Press Release WISCONSIN JAZZ AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (5/21/07)

Contact: Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Founder & Chairman
             Wisconsin Jazz and Heritage Foundation (WJHF)
             662-247-1471    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


2nd Annual Wisconsin Jazz and Heritage Festival

Milwaukee Jazz Legend Tony King To Be
Honored at Wisconsin Jazz & Heritage Festival

Trombonist Dick Griffin Featured Artist
at Wisconsin Jazz and Heritage Festival


(Milwaukee, Wisconsin) - North Milwaukee's rich jazz heritage and legacy will be celebrated during the 2nd Annual Milwaukee Jazz and Heritage Festival during Memorial Day weekend. The festival, sponsored by the Wisconsin Jazz and Heritage Foundation (WJHF), will take place at Jamie's Club Theatre, 35th and Capitol Drive, one of the last venues for jazz in North Milwaukee.

"Milwaukee has a rich jazz legacy that influenced me as a child to become a musician," states Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Founder & Chairman of the WJHF. "The preservation of that legacy is why the annual Wisconsin Jazz and Heritage Festival is taking place every year."

The festival's featured artist will be legendary New York jazz trombonist Dick Griffin. As one of today's leading trombone players, Dick has a career spanning over 30 years. He has performed with some of the biggest names in Jazz and Soul, as well as appearing with several symphony orchestras. A short list of the luminaries Mr. Griffin has worked with includes: Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Tito Puente, Art Blakey, Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie, Lee Morgan, Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, James Brown, Harry Belafonte, Michael Jackson, and Lionel Hampton.

Also, an accomplished world renowned visual artist, with a highly acclaimed recent art exhibit in Vienna, Austria, the festival will also feature an art exhibit by Dick Griffin.

The late Milwaukee jazz music legend, Tony King, will be honored for his historic contributions to Wisconsin jazz at the festival. The festival will feature a special Wisconsin Conservatory of Music reunion performance of the award winning "Combo #8", directed by Milwaukee jazz music legend Manty Ellis. Former students returning home invited to perform include saxophonist Rolla Armstead, trumpeter Brian Lynch, guitarist Charles Small, pianist Marcus Robinson, bassist Jeff Chambers and drummer Sam Belton.

"Tony King was a tremendous influence on me and a generation of jazz musicians in Milwaukee," states jazz saxophonist Rolla Armstead. "I was a music student of Tony's and Manty Ellis at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. It is indeed a very special and historic occasion to honor Tony King by so many of his most accomplished former students coming home to Milwaukee and perform at the festival."

Also performing at the festival will be accomplished Milwaukee jazz pianist and trumpeter Ron Myers, saxophonist Sayeed Jamal, saxophonist Johnny High, trombonist James Lagrone, bassist Billy Johnson and drummer Rick Flowers. Guest artists also performing include trumpeter Rick Jones, guitarist Neal Davis and drummer Scott Napoli.

"Manty Ellis and the late Tony King have been the foundation for jazz in Milwaukee for several generations," states Dr. Myers. "Along with the annual jazz festival, we are planning to build the Tony King/Manty Ellis Performing Arts Center in North Milwaukee to preserve the foundation they have built for future generations."

"Milwaukee jazz musicians from around the country are expected to attend every year," states jazz saxophonist Sayeed Jamal. "The annual festival will certainly become a homecoming event for Milwaukee jazz musicians."

The festival will take place on Saturday, May 26th, 2007, with an Awards Reception at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, 1584 N. Prospect Avenue, beginning at 6:30pm and a Concert Performance featuring Dick Griffin at Jamie's Club Theatre, 3945 North 35th Street, beginning at 9:00pm.

On Sunday, May 27th, a Wisconsin Jazz Legacy Awards Reception will take place from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and a Concert Performance featuring former Wisconsin Conservatory of Music jazz alumni of Tony King and Manty Ellis. Area Milwaukee Public School Jazz Legacy Workshops are planned for Friday, May 25th.

An opening art exhibit and reception, featuring several original paintings by Dick Griffin, is scheduled for Thursday, May 23rd, at 7:00pm, at Jamies Club Theatre. The art exhibit will remain open to the public through Sunday, May 27th.

Tickets are $10.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. For more information contact WJHF Board Member Tina Moore at 414-241-9559, e-mail: MyersFound@aol.com, web site - www.JazzWisconsin.com.

2nd Annual
WISCONSIN JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Saturday, May 26th, 2007

6:00pm - 8:30pm
AWARDS RECEPTION

Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
1584 North Prospect Avenue
Milwaukee,WI
414-276-5760

8:30pm - 9:30pm
Riverside Drive

9:30pm - 12:00am
FEATURED CONCERT PERFORMANCE

Dick Griffin, Trombone
James Lagrone, Trombone
John High, Alto Sax
Rick Jones, Trumpet
Neal Davis, Guitar
Ron Myers, Piano & Trumpet
Billy Johnson, Bass
Rick Flowers, Drums


JAMIE'S CLUB THEATRE
3945 North 35th Street
Milwaukee, WI
414-445-5233

Sunday, May 27, 2007

5:00pm - 7:00pm
WISCONSIN JAZZ LEGACY AWARDS RECEPTION

7:00pm - 11:00pm
WISCONSIN JAZZ LEGACY ALUMNI CONCERT

Directed By Manty Ellis, Guitar
Brian Lynch, Trumpet
Rolla Armstead, Saxes & Flute
Charles Smalls, Guitar
Marcus Robinson, Piano
Sam Belton, Drums
Jeff Chambers, Bass

$10.00 (Advance Tickets) - $15.00 (at the Door)

JAMIE'S CLUB THEATRE
3945 North 35th Street
Milwaukee, WI
414-445-5233

WISCONSIN JAZZ LEGACY PUBLIC SCHOOL WORKSHOPS
Friday, May 25, 2007
(Location of Public School Jazz Workshops to be announced!)

www.JazzWisconsin.com

top

Return to www.JazzWisconsin.com Home Page