MATT SAVAGE

Matt Savage was born May 12, 1992 Sudbury, Massachusetts, he is the son of Diane and Lawrence "Larry" Savage. . He was diagnosed with autism at age 3. Not one to be pegged with a label even as a toddler, Matt absorbed everything he could from early and intensive therapy. He taught himself how to read piano music at the age of 6 1/2, and immediately thereafter began studies in classical piano. He discovered jazz in 1999 and studied for 3 years at The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA. When his family moved out of state, Matt did not have a piano teacher for over a year until he began private studies with his current teacher. Matt has never had any instruction in composition.

Always up for a new challenge, Matt recorded his first CD in December of 1999 in collaboration with his instructor at The New England Conservatory to raise money for autism research. Matt became the youngest child to perform at the NEPTA “Gifted and Talented” classical piano recitals in early 2000.

In September of 2000, Matt met and played piano for Dave Brubeck. The meeting was aired by WGME-TV Channel 13 in Portland, Maine. Brubeck’s comments about the meeting: “I was amazed at how talented he is. Amazing is the word I can tell you. I keep track of young talent in kids, and he’s the first one that I met that young that was THAT talented. He has such a musical mind that it isn’t music that he has to learn. It seems like he’s such an advanced musician in so many ways already at 8.”


On December 21st, 2000, Matt met and played piano for and with Chick Corea (at a sound check). Matt jammed with Avishai Cohen and Jeff Ballard, Chick’s sidemen, during the meeting. Matt was playing with the sidemen when Chick walked in, and when Avishai said, “Hey Matt! Play something for Chick!” Matt proceeded to launch into one of the most well known of Chick’s own tunes…”Steps.” He played it flawlessly and at breakneck speed. Avishai ribbed Chick, saying, “He plays it better than you do.” Fortunately, Chick has a good sense of humor. The two pianists sat at the piano, playing impromptu duets and eventually a kind of “dueling improv,” smiling all the time. Then Chick shared his dinner with Matt while conversing about life and music.
Matt released his second CD (and first solo piano effort) entitled “Live at the Olde Mill” in January of 2001. Matt’s first live radio interview and performance was on May 16th, 2001 on WERS 88.9, a Boston-based radio station.

At the age of 9, Matt indicated he wanted to play in an ensemble. He attended a few open jazz jams on a few Sunday afternoons and hit it off with two adult musicians, John Funkhouser and Steve Silverstein. Matt was scheduled to play a benefit concert to raise money for autism research a few weeks later and asked John and Steve to join him. They agreed, and the chemistry among the musicians at that concert was such that The Matt Savage Trio was born. The band never rehearsed. They just started performing gigs together as a band. The Matt Savage Trio is headed by Matt, on piano, with John Funkhouser on bass and Steve Silverstein on drums.
Matt was featured as “The Artist of the Month” for Orchard music distributors in the spring of 2001, and opened for The Alon Yavnai Group around the same time at The Center for the Arts in Natick, MA.

McCoy Tyner was the next jazz great to invite Matt to his sound check in August of 2001. So, Matt jammed with Avery Sharpe and Al Foster and got words of praise and wisdom from McCoy. After an article came out about Matt in The Boston Globe in October of 2001, Matt started selling out concerts. And in November of 2001, The Matt Savage Trio released their first CD as a trio, a CD entitled “All Jazzed Up”. Around that time, Matt appeared on Lifetime Television and on ABC’s “20/20”. He also did interviews and performances on many, many radio stations across the country. Matt received his first CD review on the “All About Jazz” web site in February of 2002, and was heralded as “phenomenal”.

Matt has received many awards, including being signed in 2003 to Bösendorfer pianos. He is the only child to be so recognized in the company's 175-year history.
Matt has toured the world, performing for heads of state and others, and appearing on numerous television and radio programs such as Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Today Show, and All Things Considered. In 2006, at age 14, he was featured on a CNN report about the human brain, in which he was defined as a "prodigious savant," as opposed to the other types of savants. Matt has also appeared in several documentaries about savants.

SAFIYYAH AMINA MUHAMMAD

Safiyyah Amina Muhammad was born in Harlem, in 1969 to Gloria and Gilbert Muhammad. She was raised between Newark and East Orange, New Jersey; where she currently resides. Safiyyah’s paternal grandfather was a self-taught Jazz musician in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. Safiyyah attributes much of her inherent enthusiasm for Jazz music to this fact. Safiyyah was also highly influenced by her mother’s extensive collection of musical greats such as Dinah Washington, Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Etta Jones, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Shirley Caesar, Bobby Womack, Bobby Blue Bland, The O’ Jays, Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin and many of the Motown greats and Philadelphia sounds of the 70’s. It was the original and playful lyrics of Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band that invited Safiyyah to test the art of writing songs and poetry.

“I used to write poetry and songs all the time in my youth, I even co-founded an all girls rap group and, believe it or not, I used to break-dance. But as I got older, my interests had shifted”, states Safiyyah of why she decided to unlock her self-proclaimed “Briefcase of Verse” ©, which she plans to publish and record later this year. Safiyyah’s voice is like poetry in motion and her poetry is as soothing as it is powerful! Safiyyah’s first effort at reciting in public was what she proclaims to be “sweaty palms” moment when she read before Miguel Algarin of Nuyorican Poets Café and Amiri Baraka. Encouraged by Miguel’s positive words, she began featuring at the Jordan’s Red Carpet Restaurant in Roselle, New Jersey.


