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Archive for July, 2016

Public Radio Satellite System July Feature: Blues Unlimited

Monday, July 25th, 2016

Blues Unlimited is a two-hour program that explores the wonderful world of the blues, its history, heritage, and rich cultural traditions. Each week, listeners get to connect to an authentic and vibrant part of American musical history, as we examine some unique topic or aspect of the blues universe.

Topics include profiles of important independent record labels; tributes to influential or unheralded musicians; homages to ground-breaking festivals, like Ann Arbor and Newport; revisits to the glory days of the 1960s Blues Revival; legendary field recordings from Chris Strachwitz, George Mitchell, Alan Lomax, and David Evans; ongoing series, such as “Desert Island Classics,” “The Legends of Bluesville,” and the “Vintage Travelogue Series;” plus, specials galore — Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween, not to mention the widely-anticipated annual gospel show.

Learn more about the creator and read the SHOWCase’s interview with him.

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Kenny Burrell

Friday, July 1st, 2016

Kenny Burrell was born in 1931 in Detroit, Michigan.

He began playing the guitar at age 12 and went on to study composition and theory and classical guitar with Louis Cabara and Joe Fava. He attended Wayne State University and recorded his 1st song with Dizzy Gillespie’s sextet in 1951. Burrell founded the New World Music Society and recruited musicians from Detroit such as Pepper Adams, Donald Byrd, Elvin Jones and Yusef Lateef to collaborate and perform with.

In 1955, Kenny began touring with Oscar Peterson. Soon after that, he moved to New York City and began gigging with Tommy Flanagan.

Burrell has had a long recording career with many influential artists, much of it on Blue Note, and sessions like Midnight Blue, are considered to be major guitar work, creating much of the language and groove for modern guitar players. His accuracy and relaxed, sense of swing are legendary.

Kenny began teaching at UCLA in 1976. In 2004, Burrell was named Jazz Educator of the Year. In 1998, Burrell wrote, arranged and performed on DeeDee Bridgewater’s, Dear Ella release which won a Grammy. In 2005, he became an NEA Jazz Master. At 84 years of age, Burrell continues to record and perform. In 2015, he released his latest CD on Highnote Records called, The Road to Love.

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Give the Drummer Some

Friday, July 1st, 2016

The 4th annual “Give the Drummer Some” Benefit concert happening on Sunday August 28 at NCCU. We will have workshops from 2:00-5:00pm, The silent auction begins at 5:00pm, and the evening concert begins at 6:00pm.

North Carolina Central University has a long history of developing world class musicians. Drum legend, Grady Tate is an alumni, and there are many others. Recently, in the last 25 years, we have had graduates who have become very successful performers and teachers in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and many cities through out the US. This year we will honor Grady Tate! He has been such a great role model for much of the NCCU family.

Learn more at www.facebook.com/nccugivethedrummersome.

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