Singer savors ’sweet sounds’

http://www. boston. com/news/local/articles/2008/05/11/singer_savors_sweet_sounds/

Singer savors 'sweet sounds'

Shares music's call with Berklee

By Richard Thompson, Globe Correspondent | May 11, 2008

Philip Bailey knew he wanted to be a musician as soon as he laid his hands on his first instruments: a drum he adapted from a trash can and a saxophone he assembled from a curtain rod and a clothing pin.

"If only you could have heard the sweet sounds that were coming from that makeshift horn," Bailey, the lead singer for the multi-Grammy-winning funk band Earth, Wind & Fire, told a crowd of more than 800 graduates at Berklee College of Music's commencement ceremony yesterday. "Once I heard the music calling me, I knew there could be no turning back.
"

For their contributions to American and international culture, Bailey, the group's founder, Maurice White, and British songwriter and guitarist Steve Winwood were awarded honorary doctorates in music by Berklee's president, Roger H. Brown.


Student speaker Carlos Delgado-Imbert, a music business and piano dual-major, expressed optimism about the changing landscape of an industry that many of them were about to enter.


"Today's world is going paperless, fuel-efficient, fat-free, and low sodium," Delgado-Imbert said at the event held at Boston University's Agganis Arena. "However, the world will never go music-less, music-efficient, music-free, or low-music, because with every day that goes by, music becomes more present in everyone's life.
"

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Come join us as we kick off our Summer tour

Come join us as we kick off our Summer tour in Las Vegas for two nights June 6th and 7th, then we spend the rest of the month with a long extensive run up the Pacific Coast.  We kick off July in Milwaukee and spend the rest of the month scouring the midwest with 3 stops in Texas and Ohio.  We conclude on the East coast with two stops in New York including the historical Radio City Music Hall and two exciting nights in Canada. 

As always tickets are available via http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/734980?brand=tm&camefrom=CFC_BUYAT_vversher

Backstage passes are available on our official fansite by entering our contest at http://www.ewffanclub.com/tourdates.php

-Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson
The Mighty Elements

May 2008
27 Honolulu, Hawaii - Neal Blaisdell Arena

June 2008
6 Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Hilton
7 Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Hilton
10 Temecula, CA - Pechanga Resort & Casino
13 Reno, CA - Silver Legacy Casino
14 Reno, CA - Silver Legacy Casino
15 Stockton, CA - Bob Hope Theatre
17 Santa Rosa, CA - Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
19 Santa Inez, CA - Chumash Casino
20 Del Mar, CA - Del Mar Fairgrounds
22 Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
24 Livermore, CA - Wente Vineyards
26 Jacksonville, OR - Britt Pavilion
27 Ridgefield, WA - The Amphitheater at Clark County
28 Woodinville, WA - Chateau Ste Michelle Winery

July 2008
6 Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee Summerfest
9 Grand Prairie, TX - Nokia Theatre At Grand Prairie
11 San Antonio, Texas - Majestic Theatre
12 Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater
14 Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheatre
16 Vienna, VA - Wolftrap Foundation for the Performing Arts
19 Memphis, TN - Live At the Garden
20 Greeneville, TN - Niswonger Performing Arts Center
23 Toledo, OH - Toledo Zoo Amphitheater
25 Cincinnati, OH - Paul Brown Stadium
26 Cleveland, OH - The Plain Dealer Pavilion
27 Sterling Heights, MI - Freedom Hill Amphitheatre
29 Chicago, Illinois - Chicago Theatre
31 Binghamton, NY - Anderson Center for the Arts

August 2008
1 Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun
2 Atlantic City, NJ - The Borgata Hotel & Casino
5 New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall
6 Bethlehem, PA - RiverPlace at Musikfest
8 Rama, Ontario - Casino Rama
9 Rama, Ontario - Casino Rama

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Verdine White signs with the Royalty Network, Inc.
Category: Music

