Evening Features Genius Loves Company: Ray Charles 75th Birthday Tribute
and 25th Anniversary Salute to Latin Jazz Label, Concord Picante
Stellar Line-Up Includes Patti Austin, Billy Preston, Ellis Hall, LaToya London, Monica Mancini, Poncho Sanchez, Eddie Palmieri, Diane Schuur, Sam Moore, Dave Samuels, Gary Burton, Karrin Allyson and Others - Including Special Appearance by Quincy Jones
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, AT 8 PM
Media Support Provided by KKJZ
The program also features Poncho Sanchez, Eddie Palmieri and Dave Samuels, performing in honor of the 25th anniversary of Concord Picante, the feisty Latin jazz label, home to some of the genre's biggest names. Also on board are soul legend Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave), Hammond B-3 maestro Joey DeFrancesco and alto sax player Donald Harrison.
Master vibraphonist Gary Burton, now retired from Berklee College of Music, brings Gary Burton's Generations to the label's celebration, showcasing new talent. Karrin Allyson, one of Concord's most popular jazz vocalists, will perform with the group.
Two-time Grammy Award-nominated singer KARRIN ALLYSON has recorded nine CDs for Concord Records. In addition to traditional jazz venues, Allyson has appeared at Carnegie Hall as part of a special tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and at the 92nd St. YMCA in New York City. Allyson and her band have performed with symphony orchestras around the country, including the new Carnegie Hall concert series at Zankel Hall.
PATTI AUSTIN's early foundation - as the goddaughter of musical legends Quincy Jones and Dinah Washington - has enabled her to explore almost every genre of music through a career that spans over three decades. The New York-born singer first hit the stage with Washington at the tender age of four, debuting at the world-famous Apollo Theater in Harlem. In 1981, she signed with Jones' Qwest label; her debut album for them, Every Home Should Have One, included the chart-topping "Baby Come To Me," a duet with then-label mate James Ingram. The pair reprised their success in 1983 with the Oscar-nominated "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" which they performed at the Academy Awards. In recent years, Austin has performed extensively throughout the Far East where she is immensely popular. She has also devoted a lot of time to performing for AIDS-related organizations.
Born in 1943 and raised in Indiana, Grammy-award winner GARY BURTON taught himself to play the vibraphone and, at the age of 17, made his recording debut in Nashville, Tennessee, with guitarists Hank Garland and Chet Atkins. Two years later, Burton left his studies at Berklee College of Music to join George Shearing and subsequently Stan Getz, with whom he worked from 1964-1966. In the '70s, Burton began his career with Berklee College of Music in Boston. He began as a teacher of percussion and improvisation classes at Berklee in 1971. In 1985 he was named Dean of Curriculum. In 1989, he received an honorary doctorate of music from the college, and in 1996, he was appointed Executive Vice President. Burton currently records for Concord Records.
JOEY DEFRANCESCO has been wowing audiences and listeners through performances on the Hammond B-3 organ with everyone from Miles Davis to John McLaughlin and Poncho Sanchez. His fiery style - with lightning-fast solos, bass lines and chordal accompaniment all happening simultaneously - sometimes makes it seem as if there are another two musicians helping him work the keys. DeFrancesco's most recent Bowl performance was in 1996.
Virtuoso multi-instrumentalist and vocalist ELLIS HALL was formerly featured as lead vocalist and keyboardist with the soul stirring group Tower of Power. He culminated his stint with co-production, arrangement and songwriting prowess on their album Power. Ellis is also recognized for his hit performance on the Kenny G. multi-platinum album Duotones and the gold and platinum California Raisins albums. Ellis' colorful statements instrumentally and vocally can be found on his widely acclaimed debut solo album The Spirit Lingers On, a musical journey of highly inspirational soul featuring 12 original songs.
