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2008 JVC JAZZ FESTIVAL – NEW YORK
LIGHTS UP THE CITY JUNE 15 – 28
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Festival Highlights Include Herbie Hancock, João Gilberto, Jill Scott, Chris Botti, Mos Def Big Band with Gil Scott-Heron, Bad Plus 1 featuring Kurt Rosenwinkel, Sergio Mendes, Zap Mama, Charlie Haden Quartet West, Cecil Taylor, Charles Lloyd, Soulive with Joshua Redman, Dick Hyman, Tierney Sutton, Maceo Parker & More!

NEW YORK, April 8, 2008 – The 2008 JVC Jazz Festival – New York, presented by The Festival Network, LLC (FN), lights up the city June 15 – 28 with 38 spectacular concerts plus nearly 200 additional events at clubs, schools, museums, retail outlets and other venues throughout the city. Tickets go on sale April 9.

Highlights of this year’s JVC Jazz Festival New York include 2008 Album of the Year Grammy® Award Winner Herbie Hancock and The River of Possibilities Tour; a celebration of 50 years of Bossa Nova starring João Gilberto; a JVC exclusive with Bad Plus 1 featuring Kurt Rosenwinkel, JVC Jazz Festival New York debuts by Jill Scott, Mos Def Big Band with special guest Gil Scott-Heron, Charlie Haden Quartet West and Bill Frisell Trio; all-star tributes to pianist Hank Jones, Art D’Lugoff’s Salsa Meets Jazz and Jack Kleinsinger’s Highlights in Jazz, as well as stellar performances by Chris Botti, Al Green, Cecil Taylor, George Cables, Sergio Mendes, Soulive with special guest Joshua Redman, and Charles Lloyd.

“JVC Jazz Festival New York demonstrates the convergence of an incredible array of musical talent – well known and on the rise – with our great business partner JVC. Add to that an audience that fully appreciates the opportunity to savor some of the best music around, in one of the world’s great cities, and you have all the ingredients for a terrific experience,” said Tom Shepard, chief executive officer, FN. “We are pleased to apply Festival Network’s resources and skills to further enhance this event, which already has a rich history, as we have with others throughout our network of properties.”

“I have been producing festivals and events for more than half of my life, but watching the JVC Jazz Festival unfold across New York for 14 consecutive days is still one of my favorite times of the year,” said world-renowned jazz impresario George Wein. “It is exciting for me to be part of The Festival Network team. Its added energy and interest in increasing awareness of the JVC Jazz Festival through innovative programming complements our history of unique musical presentations.”

The JVC Jazz Festival presents seven concerts at Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium at 8 pm. Concerts begin on Friday, June 20, with The Real Thing: An Evening with JILL SCOTT followed by Nouveau Bossa featuring SERGIO MENDES and ZAP MAMA, Saturday, June 21; 50 Years of Bossa Nova with JOÃO GILBERTO, Sunday, June 22; and 2008 Grammy Award Winner, Album of the Year, HERBIE HANCOCK and The River of Possibilities Tour featuring DAVE HOLLAND, VINNIE COLAIUTA, CHRIS POTTER, LIONEL LOUEKE and SONYA KITCHELL plus show opener LIONEL LOUEKE TRIO, Monday, June 23. The Carnegie Hall concerts continue Tuesday, June 24, with An Evening with CHRIS BOTTI; The Soul of Jazz starring AL GREEN and DIANNE REEVES on Friday, June 27; and MOS DEF BIG BAND with special guest GIL SCOTT-HERON, Saturday, June 28.

Kicking off the four 8:30 pm concerts at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall is A Taste of Genius: BRAD MEHLDAU TRIO on Sunday, June 22, followed by Dick Hyman & Friends with DICK HYMAN, KEN PEPLOWSKI, WYCLIFFE GORDON, RANDY SANDKE, HOWARD ALDEN, JAY LEONHART and EDDIE LOCKE, Monday, June 23; Presenting Ms. Tierney Sutton featuring TIERNEY SUTTON BAND with TIERNEY SUTTON, CHRISTIAN JACOB, TREY HENRY and RAY BRINKER, Tuesday June 24; and Tangaria with RICHARD GALLIANO TANGARIA 4TET featuring RICHARD GALLIANO, ALEXIS CARDENAS, RAFAEL MEIJIAS, PHILLIPPE AERTS and special guest HAMILTON De HOLANDA, Saturday, June 28.

