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Archive for August, 2010

Relive The Newport Jazz Festival 2010

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Relive George Wein’s annual showcase of the best in jazz, including concerts from the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Matt Wilson Quartet, Julian Lage Group, JD Allen and many more. Hear the performances, download sets and see photos from the CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival held in beautiful Newport, R.I. last weekend.

Click here to view photos and hear concerts.

WNCU 90.7 FM, Home of “Bull City Blues,” is a Media Sponsor for the Bull Durham Blues Festival

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Purchase Tickets Now

The annual Bull Durham Blues Festival celebrates Durham’s rich musical heritage as an important center of Carolina or Piedmont blues. Since 1988, St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. has presented the festival at the historic Durham Athletic Park, past home of the Durham Bulls Baseball team and site of the hit movie “Bull Durham”. Today, the event has become North Carolina’s largest celebration of the blues attracting fans from over 175 cities throughout North Carolina, 25 different states, and 5 countries in the world.

For 23 years the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. (SJHF) has presented the annual Bull Durham Blues Festival to the joy and pleasure of fans from across the globe here in Durham, NC, the home of the “Piedmont Blues”. Again, on September 10 & 11, 2010, SJHF will present a stellar line up of national, regional and local blues musicians in the usual format, but in a new venue, the new Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) and at our home base historic St. Joseph’s Performance Hall at Hayti Heritage Center. The decision to relocate the Festival was a difficult one for the Foundation, but because of production cost implications at our previous site, the current economic climate and opportunities for new and broader partnerships, now was the time.

We recognize that change is difficult and growing pains even more so. This change in venue is an opportunity for the Foundation to revamp the festivals traditional format to encompass other venues within the City of Durham, particularly our vibrant downtown area. In the years to come, we will get back to an outdoor setting, but our plans are to expand the BDBF to multiple locations, both large and small, with shows throughout the week. As we regroup and adapt to current state of affairs, we will take this opportunity to strengthen current partnerships and develop new ones.

You, our fans have trusted us over the years and we say thank you! You have shared with us, the richness of the blues heritage here in Durham for over 22 years. Join with us as we grow, expand and diversify the Bull Durham Blues Festival, something for everyone to enjoy with family, friends and other Blues Lovers!

The festival have showcased some of the finest contemporary blues artist today including Bo Diddley, Taj Mahal, Etta James, Ruth Brown, Aaron Neville and Charles Neville, Bobby Blue Bland, Denise LaSalle, Tyrone Davis, KoKo Taylor, Shemika Copeland, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Keb’ Mo, Janiva Mangus, Otis Rush, Hank Crawford, Deborah Coleman, Johnny Clyde Copeland, and Alberta Adams. In addition, the distinctive blues of the Carolinas have featured traditional artists each year such as Moses Rascoe, John D. Holeman, Etta Baker, Lightnin’ Wells, Big Boy Henry, John Jackson, Algia Mae Hinton and harmonicas/guitar duo of Phil Wiggins and the late John Cephas.

See you at the festival…

Visit Official Bull Durham Blues Festival Website

Blues After Hours Events Kick Off Durham’s Celebration of the Bull Durham Blues Festival

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

As September rolls around all who live in the Triangle area look forward to the annual Bull Durham Blues Festival schedule for September 10 and 11. This year with the change in location to the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC), the Bull Durham Blues Festival has added additional outreach programs to entice the traditional festival audience and embrace new ones.

Starting August 12 through September 3rd, St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation will sponsor four (4) Blues After Hours events “ALL ABOUT TOWN”. Each event is from 6pm – 8pm and free to the public. Blues lovers are invited out to enjoy great blues music, and indulge in food and beverages at each local restaurant or site location. Local and regional blues professionals will treat the audience to the best blues music to dance too or simply move your feet to.

The schedule is as follows:

August 12

Tad Walters Band

Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse

5410-Y Highway 55

August 20

th’ Bullfrog McGhee

Hayti Heritage Center

804 Old Fayetteville Street

August 26

Big Rick & The Bombers

Nasher Museum of Art

2001 Campus Dr.

September 3

Will MacFarlane

The Blue Note Grill

4125 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

The Bull Durham Blues Festival will be held on September 10 & 11, 2010. Friday headlining the festival at the Hayti Heritage Center, doors open at 6PM show starts at 7PM, is Ruthie Foster Quartet, Mel Melton & The Wicked Mojos, and MSG The Acoustic Blues Trio. Special feature for Friday night will be the introduction of the Bull City Youth Blues Band. Saturday night the festival moves to the DPAC where headliner Buddy Guy, Bettye LaVette, The Wild Magnolias, Melva Houston, and Shades of Blue. Doors open at 5pm, show starts at 6PM.

A free outdoor concert will get everyone in the mood for some good ole blues on Saturday afternoon from 4pm – 6pm on the Capitol Broadcasting Company Plaza at DPAC where two local bands, Fat Bastards Blues Band and Hell Camino will take the stage to get you ready for the main course. This event is free to the public and vendors will be on site. Bring your lawn chairs and or blankets for the afternoon event.

Tickets for the Bull Durham Blues Festival are on sale now at www.bulldurhamblues.org or www.dpacnc.com, or call (919) 683-1709. Tickets are $35, $45 and $55.

The St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. (SJHF) founded in 1975, is an African American cultural and educational institution deeply rooted in the historic Hayti community of Durham, North Carolina. SJHF is dedicated to advancing cultural understanding through diverse programs that examine the experiences of Americans of African descent – locally, nationally and globally. The Foundation is committed to preserving, restoring and developing the Hayti Heritage Center, the former St. Joseph’s AME Church, a National Historic Landmark, as a cultural and economic anchor to the greater Durham community. Funds raised from the event support the programs and operations of the Foundation and Hayti Heritage Center.

Horace Parlan

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

One of the most sought after hard bop piano players, Parlan has overcome physical disability and thrived as a pianist despite it. His right hand was partially crippled by polio in his childhood, but Parlan’s made frenetic, highly rhythmic right hand phrases part of his characteristic style, contrasting them with striking left-hand chords. He’s also infused blues and R&B influences into his style, playing in a stark, sometimes somber fashion. Parlan has always cited Ahmad Jamal and Bud Powell as prime influences.

He began playing in R&B bands during the ’50s, joining Charles Mingus’ group from 1957 to 1959 following a move from Pittsburgh to New York. Mingus aided his career enormously, both through his recordings and his influence. Parlan played with Booker Ervin in 1960 and 1961, then in the Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis-Johnny Griffin quintet in 1962. Parlan played with Rahsaan Roland Kirk from 1963 to 1966, and had a strong series of Blue Note recordings in the ’60s.

He left America for Copenhagen in 1973, and gained international recognition for some stunning albums on Steeplechase, including a pair of superb duet sessions with Archie Shepp. He also recorded with Dexter Gordon, Red Mitchell, and in the ’80s Frank Foster.

Here’s a pic. This is all I can find. He is somewhat obscure and there is not much on him.

From All About Jazz