hour Wednesday-Friday from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM, and open till 2:00 AM. Saturday open from 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM. Valet parking is available, and parking lot as well conveniently located across the street from our establishment. Dress code strictly inforced.

"Disco Party" @ Saints and Sinners

Diving Horse Inn is officially opening Saturday, October 15th!
Check out www.divinghorseinn.com for rates and information!
And...Saints and Sinners is having a DISCO PARTY!

Look at what's coming next weekend! (10/15)
Luxx Lounge is opening! Come check out the swanky new nightclub to hit Atlantic City! DJ Prime will be in the house! Click on the images to enlarge them and read all the details properly.Also, BLUSH PARTIES will be in The Deck Bar with a display of adult toys and novelties! Come check it out!
Philly and S. Jersey’s Premier “Mobile” Adult Novelty Retailer. Serving PA, NJ and DE. Birthday Parties, Girls Night Out, Bachelorette Parties, Divorce Parties…whatever the reason for the party and BLUSH PARTIES IS THERE!
Visit them on the web www.ILuvBlush.com. Use PROMO CODE “NotASaint!” and receive 15% off all orders over $50!
Where else can you go for one rate and have an upscale gentlemen's club, steakhouse, nightclub, on-premise club, hotel, deck, multiple bars, pool, hot tub, and an adult toy store with personal attention at your finger tips?! ONLY at Saints and Sinners. AC's Adult Playground!

Ph: (609) 344-0050
info@saintsandsinnersac.com

Saints and Sinners
5% Saint, 95% Sinner!
http://www.saintsandsinnersac.com

Ménage @ Affaire in NYC

Affaire 50 Avenue B
New York, NY 10009
212-375-0665

Everyone has had that fantasy, you know the one, of a sensual evening with your special someone spent lost in a steamy ménage a trois filled with goat cheese mouse and basil aioli. Of course we’re talking about a culinary ménage a trois here. For the enticing experience that can only come from a lavish gastronomic affair, look no further than Affaire French Bistro & Lounge. Featuring a tantalizing menu in a glamorous, chandelier-lit environment, Affaire is perfect for a romantic dinner full of stolen kisses and mischievous glances. Get a taste of luxury in a gorgeous, playful environment with today’s deal of Affaire’s Ménage a Trois frites and one 21 ounce goblet drink for two, a Voice Daily Deals exclusive, a $34 value, for just $17.

With the feeling of a cozy chateau accented with urban flare, Affaire boasts a multi-level space of three uniquely designed lounges with weathered wood, gold ceilings, exposed brick walls, plush banquets and glittering chandeliers. Whether you and your sweetie are merely looking for a snack or you want something to whet your palate before your meal, use today’s deal to start the evening off right with a drink each and Affaire’s decedent Ménage a Trois frites for two, which are loaded with a trio goat cheese mousse, au poivre sauce and basil aioli. Your decadent eats will be complemented by your choice of a goblet meant for sharing of either fresh fruit sangria or Affaire’s French 69 of raspberry liquor and vodka topped with champagne to give your evening a hint of je ne sais quoi. When the night begins creeping toward morning, Affaire turns into a nightclub full of dancing, drinking and dark corners.

More details:
http://click.villagevoice-insider.com/?qs=173741ce31c5abf3b62e33c89e6b9562ccf2904ca7433dd0565de822c5d511d6

DJ Jana @ Vintage, next Monday!

Next Monday, October 17, We Own The Night presents DJ Jana (one of the best House-HipHop-Electro DJs in the world) to Texas! Straight from Florida for a special Industry Night set @ Vintage (2108 Kipung Street in Houston). U can't imagine how we miss her LA years...!

Beautiful & talented, hot and ready to rock for a special Industry Monday, bout to be introduced to the degenerates of Vintage's Monday debauchery!
Reservations: (713) 522-4200.
For more details, please check: http://vintageloungehouston.com/
Vintage Mondays were once the best Industry night in Houston. Now after an amazing Reunion in December, Vintage decided to bring them back permanently... And what we have now is an amazing, chill, Industry, night that is full of fun debauchery.

