Starring top jazz, pop and blues artists including:
Youssou N’Dour, Oumou Sangaré,Hank Jones meets Cheick Tidiane Seck and The Mandi..., Gregory Hopkins & the Harlem Jubilee Singers, Laurent Mignard Duke Orchestra, Laurent Cugny Enormous Band "Remembering Gil Evans..., Jason Lindner Big Band, Duo Martial Solal / Hank Jones, Randy Crawford & Joe Sample Trio, David Sanborn, Roy Hargrove RH Factor invite MC Solaar and Roberta Gamborini,Gilberto Gil, Lucky Peterson, Jean-Jacques Milteau "Soul Conversation," S.M.V - Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, Seal, Yaël Naim "Hommage à Joni Mitchell," Barbara Hendricks, Kevin Mahogany's Kansas City Revue, "Sing the truth" avec Dianne Reeves, Lizz Wright, ... Wynton Marsalis and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Hervé Sellin Tentet, Seun Kuti & Fela's Egypt 80 invitent Archie Shepp, Anthony Joseph & the spasm band invitent Othello M... and more!
43rd Montreaux Jazz Festival Presents The World Premiere Herbie Hancock & Lang Lang with the Lyon National Orchestra, conducted by John Axelrod
At the 2008 Grammy Awards evening in Los Angeles, Claude Nobs watched an improvised performance by his long-standing friend Herbie Hancock and the virtuoso Chinese classical pianist Lang Lang. He immediately told them he would be interested in giving his support to a proper joint collaboration. A year and a half later, the two pianists are presenting the world premiere of their project on the stage of the Auditorium Stravinski. The Lyon National Orchestra will accompany them under the direction of John Axelrod, who will also join them in performing certain pieces. In addition, the pianists will play solo or as a duo. This is one of the 2009 highlights, in terms of jazz as well as classical music.
Antonin Dvorák, Ouverture Carnaval, op. 92 Vaughan Williams, Concerto for 2 pianos and an orchestra Leonard Bernstein, Ouverture de Candide George Gerschwin, Rhapsody in Blue (rearranged for two pianos and an orchestra) Maurice Ravel, Ma Mère L’Oie (rearranged for four hands) Surprises
WORLD PREMIERE Herbie Hancock & Lang Lang Orchestre National de Lyon conducted by John Axelrod
Auditorium Stravinski July 5, 8pm (doors : 7pm) Buy For more information, log on to www.montreauxjazz.com
Terence Blanchard to guest with 'MILES DAVIS/GIL EVANS: STILL AHEAD" ensemble on August 5th
Jazz At The Hollywood Bowl Wednesdays, 8:00 p.m.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Creative Chair for Jazz, Christian McBride, presents eight concerts featuring both jazz legends and rising stars of the genre. Two series of four concerts take place Wednesday nights throughout the 2009 summer season.
Sergio Mendes, Eddie Palmieri , Poncho Sanchez – July 8th
Natalie Cole has cancelled. Her replacement is TBA. - July 15th
Boney James, Fourplay – July 22nd
Miles Davis/Gil Evans: Still Ahead featuring Terence Blanchard, Nicholas Payton, Jimmy Cobb, Christian McBride, Peter Erskine and Howard Johnson.Vince Mendoza conducts; Miles Evans serves as Artistic Director – August 5th
Buddy Guy, Dr. John & the Lower 911, James Cotton – August 12th
Patti LaBelle, Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue – August 19th
Dizzy Gillespie’s All Star Big Band with special guest James Moody, The Roy Hargrove Big Band and Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band – August 26th
Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White; John Scofield opens – September 2nd
For tickets and more information, please visit www.laphil.org
LONG BEACH JAZZ FESTIVAL AUGUST 7th, 8th, and 9th RAINBOW LAGOON PARK
The Ultimate Summer Groove' Will Feature Performances By the Best & The Brightest in Jazz, Urban, R&B, Neo-Soul & Smooth Jazz and features a Special Tribute to Waymon Tisdale. For more information on tickets,directions and artists scheduled to perform, please visit www.longbeachjazzfestival.com or call Rainbow Promotions at (562) 424-0013.
2nd Annual Gatsby Jazz Festival Malibu Country Club Malibu, California Saturday, August 29, 2009 Dress Code: White Linen
Featuring Bobby Caldwell, Joyce Cooling, Marcus Johnson, Freddie Fox featuring Evelyn "Champagne" King, Tim Cunningham and the Bass King.
$40.00 for General Admission, $70.00 for Premium Box Seats, and $130.00 for Platinum VIP Seats (includes dinner). For more information please visit www.gatsbyjazzfestival.com.
