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GRAMMY WATCH! BY SARAH BISCONTE - Grammy cutbacks inspire Latin Music fightback

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:59:00 +0000

“Music Rights Is Our Fight!” says the flyer/invite to a protest and “alternative Grammy party” to be held on Sunday, February 12, the same day as the 54^thGrammy Awards in Los Angeles. (Flyer: Presente.org)

By ED MORALESChannel: Entertainment

This Sunday, instead of attending the Grammy Awards at Staples Center, a group of Latino and other ethnic or “world” musicians and their supporters will hold a protest featuring live music in Downtown L.A., followed by an “Alternative Grammy Party” at Mama Juana’s Latin Lounge in Hollywood. The protest—over the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science’s decision last year to cut 31 categories from the ceremony—is notable because of its political tone. Civil rights activists like Jesse Jackson, Cornel West, as well as presente.org, an online Latino organizing and advocacy group that boasts a quarter million members, back the cause.

Publicist: Sarah Bisconte via email:

GRAMMY WATCH! BY SARAH BISCONTE - Latin Jazz Musicians Lead Protest Against Grammy’s for Cutting 31 Musical Categories from Awards Show

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:56:00 +0000

Dozens of musicians demonstrated outside the Grammy Awards on Sunday protesting the Recording Academy’s decision to eliminate dozens of ethnic music award categories, including Hawaiian, Haitian, Cajun, Latin jazz, contemporary blues and regional Mexican. Some protesters see racial bias in the revisions, others see them as harmful to low-budget indie labels. Last August, four Latin jazz artists filed a lawsuit with the New York Supreme Court claiming that the dropping of such categories had adversely affected their careers. They also said the academy was violating its "contractual obligations" to its 21,000 members. We speak to Oscar Hernández

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Publicist: Sarah Bisconte via email bravaguapa@mac.com

GRAMMY WATCH! BY SARAH BISCONTE - News Nuggets: Artists will protest Grammys for cutting ethnic categories

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:53:00 +0000

News Nuggets: Artists will protest Grammys for cutting ethnic categories

Paul Simon, Gary Oldman, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Hugo, Adele, Meryl Streep, Bruno Mars, Daniel Radcliffe,Martin Scorsese, Film, Music

By Daniel Montgomery

Feb 08 2012 | 13:35 pm

Daniel Radcliffe offended by "Harry Potter" Oscar snub: "'I don't think the Oscars like commercial films, or kids' films, unless they're directed by Martin Scorsese,' Radcliffe said. 'I was watching "Hugo" the other day and going, "Why is this nominated and we're not?" I was slightly miffed.' He added: 'There's a certain amount of snobbery. It's kind of disheartening. I never thought I'd care. But it would've been nice to have some recognition, just for the hours put in.'"GUARDIAN

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Publicist: Sarah Bisconte via email bravaguapa@mac.com

GRAMMY WATCH! BY SARAH BISCONTE: Grammy Awards: Musicians will protest category reductions

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:50:00 +0000

Grammy Awards: Musicians will protest category reductions

Some musicians will protest outside the Grammys at Staples Center on Sunday over the Recording Academy's elimination and consolidation of some award categories.

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Publicist: Sarah Bisconte via email bravaguapa@mac.com

GRAMMY WATCH! BY SARAH BISCONTE: Grammy Protestors Drop Off 23,000 Signatures at NARAS Headquarters

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:48:00 +0000

February 09, 2012

By Justino Aguila, Los Angeles

More than a dozen musicians, community leaders and supporters dropped off a thick stack of documents on Thursday (Feb. 9) with a reported 23,000 signatures at the Recording Academy headquarters as part of an ongoing effort to compel the organization into reinstating 31 categories that were eliminated last year.

The protesting group, comprised mostly of Latin jazz musicians, are also planning to protest the Grammy Awards show on Sunday outside the Staples Center and will later have their own showcase at Mama Juana's nightclub in Studio City at 4 p.m. in an effort to spread the word that their fight is not over.

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Publicist: Sarah Bisconte via email bravaguapa@mac.com

GRAMMY WATCH! BY SARAH BISCONTE - Musicans Call Out Elimination of Grammy Award Categories as Racist

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:17:00 +0000

UPDATE, FEB, 6, 1:56 P.M.: Presente.org andGrammywatch.org, which has its own petition in circulation, are joining forces in calling for a protest this Saturday over the slashing of Grammy Award categories.

The Facebook page for the protest, which encourages supporters to bring their instruments, reads:

Come Support Musicians- Blues, Mexican, Latin Jazz, Gospel, Cajun, Native American, Hawaiian, others- fighting for music justice!

