Sheila E. + Christian McBride –
Thursday, May 14, 2015 – 7:30pm
Special guest Sheila E., the trailblazing drummer and percussionist
Bass virtuoso Christian McBride, who hosts this annual event for the 7th year.
Thank you to Sheila E, Christian McBride Trio, Jazz House Big Band and TD Bank for making Inside the Jazz Note possible!
A HUGE thank you to RDM for being our live stream sponsor!
We also thank Howl at the Moon Creative, JazzTimes, and Gibson Entertainment Services for additional support!
Event Sponsor:
The two jazz giants will share the stage for a special night of concert and conversation on Thursday, May 14, 2015, 7:30 pm at the Alexander Kasser Theater, Montclair State University. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, returns as Event Host with additional support provided by Prudential Financial.
Sheila E.’s four-decade career beats with colorful fusions of pop, R&B, funk, jazz and Latin music that shape her unique style. Influenced by the Latin jazz roots of her legendary Escovedo family and celebrated collaborators, Sheila E.’s intoxicating onstage presence illuminates her fierce talent behind the music. Her music-immersed childhood helped the gifted musician amass an impressive string of early credits playing with her father and pioneering talents like George Duke, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie and Herbie Hancock. Sheila E.’s famed collaborations with Prince in the 1980s and later Ringo Starr’s All Star Band, spring-boarded her solo career. She continues to be a major influence in the music industry touring across the globe with the launch of her new album, Icon from Stilettoflats Music; the recent publication of The Beat of My Own Drum, her autobiography from Simon & Schuster; the opening of the E Spot Lounge in Studio City, California; and her wide-ranging philanthropy projects.
Our own bassist extraordinaire, composer, arranger, educator, curator and arts administrator: all these labels apply to Christian McBride, one of the most important and prolific figures in the jazz world for the last 25 years. In addition to his dozen solo releases, McBride has collaborated as a sideman with the “who’s who” of the music industry: everyone from James Brown and McCoy Tyner to Sting and Paul McCartney. The four-time GRAMMY Award-winning bassist is Artistic Chair and Board Member at Jazz House Kids and directs the Montclair Jazz Festival produced by Jazz House Kids. McBride hosts the National Public Radio show, “Jazz Night in America” and serves as Artistic Advisor of the James Moody Democracy of Jazz Festival at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The two music icons will be backed up by the award-winning Jazz House Big Band, directed by Julius Tolentino. Considered one of the premier youth bands in the nation, the Jazz House Big Band is composed of 26 talented high school musicians from across New Jersey who are selected through competitive auditions. The students commit a full year to the ensemble, and present a number of high-profile performances.
Get your tickets here!
Inside the Jazz Note High School + College Masterclass – 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Designed for high school and college-level musicians and their instructors, the Inside the Jazz Note day session is an interactive afternoon of music performance, stories and Q&A led by Christian McBride with special guest Sheila E. and Jazz House Kids teaching artists. More than 200 students and teachers are expected to participate.
Schools: register online
Individual Students: download and mail form
Inside the Jazz Note: An Evening Program of Musical Insights and Inspiration – 7:30 pm
Beginning at 7:30 pm, Jazz House Kids will open the theater to the general public for its Inside the Jazz Note Annual Benefit, also with host Christian McBride and special guest Sheila E. The music giants will perform together and share intimate details of their illustrious careers, star-studded collaborations and early years. The evening also will feature performances by the Jazz House Big Band and include video and audio recordings.
Jazz House Kids Presents Student Awards
As part of the evening, two very special awards will be presented: the first annual James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey and the annual Musician of Distinction Award.
Linda Moody will present the winner of the first annual James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey with a $2,500 award. She has worked tirelessly to establish two scholarships in memory of her husband, the legendary saxophonist, Newark native and NEA Jazz Master. The second Moody scholarship is administered by the State University of New York, Purchase.
To apply for the James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey, click here.
Tickets
General admission evening tickets are $35 and $55. A special $125 Jazz Note Benefactor package is offered, and includes best of house seating and a post-concert reception with Christian McBride and friends. Student and group tickets are also available. All proceeds support Jazz House Kids’ full mission. Get your tickets here!