Carolyn McClair Public Relations

WBGO’S Award-Winning Kids Jazz Concert Series
Returns This Spring with Four Free, Interactive Programs for Young People

Concerts Feature Brandee Younger, Donald Harrison,
Will Calhoun and Claire Daly

NEWARK, NJ, March 21, 2012 – Children and their families are invited to listen, learn and discover jazz at WBGO’s award-winning, free Kids Jazz Concert Series, which brings jazz culture and dynamic performances to young people throughout the year.   The Spring series, to be held at New Jersey venues on four Saturdays at 12:30 pm, features harpist Brandee Younger on March 31; saxophonist Donald Harrison, April 14; drummer Will Calhoun, April 21; and baritone saxophonist Claire Daly, April 28.

These interactive, hour-long programs give young people opportunities to learn about the distinct qualities of jazz, and why it is a reflection of our community, nation, and world.  Top jazz and blues artists produce programs tailor-made for young people, leaving time for further exploration of the music through Q&A sessions with the artists. In addition to the music, the event includes door prizes, a gift for each child and a fun-filled afternoon with other young jazz lovers.

“The Kids Jazz Series is one of several WBGO youth initiatives that build upon the legacy of jazz and help set the stage for the next generation of jazz audiences and artists,” said Cephas Bowles, WBGO President and CEO. “We’re extremely pleased and proud to have been cited by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting with its MySource Community Impact Award for Engagement in 2009 for this series as well as for our live broadcasts of student jazz ensembles, which also take place in April.”

This season features a dynamic mix of artists and jazz styles, including:

March 31, 12:30pm: Brandee Younger
Jazz: The Art of Creation
Montclair Art Museum
3 South Mountain Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07042

April 14, 12:30pm: Donald Harrison
Big Easy to Big Apple
Cicely Tyson School Performing Arts Center
35 Winans Street
East Orange, NJ 07017

Co-Sponsored by The High School Music Department of The Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts

April 21, 12:30pm: Will Calhoun
Jazz in the Digital Age
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
Victoria Theater
One Center Street
Newark, NJ 07102

April 28, 12:30 pm: Claire Daly
How Important Is the Melody?
Newark Museum
49 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102

All concerts are handicapped accessible.  Adults must be accompanied by a child.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Prudential Foundation, NJPAC’s Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens, OHL Trust, PNC Foundation, F.M. Kirby Foundation and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

A versatile artist who defies genres and labels, Brandee Younger has created a unique niche in both traditional and non-traditional harp arenas. In addition to expressively interpreting traditional harp repertoire, she is most recognized for working with Jazz royalty as well as Grammy winning Hip-Hop producers and artists. Her ability to feature the harp in genres of music where the instrument is often absent is a testament of her love for the instrument, and her cross-reaching ability as a musician. A classically trained harpist, Younger received her undergraduate degrees in Harp Performance and Music Business at the Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, CT, where she was also mentored by the faculty of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and African American Studies. She has worked and recorded with Jack DeJohnette, Ravi Coltrane, Wycliffe Gordon, Charlie Haden, Reggie Workman, Kenny Garrett, Rashied Ali, Butch Morris, and Bill Lee, as well as a host of New York City’s top, young jazz musicians. As a classical musician, Younger has been a featured soloist with The Harlem Chamber Players and has performed with an array of ensembles including the Eastern Connecticut Symphony, Waterbury Symphony and Soulful Symphony.

Born in New Orleans, saxophonist Donald Harrison began playing with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in his early twenties. He had already completed what most musicians would call a career when the influential band he co-led with fellow New Orleans native trumpeter Terence Blanchard broke up in 1989. But Harrison was only beginning. Choosing to work in a number of genres at once, Harrison has released a series of albums that are touchstones of contemporary New Orleans music, particularly the immensely important 1992 release “Indian Blues,“ in which he brought the Mardi Gras Indian music learned from his father, Donald Harrison Sr., into a vibrant contemporary jazz/R&B setting. Harrison continues to perform and record in traditional jazz settings with both acoustic and electric bands as well as what he calls Nouveau Swing, a roots amalgam merging acoustic jazz, Mardi Gras Indian Music, hip-hop, second line and reggae. Harrison also has been a potent influence on younger musicians, mentoring personalities as different as rapper Notorious BIG and whiz kid trumpeter Christian Scott. As the director of Tipitina’s Intern Program, he often works with musicians from that program as his band when performing.

Will Calhoun, the widely acclaimed drummer from the Bronx, NY, presents unique blend of improvisational and hard rock drumming that can be found on each of Living Colour’s releases, including the ground-breaking multi-platinum debut, Vivid, and Stain, as well as their latest release, CollideØscope. A prolific song writer, Calhoun has co-written many Living Colour compositions and wrote the critically acclaimed song, Pride, on the Time’s Up album and Nothingness on the Stain album. As a member of Living Colour, he received a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance by a group and another Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance. In addition to his work with Living Colour, Calhoun has recorded and/or toured with diverse artists including B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Jaco Pastorious, Harry Belafonte, Pharoah Sanders, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Simon, Lou Reed, The Allman Brothers, Lauryn Hill, Marcus Miller, Dr. John, Carly Simon, Herb Alpert, Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood, Wayne Shorter, Run-DMC and Public Enemy.

Claire Daly will tell you that her life changed on September 23, 1971, when as a young musician playing saxophone for three months, she attended a performance of the Buddy Rich Band. When the saxophone section stood up for a solo, Daly’s excitement stood up with them. After dragging her father to the stage door for autographs, she took one look at the tour bus and said, “I’d do anything to be on that bus.” It was the kind of epiphany that only young enthusiasm can breed, but enthusiasm is still the motivating force in her musical life. After attending the Berklee College of Music, the baritone saxophonist set out to make a living as a musician. Her career has included anchoring the sax section in the Diva Big Band for seven years, freelancing in New York, recording five CDs with the composer/pianist Joel Forrester and their band, People Like Us, as well as her own CDs Swing Low, Movin’ On and Heaven Help Us All. She is celebrating the release of the Mary Joyce Project: Nothing to Lose, a musical gift to her second cousin, who made a 1,000-mile journey from Juneau to Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1935. The piece was premiered at the Juneau Jazz and Classics Festival in May. In addition, she has performed on numerous CDs, film scores and jingles, as well as at festivals and venues around the world.

For more information on the Kids Jazz Concert series and WBGO-FM, visit www.wbgo.org.

ABOUT WBGO

Founded in 1979, Newark Public Radio, Inc. is a publicly supported cultural institution that champions jazz at WBGO 88.3 FM in Newark, New Jersey and worldwide via wbgo.org. WBGO is the recognized world leader in jazz radio and one of the most respected jazz presenters in the country, and offers award-winning news and innovative children’s programs. Beyond reaching 400,000 weekly listeners (including 17,000 contributing members) on air, online and via mobile devices, WBGO presents live broadcasts from prestigious jazz venues and produces acclaimed programs for NPR. WBGO is Jazz Week magazine’s 2010 Major Market Station of the Year.

