THE NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC LAUNCHES JAZZ PRESENTS SERIES WITH "BUHAINA'S BEST"

Monday Nights at Sweet Rhythm Also Continue with Student Improv Ensembles led by Joanne Brackeen, Reggie Workman, Others

NEW YORK, October 1, 2008–The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music celebrates the grand musical legacy of Art Blakey. The legendary drummer and band leader will be honored with two different interpretations of his work. In the October 22 concert, Charles Tolliver leads off "Buhaina's University" in renditions of Blakey’s repertoire, and in the November 13 concert, “Buhaina’s Brood,” JoAnne Brackeen explores where Blakey's influence has taken her own work. Both concerts will display the relevance of Blakey's work and the changing culture of jazz.

The concerts are part of Jazz Presents, an annual series at The New School that showcases the work of New School Jazz faculty in collaboration with the rising stars—New School Jazz alumni and students. Jazz Presents is sponsored by a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts.

This month the school will also be continuing its fourth season of Monday Nights at Sweet Rhythm, the school’s concert series at the premier jazz club featuring students, alumni, and special guest artists.

New School Jazz Presents “Buhaina’s University”
Wednesday, October 22, 8:00 p.m.
$10; free to all students and New School faculty, staff, and alumni with ID
The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance Space, 55 West 13th Street, 5th floor
Box Office Information: please contact box [email protected] or call 212.229.5488

Charles Tolliver was asked by Reggie Workman in 1992 to teach a course at The New School titled "Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers Repertory." On October 22, Tolliver draws in his Blakey expertise and brings together New School Jazz faculty, alumni and current students to perform renditions of the legend's work. Tolliver will be joined by Nick Roseboro on trumpet, Jaamal Sawyer on tenor sax, Lamar Guillary on trombone, Leo Tardin on piano, Reggie Workman on bass and EJ Strickland on drums.

Jazz Presents: “Buhaina’s Brood”
Thursday, November 13, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
$10; free to all students and New School faculty, staff, and alumni with ID
The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance Space, 55 West 13th Street, 5th floor
Box Office Information: please contact box [email protected] or call 212.229.5488

In 1969 JoAnne Brackeen became the first and only female member of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. In this concert Brackeen explores where Blakey’s work has influenced her own music, and conjures what Blakey might play if he were alive today. Brackeen will be joined by LaKecia Benjamin on saxophone, and Adam Cruz on drums.

New School Jazz at Sweet Rhythm
Mondays, October 6, 13, and 27. Sets at 8pm and 10pm.
Sweet Rhythm, 88 Seventh Avenue (between Bleecker and Grove Streets).
$10 cover + $10 food & drink minimum; no cover + $5 minimum for New School students with ID.
For information, contact Sweet Rhythm at 212.255.3626.

New School Jazz musicians take the stage at this historic Greenwich Village jazz club every Monday night. October at Sweet Rhythm highlights The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music’s signature student Improv Ensembles directed by renowned Jazz faculty members and alumnus Joanne Brackeen (October 6), Gilad Hekselman (October 13), and Reggie Workman (October 27).

The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music
The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music is the musical manifestation of The New School and its legacy. Steeped in progressive tradition while moving forward into new frontiers of sound and experimentation, New School Jazz is a rarity among conservatory music schools. With instructors who are active, professional musicians and the backing of a major university, the school provides its students with the leeway and encouragement to break through artistic barriers, the counsel of veterans in maneuvering through the terrain of the music world, and a solid academic foundation to sustain and enrich their efforts and evolution. For more information, visit http://www.jazz.newschool.edu.

All events are subject to change. For more information, the public can contact The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music at 212.229.5896 x4591, mailto:[email protected] or visit http://www.jazz.newschool.edu.

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