DONALD HARRISON has developed into a musical category unto himself. In the classic jazz genre, he is the originator of the Nouveau Swing style which merges acoustic swing with modern R&B, second-line, hip-hop, Mardi Gras Indian music, and reggae rhythms. His smooth jazz recording, "The Power of Cool," went to the top of the smooth jazz chart in Billboard Magazine and is considered a classic. He is one of the few musicians who can play it all-from traditional, to swing, bop, post-bop, modern, smooth, avant-garde, and beyond. Yet, Harrison has developed his own personal style that traverses and synthesizes all these mediums with great success.
An impresario in the broadest and most creative sense of the word, QUINCY JONES has encompassed the roles of composer, record producer, artist, film producer, arranger, conductor, instrumentalist, TV producer, record company executive, magazine founder, and multi-media entrepreneur. As a master inventor of musical hybrids, he has shuffled pop, soul, hip-hop, jazz, classical, African, and Brazilian music into many dazzling fusions, traversing virtually every medium, including records, live performance, movies, and television. The laurels, awards, and accolades have been innumerable: Jones has won an Emmy Award for his score of the opening episode of the landmark TV miniseries, Roots, seven Oscar nominations, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, 27 Grammy awards, and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences' prestigious Trustees' Award and Grammy Living Legend Award. He is the all-time most nominated Grammy artist with a total of 79 Grammy nominations. Jones won the first of those 27 Grammys in 1963 for his Count Basie arrangement of "I Can't Stop Loving You."
With her composed demeanor, illuminating smile and beauty, and stunning voice, singer LATOYA LONDON captivated the country during the thrilling third season of the TV talent show, American Idol (2004). One listen to the amazing breadth of her Peak Records debut, Love & Life, reveals a remarkably assured new artist who has only begun to show the world what she is made of. London was born in San Francisco and raised in Oakland, Calif. Throughout high school, she was a member of the Oakland Youth Chorus, where she sang a cappella, classical, Latin, and African music, which broadened both her ear and vocal training. She also sang with the gospel choir at Skyline High School, where she also studied dance (jazz, ballet and hip-hop).
MONICA MANCINI, 2005 double Grammy nominee has carved out an impressive career as a concert performer, appearing with major symphony orchestras worldwide. She began singing early on as a member of the Henry Mancini Chorus, which led to a successful career in Los Angeles studios, where she appeared on countless film scores and recordings, with such notable artists as Plácido Domingo, Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson. Her debut CD, Monica Mancini, found her paying tribute to her father's musical legacy and was the companion to her PBS television special, Monica Mancini: On Record. She has since released three highly successful albums on Concord Records - Monica Mancini…The Dreams of Johnny Mercer, Cinema Paradiso and the recent Ultimate Mancini.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee SAM MOORE is best-known as half of Sam and Dave, perhaps one of soul music's greatest duos. Sam and Dave brought the sound of the black church to pop music with their string of call-and-response hits for Stax Records in the '60s.
BILLY PRESTON's career has spanned five decades, starting as a child prodigy playing the movie role of young W.C. Handy and then playing organ for the likes of Ray Charles and Little Richard. His name and fame were solidified as a solo artist when he scored a string of Number 1 hit singles including the Grammy winning "Outta Space", "Will It Go Round In Circles", "Nothing From Nothing" and "Space Race". A prolific writer, Preston penned the multi-platinum standard "You Are So Beautiful" which was performed by his friend Joe Cocker. Preston recorded on the last album his mentor Ray Charles was to record, the eight-time Grammy winning Genius Loves Company (released by Concord Records in association with Starbucks Hear Music).
Percussionist and bandleader PONCHO SANCHEZ has long qualified as one of the hardest-working men in Latin jazz. Born in Laredo, Texas, the youngest of 11 children, he grew up in Norwalk, California (where he still lives) listening to Afro-Cuban music and artists such as Machito, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, as well as doo-wop music and early rhythm and blues. Sanchez's big break occurred in 1975 when he had an opportunity to play with his idol, vibraphonist Cal Tjader. Sanchez remained in the band until Tjader's death seven years later. Sanchez first formed his own group in 1980, recording two albums for Discovery. He then signed with the Concord Picante label resulting in 18 recordings, a Grammy Award (for 1999's Latin Soul) and a countless performances around the world at venues ranging from concert halls and nightclubs to free festivals.
