This is a quick excerpt of the Forefront playing “Siren’s Eye,” a composition by Rich Van Voorst, that was performed at a benefit concert last Monday. This is also posted in the videos section on the media page.

I am an avid reader of Seth Godin’s Blog and this recent post, really hit the nail on the head. As my quintet, The Forefront, will be releasing a record in early 2009, we have been plastering that all over everything that we can. However, Seth points out that this sounds so vague that is makes it seem further off than it actually is. It’s next year, in 2009. That seems distant, however it is only 3 months away. It is funny how our language can create illusions that can actually be detrimental to the message that we are trying to convey. Perhaps something like, “New Record Coming in 3 MONTHS!” would work?  Well I think I can work on that a bit. Check it out!

The Forefront will be performing a benefit concert at the University of South Florida on Monday, October 13th at 8:00pm. The proceeds will go to benefit the Sweet Home New Orleans Renew Our Music fund, and the Association for Jazz Education at the University of South Florida.

Where: Driving directions and USF Map
Located in Fine Arts - FAH 101
When: Monday, October 13th at 8:00pm
How much: Free, Donations Encouraged!

Sweet Home New Orleans Mission:
To perpetuate New Orleans’ culture by providing direct services to the individuals and institutions that will carry them forward.

What they do:
Sweet Home New Orleans is a non-profit agency that provides services to the city’s musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, and Social Aid & Pleasure Club members in the following areas:
– Case Management to help clients develop a plan for post-Katrina stability.
– Housing Assistance in the form of Relocation, Rent/Mortgage subsidies, and grants for Renovations.
– Advocacy for cash grants from partnering agencies, and other services such as pro-bono legal advice and financial literacy workshops.

Additionally, the Renew Our Music Program offers:
– Financial Assistance with bills, instrument repair, transportation, and other immediate need.
– Performance Subsidies including cultural education programs, second line parades, and gigs that stimulate local businesses and help artists get back to work.

New Orleans music, the root of the city’s identity and a driving force behind its economy, is an expression of a unique American culture perpetuated by approximately 4,500 men and women. These tradition bearers practice a functional art that unites and strengthens communities. For generations, they have transmitted this culture to family and neighbors. Since Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing flood, however, thousands in this community still struggle to access public assistance and lack the resources to rebuild their neighborhoods and their lives in a post-Katrina economy. The future of this culture depends on their return.

Fourteen service organizations from around the city and the country formed Sweet Home to help these artists become self-sufficient again, and in so doing, to secure the cultural continuity of New Orleans. Renew Our Music, founded as New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund just days after the storm, has provided direct aid to over 1,700 tradition bearers, including nearly $400,000 in three months following the flood. Now, as a program of Sweet Home New Orleans, Renew Our Music works toward long-term economic development for our clients.

Sweet Home New Orleans operates in the Treme neighborhood, steps from Congo Square, considered by many the birthplace of American music. These streets are the source of New Orleans’ characteristic rhythms, which drove the development of jazz and R&B. We are proud to support these indigenous traditions, and we invite you to join us as we expand our reach to ensure New Orleans’ unique culture continues to revive the city.

Here’s a gallery of some stuff that TBT Photographer Leigh Armstrong took at the Canvas 4 Show.

Here are a some pictures of my quintet, The Forefront playing at the Canvas 4 art show. You can fine more of them under the media page on our website. The concert was a great success and the artwork shown was simply superb. Our next performance will be a benefit concert at the University of South Florida with the USF Association for Jazz Education, to benefit musicians in New Orleans.

More Pictures!

The Forefront will make its official debut at the Canvas 4 Art Premier at The Element Church in Tampa, this Friday September 26th. The whole shindig kicks off at 8:00pm and we will be playing one long set from 8:30pm to 10:00pm. The group has been working on a recording to be released in early 2009 and will be debuting some of the music from this recording as well as various other pieces. For more information check out www.theforefrontjazz.com

Canvas is in their second year and exists as a biannual art premier. This is an excerpt of their purpose statement: “Canvas exists simply to promote a community of inspiration. Our idea, our dream, was born to provide a springboard for up and coming artists, in such a way that would benefit both their craft and career.”

On another note, my wife Bonnie, a graphic designer and painter, will be showing some of her work at the show.

Click here for directions!

Other Bands on the bill include RELO and Lush Progress.

Originally posted here!

“On August 18, we recorded 5 tracks for our upcoming release. The sessions went really well and we are very pleased with the out come. The tracks are mostly original compositions as well as a couple of deconstructed/reconstructed arrangements with a variety of diverse styles. We all felt that the recording successfully captured the essence of the group’s personalities and abilities through the many diverse varying elements of the music.
However, this session was bittersweet as it marks the end of our drummer and close friend, Mark Feinman’s current tenure with the band. Mark has been playing with all of us for the past four years and he is now moving up to New York to continue his schooling at SUNY Purchase and start a new chapter in his musical career. We are always truly inspired by his hard work and dedication, and his attention to detail that allows his creative voice to be heard loud and clear over everything that he does with us. He will certainly be missed and we wish him all the best in all that he does!”

Originally posted on www.theforefrontjazz.com