The JVC Jazz Festival – New York is pleased to make its debut at the New York Society for Ethical Culture (NYSEC) with 10 dynamic concerts, most tailor-made for the festival. Jump starting the series is A Tribute to Alice Coltrane featuring RAVI COLTRANE, GERI ALLEN, CHARLIE HADEN, JACK DeJOHNETTE and BRANDEE YOUNGER on Tuesday, June 17, followed by A Celebration of 35 Years of Jack Kleinsinger’s Highlights in Jazz with BILLY TAYLOR, BUCKY PIZZARELLI, KEN PEPLOWSKI, BYRON STRIPLING, TED ROSENTHAL, WYCLIFFE GORDON, GENE BERTONCINI, JAY LEONHART and LEWIS NASH on Wednesday, June 18. Hear Voices Beyond Boundaries with LILA DOWNS and RAUL MIDÓN on Thursday, June 19, followed by The Solo Piano featuring CECIL TAYLOR and GEORGE CABLES, Friday, June 20, and Hank Jones Celebration with NEA Jazz Master HANK JONES, Saturday, June 21.

Concerts at the New York Society for Ethical Culture continue with A Tribute to Carlos “Patato” Valdez: THE CONGA KINGS featuring GIOVANNI HIDALGO, CANDIDO CAMERO and FRANCISCO AGUABELLA on Sunday, June 22. Be among the number to catch A JVC New York Exclusive of BAD PLUS 1 featuring KURT ROSENWINKEL plus EMPIRICAL on Tuesday, June 24, and Rising Stars ANAT COHEN with special guests YUVAL and AVISHAI COHEN, plus JASON LINDNER and ESPERANZA SPALDING QUARTET with LEONARDO GENOVESE, RICARDO VOGT and HORACIO HERNANDEZ, Wednesday, June 25. The series wraps up with DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER RED EARTH: A MALIAN JOURNEY on Friday, June 27, and CHARLES LLOYD featuring JASON MORAN, REUBEN ROGERS and ERIC HARLAND, Saturday, June 28. All NYSEC concerts are at 8 pm.

The Festival also makes it debut at Le Poisson Rouge with eight concerts, but as the former Village Gate, the venue comes with its own venerable history. Don’t miss the New York Debut of CHARLIE HADEN QUARTET WEST on Wednesday, June 18, and the New Trio New York Debut of the BILL FRISELL TRIO, Thursday, June 19, both evenings at 7:30 pm and 10 pm. On Saturday, June 21, catch Genre Bending with E.S.T. and AETHEREAL BACE with ERIC McPHERSON, NASHEET WAITS and ABRAHAM BURTON at 7:30 pm and Transcending Voices with SIMONE and KJ DENHERT at 11 pm. One of New York’s hottest homecomings is set for Monday, June 23, at 7:30 pm when JVC Jazz Festival Salutes Art D’Lugoff and Salsa Meets Jazz featuring PONCHO SANCHEZ, in the room where D’Lugoff hosted world-renowned jazz and Latin music greats until his Village Gate closed 15 years ago. Groove to the beat at Turntables & Samples Meet Jazz on Wednesday, June 25, at 8 pm with MARCO BENEVENTO TRIO, DJ LOGIC PROJECT LOGIC and MOCEAN WORKER. Come back for A JVC New York Exclusive with SOULIVE with special guest JOSHUA REDMAN on Thursday, June 26, and Friday, June 27, at 7:30 pm.

The JVC Jazz Festival – New York returns to the Rubin Museum of Art for three concerts with THE BILLY HART ACADEMY featuring THEO CROKER, Friday, June 21; THE AARON GOLDBERG TRIO, Wednesday, June 25; and TIM BERNE and CRAIG TABORN, Friday, June 27, all at 7 pm.

Think no more about what to get Dad; take him to A Father’s Day Gift with the KENNY BARRON TRIO at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture on Sunday, June 15, at 3 pm. Make It Funky! with MACEO PARKER and LETTUCE at another new JVC Jazz Festival venue, Brooklyn Masonic Temple, on Wednesday, June 18, at 8 pm. Art greets jazz when the BILLY HARPER QUINTET takes the stage at Studio Museum in Harlem on Thursday, June 26, at 7:30 pm.

