All Star Big Band and More Set for Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center's Sept 2012 Events

The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center announces its upcoming events for September 2012. Full details below.

Sundays – The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center
All Star Big Band Summer Concert Series

WHEN: Sundays, September 2, 9, 23 and 30, 2012 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

WHO &
WHAT: The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center (BMPAC) All Star Big Band directed by Saxophonist John Stephens featuring some of the most talented players on the West Coast, along with the legendary Jazz and Blues singer, Barbara Morrison. The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center is the only venue in Los Angeles serving up a big dose of Big Band Jazz and Blues every Sunday this summer.

WHERE: The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, 4305 Degnan Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90008

HOW: The Cover Charge is $10 per person. Food and Drinks will be available for purchase. For reservations, call 323-296-BARB (323-296-2272). For more information, and to buy online, visit the website, www.barbaramorrionspac.com.

Special Event: Sunday, September 16, 2012

WHEN: Sunday, September 16, 2012 from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m.

WHO &
WHAT: In a fundraiser for the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, Barbara Morrison will perform with the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center All Star Big Band, and singer Charles Wright, who isbest known for his song, "Express Yourself" and for serving as the founder of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, will perform music from his latest CD, "Let's Make Love Tonight."

WHERE: The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, 4305 Degnan Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90008

HOW: The Cover Charge is $20 per person in advance and $25 per person at the door. Food and Drinks will be available for purchase. For reservations, call 323-296-BARB (323-296-2272). For more information, and to buy online, visit the website, www.barbaramorrionspac.com.

Monday Night Jam Sessions

WHEN: Mondays, September 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.

WHO &
WHAT: Two Jazz Giants: Famed Guitarist, Jacques Lesure and Legendary Bassist, James Leary, from The Count Basie Band

WHERE: The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, 4305 Degnan Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90008

HOW: There is no Cover Charge, but Donations are welcome. No reservations are needed. For more information, call 323-296-BARB (323-296-2272) or visit the website, www.barbaramorrionspac.com.

Thursdays – Comedy Night – Do You Think You're Funny?

WHEN: Thursdays, September 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

WHO &
WHAT: Cornelius Grant, former bandleader for the original Temptations, features some of the top comics in the country in this living room feel venue. Stop by on your way to some place else, but beware you may never get to where you're going. Be prepared to laugh.

WHERE: The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, 4305 Degnan Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90008

HOW: The Cover Charge is $10 per person. For reservations, call
323-296-BARB (323-296-2272). For more information, and to buy online, visit the website, www.barbaramorrisonpac.com.

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – "Who's That Lady?"

WHEN: Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m., September 7 – 30, 2012

WHO &
WHAT: "Who's That Lady?"pays tribute to African American women in music, including Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Tremaine Hawkins, Mahalia Jackson, Chaka Khan, Barbara Morrison, and more. Written by Cedric Neal, directed by Keenan Zeno, choreographed by Afton Garrett and under the musical direction of Cedric Lilly, the cast includes: Tanika Baptiste, Donisha Brumfield, DeAnna L. Carpenter, Anita Davenport, Annabel Ellis, Afton Garrett, Crystal Hunt and Kendyl McCray.

WHERE: The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, 4305 Degnan Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90008

HOW: $25 per person for General Admission and $20 per person for Students and Seniors. Reservations are highly recommended. For reservations, call 213-909-3791. Soul food cake is served during intermission provided by Sweetie's by Peetie. Other refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information, and to buy online, visit the website, www.caketheatrecenter.com.

About the Founder and Artistic Director of The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center:
Barbara Morrison was raised in Romulus, MI and logged her first performance on radio in Detroit at the age of 10. Since then, she has toured the world, dazzling fans with her two-and-a-half-octave range, in a wide array of genres from traditional Jazz and Blues to Gospel and Pop. Morrison has been featured on over 20 recordings. Over the years she has performed with a virtual "Who's Who" of the Jazz and Blues worlds: Gerald Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, James Moody, Ron Carter, Etta James, Esther Phillips and many others. Morrison has also guest starred with the Count Basie Orchestra, the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra and Doc Severinsen's Big Band. She has performed at Blues and Jazz Festivals around the world, including Montreaux, Nice, Pori, Carnegie Hall, North Sea and Monterey. In addition Morrison has appeared on the HBO television show, "Enlightened" and in a commercial for Kay Jewelers. She is the creator and director of the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in the Leimert Park area of Los Angeles.

The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center was founded on in August 2009 and specializes in presentation and performance of Jazz and Blues music. From May 18 – 20, 2012 the Center presented the 1st Annual Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center Blues Festival featuring Barbara Morrison (Producer of the Festival); the Sons of Rhythm: Johnny "Lucky" Otis (Grandson of Rhythm & Blues Pioneer Johnny Otis), Richard Berry III (Grandson of Composer and Pianist, Richard "Louie, Louie" Berry) and Donto James (Son of the legendary Etta James); Billy Foster & The Original Medallions; the Bernie Pearl Blues Band; Ray Bailey; Big Terry DeRouen; Kirk "Eli" Fletcher; Shelley "King" Fisher; Sonny Green; Sweetie Chicks; Johnny Mastro and Mama's Boys; Jamie "Blues Boy" Powell; Sista Sherry Pruitt and Brother Yusef.