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Blue Note Records at 70
JOE LOVANO, BRUCE LUNDVALL & GARY GIDDINS
in Conversation

May 7th 2009, Thursday, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Elebash Recital Hall

Thelonious Monk, Jimmy Smith, Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Betty Carter, Cecil Taylor, Cassandra Wilson, Jason Moran - the history of Blue Note Records is the history of jazz. Now, on the 70th anniversary of the label’s first recording, Gary Giddins brings together Blue Note’s current president, Bruce Lundvall, and one of its brightest talents, world-renowned saxophonist and composer Joe Lovano, for a conversation about the history of jazz and the label’s unparalleled success and legacy, including Lovano's latest Blue Note recording Folk Art with his new band Us Five.

For more information click HERE.

TO BE RELEASED JUNE 2 ALBUM IS A SIGNIFICANT ADDITION TO HUBBARD'S OEUVRE FEATURING THE LEGENDARY TRUMPETER WITH A STELLAR QUARTET OF PIANIST ROLAND HANNA, BASSIST RON CARTER & DRUMMER LOUIS HAYES

In its continuing series of unearthing previously unissued archival music by the legends of jazz, on June 2nd Blue Note Records will release Without a Song-Live in Europe 1969 by trumpeter icon Freddie Hubbard, who passed away last December at the age of 70. Recorded at shows in England and Germany, the album features seven tracks performed with an all-star quartet, comprising pianist Roland Hanna, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Louis Hayes. The album captures Hubbard at the peak of his career during 1969's Jazz Wave on Tour that was produced by Sonny Lester and recorded by Malcolm Addey. After years of being in the Blue Note vaults, last year producer Michael Cuscuna sent the tapes to Hubbard, who enthusiastically embraced the idea of letting the music finally being released.

"Freddie said that this was some of his best playing ever captured on tape," says Cuscuna, who enlisted Addey to remix and master the live recordings in 24 bit. "Freddie was like a schoolboy when he heard these tapes. He was jumping up and down. He was thrilled. He was full-steam ahead with the release and wanted to do publicity surrounding it…He wanted to show who the real Freddie Hubbard was."

Trumpeter and bandleader David Weiss, who worked closely with Hubbard from 2000 to his death, listened with him to the tapes Cuscuna delivered. In the liner notes to Without a Song, Weiss writes, "Freddie and I listened to the three concerts the music on this CD is culled from while we were working on what turned out to be his final album, On the Real Side. Every day while driving back and forth from the studio, we would pop this music into the CD player and soak it all in. Freddie really enjoyed this music."

The Jazz Wave tour featured several acts that traveled together and played 25-30-minute sets at each stop throughout Europe. Other performers on the bill included the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, Jeremy Steig, Kenny Burrell and Jimmy McGriff. The tour was documented with a 1970 double-LP Blue Note release, Jazz Wave. On that compilation, only Hubbard's stunning rendition of "Body and Soul" was released. The rest of the material of the tour was shelved.

Recorded in Bristol and London, England, and at a date in Germany, Without a Song features Hubbard breathing fire, swinging mightily and musing lyrically throughout, including on the title track, "The Things We Did Last Summer," "A Night in Tunisia" and one of the leader’s hit tunes, "Hub-Tones," in a truncated version that served as the end song of his sets during the tour. The album also includes Red Garland's "Blues By Five" (a rarely played tune that Miles Davis once covered) and the avant-leaning, tempo-shifting original, "Space Track." In regards the latter, Cuscuna says that it wasn't originally slated to be on the album, but Hubbard requested it.

“These performances show the range of these guys and the way they approached hard bop,” says Cuscuna.

Weiss adds in the liners, “This recording captures Freddie at one of the creative high points of his career when all his experiences of the past decade-performing with Art Blakey and playing on all those classic Blue Note recordings-seem to have reached an apex. He was still pretty early in his career as a bandleader at this point but except for Louis Hayes, this was not his regular working band at the time which might account for the program being mostly being made up of standards with a couple of originals sprinkled in.”

Without a Song captures Hubbard during a period when he was one of jazz’s most important artists whose influence continues to hold sway today.

“As these recordings once again attest, Freddie was the complete package,” says Weiss. “[He had a] huge, fat sound, incredible range, as harmonically complex as they come but also quite the lyricist and boasted perhaps the most prodigious technique in the history of jazz trumpet. And as these recordings yet again prove, he gave it his all at all times, night after night, year after year.”

Wynton Marsalis would like to invite you to view an exclusive video of him reading his poem "He and She" from his new album, He and She, available now. Please click here to view.

Buy He and She now on Amazon.com.

Download He and She now on iTunes.

Share the He and She digital player with friends - click here.

Are you planning on going to New Orleans for Jazz Fest? If so, please join a group of Blue Note staff in volunteering via Habitat for Humanity at the Musicians’ Village on Thursday April 23. A few of us here at Blue Note are New Orleans natives, and even more of us just love the city. We’re passionate about the birthplace of jazz and about rebuilding it. Click here to learn more about the volunteer day.

