Where's Curious George

London (PRWEB) December 19, 2008 –

Launch of Giant Steps Jazz Course – "mini course"

Three residential weekends and four self-study weeks

Starting 28th February 2009

At the De Vere "Uplands", High Wycombe, Bucks

Thought to be the first course of its kind, the Giant Steps Jazz Course combines the best features of a weekend workshop, a residential course and a full-time music education. Open to players of all jazz instruments, the course comprises three residential weekend modules, interspersed with four self-study weeks during which players have time to absorb and practice what they've learned by completing assignments.

By the end of the very first weekend, attendees will create and record two original group compositions, producing "head" arrangements, solos and backings!

While the format of each weekend session is centred on playing, parts of each session is given over to theory and listening. One of the most important steps in musical improvement is to develop the ability to analyse and understand what you are hearing without the need for painstaking transcription. This powerful and often under-valued technique is something of a secret weapon for the improving musician, and attendees will be exposed to the process of recording and immediately evaluating what they have played.

The jazz course is aimed at beginner to intermediate level players who want to improve their ability to play and improvise jazz music. The Website even provides samples (http://www.giantstepsjazz.com/eligibility.aspx) of what it means by the term Jazz!

The modules comprise a range of essential areas (http://www.giantstepsjazz.com/outline.aspx), including: active composing, aural perception, solo playing, section playing, jazz phraseology, essential jazz theory, the blues, "rhythm changes" and "All the Things You Are", interpretation, performance and tackling new pieces.

Event tutor (http://www.giantstepsjazz.com/tutor.aspx) and course designer Alan Cook, said "We knew we wanted to create a course which concentrated on delivering long lasting musical benefits to the attendees, and it took almost a year to work out that what was needed was a proper curriculum, one which developed each individual's ability to play jazz."

In an open letter to prospective attendees, Alan writes "I have designed this course to provide aspiring Jazz musicians like yourselves with some of the skills and knowledge required to make real progress in your quest for achievement."

He continues "…most Jazz workshops just don't have the time to do more than scratch the surface of what's needed. Giant Steps Courses have been specifically created to give aspiring Jazz musicians much greater learning opportunities than one-off workshops can provide."

By the end of the jazz course, attendees will have

- Made measurable progress in their listening and analytical abilities

- Experienced at first hand, and developed their abilities in using genre-appropriate Jazz language

- Extended their theoretical knowledge

- Created evidence of their progress by participating actively in recordings

- Developed their competence as a Jazz improviser and performer

According to event organiser Russ Lewis "Professional people have to balance work and family time with developing their own musical pursuits, so going on a single workshop is their only option. Although immensely inspiring, workshops don't allow attendees to consolidate what they've learnt, and don't allow tutors to develop a proper curriculum. The Giant Steps Jazz Course combines the best aspects of a workshop with the benefits of a full-time music education."

The course starts 28th February 2009 and will be held at the De Vere "Uplands" (http://www.giantstepsjazz.com/venue.aspx), High Wycombe, Bucks. This course is booking now, with two of the available twelve places already sold.

About Alan Cook

Alan Cook began his musical career while at grammar school where he ran the Jazz Society and the school Jazz Quintet. In his late teens he earned his first real money playing tenor sax in a soul band, and subsequently went on to play keyboards and sax with a variety of Rock and Blues groups, including 'Trader Horne' and the band of blues slide guitar hero Mike Cooper. It was while he was with Mike that Alan played on sessions with Harry Miller, Dudu Pukwana and Mongezi Feza, noted ex-pat South African jazz musicians who played with Chris McGregor's 'Brotherhood of Breath'.

In 1974 he went to study Jazz at Leeds College of Music, graduating in 1977 with a 1st Class Diploma. During his time at LCM Alan was a member of the house band at the famous Batley Variety Club, where he learned his craft as a purely commercial musician backing the likes of Neil Sedaka, Roy Orbison and many others. In the late '70s Alan wrote for and played with the very successful Latin / Jazz outfit 'Semuta', a band that toured widely in the UK for the Ronnie Scott organisation. This entailed playing support slots at the Club with, amongst others, Earl Hines, Dick Morrisey and Art Themen.

Alan then spent 11 years working as a Master Transfer Engineer with CBS Records and Sony Music, an experience that not only provided massive opportunities to listen in detail to music of all genres, but also an introduction to both analogue and digital recording technologies. During this period Alan achieved an upper 2nd degree in Classical music studies with the OU.

In 1996 he became a Music Educator, having gained a PGCE at Oxford Brookes University. He continued to be active as a freelance musician; running workshops and composing, and winning the Composition Prize at the 2006 Leeds International Jazz Conference. He was awarded an M.Mus in Jazz Composition by Leeds University in 2007.

Alan is currently Head of Music at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College of Further Education.

