East of the River Distinguished Artist Award Application Application Form Dennis Turner June 15, 2012
East of the River Distinguished Artist Award Application for 2012
Name: Dennis Tyrelle Turner Street Address: 1414 Bangor St SE City, State, Zip: Washington, DC 20020 Phone: (202)246‐2109 Email: [email protected] Website or blog: www.mrdturner.com How long have you lived East of the River? (To be an eligible, at least 1 year from today’s date) 25 years Please submit the following in hard copy* (email submissions will not be accepted):
• One to two page description of artist career and its impact • Resume or CV • Two letters of support • A document or proof of residency East of the River for at least one year • CD or DVD with examples of work, submitted as outlined below depending on artist’s medium:
o visual (2D or 3D) work: up to 15 images o performance (dance, theater or music) o art: video/audio excerpt not exceeding 4 minutes o poetry: 3‐5 poems not exceeding 6 pages o prose: 10‐20 pages
*please include digital copies of ALL written application materials on the CD or DVD
Submit by mail to Beth Ferraro / Creative Director 1227 Good Hope Road SE Washington DC 20020 Or in person: Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road SE Washington DC 20020
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East of the River Distinguished Artist Award Application Artist Description: Career & Impact Dennis Turner June 15, 2012
Dennis Turner’s mark on the music scene in Washington D.C. is very much like the instrument he plays. Bass is known for adding a sense of presence and depth to music. While he has performed internationally, he loves playing at home and supporting the soul artist community. Of the five albums he’s worked on this year alone, four are by artists who reside in Washington, DC. His stage name is simply “Mr. Turner” a name given to him by his peers reflecting his proper style and sense of fashion. He has been playing on the DC scene for over a decade now and his music has been heard all over the world.
Mr. Turner, is indeed one of Washington D.C.'s most prominent Producers, Bassists and Musical Directors. He's a key player on the Indie Soul scene and a leader of the 'Real Music Movement'. Co- Founder of the Group YamamaNym, current Music Director for DC Leading Soul Band M.U.D.D. (Musical Under Divine Direction), and Founder of the Jazz Fusion group Distinction.
Imagine the eccentric sounds of Jaco Pastorious, the eclectic playing style of Matthew Garrison, the innovative creations of Richard Bona, the absolute craziness of Bootsy Collins, and the emotional display of Jimmy Haslip. That is the only way one could begin to describe the enormous sound coming from Dennis’ six-string bass. His playing has been described as “magical,” simply because he has developed a method that embraces all that he has heard and learned.
Mr. Turner's skill is advanced and extremely technical, having been formally trained under the tutelage of Bassist and Educator Yusef Chisholm and Kenneth Dickerson, another artist that grew up east of the river. These early years gave Turner a musical foundation based in hard work and creativity. It was while studying under his musical father, Mr. Chisholm that Dennis learned to use his instrument as a voice. Before college Dennis learned to play trumpet, trombone, mellophone, and baritone. When he got to bass, at age 14, he knew this was the instrument for him. At Norfolk State University, on a full music scholarship, guitarist Ken Dorsey trained him.
One of the most versatile bass players in the DC Metropolitan area, Mr. Turner, plays with the best. He has been seen hitting with some of the most notorious hip-hop and soul artists Conya Doss, Julie Dexter, Avery Sunshine, Calvin Richardson, Gordon Chambers to the more well-known jazz musicians. This year he played on NPR’s Tell Me More with Frederic Yonnet, a talented harmonica player. He’s had the opportunity to start expanding into teaching and helping music students better define a career path after college marching band is over. His experiences are also coming together in the form of a book named Play the Gig. Play the Gig focuses on teaching the basics of how to perform in bands, get gigs, and be professional.