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Newport Festivals Foundation™ Celebrates Proud History of Newport Jazz Festival®
with Jazz Stars of Today and Tomorrow, Secure with a Three-Year Contract
with Natixis Global Asset Management Returning as Presenting Sponsor

Tickets on Sale March 15 at 10:00 am at www.newportjazzfest.net

NEWPORT, RI, March 13, 2012 – George Wein, producer and founder of the Newport Jazz Festival® and Chairman of the Newport Festivals Foundation™ today announced the program for the 2012 Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management to be held in Newport, RI August 3 – 5 at historic Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport Casino.

Wein also announced that Natixis Global Asset Management (NGAM), who launched their global musical initiative with the 2011 Newport Jazz Festival, will return as the festival’s presenting sponsor for three additional years.

Veterans Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Frisell and others share the festival billing with relative newcomers Miguel Zenón, Jason Moran, Ambrose Akinmusire, Darcy James Argue, Dafnis Prieto, John Hollenbeck and others. In addition, award-winning artists Dianne Reeves and Tedeschi Trucks Band will be a major part of the festival, along with Maria Schneider, Kurt Elling and Joe Lovano.

“We are pleased that NGAM will again join us as we build upon the legacy of our annual celebration of jazz,” said Wein. “In keeping with our mission that jazz is an ever evolving art form, we have produced a festival that features many of the younger artists that represent what jazz is today and tomorrow along with hall of fame veterans that have made jazz the great music that it is.”

“The multi-year partnership that NGAM has forged with the celebrated Newport Jazz Festival and impresario George Wein will provide an excellent platform to foster creativity, diversity and collaboration between artists, communities and businesses,” said John T. Hailer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Natixis Global Asset Management – The Americas & Asia. “This is the second year we have partnered with the Newport Jazz Festival and we are pleased that the 2012 festival’s focus on young musicians aligns well with our commitment to provide more opportunities for talented music students from countries all over the world.”

The 2012 Newport Jazz Festival® presented by Natixis Global Asset Management features Pat Metheny Unity Band with Chris Potter, Antonio Sanchez and Ben Williams; Dianne Reeves; Jack DeJohnette’s 70^th Birthday Celebration featuring his Quintet and an All-Star group performing two sets; Bill Frisell – John Lennon Songbook; Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas Quintet: Sound Prints; The Bad Plus with Bill Frisell; James Carter Organ Trio with Special Guests Rodney Jones and Miche Braden; Dafnis Prieto Sextet; 3 Clarinets: Ken Peplowski, Evan Christopher, Anat Cohen; Christian McBride’s Inside Straight; John Ellis & Double-Wide; Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society; and Pedrito Martinez Group on Saturday, August 4, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm, on three unique stages at Fort Adams State Park.

On Sunday, August 5, the music continues at Fort Adams at 11:00 am with the Tedeschi Trucks Band; Maria Schneider Orchestra; Jason Moran and the Bandwagon; Kurt Elling; Miguel Zenón’s Rayuela; Jenny Scheinman & Bill Frisell; Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet; Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Samdhi; Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Loueke with special guest Becca Stevens; John Hollenbeck’s Claudia Quintet + 1 featuring Theo Bleckmann; 3 Cohens: Yuval, Anat and Avishai Cohen; Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks; Lewis Nash Quintet featuring Jeremy Pelt and Jimmy Greene; Ryan Truesdell’s Gil Evans Centennial Project; and Berklee Global Jazz Institute Sextet.

The Newport Jazz Festival kicks off on Friday, August 3, at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino. Artists and ticket information for this concert will be announced at a later date.

TICKETS & OTHER INFORMATION

Tickets for the Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management go on sale worldwide Thursday, March 15, at 10:00 am at www.newportjazzfest.net, by phone and by mail.  A limited number of general admission adult two-day passes are available now for $ 135.00 for Saturday and Sunday.  Single day general admission adult tickets are $74.00 in advance and $84.00 at the gate, if available.  Children’s tickets for ages 3 – 15 are $15.00 per day.  Children under 3 are free.  Parking passes are also available on-line for $12.00.  Service charges apply to all tickets purchased on-line or by phone.

Premium Seating tickets for Fort Adams concerts are available for $125.00 per day. Reserved Seating is $90.00. The Reserved/Premium Seating Section has been re-designed. The area in front of the stage will be returned to the general admission audience. A new, wider Reserved Section has been created with easy access from the road and better sightlines. There will be fewer seats than in past years; early purchase is recommended for the best selection.

Single day general admission tickets also can be purchased in person at the Newport Visitor Information Center, located at 23 America’s Cup Avenue.  Visit www.gonewport.com for Visitor Center office hours and information.

There will be a festival office in the Newport area where tickets can be purchased in person at a later date.  For general information, craft vendor information or to leave a message for festival staff, call the festival hotline at (401) 848-5055.  For more information, log on to www.newportjazzfest.net or www.newportfestivalsfoundation.org.

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About Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A.

Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. is one of the 15 largest asset managers in the world based on assets under management.¹ Its affiliated asset management companies provide investment products that seek to enhance and protect the wealth and retirement assets of both institutional and individual investor clients. Its proprietary distribution network helps package and deliver its affiliates’ products around the world. Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. brings together the expertise of multiple specialized investment managers based in Europe, the United States and Asia to offer a wide spectrum of equity, fixed-income and alternative investment strategies.

Headquartered in Paris and Boston, Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A.’s assets under management totaled $706 billion (€544 billion) as of December 31, 2011. Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. is part of Natixis. Listed on the Paris Stock Exchange, Natixis is a subsidiary of BPCE, the second-largest banking group in France. Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A.’s affiliated investment management firms and distribution and service groups include: Absolute Asia Asset Management; AEW Capital Management; AEW Europe; AlphaSimplex Group; Aurora Investment Management; Capital Growth Management; Caspian Capital Management; Darius Capital Partners; Gateway Investment Advisers; H2O Asset Management; Hansberger Global Investors; Harris Associates; IDFC Asset Management Company; Loomis, Sayles & Company; Natixis Asset Management; Natixis Multimanager; Ossiam; Reich & Tang Asset Management; Snyder Capital Management; and Vaughan Nelson Investment Management.

¹ Cerulli Quantitative Update: Global Markets 2011, based on December 31, 2010 AUM of $713 billion.

The Newport Festivals Foundation was founded by George Wein in 2010 to build up and continue the legacies of the famed Newport Jazz Festival and Newport Folk Festival. Under the auspices of the Foundation, the Newport Jazz Festival presents performers who respect and honor jazz music traditions, and at the same time reflect the changes in today’s musical trends. Through the establishment of partnerships with local high schools and colleges/universities, the Foundation will present programs to educate young people about jazz music as presented at the annual festivals. For more information, please visit www.newportfestivalsfoundation.org.

