Award / Grant News

Jimmie Lunceford Awarded Note on Memphis' Beale Street Walk of Fame

Source: Michael Ricci
July 21, 2009

Jimmie Lunceford, storied bandleader and educator was awarded a note on the Beale Street Walk of Fame in Memphis, Tennessee on Sunday, July 19. His note will join the likes of those who have had a tremendous impact on the City of Memphis as a musical center.

Lunceford, who first came to Memphis in 1926 as a coach at Manassas High School, established the first music program in Memphis City Schools. Lunceford's groups went on to tour professionally and have ...

Continue Reading

Kenny Wheeler Receives Honorary Doctorate from University of York

Source: All About Jazz
July 18, 2009

On 17 July 2009, Kenny Wheeler attended the final graduation ceremony of 2009 at the University of York and received an honorary doctorate degree. In attendance were several of Kenny's family members and speaking on behalf of Kenny Wheeler were Mark Wheeler (his son) and Dr. Jonathan Eato (Lecturer in Music). As part of the ceremony, Kenny wrote a new composition for four trumpets entitlted “For Trumpet Peace". The ensemble was put together by PhD student Matthew Postle whose own ...

Continue Reading

Alan Pasqua Renowned Pianist Appointed Chair USC Thornton School of Music Jazz Studies

Source: All About Jazz
July 17, 2009

Acclaimed Artists Saxophonist/Composer Bob Mintzer and Drummer Peter Erskine also Named to Jazz Faculty. USC Thornton introduces New Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Jazz.

Legendary jazz pianist Alan Pasqua has been appointed Chair of USC Thornton School of Musics illustrious jazz studies department. The announcement was made by Dr. Robert Cutietta, dean of the school, who also named two other internationally renowned artists to the jazz studies faculty: saxophonist/composer Bob Mintzer and drummer Peter Erskine.

Additionally, USC Thornton is introducing ...

Continue Reading

Old Globe's 'Sammy' Musical Receives Edgerton Award

Source: Michael Ricci
July 17, 2009

The Old Globe in San Diego has received the Edgerton Foundations prestigious New American Play Award for its upcoming world premiere production of “Sammy," a musical biography of the late Sammy Davis Jr.

As part of the award, the company will receive $75,000 that will go toward an extension of the rehearsal period for “Sammy," which is scheduled to begin previews Sept. 19 and to officially open Friday, Oct. 2. The production is scheduled to run through Nov. 8.

Featuring ...

Continue Reading

Billie Holiday Statue Finally Gets Finishing Touches

Source: All About Jazz
July 17, 2009

Graphic panels in the base add elements of black history When Baltimore sculptor James Earl Reid created the city's first memorial to the stunningly gifted jazz singer Billie Holiday in 1985, something was missing. Gone were the panels containing references to the Jim Crow era and the lynching that Holiday so chillingly recounted in the ballad “Strange Fruit." Now Reid has a chance to remedy what he calls censorship by city officials, by adding the bronze panels for today's rededication ...

Continue Reading

Sinan Bakir Trio is Nominated for the Best Jazz Group

Source: All About Jazz
July 17, 2009

Continue Reading

With a Mix of Rock, Jazz and Blues, Reverend Zen Wins Artist of the Year at the Los Angeles Music Awards

Source: All About Jazz
July 16, 2009

By Rich Monetti Creating quality music takes time and patience - even if it doesn't always sound that way when we are inundated by commercial music played over and over on the radio. “I hear too much music that sounds like a first draft," said Jack Evans of Katonah, who recently won artist of the year at the Los Angeles Music Awards. Mr. Evans or Reverend Zen, along with the studio musicians who helped him put together the winning CD, ...

Continue Reading

Amanda Tosoff Quartet Wins the 2009 General Motors Grand Jazz Award

Source: All About Jazz
July 13, 2009

The Galaxie Rising Star Award of the CBC goes to Vincent Gagnon Montreal -- The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal in collaboration with General Motors Canada--partner and presenter of the event for the 10th consecutive year--are today pleased to be awarding the General Motors Grand Jazz Award to Amanda Tosoff Quartet. The artist was deemed best of 10 other jazz artists and ensembles who took part in the pan-Canadian competition. The jury wanted to acknowledge the talent of all ...

Continue Reading