DOCSLIB.ORG

Nutcracker Suite

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Nutcracker Suite FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Nina Flowers, December 3, 2014 Director of PR & Communications 212.531.5334 [email protected] Holidays at the Apollo Ellington at Christmas: Nutcracker Suite Featuring TV and Broadway Star Norm Lewis and Jazz Vocalist Lizz Wright With Performances by the David Berger Jazz Orchestra, Priscilla Baskerville, Jason Samuels Smith, Students from the Dance Theatre of Harlem and The Arts High School Advanced Choir of Newark Under the Musical Direction of David Berger Saturday, December 13, 2014 3pm & 8pm Sunday, December 14, 2014, 3pm Apollo Mainstage (Harlem, NY – December 3, 2014) – The Apollo Theater will continue celebrating the holiday season with the return of Ellington at Christmas: Nutcracker Suite, featuring some the best performers in the worlds of theater, jazz and dance. This spectacular presentation will include excerpts from Duke Ellington’s The Nutcracker Suite with jazz interpretations of the original Tchaikovsky composition, arranged by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, and an excerpt from Ellington’s Sacred Music Concert. Under the musical direction of David Berger, the two-part program will bring all of the elements of the holiday together through jazz, ballet, tap and gospel. With narration by TV and Broadway actor Norm Lewis (Scandal, Phantom of the Opera), Ellington at Christmas will also feature vocalists Lizz Wright and Priscilla Baskerville, tap dancer Jason Samuels Smith, students from the Dance Theatre of Harlem and the 50-voice Arts High School Advance Choir from Newark. Apollo Legend Duke Ellington often headlined and performed at the Theater in the 1930s and 40s. Ellington's music stretched into many genres, including blues, gospel, film scores, popular, and classical. This year, the Apollo will present three performances of Ellington at Christmas, Saturday, December 13 at 3pm; Saturday, December 13 at 8pm and Sunday, December 14 at 3pm. Tickets for Ellington at Christmas are $35 - $65. Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800- 745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are on sale now. Apollo Theater Information Box Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri – 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Wednesday – 10:00 am - 8:30 pm Saturday – 12:00 pm - 6:00pm About the Apollo Theater The legendary Apollo Theater— the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging talents and launching legends. Since its founding, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation, and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world. With music at its core, the Apollo’s programming extends to dance, theater, performance art, spoken word initiatives, and more. Recent highlights have included James Brown: Get on the Good Foot, which will begin an international tour in 2015, the Africa Now! Festival, and Apollo Club Harlem. Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms, and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres – including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at the Apollo are Lauryn Hill, Machine Gun Kelly, Miri Ben Ari, D’Angelo, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, and Stevie Wonder; and the Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy. The Apollo Theater is a not-for-profit organization and currently in the midst of fundraising for its 21st Century Apollo Campaign, created to extend the institution’s role in fostering artistic innovation and in building appreciation of American culture around the world. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org. Get social! For exclusive photos, updates and more use the hashtags #EllingtonXmas and #HolidaysAtApollo. Follow the Apollo Theater: Facebook.com/apollotheater Twitter.com/apollotheater YouTube.com/apollotheater Instagram.com/apollotheater Ellington at Christmas generously supported by Ford Foundation Fund for Global Programs, JoAnn Price, and Earl W. and Amanda Stafford. Sponsored by Citi. The Apollo's 2014-2015 season is made possible by generous support from Citi, Coca- Cola, Con Ed, Troy and Keisha Dixon, EmblemHealth, the Ford Foundation Fund for Global Programs, Frederick Wildman/Folonari Wines, General Motors, Carla A. Harris, Robert K. Kraft, The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, The Parsons Family Foundation, the Ronald O. Perelman Family Foundation, The Pinkerton Foundation, JoAnn Price, Earl W. and Amanda Stafford, Time Warner Inc., the Reginald Van Lee New Works Fund, the Apollo Board of Directors and many other generous donors. Lead annual support is also provided by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. # # # .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • New York Theatrical