*Artists Subject to change

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*The 2012 Newport Jazz Festival® is a production of Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation, under license from Festival Productions, Inc. and George Wein; all rights reserved.

NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL® RETURNS TO FORT ADAMS STATE PARK JULY 28-29
with MY MORNING JACKET, JACKSON BROWNE, CONOR OBERST, IRON & WINE, PATTY GRIFFIN, GUTHRIE FAMILY REUNION, DAWES, THE HEAD & THE HEART, DEER TICK, PUNCH BROTHERS, CITY & COLOUR, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND and MORE!

Tickets On Sale March 1 at 10:00 am at www.NewportFolkFest.net

NEWPORT, RI, February 29, 2012 – The Newport Festivals Foundation™ has announced the lineup for the 2012 Newport Folk Festival® set to take place July 28-29 once again at the picturesque Fort Adams State Park.

Tickets go on sale worldwide Thursday, March 1, at 10:00 am at www.newportfolkfest.net.

The Newport Festivals Foundation continues to celebrate the festival’s historic past by featuring emerging young artists alongside some of folk music’s most venerable names. This year’s festival features: My Morning Jacket, Jackson Browne, Conor Oberst, Iron & Wine, Patty Griffin, Guthrie Family Reunion, Dawes, The Head & The Heart, Deer Tick, Punch Brothers, City & Colour, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Tallest Man on Earth, tUnE-yArDs, Tom Morello, Trampled by Turtles, Gary Clark, Jr., Alabama Shakes, Blind Pilot, Of Monsters and Men, original music from: Jay Farrar; Will Johnson; Anders Parker; & Yim Yames set to the lyrics of Woody Guthrie, Sharon Van Etten, First Aid Kit, Sara Watkins, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, Brown Bird, Jonny Corndawg, Jonathan Wilson, Spirit Family Reunion, Deep Dark Woods, Carl Broemel, Ben Sollee, Robert Ellis, Frank Fairfield, The Apache Relay, Spider John Koerner & His Rag Tag Boys, Joel Rafael, Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons, Elizabeth Mitchell, honeyhoney, Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, The Kossoy Sisters, The Berklee City Music Choir and very special guests to be announced.

Building on the success of last year’s sold out event, Newport Folk Festival producers will bring the freshest and brightest musicians in the folk world to the annual festival by the sea. Known for its extremely loyal “Folk Family,” the Newport Folk Festival has continued to stay at the forefront of the nation’s musical tastemaking. In recent years, the festival has introduced a number of burgeoning stars to the national consciousness while luring established favorites to Newport thanks to the reverence these admired artists have for the traditions of the Newport Folk Festival. The careful curation of the Newport Folk lineup has brought the festival to the forefront of live music which, in turn, allows the festival to continue to enhance the experience year after year.

“There’s nothing better than knowing that there are thousands of people who love the Newport Folk Festival as much as we do and they want to see it live for years to come,” said Jay Sweet, festival producer. “  Our Folk Family proved it last year and they are proving it again as we listen to and read the many wonderful comments from people who have already planned to attend the festival even before this announcement.  We are extremely humbled to have the support of the fans and the artists who help to make Newport the best place in the world for our annual Newport Folk Festival Family Reunion.”

“I, too, was overwhelmed by the tremendous showing of love from the festival’s fans. Not only did they turn out in full force to hear the music, selling out both days, they also contributed to the legacy of the festival by supporting a benefit for the Newport Festivals Foundation.” added George Wein, festival Founder and CEO of Newport Festivals Foundation.

Often likened to “coming home” to the very roots of the folk-music tradition, the Newport Folk Festival is an annual favorite of fans and musicians alike. The laid back, at home feel has been known to inspire artists’ spontaneous, on-stage sit-ins as well as unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime, impromptu performances throughout the festival grounds.

“Having been fortunate enough to play Newport Folk a number of times by myself, and with a number of different artists and friends, I’m now super excited to have the opportunity to play with my oldest pals in My Morning Jacket!” said Jim James, who is also confirmed to take the Newport stage with New Multitudes. “This is a wonderful occasion for us to play a unique set in the spirit of the festival, and create some new memories together alongside our friends in Newport.”

Since 1959, the Newport Folk Festival has presented the very best of this country’s blues, roots, gospel, country, bluegrass, Cajun and traditional folk music. This year’s edition once again pays tribute to the great performers who wrote the proud history of this festival. As in recent years, the festival continues to welcome the next wave of folk voices.

The Newport Folk Festival welcomes the return of Alex and Ani as sponsor of the Harbor Stage.  Alex and Ani offers eco-friendly, positive energy infused products that adorn the body, enlighten the mind, and empower the spirit, designed by Carolyn Rafaelian and Made in America with love.

The Newport Festivals Foundation was founded by George Wein in 2010 to build up and continue the legacies of the famed Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival. Under the auspices of the Foundation, the Newport Folk Festival presents performers who respect and honor folk music traditions, and at the same time reflect the changes in today’s musical trends. Through the establishment of partnerships with local schools and colleges/universities, the Foundation will present programs to educate young people primarily from RI and New England, but also from around the globe, about folk music as presented at the annual festivals. For more information, please visit www.newportfestivalsfoundation.org.

TICKETS & OTHER INFORMATION

Tickets for the Newport Folk Festival go on sale worldwide Thursday, March 1, at 10:00 am at www.newportfolkfest.net and www.ticketmaster.com, by phone and by mail.  A limited number of adult two-day passes are available now for $ 135.00 for Saturday and Sunday.  Single day adult tickets are $74.00 in advance and $84.00 at the gate, if available.  Children’s tickets for ages 3 – 15 are $15.00  per day.  Children under 3 are free.  Parking passes are also available on-line for $12.00  Service charges apply to all tickets purchased on-line or by phone.

Single day tickets also can be purchased in person at the Newport Visitor Information Center, located at 23 America’s Cup Avenue.  Visit www.gonewport.com for Visitor Center office hours and information.

There will be a festival office in the Newport area where tickets can be purchased in person at a later date.  For general information, craft vendor information or to leave a message for festival staff, call the festival hotline at (401) 848-5055.  For more information, log on to www.newportfolkfest.net.

