A Music of Many Faces...

Good Evening!

I hope everyone's having a great week thus far as we near the halfway point.

I have something to share with you that's absolutely HOT! There is a Writer who lives in Colorado named Cicily Janus, and she is really doing some great things in the Jazz world. Cicily is writing a book called "The New Face of Jazz" that will contain stories of, and interviews with Jazz Musicians (plus a lot more). Visit her website to see what all the buzz is about (www.newfaceofjazz.com).

And if you think that's good, she will be interviewing Tenor Saxophonist Sonny Rollins this Friday (March 13th) and will have an excerpt from the interview on her newsletter. I'm telling you, Cicily is MAKING THINGS HAPPEN out there!

To read the excerpt from her interview with Sonny Rollins, you MUST sign up for her newsletter (insert "how do I..." question here).

I'll tell you how! Simply send an email to newfaceofjazzmailinglist@gmail.com and type "Mailing List" on the subject line with your full name in the body of the email and you're signed up to receive publication news, insider interview info., exclusive pics and more!

I recommend you run - don't walk, to your computer and sign up for this. I did, and I can't wait to read the Sonny Rollins excerpt. Cheers!

- jh

Play it Forward's Concert for a Cause

How about that weather we had today?

Here's another question: How many of you washed your cars? Planted flowers? Worked in your backyard? Wore shorts? Rode a motorcycle or motorscooter? Don't worry, I'm right along there with you. While the Realist in me understands today was exceptionally unseasonal, the optimist in me feels this is a sweet sign of what's to come.

Another forthcoming good sign is the Play it Forward "Concert for the Cause" & CD-Release Party on March 12th at the Madison Theater in Covington.

Play it Forward was founded by Comedian, Radio Celebrity, and Musician Gary Burbank. Its mission is to support local musicians in need and to help foster a strong music community in the greater Cincinnati area. The organization is launching with a bang - dozens of outstanding local artists contributed their talents toward a 30 track, 2-disk compilation CD, which will be released at this spectactular event. Tickets are $12 presale or $15 at the door, available at Madison Theater and on their website. All proceeds from the door and CD sales will benefit the organization and their mission of supporting musicians. The event is sponsored by Hudy Delight beer.

The lineup for this event includes:

• Gary Burbank with Blue Run


• The Blue Birds


• Sonny Moorman


• Ricky Nye


• Tracy Walker


• Keith Little


• Rootbound


• Noah Hunt


• Scotty Anderson


• The Turkeys

Tickets are also available at Shake It Records, Clifton Natural Foods, Buddy Rogers in Anderson, Susan's Natural World, Everybody's Records, and Burbank's Real BBQ.

Tell your friends about the Play it Forward CD Release Party on March 12th. This is the perfect opportunity to show our gratitude and appreciation for all that local musicians do to provide entertainment in our city. Cheers!

- jh

The Duke just keeps making history...

Welcome to March!

Just 20 short days 'til the first day of Spring, so don't worry - we're almost there!

I'm sure you already know this, but I wanted to take a quick moment to mention in this historic year that we saw Barack Obama sworn into office, we will now see Duke Ellington on the new District of Columbia coin, making him the first African-American in history to appear by himself on a circulating U.S. coin.

The new coin was introduced at the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of Natural History last Tuesday (Feb. 24th). D.C. is Duke Ellington's birthplace.

This is yet another indication of the amazing impact that African-Americans, and the Art form of Jazz music has placed in American History. I'm not a coin collector, but the first opportunity I have to get a quarter bearing the image of this Pulitzer-Prize, Multi-Grammy Award winning Legend, I'm going to keep it in a safe place - and I suggest you do the same. Have a great week!

- jh