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Arts & Entertainment

Talkin' Jazz Lecture Series Enlightens and Entertains at the Count Basie Theatre

The April 25th discussion is the final in a series that is presented each April by the Jazz Arts Project to mark National Jazz Appreciation Month.

The Jazz Arts Project continues to mark National Jazz Appreciation month with its weekly lecture series Talkin’ Jazz, at the Count Basie Theatre on Monday, April 25. The talks are lead by jazz luminaries and serve as either a great introduction to the music for novices or as an extension of knowledge of the sound for connoisseurs. 

The roster of speakers this year has included renowned jazz saxophonist Bruce Williams, Ricky Ricardi, author of What a Wonderful World: The Magic of Louis Armstrong’s Later Years and Bill Crow, master bassist and author, whose discussion covered the lighter side of jazz, the humor of the art form and its players.

The April 25 discussion, the last of the series this year, is lead by Dorthaan Kirk and Sheila Anderson. The theme of the lecture is the State of Jazz, the music today and the growth and development for tomorrow.

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Kirk is the widower of the late saxophonist Rahsaan Roland Kirk and since his death in 1977 manages his images, music and administers his publishing company, Rokir Music Corporation. She was one of the founders of WBGO Jazz 88.3 in the late 70's and continues her work there in various administrative capacities.

Sheila Anderson has worked as a member of the NAACP board of directors, at publishing companies Random House, Grove House and several others, and as the president of the Bookbinder's Guild of New York. She has hosted a variety of jazz radio programs since 1995 on WBGO Newark, and is also the one-woman producer of The Art of Jazz, a weekly television program for Time Warner Cable.  Anderson has written two books, The Quotable Musician: From Bach to Tupac and How to Grow as a Musician: What All Musicians Must Know to Succeed.

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Jazz Appreciation Month was declared by the US Congress and supported and promoted by the Smithsonian Institute. The annual month-long celebration is in its 10th year and this April the emphasis at the Smithsonian is on the women of jazz, with online and public education/music events honoring the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Mary Lou Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, and others. 

The final lecture, given by two women of jazz at the Basie, fits right in with the national observance. The day, April 25, is also significant to the history of the music form - it is the birthday of vocalist Ella Fitzgerald. Talkin’ Jazz is free of charge, but space is limited. The Jazz Arts Project suggests that those who are planning to attend register to ensure a spot. To register, email info@jazzartsproject.org or call (732) 746-2244.

Jazz Arts Project is a non-profit professional presenting organization whose mission it is to preserve, promote, and perpetuate the American musical art form known as jazz; by producing performances of the highest quality, creating educational programs about jazz and its history, and to serve as an advocate by continuing efforts to raise awareness of the art form in the public eye through newspaper articles, lectures workshops and publications; and by fostering and nurturing the potential and the rising talent of young students who display an interest in jazz.

The organization produces 25 to 30 events each year from intimate jazz cafe nights through large scale events at concert halls such as the Count Basie Theatre, as well as educational workshops and special programs for youth.

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