One of Detroit’s most sought after Jazz drummers Sean Dobbins shows us a slice of his very busy life.
The Green Room series is produced by Roy Feldman for Detroit Performs.
Al Jarreau Meets with DPS Students
December 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Few of us are lucky enough to hang out with superstars. But don’t tell that to the students at The Detroit School of Arts, a Detroit Public High School, where interaction with household names happens regularly.
On Saturday afternoon, December 1st, about 25 DSA students spent an hour with legendary jazz singer Al Jarreau in Orchestra Hall as he rehearsed for that night’s performance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. During microphone checks and sound level adjustments, Jarreau shared advice gleaned from his stellar music career spanning four decades.
“It was wonderful to see how personable he was with the students,” said DSA vocal music instructor Cheryl Valentine. “He would start rehearsing and then turn around and talk to the kids. His stage manager would try to get him to rehearse and Mr. Jarreau would say, ‘In a minute. I have to finish talking to them.’”
What advice did Jarreau give? “Be sure to laugh,” said DSA sophomore Symone Barber. “He said, ‘Laughter is the heart of your life.’ It was so inspiring.” Miss Barber, who sings and is learning to play piano, added, “He was so joyful. Nothing could bring his mood down.”
DSA junior Ivontae Corbin was similarly impressed. “It was nice to see an artist on stage interacting with his band and crowd that was there and be in total control,” said Ivontae. “It made me think that I should have a business mindset if I’m going to go into the music business.”
As an educator, Ms. Valentine appreciated Jarreau’s emphasis on academics. “He told them to make sure their grades are good,” she said. “What we see a lot of times is that kids in the arts excel in art class, but not so well in academics because they don’t see the need of it. Mr. Jarreau told them to take care of academics first and then add music and other arts onto that.”
The Detroit School of Arts, with is proximity to The Detroit Symphony Orchestra in Midtown Detroit, has been visited by many prominent musicians, such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, soprano Denyce Graves, rapper T.I., to name only a few.
Seeing the sound check and spending time with a legend such as Al Jarreau was thrilling for students and teachers alike. Miss Barber succinctly summed up the experience when she said, “It was so… wow.”
The Detroit School of Arts is located at 123 Selden in Detroit. 313.494.6000. Ahna Felix-Brown is Principal. Joining Ms. Valentine and the students for the visit with Al Jarreau were Monica Drake-Howard, attendance agent, DeLois Cooke-Spryszak, assistant principal, and Patricia Moore, counselor.
Concert of Colors in Video
October 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Talk about Detroit performs! Nowhere more so than at last July’s “Concert of Colors” in Midtown Detroit. Event curator and legendary producer Don Was captured some of the best acts and has now posted them on his “My Damn Channel” website. The first batch features saxophonist James Carter, pianist Amp Fiddler, and, here, trumpeter Marcus Belgrave.
As a young man, Marcus Belgrave was tutored by Clifford Brown before going on to perform with legendary bands led by Ray Charles and Charles Mingus. Recognized as the Godfather of Detroit Jazz, he has mentored many of Detroit’s greatest musicians. “Lottie’s Mood” is a tribute to the Motor City’s most legendary exotic dancer, Lottie “The Body” Graves.
The video features Marcus Belgrave, trumpet; Marion Hayden, bass; Gayelynn McKinney, drums; Bill Meyer, piano; Vincent Bowens, flute; and Ryan Johnson, dancer. Recorded live at the 5th Annual DON WAS DETROIT ALL STAR REVUE at the 20th CONCERT OF COLORS July 16th, 2012, Orchestra Hall, Detroit, MI.
DPS Reniassance Jazz
August 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Watch this clip! The Reniassance High School Jazz Combo performs “Black Nile,” by Wayne Shorter. Special guest bassist Marion Hayden joins Malcom Elliott on Tenor Saxophone; Erinn Whitsett on Alto Saxophone; Lyndall Moore on Trombone; Jerry Graham on Piano; and Kayvon Gordon on Drums. Edward Gooch, Director. Recorded May 10, 2012, at the Fox Theatre in Detroit for Detroit Public Schools “Evening of Fine Arts.” To learn more or order videos, contact the DPS Office of Fine Arts Education.
Art & Music Fight Eating Disorders
May 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Trumpeter Marcus Belgrave
Can art and music help raise awareness about eating disorders? That is the hope of Samara Johnson, 23, the producer of “Stereotype,” a fundraiser to both raise awareness and dispel the stigma attached to eating disorders. The event will feature original art and music by Detroit jazz legend Marcus Belgrave and will be held on Thursday, June 14, 2012, from 6:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. at the historic Detroit Opera House.