Safiyyah says that, as of four years ago, writing poetry became a therapeutic retreat to compliment her hectic lifestyle. "I believe that Sufyaan's love of jazz is also inherent. Jazz delivers the synchronicity, syncopation and dissonance in its musical expression that often captures what's going on inside the mind. It's melodic and pragmatic all at once. I believe this is characteristic of Jazz music, Autism, even Attention Deficit Disorder; the latter of which I have been striving to live with. There's so much going on that it's not. A mind in a confused state is like having internal comping with your psyche. Each instrument represents a different thought, a different scope; a different point of view. It begins so serene and subtle, but like MY thoughts, the melodies all take on a life of their own. The syncopation of the bass line, the percussion and the melodic instrumentation is like fluctuating feelings. My chest gets tight and my throat begins to close. I read the same reaction as I study my son. Jazz music is so deliciously invasive. The music jumps inside of the body to define the mind. We’re consumed by Jazz." Safiyyah admits that the only instrument that she plays is the violin, “But in my mind I have a mean Johnson stride”, she says jokingly.

Safiyyah has been married for eleven years to her best friend and has five dynamic children ages 21, 11, 9, 8, and 4; four boys and one girl. Her eldest son is expecting his first child in August, which will add more excitement to Safiyyah’s already eventful life. One of the main facts that make her life so busy is raising a child with special needs. Safiyyah’s nine year old son, Sufyaan, has Autism. “It was a lonely struggle trying to figure out why my son was different and what that difference was”, she stated, “I couldn’t defeat this challenge until I knew what the challenge was”.

Once Safiyyah began advocating for the rights of her son and challenging the status quo in decisions regarding his care, it was evident that advocacy was her calling. She began by learning everything about Autism Spectrum Disorder and the options that are available in obtaining treatment and educating herself and her child. By age three, Safiyyah was taking Sufyaan to Speech therapy sessions on one side of town, sending him to school in the Preschool Disabled program in her public school district and juggling maintaining and supporting a family both inside and outside of her home. Safiyyah is the oldest of 7 and maintains a matriarchal relationship with her relatives both in New York and New Jersey and the in the South.

As an African-American Muslim woman, Safiyyah has always been aware of the biases and prejudices that exist in society, however, having a child with a developmental disability opened up a whole new world that Safiyyah did not expect. Her Islamic upbringing and strong spiritual influence of her grandmother has led her to declare that “if you’re a true follower of your faith, who YOU ARE should define how you deal with who I AM”. She soon found that this compassion for others was not shared in every venue she and her son were exposed to and this eventually led to her crusade for justice for people with disabilities and the disparities that are apparent in today’s public school systems. She began volunteering in her children’s classrooms by providing their teachers with a support network and chaperoning school trips. Consequently, she was elected to the Parent Teacher Organization. Safiyyah has worked diligently with parents, school staff and administrators and students in addressing concerns within public schools for children who receive mainstream and Special Education instruction. “I’d like to know that if I present a problem, I equally present a viable solution, or at least, I’d like to help in finding resources that lead to a solution”.


Following in the footsteps of their talented mother, Safiyyah’s oldest son Bashir has played the guitar, saxophone and writes poetry and songs. Her daughter Aatikah is an aspiring singer-songwriter and has already written seven songs. The second oldest, Abdul-Salaam, has written a 3-part comic book series and aspires to complete an animated series and video game.

Safiyyah says; “Like Loretta Claiborne, I would love to one day see Sufyaan take the world by storm displaying his athletic prowess in the Special Olympics World Games. I know he can do it. He’s determined, he has support and he’s loved and with that love that we feel for him, if he wanted to touch the moon, he could.”

Safiyyah’s advice to other parents of children with disabilities is that early intervention is the most important aspect of addressing differences in your child that concern you. "Seek advice from a professional but don’t limit yourself to the diagnosis of one. Many medical professionals have not yet unlocked the mystery of Autism and they may ignore something that could be crucial to your child’s success in treatment. Support legislation that promotes better means of connecting with the community of individuals who have or are affected by disabilities. Knowledge is the key to understanding. If you don’t know someone who is affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder; chances are YOU WILL”.

ERIK LAWRENCE & Hipmotism

Erik Lawrence was born in upstate NY and grew up around NYC area. His father, a jazz saxophonist and noted jazz educator (creator of the Jazz Studies Department at the New School) introduced him to Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Chico Hamilton and other jazz masters at an early age. He played with their bands. When Erik turned 5 years old his father handed him his first saxophone, taught him how to hold it, where the notes where and how to breathe and said "Now play what you feel" and that is what Erik is still doing.

In addition to the jazz he heard with his father Erik became entranced with the sound of the saxophone and with saxophonists with great sounds. He immersed himself in the music of Ben Webster, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Sidney Bechet, Booker Ervin and George Adams. Later it was Pharoah Sanders, Charles Lloyd, Archie Shepp and even Grover Washington Jr and David Sanborn. Along the way he developed his own sound on all of the saxophones and the flute.

Erik was also drawn to the soulful music of Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, New Orleans Rhythm and Blues, Chicago Blues, Reggae, African Music, Asian Music, Middle Eastern Music, Eastern European Music, Spanish Music, South American Music until finally he listened to sounds in nature; bird songs and humpback whales.

Erik began teaching jazz history in college when he was 18 years old and has continued the role as educator throughout his career. Erik believes the creative process does not belong to one person or people; that it's not what you are doing but HOW you are doing it and he wishes to convey this idea to the young and the young at heart. Aside from saxophone and flute students, Erik teaches his method of creative approach to drummers, brass players, strings, in fact all instruments, also to poets and artists who wish to learn the nature of interaction and how to respond to the natural rhythm found in all things.