JVC Jazz Festival – New York presents three free concerts at two area parks. MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD, MARC RIBOT’S CERAMIC DOG and TAYLOR McFERRIN are set to perform at Prospect Park Bandshell on Thursday, June 19, at 7 pm. A $3 contribution to Celebrate Brooklyn! is requested. Grab a blanket and pack a snack and head to Union Square Park – South Plaza for DownBeat Presents: Jazz Combos with THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS JAZZ ENSEMBLE, THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY LIBERACE JAZZTET and GREATER HARTFORD ACADEMY JAZZ ENSEMBLE, on Thursday, June 19, at 12:30 pm and The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music Presents: THE NEW SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE on Thursday, June 26, at 5:30 pm.

Throughout the Festival, the 2-for-1 Club Night series will offer special discounts to JVC Jazz Festival ticket holders for select shows at The Blue Note, Birdland, Cachaça, Iridium Jazz Club, Smoke and Zinc.

Additional support for the JVC Jazz Festival – New York is provided by NYC & Company and media partners The Village Voice and Jazz 88/WBGO-FM.

The Buckingham Hotel, located at 101 West 57th Street at Sixth Avenue, is the official host hotel of the JVC Jazz Festival – New York. For the special festival rate, call (212) 246-1500, extension 3201, and mention the JVC Jazz Festival or visit www.buckinghamhotel.com.

Tickets and information for JVC Jazz Festival – New York concerts are available at respective box offices, online or by telephone: The Blue Note, 131 W. Third Street, (212) 475-8592, www.bluenotejazz.com; Birdland, 315 W. 44th Street, (212) 581-3080, www.birdlandjazz.com; Brooklyn Masonic Temple, 317 Claremont Ave at Lafayette Avenue, (866) 468-7619, www.masonicboom.com; Cachaça, 35 W. Eighth Street, (212) 388-9099, www.cachacajazz.com; Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway, (212) 582-2121, www.iridiumjazzclub.com; Carnegie Hall, W. 57th Street & 7th Avenue, (212) 247-7800, www.carnegiehall.org; New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 W. 64th Street & Central Park West, (646) 862-0458, www.nysec.org; Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, (646) 862-0458, www.myspace.com/lepoissonrougenyc; Prospect Park Bandshell, 9th Street & Prospect Park West, Park Slope, Brooklyn, (718) 855-7882, www.briconline.org/CB; Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W. 17th Street, (212) 620-5000, www.rmanyc.org; Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Boulevard & W. 135th Street, (212) 491-2200, www.nypl.org/research/sc; Smoke, 2751 Broadway, (212) 864-6662, www.smokejazz.com; Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 W. 125th Street, (212) 864-4500, www.studiomuseum.org; Summer in the Square, Union Square Park – South Plaza, 14th Street between Broadway & Union Square West, www.unionsquarenyc.org; Zankel Hall, W. 57th Street & 7th Avenue, (212) 247-7800, www.carnegiehall.org and Zinc, 90 W. Houston Street, (212) 477-8337, www.zincbar.com.

For information and a Festival brochure, call (646) 862-0458 weekdays from 10 am – 6 pm or visit the official JVC Jazz Festival – New York Website at www.festivalnetwork.com.

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Marrying legendary impresario George Wein’s legacy of branded music festivals with new corporate and marketing leadership, The Festival Network, LLC (FN) develops, acquires and produces music festivals and live entertainment properties in unique destinations around the globe. FN’s roster of festivals, coupled with its historic media archives dating back over a half century, also serves to generate content tailor-made for premium broadcast distribution, after-market media and a variety of business partnerships.

JVC, sponsor of JVC Jazz Festivals worldwide since 1984, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of high quality audio and video products.

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Jazz Singer Sarah Partridge
Cruises Back to the Oak Room
at the Algonquin Hotel
with Her New Show “I’ve Gotta Roam”
June 12 - 23

With elegant tradition and high musical style, jazzy songbird and actress Sarah Partridge is set to appear again at the world-famous Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel [59 West 44th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues] with a new show called “I’ve Gotta Roam” June 12 - 23. Some of her shows at the legendary nightspot are a part of New York’s hottest jazz event, the JVC Jazz Festival-New York, which takes over the city this year, during the week of June 17 – 30.

Partridge, who hails originally from Weston, Massachusetts and currently resides with her husband, two kids and a greyhound in South Orange, New Jersey, was voted 'GMA BREAKOUT ARTIST' by ABC's Good Morning America last summer. And now, she has a hot new CD, entitled You Are There: Songs for my Father, on Nagel Heyer Records.

