Diane Hubka & Leah Kline live in Hollywood, Jan. 28

Diane Hubka with Léah Kline (visiting from Amsterdam!) tomorrow at Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill

One of my favorite singers in the current jazz scene, Diane Hubka will be sharing this night with another great singer! They'll be doing some standards, and also some of Léah's originals! Hubka's latest CD, "I Like It Here", voted one of the Top 10 Vocal Jazz Albums of 2008 in our Jazz Station Poll, also placed among the best vocal albums on the "2008 Jazz Disc Award" of Swing Journal magazine, as published on its January 2009 issue.

Wed., Jan. 28 @ 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill
6122 Sunset Blvd. @ Gower
Hollywood, CA
323-466-9917
$10 music charge + dinner entrée or 2 drink min.
Free Parking!

Diane Hubka - vocalist, guitar
Léah Kline - vocalist
Gaea Schell - piano
Chris Colangelo - bass
(Swing Journal, Jan. 2009 issue, pages 84 & 88)

The amazingly talented Léah Kline has performed in virtually every medium there is (Theater, Concert Hall, Radio, Television, Feature Film). She is fully versed in the world of music and theater as a singer, dancer, actress and choreographer.
Check out her site and videos! http://www.leahkline.com/
Léah will also be teaching a workshop at Cathy Segal Garcia's Vocal Studio:
Saturday, January 31st, 2009
11:30 to 3:00 PM
$40
Phone number (818) 368-8839, located in Granada Hills.

SFJAZZ Collective live at The Allen Room

SFJAZZ Collective - Jazz Superband Returns
The Allen Room – March 6-7, 2009

Jazz at Lincoln Center brings the SFJAZZ Collective back by popular demand since the grand opening season of 2004. The current SFJAZZ Collective consists of seven of the most accomplished and acclaimed performer/composers in jazz: Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas, Miguel Zenón, Robin Eubanks, Renee Rosnes, Matt Penman and Eric Harland. Vibraphonist Stefon Harris is on a one year hiatus. Their progressive repertoire is divided between original compositions by the Collective's members and new arrangements of works by modern jazz masters. I had the chance to see this group (with Harris) at the Funchal Jazz Festival and became astonished with the high level of the arrangements & performances. They brought the audience to their feet!

March 6-7, 2009, 7:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
The Allen Room, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center,
on Broadway at 60th St., NYC.

Tickets at $60 are available at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office on Broadway at 60th St., by calling CenterCharge at 212.721.6500 or via www.jalc.org. Box Office hours: Mon.-Sat., 10am-6pm, Sun. 12pm-6pm.

Bill Tapia's 101st Birthday Celebration & Show

San Pedro will once again celebrate the longevity and legend of Bill Tapia who, at 101, is the world's oldest performing musician! Tapia turned 101 January 1st of this year, and wants to share his good fortune with all of his friends and fans.

A virtuoso musician and thoroughly engaging entertainer on stage, Tapia has been delighting audiences with his jazz chops and sharp wit over the last nine decades. Chances are slim to none you'll find another entertainer anywhere in the world who can introduce a song as "something I learned during World War I" and then jump into his unique version of "Stars and Stripes Forever" which he came up with in 1918 at the age of ten...

Join Paniolo Productions and the Grand Vision Foundation on Saturday, February 28th for two inspiring back-to-back concerts. Tapia will perform with a few of L.A.'s top jazz musicians and sing to beautiful Hawaiian dancers.

"As delightful as it is surprising... Tapia's 90-year career includes jams with long-gone pioneers of American music, including Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and Fats Waller. Tapia takes his rightful place alongside these greats." - Billboard
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Don't Miss These Rare & Inspiring Shows!
Saturday,February 28, 2009

• TWO SHOWS •
#1 - 6:00p (doors 5:30p)
#2 - 8:30p (doors 8:00p)

$35.00 Advance
$40.00 At the door
General Seating

GRAND ANNEX
434 West Sixth Street
San Pedro, CA 90731

"The Monday Night Legacy" of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

THE VANGUARD JAZZ ORCHESTRA
In collaboration with PLANET ARTS, SIXTEEN AS ONE MUSIC INC. and THE VILLAGE VANGUARD PRESENT:
"THE MONDAY NIGHT LEGACY
PAST – PRESENT – FUTURE"

Monday, February 2 through Monday February 9 – 2009

From February 2 though 9, 2009, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (VJO) will present a special week-long retrospective at the Village Vanguard in New York City. The week will trace the orchestra’s development from 1965 to the present day and highlight the three major incarnations of the ensemble (Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Mel Lewis/Bob Brookmeyer and VJO/Jim McNeely). The eight night retrospective will illustrate how the Monday Night Orchestra shaped a new generation of large ensemble music practitioners and defined the post swing, post bop big band.

A special focus of the week will be the kickoff of the Bob Brookmeyer performance/recording project. The music of Mr. Brookmeyer, a founding member of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, music director of the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra and a featured composer/arranger for all of the VJO’s performances, will be showcased throughout the week as the orchestra embarks on a year long project that will culminate in a recording of new compositions and arrangements from Maestro Brookmeyer.
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THE MONDAY NIGHT LEGACY WEEK
Monday and Tuesday, February 2 and 3
The Early Years

It all started with a handful of compositions by Thad Jones but quickly grew into a composers collective generating music from founding members Bob Brookmeyer, Jerry Dodgion, Garnett Brown, Tom McIntosh and Jerome Richardson.
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Wednesday and Thursday, February 4 and 5
The Middle Years

While the music of Thad Jones continued to drive the ensemble, the contributions of Bob Brookmeyer broke new ground in jazz orchestra music and moved the band in new directions. Brookmeyer became music director after Thad left for Denmark and created some of the most innovative music of the day including tour de force solo vehicles for likes of Joe Lovano, Dick Oatts and Tom Harell,
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Friday and Saturday, February 6 and 7
The Later Years

Thad’s music remains a constant to this day but both he and Mel encouraged other composers to write for the band. This philosophy kept the musical identity evolving and the spirit of the orchestra alive while avoiding the pitfalls of becoming a repertory band. Selections from a large list of contributors will frame the weekend sets.
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Sunday and Monday, February 8 and 9
Moving Forward

Jim McNeely is currently the composer in residence for the orchestra. Bob Brookmeyer said it best with his comment about Jim: "Whatever the 'next step' is in music, I firmly believe he will be it. He has all the tools - imagination, technique, dreams, ambition..."

Sunday and Monday will be programmed by Jim and include music from the book that has had an impact on his work as well as selections from the GRAMMY nominated recordings Lickety Split and Up From The Skies.
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RESERVATIONS:
http://www.villagevanguard.com/
(212) 255 4037
178 Seventh Avenue South
New York, NY 10014

Vinyl of the Day - "Freddie Hubbard: Liquid Love"

Vinyl of the Day

Freddie Hubbard: "Liquid Love" (Columbia) 1975

Featuring the underrated Brazilian percussion master Mayuto Correa plus George Cables, Carl Burnett, Carl Randall Jr., Johnny Guitar Watson, Ray Parker, Henry Franklin, Chuck Rainey, Al Hall, Ian Underwood and Spider Webb.

Never reissued on CD, not even in Asia. Sony must do it urgently!

Includes a beautiful reading of "Midnight at the Oasis" (also covered, that same year, by Hubert Laws on "The Chicago Theme"), plus "Lost Dreams," "Yesterday's Thoughts" and three originals: "Put it in the Pocket," "Kuntu" and the title track.

This is the "Liquid Love" advertisement published in the August 14, 1975 issue of Down Beat magazine.

Some months earlier, Freddie Hubbard had been voted the Best Trumpeter of 1974 in the 39th Annual DownBeat Readers Poll, once again ahead of Miles Davis. The results were printed in the December 19, 1974 issue (click on the image below to enlarge it), on page 22.

In the Down Beat 1975 Critics Poll results, Hubbard was # 2, with Dizzy Gillespie topping the Trumpet category and Miles Davis appearing in the third place.

