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THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. MEE MAGAZINE MAGAZINEJUL JAN 2015 2016
A fusion of jazz, fashion and art, THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. magazine is the premiere source for the jazz industry a nd its artists. Captivating an audience of over 180,000 national and international readers, this quarterly digital and print magazine chronicles the stories behind the hottest and most fascinating artists and trends in the jazz industry.
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THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. magazine celebrates the jazz genre from a fresh and passionate perspective through dynamic cover stories, trendy blogs, festival/cruise insights, and “Jazz Watch” music reviews on past and present artists.
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contents
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Melody Warren Contributing Writers Carolyn Beverly Peter Böhi Mikey Cohen Monica Murphy Eaves
Pat Hall Syrone Harvey Sharon Rae North Narrio Wright
Editor’s Notes of Jazz
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COVER STORY Danny Kusz
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Swag M.E.E
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Dave Koz Plays the Wortham in Houston
Contributing Photographers Cindy Blanchard Phil Fransworth Peter Böhi Greg Fritz Photography Mikey Cohen Ferrell Phelps Jack Cohen Heidi Powell Prera Victor Dlamini Rachel Murray Tony Gaines Bill Thomas
Eruption
Chris Becker
Cover Image Gamut 1 Photography Design & Layout Tonya D. Wright Jereme Brown
New Book Interviews With Women In Jazz
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Art Sherrod Jr.
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Jazmin Ghent
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Tip Jar
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Cancun Jazz Festival
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Photographers Spotlight
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Houston Spotlight
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The Mosaic Love & Soul Project
Terri Lyne Carrington
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The Supercruise IX
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John Dillard Let’s Ride
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The Melody In M.E.E.
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Thelonius Monk Institute
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SWAG M.E.E.
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Alvin Keels
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Intervention
Copy Editor Dominique Tavier
Boss
THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. P.O. Box 683184 Houston, Texas 77268 281-260-8469 info@thejazzinmee.com www.thejazzinmee.com
How Do You Keep The Music Playing
Hello Cancun
photo by Narrio Wright
Ferrell Phelps
Theresa Grayson
THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. is published 4 times a year quarterly. The publisher assumes no responsibility for claims or actions of its advertisers. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher, advertisers or staff. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher All rights reserved by Multifaceted Exquisite Events Inc. & THE JAZZ IN M.E.E.
Jazz Vocals Competiton & All-Star Gala Concert
The Passion Behind The Jazz Legacy Foundation
Jazz Watch
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Curtis Brooks serenades jazz fan
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THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. MEE MAGAZINE MAGAZINEJUL JAN 2015 2016
Nine-time GRAMMY nominee Dave Koz performed at the Wortham Center with trumpet extraordinaire Rick Braun and silky vocalist Kenny Lattimore August 29, 2015.It had been a while since Dave Koz played in Houston, but it was well worth the wait. He brought out all of the die hard jazz enthusiasts. He is a gifted professional and brings out the best in everyone that shares the stage with him and his audience. Hanging out and being entertained by Dave Koz, Kenny Lattimore and Rick Braun proved to be a magical night of music for The Jazz in MEE Magazine.
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Over the decades, the saxophone has opened numerous doors for Koz. He has blended his talents with the likes of Ray Charles, Michael McDonald, Rod Stewart and a host of others earning him a spot among the elite in the genre of contemporary jazz. Rick Braun got his start playing with bands including Boney James & Jeff Golub’s Avenue Blue. A trumpet sensation, Braun continues to dazzle the smooth jazz masses. The package was topped off with the penetrating vocals of Kenny Lattimore. In 1995 Lattimore was signed to Columbia and ushered in an R&B resurgence that counted D’Angelo and Maxwell in its ranks, Lattimore released his debut solo album a year later. The self-titled, gold-certified set spun off two top 20 hits: “Never Too Busy” and the romance classic “For You,” which peaked at No. 6 on the R&B charts. These three talented artists created an extraordinary night of musical memories for the Houston crowd. — Musically Yours,
Photos & Video by Heidi Powell Prera & Nick Jones
AUN K BR C I R , COBS DY JA RAN
KE NN YL AT TIM OR E
RICK BRAU N, KE NNY LATT IMOR E, DA VE K OZ
RICK B RAUN
ORE, TTIM A L Y NN G, KE YOUN ELLEY N A K . IV JEFF DR. D
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RANDY JACOB S
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ARE YOU WITH M.E.E.? SUBSCRIBE TO M.E.E. For a limited time only, if you subscribe online, you’ll receive our exclusive rate of $69.99. Or get your digital subscription for $29.99. A fusion of jazz, fashion and art, THE JAZZ IN M.E.E magazine is the premiere source for the jazz industry and its artists. Captivating an audience of over 180,000 national and international readers, this quarterly digital and print magazine chronicles the stories behind the hottest and most fascinating artists and trends in the jazz industry. THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. magazine celebrates the jazz genre from a fresh and passionate perspective through dynamic cover stories, trendy blogs, festival/cruise insights, and “Jazz Watch” music reviews on past and present artists.
THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. MEE MAGAZINE MAGAZINEJUL JAN 2015 2016
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NEW BOOK
CELEBRATES WOMEN IN JAZZ Freedom of Expression: Interviews With Women In Jazz by Houston author and composer Chris Becker photo by Victor Dlamini
CARMEN LUNDY
Freedom of Expression: Interviews With Women in Jazz, a collection of interviews with 37 female musicians of all ages, nationalities, and races, and representing nearly every style of jazz one can imagine, was released November 16, 2015. The interviewees, including Terri Lyne Carrington, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Eliane Elias, Anat Cohen, Helen Sung, Diane Schuur, Ellen Seeling, Val Jenty, Carmen Lundy, Mindi Abair, Cheryl Bentyne, Jane Ira Bloom, Sharel Cassity, Connie Crothers, Jane Monheit, and Sherrie Maricle, speak about their earliest experiences playing music, the years of practice and study required to become a professional musician, and what it means to be a jazz musician in the 21st century. The 328-page book includes a 24-page history of jazz, as well as introductions to each interview, to provide a helpful context for readers who are unaware of the contributions by women to the development of this music.
photo by Victor Dlamini
— Chris Becker
The book is available for purchase via www.womeninjazzbookproject.blogspot.com “At long last, an in-depth recognition of the female contributions to jazz. As Dr. Billy Taylor said about the lack of awareness of female musicians: ‘If it isn’t written down, it didn’t happen.’ Now everyone will know that it did happen and continues to happen. What a great gift to the history of women and music.” — Judy Chaikin, director of the award-winning documentary The Girls in the Band
“This is a truly welcomed work to be added to the annals of jazz’s oral histories. Chris Becker shows great care, respect and benevolence for women artists, too often ignored, who have contributed much to creation of this music and who continue to push the genre forward by all means necessary.”
– Janice Rhoshalle Littlejohn, journalist and director-producer of But Can She Play?: Blowin’ The Roof Off Women Horn Players and Jazz
About the Author Chris Becker has written about all styles of music for several print and online publications, including Culturemap Houston, Houston Press. All About Jazz, and Sequenza 21. He is also an active composer of music for dance, film, and mixed-media installations.
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“In the years since the arrival of the second millennium, jazz has evolved into a truly cross-generational, multicultural musical art form that is assimilating an unprecedented array of musical styles and techniques. At the same time, the maledominated paradigm that has defined the historical narrative of jazz is no more. Women are shaking up the music industry while the general public is becoming much more aware of the contributions female musicians have made to the art of jazz since its inception. Freedom of Expression: Interviews with
Women in Jazz documents this profound evolution.”
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BONEY JAMES
Jason and Cliff Gorov
BRIAN LENAIR
NICHOLAS COLE
THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. MEE MAGAZINE MAGAZINEJUL JAN 2015 2016
DEON YATES
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SHARON RAE NORTH
CHRIS “BIG DOG” DAVIS
DAVID STEVENS
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MINNEAPOLIS FUNK AND JAZZ SAXOPHONIST
DANNYKUSZ
THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. MEE MAGAZINE MAGAZINEJUL JAN 2015 2016
listen and watch @ www.dannykusz.com
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NEW ALBUM “ERUPTION” COMING
4.1.2016
“THE REINCARNATION OF DAVID SANBORN” - WILL DONATO “you simply can’t help being moved by its energy, its vibrancy, and its soul” - THE SMOOTH JAZZ RIDE
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