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October 7, 2016September 28, 2023

Madajazzcar: 27 Years of Discovery and Success

(Translated from French) News Mada | Oct 7, 2016

In October 1988, three young Malagasy doctors passionate about jazz decided to create a platform dedicated to this musical genre. They are Allain Razakatiana, Bruno Razafindrakoto and Henri Rakotondrabe. They first set up a jazz club at the French Alliance of Antananarivo (AFT) and then decided to multiply their activities by organizing shows. Thus was born the festival in 1989, referred to debut ” Jazz in Tana ” and ” Jazz in Mada “. In 1991, the event observed a stand-by but returned in force in 1992, inviting a pleiade of musicians of international renown. Quickly, the festival has gained momentum under its new name ” International Festival Madajazzcar ” selected under the inspiration of the composition of the pianist and clarinetist Rajaobelina Arly Arnaud Razafy. Desired Razafindrazaka took the helm in 2001. In 2010, Madajazzcar received the label called ” DjangodOr- international jazz trophies ” that allowed him to be part of the jazz festivals recognized in Africa. In 2014, it was voted Cultural Event by the Minister of Crafts, Culture and Heritage. And this year, it is at its 27th edition which will see the participation of many musicians from all over the world.

Invited foreign artists

The French saxophonist Guillaume Perret

Currently on tour internationally, Guillaume Perret specializes in the electric saxophone. It distills an original style mixing funk, rock and classical as well as various African rhythms that deliver a new vision of jazz. Armed with his saxophone, he succeeded in producing various sounds ranging from percussion to bass guitar.

The Norwegian guitarist Hakon Storm-Mathisen

This musician is not only a teacher at the Norwegian Music Academy, but also a conductor and soloist in several bands.Hakon Storm-Mathisen oscillates between the electric, acoustic and even classical styles. Winther founder of Storm Group, he won the Independent Music Award award in the category jazz albums in 2013 with the album ” Spinnaker “.

The French pianist Jean-Pierre Como

Passionate about jazz since his childhood, Jean-Pierre Como decided to deepen his passion by studying in a conservatory.He then accompanied several jazz musicians such as Bernard Maury, François Couturier …

The Swiss pianist Christoph Hegi

Self-taught, the musician created a group called Tschapsmusik in 1977, now Tin Roof Jazz Orchestra. More committed than the others, he decided to put his talent at the service of education, sharing his experiences with the students of Dattwi. In 2003, he met the singer Kristina Tajsic and formed the duo called Voice meets piano inspired by the American jazz of the years 20, 40 and 50.

The American bassist Bunny Brunel

Composer, arranger, producer and designer, Bunny Brunnel participated in one of the biggest concerts of Michel Polnareff “Ze tour”, officiating at the same time as bassist and musical director. This tour received a Victory of Music for the best live performance. The artist has also created a line of electric bass guitars and double basses, and is also the author of bass guitar learning books.

The American singer Kaylene Peoples

This artist is not only a singer, she is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and conductor. Kaylene Peoples adopts neo-classical symphonic styles. Note that she was the coach of David Raksin and Henry Mancini who were the winners of one of the editions of the Academy award. Working with several large production boxes such as Warner Bros., EMI, Universal … she has composed several soundtracks for films such as American Pie 2, Serendipity …

French pianist Francis Lockwood

Overwhelmingly talented since his early childhood, Francis Lockwood received the Alto Violin Prize at the Conservatory of Calais at the age of 17. But interested in the piano, he has integrated a number of rock and jazz bands. In 1987 he was named one of the top five pianists in Europe by Jazz Hot. He is influenced by artists like Bob Dylan, Cream and sometimes even Johann Sebastian Bach.

The German Quartet Jin Jim

The band evolves into a more modern genre mixing jazz and rock. In 2014, he won the jazz competition of the 35th edition of the Leverkusener Jazztage. The quartet especially highlights the sound of the Peruvian flute which allows in some pieces to make a musical journey between the Balkan folklore and hip hop.

