The Urban Music Scene: Concerts & Festivals

The 1st Annual FIFA WORLD CUP(TM) Kick-Off Celebration Concert | June 10th, 2010

Administration — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:12:00 GMT

Alicia Keys, Amadou & Mariam, Angelique Kidjo, Black Eyed Peas, BLK JKS, John Legend, Juanes, Shakira, The Parlotones, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Toure and Vusi Mahlasela to Perform at First-Ever FIFA WORLD CUP(TM) KICK-OFF CELEBRATION CONCERT

Tickets on Sale Now Online and via Telephone at Computicket

LOS ANGELES, March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Control Room, the world's leading producer of global music events, and FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association), the international governing body of football, announced the first group of legendary musicians confirmed to perform at the FIFA WORLD CUP KICK–OFF CELEBRATION CONCERT. Alicia Keys, Amadou & Mariam, Angelique Kidjo, Black Eyed Peas, BLK JKS, John Legend, Juanes, Shakira, The Parlotones, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Toure and Vusi Mahlasela will perform at the historic event taking place the night before the first match at 8 p.m. local time (GMT+2) on June 10, 2010, at the newly-renovated Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg.

"We in South Africa are blessed to be hosting two first-time events – the first FIFA World Cup held on the African continent and the first FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert – and I believe these historic events will go a long way towards uniting the people of our rainbow nation in South Africa, as well as further strengthening our relationships with our brothers and sisters on the African continent," said Lucas Radebe, former South African football international and participant in the Kick-Off Concert. "After all, this is an African World Cup being staged in South Africa. Music and sports are the lifeblood of African culture, so to combine those in this historic event will be a true celebration of African culture."

FIFA World Cup football tournament is the world's most watched sporting event, and is staged every four years. This is the first time the FIFA World Cup is being held on the African continent, with 32 national teams from all over the world playing matches in ten South African stadiums in the hope of being crowned World Champions. The last FIFA World Cup in Germany attracted a global cumulative television audience of 26.29 billion (24.2 billion in-home and 2.1 billion out-of-home viewers).

"We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent raise the curtain on the first FIFA World Cup in Africa. It is testament to the universal and unifying power of football and music, and will start the competition off on the right note – of celebration," said FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke.

Executive-produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Kevin Wall and his company Control Room, in partnership with local promoter, Showtime Entertainment, the event will feature musical performances by major international superstars and popular African artists collaborating together, along with special appearances by past and present football legends with all proceeds to benefit "20 Centres for 2010," the Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Expected to be the greatest entertainment event to date on the African continent, the event will be televised to millions worldwide.

"2010 will mark the first time the FIFA World Cup will be played in Africa, so it seemed fitting to celebrate this momentous occasion with a festival of live music from Africa and beyond," said Kevin Wall, founder of Control Room. "We believe sports and music transcend cultural, language and geographic barriers, and through the official FIFA WORLD CUP KICK–OFF CELEBRATION CONCERT, Control Room will present the sights and sounds of unity and celebration for an unforgettable, must-see experience."

Public Tickets

Music fans around the world can purchase tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime concert today online at www.computicket.com or via phone on (27) 083 915 8000. Concert tickets are priced at R450 (Outer Circle standing), R650 (Inner Circle standing), R850 & R950 (Upper Level seated) and R1150 (Lower Level seated). Ticket prices include VAT, Computicket Charges and Park and Ride for all ticket holders.

Parking and Security

A comprehensive parking and security system has been put into place for the 2010 FIFA Kick-Off Celebration Concert.

All those attending will be able to make use of the comprehensive park & ride facilities at nearby Nasrec. Concertgoers will then use the free bus shuttle service to and from Orlando Stadium as no parking will be permitted on or nearby the stadium itself. A comprehensive safety and security plan will be implemented for both Orlando Stadium and the Nasrec park & ride hub.

South African Broadcast Partners

Local South African broadcast partners Kaya-FM, Talk Radio 702 and 94.7 Highveld Stereo are proud to be part of this first ever FIFA WORLD CUP KICK –OFF CELEBRATION CONCERT.

For more information about the official FIFA WORLD CUP KICK–OFF CELEBRATION CONCERT, please visit www.fifa.com/concert.