Proceeds will benefit the Michigan-based Inner Door Foundation and will used to provide education for those struggling with eating disorders and fund a free clinic for those in need of treatment who are denied insurance benefits.
“The Stereotype Event will call into question the subconscious stereotyping that takes place in our society and break the stigmas that deter those from seeking help. Hopefully, by learning the stories of those who struggle with eating disorders, others may feel comfortable addressing their own issues of food and body image and discuss them freely.” said Johnson, Development Director of the Inner Door Foundation. “Detroit has such a thriving art scene – we want to showcase the talent the city has to offer while creating awareness of eating disorders.”
Marcus Belgrave will perform with his quintet plus Joan Belgrave on vocals. “I’m honored to have such talented people in my life,” said Johnson.
General art submissions are now being accepted and artists are encouraged to submit an electronic version or description of their work at samara@innerdoorfoundation.org.
Tickets for Stereotype are $125 per person. Guests must be 18 and older to attend the event. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.stereotype-event.com.
Headquartered in Royal Oak, the Inner Door Foundation was created to raise public awareness of eating disorders, promote education and support advocacy along with legal efforts so that those who are afflicted may access their insurance benefits. Visit www.innerdoorfoundation.org.
Music For A Cause
May 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Many enjoy the serenity that music of quality offers, but imagine how good you would feel if going to see a concert also helped the nation’s veterans and children with needs?
This special feeling is exactly what Jazz @ The Elks offers. Ensembles like The Cliff Monear Trio, The Johnny Trudell Quartet (photo), The Terry Lower Trio and Ron Kischuk & Friends deliver top quality sounds.
The music also brings people out for fundraising events like ice cream socials, hot dogs and cool concerts that benefit veterans and help purchase Christmas gifts for children.
A program put on by the Plymouth Elks 1780, it was started by the late Byron Taylor who had connections with excellent musicians and a cool idea. According to Elks Chairman Ed Henderson, that “idea” is already paying off. Last holiday season, after collecting more than $5,000, The Plymouth Elks were able to give 900 Christmas gifts to under-privileged kids.
Although it started very small, in just under two years Jazz @ The Elks has grown to the point of being able to put on a special outdoor concert featuring seven bands each playing for around 40 minutes. This particular event culminated in a finale featuring all the bands on stage at once.
Jazz @ The Elks happens the last Tuesday of every month from 7-10 p.m. in a relaxed club setting. The Plymouth Elks Club is located at 41700 Ann Arbor Road in Plymouth.
If this sounds like your kind of thing, check out the next performance, Feb. 28 and eperience The Johnny Trudell Quartet, with Mr. Trudell on flugelhorn, Ray Tini on bass, Bill Cairo on drums and Chuck Shermatero on keyboard.
They’re cool. So are all who support Jazz @ The Elks.
- Adam Hinton
Detroit Divas Sing at Ford House
March 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Detroit Jazz Festival and Edsel & Eleanor Ford House present “Detroit Divas Sing, Sing, Sing” on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012 at 7 p.m. for its second annual Jazz at Ford House prelude to the Labor Day weekend festival.With the historic Ford House as the backdrop, jazz vocal traditions born from the big-band swing era will be honored with a concert featuring three Detroit vocal legends – Shahida Nurullah (left), Ursula Walker and Judy Cochill – and the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra. Songs from the American songbook will highlight the unique styles of each artist and bring the region’s powerful music history to life.
The three “divas” also will be joined by an emerging “diva” as the winner of the Detroit Jazz Festival’s Youth Vocalist Competition, is chosen on Aug.15 at a Dirty Dog Jazz Café performance, and the J.C. Heard All-Star Youth Ensemble, a select group of students from the Festival’s J.C. Heard Jazz Week at Wayne program. Members of the ensemble are: Mike Hudson-Casanova, Kasan Belgrave, Chris Tabaczynski, Nolan Young, Stephen Grady, Allen Dennard, Nick Masters and Trevor Robertson.
Tickets: $30 – preferred seating - Includes reserved seating, parking and shuttle service to concert area $15 – general admission, in advance $20 – general admission, at the gate $12 – general admission in advance for Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Members and Detroit Jazz Festival Rhythm Section Members
To purchase tickets, click here. Jazz at Ford House is made possible through the support of Ford Motor Company Fund, Henry Ford Health System, Crest Lincoln, Miller Canfield and Dirty Dog Jazz Café. Photo credit: Roy Feldman.
The Art of Saturday Mornings
March 9, 2012 By 1 Comment
By Gibron Lockhart, Trumpet Instructor, Native Detroiter, MSU Jazz Studies Major
Detroit parents want the same things for their children as parents everywhere do – a quality education and exposure to positive experiences that prepare them for a successful life.
When I was growing up, my parents filled my weekends with enriching activities. A typical Saturday included Suzuki violin lessons, golf lessons, and math or reading tutoring. After the lessons, our family would visit Detroit’s museums and cultural institutions. And it didn’t stop there. When I got home, my mother and I would work on multiplication tables. Only after completing my enrichment activities could I do what I wanted.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have parents who were so concerned with exposing me to culture and expanding my horizons. They gave me the resources to do anything I want with my life.
Without the tutoring programs, mentorships and vibrant businesses in Detroit, parents would not be able to provide their children with the resources needed to function in today’s world. It’s the trips to the Detroit Science Center and Cranbrook Science Center that open a child eyes to science and test their critical thinking skills. The Henry Ford Museum teaches young people about Detroit’s role in the automobile industry. The Charles H. Wright African American History Museum informs kids about the people that came before them.
Education is dependant upon resources and a willing parent, teacher, or someone to take the time to expose children to the assets that will help facilitate education. That’s why on Saturday mornings I drive from East Lansing, where I’m a Jazz Studies major at Michigan State University, to my hometown, Detroit, to give trumpet lessons to children at MSU’s Community Music School-Detroit (CMS-Detroit).
My students range in age from 9 to 17, and are in the Aspiring Musicians Program (AMP). The lessons are just $5 a week, and financial aid is available through our fundraising. The school’s goal is to turn no child away.
It gives me great satisfaction to work for a university in the City of Detroit, because it allows me to share my experiences with the city’s youth. I am helping to keep Detroit moving by connecting with children through music. Once the connection is made, I have the ability to influence, motivate, educate and mentor those children, leaving an impact that is priceless.
To some people this may seem like no big deal. However, I feel what I’m doing is contributing to Detroit’s youth by giving them exposure to something that just might change their lives. Instead of a young person staying at home on a Saturday morning and watching TV, they can learn something about music, which is a positive enrichment that Michigan State University is offering to the city. Community involvement is what Michigan State University is all about. Without “community,” there are simply no resources for education.
My hope is that music enriches these kids’ lives in the same way it did mine, and that it motivates them to strive for greater things.
Detroit families need resources that support their children’s educational development. MSU’s CMS-Detroit offers parents the chance to give their children access to a world of music and culture that might otherwise be closed to them.
I get as much as I give in working at the Community Music School-Detroit. It’s great to be helping my hometown, and it’s immensely rewarding to give children the gift of music.
DPS STUDENT SHINES AT GRAMMYS
February 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Kayvon Gordon
Great Sounds at the Library
February 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Most of the time you have to be quiet at the library. On Wednesday, Feb. 22, you could have been part of the noise that brought down the house.
It was the 68th Annual E. Azalia Hackley Concert at the Detroit Public Library. The program featured, “In the Tradition,” a hard swinging bebop ensemble known for its renditions of standards in the jazz repertoire and its own compositions. Fans of the genre are known to be anything but reserved in their support of the music.
The program was held Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, at 7 p.m. in the Friends Auditorium at the Main Branch of the Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, 48202. Tickets are $30 for reserved seating and $15 for general admission, payable at the door or on line via Pay Pal at detroitpubliclibrary.org.
In the Tradition presented a program that is a unique and and delightful mix of jazz and African rhythms. In 1993, the band was founded in Detroit as the Christopher James/Charles Hopkins Quintet. Since its inception, the band has been recognized as a formidable, hard-swinging, bebop ensemble that was faithful to the classic bebop tradition. In 1997, the band was re-named “In The Tradition” and began to focus more on African rhythms and the music of the African Diaspora while remaining true to the bebop tradition. They have created a unique musical sound that features both jazz and African rhythms. The members of “In The Tradition” are all seasoned musicians who have performed individually with such artists as Dizzy Gillespie, BB King, Marcus Belgrave, Gladys Knight and Aretha Franklin.
This concert was sponsored by Comerica Bank, the Detroit Public Library, Munder Capital, Miller Canfield, ABM Janitorial Services, Detroit Public Library Friends Foundation and the Friends of the E. Azalia Hackley Collection.
The program is held in recognition of Ms. E. Azalia Hackley, who donated materials as a musician and scholar to the Detroit Musicians Association (DMA). A branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians, the DMA donated the extensive collection of music and information to the Detroit Public Library in 1943. Documenting the contributions of African Americans to the nation’s performing arts, the materials became the first such archive in the world.
Ms. Hackley was an African American singer and progressive activist. Learn more about her amazing life at BlackPast.org.