Erik says, “I believe my own personal learning will never be completed.”

Erik Lawrence plays Saxophones and Flutes. He has received a Meet-the-Composer Grant for his writing. He began playing sax at five years old under the guidance of his father, jazz musician, founder of the New School of Jazz in NYC and the International Center for Creative Music Studies in Jerusalem, Rock and Roll Guru Arnie Lawrence, who told him to "Play what you feel." Thus beginning what has been a lifelong spiritual quest through music. He is at home playing in various styles, from tradition to experimental, from large ensembles to solo.


By now he has brought his original melodic and rhythmic approach to Europe, Across the United States, South America and the Caribbean. He has performed Solo improvised saxophone at Carnegie Recital Hall in New York and has been the featured performer at the World Peace Festival and has performed in Europe at the Northsea Jazz, Discover Jazz, Montreal Jazz, Molde Jazz, Pori Jazz, Porto and Saalfelden Jazz festivals, the Free Jazz Festival in Brazil, the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Berkshire Jazz Festival and Bumbershoots.

Erik leads and plays with various ensembles. His sidemen have included Garth Hudson, Mark Egan, Steven Bernstein, Dave Tronzo, Aaron Comess, Mark White, Eric Schenkman, Alex Blake, Cameron Brown, Lonnie Plaxico, John Pizzarelli, Murali Coryell; and poets Jane LeCroy, Frank Messina and many, many others. His current original projects include Hipmotism, featuring Grammy nominee Steven Bernstein and drummer Allison Miller; MERGE Poetry/Music project featuring poet Cassandra Cleghorn, Allison Miller drummer and Rene Hart acoustic bass .

Erik has also currently or recently performed and recorded with legendary jazz drummer Chico Hamilton; with Steven Bernstein's much acclaimed Millennial Territory Orchestra; Levon Helm and the Barnburners, Branford Marsalis, and The Masters of the Groove, featuring Bernard Purdie, Grant Green Jr. and Reuben Wilson.

Erik currently teaches jazz saxophone at Williams College and the Putney. He has taught sax, jazz, jazz history, ensembles, and methods classes at Montclair State University (94-2000) and Rockland Community College (80-84). He has also taught saxophone and flute to all ages and improvisation to all instruments for well over 20 years and is available for clinics.

He would ask that if you say daily prayers you consider adding the phrase "May Peace Prevail on Earth" to your daily prayers to help raise both personal and world consciousness about the possibility that peace is a viable alternative to anger in ANY situation.

Erik has performed and/or recorded with numerous artists in his roles as sideman and bandleader. Notable artists include:

Chico Hamilton (legendary Jazz drummer)
Neville Family Affair (featuring Aaron Neville and his sons)
Buddy Miles
Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint
David Amram
Rickie Lee Jones
Sonny Sharrock (Avant Garde Guitar Legend)
The Band
Levon Helm
The Spin Doctors
John Popper (from Blues Traveler)
Bob Dylan
Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra
Joan Osborne
Branford Marsalis
Masters of the Groove: Bernard Purdie, Grant Green Jr, Reuben Wilson
Istanbul Orchestra
Jackie Cain and Roy Kral
Arnie Lawrence
John Cale (from Velvet Underground)
A.C. Reed (Chicago Blues Sax Legend)
David Tronzo (Slide Guitar Master)



www.mergepoetrymusic.com
www.myspace.com/hipmotism
www.levonhelm.com/erik_lawrence.htm

APRIL SIMS

April Sims aka Sensual Angel was born April 16, 1966 in Washington, D.C. She was raised in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area where she still resides today.
She is the proud mother of three beautiful daughters who are her constant inspiration for striving to be the best she can be each and every day.

She is a true renaissance woman that can do it all when it comes to the arts. She is spoken word artist (currently working on her debut cd), a poet (currently working on two books of poetry) and photo artist (photographer who is proficient in Photoshop).

Her works touch the very essence of the soul and whispers to the heart deeming her a “Heart Whisperer”. Her writings keep you hanging on each and every word and hold you with baited breath in anticipation of the next word.

She has been writing since she could hold a pen, but due to high demand has recently started formulating her writing for the public at large to consume.
Her kind spirit and selfless attitude have deemed her by many an angel on Earth while her sensual and sultry voice commands her audience, hence Sensual Angel.

LEE RITENOUR

Lee Mack Ritenour, was born January 11, 1952 in Los Angeles, CA. The prolific Ritenour has established himself as one of the world's leading jazz guitarists with a series of accessible albums over three decades. Starting at the age of 16, Ritenour played his first session with The Mama's and the Papa's. Two years later he was backing Tony Bennett and Lena Horne at L.A.'s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Know as "Captain Fingers," Ritenour became a sought-after session player in the mid-70's. Starting in 1976, at the age of 24, he began his own solo career which now includes over 30 albums and collaborations. Although heavily influenced in his early days by the relaxed styles of Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass and Barney Kessel, he now has his own distinctive sound and fluid style. His list of session work is awesome (some 3,000 sessions), but some of his most notable performances were with Herbie Hancock, Steely Dan, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins and Pink Floyd. Since the mid-80's, Ritenour has been strongly influenced by Brazilian music.