About Control Room

Founded by Emmy-award winning producer Kevin Wall and headed by company president and co-executive producer Aaron Grosky, Control Room is the world's leading producer of massive global events leveraging unparalleled expertise to deliver once-in-a-life time entertainment experiences to audiences around the world. Through a combination of expertise – event production, television production, media architecture design, artist and celebrity relationships, sponsorship development, and creative vision – Control Room evolves events into cultural phenomena.

Control Room is an end-to-end solution for brands, artists, broadcasters and sponsors committed to connecting global audiences with compelling entertainment. The company has built long-standing business relationships and successfully navigated the complexities of culture, government, and production in countries in every region of the world. Since 2005, Control Room has illustrated a history of measurable results through a comprehensive body of work including more than 100 live events ranging from single-artist concerts to worldwide movements.

About 94.7 HIGHVELD STEREO Joburg's No. 1 Hit Music Station.

94.7 broadcasts on 94.7 FM in the greater Gauteng metropolitan areas to almost 1.4 million listeners who love life and love to laugh. 94.7 targets an affluent audience, LSM 7 to 10 and age 25 - 49. The Station plays the best hot adult contemporary music with a blend of classic hits from the 80's to the present. The main focus is more music and less talk, with the inclusion of the latest breaking news and sporting stories. We simply play more of the hits that our listeners want.

Regular competitions and promotions provide entertaining, engaging radio and there is a strong emphasis on charity and giving back. Numerous events, such as the Joburg Day music festival, which attracts 15,000 fans, and the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge which is the second biggest cycling event in the Southern Hemisphere, provide opportunities for interaction with listeners.

About Talk Radio 702

Your No.1 News and Talk Station.

702 is an independent adult talk radio station broadcasting throughout Gauteng and surrounding areas. It attracts an influential audience including many of the country's business, political and community leaders. Listeners tune in for credible news and current affairs analysis as well as the latest business, traffic and sport stories of the day.

Experienced presenters, Eyewitness News reporters and respected correspondents keep listeners updated on all the important stories - locally, nationally and internationally.

Although it is a commercial station, 702 is rooted in the community, and considers itself solution-driven radio, advocating on behalf of listeners.

About KAYA FM

KAYA FM 95.9 reflects the lives of the upscale 25+ listener, living in South Africa's most progressive and exciting region. The station broadcasts both music and talk, and this makes it unique from other ICASA approved licenses. KAYA FM 95.9 launched in August 1997, and was one of the first new frequencies to be approved for private commercial radio.

KAYA FM 95.9 broadcasts on the FM frequency signal 95. (Dot) 9, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The current Listenership stands at 614 000 per average day and 1, 409 000 for the past seven days. The music format offers a diverse mix from Adult Contemporary Music to smoother sounds like R&B, Soul and Jazz. It also includes African Heritage Music. The music draws on the tradition of Africa, wherever this music has had its influence; from Africa to the Caribbean and into the heart of America.

Control Room

The International Music Festival Conference | April 8th & 9th, 2010

Administration — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:51:00 GMT

C/O Pop Festival & Convention, Ducos Productions, Cheltenham Jazz Festivals, and North Sea Jazz Festival to Discuss the Future of Music Festivals

The International Music Festival Conference announced today the speakers for their panel focused on the Future of Music Festivals, at this year's International Music Festival Conference Europe taking placing April 8-9, 2010 in Amsterdam.

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 11, 2010 -- The International Music Festival Conference announced today the speakers for their panel focused on the Future of Music Festivals, at this year's International Music Festival Conference Europe taking placing April 8-9, 2010 in Amsterdam.

Speaking on the panel will be Jutta Unger, Director, C/O Pop Festival & Convention; Claudia Raven, Creative Director, Ducos Productions; Ian George, Executive Director, Cheltenham Jazz Festivals; and Jan Willem Luyken, Festival Director, North Sea Jazz Festival.

Their presentation entitled, "The Future of Music Festivals" will discuss how artists, agents, venues, managers, and others can maximize revenue, and also where the market is headed. "The explosion of the Music Festival business is one of the biggest developments in the concert industry over the last two years," said Matthew Raynor, Marketing Manager, for the International Music Festival Conference. "This panel in particular will be bringing together top festival producers and talent buyers in the business to discuss the current trends as well as relevant shifts the market is facing.