Giant Steps in Music (http://www.giantstepsinmusic.com) is dedicated to producing the highest quality of music education for the benefit of aspiring players, from all walks of life.

The foundation arose from, and has now taken over, the highly successful Jazz Guitar Weekend (http://www.jazzguitarweekend.com) event, which has been running since 2006. The event, which runs at maximum capacity of 22 people, features world famous guitarist and TV/radio celebrity John Etheridge and Oxford-based guitarist, band-leader and promoter Pete Oxley.

Contact: Russ Lewis

Tel: +44 7971 559 182

Web: http://www.giantstepsjazz.com

Attachments:

Fliers, picture of Alan Cook (tutor) and venue.

Waterville Valley Resort, NH (PRWEB) July 23, 2009 — The Curious George Cottage, located in Waterville Valley Resort (http://www.visitwatervillevalley.com), New Hampshire, was once home to Margret and H.A Rey, creators of the world's most beloved monkey, Curious George and authors of the bestselling Curious George books. And, on July 25th the Curious George Cottage will dedicate their new visitor's center and program space in Waterville Valley's Town Square.

The Rey Center's new Visitor Center will let families can satisfy their curiosity by exploring a variety hands-on exhibits, try their hand at drawing in the style of H.A. Rey, pull up a beanbag chair to read their favorite Rey stories, or relax and watch episodes of the Curious George cartoon.

The curious little monkey and his friend the Man in the Yellow Hat will visit Waterville Valley Resort from Friday through Sunday, August 7 to the 9, 2009, to attend the 3rd Annual Curious George Cottage Family Festival hosted by the non-profit Margret and H.A. Rey Center.

The Curious George Festival will feature a weekend full of fun, family-friendly activities including a banana pancake breakfast, family nature discovery walk, fireman's barbecue lunch, photo opportunities with Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat, a traveling barnyard, live music, face painting, games for kids, Curious George story hour and movie viewing, planetarium shows by Plymouth State University, an energy fair, family spaghetti dinner, and more.

While visiting Waterville Valley Resort families can also enjoy swimming and boating, walks on the many hiking trails in Waterville Valley, chairlift rides, and ice skating at Waterville Valley's indoor ice arena. The resort is also home to an award-winning tennis center and family-friendly 9-hole golf course.

New Hampshire's only outdoor Shakespeare theatre company, Shakespeare in the Valley, will perform on Friday and Saturday during the Festival.

Theatre productions include the child friendly Sugar-Coated Shakespeare, and performances of The Tempest and 3-D Musketeers.

Purchase tickets or learn more about the Curious George Cottage Family Festival by visiting www.reycenter.org or call 603-236-3308 for additional information.

Curious George invites you to spend the weekend at Waterville Valley. The Curious George Cottage Family Festival lodging package starts at $56 per person per night (quad occupancy) and includes: Friday and Saturday night lodging, admission to a fireman's BBQ lunch, photo opportunity with Curious George, traveling barnyard, live music, face painting, kid's games, Curious George story time, movie viewing, planetarium show, energy fair, and nature walks, plus a Curious George souvenir. Additional fees charged for banana pancake breakfast and Curious George spaghetti dinner.

About Waterville Valley Resort

Waterville Valley Resort (http://www.visitwatervillevalley.com) offers an "Unlimited" amount of family fun throughout the summer with the Summer Unlimited package. Stay at a participating Waterville Valley inn or lodge and your lodging plus an array of activities are included for just one low price. Summer Unlimited provides all the fun activities that people cherish in New England each summer: boating, mountain biking, tennis, golf, access to the White Mountain Athletic Club, resort-wide shuttle, a scenic chair lift ride up Snow's Mountain, and gym time at the Waterville Valley Recreation Department. In addition, families staying at Waterville Valley for at least three nights can send their children ages 6-12 to a day of Kids Camp. The all-inclusive Summer Unlimited lodging and recreation package provides guests an opportunity to save at least 50 percent on their family vacation.

Waterville Valley Resort hosts many events that provide families an opportunity to spend quality time together in a location that encourages the exploration of nature, fosters creativity, and welcomes curiosity.

Waterville Valley was designed and planned specifically as a self-contained, four season resort. In addition to its world-class ski area, Waterville Valley Resort has award-winning tennis courts, golf, hiking, biking, lodging, cultural activities and summer theater, an indoor ice arena, boating, a skate park, and a host of outdoor activities. Dining options include traditional favorites and elegant dining.

For lodging and resort information, call 1-800-GO-VALLEY or click online at www.visitwatervillevalley.com.

Oakland, CA (Billboard Publicity Wire) October 15, 2008 — The Hot Club of San Francisco (http://www.hcsf.com), in its 20-year history, has released ten adventurous, critically acclaimed CDs in the passionate gypsy-jazz style that traces its origins to guitarist Django Reinhardt and his Quintette du Hot Club de France.

