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co-authors Junko Kawaii / Edie Okamoto Angela Bofill known as a R&B, Soul, and Jazz vocalist. Whenever she ventured into Jazz she enchanted audiences with her distinctive and clear voice. Angela no longer performs since she is now partially paralyzed. She was released from intensive care on January 15, 2009. She now is working hard …
Ranie Smith, Executive Director of the UC Jazz Club, honored Stanley Jordan at one of the first Ranie’s Jazz Salon functions. He held the function at Jim Dennis Photography Studio. Everyone had a wonderful time and I encourage you to get in touch with us to be put on this special invitation list. The gatherings are for UC Jazz Club members and the press only. Lloyd Gregory and Rolando Morales were present at the function to honor Stanley Jordan.
“The music field was the first to break down racial barriers, because in order to play together, you have to love the people you are playing with, and if you have any racial inhibitions, you wouldn’t be able to do that.” ~ Oscar Peterson Internationally renowned jazz pianist Oscar Peterson was called the “Maharaja of …
“If you play a tune and a person don’t tap their feet, don’t play the tune. “ Count Basie by Ranie Smith Count Basie was regarded as one of the most important bandleaders of the swing era. He lived from August 21, 1904 to April 26, 1984. Basie led his popular Count Basie Orchestra for …
“The joy and passion I get when I touch a piano from the instrument has never changed” Frank Martin Frank Martin, a producer/arranger is a sought after piano and keyboards player who regularly performs with artists such as Sting, Stevie Wonder, Patti Austin, Narada Michael Walden, etc. Frank Martin made himself available for an interview for our …
by Ranie Smith, Executive Director of the UC Jazz Club “The UC Jazz Club wishes to thank all its members and the community at large for your continued support. “ “An Evening at Yoshi’s “ On November 12, 2007 the UC Jazz Ensembles performed their First Annual Fundraising Concert. The performance was stellar. Ted Moore, …
Innovator From the Deep Once in a while a Jazz musician comes along and changes the course and direction of music, an instrumentalist that takes his instrument into a new direction that [all those] others after him follow like a beacon. These innovators, to name a few, include: Charlie Parker on alto sax, Wes Montgomery …
Frankye Kelly: “I wanted to sing jazz because of its freedom and because that way I could express myself the way I wanted. I studied jazz not only to learn the music but to learn about myself. I didn’t want to listen too closely to singers because I didn’t want to copy anyone, so instead I listened constantly to Miles Davis. I always loved the way he played. He would take his time, not rushing into it, and he played with a lot of feeling.”
“Music is a fair and glorious gift of God. I am strongly persuaded that after theology there is no art that can be placed on the same level with music.” Steve Campos favorite quote is by religious founder Martin Luther Steve Campos, teaches Trumpet for Big Band Mr. Campos has performed with Stan Kenton, Woody …
When he is not recording and gigging, Zinn is teaching the best and the brightest jazz musicians in the country. He is the Director of Jazz Studies at the California State University East Bay, the Director of the San Francisco Jazz Festival High School All Star Combo, on the faculty of the University of California at Berkeley, The California Jazz Conservatory, and taught at the Brubeck Institute. Zinn’s private studio is home to a list of multiple winners of full scholarships to schools such as the Boston Berklee School of Music, winners of the Jimmy Lyons Award, winners of the Downbeat best high school and college musician awards, winners of Thelonious Monk Institute scholarships, Grammy Band participants, and countless all star band members for famous jazz festivals. Some of his students include Dayna Stephens, Mark Zelesky, Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, Albert Baliwas, Jill Ryan, Natalie Cressman, Remy LeBoef, Pat Carroll, Hitomi Oba, Jesse Scheinen, Ben Flocks, and Kenny Shanker. He has directed Ambrose Akinmusire, Justin Brown, and Elena Pinderhughes in student ensembles.
Ted Moore creates the UC Jazz Club to infuse his department with community spirit and to share his students’ talent with the Bay Area Community! Mr. Moore is head of the prestigious Jazz Department at UC Berkeley. Aside from his administrative duties he offers his skills as the Percussion Director of UC Jazz Ensembles Advanced Combo II, …
“Sometimes when you start losing detail, whether it’s in music or in life, something as small as failing to be polite, you start to lose substance. ” Benny Goodman Benny Goodman, the King of Swing by Ranie Smith Benjamin David Goodman was born on May 30, 1909 in Chicago, Illinois to immigrants David Goodman and Dora Grisinsky Goodman. …
Why and how to reach us. With RioVida, artists enjoy public exposure and we create fun, effective commercial tie-ins with content and/or events that improve public exposure for your preferred causes. Reach us via Facebook or send us your music links, photos you wish to have reviewed, stories, and questions by connecting via email edie.okamoto@riovida.net or text us …
Confirmed headliners for the Oakland Art + Soul Festival include Jonah Melvon and Adesha ─ R&B/conscious hip hop artists and siblings from Oakland on Saturday ─ and Victor’s Village, a special showcase featuring musicians who loved and worked with Victor, curated by Bay Area hip hop artists SOL Development on Sunday.
Omar Sosa is the master of finding new musical arrangements and instrumental combinations. He is completely free in his compositions of music, rhythms, and sounds. In January 2019, Sosa and Morelenbaum, released a new CD, Es:sensual, which features the latters vivid arrangements from Omar’s previous Musicall successes including selections from Free Roots (1997), Mulatos (2004), …