Lenore Raphael's Trio debuts at Gillespie Auditorium in NY, tomorrow

Help us welcome The Lenore Raphael Trio with Lenore Raphael on Piano, Hillard Greene on Bass, and Rudy Lawless on Drums, to Jazz Tuesdays in the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium this coming Tuesday, January 27. Located in the New York City Baha'i Center at 53 East 11th Street (between University Place & Broadway) and dedicated to the late great Dizzy Gillespie, this magnificent, yet cozy theater with its glorious acoustics is fast becoming the favorite venue of the world class musicians who play there, as well as jazz fans who return week after week to enjoy this comfortable and exhilarating experience, soaking up great sounds in the warm and welcoming environment of this beautiful theater. There will be two shows: 8:00 and 9:30 pm.

A Steinway Concert Jazz Artist, and jazz composer and clinician, Lenore Raphael has been called “Queen of swing” and “simply one of the best pianists in the jazz mainstream” by jazz writer John Gilbert. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York. She was a classical piano student until she heard a recording by the great trumpeter Clifford Brown and she then realized her real calling was jazz. Listening to the recordings of Bud Powell, Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans she developed her swinging and lyrical style, but she has distinguished her voice as her own.

Playing mostly by ear, she was able to get some great gigs in New York but realizing that she needed more formal training she studied with pianists Mike Longo and Barry Harris and then was on her way to performing in larger venues and jazz festivals. Her performance at a tribute to Oscar Peterson during the IAJE convention in Toronto brought famed vocalist Jon Hendricks to say “She is one of the ‘baddest’ pianists out there.

Lenore has 5 CDs on the Swingin’ Fox label and her 6th CD “Class Act” has just been released. With top play on radio stations across the globe her 2007 CD “Invitation” was up for GRAMMY nomination consideration this year and was charted at #6 on the Roots Music Survey. Her original songs have been heard on Continental Airlines jazz stream and on the ASCAP jazz stream.

A recent tour of the United Kingdom with a stop at Ronnie Scott’s famed club in London brought Lenore a review that stated “Raphael is a highly inventive and rhythmic player” (..Sheila Tacey, The Stage Magazine). Lenore has performed at Jazz At Lincoln Center three times in New York City, and continues to tour performing at such top jazz venues as Arturo Sandoval’s club in Miami, , Dazzle in Denver, Birdland, Steinway Jazz Showcase in Scottsdale, S.S. Oosterdam Jazz Cruise Jazz In The Sangres festival, , East Coast Jazz Festival, Panasonic festival (NYC) and more.

Along the way, has performed with such jazz greats as Clark Terry, Al Grey, John Pizzarelli, Jr., Marlene VerPlanck, Harry Allen, Arnie Lawrence, Wycliffe Gordon, Ken Peplowski, legendary drummer Artt Frank and others.

Admission is 15.00, $10.00 for students.
Tickets will be sold at the door, or call 212-222-5159 for reservations and information.

Jazz Tuesdays
in the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium
The New York Baha'i Center
53 East 11th Street (between University Place & Broadway)
Two shows: 8:00 and 9:30 p.m.

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New CD available January 6th - "CLASS ACT" - recorded live at Steinway Hall in New York City on September 12, 2008. To order contact Swingin' Fox Music or call 1-866-796-4369
Lenore is proud to be named a Steinway Concert Artist.
Click here to listen to Lenore's Interview with Jason Miller host of Afternoon Jazz on 91.3 KVLU(http://www.kvlu.org/)

Dena DeRose live in LA on February 11

Pianist/Vocalist Dena DeRose to perform in Los Angeles at Giannelli Square of Northridge

Dena DeRose
with
John Giannelli (B)
Paul Kreibich (D)
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Dena DeRose belongs to that select group of jazz artists known by the dual moniker of pianist/vocalist. Her peers include Patricia Barber, Diana Krall, and Shirley Horn. Of this group, DeRose has the most muscular and assertive style. Her assertive piano playing perfectly balances her beautifully feminine voice.

“Dena DeRose sings jazz as if she had been at it her whole life long, and then some. She interprets standards in a deliciously laconic, no-nonsense manner, accompanying herself on piano with hard swinging grace.”-TERRY TEACHOUT, THE NEW YORK TIMES

Dena has received many awards including Album of the Year and Best Vocal Jazz Album from Cadence Magazine.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009
8:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.
GIANNELLI SQUARE of NORTHRIDGE
19451 LONDELIUS STREET
Northridge, CA 91324

Admission price: $20.00 / Students $10.00
(Refreshments included)
Seating is limited, so reserve early by calling (818)772-1722
or E-mailing your request to giannellisquare@sbcglobal.net
More information & directions visit www.giannellisquare.com

Jazz on Valentine's Day

SPECIAL VALENTINE'S DAY EVENTS
"Spend A Romantic Interlude
With Jazz Entertainment"
Music Entertainment provided by In-House Music
for Crowne Plaza, Shula's 347, & Sheraton LA Downtown. Also listed is the Newport Beach Jazz Party Weekend event
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Saturday, February 14th, 2009
CROWNE PLAZA LAX HOTEL
5985 W. Century Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Presents
A Romantic Valentine's Evening With the CALABRIA FOTI QUINTET
Celebrating her newest CD "A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening"

Calabria Foti (Vocals/Violin)
Bob McChesney (Trombone) Bevan Manson (Piano)
Luther Hughes (Bass) Paul Kreibich (Drums)

Click to see & hear Calabria: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roeTzlzQSqk

Enjoy
*Five Course Gourmet Dinner
Dinner Served
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
*Entertainment and Dancing Music from 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM
*Champagne Toast
*$199 Per Couple

*Overnight Accommodation Package
(Includes a special Valentine’s pillow gift of
Calabria Foti’s new CD, “A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening”)
$299 Per Couple

Make Your Reservations Early!
Call In-House Music: 310-216-5861
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Saturday, February 14th, 2009
SHULA'S 347 RESTAURANT
AT THE SHERATON GATEWAY HOTEL LAX
6101 West Century Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045


Valentine's Day "Romance Brazilian Style"
Featuring the luscious sounds of Brazilian Vocalist Anna Gazzola & Guitarist Angelo Metz
click to hear Anna & Angelo: http://cdbaby.com/cd/gazzolametz

A native of Brazil, Ana Gazzola became headline vocalist at “CALIGOLA”, one of the most famous club in Brazil in the early 80s, located in the heart of Ipanema Beach. She has toured extensively, enchanting audiences with her caressing tones, in Europe, Asia and especially North America . Ana is an ultimate entertainer. Her vocals are sultry, and she surprises audiences with her amazing abilities on horn and percussion! Born in Montenegro, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Angelo Metz evolved as a master guitarist. He has a Doctoral Degree in Musical Arts at USC . Angelo has performed with John Heard, Linda Hopkins, Plas Johnson, Ana Gazzola and many others. His writing prowess showcases his virtuosity and homage to American masters like Coltrane and Parker mixed with the Brazilian rhythms.

Next March 3, Ana will be releasing, through the Yellow Green label, her new delightful & exciting CD as a co-leader with Sonia Santos, "Brasil Brazil 3", which includes songs by Edu Lobo ("Casa Forte"), João Donato & Gilberto Gil ("Bananeira"), Antonio Carlos Jobim ("One Note Samba," "Só Danço Samba," "A Felicidade"), Luis Bandeira ("Que Bonito É") and Lenine ("Jacksoul Brasileiro"), plus Ana's own "Em Frente ao Mar" and a remake of Kurt Cobain's Nirvana hit "Come As You Are".

Exquisite 3 Course Gourmet Dinner
$149 Per Couple
Dinner Service
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Music
6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Special Valentine Room Accommodation Rate
$110 Per Couple
Call For Reservations: (310) 642-1111
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There's More...