Along the way, Ritenour has received 17 Grammy nominations, earned several gold albums, numerous #1 spots in guitar polls and the prestigious "Alumnus of the Year" award from USC. In 1981, he scored the pop15 hit "Is It You," featuring vocalist Eric Tagg, which has also become a smooth jazz radio classic. He joined GRP Records in 1985 after recording for Electra the previous 7 years. At that time, he recorded the magnificent "Harlequin" album with GRP co-owner Dave Grusin. It was nominated for 4 Grammy’s and won 1 that year.

REBECCA "Butterfly" VAUGHNS

Rebecca "Butterfly" Vaughns has been married to poetry since the age of ten. There are no words that can explain the passion and love Rebecca has for poetry. She holds Langston Hughes accountable for turning her into a fiend. Rebecca leaves audiences amazed at her ability to freestyle poetry leaving one to think its been inked for awhile.

She impressed Bruce George ~ Co-Founder of Def Poetry Jam in 2002 at the 2nd Annual Spoken Word Expo held in St. Louis, MS when she came hard from the dome in the midst of a cipher out in the parking lot after an open mic session. Rebecca has tapped many of mics on various stages from elementary schools to high schools to colleges to jails to festivals and is in high demand for weddings, funerals, baby christenings, retirement parties, church galas and everything else in between.

She's an International Spoken Word Artist with people appreciating her work in Canada, The Bahamas, Jamaica, Belize, Africa, and Argentina just to name a few. She's appeared on internet and mainstream radio as well as underground radio. She's done live broadcasting performances on Haitian and Spanish television locally and has appeared on various radio stations and television in other cities throughout the USA . Her work is supported and loved by the likes of Shang~comedian/ poet, Betty Wright ~ singer/songwriter, Floetry, MC Lyte, Joss Stone, and Robert Townsend just to name a few. Rebecca has truly made a name for herself in the arena of spoken word and poetry since taking the stage May, 1997. Rebecca holds several accolades for her craft to include 2003 Spoken Word Artist of The Year, two slam wins, and her work is featured on compilations in New york, Chicago, and Miami just to name a few as well as appearances in anthologies to include Drumvoices Revue ~ spring,summer, fall 2004 issue with a tribute to Katherine Dunham.

She's released three cds My Voice, Your Ears being her current project as of April 2, 2005 and a book of poetry under the title of Gypsy Poet: A Journey of All Roads That Lead to Poetry. She's in rotation on MusicChoice ~ digital cable ~ Smooth R&B channel Spoken Word Music & The Lounge that airs on Saturdays 6:00pm-8:00pm, Sundays 9:00am-11:00am and Tuesdays 3:00pm-5:00pm. Rebecca's most memorable moments date back as far as January 1995 when she was given the opportunity to open up for and introduce Dave Chappelle to April 27, 2005 as she was one of five poets selected to perform for Nikki Giovanni at the closing reception for the Pan African Book Fest ~ April 16-27 ~ Ft. Lauderdale, FL..

SONNY ROLLINS

Sonny Rollins was born in New York City, in the Sugar Hill section of Harlem, on September 7, 1930. As a very young child, he tried his hand at piano, but switched to alto sax at age 11. Rollins became part of a Harlem-based nucleus of young musicians, which included drummer Art Taylor and pianist Kenny Drew, who were regularly called on to perform and record with larger lights.

At just 19, Sonny had spent several months rehearsing with Thelonious Monk and had already recorded with trombonist J. J. Johnson and trumpeter and pianist Bud Powell Monk. Alto saxophonist Louis Jordan and tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins -- whose saxophone case the young Sonny would dutifully carry to and from gigs -- were key early influences for Sonny.

In 1951, Rollins began a professional and personal friendship with trumpeter Miles Davis, with whom he collaborated on the latter's Dig album. While Rollins' career track was on the rise, his personal life was sadly, slowly taken over by heroin, with his first drug possession arrest coming in 1950.

But Rollins fought back and successfully preserved his growing reputation in the mid-1950s as one of the jazz scene's most innovative improvisers. His resume included work with pianist Thelonious Monk and trumpeter Clifford Brown. At the decade's end, Rollins and drummer Elvin Jones recorded the classic Night At The Village Vanguard album.

Rollins shocked the jazz world in 1959 when he took the first in a number of self-imposed exiles. During this hiatus, he practiced on New York's Williamsburg Bridge, and delved into a number of Eastern philosophies. Alto saxophonist Jackie McLean often practiced with him on the Williamsburg Bridge.
His return in the 1960s saw intense creative development, especially in his growing string of landmark concert and studio efforts. Rollins became particularly celebrated for his live performances, well documented on collections like 1974's The Cutting Edge.

Rollins continues to perform and record, but he's increasingly drawn to the solitude found on his upstate New York farm, which he shares with his wife and manager, Lucille. Though he frequently notes that "It's four in the afternoon for me", age has only further sweetened Rollins' ever-soulful invention and sound.

GEORGE BENSON

George Benson was born March 22,1943 in Pittsburgh, Pa. He is an American musician, whose recording career began at the age of 21 as a jazz guitarist. He is however, better known to the public at large as a Pop/R&B singer, famous for such hits as "Give Me The Night", "Lady Love Me (One More Time)", "Turn Your Love Around", "In Your Eyes" and "This Masquerade", amongst many others. George Benson started out playing straight-ahead instrumental jazz with organist Jack McDuff. Benson got his first experience playing with his several-year stint with McDuff's group. At the age of 21, Benson recorded his first album as leader, The New Boss Guitar, with Brother Jack McDuff on organ.

