JHC Announces Jazz Appreciation Month Programming

04-04-2010 to 04-04-2010

Location:
1320/30 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA CA

April is Jazz Appreciation Month!

April has been designated as National Jazz Appreciation Month by the Smithsonian. In recognition, the Jazz Heritage Center has planned exciting and enlightening programs.  All events will take place in one these venues: the Lush Life Gallery at 1320 Fillmore, the Media and Education Center at 1330 Fillmore (the rear of the lobby next to Yoshi's box office), or the Koret Heritage Lobby at 1330 Fillmore

-          April 5^th – May 16^th Exhibit:  Jazz Giants: The Photography of Herman Leonard - coming to us from highly praised shows in New York and Montreal, a collection of some of the finest jazz photographs ever taken by one of America's greatest living photographers. The show is Leonard's first in San Francisco since briefly living in the city twenty years ago.

"Jazz Giants" is a photographic journey through the golden years of the Jazz, Blues and Bebop eras that document the larger-than-life legends that comprise the visual album of America's music. Focusing on the life and times of famed artists such as Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk among countless others, this exhibition features a selection from Leonard's extensive photographic history. Using a unique lighting approach, Leonard's signature "backlighting" style and use of elements like smoke and strobe lighting gives his portraits a dramatic quality that is highly humanistic, capturing the illuminating personalities behind the music. The exhibit will be on display in the Lush Life Gallery and the Koret Heritage Lobby. Free to the public. Opening reception: April 7^th  6:30pm in the Lush Life Gallery

-          Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm, our continuing Jazz on Film Series will showcase the talents of many of the jazz giants captured in Herman Leonard's compelling photos. All screenings take place in the Media & Education Center:

Tues. April 6: Jazz Icons – Louis Armstrong '59

Thu. April 8: Jazz Icons – Chet Baker '64 & '79

Tues. April 13: Jazz Icons – Thelonious Monk '66

Thu. April 15: Jazz Icons – Buddy Rich '78

Tues. April 20: Jazz Icons – Quincy Jones '60

Thu. April 22: Jazz Icons – Art Blakey & The Messengers '58

Tues. April 27: "When I Fall in Love: The One and Only Nat King Cole" (2004) 60 minutes. Includes clips from Cole's ground-breaking tv series of the '50's, along with interviews with Cole's family members

Thu. April 29: Norman Granz presents "Improvisation" (1950) 120 minutes. Featuring concert footage of Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald, Buddy Rich, Lester Young, Duke Ellington, Joe Pass, Oscar Peterson and many more…

Donation per screening $5/free for JHC members

-          Friday, April 9  we'll host an Evening of Jazz Appreciation with two screenings (7pm and 9pm) of "The Legend of Bop City" and an open house with wine, live music in the Lush Life Gallery. JHC members free/Public $10 suggested contribution

-          On Wed. April 14th from 6pm-7pm, Grammy-winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard will hold an intimate pre-concert talk.  A New Orleans native, Blanchard will share with us the inspiration and images behind his recent albums, "A Tale of God's Will" and "Choices", and share his creative process in scoring over 50 films, including Spike Lee's "When The Levees Broke" and "Mo' Better Blues". In the Media & Education Center at 1330 Fillmore (rear of lobby next to Yoshi's box office). Free admission.

-          Saturday, April 17^th at 7pm, New Orleans is coming to the Jazz Heritage Center. Join us for an elegant evening celebrating the Big Easy and the rebirth of the cool, when we host Jaz Sawyer and the San Francisco Bourbon Kings. Come early to socialize, attend the first or second show, and then stay for the after-party! There will also be a special guest making an appearance. Proceeds go towards Music ForTomorrow (MFT) to benefit jazz musicians, creative economy and rebuilding of New Orleans. Purchase tickets at http://mftsalonsf.eventbrite.com/

-          Tuesday, April 20^th 4:30pm-6pm we present Jazz and Democracy, a unique educational seminar by Dr. Wesley Watkins, creator of The Jazz & Democracy Project™ (J&D) (http://www.jazzanddemocracy.com/) J&D is a music-integrated educational program currently being taught to elementary and secondary students in both San Francisco and Oakland.  It uses jazz as a metaphor to bring American democracy to life, enrich the study of U.S. History in elementary, middle, and high school, and inspire youth to become active, positive contributors to their community. Dr. Watkins will give us a multi-media, interactive presentation that illustrates the concepts of his curriculum. In the Media & Education Center. Free admission. Suitable for all ages.

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For more information please contact:
JHC at info@jazzheritagecenter.org