The French saxophonist Baptiste Herbin

Baptiste Herbin started playing the saxophone at the age of 4. At 15, the artist decided to take an interest in jazz by studying at the Conservatory of Paris. Great artists like Charlie Parker or Cannonball Adderley influenced him a lot.Currently, he plays with the star Charles Aznavour.

The American group The jazz diplomats

Belonging to the US Navy, the four musicians share the same passion, jazz. Members of the US Navy Band that was already in Madagascar last year, they decided to form another band called The Jazz Diplomats.

(Original Source Below)

Madajazzcar : 27 ans de découvertes et de succès

September 24, 2016September 28, 2023

Madajazzcar: 27 Years of Passion for this Flagship Cultural Event

(Translated from French) Midi Madagasikara | Sept 24, 2016

The 27 ^th edition of Madajazzcar festival will take place from 1^st to October 14, in any city Tana. Some 60 groups will move the city to the rhythm of the jazz endiablé.

Madajazzcar, an annual and inevitable rendez-vous for jazz lovers, takes ages but does not age. 27 years of history now, passion and a lot of motivation for each year to organize a festival of international scope, the committee does everything to make this event indelible in the annual cultural calendar Malagasy. Every month in October, and for many jazz fans both in Madagascar and abroad, like the jacarandas that bloom, the Madajazzcar offers its musical bouquet.The story then begins when three jazz-loving doctors, Dr. Allain Razakatiana, Dr. Bruno Razafindrakoto and Dr. Henri Rakotondrabe, decided in 1988 to create a jazz club at the Alliance Française de Andavamamba. Other illustrious musicians and aficionados will join them, such as Dr Hervé Razakaboana, Arnaud Razafy, Serge Rahoerson, the brothers Raymond, Dédé and Jeannot Rabeson, the brothers Gilles de Commarmand and later Désiré Razafindrazaka, who chairs the committee Organization to date.

Carrefour . Jazz is increasingly vulgarized and no longer remains within the walls of “music lovers” who have to be jazz fans to be part of a certain social class. Today, jazz goes down the street, and thanks largely to this festival which organizes free concerts practically throughout the city, the general public can appreciate this music at its true value. A true crossroads of international jazz, the Madajazzcar is, like all the other festivals of this world, a great international scene to be included in its artistic journey. This year again, several international artists will be invited to participate. 11 in total, including Bunny Brunel, Kaylene Peoples, and The Jazz Diplomates of the United States, Baptiste Herbin, Francis Lockwood, Guillaume Perret and Jean Pierre Como. Jah Pinpin from France, Hakon Storm-Mathisen from Norway, Jin Jim from Germany, and Christoph Hegi from Switzerland. And a multitude of national groups and artists, 43 in total. They will play in 17 sites, which leaves the choice to all jazz lovers to appreciate without moderation this music.

AnjaraRasoanaivo

(View Original Source)

Madajazzcar : 27 ans de passion pour cet événement culturel phare

September 23, 2016September 28, 2023

“Star Trek” actress brings anti-bullying message to local middle schoolers

binghamtonhomepage.com | Sept. 23, 2016

BINGHAMTON, N.Y.

A former Star Trek actress brought an important message of her own to our area Friday.

Chase Masterson, who portrayed Leeta on Star Trek Deep Space Nine, gave an anti-bullying presentation at Chenango Valley Middle School.

She is founder of the organization Pop Culture Hero Coalition which uses stories and celebrities from television, film and comics to speak out against bullying and other forms of hate and prejudice.

Masterson says she was picked on herself in school.

She says bullying is a universal problem.

“Whether it’s in kindergarten, first grade, or high school or the work place or relationships, or economic bullying or terrorism or war, it’s oppression. It’s the same issue. So, if we can teach kids how to overcome that, how to be heroes and how to find the joy of being heroes at an early age, we really can change the world,” she said.

Middle schoolers from other local districts also attended.

Masterson is in Binghamton this weekend as a special guest of the 2-day RoberCon sci-fi convention where she’ll participate in a number of panels discussing both her acting career as well as her work to combat bullying.