Relaxed dress code, fun employees and hosts and Cheap drinks and bottles, drama free and with the weather kicking off and Summer starting, its about to get wild! The back patio will be open with live painting w/ Blay Ruffino and amazing Womelette's being cooked to perfection, read the article about the food and Mondays below! We have and awesome industry staff w/ a few startenders switching off! If you are in Texas, don't miss a Monday at Vintage... trust me!

DJ Jana is now back to her original stomping grounds of Florida, where she fell in love with DJing. She plays a wide range of music from house and electro to open format. Her last few years living in California and traveling the world DJing have truly been a blessing. Jana’s favorite international music tour was a 6 week – 12 city tour in Indonesia. Some of her other events include NYE 2011 in Dubai and Heineken parties in Costa Rica for Halloween and St. Patricks Day. She has played in Tampico and Mexico City for Playboy. As well as in Tokyo for K-Swiss’s Spring Groove Concert with Lauren Hill and Kanye West, Unity Music Festival, and Ultra Music Festival. Jana was also on the Hot Import Nights tour performing in numerous cities all over the US. There is no doubt, with Jana’s incredible sound, captivating smile, undeniable energy, and passion for music, she is always sure to get the dance floor moving!

Hosted By: We Own the Night Promotions > Chris Amez, Erik Hoffman, Lucas, Solo, Seth plus the entire WON and Vintage Family.

Staff: Crystal Clifton, Tate Drennen, Bobby, Alfonso, Devon and guest Startenders and Liquid Ninjas every week! Megan Williams, Taylor Milligan at your bottle needs

Win tickets to Zola Jesus live in NYC, Oct 19

Zola Jesus' new "Conatus" LP is currently at the top of our listening pile, a powerful album from this compelling artist, but we can say from experience that the band is best experienced live. Lucky for you, we have two pairs of tickets available for the upcoming LPR show, just email tickets@othermusic.com to enter to win.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19
LE POISSON ROUGE
158 Bleecker Street, NYC

Pamela Luss & Houston Person @ Saint Peter's Lutheran Church, in NY, Oct 19

Next Wednesday, October 19, at 1pm, singer Pamela Luss will be performing with Houston Person, Danny Mixon and Jon Burr @ Sanctuary of Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church (54th & Lexington Avenue, NYC).

Free entrance, of course, but a donation of $10 is suggested.

Luss & Person will be performing jazz standards and selections from their "Sweet and Saxy" album, released by the Savant label. Among them: "Canadian Sunset," "You Better Go Now," "Star Eyes," "Maybe You'll Be There," Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" (Sivuca's greatest hit in the dancefloor jazz scene) and Carole King's "It's Too Late."

With a gorgeous warm tone and a fat sound a la Stanley Turrentine, Houston is maybe the most underrated tenorist in jazz history, having recorded great duo albums with Ron Carter. I also love his projects for Creed Taylor's CTI Records with Les McCann ("Road Warriors") and Roger Kellaway ("Creation / The French-African Connection").

Recommended releases & gigs in the UK

LPs
* Soul Togetherness 2011
* Lack Of Afro - This Time

CDs
* Various - Soul Lounge 8
* Various - Soul Togetherness 2011
* Lack Of Afro - This Time
* Various - Expansion Soul Sauce 25 Anniversary Party Edition

45s
* Satisfaction Unlimited - Lets Change The Subject
* Frank Johnson - Love Slave / Hurt All Over
* Sam And Bob & The Soulmen - Why Is Leaving You So Hard To Do / Since You've Been Gone
* Magnus Carlson & The Moon Ray Quintet - From Now On / Barabajagal
* Jasmine Kara - In The Basement (Part 1) / In The Basement (Part 2)
* Deep Street Soul - Look Out, Watch Out / Masterpiece
* JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound - To Love Someone (That Dont Love You) / Everything Will Be Fine
*********
GIGS

SOUL CRUISIN'
The Christmas 2011 Session
Sunday 18th December 3pm - 10pm
Aboard The Golden Flame, depart Blackfriars Millennium Pier, London EC4

