NEW YORK, NY -- Minton's Playhouse announced a massive expansion in its jazz programming and community outreach through the formation of the non-profit foundation Minton's Mentors as well as through an international partnership with South Africa's Fort Hare University and the director of its burgeoning Jazz Studies Department, Hotep Idris Galeta. New developments to Minton's include two year-long Artist in Residence positions, held by Onaje Allan Gumbs and Buster Williams; family-oriented concerts with established jazz legends; jazz internships and jazz camps for developing musicians; as well as new technology initiatives such as streaming video of concerts, a podcast series, and the formation of a record label. The new programming will commence fall 2008. Fund raising for these initiatives kicks off summer 2008, when Minton's Playhouse hosts a world record-breaking event, programming 48 consecutive hours of jazz performances from July 4-July 6, 2008.
“Through our new upcoming educational and artistic programming we are excited to emphasize Minton's historic place within jazz history, and also prepare it to be a leader in jazz for years to come," said Celeste Sapp, manager of Minton's Playhouse. “As we move ahead, we look forward to making Minton's a place for families, to training the next generation of jazz musicians, and to using new technologies to expand beyond the walls of Minton's."
Central to all of Minton's Playhouse's upcoming activities is the non-profit organization Minton's Mentors, which is dedicated to contributing to residents of the Harlem community through educating, informing, and supporting community members, particularly youth. This organization will work closely with the club to develop family-oriented concerts, lecture series, neighborhood concerts, and jazz education programs as well as a jazz camp that will maximize Minton's positive impact on the community.
Expanding its outreach even farther, Minton's will develop a number of multimedia outlets for artists, including streaming video of performances, an ongoing podcast series, and also a label for creating and selling CDs and DVDs of performances at the club.
“Through our new upcoming educational and artistic programming we are excited to emphasize Minton's historic place within jazz history, and also prepare it to be a leader in jazz for years to come," said Celeste Sapp, manager of Minton's Playhouse. “As we move ahead, we look forward to making Minton's a place for families, to training the next generation of jazz musicians, and to using new technologies to expand beyond the walls of Minton's."
Central to all of Minton's Playhouse's upcoming activities is the non-profit organization Minton's Mentors, which is dedicated to contributing to residents of the Harlem community through educating, informing, and supporting community members, particularly youth. This organization will work closely with the club to develop family-oriented concerts, lecture series, neighborhood concerts, and jazz education programs as well as a jazz camp that will maximize Minton's positive impact on the community.
Expanding its outreach even farther, Minton's will develop a number of multimedia outlets for artists, including streaming video of performances, an ongoing podcast series, and also a label for creating and selling CDs and DVDs of performances at the club.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
