News from the darkest corners...

The Zappa Family Trust reports:

Since last month’s confirmation of the September 19th date for Baltimore City’s dedication of a bust of Frank Zappa, community support has been growing for a concert and festival in tribute to the legendary musician, composer and social icon, whose birthplace is Baltimore. The bust, donated by a Lithuanian fan club, will be placed at the Enoch Pratt Free Library Southeastern Anchor Branch in Highlandtown, and plans now include an outdoor concert featuring Zappa Plays Zappa (fronted by Frank’s son Dweezil), and various events at the library and nearby Patterson Theatre in support of the dedication ceremony.

The date itself is especially significant as September 19th is the anniversary of Zappa’s 1985 testimony on Capitol Hill in favor of free expression by Recording Artists at the Senate hearing instigated by certain congressional wives (members of the PMRC) concerning record labeling. Frank Zappa’s widow Gail commented on the remarkable coincidence, stating, “Frank’s legacy rests in his uncompromising defense of the First Amendment and his uncompromising pursuit of excellence clearly demonstrated in the standards he set in all areas of Music and the arts and sciences associated with it. He was self-taught and self-realized. It is hard to imagine how that is possible except for the 4 cornerstones he had going for him: a talent for music, a hard-core curiosity, a keen sense of humor and access to a library. He was a cheap date for History.”

The broader scope of events, being developed by Clearpath Entertainment in collaboration with the Zappa family, the Southeastern Community Development Corporation, Enoch Pratt Free Library, and the Creative Alliance, are intended to help anchor the new Highlandtown Arts and Entertainment District and plans now include a library exhibit, symposiums, and after party in addition to the dedication and concert. Sean Brescia of Clearpath stated, “Baltimore has a rich entertainment heritage dating back to its iconic theatres and jazz ballrooms, and opportunities like this are a chance to re-capture that spirit. We wanted to build an event that was a truly fitting tribute to the Zappa legacy, but also something that can grow into a signature cornerstone event for the Highlandtown Arts and Entertainment District, and Gail [Zappa] has shared that vision from the beginning.” In the interest of what the events could mean for the community, Brescia reached out to a broad group of community organizations to help plan and raise support for the events.

Echoing that sentiment of community interests, Chris Ryer of the Southeast Community Development Corporation added, “The bust coming to Highlandtown and these events are high-profile, flagship opportunities to position the Highlandtown Arts and Entertainment District as major reasons for visitors to come to Southeast while they’re in Baltimore. We’re excited to work with Clearpath and the Zappas to leverage this year’s events as a catalyst for great things to come.”

Remarking on the concert lineup, Clearpath’s David Christensen said, “Frank Zappa’s musical genius and influence is undeniable and it has always been a must for us that Dweezil headline this show in the ultimate tribute to his father. This is going to be Zappa Plays Zappa, next to Zappa’s statue, on Zappa’s street, on Zappa’s day; it couldn’t be more fitting.”

To celebrate what would have been Frank Zappa’s 70th birthday, Zappa at the Roundhouse, London is a three day festival from 5–7 November that will celebrate the life and music of this legendary American artist. The programme includes performances from his son Dweezil Zappa, screenings of previously unseen film footage, world premieres of unheard Zappa material, Q&A sessions with members of the Zappa family and music masterclasses with various members of Zappa’s backing bands. Full programme and event details to be announced soon!

Check www.roundhouse.org.uk for details.

In celebration of the life and music of legendary free-jazz tenor-saxophonist Albert Ayler, ESP-Disk’ and Issue Project Room, in conjunction with Roosevelt L!ve have curated a day-long free concert, Saturday July 10th from 2-10pm, in honor of the groundbreaking musician’s 74th birthday. With performances by some of the most prolific artists dedicated to pushing the boundaries in the avant-jazz world the same way Ayler did over 40 years ago, this festival will feature sets from The New Atlantis Sextet with Marshall Allen, William Hooker, Charles Gayle, Gunter Hampel, Giuseppi Logan, and more all taking place at RiverWalk Commons on picturesque Roosevelt Island: NYC’s Best Kept Secret.

The outdoor festival will also feature a record fair with a variety of new and used vinyl vendors hosted by ESP-Disk’s own in-house retail operation, ESP Records.

Great live music, a great selection of vinyl & CDs, great food from the local Roosevelt Island restaurants and a view of Manhattan that can’t be beat. What more could a music lover want on a summer day?