    JULY 12. 1980 10-T- HE CAROLINA TIMES SAT., New York Theatrical Over $2,200 in prize money King Jr.'s National Black will.be awarded to winners in Touring Circuit offerings, fter the Harlem YMCA All Stars Washington, "boogie woogie Contest, "sponsored by Ken-tac- ky landscapes" will travel to Cried Chicken and to be Philadelphia, Detroit and held In neighborhood parks Chicago. At present, there are ANNIVERSARY GIFT Ran- and at Downing Stadium no plans for NYC. Thomas B: Shrop- dall's Island on July 19-2- 0. shire Senior Vice Black (left), Top male and female winners Tribute to the President of the Miller (? will receive $500 and '80, held at the prizes Designer Brewing Company i." , one-we- ek two to the Fashion Institute of trips for presented copies ol Bahamas. Deadline for entries Technology, was the third an- commissioned Erints is July 14 and entry blanks can nual event sponsored by to celebrate be picked up at any Kentucky Harvey's Bristol Cream and a the brewer's 125th an- Com- the rv .; Fried Chicken store. celebration of niversary to John H. 18 of black petition for those years and achievements Sengstacke, president up will be in a basketball designers, past and future. of the National "shoot-out- ", push-up- s, chaired the even- broad Naomi Sims Newspaper Publishers jump, obstacle course and ing's program which honored Association at the one-mi- le run. designers Ed Austin, Jeffrey association's recent Carl Banks, Stephen Burrows, convention in Chicago. "Sesame Place," a "21st Davis, James Daughterty, Jon century" play park pioneering Haggins, Keven & Robert, Ar- a new concept in family enter- thur McGee, Lelartd Paul tainment will open in Bucks Michael, Harold Stone, County, Pa., the end of July.
    [Show full text]
  • No Beethoven
    No Beethoven No Beethoven An Autobiography & Chronicle of Weather Report by Peter Erskine edited by Rick Mattingly book design by Kio Griffith photography by Shigeru Uchiyama, Peter Erskine & others Front cover photograph: Shigeru Uchiyama Back cover photograph: Norman Seeff, courtesy of CBS Records © 2013 Peter Erskine FUZZ/E/BOOKS Fuzzy Music LLC Exclusive Worldwide Distribution by Alfred Music All Rights Reserved. Printed in USA. ISBN-10: 0-9892530-1-5 ISBN-13: 978-0-9892530-1-7 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing/photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author/publisher. “I ain’t afraid of no Beethoven.” – Joe Zawinul to Peter Erskine, circa 1979 About the Author Peter Erskine has played the drums since age four and is known for his versatility and love of working in different musical contexts. He appears on 600 albums and film scores, and has won two Grammy Awards, plus an Honorary Doctorate from the Berklee School of Music. Thirty albums have been released under his own name or as co-leader. He has played with the Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson Big Bands, Weather Report, Steps Ahead, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Diana Krall, Kenny Wheeler, The Brecker Brothers, The Yellowjackets, Pat Metheny and Gary Burton, John Scofield, et al, and has appeared as a soloist with the London, Los Angeles, Chicago, Frankfurt Radio, Scottish Chamber, Royal Opera House, BBC Symphony and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras.
    [Show full text]
  • Selected Observations from the Harlem Jazz Scene By
    SELECTED OBSERVATIONS FROM THE HARLEM JAZZ SCENE BY JONAH JONATHAN A dissertation submitted to the Graduate School-Newark Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Graduate Program in Jazz History and Research Written under the direction of Dr. Lewis Porter and approved by ______________________ ______________________ Newark, NJ May 2015 2 Table of Contents Acknowledgements Page 3 Abstract Page 4 Preface Page 5 Chapter 1. A Brief History and Overview of Jazz in Harlem Page 6 Chapter 2. The Harlem Race Riots of 1935 and 1943 and their relationship to Jazz Page 11 Chapter 3. The Harlem Scene with Radam Schwartz Page 30 Chapter 4. Alex Layne's Life as a Harlem Jazz Musician Page 34 Chapter 5. Some Music from Harlem, 1941 Page 50 Chapter 6. The Decline of Jazz in Harlem Page 54 Appendix A historic list of Harlem night clubs Page 56 Works Cited Page 89 Bibliography Page 91 Discography Page 98 3 Acknowledgements This thesis is dedicated to all of my teachers and mentors throughout my life who helped me learn and grow in the world of jazz and jazz history. I'd like to thank these special people from before my enrollment at Rutgers: Andy Jaffe, Dave Demsey, Mulgrew Miller, Ron Carter, and Phil Schaap. I am grateful to Alex Layne and Radam Schwartz for their friendship and their willingness to share their interviews in this thesis. I would like to thank my family and loved ones including Victoria Holmberg, my son Lucas Jonathan, my parents Darius Jonathan and Carrie Bail, and my sisters Geneva Jonathan and Orelia Jonathan.
