April 10th, 2008
The Roundup: April 10, 2008
I’ve tried weekly features on this blog before without much success in sustaining the momentum, but here’s one more go at it…
Today I launch a pair of weekly features: on Thursdays I will bring you The Roundup, a collection of jazz-related press releases and interesting news tidbits that have landed in my mailbox over the previous seven days. Watch for another new feature, Required Reading, on Tuesdays beginning next week.
Without further ado…
JAZZ AT PEARLS TO CLOSE
Alas, it’s true: Jazz at Pearl’s—the venerable North Beach jazz spot that closed in 2003, only to get a new lease on life thanks to singer Kim Nalley and Steve Sheraton—is once again departing the scene. In an email released last week, Nalley announced that the club will close its doors for good at the end of the month. “While it is in human nature to blame someone or something for this tragedy,” she said, “I would prefer to direct everyone’s attention instead to the wonderful run that we have had, the staff of Jazz at Pearl’s whose hard work and loyalty helped keep the club doors open, the great musicians and patrons that have stepped through the door and everyone that helped make this venue wonderful.” Nalley now plans to renew her focus on her own performing career.
Go visit Pearl’s while you still can: www.jazzatpearls.com
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MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL RELEASES ARTIST LINEUP:
The 51st annual Monterey Jazz Festival will take place September 19-21, with the usual great lineup of talent. This year’s headliners include Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Joshua Redman, Maceo Parker and Cassandra Wilson. Bassist Christian McBride is this year’s artist in residence, appearing each night with a different ensemble, and bandleader Maria Schneider will present her second commissioned work for the festival.
Get the full scoop at www.montereyjazzfestival.org.
I have my hotel room in Monterey but no assignment as yet, so if any editors are reading, give me a call [wink]…
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MONTEREY NEXT GENERATION FESTIVAL WINNERS
Lafayette, California’s Alacanes High School took top honors for High School Jazz Combo at MJF’s 4th annual Next Generation Festival, recently completed in Monterey. The Alacanes ensemble will appear at September’s Monterey Jazz Festival along with winners from four other competition divisions, including the Buchanan High School Big Band from Clovis, CA, the Folsom High School Jazz Choir “A” from Folsom, CA, Cal State Northridge’s Big Band, and the Portland, Oregon’s Pacific Crest Jazz Orchestra. The bands were judged by a panel that included jazz greats Christian McBride and George Duke, and were selected from a pool of more than 50 entrants
You can learn more about the Next Generation Festival at www.montereyjazzfestival.org.
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GENERATIONS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
More from the world of jazz education… two bands from New York State have been announced as finalists for the inaugural Generations International Competition for Emerging Combos sponsored by the International Center for the Arts (ICA) at San Francisco State University. Meaningtone, a six-piece ensemble from SUNY-Purchase, and the Nial Djuliarso Quartet, a New York City-area combo with roots at the Julliard School of Music, will be flown to San Francisco for several days of workshops and then face off in a special concert at Yoshi’s San Francisco on May 15. The show will also feature the Generations Mentor Band, made up of mentor musicians Jimmy Cobb, Ray Drummond, Eric Alexander, Marcus Belgrave, Ronnie Mathews and artistic director Andrew Speight.
More on this exciting new program can be found at ica.sfsu.edu.
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More next Thursday!
[Fo]
« Jazz and the Brain | The Roundup: April 18, 2008 »
Previous Comments...
Well boo for the closing of Pearls, but yay for more postings to my favorite blog!
Looking forward to next Thursday…
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