POCKET JAZZ MANAGEMENT ~ Robert J. Carmack-Band Leader,Producer, Writer, Actor, Director, Publicity, Percussion,
Photo Artists: Chuck Koton, Robert J. Carmack, Valerie Huffman-Herring, Craig Johnson
Artists (Painters, Assemblage,Graphics) SAM PACE, MICHAEL BRADLEY, SANDRA MARCHAND
Musicians: Robert J. Carmack -percussion/sax/spoken word,Bobby West-Piano, Keyboards,music directo ~Andrew Acosta, all Percussion & Toys, Don Littleton Traps/ Percussion, Pablo Cologero -flutes,saxes and bass clarinet, Mike Alvidrez basses electric & acoustic.. Aladeen- sax/vocals
Booking Roster: Jazz groups-MAIA all-female jazz ensemble, Acknowledgement, Plight and Elephants Nda Park
Actors: Robert J. Carmack, Phil Bell, Pat Sligh, Windy Barnes-Farrell, Michelle LaChaux,TBA
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.
Bobby Hutcherson Blue Note years
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
KCSM Jazz 91 invites you to spend the day with us at Jazz On The Hill! This day-long celebration is our gift to you, our jazz community, to thank you for the support you’ve given to your favorite jazz station: KCSM 91.1 FM. Join us at College of San Mateo campus for live jazz with a great line-up of musicians who cover many genres of jazz from straight-ahead, blues, to Latin and more!
Again we will have two music stages! The main stage will be located on the lower mezzanine in front of the library steps, with seating alongside the fountain and plenty of lawn seating…bring your picnic blanket, umbrella and come early to claim your spot!
The 400-seat Little Theater is again the venue for the Youth Stage which will showcase the next generation of jazz musicians.
Giant Steps Jazz Big BandSF Jazz AllStars Combo
ARTS & CRAFTS AND FOOD TRUCKS, TOO!
It’s a long day, so come hungry! There will be a variety of food trucks on site … check back soon as we begin to add the types of food available. We will also serve beer and a variety of great wine from Domenico winery. No matter what your taste….we’re sure to have scrumptious food and drink to wow your palate.
In addition to our food vendors, there will be local artisans showcasing their wares, and other organizations will also have information about local businesses that might interest you. Check back soon, we will be adding the list as they si
posted by music journalist Robert J. Carmack photos credits: Robert Carmack and Sol Washington
You know, one of the benefits of living in Los Angeles or Southern California period, is the weather. This particular Sunday was no different than the 54 Summers past I have lived in California.But this one was very special though. The World Stage was celebrating 25 years of existence in Leimert Park (Los Angeles).and honoring one of the people wholly responsible for its foundation and support over the many years he was alive. That person was none other than, master musician Billy Higgins.One of the most storied and active drummers for a very long time at the highest level of performance.
Everybody knew he was one of the most recorded drummers in the history of jazz, But not enough knew of his tireless devotion to the community he grew up in and served one hundred fold. That is the real reason he’s being honored. If you are looking for a review of the concert, well.. this is not it! Because I was around the World Stage during its early days of Los Angeles , Post 1992 Uprising in the streets of L.A. I watched Billy in action a lot as he brought his musicians around to the stage, then around to the coffee House known as 5th Street Dick’s (my hang) There he would hold Court on why it was important that whenever they came into town to gig, they had to come to the World stage on an off day to play or teach a youngster about music. I witnessed this on many ocassions and Billy knew a lot of musicians cats.
Once I was in 5th street Dick’s Coffee house working on some poetry and listening to JMD & the Jam Master Band,(a local bad-ass group) when Billy brought in Chick Corea, Bennie Maupin and Larry Coryell to check out the music .. So I started reciting poetry with the JMD Band, all of a sudden Chick Corea got up and took over the Keyboard player’s axe, Larry Carlton cracked out his guitar and before you knew it, we had a “thang” going on.. prov-like all spontaneous… Jazz is suppose to do that to the human spirit. I looked at Billy, and He was just smiling ear to ear.. It wasn’t until much later, at another time, I realized why he was smiling so much that day. He knew then, he knew he had hooked those guys too. And soon, they were coming around a lot ,even if Billy was not there . Whenever Billy was on the road, someone at the World Stage had the responsibility to make sure the musician guests of Billy had no problems getting comfortable helping Kids or playing an afternoon concert on a Saturday before their night gig. That was how it worked for years. Jackie Mclean and Billy had long history as fellow musicians.. but Jackie always checked to make sure someone was holding down a class or something before he settled into his hotel to wait on his gig. No Billy Higgins in the community standing in the Gap, This place or listening space don’t happen! SO, if you want to know why Him??, Ask that long line of young drummers that have learned so much from being around and asking questions to a working drummer/legend. Seek out that long list of drummers and musicians in general who are very prominent Jazz musicians and Band leaders also today. Some of those same drummers could not afford a full set of drums to practice or work.. They got what they needed,, encouragement, inspiration and sometimes money. “Smiling Billy the person, the MAN” was the one being honored and respected by a legion or army of admirers and peers Sunday August 24th. Yes Sir! A Spiritual Experience for sure!!
what better way to honor the man than to allow the fruits of labor performed 25 years ago spawned great talents that was displayed on stage on that beautiful Sunday afternoon beginning with the world stage’s own African Drum Workshop . S.H.I.N.E. MAWUSI Troupe, they were the very first act we experienced. it was electrifying, as it was vivid and sublime.
Multi-Reed specialist Bennie Maupin gets loose on, You Don’t know what Love is
It was at this point where award-winning Patrice Rushen accompanied veteran jazz singer Carmen Lundy in two riveting duets that in my opinion, should be recorded together and toured. One of the originals was played on acoustic guitar by Carmen Lundy..OMG!!
Poetess JaHa spreading Love around through her poetryVocalist Dwight Trible and Jazz host/MC Leroy Downs
POETESS JaHa Photo by Sol Washington
Dwight Trible, Trevor Ware & Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Photo by Sol Washington
By the time Dwight was through with his performance,we were all levitating in the audience. I wish I could have sat closer so I would not need the flash. we could not shoot if we had flash .
shown on the left is Kamau Daaood Poet Laureate and John Beasley Music Director/Pianist
Near the end of the evening’s show Hubert Laws came out before his accompaniment. and played a rendition of LUSH LIFE with the most clear & pure tone on Flute with the best and most sublime solo I’ve ever heard on any instrument.
Biilly Higgins shown on Drums with the Art Farmer-Cedar Walton Quartet @ Concerts by the Sea-1977 Los Angeles
On Billy Higgins: By Lew Tabackin
“Playing with Billy was like heaven. He was the greatest collaborator in the history of jazz. He played exactly right for you at exactly the right time. His dynamics were perfect, he balanced his energy off of your energy. It was the perfect ratio between his intensity and your intensity. I remember one time a friend of mine played with Billy. I said “hey how was it playing with Higgins.” He said, “you know I was expecting more energy.” I said, “no man that’s not the way it works. He plays off your energy. He your energy is low, he’s not going to kick your ass.
I did a month tour with Billy and Charlie Hayden and every night was perfect. There wasn’t one time where you thought; “we’ll he’s not having a good night.” I’ve never experienced anything like that since. That consistently musical swinging creative reality. I could hear the harmony when he would play the drums.”
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.