Sarah is a relative late-comer to the music business, as film was her first love. As a college grad, she played an unforgettable role opposite TOM CRUISE as the babysitter in the classic film Risky Business. Cruise and Sarah are still friends.

For 100 years, the Algonquin Hotel has been greeting and lodging the country's most prominent writers and literary personalities, as well as the leading figures of the American stage. Partridge’s music fits in perfectly with that history. Her song list includes music from the Great American Songbook such as “Yesterdays,” “Detour Ahead,” “Beyond the Sea,” “Back in Your Own Back Yard,” “April in Paris” and “Gypsy in My Soul,” among other classics.

Featured in Sarah Partridge's stellar band will be Allen Farnham on piano, Tim Horner on drums and Bill Moring on bass.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Sarah Partridge’s June 12 - 23 shows at the Algonquin will be held Tuesday through Thursday at 9 pm and Friday and Saturday at 9 and 11:30 pm. There is a $60 cover charge per person and a $25 minimum. A $65 prix fixe dinner is optional for most shows; required at the early shows Friday and Saturday. For reservations, call 212-419-9331 or write to bmcgurn@algonquinhotel.com.

Since the Sarah Partridge engagement is also a part of this year’s JVC Jazz Festival-New York, jazz festival-goers can get a terrific two-for-one deal on tickets to the late shows Friday and Saturday, June 22 and 23. The 2-for-1 deal allows festival ticket holders from a JVC Jazz Festival-New York main event (Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Danny Kaye Playhouse, Town Hall, etc.) to bring their ticket stubs to the late show at the Oak Room to be eligible to buy one ticket and get one free, as available. At the Oak Room for Sarah’s shows, one person would pay $60 plus a $25 minimum and the other person would pay just the $25 minimum.

MORE ABOUT SARAH:

Singing along to a karaoke machine "on a dare" is not the way most aspiring singers begin their career. However, this is how jazz singer Sarah Partridge got her start. While enjoying a successful and busy career as an actress, Partridge went to the Improv in Los Angeles with friends, to enjoy a night out. A karaoke contest began and her chums urged her to participate, just for fun. Partridge, a jazz enthusiast, reluctantly agreed and eventually found an “elevators only” version of “Summertime.” Her beautiful, rich voice captivated an L.A. booker, who assumed that she was a professional jazz singer. Before she could say “help,” she found herself billed as the featured vocalist in a live jazz salute. This was not an easy accomplishment considering that she knew only 10 songs all the way through. Yet, she was a smashing success and hasn’t taken a step backward, from that evening on.

Spending most of her early childhood in Boston and attending high school in Alabama, Sarah claims that her father is responsible for her love of jazz. From the time she was born, the only music Sarah heard around the house was Ella Fitzgerald, Chris Connor, Dakota Staton, Irene Kral and, of course, Sarah Vaughan. While other kids were singing nursery rhymes, Sarah was humming “Lush Life.” She couldn’t have avoided this music if she'd tried!

Partridge also developed a keen interest in acting at a young age. She decided to enroll at the prestigious Northwestern University, where she majored in theater. After receiving her degree, Partridge stayed in Chicago and landed her first feature film role -- opposite Tom Cruise in that smash hit, Risky Business. She then headed west to L.A., where she acted in several more films and became actively involved in doing commercials and voice-overs. She was often heard portraying super heroes on cartoon shows! Throughout the late eighties and early nineties, Partridge could be seen guest-starring in numerous TV series, sitcoms and soap operas . . . then came that fateful night at the Improv -- when an old dream reawakened and she soon shifted the focus of her life back to music.

Currently leading a bi-coastal life, Sarah has been spotted entertaining audiences at many notable east-coast haunts such as, New York’s Firebird Cafe, The Hideaway, Delmonico’s, The Jazz Standard and many others. L.A. jazz spots include, Catalina’s Bar & Grill, Spazio, and the Hollywood landmark, the Cinegrill. She is consistently pegged as “pick of the week” in newspapers on both coasts.

Until his death in early June of 1997, Sarah could often be found practicing her own brand of meditation -- that of sharing the bandstand with her pal, legendary jazz giant, Doc Cheatham. She was a fixture at his Sunday afternoon jazz brunches at New York’s Sweet Basil Restaurant. They also teamed at other local clubs such as Metropolis and New Jersey’s, Trumpets. He affectionately referred to her as “a woman of high voltage!”

