Spotlight On Alumni News for September 2024

November 2023 guest Javon Jackson has a new disc out - his second with poet and activist Nikki Giovanni - a collection of film music from the Great American Songbook.

"On Javon and Nikki Go to the Movies, Jackson is once again joined by the stellar group that he’s worked with for more than a decade: pianist Jeremy Manasia, bassist David Williams and drummer McClenty Hunter. That band first appeared on Jackson’s 2018 album For You and its 2020 follow-up, Déjà Vu, then after The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni reconvened for a portion of Jackson’s soundtrack to the documentary With Peter Bradley in 2023. Here they’re also joined by Grammy-winning vocalist Nicole Zuraitis and, on three captivating cuts, by the poet herself."

Have a listen.

Javon Jackson gives Peter Bradley’s art a swinging soundtrack - Transcript

The celebrated saxophonist talks about his place in the jazz tradition, playing with masters of the genre, and his soundtrack for the documentary With Peter Bradley.

Bonus Tracks from Spotlight OnLawrence Peryer

September 2023 guest Cat Henry curates the 2024 Hudson Jazz Festival, October 4-6, in Hudson, New York.

"Experience the stunning upstate New York leaf peeping season with a weekend of virtuosic jazz performances in multiple unique venues across one of the Hudson Valley’s most beautiful small towns."

Lineup and ticket info here. 

Cat Henry of Live Music Society champions small venues - Transcript

The executive director of the philanthropic foundation talks about the importance of keeping small music venues alive and thriving.

Bonus Tracks from Spotlight OnLawrence Peryer

June 2023 guest Michael Scott Dawson has a new album of collaborations out September 6.

"Dawson’s latest offering, The Tinnitus Chorus, is an album of wide-eyed collaborations. He is joined by an inspired cast of revered friends and kindred strangers including Suso Saiz, M. Sage (Fuubutsushi), Eli Winter, K. Freund, (Trouble Books / Lemon Quartet), Dasom Baek, Lina Langendorf (Langendorf United), Vumbi Dekula, Jairus Sharif, Yutaka Hirasaka, and his bandmates in Peace Flag Ensemble. The collection is bookended by two pieces with Michael Grigoni."

More info about The Tinnitus Chorus here.

Michael Scott Dawson’s ambient music draws on rural memories

Canadian sound artist Michael Scott Dawson talks about his new album, Find Yourself Lost, which spaciously mixes ambient and experimental production with traditional country music instrumentation.

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Spotlight On host Lawrence Peryer has been named to the Evaluation Committee for the Jazz Forward Awards, which honors and celebrates industry trailblazers who actively promote jazz awareness, discovery, and culture. 

Learn more and make a nomination.

Lawrence Peryer - Bonus Tracks from Spotlight On

Father. Business & Creative Professional. Podcast Host. Sound Artist.

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