This will be the "Mother" of all Soul Cruises with a heavyweight selection of top DJs:
In the blue corner very special guest DJs - JEFF YOUNG, EDDIE PILLER, NEIL RUSHTON & IVOR JONES.
In the red corner your regular Soul Cruisin' DJ's - GARY DENNIS, BIGGER, MICK FARRER & STEVE HOBBS

2 Rooms/2 Bars
Upper Deck: Y2k Soul, Soulful House,
Funky Jazz & Disco Classics.
Lower Deck: 70's, 80's, 90's Soul, Jazz and More

Tickets still only £22
Enquiries - 07718 757840 or soulman1707@yahoo.co.uk

Also available from Crazy Beat Records - 01708 228678
You are strongly advised to reserve your ticket now as this will sell out very soon ! !
**********
The Bournemouth Soul Weekend

Friday 28th, Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th October 2011
The Carrington House Hotel, Boscombe, BH1 3QQ

Back once again after the great sucesss of last years event! Tickets are nearly sold out so please be quick!

DJs: Bob Jones, Bob Masters, Gary Dennis, Chris Bangs, Andy Davies, Kev Beadle, Ed Stokes,
Ginger Tony.
£45.00 for the whole weekend!
Tickets available from our good selves on: 01708 228678

Real Estate in-store performance in NY

Real Estate have a new full-length dropping on Domino next week, and you can be the first on your block to grab a copy of this much-anticipated album, get it signed, and help the band celebrate their record release this Sunday night at 8 p.m. Real Estate will be performing live at Other Music, one of our favorite record stores in NYC, and autographing copies of "Days." So come by, buy and wave bye-bye before they take off on their world tour.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 @ 8pm
OTHER MUSIC
15 East 4th Street
NYC, NY
Free admission - Limited Capacity

Each senator has a choice...

"Dear Mr. Arnaldo DeSouteiro --

You are receiving this message because you are registered and currently living in California's 30th Congressional District.

The U.S. Senate is supposed to vote on the American Jobs Act as early as tonight.

It's a bill that will put people to work immediately, and it contains proposals that members of both parties have said in the past that they'd support.

But Senate Republicans want to block it. Not because they have a plan that creates jobs right now -- not one Republican, in Congress or in the presidential race, does. They only have a political plan.

Their strategy is to suffocate the economy for the sake of what they think will be a political victory. They think that the more folks see Washington taking no action to create jobs, the better their chances in the next election. So they're doing everything in their power to make sure nothing gets done.

There's still time for principled Republican senators to declare their independence from this kamikaze political strategy.

Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, needs to hear what Americans like you think.

You can reach his office at (202) 224-2541. Tell him not to let politics get in the way of creating jobs.

Will you take three minutes and call now? Then click here to let us know how it went.

If Sen. McConnell's office says he won't support the American Jobs Act, ask which parts he doesn't support:
-- Making sure that those who served our country can get good jobs at home by providing incentives for businesses to hire unemployed veterans?
-- Preventing layoffs of teachers, cops, and firefighters, while supporting the hiring of tens of thousands more?
-- Rebuilding our crumbling roads, bridges, railways, and airports with a bipartisan, public-private infrastructure bank?
-- Modernizing at least 35,000 public schools in rural and urban areas?
-- Providing job training for the unemployed, especially young people who have been hit especially hard?

The President has been forceful and clear: Action on jobs is desperately needed, and Congress should pass this bill right away.

And he has specifically asked those of us who agree to make sure Republican lawmakers know it. This bill -- and the simple idea that every American who works hard and plays by the rules has a fundamental right to economic security -- is a big part of what we stand for as a campaign and as a movement.

There's no good reason for Congress to delay any more -- and if they do, you deserve to know why.

Call Sen. McConnell's office. Tell him you're watching, and you expect Republicans in the Senate to do the right thing and move forward on this bill today.

Then let us know how it went:
http://my.barackobama.com/Call-For-Jobs

Thanks,

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager - Obama for America"

Party With A Purpose - Women In Distress - Jazz Fest, Oct 14

Friday, Oct 14, 7pm-3am
Kitchen 305
16701 Collins Ave.
Sunny Isles, FL

KITCHEN 305 AND NEWPORT BEACHSIDE RESORT PRESENT:
PARTY WITH A PURPOSE!!! AN NIGHT OF GREAT ENTERTAINMENT-A JAZZ FEST THEMED EVENING THAT WILL BE BENEFITTING LOCAL CHARITY- WOMEN IN DISTRESS AND SPONSORED BY RAXA.