Benson's next recording was It's Uptown with the George Benson Quartet with Lonnie Smith on organ and Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax. This album showcases Benson's talent in constructing swinging bebop lines at blistering tempos. Benson followed it up with "The George Benson Cookbook," also with Lonnie Smith and Ronnie Cuber.

ELLE "ThatChick" JOHNSON

ELLE, also known as THAT_CHICK, has been singing and writing poetry for many years. She has been blessed to headline many packed showcases at the once famous now defunct Sweetwaters Club as well as opening for many acts including Ray, Goodman and Brown and the jazz group Pieces of a Dream. She has had the good fortune to be featured on the CD of jazz drummer extraordinaire Lenny White. She has also regularly performed on Paltalk Internet radio - which has an international audience.

Elle is currently working on projects with up and coming producers and artists. It is the music of Chaka Khan, who with her vocal skill and ability to relay her emotions with a song that made it clear to Elle that she had to sing. “Chaka Khan is the reason I sing today,” Elle responds when asked why she loves writing and performing. “Chaka Khan is the truth!” Natalie Cole, Patrice Rushen Anita Baker, Sade and Brenda Russell have also been big influences in Elle’s musical life. “Sade’s smooth throatiness talks to me – shows me it’s ok not to sing happy songs all the time, while Brenda Russell’s music proves that people really will listen if they can relate to the things I write about.

When listening to Elle you hear the smoothness of Sade, the fire of Chaka Khan, the simplistic truth of Brenda Russell’s writing style and a dash of Anita Baker’s sultry tones. It’s truly a “melting pot of emotions” for your ear.

Presently THAT_CHICK Elle hosts a radio program entitled "Taste of Romance". She is a true lover of love songs... not the same old same old love songs, but when "I love you" is said in a unique way - it gets her attention. Although recently becoming single Elle still believes in love and it shows…Most of Elle’s poetry is about love, however she also writes about life in general - up's, down's disappointments, as well as life’s high points.

Elle is currently working on a project, which will blend poetry, and soulful music that is sure to reach anyone who has a heart - a poetry/music CD that she has waited a very long time to do. Elle says “Life is beautiful...even when its raining, there is something to smile and be thankful about. Take each moment and make a memory.”

MULGREW MILLER

Mulgrew Miller is an American jazz pianist born in 1955 in Greenwood, Mississippi. In a childhood filled with early musical experiences and constant meddling in jazz piano, Miller is said to have set his mind definitely to becoming a jazz pianist after hearing a record by Oscar Peterson (a first for Mulgrew). “It was a life changing event. I knew right then that I would be a jazz pianist”. Mulgrew did indeed become a jazz pianist, and has adopted more from Peterson than his profession. Much of Mulgrew's playing has the same technical prowess so often connected with Peterson. Currently, Mulgrew maintains a working trio with Derrick Hodge on bass, and Karriem Riggins on drums. With this trio he has released two albums to date (both on the label Max Jazz Records): Live At Yoshi's Vol. 1 (2004), Live At Yoshi's Vol. 2 (2005).

Mr. Miller, has been hired as the new director of the jazz studies program at William Paterson University, in Wayne, N.J.

On May 20, 2006, Miller was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Performing Arts at Lafayette College's 171st Commencement

ARINE WARD

ARINE WARD, better known throughout the poetry world as Skee Wee 1908 was born November 6, 1973 to the Bishop and Mrs. James Ward, right outside Music City, TN. A 1996, graduate of TSU, with a nursing degree, a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, INC. Arine heads the family business as well as maintains employment within the travel industry. Arine is single and makes her home in Houston, Texas.

Arine says she has been writing all ofher life. But within the last six months, she has taken on the challenge of recording her work. After hosting an open mic poetry hour on Paltalk.com, in the Black House of Music and Soul Jams, she saw the excitement and eagerness of poets striving for a better tomorrow. She was encouraged to step out and see which direction her work could actually flow. After speaking with a beats producer, and learning the ins and outs of the poetry world, networking began to flourish. Soon people who had no Idea she existed started inquiring of my next read. From there She became and active member of Nipps Poetic Nook on paltalk.com, Chocolate Nipps, took Arin under her wing, and together they make things happen.

When she is able, Arine does a lot of volunteer work, especially within the developmental pediatric units. Her ultimate favorite pasttime, is running. Arine loves to run. You can catch her in gyms and tracks coast to coast just running!

Currently though, she is recovering from ACL/Cartilage surgery, and with time on her hands, she has been able to pour more energy into the craft that has given her the outlet to heal and work all at the same time. Arine is currently working on her first CD Project, entitled “The Rebirth of Me” a brief history of this CD, is more of a testimonial from where she's been to the person she is today. Overall being the Bishops daughter, to being kidnapped, Arine is a survivor with a story.

MARION Q. ROZELLE

Marion Q. Rozelle aka PoeticLovette, was born in Columbus, Ohio on May 19th, 1950. She attended and graduated from East High School; afterwards she attended Columbus State College for a degree in Law Enforcement.

She has been employed with the State of Ohio for twenty-two years and as an Entrepreneur for fourteen years. Marion is the Union’s Chief Steward, Board Member Association and Volunteered Liaison within the prison system.

She married at a very young age and was blessed with five wonderful children who have blessed me again with several wonderful grand-children. Marion is currently a widow.

Her greatest fear is God.

Poeticlovette is artistic, intelligent, amusing, self-disciplined and enthusiastic. Besides poetry, she loves music, computers, motorcycles, and ventures away from home.