Join us in sending a message to Grammy President, Neil Portnow and the Grammy Board and Demand that they Reinstate the Musical Categories now!

The action is being called for from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, with folks gathering at the corner of S. Figueroa and W. Pico Blvd. in Downtown Los Angeles. Greg Esparza, vocalist with Chicano soul band Thee Midnighters, has already stated his intention to attend. Later that day from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. is an Alternative Grammy Party scheduled to take place at Mama Juana's Latin Lounge in Studio City.

Activists invite people to come and listen to the very music the Grammys are set to stop formally recognizing.

more at http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2012/02/musicans_take_issue_with_elimi.php

Publicist: Sarah Bisconte via email: bravaguapa@mac.com

Grammy Awards Protest Planned By Musicians During Sunday's Show

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:13:00 +0000

By Justino Aguila, Los Angeles

In an ongoing effort to reinstate 31 categories that were eliminated from the Grammy Awards, musicians are planning a protest and a musical showcase on the same day as 54th installment of the awards show on Feb. 12, according to a spokesman for the recording artists who filed a lawsuit last year against the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS).

Neil Portnow on Latin Jazz Grammy Elimination: 'You Can't Make Everybody Happy...'

The protests, mostly by Latin jazz musicians and their supporters, are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles outside the Staples Center from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Artists, community leaders and music fans will gather at the corner of Figueroa Street and Pico Boulevard, according to a spokesperson for Grammy Watch Group Los Angeles, a coalition of musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and New York.

more at: http://www.impremedia.com/apps/pbcs.dll/search?Category=SEARCH

The Roy Ayers Project Documentary

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:58:00 +0000

Roy Ayers Project Documentary

By John Hilderbrand on Mar 21, 2011 in acid jazz, roy ayers

The Roy Ayers Project is first and foremost a documentary, produced by digital media professionals, telling the life, music, and philosophy of the great Roy Ayers. It is also art, talented artists who use their gifts to express themselves through canvas, murals, and other mediums capturing the spirit of Roy Ayers. It is also performance, bringing together Roy Ayers himself with talented musicians to perform live at venues across the country. The Roy Ayers Project is about sharing the essence and legacy of one of the greatest musicians ever to live. This trailer is the first installment of the documentary, which features the legendary drummer from The Roots, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson.

Keep track of this must-see project on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Web.

Mint Condition's Lead Singer Stokley Williams Receives 2 Grammy Nominations!

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:50:00 +0000

Mint Condition's Lead Singer Stokley Williams Receives 2 Grammy Nominations!

New York, NY December 2, 2011—Fresh from the accolades of his exciting musical performance during the ‘Shining Star/Earth, Wind & Fire’ Tribute at last month’s 2011 Soul Train Awards, STOKLEY WILLIAMS, long recognized as the talented lead vocalist of successful R&B Band, MINT CONDITION, has garnered two nominations for this year’s Grammy Awards that includes Best R&B Performance and Best R& B Song for “Not My Daddy” with KELLY PRICE.

The Grammy nominated song, “Not My Daddy”, appears on the band’s seventh studio album, aptly titled 7 and sounds like vintage Mint Condition.

Al Manerson of Red Velvet Inc and Manger of Mint Condition says, “This is indeed Mint Condition’s time and all their creative moving internal parts this camp deserves . We all are excited about the nomination!”

Nu Jazz from Fujimoto Tetsuro

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:58:00 +0000

Nu Jazz from Fujimoto Tetsuro

Check out the nu-jazz/acid jazz feel of the track “Swim” by Fujimoto Tetsuro. It’s from the producer’s new EP "Reflections", which I found in Amazon’s MP3 Store (it’s not on iTunes).

New Disc Coming by Nicole Henry (Japan)

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:53:00 +0000

Vocalist Nicole Henry is Set to Release Holiday Album, "Set For The Season: Live In Japan"

Oh night divine!

The Urban Music Scene Reports:

Song stylist Nicole Henry’s Set For The Season: Live In Japan is a year-round delight

Miami, FL (17 October 2011): Only a couple of months after releasing her critically-acclaimed Embraceable CD, song stylist Nicole Henry keeps the momentum rolling with a joyous jazz collection of holiday-themed classics that were recorded live at the Cotton Club in Tokyo. Set For The Season: Live In Japan, produced by Henry and Grammy nominee Matt Pierson (Kirk Whalum, Jane Monheit, Joshua Redman), will be released October 25th on Henry’s Banister Records. info

Hot Brazilian Programming by Connect Brazil

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 01:43:00 +0000

Now Playing: Singer Rosa Passos, Q meets Austin in the Lounge 24/7 webcast all week long at http://www.connectbrazil.com/. Enjoy!