On their new CD, "Bohemian Maestro: Django Reinhardt and the Impressionists," the Bay Area quintet explores classical treatments of several compositions by Django as well as early 20th century French classical music that may have inspired the gypsy guitarist during his time in Paris. "Bohemian Maestro¸" the group's Azica Records debut, will be released November 25.

Works by Claude Debussy, Francis Poulenc, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and even Jelly Roll Morton are featured on the new CD alongside originals by the Hot Club's guitarist and bandleader Paul Mehling and violinist Evan Price in a seamless presentation of both Reinhardt's chamber jazz and his blazing, more characteristic gypsy swing.

The album's centerpiece is a portion of a Catholic mass, "Messe," written by Reinhardt (1910-1953) to honor the Romany people. The score was lost, however, and all that remained was an extremely rare organ recording. Evan Price transcribed that recording and wrote the arrangement for woodwinds–the all-female New York-based Aeros Quintet, who also play on Django's "Nymphéas" (originally recorded with big band).

California pianist Jeffrey Kahane, a classical conductor/educator and lover of gypsy jazz, contributes to "Les Copains d'Abord," by Georges Brassens, and Reinhardt's "Vendredi 13" and "Diminishing Blackness."

"Some of the pieces are important works by people whom we know Django was digging," says Mehling. "Though we cannot know for certain that he heard these exact pieces, it is still great fun to imagine him coming into a Quintette rehearsal wanting to record his version of something by Jelly Roll Morton.

"The Quintette was known to explore the classical repertoire and mine it for gems that it could present in their style," he adds. "We like to dream of Django having spent more time in this milieu by presenting our interpretations of what he might have done with Poulenc, Debussy, Villa-Lobos–all of whom could be found in Paris at this fertile period of time and who could very probably have rubbed elbows with Django himself."

"Bohemian Maestro"'s cover displays a detail from a 1936 WPA fresco at the Beach Chalet in San Francisco, by the French painter Lucien Labaudt. The painter's daughter holds a guitar while a man who is presumably Django (he's the only unidentified image in the mural) points to sheet music in his hand (music that, incidentally, he was unable to read).

The current edition of the Hot Club of San Francisco has been together for five years, anchored by Paul Mehling and two-time Grammy-winning violinist Evan Price (a ten-year veteran of the Turtle Island String Quartet) and also including Jeff Magidson and Jason Vanderford on twin rhythm guitars and bassist Clint Baker.

In 2000, the HCSF was the first American band invited to play the Festival de Jazz Django Reinhardt in Samois-sur-Seine, ground zero for the current Django revival. More recently, in September 2008, the band returned to DjangoFest NorthWest (in Seattle) to play on the same bill as Holland's Rosenberg Trio, who rank among the indisputable heirs to the gypsy-jazz crown.

"We have a swing or die approach to the music that's distinctly American," says Mehling. "We're trying to challenge the tendency to slavishly imitate Django's style, without watering down the gypsy tradition or diluting the music. We bring out that visceral element of the music."

The HCSF tours regularly, sometimes presenting "Silent Surrealism," an evening of silent films by directors such as Charlie Bowers, accompanied by gypsy jazz. Dates in support of "Bohemian Maestro" include Kuumbwa in Santa Cruz 11/13, and Yoshi's San Francisco 11/17.

Dania Beach, FL (PRWEB) June 10, 2008 — Fireworks, food and fun aren’t the only things to look forward to on the Fourth of July. Fun patriotic costumes and decorations, including campy Uncle Sam and Statue of Liberty Costumes, George Washington costumes (http://www.anniescostumes.com/patriotic_costumes.htm), Betsy Ross costumes and colonial costumes (http://www.anniescostumes.com/patriotic_costumes.htm), are a must-have for any Independence Day picnic or pageant.

Annie’s Costumes, the premier online costume retailer since 1996, has a variety of July 4-themed costumes and decorations available, including All American Costumes – from Uncle Sam to the Patriotic Lady; American History Heroes – including president from George Washington to Nixon and historical character costumes; and fun July 4 party accessories such as beads, hats, masks and more.

And, who wouldn’t want Uncle Sam as the grill master at the family BBQ? Dressing as Uncle Sam can make the family BBQ or picnic so much more fun and flavorful.

“Anyone can kick their July 4 party up a notch with themed costumes and accessories,” said Shari McConahay, marketing director for Annie’s Costumes. “Kids and adults have a blast dressing up as famous presidents – from our George Washington costumes to our masks of Kennedy and Clinton. And, don’t forget Uncle Sam!” she added.

Summer camps and daycares putting on July 4th pageants also need to look no further than Annie’s Costumes for all their production needs. Annie’s carries a full line of stage and theater makeup as well as outfits from traditional colonial and Betsy Ross costumes, to Uncle Sam and Statue of Liberty costumes, flags, hats and accessories for a modern-day celebration.

