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Blue Note Set to Release "Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy"

On July 17, 2007 Blue Note will release "Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy". Imagine the excitement that would be generated by the discovery of previously unknown masterpieces--an Orson Welles film, a Shakespeare tragedy, a Van Gogh landscape or Beethoven's Tenth Symphony. For those who hold the Jazz Art in equal esteem, Blue Note's Charles Mingus Sextet With Eric Dolphy: Cornell 1964, a truly spectacular never-before-released performance by one of the composer/bassist/visionary's most outstanding ensembles, should provoke that same kind of exhilaration.

Losing a giant like Mingus at the young age of 56 in 1979, and the potential years of artistic expression that the world will never get to experience, make the discovery of this concert all the more valuable. As everyone who understands the unique art of Jazz knows, each and every performance is an entirely new experience. That's the essence of the art form. This is magnified exponentially when the music is being created under the leadership of a true genius. When you multiply that genius by other artists deserving of that description--In this case, the pianist Jaki Byard and reedman/flautist Eric Dolphy--the results can be astonishing.

Recorded on March 18, 1964--more than two weeks prior to the April 4 Town Hall concert that launched a historic European tour--this concert followed a two-month extended engagement at New York's landmark club, The Five Spot. The opportunity to play together for an extended time is invaluable in bringing out the best in an ensemble. Cornell 1964 is a testament to that fact, offering the concert debuts of compositions honed to perfection during that engagement. The rhythm section had been together for some time: Byard had been with Mingus since 1962 and drummer Dannie Richmond first joined him in 1956. Dolphy first played with Mingus in 1949 and again in the early 1960s. Tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan was an occasional substitute who fit in so well that Mingus expanded the group to a sextet. One of Mingus' favorite trumpet players, Johnny Coles, completed the ensemble.

Cornell 1964 is not only significant in marking the debuts of some of Mingus' most important pieces, it stands on its own as one of the finest performances ever recorded by that group. The pure jubilation and palpable exultation of this performance is on display throughout the two-plus hours of music. The joyous sense of fun that emanates throughout the concert never undermines the commitment and seriousness of the musicians. At the core of it all is Mingus, whose utter delight is displayed through his exchanges with the audience, shouting encouragement to the band, singing, hollering and voicing his unfettered pleasure with the proceedings.


Joe Giardullo at Cornelia Street Cafe

Soprano saxophonist Joe Giardullo debuts Triangle Circle Square, music for string quartet, percussion, bass and soprano saxophone, at NY's Cornelia Street Cafe on Wednesday June 13th.

With drummer Todd Capp, bassist Shayna Dulberger, and the Snow Quartet ( Michael Snow, Gwen Laster- violins; Larry Packer-viola, Martha Colby- cello), Joe will present works from his G2 series of compositions.

Paris label Rogue Art Records, which releases music from Roscoe Mitchell and Rob Brown, will release Giardullo's Red Morocco disc (Music for 14 musicians) in September, and it will be the first release of Joe's G2 music since 1979. The ensemble includes Joe McPhee, Lori Freedman, Dom Minasi, Daniel Levin,Rosie Hertlein, David Prentice, Gordon Allen, Brian Melick, Rich Rosenthal, Steve Lantner, Michael Snow, Martha Colby and David Arner.


Special Concert in the Monterey Museum of Art

The Monterey Jazz Festival, a leader in jazz education since 1958 and winner of the 2005 and 2006 JazzTimes Readers' Poll for Best Festival, is pleased to announce a special concert on June 26, 2007 at the Monterey Museum of Art, with special guest MJF Artist-In- Residence, Grammy winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard.

Produced in partnership with the Museum, the concert will complement the Museum's Henri Matisse: Jazz exhibition of important and rarely seen prints, and a display of historical posters, program covers and images covering the MJF's 50 years. The June 26 event includes a special private viewing of the exhibition. Proceeds will benefit MJF's Jazz Education Programs and the Monterey Museum of Art.

The concert features the talents of the musicians who make up the core of MJF's Traveling Clinicians program, and are internationally known for their stellar performances: Bruce Forman, guitar; Paul Contos, saxophone; Vince Lateano, drums; and Scott Steed, bass. Terence Blanchard will also perform on trumpet, adding his distinctive musical voice to the mix.



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