Birdland is 63, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra is 80, and Frank Sinatra is 100. Gianni Valenti, Birdland owner announced the orchestra and the swinging engine of the Basie Band blasted off with "Come Fly With Me" at the "Jazz Corner of the World" last night. Regardless of how good the fidelity is on your Beats Headphones and McIntosh Amplifier, it doesn't come close to the sound being heard on 44th Street. The original charts might have some wear and tear from page turning by Basie musicians over the years, but the music was clear, precise, and exciting as when the band made their home at Birdland in the 1950's. Scotty Barnhart is now the Director of The Count Basie Orchestra which has won 18 Grammy Awards and 20 Downbeat and Jazz Times polls. He follows in a long line of Jazz greats that have led the orchestra since Basie's passing in 1984. Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Brover Mitchell, Bill Hughes, and Dennis Mackrel have been prior directors. Scotty pointed out that the band might have been formed in 1935, but they are very current and are on Facebook, and have a great website. Carmen Bradford, a Basie choice supplied the vocals.
FOR THE LAST TIME is a new jazz musical with music and lyrics by celebrated composer Nancy Harrow (This Side of Paradise), book by Will Pomerantz and Nancy Harrow, directed by Will Pomerantz (The Blue Flower), arrangements/ orchestrations by Dennis Mackrel (Conductor of the Count Basie Band), with music direction by Cody Owen Stine (Murder Ballad). It will get its world premiere at Theater Row's Clurman Theatre beginning performances May 19, opening May 28 and running through June 20, 2015. Tickets are $39-79 and can be purchased by visiting www.Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.
The Count Basie Orchestra and All That Music Productions, LLC, is pleased to announce the appointment of Scotty Barnhart as the new Director of The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra. He follows Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Grover Mitchell, Bill Hughes, and Dennis Mackrel in leading one of the greatest and most important jazz orchestras in history. Founded in 1935 by pianist William James Basie (1904-1984), the orchestra still tours the world today and is presently ending a two-week tour in Japan. The orchestra has released hundreds of recordings, won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, has appeared in movies, television shows and commercials, Presidential Inaugurals, and has won 18 Grammy Awards, the most for any jazz orchestra. Many of its former members are some of the most important soloists, vocalists, composers, and arrangers in jazz history. That list includes Lester Young, Billie Holiday, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Jo Jones, Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Thad Jones, Joe Williams, Sonny Payne, Snooky Young, Al Grey, John Clayton, Dennis Mackrel and others.
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, has announced that The Rossano Sportiello Trio will debut at the Cafe Carlyle during their two week engagement running tonight, June 11 and June 22. The Trio will be performing their program, The Smiling Piano: A Tribute To The Artistry Of Jazz Piano Icon George Shearing.
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, has announced that The Rossano Sportiello Trio will debut at the Cafe Carlyle during their two week engagement running June 11 through June 22. The Trio will be performing their program, The Smiling Piano: A Tribute To The Artistry Of Jazz Piano Icon George Shearing.
Tonight April 29, at 7:30 p.m., Nicola and Beatrice Bulgari and the Carnegie Hall Notables-a membership and ticket program for music enthusiasts in their 20s and 30s-will host the Ninth Annual Notable Occasion with award-winning jazz pianist Rossano Sportiello and his American Jazz Stars, performing works from the great American songbook in Zankel Hall.
On Monday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m., Nicola and Beatrice Bulgari and the Carnegie Hall Notables-a membership and ticket program for music enthusiasts in their 20s and 30s-will host the Ninth Annual Notable Occasion with award-winning jazz pianist Rossano Sportiello and his American Jazz Stars, performing works from the great American songbook in Zankel Hall. After the exclusive concert, the Notables will gather at Redeye Grill for cocktails and dinner stations. The Ninth Annual Notable Occasion is generously underwritten by Nicola and Beatrice Bulgari. The evening will benefit music education in the New York metropolitan area by supporting the many music education programs created by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute.
New York's top charting jazz artist Allan Harris joined jazz legend Monty Alexander at Jazz at Lincoln Center for the Music of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, a nostalgic holiday performance which was sold out Friday, December 9th and Saturday, December 10th, 2011, this past weekend.
Pianist and composer Michael Weiss leads a trio in tribute to the late, great Detroit pianists Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan at the Kitano New York. Joining Weiss are bassist George Mraz, who was a member of trios led by both Jones and Flanagan, and drummer Dennis Mackrel, a former member of Jones' trio.
Pianist and composer Michael Weiss leads a trio in tribute to the late, great Detroit pianists Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan at the Kitano New York. Joining Weiss are bassist George Mraz, who was a member of trios led by both Jones and Flanagan, and drummer Dennis Mackrel, a former member of Jones' trio.
Pianist and composer Michael Weiss leads a trio in tribute to the late, great Detroit pianists Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan at the Kitano New York. Joining Weiss are bassist George Mraz, who was a member of trios led by both Jones and Flanagan, and drummer Dennis Mackrel, a former member of Jones' trio.
Steve Wilson's recent headlining stand at the legendary Village Vanguard in New York City was documented by NPR and featured in a riveting ‘Live at the Village Vanguard' broadcast
Steve Wilson's recent headlining stand at the legendary Village Vanguard in New York City was documented by NPR and featured in a riveting ‘Live at the Village Vanguard' broadcast
The BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, a noted creative forum for musical exploration and development, will highlight the best new jazz compositions created during the last year at its 21st Annual Showcase Concert. The evening will feature a competition to choose the winner of the BMI Foundation's tenth annual Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize, which will be given to the writer of the best new work composed in the Workshop.
The BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, a noted creative forum for musical exploration and development, will highlight the best new jazz compositions created during the last year at its 21st Annual Showcase Concert. The evening will feature a competition to choose the winner of the BMI Foundation's tenth annual Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize, which will be given to the writer of the best new work composed in the Workshop.