About Annie’s Costumes:

AnniesCostumes.com, part of the Extreme Halloween Network, is the premier online costume retailer for George Washington costumes, Betsy Ross costumes and Colonial Costumes (http://www.anniescostumes.com/patriotic_costumes.htm) and is part of the Extreme Halloween Network, the web’s most complete source for children’s and adult costumes for all holidays and occasions. The ExtremeHalloweenNetwork.com has been providing holiday costumes, costume accessories and related products for online shoppers since 1996.

For more information about Annie’s Costumes, visit http://www.Anniescostumes.com

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 31, 2009 — The New York metropolitan area's cultural and culinary offerings will be enhanced by the opening on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 of Tutuma Social Club. The new venue, at 164 East 56th St. (at Third Ave.), will be the only locale in the region showcasing both Afro-Peruvian jazz and refined Afro-Peruvian cuisine on a daily basis. "Live" music will be featured weekdays at lunch with evening sets by established jazz artists from North and South America presented Monday-Sunday at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Tutuma's kitchen will be open daily from 11 a.m.-2 a.m. and an Afro-Peruvian Jazz Brunch, also accompanied by "live" music, will be held Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Unlike most clubs featuring live music, Tutuma will have neither a cover charge nor a minimum. For reservations or more information please call 866.988.JAZZ (5299) or visit the website www.TutumaSocialClub.com.

Conceived by Santina Bari Matwey, a second-generation restaurateur whose family has owned and operated the RayBari Pizza parlors in New York City since 1973, Tutuma Social Club will recreate in Manhattan the lively atmosphere found in traditional peñas, the vibrant urban clubs of Perú. The menu will feature both hot and cold tapas as well as other dishes developed by the internationally acclaimed Peruvian chefs Rodrigo Conroy and Carlos Testino. Meg Schedel designed the club's sound system. Gabriel Alegría, a trumpeter and composer who has been instrumental in expanding the audience for Afro-Peruvian jazz through concerts and workshops in New York and around the U.S., is presently serving as Tutuma's artistic consultant. Tutuma will present a diverse series of programs featuring a variety of guest instrumentalists and vocalists performing in the context of Afro-Peruvian jazz. These cross-cultural collaborations will highlight "Festejo," "Lando" and other traditional Peruvian styles and include:

JAZZ GOES AFRO-PERUVIAN – Jazz artists performing in the context of Afro-Peruvian music.

SONG CYCLES – Vocalists from around the world will perform original material and jazz standards within an Afro- Peruvian jazz context.

RITMOS NEGROS DEL PERÚ (BLACK RHYTHMS OF PERU) – Traditional percussion, song and dance from costal Perú presented by master percussionist and zapateo dancer Freddy "Huevito" Lobaton.

LUNCHTIME CRIOLLO – A weekday series featuring jazz instrumental versions of classic Afro-Peruvian folk music.

Artists scheduled to appear at Tutuma Social Club during its first month include trumpeter Ingrid Jensen and drummer Jon Wikan (4/28-5/3); vocalist Angela Vicente (5/5-10); pianist Andy Milne (5/12-17); Argentinian vocalist Sofia Rei Koutsovitis (5/19-24); and Peruvian vocalist Pilar de la Hoz (5/26-31). In addition the Peruvian percussionist and "Zapateo" dancer Freddy "Huevito" Lobaton will be performing weekly on Tuesday and Wednesday nights when not on tour with the Afro-Peruvian Sextet which will appear Thursday-Sunday nights, also when not on tour. The NYU Afro-Peruvian Jazz Ensemble will perform weekly on Monday 5/14, 5/11 & 5/18). A schedule for the period 4/28-5/31 is attached (Note: All programs and artists are subject to change.).

The catalyst for Tutuma Social Club was a group tour of Perú that Matwey and her husband took in the summer of 2008 with other fans of the Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Sextet. Following the band around the country to attend a series of concerts and other appearances, Matwey discovered one of the world's best kept secrets: Afro-Peruvian music, culture and cuisine. Along the Pacific Coast of Perú, sociological and geographic factors have had an oasis effect that led to the development of a remarkable culture whose rich traditions are thriving in and around the capital city of Lima but have yet to be discovered by the rest of the world. Matwey had been considering opening a restaurant to serve as an alternative to other dining and entertainment opportunities in the U.S. and Alegría's program combining cultural, musical and culinary tourism inspired her to establish a variation of that theme in Midtown Manhattan.

"Tutuma Social Club was born out of the spirit of cultural exchange and a sense that one positive aspect of globalization is that different World Music heritages that can be combined and thrive together," Alegría said. "The sounds of Afro-Peruvian jazz – which combines the rich rhythmic and melodic traditions of Afro-Peruvian music with the harmonic sensibility of jazz — will be what distinguishes this endeavor. These musical styles are connected both spiritually and technically and we intend to explore various forms and formats of the resulting fusion at Tutuma which, incidentally, will be the only club in the world presenting Afro-Peruvian jazz nightly."

