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| Billie Holiday Film to be Shot in Connecticut A press event will be held on May 21, 2008 from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM at the Shubert Theater, 247 College Street, New Haven. Wayne Holmes, Co-Owner of Rockville USA Production Studios in Rockville, Connecticut (a member of Connecticut's Hollywood East Legislative Task Force), will announce details about "Lady Day, " a new feature film in pre-production in Connecticut. Award-winning screenwriter Paris Qualles has indicated his interest in being both screenwriter and a producer for "Lady Day." Stuart Nicholson, author of the award-nominated biography Billie Holiday, has agreed to license the biography and his background files to this production, and to serve as a consultant. Doug Morrill and Aleta Staton of Jazz Haven Inc., a Connecticut non-profit dedicated to the advancement of jazz, and composer and arranger Drake Smith, have connected Mr. Holmes with outstanding local musicians (percussionist Jesse Hameen, piano prodigy Christian Sands and others), who will showcase music of Billie Holiday which will be used for "Lady Day." Mr. Smith, founder/leader of the New Haven Jazz Orchestra, has arranged four pieces from Billie Holiday's output from the mid-to-late 1930s for these performances. Lisa Cobham, daughter of jazz drummer Billy Cobham, a jazz and opera singer in her own right, will portray Billie Holiday at the press event, singing with a small big band for these musical performances. Jazz Haven Inc. will also formally announce the rebirth of the New Haven Jazz Festival in August 2008, produced by and co-chaired by its officers: Mr. Morrill, Ms. Staton and Mr. Hameen. Jazz Haven, Inc. has enlisted the New Haven Office of Cultural Affairs for marketing sponsorship and Casey Family Services as its title sponsor. Market New Haven, Inc. has agreed to provide marketing support. Screenwriter and director, George Millner, will discuss "Jammin' With The Angels, " his contemporary musical drama film showcasing jazz and the spoken word (also in pre-production in Connecticut). New Haven business/entertainment attorney (and musician), Isaiah Cooper, founder and principal of Cooper Law LLC which represents "Lady Day" and "Jammin' With The Angels, " will also discuss how Connecticut's Digital Media, Motion Picture and Infrastructure Tax Credits are impacting entertainment companies in Connecticut. There are many films being produced in Connecticut by non-resident producers, largely due to the tax initiatives spearheaded by Connecticut Speaker Jim Amann, Representative Jeffrey Berger, Senator Gary LaBeau, Representative Carl Leone, and several legislative committees. The focus of this press event will be to demonstrate that Connecticut has the capacity, not only to host Hollywood producers shooting films here, but also to conceive, produce, and deliver major motion pictures originating within Connecticut. A review of the pre-production progress for "Lady Day" and "Jammin' With The Angels, " will illustrate that these motion pictures can and should be produced here. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |