Jazz News

Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Tribute to Nelson Mandela

Source: All About Jazz
July 18, 2008

Nelson Mandela's recent 90th birthday inspired tributes from around the world, yet none took the form of Chicago's planned celebration, unfolding Monday evening in Millennium Park.

Orbert Davis, a widely admired trumpeter and artistic director of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, presents the world premiere of a four-movement orchestral-vocal suite composed for the occasion. Titled “Hope in Action," the work serves as a tribute to Mandela's achievements and an evocation of his life's journey, says Davis. The idea for the piece ...

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Marsalis Protege Turns Mentor to Jazz Trumpeter's Kid Brother

Source: All About Jazz
July 18, 2008

Two decades ago, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis discovered a young blind piano wizard named Marcus Roberts, took him under his wing and nurtured him to jazz stardom.

Now Roberts, 44, is returning the favor, playing mentor to Wynton's kid brother, Jason, a 31-year-old percussionist. Roberts, Marsalis and bassist Roland Guerin make up the Marcus Roberts Trio. (They perform tonight through Sunday at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola in Manhattan). Dining on a Caesar salad and catfish between shows, Roberts said the lanky Marsalis ...

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New Arrivals at the JazzLoft: Anthony Braxton's "Nine Compositions 2003," Dave Brubeck's "Time Out" (200g LP) and More!

Source: All About Jazz
July 18, 2008

Dear Jazz Listening Friends,

We've added some exciting new titles new products to our growing inventory of jazz-related music and accessories at the JazzLoft.com.

See our extensive list below

Hope you enjoy the latest additions, and feel free to contact us about special orders. If you are a jazz musician or record label, we can sell your music. Click here for more information.

See you next month!

Alan Lawrence and Michael Ricci

Anthony Braxton Nine ...

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Columbia Records Set to Release Actor Terrence Howard's "Shine Through It" on September 2nd

Source: All About Jazz
July 18, 2008

“All I want to be/Is a little more like me/And all I want from you/Is to let some light shine through." “Shine Through It" Some may be familiar with Terrence Howard as the Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated star of such movies as Hustle and Flow, Ray, Crash and Lackawanna Blues, an actor declared by Entertainment Weekly the “Indie Film King." Still, what you may not know is that his first love is actually music, which could be heard when he ...

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Welsh Musicians Nominated for Jazz Awards

Source: All About Jazz
July 18, 2008

Two Welsh musicians have been nominated for the coveted BBC Jazz Awards. Karen Price catches up with Ian Shaw and Gwilym Simcock.

A COUPLE of weeks ago, Ian Shaw was singing with Charlotte Church at the christening party for her daughter Ruby. The pair met when he mentored her as she made the move from classical to pop music and have clearly remained good friends and he was invited to join in the celebrations at the Vale of Glamorgan home ...

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China Bans "Threatening" Musicians Following Bjork's Tibet Outburst

Source: All About Jazz
July 18, 2008

China has banned all overseas performers that “threaten national sovereignty" following a performance by Bjork in Shanghai earlier this year.

At that concert, the Icelandic singer led the crowd in a chant of “Tibet, Tibet!" after performing her song “Declare Independence."

The ban will also fall on artists who “threaten national unity", “whip up ethnic hatred", “violate religious policy or cultural norms" or “advocate obscenity or feudalism and superstition." Plus, all performances must be approved beforehand, right down to what ...

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Randy Newman Salutes "Korean Parents"

Source: Michael Ricci
July 18, 2008

Randy Newman's getting his apologies out of the way early.

His new album, Harps & Angels, isn't out until Aug. 5, but he knows he's going to take some hits for the song “Korean Parents," a portrait of race relations as played out in public education.

Newman's gotten heat in the past for his use of the N-word ("Rednecks") and has engendered protests from the height-disadvantaged ("Short People"), but has rarely flinched for what he has sung. This time, it ...

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Billy Joel Will Be Last Shea Show

Source: Michael Ricci
July 18, 2008

Billy Joel the Last Act Standing The razing of Shea Stadium later this year marks the end of an era for baseball fans, but it's also closing the door on a chapter of pop music history that began in 1965 when the Beatles became the first pop group to play a concert at a U.S. sports stadium. Billy Joel will play the final notes at Shea on Friday in a performance to be documented for a film and ...

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