Michael White Quintet UNIT2 inaugurates their new initiative

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The award-winning Michael White Quintet UNIT2 inaugurates their new initiative, tour the ARTS.MWQ, with a weekly series running Saturday, September 25 through Sunday, October 8 at the Croatian Cultural Center of Greater Los Angeles in San Pedro. The multicultural, uniquely collaborative events join performances from an array of musicians, conversations with visual artists, and art exhibitions to celebrate the beauty of art in its many forms. Leisei Chen and Michael White of the Michael White Quintet UNIT2 curate the series, which is hosted by CCCGLA President Maya Bristow. The quintet also performs at each event, which features a different visual artist and musical duo.

Audiences at each tour the ARTS.MWQ event will have the opportunity not just to view visual art on display or to listen to music, but also to experience from the artists and musicians together in their own unique presentations. Each event begins at 6:30 pm with a multimedia presentation from a visual artist, followed by live music. On September 25, abstract painter Matiros Hakopian (MarHak) is followed by the Mojacar Flamenco duo, and on October 1, impressionist and portrait painter Evrika Zatikian (EVO) is followed by innovative chamber music duo Alma Nova. At the final event on October 8, alpinist and photographer Mirza Todorovich is followed by the Paul Livingstone Duo, plays the creative tradition of Indian classical raga music. Each evening continues with a performance from the Michael White Quintet UNIT2 and ends with a raffle and celebratory reception.

The tour the ARTS.MWQ concept is the brainchild of Leisei Chen & Michael White, partners in life and music, and founders of the Michael White Quintet. The initiative derives from their long-held vision to bring the quintet to spaces that allow for collaboration with artists from all cultures and disciplines. White and Chen derive inspiration from various sources, from visual art to martial arts and dance, and take their holistic approach to music-making. White says, "We play music like painting the pictures, making the scenes" The two feel that each artist participating in tour the ARTS.MWQ has a special role to play, just as jazz musicians do within a group. Says Chen, "As artists and musicians, we are all so excited to see how our own arts and music will influence each other's." The group trusts these collaborations will let them explore their own artistic potential more deeply, and continue to express their group's cornerstones: love, healing, inspiration, and hope.

Chen and White are themselves the cornerstones of the Michael White Quintet UNIT2. Group leader White was recently honored as a Living Legend in jazz, and his voice on violin has been called "one of the more distinctive in jazz." Versatile vocalist Chen, drawing on a vast array of cultural traditions, serves as muse and co-writer for much of the material from the group's recent release, Voices. Along with some of Los Angeles' most talented musicians on percussion, bass and guitar, the quintet seamlessly combines soulful original songs, jazz classics, and latin grooves, delighting audiences worldwide.

Tickets for each tour the ARTS.MWQ event (Saturday, September 25; Sunday, October 1 and Sunday, October 8) are $10 in advance online at tourtheartsmwq01.eventbrite.com and $15 at the door. Raffle tickets are free with admission. For more information, visit leisei-michael.com or contact the CCCGLA at feedback@croatianculture.org.

Legendary jazz violinist Michael White is a composer, educator, and innovator who has been a major recording artist on Impulse and Elektra/Asylum records, and has played alongside musical giants including John Coltrane, Sun Ra, Stevie Wonder, among many others. His musical endeavors over the decades have taken him through a number of genres, and his newly released CD "Voices" prompted the formation of the Michael White Quintet. "We discovered that our musical philosophy had a mutual, spiritual dynamic. The four cornerstones of our music are 'Love, Healing, Inspiration and Hope.' Our sound is intended to touch one's heart and fill one's body with a 'kozmic groove!'" says White. The Michael White Quintet: Unit 2 keeps that spirit of positivity intact, combining versatile guitarist Timothy Young and soulful vocalist Leisei Chen, the quintet's original members, with new, accomplished LA-based musicians Jon Ossman on bass (Paula Cole, Marc Cohn) and Danny Frankel on drums (K.D. Lang, Bebel Gilberto). With each member a true musical master in his and her own right, the quintet bridges cultures, genres, and backgrounds, for a sound that is truly "ageless, timeless, and borderless." For more information about the Michael White Quintet, please visit: leisei-michael.com.

The Croatian Cultural Center of Greater Los Angeles (CCCGLA) is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to educating the general public about the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Croatia. Their vision is to engage not only people of Croatian-American descent, but all people with a desire to participate in our activities, events, classes and fundraisers. The CCCGLA offers a variety of programs for the community's participation and enjoyment, including: Croatian language classes, traditional folk dance classes, exhibits by local and international artists, film festivals, and lectures on a various topics. The center partners with local outreach organizations, merchants, churches, elected officials and other ethnic associations to represent and reinforce the power and positive influence of diversity in the community.

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