    [Show full text]
  • Jazz Faculty and Friends
    Kennesaw State University Upcoming Music Events Thursday-Sunday, November 5-8 Kennesaw State University Opera Theatre Dean Joseph D. Meeks The Medium dean The Stoned Guest Howard Logan Stillwell Theatre School of Music Tuesday, November 10 Kennesaw State University presents Student Mixed Chamber Ensembles 8:00 pm • Bailey Performance Center Performance Hall Wednesday, November 11 Kennesaw State University Jazz Combos Kennesaw State University 8:00 pm • Bailey Performance Center Performance Hall Jazz Faculty and Friends Thursday, November 12 Kennesaw State University Jazz Ensembles 8:00 pm • Bailey Performance Center Performance Hall Sam Skelton, woodwinds Trey Wright, guitar Tuesday, November 17 Wes Funderburk, trombone Kennesaw State University Tyrone Jackson, piano Women’s Choral Day concert 7:30 pm • Bailey Performance Center Performance Hall Marc Miller, bass Justin Varnes, drums Wednesday, November 18 Kennesaw State University Jazz Guitar Ensemble 8:00 pm • Bailey Performance Center Performance Hall Wednesday, November 4, 2009 For the most current information, please visit http://www.kennesaw.edu/arts/events/ 8:00 pm Dr. Bobbie Bailey & Family Performance Center We welcome all guests with special needs and offer the following services: accessible seating, easy access, companion restroom locations, assisted listening devices. Please contact an audience services representative to request services Twentieth Concert of the 2009-2010 season Kennesaw State University (Harry Connick, Jr.), Aaron Goldberg (Joshua Redman), Wessell Anderson, School of Music Wycliffe Gordon, Marcus Printup, Steve Kirby (Cyrus Chestnut), Peter Bernstein, and Eric Lewis (Wynton Marsalis). Performance Hall Currently residing in Atlanta, Mr. Varnes performs regularly with the Christian Tamburr Quartet, as well as Bob Reynolds, Kevin Bales, Joe Gransden and Gary Motley.
    [Show full text]
  • Black North American and Caribbean Music in European Metropolises a Transnational Perspective of Paris and London Music Scenes (1920S-1950S)
    Black North American and Caribbean Music in European Metropolises A Transnational Perspective of Paris and London Music Scenes (1920s-1950s) Veronica Chincoli Thesis submitted for assessment with a view to obtaining the degree of Doctor of History and Civilization of the European University Institute Florence, 15 April 2019 European University Institute Department of History and Civilization Black North American and Caribbean Music in European Metropolises A Transnational Perspective of Paris and London Music Scenes (1920s- 1950s) Veronica Chincoli Thesis submitted for assessment with a view to obtaining the degree of Doctor of History and Civilization of the European University Institute Examining Board Professor Stéphane Van Damme, European University Institute Professor Laura Downs, European University Institute Professor Catherine Tackley, University of Liverpool Professor Pap Ndiaye, SciencesPo © Veronica Chincoli, 2019 No part of this thesis may be copied, reproduced or transmitted without prior permission of the author Researcher declaration to accompany the submission of written work Department of History and Civilization - Doctoral Programme I Veronica Chincoli certify that I am the author of the work “Black North American and Caribbean Music in European Metropolises: A Transnatioanl Perspective of Paris and London Music Scenes (1920s-1950s). I have presented for examination for the Ph.D. at the European University Institute. I also certify that this is solely my own original work, other than where I have clearly indicated, in this declaration and in the thesis, that it is the work of others. I warrant that I have obtained all the permissions required for using any material from other copyrighted publications. I certify that this work complies with the Code of Ethics in Academic Research issued by the European University Institute (IUE 332/2/10 (CA 297).
    [Show full text]
  • Downbeat.Com April 2011 U.K. £3.50
    £3.50 £3.50 U.K. PRIL 2011 DOWNBEAT.COM A D OW N B E AT MARSALIS FAMILY // WOMEN IN JAZZ // KURT ELLING // BENNY GREEN // BRASS SCHOOL APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 VOLume 78 – NumbeR 4 President Kevin Maher Publisher Frank Alkyer Editor Ed Enright Associate Editor Aaron Cohen Art Director Ara Tirado Production Associate Andy Williams Bookkeeper Margaret Stevens Circulation Manager Sue Mahal Circulation Associate Maureen Flaherty ADVERTISING SALES Record Companies & Schools Jennifer Ruban-Gentile 630-941-2030 [email protected] Musical Instruments & East Coast Schools Ritche Deraney 201-445-6260 [email protected] Classified Advertising Sales Sue Mahal 630-941-2030 [email protected] OFFICES 102 N. Haven Road Elmhurst, IL 60126–2970 630-941-2030 Fax: 630-941-3210 http://downbeat.com [email protected] CUSTOMER SERVICE 877-904-5299 [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Senior Contributors: Michael Bourne, John McDonough, Howard Mandel Atlanta: Jon Ross; Austin: Michael Point, Kevin Whitehead; Boston: Fred Bouchard, Frank-John Hadley; Chicago: John Corbett, Alain Drouot, Michael Jackson, Peter Margasak, Bill Meyer, Mitch Myers, Paul Natkin, Howard Reich; Denver: Norman Provizer; Indiana: Mark Sheldon; Iowa: Will Smith; Los Angeles: Earl Gibson, Todd Jenkins, Kirk Silsbee, Chris Walker, Joe Woodard; Michigan: John Ephland; Minneapolis: Robin James; Nashville: Robert Doerschuk; New Orleans: Erika Goldring, David Kunian, Jennifer Odell; New York: Alan Bergman, Herb Boyd, Bill Douthart, Ira Gitler, Eugene Gologursky, Norm Harris, D.D. Jackson, Jimmy Katz,
    [Show full text]
  • 30-Minute Big Band Performance + 15-Minute Clinic • Jazz Combos
    37TH ANNUAL UNC WILMINGTON DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC UNCW JAZZFEST Friday, March 29, 2019 · 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. OPEN TO MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ COMBOS AND BIG BANDS Terri Lyne Carrington DRUMS GUEST ARTIST / CLINICIAN Three-time Grammy Award-winning drummer, producer and educator, Terri Lyne Carrington has worked with artists such as Herbie Han- cock, Wayne Shorter, Al Jarreau, Stan Getz, David Sanborn, Woody Shaw, Cassandra Wil- son, Dianne Reeves, John Scofield, Esperanza Spalding, Yellowjackets and countless others. Carrington is also the first female artist to win a Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. Carrington has released eight albums; most recently The Mosaic Project: Love and Soul, which features a leading cast of superb female instrumentalists and vocalists including Natalie Cole, Chaka Khan, Nancy Wilson, Ledisi, Lalah Hathaway, Lizz Wright, Ingrid Jensen, Meshell Ndegoecello, Linda Oh, Patrice Rushen, Regina Carter and others. JAZZFEST OVERVIEW Activities take place on the UNCW campus: Cultural Arts Building or Kenan Auditorium Awards for top soloists in each category Scholarship opportunities to attend REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FOR MORE INFORMATION UNCW Summer Jazz Workshop POSTMARKED BY MARCH 7, 2019 Dr. Natalie Boeyink UNCW JAZZ STUDIES COORDINATOR Big bands $125 Post-performance clinic with [email protected] UNCW jazz faculty and Terri Lyne Carrington 30 minute big band performance 15 minute clinic 910.962.7440 Master class with Terri Lyne Carrington Performance by UNCW Big Band, Combos $50 20 minute combo performance conducted by Natalie Boeyink 15 minute clinic Guest artist performance by Registration includes concert tickets for participants. Terri Lyne Carrington with UNCW Jazz Faculty Online registration will be available shortly.
    [Show full text]
  • Prominent Jazz Celebrations Are a Beautiful Thing by Jon W
    United States Source: Columbia Daily Tribune Retrieved from https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/entertainment/2021/04/17/prominent-jazz- celebrations-beautiful-thinG/7244183002/ on 21 June, 2021 Prominent jazz celebrations are a beautiful thing By Jon W. Poses [Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part series on Jazz Appreciation Month. Part One ran April 4.] Writing in this space January 24, I suggested Doug Emhoff, “The Second Gentleman,” surely must be a jazz fan. After all, he and his first wife, Kerstin Emhoff, named their son Cole after John Coltrane and their daughter Ella after Ella Fitzgerald. I proposed that, all things being equal, there might be a good chance jazz would return to the White House, having a presence during the Obama Administration before completely disappearing during the following one. Lo and behold, less than three months later, it seems such a development has come to fruition. Emhoff will “provide opening remarks” as part of the upcoming NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert, according to a National Endowment for the Arts press release. The concert takes place Thursday, April 22 at 7 p.m. Missouri time in San Francisco, and will air virtually on multiple websites including the NEA’s own arts.gov, where it will also be archived for future viewing. For those of us who appreciate when jazz enjoys enhanced visibility, having Emhoff involved — even if it will likely be briefly — with the prestigious annual NEA Jazz Masters presentation should be taken as a positive. His participation bodes well for the White House, on some level, to be involved in future jazz-related activities.
    [Show full text]
  • SFJAZZ Announces 2019-2020 Season Programming September 5, 2019 – May 31, 2020
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SFJAZZ Announces 2019-2020 Season Programming September 5, 2019 – May 31, 2020 Tickets on Sale to SFJAZZ Members, Friday, June 28 at 11:00amPST Tickets on Sale to Public, Thursday, July 12 at 11:00amPST SFJAZZ.ORG (SAN FRANCISCO, CA, June 6, 2019) -- SFJAZZ announces artist programming for the 2019-20 season running September 5, 2019 to May 31, 2020 presenting concerts at the SFJAZZ Center’s Robert N. Miner Auditorium and Joe Henderson Lab, Herbst Theatre, Grace Cathedral, and Paramount Theatre in Oakland. Tickets on sale to SFJAZZ Members, Friday, June 28 at 11:00amPST and on sale to public on Thursday, July 12 at 11:00amPST. For more information, visit sfjazz.org. “This is our 8th Season in the Center: we opened in January of 2013. And it is SFJAZZ’s 37th year: we debuted in 1983 as Jazz in the City,” says SFJAZZ Founder and Artistic Director Randall Kline. “At the time of our founding, neither I, nor anyone who was a part of it, could have imagined that here at the corner of Franklin Street and Fell Street, in one of the world’s greatest cities, a dedicated community center built expressly for the appreciation and development of jazz would be thriving. The key elements of this vitality are the intersection of our dedicated audiences, our superb artists, and the Center itself—we work together to create this community.” The SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director program was established to give today’s most innovative and influential artists the chance to curate exclusive programming at the SFJAZZ Center often featuring unprecedented collaborations and world premiere projects between world-renowned artists.
    [Show full text]
  • Elliot Polot: Immersed in Jazz History
    Immersed in Jazz History An Interactive Virtual Jazz History Unit With Ken Burns' Jazz Series Presented by Elliot Polot at the California All-State Music Education Conference (CASMEC) Saturday, February 20, 2021 | 10:00 AM Why watch Ken Burns’ Jazz in class? • Distance learning friendly • An engaging, memorable way to learn jazz history • Great opportunities for social-emotional learning (SEL) • Important conversations about race, gender, and politics • Builds improvisation skills and style through the transcription process • Students return to big band and combo music with a newfound appreciation and understanding How to view the series: • https://www.pbs.org/show/jazz/ • PBS requires a minimum $60 donation to access the show • Also available on DVD and from the iTunes Store Transcription Assignments: • Transcription assignments are a fun, engaging way for students to “immerse” themselves in each episode. Best of all, they help students become stronger players! • Below are the guidelines we have used in our class. Feel free to structure your assignments however you like. • One solo or head transcription ≥ 30 seconds per episode (more than one is ok/encouraged) • Students have the option of playing the material on their instrument AND/OR doing a written transcription • Should be from the period covered in the episode, preferably from an artist mentioned in the show • Students should choose material that challenges them • Students play along with the reference recording, but should be significantly louder so they don’t blend in Transcription presentation process: • Create or have a student create a Google Slide deck for each episode. (Click here for an example.) • Prior to the start of the presentation, students embed or link the reference recording, as well as their performance video and/or written transcription in their individual slide.
