Her performance at the Falcon will be a very specail night with all proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross to help the disaster relief effort. Suggested donations $50. Call (845) 236-7970 to make a dinner reservation.

Since the beginning of the decade, pianist-composer Hiromi Uehara has supported her impressive body of work with an ambitious tour schedule that has electrified audiences throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia with performances that have pushed the limits of piano jazz to new frontiers of compositional and technical skills.

Heralded as one of the brightest lights on the piano jazz landscape, the Japanese prodigy has not only lived up to the initial praise for her early efforts but surpassed it entirely. And now to celebrate her “travel journal” and the youth of her 20’s, the Pianist embarks on her first solo piano recording.

More About Hiromi

Details:

The Falcon
1348 Rte 9w
Marlboro, NY 12542

Suggested donation $50. All proceeds from the benefit will go to the Japan Civic Force & the Japanese Red Cross. Doors will open at 6:00 pm for dinner – reservations suggested (call 845-236-7970).

More Info

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Like the 2 have done together for nearly 40 years, pianist Chick Corea & vibraphonist Gary Burton put on a show! This one-night, one-time set was a special treat for jazz fans in L.A. and Orange County, having the opportunity to get a small preview of what is to come on their next album while enjoying some of the stuff that made them jazz greats over the years.

The Set List

The set list was very interesting – as one could expect from these two – featuring standards from some of the greatest jazz legends as well as some original works and even some avant garde pieces. Some of the tunes that really stood out include a rendition of the Beatles’ infamous “Eleanor Rigby”, Thelonious Monk’s often overlooked work “Light Blue”, and a Chick Corea original tribute to late pianist Bud Powell, entitled “Bud Powell”.

Also on the list were some interesting works, featuring a piece called “Allegria” (soon to be released on their next album). This piece begins with hand tapping on the piano, enters into a battery of altered-time sections, and when all seems to be chaotic and lost, the two reunite at the end as if it were the most simple of songs. Another favorite of mine was an original based on the inspiration of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Yes, a classical composer! Switching from swing to straight-time, meshing dominants and tonal chords with embellished jazz sounds, it was amazing to hear how a piece could borrow from two completely different styles of music, traditionally never mixed.

Their Style

As was mentioned by Gary Burton, their next album features more of an artist-led approach, rather than a song-based approach. They will be featuring a lot of the most popular standards, but most of the tunes will be the lesser-known or often overlooked ones. In addition, the references, inspirations, and tributes to musicians and composers of various genres really does justice to music as a whole, tying everything together in one unique and mind-blowing package.

The way that Corea and Burton capture the essence of so many styles, artists, and time periods really has to do with their unique perspective on music as a whole. While so many artists tend to think within the boundaries of the already-existing groundwork, the two feed off the ways in which the music can be of multiple domains.

The best way that they do this is by embracing the natural function of the two instruments (piano and vibraphone) and taking it to the next level. In fact, one of the most difficult things they do is change from lead to accompaniment – in an instant. Both are skilled regarding melody, harmony, and rhythm, allowing them to utilize their instruments in multiple ways. Through this, they continue to expand upon the forms that can be created, the genres that can be melded together, and the sounds that captivate.

Overview

To say that these two guys are on the same page would be an understatement. They perform as if they were one person – with 4 hands – going in and out of time, changing roles from lead to accompaniment, and feeding off each other’s ideas the whole time. The most amazing thing is that while the audience knows they are concentrating – and believe me they have to in order to play like they do – it’s entertaining to watch because it seems so fun and effortless.

These two are always fun to watch, challenging the audience, amazing them with their talent, and making it look easy the whole time. Our recommendation is to see these guy whenever you get the chance – you won’t regret it!

Thanks to Heather Cho and the Segerstrom Center For The Arts for the chance to see this concert and write a review.

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Acceptance Speech

Artist Background

Solo Recordings:
William Edward Childs (best known as Billy Childs) is a composer and jazz pianist from Los Angeles. Childs’ solo jazz recording career began in 1988, when he released Take for Example, This…, the first of four critically acclaimed albums on the Windham Hill Jazz label. He followed that album with Twilight Is Upon Us (1989), His April Touch (1992), and Portrait of a Player (1993). A long friendship with Chick Corea resulted in Chick’s asking Billy to join his new (at the time) label, Stretch Records, upon Childs’ departure from Windham Hill Jazz. His next album, I’ve Known Rivers on Stretch/GRP (now Stretch/Concord) was released in 1995. Childs then followed withThe Child Within, released on the Shanachie record label in 1996.