http://www.roynet.com/index.cfm?event=newsignings

April 2008

Rock N Roll Hall of Famer, Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire), signed an exclusive Worldwide Administration Agreement with the Royalty Network, Inc. His Verdine White Songs (Ascap) and Vershell Songs (Ascap) catalogs, both contain hit material covered in the deal. Often called the most electrifying bass player in the World, his primary goal is to excite and ignite his audience. Verdine joined his brother, Maurice White in Los Angeles, to form one of the most successful Pop and R&B bands of all time, Earth Wind & Fire. EWF defined the era of sound that embodied passion, joy, and the warm feeling of love with people of all ages, races, and religions. EWF have an impressive track record of sales over 70 million albums Worldwide, numerous Gold and Multi Platinum albums. He's appeared on numerous TV shows, including CBS Show, Access Hollywood, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres, The Winter Olympics, NBA All Star show, Dick Clark's New Year's Eve, The Grammy's, the Emmy's and more. Verdine's gift as a visionary, entertainer, producer, musician, and fashion trend setter, touches fans, friends and family with a refreshing sincerity and sense of humor that forms a lasting bond forever. With more than 20 albums to his credit as part of Earth Wind & Fire, and numerous others as a producer, there's no doubting the long lasting energy of this living legend. Check out more at www.verdinewhite.com

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Berklee Honors Five Music Legends at 2008 Commencement

Berklee Honors Five Music Legends at 2008 Commencement

More than 800 student musicians will graduate as honorary doctorates go to Philip Bailey and Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire; Steve Winwood; composer Howard Shore; and Brazilian artist Rosa Passos.

April 8, 2008

Berklee will present honorary doctor of music degrees to Philip Bailey and Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire; Steve Winwood; composer and Berklee alumnus Howard Shore; and Brazilian artist Rosa Passos with at the college's commencement on Saturday, May 10, at the Agganis Arena at Boston University. Bailey, the commencement speaker, will address more than 800 Berklee graduates and invited guests at the 7,000-seat venue.

This year's honorary doctorate recipients are being honored for their achievements in the world of music, and for their enduring contributions to American and international culture.


Past recipients include Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Patti LaBelle, Steven Tyler, Aretha Franklin, Tito Puente, Nancy Wilson, David Bowie, Michel Camilo, Chaka Khan, Loretta Lynn, Quincy Jones, Bonnie Raitt, and Ahmet Ertegun.

Steve Winwood, a pioneer of rock who has influenced generations of musicians, will be performing a special concert of his career-spanning hits in the intimate space of the Berklee Performance Center on Thursday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m., in appreciation of receiving the honorary degree. The Berklee Performance Center is located at 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA.


Tickets, on sale now at the BPC box office and ticketmaster. com, are $35, $50, and $70. Please call 617 747-2261 for more information.

On commencement eve, as is Berklee's tradition, students will pay tribute to the honorees by performing music associated with Bailey, White, Winwood, Shore, and Passos at the Agganis Arena. The commencement concert and ceremony are not open to the public.

Philip Bailey, a percussionist and singer with a four-octave vocal range, joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1971, and helped solidify the groundbreaking funk, soul, rock, jazz, and pop band's reputation as one of the most electrifying live and recorded acts in pop music.


The group released many albums that reached platinum or multi-platinum status, including That's the Way of the World; Spirit; Raise!; and All 'n All.


In addition to fronting the multi-Grammy Award–winning group, Bailey recorded three jazz albums and four gospel albums, including the Grammy Award–winner, Triumph.


He also released four pop albums, including the 1984 release Chinese Wall, produced by Phil Collins and featuring their hit duet, "Easy Lover." Earth, Wind & Fire's 2006 concert tour supported an awareness campaign for Bailey's Music is Unity Foundation, an organization that invests in the education of young people who have been emancipated in the foster care system.

Maurice White, founder and creator of Earth, Wind & Fire, is a musician, songwriter, producer, and music label owner. Born in Memphis, White grew up in Chicago and trained at the prestigious Chicago Conservatory of Music. His first professional experience was as staff drummer at Chess Records where he kept the beat for such giants as Etta James, Willie Dixon, and Ramsey Lewis. The early 1970s saw the birth of Maurice's vision: a band that combined spirituality and stunning performances while mixing African rhythms with gospel, jazz, funk, and rock. White named his band Earth, Wind & Fire, and the rest is history. Classic hits include "Shining Star," "September," "Boogie Wonderland," "Fantasy," and many more. The band has received numerous accolades, including six Grammy Awards; four American Music Awards; more than 50 gold and platinum singles, albums, and DVDs; and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Earth, Wind & Fire also received Lifetime Achievement honors from the NAACP, ASCAP, and BET. White has produced such luminaries as Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Jennifer Holliday, Ramsey Lewis, Deniece Williams, and Grover Washington Jr.

Steve Winwood was a teenager when he gained fame as the singer of the Spencer Davis Group. The band scored hits with "Gimme Some Lovin,'" and "I'm a Man," and Winwood's singing drew comparisons to his idol Ray Charles.


