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| YMCA Recording Project Nearly a year ago, the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley, Inc. engaged in an Artist Concert and Educational Series, as part of its YMCA Center For the Creative Arts Department, modeled after the famed New Orleans Center For the Creative Arts. Due in part to a grant from the New York State Music Fund, the YMCA was able to secure funding for a recording project which would expose the Y program nationally and raise funds for scholarships and instruments for those students who could not afford them. The Y's long-standing relationship with New Orleans musicians pre and post Katrina, has proven to be much more than a business relationship. “We are all close friends”, said Hank Leo, CEO. “Our relationship began five years ago with Jason Marsalis, then things grew from there”, Leo added. The NYS Music Fund grant allowed the YMCA to engage in a recording of its students, and a concert series. The Y developed a great friendship with the New Orleans artists and worked on the recording and asked each of them to volunteer to join the project on a second CD release. To date, trumpeter Leroy Jones, Topsy Chapman & Solid Harmony, clarinetist Doreen Ketchens, Jo-El Sonnier (Cajun artist), Jazz educators and performers The Jordan Family (Kidd, Kent, Marlon, Stephanie, and Rachel), funk band Bonerama, Paul Longstreth, Teedy Boutte' and Marsalis have agreed to be a part of the recording. Three songs with Jones were recorded: “Finn-Tee-Lee Blues”, “Georgia On My Mind”, and the world-premiere of “Katrina”, in October of 2006. “Basin Street Blues” was recorded with Doreen Ketchens in November, and “God Bless the Child”, “Let It Snow”, and “White Christmas” were recorded with Topsy Chapman & Solid Harmony in December, and “Jazzmatazz” and “Rainin' In My Heart” were recorded with Sonnier. Amanda Shaw, a Louisiana teen prodigy and fiddler will record a new version of “St. Louis Blues” and “Long Gone Lonesome Blues” with the YCCA students at Syracuse's IMAX Theatre at the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST). Shaw is the star of the IMAX movie Hurricane On the Bayou. “This is a very unique and wonderful opportunity for our kids to work with, and record with world-class musicians who have performed all over the globe. It also gives our friends in New Orleans an opportunity to showcase their amazing talent and expose their music to the world”, added Leo. Leo selected the songs and worked with his music director and arranger Scott Rutledge to get the kids ready for each recording. “Scott is of course amazing. Between he and Mitch (YCCA Principal Mitchell Player), and our great staff of instructors (Joe Ferlo, John Piazza, and Andrea Del Piano), they've gotten the kids ready in a very short period of time, without charts, and with little rehearsal time, in most cases. We are fortunate to have an incredibly talented staff.” Leo engaged the services of Tylerland Studios, owned by Dave Tyler, Rome, and Billy Carman, who serves as the recording engineer. Carman is the bass player for the band Cosmo, and has recorded with the famed rock band Boston on its “Corporate America” album. The sessions take place in Tyler's studio. Leo added that “Dave's wife Patty is an amazing host for our kids and the artists- we never go hungry. She has a great voice and will be featured on the recording as well, performing a duet on the tune “Baby Its Cold Outside” with an artist to be named later. The Y also through networking was able to enlist the help of Crossland Recording Studios in Nashville, and have sent tracks down to Howard Hibbett and Ron Treat to work on. Treat has mastered several music icons including Lyle Lovett, Dolly Parton, Reba McIntyre, and George Jones. “We built a relationship with new friends in Nashville through this project. I stay in touch with Howard on a weekly basis and we work on the tracks over the phone”, said Leo. The surprise of all is the idea for a third release. “Collaborations is what I'm calling that one”, said Leo. “People started hearing about the project and were interested in joining it. Then, I made some calls”. A third disc is in the works, with Grammy Winner Joanne Shenandoah “At Last”, Jazz at Lincoln Center lead trumpeter and national recording artist Sean Jones (”Got Rhythm” and “Lil Darlin” completed), Fran Cosmo, “People Get Ready”, Utica's own Christian band One Foot Forward, and national recording artist Brenda Russell. Russell, famous for songs such as “Get Here” and “Piano In the Dark” could not arrange to visit the Y due to her schedule with The Color Purple, but agreed to donate her royalties to a song entitled “It's a Jazz Day” to the recording. “I chose that tune because I thought that fit in nicely”, Leo said. “Brenda is a great person, an amazing artist and we are fortunate to have her support in this way. That tune is a musical tribute to the best of jazz.” Shenandoah stepped out of her Native American roots to choose “At Last”. “I always loved that song and I think we can do a great job on it. I'm excited about the project and working with the kids”, said Shenandoah. Leo said he has also discussed the project with contacts for Cyndi Lauper, Jerry Lee Lewis, Levon Helm, Harry Connick, Jr. and Wynton Marsalis. Leo said he has one more surprise coming, but wanted to wait until he confirms it to make the announcement. “It'll be very special when it happens”, commented Leo. “An initiative of this nature, right out of our local YMCA has been hard work. We work as a team to get things done. The true benefit and the reason why people are so giving to this project is because of the goal-to raise funds for music programs and for kids; they are the real heroes”, said Leo. The Y has approached its national organization to act as a distributor for the finished product. Leo said, “We hope to bring music to 2,700 YMCAs across the country and eventually overseas”. The Y's program currently serves approximately 120 students in jazz band, wind ensemble, piano lab, private lessons, competitions, performances, and a curriculum through Jazz At Lincoln Center. The program is guided by a volunteer Arts Advisory Board, a division of the YMCA Board of Directors. The program serves several school districts and has students from three counties enrolled. Leo stated, “We couldn't have done any of this without our great staff, board, and sponsors. Our partnerships with WAER, Time Warner, Verizon, the Beeches, NYSCA, WKTV, and many parents and supporters have been amazing. We hope that list continues to grow with this project”. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |