April 16 The Kindness Session Returns to Poe Cottage

The Bronx County Historical Society is presenting "The Kindness Session," a free poetry workshop on recognizing the difference between kindness and cruelty to channel that in our writing on Thursday, April 16 at 6 PM till approximately 7:45. The Poetry Workshop takes place at Poe Cottage, 2640 Grand Concourse, in the Bronx. Subways near the Visitors Center are the 4, B, and D train at the Kingsbridge stop. Buses to the Center are Bx9, Bx22, Bx28, Bx38, and BxM4 (Express bus). The Poe Visitors Center is up the Hill from the Fordham Metro North train stop. 

Led by area poet Anne Leighton, the Kindness Session will include sharing works from classic and contemporary writers including Edgar Allan Poe, Naomi Shihab Nye, the Bronx’s Peppy Castro, Charlie Iris, Mary Oliver, John Masefield, Emily Dickinson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, as well as selected poems from attendees.

 

Once the attendees discuss poems, they’ll be encouraged to think of incidents where they recognize kindness from life experiences, friends and acquaintances, and how it affected their lives. From there, writers will be encouraged to create a first draft of poetry. Writers will read their poems, and be encouraged to revise the poem in the days, weeks, or months to come.  

 

Anne Leighton appears on the Grammy-nominated album, “Healthy Food for Thought: Good Enough to Eat,” (Audio & Video Labs) reading her poem “Feed Your Parents Well.” She’s contributed to The Indie Collaborative, The Literary Parrot, and Elephant Journal. Her poetry book “The Leighton Explosion” made enough of a profit to use her earnings to record an original song, “Got My Eye on You, Santa,” which found her a publishing deal with Sheer Music South Africa/Downtown Music, USA. Anne's performed in the Bronx at ART in the Basin, Johnny Zs, and throughout New York State including NYC's Nuyorican Poets Cafe and Peter Max's Studio. Visit workinggalrockandroll.blogspot.com.

 

For more information, please reach out to Anne at LeightonMedia@aol.com. 

BCHS Home bronxhistoricalsociety.org

 

workinggalrockandroll.blogspot.com/2024/10/bronx-historical-society-presents.html

Gary Lucas and friends Feifei Yang and Jason Candler release “The Edge of Heaven Volume 2”

On Chinese New Year Feb. 7th 2026 (Year of the Fire Horse), Gary Lucas released “The Edge of Heaven Volume 2,” featuring Chinese vocalist and erhu virtuoso Feifei Yang and multi-instrumentalist Jason Candler, on over 140 digital formats, including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, and YouTube.

"Even if you are totally, thoroughly unfamiliar with the genre known as Mid-century Chinese Pop music, you may still find yourself hypnotically drawn into this record “The Edge of Heaven Volume 2,” the latest collection from guitarist Gary Lucas, singer and musician Feifei Yang, and multi-instrumentalist Jason Candler. This is music originally recorded in Shanghai during the 1930s and '40s by some of the great female singing stars of China—in particular (for this program) Bai Kwong, Chow Hsuan, and Yao Lee—not exactly household names even for western aficionados, but with an indescribable allure nearly a century(!) later that is impossible not to warm up to and feel comfortable with. Gary Lucas is an adventurous musical soul whose affection for this vintage arcania is second nature, and he succeeds in delivering the magic."
—Arthur Levy, rock writer and editor emeritus, music historian, album annotator, researcher, archivist, mensch

"The ever-prolific Gary Lucas has just released a new album. With this one he is revisiting the music of his earlier album “Edge of Heaven” where he takes a deep dive into 1930s – ‘40s Chinese pop from Shanghai. “Edge of Heaven Volume 2” features Gary's guitar accompanying singer Feifei Yang with Jason Candler on reeds and percussion. It took me a while to get into that first album, but once I’d listened to a few of the original songs and then went back to the album, it all made sense. There's a dreamy, otherworldly feel to the music, although that is probably a response based on hearing it with Western ears...or maybe not. Fascinating stuff, give it a go if you haven't already.”
—Steve Froy, The Captain Beefheart Radar Station

Amazon Music album link: music.amazon.in/albums/B0GMKXYWHG

“The Edge of Heaven Volume 2”is the follow-up to Gary's album, “The Edge of Heaven – Gary Lucas Plays Mid-Century Chinese Pop,” originally released on the French government-backed Label Bleu, which received stellar reviews internationally and rose to #1 on the World Music Charts.  MOJO called it “simply gorgeous…played by a guitarist who learned his chops in Kowloon's dive bars before unleashing his skills with Beefheart.”

Both albums are filled with Chinese pop songs known as “shidaiqu,” Mandarin for "popular songs of the era"—a fascinating amalgam of Eastern and Western musical influences.

Lush, romantic, hypnotic, and melodic, these songs were originally recorded in Pathe Studios in Shanghai in the 30's and 40's, a cosmopolitan free port at the time known as "the Paris of the East."

Gary, Feifei, and Jason focus on the music of several of the best-known female vocal stylists of the era—part of a group known as the “Seven Great Singing Stars of China”:  

*Bai Kwong:  sensual, husky-voiced singer known as the "Mae West of China." Covered are "Pretense," "Old Dreams," "If I'm Without You," and "Where is My Home."

