JOANNE BRACKEEN PREVIEWS UPCOMING ARKADIA CD "POPSICLE ILLUSION" IN 5-STOP MAY TOUR
Arkadia Jazz recording artist Joanne Brackeen previews her upcoming CD Popsicle Illusion with a 5-stop tour, May 25 - 30. Brackeen, who is considered by many to be one of the most original and innovative musicians in modern jazz, will perform in the following locations:
- May 25 - 26 Joanne Brackeen duo with Don Braden The Cotton Club Vancouver, B.C.
- May 27 Joanne Brackeen Quartet Jazz & Blues Co. Carmel, CA
with Don Braden (tenor sax), Jeff Chambers (bass), Greg Hutchinson (drums) - May 28 Joanne Brackeen Quartet UCLA Jazz & Reggae Fest Los Angeles, CA
- May 29 Joanne Brackeen Quartet The Outpost Albuquerque, NM
- May 30 Joanne Brackeen Quartet Yoshi's San Francisco, CA
Brackeen's debut CD for Arkadia (and her 22nd as a leader), Pink Elephant Magic garnered wide media praise. Named one of Top 5 CDs of the Year by 2 JazzTimes critics, it was also chosen in the Top 10 at UPI. “A delightful disc that marries playful melodies with Brackeen's syncopated approach and her penchant for adventurous exploration... “ Bob McCullough, Boston Globe. “Each track has the gift of surprise and joy." Jerry D'Souza, Planet Jazz. “Ms. Brackeen plays with gusto and writes refreshing, witty compositions with nonstandard chord changes and shifting arrangements." Ben Ratliff, New York Times. Popsicle Illusion, her stunning solo album, will be released later this summer.
Joanne Brackeen began touring in 1969, playing alongside musical legends such as Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, Stan Getz, Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw. In the 1970s, she formed her own trio, which has performed in concerts, festivals and clubs throughout Europe, Canada and the U.S. She frequently appears on the Down Beat's Critic's Poll, has received two National Endowment for the Arts grants, and toured Europe and the Middle East on behalf of the U.S. State Department. A self-taught musician, Brackeen is on the faculty of New York's New School, and the Berklee College of Music. Most recently, she toured Japan as part of the 100 Gold Fingers (with fellow pianists Hank Jones and Kenny Barron), performed solo at the Kennedy Center, with her quartet at the Smithsonian, and in the “Legends of the '70s" concert at Town Hall. She has also toured Switzerland and Germany with Pharaoh Sanders.
A full-service label started in 1997 by Bob Karcy, Arkadia Jazz has earned four Grammy nominations (the most of any independent label in the jazz category) and wide acclaim as 'The Artists' Choice.' “Arkadia is a new jazz label whose recordings to date have been meticulous, high-quality productions with focus and purpose." Thomas Conrad, Stereophile. The label has released CDs by Billy Taylor, David Liebman, Joanne Brackeen, Benny Golson, Nova Bossa Nova, Pe De Boi, Moscow Sax Quintet, Kenny Drew, Jr., and David Lahm, among others. In June 1999, Arkadia acquired the esteemed Postcards label. For consumers who would like the name of the nearest retailer, or to receive a catalog, call toll-free, 1-888-ARKADIA. Arkadia's website can be found at www.arkadiarecords.com."
