Jazz News

Jazz Pianist Hank Johnson & Trio Set To Burn!

Source: All About Jazz
August 16, 2005

The Hank Johnson Trio featuring vocalist Dianne Allen will perform live at 8:00 P.M. on Saturday evening on August 20th, 2005 at the Afrikan Poetry Theatre. Also on the bill is Trumpeter Richard Howard and his group. The incomparable Hank Johnson will light up those ivories--and unveil some original compositions in a live performance. Cornell McKnight and his group also will be featured that night as part of Xpo '05. Tickets are $10.00 in advance and will be available at ...

Continue Reading...

Violinst Vassar Clements dies at 77

Source: All About Jazz
August 16, 2005

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Vassar Clements, a fiddle virtuoso and A-list studio musician who played with Paul McCartney and an array of other music legends, died at his home Tuesday after battling lung cancer. He was 77.

Clements was hospitalized for 18 days earlier this year, receiving chemotherapy and other treatment. He had been under hospice care in recent weeks.

“He had no quality of life since he'd been diagnosed," said daughter Midge Cranor, who added that the cancer had spread ...

Continue Reading...

Shemekia Copeland Celebrates New Release with Philadelphia Performance

Source: All About Jazz
August 16, 2005

“Young Shemekia is the most soul-shaking, big-voiced blues singer in years.” — Village Voice

“Volcanic delivery and straight-from -the-gut realism...a masterful blend of fiery blues, ballsy ballads and electrifying rockers.” — Vibe

Grammy©-nominated and Harlem-bred vocalist Shemekia Copeland celebrates the release of her new CD, The Soul Truth, with a live performance in Philadelphia. Legendary Stax guitarist/songwriter/producer Steve Cropper produced Copeland's The Soul Truth, flavoring the recording with solid doses of Memphis soul and punching horns. ...

Continue Reading...

Joyce Wein, wife of George Wein, dies at 76

Source: All About Jazz
August 16, 2005

NEW YORK (AP) — Joyce Wein, a former biochemist, a founder of the New York Coalition of 100 Black Women and a key adviser to her husband, who was a creator of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, has died. She was 76.

The wife and business partner of jazz impresario George Wein died of cancer Monday at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center in Manhattan, family spokeswoman Sue Auclair said in a statement.

A 1948 graduate of Simmons ...

Continue Reading...

Pianist, composer Francy Boland dies at 75

Source: All About Jazz
August 16, 2005

GENEVA - Belgian jazz pianist and composer Francy Boland died in Geneva, aged 75, a statement from the Jazz Labo society of Fribourg said.

Born in Namur on November 6, 1929, Boland began learning piano at the age of eight and studied at the Music Conservatory in Liege. He began his jazz career in 1949 and joined Chet Baker's quintet in 1955.

Moving to the United States, Boland wrote arrangements for Count Basie and Benny Goodman and formed an octet ...

Continue Reading...

Luv N' Haight's Michigan Soul Comp To Be Released October 11

Source: All About Jazz
August 16, 2005

UBIQUITY'S SISTER LABEL LUV N' HAIGHT REVIVES RARE AND CLASSIC 60'S-70'S SOUL, FUNK AND JAZZ FROM MICHIGAN ON FIRST VOLUME OF SEARCHING FOR SOUL DUE OUT OCTOBER 11

Searching For Soul is volume one in a series that will be as comprehensive and musically inclusive as is humanly possible, bearing in mind that the truly definitive guide to two decades of locally bred Michigan soul and funk would require the mining of a bottomless pit. Included are absolute rarities from ...

Continue Reading...

Sarah Lynch, Greg Skaff, Phil Palombi & Mark Ferber at 169 Bar Monday

Source: All About Jazz
August 16, 2005

New York City-based vocalist Sarah Lynch appears Monday, August 22nd at 169 Bar with Greg Skaff on guitar, Phil Palombi on bass, and Mark Ferber on drums.

Greg Skaff's latest CD, “Ellington Boulevard", is on the Zoho record label and has garnered critical praise. In addition to leading his own trio, he also works regularly with Bobby Watson, David “Fathead" Newman, and Gloria Lynne.

Bassist Phil Palombi, who plays both internationally and in New York, performs and records with such ...

Continue Reading...

August 26th, Clay Ross Quartet - CD Release Party at Detour

Source: All About Jazz
August 16, 2005

Continue Reading...