Alegría provided the following insights when asked about the artists appearing at Tutuma during its first month:

"Ingrid Jensen and Jon Wikan have toured Perú three times and have grown to love the food, the people and the native Peruvian dynamic. For the past two years Jon has been taking his Peruvian cajon (a wooden box drum developed by slaves of West and Central African origins) on all his gigs and even invented an electric version by attaching sensors and running the drum through an effects loop.

"The California-based vocalist Angela Vicente is a singer who captures the essence of Ella Fitzgerald's gifted improvisation and has performed in Perú twice. She brought down the house with an improvised rendition of 'Summertime' while sitting in with the Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Jazz Sextet during the 2005 Festival Jazz Perú.

"Andy Milne's a natural fit as he embodies the idea that jazz is a music that should always move forward and embrace change and thus is ideally disposed to work with Afro-Peruvian musicians. Hearing how he'll apply his superior skills on various keyboards including the synthesizer to Afro-Peruvian grooves will be a revelation.

"Vocalist Sofia Koutsovitis performed at Festival Jazz Perú three years ago and has since incorporated many Peruvian rhythms and sounds into her repertoire that also includes traditional songs from her native Argentina.

"Finally, vocalist Pilar de la Hoz is one of the most representative singers performing Afro-Peruvian jazz today. She works with some of Perú's finest percussionists and will appear at Tutuma with a band including the legendary Juan Medrano "Cotito" audiences may recognize from his association with Afro-Peruvian vocalist Susana Baca."

Austin, TX (PRWEB) August 28, 2008 — The top Halloween costume in the weeks leading up to the spooky holiday is the muscular, crime-fighting Batman Dark Knight costume. The Halloween Costume Shopping Blog (http://www.halloween-costume-shopping.com/blog/most-popular-costumes-for-2008/) compiled page traffic and visitor statistics from Halloween-Costume-Shopping.com to determine this year’s favorites. Rounding out the list of the most sought after costumes are Transformers’ “Optimus Prime,” High School Musical’s “Gabriella,” Indiana Jones and Hannah Montana.

“Halloween has evolved from one night of begging for treats into a true holiday season, creating a bigger demand for trendy costumes earlier in the year,” said Sally Grace, a Halloween Blog writer. “People have begun shopping for holiday costumes sooner in the year and celebrating longer. The challenge for consumers is to get the most popular costumes for their children before they sell out.”

TV and movies like “The Dark Knight,” “Iron Man,” “Transformers” and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” have driven demand for costumes for kids (http://www.halloween-costume-shoppping.com/guide/kids/), but the most popular costumes for babies are the irresistibly sweet and cuddly characters from well-known children’s shows like “Curious George.” The baby costumes most in demand are the Tom Arma costumes (http://www.halloween-costume-shopping.com/baby/tom-arma/). These adorable costumes inspired by the famous photographer’s, “Please Save The Animals” series, sell out quickly while sending an ecologically friendly message.

Approximately one-third of all adults dress up in a costume for Halloween each year. Not surprisingly, the trend for adult costumes runs more risqué. Men and women consider the anonymity afforded by donning a Halloween costume a great opportunity to explore their sexy side. In fact, sexy costumes (http://www.halloween-costume-shopping.com/blog/top-5-sexy-womens-halloween-costumes-for-2008/) topped the list of most purchased adult Halloween gear for the third year in the row. Sultry costumes peaking in demand this year include perennial favorites like the French maid and classic Playboy bunny. Popular traditional costumes with an adult twist include the sexy pirate, the naughty nurse, the vampire vixen and the wicked witch — all high on the list.

For the more conservative adults, this year’s most desirable costumes conjure images of Halloween nights gone by. Traditional costumes such as witches and werewolves are popular again this year. Other well-liked costumes are inspired by the hotly contested presidential election. Start your own engaging debate by wearing a Barack Obama, John McCain or Hillary Clinton mask. The variety of costumes available for grown ups makes Halloween just as much fun for adults as it is for kids.

Each year, the Halloween Costume Shopping Blog (http://www.halloween-costume-shopping.com/blog/) provides Halloween costume ideas and helpful tips for celebrating the holiday. The site is an indispensable Halloween resource for costume ideas for men, costume ideas for women, costume ideas for kids and costume ideas for babies. The Halloween Blog also offers Halloween decorating ideas, pumpkin carving concepts, Halloween games, Halloween party planning tips for kids’ and adults’ parties, Halloween treats and Halloween costume coupon codes.