Those attending the conference will be able to discover the latest trends in music festival: operations & management, ticketing, sponsorship, programming, marketing & public relations, and many more.

The 2010 International Music Festival Conference will feature the top industry leaders and directors attending including: European Broadcasting Union, Jambase, Lugerinc AB, Friendly Fire, Pirineos Sur, Sfrinks Mixed Festival, Feistval Mundial, Glastonbury Music Festival, Amsterdam Roots Festival, The Jerusalem Festival, Italia Wave Love Festival, European Forum of Worldwide Music Festival, Fiesta Des Suds, Oslo World Music Festival, Fiberfib, Paleo Festival Nyon, The Big Chill, BHE Music Group, MaraWorld, Roskilde Festival, XOMO Mobile, Hultsfred Festival, European Music Office, and Malmofestivalen

About the International Music Festival Conference (IMFCON):

The International Music Festival Conference is the only conference addressing the issues facing the music festival industry. The IMFCON mission is to promote and strengthen the global music festival industry through education, networking, dissemination of information, and the cultivation of high standards for the industry. The IMFCON was founded in 2007 and provides the only annual conference & symposium for music festival professionals and entertainment executives to network, learn from one another, establish partnerships, and understand the latest trends in festivals and music. http://www.imfcon.com

Praize Night - 8 Year Anniversary Celebration | March 13th, 2010

Administration — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:15:00 GMT

The Canadian Music Week feat. Sean Jones | March 13th, 2010

Administration — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:12:00 GMT

Recording Artist Sean Jones

Live!

Canadian Music Week

WHAT: Canadian Music Week is Canada's leading annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country's music, media, and entertainment industries.

Saturday March 13, 2010 (12:00 AM)

WHO: Recording Artist, Sean Jones

WHEN: Saturday, March 13, 2010
8:30 p.m. - Doors Open
Midnight (1200 a.m.) - Performance

WHERE: Czehoski's
678 Queen St. West
Toronto, ON

COVER: $10.00

INFO: Sean will be performing songs from his upcoming album.

FOLLOW SEAN JONES:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/sean-jones
http://www.Myspace.com/seanjonesmusic
http://twitter.com/SeanJonesmusic

For more info about the Canadian Music Week, please click here!!

For the list of artists particpating, please click here!!

Danilo Pérez Presents "Things To Come: 21st Century Dizzy" Performances | 2010

Administration — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:20:00 GMT

DANILO PÉREZ PRESENTS "THINGS TO COME: 21ST CENTURY DIZZY"

DL Media announces performance dates for Panamanian pianist, composer, and educator Danilo Pérez and his new project, Things to Come: 21st Century Dizzy. With performances in Philadelphia, Toronto, New York, Ann Arbor, Minneapolis, and Chicago, these performances will feature an all-star cast of musicians: David Sánchez on tenor saxophone; Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto saxophone; Amir ElSaffar on trumpet and voice; Jamey Haddad on percussion; Ben Street on bass (John Patitucci will substitute for Street on the first three dates); and Adam Cruz on drums.

Pérez, who recently signed with Mack Avenue Records in 2009 and is expected to release his label debut in August, has brought together this diverse and global group of musicians to celebrate the music and bountiful inspiration of his mentor, Dizzy Gillespie. Pérez's hand-picked all-stars, with roots in Afro-Cuban, be-bop, Indian, African, and Middle Eastern music, will more than honor Dizzy's legendary vision and keep true to the music that they've grown into all their lives.

Things To Come: 21st Century Dizzy showcases music that simultaneously addresses the culture of Panama, the culture of Latin music as it is interpreted by jazz musicians, and classic jazz repertoire together with the leader's own original compositions (in addition to performing new arrangements of classic Gillespie tunes).

As the youngest member of the final edition of Dizzy Gillespie's United Nation Orchestra, Pérez learned first-hand how Gillespie embraced musical and personal collaborations through the world. Pérez reflects, "One of the greatest experiences was working with Dizzy Gillespie, certainly the greatest master that I had the chance to play with."

Dizzy's bands were a constant melting pot of styles, genres, and pan-global collaborations. Pérez uses this premise as a foundation for his endeavors.

