Wednesday, May 08, 2013

“Bringing the Music Back Home”: The Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival 2013 (May 6 – 11, 2013)

On Tuesday, April 30th, jazz musicians, advocates, purveyors, and enthusiasts gathered at the historic Showman’s Jazz Bar on 125th Street to celebrate the commencement of the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival. The Festival, now in its third season, is a superbly modern celebration of the historic clubs, stages, basements, and bars that continue to cultivate the creative character of uptown jazz. Showman’s Jazz Club is a cozy nightspot nestled within the vibrant corridor of 125th Street, and adjacent to other renowned temples of talent, such as the nearby Apollo Theater (also one of the Festival’s partners). As a legendary residence in the global neighborhood of jazz, Showman’s is a fitting place to begin the week-long tribute to all the places and peoples that encompass the formative roots and future blossoms of jazz in Harlem.


Patience Higgins


Along the wall behind the bar, Eartha Kitt, Duke Ellington, and numerous other portraits of celebrated black musicians emphasized the immediacy of meaning for the venue as a sanctuary of sound. This immediacy also resonated strongly in the words of the featured speakers, which included Laura Greer (Vice President of Programming at the Apollo), Marcia Sells (Associate VP, Program Development and Initiatives at Columbia University), Pat Cruz (Executive Director of Harlem Stage), and Robin Bell-Stevens (President and CEO of Jazzmobile). When I spoke with Bell-Stevens, who is also the daughter of legendary jazz bassist Dr. S. Aaron Bell, she emphasized the importance of nurturing the spirit of the jazz, past and present, for the community and civic audience of Harlem. Pat Cruz reinforced these ideas in her reflections that we, as a cultural community, must “bring the music back home to Harlem,” and remember not just the heritage of the expression, but also our responsibility to recognize “who we owe.”

Marc Carey
Cruz also highlighted the staunch work of the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival in identifying distinguished artistic visionaries over the years, and stressed the essentiality of continuing these communal celebrations of the art form. Later, as I listened to the free-flowing, frothy notes from the Patience Higgins Trio, followed by Imani Uzuri’s soaring, celestial vocals, I was reminded of George Russell’s description of jazz as “an evolving classical music,” engaging us as individuals, and uniting our collective audio canvasses across the galaxy of sound.

The Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival will present abundant opportunities for the greater public to experience performances and dialogues from leading and emerging jazz innovators. Some highlights include Moseka House: The House that Abbey Built, a two night event celebrating the work of legendary jazz vocalist Abbey Lincoln featuring pianist Marc Cary with performances by Imani Uzuri, Kiyem Ade, Maggie Brown, and
Pyeng Threadgill (Thursday, May 9, and Friday, May 10, 7:30PM, Harlem Stage); Live Wire: Harlem’s Musical Legacy, a discussion hosted by Harlem historian, John Reddick (Thursday, May 9, 6:30PM, Apollo Theater); Tribute to the Baby Grand featuring Lezlie Harrison (Friday, May 10, 10PM, Apollo Theater); and Geri Allen & Friends Celebrate the Great Jazz Women of the Apollo which will also feature
Dianne Reeves

  Dianne Reeves (Saturday, May 11, 3PM and 8PM, Apollo Theater). Tickets to all events are $10 or free (some with a drink minimum). Visit the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival website (http://harlemjazzshrines.org/) for more information on how to experience this invigorating, once a year, journey into the soul and spirit of jazz in Harlem.

 Ada McElroy for Harlem One Stop /May 6, 2013    





  Tickets for many of the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival events are available now. For tickets and more information on the Festival and its partners, visit the Harlem Jazz Shrines' website at www.harlemjazzshrines.org and/or the organizations' websites at www.apollotheater.org, www.harlemstage.or and www.jazzmobile.org

Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival is made possible with generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts; Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg; the City of New York Theater Subdistrict Council; the New York City Regional Economic Development Council; the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council, including Council members Robert Jackson and Inez E. Dickens; and the New York State Council for the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

About the Apollo Theater

The Apollo Theater is one of Harlem's, New York City's, and America's most iconic and enduring cultural institutions. Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has played a major role in cultivating artists and in the emergence of innovative musical genres including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Throughout its history, the Apollo has been a champion of jazz and jazz musicians. From the historic night in 1934 when Ella Fitzgerald first won Amateur Night, to performances by Benny Carter, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Billie Holiday and Cab Calloway, the list of jazz greats who played the Apollo goes on and on. The Apollo Theater's new vision builds on its legacy and supports both artists and curators, who are African American and culturally diverse and emerging, mid-career and established in their career. The Apollo will continue to present historically relevant work and increase our presentations of more forward looking, contemporary work.

About Harlem Stage

Now in its 30th season, Harlem Stage has been one of the nation's leading arts organizations, having achieved particular distinction through commissioning and presenting innovative works by artists of color and facilitating a productive engagement with the communities it serves through the performing arts. Harlem Stage has a long-standing tradition of supporting artists and organizations around the corner and across the globe, including legendary artists such as Harry Belafonte, Max Roach, Sekou Sundiata, Abbey Lincoln, Sonia Sanchez, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente and contemporary artists such as Bill T. Jones, Vijay Iyer, Mike Ladd, Tania Léon, Carl Hancock Rux and Jason Moran. Its education programs each year provide 10,000 New York City children with access to a world of diverse cultures through the performing arts. In 2006, Harlem Stage opened its new home, the landmarked, award-winning Gatehouse - once the source of fresh water flowing to New York City, now a vital source of creativity, ideas and culture.

About Jazzmobile

Jazzmobile, Inc., America's oldest not-for-profit arts organization created just for jazz, was founded in 1964 by NEA Jazz Master Dr. Billy Taylor and Daphne Arnstein. Its mission is to present, preserve, promote, and propagate Jazz - "America's classical music." Jazzmobile pioneered the concept of Jazz lecture-demonstrations and mobile Jazz performances presented across New York City, and continues to serve as a model for other Jazz music presentation-focused organizations around the country. Jazzmobile reaches approximately 100,000 people in New York City each year, consisting of multi-ethnic audiences of all ages and socio-economic levels, including the disabled. In order to reach the largest possible audience, all of Jazzmobile's programming is presented at no or low-cost cost to participants. Other outreach includes instructional workshops and panels and symposia that provide a historical framework for Jazz and its significance to American culture.
About Columbia University in the City of New York

A leading academic and research university, Columbia continually seeks to advance the frontiers of knowledge and to foster a campus community deeply engaged in understanding and addressing the complex global issues of our time. Columbia's extensive public service initiatives, cultural collaborations, and community partnerships help define the University's underlying values and mission to educate students to be both leading scholars and informed, engaged citizens. Founded in 1754 as King's College, Columbia University in the City of New York is the fifth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. To learn more, visit www.columbia.edu
.

2013 Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival Calendar
All Tickets Start at $10, unless otherwise noted

Monday, May 6, 2013

5:00 pm - Columbia University presents Harlem Jazz Shrine Dialogues: Cotton Club in Black & White and Ann Petry: The Street - Harlem in the 1940s. Cowin Theater at Teachers College. Free.

7:00 pm - Jazzmobile presents Minton's Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand featuring A Conversation with Jimmy Heath and Stanley Crouch. One drink/appetizer minimum. Ginny's Supper Club at Red Rooster Harlem.

8:00 pm - Jazzmobile presents Minton's Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand featuring Jimmy Heath and Antonio Hart. One drink/appetizer minimum. Ginny's Supper Club at Red Rooster Harlem.

9:45 pm - Jazzmobile presents Monday Night Jam Session. Musicians welcome. One drink/appetizer minimum. Ginny's Supper Club at Red Rooster Harlem.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

7:30 pm - Jazzmobile presents Minton's Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand featuring Paul West Trio and Rashaan Carter Trio. One drink/appetizer minimum. Ginny's Supper Club at Red Rooster Harlem.

8:30 pm - Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night Jazz with Lakecia Benjamin & Soul Squad. Limited seating. Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set/per person. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Jazz Club.

10:00 pm - Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night Jazz with Lakecia Benjamin & Soul Squad. Limited seating. Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set/per person. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Jazz Club.

11:30 pm - Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night Jazz with Lakecia Benjamin & Soul Squad. Limited seating. Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set/per person. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Jazz Club.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

7:30 pm - Jazzmobile presents Minton's Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand featuring Junior Mance Trio and Christian Sands Trio. One drink/appetizer minimum. Ginny's Supper Club at Red Rooster Harlem.

7:30 pm - Harlem Stage presents Celebrating the Sugar Cane Club of Yesteryear featuring ERIMAJ and Fabian Almazan. Harlem Stage Gatehouse.

8:30 pm - Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night Jazz with Bill Easley. Limited seating. Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set/per person. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Jazz Club.

10:00 pm - Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night Jazz with Bill Easley. Limited seating. Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set/per person. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Jazz Club.

11:30 pm - Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night Jazz with Bill Easley. Limited seating. Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set/per person. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Jazz Club.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

10:00 am - Jazzmobile presents Jazz in the First Person: Fun with "The Duke" - Lecture, Lunch, Swing. Jazz historian/author/musician Loren Schoenberg hosts this performance, talk and interactive session for youth. Free. For Middle School students by invitation. The Alhambra Ballroom.

12:00 pm - Jazzmobile presents Swingin' Seniors. Lunch and performance hosted by Loren Schoenberg. Free. For Senior Citizens by invitation. The Alhambra Ballroom.

6:30 pm - Apollo Theater presents Live Wire: Harlem's Music Legacy, a discussion hosted by John Reddick. Free with registration. Apollo Theater.

7:00 pm - Serenade by Jazzmobile Vocal Competition Winner. Doors open at 6:00 pm. The Alhambra Ballroom.

7:30 pm - Harlem Stage, paying tribute to Clark Monroe's Uptown House, presents Marc Cary Celebrates Abbey Lincoln with "Moseka House: The House That Abbey Built." Abbey Lincoln's former pianist Marc Cary interprets Lincoln's compositions in solo and with his Focus Trio. Harlem Stage Gatehouse.

8:00 pm - Jazzmobile presents A Night of Swinging with the Cab Calloway Orchestra, a Big Band Dance Party. Cash Bar/ Food Available for purchase. The Alhambra Ballroom.

8:30 pm - Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night Jazz with Patience Higgins & Sugar Hill Quartet. Limited seating. Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set/per person. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Jazz Club.

10:00 pm - Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night Jazz with Patience Higgins & Sugar Hill Quartet. Limited seating. Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set/per person. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Jazz Club.

11:30 pm - Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night Jazz with Patience Higgins & Sugar Hill Quartet. Limited seating. Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set/per person. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Jazz Club.

Friday, May 10, 2013

7:30 pm - Harlem Stage, paying tribute to Clark Monroe's Uptown House, presents Marc Cary Celebrates Abbey Lincoln with "Moseka House: The House That Abbey Built." Abbey Lincoln's former pianist Marc Cary accompanies vocalists Keith Ailer, Maggie Brown, Pyeng Threadgill, and Imani Uzuri as they pay homage toMs. Lincoln. Harlem Stage Gatehouse.

9:00 pm - Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night Jazz with Doris Spears. Limited seating. Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set/per person. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Jazz Club.

10:00 pm - Apollo Theater presents Tribute to The Baby Grand with vocalist Lezlie Harrison. Apollo Music Café.

11:00 pm - Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night Jazz with Doris Spears. Limited seating. Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set/per person. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Jazz Club.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

11:00 am - Apollo Theater presents Family Showtime: The Sounds of Sarah Vaughan featuring Rosena Hill Jackson, Jason Jackson and the Jack & Hill Trio. Apollo Theater.

3:00 pm - Apollo Theater presents Geri Allen & Friends Celebrate the Great Jazz Women of the Apollo featuring Geri Allen & Timeline Tap Quartet, Dianne Reeves, Terri Lyne Carrington, Lizz Wright, Tia Fuller, Karen Malina White, Marvin Sewell, Dormeshia and Afro Blue. Staged by S. Epatha Merkerson, narrative by Farah Jasmin Griffin with Deejay Val Jeanty. Apollo Theater.

8:00 pm - Apollo Theater presents Geri Allen & Friends Celebrate the Great Jazz Women of the Apollo featuring Geri Allen & Timeline Tap Quartet, Dianne Reeves, Terri Lyne Carrington, Lizz Wright, Tia Fuller, Karen Malina White, Marvin Sewell, Dormeshia and Afro Blue. Staged by S. Epatha Merkerson, narrative by Farah Jasmin Griffin with Deejay Val Jeanty. Apollo Theater.

9:00 pm - Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night Jazz with Mel Davis. Limited seating. Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set/per person. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Jazz Club.

11:00 pm - Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night Jazz with Mel Davis. Limited seating. Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set/per person. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Jazz Club.

*Schedule and Artists Subject to Change

HARLEM JAZZ SHRINES FESTIVAL VENUES

THE ALHAMBRA BALLROOM
2116 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard at 126th Street
For information, call Jazzmobile: 212 866-4900
www.jazzmobile.org

APOLLO THEATER
253 W. 125th Street
(212) 531-5305
www.apollotheater.org

COWIN AUDITORIUM
Teacher's College
525 West 120th Street
(212) 678-3000
www.tc.columbia.edu

GINNY'S SUPPER CLUB (downstairs) at the Red Rooster Harlem
310 Lenox Avenue (between 125th & 126th Streets)
(212) 792-9001
ww.redroosterharlem.com


HARLEM STAGE GATEHOUSE
150 Covent Avenue at W. 135th Street
(212) 281-9240
www.harlemstage.org

SHOWMAN'S JAZZ CLUB
375 W. 125th Street (between Morningside & St. Nicholas Avenues
(212) 864-8941
www.showmansjazzclub.com

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