JAZZ IT UP AT THE SHERATON LA DOWNTOWN HOTEL
PRE-VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY FOR SINGLES WHO LOVE JAZZ & BLUES!
(COUPLES WELCOME)
711 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017 - Metro Stop

Pre-Valentine's Day Party
Friday, February 13th, 2009
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
►Live Music ►Dancing
►Hors D'Oeuvres & Appetizer Gourmet Buffet

Billy Valentine With The Stuart Elster Trio
Billy Valentine (Vocals)
Stuart Elster (Piano)
Curtis Robertson Jr. (Bass)
Gary Gibbons (Drums)

Billy Valentine and the Stuart Elster Trio will tear-up the blues & jazz standards as well as throw in a couple Motown oldies! Billy began his career opening for such luminaries as Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack. His career expanded into TV (singing voice of theme song for TV show, Boston Legal), film and composing with greats such as Will Jennings, the Neville Bros & Ray Charles.

TO HEAR BILLY CLICK: http://cdbaby.com/cd/bvalentine

Tickets:
$35 Per Person - With Reservations
$40 Per Person - At The Door
Call In-House Music For Information & Tickets:
310-216-5861

"Remembering Russ Freeman" tonight in LA

Tonight, January 26, 2009:
"REMEMBERING RUSS FREEMAN" AT JAZZ BAKERY
8 PM & 9:30 PM
Tickets: $35
($15 students 21 and under

BOBBY SHEW - tpt
TYIA WILSON - voc
with LAS VEGAS JAZZ CONNECTION

Though his resume is much longer, Russ is remembered primarily for his work with Chet Baker. Russ Freeman and The Jazz Bakery's owner, vocalist Ruth Price, had a long and wonderful history including the recording "Ruth Price with Shelly Manne & His Men at the Manne Hole"
(reissued on CD some years ago by Fantasy Records)

"The Russ Freeman Project was created to insure that Russ' music would not be forgotten. I wanted it to live again in a new way that would attract the younger musicians who did not know of his work. 'Remembering Russ' is the second CD in the Russ Freeman Project. Nathan Tanouye has taken Russ's bebop tunes and arranged them for our big band "Las Vegas Jazz Connection" It was my intent to create new interest in Russ' music. The result is exciting and hopefully as musical as Russ would have wished. Bobby Shew has added his artistry to the project. Tyia Wilson, vocalist, adds her imaginative lyrics and creativity. I could not ask for more." - Carolyn Freeman

R.I.P.: Leroy Cooper

Leroy Cooper

(born Aug. 31, 1928, in Dallas, TX)

died Jan. 15, 2009, in Orlando, FL)

Leroy Cooper and David "Fathead" Newman were members (along with another sax hero, Hank Crawford) of the Ray Charles band... Is it a coincidence?

The obituary published yesterday in the Los Angeles Times follows:

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-passings24-2009jan24,0,3779394.story

Leroy Cooper
Musician in Charles band

Leroy Cooper, 80, who played baritone saxophone for Ray Charles from the 1950s through the 1970s and at times served as bandleader for the R&B pianist, died of heart failure Jan. 15 at his home in Orlando, Fla., the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Cooper spent two decades with the Charles band, a stretch that began in 1957. His tenure included the recording sessions that yielded the film theme "In the Heat of the Night," "Crying Time" and Charles' stirring rendition of "America, the Beautiful." Cooper also contributed to a wide array of other recordings, including blues man Lowell Fulson's classic "Reconsider Baby," and sessions with Dr. John, Joe Cocker, Kenny Neal and Lightnin' Hopkins. He also toured with the Righteous Brothers for a time.

After leaving the Charles band in 1977, Cooper moved to Orlando for a job at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. He was a bandleader and performer on Main Street U.S.A. for about 20 years. The son of a bandleader, Cooper was born in Dallas on Aug. 31, 1928. He learned to play the sax as a child and also became proficient on the clarinet and flute.

Flushing Town Hall 2009 Winter/Spring Season on sale now!

Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts

Flushing Town Hall

137-35 Northern Boulevard

(718) 463-7700

Flushing, NY 11354

2009 marks an important milestone in the history of Flushing Council on Culture & the Arts (FCCA) - it's their 30th anniversary as a multi-disciplinary arts organization as well as the 10th anniversary of the renovation of the theatre in the beautiful building we call home - Flushing Town Hall.

Flushing Town Hall's 2009 Winter/Spring season has something for everyone:

Lunar New Year Festival including Happy Puppetry Company from Taiwan, Susie Ibarra with Korean Traditional Music and Dance, Classical performance by Bright Sheng & Ne(x)tworks Ensemble, Lunar New Year Dance Sampler, and Tea for Two.

Headliner Jazz with the Queens Jazz Orchestra, directed by NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath and world premiere of Wycliff Gordon's FCCA commissioned suite "Cyberswing - Jazz in the Digital Age."

Intimate Jazz Series featuring Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet, The Ayako Shirasaki Trio, The Jazz Men From Texas, Pheeroan akLaff with Taiko Masala, Giacomo Gates, and Rosemary Loar.

Classical Music Series featuring Bright Sheng & Ne(x)tworks Ensemble co-presented by Yangtze Repertory Theater of America and the Ying Quartet in collaboration with Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series.

Kids & Families programs featuring Happy Puppetry Company's Wu-Song, The Tiger Fighter; The Cashore Marionettes' Simple Gifts; Theatre de l'Oeil's The Star Keeper; and WBGO Jazz for Kids.

Visual Arts programs including Lunar New Year Exhibitions with Chinese Puppetry and Little Windows into China; Change - Long Island City Artists exhibition; Student Art Exhibition with JHS 231 and related events including Salon Sunday & Studio Visits.

& the fascinating Queens Jazz Trail Tour.

Get Your Tickets Now!
To Order Tickets, Click HERE or Call 718-463-7700 x 222
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Lunar New Year Festival
Exhibitions: Chinese Puppetry+Little Windows into China (1/24 - 2/22)
Interactive Arts: Happy Puppetry Company (Sat, 1/24/2009, 1:00 PM)
Wu-Song: Tiger Fighter (Sat, 1/24/2009, 2:00 PM)
Susie Ibarra with Korean Music & Dance (Sat, 1/31/2009, 3:00 PM)
Bright Sheng and Ne(x)tworks Ensemble (Sun, 2/1/2009, 2:00 PM)
Lunar New Year Dance Sampler (Sat, 2/7/2009, 2:00 PM)
Tea for Two and a zither performance (Sat, 2/14/2009, 2:00 PM)
Artist Talk: Marc Josloff - Travels in China (Sat, 2/21/2009, 1:00 PM)

Jazz Live!
Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet (Sun, 2/8/2009, 2:00 PM)
Ayako Shirasaki Trio (Sun, 2/15/2009, 2:00 PM)
The Jazz Men from Texas (Sun, 3/8/2009, 2:00 PM) Pheeroan akLaff with Taiko Masala (Sun, 4/5/2009, 2:00 PM)
Giacomo Gates (Sat, 4/18/2009, 4:00 PM)
WBGO Jazz for Kids (Sat, 5/2/2009, 12:30 PM)
Rosemary Loar (Sun, 5/3/2009, 2:00 PM)Queens Jazz Orchestra (Fri, 5/29/2009, 8:00 PM)
Learn More / Buy Tickets
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Kids and Families
Interactive Arts: Happy Puppetry Company (Sat, 1/24/2009, 1:00 PM)
Wu-Song: The Tiger Fighter (Sat, 1/24//2009, 2:00 PM)
Cashore Marionettes: Simple Gifts (Sun, 3/15/2009, 1:00 PM)
Interactive Arts: Cashore Marionettes (Sun, 3/15/2009, 2:00 PM)
Interactive Arts: Poetry Pizzazz (Sat, 4/18/2009, 2:00 PM)
Interactive Arts: Build Your Own Earth Keeper (Sat, 4/25/2009, 12:00 PM)
Theatre de l'oeil: The Star Keeper (Sat, 4/25/2009, 2:00 PM)
Learn More / Buy Tickets
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Classical Music
Bright Sheng & Ne(x)tworks Ensemble (Sun, 2/1/2009, 2:00 PM)
Bright Sheng & Ne(x)tworks Ensemble (Sun, 3/1/2009, 2:00 PM)
Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series: The Ying Quartet
(Thur, 4/16/2009, 7:30 PM)
Learn More / Buy Tickets
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Visual Arts
Gallery Hours: Saturdays & Sundays, Noon-5:00 PM
Exhibition: Jazz Live! (Permanent)
Exhibition: Chinese Puppetry (1/24/2009 - 2/22/2009)
Exhibition: Little Windows Into China (1/24/2009 - 2/22/2009)
Artists' Talk (Sat, 2/21/2009, 1:00 PM)
Exhibition: Change - Long Island City Artists (3/7/2009 - 4/26/2009)
Salon Sunday (Sun, 3/22/2009 & 4/12/2009, 2:00 PM)
Studio Visits (Sun, 3/29/2009, 2:00 PM)
Exhibition: Student Art Exhibition with JHS 231 (5/17/2009 - 6/14/2009)
Learn More

Al Jarreau headlines "All That Jazz" Weekend, Jan. 30-31

The seventeenth annual "All That Jazz" weekend at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa will bring legendary jazz artists to Asheville, North Carolina, January 30 -31, for two days of concerts with seven-time GRAMMY award winner Al Jarreau, Kevin Mahogany, Cyrus Chestnut, Bonnie Bramlett, Vince Lewis and many other notable artists.