WID'S MISSION IS TO STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ABUSE FOR EVERYONE THROUGH INTERVENTION, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY!

PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE CAUSE! WITH EACH CONTRIBUTION FAMILIES ARE TOUCHED, HOPE IS GIVEN AND LIVES ARE SAVED

INDIVA- Indian Fashion Show by Sha Ali Ahmad THIS Friday night Oct 14th in KITCHEN 305 at 10:00pm. Kitchen 305 welcomes Sha Ali to Miami, celebration and an ultra high energy Fashion Show

"ALL YOU CAN EAT KING CRAB" FOR $45 OR A MINI YUM YUM PETITE PLATE FOR $25 BOTH COME WITH A CHOICE OF SOUP OR SALAD AND 2 SIDES (530PM-1030PM)

SOUNDS BY DJ ANGELO
NO COVER CHARGE ALL NIGHT AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
COMPLIMENTARY DINNER FOR LADIES FROM 10PM TO 11:30PM (CHEF'S MENU)--RSVP 305-749-2110
OPEN BAR FROM 10PM-11PM FOR LADIES

FOR MORE INFO ON THE CHARITY FUNDRAISER PLEASE CONTACT SHAZMIN BHANJI AT SHAZMIN@GMX.COM OR 786.376.1257
RSVP 305-749-2110

CD of the Week - "Deep Blue Organ Trio: Wonderful!"

CD of the Week
Deep Blue Organ Trio: "Wonderful!" (Origin) 2011

Rating: **** (musical performance & sonic quality)

All tracks composed by Stevie Wonder
Featuring: Chris Foreman (Hammond B-3 organ), Bobby Broom (electric guitar) & Greg Rockingham (drums)
Produced by Bobby Broom
Arranged by DBOT
Recorded @ Victorian Recording (Barrington, Illinois) on December 18, 19 & 20, 2010 ("2011" on the liner cover)
Recorded & Mixed by Josh Richter
Mastering Engineer: Allan Tucker
Cover Design: John Bishop
Photos: John Broughton & Harvey S. Tillis
Liner Notes: David Ritz

With the release of their new CD "Wonderful!," Chicago's acclaimed Deep Blue Organ Trio reveals just how well Stevie Wonder's songs adapt to a jazz-rooted setting. The disc, released on August 16, features guitarist Bobby Broom, organist Chris Foreman, and drummer Greg Rockingham and their deeply informed, strongly felt versions of nine Wonder songs from the 1970s.

"Stevie was a huge influence," states Broom, who produced and arranged "Wonderful!," the trio's fourth CD and second for Origin. "He was monumental in terms of what he gave to us in that generation." In selecting material, the group aspired to do justice to their own sound and approach as well as Wonder's music. "We wanted to be creative without going overboard or changing things just for the sake of changing them," says Broom. "We wanted to get to the essence of the songs."

Deep Blue's choices include "You've Got It Bad Girl" from 1972's "Talking Book" album; "Golden Lady" and "Jesus Children of America" from 1973's classic "Innervisions"; and "You Haven't Done Nothin'" and "Ain't No Use" from 1974's "Fulfillingness' First Finale." On its turn, "As" appeared on the 1976 album "Songs in the Key of Life," while "Tell Me Something Good" was debuted by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan on that group's 1974 MCA album, "Rags to Rufus," being later recorded by Phil Upchurch & Tennyson Stephens on their one and only album as co-leaders for Kudu, "Upchurch/Tennyson." [CTI/Kudu's big boss Creed Taylor also loved Stevie Wonder and selected many of his songs to albums by Joe Farrell, Johnny Hammond, George Benson and Hank Crawford, among others]

Rockingham adds that the musicians listened closely to the originals, and searched for different ways to play them. "And we made sure that we knew the words so we could play the melodies true to what Stevie was saying," he says. Embracing that point of view, Deep Blue retains many of the nuances of Wonder's own interpretations. On "You Haven't Done Nothin'," for instance, the trio uses a repeating three-note riff, sung on the original by the Jackson 5. Other tunes have been ingeniously reworked, with "Golden Lady" turned into a waltz and "My Cherie Amour" a ballad.

