New Mexico Jazz Stories, VOLUME 2!

It's time for volume 2 of New Mexico Jazz Stories, an intimate evening with the artist! We're very excited by the line-up!

Life is an improvisation, a mixed tape, an unfinished work-- and no one knows that better than the five professional musicians NMJW has lined up for New Mexico Jazz Stories. They've played everywhere, from juke joints to concert halls, for sophisticated, international audiences, to salty bar flies in dives. The artists of New Mexico Jazz Stories Volume 2 have collected their stories throughout their colorful journeys, and they plan to share them with you, for the first time.

John Rangel kicks off the series. Rangel, a dynamic composer and pianist comes from a musical family full of opera singers. Find out how he got into jazz on October 6^th.

Next up is bassist Milo Jaramillo. Born and raised in New Mexico, Jaramillo lives and commutes from his native Isleta Pueblo to perform everything from jazz to funk, reggae to world music. Jaramillo shares his jazz stories on October 13^th.

Patty Stephens is a Diva of the highest order. Stephens captivates audiences with her golden pipes, and her tales are sure to be equally mesmerizing. Don’t miss Jazz Stories with Patty Stephens on October 20^th.

On October 27^th Jazz Stories presents trumpeter Paul Gonzales. Gonzales, a KUNM DJ and member of various salsa groups, including Son Como Son is also an Army Veteran. What was it like to have musician Arlen Asher visit your first grade class? Find out from Gonzales at Jazz Stories.

Closing out the 2010 Jazz Stories series is well-respected guitarist and bassist Lewis Winn. Winn has performed professionally for nearly 40 years, and he certainly has many, many interesting tales to tell. Volume 2 of New MexicoJazz Stories: An Intimate Evening with the Artist is sure to be a lively series you won’t want to miss.

New Mexico Jazz Stories: An Intimate Evening with the Artist, October 6^th through November 3^rd at 7pm. The Cooperage 7220 Lomas NE. Tickets are $15 General, $10 NMJW Members/Seniors/Students. Series passes available. Please call NMJW at 505-255-9798 or visit our website www.nmjazz.org for more information. Tickets are also available online at www.brownpapertickets .com.

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/124992

john rangel

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/125014

milo Jaramillo

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/125021

patty stephens

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/125028

paul gonzales

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/125030

lewis winn

Facing the Day with Alex Maryol

Alex Maryol's bio is crazy impressive. This young blues artist has been on the circuit for years, opening for Etta James, Bo Diddley, Ani DiFranco, Michael Franti, Leon Russell, and G. Love and Special Sauce, to name a few. He has shared the stage with artists, oh, like James Brown, Johny Lang, John Mayer, Otis Taylor and Buddy Miles.

Alex is on the bill with Todd Tijerina as well as Combo Special TONIGHT at 7pm, at the final Jazz & Blues Under the Stars at the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater in Old Town. We thought we'd pin Alex down for a short interview:




NMJW:
Why the Blues? What made you gravitate towards this genre of music?

AM:
Blues is a very emotional sounding music... I felt the blues from a very young age... from the first moment I heard it when I was around 4 or 5. Blues is a music -like all music- that is not in the "notes" but rather that is in the person.

NMJW:
You credit musicians like Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and Elvis Presley as people who've influenced you. When did you first become aware of these artists and how?

AM:
I first heard these artists on my dad's radio in his truck as he drove me to kindergarten when I was four. He would then play more of these artists for me on his record player in our living room.

NMJW:
You mention being the son of Greek-American restaurateurs in your biographical information. Were you expected to enter the family business? When did it become clear that you were charting your own course through music?

AM:
I was never expected to be or do anything in particular. I always had the freedom to choose what I wanted to do... however, growing up in the restaurant is a very important detail in my life. I always wanted to be involved with music. My mom tells me that I would pick my head up in the crib when I was a baby to "see what was going on" when there was music being played in the room.




NMJW:
Tell us about Face the Day. How have you approached the material on this record, in contrast to your earlier releases?

AM:
Face the Day is an album that deals with my experience of life through my mid 20's.


NMJW:
What's your favorite guilty pleasure in terms of music?

AM:
Kelly Clarkson, Shania Twain, and Cindi Lauper.


NMJW:
Who would you most like to share the stage with?

AM:
Leslie Feist

NMJW:
If you were not a musician, where else might you focus your creative attention?

