Sad News: Paul Bley's Passing
Paul Bley, an obdurate and original pianist who began his career playing bebop and eventually became a major force in experimental jazz, died on Sunday at his home in Stuart, Fla. He was 83.
News: Local Jazz Jam Sessions
Musicians meeting musicians and trying out new (and old) material is a time-honored tradition. No matter where in New Jersey you are, you can find some playing action during the week. This detailed schedule is reposted at NJJazzList.com compliments of The Lintet. Here is a sample for this week:
Look for earlier events
Monday, January 4
8:00pm
Tuesday, January 5
8:30pm
9:30pm
Wednesday, January 6
» 1:00am
8:00pm
Thursday, January 7
7:30pm
Friday, January 8
8:30pm
Sunday, January 10
6:00pm
Monday, January 11
8:00pm
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.
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