Video Tribute to "Cousin" Mary Alexander

The John W. Coltrane Cultural Society has enlisted me to videotape birthday greetings and well wishes to “Cousin” Mary Alexander, cousin to legendary saxophonist John Coltrane. We are looking for musicians, family, friends, club owners, jazz advocates, serious fans, and others from the Philadelphia and New York area who know what Cousin Mary means to the jazz community and the impact she has had on the lives of many. The video will be shown on her birthday, July 23, 2006, at a Tribute and birthday celebration being planned in Philadelphia.

We are also attempting to reach out to musicians who played with or knew John, and those who played at or attended the Backyard Concerts on 33rd St. Obviously, this is a very limited opportunity to participate in a historic happening, so your response must reflect that urgency. If you’re interested or know someone who should be contacted, PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP!

I am available at phillyjazzblog@verizon.net .

For information on the Tribute

email Barbara Cooper

or call 609-504-0423

PLEASE POST YOUR WELL WISHES TO MARY!

Jazz On The Boardwalk!

Atlantic City's Henrietta Shelton is continuing to produce the Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Series which is scheduled to begin July 6th and run through August 24th at Kennedy Plaza on the boardwalk. On May 10th at A.C.'s annual Host Awards gala, Shelton was presented with the Spirit of Hospitality award, sponsored by the Atlantic City Convention and Visitor's Authority (ACCVA) for her tireless work preserving the local African-American history through her foundation. Check out the 2006 summer schedule at their site
Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation, Inc..

Post your love for this jazz heroine!

Blues With Byard!

Friday, May 19 starting at 9:00pm

"Philly Blues Harmony"

THE PHILLY BLUES MESSENGERS

featuring

BYARD LANCASTER & HAROLD E. SMITH

and special guest GINETTA on trumpet

Upstairs at The Loft

7136 Germantown Avenue in Philly

Cover $7.00

Support the music!

Trudy Pitts' Hot Summer Schedule

Bright Moments!!!

"The Kennedy Center"
May 12, 2006

"The Annual Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival Competition"
Founded by Dr. Billy Taylor

The Five Finalists will perform in Competition
Judges: Trudy Pitts, Gerri Allen, Rene Rosnes

" The Kennedy Center"

May 13, 2006
The Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival"
"Trudy & Friends"
Piano Trio: Tyrone Brown, Contra Bass & Stick Bass: "Mr. C", Drums
Organ Trio: Trudy Pitts, Organ: Bob Devos, Guitar: "Mr. C", Drums

"The Salon"
Andrea Clearfield's
400 S. Sydenham Street
Phila., Pa.

May 28, 2006 - 7:30 PM

Door opens at 7:00 PM

Original Sacred/Jazz, Contemporary Compositions, with the texts..

"THREE PSALMS" ...taken from.... "THE HOLY BIBLE"

The three incredible Divas who will be Trudy's guests are:
Anysha T. Carney, Laura Hall and Annie Sciolli

Come prepared to be comfortable, as the house is!

ALL SHOES MUST BE REMOVED!!

Andrea's web site
"She's quite an eclectic Artist"! - Trudy Pitts

Check out TRUDY'S BRAND NEW WEB SITE, a work in Progress!

"Harrisburg Friends of Jazz"
June 9, 10, 11, 2006
Organ Trio:
Trudy, Hammond B-3 Organ: Concert - June 9th
Personnel: "TBA"
Piano Seminar & Lecture:Trudy Conducting - June 10th
Piano - Organ Jazz Vesper - June 11th
Personnel - TBA

"West Oak Lane Jazz Festival"

June 23, 2006

Trudy Pitts Organ Trio
Personnel: "TBA"

"The Kimmel Center"
Sept.15, 2006
Trudy Initiates "Jazz" On The
"The New Pipe Organ"
Our Old Dear Friend...Ms. Nancy Wilson will
Serenade you in all of her Usual Splendor!!!

This partial list was submitted by the The Organlady!

Collingswood's First Thursday Finale

Tyrone Brown's (r) String Septet featuring Micheal Ireland (c), Melissa Ortega Locati and Kate Suk on violins, Beth Dzwil on viola, Ron Lipscomb on cello and Bill Jones (l) on drums performed in concert at the Collingswood Community Center as the finale to the First Thursday Jazz Series. The ensemble played compositions which were written by Tyrone to a spellbound audience. They were, in a word, AWESOME!!! This series is produced under the guidance of Suzanne Cloud and promises to be bigger and better next year. Stay tuned for news about this event later in the year. Don't let the bridge be a barrier! Support the music!

Purchase Tyrone Brown's CDs here!