30th Detroit International Jazz Festival
Labor Day Weekend Classic to Celebrate Family Jazz Dynasties and the Detroit Jazz Legacy John Clayton to serve as Artist-in-Residence
Friday, September 4 through Monday, September 7, in downtown Detroit, Michigan, USA
Hank Jones, Monk on Monk, Corea, Clark & White,Dave Brubeck, Brubeck Brothers Quartet, The Clayton Brothers, Wayne Shorter Quartet featuring Brian Blade, John Patitucci & Danilo Perez, Sheila Jordan, John Pizzarelli Quartet with special guest Bucky Pizzarelli, Christian McBride and Inside Straight, Chuchito Valdés Quartet, Larry Coryell Trio with special guest Julian Coryell, The Heath Brothers, Louis Hayes & the Cannonball Adderly Legacy Band, The Carl Allen & Rodney Whitaker Project, Sean Jones Quintet, Stefon Harris & Blackout, Alfredo Rodriguez, Eddie Daniels with the Wayne State University Big Band, Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express, Irma Thomas and many more!
For more information, including festival updates and details on how to become a Jazz Fest guardian or member of the Rhythm Section, visit www.detroitjazzfest.com.
52nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Presented By Verizon Celebrates The Joy Of Jazz With Legendary Icons, Classic Tributes, And Young Upstarts On 9 Stages For 3 Days Of Nonstop Jazz Entertainment, September 18 - 20, 2009
2009 Artists-In-Residence Wynton Marsalis And The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra Headline Arena/Lyons Stage Dave Brubeck Quartet Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Time Out, Conrad Herwig’s Latin Side All-Star Band Plays The Music Of Miles Davis and John Coltrane Commemorating 50th Anniversary Of Kind of Blue and Giant Steps!
Christian McBride & Inside Straight: That Night At Catalina’s
By Paula Edelstein
The Grammy-award winning bass player/composer/educator Christian McBride returned to Catalina’s after a six-year hiatus with a hot new band and a brand new release on Mack Avenue Records titled KIND OF BROWN. McBride’s new band, which is called Inside Straight, performed several songs from the new release to a captive audience who cheered throughout the set and shared in their musical genius and mesmerizing jazz messages. Inside Straight which consists ofSteve Wilson on saxophone, Peter Martin on piano, Ulysses Owens, Jr. on drums and Warren Wolfe, Jr. on vibes, stretched the limits of their individual boundaries, bringing together all of their collective influences and experiences and weaving them into one great entity.
The formidable band (which is named after a “hard-to-accomplish successful poker hand”), opened with “Brother Mister” a basic 12-bar blues that had the audience captured from start to finish. McBride composed this great song which features ample space for his bandmates to stretch out and more than enough room for an audience to engage in the optimum swing. Warren Wolfe, Jr. delighted the audience with his great vibraphone mastery on “Theme For Kareem” which was written by the late, great Freddie Hubbard. His solo had energy to burn and the audience went wild following its conclusion.
Only an inventive spirit can imagine things which have never existed before and thanks to his uncompromising musical genius, tonight was totally McBride’s night. The audience really dug his fresh, hip, pizzicato and bowed bass feelings. Meticulously crafted and true to the unique urban concept and spirit of the original, McBride was quick, agile and creative with his chord changes on Hubbard’s “Theme For Kareem.” On “Tenderly,” his romantic bass voicings were laid back and eased gently into a sensuous climax. His bowing was simply riveting, but what you really had to understand was the hypnotic effect that McBride’s bowing had on his audience. It was a treat in any tempo.
The set closed with the funky, blues-imbued “Used ‘Ta Could.” It opened with McBride’s funky bass line then segued into a groove on which the powerhouse quintet jells. Steve Wilson, Peter Martin and Ulysses Owens, Jr. all turned in exceptional solos which were met with thunderous ovations. A sure crowd pleaser, this song brought the audience to its feet for a final standing ovation.
The only thing better than hearing a great band is knowing there is a master bandleader at its helm. Christian McBride makes the good life great and bearing witness to this great happening was pure joy. This night at Catalina’s was an evening filled with great sounds that whipped the audience into a frenzy with burning, pulsating grooves, soothed them with sentimental romantic beauty, and then returned them to a state of soulful gospel-flavored feelings. Don’t miss them when they come your way. For tour and concert information, please log on to www.christianmcbride.com
Strings Attached Features the Brilliance of Dianne Reeves with Russell Malone and Romero Lubambo By Paula Edelstein
Grammy Award winning jazz artist Dianne Reeves brought Strings Attached, her new program that features guitarists Russell Malone and Romero Lubambo to the Walt Disney Concert Hall recently. Reeves’ exceptionally gifted vocals, humor and radiance proved to be just the right mix for an enamored audience who responded with three thunderous standing ovations.