(Original Source: http://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/local-news/star-trek-actress-brings-anti-bullying-message-to-local-middle-schoolers/563232570

September 21, 2016September 28, 2023

Meet ‘Trek’ actress Chase Masterson at RoberCon

pressconnects.com | Sept 21, 2016

Sci-fi convention returns to Binghamton with panels, authors, costume contest and more

Earlier this month, “Star Trek” celebrated 50 years since Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy and the intrepid crew of the starship Enterprise first appeared on American television screens.

Even the cancellation of the original series after only three seasons couldn’t stop “Trek” and its optimistic spirit. The franchise currently stands at 13 films (including the most recent “Star Trek Beyond” this summer), four additional TV series (with a fifth one coming out in 2017) and millions of devoted fans worldwide.

One of the memorable characters from “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” was Leeta, an attractive Bajoran casino worker at Quark’s Bar tasked to relieve travelers of their money through a roulette-style game called dabo.

And although the character wasn’t the main focus of the frontier outpost’s space saga, it proved to be a pivotal role for actress Chase Masterson, who played Leeta over five of the seven seasons that “Deep Space Nine” aired.

This weekend, Masterson will be the guest of honor at the fourth annual RoberCon, the science fiction / media convention held at Roberson Museum and Science Center in Binghamton. She’ll participate in interview panels, sign autographs, pose for photos with fans and discuss the Pop Culture Hero Coalition, an anti-bullying group she founded that uses heroes onscreen to inspire heroism in real life.

Since “Deep Space Nine” ended in 1999, Masterson has gravitated toward a number of sci-fi roles, including one in the first Sci-Fi Channel Original Movie, “Terminal Invasion” (opposite “Evil Dead” actor Bruce Campbell) and leads in “Manticore” for Syfy and “Creature Unknown” for STARZ. She also starred in the award-winning sci-fi noir “Yesterday Was a Lie” and the critically acclaimed short “R.U.R.: Genesis,” currently in development as a feature film. Most recently, she was a guest star on CW’s “The Flash.”

Among her current projects are her lead role as an intergalactic assassin in Big Finish Productions’ audio series “Vienna” (a spinoff of Big Finish’s “Doctor Who” range) as well as Big Finish’s “Survivors” series, which was nominated in the BBC Audio Drama Awards.

Still, it’s through “Star Trek” that most fans know her best, and this year has been especially busy.

“It’s phenomenal to be part of the 50th anniversary,” she said. “This show has such a legacy and is such a powerful thing to be a part of. I relish my time with the other actors and the fans of the show, largely because of the history of it and how much has gone on through ‘Star Trek’ and because of ‘Star Trek.’ It certainly has enveloped 50 years of reinventing itself and making a difference in the world.”

In an interview earlier this month, Masterson talked about interacting with “Star Trek” fans, her role on “Deep Space Nine” and why she started the Pop Culture Hero Coalition.

QUESTION: You’re attending many conventions and events this year to celebrate the anniversary. What have been some of your favorite experiences this year so far?

MASTERSON: People often ask me about my favorite moments from “Star Trek,” and I think they usually are referring to stuff onscreen — but my very, very favorite moments have happened offscreen, even just recently.

For instance, last week at a convention in Cherry Hill [N.J.], there were two soldiers who came up who had fought in the Gulf War. They told me that when they would come back from a mission, if there was a new episode of “Deep Space Nine” that they hadn’t seen yet — because the show was running live at the time — they would drop everything and watch the show before they’d even change their clothes or take a shower. They said that it reminded them about what was important, that peace was possible. They said it reminded them of where they came from and that they would be going home.

To hear that the show held that kind of meaning for people and was so powerful not just in terms of its story and intrigue and entertainment, but to make a difference in the lives of people who were themselves in dangerous situations, it really means a lot. The show had such strong themes about war and peace and family. “Star Trek” has always had transcendent themes, but “Deep Space Nine” particularly had stories that took a risk and really made a difference, especially during its time.

Q: I imagine that getting to meet fans like that is one of the special parts of being part of “Star Trek” and other roles you’ve done over the years.

