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Internet Archives |
old news 2003-4)
November 21 2004
Blues on Grand Des Moines, Iowa
Dartanyan's Thanksgiving Bash
featuring
Ron Dewitte, guitar and Maxx G guitar
introducing Jaimeo Brown, Drums
and Don Brown, Horns
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Internet Archives |
old news 2003-4)
November 21 2004
Blues on Grand Des Moines, Iowa
Dartanyan's Thanksgiving Bash
featuring
Ron Dewitte, guitar and Maxx G guitar
introducing Jaimeo Brown, Drums
and Don Brown, Horns
For you nostalgia buffs: The people who should come to this evening are those who remember the places where Delbert McClinton and Grover Washington Jr., Kenny Loggins, Chick Corea and Luther Allison and KoKo Taylor used to play. If you remember hearing Basie and Woody here in Des Moines then you should come out and check out what I think will be a bluesy, soulful evening of old friends who still can play their tails off. I am happy that Jeff at Blues on Grand has given us a place to get together, have some fun and play some great old tunes and maybe some new ones too. Stay tuned for more information. You can email Dartanyan at dartanyan@dartanyan.com if you need to.
Peace out.
Dartanyan, Nov 4, 2004.
For all our Des Moines friends!
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In
Marin
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Dartanyan addresses the California Association of Independent Schools Conference |
January brought us the International Association of Jazz Educators International Conference where we met with 3000 Jazz musicians, educators and music business professionals from around the world. It was a great weekend with lots of seminars and performances to enjoy. We jammed with a lot of old friends including Larry Ridley, James Williams, Bernard Purdie, Pete Yellin and many others who were in attendance. For those of you interested in knowing more about my career, you can read some of the more interesting stuff on the site.
Dartanyan's father Ellsworth Brown is a great pianist and song stylist who you can read about here. Dartanyan's son Jaimeo Brown currently plays with the Mingus Big Band in NYC and recently graduated Cum Laude from James Williams' program at William Paterson University.
Community Jazz Center honored Des Moines' Jazz past present and
future with a weekend
gala.
Thanks to everyone for a memorable evening
From the BBC:
Web Perf. Royalties to Artists First!
Marisha
and Dartanyan in
concert
ØØTime is funny, it always seems to roll on...
Weaving the Happiness and the Sorrow into a Tapestry
of Strength and Love ØØ
Jaimeo
Brown presented
his Senior Recital Monday April 16, 2001 on the campus of
William Paterson University, Wayne New Jersey. The
penultimate event in his college career featured original
compositions from this exceptional new artist. His family
was be on hand to lend support and, in the case of his
Father, Mother and sister accompany him in this, his final
college performance. For more information: (West Coast) 415
456-0614 or (New Jersey) 973 720-4120.
Jaimeo Brown cum
laude, William Paterson Univ.
and debuts with The Charles Mingus Big Band, NYC
The Brown Family has been involved with Jazz and technology for well
over 50 years. We will begin to chronicle these adventures in the
pages to follow because it is important to carry stories across
generations. It is important to use this wonderful technology to keep
ourselves and our families connected. The consequences of failing to
use our extraordinary gifts to bring the light of understanding to
the world will manifest in more separation and ignorance for the
world.
To all of my friends in Des Moines, be strong. Better days are ahead for us all. Our family has been connected to Iowa since the late 1800's. From the Legendary Buxton, Iowa in the early 20th century to Fort Dodge and Des Moines, to the jazz and art music scene of the 40'-50's and later in the late 60's to the 80's the Brown family has drawn much inspiration from our Iowa roots and we hope to rekindle the passion for spiritual truth and artistic integrity. Click on the Ellsworth Brown link to reveal a bit of the rich Jazz history of Des Moines, Iowa in the 50's.
Contact
Dartanyan Now for Private Lessons
Dartanyan will be in Des Moines during the summer of 2002. Dedicated students of Jazz (rhythm section players, vocalists, electronic music enthusiasts and anyone devoted to the study of African American Music and modern technology) please consider this opportunity.
Education and Artistry meet at William Paterson
Thursday September 21, 2000 Jaimeo performed with keyboard genius, Professor James Williams at the HAE auditorium on the campus of William Paterson University. Williams, an alumnus of some of Jazz's most important groups of the 80's and 90's has settled in as the director of Jazz Studies at WP. Jaimeo confirmed his participation in a phone interview Tuesday evening from Fort Lee, NJ. His excitement at playing with a living legend was obvious.