As a Producer, Dennis has had the pleasure of working with several artists. With all his work Dennis brings honesty, integrity, passion and his own version of Bassology. His music speaks of love, warmth, compassion and most importantly truth. It's those ideals Mr. Tuner brings to all his projects whether he is producing music or performing on stage. That is why peers and audiences alike connect with him. He is a fine demonstration that great things have come from D.C. Dennis Turner | East of the River Distinguished Artist Award Application Page 2
East of the River Distinguished Artist Award Application Curriculum Vitae Dennis Turner June 15, 2012
Education Middle School - Frederick Douglass Junior High School Band Director: Mr. Kenneth Dickerson High School - Anacostia High School (School of Academies-Performing Arts Academy) Band Director: Mr. Yusef Chisolm College - Norfolk State University (Music Education and Music Media) Band Director: Dr. O’Neil Sanford
Performances (Last 12 months)
Date Type of Event Event Name Location
6/26/12 Concert Jesse Boykins III & The Beauty Created The Apple Store NYC, NY
6/21/12 Concert Oddisee “People Hear What They See” Album Washington, DC Release
6/16/12 Concert Jazz Summer Solstice Festival w/Frederic Norfolk, VA Yonnet
6/15/12 Concert w/Oddisee “People Hear What They See” Show Washington, DC
6/12/12 Concert w/Chaz Shepherd at the Live! on Woodrow Washington, DC Wilson Plaza
6/7/12 Concert w/Chaz Shepherd at Blues Alley Washington, DC
6/3/12 Concert Herndon Jazz Festival w/Kenny Wesley Herndon, VA
6/1 & 6/2/12 Concert Blues Alley w/ Frederic Yonnet Washington, DC
4/29/12 Concert Jesse Boykins III & The Beauty Created Washington, DC
4/28/12 Concert 1st Annual Anacostia Jazz Festival w/Fréderic Anacostia Park, Washington, Yonnet DC
4/27/12 Concert Double Time Jazz Series w/Distinction THEARC, Washington DC
4/16/12 Live Taping NPR’s “Tell Me More w/Michel Martin” Washington, DC Performance w/Frederic Yonnet
3/31/12 Lecture/Presentation HBCU Band Director’s Consortium Convention Atlanta, GA
3/29/12 Concert/ Live Taping Jesse Boykins III & The Beauty Created The Diesel Store, NYC
2/24/12 Concert Jesse Boykins III & The Beauty Created 92YTribeca, NYC
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1/14/12 Gala MLK Memorial Celebration Washington, DC
12/27/11 Live Taping at Studio 202 w/ Yahzarah Washington, DC Performance
12/23/11 Concert Blues Alley w/ Yahzarah Washington, DC
12/15/11 Concert The Park on Fourteenth with Eric Roberson Washington, DC
11/17/11 Concert Liv w/Mara Hruby Washington, DC
11/2/11 Concert The Birchmere w/ Anthony David Alexandria, VA
10/23- Cruise Concert Capital Jazz Fest Supercruise IV w/Carol 10/30/11 Riddick, Cheryl Pepsi Riley, Eric Roberson, Frank McComb, Anthony David, Conya Doss, Darien, and Angela Jonhson
10/22/11 Concert Howard Univ. Homecoming w/Eric Roberson Washington, DC
9/24/12 Concert The Painted Bride w/ Frederic Yonnet Philadelphia, PA
9/19/11 Concert The Highline Ballroom w/Jesse Boykins III & The NYC, NY Beauty Created
9/8/11 Concert Select Lounge w/Jesse Boykins III & The Beauty Baltimore, MD Created
8/30/11 Workshop Music Production Workshop THEARC, WAsh, DC
8/27/11 Concert Blues Alley w/ Conya Doss Washington, DC
8/26/11 Concert Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts w/ Washington, DC Frederic Yonnet and Naturally 7
8/19 & 8/20/2011 Concert Blues Alley w/ Frederic Yonnet Washington, DC
8/12/2011 Concert The Drom w/Jesse Boykins III & The Beauty NYC, NY Created
7/12/2011 Benefit concert/ 6th Annual DC LOVES DILLA Concert 930 club washington, DC Fundraiser
6/25/2011 Concert Jesse Boykins III & The Beauty Created and Trenton, NJ Conya Doss
6/18/2011 Concert Carter Baron Amphitheater with N’Dambi Washington, DC
6/15/2011 Concert U St Music Hall with Wayna Washington, DC
6/12/2011 Concert DC Jazzfest on the National Mall w/Frederic Washington, DC Yonnet
