Today's quote: 'We're not like pop musicians who have to perform the same top ten tunes every night of a tour'. - Oscar Peterson
The passing of innovator Ornette Coleman
Very rarely are we offered an opportunity to witness a true game changer in any discipline. Ornette Coleman was changed the rules an influenced many. The alto saxophonist and composer who was one of the most powerful and contentious innovators in the history of jazz, died on Thursday in Manhattan. He was 85.
Al Di Meola at The Newton Theatre in June
A native of New Jersey who still resides in the Garden State, Di Meola grew up in Bergenfield with the music of Elvis Presley, The Ventures and The Beatles. He naturally gravitated to guitar as a youngster and by his early teens was already an accomplished player. In 1971, he enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and by the second semester there began playing in a fusion quartet. A gig tape of that band was passed on to Chick Corea by a friend of Al's and in the early part of 1974 the 19-year-old guitarist was tapped to join the fusion superband, Return to Forever.
A bona fide guitar hero, perennial poll-winner and virtuoso of the highest order, Al Di Meola has also been recognized over the past 30 years as a prolific composer and respected artist with more than 20 recordings as a leader.
Calling Serious Singers: Sarah Vaughan Competition
You could be one of five finalists who will perform in NJPAC’s Victoria Theater on Sunday November 15th before a panel of judges that includes American jazz bassist and 4-time Grammy-award winner, Christian McBride along with other celebrity judges. Submissions start in April
Jazz Festivals 2015
June 5-14 Discover Jazz Festival Discover Jazz Festival (Burlington, VT)
June 12-13 3 Sails Jazz Festival (Toms River, NJ)
July 18 Summer Fusion Fest (Kenilworth, NJ)
July & August Sweet Sounds of Downtown (Westfield, NJ) Every Tuesday night 7-9pm jazz on the street and in the clubs.
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