Her debut CD, I’ll Be Easy to Find continues to get considerable airplay, nationwide. It received excellent reviews, including in the industry’s barometer, Billboard Magazine. Her second CD, Blame It on My Youth, was released in 2004.

Links:

• www.sarahpartridge.net
• www.algonquinhotel.com
• www.festivalproductions.net

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GEORGE WEIN DIRECTS BENEFIT CONCERT
AT BOSTON SYMPHONY HALL SEPTEMBER 28
AND CELEBRATES HIS 82ND BIRTHDAY
AT DIZZY’S CLUB COCA COLA OCTOBER 2 - 7

NEW YORK, September 14 – The summer festival season may be winding down, but world-renowned jazz impresario George Wein still has plenty of music on his plate. He is directing A Celebration of Jazz and Joyce: A Concert to Establish the Joyce Alexander Wein Scholarship Fund, at an all-star benefit at Boston Symphony Hall (300 Massachusetts Avenue) on Friday, September 28, at 7:30 p.m., and he celebrates his 82nd birthday in performances with his Newport Jazz Festival All-Stars at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at Frederick P. Rose Hall (Broadway at 60th Street, 5th Floor, New York City) October 2 - 7, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. nightly.

The September 28 benefit for a scholarship fund at Berklee College of Music is part of the Beantown Jazz Festival and features Herbie Hancock, Roy Haynes, Branford Marsalis, Jon Faddis, Joe Lovano, Lizz Wright, Geri Allen, Regina Carter, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Lew Tabackin, Kenny Werner, Howard Alden, Jimmy Cobb and Ray Drummond. Produced for the second year by Berklee College of Music, the festival will bring Grammy-winning, internationally renowned superstars and cornerstones of the Boston jazz scene together on a number of stages in free and ticketed offerings from September 27 - 29. Tickets for the benefit are $100, $70, $55, and $40 and are on sale now at the Symphony Hall box office, www.bso.org or by calling (888) 266-1200. For more information, visit www.beantownjazz.org.

Then, catch George Wein & the Newport All-Stars when he celebrates his 82nd birthday (October 3) performing the music he loves at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola Tuesday, October 2 – Sunday, October 7. Joining pianist Wein will be Howard Alden (guitar), Randy Brecker (trumpet), Lew Tabackin (saxophone), Kenny Washington (drums) and Peter Washington (bass). Tickets are $30 with $10 minimum at tables/$5 at the bar and are available by calling (212) 258-9595. Reservations also can be made at www.opentable.com.

“It's exciting for me to produce this concert for a scholarship fund in the name of my wife, Joyce Alexander Wein,” says the producer and pianist. “I look forward to seeing many old friends in Boston, where, of course, I started my life in jazz at Storyville at Copley Square. I'm also excited to return to club life to perform with this great band. We sold out Feinstein's in March 2006, and we hope we can do the same at Dizzy's."

Wein is on the way to having his wish come true; the 7:30 p.m. set on Tuesday, October 2, is already sold out.

George Wein is considered to be as much a legend as his festivals. In addition to operating his company, Festival Productions, which he merged with Shoreline Media earlier this year to become The Festival Network, LLC, Wein is the person responsible for the Newport Jazz Festival – an event that started the "festival era." He has as much creative fuel as he did when he started that festival more than 50 years ago and advanced the concept of live music. He pioneered the concept of sponsor association with music events. The Schlitz Salute to Jazz and the Kool Jazz Festival preceded any other sponsor identity with entertainment events, giving the sponsor the title presentation that guaranteed mention of the sponsor's name in publicity and promotion. His company went on to produce titled events for JVC, Mellon Bank, Verizon, Essence, Ben & Jerry’s, Dunkin’ Donuts and others.

Wein published his autobiography, Myself Among Others: A Life in Music (Da Capo Press), which chronicles his life in jazz and was recognized by the Jazz Journalists Association as 2004’s best book about jazz. In addition to his life in jazz, he has a long history of involvement with philanthropy and the arts, including the establishment of the Joyce and George Wein Chair of African American Studies at Boston University, the Alexander Family Endowed Scholarship Fund at Simmons College as well as this year’s Joyce Alexander Wein Scholarship Fund at Berklee College. A three-month exhibition (November 18, 2005 – January 22, 2006), Syncopated Rhythms: 20th-Century African American Art from the George and Joyce Wein Collection, was commissioned by the Boston University Art Gallery, showcasing Wein’s collection of works created by Charles Alston, Romare Bearden, John Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, Miles Davis, Beauford Delaney, Joseph Delaney, Jacob Lawrence, Norman Lewis, Faith Ringgold, Betye Saar and Augusta Savage and others.