Location & Directions:
Riverwalk Commons, Roosevelt Island, New York, F Train to Roosevelt Island Map

www.albertaylerfestival.com
www.esprecodstore.com

Cesaria Evora, the world’s most famous singer from Africa’s Cape Verde, had open heart surgery last night (Monday, May 10, 2010) in a Paris hospital. The surgery was in response to a coronary problem that occurred this past weekend. She was admitted to the hospital Monday morning and the surgery, which started at 8:00 p.m., concluded early this morning at 2:00 a.m. The operating surgeon reported that things went as well as possible. Cesaria was then admitted into intensive care where she awoke around 11.00 this morning. Cesaria is suspending all activities until the end of the year. As a result, June 2010 concerts in Washington, DC, New York City, Boston, Toronto, and Montreal have been cancelled.

This week’s surgery follows an amazing return by Cesaria following a stroke in April 2008. Summer 2010 was meant to mark a return to North American stages. Three months after the stroke, she was ready to start rehearsing and working on her new album, Nha Sentimento (Lusafrica). “She hates rehearsing,” said producer and manager José da Silva in an interview earlier this month. “But she had a strong will to return to singing. The stroke made it harder for her to remember the words of new songs. She worked harder on this album than any other we have made,” says da Silva, who is staying at Cesaria’s side in the hospital. Music critics noticed that Cesaria’s voice had changed on the new album, yet she retained the essence of who she is. “I think the stroke scared her and she is now open to doing more things,” da Silva said before this week’s heart surgery.

Nha Sentimento explores the Middle Eastern and Arab influences of Cape Verdean music and culture, territory rarely explored before. The album features collaborator and admirer Fathy Salama, a former conductor of the Cairo Orchestra known for his work with Youssou N’Dour, and who arranged three mornas on Cesaria’s new album. Nha Sentimento will be re-released shortly featuring a bonus track of “Moda Bo,” Cesaria’s duet with Cape Verde’s up-and-coming singer and starlet, Lura, considered by some to be Cesaria’s heir apparent. The duet’s live debut was to take place during the June North American tour, for which Lura was set to be the opening act.

Meanwhile, the world waits and hopes for a speedy and full recovery of Cape Verde’s leading heroine of song, Cesaria Evora.

It is with sadness that we announce the cancellation of the entire April/May 2010 North American tour for King Sunny Adé and his African Beats.

On March 26th 2010 a tragic car accident took the lives of two members of the African Beats, talking drummer Gabriel Ayanniyi and percussionist Omo Olope, who were en-route to a video shoot for a forthcoming recording. When the US Embassy refused to grant visas to replacement members in a timely manner, there was confusion about the possible courses of action. At the same time, it became clear that the artist and the band had neither recovered from the impact of the tragedy, nor were they able to find consensus on how to move forward with normal touring.

As a result, the North American April/May 2010 tour has been canceled until such a time as King Sunny Adé and his group have sufficiently regrouped and are ready to face the rigors of an International tour again.

The Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen will launch their 2010 World Tour, which includes three European tours and a Canadian tour, with a performance on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at Sullivan Hall, 214 Sullivan St., New York, NY themed “Springtime again”. There will be no better way to shake off the intense winter this year than with the enlightenment that the Arkestra can arouse.

The last two Arkestra appearances at Sullivan Hall were at or very close to a sell out, so it is recommended to make your plans in advance for this show. Tickets are $15, Show 8:00 p.m., Doors 7:00 p.m. For further information, please visit:

http://www.cegmusic.com/sullivan_hall/index.htm

For more information on the Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen, please visit www.thesunraarkestra.com

Hermann Nitsch is one of the most important artists of the last century. He is a multidisciplinary artist avant la lettre that has heavily influenced contemporary dance, visual arts and music.

Nitsch is the central guest at Incubate. His work is highly controversial, but also often misunderstood. Therefore Incubate has a whole week filled with interesting things you can see, hear and experience about this artist and those inspired by him.

For a very detailed schedule, check http://incubate.org/2009/event/10.

Dweezil Zappa reports:

Summer time is here and I’m sure many of you have rousing and arresting plans. If your entire summer isn’t completely booked yet and you find yourself in need of a “music transfusion” perhaps you would like to visit Zappa Plays Zappa on the Progressive Nation summer tour. It’s an exciting multi-act tour founded by Mike Portnoy, the drummer from Dream Theater. The concert will feature Zappa Plays Zappa, and of course, headlines Dream Theater.

Mike is a self-confessed hardcore Frank Zappa fan and he has come to several of our shows in the New York area. We were very pleased to be asked to join the impressive line up of the Progressive Nation tour. I’m personally looking forward to the opportunity to introduce Frank’s music to any and all with open ears.

Our setlist will change nightly and will be 75 minutes in length. We also have three Zappa Plays Zappa Headline shows ‘interspersed’ throughout the tour. Keep your eyes open for any additional Headline shows that might get added.

All Zappa Plays Zappa tour dates are here.

Blood. Horror. Filth. Beauty? Rationality? Education? These are some of the ingredients the Austrian artist Hermann Nitsch uses and some of the questions his work raises. Highly controversial for some, highly regarded by others; Nitsch is someone you need to have an opinion on. Not to have one is not possible once you’ve seen the work of one of the instigators of performance art. Nitsch will be the main guest during the Incubate Festival (Tilburg, The Netherlands), giving you the opportunity to see one of the most important artists that influenced performance art at work on his actions, music and philosophy.

For more info on Hermann Nitsch and his performances, check the Incubate Website!

Artists that will do a Nitsch influenced performance on Incubate are: Franko B, Costes, Marhaug, Justice Yeldham and Micheline Torres.

The festival for independent culture, ZXZW in Tilburg, The Netherlands, will change its name to Incubate immediately. After four successful years, the organization decided to go on with a new name that matches the content of the festival.

“Five year ago we started the underground music festival Zuid bij Zuidwest,“ says Joost Heijthuijsen, one of the organizers of the festival. The name, ZXZW for short, was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the American music festival SXSW in Austin, Texas. “We’ve grown substantial in the past four years. And since a great deal of our audience, artists and press coverage comes from abroad, we get more and more confused with the SXSW festival. Because we are a different festival, including arts, contemporary dance and movies, we decided for a name change.”

“Incubate is more suitable for the character of the festival. Incubate stands for growth and stimulation of cutting edge cultural developments,” states Heijthuijsen. This is something ZXZW has already done over the last years. The festival brought jazz veterans Sun Ra Arkestra, copyright collective Negativland and guerilla knitters Knitta to Tilburg.

The festival won several prices. The people of Tilburg voted for ZXZW as the best event in their town in 2008, it was nominated as best festival in The Netherlands and won the Think Ahead Award for its Social Festival Model. Heijthuijsen: “The name ZXZW stood for the geographical position. Incubate focuses more on our vision: what we do and what we want. And that is giving cultural innovation a stage.”

Incubate is the annual celebration of independent culture in Tilburg, The Netherlands. It is a festival exhibiting a diverse view on indie culture as a whole, including music, contemporary dance, film and visual arts. It brings more than 200 cutting edge artists in an intimate context to an international audience. Black metal next to free jazz. Street art next to academic dance.

Incubate takes place from the 13th until 20th of September in the city of Tilburg in the Netherlands. From a squat to the mayors room. From music venue to museum.

For more information visit the website www.incubate.org.

The next manifestation of the Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen will take place at The Vision Festival, June 10, 2009 in New York City.

Marshall Allen will be honored at this event when he receives the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award from Arts for Art and the Vision Festival. This all takes place at the Abrons Art Center, 466 Grand Street, New York City starting at 7:30 pm.

The Sun Ra Arkestra performance is scheduled to start at 9:30 pm. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the show and are on sale at the Abrons Art Center, by calling 866-811-4111 or online at http://www.henrystreet.org

Special guests joining the Arkestra at this performance are Billy Bang (violin) and John Ore (bass).

There will also be a special set at 7:30 pm at the June 10, 2009 Vision Festival event that will feature Marshall Allen on reeds being joined by Kidd Jordan on tenor sax, William Parker on bass, Henry Grimes on bass & violin, and Hamid Drake on drums.

For additional information about the 2009 Vision Festival, please visit www.visionfestival.org

The Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen will once again land at the Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway (@ 51st St), New York, NY on Wednesday, February 6. Performances will be at 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. with a $30 music charge and a $10 minimum. Reservations can be made at 212-582-2121.

Following its critically accaimed appearance at the Iridium during Halloween, the Sun Ra Arkestra will bring its aura of mystery and sound exporation back to the Iridium Jazz Club. Those who attended any of the four sets during the Halloween extravaganza need no further motivation to sign up (either one way or round trip) for this return visit that will take the audience through the history of jazz with an otherwordly perspective and leave them uplifted in another world full of possibilities and new directions. Arkestra Musical Director Marshall Allen plans to have some planetary premieres of new compositions and arrangements to be revealed to the Iridium audience at this engagement.

For additional information about the Iridium Jazz Club, please visit:
www.iridiumjazzclub.com

For additional information about the Sun Ra Arkestra, please visit:
www.thesunraarkestra.com

The Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen will appear at the Jazz Improv LIVE! Festival & Convention in New York City on Friday, October 26, 2007. The performance will be at 2:30 p.m. at the Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom, 34th St. & 8th Avenue, right across the street from New York’s Penn Station.

It has been said that wherever you go in the history of jazz, the Sun Ra Arkestra has been there and left. An Arkestra experience takes its audience through the history of the music with an otherworldly perspective and leaves them in another world full of possibilities and new directions. Sun Ra has been widely acclaimed as being the founder of the avant-garde jazz movement and he has influenced and inspired musicians who have a firm focus on the future while recognizing the path that brings them to the beyond. The jazz of today sounds a lot like the jazz that Sun Ra played over 40 years ago. What the Sun Ra Arkestra does now is a taste of what the future of jazz will be decades from now. The Arkestra is the epitome of jazz improvisation, which makes it so appropriate to be a part of a festival that has “Jazz Improv” in its title.

When Sun Ra left the planet in 1993, the leadership of the Arkestra was assumed by legendary tenor saxophonist John Gilmore until he left this dimension in 1995. Since then, Marshall Allen has been Musical Director and has added a new scope to the Arkestra’s repetoire by adding his own unique compositions alongside those of Sun Ra to keep the direction of the band fresh and continually pushing forward. Unlike many “ghost” bands, the Sun Ra Arkestra is actually a spirit band – constantly moving ahead with the spiritual influence of Sun Ra, but with the experience of alumni who worked with Sun Ra in the Arkestra and who have dedicated their lives to the sound of the Arkestra. Marshall Allen leads the veterans in this band with 49 years of continuous service in the Arkestra. You can expect to hear new Marshall Allen compositions in their world premiere at the Jazz Improv LIVE! Convention & Festival.

Another exciting feature of the Jazz Improv LIVE! Convention & Festival will be a panel titled “The Influence of Sun Ra” moderated by John Szwed (author of the Sun Ra biography “Space Is the Place: The Lives and Times of Sun Ra”) with Marshall Allen and Danny Thompson as panelists. This panel will take place Friday, October 26, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sutton Place Suite of the New Yorker Hotel adjacent to Manhattan Center at 34th Street & 8th Avenue in New York City.

Marshall Allen and Danny Thompson draw upon their combined 82 years of experience in the Arkestra to answer questions regarding Sun Ra’s influence on them. Marshall will discuss the Ra influence on his original compositions now performed by the Arkestra, his leadership of the current Arkestra, and how Ra influenced his life. Since Marshall was historically the first musician to ever play free on the saxophone, the initial audition and interaction with Sun Ra when joining the Arkestra in 1958 along with how Sun Ra wrote and arranged compositions featuring Marshall provide for plenty of discussion.

Sun Ra in one of his “cosmo drama” presentations (that served as a precursor to rap music) said “They tried to fool you – now I’ve got to school you – about jazz, the real jazz.” What better place to get schooled about jazz than October 25 – 28, 2007 at the Jazz Improv LIVE! Convention & Festival where there will be 657 jazz artists participating in 100 performances and 80 panels. There will also be 82 booths in a 15,000 square foot Exhibition Hall with all sorts of jazz related merchandise and services.

Advance registration is now available for Jazz Improv LIVE! with Full Conference Passes at $195 ($125 for students) and Single Day Passes at $125 ($75 for students). On Site Registration for Full Conference Passes will be $225. To register, please visit:

www.jazzimprov.com/live or phone 888-472-0670.

To download the 32 page festival brochure, please visit:
www.jazzimprov.com/live/program.pdf

To view the schedule of all performances and seminars, please visit:
www.jazzimprov.com/live/schedule.html

For additional information about the Sun Ra Arkestra, please visit:
www.thesunraarkestra.com

The Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen will be performing a unique program on Sunday, July 29 at the Philadelphia Clef Club, 736-738 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA at 3:00 p.m. Admission is $15.

The Arkestra will do its regular otherworldly set to be followed by a set where kids from Philadelphia and Camden will perform with the Sun Ra Arkestra doing compositions by Fletcher Henderson and new ragtime compositions by Fred Adams, trumpeter in the Arkestra.

This event is made possible by a grant from the American Composers Forum in collaboration with the Philadelphia Clef Club. In a summer camp format, kids from Philadelphia and Camden attended lectures from Fred Adams and the summer camp staff on the jazz styles of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s with an emphasis on Fletcher Henderson and ragtime. They then held section rehearsals led by Marshall Allen, Fred Adams, and Fred Simons followed by two days of rehearsal with the full Sun Ra Arkestra in preparation for the July 29 event. The Fletcher Henderson charts to be performed include the Sun Ra transcription arrangements of “Happy As The Day Is Long” and “Big John Special”. The ragtime arrangements to be performed are compositions written and arranged by Fred Adams titled “Stomp & Rag” and “Processions & Rag” that are commissioned through a grant from the American Composers Forum.

For additional information on this concert, phone the Philadelphia Clef Club at 215-893-9912 or email info@clefclubofjazz.com

For additional information about the Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen, visit www.thesunraarkestra.com