Just a touch of "Lagos Blues" with pianist Antonio Ciacca and saxophonist Steve Grossman on Jan. 12

Internationally acclaimed jazz pianist Antonio Ciacca teams with renowned saxophonist Steve Grossman in a new project "Lagos Blues,"  to be released by Motéma Music in the U.S. on Jan. 12. Joining them is Ciacca's  regular quartet - saxophonist Stacy Dillard, bassist Kengo Nakamura and drummer Ulysses Owens - who contribute a picturesque image on the broader story of jazz.


Born in Germany, raised in Italy, Ciacca plays with a rare blend of earthiness, fire and intellect, with elements of Wynton Kelly, Red Garland and Bobby Timmons. He is the director of Programming for Jazz at Lincoln Center.


According to a news release, Ciacca began his studies at the Bologna Conservatory. At the time, he played only classical repertoire, the effects of which led him to consider switching his energies to sports and becoming a professional soccer player. This all changed when his future Lincoln Center compatriot Wynton Marsalis came to Bologna give a concert.

"What impressed me was the relationships between the musicians," Ciacca says. "They were all proud and accomplished and dignified. They were just perfect."

Speaking with Marsalis after the concert, Ciacca took to heart the trumpeter's advice: "Try to swing as hard as you can and you're going to be good." That mission began when he sought out Grossman, whose lessons laid a solid foundation for the young pianist. After three years, at Grossman's suggestion, he left for the States in 1993 to immerse himself fully in jazz culture, working first in Detroit and then in New York.

Fahir Atakoglu set to release "Faces & Places" on Jan. 5

World-jazz pianist-composer-arranger Fahir Atakoglu enlists a host of friends for his upcoming Jan.5 release, "Faces & Places." Joining him are trumpeter Randy Brecker, guitarist Wayne Krantz,Yellowjackets' saxophonist Bob Mintzer, Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo, bassist John Patitucci and Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez on drums. 


According to a news release, "Faces & Places" is a follow-up to the 2008 fusion project "Istanbul in Blue," which reached #1 on the JazzWeek World Music Albums chart and featured guitarists Mike Stern and Wayne Krantz, tenor saxophonist Bob Franchesini, bassist Anthony Jackson, and Hernandez on drums.


Atakoglu dedicates "Faces & Places" project "to all musicians who have come to the United States from all corners of the world: Those who follow their dreams and touch people's hearts, lives and souls with their music." A native of Istanbul, Turkey, Atakoglu has recorded 18 albums that have sold more than two million copies in 17 countries including the United States. Atakoglu continues to compose film scores, ballet music, operas and other symphonic works while also performing solo and trio concerts around the world.

View "Cinderella" at Broken Arrow Community Playhouse

Broken Arrow Community Playhouse (BACP) presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” at 8 p.m. today, Dec. 10-12 and a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee on Dec. 13. The production is directed by T.L. Bringle.
Hilary Hunt stars as Cinderella and James Bowie, portraying the dashing Prince Christopher, lead a cast of BACP newcomers and veterans. Joining them onstage is Shayna Stubblefield, Seth Paden, Tim Petro, Sherry Hacker, Anna Caldwell, Tiffany Wright, Maureen Dunbar, Rachel Kincheloe, Allison Walden, Brett Maxey, Brittany Wright, Donald Gilmore, Stephanie Porter, Joe Smith and John Knight.
In a news release, the BACP states that “Cinderella,” the timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale, is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance. Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Cinderella" was the most widely viewed program in the history of the medium. Its recreation in 1965 starring Lesley Ann Warren was no less successful in transporting a new generation to the miraculous kingdom of dreams-come-true, and so was a second remake in 1997, which starred Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother. The BACP's production is based on the 1997 teleplay.
Ticket prices are $13 for adults, $10 for seniors, $9 for students, and $6 for children 12 and younger. For more information, go to www.bacptheatre.com. Reservations for this production may be made by calling the BACP box office at (918) 258-0077. The BACP is located in The Main Place at 1800 S. Main in downtown Broken Arrow.

Clark Theatre presents "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is presented at 2 p.m. Dec. 6 and 13, and 7:30 p.m. today, Saturday and Dec. 9-12 at Clark Youth Theatre, 11440 E Admiral Place, Tulsa. Kathryn Hartney is the director.

