Garden City Jazz celebrates National Jazz Appreciation Month 2014 by bringing music and arts into neighborhoods and creating new opportunities and venues for creative expression and collaboration.
Archive for the 'karengordon' Category
(video) A Step Up – Body and Soul @ #CandlelightJazz2012
March 17, 2013A Step Up – Body and Soul @ #CandlelightJazz2012 – April 22 – YouTube http://ow.ly/iDO5S
Garden City Jazz is a proud sponsor of the 2nd Annual Augusta (GA) Literary Festival
March 2, 2013Garden City Jazz is a proud sponsor of the 2nd Annual Augusta Literary Festival. Last night, we provided music for the authors’ reception. Thanks to event organizers, attendees, and visionaries for such a great event.
10a-5pm today at Headquarters Library (8th & Telfair).
Rock Jazz Fusion Guitarist Elliot Holden
August 25, 2012
Elliot Holden [http://elliotholden.com/] is one of the hottest new talents to emerge on the scene in recent years. His new CD “Radiance” has received critical raves and substantial airplay throughout the southeast. With his trio THE ELLIOT HOLDEN GROUP, he has built a strong regional following and earned opening slots with such acts as THE DEREK TRUCKS BAND and DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND. In 2005, Elliot was featured in GUITAR PLAYER Magazine’s Spotlight and his fiery playing has been compared to that of Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck and Jimi Hendrix. However the scope of Holden’s influences reaches far beyond the pantheon of guitar virtuosos.
In the 1990’s Elliot toured with the cutting edge hip-hop group First Born opening for G. LOVE AND SPECIAL SAUCE. He also did time on the chitlin’ circuit backing up soul legend WILLIAM BELL. However, writing, recording, and performing his own music has always been his main passion and priority. In 2003 Elliot produced his first CD “We be Delicious” and followed it with 2005’s “Radiance” which featured Keith Jenkins (bass) and Erik Hargrove (drums) both from the James Brown Band. He will be releasing 2 new CDs in the summer of 2012 – “Illin Em Softly” and “Elliot Holden – The Rock Instrumentals”.
Elliott Holden performs at The Commons Jazz Festival, September 2, 7:30 p.m. in Augusta, GA.
Chris Smith, of Kickin’ Brass
August 24, 2012Kickin’ Brass is one of the featured performers at The Commons Jazz Festival on September 2 in Augusta Georgia.
CHRIS SMITH, 41
Hometown. Reading, PA
How long have you been a professional musician?
Since I was 22 years old although I did some in college so 23 years in all.
Who are some of your musical influences?
I play trumpet so, like most trumpet players, Maynard Ferguson, Louis Armstrong, Wynton Marsalis, Harry James. And then I was also classically trained and so I had Bud Herseth and Phil Smith of the NY Philharmonic.
Are you working on any new/special projects?
Mostly we’re arranging music. Our focus is trying to do the cross-over to get radio play while still keeping the New Orleans Mardi Gras flavor. We’re trying to find where the two worlds meet. We want people to have a good time listening to our music. We’re not easy jazz listening.
What are some other venues you’ve performed at lately?
Candlelight Jazz on the River Walk in Augusta. We’re a fairly new group.
Describe a live performance – what should the audience expect?
They should expect New Orleans kind of music and a Mardi Gras atmosphere.
How has the jazz music (or arts) scene in your community changed over the past several years?
I’m fairly new to the area and I’m traveling all the time. I go to the Candlelight Jazz all the time and it has everything from high school bands to professional bands. I appreciate that jazz culture is starting to take roots.
Children are admitted free to this festival. We’re you introduced to jazz music at a young age?
Absolutely. I grew up in a family of musicians. I’m a fifth generation trumpet player (great-great grandfather, great grandfather, grandfather, uncle and now me). I started studying music when I was ten or eleven years old. My grandfather played in the community band in the park and I would go see him. That’s when I fell in love with the trumpet. My kids have all taken piano. My daughter sings and dances and my younger son takes guitar. We feel music is important to develop at an early age even if it’s not your thing.
Kudos for Jazz 4 Kids!
July 15, 2012Hi Karen! My kids were at the Library Fort Gordon Army Base today, and I just wanted to give you an extra thanks for coming out; the kids had fun (and me too!). Manamanah!!
-P. Salatino, July 10, 2012
Courtland Saxon & Desire + Preston & Weston @ 2012 Candlelight Jazz: A Review
June 27, 2012June 24, 2012 : Brandi Freeman [brandi.l.free@gmail.com]
Courtland Saxon & Desire
Michael Tanksley wailed on the lead guitar, Chad Washington hammered on the drums, Kevin Staley made love to the keyboard, Woody Dixon strummed the bass guitar and Courtland Saxon swooned the couples with his sensual saxophone as the group, Desire, commenced the evening’s Candelight Jazz.
Although they have been together for only a few months, the group Desire played some of their original pieces. Additionally, some classic tunes were showcased; such as, Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard for the Money” with a solo by Saxon’s mother, Dr. Gale LeVon. Additionally, they echoed the sounds of Michael Franti and Superhead’s, “You Can’t Sing Our Song”. Band member, Roderick Whitfield, performed his rendition of the rap in this song. The crowd hooped and cheered for the group’s outstanding talent. Their poetic melodies of jazz set the bar for the evening as Saxon was featured on his sax.
Preston & Weston
Preston and Weston featuring Sandra Simmons, the locally renowned group, glazed the crowd with some upbeat jazz and R&B from old to new. The group is comprised of the Grammy award-winning Wayne Preston and the Grammy-nominated David Weston. Sandra Simmons is their featured singer. This CSRA favorite performed classic jazz favorites such as Etta James and Duke Ellington. Their eclectic line-up of gospel, jazz and modern tunes truly accommodated the diverse crowd. Preston collaborated his talents on stage as he played alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute and did vocals. Keyboards and backup vocals were handled by Weston.
Children and couples began dancing as tunes enticed them. Every high note and run was impressive as the audience cheered and shouted requests. Sandra Simmons voice flirted with the audience as she walked the crowd. Her voice echoed the sounds of familiar tunes as she swayed and danced with sass.
Classic, modern components of jazz were displayed this warm Sunday evening, paying homage to genres that are not often main stream today.
Glenn Hills High School & Signal Corps Decibels @ 2012 Candlelight Jazz: A Review
June 21, 2012June 17, 2012 : Brandi Freeman [brandi.l.free@gmail.com]
Many parents and military supporters attended Sunday’s Candlelight Jazz as well as the local fleet of mosquitoes. The crowd poured over into the walkways with their citronella candles and yummy vittles, to witness and celebrate the purity of soul in music.
Commentator Minister Eddie Harris, of 96.3 Kiss FM radio, introduced the line-up of groups. The big crowd awaiting the entertainment had accumulated due to the free admission in celebration of Father’s Day.
Glenn Hills High School
Local high school students comprised the first group of jazz musicians. Under the direction of Glenn Hills High School’s band director, Sherry Puryear, were seven students: Brian Curry Jr. (drums), Desmond Davis (trombone), Erskin Fleming (trombone), Raekwon Henry (trombone), Jamesa Houston (alto saxophone), James Hopkins (tenor saxophone) and Langston Saxon (alto saxophone). Also, other musicians such as: Michael Biggers (lead guitar), Tim Moore (bass guitar) and Jamin Eunice (keyboard) assisted with their selections. They graced the crowd with familiar tunes like “Mr. Magic” and “Before I Let Go”. According to the director the group had been practicing since the end of the school year. Each student exemplified dedication and passion as they serenaded their parents and other fans.
Signal Corps Decibels
The organic New Orleans sound of Fort Gordon’s Signal Corps Decibels had hands clapping and feet tapping as soon as these boys hit the stage. Hoots and hollers echoed throughout the audience during each piece. Soldiers from around the world formed this eclectic band: SSG Phil Bleinberg (soloist), Sgt. Levi Graves (percussionist), Sgt. Blake Helander (trombone), Spc. Kyle Marion (trombone), Sgt. Jackson Pack (trumpet), Chris Smith (trumpet), Sgt. Derrick Wallace (trombone), Sgt. James Weary (drums) and Spc. Jarrell Whitaker (tenor saxophone). Also, a guest appearance was made by Augusta’s Wycliffe Gordon, trombone and brass extraordinaire. They battled one another all while revving up the crowd. Gordon’s unique abilities amazed Augusta’s audience once again.
The Candlelight Jazz experience brought the right touch to the warm June evening filled with fireflies and familiar tunes. It provided a very innovative approach to the CSRA’s culture, an irreplaceable taste of talent.
Get to know Edwin G. Hamilton, jazz drummer
June 4, 2012
Get to know Edwin G. Hamilton (courtesy of The Artist Project). His Charleston-based trio performs at #CandlelightJazz2012 on June 10. #jazzlives
2012 Candlelight Jazz Preview – a recap
May 7, 2012This year, Garden City Jazz presented five concerts in March and April, in advance of the regular #CandlelightJazz2012 concerts. Here are short snippets of a few of the performances.
March 11: 3rd Shift + Young Lions “Equinox”
March 25: USC Aiken Jazz Ensemble + Augusta State University Jazz
April 15: Preston & Weston “Honeysuckle Rose”
April 22: A Step Up “Body & Soul”
April 29: Jerusalem Sounds “Shout”
April 29: Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar “Can’t Nobody”
Thanks to all of you who came to support these outstanding artists. And thanks for our wonderful vendors and sponsors: The Augusta Market, WingStop, Butterfly Photography, RayzConcessions, and Dapper & Company.
Please continue to join us each Sunday evening in downtown Augusta – at 8th Street & Riverwalk – through Labor Day Weekend for the best in regional jazz. (And tell a friend to tell a friend ….).
We always enjoy hearing from you.
KGordon ~ 706.495.6238 ~ info@gardencityjazz.com
GardenCityJazzDotCom 