Five-time Grammy Award winner EDDIE PALMIERI is one of the most prolific and popular Latin musicians of the 20th Century. An enigmatic performer, virtuoso pianist, and imaginative composer, Palmieri continues to challenge all musical boundaries. Born in Spanish Harlem in 1936, Eddie Palmieri began piano studies at an early age. For Hispanic New Yorkers of his generation, music was a vehicle out of "El Barrio." At age 11, he made his classical debut at Carnegie Hall. He began his professional career as a pianist in the early 1950s with Eddie Forrester's Orchestra. Palmieri's musical career spans more than four decades as a leader of salsa and jazz orchestras. His accomplishments have taken him through Europe, Japan, and Latin America, showcasing his elite group of seasoned musicians and his kaleidoscope of musical styles. His voluminous discography includes 32 titles. In 1988 the Smithsonian Institution recorded and documented two of Palmieri's performances for their catalog of the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., a rare public honor bestowed on few Latin artists.
DAVE SAMUELS, with his distinct musical personality, has established himself as the top mallet player of his generation. He is recognized for his fresh new sound and creative approach to both the vibraphone and marimba.
Blind from birth due to a hospital accident, vocalist and piano player DIANE SCHUUR made her singing debut at age 10. The turning point in her career occurred when she sang "Amazing Grace" at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1979 and caught the ear of the late Stan Getz. Since then she has been a regular recording artist for the GRP label, and she collaborated with the Count Basie Orchestra in 1987. She most recently recorded Midnight for the Concord label. She last performed at the Bowl in 2004.
CONCORD RECORDS is widely regarded as one of the preeminent record companies in the industry today, committed to offering the adult music audience inspiring, innovative and high quality recordings of jazz and popular music. Considered a leader in the jazz music and traditional pop market for nearly 30 years-both critically and commercially-Concord has garnered numerous awards and accolades, including 88 Grammy® Award nominations and 14 Grammy® Awards. First organized in 1969 by local businessman and civic leader Carl Jefferson, the Concord Jazz Festival in Northern California served as the catalyst for what would eventually become Concord Records. The company has experienced impressive expansion since its inception, developing into a group of imprints that offers a vast array of musical styles and genres. In 1999, Concord Records was purchased by Act III Communications, the entertainment holding company owned by film and television executives Norman Lear and Hal Gaba.
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2005 at 8 PM
HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood
A Night with Concord Record
Patti Austin, vocals
Ellis Hall, keyboard
LaToya London, vocals
Monica Mancini, vocals
Billy Preston, organ
Diane Schuur, vocals
Concord All-Star Big Band
Gregg Field, musical director
Quincy Jones, conductor
Poncho Sanchez, cougas
Joey DeFrancesco, organ
Donald Harrison, alto saxophone
Sam Moore, vocals
Eddie Palmieri, piano
Dave Samuels, vibraphone
Gary Burton, vibraphone
Karrin Allyson, vocals
Program:
Gary Burton's Generations and special guest Karrin Allyson
Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band with special guests Joey DeFrancesco, Donald Harrison, Sam Moore, Eddie Palmieri and Dave Samuels
Genius Loves Company: Ray Charles 75th Birthday Tribute with Patti Austin, Ellis Hall, LaToya London, Monica Mancini, Billy Preston, Diane Schuur, and the Concord All-Star Big Band, Gregg Field, musical director, with a special appearance by Quincy Jones
Media support provided by KKJZ
Tickets ($1- $80) are on sale now at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 213.480.3232, at all Ticketmaster outlets (Robinsons May, Tower Records, and Ritmo Latino locations), or online at HollywoodBowl.com. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850.2050 for further details. For general information or to request a brochure, call 323.850.2000.
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Adam Crane, 213.972.3034; Cathy Williams, 213.972.3689; for photos: 213.972.3034