Jazz News

Marsalis Music Recording Artist Miguel Zenon Receives MacArthur Fellowship

Source: All About Jazz
September 26, 2008

Marsalis Music is tremendously pleased to congratulate alto saxophonist and composer Miguel Zenon, one of 25 individuals who were named recipients of the 2008 MacArthur Foundation Fellowship. The Fellowship, commonly known as the MacArthur “genius grant," will provide “no strings attached" support to Zenon over the next five years. In its announcement, the MacArthur Foundation, which awards the fellowships on the criteria of creativity, originality, and potential to make important contributions in the future, praised the 31-year-old Zenon as a ...

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Dixie Diehards Are ‘Back Home in Dixieland’

Source: All About Jazz
September 26, 2008

The Dixie Diehards Jazz Band returns to the Blackstone River Theatre 2 p.m. October 19 to perform their inimitable brand of Dixieland and traditional New Orleans Jazz. The Foxboro, Massachusetts-based group received a pair of standing ovations at their inaugural performance last February, and have delighted crowds at dozens of community concerts and functions throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Tickets are $12 for the family-friendly matinee performance. The theatre is located at 549 Broad St., Cumberland, Rhode Island. Advance ...

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Uganda: International Jazz Festival On

Source: All About Jazz
September 26, 2008

THE story of jazz music in Uganda has so far been one clouded in confusion. Book a jazz artist, over-hype the artist and concert with massive advertising and a high entry fee with emphasis on VIP treatment, and you will have the cream of Kampala's socialites eating out of your hands. Next month's Amani Africa, the first annual jazz festival will provide a guide to for the appreciation of jazz music. The festival has attracted big names like South Africa's ...

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Jazz Concert to Salute Veterans

Source: All About Jazz
September 26, 2008

The UW-Eau Claire jazz program will honor veterans during “A Salute to the Big Bands: Let Freedom Ring" concert Sunday at Zorn Arena. The annual fundraiser will feature the university's Jazz Ensembles I and II. The groups will play music from the big band era including patriotic tunes and dance songs. “There will be two large dance floors," volunteer Patty Horecki said. “It's intended to be a fun event where people get out and dance to the music." Cuban jazz ...

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Connie Haines Dies Big Band Singer Co-Starred with Sinatra

Source: Michael Ricci
September 26, 2008

Connie Haines, a petite and dynamic big band singer who performed alongside Frank Sinatra in the Harry James and Tommy Dorsey orchestras

Haines died Monday in Clearwater, Fla. The cause of death was myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune neuromuscular disease. She was 87.

Haines was best known as a singer with a knack for rhythm, and many of her most successful recordings -- 25 of which each sold more than 50,000 copies -- featured her crisp, swinging vocal style. When Dorsey ...

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Win Wayne Shorter Tickets!

Source: All About Jazz
September 26, 2008

The Wayne Shorter Quartet is coming to Yoshi’s in Oakland, and The Jazz Observer would like to send you and a friend to see them for free!

Yoshi’s has graciously provided us with two tickets to the 10:00 show on Thursday, October 2.

To enter our drawing, just fill out the contest form between now and 12:00 Noon (Pacific Time) on Sunday, September 28. We’ll draw a name at random and inform the winner by email.

Want to know what ...

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Cuban Diva Looks Back on 60 Years

Source: All About Jazz
September 26, 2008

From her days as a pioneer of Cuban jazz music in the 1940s to her legendary appearances with the Buena Vista Social Club in the late 1990s and her following artistic revival, singer Omara Portuondo has good reason to celebrate. And this is what the 77-year-old Cuban diva has done with her new album, Gracias, which was officially released yesterday. Portuondo visits Taipei International Convention Center tomorrow as part of a tour of Asia and Europe. “At this time, I ...

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Oharas Jazz & Blues Cafe on Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale to Close and Relocate

Source: All About Jazz
September 26, 2008

The legendary OHara's Jazz & Blues Cafe also known earlier on as OHara's Pub will be moving from their present location on Las Olas Boulevard due to the renovation and expansion of the Riverside Hotel. OHara's, a local favorite known worldwide for its quality live entertainment, after almost 20 years will have its last hurrah on Las Olas Boulevard this weekend Friday September 26, through Sunday September 28, 2008. OHara's has been the mainstay of local musicians and occasionally national ...

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