*Chow Hsuan: known as the "Golden Voice of China": "Tell Me," "On Two Roads," "Mad World," "Tale of the Man-Jong Game," "New Pair of Flowers," "Seeing Older Brother Off," and "Spring in Zhong Mountain."

*Teresa Teng: 1970/1980s’ Tawainese superstar. "The Moon Represents My Heart" was one of her hits.

* “The Edge of Heaven Volume Two” includes an instrumental version of “Rose Rose, I Love You,” made famous by Yao Lee, who dubbed vocals for leading Chinese actresses in the movies from the 1940s on.    

The musicians in the orchestras assembled for these recordings included many European refugees fleeing the Nazis, Fascists, and Bolsheviks.

For more information on The Golden Age of Chinese Pop, visit The Story of Shidaiqu:  interaction.sixthtone.com/feature/2026/Shanghai-Sessions/

Gary Lucas has been called “One of the most original guitarists in America...a modern guitar miracle” by Rolling Stone magazine. He has released over 50 acclaimed albums in every conceivable genre, written hits for Jeff Buckley and Joan Osborne, toured in over 40 countries, and played and collaborated with luminaries like Lou Reed, Jeff Buckley, Captain Beefheart, Nick Cave, Chris Cornell, Bob Weir, Leonard Bernstein, et al. he has composed music for film and tv and also live scores accompanying films both silent and sound, he’s received several Lifetime Achievement Awards and Songwriting Awards in Italy for his work with Jeff Buckley, and performed before the General Assembly of the UN for Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Feifei Yang is an internationally recognized Chinese string virtuoso, mezzo-soprano, and Voting Member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMY Awards). As a Global Music Award and Berlin Music Video Award winner, she has brought the erhu to major cultural stages. Featured by media outlets including CBS, NBC, and AFP, she is acclaimed for interpreting Chinese music with emotional depth, artistic refinement, and a distinctly modern voice.

Jason Candler is a multi-talented musician, producer, sound designer for films, and recording engineer who has played reed instruments, guitar and percussion with Gary Lucas in a variety of ensembles since the mid-‘90s, as well as working with the Hungry March Band and his own group Earth People.

Produced by Gary Lucas and Jason Candler
Recorded and mixed in NYC by Jason Candler
Cover design by Joe Dizney
Cover photo by Jesse Winter
Executive Producer: Bob Rubin

3XA video for "Old Dreams" 

 

Songs on “The Edge of Heaven Volume 2” and Their Songwriters

1. “Old Dreams”  Ho Shang and Usuay Shi Tsuen

2.  "If I’m Without You” Chang Hung and Lu Li

3. “New Pair of Flowers” Yan Hua

4. “The Mad World”  Li Qui Niu and Li Chun Ching

5. “On Two Roads” Yan Zhezi and Li Jongiua

6. “The Moon Represents My Heart"  Weng Ching-Shi and Sun Yi

7. “Spring in Zhong Mountain”  Fan Yanquiao and Li Jingjuan

8. “Pretense”  Ching Geng and Yay Yi Fong

9. “Rose Rose I Love You”  Chen Gexin and Wu Sun

10.“Seeing Older Brother Off” Wang Luobin

11.“Tell Me” Yan Zhexi

12. “Where is My Home” Chen Re Jing and Hsu Soo Ling

  

“The Edge of Heaven-Volume 2” webpage:  https://garylucas.com/www/edgetwo/edgetwo.shtml

Dan Spencer’s New Book: The 14 Unshakable Laws of Learning Music (How to Master Any Instrument and Singing in 5 Minutes a Day)

Music mentor Dan Spencer’s latest book “The 14 Unshakable Laws of Learning Music: How to Master Any Instrument and Singing in 5 Minutes a Day” is a manifestation of his mission to help people make music. He believes, “music is one of many possible paths to become the best versions of ourselves as individuals, families, communities, and societies.”

Dan found for himself that pursuing a career in playing, composing, writing books, interviewing GRAMMY Winners, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and #1 Billboard Charting artists on his "Best Music Podcast and teaching helped him find balance in his life. “The 14 Unshakable Laws of Learning Music” provides step-by-step methods and philosophies, showing how anyone can make music regardless of age, talent or experience. Dan learned that the process of developing music skills includes 14 “unshakable laws.” These actions include “Make time for music,” and “Find a good teacher” as well as developing specific balance and habits, and finding good sources to help the student learn. Good sources include music apps, books, courses, free online resources, and teachers so music-makers can learn without wasting time and energy.

“The 14 Unshakable Laws of Learning Music” re-frames and re-thinks the situations musicians go through, and how they can directly work with the goals of mastering music instruments and singing without getting stuck along the way.

One of Dan’s most crucial mastery step is “Why spending just five minutes today on music is the best thing you can do for yourself.” Giving yourself five minutes is a gateway “to knowing you were productive, and can avoid overwhelm and guilt, which will enable you to step forward in confidence and do things you’ve always dreamed of.”

Dan says, “Everyone loves music and most of us have dreamed of playing an instrument or singing our hearts out, but we hesitate to dive in because we think we might be missing some piece of the puzzle.”   

About the author

Dan Spencer has helped thousands of students take steps toward their music dreams. He's the author of “The Best Books for Beginners” music series, including ”Best Guitar Book for Beginners,” and “The Best Music Theory Book for Beginners.” He has 2 degrees in music: Modern Guitar Performance at Music Academy International (sister school of Berklee ) and a Bachelors (B.M.) Jazz Concentration from Montclair State University.

