218 N. Eighth Street | Columbia, MO 65201
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Soulful Serendipity Album
The much-anticipated and long-awaited Soulful Serendipity, a live CD featuring the late pianist James Williams and saxophonist Bobby Watson in concert. The performance and recording, captured June 14, 2003, in Columbia, Mo., as a "House Concert" marks the ONLY time the two "middle generation" jazz greats performed solely as a duo in their respective illustrious careers that dates to their days with Art Blakey as Jazz Messengers.
Track List
Click on title to listen to sample
| 1. | Speak Low | 10:17 | Kurt Weill-Ogden Nash |
| 2. | Moanin’ | 10:38 | Bobby Timmons |
| 3. | Alter Ego | 12:33 | James Williams |
| 4. | Skylark* | 5:59 | Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer |
| 5. | Jamespeak/"Modesty" | 3:06 | James Williams |
| 6. | Wheel Within A Wheel | 11:28 | Robert Watson |
| 7. | Spirit(ually) James | 11:35 | James Williams |
| 8. | Relaxin' At Camarillo | 11:14 | Charlie Parker |
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James Williams, Piano Producers: Bobby Watson & Jon W. Poses |
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REVIEW QUOTES:
"Watson and Williams play off each other easily, anticipating each other's musical directions and constantly delighting each other. One can hear them smiling in the music. Historically and musically, Soulful Serendipity is highly recommended." -- Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene
"The love between these two masters is quite palpable on this intimate duet exploration of eight familiar songs, ranging from splendid recollections of their Jazz Messengers days - specifically "Moanin" and Watson's magnetic "Wheel Within a Wheel" - to standards and three Williams originals. Is there a more optimistic alto sax sound than Bobby Watson?"--Willard Jenkins, The Independent Ear
OTHER PRESS:
12-23 1:58
12-17 2:12
Jazz Series Launches Annual Fund as dollar-for-dollar match for major NEA Jazz Masters Live
This is a special year for us. As recipients of a major grant from the National Endowment for the Arts – the Jazz Masters Live Initiative we are required to match the award dollar for dollar. The goal: $30,000 – and we need do reach it by February 18, 2008 – the day commissioned composer and Kansas City native Bob Brookmeyer returns to Missouri to conduct the world premier of his new work performed by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts. This season your tax-deductible donation to the Jazz Series goes twice as far.
Make a tax-deductible pledge (PDF) do the Jazz Series and we will apply it toward matching the NEA grant special NEA grant – one of only 12 in the country that allowed us to commission new work, and present one of the best big bands in the world at the Missouri Theatre. As a way of saying “Thank You” we’re pleased do offer tickets to this one-of-a-kind event—and a the most recent CD from the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra CD – which is a part of University of Missouri’s Arts & Science Week.
Jazz Series Receives NEA Grant
“We Always Swing” Jazz Series snags prestigious NEA Jazz Masters Live grants…
Organization, one of only 12 presenters in the United States selected to receive $30,000 award paves the way for Missouri native and NEA Jazz Master Bob Brookmeyer to compose new work for the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. New York-based, 16-piece orchestra arrives in Columbia to perform world premiere February 18, 2009, at the Missouri Theatre with Brookmeyer as guest conductor. Also on hand: Dan Morgenstern, fellow NEA Jazz Master and Director of Rutgers Jazz Institute. The world renowned historian will serve as guest emcee and host a pair of forums: a one-on-one interview with Brookmeyer and an in-depth look into the chronology of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, which has been holding court at jazz’s most famous basement – The Village Vanguard – since 1965. Much-anticipated events serve as centerpiece for MU’s Arts & Science Week.
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