About this project
What's happening
December 13 & 14 2011, A Live Concert & Recording will bring forth an inferno of Jazz by some of America's most dynamic and influential players. Here's an opportunity to be part of a New Age in Jazz Music. Live Recording Concert by Azar Lawrence performing his most recent compositions for his upcoming new CD, The Seeker.
Where
Jazz Standard, New York NY
Info
This project involves some of today's top innovators in contemporary music. Two nights of live music production of inspiring compositions by the Artist AZAR Lawrence.
This event will feature a cast of major performers in the Jazz world. Composer / Arranger / Saxophonist, Azar, (Lawrence) and Grammy winner and Artistic Director for the Jazz Standard, New York, Seth Abramson - Rabbit Moon Productions will co-produce a live recording of the dates.
December 13th and 14th, 2011 the Azar Lawrence Quintet will perform and record new music for his upcoming CD, The Seeker live at New York's famed Jazz Standard.
This will be definitely be amongst one of Jazz's major events ending out 2011. An American Jazz treasure, Azar, (Lawrence) in mid-December is coming together in New York with Hot Cats of 'American' Jazz.
In the past few years the resurgent Azar Lawrence has released seven CDs as a leader. He's had his songs recorded by Stanley Turrentine and Earth Wind & Fire, among others. Off the radar for decades he began producing for himself again in 2006, and in 2010 his CD, Mystic Journey on (Furthermore Recordings) firmly re-established him as an American statesmen of Jazz.
For his upcoming CD The Seeker, Azar has the support of preeminent American Jazz musicians. All of whom he's had the pleasure of performing with in the past, and also he's recorded with many of them. A distinguished rhythm section will surround Azar with their magnanimity. He is honored by this.
Jeff "Tain" Watts is one of the most in demand jazz drummers in the world today, Jeff initially majored in classical percussion at Pittsburgh's Duquesne University, where he was primarily a timpanist, followed by enrollment at the Berklee School of Music, where he pursued jazz studies alongside such talented players as Branford Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks, Greg Osby, Aimee Mann, Steve Vai and Marvin "Smitty" Smith.
Nicholas Payton has toured with scores of musicians including Clark Terry, Marcus Roberts, Ray Brown, Elvin Jones, and Roy Haynes and many more. He has also performed and recorded with many musicians representing a multitude of musical genres from jazz, R&B, and hip-hop and is credited on well over 120 recordings as a composer, arranger, special guest or sideman.
As a leader, Nicholas has recorded 8 albums under his own name including Doc Cheatham and Nicholas Payton-a 1997 GRAMMY award-winning collaboration with the legendary trumpeter. He also released Dear Louis, Nick @ Night, Gumbo Nouveau, Sonic Trance, Payton's Place, and Into The Blue.
Benito Gonzalez 2005 Winner of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition, Awarded the Emerging Artist Grant from the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities in 2003. His multi-cultural talents have led to frequent recording dates; from American jazz masters to West African musicians to Latin bands. He has also served as musical director for several Venezuelan recording artists.
Essiet Okon Essiet first received critical acclaim more than a decade ago as a member of saxophonist Bobby Watson's post hard bop group Horizon. He has long since established himself as one of New York's premier bassist. He was a member of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and remained in the group until the famed drummer/teacher's passing in 1990.
Why
Jazz is good for the mind, body & spirit. Music unites humanity and America's true art form has helped bring together people of all ages and walks of life throughout the world. This Jazz heritage is to be loved and appreciated. Help us to sustain and cultivate this "Spirit" music.
No doubt this musical production will help inspire the world with "our" gift of this sound.
Funding
Funding is needed for production, recording, marketing, travel, accommodations and musicians fees. This is the lowest fee we could come to and if there is extra monies it too will go towards making this production Jazz history.
I apologize this is such short notice there were technical difficulties. It would be greatly appreciated if we could fund this Project well before the deadline in order to streamline productions. Thank you.
FAQ
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Yes Although we would prefer for you to through KickStarter we understand in some cases mainly for privacy reasons you want to donate but not online We are very confident that KickStarter & Amazon.com are secure internet portals. But if you are that uncomfortable donating online please contact my Personal Manager at zarmedia@gmail.com.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
4
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Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on December 8.
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Limited Edition - CD & Autographed by the Artist & Awards Above CD will be available after production. International Backers should add an estimated shipping amount from Los Angeles, Ca.
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Tickets for Both Shows (Travel & accommodations not included) Special acknowledgement inside CD cover. International Backers should add an estimated shipping amount from Los Angeles, Ca. All Rewards above as well.
Project By
Connected as Azar Lawrence (2078 friends)
Azar Lawrence is often described as one of the most powerful and distinctive of all post–Coltrane tenorists, Lawrence was born 1952 in Los Angeles and by the age of 21 had worked with Ike & Tina Turner, War, and Charles Wright’s Watts 103rd Street Band (“Express Yourself”). He joined drummer Elvin Jones for two years, and for the next eight years moved between Jones’ group and that of McCoy Tyner.
Azar then briefly joined the Miles Davis band, appearing on the live album Dark Magus (1974) and recorded with Roberta Flack and Marvin Gaye (appearing on Gaye’s Here My Dear). He released seven albums as a leader, and had his songs recorded by Stanley Turrentine and Earth Wind & Fire, among others.