Dianne Reeves, who was the first singer to ever perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the first Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, had the audience absorbed in her great vocalese on such songs as “A Child Is Born,” immersed in rich bluesy vocals on “One For My Baby," and in love with her breezy, bouncy, bossa-flavored “Our Love Is Here To Stay.” Reeves’ original and imaginative vocals were beautifully complemented by the remarkable guitar voicings and colors of Lubambo and Malone, each offering their own engaging language to assist Reeves’ exploratory performance techniques.
Each guitarist was featured as the sole accompanist to Ms. Reeves, revealing their immersions in the program’s versatility. Russell Malone’s version of “Unchained Melody” was brilliant and depicted his amazing virtuosity as an improviser of well-known melodies. Later in the show, Malone produced some joyous, bluesy, country-flavored riffing as an introduction to a song Reeves wrote for her mother. This song featured Reeves’ real, down home gospel-based chops whose singing reflected multiple vocal ranges from bass to soprano and rhythmically speaking, one of the best songs in the show.
After a second thunderous ovation, the trio performed an encore written by McCoy Tyner. “You Taught My Heart To Sing” was again ripe with Reeves’ melodic inventions and impressive vocalese.It is apparent that Reeves’ creative prowess stems from her ability to interact in various cultures and infuse the music she has experienced from her travels into her own amazing sound. Tonight’s show was a sure indication of her musical genius and capability of producing an astonishing variety of rhythms, melodies and harmonies to form an inspired program that will live in the hearts of her fans for years to come. To learn more about the great Dianne Reeves, please visit her website at www.diannereeves.com
2009 Playboy Jazz Festival Presents Renowned Jazz Icons, Rising Stars, and Festival Favorites
Hugh Hefner
Esperanza Spalding
Pete Escovedo
Jamie Foxx and Friend
Wallace Roney
Norman Brown
By Paula Edelstein
No matter what style of jazz you enjoy listening, dancing or grooving to, you could hear it at the 31st Annual Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles, CA. The 2009 two-day festival drew over 30,000 fans to the world famous Hollywood Bowl recently in celebration of one of the city’s most enduring musical experiences. Playboy founder Hugh Hefner often explains, “I still associate with jazz more than any other form of popular music.” This weekend, he was not alone. The audience went wild with excitement as Hefner made his much anticipated entrance with his entourage of gorgeous platinum blonde Playboy Playmates.
Movie and television stars were everywhere including Jamie Foxx, John Witherspoon, Meshach Taylor, Sheila Frazier and many others! Basketball legend Elgin Baylor towered over his fans as he shook hands and doled out hugs and kisses. Seeing these celebrities and the world’s most famous playboy enjoying one of their favorite pastimes added yet another dimension to the fun and party atmosphere that is a staple of this great event.
Virtually every jazz legend has performed at the Playboy Jazz Festival
This year such jazz icons as the Jack Sheldon Orchestra, Jimmy Cobb’s So What Band, the Pete Escovedo Orchestra, the Wayne Shorter Quartet, Monty Alexander’s Jazz & Roots and the Dave Holland Big Band made even deeper and lasting impressions on their devoted fans.
Jimmy Cobb, the only surviving member of the original Miles Davis ensemble that delivered the priceless jazz album KIND OF BLUE, honored the 50th anniversary of the recording with stunning new interpretations of the classics “So What,” “Blue In Green” and “Freddie The Freeloader.” Delivered by a new generation of musicians including Wallace Roney on trumpet, Javon Jackson on tenor saxophone, Vincent Herring on alto saxophone, Larry Willis on piano and John Webber who replaced Buster Williams on acoustic bass, the sounds from this great masterpiece were as fresh as the day they were recorded.
However, when Pete Escovedo took the stage with his mighty Latin chops, the crowd went wild. The fiery grooves, the heart throbbing congas, the awesome drumming from Sheila E and the horn charts that were off the meter ,had an unstoppable effect on the audience who took to their feet dancing the mambo, salsa and their own brands of groove. Long in the shadow of the great Tito Puente, the legendary Pete Escovedo Orchestra brought the party full throttle and was by far, one of the best shows on Saturday.
Wayne Shorter’s quartet was simply awesome. The legendary saxophonist brought it on full strength with help from drummer Brian Blade, bassist John Patitucci and pianist Geoff Keezer who replaced an injured Danilo Perez. “I’ve been waiting for a chance to play with Wayne Shorter all my life,” beamed a grateful Geoff Keezer after the show. “He’s my favorite and I am honored to have had this opportunity to play with him,” he added. The audience certainly appreciated this great quartet and said so with a standing ovation.
Dave Holland’s Big Band made a rare appearance outside of the New York area. Their performance featured some stellar solos by saxophonist Chris Potter and trombonist Robin Eubanks. Steve Nelson’s mastery of the vibraphone and marimba and Nate Smith’s delivery on the drums enhanced Holland’s tremendous acoustic bass rhythms that have been spotlighted on thousands of recordings. This event was well-worth waiting for and provided the best relief for fans who remain enthusiastic about Dave Holland’s international appeal and historical significance to the jazz idiom.