Stay in touch with Newport Folk Festival’s social media accounts for the latest details and compelling audio/video:

http://www.facebook.com/newportfolkfest

http://twitter.com/newportfolkfest

http://newportfolkfest.tumblr.com/

http://vimeo.com/channels/newport

The 2012 Newport Folk Festival line-up features:

SATURDAY, JULY 28 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue

• My Morning Jacket
• Iron & Wine
• Patty Griffin
• Guthrie Family Reunion
• Dawes
• City & Colour
• Preservation Hall Jazz Band
• Deer Tick
• Blind Pilot
• Alabama Shakes
• Sharon Van Etten
• First Aid Kit
• Brown Bird
• Jonny Corndawg
• Frank Fairfield
• Spirit Family Reunion
• Robert Ellis
• Apache Relay
• Honeyhoney
• Sleepy Man Banjo Boys

SUNDAY, JULY 29 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue

• Jackson Browne
• Conor Oberst
• Punch Brothers
• Tallest Man on Earth
• The Head & The Heart
• tUnE-yArDs
• Gary Clark, Jr.
• Trampled By Turtles
• Tom Morello
• Of Monsters and Men
• Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires
• Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker & Yim Yames performing
• Original Music set to the Lyrics of Woody Guthrie
• Sara Watkins
• Carl Broemel
• Ben Sollee
• Spider John Koerner
• Jonathan Wilson
• Deep Dark Woods
• Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons
• Kossoy Sisters
• Joel Rafael

*Artists Subject to change

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The Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile Renew Partnership
to Present Second Annual Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival
May 7 – 13, 2012

Partners Celebrate Legacy of Jazz in Harlem Featuring
Concerts by Emerging and Established Artists,
Panel Discussions, Films and More

NEW YORK, NY, February 23, 2012 – The Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile, Inc. have joined forces again to present the second annual Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival May 7–13, 2012.  Continuing the mission of the inaugural festival, the three venerable cultural organizations will present a series of concerts and events to celebrate the rich legacy of jazz in the uptown community. Bringing both established and emerging artists to famed Harlem venues, the festival will pay tribute to Club Harlem, Clark Monroe’s Uptown House, Havana San Juan Club, Small’s Paradise, Minton’s Playhouse, Showman’s Café, Park Palace, Lenox Lounge and the Apollo Theater. In addition to concerts at jazz shrines, other festival events will take place at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, Columbia University and a variety of locations throughout the Harlem area.

Designed to draw a diverse audience of neighborhood residents, New Yorkers and tourists, all events are offered at the affordable price of $10.  Concerts are scheduled to allow people the option of attending several events each day, continuing the tradition of non-stop jazz throughout Harlem.

Highlights of the 2012 Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival include:

• Wycliffe Gordon’s Jazz à la Carte – The Apollo’s variety shows of the 1930’s made a stellar comeback last year under the music direction of composer/trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and the director/choreographer Kenneth L. Roberson. The show returns when Gordon celebrates the world-renowned Apollo with host Maurice Hines, tap star Savion Glover, the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, vocalist Theresa Thomason, pianist Aaron Diehl, trumpeter Philip Dizack, trombonist/vocalist Natalie Cressman and the Apollo Dancers.

• Tribute to Club Harlem: Celebrating Cecil – Three of today’s most innovative pianists honor the uncompromising creative force of Cecil Taylor in two evenings of solo and duet performances.   Vijay Iyer, Amina Claudine Myers and Craig Taborn will perform at the Harlem Stage Gatehouse.

• Small’s Paradise: (Re) Created – Jazzmobile will take the bold leap to re-create the legendary Small’s Paradise, once Harlem’s premier night spot and longest-operating club. Working in collaboration with the Government and Community Affairs Department at the City College of New York, Jazzmobile will re-create Small’s Paradise at Harlem USA, featuring the Revive Music Paradise Band, a 12-piece house band backing the famous Small’s floor show complete with dancers (tap and swing) and singers recalling the music of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway and James P. Johnson. Small’s Paradise (Re)Created sheds new light on an old tradition.

• Showman’s Late Night Jazz – A week-long series produced by the Apollo Theater and Showman’s at the legendary club frequented by Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Pearl Bailey, Grady Tate and countless others, continues the tradition with sessions featuring Danny Mixon, Lonnie Youngblood, Lou Volpe, Cynthia Holiday and Sarah McLawler.

• Tribute to Clark Monroe’s Uptown House at Harlem Stage Gatehouse – Featuring some of the world’s finest instrumentalists and vocalists, this year’s Grammy winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album The Mosaic Project gives females a place to support and celebrate each other from a musical and social perspective. Terri Lyne Carrington will be joined by Lizz Wright, Nona Hendryx, Ingrid Jensen, Tia Fuller, Helen Sung, Mimi Jones and Nir Felder to construct creative consciousness as “women with voices.”

• Minton’s Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand – Jazzmobile brings the famed club on 118^th Street back to life with a celebration of some of the legends of the esteemed bandstand.  Acknowledging iconic contributions are keepers of the flame, including TK Blue celebrating Charlie Parker, octogenarian Barry Harris remembering Thelonious Monk, Winard Harper with a tribute to Max Roach and an artist TBD paying homage to Dizzy Gillespie. Each set will be followed by a late night jam.

The three partners are again collaborating with Columbia University to bring humanities programming that will further highlight the cultural significance of Harlem and the Festival. The University’s programming includes The Savoy King, a documentary on Swing-era drummer/bandleader Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald and the renowned Savoy Ballroom as well as an exploration of the spiritual dimensions of Harlem’s aesthetic legacies in jazz.

The Harlem-wide jazz festival focuses on the venues, music, and artists that were central to Harlem’s cultural landscape from the 1920’s through the 1970’s and on contemporary jazz artists.  Designed to create a resurgence of jazz opportunities in Harlem, the Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile will present jazz in all its various forms and diverse formats including jazz dance, concert, club, cabaret and dance events.  Through a dynamic range of programming, the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival will enable the partners to highlight the role that local Harlem venues have played in the development of jazz.

“Following a successful and exciting inaugural festival year, the Apollo Theater is thrilled to continue to delve deeper not only into our own rich history, but also into the unique legacy of Harlem as an international center of jazz and culture,” said Mikki Sheppard, Executive Producer of the Apollo Theater. “The Festival is an economic driver for Harlem – it’s a collaboration designed to support the artists, partner organizations, local clubs, restaurants and other local businesses throughout Harlem.  To partner with Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile is an honor, and it has been a great pleasure to share programming and marketing ideas with these two outstanding cultural organizations.”

Pat Cruz, Executive Director of Harlem Stage, added, “We are pleased to have seen music fans from around the world, as well as community residents, turn out to celebrate Harlem’s jazz shrines and other venues.  This partnership with Jazzmobile and the Apollo is an excellent way to share resources while continuing to build upon our mission of extending the legacy of jazz and music into the future through performances of young, dynamic artists.”

“Jazzmobile has presented emerging artists and jazz giants throughout the beautiful City parks and streets of Harlem for 47 years, but in our partnership with Harlem Stage and the Apollo, we enjoy the special and unique challenge of recreating, reimagining and remembering some of Harlem’s jazz shrines,” said Robin Bell-Stevens, President & CEO of Jazzmobile.  “Our founder, the legendary Dr. Billy Taylor, would be proud to see jazz flourishing again at Small’s Paradise and Minton’s Playhouse and to know that during this week-long festival, jazz fans from around the world will be walking through the streets of Harlem  ‘hopping’ from club to club and concert halls throughout the community.”