“Folsom Prison Blues” by the String Revolution & Tommy Emmanuel Wins Grammy

 

photo by Maarten de Boer

The String Revolution’s Janet Robin thanked the Recording Academy for their support in winning the Grammy for Best Arrangement (Instrumental or A cappella) of their collaboration of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” with guitar superstar Tommy Emmanuel. The award show broadcast online at live.Grammy.com.
 
In the group’s acceptance speech, Ms. Robin stated she respected and admired all the nominated artists, and gave a special shout out to young guitarists, especially females, “You guys rock.  Don’t let them say you’re good for a girl. You’re good for a guitarist!”

The band posted on their social media, “We are honored and humbled!!!Thank you to the Recording Academy for listening to our track..and it was an honor to be amongst the other nominees. This is a win for all us hardworking musicians!” 

Produced by John Carter Cash, at Cash Cabin, in Hendersonville, Tennessee, the instrumental “Folsom Prison Blues” is distributed by Universal Music Group, and available on all streaming media. The String Revolution was able to use Cash's 1930's Martin Acoustic Guitar as well as Cash's band member, Luther Perkin's guitar - a 1954 Fender Esquire, used on the original Cash "Folsom" recording. The song was mixed by Matthew Hyde and Mastered by Grammy® Winner, Emerson Mancini.  

Said John Carter Cash, “This is not my Daddy’s Folsom Prison Blues. My excitement over this unique instrumental arrangement has been unsurpassed in my life up to this point. I am honored to be a part of this wondrous historic recording!”

https://youtu.be/cWvZAmT7Skk

Folsom Prison Blues
Written by: Johnny Cash
Arranged by:
The String Revolution, Tommy Emmanuel & John Carter Cash
Produced by: John Carter Cash.
Additional Musicians:
MB Gordy: Percussion
Double Bass: Byron House

Engineered by: Trey Call
Engineer Assistant: Joseph Cash
Recorded at Cash Cabin, Hendersonville, Tennessee

Mixed by: Matthew Hyde, London, UK
Mastered by: Emerson Mancini, Larrabee Studios, Los Angeles, CA

Single Cover Art: Chris Eselgroth
Photos/Videos: Brooke Noyce

www.thestringrevolution.com
www.tommyemmanuel.com 

ISRC: USZXT2300103

©2023 CIA/Universal Music Group UPC:00044003297067
#####

The We Remembers to Stream Caffe Lena Concert Sept. 22 through Sept. 29

“When Holocaust Memories Result in Deep Friendships and Beautiful Music”   On Thursday September 22nd at 7pm EST the songwriters behind the music of "We Remember: Songs of Survivors" will be streaming live from the historic venue Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY! Caffe Lena broadcasts with three dynamic HD cameras and studio quality live audio mixed by 7-time GRAMMY winner Joel Moss. Tickets are available for $10 on their new live stream platform CaffeLena.tv and include archive access for one week after broadcast.  100% of all live stream ticket sales directly support the We Remembers!    Here's the link to your live stream: https://caffelena.tv/programs/live-songs-of-survivors   “We Remember: Songs of Survivors,” is a PBS Documentary that shares the stories of Holocaust survivors through songs written in collaboration with singer-songwriters. These songs, filled with joy and healing, celebrate the extraordinary lives of this resilient generation. Now it’s a concert with stories, songs, and video. From Sept. 22 at 7 PM till Sept. 29, the concert will be available to view.   About The We Remembers:   Composer, harpist/pianist, vocalist, and performance artist Elizabeth Clark’s major works include her interdisciplinary project "Seeds Under Nuclear Winter: An Earth Opera" which premiered in 2021, and the 2015 live-recorded album “Live at the Old Dutch Church.” She has performed with her world music ensemble 'Mamalama' at retreat centers and sanctuaries including the Omega Institute, Kripalu, and Chapel of Sacred Mirrors.   Jude Roberts has combined contemporary music with roots of English, Irish and Appalachian folk music and touches of baroque and Romantic-era classical pieces and European folk/pop. He’s performed at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and has toured throughout Europe.   Kelleigh McKenzie is a winner of NPR’s Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, her song "Gin" won the Independent Music Award for Best Americana Song in 2009 and was featured on her critically acclaimed album "Chances."   Michael Veitch’s song “Veteran’s Day” has been covered by Judy Collins. His latest album, “Wachtraum” (“wake dream” in German) broke the top 20 on the Folk Radio Charts with “Valentine’s Day” hitting number one. Previously his song, “Pledging Allegiance” reached #10 on the 2017 Folk/Americana charts. He’s played the Newport Folk Music Festival and Kerrville.

Great Outdoors-Inspired Songs

CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN by Gary Lucas (co-writer of Jeff Buckley’s hits MOJO PIN and GRACE, and Joan Osborne’s Grammy-nominated song SPIDER WEB). Gary’s soaring and motivational rock song with horns and a wailing chorus, “Climb the highest mountain so you can stand tall!” 

Gary and his rock band, Gods and Monsters, will perform at the Iridium, NYC, on May 31. He’ll include some of his classic Chinese pop with long-time collaborator singer Feifei Yang. Classic folks from the NYC rock and punk scene (bassist Ernie Brooks (Modern Lovers, Elliott Murphy, David Johansen), and drummer Billy Ficca (Television, Waitresses, Washington Squares), and saxophonist/analog studio owner Jason Candler) are in Gary’s band. Ernie, Billy and Jason do sessions. 

