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A Tribute to 'Trane Featuring Guru's Jazzmatazz & Superproducer Solar

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Boston, MA--31st John Coltrane Memorial Concert: “A Tribute to ‘Trane” featuring special guests Guru’s Jazzmatazz with Superproducer Solar; joined by DJ Doo Wop, Brownman, and David Scott. Hosted by Eric Jackson. Presented by Northeastern University's Center for the Arts (CFTA) and the John Coltrane Memorial Concert (JCMC). September 27, 8 pm. Northeastern University, Blackman Theatre, Ell Hall, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston [conveniently located near the Ruggles stop on the Orange Line or the Northeastern stop on the Green Line (E train)]. Tickets: $25 general admission; $20 non-NU students, seniors, NU Faculty/staff/WGBH Members; $10 NU students with ID. For advance tickets: 617-373-4700. Box Office hours: Mon.-Fri. noon-6 pm and one hour prior to the show.

It is most fitting that the producers of the JCMC have invited legendary hip-hop messenger Guru along with featured artist Solar to perform a special tribute to John Coltrane for the JCMC’s 31st anniversary which opens Northeastern University’s Center for the Arts 2008-2009 season. An acknowledged hip-hop icon through his work with Gangstarr, Guru has illustrated his love for and understanding of the jazz legacy through his critically acclaimed hip-hop and jazz fusion series, Jazzmatazz, which features collaborations with musicians such as Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd, Lonnie Liston Smith, Ramsey Lewis and Branford Marsalis.

Guru is the first and only rapper to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London. And Guru's Jazzmatazz is the first hip-hop ensemble to play all of the prestigious European jazz festivals, including the Blue Note Festival, the Hague Festival, and Montreaux, to name a few.

Guru represents the continuum of Black American music in the 21st century. His innovative and creative use of the syntax and semantics of Black culture expression known as hip-hop is at the cutting edge of contemporary music. Combined with his understanding of the musical and spiritual legacy of John Coltrane, his artistic performance at the 31st JCMC promises to be innovative, captivating, and compelling.

Guru’s performances are rooted in the on-going evolution and expansion of the tradition of Black musical expression which includes innovation and unpredictability. He is cognizant of his responsibility as exemplar of 21st century Black American music. His JCMC repertoire will include interpretations of Coltrane's “Acknowledgement,” part one of “A Love Supreme” suite, as well as the popular “My Favorite Things.”

Both Guru and Solar are honored to appear as guest artists for the world’s oldest annual performance tribute to the musical and spiritual legacy of John Coltrane. They are humbled by the opportunity and are looking forward to the performance. This will also be a homecoming for Guru, who was born and raised in Roxbury.

Further background on Guru, Solar, and JCMC:

Guru

“Since the inception of Jazzmatazz, one of the main focuses has been that it has something for every generation and music lover. It's timeless. When we enter into these projects, we're working with artists that are relevant and it provides for that fresh new territory."

On the Jazzmatazz series: “…I thought, ‘What if we got jazz greats in the studio to make a hip-hop record?’ Jazzmatazz was born from that. I wanted to bring the generations together. I didn't like that old people thought hip-hop was violent noise, and I wanted young people to know that they had a history that was worth checking out. Jazz was hip-hop before there was hip-hop. It made sense to blend the two together. I wanted to create something that was timeless – Jazzmatazz is my attempt at a timeless work of art. Gangstarr's influence has been big but I think that the effects of Jazzmatazz have been farther-reaching and significant. Solar and I are working on a new Jazzmatazz record, which will push things farther than we had ever thought possible.”

In the past, Guru’s Jazzmatazz endeavors have enabled him to collaborate with a who’s who list of legendary musical icons including Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd, Chaka Khan, Isaac Hayes, Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis and popular cross-over favorites Macy Gray, The Roots, Erykah Badu and Angie Stone. Even early on, Guru’s work was recognized by Spike Lee who commissioned Guru’s Gangstarr duo to compose a piece (“Jazz Thing”) for the film “Mo' Better Blues,” which pays homage to jazz greats and features saxophonist Branford Marsalis.

When asked how he has been able to stay such a viable force in the music industry, Guru states matter-of-factly: “be honest with yourself, be original, be open to criticism and don’t be afraid to reinvent and recreate yourself.” He continues: “The Jazzmatazz series has always been about charting new territories, blurring genre lines, and collaborating with artists to create music that’s timeless and relevant.”

Solar

“Jazz to me is one of the greatest art forms ever to hit the planet … Jazz was a fusion. You had cats that were classically trained, you had cats that were from the Caribbean that brought the African rhythms with them; you had cats from the south that migrated into Harlem and then you had black folk that had grown up here in the North. All of these presences came together to create this music known as jazz; which was just a fusion, a hybrid of different styles .… It’s a lot like Hip-Hop in the sense they had their own fashions, their own subculture and their own language. They made up their own terms and words like we do in Hip-Hop.”

For more information on Guru, Solar, and their collaboration, log onto www.gurusjazzmatazz.net/site.html and www.guru7grand.net.

John Coltrane Memorial Concert (JCMC) History

The first John Coltrane Memorial Concert (JCMC) was performed in Boston on July 17, 1977, in the Friends of Great Black Music Loft, a performance space for creative arts established by master percussionist Syd Smart. The annual concert then developed through the collective efforts of Syd Smart, bassist Hayes Burnet, and saxophonist Leonard Brown. In 1986, the JCMC moved to Northeastern University, which has served as its home for over two decades, providing a stability that has been essential to the continuation and growth of this unique and important cultural event.

From the beginning and now into its 31st year of producing concerts, the JCMC’s purpose has been to reflect on the rich musical and spiritual legacy of 'Trane through contemporary interpretations of his works, to inspire us all to work toward developing our full capacities as human beings, and to work for world peace. The list of invited guest artists includes McCoy Tyner, Frank Foster, Shirley Scott, George Coleman, Mulgrew Miller, Alvin Batiste, Yusef Lateef, Brother Blue, Danilo Perez, Michael Harper, Pharoah Sanders, Alan Dawson, Terri Lyn Carrington, and Ravi Coltrane The JCMC is the world's oldest annual performance tribute to the musical and spiritual legacy of John Coltrane and draws a very diverse audience from throughout New England. Since its inception, over 20,000 people have attended the JCMC.

Established in 1994, the John Coltrane Memorial Concert Educational Outreach Program (JCMCEOP), has collaborated with Boston and Cambridge elementary and secondary schools to bring live creative music to youth. Under the leadership of Dr. Leonard Brown and Dr. Emmett Price of Northeastern University’s Departments of African American Studies and Music, the JCMCEOP has impacted over 10,000 students. The current participating schools are: Paige Academy in Roxbury; Roland Hayes Division of Music at Madison Park; Health Careers Academy; Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School; Josiah Quincy Upper School; Conservatory Lab Charter School; South End Technology Center@Tent City; and Balfour Academy. The goal of JCMCEOP is to introduce the legacy of Black American creative improvisational music to diverse urban school populations. Through music, the program promotes positive self-image, willingness to learn, and commitment to excellence.

The John Coltrane Memorial Concert is proud to acknowledge this year’s sponsors which at press time are Northeastern University, Color Magazine, WGBH Radio, and the Boston Phoenix Media/Communications Group.

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