Pérez states, "The purpose of the music I'm doing right now is to really find common tones in the world; how we, through music, actually come together and become one in this day of acknowledging differences. I am acknowledging the common tones in the world and that oneness feeling. All those layers you see in this, how we as human beings, as individuals come together and create communities. That's the feeling I want to create."

An extraordinary artist, Pérez is among the most influential and dynamic musicians of our time. In just over a decade, his distinctive blend of Pan-American jazz (covering the music of the Americas, folkloric and world music) has attracted critical acclaim and loyal audiences from all around the world. A long standing member of the Wayne Shorter Quartet, Pérez has recorded and performed with the likes of Steve Lacy, Roy Haynes, Jack DeJohnette, Charlie Haden, Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, Tito Puente, and Wynton Marsalis, among others. Pérez is the Artistic Director of the Berklee College of Music's newly formed Global Jazz Institute (a unique focused area of study at the college designed to foster creativity and musicianship through various musical disciplines) as well as the annual Panama Jazz Festival. Additionally, he serves as the Artistic Director of the Kimmel Center's "Jazz Up Close" series.

Danilo Pérez Presents Things to Come: 21st Century Dizzy

· Friday, March 19: Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA

· Saturday, March 27: The Royal Conservatory Telus Centre for Performance and Learning, Toronto, Canada

· Thursday, April 1 - Sunday, April 4: Jazz Standard, New York, NY

· Thursday, April 8: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

· Saturday, April 10: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

· Friday, May 21: Symphony Center, Chicago, IL

Please visit http://www.daniloperez.com

DL Media

Jazz For Haiti | March 18th, 2010

Administration — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:11:00 GMT

WORLDWIDE JAZZ INITIATIVE AS NEWURBANJAZZ COLLABORATES
WITH THE RED CROSS

"JAZZ FOR HAITI" - BENEFIT CONCERT THURSDAY MAR. 18, 2010

"Relief Benefit Concert” at Newark Symphony Hall/Terrace Ballroom, Thursday, March 18, at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $29 and $35 day of show.

Proceeds will benefit the Red Cross and the City National Bank Haiti Emergency Relief Fund, which will directly assist the medical needs of the Haitian community in Port-Au-Prince, the location of the earthquake of January 12, 2010 in Haiti.

"Jazz for Haiti" will feature a combination of Jazz flavors from a plethora of artists. Confirmed to appear are Dave Valentin (flute), Chieli Minucci (Guitar), Ragan Whiteside (flute), Saxophonist Bradford Hayes, Jazz Vocalists Carrie Jackson and Yvette Glover, Ruben Rodriguez (bassist for the Jazz At Lincoln Center Latin Jazz Orchestra), as well as event-organizer Bob Baldwin (Piano/Arranger).

Tickets are available at:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/00004453D0656C8C?artistid=1413875&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=4

For more information, click here:
http://www.citysketches.com/jazzforhaiti2010.htm

The 1st Annual Soul Music By The Bay Conference | June 25th - 26th, 2010

Administration — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:08:00 GMT

Tramai Entertainment Announces First Annual Soul Music By the Bay Conference

During Oakland-based Conference Attendees Learn About the Business-side of Music Industry From Executives

San Francisco, CA, March 05, 2010 --(PR.com)-- TraMaí Entertainment announced today that it is hosting the first annual Soul Music By The Bay Conference (SMBTB 2010) at the Waterfront Hotel in Oakland, Calif. on June 25 and 26, 2010. The goal of the conference is to provide a two-day educational environment filled with panel discussions, workshops, networking opportunities and artist showcases to attendees seeking to be in the music business.

“We’re excited to bring the SMBTB 2010 conference to the great city by the bay,” said Tracy Reed, CEO of TraMai Entertainment and Founder /Executive Producer of SMBTB. “Attendees will be exposed to cutting edge educational information from some of the industry’s most elite professional leaders as well as performances from some of the most talented artists. SMBTB 2010 is the first of its kind in the Bay Area and is a not-to-miss opportunity for those wanting to be in the music industry.”

SMBTB 2010 will be keynoted by the multi-talented Michael Winger, producer, engineer, musician, songwriter, and Advocacy Co-Chair of the San Francisco Chapter of the Recording Academy.