Tickets for many of the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival events are available now.  For tickets and more information on the Festival and its partners, visit the Harlem Jazz Shrines’ website at www.Harlemjazzshrines.org and/or the organizations’ websites at www.apollotheater.org, www.harlemstage.org and www.jazzmobile.org.

Harlem Jazz Shrines is made possible with generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts and The New York Community Trust – Elizabeth Meyer Lorentz Fund. This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Council Member Inez E. Dickens, and Speaker Christine Quinn; New York State Funding from Senator Bill Perkins, Assemblyman Keith L. T. Wright; the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; and the New York State Council on the Arts. Celebrating Cecil is supported, in part, by public funds from the NEA Jazz Masters Live, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

About the Apollo Theater

The Apollo Theater is one of Harlem’s, New York City’s, and America’s most iconic and enduring cultural institutions.  Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has played a major role in cultivating artists and in the emergence of innovative musical genres including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop.  Throughout its history, the Apollo has been a champion of jazz and jazz musicians. From the historic night in 1934 when Ella Fitzgerald first won Amateur Night, to performances by Benny Carter, Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Billie Holiday and Cab Calloway, the list of jazz greats who played the Apollo goes on and on. The Apollo Theater’s new vision builds on its legacy and supports both artists and curators, who are African American and culturally diverse and emerging, mid-career and established in their career.  The Apollo will continue to present historically relevant work and increase our presentations of more forward looking, contemporary work.

About Harlem Stage

For nearly 30 years Harlem Stage has been one of the nation’s leading arts organizations, having achieved particular distinction through commissioning and presenting innovative works by artists of color and facilitating a productive engagement with the communities it serves through the performing arts. Harlem Stage has a long-standing tradition of supporting artists and organizations around the corner and across the globe, including legendary artists such as Harry Belafonte, Max Roach, Sekou Sundiata, Abbey Lincoln, Sonia Sanchez, Eddie Palmieri, and Tito Puente and contemporary artists such as Bill T. Jones, Vijay Iyer, Mike Ladd, Tania Léon, Carl Hancock Rux and Jason Moran.  Its education programs each year provide 10,000 New York City children with access to a world of diverse cultures through the performing arts. In 2006, Harlem Stage opened its new home, ­ the landmarked, award-winning Gatehouse – once the source of fresh water flowing to New York City, now a vital source of creativity, ideas and culture.

About Jazzmobile

Jazzmobile, Inc., America’s oldest not-for-profit arts organization created just for jazz, was founded in 1964 by NEA Jazz Master Dr. Billy Taylor and Daphne Arnstein. Its mission is to present, preserve, promote, and propagate Jazz – “America’s classical music.” Jazzmobile pioneered the concept of Jazz lecture-demonstrations and mobile Jazz performances presented across New York City, and continues to serve as a model for other Jazz music presentation-focused organizations around the country.  Jazzmobile reaches approximately 100,000 people in New York City each year, consisting of multi-ethnic audiences of all ages and socio-economic levels, including the disabled. In order to reach the largest possible audience, all of Jazzmobile’s programming is presented at no or low-cost cost to participants.  Other outreach includes instructional workshops and panels and symposia that provide a historical framework for Jazz and its significance to American culture.

About Columbia University in the City of New York

A leading academic and research university, Columbia continually seeks to advance the frontiers of knowledge and to foster a campus community deeply engaged in understanding and addressing the complex global issues of our time. Columbia’s extensive public service initiatives, cultural collaborations, and community partnerships help define the University’s underlying values and mission to educate students to be both leading scholars and informed, engaged citizens. Founded in 1754 as King’s College, Columbia University in the City of New York is the fifth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. To learn more, visit www.columbia.edu.

2012 Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival Calendar

All Tickets $10, unless otherwise noted

Monday, May 7, 2012

• Columbia University presents Jazz and the Spirit: The Arts of Harlem in the American Religious Imagination.  A panel discussion led by Professor Josef Sorett, in collaboration with The Abyssinian Baptist Church and the Institute for Religion, Culture and Public Life, this program will focus on the connection of jazz to great religious institutions in Harlem and include a performance on the Abyssinian Baptist Church organ illustrating these deep connections to jazz and the American church musical tradition. With support from Columbia University School of the Arts Office of Community Outreach, Institute for Research in African-American Studies, Center for Jazz Studies and Columbia University Office of Government & Community Affairs. The Abyssinian Baptist Church. 6:00 – 8:00 pm. FREE.

• Jazzmobile presents Small’s (Re)Created. Curated by Revive Music. Small’s Paradise at Harlem USA. 9:00 pm-11:00 pm

• Jazzmobile presents Late Night Jam Session at Small’s. Midnight – 2:00 am.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

• Harlem Stage presents Blazing Tongues: The Singers & Writers of Lenox Lounge with Tulivu-Donna Cumberbatch singing Ella Fitzgerald, plus actress Beareather Reddy reading author Paule Marshall. Part of the Harlem Stride series. Two drink minimum.  Lenox Lounge. 7:00 pm.

• Harlem Stage presents Celebrating Cecil: Tribute to Club Harlem, with Vijay Iyer, Craig Taborn, and Amina Claudine Myers. Part of the Harlem Stride series, in partnership with Issue Project Room and the Center for Jazz Studies at Columbia University. Harlem Stage Gatehouse. 8:00 pm.

• Apollo Theater presents Showman’s Late Night Jazz with organist Danny Mixon. Limited seating.  Standing room available, Two drink minimum per set.  Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman’s Café. 8:30 pm, 10:00 pm and 11:30 pm.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

• Jazzmobile presents Small’s Paradise Education and General Public Programs. Artists TBD.  Small’s Paradise at Harlem USA. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.

• Harlem Stage presents Celebrating Cecil: Tribute to Club Harlem, with Vijay Iyer, Craig Taborn, and Amina Claudine Myers. Followed by “Decoding Cecil,” a discussion with the artists and George Lewis. Part of the Harlem Stride series, in partnership with Issue Project Room and the Center for Jazz Studies at Columbia University. Harlem Stage Gatehouse. 8:00 pm.

• Apollo presents Showman’s Late Night Jazz with Lonnie Youngblood and the Blood Brothers. Limited seating.  Standing room available, Two drink minimum per set.  Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman’s Café. 8:30 pm, 10:00 pm and 11:30 pm.

• Jazzmobile presents Minton’s Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand with TK Blue paying tribute to Charlie Parker. Minton’s Playhouse. 10:00 pm – 11:30 pm.

