DONALD HARRISON, JR. is featured in several capacities within the presentation and production aspects of the new HBO series, “Treme". Variety reported on April 14, 2010 that Sunday's “Treme" premiere garnered 1.1 million viewers for the 10 p.m. telecast. A later rebroadcast drew 300,000, but HBO shows can end up quadrupling viewers over the course of a week of repeat airings and video on demand. Donald Harrison provides technical consultation regarding the Chief costuming, has his composition, “Christopher Jr." in the soundtrack, and is performing and acting in various episodes of Treme. Harrison is also promoting his latest release, “Quantum Leap".
ARC co-founder, SUMI TONOOKA is working on a highly anticipated solo piano recording. More details to follow in the next issue of news and press items.
WILL MATTHEWS is featured on NPR affiliate KCUR 89.3 FM's weekly radio program “Kansas City Currents" (listen to Will's very interesting segment at the 43:00 minute mark). Matthews talks about his experiences as the guitarist with the world-famous Count Basie Orchestra and music from his latest ARC release, “Count On Swinin' (ARC-2109)" is aired.
This episode also features a segment about the new Hip Hop musical, “Venice" that features ARC member, BRANDON DRAPER on drums and percussion.
JOHN BLAKE, JR. notes about his recent concert program at Flushing Town Hall (April 17): “This work has been influenced by the fiddle music and musicians from West Africa. There is a link from Africa that connects to the music developed on plantations in America by African Americans. My piece is a tribute to that connection and a celebration of the players and the music that was further developed in this country." Featured artists were: John Blake Jr., violin, African fiddles; Curtis Stewart, violin, African fiddles; Sumi Tonooka, piano; Harry “Butch" Reed, drums; Avery Sharpe, bass; Doc Gibbs, Percussion; Charlotte Blake Alston, African fiddle, walking canes, tambourine, spoons. Blake's latest release is “Motherless Child (ARC-2123)" and according to his radio promoter, the CD is currently chartbound at JazzWeek.com.
MICHAEL JEFRY STEVENS is currently touring the United States with the international modern jazz super group, Conference Call Quartet in support of their latest CD. And, Stevens will soon be releasing another recording on ARC titled “Only Love (ARC-2185)" in collaboration with the vocalist, Miles Griffith (The Griffith/Stevens Quartet).
ARC co-founder, CHRIS BURNETT will be giving a 75-MINUTE MASTER CLASS/CLINIC FOR the American Jazz Museum event titled: Tribute to Duke Ellington on April 30, 2010 from 11:00a - 12:15p. The event is a two-day celebration of Ellington, a revered and prolific American composer, that includes: (1) a day-long educational symposium and master classes for middle school, high school, and collegiate level music students including a panel discussion with Ellington specialist Barry Hall and NEA Jazz Masters Clark Terry and Dan Morgenstern; (2) an Ellington exhibit of photos and artifacts, and the unveiling of a new Ellington bust by Sacramento-based artist Howard Lazar; (3) a public outreach presentation on Ellington by Dan Morgenstern; (4) a showcase performance of Ellington music on April 30, 2010, featuring invited student ensembles and a specially formed professional Kansas City All-Star Ellington Orchestra.
Reedist, Russell Thorpe, co-founder of the BLACK HOUSE IMPROVISOR'S COLLECTIVE was hosting a weekly improv gig at the Czar Bar in Kansas City from 7-9. The inaugural is Saturday, April 24 and is billed as: “a masters class of musicians to create a new dialect in Jazz. Improv, Standards and Crowd Participation". “Residency Session #2 (ARC-2147)" is the Black House Improvisor's Collective's progressive debut commercial recording release of original compositions.
Honorary Member: KANSAS CITY YOUTH JAZZ, INC. is promoting their 3rd Annual Jazz Masters Concert Fundraiser that is on Sunday, May 2, 2010 from 7:00 to 9:30 PM at The Madrid Theatre. With the continuation of consistent budget cuts to arts and music programs nationwide, viable programs like KCYJ have become vital to the perpetuation of such refined forms of music as “jazz". This concert serves as the annual fundraiser for the Kansas City Youth Jazz organization.
Honorary Member: MUTUAL MUSICIANS FOUNDATION, INC. has produced many upgrades to their official site that include a calendar page and blog posts that serve to advise the membership of current activities. Located in the heart of the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District, Kansas City's Mutual Musicians Foundation is one of the country's principal cradles of jazz along with New York, New Orleans and Chicago. Jazz has been played continuously here since 1930 when Local 627 moved into the building, making it the longest running Jazz place in the United States and in the world.
ABOUT US: Artists Recording Collective (ARC) is specifically well suited to artists who are seeking to release a brand new product or already have their own recorded product(s) to promote. In this capacity, ARC serves members as a formidable platform to market our work collectively. Our unique and modern approach to 21st Century music promotion and branding effectively serves a relatively broad (but, select) demographic that ranges from the brilliant new talent to those established masters on the ARC artist roster. Use the link below to take an informational tour of our official site and enjoy numerous multi-media content features.
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