The Friday evening concert kicks off with soulful diva Bonnie Bramlett and her burning Mr. Groove Band. Following Bonnie, the evening's headliner, Kevin Mahogany, will recreate his Lincoln Center and Kennedy Center performance of Kevin Mahogany's Kansas City Revue featuring the music of Big Joe Turner and co-starring The Godfathers of Groove: Cyrus Chestnut (piano), Red Holloway (sax), Bernard Purdie (drums), Grant Green, Jr. (guitar). Reuben Wilson (Hammond B-3) and vocalist Kathy Kosins.

On Saturday night, The Cyrus Chestnut Trio with Bernard Purdie on drums and John Brown on bass, will open with a set of bebop, ballads, blues, and swinging jazz. Then, the weekend headliner seven-time GRAMMY award winner Al Jarreau will take the stage for a legendary performance designed exclusively for The Grove Park Inn audience. Jarreau's innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically-acclaimed performers of our time . With seven Grammy Awards and scores of international music awards and popular accolades worldwide, he remains the only vocalist to ever win GRAMMY awards in three different categories (jazz, pop, and R&B).

"All That Jazz weekend has earned national recognition as one of the premiere jazz festivals of the southeast," said the Resort's Entertainment Director Maddy Winer. "Al Jarreau's unique vocal style is hailed as one of the world's most precious treasures. The event promises to be our most diverse weekend yet of outstanding jazz talent."

As always, the "All That Jazz" Weekend will feature evening and afternoon concerts in our Grand Ballroom, numerous jazz artists performing in our Great Hall all weekend long, "Meet the Artists" receptions following each evening concert and a Saturday morning jazz clinic.

The two-night package price starts at only $829 per couple including two nights' deluxe accommodations and admission tickets to all afternoon and evening concerts, meet the artists' receptions and clinics. Individual concert tickets are also available for each night ranging from $50 for Friday evening and $55 for Saturday evening with Saturday afternoon concert tickets priced at $12.

For package tickets and more information, contact The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa at (800) 438-5800. Concert tickets may be purchased by calling our concert ticket line at (800) 438-5800 or on our website: www.groveparkinn.com - Click on "Concerts & Events."
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About The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is a four-diamond resort overlooking Asheville's skyline and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Built in 1913, the Inn is on the National Register of Historic Places and a member of Historic Hotels of America and among Travel + Leisure's Top thirteen Spa Resorts in the world. Amenities include a world-class spa, Club Floor, award winning fine dining, Donald Ross golf course, tennis, swimming, sports complex, retail shops, and children's programs.

Grammy Event: "Music In Focus"

Please click on the image to enlarge and read all the details

CD of the Day - "Raul de Souza: Sweet Lucy"

CD of the Day
Raul de Souza: "Sweet Lucy" (Capitol/EMI CD 7931742)

Produced by George Duke
Featuring: Freeddie Hubbard (who also wrote the liner notes), Patrice Rushen, Dawilli Gonga (George Duke's nickname since he couldn't appear on the album due to contractual reasons with his label at that time, Columbia) Alphonso Johnson (credited as Embamba on the back cover, for the same reason), Byron Miller, Airto Moreira, Al McKay, Ndugu, Ian Underwood, Deborah Thomas et al.
(back cover signed by Raul de Souza to Arnaldo DeSouteiro)

Stanley Sagov's band to appear at Regattabar

DR. STANLEY SAGOV,
JOHN LOCKWOOD, BOB MOSES, STAN STRICKLAND & MIKE PEIPMAN
SET TO APPEAR AT THE REGATTABAR
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 AT 7:30 PM
2 New CDs To Arrive Shortly: "South African Jazz Curry" and "More Memories of the Future"

STANLEY SAGOV & The Remembering The Future Jazz Band, that bunch of grizzled jazz veterans who never really grew up, recently packed Scullers, still love to play the music and want to share that experience in the moment of creation, are booked appear at The Regattabar at the Charles Hotel, One Bennett Street in Cambridge at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, March 4. Tickets at $20.00 each can be purchased on line at www.regattabarjazz.com or by calling: 617-395-7757.

Featuring Stanley Sagov on piano, John Lockwood on acoustic bass, Bob Moses on drums, Stan Strickland on sax, flute and vocals and Mike Peipman on trumpet, the band will make its debut at The Regattabar while celebrating a two fabulous new CDs to be released shortly, one entitled "South African Jazz Curry" and the other, "More Memories of The Future."

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Dr. Stanley Sagov has always been crazy about jazz-based musics. Sagov, who also plays guitar, violin, oboe, bass and drums is known primarily as a keyboardist with extraordinary talents. A family practice physician by day with a full-time medical practice in Greater Boston, Massachusetts, his evenings and weekends are spent with his jazz, his family and his photography.

After graduating from medical school in South Africa, Dr. Sagov moved to New York City where he had the opportunity to perform with many of his musical heroes . . . among them Booker Ervin, Howard McGhee, Jimmy Garrison, Billy Hart, Elvin Jones, Roland Kirk, Ted Curson, Sheila Jordan, Bob Moses and many other wonderful musicians.

In 1970, he moved to Boston where he attended the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music; he graduated with a degree in jazz piano and oboe. His mentors while at NEC included Jaki Byard, George Russell, Thad Jones, John Lewis, Kenny Dorham, Bob Brookmeyer, Frank Foster, Gerry Mulligan, Cecil McBee, Buell Neidlinger, Tom McKinley and others.

Dr. Sagov found that he hated touring, but loved the music, so in addition to his full time medical livelihood, he now produces his music at home and independently markets it on the internet.

Allegato Quintet live with Danny Green, tonight, in CA

Sunday, January 25th, 2009
Celebrating the musical collaborations of French crooner Henri Salvador & Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim - a performance by the Allegato Quintet featuring vocalist Allison Adams Tucker with Danny Green (piano), Duncan Moore (drums), Evona Wascinski (bass), Tripp Sprague (sax/flute/harmonica) & special guests

Dizzy's
7:00pm
2nd & J Street
San Diego CA 92101
Price: $15

DVD of the Day - "Paula Toller: Nosso"

DVD of the Day
Paula Toller: "Nosso" (LMC) 2009

Directed by Lui Farias, Produced by Paul Ralphes
Featuring: Kevin Johansen, Dado Villa-Lobos et al.
Includes "Fly Me To The Moon", "All Over", "Barcelona 16", "Glass", "Grand' Hotel" etc.

CD of the Day - "Paula Toller"

CD of the Day
Paula Toller: "Paula Toller" (Warner) 1998

Includes "Derretendo Satélites", "Fly Me To The Moon", "Alguém Me Avisou", "1800 Colinas", "E O Mundo Não Se Acabou" (very hot & sexy version), "Patience" and "Cantar".
Featuring: Antonio Adolfo, Marcio Miranda, Dunga, Marco Pereira, Ricardo Palmeira, Ramiro Mussoto, Walmir Gil, François, Proveta, Herbert Viana, Milton Guedes et al.