MASTERSON: Yes, people do open up to us. If you think about it, it’s because we’re in their living rooms. They often feel like they know us because they’ve invited us into their homes. There’s an intimacy to television when you’re all sitting around in your pajamas and you watch a show together. You really do feel like it’s closer to you than a lot of films when you see them in the theater. It’s a really cool relationship we have with our audience.

Continue reading “Meet ‘Trek’ actress Chase Masterson at RoberCon”

April 6, 2016September 28, 2023

Chase Masterson to be guest of honor at RoberCon

pressconnects.com | Apr 6, 2016

Actress Chase Masterson — best known to science fiction fans for playing Leeta on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” — will be this year’s guest of honor atRoberCon in Binghamton.

The media convention’s fourth year, set for Sept. 24-25 at the Roberson Museum and Science Center, also will include vendors, authors, discussion panels and fan groups covering a wide variety of geeky topics, as well as gaming, cosplay and a costume contest.

In addition to her role on “Star Trek,” Masterson has most recently been seen guest starring on CW’s “The Flash,” which won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite New Drama. She also plays the title role in the Big Finish’s “Doctor Who” audio spin-off “Vienna,” currently in Season 3, after originating the role opposite seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy in 2012. She also stars in “Survivors,” a Big Finish production currently in Season 2 that was nominated for a 2015 BBC Audio Drama Award.

Over her career, she has held recurring roles on “General Hospital” and “Live Shot”; guest-starred on programs such as “The Flash,” “E.R.”, “Presidio Med,” “Sweet Justice,” “Sci-Fi Vortex,” “Sliders” and “Acapulco H.E.A.T.”; and served as host of “Sci-Fi Entertainment,” “Showtime: Nighttime” and Encore’s STARZ On Demand. Her film credits include Stephen King’s “Sometimes They Come Back For More,” “Robin Hood: Men In Tights” for director Mel Brooks, “In a Moment of Passion,” “Married People Single Sex,” “Sammyville,” “Manticore,” “Chastity,” “Terminal Invasion,” “Creature Unknown” and a cameo as herself in “Comic Book: The Movie.” She will play the title role in “Vendetta Vette,” currently in development.

In 2013, Masterson — along with “heroism experts” Carrie Goldman and Matt Langdon — founded the Pop Culture Hero Coalition. It is the first-ever organization that uses the universal appeal of comics, film and TV to create anti-bullying programs at pop culture events as well as in schools and communities. Continue reading “Chase Masterson to be guest of honor at RoberCon”

March 23, 2016September 28, 2023

Music Connection – PRODUCER CROSSTALK: RICH MOUSER

MUSIC CONNECTION – CROSSTALK, FEATURE ARTICLES, LATEST, MAGAZINE | MAY 23, 2016 | BY ROB PUTNAM

Producer and engineer Rich Mouser began his career much as Les Paul did: by taking things apart to see how they worked. At 12 years old, his first piece of audio gear was a Sony reel-to-reel tape machine. He discovered that by removing the erase head, he could achieve something much like a multi-track recording. When he later found that friends would pay to be recorded, he realized he’d struck a rich vein. He now works primarily from The Mouse House, his Los Angeles home studio. Past clients include Chris Cornell, Dream Theater and Weezer.

His first taste of success came when he recorded Black Market Flowers’ demo after moving to L.A. from Colorado in 1993. It landed the band a deal with Relativity Records. “They went to do an album with [famed producer and musician] Butch Vig in Wisconsin,” Mouser recalls. “I thought that was the last I’d hear of them. But I got a call. They’d finished recording with Butch and realized they liked the demo we’d done better. They asked me to mix their album. That helped me advance from just doing demos. After that, I started meeting people and budgets got bigger.”

“The hardest thing to record is someone that’s not putting out much on their instrument,” the producer observes. “You’re only recording what somebody is throwing out to the microphone. You get the sound from the source first and then when you put a mic on it, you make sure you capture that. People retrigger and resample drums and they don’t put the time and care into making them sound good off the bat. I try to get character in the sound from the beginning. Getting drums to sound good is something that I’ve always worked hard at.”

Mouser regularly records to tape but doesn’t use it exclusively. Certainly, though, he nurtures a fondness for it. “When you erase something, it’s lost,” he explains. “If somebody says, ‘I can sing that line better,’ you know that when you hit the erase button, it’s gone forever. In Pro Tools, a guy can keep asking for more tracks and soon he’s got 15 takes. There’s not that worry of having to repeat what you’ve erased. That’s what I like about tape: the urgency. I have so much analog gear in my studio that I try to use that [rather than Pro Tools].”

Much of his work comes by word-of-mouth. He’s never advertised and he finds that coaxing a band into using him is a strategy that’s never borne fruit. “Feeler calls sometimes work,” he says. “But you can’t talk anybody into recording with you. When people find you and want you, they’ll do it. But I have found clients by overhearing people talking about music. I’d strike up a conversation and mention that I have a studio.”

Bands don’t always adapt well to the studio. Mouser shares one story. “I did a four-track demo with a band in two days,” he recalls. “They got a deal with MCA, and when it was time to cut the record, they wanted me to produce. The working title was The World’s Greatest Album. Suddenly a band that cut four songs in two days was scared of every little thing. They psyched themselves out. We had to recut vocals and at that point they’d been in the studio long enough they’d given up. Suddenly the singer was back to his old self. He wasn’t worried anymore and it worked out great.”

Mouser’s current and upcoming projects include albums with Farmikos (featuring former Ozzy and David Lee Roth guitarist Joe Holmes), supergroup Flying Colors and prog-rock outfit Spock’s Beard.

Contact The Mouse House Studio, themousehousestudio.com

Continue reading “Music Connection – PRODUCER CROSSTALK: RICH MOUSER”

December 26, 2015September 28, 2023

Akademia Music Awards Chooses Kaylene Peoples “Giant Steps” as Best Jazz Song

Congratulations are in order to Kaylene Peoples for winning Best Jazz Song for the December 2015 Akademia Music Awards.

‘Giant Steps’ has always been known as a rite of passage amongst jazz musicians. Coltrane pretty much set it up like that with his complexities in his soloing and the rapid, consistent chord changes. When I decided to do the song, my first attempt at the recording was more subdued, but I always had intended to have my mentor Hubert Laws play on this track. Imagine how excited I was to learn that Bobby Lyle and Bunny Brunel would also be guest performing,” says Peoples.

Kaylene Peoples and Hubert Laws During MY MAN Recording Session at the Mouse House Studio, Altadena, CA

Kaylene Peoples is a flutist/vocalist and performs both crafts with veteran skill and expertise; and with great pride, she highlights her favorite flutist and mentor Hubert Laws – and it’s no surprise this piece is such an award-worthy recording. Kaylene Peoples sings it with mixed styles reminiscent of Manhattan Transfer and Ella Fitzgerald. Peoples’s own flavor of scatting makes this version of “Giant Steps” commercial and the most unique yet!

Personnel on “Giant Steps” (from My Man CD) are as follows: Kaylene Peoples (Vocals, Producer/Arranger); Mark Hammond (Guitar); Hubert Laws (Flute); Bobby Lyle (Acoustic Piano); Bunny Brunel (Upright Bass); Cory Mason (Drums). Rich Mouser engineered/mixed/mastered the song at The Mouse House Studio in Altadena, CA.

This music award belongs to everyone who participated in making “Giant Steps,” especially John Coltrane for such ingenuity. We jazzers always want to put our own spin on such an incredibly historical piece of music!” – Kaylene Peoples

(All photos by Arun Nevader/Getty Images)

Captions in Order: Hubert Laws, Bunny Brunel, Bobby Lyle, Mark Hammond, Cory Mason, Rich Mouser

December 24, 2015September 28, 2023

BUNNY BRUNEL DESIGNS FOR ESP

After 25 years of designing basses for Carvin, legendary bass player Bunny Brunel has changed companies. He now designers for ESP Guitars, and has
designed four basses, including the special one-of-a-kind bass with his daughter Gigi’s handprint. The basses are available in ESP Guitar stores worldwide, as well as online. Carvin and Carvin patrons didn’t take the news well at all, but when we asked Bunny how he felt about the change, he was delighted.

