George Wein Celebrates Corporate Sponsorship & CareFusion

NEW YORK, June 14, 2010 - Producer George Wein has been the Dean of Corporate Sponsorships since he pioneered the idea of sponsor association with George Wein music events, beginning in 1969 with The Schlitz Salute to Jazz followed by the Kool Jazz Festival. His company went on to produce titled events for JVC, Mellon Bank, Verizon, Essence, Ben & Jerry's and others. Today, he continues that tradition with the CareFusion Jazz Festival New York (June 17 - 26) and CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival (August 6 - 8). In a world where many people have limited funds to spend on entertainment, corporate sponsorships make it possible to present renowned artists at a cost that makes the music more accessible.

"At the CareFusion Jazz Festival, only four events that take place at Carnegie Hall are high-price tickets. All the rest are free and $15 or less, with just a few priced in the $20 range," said Wein, "But most important, the sponsor money allows us to let many of the venues we are working with keep the ticket income. So, not only are we paying the musicians, we are helping to ease some of the economic problems of the venues. "Of course, our free events in Central Park, Soundview Park and Prospect Park will draw thousands of jazz fans. This can only be done when a sponsor, CareFusion, is generously giving to a festival that presents jazz."

The CareFusion Jazz Festival presents concerts in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Of the 47 concerts, seven are free and 27 are priced at $15 or less.

Free events include McCoy Tyner Quartet featuring Ravi Coltrane, Esperanza Spalding and Francisco Mela plus the Stanley Clarke Band featuring Hiromi at Central Park SummerStage on June 23, 7:00 pm; Bitches Brew Revisited with Graham Haynes, James Blood Ulmer, Marco Benevento, DJ Logic, Antoine Roney, Melvin Gibbs, Cindy Blackman, Adam Rudolph plus the Mike Stern Trio, June 19, 7:30 pm; and Eddie Palmieri y La Perfecta II on June 22, 7:00 pm.

In addition, Brooklyn's Zebulon is partnering with the CareFusion Jazz Festival to present four free concerts featuring Seabrook PowerPlant and Mostly Other People Do The Killing, June 17; Cooper Moore Trio and Peter Evans Trio, June 20; John Tchicai Group; June 21; and Wake-up! / James Spaulding, Michael Wimberly, Larry Roland, June 23,all with set times at9:00 pm & 10:30 pm.

Venues that generously offered $15 tickets or otherwise reduced admissions during the CareFusion Jazz Festival are Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Peter Norton Symphony Space, Flushing Town Hall, The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC, The Jazz Gallery, Harlem Stage Gatehouse, Louis Armstrong House Museum, The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The Studio Museum in Harlem, Barbés, City Winery, Jazz Standard, Puppets Jazz Bar and Zebulon.

At Carnegie Hall, the CareFusion Jazz Festival New York presents Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette on June 17; An Evening with Chris Botti with Special Guest Nikki Yanofsky, June 19; The Genius of João Gilberto, June 22; and Herbie Hancock, Seven Decades: The Birthday Celebration featuring the birthday honoree himself, Herbie Hancock with special guests India.Arie, Terence Blanchard, Ron Carter, Bill Cosby, Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland, Joe Lovano, Wallace Roney, Wayne Shorter, Kristina Train, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi and others, June 24.

"We salute CareFusion for choosing to partner with jazz festivals to introduce their corporate brand," added Wein, CEO of New Festival Productions, LLC. "Without CareFusion, this amazing 10-day festival would not happen. We witnessed the disappointment of jazz fans around the world when we didn't present a festival in 2009. We are still feeling the overwhelming and warm support that we received in February when we announced that the city's long-running event was back, this time with a new twist and more affordable concerts across the city."

The All About Jazz - New York writer Suzanne Lorge perhaps said it best in her June VOXNEWS column, "Healthcare-acquired infections sound pretty bad and jazz sounds pretty good and if listening to a good thing can help do away with a bad thing, then corporate sponsorship is doing its job."

CareFusion Jazz Festival New York media partners are The Village Voice and WBGO-FM/Jazz 88.3. The Buckingham Hotel, located at 101 West 57th Street in Manhattan, is the host hotel of the CareFusion Jazz Festival New York. For reservations, call (212) 246-1500, extension 3201; for more information, visit http://www.buckinghamhotel.com/.

