JazzList News: Ring in the New Year - 2016
Thank you all: jazz players, fans and venues for making 2016 our best year ever. We saw more ticket giveaways, promoted more festivals and community jazz events than ever before. Hopefully, we'll do even more in the coming year.
In 2016, look for more gig promotion in our weekly email blast and more in-depth coverage of events, but that's not all. There will be lots more and I'd encourage you to speak out about things that you'd like to see us do using thecontact link at NJJazzlist.com. As I have enjoyed saying for the past seven years, every feature of our website was the result of someone's suggestion.
News: Elvin Jones and the Pharaoh’s Tomb of Drum History
After Elvin Jones, John Coltrane’s go-to drummer, died in 2004, his widow Keiko was left with her husband’s absence and the monumental task of managing Jones’ gear collection. But to call it a “collection” borders on injustice to the initiated: It was a veritable pharaoh’s tomb of drums and drum history.
“It was an absolute treasure trove of the most amazing drum gear I’ve ever encountered,” recalls Donn Bennett, instructor and owner of Donn’s Drum School, an industry leader in rare, vintage drums and celebrity-owned drum gear for more than 30 years and arguably the industry leader and adviser on the topic. “You’d hear about this buried treasure; you’d hear stories from those who have been there: piles of old Zildjian Ks, ‘60s Gretsch kits still in the boxes.”
Profile: Pianist/Jazz Educator Bill Charlap
Born in New York City, Bill Charlap comes from a musical background. His mother was vocalist, Sandy Stewart and his father was Broadway composer, Moose Charlap. Charlap has been a profound influence in piano jazz, recording seven albums as a leader or co-leader for the Blue Note label, including two Grammy-nominated CDs: For the Japanese label Venus Records, he has recorded two albums as a leader, as well as eight albums as a member of the New York Trio. In addition to his own recordings, Charlap has worked with jazz giants, Gerry Mulligan, Benny Carter, Tony Bennett, Phil Woods and Scott Hamilton, as well as the Phil Woods Quintet.
Charlap was recently appointed as the new director of the Jazz Studies Program at William Paterson University in Wayne, N.J. Founded in 1973, the program has been directed by trumpeter and composer/arranger Thad Jones, bassist Rufus Reid, pianist James Williams and, most recently, pianist Mulgrew Miller, who died in May 2013.
In the News: Count Basie Theatre Expands
The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, one of New Jersey's most historic multi-purpose theaters, will be getting a much needed facelift. The theater recently announced a $20 million expansion plan, which will not only provide needed renovations to some of the 89-year-old venue's patron facilities and backstage areas, but build a 550-capacity "Second Space", a new, smaller performance venue, adjacent to the theater. Glass-fronted lobbies will bookend the two venues. The expanded performing arts center, complete with more space for educational initiatives, will span nearly an entire block on central Red Bank's Monmouth Street. Theater president and CEO, Adam Philipson, hopes to break ground on the project as early as 2018 and fund the project solely through private donations.
In the News: Seed Artists - Great Art for Good Works
Based in Montclair, Seed Artists presents adventurous jazz, creative-music and arts programming that serves five primary goals: to enrich, inspire, encourage and build community through collaboration. Seed was founded in 2005 by renowned drummer Pheeroan akLaff, his wife, Luz Marina Bueno, and a small group of friends to bridge gaps between generations and cultures, promote community involvement, and provide music education to underserved youth.
In its first few years, Seed ran a music-instruction program for high-school and middle-school students and conducted a music workshop at a women’s homeless shelter; presented concerts in public spaces, and the Re: Fresh concert series of international creative music.
In 2014, Seed presented Eric Dolphy: Freedom of Sound, an historic festival celebrating the underappreciated genius. Proceeds helped to fund two very worthy nonprofits—the Jazz Foundation of America, and the Montclair Academy of Dance and Laboratory of Music. Now, Seed has started a concert and children's workshop series in the public schools.
Philadephia's JazzBridge
The Jazz Bridge Project non-profit not only helps Philadelphia area musicians during hard times, but also helps to further public awareness of great music by presenting neighborhood concert events. In October, a new season of concert/fund raisers kicks off at the Collingswood Community Center with a great lineup of performers from our area.
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