United Sounds of America: New York City

This portrait of New York‟s rich and varied musical history focuses on two distinct and important eras. First, Grammy Award-nominated jazz pianist Bill Charlap directs an all-star ensemble, including Chicago native and jazz vocalist Kurt Elling,on a journey through the music of the Roaring Twenties, Broadway, Ellington, Bernstein, Sinatra and be-bop. The second half features acclaimed singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega with band members guitarist Gerry Leonard and bassist Mik Visceglia. Her special guests are contemporary singer-songwriter Richard Julian and legendary folk singer, Chicago native and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Tom Paxton in a set celebrating the New York folk scene of the 1950s, „60s, and beyond.Bill Charlap TrioBill Charlap, pianoPeter Washington, bassKenny Washington, drumsKurt Elling, vocalsKen Peplowski, clarinetJimmy Greene, tenor saxophoneJeremy Pelt, trumpetSuzanne Vega, guitar and vocalsTom Paxton, guitar and vocalsRichard Julian, guitar and vocalsCheck out the promotional video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtoAOxy8Slk 

Chicago Symphony Center | 220 South Michigan Ave | Chicago, IL,

"a night in Treme"

David Simon and Eric Overmyer’s acclaimed HBO series Treme (pronounced Tre-may) isn’t about the New Orleans music scene per se. But as a gritty, affectionate and ground level post-Katrina character study centered on the Crescent City neighborhood that gives the show its name, infectious New Orleans grooves tie the drama together and shine a welcome national spotlight on a place where music is inextricably woven into the fabric of every day life. “A Night In Treme” showcases several of the irreplaceable artists who have appeared on the series as themselves, including the powerhouse Rebirth Brass Band, an institution for nearly three decades. Rebirth will be joined by other New Orleans mainstays, such as vocalist and trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, clarinetist Dr. Michael White, Mardi Gras Indian chief and alto saxophone star Donald Harrison Jr. and trombonist Big Sam Williams. Wendell Piece, who plays the smooth talking trombonist Antoine Batiste on Treme, provides narration on the neighborhood’s history and the struggle to rebuild houses and lives after Katrina. It all adds up to a vivid musical portrait of a city that has shaped American (and international) music for more than a century. 

Davies Symphony Hall | 201 Van Ness Avenue | San Francisco, CA ,

Sima Bina & Lian Ensemble

Sima Bina, one of Iran's most distinguished folk and classical singers, makes a rare appearance in New York with the highly acclaimed Lian Ensemble. Together they will present a stunning blend of music influenced by Persian traditional and folk music. Evocative and exhilarating, the music presented is an authentic expression of a way of life and a rejection of rigid boundaries, preferring simplicity, authenticity, joy and hope. For one night at The Town Hall, hear Sima Bina and Lian Ensemble bring to life the wonder of Persian folk and classical music.Lian Ensemble:Sima Bina, VocalAmir Koushkani, Tar, SetarShervin Mohajer, Kamancheh (Guest Musician)Ali Nourbakhsh, Daf, Dayereh, DoholPirayeh Pourafar, Tar, RobabHouman Pourmehdi, Tonbak, Daf, Ney 

The Town Hall | 123 West 43rd Street | New York, NY,

A Celebration of Kate McGarrigle

The family of Kate McGarrigle, the Canadian singer and songwriter who died last year, has announced two tribute concerts in her honor. Her children, Rufus Wainwright and Martha Wainwright, and McGarrigle’s sister and longtime musical partner, Anna McGarrigle, are scheduled to perform on May 12 and 13 at Town Hall in Manhattan. They will be joined by their third sister, Jane McGarrigle, as well as by Norah Jones, Teddy Thompson, Jimmy Fallon, Emmylou Harris, Antony, Justin Vivian Bond, Sloan Wainwright, Jenni Muldaur, plus Michel Pepin on guitar, Chaim Tannenbaum on mandolin and banjo, and Joel Zifkin on violin, all of whom were regular members of the McGarrigle band. “Everyone who met my mother, no matter how briefly, was struck by her worldly character matched with an otherworldly artistic aura,” Mr. Wainwright said of the tribute in an e-mail. “It’s all in the songs now. I can’t wait to hear them performed by all of these incredible artists.” Ms. McGarrigle learned she had a rare form of cancer in 2006 and died at her home in Montreal in January 2010. She was 63. All proceeds from the shows will go toward the creation of the Kate McGarrigle Sarcoma Research Fund, in association with the Sarcoma Foundation of America.

The Town Hall | 123 West 43rd Street | New York, NY,

A Celebration of Kate McGarrigle

The family of Kate McGarrigle, the Canadian singer and songwriter who died last year, has announced two tribute concerts in her honor. Her children, Rufus Wainwright and Martha Wainwright, and McGarrigle’s sister and longtime musical partner, Anna McGarrigle, are scheduled to perform on May 12 and 13 at Town Hall in Manhattan. They will be joined by their third sister, Jane McGarrigle, as well as by Norah Jones, Teddy Thompson, Jimmy Fallon, Emmylou Harris, Antony, Justin Vivian Bond, Sloan Wainwright, Jenni Muldaur, plus Michel Pepin on guitar, Chaim Tannenbaum on mandolin and banjo, and Joel Zifkin on violin, all of whom were regular members of the McGarrigle band. “Everyone who met my mother, no matter how briefly, was struck by her worldly character matched with an otherworldly artistic aura,” Mr. Wainwright said of the tribute in an e-mail. “It’s all in the songs now. I can’t wait to hear them performed by all of these incredible artists.” Ms. McGarrigle learned she had a rare form of cancer in 2006 and died at her home in Montreal in January 2010. She was 63. All proceeds from the shows will go toward the creation of the Kate McGarrigle Sarcoma Research Fund, in association with the Sarcoma Foundation of America.

The Town Hall | 123 West 43rd Street | New York, NY,

"a night in Treme"

Featuring:Ivan Neville, Joe Brown, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Ian Neville, Nick Daniels, Russel Batiste, Raymond Webber, Rebirth Brass Band & Big Sam Williams 

Howlin' Wolf | 907 South Peters | New Orleans, LA ,

Jon Anderson

Jon Anderson, one of the most recognizable voices in rock as the lead vocalist and creative force behind one of the world's most famous staduim bands, YES, inaugurates 2011 with the new album release, The Living Tree, and a solo tour which stops at the Somerville Theatre. We are extremely proud to present this legendary artist.  

Somerville Theater_55 Davis Square_Somerville, MA,

Toshiko Akiyoshi - Solo, Trio, Quartet

Samueli Theatre, Orange County Performance Arts Center|Irvine, CA, Irvine, CA

The Shape of Jazz - Toskiko Akiyoshi

Zankel Hall | 881 7th Avenue | New York, NY,

Kodo - One Earth Tour

Sine 1981, KODO has given over 3,300 performances on five continents and has introduced countless audiences to its peaceful, world-centered vision. The word 'Kodo' is a homonym for 'heartbeat' - humanity's most fundemental source of rhythm. The taiko drum, in the hands of these master drummers, has an astounding organic power. 

Avery Fisher Hall, New York City,

Kind of Blue - Jimmy Cobb's "So What Band"

Count Basie Theater|Red Bank, NJ, Red Bank, NJ

Kind of Blue - Jimmy Cobb's "So What Band"

University of Buffalo|Buffalo, NY, Buffalo, NY