11/22/16 O&A NYC REVIEW: Black Violin Breaking Stereotypes In Brooklyn

By Walter Rutledge

Black Violin perform at the Kids Inaugural concert for children and military families, one of the events ahead of the second-term inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington

Black Violin, the classically trained duo violist and violinist duo of Wilner Baptiste (Wil B.) and Kevin Sylvester (Kev Marcus), opened the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College 2016- 2017 season with classic style. Accompanied by DJ SPS on turntables and Nathaniel Strokes on drums Black Violins performed a varied program to a packed diverse audience. Billed as Black Violin: The Unity Tour Wil B. and Kev Marcus have taken their classical background combined with their love of hip-hop and created a truly signature multi genre sound they refer to as “classical boom”. Continue reading

10/30/16 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Cab Calloway And Betty Boop- Minnie the Moocher (1932)

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Cab Calloway And Betty Boop- Minnie the Moocher cartoon begins with actual film footage of Cab Calloway dancing a slow and sensuous dance in front of his orchestra as they perform the Prohibition Blues. This is the oldest known film footage of Cab. 

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The haunting and beautiful instrumental, Prohibition Blues, is an old Missourians piece that was recorded by them in early 1930, right before Cab took over as leader of their band. This cartoon has the only recording of the piece with Cab Calloway. By early 1932, when this cartoon was produced, the group had been renamed Cab Calloway and His Orchestra, but in this film, they are still wearing their old Missourians uniforms. 

Cab Calloway And Betty Boop- Minnie the Moocher (1932)

10/23/16 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Quincy Jones – Listen Up The Lives Of Quincy (1990)

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Quincy Jones – Listen Up The Lives Of Quincy (1990)  a documentary that presents a unique look at the legendary musician, arranger, composer and producer offers a collage of memories, sounds and intimate interviews with musical greats in a rousing showcase. Continue reading

10/18/16 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Ruth Brown’s 1989 Tony Award Acceptance Speech For Best Actress in a Musical And Performance With Linda Hopkins And Cast

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Ruth Brown wins the 1989 43rd Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Black and Blue. And a performance of T’Ain’t Nobody’s Bizness If I Do with Linda Hopkins  and cast. Continue reading

10/16/16 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Patti Austin- Live on Solidarity of Arts festival (2015)

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One of the best live performances by Patti Austin on Swing+, Solidarity of Arts festival in Gdańsk on Aug 15th, 2015. She was also surprised by celebrating her 65th birthday at the end of the concert. Continue reading

10/14/16 O&A NYC WHAT HAPPENING THIS WEEK: Friday, October 14 through Thursday, October 20, 2016 Art, Dance, Film, Music, Theatre … And More

By Walter Rutledge

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Fall is in full swing and is quickly ushering in the holiday arts season. This week we honor dance in Brooklyn, celebrate Jazz on Staten Island, and watch Denzel Washington save a western town. Here are a few of the many events taking place in the city that never sleeps guaranteed to get you Out and About. Continue reading

10/9/16 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON CONCERT: Carmen McRae (1962)

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Carmen McRae with Norman Simmons (Piano), Victor Sproles (Bass) Walter Perkins (Drums) recorded on March 15, 1962. Continue reading

8/7/16 SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Propellerheads featuring: Shirley Bassey – History Repeating

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History Repeating, written in 1997 by Alex Gifford, and originally performed by the Propellerheads featuring Shirley Bassey. The track is a fusion of several different styles of big beat, breakbeat and jazz combined with the powerful vocals of Shirley Bassey.  Continue reading