For more information on George Wein, Festival Productions and The Festival Network, LLC, visit www.festivalproductions.net.

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DR. DAVID A. HAMPTON CALLED TO PASTOR
HISTORIC BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH IN BROOKLYN, NY

BROOKLYN, NY, November 12, 2007 – The Bethany Baptist Church family has called Dr. David A. Hampton to serve as the 10th pastor of the 124-year-old historic church in Brooklyn, NY, following the 43-year pastorate of world-renowned preacher/teacher/author Dr. William Augustus Jones, Jr., it was announced by the Reverend Jasper E. Peyton, Bethany’s Interim Pastor.

Dr. Hampton will begin his pastorate at Bethany on January 6, 2008.

Dr. Hampton is an exceptionally dynamic preacher who has an ability to reach people of all ages. An anointed pastor from Indianapolis, IN, he previously served as the senior pastor of Zion Hope Baptist Church. Dr. Hampton earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Indianapolis in 1994. He earned a Master of Theological Studies degree in 2000 and Doctor of Ministry degree (Summa Cum Laude) in 2007, both from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. He is affiliated with the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Churches, where he served on the Executive Board of Directors. In addition, he is a religious editorial writer for the Indianapolis Recorder and wrote an opinion column, for the Indianapolis Star from 2005-2006.

“After more than two years of prayer and faith that God would send us the Pastor of His choice, we are blessed to welcome Dr. Hampton to the Bethany Baptist Church family,” said Rev. Peyton.

“I am honored and humbled by Christ to have been chosen to lead such an historic church into the 21st Century after Dr. William Augustus Jones. The people of Bethany have been overwhelmingly warm and welcoming,“ said Dr. Hampton.

Dr. Hampton is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including: National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice Scholar, Martin Luther King. Jr. Scholar, Who's Who in Black Indianapolis, MLK Human Rights Award, NCAA All-American, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Center for Leadership Development.

Reverend Hampton and his wife, Hope, have two children, Taylor and Gabriel.

Dr. Hampton will be installed on April 6, 2008, by his childhood pastor, Dr. Jeffrey A. Johnson, Sr., Eastern Star Baptist Church, Indianapolis, IN.

Bethany Baptist Church is located at 460 Marcus Garvey Boulevard between Decatur and MacDonough in Brooklyn. Sunday Worship services are at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. For more information, contact the Church office at (718) 455-8400.

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CHEFS FOR HUMANITY FIGHTS HUNGER
THROUGH ON-LINE AUCTION WITH CHARITYBUZZ.COM
NOVEMBER 14 – DECEMBER 5
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Celebrity Chefs to Offer Private Cooking Lessons, Meals Prepared in Your Home, Private Parties in Upscale Restaurants and More!

NEW YORK, October 30, 2007 – Put your money where your mouth is November 14 – December 5 and support Chefs for Humanity during an on-line, one-of-a-kind auction with charitybuzz.com. Join some of the world’s most renowned celebrity chefs as they offer their culinary skills and share cooking secrets to raise funds to help stop hunger around the world.

“We’re thrilled to present this unique and creative way to help fight hunger and we encourage everyone to take part in this exciting fundraiser,” said Diane L. Burstein, acting director of Chefs for Humanity. “Our chefs are planning some fabulous culinary experiences for you and your taste buds.”

Celebrity chefs include Chefs for Humanity president/founder Cat Cora, Katie Lee Joel, Rick Bayless, Ming Tsai, Christine Pirello, Dean Fearing, Charlie Ayers, Robert St. John, and Bobby Slay. Auction items include:

• Cat Cora and Katie Lee Joel: Billy Joel Concert in New York and dinner at Bon Appetite

• Charlie Ayers: In-home dinner with wine pairings for 20 people in the San Francisco area

• Dean Fearing: Chef’s Table for eight at his new establishment, Fearing’s Restaurant, in the brand new Ritz Carlton in Dallas, TX

• Christina Pirello: In-home cooking class for 10 people within the Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware or New York region (winner can pay for travel expenses if out of the region). The theme for the class is “Cooking to Relieve Stress and Tension,” focusing on foods that make stress tougher for us and the foods that help us handle it with grace. The package also includes a signed copy of her newest book, Cooking the Whole Foods Way. The winner is responsible for food costs.