Media Contact:

Matt McGinnis

Halloween-Costume-Shopping.com

+1-512-342-8378

Editor @ halloween-costume-shopping.com

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) June 3, 2008 — The nationwide radio campaign for Present Tense Jazz (http://www.ptjazz.com/)’s release of its second CD “Smooth Talkin’”, which hit the airwaves in March, 2008, is gaining wide acceptance in the radio community. Currently over 60 stations and syndicated programs are airing the singles ‘Smiles,’ and ‘Smooth Talkin,’ resulting in PTJazz climbing the smooth jazz charts. Currently, PTJazz is No. 5 on the Smooth Jazz (http://smoothjazz.com/) Indie Charts, No. 36 on the Smooth Jazz Top 50, and No. 29 on the Music Choice Smooth Jazz Charts.

The independent grass roots project, produced by Richard J. Frank and Ronnie Kaufman, features 12 original compositions plus a unique arrangement of Steven Tyler’s (of Aerosmith fame) classic ‘Dream On.’

Smooth Talkin’, featuring Eric Marienthal on sax, and Alex Acuna on percussion, has been charting briskly on smooth jazz stations and is currently on radio stations and syndicated programs from California to Maine and Washington to Florida. The Los Angeles based ensemble is excited to present its refreshing “smooth jazz jam band” sound to the world.

“We’ve created a fresh and organic groove jazz sound to ‘advance’ the current smooth jazz medium,” states producer/bassist/composer Richard J. Frank. “We are a band first and foremost. Present Tense Music (http://www.myspace.com/presenttensemusic) is about creating accessible compositions that groove hard – in a jam band style.”

Music Connection Magazine sums it up, “Each musician in this group can stand on his own, and all are allowed to shine singularly. In fact, each instrument is so much a part of the total sound that without any one piece it would change significantly.”

Rather than imitate other smooth jazz artists, Richard and Ronnie approach this project in a much more ‘live’ fashion – certainly a different twist to the many bands of this genre today. “All of the primary tracks – piano, bass, and drums – were simultaneously recorded live in a sound studio. So what we created is a tight, interactive experience,” states Ronnie Kaufman. He continues, “With Richard utilizing the upright bass in non-traditional playing style, and acoustic drums and piano, in combination with smooth R&B grooves, a unique sound emerged.”

PTJazz’s Smooth Talkin’ CD builds on their debut CD entitled Night Shadows which was released in 2003. The following additional web presences further depict the creative work and stylings of Present Tense:

MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/presenttensemusic

Electronic Press Kit (EPK): http://www.sonicbids.com/PresentTense

The results are obvious: the band achieved an infectious smooth jazz sound with the added infusion of R&B, classic rock, improvisation, and jam bands characteristics.

Additionally, Present Tense Jazz has been making a mark in the Southern California area as “Leaders in R&B Pop Jazz” as they perform for numerous private events and parties, clubs, and festivals. Upcoming public performances include The City of Los Angeles Pershing Square series on Thursday, June 26, 2008, and the City of Glendale Verdugo Park concert on August 13, 2008. News of these shows, plus videos, and their music charts can be found on their website.

The influences of Present Tense include Chick Corea, Joe Sample, Boney James, Dave Matthews, Sting, Tchaikovsky, and Brahms, plus numerous classic rock and R&B masters. Richard Frank’s background is a musical rainbow which includes rock, jazz, pop, classical, and ethnic musics. He has toured nationally with Harry James Orchestra and played the symphonic repertoire with the American Youth Symphony under Mehli Mehta. Ronnie Kaufman’s roots stem from numerous GAP Band recordings and tours, Rene and Angela, and numerous gospel and R&B projects.

Garnishing accolades from the Southern California jazz community, Present Tense Jazz won Best Fusion Artist from the Long Beach Jazz Search, Finalist with the Great American Song Competition for ‘Smiles’ written by Richard, and collected two nominations for Best Jazz Artist from the Orange County Music Association and the Los Angeles Music Awards. According to Matt Cibula of Music Critic.com, “This is a group to watch closely.”

For additional information on the smooth jazz jam band Present Tense Jazz, PTJazz, or their recent release ‘Smooth Talkin’, please contact Brent Harvey of KBH Entertainment or visit their website above.

Contact:

Brent Harvey

KBH Entertainment

Management and Representation

818.786.5994

brent @ kbhentertainment.com

SEATTLE (Business Wire EON) November 24, 2008 — "I Can Do That! Games' innovative and high quality approach to design and product development makes them an ideal partner for Curious George," said Tricia Chaves, Senior Director, Licensing, North and Latin America, Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. "The games will inspire the same curiosity, imagination and discovery that Curious George embodies. We are eager to develop a line of preschool games that fans of the hit television series will want to play again and again."

The company plans to launch three new Curious George-themed preschool games in 2009. Curious George has been a touchstone literary brand for children and parents for more than 65 years. The Curious George television series, produced by WGBH Boston, Universal Studios Family Productions and Imagine Entertainment, airs on PBS KIDS® and since its September 2006 debut, the series has been the number-one rated weekday children's series on television among kids ages 2-5 years1. Winner of the 2008 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Animated Program, the show is also popular with parents, enjoying 100% brand awareness with moms of kids ages 2 – 112.