A New Generation of Jazz Artists Make Their Debut at Playboy Jazz Festival
Newcomers Anat Cohen, Esperanza Spalding and Alberto Rodriquez wowed their fans with versatile displays of their musical skills. Cohen, a multi-talented clarinetist and tenor saxophonist first impressed her fans during her stint on Saturday with the Cos of Good Music. On Sunday, her New York-based quartet which featured pianist Jason Lindner, Joe Martin on bass and Daniel Freedman on drums, provided a remarkable introduction to West Coast fans. Cohen’s straight-ahead chops were exciting and masterful. The always great Jason Lindner is clearly the choice of the X-Generation (i.e., Avishai Cohen, Claudia Acuna). He weaved his beautiful poetry and artful accompaniment throughout this set and made Cohen’s delivery even more interesting.
Esperanza Spalding’s bass playing marveled many as she managed to maintain her composure despite the roar accompanying the arrival of Hefner’s entourage during her set. A singing bass player is rare on the jazz circuit. However, her rendition of “Wild As The Wind” caught the attention of the audience as did her electric bass version of Wayne Shorter’s “Endangered Species.” She’s definitely one to watch.
Quincy Jones would have been proud to hear his latest protégé’s avant-garde set. Open up and say amazing is probably the best description for this young master named Alfredo Rodriquez. The depth the pianist possesses rivals that of many of Cuba’s best exports including Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Accompanied by Nathan East on bass and Francisco Mela on drums, Rodriquez played his heart out and left the audience mesmerized by his versatile renditions of Cuban folk and Thelonious Monk-influenced jazz classics.
Smooth Jazz Giants Kenny G, Patti Austin and Norman Brown’s Summer Storm Electrify The Crowd
Smooth jazz giants Kenny G, Patti Austin and Norman Brown’s Summer Storm made their much anticipated returns to the Playboy Jazz Festival. Their sets electrified the crowd and turned up the level of smoothness that often accompanies their music.
Kenny G entered from the center of the amphitheatre, giving fans an up close and personal vantage point of his brilliance on soprano saxophone. Holding a single note for nearly four minutes as he made his way to the stage, the audience was ecstatic when he broke into “Songbird” the multi-million dollar hit that made him a household name. “What A Wonderful World,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Forever In Love” and his 2008 Number 1 hit “Sax-o-loco” followed as did songs from his latest best seller RHYTHM AND ROMANCE. Kenny G is all that and his adoring fans let him know it with a standing ovation.
Patti Austin brought back a great rock standard and gave it a twist of jazz. Her rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Hey Joe” was just what the doctor ordered for jazz-rock fans. Her hits, “Baby Come To Me” and “So Amazing” were complimented by her great band which also filled in for James Ingram’s duet part. However it was her version of “Lean On Me” that got the crowd into her set. Austin’s powerful vocals were met with a standing ovation as well as an everlasting appreciation for the Grammy-Award winning vocalist.
Norman Brown’s tribute to the late Waymon Tisdale was heartfelt and appropriately delivered. The late bass guitarist was to have played with Norman Brown’s Summer Storm. Vocalist Phil Perry stepped in to provide his solace and amazing vocal artistry to the delight of the audience. Joining Brown was saxophonist Eric Darius and keyboard artist Gail Johnson who made Norman’s set a work of smooth and sexy sounds that felt just right for this wonderful summer night.
African World Beats, Afro-Cuban and Latin Jazz rhythms filled the air
King Sunny Ade and His African Beats nearly caused a riot when people from the upper levels tried to rush the stage when they could no longer contain themselves from his mesmerizing beats. Their groove was rich in African world beats and the dancers rivaled some of the best in the business.
Closing out the festival was Oscar Hernandez and the L.A. Salsa All-Stars. Combining Afro-Cuban jazz with salsa rhythms, the band filled the night air with just the right potions as thousands of revelers took to their feet and danced the night away. The orchestra was a major hit and once again, Latin jazz took first place at the Playboy Jazz Festival.
Overall, the entire two-day event was well-worth an annual vacation, a stay-cation or just an impromptu full-filled weekend. Special thanks to Hugh Hefner, Richard Rosenzweig, Darlene Chan, Rob Hilburger, Teri, Nina Gordon and Melissa Wenke for their kindness and professionalism. See you next year. For more information about the Playboy Jazz Festival, please visit their website at www.playboyjazzfestival.com
2010 LA Philharmonic Creative Chair for Jazz Herbie Hancock with 2005-2009 LA Philharmonic Creative Chair for Jazz Christian McBride
Los Angeles Philharmonic Association Announces Hollywood Bowl 2009 Summer Season
Herbie Hancock Appointed Creative Chair for Jazz: Begins Two-Year Tenure with Hollywood Bowl 2010 Season
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association today announces the Hollywood Bowl summer 2009 programming for its 88th season at the historic venue. The Hollywood Bowl – recently named
“Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue” by Pollstar magazine for the 5th straight year – is one of the most renowned summer cultural venues in the United States and has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since 1922.
The 2009 summer season spans 14 weeks from June to September and includes presentation of classical music by the Los Angeles Philharmonic: popular weekend shows with the Philharmonic and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; jazz; world music; pop; rock; and special presentations, aw well as family and educational programs.
New Jazz Leadership
Legendary jazz icon Herbie Hancock will succeed Christian McBride as the third Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.
“It is a great honor to be selected as the next Creative Chair for Jazz, and follow in the footsteps of Christian McBride, who has presented programming of incredible breadth and talent,” says Hancock. “I intend to continue this tradition and also bring to fruition new ideas and one-of-a-kind programs in two of the finest venues for live music – Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl.” “We are truly privileged to have such a highly-regarded musician of the caliber of Herbie Hancock to follow Christian McBride as our next Creative Chair for Jazz,” says Deborah Borda, President of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. “We are thrilled to welcome him to our organization, and are deeply grateful for Christian’s guidance.” “My tenure as Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic has truly been one of the most rewarding o my career,” says McBride. “It was an unbelievable opportunity to present unprecedented jazz programs. Having the legendary Herbie Hancock succeed me in this position is an astounding honor and a testament to the LA Phil’s firm commitment to promoting the best that jazz has to offer.”
For more information regarding the entire season, please visit www.laphil.org
CHICK COREA and JOHN McLAUGHLIN ROCK UCLA WITH FIVE PEACE BAND By Paula Edelstein
Chick Corea and John McLaughlin’s Five Peace Band dazzled their audience at UCLA recently on the opening night of their 22-city USA tour. Met with a standing ovation, these master musicians: Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Christian McBride, Kenny Garrett, and Vinnie Colaiuta launched into “Raju” the opening track on their brand new Concord release CHICK COREA & JOHN McLAUGHLIN FIVE PEACE BAND LIVE. They held the capacity audience captive via ingenious soloing, intricate textures, colors, and by the unparalleled playing of their instruments. Each solo was immaculate and evoked several thunderous ovations.The creativity continued with a brand new composition penned by Chick Corea called “The Disguise.” This song was a clinic which featured McLaughlin’s fiery guitar dialogue, Garrett’s exemplary improvisations, and stellar ensemble interplay that featured stop-on-a-dime timing and amazing dexterity. Roaring with delight, the audience was treated next with a John McLaughlin gem called “New Blues, Old Bruise” from his INDUSTRIAL ZEN recording. Christian McBride’s down-home and gritty blues laden bass was the solid underscore for this raucous, funky get down. The entire band stretched out with hard blowin’ from Garrett and Colaiuta’s drum kit on fire. After intermission, the band returned with “Senor CS” and the crowd pleasing “Hymn To Andromeda.” The latter found the band exploring the outer bands of a different galaxy – introduced with the beautiful melodies from Corea’s acoustic piano, moving deeper via McBride’s arco bowing, further by McLaughlin’s electric riffing, and going way out with Garrett’s horn smoking fire and depicting close encounters with reinvented sheets of sound. This song was amazing and a true indication of Corea’s ability to create an atmosphere of adventure and excitement through imaginative sounds. The audience went wild and leap to their feet for another thunderous ovation. Closing with “Dr. Jackle” and “In A Silent Way/It’s About That Time” the giants of jazz fusion and the Five Peace Band reached their musical nirvana with double standing ovations and shouts for more. What a night, what a musical journey, what a band! This show is not to be missed. For more information on upcoming shows, please visit www.fivepeaceband.com . To find out more about upcoming shows at UCLA LIVE, please visit their website at www.uclalive.org
THE COMPLETE FIVE PEACE BAND TOUR SCHEDULE:
Chick Corea & John McLaughlin with Christian McBride, Kenny Garrett and Vinnie Colaiuta:
March
19—Los Angeles, CA: UCLA
20—Santa Barbara CA: Campbell Hall at UCSB
21—Berkeley, CA: Zellerbach Hall
24—Modesto, CA: Gallo Center for the Arts
25—Denver, CO: The Paramount Theatre
Chick Corea & John McLaughlin with Christian McBride, Kenny Garrett and Brian Blade: March
27—Miami, FL: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
28— Savannah, GA: Savannah Music Festival
29—Atlanta, GA: The Variety Playhouse
31—Dallas, TX: House of Blues
April
1—Houston, TX: Verizon Wireless Theater
2—Austin, TX: Bass Concert Hall
3—Chicago IL: The Chicago Theatre
4—Ann Arbor, MI: Hill Auditorium, University of Michigan
6—Nashville, TN: Schermerhorn Symphony Center
7—Urbana IL: Krannert Center
23–25—New York, NY: Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center
26—Glenside, PA: The Keswick Theatre
28—Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts
29—N. Bethesda, MD: The Music Center at Strathmore
30—Boston, MA: Berklee Performance Center
May
1—Burlington, VT: Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
From L to R: Event Hostess Natalie Cole, Performer Herbie Hancock, Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow, Blue Note Records President Bruce Lundvall, Performer Cassandra Wilson, Performer Terence Blanchard, Recording Academy Vice Chair Neil Tesser, Performer Joe Lovano, and Recording Academy Chair Jimmy Jam
51st Annual Official Grammy Week Events Salute Artists and Organizations Who Keep Music Alive
Los Angeles was buzzing with exciting celebrations and events during Grammy Week. The Recording Academy honored giants of classical and jazz music, presented its 11th Annual Music Preservation Event “Music In Focus,” held Town Hall panel discussions, and honored Neil Diamond as its MusicCares Person of the Year in advance of the main event – the presentation of the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards on CBS Television.
The week kicked off with the GRAMMY “Salute to Classical” and GRAMMY “Salute to Jazz” events. Classical honorees Sir Neville Marriner and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra received the President’s Merit Award at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The following night, GRAMMY “Salute to Jazz” honored Blue Note Records’ dual milestones – the 70th anniversary of the label’s founding by Alfred Lion and the 25th anniversary of its re-launch in 1984 under current president Bruce Lundvall. A capacity audience gathered at Club Nokia to witness Neil Portnow’s special presentation to Bruce Lundvall, performances by the GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles and host Natalie Cole. Remarks by Lundvall drew a standing ovation and performances featuring special guests Terence Blanchard, Joe Lovano, Cassandra Wilson, Herbie Hancock clearly reminded the audience of their outstanding achievements as Blue Note recording artists.
“Our ‘Salute To’ series during GRAMMY week pays homage and celebrates the work of extraordinary people and organizations that continue to ensure that these genres remain a vital part of our culture,” stated Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. When asked whether adding hip hop, funk, or R&B artists to the Blue Note label would weaken its presence as the definitive company that embodies jazz’s aesthetic, Jimmy Jam, Chair of the Recording Academy stated, “Absolutely not. It’s about creativity and their addition will only strengthen it and keep its future vibrant.” Truer words were never spoken because in 1992, Blue Note scored one of the biggest hits in its history when the label granted permission for the British hip hop group Us3 to use samples from Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island” on their remix project Hand On The Torch. They had a huge hit with “Cataloop (Flip Fantasia).” Norah Jones, one of the best selling artists in Blue Note history (her Come Away With Me sold 20 million records) might have been a jazz piano major but her hit record was a collection of soft country, R&B and jazz songs.
Over at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, the GRAMMY Foundation celebrated “Music In Focus” with photographers Danny Clinch, Robert Knight and Herman Leonard at its 11th Annual Music Preservation event on Wednesday. This event celebrated the intersection of music and photography and featured these photographers discussing their work.
On a stormy Thursday night, the GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles were scheduled to perform at The Vic with special guest trumpeter and double GRAMMY winner, Terence Blanchard.
Winding up the week of official GRAMMY events, was the GRAMMY Town Hall with special guests U.S. Representative John C. Conyers (Chairman, House Judiciary Committee), U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Representative Darrell Issa, GRAMMY-nominated recording artist Josh Groban, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, and artist manager Simon Renshaw. Discussions about the state of the recording industry followed by a question and answer session proved to be interesting at best.
Later Friday evening, a Black-tie event at the Los Angeles Convention Center honored Neil Diamond as the 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year. Jennifer Hudson, Adele, Coldplay, Josh Groban and a special performance by the honoree were scheduled as entertainment. For more information, please visit http://www.grammy.com
President Obama and Wynton Marsalis, Photo by Eric Wright
The Inauguration of Barack Obama: Many Dreams Fulfilled
By Paula Edelstein
Now that the events on the occasion of the Inauguration of Barack Obama have been successfully completed, citizens of the United States have had many of their dreams, hopes and aspirations fulfilled. Many thought they've never see the day when an African-American would win the most prestigious office in American government. However when the mantra of "YES WE CAN" rang across America over the past two years, citizens united and their votes led to the events of January 20, 2009. President Obama definitely has a very nice ring to it!