AM:
Running, Bicycling and Swimming.

An interview with Ashley SAYWUT Moyer!

Women's Voices: Tribute to Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan was a HIT. Thank you for making last Saturday an amazing night!

At Women's Voices, we introduced you to Ashley aka Saywut Moyer-- the real WILD CARD of the night! Ashley's Hip Hop beatboxing was exciting, provocative, and startling juxtaposed with jazz. Moyer mixed this "modern" vocal work with traditional jazz singing, creating a hybrid few people have ever heard before, and people can't stop talking about it! We're still getting great feedback from people intrigued by Moyer's style, so we thought we'd do a short interview with her!

NMJW: Tell us about beat box, and it's modern origins.

AM:

Beatboxing is music made only with the human body through breath control, and muscle control. It is something that can be found all over the world.

NMJW:

Like other forms of music, beatbox is male-dominated. Where are all the ladies? How did you

decide you wanted to beatbox?

AM:
I don't think most women beatbox because it isn't something that females do often enough to be considered normal. Most people in general don't even know what it is. Also, it's kinda out of character for women to make crazy sound effects and music with their mouths. However, there are a few women beatboxers all over the world. Mostly in the UK. A few here in the US as well. I decided to beatbox because I was drawn to it when I saw it, and started to imitate what I saw and heard. Once I learned that I was ok at it, I continued on and practiced.

NMJW:

Who are some of your influences? How did you get started?

AM:

Some of my influences are Zack Freeman, Roxorloops, Bizmarkee, Dougie Fresh, and any music or sounds that catch my ear...I want to imitate the sounds/music that I enjoy. I started when I was a sophomore in high school. A kid at my school was beatboxing, and I was instantly hooked. I have always been good at imitating noises, or voices, so when I heard him, It was natural for me to pick it up. I haven't stopped since. It's been 7 1/2 years already, and I am still to this day amazed at the amount of opportunities and blessings I have recieved through beatboxing. I guess it all depends on where your heart's at. I have learned that my beatboxing is a gift, it helps me connect with people and them with everyone else in the room in a way that almost feels like we are closer to god. I have accepted this as my responsibility, to be a circuit and open people to a feeling of love and humanity they may have forgotten they could feel. I have to share that love...I am truly blessed to do what I do.

NMJW:

We know you are politically active in the local and global community. How does your music support your politics?

AM:

I started out performing in my community because I had the gift of beatboxing. People noticed me, and wanted me to do shows for them. Since it was a gift, and I wanted to help people and effect change, I decided to use my beatboxing as a way to use my voice and express myself and the causes I believe in. I have always been very picky with what kind of shows I do, because I don't want to endorse something that may not have my or others best interest at heart...I enjoy working with grass roots organizations. I enjoy being able to share my gift, and not feel like a product that only focuses on me. I love working with youth in the city and state that I grew up in. I know what kind of role model these kids need, and I am proud to take that roll on. Especially as a female beatboxer.

NMJW:

What do you say to other young women interested in getting into beatboxing?

AM:

I say go for it! It is a rare art form, but like anything, practice and passion will get you where you want to be. I always enjoy beatboxing for young women who didn't know females could beatbox. It opens a whole new side of their minds where they start to consider other paths for themselves aside from what they see on TV or hear on the radio. I like to show them that they too can be respected, accepted and expressed in a way that is their own. My heart goes out to all the young women, they need someone to show them that females are supportive of each other, and that being proud of who you are is a very positive and freeing experience...to me it's what life is all about.

NMJW:

Thanks, Ashley!

AM:

Thank you!

Womenful weekend at New Mexico Jazz Workshop

Hello NMJW Friends!

Here we are heading into the third weekend of Salsa/Jazz & Blues Under the Stars! It's been a scorcher out there, but the music has been even hotter. This weekend we're proud to present TWO great nights of music led by women for the enjoyment of ALL!

On Friday night, we welcome back to the Salsa Under the Stars stage Ivon Ulibarri y Cafe Mocha. Absolutely one of the best, most in sync salsa bands in the South West, Cafe Mocha never fails to deliver. Ivon leads the band, and Rosie's a powerhouse on vocals. You want cha-cha? You got it. You want SON?? You got it. You know you can't go wrong with Cafe Mocha. Remember to get the the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater early and take advantage of the FREE salsa class with Salsa Baby!