Then look for a full show of Chinese Pop from Gary and Feifei, on July 25, at  The Loft at City Winery NYC

8pm.  That show will feature dreamy ’30s Shanghai Pop, 

and new Mandarin versions of songs by Bob Dylan and other great artists. 

  (more info on Gary's Chinese pop: http://garylucas.com/www/edgelive/edgelive.shtml) 

More Tourdates at http://www.garylucas.com/tour.shtml 

TWINKLE LITTLE STAR by Miss Amy is one of the most pure-in-heart versions of the classic lullaby that you're ever going to hear!

TCHATCHAKES LATKES by Rachael Sage

 a perfect song for the news this Hanukah (Dec. 12-20). She sings the ingredients in this festive ditty which sounds good late night/early morning.

FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE by Dan Berggren is for the Fourth of July, and is the same melody of "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Dan's version is about fighting for the environment and liberty to keep us strong.   

http://anneleighton.com/soul-moves-music/

From Every Mountainside

My country, ‘tis for thee

I’ll fight for liberty

To keep us strong.

When power is shared by you, 

Not just a chosen few.

We know what we must do 

To right the wrongs.

Don’t take for granted 

Seeds that were planted 

Centuries ago.

Seeds of democracy, 

Nurtured with honesty, 

Become our liberty 

When we share the load.

My country, I love thee.

Long may thy flag fly free;

for you I stand.

But I don’t appreciate

The way some do generate

A national pride that’s based on hate 

Of another land.

This world may never be 

Completely trouble-free,

And yet we cling.

Let us who share this place 

Do so with strength and grace. 

We are one human race

Of thee I sing.

traditional tune, words ©2004 Dan Berggren 

Listen to Our Spotify Playlist

KING LLAMA’S Record Release Show! Friday, Aug 12th.

King Llama’s New Album Release Party for RETURN TO OX At CIA - California Institute of Abnormalarts

Join King Llama for the release of their new album, RETURN TO OX at CIA- California Institute of Abnormalarts on August 12, starting at 9:30 PM.
CIA is at 11334 Burbank Blvd., in North Hollywood.
This is an 18 and over show.
Doors open at 7:30 PM.
Admission is $5.
The venue phone is 818-221-8065
The website is www.facebook.com/pages/California-Institute-of-Abnormalarts/565387203575837.
The first 20 people there will receive either a free CD + digital download, OR a T-shirt of their choice, OR a poster. Plus, there will be a limited, although substantial amount of food there for early arrivals.

King Llama’s new album, RETURN TO OX (on the TTrain Music label is a journey of instrumental compositions with stunningly-weaved elements of rock, jazz, funk, fusion, and hip-hop. With melodic sensibilities and ear-catching chops, favorite compositions include the precisely spry “Sensei,” the explosive bass-driven “Cap’n Mustard Hair,” the rebellious and emotive changes in “Smoking in Ergenzingen” and the introspective jazz journey “Blobo.”

Based in Los Angeles, the progressive rock trio, King Llama features guitarist Ryan Tanner Bailey, drummer Luis Briones, and bass/baritone guitarist Nico Staub. Ryan, Luis and Nico are all originally self taught, and then they all had extensive training (both privately, and at professional institutions), most recently at Musician's Institute in Los Angeles, and in Nico's case, CAEMSA in Buenos Aires. King Llama’s vibe, being quite original itself, seems to bring out moments reminiscent of King Crimson, Phish, Yes, and Rush.

RETURN TO OX was produced by King Llama and GRAMMY-winning producer/engineer Dave Schiffman (Mars Volta, System of a Down, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, nine inch nails…)

Also performing are area favorites Sketch Orchestra at 8 PM and Sea Monkey See at 8:45 PM.

Return to Ox available now on:
iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/return-to-ox/id1131311850
Spotify https://play.spotify.com/album/1MocDPHQjZko7GAHXwl4UV?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open
kingllama.bandcamp.com

#end#

www.KingLlama.com
www.instagram.com/kingllamamusic
twitter.com/KingllamaMusic
www.facebook.com/KingllamaMusic
soundcloud.com/king-llama

Martin Barre To Tour America-The South and East Coast-Nov. 15-Dec. 20

Jethro Tull Guitarist’s music also has touch of blues; he’s doing tour press

Martin Barre will be headlining his first solo tour of the States, starting this November as he is playing CRUISE TO THE EDGE November 15-19 with Yes, Marillion, Spock’s Beard, Enchant and rising prog guitarist Randy McStine. (In 2004, Martin co-billed in the United States with Willie Porter, whom he met when Porter opened for Jethro Tull in 2003.)

After Cruise to the Edge, Martin starts his solo date in Del Ray, Florida at the Arts Center on November 21, which is almost sold out. The tour moves up the east coast through Fayette, Alabama, Tupelo, MS; Jackson, MS, Shreveport, LA; Atlanta, GA; Asheville, NC; Vienna, VA; Rocky Mount, VA; Sellersville,PA; Binghamton, PA, Cleveland, OH; Rochester, NY; New York City, and other TBA shows. For the past four years Martin has toured the world with his own band to play the "classic" music from the Jethro Tull catalogue, but also many new tracks written by Martin including his new album, BACK TO STEEL, (plus his two recent solo albums MARTIN BARRE and AWAY WITH WORDS).

