Welcome to the Official Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium WebSite
"A Festival Grows in Brooklyn"
"BROOKLYN - In The JAZZ Tradition" is the theme for CBJC's festival 2008.
The Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium/CBJC presents its 9th Annual Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival from March 29 - May 2, 2008, with concerts and events in Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Midwood, Williamsburg, Crown Heights and Bedford Stuyvesant sections of Brooklyn.
This year's festival theme is, BROOKLYN - In the JAZZ Tradition. "Tradition makes reference to our ancestors and the cultural legacy they left behind. Eubie Blake (in the 1920's), Billie Holiday and Betty Roche (in the late 1930's), Max Roach, Cecil Payne, Chief Bey, Willie Jones, Kenny Dorham and C. Scoby Stroman (in the late 1940's and beyond) paved a path for the jazz legacy of Brooklyn, New York. Today in 2008, we must research and study the Jazz legacy of Brooklyn and use it to mold and shape the future of our lives - 'Music is the healing force of the universe (Albert Ayler),'" said Jitu Weusi, Chairman of Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium.
BROOKLYN - In the JAZZ Tradition is a cultural celebration which also brings together our borough's creative communities (literature, film, photography and education) with Jazz. Programs and performances will be held at Weeksville Heritage Center, Dr. S. Stevan Dweck Center for Contemporary Culture at Brooklyn Public Library's Central Branch, Medgar Evers College, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, Institute for Studies in American Music at Brooklyn College, Brooklyn Historical Society, Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts, Paul Robeson Theatre, Concord Baptist Church of Christ as well as Brooklyn's popular entertainment venues: Sista's Place, Solomon's Porch, BAMcafe Live, Jazz Spot, Williamsburg Music Center, Sugar Hill Restaurant & Supper Club and Jazz 966 just to name some.
9th Annual Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival highlights this year include an award presentation to legendary
jazz stylist Nancy Wilson . . . presentation by Member of the Executive Council, Department of Economic Development and Tourism from North West Province, Republic of South Africa, Mr Darkey Ephraim Africa . . . Olu Dara's, "Stranded in Brooklyn," free concert . . . swing dance party with Ray Abrams Big Band featuring vocalist Tulivu-Donna Cumberbatch . . . famed jazz photographer Chuck Stewart displays his works at Afroarts Design gallery . . . film screening of "The Music Inn" with Randy Weston . . . Alma Carroll and Emme Kemp in Jazz! The Women's Viewpoint . . . Jazz great Houston Person . . . Ray Anderson & The Versatiles featuring Jann Parker at Janes United Methodist Church . . . history of Brooklyn Jazz lecture/jam session with The New Cookers . . . Sam Newsome leads Long Island University's jazz ensemble in tribute to Brooklyn bebopper Cecil Payne . . . Latin Jazz with Arturo O'Farrill featuring Steve Turre . . . several educational forums; such as, Brooklyn's jazz heritage, immigrants contributions to the music, and Brooklyn Jazz History with Professor Jeffrey Taylor . . . special celebration of the life of Brooklyn's native son Max Roach.
The annual Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at the Opening Day Gala on Wednesday, April 2nd. This year's inductees include: Deacon Leroy Applin Young Lion/Lioness,
Maurice Brown; Jazz Shrine, Blue Coronet; Jazz Impact, James Spaulding; Life Time Achievement,
Cedar Walton; and Hall of Fame awardee, Cecil Payne.
Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium founded in 1999 is an amalgam of jazz musicians, entertainment venues, faith based organizations, community based organizations, and patrons of the music. Over the past eight (8) years, they have presented an annual spring festival, established a Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame, and produced yearly programs of events and activities that feature local jazz musical talents. CBJC is a nonprofit organization committed to preserving, promoting and supporting jazz music, musicians and programs.
CBJC invites, cultural institutions; entertainment venues; musicians; colleges; and faith based institutions to participate in this year's cultural celebration. Past participates include, Office of the Brooklyn Borough President; Weeksville Historical Society; Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation; Concord Baptist Church of Christ; and Brooklyn Historical Society just to name some.
Please contact me, Bob Myers, and become a part of Brooklyn's celebration of jazz during Jazz Appreciation Month, (US public law 108-72.)
With your help, a Festival will also Grow in Brooklyn.
CENTRAL BROOKLYN JAZZ CONSORTIUM
Bob Myers, Communications Director
718.467.1527
upoverbob@aol.com