6/3/2011 Concert/ Live Taping Live at the Loft w/Jesse Boykins III & The Beauty New Jersey Created
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Most Recent Album Production
. Green Tea - Dosage III: Time To B.E. - Music composed and produced by Dennis Turner . Madia - Go Get It - Music composed, produced, and performed by Dennis Turner . Oddisee - Rock Creek Park - Bass accompaniment performed by Dennis Turner . Oddisee - People See What They Hear - Bass accompaniment performed by Dennis Turner . Jesse Boykins III - NIKE “ Always On” Commercial feat. Darrelle Revis - Bass accompaniment performed by Dennis Turner . Frederic Yonnet - Reed My Lips (The Rough Cuts) Music arranged and performed by Dennis Turner (won WAMMIE for “BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM”).
For a full discography please visit mrdturner.com/discography
Invitations to Teach/Lecture
. Production Workshop at THEARC Theater . Clinic at the HBCU Band Directors Consortium Convention
Other Items of Significance Play the Gig - Dennis is currently in the final edits of a new book titled Play the Gig. The book looks to offer wisdom to those musicians interested in working as a gigging and touring musician. It also offers insights helpful to anyone involved in the live music scene including venue owners, promoters, and other musicians. The book is expected to publish in August 2012.
Regular Performances St. Martin’s Catholic Church Wednesday Verses at Bohemian Caverns Thursday Bliss at Bohemian Caverns
Social Media Website: www.MrDTurner.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/mrdtturner Twitter: www.twitter.com/mrdturner Myspace: www.myspace.com/mrdennistyrelleturner Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/pub/dennis-turner Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/mrturner
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June 14, 2012
Madia Logan 767 Kenyon Street NW Washington, DC 20010
Beth Ferraro Creative Director 1227 Good Hope Road SE Washington, DC 20020
Hi Beth –
This letter is to support the East of the River Distinguished Artist Award application for Dennis Turner. As a DC transplant, learning the soul/pop/R&B music scene here was incredibly difficult. I completed two albums prior in Philadelphia and Phoenix and I was concerned about starting over in D.C. After meeting Dennis at a performance, I knew I wanted to capture his sound on the record. It is the most unique bass playing I have ever heard. In addition to his mastery of the instrument, Dennis brings a wealth of knowledge about the local music scene. He is well respected for his professionalism and playing.
The top four tracks Dennis produced on my latest album are the most popular songs I have on iTunes. The Washington Post also chose to do a write up on a song he arranged, produced, and performed on called “This Love”.
I cannot say enough about Dennis. He is a true professional and I believe he is most deserving of the East of the River Distinguished Artist award. I also admire your decision to offer this award as an opportunity to acknowledge the work of these talented artists in the community.
Thanks for taking the time to read and best of luck with the award process.
Sincerely,
Madia Logan
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East of the River Distinguished Artist Award Application Proof of Residence Dennis Turner June 15, 2012
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East of the River Distinguished Artist Award Application Proof of Residence Dennis Turner June 15, 2012
Snippet MP3 File
File Name: mr turner ETOR Snippet.mp3
Song 1: The Need Superficial – Oddissee featuring Oliver Day Soul Song 2: Island of Greatness – Jesse Boykins III Song 3: Let’s Just Be – Green Tea featuring Kenny Wesley Song 4: This Love – Madia Song 5: Only Human – Frederic Yonnet
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