Jazz News

Steve McQueen Was a Pilot Not Celebrity at Santa Paula Airport

Source: Michael Ricci
November 30, 2008

The Great Escape superstar, who played chess to jazz while seducing Faye Dunaway, in real life spent his last year where he was treated as an average Joe. Friends recall his kindness and love of cheap beer. One day in 1979, the King of Cool decided to fly.

Before anyone knew it, Steve McQueen was living with his girlfriend in a hangar at the Santa Paula Airport. During the day, he learned to pilot a World War II-era biplane. In ...

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Mitchell Lurie World-Renowned Clarinetist Taught at USC

Source: Michael Ricci
November 30, 2008

Mitchell Lurie, a world-renowned clarinetist and clarinet teacher who taught for many years at USC and the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, has died. He was 86.

Lurie, who had been in ill health in recent years, died of pneumonia Monday at his home in West Los Angeles, said his son, Dr. Alan Lurie.

Brooklyn native who grew up in Los Angeles, Lurie was the principal clarinetist for the Pittsburgh Symphony and then the Chicago Symphony in ...

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Dan Baraszu's "Christmas Time is Here" on Blue Canoe Records

Source: All About Jazz
November 30, 2008

An intimate Christmas conversation

Phenomenal Guitarist Dan Baraszu and multi-talented bassist/producer Joseph Patrick Moore offer fresh inspiration to twelve Christmas classics on the latest Blue Canoe Records release “Christmas Time is Here". The duo strikes a touching balance between the complex reharmonization of these standards and the simplistic, stripped down interplay between guitar and bass. This musical conversation is especially notable in the sweet, lullaby-infused melodic bass part of “Silent Night". The trading of melody between Mr. Baraszu and Mr. ...

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The Magic Bag Kicks Off the New Year with the 15th Annual Anti-Freeze Blues Festival, January 2nd and 3rd

Source: Just Roots PR
November 30, 2008

Ferndale, Michigan--The Magic Bag kicks off the New Year with the 15th Annual Anti-Freeze Blues Festival. The festival, always held the first weekend in January, features the best national and local blues bands. Past headliners include Bettye LaVette, Koko Taylor, Johnnie Johnson, Hubert Sumlin, Robert Jr. Lockwood, The Black Keys and Roomful of Blues. Always one of the hottest tickets in town, the Anti-Freeze Blues Festival sells out every year. So get your tickets early!

Day 1-- This year's entertainment ...

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UK Jazz Singer and Songwriter, Juliet Kelly, Offers Sweet Caress with Licorice Kiss

Source: All About Jazz
November 30, 2008

Sophisticated but never complicated. Intelligent but never intellectual. Juliet's sound perfectly encapsulates the glamour of the jazz divas of a bygone age adding a modern, sassy twist. Her music has been described as a cross between India.Arie and Peggy Lee with a hint of Amy Winehouse. Juliet just likes to describe it as sophisticated music for stylish people… or Glam Jazz!

With two critically acclaimed albums of original material under her belt - Aphrodite's Child (2003) and Delicious Chemistry (2005) ...

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2008 Detroit Blues Challenge Finals Champions Crowned

Source: Just Roots PR
November 30, 2008

The 6th Annual Detroit Blues Challenge Finals were contested on Sunday, November 23, 2008 at the Magic Bag in Ferndale and we are pleased to announce the winners in those competitions and they are:

Solo/Duo Division -John Latini Ypsilanti, Mi. John Latini prefaces each song with a story who he wrote it with, where they were, etc. It's the same way American Indians introduce themselves, by identifying their clan. It keeps you connected, solidifies your bonds. Music success ...

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The River City Blues Society Presents Wednesday Night Blues Series

Source: Just Roots PR
November 30, 2008

What: The River City Blues Society presents Wednesday Night Blues Series When: Every Wednesday 7:00pm to 11:00pm beginning December 10, 2008 Where: The Captains Wheel 2801 Court St Pekin, IL 61554 Telephone: (309) 346-1154 Entertainment By: Series kick off - Nick Moss & The Flip Tops on December 10th. (Further schedule below) Admission: $3.00 Contact: Bob Kieser [email protected] Telephone: 309 267-4425

Details of Event: ...

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Free Holiday Tune Download from Jazz Bassist Sean O'Bryan Smith

Source: All About Jazz
November 30, 2008

As a thank you to all the fans, friends, radio, and musicians who have helped to make Tapestry a great success Sean OBryan Smith will be releasing a holiday single totally FREE for download. DOWNLOAD NOW The response to Tapestry all over the world has been great. Reviews and sales continue to roll in all praising the freshman solo CD for the highly acclaimed bassist. As a gift to all Sean has arranged the timeless classic Let it Snow specifically ...

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