Broom, Foreman, and Rockingham -- who first played together in 1992, and formed Deep Blue in 2000 -- have emerged as prominent purveyors of the jazz organ trio tradition. Prior to "Wonderful!," the band recorded two albums for Delmark (2004's "Deep Blue Bruise" and 2006's "Goin' to Town: Live at the Green Mill"), and 2007's "Folk Music" for Origin. For the past nine years, when not on tour, they've held down Tuesday nights at the famed Chicago jazz club, the Green Mill.

Award-winning music biographer David Ritz, who wrote the liner notes for "Wonderful!," heard a Deep Blue performance at the Green Mill and enthused, "These guys are playing ballads that have me weeping, blues that have me moaning, grooves that have me jumping."

Harlem native Bobby Broom has played with such notables as tenor sax titan Sonny Rollins (early- to mid-1980s, and again from 2005 to 2010), organ maestro Charles Earland, and the exceptional pianist-composer Dr. John. He has 10 albums under his name, most recently "Bobby Broom Plays for Monk" (Origin, 2009). Greg Rockingham, from Waukegan, Illinois, has been on bandstands since he was a pre-teen, including a decade spent working with Earland. Chris Foreman, born blind in Chicago, has played with such marquee artists as bluesman Albert Collins and the Mighty Blues Kings.

"We listen to each other," says Foreman of the trio's chemistry. "Some things we don't even talk about. If you don't talk about it so much and just let the music happen, then it happens."

Performance opportunities outside of Chicago have been coming the trio's way in recent years. Since 2008, Deep Blue has opened numerous concert dates for pop icon Steely Dan in the U.S. and Canada. A long-overdue New York City debut for the trio happened on August 8 @ Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, and a European tour is now being booked for the fall.

"The Deep Blue Organ Trio has been working hard for a really long time," says Broom. "We do it because it's what we feel for and believe in. It's exciting to think about being able to continue with more success and reaching wider audiences."

Deep Blue Organ Trio Web Site:
www.deepblueorgantrio.com

Win tickets to Little Dragon @ Terminal 5

As if Little Dragon live was not enough, this show also features none other than Questlove DJing, Javelin, and Donn T; a stellar night of soulful, eclectic dance music, and you can enter to win a pair of tickets by emailing contest@othermusic.com.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14
TERMINAL 5
610 W. 56th Street
NYC, NY

DJs Lullaby & Jasmine Rose @ Vue, Oct 15

We Own the Night Promotions & Events proudly brings DJ Lullaby & DJ Jasmine Rose to Vue Nightclub on October 15 for Saturdays House DJ Showcase @ Vue Nightclub (526 Waugh Dr., Houston, TX). No cover, tables going fast! Reservations: (713) 518-2132. Literally, deep, progressive, funky, sexy HOUSE!

"The Evolution Revolution" in LA

Tuesday, October 18, 7:30-9:30pm
Saharadevi presents “THE EVOLUTION REVOLUTION: An Awakening of Consciousness on the Planet”
Presentation & Discussion: Free
For info: www.saharadevi.com

Aurora Flores with a 15-piece latin jazz band @ Flushing Town Hall, Oct 15

AURORA FLORES Y ZON DEL BARRIO & EDDY ZERVIGON
Saturday, October 15, 2011, 8:00 PM

A hip-shaking, funk-based journey through 100 years of Latin salsa, plena, and boogaloo music from the African Diaspora to the streets of New York. A high-energy musical extravaganza that celebrates Nuyorican tradition and culture led by Bandleader, Composer, and Historian Aurora Flores with 15-piece orchestra Zon Del Barrio, dancers, and guest star Eddy Zervigon, the legendary Cuban flautist.

