Jazz News

Jack Cardiff Oscar-Winning British Cinematographer Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
April 23, 2009

Jack Cardiff, the British cinematographer who won an Academy Award for his stunning color work on the 1947 drama “Black Narcissus" and later became an Oscar-nominated director, has died. He was 94.

Cardiff, who as a cinematographer was known as a pioneer of Technicolor and a “master of light," died Wednesday of age-related causes at his home in Ely, England, said Craig McCall, the producer and director of a pending documentary on Cardiff.

“Jack was a great ambassador to film," ...

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Prestige Records Launch Imeem Page

Source: On Target Media Group
April 23, 2009

In celebration of the legendary label’s 60th anniversary, Prestige Records has launched an imeem profile page featuring music from the new Very Best Of Prestige Records CD, which includes jazz legends Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane.

The new imeem page coincides with Concord Music Group’s yearlong 60th anniversary celebration of Prestige Records, which begun with the release of The Very Best Of Prestige Records - a 2-CD set of classic tracks from the legendary label’s catalog ...

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Firehouse 12 to Present the Noah Preminger Quartet April 24th

Source: Improvised Communications
April 23, 2009

On Friday, April 24th, Firehouse 12 will present a two-set performance by tenor saxophonist/composer Noah Preminger and his quartet. The Hartford native and widely acclaimed wunderkind is on the road building on the success of his 2008 debut, Dry Bridge Road (Nowt Records), which earned Best Debut of the Year honors in the prestigious Village Voice Jazz Poll. His group features the veteran talents of pianist Frank Kimbrough, bassist Joe Martin and drummer Jeff Davis.

In a recent feature in ...

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Mary Halvorson & Jessica Pavone: Walking on Thin Air

Source: Improvised Communications
April 23, 2009

One sings … and so does the other. Except when they aren’t. Which means that at any time when they are onstage together, performing as an entity called MaryandJess, or JessandMary if you like the ring of it better and prefer Christian name alphabetical, they’ll be doing just about anything at a moment’s notice, or with even less warning.

It’s not as if they don’t already have enough to do. Mary Halvorson, 27, has graduated from new-kid-on-the-block status to become ...

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Bobby Sanabria & the Manhattan School of Music Release Kenya Revisited Live!!!

Source: All About Jazz
April 23, 2009

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Central PA Friends of Jazz Present Mike Vax Big Band on April 26th at 6PM

Source: All About Jazz
April 22, 2009

The Mike Vax Big Band, Featuring Alumni of the Stan Kenton Orchestra Presented by the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz (CPFJ) on Sunday, April 26th. All concerts held at 6p.m. at The Hilton Harrisburg located at 1 North 2nd Street, Harrisburg PA 17101. Phone: 717-233-6000 The Mike Vax Big Band-Featuring Alumni of the Stan Kenton Orchestra Opening at 5pm: The NorthernHigh School Jazz Band, Joe Nebistinsky, Director. Tickets for this event are $28 for General Adult Admission and $25 for ...

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Dani Gurgel Launches "Agora" ArtistShare Project!

Source: All About Jazz
April 22, 2009

We wanted to let everyone know about a bright young Brazilian artist named Dani Gurgel who has just launched her first ArtistShare project! Check out Dani's great version of Maria Schneider’s “Estrada Bela,” with her original lyrics! (video below) In her own words: “This project is inspired on the series of concerts 'Dani Gurgel and the New Composers' and will feature many young and talented Brazilian composers and musicians, singing and playing along with me. This project's name, Agora, means ...

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Tower of Power's "Great American Soulbook" Enters Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Charts at Number 3

Source: Anne Leighton
April 22, 2009

Tower of Power's Great American Soulbook album, which features covers of classic soul songs has entered Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Charts at Number 3. It is the highest placing debut album of the week. The album has also entered the Soundscan Jazz charts for record sales at Number 6. Great American Soulbook features guest vocalists. Sir Tom Jones duets on Sam and Dave's “I Thank You." Joss Stone shares two songs and Tammi Terrel and Marvin Gaye's “(Heaven Must Have Sent) ...

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