Mardi Gras 2017

Hey friends, 

Just a little Mardi Gras reminder note and a rescheduled snowed out performance.    

This coming Tuesday, February 28 is Fat Tuesday and that means that I will be directing  my annual Mardi Gras conc­­ert at Southern Connecticut State University.  I'm been working with my students on a program of music from New Orleans that runs the gamut from traditional jazz to New Orleans funk and rhythm and blues.  We’re having a lot of fun learning this material and I hope you can join us for a night that’s going to really have a big easy flavor to it. You can expect a parade, beads, and lots of good music.  We’ve got a program of songs made popular by Louis Armstrong,  Dr. John, Huey "Piano" Smith, the Dixiecups, Allen Toussaint and other legendary New Orleans artists. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. in the Charles Garner Recital Hall (located in rm C-112 in Engleman Hall). Admission to the general public is $5 a person.  For more information please call the SCSU Music Department, 203-392-6625. 

As I mentioned in my last newsletter the centenary of what is generally acknowledged as the first jazz recording is coming up this Sunday, on February 26.  What’s surprised me is how little this major milestone has been mentioned anywhere in the media.  But we will be acknowledging and celebrating this milestone in jazz history at our concert on Tuesday. The SCSU jazz ensemble has been working hard to learn those two songs, Livery Stable Blues, and Dixieland Jass Band One-Step, that were recorded on February 26, 1917. We’re looking forward to sharing them.   

On Sunday, March 5, at 2:00 p.m.  I will play a duo jazz concert at the Pequot Library in Southport with Rex Cadwallader.  We were supposed to give that concert a few weeks ago, but we were snowed out so we are grateful that the library was able to reschedule this performance.  The Pequot Library is located at 720 Pequot Ave. in Southport. 

Wishing you all the best in the coming weeks.  And since it is Mardi Gras season: 

Laissez les bon temps rouler!!! 

David

 

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