To Buy Tickets
By Phone: (718) 463-7700 x222
Online: http://www.flushingtownhall.org/
In Person: visit Flushing Town Hall Box Office (137-35 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354)

8x8 Family Pack
Pay $64 and receive 8 tickets that can be used for any Family-Friendly performance this season! For a family of 4, it's a 20% savings. Mix and match the shows, invite friends to join you. For details, call the Box Office at (718) 463-7700 x222.

Flushing Town Hall Gift Shop is open for all events and has something for everyone! Our Gift Shop features the handcrafted work of over 50 artists based in Queens and Long Island. Discover unique jewelry, Korean knotted bookmarks and necklaces, pottery, paintings and much more.

Become a Member! Get 2 great memberships for the price of 1! Become a Flushing Town Hall and Smithsonian Member for just $50
NEW! Family Membership ($75)
All Individual + Smithsonian Membership benefits, plus
· Discounted Member prices for your family (up to 2 adults and 4 children)
· Additional discount on Gift Shop's kids selection
· Discounts on children's parties

The historic Flushing Town Hall has some incredible spaces available for rental. Built in 1862, this magnificent historic building has garnered seven different awards for restoration and design.
Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts @ historic Flushing Town Hall is a not for profit organization which receives major support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg; Queens Borough President Hon. Helen M. Marshall; and NYC Council Members Hon. Leroy Comrie, Hon. Elizabeth Crowley, Hon. James Gennaro, Hon. Daniel Halloran, and Hon. Peter Koo; Bloomberg Philanthropies; and Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation. Support also is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts; New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency.

CD Reissue of the Week - "Don Costa"

CD Reissue of the Week
Don Costa: "Vozes & Metais" (United Artists)

R.I.P.: George Ballard

George E. Ballard, 92, Jazz Drummer
by Walter F. Naedele
Philadelphia Inquirer, October 9, 2011

George E. Ballard, 92, a Philadelphia drummer described in a 2000 Inquirer profile as "one of the Philadelphia jazz scene's most storied elders," died Saturday, Oct. 1, at Cheltenham-York Road Nursing Center in Philadelphia.

Mr. Ballard, known as George "Butch" Ballard, was "one of the few musicians to play with both Count Basie and Duke Ellington," reporter Karl Stark wrote.

"He recorded with trumpeter Louis Armstrong, collaborated in Paris with saxophonist Johnny Hodges, and formed close friendships with many top musicians, including trumpeter Clark Terry," Stark wrote.

Yet his roots were so deep in the Frankford neighborhood of Philadelphia before and after his world-class career that, at the time of the profile, he was the Democratic leader of the 23d Ward there.

In 1942, Mr. Ballard moved from Frankford to Harlem, and his career took off. "His immediate ambition is to join the prestigious band of Cootie Williams, the former Duke Ellington trumpeter," Stark wrote, using present tense to make the story immediate.

"He takes the A train to the audition, an auspicious choice for a swing musician....

"When his turn comes, Ballard is elated at what he has to play." The arrangement of "Air Mail Special" "is the same arrangement that his old band in Philadelphia used. Ballard, blessed with a prodigious memory, knows this chart as well as his phone number.

"But he doesn't let his listeners know that. He pretends he is sight-reading....

"He gets the job. It is his first big break. He opens with Williams' band, including singer Pearl Bailey, at the Grand Terrace Ballroom in Chicago."

Mr. Ballard continued playing well into this century.

On Dec. 1, 2006, he received a Mellon Jazz Achievement Award and a $5,000 check, which, an Inquirer story reported, he donated to the Philadelphia Clef Club.

On Dec. 7, 2006, he celebrated the month of his 88th birthday by playing at the Collingswood First Thursday Concert Series at the Collingswood Community Center.

Cheryl Green, a relative who cared for Mr. Ballard for the last decade, said that "at age 89, he formed a new trio that was the house band for Mozaic," a restaurant and art gallery on Frankford Avenue near Orthodox Street. "He played his last set" at the LaRose Jazz Club on Germantown Avenue near Queen Lane, she said, "at age 90." Over the decades, Green said, his recordings totaled more than 300.

But his past is where the big names glittered.