Bunny Brunel:

Bunny Brunel’s Bass with Gigi’s handprint (Photo: Devino Tricoche)

“It’s been a good 25 years with Carvin, but all good things must come to an end. I feel I will be doing great things as a designer for ESP. I’m excited about the possibilities!”

Image 1 (L) – Bunny Brunel holding his first newly designed bass from ESP Guitars (Photo: Arun Nevader)

Image 2 (R) – The ESP bass which is one-of-a-kind, designed by Bunny Brunel. It has the handprints of Gigi, his 12-year-old daughter. (Photo: Devino Tricoche)

December 11, 2015September 28, 2023

Sandeep Chowta, Sanjay Chitale release new album ‘American Pilgrimage’

timesofindia.indiatimes.com | Dec 11, 2015

Music director Sandeep Chowta and vocalist Sanjay Chitale are all set with their new album ‘American Pilgrimage’ which comprises Indian melody and jazz improvisation – a cross-cultural intersection seldom heard.

The album is the culmination of a life-long dream of Bollywood music director, multi-instrumentalist and composer Chowta. He wanted to meet and record with his jazz idols, including John Scofield, Bunny Brunel, Eddie Daniels, Andy LaVerne, Dave Valentine and more.

His friend and musical partner, Chitale, made it his mission to bring this dream to reality. Several years ago, the two embarked on a two-year-long journey across the US, knocking on doors, calling friends, crashing on couches and recording music with the aforementioned legends they sought out.

Scofield said: “I rarely find myself in a wholly different musical world but in this instance I did. It was a pleasure to work with these fine musicians.” Jay Oliver said” “I was so amazed at the freedom with which Indian singers choose their notes. The whole experience was simply incredible.

While Chowta is a prolific music director whose work can be heard in some of the biggest Bollywood films such as Om Shanti Om and Rowdy Rathore, Chitale’s life was rooted in music until he found himself working in IT but when the opportunity to record American Pilgrimage came along, he sold his investments and drove head first into the project.

Original Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/Sandeep-Chowta-Sanjay-Chitale-release-new-album-American-Pilgrimage/articleshow/50134433.cms

November 24, 2015September 28, 2023

‘Jaco’ Premiere Attracts L.A.’s Bass Elite

variety.com | Nov 24, 2015

It seemed almost every great bassist in L.A. turned out for the Sunday night premiere of “Jaco,” the documentary about the late bass virtuoso Jaco Pastorius, including Robert Trujillo of Metallica, the film’s producer, Verdine White, Lee Sklar, Bootsy Collins, Hadrien Ferraud, Bunny Brunel and Darryl “The Munch” Jones, who holds up the bottom end for the Rolling Stones.

Not since Anaheim’s immense National Association of Music Merchant’s convention in January had so many professional bass players assembled under one roof.

The capacity event, which took place at downtown’s Theatre at the Ace Hotel, stood as a fitting tribute to a musical force of nature whose career took a tragic turn at the pinnacle of his creative powers. On-screen testimonials from such musicians as Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers — who introduced the film, along with Trujillo and the film’s co-director Paul Marchand — as well as Wayne Shorter, Peter Erskine, Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Sting and so many others reinforced the notion that Pastorius was the Jimi Hendrix of his instrument.

Trujillo recalled first seeing Pastorius play with Weather Report in 1979 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium as a teenager. “I witnessed something I will never forget,” he recalled form the stage. “It really changed my life. The thing that was amazing beyond him being a composer and an incredible bass player was the performance itself, the stage presence. It made me realize that you could be fearless.”

Post screening, the evening shifted into a bass clinic extravaganza, with multi-bass groups; Pastorius’ bassist sons Felix and John performed original jams and also covered their father’s music, while Trujillo thrashed with Mass Mental, joined by Flea.

The film is scheduled for a Nov. 27 release on VOD, DVD and Bluray.

Original Source: http://variety.com/2015/film/news/jaco-premiere-attracts-l-a-bass-elite-1201648110/