EP of the Day - "Luisito Quintero: Aquelas Coisas Todas"

EP of the Day
Luisito Quintero: "Aquilas Coisas Todas" (Vega) 2007

The beautiful Toninho Horta song "Aquelas Coisas Todas" (aka "Distant Horizon") is mispelled "Aquilas Coisas Todas" in this groovy rendition by the great percussionist Luisito Quintero, who has worked with George Benson, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Richard Bona, Brenda K. Starr, Santana, Danilo Perez and Claus Ogerman, among many others.
This EP includes two different mixes ("EOL Mix" on Side A and "Mute Pass Mix" on Side B) by DJ Louie Vega, of "Masters At Work" fame.

NightLife Loves Las Vegas

Nightlife loves Las Vegas
March 8-10, 2009

Few tickets available. For more info: contact@nightlife-mag.net

Single of the Day - "The Prepositions: Sweet Lucy"

Single of the Day
The Prepositions: "Sweet Lucy / Something Different" (Funk 45) 2003

Due to a typo error, the group was credited as The Propositions on the label of Side B.

Flora Purim & Airto memorabilia - DownBeat 1974 Poll

The results of the 39th DownBeat Readers Poll were published in the December 19, 1974, issue.
For the first time ever, a Brazilian couple appeared among the winners.
Airto Moreira (with 1,900 votes) topped the Percussion category that had been created that year, due to his impact on the jazz scene; something that led to a real revolution in the use of percussion instruments in jazz. Dom Um Romão placed second.
Flora Purim (who received 847 votes) won the Female Singer category for the first time, ahead of Ella, Sarah, Carmen and other (much) older divas. After such extraordinary victory in the 1974 Down Beat Readers Poll, Flora would reach the first place once again in 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978, thanks to a string of splendid albums on Milestone Records.
Female Singer
847 Flora Purim
518 Ella Fitzgerald
332 Cleo Laine
312 Sarah Vaughan
294 Roberta Flack
176 Dee Dee Bridgewater
175 Aretha Franklin
159 Carmen McRae
144 Joni Mitchell
97 Esther Phillips
76 Esther Satterfield
76 Jean Carn
70 Minnie Riperton
63 Anita O'Day
60 Nancy Wilson
59 Urszula Dudziak
56 Barbra Streisand
56 Maria Muldaur
50 Betty Carter
46 Diana Ross
42 Carole King
Percussion
1900 Airto
378 Dom Um Romao
193 Mtume
158 Jerry Gonzalez
91 Ramon Lopez
78 Billy Cobham
69 Bill Summers
66 Ray Barretto
65 Carl Palmer
64 Ruth Underwood
57 Sue Evans
57 Mongo Santamaria
45 Warren Smith
43 Alphonse Mouzon
43 Ralph MacDonald

Flora Purim & Airto memorabilia - DownBeat 1975 Poll

Flora Purim & Airto Moreira were among the winners of the DownBeat 1975 Readers Poll.
For the second consecutive year, they topped the Female Singer (Flora got 911 votes) and Percussion (Airto received the extraordinary ammount of 2399 votes) categories, respectively.
The complete results of the 40th Down Beat Readers Poll were printed in the December 18, 1975, issue.
Female Singer
911 Flora Purim
724 Sarah Vaughan
519 Ella Fitzgerald
280 Urszula Dudziak
266 Cleo Laine
259 Minnie Riperton
253 Dee Dee Bridgewater
237 Carmen McRae
217 Joni Mitchell
210 Aretha Franklin
175 Betty Carter
168 Esther Satterfield
162 Phoebe Snow
158 Roberta Flack
126 Jean Carn

Percussion
2399 Airto
378 Mtume
343 Dom Um Romao
199 Guilherme Franco
175 Bill Summers
129 Ruth Underwood
94 Ray Barretto
84 Ralph MacDonald
81 Ramon Lopez
77 Jerry Gonzalez
67 Billy Cobham
67 Sue Evans
57 Colin Walcott
53 Carl Palmer
52 Milford Graves
46 Alphonse Mouzon
42 Mongo Santamaria

"Brazilian Horizons" - O Globo

Excerpts from Arnaldo Bloch's column, published today, January 24, 2009 in the Rio daily "O Globo" - Segundo Caderno, page 10, mentioning the compilation "Brazilian Horizons" produced by Arnaldo DeSouteiro.
********
Mr. Bloch's text follows:
"Paris, Paris, je t'aime/Mas eu gosto muito mais do Leme", soaram os versos da marchinha de Alberto Ribeiro e Alcyr Pires Vermelho, no réveillon que passei na casa de outro Pires, esse amigo meu, que por sinal está em Paris. Ainda sob impacto da megaposse de Obama, com seus bailes, suas conclamações, suas orações, seus violinos embalando tanta esperança na nova travessia, que oxalá se realize, topei com Sarah Vaughan no CD-player do carro, interpretando "Travessia" em inglês, improvisando a mil no compasso acelerado da versão, improviso certo, sem nota na trave, no curso mesmo da melodia, só uns vôos curtos, de diva de jazz.

Milton aparece só em dois versos, pra pontuar, pra dizer "olha eu aqui", Pituca dando Pitaco na praia de Sarah. Depois, na sequência da coletânea (a clássica "Brazilian Horizons", veio Joe Pass solando na bateria de Paulinho da Costa. Antes, passava o "Once I Loved", Toninho Horta com Billy Higgins e Gary Peacock, cheguei a verter umas lágrimas com o "Minas Train" que fecha o CD. Na posse de Obama, aliás, não chorei. Não cheguei sequer a ficar emocionado. Fiquei em outras ocasiões, prévias à campanha, mas a obamania trouxe tantos meses de alegria que daqui a pouco corre o risco de virar alergia.

O reverendo (Joseph Lowery), assim como o Milton Nascimento in Sarah, roubou a minha Semana Obama, que foi alegre mas também triste. Triste o desfile, o carro imune a bazooca indevassável, o popularíssimo primeiro presidente negro selado, invisível, num cofre móvel. Outra alternativa não haveria (a não ser um aquário blindado, redoma transparente, em que Obama passasse em exibição), sinal de que o mundo, ao contrário do que parece, pouco avançou. Já a música de Milton continua à frente do fim dos tempos".

Organizing for America

Dear Arnaldo,

Our records show that you live in California's 23rd district.
When Barack Obama was declared our 44th President, you didn't just revel in that victory -- you started asking what's next for this movement.

How is this unprecedented group of volunteers, grassroots leaders, and dedicated supporters going to help make change a reality?

More than half a million people shared their thoughts and ideas about moving forward, and we listened carefully. Last week, President Obama announced the creation of Organizing for America -- a group that will work alongside the President to support the agenda you fought so hard for.

You can be part of its first steps.

Watch a short video message I recorded with Mitch Stewart, Executive Director of Organizing for America, and learn more about this new organization you helped build.
http://my.barackobama.com/neworganization

You've already invested in the future of this country -- whether you voted, donated money, helped organize your local community, or got involved in countless other ways.

But right now, your participation in the political process is more important than ever. We'll soon be asking you to give whatever time or talent you can to support the President. With your help, we can bring change to Washington and the entire nation.

I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Thank you,
David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Questions or feedback? Contact Organizing for America at 1-877-922-4264.

Alexa Weber Morales live, tomorrow, with Candela!

Come out tomorrow night, January 24, to Montero's, a wonderful East Bay salsa club, and hear Edgardo Cambon's band CANDELA! Alexa Weber Morales will be singing backup and dancing. See gigs section below for the details.
Forthcoming Alexa Weber Morales' gigs:

Saturday, January 24th, 2009
Montero's - http://www.clubmonteros.com/
10:00pm - 1 am
1106 Solano Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
510-524-1270

With Edgardo Cambon y CANDELA! Pura salsa para bailar!