On Juneteenth, NMJW proudly presents the first of two nights featuring some of New Mexico’s most dynamic women vocalists. Don't miss Ladies Sing the Blues featuring Hillary Smith, Cathryn McGill, Joan Cere (formally Griffin), Wendy Beach, and none other than the Rhinestones! Are you ready for some hollerin’, honkin’, shoutin and gettin’ down? Then Ladies Sing the Blues is YOUR NIGHT under the stars! Join some of Albuquerque’s finest blues singers and musicians for a night of blistering blues born from the African-American A.M.E. Churches, to the field hollers and streets of Memphis, Chicago, New Orleans, to the dusty, back roads, train tracks, cross roads, and juke joints of the American landscape, making a way out of no way. The emcee for Ladies Sing the Blues is KUNM radio personality, writer, poet and blogger, Mary Oishi!

You gotta be there! Get your tickets in advance and avoid the queue!

www.brownpapertickets.com

The New Mexico Jazz Workshop Summer Concert Series BEGINS!

Hello Jazz Friends!

It's that time again, folks! Time to stretch our legs, get outside, and get sweaty! No, we're not talking about mowing the lawn. It's time for the NMJW Summer Concert Series UNDER THE STARS! Starting THIS FRIDAY, June 4th we're kicking off a summer of great concerts, all summer long and the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater!

On FRIDAY, JUNE 4th-- Felipe Ruibal y Quemozo breaks the seal on the salsa, it's ripe, delicious and ready to go! On SATURDAY, JUNE 5th, we welcome the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Bobby Shew and none other than our NMJW Youth Honor Bands, led by Christian Pincock (High School) and Sam Nesbitt (Middle School).

Where ya goin'? You know there's MORE in store. Week two of the Salsa Under the Stars we welcome Charanga del Valle, June 11th. You'll soon be over your Los Van Van heart break, just get on that dance floor. On June 12th come out for the Saxophone Summit featuring Glenn Kostur, Lee Taylor and Kanoa Kaluhiwa, and Aaron Lovato. Just buy a Summer Pass, please! You're not going to want to miss a single weekend. Because week three we have the lovely Ivon Ulibarri y Cafe Mocha! And, the first night of Women's Voices!

On Saturday, June 19^th NMJW presents the first night of Women’s Voices with Ladies Sing the Blues, hosted by KUNM radio personality, Mary Oishi. Join some of Albuquerque’s finest blues singers and musicians for a night of blistering blues born from the African-American A.M.E. Churches, to the field hollers and streets of Memphis, Chicago, New Orleans; to the dusty, back roads, train tracks, cross roads, and juke joints of the American landscape—making “a way out of no way.“ Are you ready for some hollerin’, honkin’, shoutin’, and getting’ down?” Joan Cere says (formally Joan Griffin). Cere, lead singer of Combo Special, is a performer and the curator of Ladies Sing the Blues. Cere pledges a diva-packed evening of blues featuring Hillary Smith, Wendy Beach, and Cathryn McGill. “So many soulful, talented people coming together to make the music that makes us who we are,” Cere says. Cere cites singers such as Big Momma Thornton, Bessie Smith, Janice Joplin and Ma Rainey as inspiration for Ladies Sing the Blues. Cere calls Ladies Sing the Blues, “a rootsy, rocking, feelin’ kind of music-- the kind that makes your skin tingle and brings a tear to your eye-- makes you wanna shake your stuff and join the party.”

Women's Voices 2010 continues with a tribute to the mothers of jazz: Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan. Women’s Voices: Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan Saturday, July 10^th.

They sang to express the secrets of their hearts, for sheer joy, to pay the rent, to stay afloat, to keep going. Women's Voices 2010 pays tribute to the mothers of jazz: Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan. This trinity of vocalists left mighty big shoes to fill. On Saturday, July 10^th, Patty Stephens, Patti Littlefield, Chava, Kathy Gutierrez, and Ashley (aka SayWut!?) Moyer pay a soulful, moving homage to the music, the women, and the lives and times that made Sarah, Billie and Ella trine stars that never lose their luster, and never fade from our collective memory.

