Prez Fest 2010 Celebrating Art Blakey & Jazz Messengers, 3/14

The Jazz Committee at Saint Peter's Church / Midtown Arts Commons presents Prez Fest 2010 - March 14, 2010 Celebrating Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers at Saint Peter's Church "The Jazz Church".

3 PM Panel Discussion - FREE

"The Enduring Influence of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers on Jazz"
Moderator Ted Panken with Curtis Fuller (trombonist), Ira Gitler (jazz critic), Brian Lynch (trumpeter) and Ralph Peterson (drummer)

4 PM Drumming Presentation - FREE
"The Drumming Technique of Art Blakey"
Ralph Peterson, mentored by Art Blakey - with the New School "Art Blakey Student Band"

5 PM Jazz Vespers - Free Will Offering
with "Our Father Who Art Blakey" (Valery Ponomarev 18-Piece Big Band)

7 PM Jazz Messengers Concert

$20 Suggested Ticket Donation; $10 Student Donation with ID

Emcee Billy Harper
Including Cameron Brown, George Cables, Andrew Cyrille, Curtis Fuller, Winard Harper, Eddie Henderson, Yoron Israel, Javon Jackson, Brian Lynch, Lonnie Plaxico, David Schnitter, Winard Harper, New School Art Blakey Student Band and The Art Blakey Legacy Band: Joanne Brackeen, Billy Harper, Stafford Hunter, Charli Persip, Charles Tolliver, Reggie Workman - Art Blakey Alumni / Instructors at the New School, and others.

Visit the Jazz Legend Wall describing the history of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers with photos, press clippings, discography and more.

During his life time, the legendary drummer Art Blakey performed at Saint Peter's Church, ‘The Jazz Church," many times. He was well known for his Jazz Messengers "school of jazz" which produced many legendary jazz musicians of today, including Wayne Shorter, Cedar Walton, Terrence Blanchard, Billy Harper, Brian Lynch, Donald Harrison, Reggie Workman, Bobby Watson and many others. All told there were 150 musicians who passed through his "school" over several decades.

For this festival, we are partnering with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, 104 East 126th Street # 2C, New York City which is offering a series of events celebrating the legacy of Art Blakey including Jazz for Curious Listeners on Tuesdays in March from 7 to 8 PM and on Saturday, March 13 from Noon to 4 PM "An In-Depth Look and Listen to Art Blakey" panel.

Prez Fest 2010 Celebrating Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers - March 14, 2010 at Saint Peter's Church, 619 Lexington Avenue at 54th Street, NY, NY. Program begins at 3 PM and includes panel discussion, drum technique demonstration, jazz vespers and a concert. $20 suggested ticket donation and $10 students donation with student ID. http://www.saintpeters.org/ 212 935 2200. Take the "E" train to Lexington Avenue or the "6" to 51st Street. Press contacts: Ike Sturm, 212 935 2200 or Lynne Mueller 917 207 4953.