Milt Hinton Institute for Bass Summer Camp in New Jersey…

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) will host the Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass, an exceptional summer music education program for teens, in residence at Montclair State University, in July 2024. Unique among music camps, the Hinton Institute is designed to support intermediate and advanced bass players ages 14 through 18, for a week of expert classes, performances, ensemble work, studio sessions, lectures, workshops and more. The camp will run from July 14 through July 20, 2024. Registration is open December 16, 2023, through  June 7, 2024; for more information on applying to the Milt Hinton Institute, please visit njpac.org/hinton. Student musicians will be required to submit a video of themselves playing two performance pieces during the application process. Need-based tuition scholarships are available.

Peter Dominguez, acclaimed bassist and Professor of Double Bass and Jazz Studies at University of Wisconsin–Madison, will serve as the Institute’s Artistic Director.  An extraordinary faculty of professionals from the music world — including Rufus Reid, Ben Williams, Luis Perdomo, Jeremy Smith, Sam Suggs, Martin Wind, Marcus McLaurine, Bill Moring, Mimi Jones, Emma Dayhuff, Diana Gannett, and Bill Crow — will  focus camp instruction on bass performance techniques and ensemble playing in a range of musical genres including classical, Latin and jazz. 

The camp is named for Milt Hinton (1910-2000) a prolific jazz bassist, studio musician and photographer whose career intersected with many of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. The Institute has been held biennially since 2014. It joined forces with the Arts Center this season in part to draw a larger faculty of professional bass players from among the many musicians living and working in the New York City area. Notable guest artists from the region are expected to visit with campers as well.    

“We’re very pleased to have this program be part of the larger vision of NJPAC and its extensive Arts Education offerings. The work being done by the Arts Center has a significant social impact” said David G. Berger, a lifelong friend of Hinton’s, whose Berger Family Foundation helped support the camp.  “That would have been extremely attractive to Milt. He wanted everybody to be involved with music — old and young, men and women, all colors, all creeds. Long before it was popular, that’s the way he lived his life — he welcomed everyone.”

“I grew up in the jazz festival business, and there was no one whose artistry matched his heart  better than Milt Hinton,” said John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC. “He was a brilliant bassist and he also was a brilliant human being. He was the heartbeat of any band he played in and he exuded a kindness that to me exemplified the spirit of jazz.”

Known as “the dean of jazz bassists,” Hinton played with jazz greats from the early 1930s on, performing with Jabbo Smith, Eddie South, Cab Calloway, Ethel Waters, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Erroll Garner, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and many others. Hinton also recorded with pop superstars including Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Bette Midler and Willie Nelson. Hinton also toured extensively, and in 1993, he was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Fellowship. He was also well known for his photography, through which he documented seven decades of jazz history. Hinton was renowned for his willingness to mentor young players; a scholarship program in his name was established by his friends and admirers on his 70th birthday. After Hinton’s passing, the Institute was conceived as a way to continue his work in supporting younger bass players. “Two of Milt’s favorite words — ‘cohesiveness’ and ‘sharing’ — are at the core of this week-long Institute that brings together emerging bassists who often are the singular players in their own community and school ensembles,” said Artistic Director Dominguez, (whose own career was advanced when he became one of the first winners of a Hinton Scholarship Competition  in 1981).  “To be a bass player is often to focus not on being a soloist, but on musical collaboration — making other musicians in an ensemble sound better. Bass players are the soul of ensemble playing, and to develop these young souls through arts education programming at NJPAC is both an honor for us and an important responsibility,” said David Rodriguez, NJPAC’s Executive Producer and Executive Vice President — and himself a well-known professional bass player.

The camp will be housed on the campus of Montclair State University in Montclair, where students will live, study and have the opportunity to take part in multiple performances. “Bringing the prestigious Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass to the campus of Montclair State University marks an exciting chapter for the College of the Arts, reinforcing our commitment to providing exceptional opportunities for young musicians,” said Daniel Gurskis, Dean of the College of the Arts. “With NJPAC as our partner, we look forward to creating an environment where passion meets skill, fostering a new generation of accomplished and versatile bassists. We are confident that the Institute will become a beacon, attracting talent from diverse backgrounds who are the future of bass music.”

The DC Jazz Festival® (DCJF) has announced that NEA Jazz Master Ron Carter, bandleader and maestro of the bass, and ace bassist Corcoran Holt will serve as the 2024 DC Jazz Festival’s Artists-In-Residence.

