Tag Archives: Sarah Ho

World Poetry Celebrates Jazz Great Richard Nelson from the USA!

Ariadne’s Notes: World Poetry Café Radio Show with hosts Ariadne Sawyer and Neall Ryon and  operator Sarah Jo welcomed the amazing Jazz musician and composer, Richard Nelson who spoke about his latest CD Deep River. To hear this fascinating interview:

 http://www.coopradio.org/station/archives/1707

 

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 CD link:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/richardnelson12

 

 

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Photo by Joana Morrissey

Composer/guitarist Richard Nelson grew up in the East Bay suburbs of San Francisco. He studied music at Sonoma State and UC Berkeley, where he honed his improvisational chops in the UC Jazz Ensemble backing guest masters like Joe Henderson, John Handy, and George Duke. A few years after graduating from Cal in 1977 he headed east to study composition with Donald Erb at Indiana University (while also playing guitar in the IU Big Band directed by the great David Baker). The eastward trek continued when he made the move to New York City for doctoral work in composition at Columbia with Mario Davidovsky, while also studying with Bob Brookmeyer and Manny Albam in the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop.

Nelson made an impressive recording debut as a bandleader with the sterling 2001 trio session Figurations (Invisible Music) featuring fellow UMA colleagues Chris van Voorst van Beest on bass and Steve Grover on drums. He followed up with 2004’s Origin Story, which marked a major leap as a composer/arranger. An earthy and sophisticated quintet project focusing on his extended original compositions, the album features alto saxophonist Tim O’Dell and trumpet legend Don Stratton. He’s also distinguished himself in the world of concert music, composing both fully notated works and ones incorporating improvisation performed in concerts and at festivals across the country by such groups as Speculum Musicae, ALEA III, and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

Running through his entire career since settling in New England in the late 1980s is his relationship with the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra. Founded in 1973 by trumpeter and music director Mark Harvey, the band is known for wide-ranging repertoire featuring original works by Harvey, music of Duke Ellington, and diverse concerts spanning jazz, folk, popular and classical traditions.   The group appears on twelve CDs, including seven discs from Leo Records. Over the past quarter century Nelson has contributed several pieces to the band’s book, while performing on all of their albums. A core member of the ensemble, he’s maintained his affiliation with Aardvark since moving up to Maine and considers the band to be “a vital part of my creative pursuits.” Nelson is additionally a Professor of Music who teaches composition and jazz improvisation at the University of Maine at Augusta.

World Poetry Celebrates the Dynamic Osiris Munir from the USA!

Ariadne’s News: The World Poetry Café Radio Show with hosts Ariadne Sawyer, Jaz Gill and show operator, Sarah Ho welcomed the amazing President and CEO of Ankh Entertainment Osiris Munir (World Poetry’s newest international partner) on Tuesday, July 28th on CFRO 100.5 FM.  The show was full of tips, advice and the highlights of her life. To hear the show: CLICK HERE! 

Photos from the show:

sharon and show 003Co-host Jaz Gill.   sharon and show 005 Show operator: Sarah Ho.

 

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“Osiris is a photo journalist,  former model in Europe, writer and promoter. She is also the president and CEO of Ankh Entertainment. Her credits include Spotlight Enterprises, working with such clients as Jamie Foxx and Jay Leno, early on . The William Morris agency Universal Studio lot and the Universal Musical Group, an entertainment giant  and others.  She now writes  for  the Culver City News, Ankh Entertainment’s, Stones in the Color of Rare blog, and the weekly host of the new, in development, televised weekly, entertainment interview show, 15 Minutes.. For more about the show, 15 Minutes and to make comments and help to talk us up, set your browsers to www.15minutestheshow.com. www.ankhentertainmentone.net 15 Minutes and is are repped by former WME agent, William Branca of QCP Productions. www.quietcityproductions.com. After all, you know what they say, “everybody’s famous for 15 Minutes”. Channel art by street artist of Culver City, California.”

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A force to be dealt with, Osiris Munir is a product of the industry. She holds a monumental GIF which lends itself to the rhythm of life that all men and women are indeed, created equal. Growing up in the entertainment industry beginning mid 20’s and still in the groove, truly she is living proof that dedication, hard work and going for what one loves to do most definitely pays off.

Lover of laughter and all things artistic, Osiris landed her first job in the industry as a receptionist for a small local Beverly Hills comedy agency, Spotlight Enterprises. Within two weeks she became the Executive Assistant, to the VP of Spotlight, whose clients, Jay Leno, Damon Wayans, Jerry Seinfeld, Jaime Foxx, to name a few, zoomed from a mere $500 a show to minimum of $1200.00 per week. Jay, Jerry, and Damon were already in demand at the Pasadena Ice House, Improvs, the Laugh Factory, and the Comedy Store. Additionally, the boys were beginning to branch out to National clubs and doing well based on Bob aka Robert Williams Presidents method for sending a picture, short bio and above all a VHS. Mind you, this was at a time that Comedy was the lowest of the art forms to earn income.

Bob sure turned that around being the first to run the Beatlemania Tour featuring Maurice Hines who was a bigger Broadway star than Munir could ever imagine. Her youthful eyes witnessed the beginning of the most fruitful time in entertainment and all things flowed through Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and the William Morris WME Agency. Over hearing a conversation between one of Spotlights Agents and his wife, who was an IT at William Morris. Osiris jumped at the chance to do what she always loved to do, learn all about music and do ir with some of the top celebrities in the world. Everyone was at Morris. It was a time of the biggest, the baddest and the soon to be biggest, held all of their trust. When someone used the word, “BOSS,” it really meant the person had social standing, prestige, talent and expected to live and breathe entertainment for the rest of their lives.

The rest is her-story. Landing an assistant music agent position and without the mailroom experience, put her front and center. Many had graced the halls of lined press packets, CD’s, and music stuff but none of African American culture hired so swiftly and without doing the usual mailroom training. Osiris a former model had lived in Europe, proud to be at Morris and bold about getting to know how the big machine worked.

The experience of having access to the globe’s top entertainment lit her eyes up as she learned the ropes of conversation, who to talk to, what to say or not, and details galore. All the top hang spots were booked before arrival, all of the plush gatherings set, some private parties, and most tight end settings for global negotiations. Working with the first female agent to head up the Beverly Hills Country Fairs division in the music department, didn’t hurt.

After WME, Munir headed to the Universal Studio lot working as a Project Assistant Manager for the theme park. This door opened to the pop and alternative promotional division at Universal Music Group. Universal an entertainment giant and harbor or of the rich and famous boasted every possible band, single artist, jazz, rap, hip-hop, R&B. Country, Pop, Alternative and Gospel than any other label group during the 90’s. Far into the latter part of the early 2000,UMG, and her time at WME agency gave Osiris the complete and balanced package of a well-rounded professional industry background

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Now in 2015, Ms. Munir or O. if you’re close spends her time consulting and acting out her favorite life role as a photojournalist for local news media pools. Her personality sparkles as she entertains on her, in development 15Minute interview show. 15 Minutes takes her all over Los Angeles County and covers all aspects of the Hollywood experience. As a photographer for artist mediums, Osiris says, I’m often limited in space, and have to be quick on my feet, and showing no fear when trying to get a shot.” I plan to be the next Annie Liebowitz and really make it worldwide. For my presence to be felt and extended beyond my community and obvious ethnicity. To possess the skills and knowledge that appeal to all people and that any human can relate to.”

These days you can find Osiris at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga Canyon, California or at the Egyptian, Regal Theatre. Bonding with independent film groups and interviewing at high-end events, from Hollywood to downtown. Ms. Munir is a You Tube partner and post short clips of her news stories throughout all popular social media networks.

Ankh Entertainment a name she has carried since the year 2002, blogpost, “Stones in the Color of Rare is continuing to break new ground offering a variety of subjects, images, and video footage of creative talent that make up the rich body of creative arts of Southern California.

For more information, or to contact Osiris Munir please search www.ankhentertainmentone.net or email her at ankhentone@att.net

 Source: Osiris Munir

World Poetry Celebrates the Great Phil Haynes from the USA!

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Ariadne’s Notes!: The World Poetry Café with Hosts Ariadne Sawyer and Neall Ryon welcomed the amazing Jazz musician and professor, Phil Haynes to the show , July 21st on CFRO 100.5 FM. A fascinating look into the world of jazz combined with advice for a beginning Jazz band in Africa, stories and music. In addition, a warm welcome to our new very competent  operator Sarah Ho who is helping for a few months. To hear the show: CLICK HERE! Music played:

 www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7UJy242Pkw Johnny Guitar.

A veteran artist based in New York for 25 years, Phil Haynes is featured on more than 65 LP, CD, and DVD releases by numerous American and European record labels.  Haynes’ debut, The Paul Smoker Trio’s QB with Anthony Braxton, was named the #1 recording of 1985 by esteemed critic Kevin Whitehead.