For the complete CareFusion Jazz Festival New York schedule and more information, log on to http://www.nycjazzfestival.com./
Carolyn McClair Public Relations

George Wein Talks about New York Jazz Scene and Care Fusion Jazz Festival New York | June 17 - 26, 2010

by Carolyn McClair Public Relations

We announced the schedule for the Care Fusion New York Jazz Festival a few days ago and after 60 years of producing jazz events I can still get excited; actually, more than usual.

On a lowering February night, Jef Soubiran and his brother Joce invited me to their club in Brooklyn to hear one of the groups who will appear on the CareFusion New York Jazz Festival in June (17th, to be exact). I have been living in Manhattan since 1960 and visiting New York City since 1939. I might have crossed the bridge into Brooklyn two dozen times. It is like another world to me and I am fascinated with what I discover every time I go there. Zebulon is a club situated in a particular section of Wythe Ave. in, I believe, Williamsburg, that has the sinister feeling of an iron curtain country in the depths of the Cold War. It appears to be totally deserted and on a cold winter night you could almost feel that Harry Lime (disguised as Orson Welles "The Third Man") was lurking in a dark doorway of an abandoned warehouse. Nevertheless, with Andrew driving and through the use of the invaluable G.P.S. system, we found where we were going.

A small sign reading "Zebulon," over the doorway of 250 Wythe Ave., was the only indication that there was anything related to possible activity in the neighborhood. After climbing a few steps and entering a dimly lit room, I found, to my astonishment, over 100 young people 25-35 years of age (some older) talking, drinking, socializing and enjoying themselves; no cover, no minimum, anticipating the appearance of a band.

With little fanfare, the music started, the talking quieted down, but didn't stop. A low hum of people conversing continued in the darkened but friendly atmosphere. The church-like silence of the Manhattan jazz clubs was missing here, yet the music totally enveloped the room. The ambience (not the music) reminded me of "Storyville," my jazz club in Boston (1950-1960). When the Basie Band (with Joe Williams), or Ella, or Erroll Garner were playing to packed houses, there was always the tinkling of glasses, the tapping of feet and quiet conversation, mostly about the music. A good time was being had by all, that evening at Zebulon.

As for the band in Zebulon, the title of the group would scare older jazz fans who loved and identified with the familiarities of calling Ella!, Basie! Duke! Miles! Trane! etc. "Mostly Other People Do the Killing" was the name of the band. I haven't the slightest idea of the meaning of this title, but as for the music itself, there was a sense of joy permeating the bandstand.

With the quack-quacking of the saxophone and the lip-smacking of the trumpet, these guys were talking to each other. Maybe it was about love or a fight, but they were having fun. However, when the jibber-jabber stopped and the playing got serious you became aware that there were fine musicians on the stage, with excellent technique and individualistic expressions that at times swung like mad. It was good music. It wasn't Basie or Garner but it had a lot to say in its own way. I was glad I was there and happy that "Mostly Other People Do the Killing" was to be part of the CareFusion Jazz Festival New York. The musicians in the group are: Peter Evans- trumpet, Moppa Elliot- bass, Jon Irabagon- tenor sax, Kevin Shea- drums.

High points of interest in the festival are many. On Thursday, June 24th, we have scheduled a late night jam session in honor of Herbie Hancock's 70 years. This could be a wild affair, with many of New York's best musicians. This session, at my old friend Michael Dorf's City Winery, will probably run until 4 am. It will be a real jam session. More info on this later.

The big announcement we are all waiting for is who will be the guests at Herbie Hancock's celebration of 7 decades in jazz. Wayne Shorter, Bill Cosby, Joe Lovano, and Terence Blanchard are already set. Many more friends are expected. Having Joao Gilberto again is an exercise in how to present a genius from Brazil; however when I see him turn Carnegie Hall into a cathedral for Bossa Nova worshippers, it's worth the effort necessary to solve the myriad of problems involved.