This Christmas tale makes its 23rd annual appearance at Clark Theatre. "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" chronicles the story of the Herdmans, who are the worst kids in school. One Sunday, the Herdsmas come to church to take advantage of the free snacks the minister gives out, and it happens to be the same day for the annual church Christmas Pageant tryouts. After peer intimidation, the Herdmans were cast in lead roles. Disaster looms, but so does the possibility of learning the true meaning of Christmas.
For ticket information, call (918) 669-6455 or go to www.clarktheatre.com.

Playmakers’ holiday show features “The Velveteen Rabbit”

The Grove Community Playmakers kick off the holiday season with an adaptation by Scott Davidson of the classic children’s story, "The Velveteen Rabbit," by Margery Williams. Performances will take place at 121 W. Third St., Grove, OK.

A short play about holiday giving, "The Lost and Found Christmas," is also included. It is a production from The Paper Bag Players by Judith Martin and music by Donald Ashwander.

"We wanted a holiday show that would allow children 3-4 years to the theatre," said Director Suzanne Boles in a news release. "We haven’t performed for children this young since we produced 'Winnie-the-Pooh’s Christmas Tail.' Of course, the very sensitive 'Velveteen Rabbit' is a good way for all children and adults to remember what’s real about Christmas," she added.

The plays are produced with assistance from the Oklahoma Arts Council and supporters of the Playmakers.

The production opens Friday, Nov. 27 and each weekend through Sunday, Dec. 6. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m.; the Tuesday performance is at 7 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m.

The Playmakers ask that there be no children younger than 3 years old, and to please determine that all children are able to sit through a performance of more than one hour without distracting actors or other members of the audience. There will be one intermission with special entertainment.

Reservations are necessary. Adult tickets are $13.50 and students (pre-school – High school) $6.75. A special admission fee for "lap-sitters" (ages 3-4) is $3 per child. There is a special group rate for youth groups with children first-grade through mid-school. The rate for ten children or more is $5.50 each. There must be one adult for every 3-4 children; ticket price for these adults will be $11.50 each. “Pay What You Can Afford” tickets are also available. Talk with box office volunteers when making reservations. For more information, go to http://www.gcplaymakers.com/, call (918) 786-8950 or e-mail 1groveplaymakers@sbcglobal.net.

Nightingale Theater to present "Born Again Yesterday" by Justin McKean this Sunday

"Born Again Yesterday" by Justin McKean will be presented at 7 p.m. Sunday, November 22nd, 2009, at at the Nightingale Theater, 1416 E. Fourth St., Tulsa. Tickets are $10. For reservations, call (918) 633-8666 for reservations or go to www.nightingaletheater.com.

Justin McKean's "Born Again Yesterday" guides the audience through a hilarious maze of experiences drawn from the author's life as a strict fundamentalist. "Everything in the play is based on something I did, or saw or heard," McKean says.

Laughing at himself through this two-hour comedy, McKean hopes to build bridges. "The point of the play is to humanize, not demonize," he says in a news release. "Christians who see it understand this quickly. They laugh more loudly than the non-religious people. I think this is because they know the people in the play very, very well. They've been to church with them. They have had potluck dinners with them. They went to church camp with them. You can love your family and still roll your eyes at them sometimes."

Most of the play is comedy, but there are moments of sadness. "I've made people cry," McKean says. "The show is based on a true story, and when I found that I'd lost my ability to believe the same things I did as a child, it truly devastated me." These teary moments have a lighter side, too. "I'm a happy guy. I don't take things too seriously, so there's always a joke in there. In the saddest moments of life, you have to laugh through the tears."

The story ends on a note of joy and hope with a plea to the audience to work together in their community locally and globally.

Last chance! Auditions tonight for murder mystery dramedy "Night of January 16th"

Auditions for "Night of January 16th," a murder mystery dramedy by Ayn Rand, will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Stone Canyon Elementary School, 7305 N. 177th East Ave. in Owasso (east on 76th street from Oklahoma State Highway 169).