• Jazzmobile presents Late Night Jam Session at Minton’s Playhouse. Minton’s Playhouse. Midnight – 2:00 am.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

• Jazzmobile presents Small’s Paradise Education and General Public Programs. Artists TBD.  Small’s Paradise at Harlem USA. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.

• Harlem Stage, celebrating Clark Monroe’s Uptown House, presents this year’s Grammy winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album The Mosaic Project with Terri Lyne Carrington featuring Lizz Wright, Nona Hendryx, Ingrid Jensen, Mimi Jones, Tia Fuller, Helen Sung, Nir Felder and more. Part of the Harlem Stride series. Harlem Stage Gatehouse. 7:30 pm.

• Apollo Theater presents Showman’s Late Night Jazz with guitarist Lou Volpe. Limited seating.  Standing room available, Two drink minimum per set.  Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman’s Café. 8:30 pm, 10:00 pm and 11:30 pm.

• Jazzmobile presents Minton’s Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand with a tribute to Dizzy Gillespie. Minton’s Playhouse. 10:00 pm – 11:30 pm.

• Jazzmobile presents Late Night Jam Session at Minton’s Playhouse. Minton’s Playhouse. Midnight – 2:00 am.

Friday, May 11, 2012

• Jazzmobile presents Small’s Paradise Education and General Public Programs. Artists TBD. Small’s Paradise at Harlem USA. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.

• Columbia University presents The Savoy King, a feature documentary on Swing-era drummer/bandleader Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald and the Savoy Ballroom, written, directed and produced by Jeff Kaufman; Co-executive Producers Jamal Joseph and Voza Rivers and The New Heritage Film Group. In collaboration with Columbia University School of the Arts Office of Community Outreach, Center for Jazz Studies, Institute for Research in African- American Studies, Teachers College Office of School & Community Partnerships and Columbia University Office of Government & Community Affairs. Teachers College, Cowin Auditorium. 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

• Harlem Stage presents Blazing Tongues: The Singers & Writers of Lenox Lounge featuring Gregory Generet singing Johnny Hartman, and author Ralph Ellison’s writings on jazz. Directed by Tamara Tunie.   Part of the Harlem Stride series. Two drink minimum. Lenox Lounge. 7:00 pm.

• Jazzmobile presents Small’s (Re)Created. Co-curated by Monique Martin. Celebrating the innovation that the legendary Small’s Paradise was known for, cellist Marika Hughes brings her band Bottom Heavy to a shared bill with genre-defying drummer Will Calhoun and friends for an evening of spirited music, movement and a bit of mayhem to keep it fresh. You never know who might sit in during the jam session that follows the set. Small’s Paradise at Harlem USA. 7:00 pm-9:00 pm.

• Apollo Theater presents Apollo Music Café, Jazz Night. Kellylee Evans, Canadian jazz and soul vocalist and a 2004 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocal competition winner. Apollo Theater – Soundstage. Doors at 9:00 pm, Performance at 10:00 pm.

• Apollo Theater presents Showman’s Late Night with vocalist Cynthia Holiday. Limited seating.  Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set.  Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman’s Café. 9:00 pm and 11:00 pm.

• Jazzmobile presents Minton’s Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand with Barry Harris paying tribute to Thelonious Monk. Minton’s Playhouse. 10:00 pm – 11:30 pm.

• Jazzmobile presents Late Night Jam Session at Minton’s Playhouse. Midnight – 2:00 am.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

• Apollo Theater presents Wycliffe Gordon’s Jazz a la Carte, a variety show of big band music, song, and dance. Music Director Wycliffe Gordon, Director/Choreographer Kenneth L. Roberson, hosted by Maurice Hines featuring the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, Savion Glover, Theresa Thomason, Aaron Diehl, Philip Dizack, Natalie Cressman and the Apollo Dancers.. Apollo Theater. 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm

• Harlem Stage presents Tribute to Club Havana San Juan featuring The Havana San Juan Orchestra led by Louis Bauzo plus other featured artists. Curator/Producer: Geno Chaviano. Harlem Stage Gatehouse. 8:00pm and 10:00pm.

• Apollo Theater presents Apollo Music Café, Jazz Night. Pianist Marc Cary and his group, Cosmic Indigenous. Apollo Theater – Sound Stage. Doors at 9:00 pm, Performance at 10:00 pm.

• Apollo Theater presents Showman’s Late Night Jazz with organist Sarah McLawler and Les Femmes Jazz. Limited seating.  Standing room available, Two drink minimum per set.  Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman’s Café. 9:00pm and 11:00pm.

• Jazzmobile presents Minton’s Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand with Winard Harper in a tribute to Max Roach. Minton’s Playhouse. 10:00 pm – 2:00 am.

• Jazzmobile presents Late Night Jam Session at Minton’s Playhouse. Midnight – 2:00 am.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

• Jazzmobile celebrates Park Palace, the true temple for authentic mambo.  Jazzmobile, in collaboration with the Museum for African Art, will present Dancing Mambo/Park Palace Live!, a re-creation of the Sunday matinee dances featuring a multi-generational Afro-Cuban Jazz Band led by Bobby Sanabria with special guest artists and the legendary Candido.  The Museum for African Art. 4:00 – 7:00 pm.

*Schedule and Artists Subject to Change

VENUES
The Abyssinian Baptist Church
132 Odell Clark Place (formerly 138th Street)
New York, NY 10030
(212) 862-7474 / www.abyssinian.org

Apollo Theater
253 W 125th Street
New York, NY 10027
(212) 531-5305 / www.apollotheater.org

Harlem Stage Gatehouse
150 Convent Avenue at West 135th Street
New York, NY 10031
(212) 281-9240 Ext. 19 or 20 / www.harlemstage.org

Lenox Lounge
288 Lenox Avenue
Malcolm X Boulevard between 124th & 125th
New York, NY
(212) 427-0253 / www.lenoxlounge.com

Minton’s Playhouse
206 West 118th Street
New York, NY 10026

Park Palace
The Museum for African Art Plaza
5th Avenue & 110th Street
New York, NY 10029

Showman’s Café
375 W 125th Street
New York, NY 10027
(212) 864-8941

Small’s Paradise
Harlem USA
2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd., 2nd Floor
(Entrance through the Magic Johnson Theater Lobby)
New York, NY 10027

Teachers College, Cowin Auditorium at Columbia University
525 West 125th Street (Entrance near Broadway at 120th street)
New York, NY 10027
(212) 678-3000 / www.tc.columbia.edu

In Celebration of Black History Month
T.S. Monk: It’s About Monk
in honor of Thelonious Monk

Thursday, February 16, 2012
5:30 – 7:00 pm
(Doors Open at 5:00 pm)

T.S. Monk, son of iconic pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, founder of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and more, will discuss his father’s legacy and what it has meant to legions of jazz artists. T.S. will also answer audience questions before performing with his current group in celebration of his new association with Roland Musical Instruments and their “v-drum” electronic drums. Showcasing the sounds of a new generation