    [Show full text]
  • Extra Large the Oversize Life of Gene Walker
    Extra Large The Oversize Life of Gene Walker John Fraim John Fraim [email protected] www.themidnightoilstudios.com 614-397-7559 © 2009 – John Fraim 1 “It is my gift from God to soothe many people of their troubles. This was not given to everyone, and so, it is my purpose in life to carry out just what God appointed me to do. It is an honor to be able to spread a joyful noise that heals and brings comfort to others.” Gene Walker ! 2 Dedicated To Civic leaders across the nation who attempt to bring life back into inner city neighborhoods through art, particularly the art form of jazz. And also, those few who were given the gift of music when they were young and give this gift back. ! ! 3 Table of Contents 1. Blackberry Patch!! ! ! 5! 2. Teachers!!!!!7!! 3. Clubs!!!!!!13 4. Outside World!!!!25 5. The Road!!!!!38 6. The Beatles Tour!! ! ! 45 7. Final New York Years!!!49 8. Return To Columbus!!!52!!! 9. Student Walker !!!!56 10. Professor Walker!!!65 11. Retirement & Recording!!69 12. Return of Music!! ! ! 72 Discography!!!!!85 Bibliography!!!!!87 Acknowledgments!!!!88 Appendix A – Musicians!!!89 Appendix B – Lincoln Theatre!!96 Appendix C – Neighborhood Clubs!97 Appendix D – Favorite Musicians!99 Appendix E – Favorite Music!!100 About John Fraim!!!!101 4 1. Blackberry Patch !At the turn of the century, African Americans moved to Columbus, Ohio from the South looking for a better life. This migration accelerated after World War I to take advantage of the industrial boom that was occurring in many Midwestern cities.
    [Show full text]
  • Lizz Wright TOTAL DEVOTION the ACCLAIMED SINGER-SONGWRITER DISCUSSES HER ROOTS in GOSPEL MUSIC, HER LOVE of JAZZ and HER TRANSCENDENT NEW ALBUM
    Lizz Wright TOTAL DEVOTION THE ACCLAIMED SINGER-SONGWRITER DISCUSSES HER ROOTS IN GOSPEL MUSIC, HER LOVE OF JAZZ AND HER TRANSCENDENT NEW ALBUM BY ALLEN MORRISON • PHOTOS BY JIMMY & DENA KATZ Lizz Wright at The Jazz Gallery in New York City, Oct. 8 singer,’” Wright explained. “I’ve always got n late February 2015, about a week before that Southern gospel-blues root thing on singer-songwriter Lizz Wright went into the it—I can’t get that off! It’s like a good kind of dirt, you know? Not a nasty dirt—a good studio to record her fifth album,Freedom kind in which you can grow stuff. I “I think, musically and personally, I & Surrender (Concord), her Volvo station stand right in the middle of America,” she reflected. “I know there are pieces of coun- wagon skidded across 300 yards of black ice on a try, folk, jazz, gospel, soul music and blues mountain curve near her North Carolina home, in what I do, but these styles don’t feel sepa- rate to me. They look like the collage of peo- and headed toward a 75-foot ravine. ple in my life who have taught me, loved, protected and influenced me.” On the Wright described this harrowing, “near- songs that demonstrate a new maturity and a downside, she added, “If you’re this eclec- death experience” in a recently published essay: hard-won sense of balance between the secular tic, you can be made to feel a bit homeless.” I softened my body and rested my hands in and the sacred.
    [Show full text]