Following World War II military service in Navy bands, he recorded with Louis Armstrong in 1946 and worked with, among others, Illinois Jacquet and Mercer Ellington.

Mr. Ballard's career, Stark wrote, "soared until the mid-1950s when, in part because his wife, Jessie, hated New York City, the couple forsook the Harlem high life and moved back to Frankford."

In another look back, another Inquirer story reported that, "in the 1950s, [he] played with such musicians as Shorty Baker, Clark Terry, Ernie Royal and Arnett Cobbs.

"In the '60s, he focused on leading his own band from a Philadelphia base, and then eventually moved into giving private lessons."

But he continued performing, down the decades.

Born in Camden, Mr. Ballard grew up in Frankford, the son of a water-main repairman for the Philadelphia Water Department. He attended Northeast High School but dropped out in his senior year to begin working full time at his music.

Green said that Mr. Ballard is survived by son Brenton Randolph, a brother, a sister, and three grandchildren. His wife died in March 2000. A viewing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10, at the Second Baptist Church of Frankford, 1801 Meadow St., before an 11 a.m. funeral there. Burial is to be in Fairview Cemetery, 1511 Twining Rd., Willow Grove.
************
George E. 'Butch' Ballard, Drummer with Big Bands
by John F. Morrison
Philadelphia Daily News, October 10, 2011

As a kid growing up in Frankford, George Ballard liked to follow the American Legion parades through his neighborhood, and would march along with the drummers.

Maybe it was then that George decided he wanted to pound those drums himself, because somehow he conveyed the ambition to his father, who gave him a set of drums he bought from a pawnbroker when George was only 10.

That was how it started. George took drumming lessons for 75 cents a session, and by the time he was 16, was allowed to sit in on the Herb Thornton Band, which he heard playing at the Philadelphia Boys Club.

George Edward "Butch" Ballard went from there to perform with some of the biggest jazz artists of his era, and was still swinging at 90.

He died Oct. 1 at the age of 92, leaving behind a long career that tracked much of the history of jazz in America.

George also found time to be involved with politics in Frankford, where he was Democratic leader of the 23rd Ward. He also was a sought-after percussion teacher.

After performing with a band in Philly, George, at the age of 19, began playing with Louis Armstrong's band, the Dukes.

Three years later, he moved to Harlem -- taking the A Train, of course -- and joined the band of Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington's former trumpeter. Singers with the band included Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and Pearl Bailey.

During World War II, George joined the Navy and served in the South Pacific with the 29th Special Construction Battalion (Seabees). He also played in a military band.

After the war, he got gigs in New York with Armstrong, Illinois Jacquet and Ellington's son Mercer.

In the late '40s, George joined Count Basie's Orchestra when Basie's drummer, Shadow Wilson, left to play with Woody Herman.

In 1950, George did the unthinkable: He turned down Duke Ellington. Ellington had contacted him to back up drummer Sonny Greer, who was not always reliable.

George became Greer's backup, but when Ellington asked him to permanently replace Greer, he refused. He said he didn't want to change his drumming style to suit Ellington, who favored double bass drums.

Although Ellington hired Louie Bellson as his permanent drummer, George continued to play occasional sets with the Duke in 1952 and 1953. He was the drummer on the classic "Satin Doll."

George was born in Camden and grew up in Frankford. He attended Northeast High. He married his wife, Jessie, in 1940.

Over the years, George played with jazz legends John Coltrane, Fats Waller, Bootsie Barnes, Cat Anderson, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Eddie Vinson, Arnett Cobb and Clark Terry.

His wife died in 2000. He is survived by a son, Brenton Randolph, a brother and sister, and three grandchildren.

Services: 11 a.m. today at Second Street Baptist Church of Frankford, 1801 Meadow St. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Willow Grove.

Rob Kardashian @ The Bank

The Bank Nightclub at Bellagio
The Light Group
( 702.693.8300│ 702.693.8310 │ 702.340.7533 cell)
6276 S. Rainbow Ste. 120
Las Vegas, NV 89118

Scot Albertson & Dr. Joe Utterback @ Tomi Jazz, NYC, Oct 11