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The international media have compared his drumming to masters Jack DeJohnette, Roy Haynes and Elvin Jones, and his compositions to Duke Ellington, Charles Ives, Charles Mingus and the Art Ensemble of Chicago. His performances were recently noted to be “The perfect middle between tradition and avant-garde, between power and sophistication, between accessibility and adventure. . . standards with a new sense of drama, dynamics, and true moments of fun.”

In addition to the critically acclaimed three recordings for Enja Records by the composer’s collective, Joint Venture, Haynes’ diverse and distinctive dozen recordings as a leader include: Continuum (violinist Mark Feldman’s jazz debut); the ground breaking and iconic ensemble 4 Horns & What?; his first recording of jazz standards, A Couch in Brooklyn (featuring Israeli born pianist Micu Narununsky and bassist Drew Gress); The Hammond Insurgency with B-3 organ virtuoso Jeff Palmer; Free Country’s trilogy of Americana with cellist/vocalist Hank Roberts; the singular solo drum-set recording, Sanctuary, as well as No Fast Food, a defining saxophone trio featuring NEA jazz master David Liebman.

Moving to central Pennsylvania in 2003, Haynes founded the nationally noted Jazz@Bucknell chamber series in 2005 and was subsequently appointed as Bucknell University’s Kushell Jazz Artist-in-Residence. From 2007-2012, Haynes taught courses in Jazz History, directed his multi-media/new music Bucknell Interdisciplinary Improvisation Ensemble (BIIE), coached the University Jazz Band rhythm section and soloists, worked with various small ensembles and recitalists, maintained a vigorous private studio, and led the Bison Band. His past two years have featured appointments as interim Director of Jazz Studies for both Susquehanna University, PA, and Nazareth College, NY.

Artists Haynes has appeared on CD with include Theo Bleckman, Anthony Braxton, Adam Caine, Joe Daley, Dave Douglas, Mark Dresser, Marty Ehrlich, Ellery Eskelin, Mark Feldman, Ken Filiano, Vinny Golia, Drew Gress, Mark Helias, Lindsay Horner, Ed Jackson, Ritsu Katsumata, David Kikoski, Frank Lacy, Andy Laster, David Liebman, Tony Malaby, Denman Maroney, Michael McNeill, Micu Narunsky, Jeff Palmer, Hank Roberts, Herb Robertson, Ned Rothenberg, Rich Rothenberg, Ted Rosenthal, Michelle Rosewoman, Steve Rudolph, Steve Salerno, Ed Schuller, Paul Smoker, Michael Stevens, David Taylor, Andreas Willers, Gebhard Ullmann, and Tom Varner.

Other diverse performers that Haynes has appeared with in concert include John Abercrombie, Ralph Alessi, Tim Berne, Bobby Bradford, Don Byron, Bill Carrothers, Billy Childs, Marilyn Crispell, Joshua Davis, Jack Dejohnette, Bill Dobbins, Marty Ehrlich, Jon English, Michael Formanek, Joel Frahm, Charles Gayle, Steve Gilmore, Ben Goldberg, Arnold Hammerschlag, Peter Herbert, Ingrid Jensen, Dean Johnson, David Liebman, Albert Manglesdorf, Tony Marino, Ron McClure, Tony Micelli, Ben Monder, Glenn Moore, Varden Ovsepian, Paul Plimley, Steve Rudolph, Eddie Severn, Louis Sclavis, Leni Stern, John Stowell, John Swana, Steve Swell, Greg Tardy, John Tchicai, Gary Thomas, Thomas Ullrich, Roseanna Vitro, J.D. Waters, Tim Warfield, Kenny Werner, Kenny Wheeler, Larry Willis and Andrea Wolper.

In addition to his ‘Sanctuary’ solo concert presentations and duet performances with David Liebman, Herb Robertson & Paul Smoker, current Haynes touring ensembles include his: romantic, folk-Americana string band, Free Country,  featuring cellist/vocalist Hank Roberts; saxophone trio,  No Fast Food, w/ bass titan Drew Gress and NEA jazz master David Liebman; electrified & blues drenched organ unit with Paul Bratcher & James Yanda, The Hammond Brothers, as well as the collaborative classic piano trio, Day Dream, w/Steve Rudolph & Drew Gress.    www.cornerstorejazz.com/shop/

 Links: www.philhaynes.com  www.philhaynes.com/lyrics/

 Amazing Grace: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PZGFzDlAow
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 World Poetry hosts: Ariadne Sawyer and Neall Ryon