Speakers leading panel discussions, workshops and round tables include:

· Maryam Soleiman Director of Business Affairs, The Rights Workshop
· Nick Phillips, VP Jazz and Catalog A&R, Concord Music Group
· “Mizz” Marie Strane, Ent. Network Group & West Coast Hip Hop Music Awards

The conference will kick off with a welcome reception, followed by an intimate introduction of the keynote speaker. Soul Music By The Bay 2010 Conference registrants will have access to interactive panels and networking events, enriching daily networking luncheons with live entertainment, wrap up evening mixers, priority entrance to all evening showcases featuring upcoming artists, and an opportunity to connect and interact with peers in the industry from around the globe.

“SMBTB 2010 supports and promotes emerging artists, allowing them the opportunity to perform and display their talents. It also offers unsigned artists a chance to gain exposure with producers, managers, and major and independent label companies that are seeking new talent,” said Reed. “The conference will bring artists and attendees that are in need of education and networking together with some of the best entertainment industry leaders.”

Purchase discount early bird tickets by March 31 online for only $135 for both days. For more information visit soulmusicbythebay.com/

Find us www.Facebook.com/SoulMusicBytheBay and www.MySpace.com/SoulMusicBytheBay.
Follow us at www.Twitter.com/smbtb2010.

style="text-decoration: underline;">About TraMaí Entertainment, Inc
TraMaí Entertainment’s mission is to produce an environment of originality, and provide superb communication between the artists and the company. TraMaí is designed to help the artists realize their true potential and provide them with extensive guidance through the stages of their career in music entertainment. We are fully committed to acquiring the resources that the artists need. As we negotiate and represent all pertinent business and promotional decisions, the artists will be able to concentrate on their creativity. For more information visit www.soulmusicbythebay.com.

The 31st Annual Tri-C JazzFest | April 15th-25th, 2010

Administration — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:03:00 GMT

Tri-C JazzFest Kicks Off Spring with a Legendary Lineup

31st Annual Festival Pays Tribute to Henry Mancini and Showcases the Best in Jazz

CLEVELAND, March 4/PRNewswire/ -- The 31st Annual Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland kicks offspring with a stellar line-up of artists and packed with the variety that JazzFest fans have come to love. From a red carpet birthday salute to the music of Henry Mancini, the jazz of iconic pianist Ramsey Lewis, to fan favorite The Roots and an evening with the Smooth Jazz All-Stars, this year's fest offers something for everyone.

JazzFest continues its tradition of spotlighting up-and-coming artists with the "Debut Series," this year featuring the Gerald Clayton Trio and the Theo Croker Group. "Women in Jazz" salutes Antonio Carlos Jobim, the Grammy-winning songwriter of "The Girl from Ipanema," while the prodigious Charlie Haden plays double duty, appearing with his Quartet West and Joe Lovano,and closing out JazzFest with TCJF Sound Works, now in its second year. Haden is the Tri-C JazzFest Distinguished Artist-in-Residence.

For the young, and young at heart, Joe Hunter reprises his "Jazz for Kids" series at the Children's Museum of Cleveland, while Omar Sosa offers a joyful mix of jazz and Afro-Caribbean rhythms at the Museum of Contemporary Art. From France, the 10-piece Orchestre National de Jazz pays homage to Robert Wyatt, a member of the venerable 1960's and 70's band Soft Machine.

From April 15-25, JazzFest heats up Cleveland with a dizzying array of the best in jazz.

For tickets call 216-241-6000 or visit www.tricpresents.com. For groups and special packages, call 216-987-4444.

Here's the 2010 Tri-C JazzFest lineup (free performances are italicized):

Thursday, April 15, 5:00 p.m. – Parade with Shaw High School Marching Band, Tower City Center/Public Square

Friday, April 16, 8:00 p.m. – Happy Birthday Henry Mancini!, Allen Theatre, PlayhouseSquare (Tickets $45-$65)

Saturday, April 17, 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. – Jazz for Kids Featuring Joe Hunter & Friends, Children's Museum of Cleveland (Tickets $5-$10)

Saturday, April 17, 1:00 p.m. – Women in Jazz, Mt. Zion Congregational Church of Christ