Saturday, January 31st, 2009
American Legion Hall
Private Event - 8:30pm
Merced, CA

With TYT

Friday, February 13th, 2009
Sly McFly's - http://www.slymcflys.com/
Back to the Row - 9:00pm
700 A Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 372-3225

With TYT

Saturday, February 14th, 2009
Sly McFly's - http://www.slymcflys.com/
This Valentine Smells Fishy - 9:00pm
700 A Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 372-3225

With TYT

Friday, February 27th, 2009
The Hedley Club at the De Anza Hotel - http://www.hoteldeanza.com/
Hot Hot Hot Jazzzzzz - 8:30pm
233 West Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408/286-1000

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009
Senzala Restaurant - http://www.senzalarestaurant.com
Brazilian and MORE! - 8:00pm
250 E Java Dr
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
(408) 734-1656
Price: $10

Saturday, April 25th, 2009
Senzala Restaurant - http://www.senzalarestaurant.com
Sizzling in Sunnyvale - 8:00pm
250 E Java Dr
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
(408) 734-1656

Group dance lessons before the show! Enjoy a spacious dance floor, delicious Brazilian food and marvelous hospitality -- not to mention the MUSIC!
Featuring Murray Low, piano; Omar Ledezma, percussion and vocals;
David Belove, bass.

Alexa will be back teaching music, latin rhythms, vocal and performance technique to children and adults at Oakland's beautiful camp in theS ierra foothills from July 12-19. Register before January 31 to get the 2008 rates! http://www.FeatherRiverCamp.com

Free Jazz Performance in NY tomorrow, January 24

Jazz at Lincoln Center premieres the MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ ACADEMY (MSJA) class of 2008-09, under direction of Eli Yamin, in a free showcase tomorrow, January 24, at 1PM, featuring the repertoire of Louis Jordan, Gene Ammons, Thelonious Monk and Abbey Lincoln. The performance will feature an inside look at MSJA’s innovative jazz immersion activities.

Jazz at Lincoln Center is also accepting applications for MSJA’s 2009-10 class starting January 19, 2009. Promising middle school instrumentalists from New York City are eligible to apply and audition for the tuition-free intensive jazz instruction program held throughout the school year. For eligibility requirements and for an application, visit: www.jalc.org/msja
Application deadline is February 20, 2009.
***********
Each year, Jazz at Lincoln Center selects 15 students from New York City, in the 6th, 7th or 8th grades to be a part of MSJA. Each student is awarded a full tuition scholarship, based on application, audition and family interview, to receive intensive jazz instruction throughout the school year.

Now in its fourth year, this unique program offers a course of study in instrumental performance, including Saturday Academy and weekly private lessons, as well as broader youth development activities. Students have the opportunity to learn from outstanding faculty and guest musicians including Wynton Marsalis, Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center; members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and among others.

For more information on the MSJA faculty, go to: http://www.jalc.org/jazzED/ed_pdf/2009-01-07_MSJA_Faculty_Bios_2009.pdf

MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ ACADEMY CLASS OF 2008-09
Diamond Clinton, drums/percussion, Brooklyn
Aaron Colbert, flute, Bronx
Cole Davis, bass, Manhattan
Nicole Davis, trumpet, Manhattan
Lateef Fall, guitar, Manhattan
Nickarel Forbes-Allen, clarinet, Brooklyn
Luis Garcia, baritone saxophone, Manhattan
Victor Rodriguez, alto saxophone, Queens
David Rukki, trombone, Brooklyn
Yasiel Sanchez, piano, Manhattan
Jumaane Sandiford, piano, Brooklyn
Khadim Sarr, tenor saxophone, Brooklyn
David Seville, bass, Brooklyn
***********
Irene Diamond Education Center, Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, on Broadway at 60th Street, New York City.

January 24, 2009; 1 p.m.
The performance is free and open to the public. No reservations, first come, first served. Seating is general admission.
For more information on MSJA or for an application for 2009-10, visit: www.jalc.org/msja

R.I.P.: David "Fathead" Newman

R.I.P.: David "Fathead" Newman
(born February 24, 1933, in Corsicana, Texas;
died January 20, 2009, in Kingston, New York)

For more info, visit Newman's official website:
http://www.davidfatheadnewman.com/index.html

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-newman23-2009jan23,0,3959840.story

David 'Fathead' Newman dies at 75; jazz saxophonist
By Jon Thurber, Los Angeles Times
January 23, 2009

David "Fathead" Newman, a jazz saxophonist who was a key member of Ray Charles' band for a dozen years and later became a high-profile session player, has died. He was 75. Newman died Tuesday of pancreatic cancer at a hospital in Kingston, N.Y., according to his wife and manager, Karen Newman.

Newman's saxophone can be heard on many of Charles' landmark hits, including "I Got a Woman," "What'd I Say" and "Lonely Avenue." And it was Charles who helped Newman get his first album as a leader with the 1958 Atlantic Records release "Fathead: Ray Charles Presents David Newman."

Newman was born in Corsicana, Texas, on Feb. 24, 1933, but grew up in Dallas, where he studied first the piano and then the saxophone. He earned the nickname "Fathead" from his high school band teacher because he stubbornly refused to learn to read music, preferring instead to take it in by ear.

He went off to Jarvis Christian College on a music and theology scholarship but quit school after three years and began playing professionally, mostly jazz and blues, with a number of musicians, including Buster Smith, Lloyd Glenn, Lowell Fulson and T-Bone Walker. "I was brought up a bebop musician but it wasn't so acceptable, especially in Dallas," Newman told the Dallas Morning News some years ago. "You couldn't make a living doing that, so I had to play rhythm and blues. I adapted to it easily, being from an area where blues was prevalent."

He was playing in Smith's band in the early 1950s when he met Charles, who was then a piano-playing sideman for Fulson. The two hit it off immediately. Charles loved Newman's sound for its lyricism and sweetness and vowed to bring him aboard when he started his own band, which he did in 1954. The multifaceted Newman first played baritone saxophone for Charles but switched to tenor and became a star soloist.

"He really extended my music because he was into so many different types of music," Newman told the Canadian newspaper Ottawa Citizen in 2007. "I didn't really appreciate anything except bebop before I met Ray."

"In 1960 he started having a big band, an orchestra," Newman told the Tennessean newspaper some years ago. "Ray did all the arranging. He wouldn't even touch the piano, and he never wrote anything in Braille. He had perfect pitch. He would dictate a part and all you had to do was take notation and you'd have the arrangement. Ray Charles was a phenomenal musician."

After leaving Charles' band, Newman moved on to play with Herbie Mann's band in 1970-71 and recorded several more albums for Atlantic as well as Warner Bros., Fantasy Records and Muse.

Newman's versatility on reed instruments made him a first-call session player, and he worked with a wide variety of A-list players, including Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Joe Cocker, Dr. John, and with Natalie Cole on her "Unforgettable" album.

He orchestrated music for scores of films and played and appeared in the Robert Altman film "Kansas City." He later did a national tour with the band from that 1996 film for Verve records.

Newman himself became a character in "Ray," the 2004 biopic of Charles' life that starred Jamie Foxx. And while Newman thought that Foxx did a remarkable job capturing the life of a legend, he wasn't pleased with the way he was portrayed in the Taylor Hackford film.

In the movie, the character called Fathead is depicted as a brash young musician who turned Charles on to hard drugs. The soft-spoken Newman had said Charles had been using drugs for several years before they met. "Drug use was prevalent at the time, even fashionable," Newman told the Columbia Daily Tribune. The movie, he added, "didn't really say that."

He is survived by his wife, four sons, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services are pending.

Vinyl of the Day - "David Newman: Mr. Fathead"

Vinyl of the Day
David Newman: "Mr. Fathead" (Warner Bros.) 1976

Produced by Joel Dorn & Jonathan Dorn
Arranged by William S. Fischer (aka Bill Fischer) & Arthur Jenkins
David "Fathead" Newman plays alto sax, tenor sax & flute backed by Ron Carter, Anthony Jackson, Dom Um Romão, Jimmy Johnson, Pat Rebillot, Andy Newmark, Jerry Friedman, David Carey, Bill Salter, Ralph MacDonald, Keith Loving, Jimmie Young, Dave Valentin (playing percussion!) et al, plus brass section (featuring Burt Collins, Joe Shepley, Jim Bossy & Richard Peck), strings (feat. Selwart Clarke on viola) and backing vocals (including Patti Austin)
My personal favorite tracks: "You Got Style" (a lush arrangement of the Ralph MacDonald/Bill Salter tune previously recorded by Phil Upchurch & Tennyson Stephens on Kudu), "Groovin' To The Music," "Ebo Man," "Promise Me Your Love" and "I Love Music".