A 3-time Grammy winner and 5-time nominee, Ron Carter holds the Guinness Book of World Records distinction as the most recorded bassist in recorded music history.  Carter is universally recognized as our most prolific bassist.  As a leader, he has made over 60 recordings.  As an MVP contributor to more than 2,200 recordings, he has collaborated with a who’s who of American and global music, from Geri Allen, Miles Davis and Horace Silver to peers such as Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter to Aretha Franklin, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Paul Simon and Jefferson Airplane.  Additionally, Carter has passed along his universe of musical knowledge to succeeding generations as an educator.  He is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at City College of New York, and a faculty member at the Juilliard School. 

“Serving as DC Jazz Festival Artist-In-Residence is a new affiliation that I greatly relish and look forward to,” said Maestro Ron Carter. 

Ron Carter will share this residency with next-generation bassist Corcoran Holt, whose career he inspired.  A native of Washington, DC, Holt is a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the DC Youth Orchestra Program.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies degree from Shenandoah Conservatory.  Holt holds an Assistant Professorship at Arizona State University.  “My upbringing in Washington DC prepared me for my journey in life as a musician and educator. This DC Jazz Festival residency exemplifies coming full circle to my DC roots,” said Corcoran Holt. “I am truly honored to take part.” 

The aim of the Artist-In-Residence program, part of DC Jazz Festival Education, is to foster deeper connections between artists, DC Jazz Festival and the jazz community.  During the residency, artists serve as guest curators, collaborate with other artists, participate in master classes and interviews, and support DC Jazz Festival Education community engagement activities.

Learn more about the DC Jazz Festival and all of our programs by visiting www.dcjazzfest.org.

After raising over $100,000 for Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Neil Peart’s memory this past January, new artists are joining the cause. The complete list has been finalized for Bubba Bash 2024, being held January 6th at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA.

Returning from Bubba Bash 2023 for encore performances: 

Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs)
Frank Bello (Anthrax)
Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall, Overkill)
Jon Dinklage (Clockwork Angels string ensemble)
Joe Bergamini (drum instructor, author)
John Wesley (Vertical Horizon)
Seven Antonopoulos (Opiate for the Masses) 

Additional guest artists added for 2024:

• Ed Toth, drummer with The Doobie Brothers since 2005.
• Andrés Patrick Forero, TONY, GRAMMY and EMMY award-winning drummer/percussionist.
• Rodney McG, bassist and founding member of progressive metal pioneers Iron Christ.
• Allan Lobo, Brazilian keyboardist and sound designer with The VST Academy.
• Dan Avidan, a.k.a. Danny Sexbang, vocalist for Ninja Sex Party.
• Cathy Rankin, entertainment personality and journalist will be guest-hosting.

Anchored by YYNOT, with Billy Alexander on guitar, Mike Hetzel on drums, Adi Argelazi on vocals, Tim Starace on bass, Bubba Bash 2024 promises to once again be truly triumphant. 

For a sample of the dedication and professionalism YYNOT and the guest artists bring to the stage, check out “La Villa Strangiato,” featuring Mike Portnoy:

Tickets are in short supply as of this writing. If you can’t get to the show, you can still participate by donating directly to Cedars-Sinai through the link below.

Executive producers: Michael Mosbach and Tim Starace

Tickets:  https://www.axs.com/events/502153/bubba-bash-2024-tickets
Cedars-Sinai:  https://giving.cedars-sinai.edu/neilpeartbraintumorresearch
YYNOT:  https://www.yynotband.com/
Mgmt:  Jason@lunaticworks.com
Contact:    yynotband@gmail.com

BASS WARRIOR TOUR…

Grammy® Award-winning bassist David Ellefson presents his inaugural BASS WARRIOR TOUR, gracing select European cities with a captivating evening of cherished classics, deep cuts, and insightful storytelling from his illustrious career. This journey will encompass his role as a co-founding member of MEGADETH, his ELLEFSON solo material, and more.

Ellefson, with enthusiasm, expressed, “I’ve approached my career as that of a musical warrior, always accompanied by my bass guitar. I eagerly anticipate bringing these songs back to the stage, while sharing introspective and entertaining anecdotes about their creation. It’s been a wild ride of low notes and high stakes!”

Accompanying him on this tour is Italian guitarist and musical director, Andy Martongelli, a longtime friend and collaborator who has been by Ellefson’s side during his solo ventures, BASSTORY®, ELLEFSON-SOTO, and ALTITUDES & ATTITUDE tours across Europe.

