Jazz Awakening

This was my first time hosting a web cast musicial performance (synclive.com) so I was a little nervous and apprehensive. luckily, Rochelle Metcalf was there to provide not only moral support but to also teach and show me how to "entertain" the audience. I had a really good time and met some awesome musicians; Doug Ellington- trumpet (great-nephew of Duke Ellington), Marcus Shelby - acoustic bass, Sandi Poindexter - violin, Bill Crossman -piano, Destiny Muhammad - harp, Dante James - drums, Len Wood - guitar, Will Nichols - piano, Andrew Currier - bass, Glen Itwanee - drums, Valerie Mih - piano, Eric Marshall - bass, Andre Custodio - drums, India Cooke - violin, Kash Killion - sarangi, J.D.Parran - tenor sax & flute [flew in from N.Y for this event], Dave Suffell - drums, Shafty Jackson - drums, Zuri Universe soul - vocal,Diem Jones - poet, Oluyemi & Ijeoma Thomas (Postivie Knowledge) - sax/spoken word artists, Wayne Wallace - tromboune, Manny Cruz - tenor/flute, Eddie Ramirez - trumpet, Vaughn Johnson - piano, Chris Clorentz - bass, Dominick Cabrera - conga, Pepe - drums, Lewis Jordan, alto sax, Wesley Haruwm - bass, and Dan Dillon - piano. Of course, I can not forget Eddie Gale - trumpeter,  because without him I would not have had this opportunity. Velma Landers is a jewel; she is the owner of Velma's and with a brand marketing specialist and a web designer as part of my team, Velma's is going to have a different online presence.   I was so wired by the time I got home (around midnight) that I could not get to sleep until really late and now I am really tired. I have got to find the photographers information...I will need to find a better method in collecting business cards and information so I don't have to search through a million pieces of paper and the bottom of my handbag (where I found I lot of stuff unrelated to this). The San Francisco Post was covering this performance and also giving me the support that I needed. Everyone was absolutely great. You are going to see more of these musicians in the area in the near future.

 - Jazz is on the rebound!

Jazz and Food

All the preparations are complete; the musicians are in place, the food is cooking, the piano is tuned and I am getting ready for a wonderful experience.  The performance fundraiser at Velma's is going to be the place to be on Thursday night (4/23) starting at 7:00pm. I will have the opportunity to meet Rochelle Metcalfe,  a columnist for the Sun-Reporter (31 years) who covered the African-American community and now writes her "I Heard That" weekly column for Beyond The Chron. http://www.beyondchron.org. 

I did not mention that this event will be web cast (worldwide - I am told) and I am the hostess that will keep things moving - WOW! I have not a clue how all of this will play out but I am up for it.

Stay tuned....

Still more Jazz

I am listening to Chris Cortez interview Eddie Gale on KCSM 91.1fm. They opened the show with "Children of Peace" a song he previously recorded with Chris Cortez, along with Valerie Mih, who is going to appear at the performance fundraiser at Velma's in San Francisco. Joining them in the radio studio is Velma Landers, owner of Velma's. She purchased Velma's in 2007 and is creating a venue for jazz musicians. 

I would not have thought that my journey would take me to the world of music, but this is where I am today. Tomorrow....it will take care of itself.

Until then...