For 43 years Martin Barre was the renowned guitarist of Jethro Tull, and his role in the band cannot be overestimated. Bruce Eder wrote on allmusic.com, “His playing has provided much of the energy that allows the band to soar on record and in concert.”

His unique sound and style contributed enormously to their success, which includes several chart topping albums, eleven gold and five platinum albums, a Grammy Award for CREST OF A KNAVE in 1988, and album sales exceeding 60 million units. Tull continues to be played worldwide, representing an important part of classic rock history.


Martin’s guitar playing has earned him respect and recognition; he’s been voted among the best ever in the USA and in the UK for his playing on “Aqualung.” Beyond numerous Jethro Tull albums, Martin has plied those award-winning chops with many other distinguished artists, including Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa and Chris Thompson. He has shared a stage with such legends as Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.


Redoubtable drummer George Lindsay, alongside super songwriter and bass player Alan Thomson form the core of Martin’s accomplished band, with vocals performed by the talented and distinctive Dan Crisp. All members are committed to giving the Tull fans and a broader audience the chance to hear tracks not performed for many years with a few surprises along the way.

www.martinbarre.com
twitter.com/tullguitarist
www.facebook.com/officialmartinbarre

VIDEO “Song For Jeffrey”

MARTIN BARRE’S CONFIRMED TOUR DATES

November 15-19: Cruise to the Edge
w/ Yes, Marillion, Randy McStine, Enchant, Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Spock’s Beard…
November 21, 2015 Arts Garage in Delray Beach
November 24 Fayette Civic Centre Alabama
w/ opener Chris Simmons
November 25: Tupelo, MS, The Blue Canoe
November 26 and 27: off
November 28 Bears on Fairfield, Shreveport, LA
November 29 Duling Hall, Jackson, MS
December 2, Smith’s Olde Bar, Atlanta, GA
December 3: Asheville, The Grey Eagle
w/ opener: The Get Right Band
December 4:  Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount, VA
December 6, 7:30 pm: Jammin’ Java, Vienna, VA
w/ opener: The Get Right Band
December 10 Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA
w/ opener: Joe Deninzon & Randy McStine
December 11, Dublin Double Celtic Pub, Endicott, NY
w/ opener: Joe Deninzon & Randy McStine
December 13 Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, Cleveland, OH
opener: Cuda Krishna & Cuda
December 15 The Lovin’ Cup (Presented by the Bop Shop)
December 18: The Spire Center for The Performing Arts, Plymouth, MA
December 19: Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY
w/ opener: Black Cat Groove
December 20: The Ballroom at Outer Space, Hamden, CT
w/ opener: Phoebe Legere

Click the Downloadable Poster of Martin Barre To Enjoy It Fully

The Gipsy Kings Win GRAMMY in the Best World Music Album Category

www.gipsykings.com

www.youtube.com/user/GipsyKingsOfficial

www.facebook.com/thegipsykings

The winners and nominations of the BEST WORLD MUSIC ALBUM category:

www.grammy.com/nominees?genre=34

The Gipsy Kings' new music video, CAREMELO:

youtu.be/JVZweAz5-NA

Gipsy Kings and Ladysmith Black Mambazo split the Best World Music Album Category on the Kings' 25th Anniversary

At the sixth time at bat, the Gipsy Kings have won the GRAMMY for Best World Music Album, SAVOR FLAMENCO at the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards.  This is the group's 6th Nomination, and a record for the most nominations for the World Music Grammy.  According to PARADE magazine, this is also the 22nd time in GRAMMY history that there has been a tie for winning this coveted music industry award.

The Gipsy Kings' album, SAVOR FLAMENCO on Knitting Factory Records, is the group's first new release in six years.  SAVOR FLAMENCO also marks The Gipsy Kings' 25th Anniversary of their first U.S. Release, GIPSY KINGS in 1987.  It is also the first time that the Kings have produced themselves and written all of their material.

The Gipsy Kings just finished the first leg of their 25th Anniversary Tour on the east coast this past Saturday night, and were flying home when news of their win was broadcast on grammy.com.  

  

Based in Camargue, the very famous land by the Mediterranean Sea, the Gipsy Kings are made up of two families--the Reyes family from Arles and the Baliardos from Montpellier.  The musical adventure of these two families started in the 1960s when Jose Reyes was singing with Manitas de Plata (Ricardo Baliardo) performing all around the world in theaters including Carnegie Hall in New York City. There is music by Manitas de Plata y Jose Reyes on youtube.  Their fans included Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Miles Davis and Charlie Chaplin.

When the duo parted ways, Jose Reyes became even more popular after starting his own band, Los Reyes.  His sons backed him up.  When the elder Reyes passed away in 1979, Nicolas and Andre began playing with the Baliardo brothers in Les Saintes Maries de la Mer during the The Gypsy's Pilgrimage.  They traveled, busking nearby on the streets of Saint-Tropez, performing on beaches during the day and for celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot by night. "Los Reyes" means "The Kings," and the band changed their name to The Gipsy Kings. 

The Gipsy Kings' musical style has been called "Rumba Flamenca" which allows The Gipsy Kings to combine traditional flamenco styles with Western Pop and Latin rhythms, Latin and Cuban styles, Arabic, reggae, jazz, and--of course--gypsy styles!

