Jazz Festivals

All about jazz festivals
RSS

Archive for March, 2010

Pamela Williams "Elixir" Smooth Jazz Music CD Review

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2010 No Comments



I can describe the latest release from Smooth Jazz sensation Pamela Williams for you with just one word… Outstanding!

Unfortunately, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Elixir. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

The nice thing about a CD like this is when the talent is this rich even if Smooth Jazz isn’t your favorite style you still can’t help but appreciate the greatness of the artist.

If you’re a Pamela Williams fan this is a CD your collection flat cannot be without. In fact, this is one of those CDs that you don’t even have to be a fan of Williams, or even Smooth Jazz to know is good. It’s just good music. Period.

While the entire album is really very good the truly standout tracks are Forbidden Fruit [track 1], A Jam For Pam [track 4], and Give Me What You Got [track 10].

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 10, Rise. Good stuff!

Elixir Release Notes:

Pamela Williams originally released Elixir on Mar 21, 2006 on the Shanachie label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Forbidden Fruit

2. Elixir

3. Positive Vibe

4. A Jam For Pam

5. A Toast To Eternity

6. In The Cut

7. Say Yes

8. Rejuvination

9. Give Me What You Got

10. Rise

Personnel: Adam Rogers, Robert Cunningham (guitar); David Mann (saxophone, keyboards, drum programming); Pam Williams (tenor saxophone, keyboards, drum programming); Alphonso McDuffie (keyboards).

By: Clyde Lee Dennis

Posted in Jazz Festivals

Personalized Bridal Apparel – Lovely Wedding Gear to Jazz Up the Party

Posted by admin on March 29th, 2010 No Comments



Bridal apparel such us gears that brides, bridesmaids and maid of honors wears during pre-wedding occasion like a bridal shower party can be a lovely shirts, top tanks, mini skirts or shorts, hat and the like. Another way to celebrate the party is by wearing pretty and chick apparels that can complete girls’ overall outfit until the party will end. These bridal apparels are sold widely, especially at your local bridal shop or you can even purchase them at online bridal shops where wider variety and selections are available. One of the most hottest trend for bridal apparels are those that are made customized. Customized items like personalized shirts, top tanks, thongs and others are in demand nowadays.

Personalized bridal apparels are not just a mere simple gears where most brides purchase and make the as gifts for bridesmaids and maid of honor. What a perfect gift option though! Several gift ideas a bride may opt to consider and apparels are those ones that can make a must-give gifts for supporting actresses, which are the bridesmaids and maid of honor.

Personalized Ladies T-shirts for instance, can make a great outfit during bachelorette parties or casual bridal showers. They are soft and comfortable to wear, made in 100% cotton with different choices of colors and designs. These shirts are all silk screened with radiant eye-captivating colors which is definitely a hit for any brides, bridesmaids and maid of honors. Option for designs are Car Tank, Petal Pusher, Trailer, Ringman, Tie Knot, Candy Hearts, Bike, Plane, Hummingbird, Hello or Hitched. This Personalized Ladies T-shirts can be personalized with names and a date on the front of the shirt.

Another option that a bride may consider are a “Bling” Crystal Tube Top, a fitting black cotton and spandex tube top, spelled and crafted entirely with crystals. Wear it alone or even looks great with a small shrug or under a blazer. Considered also is a “Drama Queen” Crystal Tube Top, a perfect gift for an innocent bystander and is decorated with an array of tiny crystals, comes in a pastel pink cotton spandex tube top that fits a body curve with form fitting cling. Or perhaps a “Diva” Crystal Tube Top, again this is wearable alone or under a shrug, shirt or jacket.

There are other option for miscellaneous wedding apparels such as wedding hats, from hats for brides, bridesmaids, maid of honor, grooms, groomsmen, best man to even hats for young wedding participants like ring bearers and flower girls. Whether it’ll be an outdoor winter wedding, a rehearsal party or a bachelor party, you can find fabulous head toppers that at the same time will give reason for head turners. Also, options like scarfs, sunglasses, umbrellas, towels, slippers and robes are should be included on any bridal apparel’s list. Custom-made apparels that can make a perfect personalized gifts for bridesmaids and Maid of honors like personalized tote bags, handbags, clutches and purses can make a one of a kind wedding gifts not only for these pretty ladies but also to bride’s and groom’s mother.

By: Janet Verra

Posted in Jazz Festivals

The Development of Jazz in New Orleans

Posted by admin on March 28th, 2010 No Comments



Jazz is known as being one of the only styles of music created in America, though it is a mixture West African and Western music traditions. Jazz’s began in New Orleans, around the 1900’s, but its roots can be traced back hundreds of years earlier when slaves who were brought to America developed spirituals and blues in order to communicate with one another and express sadness, desires and religious beliefs. The music was passed along orally with each new generation making their own unique changes to the songs, which were often of a call and response form and unaccompanied by musical instruments.

Rhythms and melodies from the black community were combined with European compositions leading to the development of Ragtime music around 1895. “Ragging” a song meant dragging out certain notes and livening up music by rearranging notes. Ragtime and Jazz are similar but Ragtime music is predominantly sole piano music while Jazz music is played in ensembles.

Though jazz is closely associated with blues and ragtime, one of the most important elements of jazz music is that it is improvisational music–well-known notes and lines are a starting point for musicians to develop unique songs around. Early jazz musicians often could not read music but they thrilled audiences by bringing emotion, excitement and the unexpected to their pieces. While ragtime music was popular in restaurants, clubs or hotels, Jazz was mobile, versatile music played at funerals, parades, weddings, and at festivals.

The 1920’s were known as the Jazz Age as New Orleans jazz was brought to nightclubs in Northern cities such as Chicago and New York. It was more upscale than the music of New Orleans, and New Orleans Jazz distinguished itself as being a more folksy and spontaneous form of Jazz. Throughout the 20th century, many variations of Jazz music were popular including Dixieland, bebop, Big Band, swing, cool jazz, soul jazz and Latin jazz.

All forms of jazz music and the types of music that inspired it or have preceded it are celebrated during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The event began in 1970 as means of showcasing the musical heritage, arts, crafts and cuisine unique of New Orleans. The first Jazz Festival had a lineup that included Duke Ellington and Fats Domino and only about 350 attendees.

Quickly the Festival’s popularity grew and it now draws hundreds of thousands of visitors, world-renowned singers and the top talent of New Orleans and Louisiana. This year, artists including Rod Stewart, Jon Mayer, Harry Connick Jr. and ZZ Top are set to play in the event which will take place during the weekends of April 27-29 and May 4-6.

2007 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival attendees are invited to stay at the Hotel Maison de Ville in the French Quarter so that in addition to seeing the festival performances, they’ll be right by jazz clubs and bars where they can hear intimate performances by traditional and contemporary jazz artists who have been inspired by the earliest performers.

By: Carolyn Polinsky

Posted in Jazz Festivals
« Older Entries

Powered by WordPress | Log in | Entries (RSS) | Comments (RSS) | seo service