Home » Jazz News » Performance / Tour

40

The Jim Cullum Jazz Band Debuts at IAJE Conference

Source:

Sign in to view read count
2006 IAJE Conference Debuts Traditional Jazz with Performance by The Jim Cullum Jazz Band

NEW YORK - The Jim Cullum Jazz Band, best known for their work on Public Radio International's Riverwalk Jazz, takes center stage at the 33rd Annual IAJE Conference in New York City. Masters of the almost-lost art of collective improvisation, the ensemble featuring Cullum's cornet, is the first-ever traditional jazz group to headline for IAJE. Their high-energy performance blends traditional techniques with the band's distinctive approach to tunes by Jelly Roll Morton, W.C. Handy, Jimmy Noone and more. The band will perform Thursday, January 12th at 8:30PM on the main stage at the Hilton Towers.

This is the first time in its 33-year history that IAJE's conference has chosen to showcase a traditional jazz ensemble during a primetime slot. “The upcoming performance in New York is ground-breaking and long overdue," says former IAJE President, Shelton Berg. “Traditional jazz is at the core of the music, and should enjoy a much more prominent status in jazz education. The Jim Cullum Jazz Band is the most dedicated, authentic and swingin' group of its kind."

Bill McFarlin, Executive Director of IAJE notes: “The Jim Cullum Jazz Band is one of the nation's premiere jazz ensembles. They have a strong commitment to jazz history and exposing new audiences to the rich tradition of classic jazz. Jim is passionate about educating younger generations and is an important partner to the International Association for Jazz Education. If you have a chance to catch them live, don't miss it!"

The IAJE performance celebrates the February release of The Jim Cullum Jazz Band's CD Chasin' the Blues from Riverwalk Jazz, Volume IX. Chasin' the Blues, The Jim Cullum Jazz Band's long-awaited CD release, features New Orleans vocalist Topsy Chapman, a member of the original Broadway cast of One Mo' Time, and Duke Heitger - perhaps best known for his trumpet work on the Squirrel Nut Zippers' million-selling “Hot." Chasin the Blues captures the best blues-driven performances from the weekly public radio broadcast series Riverwalk Jazz. The recording mixes blues, Swing and collective improvisation to create the ultimate offering from America's celebrated classic jazz ensemble.

The Jim Cullum Jazz Band, a 7-piece acoustic jazz ensemble, is recognized worldwide for its commitment to performing, promoting, and preserving classic jazz with authenticity and integrity. Together for over 40 years, with more than 45 recordings to its credit, the band stars on Riverwalk Jazz, the nationally-broadcast public radio series distributed by PRI, Public Radio International; and is also heard around the world via XM Satellite Radio. For more information visit www.riverwalk.org.

Riverwalk Jazz documents the early history of America's classical music -- jazz. But more than offering extraordinary music, Riverwalk tells the story of jazz, drawing on the resources of universities and libraries around the country. Jazz scholars, archivists and collectors, along with the legends of the music, all contribute to the Riverwalk broadcast series with Grammy award-winning host David Holt. Some of the greats to grace the Riverwalk broadcasts include Lionel Hampton, Vernel Bagneris, Dick Hyman, Benny Carter, Duke Heitger, Sweets Edison, Doc Cheatham and Topsy Chapman. Broadcast on more than 150 radio stations nationwide, Riverwalk is San Antonio's own ambassador of culture and goodwill. It brings the flavor of the city's historic “Riverwalk" to communities throughout the United States. Riverwalk Jazz is a PVPMedia production with funds provided by See's Candies and Mission Pharmacal.

Public Radio International (PRI) is public radio's leading source for innovative programming and audio content. The Minneapolis-based network provides over 400 hours of programming each week, content that is broadcast and streamed online by its 731 public radio station affiliates nationwide, which reach 32 million listeners each week. PRI owns Public Interactive LLC, public broadcasting's leading Web services company. PRI is also the managing partner of the satellite radio company American Public Radio LLC, established with Chicago Public Radio and WGBH Radio Boston. PRI's cultural programming is available via XM Public Radio. Its news and information programming is available via Sirius Satellite Radio. For more information on PRI and its programs, visit the PRI website at www.pri.org.

IAJE is the International Association for Jazz Education. Its mission is to assure the continued worldwide growth and development of jazz and jazz education. As a means of advancing its mission, IAJE initiates programs which nurture and promote the understanding and appreciation of jazz and its heritage, provide leadership to educators regarding curricula, aesthetics and performance; assists teachers and practitioners with information and resources; and takes an active part in organizing clinics, festivals and symposia at local, regional, national and international levels. This 33rd IAJE Annual Conference will be held in New York City on January 11-14, 2006. Once again, the Hilton New York and the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers will serve as headquarters hotels for the conference. Located in the heart of midtown Manhattan and New York's famed Theater District, this location will provide convenient access to Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Rockefeller Center, and the Museum of Modern Art. Recognized as the largest gathering of the global jazz community, upwards of 7,000 educators, musicians, record executives, exhibitors, media, and enthusiasts are expected to attend.

Visit Website

For more information contact .

Comments

Tags

News

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.