It is wonderful and pleasant to know that we have a president who is committed on so many levels to the betterment of the people and socio-economic conditions that is he now concerned with. Not since the Clinton Administration has jazz music had such a prominent place in the cultural events organized for an Inauguration. Smooth jazz artists and the Queen of Soul, Ms. Aretha Franklin sang America The Beautiful during the Swearing In Ceremony and brought tears of emotional joy to the eyes of nearly 2 million people packed together in unity on the National Mall. Wynton Marsalis, the multi-Grammy Award winner and Pulitzer Prize winning jazz artist played a private party for President Obama at the White House. Grammy & Tony-winning Jazz Vocalist and UN Goodwill Ambassador Dee Dee Bridgewater performed at the official inaugural Health for All Blue Diamond Ball at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The Grammy-award winning artist Herbie Hancock performed at the Lincoln Memorial in the We Are One ceremony televised on HBO. At the Neighborhood Ball, smooth jazz artist Vanessa Williams hosted segments that featured Stevie Wonder's brilliant performances, Sting and other socially aware artists. But most of all, who could forget the sensational serenade to The Obamas on their first dance by smooth jazz artist and Princess of Soul Beyonce of "At Last." These are just a few of the high-profile jazz artists who lent their artistic visions and appreciation to the Obamas on this very special and historic occasion.
So there's hope for jazz, for the arts, and for our nation. Let us all join together in peace and love and move this nation forward to an even better place under the guidance of President Obama.
Congratulations America...you have arrived.
Ravi Coltrane featured member of The Blue Note 7
Blue Note 70th Anniversary Features Hot New Talent Carrying the Legends Forward
By Paula Edelstein
The torch has been passed and a new generation of great jazz musicians are carrying on the innovative music of such Blue Note recording legends as Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson and Lee Morgan, just to name a few. At UCLA’s Royce Hall, the Blue Note 7: Bill Charlap on piano, Ravi Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Steve Wilson on alto saxophone, Nicholas Payton on trumpet, Lewis Nash on drums, Peter Washington on bass and Peter Bernstein on guitar, played a stellar performance of songs written during Blue Note’s early years. The tribute was also a tribute to founder Alfred Lion who founded Blue Note Records in 1939.
The near capacity audience sat enthralled at the level of technical agility and improvisation emanating from the stage and showed their appreciation several times after amazing solos. The set list included several arrangements by Renee Rosnes of such legendary compositions as Wayne Shorter’s “United,” Herbie Hancock’s “Dolphin Dance,” Horace Silver’s “The Outlaw” and Lee Morgan’s “Party Time,” the Dexter Gordon and Billy Higgins favorite “Soy Califa” and a beautiful arrangement of Bobby Hutcherson’s “Bouquet” which featured Steve Wilson on flute. After closing with Joe Henderson’s “Inner Urge” a standing ovation greeted “Mosaic” as an encore.
There were two unfortunate remembrances for this Los Angeles-based writer. One was the absence of music from John Coltrane’s legendary recording titled BLUE TRANE! With his son Ravi Coltrane present and poised to deliver what would have been a remarkable interpretation of his father’s composition, it was a shame not to hear Coltrane blowing a tune from his father’s historic Blue Note recording. Second, the absence of Freddie Hubbard’s great songs from HUB-TONES. With Nicholas Payton in great form and his trumpet on fire, and Steve Wilson knowing his way very well around the flute and the alto sax, a tribute to Hubbard (especially in light of his recent death) would have been very appropriate tribute to the legendary trumpeter who made bold musical statements on Blue Note.
Overall, the memorable soloing and exciting comping of each artist was impeccable and reserved the original recordings’ musical integrity and historical significance.
Wayne Shorter and Imani Winds At Walt Disney Concert Hall
By Paula Edelstein
The genius of Wayne Shorter cannot be underestimated by any stretch of the imagination. The distinguished award-winning composer, tenor and soprano saxophonist along with his quartet of Danilo Perez, Brian Blades and John Patitucci, played one of the most creative sets I’d heard in a long time at the Walt Disney Concert Hall recently as part of Shorter’s 75th Birthday Celebration. Opening for the Wayne Shorter Quartet was Imani Winds, a five piece woodwind and brass ensemble which joined Shorter’s quartet for two extended works. Javier Diaz, the percussionist featured on Imani Winds’ latest CD titled This Christmas, as well as television/stage actress Berlinda Tolbert (The Jeffersons) were sighted in the audience taking in the great sounds emanating throughout the world-class venue.
The nine-time Grammy award winner’s entire set was a masterwork of free and avante garde jazz. On stage, these four jazz masters were a sight and sound to behold. All creative. All exceptionally tuned to the inner thoughts of their fellow musicians to the point that you’d think they were reading each other’s minds. I cannot overemphasize the interplay of each member of Shorter’s quartet. Perez was melodic and graceful. Blade, energetic and bold. Patitucci held down the bass logic and rhythmic might. And Shorter. Well Shorter was out there. Stretching the boundaries of his instruments in all registers. There were honks, squeaks, squeals and melodies that made you sit up straight, that opened up thoughts you didn’t know you had. In other words, he was blowing such deep notes that he’d hit you directly in the tone centers of your body and soul. Their improvisations were spiritual; their musical conversations were deep and pensive; their sounds embraced their audience in an array of emotions. Overall, their art was all encompassing and the audience thanked them with two standing ovations.