Tickets: $25.00
$10.00 Minimum/Person

Birdland
315 W. 44th Street
New York, NY
(212) 581-3080
www.birdlandjazz.com

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JAZZ TRUMPETER AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE LEADS HIS BIG BAND FOR ITS

WORLDWIDE DEBUT PERFORMANCE ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, IN ZANKEL HALL

Jazz trumpeter and Blue Note recording artist Ambrose Akinmusire leads his big band for the ensemble’s worldwide debut performance on Saturday, December 3, at 10:00 p.m. in Zankel Hall. The trumpeter, whose talents have been increasingly recognized since 2007 when he won both the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition and the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition, was signed to the Blue Note recording label in 2010 and was most recently named by The Los Angeles Times as one of their “2011 Faces to Watch.” Akinmusire’s big band features a host of modern jazz’s most notable rising star performers, including: saxophonists Marcus Strickland, Walter Smith, Myron Walden, Tia Fuller, and Dayna Stephens; Sean Jones and Jason Palmer joining Akinmusire in the trumpet section; trombonists Josh Roseman and Cory King; pianist, Sullivan Fortener; bassist, Harish Ragahvan; and drummer Justin Brown with arrangements by Sherisse Rogers. This concert is presented by Carnegie Hall in partnership with The Joyce and George Wein Foundation in memory of Joyce Wein.

Ambrose Akinmusire’s first album for Blue Note records, When the Heart Emerges Glistening was released in April 2011. Explaining the album’s title he notes, “…[the title] refers to being present, emotionally invested, honest-not exclusively in our art, but in every act of expression…[t]he many sides of the album itself are a testament to our complexity and uniqueness as individuals, and the imperative to bare and explore honestly every coexisting side of us.” Co-produced by Akinmusire and his mentor, pianist Jason Moran, the album features the 28-year-old trumpeter’s young quintet whom the The New York Times deems”destined for much wider recognition, ” performing mostly original compositions (written by Akinmusire) that juxtapose bombastic tunes and searing solos alongside selections that display elegance and sensitivity.

To view a clip of the Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet performing at New York’s Jazz Standard, please click here.

Prior to Akinmusire’s performance, starting at 9:00 p.m., ticketholders are invited to enjoy Late Nights at Zankel, a laid-back pre-concert experience in the Zankel Hall lounge, and meet others who share their passion for music. The first 200 concert-goers to arrive will receive a complimentary drink courtesy of Carnegie Hall. For more information, please visit carnegiehall.org/latenights.

About The Artist

The discovery of trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire (pronounced ah-kin-MOO-sir-ee) was a slow and steady process. Born and raised in Oakland, California, it was as a member of the Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble that Akinmusire first caught the attention renowned saxophonist Steve Coleman who was leading a workshop at the school, and immediately recognized the young trumpeter’s promise. Coleman eventually hired Akinmusire as a member of his Five Elements band, and invited him to embark on an extensive European tour when he was just 19. As a student at the Manhattan School of Music, the trumpeter was determined to discover his own voice. After pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Southern California, he went on to attend the famed Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in Los Angeles after which he entered and won the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition from a panel of judges that included Terence Blanchard, Quincy Jones, Herb Alpert, Hugh Masekela, Clark Terry and Roy Hargrove. That same year he also won the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition and released his debut recording Prelude…To Cora (Fresh Sound/New Talent).

Upon moving back to New York City, Akinmusire began performing with Vijay Iyer, Aaron Parks, Esperanza Spalding, and Jason Moran-also taking part in Moran’s innovative multimedia concert event In My Mind: Monk at Town Hall, 1957. It was also during this time that he first caught the attention of Bruce Lundvall, President of Blue Note Records, who says, “[Ambrose] is finding a very distinctive voice on his instrument, has a fantastic sense of adventure, and is dedicated to pushing the music forward.” Lundvall signed Akinmusire, and in September 2010 the trumpeter brought his quintet into Brooklyn Studios to record When the Heart Emerges Glistening, his first album on the Blue Note label which debuted to critical acclaim earlier this year.

Program Information
Saturday, December 3 at 10:00 p.m.
Zankel Hall
AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE BIG BAND

·· Ambrose Akinmusire, Trumpet
·· Sean Jones, Trumpet
·· Jason Palmer, Trumpet
·· Josh Roseman, Trombone
·· Corey King, Trombone
·· Walter Smith III, Tenor Saxophone
·· Marcus Strickland, Tenor Saxophone
·· Tia Fuller, Alto Saxophone
·· Dayna Stephens, Alto Saxophone
·· Myron Walden, Alto Saxophone
·· Sullivan Fortner, Piano
·· Harish Raghavan, Bass
·· Justin Brown, Drums

Presented by Carnegie Hall in partnership with The Joyce and George Wein Foundation in memory of Joyce Wein.

Bank of America is the Proud Season Sponsor of Carnegie Hall.

Ticket Information

Tickets, $39 and $50, are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, or can be charged to major credit cards by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting the Carnegie Hall website, carnegiehall.org.

For more information discount ticket programs, including those for students, Notables members, and Bank of America customers, visit carnegiehall.org/discounts

Give the Gift of Jazz: Special Holiday Discount Tickets
Offered for 2012 Newport Jazz Festival®

$50.00 Tickets Available at Convention & Visitors Bureau
December 1 – January 1

NEWPORT, RI, November 30, 2011 – If you’re looking for the perfect holiday surprise or a special treat for yourself, give the gift of jazz and present family and friends with tickets to the 2012 Newport Jazz Festival®. George Wein, Chairman of the Newport Festivals Foundation™ and Producer of the Newport Jazz Festival, is once again offering special holiday discount tickets priced at just $50.00 for the holiday season. The $50.00 tickets (regularly $69.00) can be used for General Admission on either Saturday or Sunday of the festival, so there is no need to decide now which day to attend. These tickets are available December 1 – January 1 and must be purchased in person at the Newport and Bristol County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), 23 America’s Cup Avenue in Newport.  Children’s tickets also are available for $15 for ages 3 – 15 (under 3, free).

The 2012 Newport Jazz Festival® is set for August 3 – 5.

“We’re pleased to give area residents the opportunity to share the joy of jazz with family and friends at this special price during the holiday season,” said Wein. “We first made the $50.00 tickets available in 2010, and since then several thousand people have taken advantage of the discount.”

This offer is not available on-line or by telephone. The discount is good for General Admission tickets only for concerts at Fort Adams State Park on Saturday and Sunday.

Visit www.gonewport.com for CVB office hours and information.

Artists will be announced and all tickets will go on sale at a later date.  For more information, log on to www.newportjazzfest.net and www.newportfestivalsfoundation.org .

