HOLLYWOOD. CA. (Top40 Charts/ SRI Jazz) - Shelly Liebowitz, President of SRI Jazz, has announced that Ray Brown, Jr. will headline a special concert during New Orleans' Jazz and Heritage Festival week, on Saturday, April 25, at historic Generations Hall, a city landmark since 1821. Entitled 'Friends and Family Celebrate Ella's Birthday,' the event will take place on Ella Fitzgerald's (Brown, Jr.'s mother) 92nd birthday and will be emceed by Eric Paulsen of WWL-TV Channel 4. The show is being produced by SRI in association with non-profit Active Music. It will raise money for the America's Wetland Foundation (www.americaswetland.com), whose work provides vital protection against devastating floods caused by a major storm.
Brown, Jr. will also anchor a free people's concert being called 'Celebrate New Orleans' at Mississippi River Heritage Park on Friday, April 24, immediately following the conclusion of Jazz Fest's first day. The free show will be hosted by WDSU Channel 6's Roop Raj. AWF's R. King Milling will be present to welcome attendees at both events as will former Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco. Ernest Collins, New Orleans Executive Director of Arts and Entertainment and an appearance by Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu is also expected.
Brown, Jr., whose current SRI Jazz all-star duets release, 'Friends And Family' has been one of the most added records at jazz radio since its late fall release, will re-unite nearly all the world class vocalists and musicians who appear on his album, including Maria Muldaur, Sophie B. Hawkins, Freda Payne, James Moody, Kim Hoyer, David Somerville, Sally Kellerman, Terry Gibbs, Paul Williams and Ray's nine year old daughter, Haylee.
Also joining them will be Cassandra Wilson, Dawn Bishop, Evie Sands and Billy Vera for the Generations Hall bash. Brown will be joined by New Orleans' own Zachary Richard and Phillip Manuel along with Muldaur, Hoyer, Kellerman, Sands and several special surprise guests at the Heritage Park event. A tribute to saxophonist David 'Fathead' Newman, who recently passed away, will be part of the concert at Generations Hall.
This one-time-only benefit concert paying homage to America's 'First Lady of Song' is the first date of a major tour for Brown, Jr. and will be taped for a PBS television special. Brown, Jr., whose father was legendary jazz bassist, Ray Brown, has also partnered with Global Green and Active Music to focus attention on a one-of-a-kind green Baldwin grand piano signed by the artists who appear on his record, as well as New Orleans native and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame icon, Fats Domino, among others.
The eco-friendly piano, which will be transported from Los Angeles to New Orleans for the show, is the first-ever (and only) instrument of its kind made from wood legally harvested from areas that pose no threat to conservation-valued forests. No civil rights were violated during its collection. A special announcement will be made during the concert naming the corporate sponsor who has purchased this valuable instrument. The proceeds from that sale will also go towards rebuilding the Lower 9th Ward.
'Friends And Family', Ray Brown Jr.'s third album, juxtaposes unconventional song choices and arrangements and matches the versatile singer with a group of bona fide 'superstar' vocalists and world class musicians. The album marks two significant firsts-Ray singing with his parents on 'How High The Moon' and, with his nine year old daughter, Haylee, on her debut recording, 'A-Tisket-A-Tasket'.
Brown, Jr.'s special guests will join his universally respected band of pianist Joel Scott, bassist Jack Daro, guitarist Federico Ramos, drummer Enzo Todesco and saxophonist Robert Kyle.
Ray Brown, Jr., Maria Muldaur, Sophie B. Hawkins, Sally Kellerman, Freda Payne & others Celebrate Ella's Birthday, Saturday, April 25, 8 PM at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Dr. (one blk from Morial Convention Ctr). Phone: 504-581-4367. Tickets: $25-50-100 Tickets are available at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/58244 or at Generations Hall Box office.
Ray Brown, Jr., Maria Muldaur, Zachary Richard, Phillip Manuel, Kim Hoyer, Sally Kellerman, Evie Sands & special guests, Friday, April 24, 7:30PM at Mississippi River Heritage Park, Convention Ctr. Blvd & Gaiennie. Admission free.
