Jazz News: Levitt free series: Delvon Lamarr; Museo: “AfroMex;” Apply yourself: Vail, JEN; Oscar; "Soundtrack"
This is Jazz News, a look at what’s news in jazz, music, and the arts.
Levitt Pavilion has announced much of its Free Concert Series for this coming season. Brazilian vocalist Luciane Dom appears on May 30 with Michele Castro and Bill Kopper. KUVO’s 40th anniversary show on Friday, July 11 features the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio. The Rebirth Brass Band appears on August 1. The 9th annual Dashiki Fest is on August 3 with Femi Kuti & The Positive Force. And, the Viva Southwest Mariachi Fest is on September 14, featuring Lupita Infante. Details to come at Levitt Pavilion Denver. (SOURCE: Levitt Denver / Free Concert Series)
Museo de Las Americas opens 2025 with a new exhibit called “AfroMexican Journey: Yanga, Slavery & Freedom,” curated by Jorge Baldor from the Latino Arts Project. Yanga was a Gabonese prince who organized a rebellion against Spanish rulers in 16th-century Mexico.
The exhibit includes a lecture series and musical tributes. It runs through July 13. (SOURCE: Museo / Afro-Mexican Journey: Yango Slavery & Freedom)
Applications are now being accepted for one of the most prestigious pre-college jazz workshops in the country, the Vail Jazz Workshop, directed by John Clayton. There are only 12 slots open for the nine-day workshop in August, including up close instruction from Bill Cunliffe, Wycliffe Gordon, Lewis Nash, Dick Oatts, and Terell Stafford. Applications close on April 14. Details at Vail Jazz. (SOURCE: Vail Jazz Education Workshop/)
The Jazz Education Network's Young Composer Showcase application window is open. It’s a national competition, and select composers could be invited to, or have their work played, at the Jazz Education Network annual meeting next January in New Orleans.
There are different age categories up to age 30, and different composition categories for large and small ensembles, with and without vocals. Details at JazzEdNet. (SOURCE: JazzEdNet / Young Composers Showcase)
The Jazz Education Network's Young Composer Showcase application window is open. It’s a national competition, and select composers could be invited to, or have their work played, at the Jazz Education Network annual meeting next January in New Orleans.
There are different age categories up to age 30, and different composition categories for large and small ensembles, with and without vocals. Details at JazzEdNet. (SOURCE: JazzEdNet / Young Composers Showcase)
The Academy Awards are next Sunday, March 2 from the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. Musically, I’m watching the Music (Original Score) category, where Kris Bowers is nominated for his work on “The Wild Robot.” And, in the Documentary Feature Film category, “Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat” is a captivating look at the assassination of Congo’s Patrice Lumumba in 1961, alongside the jazz diplomacy that was happening around Africa at the time, with music and interviews with Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln and others. Director Johan Grimonprez created a complex and fascinating film chock full of music and international intrigue. At times throughout the film, I found myself thrilled, angry and sad, and anxious to set aside another two-and-a-half hours to watch it again. (SOURCE: Kino Lorber / Film: Soundtrack to a Coup D'Etat)