Blue Note: A History of Modern Jazz is a program airing this weekend on Ovation TV:

Without money or connections and speaking little English, Francis Wolff and Alfred Lion began to record practically unknown musicians, following their own taste and judgement. Today this list of artists reads like the who's who of jazz. Blue Note - A Story of Modern Jazz tells the story of Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff and their record label. It is the story of the rise of Modern Jazz, of a friendship in exile and of uncompromising artistic excellence. Told by the musicians, by friends and associates, and by fans of the Blue Note recordings from all walks of life, BLUE NOTE recreates an era of American cultural history.

More info and airtimes can be found here.

Find out if Ovation TV is available in your area by going to IWantOvationTV.com.

For more info on Ovation: http://www.ovationtv.com/

Congratulations to Al Green, Cassandra Wilson, and Terence Blanchard for their Grammy^® wins last night! Al took home two, while Cassandra and Terence each walked away with one.

Here's the rundown:
Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals (For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Stay With Me (By The Sea)
Al Green Featuring John Legend
Track from: Lay It Down
[Blue Note Records]

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

You've Got The Love I Need
Al Green Featuring Anthony Hamilton
Track from: Lay It Down
[Blue Note Records]

Best Jazz Vocal Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Loverly
Cassandra Wilson
[Blue Note]

Best Jazz Instrumental Solo (For an instrumental jazz solo performance. Two equal performers on one recording may be eligible as one entry. If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter's name is in parenthesis for identification. Singles or Tracks only.)

Be-Bop
Terence Blanchard, soloist
Track from: Live At The 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival (Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars)
[Monterey Jazz Festival Records]

Once again, congratulations to them and all the Grammy Winners.

For a complete list of winners click here.

It was 70 years ago today - January 6, 1939 - that a young German immigrant and passionate jazz fan named Alfred Lion held the very first recording session for what was to become Blue Note Records. Two weeks prior Lion had found his calling as he sat spellbound by two boogie-woogie pianists - Albert Ammons & Meade Lux Lewis - at the legendary Spirituals to Swing concert at Carnegie Hall, and the world's premiere and longest-running Jazz label was born.

To celebrate the label's history and mark this important milestone, NPR Talk of the Nation will host an hour of conversation and music this afternoon with the label's current president Bruce Lundvall-who relaunched Blue Note 25 years ago-as well as longtime producer Michael Cuscuna and pianist Bill Charlap. Click HERE for show info and to check out the online feature.

Click here for more info on the 70th Anniversary.

Release from:
The Recording Academy®
3402 Pico Boulevard • Santa Monica, CA 90405
www.grammy.com

GRAMMY Salute To Classical Music^SM Honors Sir Neville Marriner and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

GRAMMY Salute To Jazz^SM Pays Tribute to Blue Note Records

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Dec. 17, 2008) - As part of celebratory GRAMMY® Week events, The Recording Academy® will spotlight the classical and jazz genres. The GRAMMY Salute To Classical MusicSM and GRAMMY Salute To JazzSM events celebrate musical styles and honorees that have made significant contributions to our culture. Each event will feature live performances and a special presentation of The Recording Academy President's Merit Award to accomplished artists in honor of their professional achievements. This year's GRAMMY Salute To Classical honorees are Sir Neville Marriner and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. The GRAMMY Salute To Jazz honoree is Blue Note Records. The 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on the CBS Television Network on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

"The Recording Academy is proud to recognize musical excellence that spans all genres of music in 110 GRAMMY categories that represent the diversity and significance that music plays in our lives," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "Our 'Salute To' series during GRAMMY Week pays homage and celebrates the work of extraordinary people and organizations that continue to ensure that these genres remain a vital part of our culture."

GRAMMY Salute To Classical Music
The GRAMMY Salute To Classical Music will honor Sir Neville Marriner and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra with Music Director Jeffrey Kahane. Starting his career as a violinist, Marriner founded the Academy of St Martin in the Fields in 1958 and has worked with orchestras throughout the world. He became the first Music Director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in 1969 where he developed new works for the orchestra and performed numerous world premieres. Currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, led by Kahane, performs a diverse repertoire ranging from baroque to new works, and focuses on cultivating the careers of emerging artists. Committed to bringing classical music to everyone, they have created programs such as Meet the Music, which reaches thousands of elementary students throughout the year.

This event will take place at the renowned Walt Disney Concert Hall on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, from 7 - 10 p.m. with a reception, special presentation and performances by the honorees. The President's Merit Award for outstanding achievement will be presented to these prolific musicians for their significant contributions to classical music and the community at large.

GRAMMY Salute To Jazz
GRAMMY Salute To Jazz will honor Blue Note Records. Founded in 1939 by Alfred Lion, Blue Note Records is celebrating its 70th anniversary as a record label devoted to cultivating the diverse and dynamic genre of jazz. In its rich and singular history, the label has worked with a wide range of artists such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Norah Jones, Joe Lovano, Thelonious Monk, Horace Silver, and Cassandra Wilson, spanning all forms of jazz from avant-garde and bebop to fusions with blues, folk, and funk. In 2009, Blue Note Records will also recognize the 25th anniversary of the label relaunch under current president Bruce Lundvall, commemorating the celebration with live concerts, festival honors, merchandise and new releases including The Blue Note 7, an all-star band tribute band of jazz luminaries.

The presentation of the President's Merit Award to Blue Note Records will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009, from 7 – 10 p.m. (venue to be announced shortly), and will feature a cocktail reception, live performances and appearances by special guest artists, Blue Note Records executives, and the GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards - the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music - The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com

LEGENDARY JAZZ LABEL CELEBRATES 70th/25th ANNIVERSARY WITH AN INVASION OF BLUE NOTE ARTISTS IN NEW YORK CITY VENUES

On January 27, Blue Note Records will officially kick off "Blue Note Records Takes New York," an all-out invasion of New York City jazz clubs and music halls in honor of the label’s anniversary. "Blue Note Records Takes New York" will feature 20 past and present artists from Blue Note's legendary roster performing in 10 different venues throughout the city. Please see full schedule below.

In 1939, Blue Note Records was founded in Manhattan as a small independent jazz label run by two German immigrants, and has gone on to become the premiere jazz label in the world, and also the longest running. In 2009, Blue Note will celebrate two milestones when it commemorates both the 70th anniversary of the label's founding by Alfred Lion, as well as the 25th anniversary of its re-launch in 1984 under current President Bruce Lundvall. The coming year will feature the music, imagery and legend of Blue Note with a range of multi-media offerings, including live concerts, special digital and physical re-issues and new releases, The Blue Note 7; an all-star tribute band of current jazz luminaries, book releases, festival honors, merchandise and much more.

BLUE NOTE RECORDS TAKES NEW YORK - SCHEDULE

January 6
Blue Note Records' 70th Birthday

January 6-11
Eliane Elias
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola / Jazz at Lincoln Center

January 8-11
Blue Train Revisited featuring Curtis Fuller
Iridium

January 22
Amos Lee
The Allen Room / Jazz at Lincoln Center

January 27
PRIVATE LAUNCH EVENT featuring Lou Donaldson & Dr. Lonnie Smith
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola / Jazz at Lincoln Center

January 27 – February 1
Lou Donaldson
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola / Jazz at Lincoln Center

January 27 – February 1
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Jazz Standard

February 9-10
Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis featuring Norah Jones
Rose Theater / Jazz at Lincoln Center

February 10-15
Cassandra Wilson
Blue Note Jazz Club

February 13-14
Anita Baker
Radio City Music Hall

February 13-14
Bill Charlap
The Allen Room / Jazz at Lincoln Center

February 17-22
Terence Blanchard
Village Vanguard

February 19-21
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring Joe Lovano & Dianne Reeves
Rose Theater / Jazz at Lincoln Center

February 24-25
Aaron Parks
New Voices of Blue Note
Jazz Standard

February 26-27
Lionel Loueke
New Voices of Blue Note
Jazz Standard

February 28-March 1
Robert Glasper
New Voices of Blue Note
Jazz Standard

February 27
Jason Moran
In My Mind: Monk At Town Hall, 1959
Town Hall

April 14-19
The Blue Note 7
Birdland

Blue Note Records earned 10 nominations in the 51st Annual GRAMMY® Awards for releases by artists including Al Green, Joe Lovano, Cassandra Wilson, and Stacey Kent.

Here's a list of the nominations:

Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
Stay With Me (By The Sea)
Al Green Featuring John Legend
Track from: Lay It Down
[Blue Note Records]

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
You've Got The Love I Need
Al Green Featuring Anthony Hamilton
Track from: Lay It Down
[Blue Note Records]

Best R&B Album
Lay It Down
Al Green
[Blue Note]

Best Jazz Vocal Album
Breakfast On The Morning Tram
Stacey Kent
[Blue Note]

Loverly
Cassandra Wilson
[Blue Note]

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
Symphonica
Joe Lovano With WDR Big Band & Rundfunk Orchestra
[Blue Note]

Best Instrumental Arrangement
Duke Ellington's Sound Of Love
Michael Abene, arranger (Joe Lovano With WDR Big Band & Rundfunk Orchestra)
Track from: Symphonica
[Blue Note]

Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)
Alfie
Vince Mendoza, arranger (Traincha & The Metropole Orchestra)
Track from: The Look Of Love - Burt Bacharach Songbook
[Blue Note]

Best Historical Album
Classic Columbia, OKeh And Vocalion Lester Young With Count Basie (1936-1940)
Scott Wenzel, compilation producer; Malcolm Addey, Michael Brooks, Matt Cavaluzzo, Andreas Meyer & Mark Wilder, mastering engineers (Lester Young With Count Basie)
[Mosaic Records]

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
Lay It Down
Jimmy Douglass, Russell "The Dragon" Elevado & John Smeltz, engineers (Al Green)
[Blue Note]

For complete list of all nominees click here.