Saturday, April 17, 8:00 p.m. – The Roots, Produced by Jill Newman Productions, Allen Theatre, PlayhouseSquare (Tickets $25-$45)

Sunday, April 18, 4:00 p.m. – Debut Series with the Gerald Clayton Trio and the Theo Croker Group, East Cleveland Public Library

Monday, April 19, 7:00 p.m. – Jack Wilkins and the Cleveland Jazz Initiative Showcase, Brothers Lounge (Tickets $10)

Tuesday, April 20, 8:00 p.m. – The Eddie Baccus Organ Summit with Special Guest Tony Monaco, Karamu House

Wednesday, April 21, 8:00 p.m. – Omar Sosa Afreecanos Quartet, MOCA Cleveland (Tickets $25)

Thursday, April 22, 8:00 p.m. – Charlie Haden's Quartet West with Special Guest Joe Lovano, Tri-C Metropolitan Auditorium (Tickets $30)

Friday, April 23, 8:00 p.m. – An Evening with Ramsey Lewis and Patti Austin, Allen Theatre, PlayhouseSquare (Tickets $25-$45)

Saturday, April 24, 8:00 p.m. – Orchestre National de Jazz "Around Robert Wyatt", Tri-C Metropolitan Auditorium (Tickets $15)

Saturday, April 24, 8:00 p.m. – Smooth Jazz All-Stars, Allen Theatre, PlayhouseSquare (Tickets $25-$45)

Sunday, April 25, 7:00 p.m. – TCJF SoundWorks Plays Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra with Special Guest Charlie Haden, East Cleveland Public Library

All artists and programming are subject to change.

Sponsors: American Greetings, Cleveland Foundation, Council Leadership Fund, COSE Arts Network, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, Dominion Resources, Gund Foundation, Key Bank, National Endowment for the Arts, Ohio Arts Council, PNC

Media Sponsors: Cleveland.com, DownBeat, Scene, WCLV, WENZ, WCPN/WVIZ, WZAK

Cuyahoga Community College

The Downtown Soul & Jazz in the Heart of LA Concert Series | Beginning April 17th, 2010

Administration — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:22:00 GMT

2010 Downtown Soul & Jazz in the Heart of LA Concert Series Announcement

Los Angeles, CA, February 27, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Jadar Entertainment announces the Downtown Soul & Jazz in the Heart of LA concert series beginning April 17th 2010. Soul & Jazz in the Heart of LA will present high quality live Soul & Jazz Entertainment with state-of-the-art sound system and beautiful stage lighting that will make it a favorite of the many world class artists who will perform there. In addition to performing on a 40ft stage, major artists, top locals, international instrumentalists and vocalists will round out an impressive 2010 line up schedule. Soul & Jazz in the Heart of LA has made a major impression on the Los Angeles scene and continues to gain popularity. The concert series will be held at Tatou’s Supper Club (Downtown Los Angeles).

This concert series is special because of its unique venue and the location has a beautiful view of the Los Angeles Downtown skyline. Tatou’s supper club is dotted with four 15-ft palm trees and a 40-ft stage with multiple levels and bars, delicious Asian fusion style cuisine, 30 plasma screens, and sleek rooftop patio lounge with skyline views. Soul & Jazz in the Heart of LA concert series reaffirms downtown Los Angeles as the premier destination for mature professionals who love upscale live entertainment. It is timed for people to head downtown – or stay downtown – right after work. Jadar Entertainment began efforts to bring downtown a concert series based on recommendations from concert goers. This concert series ties the gap between the professional daytime workforce and the vibrant restaurant and nightlife that Los Angeles has become known for.

The 15th Annual Other Minds Music Festival feat. KIdd Jordan | March 4th - 6th, 2010

Administration — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:10:00 GMT

New Orleans’ Kidd Jordan featured at 15th Other Minds Music Festival, March 4-6 in San Francisco

New Orleans saxophonist and jazz patriarch Kidd Jordan has been invited to perform at the 15th Other Minds Music Festival in San Francisco. Other Minds, in cooperation with the Djerassi Resident Artists Program, the Eugene and Elinor Friend Center for the Arts of the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, and the Polish Cultural Institute in New York, is bringing together some of the most innovative musical minds at work in the world today.