Poncho Sanchez and Terence Blanchard Jr. Pays Trib's.....

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:51:00 +0000

On September 27, 2011, Conguero Poncho Sanchez and Trumpeter Terence Blanchard Pay Tribute To Legends of Latin Jazz!

Reported by the Urban Music Scene, thanks to Terrill Hanna.

Ramsey Lewis Releases 80th Recording!

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:44:00 +0000

John Hilderbrand at ContemporaryJazz.com

Ramsey Lewis has pulled out his Fender Rhodes and enlisted his Electric Band for his 80th recording. Ramsey, Taking Another Look features Lewis’ favorite tunes including a new edit of the original “Sun Goddess” recording featuring Earth, Wind & Fire and a new rendition of the Stevie Wonder penned “Living for the City”. After headlining <<more >>

Keiko Matsui's "The Road" CD Now On Video

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 02:47:00 +0000

Keiko Matsui’s latest CD is titled ‘The Road’ and the title cut has just been released as a music video. On the album, the musicians who play on that track, Jackiem Joyner, Eric Baines and Chad Wright, are in fact all members of Keiko’s touring band and when recently I talked to Keiko from her home in Los Angeles I was eager to understand more about the rationale for including them.

Continue reading "Keiko Matsui's The Road Now On Video" »

Jazz Music is Back in Orlando

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 02:45:00 +0000

There's a new local FM station on the Orlando radio dial at 102.5 FM, and the format: 'SMOOTH JAZZ'. The new Smooth Jazz Network affiliate radio station 'Smooth Jazz 102.5' signed on today in Orlando.

Latin Jazz players sue Grammys for axing award

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:19:00 +0000

Latin Jazz players sue Grammys for axing award

Four Latin Jazz musicians are suing the Grammy Awards for cutting their category from the list of awards handed out each year.

In a suit filed in New York state court, the musicians accuse the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of threatening their careers by denying them the chance to win a coveted Grammy.

The academy cut Latin Jazz along with 30 other categories in a streamlined list that still tops out at 78 awards.

But in their suit, filed last week, the four artists say the changes unfairly derailed their career-long build-ups to becoming Grammy winners.

One plaintiff, Benjamin Lapidus, who heads a Latin Jazz group and has been an academy member since 2001, says he had been told he would have a chance for an award in the Latin Jazz category if he released his eight album, "Generaciones," this year. (more - Click News Headline title)

Hot Jazz, Small Club in Upstate NY - a Bucky Pizzarelli and Ray Blue Sighting...

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:28:00 +0000

N.Y. / Region

WESTCHESTER ARTS | PEEKSKILL

Bringing In Diners With Offerings Not on the Menu

Susan Stava for The New York Times

ON THE BILL Ray Blue with his band at the BeanRunner Cafe.

By PHILLIP LUTZ

Published: August 5, 2011

TEMPERATURES soared outside the Division Street Grill in Peekskill on a recent Saturday night. But inside, the unflappable guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and his longtime bassist, Jerry Bruno, were playing it cool with well-worn standards like “Satin Doll” and “Tangerine.” And their subtle, sly treatment struck a chord with the 40 or so diners, who applauded faithfully between bites of pan-seared tuna and penne Bolognese.

Radio Mourns The Loss of a Real Broadcaster

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:39:00 +0000

This gentleman gave me some jingle work when they had a station in Santa Barbara, California (Smooth Jazz). Rick Buckley, rest in peace. - Bob Baldwin

RADIO MOURNS THE LOSS OF A REAL BROADCASTER

The radio industry is still in shock as word continues circulate that Buckley Broadcasting owner Rick Buckley died suddenly early Sunday morning. A portion of a memo sent from Buckley COO Joe Bilotta stated "It is with a deep and profound sadness that I must inform you that early Sunday morning, Rick Buckley passed away. His passing was peaceful and without pain. He suffered a brain embolism at his beach home in Quogue, NY. There is no more impassioned leader of any company than Rick Buckley. He led the company that bears his name for over four decades and did so in a style and manner that reflected the family nature of his business. He loved radio, loved his company, and cared deeply for all of his employees." WOR-AM New York General Manager Jerry Crowley tells Radio Ink there will be an-air tribute Monday morning (www.wor710.com).