In 1967, he formed Traffic with Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood, and Dave Mason, producing the album Mr. Fantasy.


In 1969 Winwood and Eric Clapton formed Blind Faith with Ginger Baker and Rick Grech.


The supergroup released one acclaimed album before Winwood re-formed Traffic to produce classics like John Barleycorn Must Die, and The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys.


Winwood launched his solo career in 1977 with a self-titled album.


Arc of a Diver, Talking Back to the Night, Back in the High Life—which won two Grammy Awards—and Roll With It followed, producing hits like "While You See a Chance," "Valerie," and "Higher Love." Winwood has collaborated with musicians from around the globe, including Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, James Brown, Muddy Waters, Toots & the Maytals, Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Tito Puente and the Fania All Stars, Japanese innovator Stomu Yamashta, and African percussionist Remi Kabaka.


Winwood tours with Tom Petty this summer in support of his new album, Nine Lives.

Howard Shore is among today's most respected, honored, and active composers and music conductors.


His work with Peter Jackson on The Lord of the Rings trilogy stands as his most towering achievement to date, earning him three Academy Awards, four Grammys, and three Golden Globes.


After attending Berklee, Shore recorded and toured with the group Lighthouse and then, as one of the original creators of Saturday Night Live, he served as the music director on the show from 1975 to 1980.


At the same time, he began collaborating with David Cronenberg, and has scored 12 of the director's films, including The Fly, Dead Ringers, Naked Lunch, and Eastern Promises, for which he was recently honored with a Genie Award.


Shore continues to distinguish himself with a wide range of projects, from Martin Scorsese's The Departed, The Aviator, and Gangs of New York, to Ed Wood, The Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, and Mrs. Doubtfire.


His opera, The Fly, will have its world premiere at the Théâtre du Châtelet on July 2, 2008, followed by its U.S. premiere at LA Opera in September. Shore's music has been recognized with many prestigious awards, including the Recording Academy Honors, ASCAP's Henry Mancini Award, and the Frederick Loewe Award.

Rosa Passos is a Brazilian singer and songwriter known for keeping traditional Brazilian jazz alive with all of its mystery, rhythm, and romance intact. Fans all over the world know her to be loyal to her Afro-Brazilian culture, maintaining the soulful cool of bossa nova without commercial compromise.


On stage and in her recordings, she sings in a sweet, warm voice that the Los Angeles Times describes as "sounding a bit like the legendary Elis Regina but with the rhythmic articulation of Ella Fitzgerald." Passos released her first recording in 1979, and her music has since become internationally recognized. Kenny Rankin and Karrin Allyson are among many who have recorded her songs.


She worked with Ivan Lins and Chucho Valdez on a Cubadisco show in Havana, and collaborated with legendary bassist Ron Carter on the album Entre Amigos/Among Friends.


Passos also sang and played guitar on Yo-Yo Ma's Grammy Award–winning Obrigado Brazil, leading to a world tour and a follow-up live recording.


Her recent releases include Amorosa for the Sony Classical label, Rosa Por Rosa, and a self-titled 2006 album. Passos's new album, Romance, is set for release in May on the Telarc label.

For editorial information or digital photos, the media may contact:


Margot Edwards
Office of Public Information
617 747-2247
medwards@berklee. edu

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Verdine White available for lectures

Verdine White

7:38 AM - 4 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Award - DEADLINE MAY 5!!!

Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Award

The MusicLink Foundation, working as a pipeline organization for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, is seeking music students in financial need who may qualify for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Award. This is a scholarship program that specifically applies to CURRENT SEVENTH GRADE students.  Students do not necessarily have to be enrolled in the MusicLink program to apply.  Although musical potential is a factor in the selection process, students with a strong academic record are encouraged to apply.

Please forward this on to any students who may qualify or teachers who may have students that qualify for the award.  We have included a link to the Jack Kent Cooke's website which includes the application materials.  If you do know of any students who will be applying, we would appreciate it if you could include their names and email addresses in an email to Jennifer Kitchin, Talent Coordinator, MusicLink Foundation (jennifer@musiclinkfoundation.org).  This will help them to monitor them through the application process. 

Please see the information below on how to apply:
                                                     

Young Scholars Award

The MusicLink Foundation seeks talented music students in the 7th grade with financial need for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Award.
 