CD of the Day - "David Fathead Newman: Back To Basics"

CD of the Day
David "Fathead" Newman: "Back To Basics" (Milestone) 1991

David "Fathead" Newman plays flute and soprano, alto & tenor saxophones, backed by Pat Rebillot, George Cables, Hilton Ruiz (keyboards), Jay Graydon, George Davis, Lee Ritenour (guitars), Abe Laboriel, Wilbur Bascomb (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums in all tracks) and Bill Summers (percussion).

Compilation produced by Orrin Keepnews, who had co-produced the original recordings with Bill Fischer, and decided to remix everything deleting all the orchestral overdubs. Thus the title "Back to Basics". Fantasy Records president Ralph Kaffel approved the unusual idea. To work on the simplified new mix, Orrin requested David Luke, an engineer totally unfamiliar with the original albums. "He was informed of the circumstances, but barred from hearing the overdub tracks," wrote Keepnews in the liner notes. "Instead, we fashioned a new basic mix for the saxophonist and his world-class rhythm support. I really dig the results."

The first four selections were recorded in November, 1977, and released on "Concrete Jungle" (Prestige LP 10104). Other selections were recorded in May, 1977 and released on "Keep The Dream Alive" (Prestige LP 10106) - except "Destiny" which is a previously unreleased alternate take recorded for that album. Also includes the bossa ballad "Clouds" (Nuvens), which Fathead learned from Cannonball Adderley's album with Sergio Mendes & The Bossa Rio Sextet produced by Keepnews, two Stevie Wonder songs ("Knocks Me Off My Feet" and "I Am Singing"), McCoy Tyner's "Blues for Ball", Buddy Johnson's "Save Your Love For Me" and even Bob Marley's "Concrete Jungle", besides Newman's own "Keep The Dream Alive," a jazz-disco hit on its original orchestral mix.

EP of the Day - "David Newman: Clouds"

12" EP of the Day
David "Fathead" Newman (Prestige) 1978
Side A - "Keep The Dream Alive" - Blecman and Hedges Mix (David Newman)
Side B - "Clouds" - Nuvens (Durval Ferreira/Mauricio Einhorn)

Produced by Orrin Keepnews & William S. Fischer
Arranged by William S. Fischer (Bill Fischer)

Super Cool Rollerskating and Funk Music in LA tomorrow

Awesome Rollerskating and funk music thing!
Saturday, Jan 24, 2009 10:30 PM

World On Wheels Rollerrink
4645 1/2 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles 90019
View Map

"Let Freedom Swing"

On Monday, January 19, 2009, on the occasion of Martin Luther King Day and the Presidential Inauguration, Jazz at Lincoln Center produced “A CELEBRATION OF AMERICA,” a memorable event featuring music, dance and oratory at the Eisenhower Theater at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. “A Celebration of America” was made possible through the generous support of the Rockefeller Foundation.

Attending the festive and elegant evening was a distinguished list of guests including Jazz at Lincoln Center Board Chairman Lisa Schiff and husband David, Executive Director and Board member Adrian Ellis and Board members Shahara Ahmad-Llewellyn, Lisa and Richard Cashin, Diane M. Coffey, Mary Beth and Stephen S. Daniel, Gordon J. Davis, Gail and Al Engelberg, Hughlyn F. Fierce, Michael Fricklas and Donna Astion, Skip Gates, Marlene Hess and Jim Zirin, Mark Rosenthal and Lisa Roummel, H. Marshall Sonenshine and Dr. Agnes Varis.

Special guests were also in attendance including President of Rockefeller Foundation Judith Rodin, Brian Ahlberg, Debbie Allen, Adrienne Arsht, Deepak Bhargava, Nancy Birdsall, Ron and Judy Blaylock, Honorable Stephen G. Breyer and wife Joanna, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Broad, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Buckley, Antony Bugg-Levine, Jonathan Capehart, Alexis Clark, Chuck Close, Glenn Close and David Shaw, Susan Fales-Hill, Ann Fudge, Charlene Hunter-Gault and Ron Gault, Agnes Gund, Marvin Hamlisch and Terre Blair, Senator and Mrs. Tom Harkin, Sarah Hurwitz, Ted Kurland, Gara LaMarche, Ronald and Jo Carole Lauder, Norman Lear, Ryan Lizza, Bob Lynch and Diane Brace, Victor MacFarlane, Peter Nitze and Anna Soellner, Ezra Obama, Nelson and Susan Peacock, Mrs. Colin Powell, Jonelle Procope and Frederick Turrell, Brian Ratner, David Remnick, Susan and David Rockefeller, Alexander Smalls and Vicki Fuller, Anna Deveare Smith, Erana Stennet, Laurie Tisch, Luis Ubinas and Deborah Tolman, Lillian Vernon, Darren Walker, Geoff Ward, Ted and Nina Wells, Timothy Wirth and Aerin and Eric Zinterhofer.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis and retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor warmly welcomed the 1100 guests, stating that the evening's performances illustrate that American democracy and America's music - jazz - share the same tenets and embody the same potential for change, hope and renewal. With an enthusiastic "let's rock!" from the Honorable Sandra Day O'Connor, members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra opened the festivities with a traditional and jubilant second line parade across the stage. President of the Rockefeller Foundation, Judith Rodin, addressed the audience and actors Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance served as hosts of the concert as a star-studded line up of musicians and dancers performed throughout the momentous event.

These performers included the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Bela Fleck, Cassandra Wilson, Chorale Le Chateau of New York City conducted by Damien Sneed, Dave Brubeck, Dianne Reeves, Don Vappie, Dr. Michael White, Foxborough (MA) High School Jazz Ensemble, Francesco Cafiso, Freddy Cole, Giovanni Hidalgo, Grace Kelly, Herlin Riley, Jared Grimes, Jessye Norman, Jonathan Batiste, Lucian Barbarin, Marcus Gilmore, Mark O'Connor, Odadaa! with Yacub Addy, Paquito D'Rivera with Diego Urcola, Alex Brown, Oscar Stagnaro, and Mark Walker, Roy Haynes, Shannon Powell and Derek Trucks.

In between performances, the audience watched videotaped interchanges between Mr. Marsalis and Justice O'Connor as they spoke of the values of civil society and the principles of democracy that jazz embodies.

Following the concert, guests were invited to a celebratory champagne supper on the Kennedy Center's Terrace level which was catered by Restaurant Associates and décor was by David Beahm. Event coordination was provided by Ronnie Davis Productions.

To download high-resolution event photos, go to:
http://www.jalc.org/about/2009_galleries/celebration/index.htm
http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====349134
http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====349359

EP of the Day - "David Newman: Mr. Fathead"

12" EP of the Day
David Newman: "Mr. Fathead" (Warner) 1976

Side A
1. Groovin' To The Music (Deborah McGriff/Diane Cameron/Gregory P. Coverdale)
2. Ebo Man (Arthur Jenkins/David Newman)
Side B
1. Shiki (Bill Fischer)
2. I Love Music (Leon Huff/Kenny Gamble)
The cover of The O'Jays, "I Love Music", was a jazz radio hit in late 1976, specially in California. The William S. Fischer arrangement features Fathead on flute, backed by Ron Carter, Dom Um Romão, Pat Rebillot, Jimmy Johnson, Ben Lanzarrone, Jerry Friedman, David Carey and Selwart Clarke.
Dom Um Romão also appears on "Shiki", alongside Anthony Jackson and Nathaniel Gibbs.

CD of the Day - "Club St. Barth 2009"

CD of the Day
"Club St. Barth 2009" (ULM, 2-CD set) 2009

CTI memorabilia - Esther Philips & Joe Beck review in DownBeat

CTI memorabilia: the review, by Herb Nolan, of Esther Phillips/Joe Beck's "What A Diff'rence A Day Makes" (Kudu 23), printed in the December 18, 1975 issue of Down Beat magazine, on page 28.