With the partnership of my old colleague Danny Melnick, we are able to present THE trio: Keith Jarrett, Jack DeJohnette, Gary Peacock. This is always a privilege.

On June, 21st we have arranged for Darcy James Argue's Secret Society to be presented at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, a place renowned for the appearance of a 16-year old Canadian young lady, Nikki Yanofsky, who sang "O' Canada" at the opening ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Having Darcy and his 18-piece ensemble at Dizzy's will be intriguing for us to see the response of an uptown crowd to the Secret Society. I think he will be a huge success. It is with the cooperation of Todd Barkan, musical director of Dizzy's club, that this could be done.

There will be 45 separate events in the CareFusion Jazz Festival New York. Except for usual high ticket prices at Carnegie Hall, most events will either be free or with few exceptions, a charge of $15. Because of CareFusion's sponsorship, we are able to give over 250 musicians a night's work, and also help some small jazz clubs to get through these difficult times. Thanks CareFusion.

The CareFusion Jazz Festival will be held in New York City....

NEA Jazz Master and producer George Wein is always ready to talk about music, especially jazz. One afternoon, he was sitting around his Manhattan apartment with no one to talk to, so he put his thoughts to paper -- thoughts about the return of his jazz festival to New York and the many people/venues that are helping to make it happen. It's 2010 and the ever cool George Wein is starting a blog! At almost 85, he's seen, heard and experienced a lot, so he will probably just write whatever is on his mind and maybe your mind, too! Check it out and let us know what you think. If you see something you like, feel free to use quotes or extract excerpts. Also, if you have issues about which you'd like to hear George's thoughts, drop us a line and we'll see what he has to say. We'll get back to you soon with a link, so you can read more about jazz in the Key of G. Thanks!

The CareFusion Jazz Festival will be held in New York City from June 17 - 26, 2010. I first produced a jazz festival in New York in 1972. An incident at Newport the previous year, involving kids storming the stage, had meant for the time being it would be necessary to take the Newport Jazz Festival to an urban area. New York was barren in the summer, so 1972 saw me producing a June jazz festival for the next 36 years. When there was no jazz festival in 2009, I was quite amused to see a great deal of publicity bemoaning the fact, amused because for more than several years the critiques of the festival had been less than lukewarm. In fact, I was beginning to wonder why I continued to work so hard to produce an event that nobody in the jazz press seemed really to care about. In spite of this, when CareFusion, a leading global medical device company, sponsored my comeback to Newport in 2009, I suggested that maybe we should bring back a June jazz festival in NYC in 2010. They agreed. So here we are.
 
The question is: why have a jazz festival in NYC when there is literally a cornucopia of jazz every night? In perusing the two publications, "Jazz Inside New York" and Hot House, I realized that in the month of December 2009 alone, you could count up to 1,000 nights of jazz, Latin jazz-tinged music and Indie Rock (many fine jazz musicians are playing this music) appearing in clubs concerts, at schools and even free concerts. These events feature all styles of jazz from Vince Giordano's band that so beautifully recreates the big band sounds of the 20's and 30's to the most contemporary sounds that can be heard many nights at the Jazz Gallery, a hidden upstairs space in an isolated section of Hudson St., or on the lower West Side of Manhattan.

It's interesting that at the same time as all this is happening, 12 months a year in New York City, that some writers who have a voice in national press are spreading the rumor that jazz is dead. It is true that most of these venues are small. But does this mean death for jazz? I spent many nights in my youth as often as I could get to NYC. 52nd St. was a Mecca for me. It was the late 30s and early 40's before I went in the Army (1943) to help end war forever!! I heard Coleman Hawkins, Art Tatum, and the Count Basie Orchestra to name a few.

Towards the end of the 40's, after my service, I was still going to 52nd St., and Dizzy, Bird and Miles and so many more had been added to the mix. But none of the venues on 52nd Street and the other clubs I frequented in NY held more than 100-150 people. I didn't know it at the time, but the musicians were "well" paid! They made as much as $40 a week (sometimes). But jazz dead? No way. It was alive, well, incubating and leading up to the concert and festival era and in a sense the first major institution for jazz funded by the cultural billions of dollars now available in NY (JALC) and even to the President of the United States bringing jazz to Stockholm for the Nobel Prize awards. So is jazz any more in the throes of expiring than it has ever been? I don't think so.