The band speaks French, and performs music in Spanish dialect of Gitane, the native Gipsy language, that is a mixture of Spanish, French, and Catalan.  The root of the Gitane culture is in the southern part of Spain that includes Seville and Granada. One of the economically depressed areas of Europe, this region has given the world flamenco music, bullfighting and Moorish-influenced Architecture.  The people in that area are known as "Gitanos,"  Spanish Romani people who fled Catalonia during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).  (The term "gitano" comes from "Egiptano," a Spanish term for "Egyptian" as the English word "Gypsy" comes from "Egyptian.")

The Gipsy Kings have sold over 25 million albums worldwide. 

The Gipsy Kings' first U.S. album, GIPSY KINGS was released in the United States in 1987, and charted for 40 weeks. This 25 year old album has been certified gold or platinum in at least 15 countries.  The group is a multi-GRAMMY-nominated act.

The single from GIPSY KINGS was "Bamboleo," which was used in a Burger King commercial and recently covered on the TV show, GLEE. 

The Gipsy Kings' "Hotel California" is in the movie, THE BIG LEBOWSKI and HBO series ENTOURAGE.  

The 2010 film TOY STORY 3 featured a Gipsy Kings version of the movie's popular, Randy Newman-penned theme, "You've Got a Friend in Me."  The band also performed the song on DANCING WITH THE STARS.

PBS filmed a documentary about The Gipsy Kings called TIERRA GITANA.    

Stay tuned for an announcement of more US shows this April and September.

  

###

This Info Is For All Parents And Educators, K-5

Contact:  Alex Otey                                                                                                                                           

Ionian Productions, Inc

AlexOtey@IonianProductions.com            
tel: 609/468-3954

Open Door Publications  

KEEP KIDS FIT! ACTIVELY TRANSFORMS CLASSROOMS

Keep Kids Fit! Classroom Activity Breaks is a multi-media fitness and educational resource for teachers Pre-K – 5^th grades. Written by Rocker/fitness guru Miss Amy ® it includes:

• 114 Lesson Plans that Connect to Core Curriculum: Literature, Art, Social Studies, Science, Math and Nutrition
• Book with Easy-to-Use Choreography in Pictures
• Downloadable GRAMMY^® Nominated Music for 12 Classroom Activity Breaks

With Phys Ed classes and recess time being cut back, Keep Kids Fit!  helps educators meet the National Association for Sport and Physical Education standards, including the recommended guideline of 150 minutes per week of instructional physical education for elementary school children.  In 2013 the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, in partnership with the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, reviewed the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.  Their Midcourse Report advises several strategies, including “adding short bouts of physical activity to existing classroom activities.” 

The Experts Praise Miss Amy’s Keep Kids Fit!

“An exhilarating, well researched and adventurous way to get kids hooked on exercise!!!  This guide is easy to follow and goes right along with the Physical Activity Guidelines outlined by the President’s Council on  Fitness, Sports & Nutrition.  A must-have for any classroom”.   - Paula L. Slusher, RN, MSN, American Academy of Pediatrics

“Miss Amy’s lesson plans are fantastic!  She gets them moving time and time again!  The lyrics are a big bonus as they are educational and send a positive message!" -  Tracy Radler, Physical Education Lesson Plan Specialist

“The warm-up activity song ‘Rise and Shine Little Star’ captured my attention immediately.  It is an excellent way to transition into the start of a school day.  If students engage with the music and learn in this fun way it could change the whole direction for everyone in the classroom”. -  JoAnn Younger Ray, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ School Nurse

Keep Kids Fit! was created by multi-awarded GRAMMY^® singer/songwriter and fitness expert Miss Amy^®.  Dubbed The First Lady of Musical Fitness by the National Children's Entertainment Blog, Miss Amy^® was awarded a GRAMMY^® Nomination for her FITNESS ROCK & ROLL album of 2011.  She is a multi-disciplined trained fitness professional, serves as an Official Advocate for the President's Challenge Program (a program of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition) and was named President’s Challenge All -American in September 2010.  

For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Miss Amy, please contact Alex Otey at 609/468-3954 or e-mail AlexOtey@IonianProductions.com            

Visit www.MissAmy.tv/press for press kit

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The Gipsy Kings' 25th Anniversary U.S. Tour, January 17-25

Leading World Music Band Returns to the USA to Kick Off 25 Year Celebration

The Gipsy Kings will be kicking off their 25th Anniversary in support of the group's new album SAVOR FLAMENCO on Knitting Factory Records, with dates starting on the East Coast in January 2014.  SAVOR FLAMENCO is the group's first new release in six years. The project marks The Gipsy Kings' 25th Anniversary of their first U.S. Release, GIPSY KINGS in 1987.  It is also the first time in the group's storied career that the Kings have produced themselves and written all of their material.

Please stay tuned to the band's web site www.gipsykings.com for more show dates.

The group is conducting advance interviews on SKYPE for the 25th Anniversary Tour.  We will have a translator on hand because group members speak fluent French and minimal English.