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Excerpts:
"This is the first recent Esther Phillips recording that has successfully matched her extremely individual and vital vocals with a musical setting as forceful as she is... The result is muscular and vibrant...
In this case, the "more" is a contemporary concept mixing blues, soul and disco. The arrangements are intrincate and for the most part totally sympathetic. At times Ms. Phillips' voice is used like another instrument, or is pitted against Sanborn's brittle and screaming alto. Yet her uniquely individual sound is always complimented with dynamic and powerful orchestrations. Much of the credit must go to Beck who did all the arranging for What A Diff'rence. He obviously understands the depths of Ms. Phillips' talent and how to effectively demonstrate it.
The material is varied, ranging from the funky and sexual to the rocking. The first three tracks are anchored to a thundering disco beat with Diff'rence taken at a fervent tempo. Some may not like this version, but Esther sounds comfortable... One more thing: Esther Phillips has the most sensual voice you'll ever vibrate to." - Nolan

CTI memorabilia - Breathing Fire Into Jazz

CTI advertisement campaign "Breathing Fire Into Jazz" printed in several magazines in late 1974. This image comes from the December 19, 1974 issue of DownBeat (click on the image to enlarge it).

R.I.P.: Gunter Horig

Günter Hörig
(born May 27, 1927, Dresden/Germany;
died Jan. 18, 2009, Dresden/Germany)

The pianist, big band leader, composer and teacher Günter Hörig died January 18th in Dresden, Germany at the age of 81. Hörig had founded the Dresdner Tanzsinfoniker in 1952 and had been teaching jazz at the Dresden conservatory since 1962. Obituary: Sächsische Zeitung.

CD of the Day - "Danny Green: With You In Mind"

DANNY GREEN CD Debut
"WITH YOU IN MIND"
Released Yesterday, January 20, 2009
Debuted #18 last week on JazzWeek charts and #1 most added

CD RELEASE PARTY
MARCH 11, 2009
Anthology in San Diego
(more information below)
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"With You In Mind is more than well worth the spin, it is indeed a brilliant musical statement from pianist Danny Green, one of the new young lions of jazz that I'm sure we will be hearing more of in the future. For the present however, you may want to give this new album a listen, I guarantee you won't be disappointed". - Edward Blanco, eJazzNews

San Diego has launched some amazing jazz artists and Danny Green, a native of Southern California, is swiftly following in their footsteps. At twenty-seven years old he has managed to carve out a place for himself in the lineup of young jazz artists who seem to have a pulse on keeping the tradition of jazz piano alive while stepping boldly into the future through the use of cultural sounds and world music rhythms. Danny doesn't waste any time revealing himself on his solo debut CD, "With You In Mind". One of the next generations of pianists that offer the kind of depth and passion for music that will quench a jazz lovers thirst, Danny serves it up with intense flavor and sometimes an unexpected kick. Danny was stimulated to start working on "With You In Mind" in November 2007 after producing and collaborating with Caballero-Verde Quintet on the heels of their CD, "Past Due" (which featured trumpet, bass, drums, percussion and a very young Danny Green). In "With You In Mind" he focuses on Brazilian influences cradled in mainstream jazz and classical nuances.

Aside from "Suite For The Americas (track 10)," all of the pieces on this album are original compositions. As a composer, he always strives to do something unique with his music. As a result of Danny's musical influences his sound comes across to listeners as a pianistic mixture of Bill Evans, Brad Mehldau, Danilo Perez, and Ravel with original compositions emerging from the sincerity of his soul.

San Diego-based independent record label, Pacific Coast Jazz (PCJ), announces the addition of San Diego-based Brazilian jazz pianist, Danny Green, to their roster of distinctive artists. Green's own independent label, Alante Recordings, will now be an associate label under the Pacific Coast Jazz umbrella. This affiliation anticipates the release of Green's first solo release With You In Mind, slated for a street date of January 20, 2009. "The quality of Danny's work is outstanding and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to high quality independent artists," says Donna Nichols, founder and president of Pacific Coast Jazz.

Nichols' label has teamed up with publicist Joy Foster of SV Media Relations and radio promoter Neal Sapper at New World N'Jazz and will give Alante Records access to international media buying and retail distribution. Pacific Coast Jazz, founded in 2003, is a boutique jazz label that also offers artist management services. All PCJ artists are distributed worldwide by MVD Audio/Big Daddy Music. For more information on Pacific Coast Jazz, please visit:
PacificCoastJazz.com

Piano, Rhodes and Melodica: Danny Green
Bass: Justin Grinnel
Drums: Dylan Savage
Soprano Saxophone: Tripp Sprague
Percussion: Allan Phillips
All songs (except track 10) written by Danny Green
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"WITH YOU IN MIND" CD RELEASE PARTY
IN SAN DIEGO
featuring pianist, Danny Green

MARCH 11, 2009
7:30 PM
ANTHOLOGY
with:
1337 India St.
San Diego CA 92101
Tickets $15 (Call Box Office at 619-595-0300)
http://www.anthologysd.com/

Danny Green is equally versed in Classical, Jazz and Latin styles beginning his musical studies listening to his father play violin with his quartet and studying piano at the age of five. He shifted his attention towards Jazz and Latin music while in High School and has never turned back being first inspired by Ruben Gonzalez. Danny received a B.A. in piano performance at UCSD, where he graduated with honors and won the Jimmy Cheatham Jazz Award. He has studied with Rick Helzer, (Professor of Jazz Studies at San Diego State University), Kamau Kenyatta, Anthony Davis, Otmaro Ruiz, Marcos Silva, Jovino Santos-Neto, and classical studies with John Mark Harris and Luciane Cardassi. Danny also credits the CA Brazil Camp for developing his understanding of authentic Brazilian style and substance having participated in their program since 2006.

Since that time, he has been playing with some top musicians including Peter Sprague, Gilbert Castellanos, Quino McWhinney, Nena Anderson, Rob Thorsen, Bill Andrews, Christel Veraart, Kevin Cooper, Mark Lamson, Jovino Santos-Neto, Chico Pinheiro, and Edu Ribeiro. In 2006 he produced and released a CD with the group, Caballero-Verde Quintet entitled, "Past Due" which received some international attention. After that experience Danny felt confident to stretch out with his own piano trio revealing his love for Brazilian and Latin rhythms that are an integral part of his sound. In August 2006, Danny attended CA Brazil Camp for the first time and it was a huge turning point in developing his style. "Working with great artists there like Marcos Silva and Jovino Santos-Neto, I began to get a sense of how to make Brazilian music work in a trio setting, and I was exposed to so many different styles of Brazilian music. I came home from this workshop with new motivation and began arranging tunes off of recordings for my trio. This process, more than anything, helped me get deeper into the various styles and influenced many of the compositions on the CD. As soon as I felt comfortable in a specific style like baiao for instance, I would set out to write a piece in that style."

In "With You In Mind" he combines both Brazilian and Latin influences cradled in mainstream jazz and classical nuances. Aside from "Suite For The Americas (track 10)," all of the pieces on this album are original compositions that he wrote between Nov 2005 and March 2008. As a composer, he always strives to do something unique with his music. Even though some of his pieces lean towards conventional harmony, he manages to include some surprises that he hopes will enhance the music. "I like my pieces to tell a story by having different sections, familiar tags, and sometimes different solo sections for each instrument".

As a result of Danny's musical influences his sound comes across to listeners as a pianistic mixture of Bill Evans, Brad Mehldau, Danilo Perez, and Ravel with original compositions emerging from the sincerity of his soul. Danny understands the essential nature of jazz and shares his joy with other musicians while continuing his quest for greater musical accomplishments. "I think more than anything, the musicians that I play with motivate me to play. I feel fortunate to work with such great musicians and I always find myself inspired to play when I'm with them and the constant desire to improve. One of the things I love about music is that you can always keep aiming higher, and the effort is always worth it." Danny Green is definitely a pianist with something to say leading him to a successful musical future. http://www.dannygreen.net/