Marion was introduced to poetry at the age of eleven. I was listening to an old 78 record that belonged to my grandmother and a man was reciting a poem with music in the background. It captivated me so much that I wrote the poem down; I had to restart it over and over to get all the words, but I accomplished the task and to this day I can still narrate that poem from memory. Thus begin my journey into writing poetry.

In regards to music Marion is a devoted listener of jazz and old school.
The jazz artists that she enjoys listening to are Cannonball Adderly, Noel Pointer, Mary Stallings, and Roy Ayers.

The correlation between jazz and poetry is that they can be used in consistency with one to the other or as stimulation for one to the other.
Rhythm, tenor, and lyricism are the property of both and share the nuance of creativeness. Our culture is rich in the history of poetry and jazz, thus making it important to continue that trend. As well as being entertaining, they are a learning and teaching tool for our next generations to come.

VINCENT HERRING

Vincent Herring has developed into a virtuoso with a voice that is uniquely intense and vigorous with energy and direction. He is considered one of the premier saxophonists of his generation.

Vincent first toured Europe and the United States with Lionel Hampton’s big band in the early 1980’s. As he developed his musicianship he began to work with Nat Adderley a liaison that continued for nine years. Along the way he worked and / or recorded with Cedar Walton, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Hayes, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver Quintet, Jack DeJohnette’s Special Edition, Larry Coryell, Steve Turre, The Mingus Big Band, Kenny Barron, Nancy Wilson, Dr. Billy Taylor, Carla Bley, and John Hicks. Other special concert and projects have included special guest soloist engagements with Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center. Vincent also appeared as a guest soloist at Carnegie Hall with John Faddis and The Carnegie Hall Big Band.
While amassing these impressive credentials, Vincent continues to develop his own voice and style. In addition to the legends and peers he has worked with Vincent is inspired by a collage of diverse musical influences. Which is reflected in his original band called Earth Jazz Agents.
Vincent is also involved in Jazz education. He is currently on staff at William Patterson University as well as conducting master classes and jazz workshops at Juilliard. Vincent has also conducted master classes on jazz improvising at Duke and Cornell Universities.
Vincent has recorded 15 CD’s as a leader and can be heard on over 200 as a sideman.

DONALD BYRD

Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II was born December 9, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan. He performed with Lionel Hampton before finishing high school. After playing trumpet in a military band during a term in the United States Air Force, he obtained a bachelor's degree in music from Wayne State University and a master's degree from Manhattan School of Music. While still at the Manhattan School he joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, replacing Clifford Brown. After leaving the Jazz Messengers in 1956 he performed with a wide variety of highly regarded jazz musicians, including John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, and Thelonious Monk.

In the 1970s, he moved away from his previous hard-bop jazz base and began to record jazz fusion, Jazz-funk, soul-Jazz, and rhythm and blues. Teaming up with the Mizell Brothers, they produced Black Byrd, which was enormously successful and became Blue Note Records' highest-ever selling album. The Mizell Brothers follow-up production albums for byrd, Places and Spaces, Steppin' Into Tomorrow and Street Lady were also big sellers, and have subsequently provided a rich source of samples for hip-hop artists such as Us3.

He has taught music at Rutgers University, the Hampton Institute, New York University, Howard University, and Oberlin College. In 1974 he created the Blackbyrds, a fusion group consisting of his best students. They scored several major hits, including "Walking In Rhythm" and "Blackbyrds Theme

STEPHANE MOORE

Stephane Moore aka Brownskinpoetic is a soul child of the sixties who exited his mother’s womb with creativity on his mind had all of the influences of that era. Born on February 8, 1962 in the Deep South, he would see and hear a lot during his childhood that would fertilize his creative being. The civil rights movement was in full gear. The war in Vietnam was rolling right along, the Cuban missile crisis had everyone on edge, and the word assassination seemed to be a part of the international fabric. In other words, these were exciting times for creative types. With influences all around him, Brownskinpoetic took full advantage of what he read, saw, and heard on the evening news. Writing would become his sounding board and music was his muse. The likes of Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Willie Hutch, T.S.O.P., Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, and many others gave him fuel and loads of ammunition to write fire onto his pages,

With the help of his extended family of uncles and aunts, Brownskinpoetic was introduced to many genres of music from jazz, hard rock, blues, gospel, funk, and a whole lot of soul. During his early adulthood, brown decided to take his love for music into his other artistic passions. Photography soon became something he could not resist. Painting and sculpting would soon follow. Yes, a renaissance man in the making. While listening to a late night radio show one night, brown was introduced to the voice of Gil Scott Heron. This was his first taste of spoken word infused with jazz. The last poets came next and this is where the preverbal rubber met the road. He began looking for venues where he could dig these vibes on a real level and discovered Club Kalunba in Atlanta, a local spot where free spirits would vibe with musicians and deliver their poetry to the world.

Later on in life, brown would be introduced to pal talk, an interactive chat site where a friend named Sherykah hosted a poetry chat room. She would talk about her dreams of starting a poetry radio station on the internet which was right down brownskin’s alley. He quickly jumped on board as a radio host with a show called, POETICSOUL. Soon after, he created HOT BUTTA SOUL and ECLECTIC SOUL. This lead to brownskin getting into producing tracks for other poets as well as few singers he knew from doing collaborations.

Where does he find all of this time to be creative? And why do you think a show like Spotlight on Jazz & Poetry is so important?