• Ming Tsai: Tasting Dinner with wines for six at Blue Ginger in Wellesley, MA. The lot also includes a meet and greet and four autographed copies of Ming’s book, Master Recipes

• Rick Bayless: Gift Certificate for dinner for two at Frontera Grill in Chicago, IL, a tequila tasting, products from the food line Frontera Foods and a signed cook book

To participate, log-in to www.charitybuzz.com beginning November 14, locate the Chefs for Humanity auction and start bidding.

Chefs for Humanity is an alliance of culinary professionals and educators working in partnership with United States and global organizations, providing nutrition education, hunger relief and emergency and humanitarian aid to reduce hunger across the world. For more information, visit www.chefsforhumanity.org.

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THE SOUL OF LEE GENESIS:
A RARE NEW YORK APPEARANCE BY SOUL TITAN LEE GENESIS
AT HIGHLINE BALLROOM
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, AT 8:00 PM AND 10:00 PM
Celebrating His New CD: The Soul of Lee Genesis

NEW YORK, January 2008 – LB Creative Works and Berger Platters Records present a CD release party in celebration of THE SOUL OF LEE GENESIS, a smoking new CD (Berger Platters 51547) by soul titan LEE GENESIS, at Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th Street between 9th & 10th Avenues in New York, on Tuesday, January 22, 2008, at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with music by DJ Audi Mansell. The evening’s MC and special guest will be international dance industry recording artist Barbara Tucker. Admission is FREE with a $10 minimum at tables; first come, first seated.

Genesis’ band features Frank Wilkins on keyboards, Chuck Langford on tenor, Dave Acker on guitar, Tim Ingles on bass, Jim Arnold on drums and two of New York’s favorite back-up singers, LaTasha S. Jordan and Michelle Matlock. Performing music from the new CD, Lee and his band know how to get you on your feet or groove you in your seat. For musical samples, go to www.leegenesis.com.

An East Coast icon in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Lee led a Boston-based band called Heat. He was hot then; and now more than four decades later (at age 65!) , he comes out smoking with his debut CD, The Soul of Lee Genesis. A natural talent, with an awesome vocal range and mesmerizing charisma, Lee could and would easily "stop the show" and did so regularly in many of New York's most celebrated clubs including Trude Heller's, The Top Of The Gate, Dangerfield's, Mikells, The Copacabana, The New York Coliseum, Folk City, Tramps, Fives, Oh Ye Fiddlesticks, Pal Joey's, The African Room and The Improvisation. He performed sometimes with his own bands, but often with distinguished jazz artists Red Garland and John Forster (Charles Mingus' pianist) as well as with Jaki Byard and Cecil Taylor. He opened for Dakota Staton and also for Bette Midler and Barry Manilow at the legendary Continental Baths. In addition, Genesis drew rave reviews with LaVerne Baker, George Russell’s New York Big Band, Baird Hersey’s Year of the Ear Band, Stanton Davis’ Mysticism Band and he rocked the New York Coliseum with CITI, the area’s renowned roller disco group.

The personification of the word 'gospel,' Lee Genesis was born Lee Antley in Brooklyn, NY, the son of preacher parents who encouraged him to stand up and sing on soap boxes at the tender age of three. Lee would "set up shop on the box" and let the 'good word' be told via song on local street corners and on Sunday mornings in one of Brooklyn's foremost Pentecostal churches, Lambert's Chapel United Holy Church, which was founded in 1959, by his parents. Lee's mother was the congregation's powerful preacher and his father was the brilliant musical director. His dad had also been one of the famous Selah Jubilee Singers recorded extensively in the '30s and '40s and it was he who took the time to train the young Lee in the powerful and charismatic vocal techniques so necessary to preaching the Gospel.

Ordained as a minister at 15 and then trained as an accountant in college, Lee landed a "real" job with the New York Stock Exchange; but in his late-twenties began auditioning for show opportunities. With years of prior experience singing, recording and touring with Pentecostal gospel groups (often as composer, pianist, and director), "Reverend Lee" dove headlong into a pop/R&B/Broadway singing career. He effortlessly landed leading roles in The Me Nobody Knows, Inner City Blues, Mary Jane and finally, Godspell, where he acquired his "Genesis" name after taking suggestions from the Godspell cast members.