On drums Roberto Pirami (Michael Angelo Batio, Rowan Robertson, Gus G), on vocals Titta Tani (Ehfar, ex-drummer of Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin), on rhythm guitar Walter Cianciusi (Geoff Tate band).

For more information, visit online at:
www.davidellefson.com
www.basswarriortour.com

John Lodge Vocalist, Songwriter and Bass Player in the Moody Blues announces US tour dates…

John Lodge, legendary bass player, songwriter and vocalist of The Moody Blues, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, will be back on tour in February and March 2024 in the USA! Following the critically acclaimed sold out shows this year, John is continuing in his celebration of ‘The Moody Blues’ music, and the iconic album ‘Days of Future Passed.’

‘Performs Days of Future Passed’ encompasses a first set of electric Moodies classics featuring all the fan favourites such as ‘Isn’t Life Strange’, ‘Legend of a Mind’, ‘I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)’, ‘Ride my See-Saw’, and so much more. The second set will see John and his band perform the groundbreaking album ‘Days of Future Passed’ in its entirety and in full symphonic sound. There are exciting changes from the original show, with new classic songs and deep cuts, enhanced video and dazzling lighting, all coming together to make a very special evening of great music and Moodies memories…. Come take a journey back in time with John and his 10,000 Light Years Band as they create audio alchemy for your listening and visual pleasure!

As Beneath a Desert Sky said, ‘a must see show if you love classic progressive rock music or The Moody Blues music.‘

Tickets are on sale with VIP packages also available including a personal Video Message from John, autographed poster, tote, laminate and exclusive merch item! All ticket links at www.johnlodge.com/tour.

The show also features a special video and recording by the late, and missed, Graeme Edge of his poems ‘Morning Glory’ and ‘Late Lament’. Graeme wrote these poems for the album, but they were originally spoken by Mike Pinder. John asked Graeme to record them so that he could always be on stage with him. Jon Davison of YES also joins John to perform the classic songs, “Nights in White Satin” and ‘Tuesday Afternoon’. Jon is John’s son-in-law and great friend, having originally met back in 2019 on the ‘Royal Affair’ Summer Tour with YES, Asia, John and Carl Palmer.

“The show came about following conversations with Graeme, Alan (Hewitt) and Jon (Davison)… This album and these Moody Blues songs changed our lives, they may even have changed the fans lives, and I felt they deserved to still be heard and experienced live as they were originally intended. My hope is that coming to one of my shows, you can close your eyes and we can all take a moment to turn back the clock as we celebrate this music together. Alan, Jon, and my band have done an incredible job in realizing my vision. It was always important to me to remain true to the original whilst at the same time use modern sound and all the wonderful new technology to reveal the richness of these songs. The tour, as with the album, is dedicated to Graeme, Justin, Ray and Mike, and to every fan, whether they joined back in 1967, or on any day since”

‘Days of Future Passed’ was released 56 years ago, and was arguably the start of progressive rock. These songs began the long standing cross-over between rock and classical music, and the Moody Blues shows were always known for recreating this incredible sound, and for the wonderful atmosphere. John has surrounded himself with a band that are equally passionate, who put simply, love performing together, and who appreciate and respect the legacy of the music.

Dino Ciliberti recently reviewed one of John’s shows and said “to hear this one more time just shows the magic of music and an album that will always stand the test of time”, and Gary Graff, “a loving and precise recreation”. Come and be taken back to the live Moody Blues shows of the past, with songs you love, featuring John Lodge, and tributes to all his bandmates.

Joining John on stage is his ‘10,000 Light Years Band’, long term collaborator Alan Hewitt (Music Director and Keyboards) and Billy Ashbaugh (Drums) from the Moody Blues touring band, together with Duffy King (Guitars) and Jason Charboneau (Cello). Jon Davison of YES will also be joining him for his special renditions of ‘Nights in White Satin’ and ‘Tuesday Afternoon’, plus the magical voice of Graeme Edge. “Every time we hit the stage, I appreciate just how great this music is. I love to watch how much the John Lodge/ Moody Blues fans go on a musical journey with us during our shows.” Alan Hewitt, Oct 2023.

For further information please visit:
https://www.johnlodge.com/
https://www.facebook.com/johnlodgemusic/
https://twitter.com/johnlodgemusic
https://www.instagram.com/johnlodgemusic/
https://www.youtube.com/c/johnlodgemusic