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| Jazz At Lincoln Center's First Ever Tour To South Africa The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will sponsor Jazz at Lincoln Center's first ever South African cultural exchange program with the Field Band Foundation to produce performances and educational events throughout in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. The Field Band Foundation uses brass and drum corps marching music to engage its members and make them, their families and classmates and audiences aware of the importance of HIV prevention. Jazz at Lincoln Center is partnering with the organization to employ jazz in this manner as well as teach the organization's members and instructors the New Orleans-style marching band jazz tradition. In May 2006, Wycliffe Gordon, leading the Jazz at Lincoln Center Septet, and distinguished teaching jazz musicians, will travel throughout South Africa for a 10-day performance/education tour of the country. The Septet will visit three cities: Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. In each city, Jazz at Lincoln Center will also produce a formal concert in a large venue to raise awareness of the Field Band Foundation's HIV/AIDS education and prevention program; they will also provide jazz master classes for township residents. Prior to setting off on its tour of South Africa, the Septet will also perform a free afternoon concert on Tuesday, May 9th at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola in Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. The Field Band Foundation's musician/instructors will teach Wycliffe Gordon and the other Septet members about traditional South African township music so that Jazz at Lincoln Center can produce cross-cultural artistic and educational programming in New York. In recent years, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra has produced concerts celebrating the connections between jazz and the musical traditions of Brazil (samba, bossa nova), Spain (flamenco), Argentina (tango), and Ghana (Ghanaian drumming). In response to the exchange experience and the relationships that are forged with South African musicians, JALC will plan innovative programming that informs and entertains audiences in the U.S. Wycliffe Gordonenjoys an extraordinary career as a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, and educator, receiving high praise from audiences and critics alike. Gordon tours the world performing hard-swinging, straight- ahead jazz for audiences ranging from heads of state to elementary school students. His trombone playing, which mixes powerful, intricate runs with sweet notes extended over clean melodies, has been universally hailed by jazz critics. Gordon is rapidly becoming one of America's most persuasive and committed music educators. Currently serving on the faculty of the newly established Jazz Studies Program at The Juilliard School and serves as Artist-In-Residence at the School of Music at Michigan State University. His work with young musicians and audiences from elementary schools to universities all over the world is extensive, and includes master classes, clinics, workshops, children's concerts and lectures - powerful evidence of his unique ability to relate musically to people of all ages. Herlin Rileywas born into a musical family in New Orleans, Louisiana and began playing the drums at age three. Mr. Riley was a member of Ahmad Jamal's band from 1984 through 1987, and has performed and/or recorded with Dianne Reeves, Marcus Roberts, Harry Connick, Jr., and George Benson, among others. In the spring of 1988, he joined Wynton Marsalis's Septet, with which he toured and recorded for six years. Mr. Riley has performed regularly with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra since it began touring in 1992. He has released two recordings as a leader, Cream of the Crescent in 2005 and Watch What You're Doing in 2000. Both of these albums feature fellow Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra members. Shannon Powell, a drummer, who also shows off his talent, as a vocalist is most assuredly a product of his environment. The always-smiling Powell digs into his huge bag of resources and influences acquired through a lifetime of experiencing the music scene in the heart of New Orleans. He's at once a traditional jazz and modern jazz musician, who early on worked with banjoist/guitarist Danny Barker as well as pianist Ellis Marsalis. Powell undoubtedly received his widest recognition during his six years in Harry Connick Jr.'s band that resulted in two platinum records. The rhythm and blues scene also utilized Powell's huge abilities and he boasts recordings with vocalists Johnny Adams and Tommy Ridgley. Mark Braudwas born in New Orleans June 21, 1973, and began playing the trumpet at the age of twelve. He began his professional career at age fifteen playing with some of the best New Orleans brass bands. Mark attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, a nationally known high school dedicated to educating students in the fine arts with alumni including such jazz greats as Harry Connick, Jr., Branford Marsalis and Nicholas Payton to name a few. In 2001, Mark joined the Harry Connick Jr. Big Band and still currently a member. In 2002, Mark was in the Broadway production of One Mo' Time in which he received critical acclaim. Mark currently leads his own jazz band (The New Orleans Jazz Giants) and brass band (The Basin Street Brass Band). Roderick Paulin, grew up immersed in the New Orleans brass-band tradition. Roderick began studying saxophone when he was in the fourth grade and soon started performing with his father as the youngest member of the 'Doc' Paulin Brass Band. In 1990 Kermit Ruffins invited Paulin to join ReBirth Brass Band that was reviving and transforming second-line music with its willingness to incorporate urban, funk and hip-hop into the mix. With ReBirth, Paulin was able to explore his interest in funk and began composing and arranging for the band. Paulin went on to form his own soulful funk band. For now, Roderick admits to being in a "heavy funk" phase, but, with his vast experience, there is no telling what will follow. Doreen Ketchenshas been called the "Queen of Jazz, " "The Female Louis Armstrong" and "Miss Satchmo" in every place she has performed. Doreen is a rising star whose brilliance shines forth from the purest, most profound and living sources of New Orleans jazz. She is the leader of Doreen's Jazz New Orleans, a group whose interest lies in spreading the culture and traditional music of New Orleans all over the world. Lawrence H. Ketchens' talents for playing his Tuba, has made him a powerful soloist as well as a great bass-man. He plays for the ensemble Doreen's Jazz New Orleans, a group whose interest lies in spreading the culture and traditional music of New Orleans all over the world. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |