Category: Music

Music

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High School Nation donates more than $1.5 Million to improve the arts and music at High Schools in the US

High School Nation organized tours to High Schools around the Nation
High School Nation organized tours to High Schools around the Nation
High School Nation Donating Millions to Arts and Music Budgets as Schools See Huge Shortfall

Recording Studios to be Built in Every School

CAMARILLO, CA–(Marketwired – Apr 12, 2017) – High School Nation, the country’s largest secondary school touring music festival, will top the $1.5 million mark in donations to high school arts and music programs this year when it kicks off its 2017 60-city Festival Tour. The goal of High School Nation is to promote the arts and music programs in high schools across the country, and this year the Festival will expand its donation program to include the establishment of recording studios in each of the schools where it appears.

“We believe that building recording studios will be a major step forward in high school music programs,” says Jimmy Cantillon, CEO and co-founder of High School Nation. “High school teachers and principals are very excited about this addition to our program. It’s a huge undertaking but we have companies in the industry who see the value and want to participate in any way they can.”

During the Festival Tour, High School Nation will take over football stadiums on each of the campuses and present a two-hour concert and events that will celebrate the arts in public schools. In addition to music programs, the Festival supports journalism, film, fine and performing arts, fashion, photography, and stage production.

Corporate sponsorships for the Festivals are being provided by over a dozen companies including Sparkling Ice, Guitar Center, Crayola, and Mars. PepsiCo, Microsoft, and Sony have all participated in the tours. As part of the Festival, students will visit interactive zones to interact with products and educational programs including the truth Zone, the Full Sail University Media Zone, the Hollister Style Zone, Guitar Center Music Zone, and the Crayola Sidewalk Chalk Zone.

The Festival Tour kicks off next week and will feature platinum selling rock band Plain White T’s. “We’re stoked to be headlining the High School Nation 2017 spring tour,” said band member Tom Higgenson. “We love the idea of playing our music and at the same time being able to help High School Nation donate to public school music programs. We believe it is a very important time to be assisting music programs as much as possible.” The band originally formed in 1997 by high school friends Higgenson and Dave Tirio.

“We are excited to be joining the High School Nation tour for the second year,” say Nina Morrison, vice president PR and community relations, of Talking Rain Beverage Company, the makers of Sparkling Ice. “The arts are a very important pillar of the high school experience and we’re honored to be able to help support the various programs.”

In addition to the above, one of this year’s leading sponsors is Truth Initiative, a national public health organization that is inspiring tobacco-free lives and building a culture where all youth and young adults reject tobacco through the proven-effective and nationally recognized truth® public education campaign. “Young people are using their creativity, through arts and music, to change the world and that’s why being part of High School Nation is so important to truth. The teen smoking rate is down to a historic low of 6 percent and this tour is an opportunity for us to give teens the tools they need join us in getting the rate to zero, because we believe they are the generation that can end smoking for good,” says Eric Ashe, Chief Marketing Officer, Truth Initiative.

“We are extremely thrilled to partner with High School Nation with its mission to make the musical instruments easily accessible to students,” says Brian Berman, Vice President of Marketing at Guitar Center. “Ensuring people have a creative outlet to express themselves in the form of music is very important to us at Guitar Center. High School Nation is doing a great job of providing opportunities for children across the U.S. to experience the invaluable gift of learning and playing a musical instrument.”

“Consumers naturally associate Crayola tools with coloring; it made sense for us to embrace that association essentially with kids of all ages, including teens and tweens, and be there for them,” says Kimberly Rompilla, Director of Platform Marketing at Crayola. “We have been involved in new product introductions and new initiatives with High School Nation and this Spring, we are excited to provide a colorful twist to teen outdoor activities, helping kids to express themselves throughout the season.”

The tours also feature a number of young, emerging performers brought in by record labels that see the benefits in being a part of this movement. RCA, Capital, Warner Bros. Records, and DreamWorks, are among the half dozen labels that have participated in the success of the Festival Tours.

“At the center of our Festivals are performances by some of the music industry’s hottest young rising stars,” Cantillon adds. “It’s one of the only opportunities for record labels and consumer products companies to come together to entertain, engage, and give back.” High school students, who spend over $260 billion per year on consumer products, are a significant audience for both the music industry and corporate sponsors.

About High School Nation:

High School Nation keeps music and arts programs alive for students across the country with donations, equipment and facilities.

Our Festival and Concert Tours are the largest events in the nation donating recording studios, musical equipment and funding for schools through on-campus sponsored live music concerts, and hands on activities. To date we have provided nearly $2 million to more than 200 schools and 600,000 students across the country.

Our culture is built around the development of innovative activities with significant and lifelong impact on teens. Through HSN, teens gain the chance to make music and the arts a significant part of their personal and, in some cases, future professional lives. Schools receive much needed funding to continue their educational programs, recording artists gain exposure to their biggest fans and brands make favorable and trusted impressions on a huge, underserved group of young consumers.

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Nicolas Bearde’s China tour commences May 28, 2017 at Beijing National Theatre

Nicolas Bearde
Nicolas Bearde

Nicolas Bearde’s China debut performance wll be at the Beijing National Theatre on May 28, with sax legend Vincent Herring. Bassist and promoter for this event, Peng Ji, one of the new generation of Chinese Jazz musicians, received his degree in Jazz bass performance in the Netherlands, and his MA degree from Queens College in New York.

He has also studied with legendary musicians Ron Carter and Antonio Hart, and performed with James Moody, George Cable, Don Braden and the like.  The group also includes, pianist, Moreno Donadel, drummer, Anthony Vanacore and vocalist, Paulette McWilliams.

We wish Nicolas Bearde much enjoyment on his next new adventures in this part of the world.

What an amazing venue!

Beijing National Theatre
Beijing National Theatre

 

 

 

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Interview with world-renowned Musical Diva – N’Kenge

N'Kenge enchants Broadway Musical Audiences around the world
N’Kenge enchants Broadway Musical Audiences around the world

Recently we had the pleasure of a personal interview with N’Kenge, one of the most accomplished musical artists of this century.  Her accomplishments are too numerous to mention. First opera singer to win the Lena Horne Vocal Competition,  first opera singer to win the New York State talented teen, starred in the world tour of Man in the Mirror Tribute Show to Michael Jackson, starred on West End London in the production of the Genius of Ray Charles, was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for outstanding lead actress in arena stage’s production of 3 Mo Divas, she sang for Obama, Kofi Annan, Bill Clinton, did 140 shows in 2014 alone and received a proclamation from New York City Hall for her community work. Oh, she sings in 11 different languages.  So it is a genuine honor to have her give us a personal interview.  Enjoy!

What are your favorite upcoming projects?

I’ve started rehearsals this week for The Golden Apple musical which will be performed next month in the encore series at New York City Center. I’m excited to play the principal role of Mother Hare that doubles as Circe.

This summer will be filled with some exciting projects. In June, I will play the role of Tonya in a Showcase of the Broadway bound “54 The Musical.”

I also join Maestro Steve Reineke and the Philadelphia Orchestra in the concert Sophisticated Ladies/Ella Fitzgerald at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

What were your favorite performances?

Probably a combination of making my debut as Musetta in Puccini’s La Bohème at Virginia Opera and originating the role of Mary Wells in the Broadway’s MOTOWN: The Musical.

How did you get started in the entertainment industry?

I started singing at 10 years old at my elementary school in the Bronx PS 95. I landed the role of Patty in Snoopy, the Musical, and I got the music bug. All I ever wanted to do from that time onward was to sing and to make people happy through my music. I got a scholarship to get my Bachelor’s Degree at the Manhattan School of Music and a Master’s Degree at the Juilliard School. I was immediately singing with New York City Opera, Virginia Opera, and Seattle Opera once I graduated. Then I got cast in a show called 3 Mo Divas about opera singers who can sing in  eight styles of music. That was the show that transitioned me into the Musical Theater and Pop World.

You have classical training, do you miss performing classical music or do you still work on it?

I still perform classical music with symphonies around the world and was the lead in a Wagner Opera during a vacation break from MOTOWN: The Musical, on Broadway. Probably the first and last time I would ever perform Wagner immediately after doing an eight show week of Motown music. Ha, ha.

When did you realize you wanted to become a singer / performer?

At 10 years old. My fifth grade teacher gave me a chance to perform on stage, and I’ve been addicted ever since. My mom was a huge supporter and was giving me every opportunity to perform – once she realized I had this gift.

Do you have advice for any young people who dream to become singers.

Turning dreams into reality comes with a recipe of hard work, perseverance and passion. Stay focused and develop a circle of people that will support you. Music is a hard career to break into, but if it’s what you LOVE then every step of your journey is worth it.

N’Kenge is such an amazing woman, such an amazing artist, and a genuine role model for kids all around the world.  Learn more about her on her website:   www.nkengemusic.com

PERFORMANCE LINKS

FEVER- LIVE ON WEST END, LONDON in The Genius of Ray Charles

“DEFYING GRAVITY” AT IWF- Performed by N’Kenge

SKYFALL at the Legendary BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB in NYC

Enjoy more shows on her very own Youtube Channel.

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Artist Highlight – Shambhu

Shambhu released Soothe CD in February this year
Shambhu released Soothe CD in February this year

In today’s modern world, people are feeling more disconnected and stressed than ever. Shambhu transforms the stillness and silence of meditation into calming sounds. An acclaimed guitarist and composer, Shambhu delivers a deeply soulful and self-reflective experience with his third studio album, Soothe, was released on  February 1, 2017.

Shambhu recorded his new CD, “SOOTHE,” at Magic Cottage Studios (Lagunitas, CA) with producer Todd Boston. Artists featured on the CD include Shambhu on acoustic and electric guitars, Michael Manring on bass, Jeff Haynes on percussion, Frank Martin on piano, Paul McCandless on reeds, Premik Russell Tubbs on soprano sax and wind synth, George Brooks on soprano sax, Ravichandra Kulur on bansuri flute, Kristin Hoffmann on vocals, and Gurumurthy V on tabla.

As noted album reviewer, John Apice, states in his stellar review: “At first, unfamiliar ears will find this particular tune of Shambhu’s too dreamy. Upon closer listen it will reveal subtle instrumental nuances that weave equally beautifully as Reverberi, Morricone, and Kaemphert had — through every measure. This at least, is my interpretation and where I believe the greatness of Shambhu could possibly lie. If it becomes true, he would occupy quite a respectable space beside these musicians. “Time Travel,” has a sprightlier guitar — similar in nature to Pat Metheny — and the horns are smooth as silk. The strum of the acoustic guitars is Kaemphert in nature. But overall, the style is brilliantly developed by Shambhu – who plays acoustic and electric guitars, adds voice, tosses in a 6-string ukulele, e-sitar and e-pads.”

John Apice goes on to say: “The title track “Soothe,” opens with pristine and pensive acoustic guitar. At times this kind of music is similar to passages performed by The Moody Blues at their height. However, Shambhu is not just offering a sample, but an entire piece with female vocals just under the surface, soaring benevolently. The tone is similar to acoustic guitar master Leo Kottke and is intricately beautiful in the same way as many of his classic instrumentals.”  Full Article

Shambhu invites you into his “Soothe” sound scapes of perfect harmony. He provides an energetic field that is conducive for a deep meeting with your Self, a space and a time conducive to integrate your ID with your Higher Self. His spiritual music of Soothe, his knowledge of meditation, and expertise in harmonizing energies allows you to shed the stresses of every day life. Join him on this spiritual journey to get in tune again with Gaia Nature and your own Nature from a spiritual sense. Feel as mellow as though you were sitting on the beach in Maui, right in the heart of NYC or where ever you are burdened with a hectic schedule.

As a successful business man Shambhu (Neil) Vineberg knows all about the pressures of dealing with time, traffic, presentations, deadlines, family commitment, investments, health and changes in politics and trends. To stay calm and balanced Shambhu began at a very young age to learn how to meditate. He now will share his ability to harmonize his energy body with you to allow you to benefit from his many years of studying and practicing the spiritual teachings of the Sri Chinmoy, Jack Kornfield, and many more.

The Shambhu Harmonics allows you to breathe deep, let go of everyday stressors, smoothe out the wrinkles of the many challenges you face and allows you guilt free “me time” guiding you back to you centered self. Come join us and experience the harmony that is created when like-minded people join together and focus on peace and harmony. Give your heart and mind a tune-up on a cell level.  The next Shambhu Harmonics event will be held in San Diego on May 23rd at the Pilgrimage Yoga.  You may also enjoy his upcoming concerts at a variety of San Diego wineries.

To buy the CD visit Amazon, Itunes or your favorite store. It is also available on Spotify, or purchase it right on Shambhu’s store.

 

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Kerry Gordy’s Producer Midi Jones signs with multi-year contract with SyncStories

Kerry Gordy with Reggie Benjamin
Kerry Gordy with Reggie Benjamin 

LOS ANGELES, April 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — As a producer, engineer and musician, 23 year old, Midi Jones began making music at 12 and professionally at 18 years old under Motown Records legend Berry Gordy and his son, esteemed record exec Kerry Gordy. Growing up with notable industry family figures that included Norman Whitfield, (a Motown legend with hits including Marvin Gaye’s “Heard It Through the Grapevine” and The Temptations “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”), it’s no surprise that Midi developed an ear for a classic sound that would transform his evolving pop electronic style throughout his career.

SyncStories A&R & Operations Manager, Shannon Nicole Roc states, “I heard about a producer named Midi Jones and when I listened to his records, I knew I found a hidden gem.  The level of his production and the intensity of his sound was enough for me to know that SyncStories had to work with him.  I shared his music with our founder, Eric Vasquez, and SyncStories signed him immediately.”

SyncStories (LT-RT) Adam Le Blanc (A&R Manager), Shannon Nicole Roc (A&R Operations Manager), Midi Jones, Eric Vasquez (Head Of Creative | VP, A&R)
SyncStories (LT-RT) Adam Le Blanc (A&R Manager), Shannon Nicole Roc (A&R Operations Manager), Midi Jones, Eric Vasquez (Head Of Creative | VP, A&R)

 

As an in-demand emerging producer, Midi’s quickly becoming a “go-to” for major label artists. Recent releases include Jadagrace (Capitol Records), slated Smokey Robinson release (Motown Universal) and Avalon Young (American Idol Season XV top 8) featuring Xavier Omår which charted #2 on the iTunes R&B album charts and twice featured in Billboard. Midi is also a regular collaborator with songwriter, Sam Hook (The Game, Miley Cyrus, Nick Jonas) and worked on records for Kurupt, Brillz, Kyan, Esta (Soulection) and Ronnie DeVoe (New Edition, Bel Biv DeVoe).

In early 2017, SyncStories signed Midi to a multi-year publishing deal. The relationship began naturally through company A&R efforts in late 2016. With momentum and excitement beyond the horizon, 2017 is as bright as ever for this budding wonder kid.

About SyncStories:
SyncStories is a hybrid music group servicing TV, Film, Interactive Media and Commercial Recording Artists. The company’s activities include Music Publishing, Artist Management, A&R, Music Production, and Global TV & Film licensing operations as a commercial artist division of 5 Alarm Music – N. America.

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First Annual Philadelphia Jazz Festival, April 23 – 30

Headliners Include Terri Lyne Carrington, Madison McFerrin,
Bob Dorough, Jeff Bradshaw, Jaguar Wright,
Orrin Evans, Gerald Veasley, and more
Philadelphia Jazz Festval 2017
Philadelphia Jazz Festval 2017
The Bynum Brothers–Robert and Ben Bynum, creators of popular restaurants/jazz venues including SOUTH, Paris Bistro, RELISH,  Warmdaddy’s, as well as the former internationally recognized Zanzibar Blue–are proud to announce, in conjunction with Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, The Philadelphia Jazz Festival. The Festival, which will be presented as part of Jazz Appreciation Month, is set to take place in multiple venues across the city from Sunday, April 23 through Sunday, April 30.
The Bynum Brothers, have created a new non-profit organization whose mission is to support local, national, and internationally recognized artists. The festival will strive to create an impactful annual event that will resonate throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and to preserve and promote the emblematic jazz history of Philadelphia. “We support Philadelphia’s diverse pool of musicians 52 weeks a year in four different locations across the city,” explains Robert Bynum. “This Philadelphia Jazz Festival, along with the PJE, is about strengthening the fabric of our community and cultivating future generations of fans, artists, and jazz admirers.”
In their inaugural year, the Philadelphia Jazz Festival will present a comprehensive mix of artists across a broad musical spectrum. Multiple Grammy® Award-winning drummer and composer Terri Lyne Carrington; Madison McFerrin, daughter of Bobby McFerrin; original member of thefamed Saturday Night Live band Steve Turre; 93-year-old pianist/singer/composer Bob Dorough, and others will perform throughout the week while locals includingLil John Roberts, Jeff Bradshaw, and Jaguar Wright are also set to appear. The Philadelphia Jazz Festival will support the return engagement of esteemed alumnus and newly signed Mack Avenue Records recording artist Joey DeFrancesco (who recently received a star on the Philadelphia Walk of Fame) as part of a local All-Star band, Randy Brecker, E-Lew(Eric Lewis), and others. Pianist Orrin Evans and bassist Gerald Veasley, both of whom helped launch a pair of weekly series at SOUTH, are also slated to perform.
While the music certainly stands on its own, the Festival will also offer an important Education & Outreach component with several events throughout the week. Partnered with organizations such as the Kimmel Center, Jazz Lives Philadelphia, and Jazz Journeys, youths and seniors have been invited to attend a “Meeting with the Masters” program, various meet and greets, discussions, luncheons, and more with artists like Leon Jordon Sr., Orrin Evans, and Gerald Veasley.  The Festival will have a strong charity component targeting the Food Connect Group, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the North Broad Street Renaissance as beneficiaries of this year’s festival.
The Festival’s partnerships include the following venues: SOUTH, Chris’ Jazz Club, World Café Live, Warmdaddy’s, RELISH, The Philadelphia Clef Club, The Paris Bistro, Ardmore Music Hall, and the new Michael Nutter Theater at the Philadelphia Convention Center amongst others. Sponsors and supporters for the festival include Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, PECO, Stella Artois, Brown Foreman, Promixo Beverage, Penn Beer, Breakthru Beverage, Southern Wines & Spirits, among others.
For a full schedule of events please go to
Shared from Press Release by D.L. Media
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An evening with Rolando Morales and Carlos Reyes at Sausalito Seahorse, March 25, 2017

Full Rolando Morales Band will perform at Sausalito Seahorse March 25, 2017
Full Rolando Morales Band will perform at Sausalito Seahorse March 25, 2017

Saturday March 25, “An Evening with Rolando Morales and Carlos Reyes,” Sausalito Seahorse, 305 Harbor Drive, Sausalito, approx. 8:30-11:30pm.  After months away, these two passionate musicians finally return to The Seahorse to put on their unique show at this fun waterfront restaurant and club.  The great Paraguayan harpist/violinist Carlos Reyes and passionate guitarist/vocalist Rolando Morales will play a short set in duet to close out the dinner hour, followed by a concert and dancing to the World Class Rolando Morales Group featuring from the Gregg Rolie Band, the exciting bassist Gary Brown; from Brazil, the amazing drummer from Airto and Steve Winwood, Celso Alberti; from Rubén Blades and Dizzy Gillespie, Nicaraguan Latin percussionist/vocalist Danilo Paíz; from Paraguay, the thrilling violinist and harpist from Arturo Sandoval and Steve Miller, Carlos Reyes; and the powerful Rolando Morales leading the journey on guitar, guitar synthesizer and vocals.   Don’t miss it!   $15.  Make your  reservations at (415) 331-2899. www.sausalitoseahorse.com

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Project Freedom will be performed at Yoshi’s in Oakland May 24 & Kumbaya in Santa Cruz May 25

Project Freedom by Joey DeFrancesco out now!
Project Freedom by Joey DeFrancesco out now!
An homage to John Lennon opens Project Freedom with a gorgeous snippet of “Imagine” (Prelude) with a soaring tribute to J. Rosamond Johnson’s uplifting composition, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” rounding out the purifying package.   DeFrancesco’s new Project Freedom band, The People–a unit he’s currently touring the world with–helps him to see and feel things in a radically different manner than the past.
There’s in-the-pocket drummer Jason Brown who nearly got pigeonholed playing “straight Philly Joe Jones style; nothing wrong with that,” until DeFrancesco helped set him free. There’s guitarist Dan Wilson who has that “George Benson-Wes Montgomery-Grant Green thing down cold, and he comes out of the church, so that’s part of his thing too.”
Joey DeFrancesco
Joey DeFrancesco
DeFrancesco wanted to add a good solid saxophonist to the band for some time, and he found one in Troy Roberts, the man behind the tenor and soprano saxophones on tunes such as the alluringly intuitive “Better Than Yesterday.”
From self-penned titles such as “Karma” and “Peace Bridge,” DeFrancesco is telling a story of love, humanity and positivity at a time of overwhelming negativity, to spread goodness when the news runs rampant with stories of brutality, violence and prejudice.
One song that’s become a centerpiece within the ideology of Project Freedom is the quartet’s lustrous cover of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a song DeFrancesco began improvising as an encore for his 2003 appearance at the Detroit Jazz Festival. “The crowd was perfect, the weather was perfect, the song just came out of me and the next thing you know the crowd is swaying, men took their hats off and women began to cry. Me too. It was a truly sanctified experience where we all became one, transcending music and melody. I wanted to relive that story, that feeling, on Project Freedom.”
Joey DeFrancesco,  is a modern-day avatar of the Hammond B3 organ and the Philadelphia history he shares with his principle instrument. Organ-based blues and jazz started in Philly and DeFrancesco is the first to tell you so.  His  bluesy, blustery sensibility is shared with the men in his family: saxophonist/grandfather Joseph DeFrancesco, and his father–organist “Papa” John DeFrancesco. Jazz lovers also dig DeFrancesco’s second instrument, the trumpet, and the inspiration gleaned from his first big boss, Miles Davis–with whom DeFrancesco gigged when the organist was in his late teens.
DeFrancesco stopped by the City of Brotherly Love to receive a star on the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame alongside local giants such as Coltrane, Dizzy and Nina Simone.
Being a frequent flyer with a globe-hopping world touring schedule has given DeFrancesco insight into differing–but not opposing–viewpoints that he longed to espouse through music. “I always thought that as touring musicians, we were spreading peace. No matter what happens in the world, we keep playing. In a lot of the so-called forbidden places too.
When we’re there, through war and conflict, problems melt away through music. We’re playing for these people, hanging out with them, and we all come together and we’re grooving with each other because of the music. That is true freedom. Music is true freedom.”
Joey DeFrancesco & The People · Project Freedom
Mack Avenue Records · Release Date: March 10, 2017
 
For more information on Joey DeFrancesco, please visit JoeyDeFrancesco.com
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A star is born, Celia Bullwinkel’s first independent video Sidewalk is a winner.

Celia Bullwinkel, creator of Sidewalk
Celia Bullwinkel, creator of Sidewalk

Celia Bullwinkel is perfect for these days as women awaken to the fact that we need to accept ourselves, whether or not men accept us for who we are or who they want us to be.

Such an honest and fun video for women… by Celia Bullwinkel

Sidewalk from Celia Bullwinkel on Vimeo.

Celia Bullwinkel is an accomplished animator

Celia Bullwinkel is an animator who lives and works in New York City. She has worked on feature films (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Chicago 10, Hair High), TV shows (Little Bill, MTV’s Friday, Ugly Americans, Wonder Pets), and far too many commercial projects.

“Alpha’s Bet,” her music video collaboration with visual artist Rammellzee, was exhibited in 2011 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. She is a faculty member at the School of Visual Arts animation department, and teaches at the Fashion Institute of Technology’s MFA Illustration program. Sidewalk is her first independent film. She collaborated with composer and jazz artist Joshua Moshier, who is a rising star in his own right.

Joshua Moshier as the composer for her new shortfilm was a great choice

Her collaboration with Josh has certainly given the animation a lot of “legs.” 🙂

Josh has contributed his musical voice to a number of bands including trumpeter Marquis Hill’s Blacktet and the Moshier-Lebrun Collective with saxophonist Mike Lebrun. His music has been profiled on NPR’s JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater and cited by the Chicago Tribune for “considerable lyric grace and compositional forethought.” Josh premiered his extended work, The Studs Terkel Project at the Chicago Cultural Center, commissioned by Chamber Music America’s New Works program and inspired by the writing of the oral historian Studs Terkel. Josh has also worked as a sideman with Milton Suggs, Larry Brown, John Moulder and Dara Tucker. With Mike Lebrun he has released Joy Not Jaded (OA2 Records) and The Local Colorists (Digital EP). Most recently, Josh led a quintet featuring Marquis Hill, John Wojciechowski, Dana Hall and Clark Sommers for a three-night run in Chicago.

Learn more about this delightful duo by visiting: Celia Bullwinkel and Joshua Moshier.

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French Laundry trained Chef Sedlacek delights Jazz Fans at the Blue Note Napa

Spyro Gyra in Huntington, NY ©2012 Brian Friedman
Spyro Gyra in Huntington, NY ©2012 courtesy Brian Friedman

Fulfill your dreams and enjoy intimate shows with amazing performers like Spyro Gyra, Yellow Jackets, Sandy Cressman, Kenny G., and Sacha Boutros, David Benoit Trio, and many more.

Yellow Jackets
Yellow Jackets

Blue Note Napa is a jazz club/gourmet restaurant offers an intimate atmosphere with room for only 150 guests.  The stage is so close to you that you feel as if the performers are playing in your very own living room in the historic Napa Valley Opera House.

Chef Sedlacek brings a level of creativity, an enthusiasm for fine cuisine and a respect for local ingredients that we believe will amaze the local culinary world and make The Blue Note Napa’s restaurant a destination for foodies who don’t even care about the jazz.

The Blue Note Napa is located on the first floor of the Napa Valley Opera House and is a jazz club and restaurant where patrons can enjoy performances of major world-renown artists and as well as local artists alike in an intimate environment. Our club seats less than 150 people. Patrons feel as though they can literally reach out and touch the artist! It is like having an artist playing right in your own living room.

Aside of world famous performers the Blue Note Napa offers a full menu, wine and cocktail list.  Enjoy the booths which are strictly reserved for groups of four or more.  If you come with a date or alone you can enjoy the show at a table or from the bar.

The management is committed to carry on the 35-year Blue Note intimate jazz club experience whilst mixing in Napa’s charm and commitment to great food, beverages and service to create a unique environment different than you will find elsewhere in Napa Valley.

Learn more about the Blue Note Napa here.  More

 

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At C’era Una Volta, a romantic night of Italian Food and Opera in Alameda this Sunday, February 19, 2017

Clarissa Lyons by Marielle Hayes
Clarissa Lyons by Marielle Hayes

Why don’t you create one of the most romantic follow ups for your successful Valentine’s effort and bring your loved one to one of the most romantic settings in the Bay Area.  The quaint family atmosphere with amazing art by a word famous artist, whose paintings hang in the San Francisco Opera as well as all over Europe, is complimented by fantastic food, impeccable services which allows you to make your sweet heart feel like a princess or queen, or prince or king as the case maybe.   Being served by people who take pride in giving you a genuine old-world pleasure will create long term happy memories for you both. And if you have been married for along time, you may want to bring your grand children and introduce them to opera in a way that will open up their hearts to the finer things in life.

In 2014 Open Tables voted C’era Una Volta the Best Bay Area Italian restaurant.  It is located on 1332 Park Street, in Alameda and offers parking in the rear of the building.

This weekend there is a fundraiser that provides world class opera singers performances, a four course meal, and the first glass of wine for the small price of  a $95 per person of which $45 will given to the James Toland Vocal Arts programs.  The program cultivates and supports talents who aspire a professional career as vocal performers.

The Artists
Clarissa Lyons – rising star soprano

She will make her Metropolitan Opera debut as Karolka in Janá?ek’s Jen?fa in October of 2016 and will sing Countess Ceprano in Verdi’s Rigoletto in January and April 2017.

Clarissa Lyons by Marielle Hayes
Clarissa Lyons by Marielle Hayes

Ms. Lyons was vocal fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center in both 2011 and 2012.  Highlights from those residencies include performances Ravel’s Trois Poemes de Stephane Mallarmé, Prokofiev’s Ugly Duckling, Chausson’s Chanson Perpetuelle, Monteverdi’s Lamento d’Arianna, and excerpts of Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride with Susan Graham and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She and pianist Bretton Brown have appeared in recital at Opera America’s National Opera Center, the WMP Concert Hall in New York City, and the Sunset Center in Carmel, California in the Winner’s Recital for the Carmel Music Society. Ms. Lyons has appeared as a soloist with the UC Berkeley University Chorus, with the Vermont Philharmonic, and San Francisco Choral Society at Davies Symphony Hall in their performance of Mendelssohn’s  Elijah featuring Rod Gilfry.  More

Arnold Livingston Geis – rising star Tenor

Arnold Livingston Geis, tenor, is a Los Angeles based musician and performer originally from Washington State. Geis began his career in Southern California as a church soloist. In 2013 marked Geis’ first season as a chorister in Los Angeles Opera’s performances of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman. He has since performed on the Dorothy Chandler stage in favorites such as Carmen, La Traviata, and Billy Budd.

Geis  sings with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, an opportunity that has lead him to appear at the Walt Disney Concert Hall as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, and Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis. Geis’ most recent stage credits include Cavaliere Belfiore in Il viaggio a Reims, Chevalier in Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites, Laurie Lawrence in Little Women, and Ferrando in Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte.

He is honored to have worked under the esteemed conductors Gustavo Dudamel, Michael Tilson Thomas, James Conlon, and Grant Gershon. An active session singer, Geis’ voice can be heard in recent blockbusters such as After Earth, Maze Runner, Godzilla, The Rise of the Planet of the Apes, 50 Shades of Grey, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He holds a BM in vocal performance from Biola University and graduated with his MM in vocal arts from The University of Southern California.

Clara Osowski – Mezzo Soprano

Clara Osowski’s recently completed the Vancouver International Song Institute, the International Workshop on the songs of Edvard Grieg in Bergen, Norway, and traveled to Tours, France to attend the Académie Francis Poulenc. She was also featured in the 2014 Baldwin-Wallace Art Song Festival, in Berea, Ohio and competed in the 2014 International Vocal Competition in s’Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. In 2015, she was the only American to reach the finals of the Das Lied competition under the direction of Thomas Quasthoff in Berlin, Germany. This past October Clara was a finalist in the Liederkranz Foundation in New York City. Numerous festivals have introduced Clara to a number of international artists and art-song masters, including Graham Johnson, Felicity Lott, Francois Le Roux, Julius Drake, Irwin Gage, and Richard Stokes.

Clara Osokowski at the Indiana State Contemporary Music Festival
Clara Osokowski at the Indiana State Contemporary Music Festival

James Kallembach’s Songs on Letters of John and Abigail Adams with the Lydian Quartet on the occasion of the Adams’ 250th wedding anniversary at their historic home in Quincy, Massachusetts, and Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the Bel Canto Chorus of Milwaukee. In addition to her solo work, she participates in a number of ensembles, including Consortium Carissimi, Lumina Women’s Ensemble, the Rose Ensemble and Seraphic Fire.  More

Austin Siebert

Baritone-Austin Siebert just completed the Merola Opera Program and performed the roles of Mr. Gobineau in Menotti’s The Medium and Marco in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. Siebert also covered Dr. Malatesta in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale. Additional recent engagements include outreach with the Dallas Opera as Belcore in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, Mustafá in Rossini’s L’italiana in Algeri with Seagle Music Colony, and the German General in Kevin Puts’ Silent Night with Fort Worth Opera Festival. Austin recently earned a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance at the University of North Texas, where he was seen as Dappertutto/Coppélius in Offenbach’s Les contes d’Hoffmann, Pritschitsch in Lehár’s Die lustige Witwe, and the title role in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. Mr. Siebert received his bachelors from Northwestern University and is a native of Shelbyville, IN.

 

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Rolando Newsletter

January 3, 2017

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in.  A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.  ~Bill Vaughan

¡Feliz Año Nuevo, Mi Gente!

I have the impression a lot of us stayed up to ensure the old year left.  We made it through a wild, tough year together. We said goodbye to too many beloved cultural icons; from Prince to Bowie to Ali and too many others, from early January to just a week ago, as well as to too many friends and family.  We witnessed turmoil and political resistance in the streets and welcomed in a new American protectionist leadership who’s message is thinly veiled in racism.  I lost my vision in my right eye and just recently gained most of it back.  We’ll all need to keep two good eyes open on this new year!  Let’s hope for the best, but speak out loudly when the time warrants.

I’m starting my first week of the year with three nice public appearances, all at locations I haven’t seen in a while.  This Thursday Jan 5, I return to Piacere in downtown San Carlos from 8-11pm.  We had a blast there closing out 2016 with many Peninsula friends I hadn’t seen in years.  Lots of great energy, singing and dancing.  Let’s keep the ball rolling and swing by!  Details below.

Then on Friday January 6, after three months away, I finally return to Maria, Maria in Walnut Creek from approx 6-9pm.  Time flies when you’re busy…  Let’s reconnect!   Details below.

And on Saturday January 7, after FOUR months away, I finally return to Maria, Maria in Danville, also approx 6-9pm.  This is my shout-out to my Far East Bay friends.  Swing by!  Details below.

Remember too, to make your reservations for Saturday January 14, “An Evening with Rolando Morales and Carlos Reyes” at the Sausalito Seahorse with our World Class band.  We’ll have my musical monsters ready to go: bassist David Belove; Latin percussionist/vocalist and Grammy winner Omar Ledezma; Brazilian drummer Celso Alberti; and of course Paraguayan harpist/violinist Carlos Reyes and Yours Truly on guitar, guitar synth and vocals.  It’s next week, so make your reservations now.  Details below.

Here’s the rest of your brand new January Calendar.    See you at the show!

Ciao,

Rolando

PUBLIC PERFORMANCES FOR JANUARY 2017 

Thursday Jan 5, Piacere, 727 Laurel Street, San Carlos, CA 9070, 8-11pm.  After almost 4 years away, Rolando finally returns for a set of appearances at this fine Peninsula restaurant that takes you on a culinary tour of Italy.  Rolando will take you on a sensory tour of the Americas and beyond on solo guitar and voice.  Come along for the ride.  www.piacererestaurant.com, (650) 592-2040.

Friday Jan 6, Maria, Maria Cantina, 1470 North Broadway, Walnut Creek, approx 6-9pm. After almost 3 months away, Rolando finally returns to Carlos Santana’s Walnut Creek tavern to perform on solo guitar and voice in the Restaurant Room.  Flautist Bob Harrison may sit in.  Swing by and greet the New Year with old and new friends!  (925) 820-2366, www.mariamariarestaurants.com.

Saturday Jan 7, Maria, Maria Cantina, 710 Camino Ramon Road, Danville CA, approx 6-9pm.  After almost 4 months away, Rolando finally returns for a rare Saturday night at Carlos Santana’s  elegant Danville location.  Bring friends and let’s welcome the New Year together.  Who knows when I’ll be back!  (925) 820-2366, www.mariamariarestaurants.com.

Saturday Jan 14, “An Evening with Rolando Morales and Carlos Reyes,” Sausalito Seahorse, 305 Harbor Drive, Sausalito, approx 8:30-11:30pm.  After months away, these two passionate musicians finally return to The Seahorse to put on their unique show at this fun waterfront restaurant and club.  The great Paraguayan harpist/violinist Carlos Reyes and passionate guitarist/vocalist Rolando Morales will play a short set in duet to close out the dinner hour, followed by a concert and dancing to the World Class Rolando Morales Group featuring from the Pete Escovedo Orchestra, the rock-solid bassist David Belove; from Brazil, the amazing drummer from Airto and Steve Winwood, Celso Alberti; Grammy-winning Latin percussionist/vocalist Omar Ledezma; from Paraguay, the thrilling violinist and harpist from Arturo Sandoval and Steve Miller, Carlos Reyes; and the powerful Rolando Morales leading the journey on guitar, guitar synthesizer and vocals.   Don’t miss it!   $15.  Make your  reservations at (415) 331-2899. www.sausalitoseahorse.com

Saturday Jan 21, Pairings Cellars, 310 Main Street, Pleasanton CA 94566, 8-11pm.  Rolando returns to this new, exciting social hotspot in downtown Pleasanton.  This new wine bar features fine wines, tapas and Rolando Morales performing his broad repertoire on solo guitar and voice.  Free! www.pairingscellars.com, (925) 398-8846.

Thursday Jan 26, Piacere, 727 Laurel Street, San Carlos, CA 94070, 8-11 pm.  Rolando returns to this fine Peninsula restaurant that takes you on a culinary tour of Italy.  Rolando will take you on a sensory tour of the Americas and beyond on solo guitar and voice in the fun, lively bar area.   www.piacererestaurant.com, (650) 592-2040.