He responded “My motto is if you can’t find time to do what you love, then you are wasting oxygen and SOJP will show the relationship that exists between poetry and Jazz and start the construction process of building bridges that will fill the gap that exists between generations.


This brother truly breathes art.

LAMONT CAREY

Lamont Carey was born in the heart of Southeast, Washington, DC. He is a businessman and entertainer. On stage he is a powerful performer with a delivery so electric that he has the ability to present an issue in such a way that it alters audiences’ perspective.

He has featured as an actor in the 2005 DC Hip Hop Theater Festival in the stage reading of HiddenPages. He has even appeared in several independant films as well as being featured on the HBO Hit cable series "The Wire".

Lamont is also an outstanding spoken word artist. He has featured in such places as the world renowned Lincoln Theater, Smithsonian, The Nuyorican Poets Café, The French Embassy, The Cuban Embassy, and the National Cathedral. He has toured in NC and the Virgin Islands. He has won several poetry slams and poet of 2005 by Dream In motion.. Lamont was even nominated at the NUSPA (National Underground Spokenword Poetry Awards" in the catagory "Why Didn't I think of that Piece" for "I Love My Son".

He continues to leave his mark in spoken word arena with his debut CD” IMAGINE”. This is 14-tacks of pure energy and mind traveling that listener can’t help but to brace themselves for the next emotional rollercoaster that are sure to erupt with the next track.
Lamont Carey can also diving into radio personality. He co-host a show called "Freestyle Friday" along side Marck Thompson on XM satille radio Channel 169 The Power.

Furthermore, Lamont is a true entrepreneur. He is CEO and founder of CONTACT VISITS a nonprofit organization that assist ex-offenders transition back into our communities as productive members of society. He is also the president of .SERVINGNTIME. This is an internet based business that lists profiles of current prisoner. His goal is to help them keep positive ties to the community and support systems in place so that they can find employment, housing, etc. Finally, he is the president of LaCarey Entertainment, LL.C. This is his management company where he has already assisted clients appear in several movies, TV, and plays. He also does improvisational workshops, poetry performance workshop, and teaches acting.

Yes, Mr. Carey is making an impact in our communities by working for the community.
For more info or booking contact him personally at lacareyentertainment@yahoo.com.

YUSEF LATEEF

Yusef Lateef was born William Emanuel Huddleston in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 1925, Lateef and his family moved to Detroit, Michigan where would begin Lateef's musical career. Throughout his early life Lateef came into contact with a number of accomplished jazz musicians including Milt Jackson, Paul Chambers, Elvin Jones, and Kenny Burrell. Lateef was a proficient saxophonist by his graduation from high school at age 18, at which point he launched his professional career and began touring with a number of swing bands. In 1949, at age 29, Lateef was invited by Dizzy Gillespie to tour with his world-renowned orchestra.

Lateef first began recording as a leader in 1956 for Savoy Records, which released a number of albums under his name in the following year. By 1961, with the release of Eastern Sounds, Lateef's distinctive sound had matured. His "Eastern" influences are clearly audible in these recordings, while they remain within the bounds of approachability for most Western ears. Lateef's sound has been claimed to have been a major influence on the saxophonist John Coltrane, whose later period free jazz recordings contain similarly "Eastern" traits.

In 1992, Lateef founded YAL Records, his own label for which he records today. In 1993, Lateef was commissioned by the WDR Radio Orchestra to compose The African American Epic Suite, a four part work for orchestra and quartet based on themes of slavery and disfranchisement in the United States. The piece has since been performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Lateef has expressed a dislike of the terms "jazz" and "jazz musician" as musical generalizations. As is so often the case with such generalizations, the use of these terms do understate the breadth of his sound. For example, in the 1980s, Lateef experimented with new age and spiritual elements. His 1987 album Yusef Lateef's Little Symphony won the Grammy award for Best New Age Album. His core influences, however, are clearly rooted in jazz, and in his own words: "My music is jazz." [1]
In 1950, Lateef returned to Detroit and began his studies in composition and flute at Wayne State University. It was during this period that Lateef converted to Ahmadiyya Islam and changed his name to the form it holds today.

In 1960, Lateef again returned to school. At the Manhattan School of Music in New York, Lateef pursued further studies in flute. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Music in 1969 and a Master's Degree in Music Education in 1970. He taught courses in autophysiopsychic music at the school from 1971, and from 1972 was an associate professor at the Borough of Manhattan Community College.

In 1975, Lateef completed his dissertation on Western and Islamic education and earned a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Lateef has written and published a number of books including a novella entitled A Night in the Garden of Love and the short story collections Spheres and Rain Shapes. Along with his record label YAL Records, Lateef owns Fana Music, a music publishing company. Lateef publishes his own work through Fana, which includes Yusef Lateef's Flute Book of the Blues and many of his own orchestral compositions.

Happy Birthday BigTrigger! (March 4, 2007)

Now this is the plan:

Stop by his webpage at 360.yahoo.com/Bigtrigger3458 OR send him greetings at sojp@nalradio.com ! (He's working tommorow and we want to make his day special...)

Happy Birthday BigTrigger -- may this year be the best year ever!

From the teams of
Spotlight On Jazz and Poetry
National Artist League Radio and
Unlimited Vision Productions!