Deadline is May 5, 2008

Eligibility for the award:

-      Students currently in the 7th grade
-      A strong academic record
-      Limited family income and insufficient funds to cover educational-related expenses.  (income $35,000 - $60,000)
-      Determination to succeed
-      Leadership and public service
-      Critical thinking ability
-      Participation in the arts and humanities

The award provides 50 recipients:

Through this program, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation selects high-achieving students with financial need and provides them throughout high school with individualized educational opportunities and support that will enable them to develop their talents and
abilities. The Foundation awards approximately 50 of these scholarships each year out of approximately 1,000 applicants. The Young Scholars Program is one of the most individualized scholarships offered in the US.

Application materials:

Application materials for the Young Scholars Award are available through the link below.  If the link does not work for you, you can copy and paste it into your browser window or go to www.jackkentcookefoundation.org and click on the "Young Scholars" link.  You can also find additional information about the scholarship on this website including answers to frequently asked questions. 

Again, please keep us informed if you are following through with an applicant for this program so that we can monitor the MusicLink applicants.  Also, we would appreciate it if you could indicate on the application that you heard about the award through the MusicLink Foundation (Parent/Guardian form – part I, question 8 – check the box for "other" and write in MusicLink Foundation.) 

http://www.jackkentcookefoundation.org/jkcf_web/content.aspx?page=YounSch

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  MAY 5th

The MusicLink Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides ongoing music lessons to promising students in need, of all school ages. Teachers who are currently teaching students at a reduced rate may qualify for our MusicLink discounts, camp scholarship opportunities, and other incentives. MusicLink offers additional performance and camp opportunities for talented students in need through our Talent Search component.  Email us for details about our different MusicLink programs.

info@musiclinkfoundation.org                           
www.musiclinkfoundation.org                           

Jennifer Kitchin
singoutjen@verizon.net
http://www.musiclinkfoundation.org

10:47 AM - 0 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Donate your old instruments for a good cause

PRESS RELEASE
April, 2008

From: Billy Mitchell, Director
Scholarship Audition Performance Preparatory Academy

SAPPA AX Instrument Project

Now is the time to begin Spring cleaning! Check out your closets and garages and see if there are any music instruments that are not being used. Please donate them to the  SAPPA AX Instrument Project.

There are thousands of students who cannot afford musical instruments and hundreds of schools who do not have instruments or teachers. The goal of the AX Music Project is to collect music instruments that are not being used, and make them available to students and schools who are in need. We are soliciting donations from individuals, schools, organizations and corporations.

The instrument loan program is not only based on need but also certain commitments. The student agrees to practice daily, follow the rules of the music program, maintain and take care of the instrument at all times, listen to and appreciate all types of music
The parent/guardian agrees to support the student in every way possible, including providing space and time for daily practice and checking assignments.

The instruments can be dropped off at:
Pasadena Armory for the Arts, 145 N. Raymond, Pasadena 91103
or
Rita Walters Learning Center, 915 W. Manchester, Los Angeles 90044
or
Call: 626-395-9405 or 626-574-5040 and we will make arrangements to pick up donations.

For more information: www.sappa.net

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Maurice White & Brian Culbertson Will Be Guest DJs On The Wave (KTWV-FM)

Smooth Jazz 94.7 The WAVE (KTWV-FM) and www.947thewave.com presents the World Premiere of acclaimed keyboardist Brian Culbertson's brand new album, "Bringing Back The Funk." The special airs on April 27 at 8:00 PM (PST) and will be hosted by the artist himself, Brian Culbertson and Executive Producer of the album, world renowned founder and leader of Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice White. "Bringing Back The Funk" is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, April 29.

Brian and Maurice will spend the evening sharing insights about their experience creating "Bringing Back The Funk" and playing tracks from the new album.

8:31 AM - 6 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Win tickets to see Earth, Wind & Fire!

It's an Earth, Wind, & Fire Weekend!!

Listen to Movin' 93.9 all weekend for your chance to win a pair of tickets to the Beyond The Elements Tour starring Earth, Wind and Fire at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on June 22nd! Tickets go on-sale on Saturday, April 12th at 10am at all Ticketmaster locations!

Click here to win



Don't forget to enter our contest to win backstage passes at www.EWFfanclub.com!

6:46 AM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Philip’s iPod Collection Correction

In a previous post I stated that the CD of Eddie Benitez was available when in fact it was not yet in stores.  It did however release yesterday in stores and online and is one of the top sellers this week.  Lover’s Never Say Goodbye is a definite favorite of mine and has been in rotation since I got a copy.  I strongly encourage you to support this 100% indie project.  Visit his page at (http://www.myspace.com/eddiebenitez)

-Philip Bailey, The Mighty Elements

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