Riveting Riffs

Broadway Musicals The 101 Greatest Shows Of All Time, by Ken Bloom and Frank Vlastnik, has been revised. The book which dedicates one chapter for each of the 101 shows, has a foreword written by actor Jerry Orbach and the following actors contributed to a new preface, Angela Lansbury, Chita Rivera, Donna McKechnie, Florence Henderson, Leslie Uggams and Sandy Duncan. The book features the actors, creators, backstage insights and production details for Broadway musicals from 1903 until the present day. The 336 page volume is available in a paperback edition.

Fashion Designer SARAR International is now an official sponsor for New York City's jazz trumpeter, Mark Rapp, who will also be appearing at several of their events. Over the past 63 years, SARAR International has become the worldwide manufacturer of major global fashion labels such as: Hugo Boss, Burberry's, Ermenegildo Zegna, Cerruti 1881, Banana Republic and many more.

On May 22, Indiana Jones Kingdom of the Crystal Skull opens in theaters. Harrison Ford is back as Indiana Jones and is joined by Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Shia LaBeouf, Ray Winstone and John Hurt as Professor Oxley.

Roberta Flack will be performing in concert May 17^th at the John Hay Auditorium in Cleveland, OH, to benefit the Cleveland School of the Arts (CSA). The Cleveland School of the Arts is a very worthy charity. CSA draws students from all over the city and surrounding districts. 99% of the students graduate & more than 80% attend college. Tickets are available by calling 216.421.7690.

The Vancouver Jazz Festival will occur at various venues throughout the city between June 20th and 28th. Featured performers include Maceo Parker, Herbie Hancock, the John Scofield Trio, Dave Brubeck and Pink Martini.

The 29^th annual Montreal International Jazz Festival runs from June 26 – July 6^th, in Quebec, Canada. In addition to Allen, other shows already announced include Aretha Franklin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Steely Dan, Saxophone Summit with Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman and Ravi Coltrane; Charlie Haden Quartet West, Leonard Cohen, Return to Forever with Chick Corea; James Taylor and his band of legends, and Katie Melua, among others.

Known for its incredible breadth of programming - jazz, blues, Latin-jazz, Brazilian, Cuban, African, reggae, electronica, jazz for kids and more, the Festival showcases some 3,000 artists from 30 countries, more than 650 concerts, 370 of them free on 10 outdoor stages.

The winners of Atlanta’s Future of Jazz Competition V11 are; ZON 3 (Contemporary Jazz Instrumental), Heather Johnson (Contemporary Vocal Jazz), Bradford (Nu Jazz), Mace Hibbard (Straight Ahead Instrumental), Genetic Drift (Fusion Jazz), Kemba Cofield (Straight Ahead Vocal).

The second annual Deep Blues Music & Film Festival will run from July 18 – 20^th at the Washington County County Fairgrounds, Lake Elmo, MN. The festival will feature forty-five bands including alternative and punk blues, as well as the modern juke joint music of the Deep South. Bands will be coming from Italy, Australia, Canada and the U.K.

The Vancouver East Cultural Centre recently received a $9 million \grant to assist with renovations, which are already underway. This comes in addition to the more than $5 million already received from both private and public sector donors. The Vancouver East Cultural Centre is a significant cultural landmark. It engages the community in contemporary theatre, music and dance programs from local, national and international artists for audiences of all ages. The Cultch also operates a youth program and an exceptional outreach program. The restored and renovated facilities will allow for the expansion of the current programs. To learn more about the Cultch click here.

The Calgary Jazz Festival will be held this year from June 24 – 29^th. Some of the big acts to appear this year include, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at the Lincoln Centre Orchestra, Maceo Parker, and Dave Brubeck

Nighttown Live is a new radio show featured on 107.3 FM , Sunday evenings from 8-9PM (local Cleveland, OH time). Hosted by Daniel Steinberg, the show will focus on artists who have appeared and will appear at Cleveland Heights’ Nighttown jazz venue in Ohio.

May 24 -26, The Atlanta Jazz Festival, in Atlanta, GA.

Jazz trumpeter Greg Adams has reunited with vocalist Lenny Williams, to form a new band, East Bay Soul. The two Tower of Power alumni combine with a third alumnus, Lee Thornburg (trumpet/backup vocals), who most recently was gigging on the Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Added to the mix are sax men Eric Marienthal, Tom Scott Johnnie Bamont (tenor, alto, soprano/flute), Joey Navarro on keyboards, drummer Evan Stone, bassist Brian Allen, guitarist James Wirrick and percussionist Johnny Sandoval.