“This tribute isn’t to the jazz song, it is to the lives of three women who sang those jazz songs,” says Patty Stephens, performer and curator of the tribute. “This tribute is from the New Mexican women of song to our ancestors, our elders.” Stephens, a favorite on the local jazz scene, says this concert is a deep exploration of the work and the world of Dames Fitzgerald, Vaughan and Holiday, not an evening of greatest hits. “I’m not talking about a contemporary singer sticking a big flower behind her ear, and bending notes,” Stephens says. “I’m talking about the women who stay up late, drag home in the middle of the night and work on new tunes and go sing at church on Sunday.”

This year’s Women’s Voices features a new, exciting element to the performance. Ashley (aka SayWut?!) Moyer, a local hip-hop beat boxer of note will, take the stage. (Beatboxing is a rediscovered art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue and voice. The art form dates back to the ancient tradition of bhol, found in the music of India.) Stephens, who will be performing a few duets with Moyer, says that beat boxing expresses the “jazz element of scat—the percussive use of the voice, and the power of improvisation.” According to Stephens, there are all components that relate back to Fitzgerald, Holiday and Vaughan. “Ashley brings to the evening a true, raw element of vocal expression inherent in jazz, and the music of the divas we honor.”

Women’s Voices 2010 Saturday, June 19^th and Saturday, July 10^th are sure to be two evenings of Jazz & Blues Under the Stars audiences won’t soon forget.

MUCH MORE to come as the summer rolls on!

We'll see you, Under the Stars . . .

School Days

Hello, Jazz Friends!

It's nearly summer! Can you believe that? We're looking forward to getting outside for the Salsa/Jazz & Blues Under the Stars shows! We're also happy to let you know that we'll be offering summer jazz courses for adults!

Eight-week and ten-week courses are available for adult students interested in Modern Jazz Ensemble, Community Big Band, Latin Jazz & Improvisation, Vocal Jazz and, Real Book Jam!

Our adult ed classes are designed for musicians looking to expand their knowledge and skills! NMJW classes offer adults the opportunity to study with some of New Mexico's most talented, working musicians.

The 2010 Summer Adult Education Program offers students four, great courses to assist adult musicians and vocalists in the development of their craft. Latin Jazz & Improvisation, taught by Rodolfo Gonzalez provides the student with skills for jazz combo performance while exploring Latin rhythms. Lewis Winn offers an updated course in Modern Jazz Ensemble which emphasizes improvisation, swing, hot, and cool styles while developing successful ensemble techniques.

NMJW Community Big Band taught by Christian Pincock is a popular, challenging but rewarding course with limited enrollment in the band, so sign-up right away! Patty Stephens, local diva and curator of Women’s Voices: Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan, offers her very popular course. This class is designed to improve your vocal jazz skills while exploring the song(s) of your choice. Each of the summer courses culminates in its own performance.

For musicians wishing to connect and collaborate with other players without the commitment of a class, Real Book Jam is a good choice.

For a small lab fee, musicians and singers are invited to come together on Saturday afternoons to simply play!

For a full description of courses and fees, please visit www.nmjazz.org

See ya in class!

2010 Summer Adult Education Program-- course series begins June 6^th and runs through August 15^h. Dates and times for classes vary. For full course description, and instructor bios, please visit our website: www.nmjazz.org. For more information, contact Vicki Dugger, Adult Education Coordinator

505-255-9798. Or, send email to Vicki at nmjazzvols@gmail.com.

Joe Gabel rolls the extra mile for NMJW!

Joe Gabel? You ROCK. You roll, too.

Joe's Ex-President's Pedalthon!

Immediate Past President Joe Gabel will cycle 400 Miles in ONE WEEK (May 17-22) to raise scholarship money for kids to attend JAZZ CAMP! What started out as an unassuming fundraiser to send 10 kids to Jazz Camp (cost: $3,000 total) has turned into a full-on campaign! Joe is committed to raising $15,000 for camp scholarships which will send 50 KIDS to camp! Yeah!

Not to be undone, Mark Zettel at Modern Bike Engines is going to give the individual who makes the largest donation to Joe's cause the installation and service on a NEW BIKE ENGINE-- valued at $1,000! (Want to know more about Modern Bike Engines, stop by at 3204 San Mateo NE.)

Now, you don't have to jump on a bike and start pedaling, to join the cause! It's easy to donate: just click on the link and donate some dough toJoe's Ex-President's Pedalthon!

http://www.firstgiving.org/joegabel