Press Release WISCONSIN JAZZ AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (3/18/09)
Contact: Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Founder & Chairman
Wisconsin Jazz and Heritage Foundation (WJHF)
414-562-8505 662-247-3364
e-mail: MyersFound@aol.com
web site: www.JuneteenthJazz.com
Tina Moore, Board Member
Wisconsin Jazz and Heritage Foundation (WJHF)
414-445-5233
web site: www.JazzWisconsin.com
3rd Annual Wisconsin Jazz and Heritage Festival
Milwaukee Jazz Pianist Marcus Robinson
Honored at Jazz Festival
"A Juneteenth Jazz Tribute to late Milwaukee native jazz pianist
Marcus Robinson"
(Milwaukee, Wisconsin) - North Milwaukee's rich jazz heritage and legacy will be celebrated during the 3rd Annual Milwaukee Jazz and Heritage Festival.
The festival, sponsored by the Wisconsin Jazz and Heritage Foundation (WJHF), will take place at Brooklyn's and Fuzion Cafe & Lounge.
The National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP), sponsors of "Celebrating Juneteenth Jazz", an African-American jazz legacy preservation initiative during Black Music Month,
has included the WJHF as a part of their annual Juneteenth Jazz Legacy Festival & Concert Series.
"Milwaukee has a rich jazz legacy that influenced me as a child to become a musician," states Milwaukee native and National Juneteenth Jazz Artist Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.,
Founder & Chairman of the WJHF and the NAJJP.
"The preservation of that legacy is why the annual Wisconsin Jazz and Heritage Festival is taking place every year."
The festival will honor the late Milwaukee jazz pianist, Marcus Robinson, who died suddenly last year. Marcus was a member of
the historic, award winning, legendary Wisconsin Conserveratory of Music Combo #8. The combo was directed by Milwaukee jazz legends Manty Ellis and Tony King, founders of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Jazz Studies Program.
The late Milwaukee legendary jazz educator Tony King, who was honored for his historic contributions to Wisconsin's jazz legacy during the 2nd Annual Wisconsin Jazz & Heritage Festival, along with Manty Ellis, taught some of the greatest jazz musicians in the state's history.
Former students returning home to perform in previous festivals have included saxophonist Rolla Armstead, trumpeter Brian Lynch, guitarist Charles Small, pianist Marcus Robinson and drummer Sam Belton.
"Marcus was one of our most talented students," states Manty Ellis. "I was honored to have him return to Milwauke to perform at my 75th birthday celebration two years ago. We will all truly miss him."
A special jazz studies schorlarship fund has been established by the WJHF in honor of Marcus Robinson. All proceeds from the festival will be contributed to the schorlarship fund.
"The annual festival has become a homecoming event for Milwaukee jazz musicians," states saxophonist Rolla Arstead. "Many of us will be returning home to Milwaukee to honor Marcus at the festival."
The festival will include a historic Jamie's Club Theatre Wisconsin Jazz Wall of Fame presentation at Brooklyn's Restaurant & Lounge, 4610 West Fond du Lac Avenue, on April 17th, beginning at 12:00noon.
"Marcus Robinson will have the distinction of being the first musician recognized on the WJHF Wisconsin Jazz Wall of Fame," states Dr. Myers.
"Jamie's Club Theatre, where the Wisconsin Jazz & Heritage Festival began in 2006 and the last noted historic North Milwaukee Jazz venue, before closing in 2006, will also be honored."
A Milwaukee Jazz Legacy Concert, featuring a host of historic Milwaukee jazz musicians, including master guitarist Manty Ellis, pianist and trumpeter, Ron Myers, pianist Greg Woods,
saxophonist, Rolla Armstead, bassist John Price, bassist Billy Johnson, drummer Sam Belton and others,
will take place on Saturday, April 18th, at Fuzion Cafe & Lounge,
524 South 2nd Street, beginning at 8:00pm.
Admission to all events is free. However, donations to a schorlarship fund in honor of Marcus Robinson are greatly appreciated. Suggested donation is $20.00.
For more information contact WJHF Board Member Tina Moore at 414-265-3527, e-mail: MyersFound@aol.com, web site - www.JazzWisconsin.com.
3rd Annual
WISCONSIN JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Jamie's Club Theatre
Wisconsin Jazz Wall of Fame Presentation
12:00noon
Friday, April 17, 2009
Brooklyn's
4810 West Fond du Lac Avenue
Milwaukee,WI
414-442-8330
Milwaukee Jazz Legacy Concert
8:00pm
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Fuzion Cafe & Lounge
524 South 2nd Street
Milwaukee,WI
414-455-3281
www.JazzWisconsin.com www.JuneteenthJazz.com
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