Imani Winds, a classical jazz ensemble, played two songs (Wayne Shorter‘s “Terra Incognita” and one of their original works) as the opening act for the Wayne Shorter Quartet before joining them for two more extended pieces that closed the quartet’s show. This group was truly exceptional. Aside from having the characteristics of a classical chamber music ensemble (oboe, clarinet, flute, French horn, and bassoon) as opposed to a classic jazz quintet (piano, bass, drums, saxophone, trumpet), this great quintet served up an adventurous mélange of improvised jazz music that their fans are sure to remember for years to come.
Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis and The Philarmonia Brasiliera Open UCLA Live Jazz Season With Excellence
By Paula Edelstein
Branford Marsalis is one of the most fluent and complete saxophonists on the music scene today. As a prime example of a musician who can transcend musical boundaries to produce some of the most beautiful music you’ve ever heard, Marsalis delivered on all levels at Royce Hall recently when he appeared with The Philarmonia Brasileira in MARSALIS BRASILIANOS: A CELEBRATION OF THE MUSIC OF HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS as part of the 2008-2009 UCLA Live Jazz series. Although the three time Grammy Award winning artist is primarily known and is constantly lauded for his consummate skills as a jazz musician, tonight Branford Marsalis re-introduced his classical music acumen to a near capacity audience, and to devoted fans who originally fell in love with his classical musical artistry documented with the release of his stunning 1986 classical masterpiece titled Romances For Saxophone.
With conductor Gil Jardim at the helm, Marsalis was in great form tonight as the soloist. Heitor Villa-Lobos‘ “Fantasia For Saxophone (soprano) and piano or orchestra,” consisted of three brief movements “Anime,” “Lent” and “Tres Anime” in which Marsalis captured their odd-time meters with ease. A second work by Villa Lobos followed. “Suite For Strings, A.054” was a passionate and beautiful three movement piece that reflected Marsalis skillful conveyance of classical technique and style.
Two works by Villa-Lobos’ friend and kindred spirit, French composer Darius Milhaud were also performed. Those works - “La Creation du Monde op. 81” and “Scaramouche for Saxophone (alto) and Piano op. 165c” were met with robust applause. “La Creation du Monde,” is a six movement work that portrays the creation of the world based on African and folk mythology. Originally commissioned as a ballet, the piece fuses elements of jazz with the exotic movements often associated with dance. The versatility of Marsalis was central to the success of this piece as he adeptly captured the fury and chaos before creation, the beauty of the population process, the creation of man and woman and the peaceful harmony inherent in the closing section of Milhaud’s work.
The program also featured one of Heitor Villa-Lobos’ nine Bachianas Brasileiras - “Bachianas Brasilieras no. 5, A.389” works for solo sax and orchestra. Marsalis’ performance ranged from lyrical to delicate, spirited to evocative, as he combined the contrapuntal techniques inspired by Bach with the melodic and rhythmic characteristics of Brazilian music. The first movement of No. 5 is an adagio titled “Aria” and is marked by lyrical expansiveness. The second movement is titled “Danca,” and “represents a persistent and characteristic rhythm much like the emboladas…while the melody suggest the birds of Brazil.”
Shifting to alto saxophone, Marsalis performed “Scaramouche for Saxophone (alto) op. 165c.” This three movement piece is a representation of Milhaud’s modernist period and incorporates elements of jazz and polyphonic melodies. With Marsalis’ innovative spirit alive and well, “Vif,” “Modere,” and “Brazileira” all received an invigorated interpretation of this rarely heard arrangement that came about as a result of the popularity of Milhaud’s original score for a Moliere play.
This fascinating concert celebrated the 50th anniversary of Heitor Villa-Lobos’ death with dignity and beauty and was uniquely suited to Marsalis’ mastery of both jazz and classical music.
The UCLA Live Jazz Season continues January 22,, 2009 with the Blue Note 70th Anniversary tour, and is followed by John Hassel on February 13, 2009 and Chick Corea and John McLaughlin on March 19, 2009. For more information, log on to www.ucla.org
Copyright/Legal Notice: Copyright by Edelstein & Associates, LP/Sounds of Timeless Jazz.com. All rights reserved worldwide. Edelstein & Associates, LP/Sounds of Timeless Jazz.com shall not be liable in the event of incidental or consequential damages arising from the use of information SUPPLIED TO THE PARTNERS herein. All photos are used with the express permission of the record companies and photographers by license agreements for promotional purposes only and remain the property of the respective author or licensor.