Work As Arranger:
In 2000 Childs arranged, orchestrated and conducted for Dianne Reeves’ project The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan, helping that recording to a 2002 Grammy award for “best jazz vocal CD.” Other artists and producers for whom Childs has arranged include Sting, Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Botti, Gladys Knight, Michael Bublé, David Foster, Phil Ramone, and Claudia Acuña.

Jazz Chamber Ensemble:
Around 2001 Billy had an idea for a group which would have, at its nucleus, piano, acoustic guitar, and harp. It was a sound partly influenced by Laura Nyro’s collaborations with Alice Coltrane (on “Christmas and the Beads of Sweat”) and partly influenced by a desire to merge the classical and jazz music genres. The Jazz-Chamber Ensemble was the result and the group consists of: piano, bass, drums, acoustic guitar, harp and woodwinds. Sometimes the core group is augmented by string quartet, woodwind quintet, or both. In 2005, the ensemble released its first CD, Lyric, Jazz-Chamber Music, Vol. 1. The CD was nominated for three 2006 Grammy awards (best jazz CD, best instrumental composition, and best instrumental arrangement), winning for best instrumental composition, “Into the Light”.

More Info

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See Review

An Evening with Chick Corea & Gary Burton Duets will display one of the greatest collaborations in the history of jazz. For this special one-night-only show, the Grammy-winning duo will explore jazz standards featuring fresh new arrangements by Corea.

Corea and Burton first paired in 1972 with their album Crystal Silence, which has been called “one of the seminal recordings of that decade” by NPR. Tickets to see An Evening with Chick Corea & Gary Burton Duets start at $25 and are available now.

Press Release

Concert Details

Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Friday, March 4, 2011 at 8 p.m.

615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Tickets: Start at $25
In person – The Box Office
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Online – SCFTA.org
Phone – (714) 556-2787
Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
TTY number – (714) 556-2746
Group Sales – (714) 755-0236

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On November 2nd, 2010, Moody’s wife announced on his behalf that he had pancreatic cancer, and had chosen not to have it treated aggressively. Moody died in San Diego, on December 9th, 2010.

A public service will be held on Saturday, December 18th. There will be a morning viewing at Greenwood Memorial Park, 4300 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, 92113 and graveside service at 12:30 PM. Then at 2 PM, there will be a celebration of Moody’s life at Faith Chapel, 9400 Campo Rd in Spring Valley, 91977,
officiated by Pastor Charlie Gregg.

Bio and More

James Moody (RIP)
(March 26, 1925 – December 9, 2010)

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Since the release of his 2004 critically acclaimed CD When I Fall in Love, Botti (pronounced boat-tee) has become the largest selling American instrumental artist. His success has crossed over to audiences usually reserved for pop music and his ongoing association with PBS has led to four No.1 Jazz Albums, as well as multiple Gold, Platinum & Grammy Awards.

The New York Times said about Botti, “It’s easy to like trumpeter Chris Botti. … an image of pensive
romance, achieving stardom in the realm of adult-contemporary pop … Mr. Botti’s sumptuous, limpid
instrumental voice was the focus of the show.”

Ticket Info

Tickets to Chris Botti start at $46 and are now available online at OCPAC.org, at the Center’s Box Office
at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling 714.556.2787. For inquiries about group ticket
discounts for 15 or more, call the Group Services office at 714.755.0236. The TTY number is
714.556.2746.

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The Album

Homefree is a soulful, swinging album that Freelon calls her “home brew.” The collection is comprised largely of contemporary interpretations of classic American Songbook tunes as well as a new original (the witty, playfully and poignant “Cell Phone Blues” composed by the singer) and spirited arrangements of two anthems (the gospel treasure “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and the national hymn “America the Beautiful”) that close the album.