"They were jokingly throwing names at me, like Zachariah, Leviticus. Then someone said 'Genesis,' and I said, 'Hey, this is a beginning for me!' So I took it and I've had it ever since."

While Genesis took a long break from stage performances, he has never lost his love for telling stories through song. On this new solo CD, it’s obvious that his gospel background doesn’t hesitate to sneak to the foreground in today’s work. Lee wrote or co-wrote five of the nine cuts on The Soul of Lee Genesis. He pours his heart and soul into every tune from the slamming opener, Reachout, which encourages people to do their part to heal the world, to the lover’s laments Forgive and Forget and How Do You Say Goodbye? and his heartfelt Told You So and When You Got Love. The CD also features the Matt Noble/Carol Ann Rowley tune In My Darkest Hour and the beautiful Noble piece, A Simple Act of Faith, plus the Steve Winwood/Will Jennings hit Higher Love and the bluesy More of Your Love from Regine Urbach/Leo Schaff. Lee’s sterling vocals joined by wailing saxophone, strong keyboards, soulful back-up vocals and a stellar guitar, bass and drums make The Soul of Lee Genesis a must-hear on stage or on disc.

Genesis kicks off his CD release celebration at Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant & Music Club in Somerville, MA, on January 9.

For more information on The Soul of Lee Genesis, visit www.leegenesis.com, www.highlineballroom.com or call Highline Ballroom at (212) 414-5994.

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BROOKLYN’S HISTORIC BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH
HOSTS INSTALLATION SERVICES
for DR. DAVID A. HAMPTON
APRIL 1 – 6, 2008

BROOKLYN, NY, March 31, 2008 – The Bethany Baptist Church family hosts five days of Installation Services for DR. DAVID A. HAMPTON, the 10th pastor of the 124-year-old historic church in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Hampton takes the pulpit following the 43-year pastorate of world-renowned preacher/teacher/author Dr. William Augustus Jones, Jr.

Installation Worship Services will be held at Bethany Baptist Church, 460 Marcus Garvey Boulevard between Decatur & MacDonough, with three Brooklyn Pastors: Tuesday, April 1, 7 p.m., REVEREND CLINTON MILLER, Brown Memorial Baptist Church; Wednesday, April 2, 7 pm, REVEREND LAWRENCE E. AKER, III, Cornerstone Baptist Church; and Thursday, April 3, 7 pm, REVEREND JOHNNY RAY YOUNGBLOOD, Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church & St. Paul Community Baptist Church.

The celebration continues with the Installation Banquet on Friday, April 4, from 7:00 pm – Midnight, at the Grand Prospect Ballroom, 263 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn. The guest preacher is the REVEREND DR. CALVIN O. BUTTS, Pastor, Abyssinian Baptist Church, Manhattan. Tickets are $90.00 and are available in the Church Office at (718) 455-8400.

Three Worship Services will be held on Sunday, April 6, with guest preachers from Indianapolis, IN, Dr. Hampton’s hometown. Guest preachers are: REVEREND IVAN D. HICKS, Pastor, First Baptist Church North Indianapolis, 8:00 am; BISHOP T. GARROTT BENJAMIN, Pastor, Light of the World Christian Church, 11 am; and REVEREND JEFFREY A. JOHNSON, Pastor, Eastern Star Church, at the official Installation Service at 5 pm.

Bethany’s extended church family around the world is invited to join in the celebrations throughout the five days.

Dr. Hampton is an exceptionally dynamic preacher who has an ability to reach people of all ages. An anointed Pastor from Indianapolis, IN, he previously served as the senior Pastor of Zion Hope Baptist Church. Dr. Hampton earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Indianapolis in 1994. He earned a Master of Theological Studies degree in 2000 and Doctor of Ministry degree (Summa Cum Laude) in 2007, both from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. He is affiliated with the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Churches, where he served on the Executive Board of Directors. In addition, he was a religious editorial writer for the Indianapolis Recorder and wrote an opinion column, for the Indianapolis Star from 2005-2006. Dr. Hampton is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including: National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice Scholar, Martin Luther King. Jr. Scholar, Who's Who in Black Indianapolis, MLK Human Rights Award, NCAA All-American, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Center for Leadership Development.

Reverend Hampton and his wife, Hope, have two children, Taylor and Gabriel.

For more information, contact the Church office at (718) 455-8400.

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