Gospel Night, an annual celebration
organized by Colors, a multicultural student group at
Marisha's alma mater, The Branson School was held February
23rd 2001. Marisha, invited back as featured soloist, made
it an evening to be remembered for a long time. Her original
devotional lyrics to the Wayne Shorter composition, Infant
Eyes was truly inspiring both in it's spiritual impact and
its musical integrity. A wonderful effort by a truly humble
spirit. Marisha Brown
Marisha attended the La Handa Jazz Camp in Pescadero, Ca. and it was a rousing success according to our young artist and the world-class collection of artists who make La Handa such a rewarding experience for all who attend. The camp, celebrating it's 20th year, featured giants like Rufus Reid, Sheila Jordan and John Santos and Bay Area mainstays including Frank Martin, Wayne Wallace and many others. According to Rufus (who, not incidentally, was Jaimeo's director at William Paterson Univ.) Marisha, like her brother, is destined to make an impact on the music.
Speaking of Rufus, Jazz education and our family, Jaimeo recently was honored as one of a hand-picked crew of young players selected to participate in the Ravinia Festival's summer music program. Those of you familiar with Midwestern culture know that the Ravinia is the summer home of the Chicago Symphony and its summer music camp gives young artists the opportunity work side-by-side with professionals. This year, the Ravinia added a Jazz component (about time...) and brought in living legend James Moody, David Baker, and Reid to make it happen. Jaimeo was brought in as a percussion instructor because of his command of the language of Jazz and his ability to communicate it to other young artists.
According to Rufus, (in discussions we had in Pescadero) he said that "like all great players Jaimeo has that quality which makes you want to stop what you are doing and check out how he is making the sounds he does." Dizzy, and all the great players had that quality and Jaimeo has that certain something..."
Our thanks and congratulations to the
Lighthouse Singers of Mill Valley for their heartfelt
performance this year at their annual concert. Marisha was featured
with the gospel choir and performed with a devotion to the music
which reflects the reverence she holds for her life and talent. The
next day, being Fathers day, Marisha treated me to a Gospel Blast-- a
concert held at San Francisco's Cow Palace featuring 10 (!) Gospel
acts reflecting the real diversity in how brothers and sisters are
expressing their devotion to the power of God. Brought us all to
tears. Music and the Spirit an unbeatable combination for living on
planet Earth. As a teacher, I am
always amazed by the heart, spirit and fun that the young
people of the world exhibit. I taught a Web Site Basics
class last summer and I was blessed to meet some wonderful
students from Nagoya, Japan who were here on a exchange
visit. If these
kids are any indication, our
world will be a much better place very soon now. Hi to Rie, Keiko, May May, and everybody in Nagoya!
Other news
In my extended family, my 'other brother' Shadric
Smith has apparently put together a new collection of songs. This
genuinely homespun, all natural friend o' mine deserves your support
if you like real handmade music check him out. See the link below.
Other Happenings
•Chase Fansite Admins Please
read
this...
RIAA wins it's initial lawsuit against piracy conduit MP3.com. Read Dartanyan's response to InfoWorld columnist
BiCoastal Arts News & Performance Monitor
Education, Art and Technology
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Jaimeo Brown completes
successful Athens Concert Series with Kelvin
Sholar
New York-- Jaimeo Brown, Jazz percussionist and senior at William Paterson University, Wayne NJ, returned to the States yesterday after three weeks of performances at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens Greece. I talked to Jaimeo briefly Monday evening after his arrival on an Olympia Airlines flight from Athens to J.F. Kennedy Airport. Jet lag, however prevented me from getting more information for another day or so. We will update the site with a great story about an American Jazz musician and his experience in a foreign country. It was a great experience from an artistic and social standpoint. "We played from 11 p.m. until 2 p.m. and the crowds went crazy," said the 21-year-old percussionist and composer. "It's very live and the appreciation [from the Athens audience] is something I've never experienced in the United States." [We'll have an update posted by midweek.--DB]
[In late breaking news, Jaimeo reported that foreigners were confined to the hotel for a day in the wake of a visit to Athens by US President Bill Clinton. "We even had to cancel the gig for one night," said Mayo in a midnight telephone interview from his Athens hotel room. "The real heart of the demonstrations were luckily not in our neighborhood. It was pretty quiet here but they warned us about leaving the building or the neighborhood." In the tradition of Jazz artists around the world, the members of Jaimeo's band were treated with the utmost respect by the local citizens and reacted with harmony and respect with the people of that storied nation.