I Can Do That! Games foster self-confidence with fun, innovative play experiences that allow kids to discover what they can do. The company is the brain-child of founder and CEO Jacobe Chrisman, the former head of product development for Cranium who has a decade-long track record for producing game aisle hits. Chrisman leveraged his industry know-how, along with the expertise of partners such as Seattle-based Forrest-Pruzan Creative, a leading game invention studio, to execute a successful company launch in 2007. The company debuted its Dr. Seuss-themed games through an exclusive retail partnership with Toys "R" Us and racked up nearly all of the industry's top honors in 2007, including an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award and a Parents' Choice Gold Award and a Toy Industry Association Game of the Year Finalist honor. National exposure on programs such as Live! With Regis & Kelly and NBC's TODAY helped to fuel grass roots awareness for the brand, which was profitable in year one.

The Universal Studios announcement comes as I Can Do That! Games broadens its national footprint by rolling out games to new retail accounts including Target, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and specialty outlets across the country. The expanded distribution will allow this burgeoning company to bring its innovative games to a larger national audience during the 2008 holiday season.

I Can Do That! Games will introduce three new Dr. Seuss-themed games for children in 2008, doubling its offerings to a total of six games. As the company grows it will continue to seek out high-quality licensing partnerships that offer touchstone experiences for children and their families.

To learn more about I Can Do That! Games, visit www.icandothatgames.com.

1Source: NTI 9/06-11/06, 1/07-11/07, 1/08.

2Source: Marketing Evaluations, Fall 2007.

About I Can Do That! Games™:

I Can Do That! Games™ foster self-confidence by giving kids a chance to discover what they can do. Through decades of research, years of award-winning inventions, and thousands of play-tests, the toy and game industry veterans at I Can Do That! Games have mastered the art of making incredibly fun, high-quality play experiences for kids and their families.

Founded in 2007, the Seattle-based game company has already won some of the industry's top honors, including a Parents' Choice Gold award, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold and Platinum awards, a National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, and a coveted Toy Industry Association Game of the Year Finalist distinction.

I Can Do That! Games can be found at mass and specialty retail outlets nationwide.

To learn more about I Can Do That Games, visit www.icandothatgames.com.

About the CURIOUS GEORGE Television Series

Brought to PBS KIDS by Imagine Entertainment, WGBH Boston, and Universal Studios Family Productions, with the support of Curious George publisher Houghton Mifflin, CURIOUS GEORGE the television series is designed to inspire kids to explore science, math, and engineering in the world around them in a fun and entertaining way. Based on the best-selling Curious George books by Margret and H.A. Rey, the daily series expands George's world to include a host of colorful characters and original locales, while maintaining the charm of the beloved books. Each of the half-hour episodes includes two animated stories followed by short live-action pieces showing real kids who are investigating the ideas that George introduces in his stories. The series encourages inquiry and curiosity, promotes hands-on exploration, and shows parents and caregivers how to support children's science and math-related play.

CURIOUS GEORGE is a production of Imagine Entertainment, WGBH Boston, and Universal Studios Family Productions. Executive producers are Ron Howard (Imagine), Brian Grazer (Imagine), Carol Greenwald (WGBH) and Ellen Cockrill (Universal). Funding is provided by public television viewers. National corporate sponsorship of CURIOUS GEORGE is provided by Shea Homes, Amazon.com Grocery, Chuck E. Cheese's®, and Sun-Maid®. The CURIOUS GEORGE Web site is pbskids.org/curiousgeorge. Curious George and related characters, created by Margret and H.A. Rey, are copyrighted and trademarked by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company and used under license. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. Television series: © 2008. Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

About the CURIOUS GEORGE television series on DVD

On August 26, 2008, Universal Studios Home Entertainment will release the Curious George: Sails with the Pirates and Other Curious Capers DVD, containing 8 fun-filled and entertaining shows from PBS KIDS' wildly popular TV series. The seventh in a collection of DVDs drawn from the hit show, Curious George: Sails with the Pirates and Other Curious Capers includes more than two hours of fun. The DVD is packed with games and activities that are sure to delight kids while helping them build math, science and engineering skills.

About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company is a global education company with approximately $2.5 billion in combined revenue. The Company publishes a comprehensive set of best-in-class pre-K–12 educational solutions, ranging from research-based textbook programs to instructional technology to standards-based assessments for students and educators. The Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. With origins dating back to 1832, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt combines its tradition of excellence with a commitment to innovation. To learn more about Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, visit www.hmhpub.com.

About Universal Studios Consumer Products Group

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is responsible for global licensing and retail strategies as well as building brand recognition of its extensive property portfolio. Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is a unit of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.