Thousands of young men and women are dedicating their lives to this music. JALC is perhaps the single most important and best financed venue for jazz in the city, but it doesn't begin to encompass the energy that is pouring out of talented musicians of all ages every night in NYC. If I were to gather this energy to create a unique New York jazz festival I would need help - a lot of help.

What I noticed in checking out the jazz scene over many nights out on the town was that in addition to the plethora of musical creativity, there had developed a group of young producers who were totally enmeshed with jazz that was directing their lives. So I realized I could take advantage of that. Here was the help I needed.

At the Jazz Gallery I met Rio Sakairi who has a reading on the pulse of the young experimenting musicians in the city. Rio was quick to come to my aid. We have produced six evenings at the Jazz Gallery that will enhance the image of what jazz is in NYC. At the Jazz Standard, I encountered Seth Abramson who works with more established artists at Danny Meyer's rib joint, which has become, along with the Vanguard, the Blue Note, Iridium and Birdland, one of the preeminent jazz clubs in the Apple. We will do five evenings there.

I felt jazz should have more of an exposure uptown, so I asked Laura Kaminsky of Symphony Space to work with me. We have produced some interesting concerts which include the contribution of Eric Offner and the Bechet Society. While recognizing youth, I still believe jazz is a noun from J to Z. Harlem had to be on the agenda. I asked Pat Cruz at the Harlem Gatehouse and we have several concerts there. In addition, over the years we have established a tradition of presenting concerts at the Schomburg Center and The Studio Museum in Harlem. Both Howard Dodson and Thelma Golden, respectively, were eager to be part of the CareFusion Jazz Festival.

Brice Rosenbloom and Simon Rentner are two young entrepreneurs who work at Le Poisson Rouge. They have a multitude of ideas, so we are doing several nights there. In addition, Brice and Simon will produce a concert at historic Town Hall. CareFusion asked if it were possible to do something in Central Park. We approached Central Park SummerStage, and after a meeting with James Burke and Erika Elliot, we have come up with one of the most exciting free jazz concerts New York will ever see.

What about Brooklyn? I keep hearing that there is an exciting jazz scene over the bridge. So one night a few weeks ago, New Festival Productions team members Bennett Jackson and John Phillips and I headed off to check it out. At Zebulon I met Jef Soubiron, who runs the club along with his brother Joce. We were greeted by Olivier Conan at Barbès and at Puppet, Jaime Affoumado was happy to see us. So we will have at least nine or 10 nights of jazz in this energized metropolis. In addition, for several years we have established a tradition of including a free concert in Prospect Park. We are working with Jack Walsh and Rachel Chanoff. This will continue.

In Queens, working with Michael Cogswell of the Louis Armstrong House to produce a fulfilling program for Pops' fans at the Armstrong House has been a rewarding experience. This will be one of the highlights of the CareFusion Jazz Festival New York. The finale of the festival will be a midnight jam session hosted by my old friend, Michael Dorf at his beautiful new City Winery.

One important concern - I want to make jazz concerts available to the young fan who does not have as much money to spend in his/her pocket. I have asked all these venues to charge only $15.00 admission with no additional minimum. For the majority of locations, this will be the case. In addition, we will have a limited number of tickets priced at $15 for our bigger concerts at Carnegie Hall. These will be important events and in several cases the artists performing will be making their only NYC appearance of the year.

On January 9th I attended several Winterfest Jazz Festival events on Bleecker Street in the Village. Thousands of predominantly young fans filled the street going from club to club, enjoying pure jazz. I hadn't seen such energy for a genre of music since the folk scene in Greenwich Village when Dylan, Peter, Paul and Marry, The Clancy Brothers and many other wonderful artists were emerging. I was very impressed by the spirit and energy and I think it bodes well for the future of jazz.

So that is a short description of the CareFusion Jazz Festival New York and how I hope to make the world ever more aware that NYC is the jazz capital of the world and to acknowledge the people who work so hard to make this a continuing effort.

# Key of G #
from Carolyn McClair Public Relations