Tag Archives: Michael De Castro
The NEW Quartet plays Josh Lawrence’s “Queensborough Bridge Stomp” [VIDEO]
#JazzREvolution at the Shrine [PICS]
Aleksandra Baldych’s #JazzREvolution series kicked off it’s inaugral show at the Shrine in Harlem on February 22. The event featured the Plaks / Pannikar Big Band, the Josh Lawrence Jazz 3 feat. Lauren Lark & Sly Scott and the Chris Phillips Band. Photographer Robert Polkosnik was on hand to catch the night with his camera. Enjoy!
Lu Reid
Plaks / Pannikar Big Band
Jazz (R)Evolution 2/22 @ShrineNYC
Modern Angles in Sound and Soul
Jazz (R)Evolution
Harlem’s own Lu Reid hosts an evening of music from a collective of artists based in NYC and Philly at the Shrine World Music Venue on February 22, 2011. The Jazz (R)Evolution Showcase features three bands representing different perspectives on classic genres.
The Eric Plaks / Jon Pannikar Big Band charges into the avant-garde with vigorous energy reminiscent of Cecil Taylor or Bill Dixon. Their repertoire consists of original compositions penned by various members of the band and featuring a host of brilliant improvisers.
Trumpeter Josh Lawrence leads his band the Jazz 3 from Philadelphia with music from their latest album Roots, an autobiographical song-cycle chronicling the bandleader’s personal and musical influences. This acoustic hard bop trio will be joined by special guests.
The Chris Phillips Band is one of the hottest Soul groups in Manhattan. The B.B. King Blues Club’s house band is led by keyboardist / vocalist Chris Phillips through his funky original songs and classic covers of artists from Steely Dan to Stevie Wonder.
The Jazz (R)Evolution runs from 6 PM to midnight on February 22, 2011 at the Shrine World Music Venue (2271 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd). No cover.
For more information please visit www.shrinenyc.com.
RSVP on Facebook.
The Haiti Earthquake – One Year Later
Today marks the one year anniversary of the tragic earthquake which devastated Haiti. Musician Wyclef Jean’s charitable organization Yele Haiti has established various programs to assist the Haitian people with their struggle. Visit yele.org to find out what you can do to help.
What follows is a live recording of a piece I composed for my last album entitled “Haitian Call & Cry”. Please feel free to download and share it with your friends and family. Thank you.
- Josh Lawrence & Ola Baldych
ROOTS NOW ON ITUNES AND AMAZON
The Josh Lawrence Jazz 3’s second studio album Roots has been released by BFM Digital on iTunes and Amazon. Fill up you iPod TODAY!
CRANBURY CD RELEASE PARTY AT THE BLUE ROOSTER
17 North Main Street
The Josh Lawrence Jazz 3 will perform music from their second studio album Roots, an autobiographical song-cycle chronicling the bandleader’s personal and musical influences, at The Blue Rooster Bakery & Café on Friday December 17, 2010.
Lawrence, a Cranbury native, studied at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and became a popular sideman on the neo-soul and jazz scenes playing with artists from Erykah Badu to Charli Persip. After graduation, he moved to the historic Sugar Hill neighborhood in Harlem. He co-founded the Uptown Brass at the Church of the Intercession in Washington Heights, worked as musical director for the band Harlem Psychedelic and taught on faculty as brass instructor at Bronx Arts and Bronx Lab.
Featuring nine original compositions written by Lawrence and co-producer Jamal Jones, Roots is an individual story of the streets and sounds of New York City and Philadelphia – as told through a new, unique and soulful voice. The CD will be available for purchase at The Blue Rooster from December 1st until Christmas and a free download of the single “Queesnborough Bridge Stomp” can be found at www.blueroosterbakery.com.
Located in one of historic Cranbury’s most charming Victorian homes, The Blue Rooster Bakery & Café invites you to rediscover a few of life’s enduring pleasures - simple meals prepared with fresh, natural ingredients, a congenial place to gather with neighbors and friends and on Friday and Saturday evenings live jazz. In the third year of operation, owners Bob & Karen Finigan continue to view The Blue Rooster as an evolving presence in the area ~ from breakfast to lunch and for the last year, dinner ~ The Blue Rooster is a favorite of many. Bob’s breads are served with all meals and draw many to return often. Pastries by Peter Max and menus crafted by Karen add to the overall team approach to guiding and growing the value of the Blue Rooster to its many fans.
The Josh Lawrence Jazz 3 will perform from 7 to 10 PM at the Blue Rooster Bakery & Cafe (17 North Main Street Cranbury, NJ) Friday December 17, 2010. $10 cover charge. Reservation by call: (609) 235-7539.
ROOTS REVIEW ON ELEMENTS OF JAZZ
ROOTS, the newest album by the the Josh Lawrence Jazz 3, received a stellar review from Atane Ofiaja (@atane) on the website Elements of Jazz.
“The sound is pure, unadulterated New York City and Philadelphia jazz… ROOTS is one of the freshest albums I’ve heard in 2010… All nine cuts can stand on their own merit. Collectively, it makes it a fantastic album.”