Jazz News

Folk Harpist Gillian Grassie at Appel Farm

Source: All About Jazz
December 5, 2008

First Fridays at The Gallery at Appel Farm presents captivating harpist/singer/songwriter Gillian Grassie on Friday, December 5 at 8:00pm. Grassie's unique sound melds her soulful lyrics and appealing soprano with a harp technique that shows her jazz and folk roots. Grassie has been acclaimed for her first album, Serpentine, and took a top prize in the New York Songwriters Circle Contest with “Silken String." In her hands, the boundaries of traditional harp playing are stretched to showcase her one-of-a-kind talent. ...

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New CD from Pine Leaf Boys, Two-Time Grammy Nominees from Louisiana

Source: conqueroo
December 5, 2008

Young twice Grammy-nominated band, who capture the feel of a Louisiana roadhouse on Saturday night, are the first artist signing to Lionsgate Music label

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The Pine Leaf Boys, the young Cajun band from Louisiana whose last album, Blues de Musicien, was one of the first to be nominated for a Grammy Award in the new Best Cajun/Zydeco Album category, have signed to Lionsgate Music and have completed their new album Homage Au Pass (translated as Homage ...

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Michele Rosewoman Performs in a Tribute to Orlando "Puntilla" Rios on December 13th

Source: All About Jazz
December 5, 2008

At the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture on Saturday, December 13, at 1:30 p.m., pianist and composer Michele Rosewoman performs with members of her ensemble New Yor-Uba as part of a concert tribute to legendary Cuban percussionist and vocalist Orlando “Puntilla" Rios.

Praised by Downbeat as a “star of American music," pianist, composer, and educator Michele Rosewoman has made her mark in the jazz world as a highly original artist by fusing Afro-Cuban styles with intelligent and modern ...

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O.J. Simpson Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison

Source: Michael Ricci
December 5, 2008

Despite a tearful plea for leniency from O.J. Simpson, a Las Vegas judge today sentenced him to 16 years in prison for the kidnapping and robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers.

Simpson would be eligible for parole in nine years under the sentence handed down by Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass. His sentence came after he apologized to Glass for his conduct. “In no way did I mean to hurt anybody, to steal anything from anybody," the former ...

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Introducing Progressive Afro Jazz

Source: All About Jazz
December 5, 2008

Born in Cameroon, West Africa, Jay Lou Ava first emerged with a spiritual, gospel-influenced sound that was partially inspired by his upbringing. His oldest brother, a brilliant jazz guitarist, turned him onto Duke Ellington and Wes Montgomery, he understood what he wanted to do with his life for the first time. He began starting bands and traveling across the continent. Composer-arranger, collaborating most notably with Donny Elwood in the 90's, playing with the legendary Manu Dibango ...

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Odetta: Soul Stirrer

Source: All About Jazz
December 5, 2008

Rosa Parks was her No. 1 fan, and Martin Luther King Jr. called her the queen of American folk music.

Odetta's stage presence was regal enough: planted onstage like an oak tree no one would dare cut down, wearing a guitar high on her chest, she could envelop Carnegie Hall with her powerful contralto as other vocalists might fill a phone booth.

This was not some pruny European monarch but a stout, imperious queen of African-American music. She used that ...

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210 New Additions to AAJ Upcoming Jazz CD/DVD Release Center

Source: All About Jazz
December 5, 2008

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The Chris Crocco Fluid Trio at Bar Next Door on December 5th

Source: All About Jazz
December 5, 2008

Appearing at Bar Next Door Friday December 5th.... THE CHRIS CROCCO FLUID TRIO: Christopher Crocco - Guitar George Garzone - Sexophone With Special Guest, Bob Gullotti - Drums Christopher Crocco can also be seen on George Garzone's newly released DVD for Jodyjazz entitled, “The Music of George Garzone and The Triadic Chromatic Approach" available online at jodyjazz.com Christopher Crocco's 2007 Debut Release Reviews: “...With ...

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