California Jazz and Blues Museum 
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an Original Play by Robert J. Carmack – Black History Month
COMING to the Los Angeles area February 2018
The Actors
Ms. Jana Wilson as
High Priestess Nina Simone
~in Loving Tribute~
Robert J. Carmack as the Reporter~Karl Lee
written,produced and directed ~R.J.Carmack
Music-Poetry-Drama
A ROBERT J. CARMACK PRODUCTIONS Presents
Strato-Sphere:Thelonious Monk Turns 100
A moving and eclectic project involving Jazz legend Thelonious Monk’s most prized compositions performed by Los Angeles’s most talked about Jazz musicians,vocalists, poets and dancers. Follow this blog for all information forthcoming.
If you’re interested in participation as co-sponsor, artist or media email me. blues2jazz2003@yahoo.com attn: Robert J. Carmack
*posted by Kamaad Tauhid #blues2jazzguy
L.A.-based music journalist and jazz archivist, Robert J. Carmack is creating performances in an evening of classic compositions by legendary jazz artist Bobby Hutcherson and Jackie McLean. while collaborating with the legendary Billy Higgins WORLD STAGE Performance Gallery, The event is scheduled for Saturday July 30th. Co-founded by the beloved drummer in the early 1990s with Poet Laureate, Kamau Daaood. Carmack has hand-picked outstanding and uniquely written compositions by ex-bandmates of Billy Higgins , Bobby Hutcherson, Jackie McLean,Charles Tolliver,and Granchen Moncur III.
Robert J. Carmack grew-up in Los Angeles (Watts/Compton) studied music, theater arts and journalism. He’s a writer, producer, musician and poet. His love and passion for jazz led him to befriending drummer Billy Higgins and poet Kamau Daaood. Carmack was part of the a group of artists (musicians,poets,painters and photographers) who gathered at the jam sessions,writer’s workshops over 20 years ago in Leimert Park Arts Community to participate in extending the legacy and offer alternative venues for creative people who thought and presented ideas “outside the box”. Today that legacy is strengthened by the Original World Stage in Leimert Park has moved across the street and into a much larger facility. Now able to expand their community activities including performances by students and professional artists. One of the coming performance presentations being produced by Carmack in collaboration with the World Stage is The Return of the Grassroots Hip-Nosis: an exploration of the music of Bobby Hutcherson and Jackie McLean. Last summer Carmack produced several projects that were well received by the community. unique shows around the music of Jazz icon and composer Duke Pearson and a lively event on Charlie Parker’s Birthday “21 Saxophone Salute”. This years’ event promises to be even bigger and better. Carmack is the MC for this program and also a part of the Band:PLIGHT, a spoken word/Jazz group along with the award-winning poet and playwright, Tu’Nook.
Plight consist of Carmack as Leader & Poet,Bobby West pianist, Dale Fielder special guest saxophone, Derf Reklaw woodwinds/percussion, Reggie Carson Bass, Cornell Fouler drums
You can follow the progress of this event and all the program details at http://www.hipstersanctuary.com or ticket information contact Robert J. Carmack at 951-840-7120 or blues2jazz2003@yahoo.com.
*World Stage performance Gallery (323) 293-2451 · 4344 Degnan Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90008 · Performing Arts, Venues & Event Spaces, Jazz & Blues ,
*by Robert J. Carmack #blues2jazzguy #itsajazzday
“Stephanie Spruill is a great performer and she reminds me of Eartha Kitt and Sarah Vaughan.”Barry Gordy-Founder Motown
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“Stephanie Spruill is phenomenal.I met her in the mid – 70s when she was starting out in L.A .at some sessions she was singing on for my cousins Larry and Fonce Mizell. She was gorgeous and did not need a microphone to raise the roof in the room..Wow!”
Don Mizell-Executive Producer/Lawyer-Entertainment Intellectual Property
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While counting down to Saturday, October 3 at The GRAMMY MUSEUM, Angelenos are making this show for legendary entertainer, Stephanie Spruill, the hottest ticket in town. Without a doubt, the multi-award winning songbird will make her way to the stage at 7pm and declare the concert an official “ Stephanie Spruill JAZZ DAY” event.
With all the Grammy consideration buzz swirling around her latest CD entitled, It’s a JAZZ DAY, Saturday’s performances are slated to be must-see entertainment.