This press release has been reprinted from PRWEB per the terms and conditions of the copyright notice.

Mauldin, SC (PRWEB) September 2, 2009 — Hip-Hop music (http://www.ckhid.com) artist, C.KhiD, wastes no time in taking advantage of new found web fame. Featured on the front pages of a cluster of major social and ringtone web sites, as well as Hip-Hop blogs, has created a strong buzz for the conscious rapper. Still discouraging minor deals and management offers, the new Hip-Hop music artist has even accumulated enough internet earnings to launch the "Dreamers promotional tour" in 15 US states.

"The tour is about living Dreams and showing childhood friends opportunity. I will also acquire more music subscribers for my rap mp3 (http://ckhidmusic.com/join-ckhid-music-club.html) download club. That is all I am focused on, building club subscribers and entertaining Youtube and Twitter fans. Signing a management or recording deal now is not my focus. Most new hip-hop music artists end up with a snickers without fans," laughs the charismatic old-young man.

Resetting his on-line visibility goals as more of his videos go viral, C.KhiD's music has been featured on SportsIllustrated.com, CNN.com and Myxer.com in recent months.

Streetwear trends and urban clothing (http://www.sojones.com) website Sojones.com has sponsored a photographer to document The Dreamers tour. C.KhiD, a well-known fashion tastemaker in the South, will be collaborating with the fashion site to get photos of trendy youth in the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast regions. Photos taken on the tour will be featured on a Sojones.com's community fashion rating board, "Hustlers Gallery.".

The new Hip-Hop music artist of 2009 to watch, C.KhiD will be touring 15 states beginning September 2nd. His stops will include malls, colleges, clubs, open-air centers, and more. He will also be collaborating with Sojones on-line to give students the opportunity to win free LRG (http://www.sojones.com/hiphop-clothing/lrg-clothing/) clothing through Sojones.com.

Visit www.CKHID.com for official tour schedule. C.KhiD is taking on the challenge of taking fan requests to meet and greet. Those interested can sign up at his official website, twitter (http://www.twitter.com/ckhid), or e-mail the request to ckhid(at)ckhidmusic(dot)com. Photos taken on the tour will be featured on a Sojones.com's community fashion rating board, "Hustlers Gallery," and the C.KhiD tour blog.

(PRWEB) April 10, 2008 — Drummer/Bandleader Jimmy Bennington will play two nights at the famed Jazz Zone in Lima, Peru, located in beautiful Miraflores. This longstanding club has played host to a wealth of local and international talent, and proudly presents the Jimmy Bennington Trio Friday and Saturday April 11 and 12. Bennington’s trio will feature pianist Guilad Shmaya and bassist Omar Rojas.

Jimmy Bennington brings from Chicago his own brand of Jazz and Free Music. The program will feature Bennington’s compositions and arrangements, as well as standards, originals, and improvised music.

For nearly twenty years, Bennington has provided and developed an inimitable musical atmosphere that showcases his guests creative talents, and places the drum in the roles of timekeeper, colorist, and conductor. In keeping with the Jazz tradition, he employs elements of Blues, Folk, Latin, and African music to explore, propel, cajole, and inspire both musicians and audiences alike. Bennington’s first visit to the Jazz Zone was in 2005. This return engagement will feature two very creative artists, Israeli pianist Guilad Shmaya and bassist Omar Rojas, both residents of Lima. Shows begin at 8 p.m.

“Jazz music that treats the drum as an instrument equal to the piano, and experiments with the below the skin deep beauty that music has always had, but which few artists have been daring enough to delve into.” – Ben Ohmart, The Muses Muse, 2004.

“…solid, exploratory Jazz.” – Cadence, 1998.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, May 22, 1970. Bennington was raised in Detroit, Michigan until age nine when his family moved to Houston, Texas. It was there that he began music studies on clarinet, playing the instrument for three years. Switching to drums at age fourteen, his education has come from private study, Marching and Concert bands throughout Middle and High School, work as a sideman and as a leader. Largely self- taught, early experiences include Jazz and Blues sessions, opportunities to play with local veterans, and study with late Coltrane drummer Elvin Jones. In fact, Jimmy served as band manager and drum tech from 2000-2002 touring the U.S. and Europe.

Bennington has played and recorded with a diverse array of artists from the Jazz and Improvised Music communities and beyond, including legendary clarinetist Perry Robinson and trombonist Julian Priester. Currently based in Chicago, after long residences in Texas (1990-1998) and the West Coast (1998-2006), Bennington performs at a number of venues as a sideman or band leader with his group, Colour and Sound with regular visits to Canada, Europe, and South America.

Contact:

ThatSwan! Records

www.benningtonjazz.com

Press Contact: James Bennington

Company Name: That Swan Records

Email Us Here: http://www.prweb.com/emailmember.php?prid=568642

Website: http://www.benningtonjazz