Jazz News

'Let Freedom Ring' Includes Civil-Rights Classics

Source: Michael Ricci
January 20, 2009

Backtracking: Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, James Brown and many others are heard on the three-disc boxed set.

If there was still skepticism six months ago that an African American could be elected president of the United States, imagine how unlikely the prospect felt to Nat King Cole a half-century ago when he recorded the song “We Are Americans Too."

Cole's recording session came just one month after some white supremacists assaulted him on stage during a concert in April ...

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Esperanza Spalding Interview

Source: All About Jazz
January 20, 2009

Author's note: This interview is part of the book project under your skin which will include Interviews with: Anthony Braxton, Ornette Coleman, Cindy Blackman, Taj Mahal, Yusef Lateef, Matt Waugh, Bob James, Skip Mcdonald, Erika Stucky, Living Colour, Dj Rob Swift, Marilyn Crispell, Dick Griffin, Billy Bang, Kahil El Zabaar, Michael Ricci- All About Jazz, Val-Inc, Chico Freeman, Bobby Watson, Eddie Henderson, Dinosaur Jr, Lydia Lunch, Jack Dejohnette, Yves Weyh- Zakarya, Fred Frith, Elliot Sharp, Public Enemy, Blixa Bargeld ( ...

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Westchester Jazz Orchestra Offers Free Clinic to Local School

Source: All About Jazz
January 20, 2009

Westchester, NY -- The Westchester Jazz Orchestra received national recognition last year with the release of its debut CD, All In, which reached #4 in radio airplay across the US and Canada. Described by critics as hugely impressive, exceptional, and setting a standard in big band modern jazz, the sixteen-piece WJO performs an annual concert series and brings jazz education programs to the Westchester vicinity. WJO already encourages students to attend its performances with the incredibly low student ticket price ...

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Litchfield Jazz Festival Moves to Kent, CT

Source: All About Jazz
January 20, 2009

The Litchfield Jazz Festival and Litchfield Jazz Camp are thrilled to announce their move to a new home, Kent School in Kent, CT. With the overwhelming response in 2008, the camp embarked on a long-term association for 2009 and beyond with the prestigious boarding school counted among “America's best" (Forbes). With the Jazz Camp set to move, an invitation and warm welcome from the Kent Community quickly followed and “it was clear," said Executive Director, Vita West Muir, “this would ...

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Boston-Based Tamandua Plays Highly Anticipated CD Release on January 23!

Source: Bennett Alliance
January 20, 2009

There has been quite a bit of buzz surrounding Boston-based instrumental prog rock/jazz fusion group Tamandua. Tamandua is led by drummer Rick Landwehr and guitarist Joe Conley. Rounding out the trio is longtime collaborator Rick Stone on saxophone and clarinet. Tamandua is performing their CD release show for the debut album, “Eternal Anteater of the Universe." The concert is January 23 at 8PM at All Asia (334 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA). Copies of the brand new CD will be on ...

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Abstract Logix Announces Plans for John McLaughlin and 4th Dimension Live DVD

Source: Abstract Logix
January 20, 2009

Cary, NC - Abstract Logix is announcing that it will be releasing a DVD of the live performance of John McLaughlin’s and his fusion-filled 4th Dimension band filmed in Belgrade during the group’s last European tour. The official street date for the DVD will be sometime in April. However, the DVD will be available for sale to those that attend the upcoming U.S. concert tour of the Five Peace Band which features guitarist McLaughlin, keyboard player Chick Corea, bassist Christian ...

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Tim Ries Stones World: The Rolling Stones Project II at Chris' Jazz Cafe on January 31, 2009

Source: All About Jazz
January 20, 2009

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Pat Harbison Performs Two "Aebersold Project" Benefit Concerts in Des Moines Metro

Source: All About Jazz
January 20, 2009

Jazz trumpet player Pat Harbison will performing two concerts to help fund the Aebersold Project, a program of the Synergy Jazz Foundation. This program will provide scholarships to some twenty Des Moines-area student musicians to study at the renowned Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Camp in Louisville, Kentucky, the week of July 5-11. The first concert will be on Saturday, January 31 at Hoover High School, 4800 Aurora Avenue, at 7:30 pm. Harbison will be joined by three local jazz icons: ...

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