Jazz News

L. A. Philharmonic's Ernest Fleischmann Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
June 15, 2010

Ernest Fleischmann dies at 85; manager who guided Los Angeles Philharmonic's transformation. Fleischmann, a visionary administrator who had a hand in every decision made about the orchestra for nearly 30 years, was pivotal in raising its profile and quality.

Ernest Fleischmann, the impresario who dominated the Los Angeles Philharmonic for nearly 30 years as it was transformed into one of the top orchestras in the country, has died. He was 85. Fleischmann died Sunday at his Los Angeles home surrounded ...

Continue Reading

Starbucks Announces Free Wi-Fi

Source: All About Jazz
June 15, 2010

Starbucks Coffee Company CEO Howard Schultz announces free Wi-Fi in all Starbucks locations at the Wired Disruptive by Design conference in New York City during a conversation with Wired magazine editor-in-chief Chris Anderson.

Starbucks coffee drinks have become synonymous with the high costs consumers are cutting back on these days, but at least the Wi-Fi connections in its stores will no longer require a credit card. Free Wi-Fi is in my mind just the price of admission. Starting ...

Continue Reading

One Theater Geek's Summer at Stagedoor Manor

Source: All About Jazz
June 15, 2010

At age 31, Mickey Rapkin packed his bags and headed to summer camp. But it wasn't just any camp it was Stagedoor Manor, one of the nation's most prestigious theater camps, located in upstate New York.

This was where Robert Downey Jr. played Mr. Deusel in a 1976 production of The Dairy of Anne Frank, Natalie Portman performed Cabaret in 1996 and Zach Braff donned bejeweled leather pants in Godspell long before he ever wore scrubs. In Theater Geek, Rapkin, ...

Continue Reading

Drummer Manu Katche Interviewed at AAJ...And More!

Source: All About Jazz
June 15, 2010

Manu Katche is one of the most original drummers anywhere, defying categorization and straddling musical genres with ease and flair. A French national of Ivorian background, he has turned his hand to pop, rock, fusion and jazz, and his exposure to all these elements, plus his classical training, is indelibly stamped in a playing style all his own.

For over 20 years, Katche has toured and recorded with such iconic figures as Sting and Peter Gabriel, bringing his highly distinctive ...

Continue Reading

Playboy Jazz Festival Has the Bowl Jumpin'

Source: Michael Ricci
June 14, 2010

“Who's got some extra suntan oil, man?" asked singer and unflappably cool customer Kurt Elling from the stage Saturday at the 32nd annual Playboy Jazz Festival.

Marking his first appearance at the festival, the sharply dressed Elling had just finished a spry cover of Joe Jackson's “Steppin' Out," and the temperatures were climbing.

“You look good in the light of day most of you," he added with a smirk.

Though the persistent sun may have clashed with the ever-chatty Elling's ...

Continue Reading

Allan Sherman's Warner Bros. LPS Reissued on Collectors' Choice

Source: conqueroo
June 14, 2010

Song parodist chronicled Jewish suburban life and more through the '60s with songs like “Harvey & Sheila," “Sarah Jackman," “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh" and “Pop Hates the Beatles."

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- If Stan Freberg owned the '50s when it came to song parodies, Alan Sherman owned the '60s. His string of three #1 albums in a row (My Son, the Folk Singer; My Son, the Celebrity; and My Son, the Nut) remains unmatched by any comedian before or since. ...

Continue Reading

Brooklyn Dance Company Makes Lincoln Center Debut

Source: Michael Ricci
June 14, 2010

Brooklyn, NY -- In celebration of Caribbean Heritage Month, Brooklyn's own Something Positive Dance Company will perform an exciting Lincoln Center concert debut at Pan Jazz 2010 on Saturday, June 19th at 4:30PM. The event, titled Folklore: Tales of the Caribbean will be hosted by philanthropist and former Miss Universe, Wendy Fitzwilliam. In addition to Something Positive and Ms. Fitzwilliam, the concert will feature internationally renowned artists including 3 Canal; Leon Foster Thomas; Andre White; Jacques Schwarz-Bart; Freddy Harris; Etienne ...

Continue Reading

The Smooth Jazz Cruise Becomes Title Sponsor of the 2011 Seabreeze Jazz Festival

Source: Michael Ricci
June 14, 2010

St. Louis, MO: Jazz Cruises, LLC, the St. Louis-based producer of jazz themed cruise vacation experiences, is proud to announce that it has become the title sponsor of the 2011 Seabreeze Jazz Festival under The Smooth Jazz Cruise brand. One of the biggest weekend festivals in contemporary jazz in the U.S., the Panama City, Florida event will be held April 15-17, 2011 under the moniker The Smooth Jazz Cruise presents The Seabreeze Jazz Festival. The Seabreeze Jazz Festival, which has ...

Continue Reading