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| Irvin Mayfield Sends "A Love Letter To New Orleans" Deluxe multi-media coffee-table book and CD package chronicles Mayfield's artistic quest and development into one of America's most promising young jazz musicians. A Love Letter to New Orleans is also available as a CD. A Love Letter to New Orleans will be released nationally through Amazon and select retailers on April 26, 2011. A series of local book release parties will be held at the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival on March 27 at The Palm Court Jazz Café in New Orleans and April 20th and 30th at the Irvin Mayfield Jazz Playhouse in New Orleans. Irvin Mayfield and Basin Street Records announced the release of A Love Letter to New Orleans, a richly designed coffee-table book and CD that provides an intimate glimpse into the people, places and ideas that have shaped Mayfield's musical evolution into an internationally recognized Jazz artist. Anchored by a stunning black and white cover photo of Mayfield by jazz photographer Herman Leonard, A Love Letter to New Orleans begins with a foreword by journalist Soledad O'Brien, who after her first interview with Mayfield, is convinced that in her next life she wants to come back as a native of New Orleans. The richly illustrated collection of essays and photographs give life and meaning to each song on the accompanying CD, also titled A Love Letter to New Orleans. The book reveals intimate childhood memories and Mayfield's keen observations on art, love and loss. Throughout the book, Mayfield reminisces of the musical inspirations that fueled his creativity and led to his numerous artistic collaborations. In a poignant passage, he shares the quiet influence of his father, a postal worker who played trumpet and harbored dreams of one day "Getting out his old trumpet " to give his son some much needed competition. He candidly writes of an eclectic group of musicians who influenced his artistic pursuits including bassist George Porter Jr. of the Funky Meters; drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez; Big Chief Bo Dollis of the Mardi Gras Indians; and piano genius James Booker. In a moment of candor, Mayfield reveals the creative bond and tension that developed between him and his co-bandleader, percussionist Bill Summers, of the critically acclaimed Los Hombres Calientes project. "We faced every challenge and argument that could arise between co-band leaders with a thirty year difference. It was our difference, however, that made for some really diversified and energetic music." states Mayfield. The book is peppered with backstage anecdotes and funny studio shenanigans including a story about the mayhem of a typical New Orleans recording session for Los Hombres Calientes when much to the chagrin of Summers, Mayfield invited over 20 musicians including Kermit Ruffins who showed up with a suitcase of Bud Light, Trombone Shorty, an array of Mardi Gras Indians, some church singers, and at least 10 other musicians. In a chapter dedicated to Gordon Parks, the legendary film director and photographer who also plays piano on Mayfield's recording Wind Song, Mayfield recalls Park's advise to "Search, lead and love through your art." The many stories comes to life with vivid photographs by some of New Orleans most prodigious photographers, including Ericka Goldring, Jeff Strout, Greg Miles, and the late Michael P. Smith and Herman Leonard. Woven through each story is Mayfield's overwhelming love for New Orleans, the city of his birth. "New Orleans is not a city, New Orleans is an opportunity. It's not the music, the food, the architecture or the art that makes New Orleans great; It's the people, " writes Mayfield. Musically, A Love Letter to New Orleans includes 14 selections from Mayfield's 10-album recording career on Basin Street Records. "We selected songs that tell the story of Mayfield's evolution as an artist, " states Mark Samuels, founder and CEO of Basin Street Records, who signed Mayfield to his first recording contract at the young age of 20. "A Love Letter to New Orleans is both a letter of thanks to all of the incredible artists that I had the honor to work with and it is a love offering to my beloved city of New Orleans." states Mayfield. The CD, which is also available independent of the book, includes selections from the four critically acclaimed Los Hombres Calientes albums featuring Bill Summers and drummer Jason Marsalis. It also includes selections from Strange Fruit, and Love Songs & Duets, Mayfield's seminal recording with Ellis Marsalis. Other selections include collaborations with mentor and Grammy-award winning Wynton Marsalis, and the 80-piece Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, to name a few. As a composer, bandleader, cultural ambassador and University of New Orleans professor, Mayfield is a true musical offspring of New Orleans. He formed his first band at the age of fourteen, signed his first recording contract at the age of 20, won a Latin Billboard Award at 22 and a Grammy Award at 32; and now at the young age of 33, has published his first book. Mayfield currently serves as the Artistic Director for the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and holds the position of Artistic Director of Jazz for the Minnesota Orchestra. Mayfield also serves as Cultural Ambassador for the City of New Orleans and was nominated by both President Bush and President Barack Obama to serve as the youngest member of the National Council of the Arts. He also serves on numerous civic boards and also oversees the Irvin Mayfield Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta Hotel and Poorman Mayfield Records. write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Jazz News :: home page |