Homefree opens with a brisk swing through “The Lamp is Low,” followed by the laid-back and easy-flowing arrangement of “ I Feel Pretty,” the Leonard Bernstein-Stephen Sondheim West Side Story classic that features Ray Codrington’s soulful flugelhorn lines. The latter has been in the band’s set-list for some five years, including a jazz show at the Kennedy Center for Miss America contestants and their escorts.

Other highlights include a soulful groove through “You and the Night and the Music,” arranged by drummer Kinah Ayah; a skipping, reggae-tinged rendition of Cole Porter’s “Get Out of Town,” that was arranged jointly by the band turning the standard upside down during a sound check; and, a new tune to the band’s set, the rarely covered Andre Previn-written beauty, “Theme from Valley of the Dolls.” Nnenna is currently touring in support of her new release.

Details:
Nnenna Freelon
“Homefree Concord Music Group (Concord Jazz)
April, 2010

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The Album

Yesterday You Said Tomorrow references a saying that Scott’s grandfather would use to emphasize the importance of recognizing the work at hand and making the most of the available time to complete it Aided by guitarist Matthew Stevens, pianist Milton Fletcher, Jr., bassist Kristopher Keith Funn and drummer Jamire Williams, Scott address the issues head on, regardless of how uncomfortable the subject matter may be.

He opens the set with “K.K.P.D.,” a track full of dark harmonies and tense, competing polyrhythms. The title stands for “Ku Klux Police Department,” a reference to what Scott calls the “phenomenally dark and evil” attitude held by some of the local police toward African American citizens of New Orleans when he was growing up.

A more upbeat track, “The Eraser,” – penned by singer-songwriter Thom Yorke (co-founder and frontman of Radiohead) – resets the tone of the overall recording, say Scott:

“With that song, we’re erasing the issue that was raised in the previous song, and
then the album starts. Those first two songs are very much a part of the album,
but they’re there to establish an environment where you’re willing to listen to whatever
else we have to say, because you’ve been opened up to the validity of the original
argument.”

Artist Background

Since his Concord debut, Rewind That, Scott has received signifiant accolades. he was quickly tapped as one of the faces to wathch by Billboard, received a Grammy nomination for Rewind That and named one of Ebony’s “30 Young Leaders Under 30.” His style, sensibiliy and musical talent prove his appeal to both the hip-hop comunity and jazz purists, and he has performed with the like of Prince, Mos Def, DJ Muggs, Marcus Miller and Glen Ballard.

This past year Scott topped the Downbeat 2009 Critic’s Poll for Trumpeter of the Year, and he has appeared alongside George Clooney in the film Leatherheads as well as in the critically accliamed Jonathan Demme filme Rachel Getting Married starring Anne Hathaway.

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In the Moment features a very special tribute to the international charity, Habitat for Humanity, titled “Can I Count On You.” Writee by Robbie Nevil, this recording features such luminaries as Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Bill Champlin, Christopher Cross, American Idol’s Mandisa and Melinda Doolittle. A portion of each album sold will be donated to Habitat For Humanity

Artist Background

With over 31 years of living in Music City USA, Hemby has a long list of achievements. Widely prasied for his guitar playing, songwriting, and producing talents, Hemby is a Grammy winner and recipient of four Dove Awards, including “Instrumental Album of the Year,” for his debut album, Acoustic Christmas. He has performed live with everyone from The Judds, Chaka Kahn and Barry Manilow, to Trisha Yearwood, Martian McBride, George Strait and Ylanda Adams.

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Antoinette Montague’s name and elegant physical appearance have the touch of royalty. It’s silly to take the regal comparison too far, yet her singing on her second album suggests a fitting for a tiara isn’t out of the question. Focused and with purity of intent, she skillfully advances stories that are open-hearted gifts to listeners rather than exhibits of showy technique or solipsistic disclosure.

Long under the spell of Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald, mentored by Carrie Smith and Etta Jones, Montague has the vocal command and depth of feeling to make you believe the words to songs, even potentially mawkish ones.

Performance Details

Friday, October 8 and Saturday, October 9th, 2010
(8:00 pm, 9:30 pm and 11:00 pm)

Lenox Lounge
Malcolm X Boulevard between 124th & 125th Street
New York City 10027
www.lenoxlounge.com
Reserve your space early and pass the word to all organizations

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