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| Kirk Whalum in Memphis On December 9, 2006, the students of the Stax Music Academy, located adjacent to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, will take to the stage for an all-ensemble Winter Concert, performing for the first time with their new Artist in Residence, internationally acclaimed jazz man Kirk Whalum.The concert will take place at Lausanne Collegiate School's Elder Performing Arts Center in Memphis. The ensembles of the Stax Music Academy include the StreetCorner Harmonies, Premier Percussionists, Stax Music Academy Rhythm Section, and the new Soulsville Swing Band, a jazz ensemble under the tutelage of Stephen Foster, leader of the acclaimed New Orleans Jazz Ramblers, now based in Memphis in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Also performing will be the organization's Soulsville Charter School's Soulsville Symphony Orchestra. In July 2006, 14 Stax Music Academy students traveled to Italy on the inaugural Stax Music Academy Summer Tour Presented by FedEx, where they performed four live concerts, including opening the festivities for the Porretta Soul Festival in Porretta Terme, Italy. The Summer Tour and other elements about the academy is the subject of a PBS documentary currently in production and scheduled to air summer 2007. The students also perform regularly at Memphis Grizzlies NBA games and at other local and regional venues. They have performed for the likes of Bono, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, and others. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |