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WINARD HARPER, guests reedman FRANK WESS & vocalists JOSHUA NELSON and CARRIE SM ITH
(Click on Concert Series button for details and to order tickets.)
Harper is considered one of the most exciting and innovative drummers in jazz, leading a group that mixes bebop with African rhythms. Equally at home with sticks, brushes or mallets, Harper is both a gifted soloist and rock-solid sideman, having played with Dr. Billy Taylor, Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy Heath,Dexter Gordon, Betty Carter and Wycliffe Gordon. He has surrounded himself with some outstanding young musicians. Trumpeter Patrick "Face" Rickman already is generating considerable attention for his enthusiastic, ebullient presence. Harpers latest album, Come Into The Light, was recorded live and captures the vitality and excitement of the groups performance.
Frank Wess, equally at home on the tenor sax and the flute, earned his reputation as one of the premier soloists with the Count Basie Band. Wess then went on to play with such greats as Benny Goodman, Billy Taylor, Benny Carter, the Carnegie Hall Big Band and the Dizzy Gillespie Dream Band.
Blending Gospel with Jewish liturgy and African music, Joshua Nelson is rapidly becoming a star in the Gospel world. He has appeared with Wynton Marsalis, Billy Preston, Aretha Franklin, Carrie Smith, Albertina Walker and the late Cab Calloway, among others. His recent appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show exposed his joyful singing to a whole new audience. Nominated for a Grammy Award, Nelson is much in demand as a performer.
Carrie Smith, semi-retired blues and jazz singer, with a voice that has been described “… like semisweet chocolate” is making one of her rare and treasured appearances. “A musician’s singer,” she has sung with Cab Galloway, Wynton Marsalis, Benny Goodman, Alvin Alley, Clark Terry, BB King and Joe Williams. Carrie’s influences include by Sarah Vaughn, Bessie Smith , & Dina Washington. For 2 ˝ years, she starred in the Broadway musical, "Black and Blue".
The concert host, Sharif Abdus-Salaam, started in jazz at WKCR as an undergraduate at Columbia University and has remained involved for over 30 years. He was the first Jazz Director at the station and helped develop the station's jazz programming. "Let the music speak for itself!" says Sharif. "... music is a healing force of the universe...it is important to present the masters and giants of this music called Jazz as well as the newer and lesser known talented musicians of today and the future." Sharif remains active at WCKR "...out of love for jazz and its cultural tradition as well as an obligation to Pass It ON! and ...[to] insure the future of Jazz on the airwaves."
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About City Harvest
City Harvest exists to end hunger in communities throughout New York City. City Harvest does this through food rescue and distribution, education and other practical, innovative solutions , providing food to over 800 emergency food programs throughout New York City. Every day, volunteers help rescue food in a variety of ways, from helping out on City Harvest trucks to collecting food at local greenmarkets or rescuing thousands of pounds of food at special food show events. In addition, volunteers help manage everyday office activities. Visit City Harvest at www.cityharvest.org for more information.
About BWC
BWCis presenting a bi-monthly benefit concert series in Manhattan, the home of BWC, in keeping with its primary mission to promote grassroots volunteering. BWC is also developing a website in support of those looking for volunteer opportunities according to their preferences, skills, background and location.
Each concert will feature an exemplary local nonprofit that has an on-going need for substantial numbers of volunteers to generate exposure and recruit volunteers for that nonprofit. Concert-goers will also be asked to each bring one or two cans of nutritious food (14 oz. or larger) to the concert for pickup by City Harvest to feed the hungry. The concert series will also serve to generate exposure and recruit volunteers for BWC. Net proceeds, if any, from the Feb 26 concert will go only to BWC to support future concerts in the series.
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