Jaimeo sent an audio file of his bands performance via phone on Monday afternoon and this writer can attest to the sophistofunkiness of the sound. I think New York had better look out because Kelvin Sholar with Jaimeo Brown on drums is getting their act together overseas and will soon be bringing it home.]
Scheduled for another week of Jazz concerts with pianist Kelvin Sholar in Athens, Jaimeo will be in the Mediterranean region from November 12 through the 29. Sholar, a Detroit-bred pianist and a veteran in his own right has toured with Sonny Rollins and Greg Osby. The Half Note in Athens in the premier Jazz venue in the region and the city is "a lot like New York." said Jaimeo. "To be playing original music and have this kind of crazy reception is a very wonderful thing."
Jaimeo expressed much respect for his bandmates, Deshown Jenkins on guitar and bassist Ashi Osada. The group is playing great, finding something new in the music all the time. This is certainly a great opportunity and I'm glad James Williams, and David Dempsey at William Paterson gave me the support to leave my classes temporarily for this gig.
In older news Jaimeo and his combo recently opened the show for the David Liebman Quintet, featuring guitarist Vic Juris, as part of WPU's "Sittin' In Meet-the-Artist Sessions. The concert, held in Shea Center, featured original music by the WPU Jazz combo including Mayo's original composition "Brownish Blues". According to Jaimeo, the Liebman group sans piano was highly enjoyable. The influence of John Coltrane's music is apparent in the sound of David Liebman. We have followed Liebman's career for the past 20 years, noting his development both as an improviser and composer.
Jaimeo performed with the WPU jazz combo at William Paterson University's Jazz Room Series in October. Opening the show for Pianist Bill Charlap and His Trio, featuring Peter and Kenny Washington, Mayo's group played a hour-long set of tunes ranging from hard bop and traditional swing to Afro-Cuban inspired compositions. According to one concertgoer who was interviewed after the show "Jaimeo played incredibly well." His approach to music makes the whole band sound better," said one musician who saw the show.
For more information about Jaimeo
New York-- Last nite (Wednesday) Marisha participated in open mic night at Cleopatra's Needle, 96th and Broadway. I haven't heard a review yet but she was excited about being able to try out some new material including songs by Billy Strayhorn and Ella Fitzgerald.
Tomorrow (Friday, December 3rd) Marisha's grandfather, Ellsworth Brown will be performing at the Westin Hotel in Morristown, New Jersey from 7 P.M. until 8 P.M. Mr. Brown will be performing Jazz standards and original material on the Grand Piano at the Westin. If you happen to be in the area stop in a hear "the man of 1000 songs"
Apparently Marisha Brown, a first year student at Barnard College found time to get away from studying for a moment and rejuvenate herself through song. Appearing for the first time at a vocalists mic night at a upper west side Manhattan night club called Wetlands (Hudson and Laight st.), Marisha sang several tunes including an a capella version of "All of Me" .
Well, Judge Penfield Jackson just confirmed what everyone involved in the personal computer industry already knew but was too busy making money to talk about. Microsoft, or should I say Bill Gates aided and abetted by everyone from his staff to his stockholders has created a new form of what could only be described as 'entangling alliances', to use a term from the Woodrow Wilson administration.
Sunday December 12th is the Day
Justice League is the Place
Words and Music in service to the spirit of Truth and Healing come together in the next in a series of Poetry Slams held at 8:00PM at Justice League Divisidero at Hayes in The San Francisco Fillmore District. About 20 poets will be offering up a hearty variety of spoken word performance. Musicians including elder spirit Dartanyan Brown (Electric bass, synthesizers, voice, acoustic bass) will be offering music and ambience for the poets who want to interact with creative musicians in realtime. It has been a rewarding experience for all involved and we invite you to attend this wonderful event.
Past Performances
The Underground Railroad & Bamuthi present TWO evenings to move the crowd...
THE LIVING WORD PROJECT: GENERATIONS
Elders, youngsters and the in-between consider childhood, nowhood and ancestorship thru performance, picture & healing touch
Featuring Asha Bandele, author of Absence in the palms of my hands/ The Prisoner's Wife
Plus Local 1200 DJ SAKE, Reborn & Qool Marv (nyc)
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The Cell Space 2050 Bryant/ 18th Street 9 PM |
YWCA 1515 Webster/ 15th Street 7 PM |
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$10 admission Come thru as always, with love & respect! For more info call:(415)337.3294 |
Dartanyan will be contributing to panel discussions and performances on Friday only. |
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San Francisco-- Sunday November 7 was the most recent iteration of the Living Word Project and the San Francisco Slam poetry events. Led by Marc Joseph with musical alter ego Dartanyan Brown, the event has been a vibrant, rambunctious force for free poetry and free musical exploration which is fast approaching critical mass in the Bay Area.
Held at The Justice League (Divisidero at Hayes in the Fillmore) a cavern-like dance club 21 poets signed up to compete in a diverse, pastiche of approaches to the art of improvisatory spoken word art. Dartanyan Brown has been providing music between poets and, in a revolutionary development for Slam, providing music and atmosphere for those poets who wish to take their presentations into multiple dimensions.
"The fact that I often know nothing about what the poet may do in advance is terribly exciting to me." said Dartanyan in a recent interview. "I have worked in improvisation for years and every committed poet and musician has a discernible 'aura' around them. If I am spiritually open, I tune in to their intentions and together we make something very incredible happen."
Biko Eisen-Martin, a 16-year-old phenom already recognized as a rising star in the ranks of truth tellers, poets, gave a spirited performance punctuated by the hip hop backdrop provided by the musicians. Stay tuned for more details about upcoming events including a December performance at Justice League.
Dartanyan and Jaimeo, are the featured rhythm section on several cuts on David Watson's new album entitled Imprisoned Splendor. A vocalist, composer, drummer who lives in Northern California, Watson is a veteran performer with over 35 years of experience with the likes of John Handy, Bishop Norman Williams, Eddie Henderson and many others. He has been a supporter of Jaimeo since early in his career and it is refreshing to see a veteran take time to give a young new talent an opportunity by passing on the tradition of jazz performance. Read the interview.
Four Marin County student Jazz musicians began work with Dartanyan this week on how to use computers and software along with good old practice, practice, practice for the purpose of becoming better improvisors. Kellin Harrison, a San Rafael High school senior and an up and coming bass player is studying improvisation techniques. "I really want to learn how to solo better and to write music for my band." said Kellin. The 16-year-old bass player and (and soccer star) plays a Fender '61 Jazz Bass (reissue model) with the "stacked knobs" that we think are the coolest ever. He contributes a lot to Mark Peabody's program at SR High.
Three Branson School students Peter Passaris, Allie Wilding and Richard Baltimore will be spending the next 12 weeks working with MIDI as a composition tool for learning about Jazz improvisation. MIDI (the musical instrument digital interface) has arrived as the technology of choice for those who need to compose music but don't have the resources or time to deal with large numbers of people. All three students are involved with the Bruce Munson's Jazz program at Branson with Passaris and Wilding being featured performers. All three hope to become better composers and improvisors by incorporating MIDI into their arsenal of tools. Interested in what they will be doing? Curriculum and Syllabus
As they progress, we hope to post some of their work here for you to listen to and maybe even jam along with. If you have a child or a child inside who wants to learn about music and computers and how fun it is, please don't hesitate to call or email us.
National Association of Black Writers names
Elenora E. Tate 1999 Zora Neale Hurston Award Winner
In the 60's I worked with, and attended Drake University with Elenora E. Tate. We both worked as reporters for the (pre-gannett) Des Moines Register and Tribune and shared the experience of growing up in the Midwest for better or worse...mainly better I think.
Anyway, Elenora as some of you may know is an internationally known author of childrens books now living in North Carolina and she just sent me the joyous news of her recent award for....well, let her tell you:
[Jambo Dartanyan,
.... I am pleased to announce that I have been awarded a 1999 Zora Neale Hurston Award from the National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. This award is bestowed upon one or two individuals annually from around the country who have shown a lifelong devotion to the African and African American oral tradition in the manner of writer and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston.
The award was given in ceremonies during the 17th annual National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference held for the first time inWinston-Salem, NC Nov. 17-21. I was one of two 1999 Hurston recipient. The other was Dr. John Hope Franklin of Durham, NC, who was unable to attend. He still got his plaque and props, though.]
The Brown family extends hearty congratulations to this wise, talented Black woman and author and we urge you to visit her web pages at:
http://www.aalbc.com/eleanora.htm
http://idt.net/~dtate19/elenora.html
http://www.randomhouse.com/teachersbdd/tate.html
http://www.justusbooks.com (for Teacher's Guide information)