Based on Camargue, the very famous land by the Mediterranean Sea, the Gipsy Kings are made up of two families--the Reyes family from Arles and the Baliardos from Montpellier.  The musical adventure of these two families started in the 1960s when Jose Reyes was singing with Manitas de Plata (Ricardo Baliardo) performing all around the world in theaters including Carnegie Hall in New York City. There is music by Manitas de Plata y Jose Reyes on youtube.  Their fans included Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Miles Davis and Charlie Chaplin.

When the duo parted ways, Jose Reyes became even more popular after starting his own band, Los Reyes.  His sons backed him up.  When the elder Reyes passed away in 1979, Nicolas and Andre began playing with the Baliardo brothers in Les Saintes Maries de la Mer during the The Gypsy's Pilgrimage.  They traveled, busking nearby on the streets of Saint-Tropez, performing on beaches during the day and for celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot by night. "Los Reyes" means "The Kings," and the band changed their name to The Gipsy Kings.

The Gipsy Kings' musical style has been called "Rumba Flamenca" which allows The Gipsy Kings to combine traditional flamenco styles with Western Pop and Latin rhythms, Latin and Cuban styles, Arabic, reggae, jazz, and--of course--gypsy styles!

The band speaks French, and performs music in Spanish dialect of Gitane, the native Gipsy language, that is a mixture of Spanish, French, and Catalan.  The root of the Gitane culture is in the southern part of Spain that includes Seville and Granada. One of the economically depressed areas of Europe, this region has given the world flamenco music, bullfighting and Moorish-influenced Architecture.  The people in that area are known as "Gitanos,"  Spanish Romani people who fled Catalonia during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).  (The term "gitano" comes from "Egiptano," a Spanish term for "Egyptian" as the English word "Gypsy" comes from "Egyptian.")

The Gipsy Kings have sold over 25 million albums worldwide.

The Gipsy Kings' first U.S. album, GIPSY KINGS was released in the United States in 1987, and charted for 40 weeks. This 25 year old album has been certified gold or platinum in at least 15 countries.  The group is a multi-GRAMMY-nominated act.

The single from GIPSY KINGS was "Bamboleo," which was used in a Burger King commercial and recently covered on the TV show, GLEE.

The Gipsy Kings' "Hotel California" is in the movie, THE BIG LEBOWSKI and HBO series ENTOURAGE. 

The 2010 film TOY STORY 3 featured a Gipsy Kings version of the movie's popular, Randy Newman-penned theme, "You've Got a Friend in Me."  The band also performed the song on DANCING WITH THE STARS.

PBS filmed a documentary about The Gipsy Kings called TIERRA GITANA.   

CONFIRMED GIPSY KINGS TOUR DATES JANUARY 2014

FRI 17 Atlantic City, NJ - Revel  (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15 at 12 noon)
SAT 18  Mashantucket, CT - Foxwoods  (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15, 10 am)
SUN 19 New Brunswick, NJ - State Theatre  (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15 at 10 am)
MON 20 Alexandria, VA - Birchmere  (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15 at 12 noon)
WED 22 Northampton, MA - Calvin Theater  (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15 at 10 am)
THU 23 Lynn, MA - Lynn Auditorium (Tickets on sale: Nov. 14 at 10 am)
FRI 24 NYC - City Winery  (Tickets on sale: Nov. 21 at  3 pm)
SAT 25 NYC - City Winery  (Tickets on sale: Nov. 21 at  3 pm)


This video is a short documentary on The Gipsy Kings' 25th Anniversary.  It has subtitles.

Jann Klose's MAKE IT BETTER available for Supreme Court Equality News

"Make It Better" from MOSAIC:
 
Singer-Songwriter's Soon-to-Be-Famous Quote, "If You Don't Know Love, You Don't Know Life"

Jann Klose's song MAKE IT BETTER is available for theme and bumper music for media discussions and segments on equal rights, economics, and voting topics.  The song appears on Jann's new album, MOSAIC, which is available on iTunes and Amazon.

Born in Germany, raised in Kenya and South Africa, Jann first came to the States as an exchange student in Cleveland, Ohio. Now living in the Bronx, Jann recently sang at the Bronx Supreme Court in support of the LGBTQ & Allies Awards.  He has worked with Borough President Ruben Diaz on relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Music critic Jim Sullivan (jimsullivanink.com) wrote he was "immediately struck" by MOSAIC's "sweeping opening track 'Make It Better,' which begins with 'Welcome to the world of the great divide/Where the rich get rich and the poor stay poor all of the time.' He stands up for human rights, gay rights in one key verse, and boasts the line 'If you don’t know love, you don’t know life.'"

Continues Sullivan on "Make It Better, "It’s also got a reggae/rock feel that reminds me of something the Clash might have done in their 'Sandinista!' period. Sings Klose: 'It’s not too late to give up hate/You and I can make it better and help to cross that big divide.' It soars, it sweeps you up."

Another new Jann supporter is TIME MAGAZINE's Joel Stein, who mentions Jann in his June 24th column, with the comments, "It's hard to disagree with the impact music and the arts have on today's youth."

Jann's song MAKE IT BETTER will be the subject of his first music video, which he's working on now.  We are promoting the song, "Make It Better" through--at least--Election Day.

Jann is available for interviews, and there is a lot to talk about including singing Tim Buckley's parts in the Tribeca Film/Focus World movie, GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY. 