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Russell Garcia, Renowned Composer/Arranger/Conductor,
Dies in Kerikeri, New Zealand at 95

April 12, 1916 – November 20, 2011

NEW YORK, November 21, 2011 – Russell Garcia, the composer, conductor and arranger renowned for his stellar collaborations with Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Anita O’Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Frances Faye, Mel Tormé, Frank Sinatra and numerous others as well as film scores for George Pal’s “The Time Machine” and “Atlantis: The Lost Continent” and his orchestrations for Charlie Chaplin’s “Limelight,” died Sunday, November 20, 2011. He passed away peacefully at his home in Kerikeri, New Zealand, with Gina Mauriello Garcia, his lyricist and wife of 59 years, by his side. He was 95.

In April, Mr. Garcia performed three 95^th birthday concerts throughout New Zealand with New York vocalists Shaynee Rainbolt and Terese Genecco and New Zealand singer Tim Beveridge.

Mr. Garcia, who was fondly known as “Uncle Russell” by his much-younger musical collaborators around the world,  was scheduled to continue his 95^th birthday celebration during a three-city U. S. tour at jazz clubs in Los Angeles (Catalina’s), Oakland (Yoshi’s) and New York City (Iridium), but he suffered collapsed vertebrae the week before he was set to travel. Instead, the Los Angeles concert was cancelled and his tour partners, Ms. Rainbolt and Ms. Genecco, paid tribute to Mr. Garcia and his music at Yoshi’s on November 1 and at Iridium on November 6.  The Garcias enjoyed the Oakland concert via Skype while the New York celebration was streamed live, with Mr. Garcia and his wife commenting on the music and musicianship throughout both evenings. “It’s hard to believe that we’re sitting here in New Zealand on Monday afternoon taking part in a live concert in New York on Sunday evening,” Mr. Garcia said about the technology of live stream.

Russell Garcia was born April 12, 1916, in Oakland, CA.  Throughout his career, he provided arrangements for many singers and instrumentalists and recorded more than 60 albums under his own name. In addition, his book, The Professional Arranger-Composer, has been a valued tool for both beginners and veterans since it was written in the mid-’40’s. When describing the orchestral sounds that emerged from the West Coast jazz scene during the 1950’s, the name Russell Garcia always comes to mind.  In 2007, Mr. Garcia entrusted Ms. Rainbolt to record the first-ever album of all Garcia originals entitled Charmed Life.  Arranged by Mr. Garcia for his signature four-trombone band, this collaboration included a U.S. tour and garnered two MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Awards for Best Jazz Recording (Charmed Life) and Best Song (I Remember, Music by Garcia and Lyrics by Rainbolt & Garcia.)  A top seller on CDBaby, the album also was chosen by TalkinBroadway.com as one of their Top 10 CDs of 2008.

In 2009, Mr. and Mrs. Garcia were awarded The New Zealand Order of Merit from the Queen of England for their Service to Music.  They have been residents of Kerikeri, New Zealand since 1971, but continued to work and make music around the world.

In an article for The New York City Jazz Record (November 2011), Andy Velez wrote:  Asked what he wants people to know about him, Garcia smiles at Gina, his wife of 59 years. A World War II veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, Garcia vowed if he ever got out of it alive, he was going to search for answers because “this is absolute insanity, people shooting at strangers.” It was that search which led him and Gina to the Baha’i faith and then ultimately to living in New Zealand since 1971. “…Every action, every motive has got to be a buildup for a better, beautiful, happy, peaceful world for all mankind. We see mankind as one. So any goal that is not to help everybody is not a good goal.”

In addition to his wife Gina, whom he married 60 years ago on December 24; Mr. Garcia is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Judy and Henry Kulp of California; four grandchildren, Kristy Corwin-Dupont, Sean Lurie and Melody Kulp-Reinstein of California and Donny Kulp of Hawaii; and seven great grandchildren, Curtis Corwin, Capri Corwin, Kaden Lurie, Collis Lurie, James Reinstein, Lila Reinstein and Ginger Mancia-Kulp, all of California. Mr. Garcia was preceded in death by his son, David Garcia, in 2007.

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For an interview with Russell Garcia during the Charmed Life recording, click on the link: http://youtu.be/ZW_oILbInUc. For more information, read an in-depth interview with Russell and journalist Marc Meyers on JazzWax at http://www.jazzwax.com/2008/09/interview-russ.html.

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Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Announces Grant to Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™

Percussionist Dafnis Prieto Commissioned to Write New Composition to Debut at
2012 Newport Jazz Festival®

NEWPORT, RI, November 16, 2011 – The Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™ has been awarded a 29-month Arts Program grant in the amount of $50,000 from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) to support presentations by DDCF grantees at the Newport Jazz Festival® during 2011-2013. Percussionist Dafnis Prieto has been commissioned to compose a new piece for his sextet to debut at the 2012 Festival, which is set for August 3 – 5.

“We are grateful to the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation for its support of the Newport Jazz Festival,” said George Wein, Producer of the Festival since its inception in 1954 and Chairman of the Newport Festivals Foundation. “I had the privilege to meet Ms. Duke, who attended the Newport Jazz Festival from its beginning right up to the early 90’s. She was not only a dedicated patron of the arts, but also a jazz pianist and composer. She never wanted to be recognized for attending the festival; she simply wanted to sit peacefully in her seat and enjoy the music she loved. We are pleased that through the support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, we are able to present the music of Dafnis Prieto and others in Newport, where some of the finest moments in jazz history have occurred.”

“We’re pleased to support not only a festival that Doris Duke loved to attend, but a fantastic platform for the presentation of contemporary jazz,” said Ed Henry, president of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. “This grant is as much about encouraging the future vitality of the jazz field as it is about celebrating its rich history.”

The DDCF grant supported new music projects by internationally-renowned composer/percussionist/bandleader John Hollenbeck and MacArthur Foundation recipient/saxophonist Miguel Zenón at the 2011 Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management. Hollenbeck, who introduced “Songs That Like Me” featuring the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble with special guests Kate McGarry (voice), Theo Bleckmann (voice) and Uri Caine (piano/organ), showcased his original work as well as his own arrangements of songs by Imogen Heap, Jimmy Webb, Ornette Coleman and Kraftwerk. Zenón presented “Alma Adentro,” a collection of Puerto Rican songs featuring his arrangements with orchestrations by Argentinean pianist/composer/arranger Guillermo Klein, performed by the saxophonist’s regular quartet along with a 10-piece wind ensemble.

“The 2011 and 2012 projects embody the spirit of the Newport Festivals Foundation and its commitment to developing the genre of jazz while retaining its fundamental nature,” said Wein.

The mission of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation is to improve the quality of people’s lives through grants supporting the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research and the prevention of child abuse, and through preservation of the cultural and environmental legacy of Doris Duke’s properties.

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The Newport Jazz Festival® is a production of Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, under license from Festival Productions, Inc. and George Wein; all rights reserved.

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