I was first introduced the the music of Nicholas Payton at an International Association of Jazz Educators conference in New Orleans. Payton’s performance interrupted my conversation when this “man-child” playing–make that swingin‘–with so much confidence, style and harmonic inventiveness belied his youthful appearance. Now, almost 14 years, seven solo albums, almost a dozen guest artist […]
Brett Chambers
Posted inMusic
Men In gray
The anticipation of a great performance was evident in Duke’s Page Auditorium lobby last week, and it was a testament to the power of jazz. The crowd was multi-generational–there were grandmothers and grandfathers, fathers, sons and daughters, and students from high school and college. A young patron told his father how much he’d been looking […]
Posted inNews
In return of the jazz
Locals can enjoy two treats in one when The ArtsCenter re-introduces jazz after a two year drought. Part of the Center’s 2nd Annual World Music Festival that runs through December 12, series openers are the Harry Pickens Trio, a wonderful choice to welcome jazz back to a space with a vibe and a history. Pickens […]
Posted inGuides
Shepard Jazz Camp
One rarely thinks of jazz, community service and education at the same time. But the Shepard Middle School Jazz Camp encompasses all of these and more. Founded by noted local jazz musicians, Stanley Baird and Chip Crawford, who are both graduates of North Carolina Central University’s internationally recognized jazz music program, the camp has been […]