Dizzy News

Music lovers paid homage to jazz royalty Tuesday night at the Rochester International Jazz Festival.

THE PRESIDENT: Welcome to the East Room of the White House. I welcome members of my Cabinet and my administration; a music lover, Senator Orrin Hatch from the great state of Utah; distinguished guests.

One reason the jazz festival works so well here is because the Rochester audience normally has very good taste.

The Monterey Jazz Festival is the longest running jazz festival in the world. It is held annually on the 20-acre, oak-studded Monterey Fairgrounds, located at 2000 Fairground Road in Monterey, California. via All About Jazz

“Gillespie was using many of the modes and scales of that Messaien was using at the time. I found that incredible.”

The 'Mission Impossible' theme is his calling card, but composer Lalo Schifrin's career spans jazz, tango and the movies. via Telegraph.co.uk

Max Roach was born Jan. 10, 1924, on the outskirts of North Carolina's Great Dismal Swamp in the township of Newland. via NPR

“She has a powerful voice, the ability to hold long notes without wavering, and a knack for making every song sound bluesy. Antoinette Montague's delivery is heartfelt, infectious and memorable.”

BillyTaylor and Antoinette Montague Blue Smoke :: Jazz Standard Winard Harper Sextet 116 East 27th Street, NYC 10016 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm 212-576-2232 www.bluesmoke.com Sunday, March 9, 2008 Bill Easley Quartet ... via Press Release News From 24-7 Press Re...

“It was like he had taken a wrecking ball / and SMASHED IN / The House of Jazz, / 'til the walls came tumbling down.”

Previously, on Black History Month Picture Books, we covered the earlier part of African American history with fiction and non-fiction books that were educational while telling a good story. via Foreword

A man accused of assaulting former Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie has had his bail revoked after his parents refused to have him in their home. via The Age

February is Black History Month. Black History Month is an excellent time to share books, music and other resources that celebrate notable African Americans. via Associated Content

Rifftides Readers sometimes send useful tips. Here are three: Pianist Emil Viklick called our attention to this YouTube clip of him and two other Czech musicians sitting in with Dizzy Gillespie's band in a 1990 ... via Rifftides

“Make little songs when you play”

Sharp Nine Records A teacher at Cambridge, Massachusetts' New School of Music when he's not leading singer Annie Ross' band, pianist Tardo Hammer has backed up stalwarts including Lou Donaldson and Abbey ... via All About Jazz

BORN on February 10, 1933, Derek Kidd ran the family business of James F Kidd for more than 50 years. via Scotsman.com Living

“You'd be surprised how many people write and offer to be on”

Marian McPartland interviews musician Ramsey Lewis in a 2004 taping of 'Piano Jazz.' The Marian McPartland file IF YOU GO: USC Symphony, with pianist Marian McPartland ON THE PROGRAM: "A Portrait of Rachel ... via The State

“A lot of time, it's people I never heard of.”

Marian McPartland already has plans for her birthday next March.

She'll be playing piano at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, a New York jazz venue named for her friend, the great trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie, who was born in Cheraw. She'll probably be joined by friends she's made over her long career, especially those who have appeared on 'Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz.'

McPartland will be celebrating her 90th birthday; 'Piano Jazz,' a National Public Radio program created and produced by ETV Radio, will be approaching its 30th anniversary and 700th show. Read more

“The big band was on stage with wheels, and Benny Goodman was playing with a small group”

J azz's hall of fame is full of artists so well known that a single name is enough to evoke their legacy, from Satchmo, Duke and Count to Miles, Dizzy and Ella. via Metro Santa Cruz

Profile America - Sunday, October 21st. Today marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of one of America's most influential jazz trumpeters - John Birks Gillespie, known to fans the world over as "Dizzy." He was ... via Lincoln Tribune

George Wein - Published: October 17, 2007 George Wein & The Newport All-Stars Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola Jazz At Lincoln Center New York City, New York Tuesday, October 2, 2007 The avuncular George Wein is beaming ... via All About Jazz

SOUTH Australia trails Victoria by 189 runs after being dismissed for 249 at the Adelaide Oval this afternoon. via AdelaideNow...

“Dominated by individual highlights as opposed to any one main event, this year's festival was peppered throughout with memorable musical peaks.”

Duke Ellington Jazz Festival 2007 Washington, D.C. September 9-17, 2007 Completing its third year, the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival has inarguably established its presence in Washington, D.C. Once again filling ... via All About Jazz