"An Old Soul Speaks"by: Tabitha DeGruy

February 10, 2007


Billie Holiday sings "Strange Fruit" in the background and in my own way I find comfort in the sound of her voice. In actuality, my soul has always floated more towards music from an era I believe I was meant to be in. Many (my age) will find it hard to see eye to eye when I say artist such as Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington and John Coltrane are what made the world right for me. My family is comprised of music lovers, athletes and poets. But, the one thing we all had in common was a great love of music. Every family party was filled with great food and even greater music. Before I was born my mother and aunt Diana love and lived to be singers. They were called "The Sugar Lumps" and traveled all over meeting and working with stars like Tina Turner. My family was and will always be big on music from Earth Wind and Fire, The Commodores, Heatwave, and too many more to name.

It was my aunt Cheryl who formally introduced me to Old Blue Eyes (Frank Sinatra). My Grandfather was in love with his music, but at that age I only cared about going outside to play. It was hanging with her that I truly had the opportunity to feel what Mr. Sinatra was all about. It wasn't very long before I was in love and I do mean in love in the literal sense. His voice wrapped around my heart and never let go for one second.

It was Cheryl again who introduced me to Miss Billie Holiday. I don't even think she realized what was happening as I sat with her to watch a PBS special featuring Miss Holiday. She looked so sad and alone, so I asked Cheryl what was wrong with her. She told me in these exact words "that bitch is high!" She then explained a great deal of Miss Holidays' troubles and I then understood why she could sing of sorrow and make it sound sweet. Not sweet as in her pain was glorified, but in a way we all could relate and bond. We all go through crap in life and she expressed hers the only way she knew how. I'm no stranger to obstacles, but hearing Miss Holiday sing "God Bless The Child" made me feel like everything would be okay. You know what? She was right.

Being a poet has a great deal to do with my love for jazz, because I feel they mesh together like silk. The first jazz artist I truly took an interest in was Miles Davis, but as I got older I was introduced to many of the earlier greats. The movie "Love Jones" came out and I damn near lost my mind! What poet didn't fall head over heels for "Love Jones?" Watching Lorenz Tate flex his poetic beauty made it even greater. I heard a musical piece in that movie titled "In A Sentimental Mood" and was completely in awe. This song took me back to when dances were held in ballrooms and everyone was dressed in their very best. I've written many of my love pieces to this one song, because I could not help but to be inspired by this work of art.

Now here we are in 2007 and I turn on the radio and want to jump out of my skin. To me hip-hop is a lost art. I feel the artist of today are totally not getting what the True hip hoppers were about. Every artist wants to rap about who they killed, sexed or how much they have and own. Singers want to talk about sex, sex and more sex. It's discouraging and distasteful to those of the past and those artist of today who are struggling to bring the true art of music back. Granted we can find peace in the talent of artist such as John Legend, India Arie, Jill Scott, The Fugees (we need them back now) and Ms. Whitney Houston(say what you want she is pure greatness).

In doing my show I found that there are thousands of artist out there who truly want to sing about something of substance. This show has given me hope that one day we will no longer be force fed filth and depleted lyrics. Hearing artist such as Shenole Latimer (Jazz Musician) remind me of Mr. John Coltrane and listening to the soulful sounds of Mike Hammond (R&B Singer) can lead any female to compare him to the great Luther Vandross. I could go on and on, but the list would never end.

John Legend sings in the background now and I smile as I wrap this up. If I could go back in time I would just to stand before Miss Holiday, Frank Sinatra, John Coltrane and all of the great ones who knew how to present "true music." I would thank them for giving me a place to go when life became too chaotic. I would tell them how I appreciate the talent in which, they possessed.

I'm grateful that God gives us all special talents. I'm even more grateful that many wish to share their talent and love of music with us. Especially, the ones that have crossed my path within the past two years and the ones to come. True music without passion equals crap and I for one have had my fair share of crap. A new dish is being served up and I hope you all will join me in this harmonious feast.



Tabitha aka SunShyne

SOJP; Valentine's Day Show "For Lover's Only" Playlist.

Poetry is an imaginative awareness of experience expressed through meaning, sound and rhythmic language choices so as to evoke an emotional response. Poetry has been known to employ meter and rhyme.

Lyric is a category of poetry that expresses subjective thoughts and feelings, often in a songlike style or form.

The Wonderful Women of Jazz


1. Karyn Allison - "Everytime We Say Goodbye"
2. Billie Holiday - "Fine and Mellow"
3. Sarah Vaughan - "He's My Guy"
4. Diana Krall - "I'm Just A Lucky So and So"
5. Etta James - Medley; "At Last, Trust In Me, Sunday Kind Of Love"
6. Gloria Lynne - "I'm Glad There Is You"
7. Diane Schuur - "Funny, But I Still Love You"
8. Nancy Wilson - "All In Love Is Fair"
9. Anita O'Day - "Tenderly"
10. Lena Horne - "More Than You Know"
11. Nnenna Freelon - "Come Into My Life"
12. Nancy Wilson - "How Glad I Am"

The Magnificent Men of Jazz


1. Andy Bey - "Prelude To A Kiss"
2. Arthur Prysock - "I Worry Bout You"
3. Little Jimmy Scott - "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You"
4. Peter Cincotti - "The Girl For Me Tonight"
5. Tony Bennett - "My Foolish Heart"
6. Joey DeFrancesco - "They Say It's Wonderful"
7. Bigtrigger - Poem; "Visions Of You"
8. Lou Rawls - "Sophisticated Lady"
9. Joe Williams - "Everyday, I'll Fall In Love With You"
10. Johnny Hartman - My One And Only Love"
11. Little Jimmy Scott - "Someone To Watch Over me"
12. Harry Connick, Jr. - "Only You"
13. Michael Feinstein - "My Funny Valentine"