Keiko Matsui Debuts "The Road..." Music Video | U.S. Tour Dates Announced

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:17:00 +0000

Visionary Japanese Instrumentalist Keiko Matsui Debuts Music Video For The Title Track From Her Album The Road...

Second Leg Of U.S. Tour Runs August Through October With A Special Guest Performance Aboard The Dave Koz Alaskan Cruise

With over a million and a half albums sold and sold out concerts around the globe, keyboardist Keiko Matsui is a citizen of the world and one of the brightest stars in instrumental music.

Miles Davis Quintet - Live in Europe 1967: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL . 1

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:10:00 +0000

"SECOND GREAT QUINTET" OF MILES, HERBIE HANCOCK, WAYNE SHORTER, RON CARTER & TONY WILLIAMS AT THEIR ABSOLUTE PEAK AFTER THREE YEARS TOGETHER

DELUXE 3-CD + DVD PACKAGE PRESENTS PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED OR FIRST-EVER AUTHORIZED RELEASE OF LIVE RECORDINGS FROM 1967 "NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL IN EUROPE" CONCERTS

MILES DAVIS QUINTET - LIVE IN EUROPE 1967: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL. 1 launches new Miles Davis Series offering rare and previously unreleased live recordings from around the world .

Another One Bites The Terrestrial Dust in Toronto, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:21:00 +0000

According to Vickie Van Dyke/DJ at Wave 94.7 / Toronto:

"Canada's Wave 94.7 is flipping to a country format at midnight Aug. 1. The GOOD news is that "contemporary jazz" or "smooth groove" will still be heard on-line 24/7. Bob Farrow, Gary James and I will still be on the (internet) air.

Be sure to tune into www.wave.fm Monday morning. We'll be there playing the same GREAT music (including you, Bob) and you'll find me daily 1-7pm!"

I was just there this past spring. Pretty sad! More on this later.

Bob Baldwin digs a straight groove in a zig-zag biz -

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:08:00 +0000

Written by Lawrence Cosentino

In February 2008, jazz pianist and composer Bob Baldwin was driving through the countryside of Westchester County, N.Y., soaking in musical inspiration, when he got a depressing text message. New York’s WQCD was shutting off the smooth jazz spigot after 15 years.

He remembers that day the way other people remember the day their cat was euthanized. “Sure enough, at 4 o’clock on Feb. 5, they started playing Led Zeppelin,” Baldwin said. “Shortly after that, about 24 stations around the country flipped in a year and a half.” (Lansing´s own smooth jazz station, WJZL-FM, changed formats last December, becoming WLMI-FM, which features "classic hits" programming.)

Smooth jazz — the plugged-in, groove-based, sexpot-who-never-went-to-college sister of mainstream jazz — has to fight for respect, and not without reason. It’s a healing bath in sweet funk at best, on-hold-with-the-insurance-company music at worst.

Ebony/Jet Magazine Sells Out, Last Black-Owned Media Giant…

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 06:44:00 +0000

Dr. Boyce Watkins; Ebony/Jet Magazine Sells Out, Last Black-Owned Media Giant…

One of the last holdouts in the onslaught of major corporations seeking to take over the black-owned media space was the Johnson Publishing Company, which runs Ebony and Jet Magazines. As Essence Magazine, BET and other outlets found themselves running into the arms of a financial white knight, the Johnson family fought hard to maintain its independence. That quest was hindered when it was recently announced that JP Morgan Chase has bought a substantial stake in the company.

The announcement of the partnership represents the end of a 69-year period during which the company was family-owned. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, leading some to wonder why the owners want to keep the numbers a secret. My guess is that pride is playing a role in the secrecy, like a proud father who doesn’t tell his children that he borrowed money from the neighbors in order to pay the light bill.

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Borders Books Shuts it Down....COMPLETELY!!

noreply@blogger.com (Who is BB?) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:07:00 +0000

Another retailer that sells MUSIC bites the dust.

Borders Bookstore Will Eliminate 11,000 Jobs, Close 400 Remaining Stores

Bankrupt Borders Group Inc said it has canceled its auction and will sell itself to a group of liquidators.

Borders announced the decision on Monday, saying it was not able to reach a deal for a going-concern sale to salvage its 400 remaining stores and 11,000 jobs.

A liquidation group led by Hilco Merchant Resources will begin liquidations as early as Friday, Borders said in a statement. The bookseller will seek bankruptcy court approval of the closing procedures at a hearing set for Thursday.

(Reporting by Nick Brown, editing by Bernard Orr)

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