A murder mystery with a twist, "Night of January 16th" by Ayn Rand, will keep audience members guessing. Who killed Bjorn Faulkner? You be the judge - no - you are the jury! Based on courtroom testimonies, drama, and comedy presented by the cast members, the guilt or innocence of the accused will actually be decided each performance by a jury selected from the audience.

Many adult male and females needed. No preparation is required for auditions. Performances will be Thursday, Jan. 21 through Saturday Jan. 23, 2010. Directed by George Romero. For more info, go to www.octok.org, call (918)237-1656, or e-mail info@octok.org.

Bluesman Bryan Lee releases "My Lady Don't Love My Lady" this week

Justin Times Records recently announced the release of Blues guitarist Bryan Lee. Titled "My Lady Don't Love My Lady," the compilation features a star-studded blues affair, featuring top tier, special guest performances by the legendary Buddy Guy; Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who was mentored by Bryan early in his career; pianist David Maxwell, who intuitive playing blends seamlessly with Bryan's; and guitarist Duke Robillard, who also expertly produced the session at his studio in Rhode Island.
According to Lee's bio, he was born in Two Rivers, Wis., and he completely lost his eyesight by the age of eight. His avid interest in early rock and blues was fostered through the 1950s by late night listening sessions via the Nashville-based radio station WLAC AM, where he first encountered the sounds of Elmore James, Albert King and Albert Collins. By his late teens, Lee was playing rhythm guitar in a regional band called The Glaciers that covered Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Chuck Berry material. In January 1982, Lee headed south to New Orleans and eventually landing a steady gig at the Old Absinthe House, where he became a favorite of tourists in the city's French Quarter.
Lee's been a regular at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal (FIJM) since signing with the Montreal-based label in the early 1990s, and also performs regularly throughout Europe and North America.

Mitch's Reflection: The Whispers "Thankful"

Legendary R&B group The Whispers release their first gospel project "Thankful" this week on Kingdom Records. Grammy-winning gospel artist Fred Hammond lends his creative production skills to the project, along with the songwriting and vocal skills of Magic of Magic Muzik Productions Inc., Ralph Hawkins of ND Hawk Entertainment and Nicholas Caldwell of Heavens Gate and Unified Tribe.

"Working with The Whispers was truly a dream come true," Hammond said in a news release. "I grew up listening to The Whispers and patterned a large part of my personal vocal style after, who have now become affectionately known as, uncles Scottie and Walker."

The Whispers' perfect, harmonious style is prevalent throughout the 10-track CD. Fans will appreciate up-tempo tracks such as "Praise His Holy Name" and the soft disco rhythm track of "In the Name of Jesus." For a bit of Quiet Storm, The Whispers offers the track "For Thou Art With Me," now viewed as a hit for Urban AC and gospel radio formats.

With almost 50 R&B chart singles, The Whispers are one of the most successful vocal groups in soul music history. The Grammy and American Music Award nominated ensemble has earned seven gold or platinum singles/albums, a 2002 NAACP Image Award and an induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.

Editor's Note: Review CD was provided by record label.

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame honors inductees on Wednesday

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame presents the 21st Annual Induction Banquet Gala at 6 p.m. Wed. Oct. 21 at the Jazz Depot, 111 E. First Street, in Tulsa. There is a reception at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and awards ceremony at 8 p.m. Tickets are $100 each, and dinner is catered by Just Catering by Orr. The black-tie fundraiser assists the Jazz Hall with educational programming.

The event's theme is "Swinging All the Way Up," which honors Oklahoma music all-stars such as the legendary western swing patriarch Bob Willis, the late former NBA player and jazz musician Wayman Tisdale, Steve Pryor, Dr. Stephen Wiley, Olivia Duhon and John C. Wooley.

There will be special musical performances by saxophonist Tom Braxton, members of Rockin Acoustic Circus, vocalist Brenda Johnson and Jazz Rhapsody Trio, Olivia Duhon, Steve Pryor and Dr. Stephen Wiley. The gala chair for 2009 is Regina Tisdale, and honorary gala co-chairs are Cassandra Gaines and Grady Nichols.

Tickets may be obtain by calling the Jazz Depot at (918)281-8600, (918) 281-8608 or (918) 281-8609 or online at MyTicketOffice.com.