Jazz Holiday ... More Than Just a Concert | Eastern North Carolina Now

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    January 15, 2011 at the Turnage Theater

    East Coast Jazz Revue will ring in the new year with "A Jazz Holiday" - a concert and music workshop at Washington's historic Turnage Theater on Main Street on Saturday, January 15, 2011. Opening at the Turnage during the Martin Luther King (MLK) Holiday offers the entire community - jazz aficionados, students, area residents and the curious - a celebration through music. The impact of jazz is captured on the Turnage Theater's website: "Jazz music has been a unifying force since it first took to the late night clubs of the prohibition era. Its beautiful melancholy, stuttering syncopation, and fluidity of form make it one of the best loved styles of music out there regardless of race or gender."

    Larry Turner, founder of the East Coast Jazz Revue, and North Carolina native was introduced to jazz as a teenager: "I remember how jazz brought people of all races and backgrounds together. It was always interesting to see how the music crossed the divides of age, race, income, gender and geography, and jazz is now experiencing a renewed appreciation in the U.S." And North Carolina has a history of producing some of the world's greatest jazz musicians such as Dr. Billy Taylor [Greenville], John Coltrane [Hamlet/High Point], Thelonius Monk [Rocky Mount], Nina Simone [Tryon], Lou Donaldson [Badin (Stanly County)], Max Roach [Newland (Pasquotank County)], Percy Heath [Wilmington], Maceo Parker [Kinston], Woody Shaw [Laurinburg] and many more. See toto.lib.unca.edu/sounds/ncjazz.html.

    About the Artists

    "A Jazz Holiday" will showcase a live performance featuring legendary jazz drummer Roger Humphries and his Quintet and international trumpet sensation, Sean Jones. Roger Humphries first performed at the Carnegie Music Hall at age 16 although he began playing the drums at age 4. As a teenager, he played with Greenville's own, Dr. Billy Taylor in Pittsburgh. Since 1963, he has recorded with the who's who in jazz as a sideman. He spent about three years with the Horace Silver Quintet, and recorded on Silver's Song for My Father, Cape Verdean Blues and Jody Grind LPs. He has toured with many jazz greats, and played in festivals, nightclubs, television shows across the country and in Europe some of which included the Newport Jazz Festival; the Apollo Theater; the Oprah Winfrey Show with Nancy Wilson; the Ray Charles Big Band, Richard Groove Holmes, Stanley Turrentine, Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins and the list of musicians and venues remain extensive.

    Included in the World Encyclopedia of Jazz, Humphries was proclaimed a jazz legend in the city of Pittsburgh, PA and formally recognized with the Roger Humphries Day for the state of Pennsylvania in 2008. He is also in a newly released publication, Pittsburgh Born. A teacher of 28 years at the Pittsburgh School of Performing Arts, Humphries operates his own scholarship program for promising students. He also performs with the RH Factor jazz quintet and the Roger Humphries Big Band, and has released two of his own albums, "Don't Give Up," and "This N' That." His CDs will be available for purchase the night of the concert. To hear and learn more, visit www.rogerhumphries.com.

    Sean Jones has developed into one of jazz's top young performers, known for his lyrical fluidity and high-tier technical facility. Jones has recorded five albums and is the professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at Duquesne University. Jones records on the Mack Avenue label. Browse his impressive discography on his website www.seanjonesmusic.com or his Mack Avenue artist page online, at http://www.mackavenue.com/artists/detail/sean_jones.

    Educational Workshop, 2:00 pm at the Turnage
      Pre-registration required, no charge

    A special invitation has been extended to music students, band directors, teachers and faculty of area Music Departments and Schools of Music Students to participate in a private demonstration and a closed Q&A session with these two internationally acclaimed Roger Humphries and Sean Jones. A Jazz Holiday will begin with a 90-minute Educational Workshop geared towards students who seek to learn about the educational requirements/opportunities of pursuing a career as a musician, as well as a behind the scenes look at jazz music culture, and is open to the public. The session begins at 2:00pm at the Turnage and pre-registration is required for all workshop participants. Call 1.866.936.6176 ext. 201 for more information. Discounted student tickets are available through the Turnage Box Office. Online use the code "student" to receive the special rate.

    East Coast Jazz Revue is a North Carolina 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to cultivate jazz education and jazz appreciation through performances, lectures, and workshops; introducing audiences to international and national talent throughout the East Coast with emphasis on North Carolina's rich contribution to America's indigenous art form. The East Coast Jazz Revue is a year round concert series.

    Tickets for "A Jazz Holiday" can be purchased at the Turnage Box Office by calling 252-975-1191 and online, turnagetheater.com. Advance ticket prices range from $20 to $35 for the balcony and mezzanine. On the day of the event, prices increase by $5. Discounted Student Concert Tickets are $20 each with valid student ID and can also be purchased online with a credit card using the code "student"

    Larry Turner envisions that the "East Coast Jazz Revue will become one of the region's marquise events for years to come." Sponsorship opportunities are still available by calling Mr. Turner's cell phone, 412-855-4925 or by e-mail at turnpro1107@embarqmail.com. Mr. Turner also hosts "LT's Jazz Turntable" on Saturdays at 8:00pm on WOOW, 1340-AM. Follow the East Coast Jazz Revue on Twitter at ECJAZZREVUE, and become a fan at LT's Jazz Turntable.

    Contact: Larry Turner, East Coast Jazz Revue, turnpro1107@embarqmail.com
        Katherine Buchholz, Turnage Theater, 252-975-1191


    Jazz Holiday Schedule, January 15, 2011

    2:00 to     Educational Workshop for Middle/High School & College Music Students
       3:30 pm

    6:00 pm     Sponsors' Reception with Roger Humphries & his Quintet, and Sean Jones

    7:00 pm     Doors open

    8:00 pm     Concert