Jazz News

NEC Announces Appointments of Pianist-Composer Fred Hersch and Saxophonist Miguel Zenon to the Jazz Studies Faculty

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications
April 29, 2009

Hersch ’77 a Three-Time Grammy Nominee and Guggenheim Fellow Zenon a MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Grant Recipient at 32 As it looks forward to celebrating 40 Years of Jazz at NEC in 2009/10, New England Conservatory has announced the appointment of two outstanding musicians to its jazz studies faculty: pianist–composer Fred Hersch, an alumnus of the Class of 1977; and saxophonist Miguel Zenon, a 2008 MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Grant recipient. They will both teach on a part-time basis beginning in fall ...

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Jazz at New England Conservatory: A Timeline of Significant Events

Source: All About Jazz
April 29, 2009

1969 NEC President Gunther Schuller hires saxophonist Carl Atkins to head Department of African-American Music and Jazz Studies, the first such program at a classical conservatory. Composer George Russell and pianist Jaki Byard on Atkins' faculty. 1974 Pianist Ran Blake forms Third Stream Department. Pianist Jaki Byard, trombonist Phil Wilson, and composer/arranger Ernie Wilkins chair jazz program while Carl Atkins completes master’s degree in wind ensemble conducting. 1978 Composer William Thomas McKinley hired as Jazz Studies Chair 1981 Percussionist/arranger Pat ...

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What NEC Means to Me – Alumni Speak Out

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications
April 29, 2009

“Everything that I have done throughout my career has been based on the lessons that I learned at NEC. Studying in the Afro-American Music and Third Stream Music Departments (precursor of today's CI Dept.) I was taught the one-two combination of ear training and developing my own style. My teachers - Jaki Byard, Joe Maneri, Bob DiDomenica & Ran Blake in particular - went far beyond giving me the technical skills necessary to flourish. They encouraged me to be myself, ...

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Southport Records Presents George Flynn

Source: All About Jazz
April 29, 2009

SOUTHPORT RECORDS CD RELEASE PARTY: GEORGE FLYNN AMERICAN CITY (Pianist and Composer, Recording and Performing Artist, Educator)

IN A LIVE PERFORMANCE FEATURING: LARRY COMBS (Principal Clarinet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 1978 2008); with Julie DeRoche (Clarinetist performing regularly with the CSO and Chicago Chamber Musicians); Joanna Jamroziak (Soprano performs with Millennium Chamber Players); and special guest Janice Misurell-Mitchell (Composer, Flute and Voice member of CUBE Contemporary Chamber Ensemble).

DETAILS: Katerinas Saturday, May 2, 2009 6:30 ...

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Frankie Manning Dies at 94; Helped Popularize the Lindy Hop

Source: Michael Ricci
April 29, 2009

Frankie “Musclehead" Manning, a Harlem dancer and Tony Award-winning choreographer widely celebrated as one of the pioneers of the Lindy Hop, a breathlessly acrobatic swing dance style of the 1930s and '40s, died April 27 at New York City's Lenox Hill Hospital of pneumonia. He was 94. The effortlessly nimble Manning was a star attraction of Harlem's Savoy ballroom and brought to swing dance a flair for the theatrical that helped catapult the Lindy Hop from ballrooms to stage and ...

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Tim Kuhl Group Wednesday April 29

Source: Two for the Show Media
April 29, 2009

Just a reminder TONIGHT Wednesday April 29 the Tim Kuhl Group is playing at the hip, hot spot Monkey Town in Williamsburg Brooklyn.

Sharing the bill with very talented musician and composer Adam Klipple's Drive-By Leslie. Must see show!!

Tim Kuhl Group & Adam Klipple's Drive-By Lesile Wednesday April 29 @ 7:30pm -- $5 cover -- (TKG @ 8pm) Monkey Town 58 N. 3rd St. (btw Wythe & Kent) Brooklyn NY 11211 ...

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Sten Hostfalt / Blaise Siwula at Stain

Source: All About Jazz
April 29, 2009

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Denise Brigham Releases "Hotel Lafayette"

Source: All About Jazz
April 29, 2009

Denise Brigham officially released her new standards album Hotel Lafayette on Monday, April 27th. It features eleven classic songs all done with sparkling modern arrangements by Carey Deadman. It was recorded in Chicago with a 70 piece all professional orchestra and mixed and mastered by Chris Steinmetz at the multimillion-dollar Chicago Recording Company. The songs range from traditionally styled uptempo swing numbers such as “Almost Like Being In Love" and “Around The World," to heart melting ballads like “Fly Me ...

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