Three days of public performances from March 4-6, 2010 at San Francisco’s Kanbar Hall will be preceded by a private five-day retreat for the composers on the verdant grounds of the Djerassi Resident Artists Program in the hills of Woodside, California, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Pre-concert discussions will be held at 7pm, concerts commence at 8pm.

In addition to Jordan, the festival features highly influential senior composers: Chou Wen-chung, the first modern Chinese composer to emigrate to the US, and a mentor to such composers as Tan Dun and Chen Yi; composer and former Village Voice music critic Tom Johnson.

Local favorites include Carla Kihlstedt, and Gyan Riley. Other guests include Lisa Bielawa, winner of this year’s prestigious Rome Prize, Poland's rising star Pawe³ Mykietyn, Switzerland's radical minimalist Jürg Frey, and prize-winning electronic music composer Natasha Barrett. Featured performers include bassist William Parker, ROVA Saxophone Quartet, Quatuor Bozzini, the Del Sol String Quartet, Left Coast Chamber Ensemble and the Gyan Riley Trio with Michael Manring.

Charles Amirkhanian, Executive Director of Other Minds says “This year’s Festival represents the culmination of years of planning, and we expect an extraordinary week of shared exploration, discovery and delight, for our composers, performers, and most importantly, our audiences.”

Each year Amirkhanian, together with OM Associate Director Adam Fong, invites composers of differing age, gender, nationality, technique, and philosophy to the annual Festival . . . , "We try to make the group as diverse as possible, to get them out of their comfort zones and generate some energy in the discussions." says Mr. Fong. “Every year we have nine composers with completely different backgrounds, but they always find unexpected interests in common, and leave the retreat with a feeling of camaraderie. It's special because these friendships are new: so many other festivals bring together composers who see each other all the time -- Other Minds makes space for unexpected connections.”

Indie Jazz aptly describes Sir Edward “Kidd” Jordan as a “genteel man” who is “probably the single most under-documented jazz musician of his generation, a fact that is even more remarkable when you consider that he is also one of the busiest musicians in the world.”

He has performed and recorded with such legends as Cannonball Adderley, Fred Anderson, Ornette Coleman, Ed Blackwell, Ellis Marsalis, Ray Charles, Cecil Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Ed Blackwell, The Temptations, Big Maybelle, Archie Shepp, Sun Ra, Peter Korvald, William Parker, Alan Silva, Louis Moholo, Sunny Murray, Harnid Drake, and Ellis Marsalis, just to name a few.

A big part of Mr. Jordan’s résumé is the Improvisational Arts Ensemble a group he founded with drummer Alvin Fielder, trumpeter Clyde Kerr, Jr. and bassist London Branch. The inclusion of the late Alvin Thomas transformed the group into the Improvisational Arts Quintet. Kidd developed a close musical relationship with innovative pianist Joel Futterman back in the early 90's and they continue to perform and record together. His first recording was titled, "No Compromise" and that very accurately expresses his personal conviction about his music.

Kidd organized the first World Saxophone Quartet in 1976 that included Julius Hemphill, David Murray, Harniet Bluiett, and Oliver Lake. His work has been documented by CBS News 60 Minutes and he was honored with Offbeat magazine’s first Lifetime Achievement Award for Music Education. In 1985 the French Ministry of Culture bestowed knighthood on Mr. Jordan as a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the French government’s highest artistic award for his work as an educator and performer. In 2008 Mr. Jordan was also named a Lifetime Achievement Honoree at the Vision Festival XIII in New York City.

This virtuoso unselfishly shared his gift of and passion for music for 51 years, 36 of which he spent at Southern University at New Orleans. In June of 2009, he received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Preservation Resource Center during their 9th Annual Ladies in Red Event, and NOLA.TV’s Asante Awards respectively.

Jordan has been known to practice by playing musical phrases in response to bird's and other sounds of nature. For Kidd creating music is all about developing one's ear. As he says, "you have to hear what you’re trying to get at." Asked to define his work, he calls it "creative improvisational music."

During the San Francisco Bay Area swing, Jordon will also perform at the Douglas Beach House in Half Moon Bay, home to the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society on March 7 from 4:30 – 7:00 pm. Jordon will be accompanied by Eddie Gale on trumpet, William Parker on bass, and Warren Smith on drums for all performances.