3/30 – James Moody’s 5th Annual “Moody & Friends” Scholarship Fund Concert – NYC

Forever PRIME, baby! That’s Moody!  Mr. James Moody is one of our world’s genuine treasures; he’s a man who raises the bar a little bit higher each day, and the audience gets to reap the benefits. Whether on flute or the saxophone(s), Moody always leaves listeners in jaw-dropping awe–particularly aspiring musicians.  He completely defies the laws of physics and his genius transcends the mere written note. Double-time runs, multiphonics, scat singing–Moody has technique to spare! He is someone who has experienced every facet of the music business, and his wisdom is priceless.  From every corner of the globe, to the White House, James Moody has seen it all.  If you don’t believe me, just go to his web site and see for yourself (jamesmoody.com)!

Please take notice of this event and consider supporting it in any way you can. If you think you have had some tough DJ gigs, consider what life would be like as a jazz artist?!  Go Moody, go!  –J. Medley

JAMES MOODY HEADLINES “JAMES MOODY & FRIENDS” CONCERT
AT B. B. KING BLUES CLUB & GRILL TO BENEFIT
PURCHASE COLLEGE JAZZ SCHOLARSHIPS
MONDAY, MARCH 30

Legendary jazz saxophonist James Moody headlines the fifth annual “Moody & Friends” Concert at B. B. King Blues Club & Grill to benefit Purchase College jazz scholarships on Monday, March 30, 2009 at 7:30 PM at B. B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 West 42^nd Street, New York City. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased by calling 914-251-6200 or visiting www.artscenter.org. (Student tickets, with valid ID, will be available for $20; limited seating may be available at the door the day of the concert.) Doors open at 6 PM for seating on a first-come, first-served basis.

Joining Moody on stage will be musical director Jon Faddis, trumpet; Randy Brecker, trumpet; Todd Coolman, bass; NEA Jazz Master Paquito D’Rivera, clarinet and saxophone; Mike Longo, piano; Barbara Morrison, vocals; Adam Nussbaum, drums; Tim Ries, saxophone; NEA Jazz Master Hank Jones, piano; and Yotam Silberstein, guitar.

Moody Scholars who will perform with the group include: Duncan Hardy, saxophone, 2008 Moody Scholar; and Andy Roninson, piano, 2009 Moody Scholar. Other Moody Scholars include trumpeter Maxilmilien Darche and saxophonist Andrew Gould, both of whom received that honor in 2007.

Michael Bourne of WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

The James Moody Scholarship Fund represents a desire by James and Linda Moody to create opportunities for the next generation of jazz masters by providing financial assistance and visibility for students of outstanding ability and good character for whom the scholarship makes a difference. A goal is to provide access to quality higher education.

The James Moody Scholarship Fund began in 2005 with an event that celebrated Moody’s 80^th birthday and has continued each year at various venues. This is the third year the jazz event is being held at B. B. King’s.

The scholarship has surpassed its minimum $100,000 endowment and the goal is to continue to grow the endowment to enable the granting of full scholarships to Moody Scholars and to support continued opportunities for the next generation of jazz masters.

The honorary co-chairs at this year’s event are Camille and Bill Cosby and Quincy Jones.

The Benefit Committee includes: David and Linda Baker; Steven Bensusan and Danny Bensusan; Laurelyn Douglas and Jon Faddis; Nat Hentoff; Ina Dittke and Stephen Logue; Ginny Mancini; Dan Schiffman and Nancy Ozelli; Bill and Anne Sorin; and George Wein.

James Moody “is one of the jazz world’s most eloquent saxophonists,” according to George Varga of the San Diego Union-Tribune, commenting that Moody is “a masterful musician who speaks volumes whether soaring through a breakneck bebop classic or waxing rhapsodically on a seductive ballad.”

Moody’s honors include being named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment of the Arts in 1998 and receiving a Kennedy Center Living Jazz legend Award in 2007. Moody performed at the White House in 2004 for President Bush and twice in the 1990’s for President Clinton. He has also performed twice in Bangkok for the King of Thailand, who is a devoted fan.

He maintains an extensive touring schedule and also conducts master classes for university students. His devotion to his craft has been a trademark since he joined the Dizzy Gillespie Band at the age of 21.

He is always exploring new ways to expand the art of making music.

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Purchase College State University of New York is a major institution of higher education encompassing the liberal arts and sciences, professional training in the performing and visual arts, continuing education and liberal studies, the Neuberger Museum of Art and The Performing Arts Center.

For more information about Purchase College, please visit www.purchase.edu. For more information about the James Moody Scholarship, please visit www.jamesmoodyscholarship.com.