In addition to touring internationally, when he's home in New York City, Jann's been co-writing songs and performing with Gary Lucas (Captain Beefheart, Jeff Buckley).  He has shared the stage with a variety of performers including Pete Seeger, Renaissance's Annie Haslam, Jeffrey Gaines, Rusted Root, Rosanne Cash, Marty Stuart, Roger McGuinn, and the late Les Paul. Jann's music is heard on the GRAMMY nominated "Healthy Food For Thought" compilation, MTV CRIBS and movies, "Dead Broke" (Warner Bros.) featuring Paul Sorvino.



JANN KLOSE TOUR DATES

July 12: PETE'S CANDY STORE, Brooklyn, NY
July 18: CAFE AROMA, New York, NY
July 20: BUTTONWOOD TREE w/ Jeffrey Gaines, Middletown, CT
July 21:  TUPELO MUSIC HALL, w/ Jeffrey Gaines, Londonderry, NH
Augut 10: TBA: Phoenix, AZ
August 16: WITZEND LIVE, Los Angeles, CA
August 18:  SONGWRITERS AT PLAY, Sculpterra Winery
August 21: SECRET SOCIETY BALLROOM w/ Larry Beckett, Portland, OR
August 23: TBA, Seattle, WA
August 30; MONKEY HOUSE THEATER, Berkeley, CA
August 31:  CALCAREOUS VINEYARDS, Paso Robles, CA
September 1:SOhO RESTAURANT, Santa Barbara, CA
September 7: HOUSE CONCERT, Lake Carmel/San Diego, CA
September 14: STEPHEN TALKHOUSE, Amagansett, NY
October 19: SINGING FOR KIDS IN NEED Fest, Jackson Point, Ontario
November 15: HOUSE CONCERT, Madison, WI
December 5: HILL CHAPEL HOUSE, New Market, MD
December 7: TBA Christmas Show, Trenton, NJ

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www.jannklose.com
www.twitter.com/jannkloseband

Jann Klose performing MAKE IT BETTER, live at Music On Mainstreet

South Africa's Number One Flautist Wouter Kellerman To Tour The United States, July 26-August 12

"Wouter" pronounced "VO-ter."

In-Person Media opps available in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York City, Woodstock, Boston, Southern California, Las Vegas

After wowing audiences at SXSW in 2010 and 2011, South Africa’s Top Flautist Wouter Kellerman returns to the United States this July and August. Shows include dates at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage July 26, Summerstage and Joe’s Pub in New York City on August 6 and 7. These shows, in particular, were booked by Wouter and his manager Tholsi Pillay from their homebase in Johannesburg, South Africa. More shows are being scheduled now along the East coast, in Las Vegas, and Southern California.

Wouter’s album “Two Voices” won the 2011 SAMA (South African Music Award, the SA equivalent of the Grammy) for “Best Instrumental Album,” and reinforces his status as one of South Africa’s foremost musicians. Inspired by styles and cultures drawn from South Africa and around the world, Wouter Kellerman takes his listener on a musical journey through African, Latin, jazz and Celtic sounds, with classical inflections.

His debut album, “Colour,” enjoyed rave reviews, topped the charts and was nominated for a 2008 SAMA for “Best Instrumental Album.” His DVD “Kellerman Colour Live” won the 2010 SAMA for “Best Jazz/Instrumental/Popular Classical DVD.”

In March 2010 and 2011 he performed at the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, in Texas. SXSW is the biggest music festival in the USA. Wouter’s flute-playing can be heard on the soundtrack of the Emmy Award-winning film “Eye of the Leopard.” His albums “Colour” and “Two Voices” were mixed in Los Angeles by Grammy-winning engineer Husky Hoskulds.

In 2010 Wouter performed at the FIFA Soccer World Cup Closing Ceremony for a global TV audience of 700 million people, followed by Concerts at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival in Johannesburg and two performances at the Shanghai World Expo, China.

Passionate about teaching and empowering young people, Kellerman has sponsored the living expenses of 10 children in the SOS Children’s Village in Ennerdale for the past 14 years, and also financed the building of a house in the SOS Children’s Village in Rustenburg. For his continued efforts in helping give these children a better life, Kellerman was nominated by the SOS Children’s Villages for the Inyathelo Special Recognition Award for Philanthropy. He continues to facilitate the teaching of young dance and music students.

Wouter Kellerman started playing the flute at the age of 10, and in 1981 appeared as a soloist with the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra. He went on to feature in several South African orchestras, scooping musical accolades along the way. Among these was winning the Perrenoud Foundation Prize during the 1997 Vienna International Music Competition.

Using his classical training as a foundation, Wouter focuses his attention on world music, exploring the versatility of the instrument and fusing classical and contemporary sounds, resulting in a potent and thrilling musical encounter. He is taking his crossover world music to a global audience, having gained a solid following in South Africa. He has already released the album in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and most recently in Australia, where he combined his release with a nationwide tour, which included a support slot on Johnny Clegg’s Down Under tour.

WOUTER KELLERMAN CONFIRMED TOURDATES
July 26: The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, Washington DC
July 27: North East Jazz & Wine Festival, Syracuse, NY
August 3: The Lily Pad, Cambridge, MA
August 4: Harmony, Woodstock, NY
August 6: Summerstage, Marcus Garvey Park, New York City, NY
August 7: Joe’s Pub, New York City, NY
August 9: Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA
August 10: Caesars Palace, National Flute Convention

###Wouter Kellerman's "Mama Tembu"