Clive Davis Theater 800 W. Olympic Blvd Los Angeles CA Grammy Museum
Most of the evening’s tunes will feature a diverse set of compositions including the title-track penned by singer/songwriter, Brenda Russell. The new CD promises to offer something for everybody’s musical palate with various genres, rhythms and grooves. Two of Pop,Jazz and Soul’s biggest names are working also on this CD with Stephanie, Patrice Rushen and Brenda Russell. Team Stephanie promises a jamming good time inside the Clive Davis Theater.
Named after the longtime music mogul, Clive Davis. It was Davis himself personally signing Stephanie as part of a duet(Saint & Stephanie) at Arista Records.Prior to signing with the world famous record executive Clive Davis,The Pair were known as “Stuff & Ramjett”.
It’s easy to say.. I played a gig with so and so, or I sung on that session, when you speak to some of the talent here in Los Angeles but, I have been around a long time, I found it very hard to find anybody, who has not worked with, or collaborated with Stephanie Spruill. From the very urban and soulful Young Saints Ensemble, to Glenn Campbell, to Quincy Jones, Donald Byrd,to name a few of the Hit makers/movers and shakers.
This amazing lady has swung on both coasts, traveled the globe hundreds of times performing for kings, queens and princesses, all types of royalty. She’s probably one of only a handful that has performed for three(3) different presidential administrations at the white house.
In order to understand a little bit about the magnitude of Stephanie Spruill’s passion for music , you need to go all the way back to her early childhood days as a Cello student at El Segundo Elementary school, a fellow High school and elementary classmate had this to say about young Stephanie..
Fran Shepard-Elementary & High school classmate
Stephanie was 1st chair cello in the orchestra at El Segundo Elementary School. She was an excellent cellist! She had taken private lessons which allowed her to play at an elevated level, with higher, more complex fingering skills and bowing technique.
She also played in the Compton Civic Youth Orchestra. A mix of kids from all the schools in Compton! I just remember how driven she was towards excellence in music. She continued to grow with the cello, and became quite accomplished!
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David Crawford-Centennial High School classmate & Professional Musician/Arranger “Yes it was with Stephanie that I had my first experience in accompanying a vocalist and that was back in High School. Her confidence in her vocal skills and committed focus in music was inspiring and admired by me, and many others. It has been a blessing to know we can still play a role in each other’s professional careers and life. Wishing Stephanie, my long time friend and colleague continued success.”
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R.J. Carmack-Centennial High School Jazz Band-3 years Rhythm Warriors/Saxophonist – I remember Stephanie as a standout in the two high school talent shows, choral group performances,& countless records soundtracks & voice-overs made over the years. After decades of helping everyone else to awards and Gold/Platinum recordings..Just like the kid’s game we all played growing up, Tag, You it!! Its Your turn Stephanie, It’s a Jazz Day!
For additional information on Ms. Stephanie Spruill click on link below
http://www.stephaniespruill.net or leave a comment here at hipster sanctuary.com
Stephanie Spruill Live! 7pm Sat Oct 3 2015
Clive Davis Theater 800 W. Olympic Blvd. LA
Grammy Museum
Click Link Below for General Admission at $27.00 or VIP at $57.00
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr… $27.00
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr… $57.00
This Friday night in New York City promises to be unforgettable. The hard-driving drummer & bandleader,Willie Jones III slides in for one-night only,three dinner sets. August 21, 1st set begins at 7:30pm.
Willie Jones III, one of the hardest swinging drummers in modern jazz, is an important bandleader who leads groups that have irresistible chemistry. He has worked with an extensive list of major jazz artists including extended stints with Roy Hargrove, Arturo Sandoval, and Hank Jones. He’s also a noted record producer and label owner who has released several critically acclaimed albums as a leader. The New York Times states, “He comes from a line of percussive descent established by Kenny Clark, and later modified by Philly Joe Jones; he’s more than comfortable with polyrhythms, but it’s straight-forward swing that suits him best.” Joining Jones, is the all-star lineup of Jeremy Pelt, Ralph Moore, Eric Reed, and Gerald Cannon.
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Smoke is New York City’s number one boutique jazz & supper club; Voted “Best Jazz Club” by NY Magazine this music room offers award winning Jazz nightly http://www.smokejazz.com
2751 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
(212) 864-6662
posted by #@blues2jazzguy
It was announced recently by Robert J. Carmack of RJC Mediatainment, a Social Media consulting group has partnered with the World Stage,to launch a historic 21 Saxophone Salute to Charlie Parker August 29 3pm PST. The Los Angeles based performance gallery co-founded by jazz drummer, Billy Higgins will act as staging grounds for an assembly of LA’s best JAZZ Saxophonists.The World Stage 4344 Degnan Blvd. LA 90008
Created by Robert J. Carmack,this event is a coordinated effort of multiple cities on the east and west coast coming together to perform “Now’s the Time” by Parker and to photograph the musicians. which will be posted on its own face book page entitled, Now’s The Time- Bird Lives! “We hope to demonstrate that musicians all over still respect and love Bird’s music.” said Carmack, “We’ve invited the best of the Jazz saxophonist in Los Angeles. I have also made contacts with a few saxophonist in New York and other east coast cities. But we’re still recruiting Saxophonist regardless of what city they live in. ALL JAZZ SAXOPHONISTS are WELCOMED, All we ask is use a camera/phone and send us a snippet of the performance, Now’s the Time being played by their group at Noon, August 29th and on the east coast 3PM on west coast.
Musicians interested may email us:blues2jazz2003@yahoo.com
posted by Robert J. Carmack #@blues2jazzguy
ERIC DOLPHY !
June 20, 1928 – June 29, 1964.
posted by Robert J. Carmack #@blues2jazzguy
In a rare performance in Long Beach as part of a concept jazz band, Acknowledgement, Bobby West longtime resident of many European countries, had the audience eating out of his hands ,musically speaking. Fronting an able quintet made up of local L.A.musicians, West exposed his entire arsenal of styles and passionate compositions to the attentive and lively crowd. One such ballad in the 2nd set was commandeered without the horns and was just stunning, fueled obviously by his love for classical music that provided sublime phrasing and arpeggios in the solo portion of the composition, You are Too Beautiful.
My exposure to the nimble Bobby West was Early 90s in Los Angeles where he would frequent the local haunts like 5th street Dicks coffee-house or Billy Higgins World Stage in Leimert Park area of LA. Impressed by his rarely used “Locked-Hands” approach with advanced harmonics made for an interesting evening of listening to classic “cookers” such as MIlestones , Song for my Father and Theme from Alfie.
In the second set, he introduced a Miles Davis jazz pearl , Solar with 12 bars of sublime classical tinged music that would make Beethoven or Debussy proud.
He often inter-mixed the classical etudes-like phrasing with the locked-hand precision of a Red Garland.This was pushed by the steady pulse and drive of veteran bassist Jeff Littleton, which was co-piloted by journeyman drummer Ishmael Hunter. who by the way was celebrating his birthday. Rounding out the frontline was L.A. trumpeter Noland Smith and the Father of Saxophone sensation, Kamasi Washington , Rickey Washington on saxophones. Rickey brought down the house on a flute solo on the perennial “Summertime.” One has to look high and low to find flautist who play bop-like phrases on a flute today. Overall, I was quite entertained and Soul satisfied,
I’m told Bobby 
will be in town for another few weeks before striking out for Morocco. Gone six weeks, then back again in Los Angeles until September, where he goes on the road for a nine-month stretch before his next return. In between gigs while on hiatus from the road, he can be found at the World Stage teaching music to kids and adults,
posted by #@blues2jazzguy
Hello friends and family, (Heads-Up)
I’m less than 30 days away from launching my Crowd Funding Project to raise $25,000. dollars for my new theater project ” Chitlin’ Circuit” : a Glimpse into the Los Angeles Club Music Scene of late 40s,1950s & early 60s. featuring music of T Bone Walker, L.A. Doo-Wop, Etta James,Bobby Blue Bland, Otis Redding and Nellie Lutcher. 
Most of you who know me, know I’m very passionate and committed to extending our legacy in Black music whether its Blues, Jazz or Soul, “By ANY MEDIUM NECESSARY! I NEED YOUR HELP, Please take the time to read about what I’m attempting to do when I post my Crowd Funding Profile. more importantly, donate what you can to the cause. most expenses will be in getting costs of the period piece costumes in line with my budget and of course the licensing fees for the use of the music, Of course the typical costs of venue, props and rehearsal space. I have more than 30 years experience in theater, production publicity, music promotions,a the last 8 years in Social Media Marketing. I will attempt to raise $25,000 for this production in 3 months. WE accept all “In-Kind donations” as well with clothing/posters or pictures from the 40s,50s, and early 60s.
You may email me at Blues2jazz2003@Yahoo .com a more detailed announcement and profile for Crowd Funding will be posted on all social media outlets in less than 30 days from now Please look forward to the announcement… Thanks RJ Carmack
