Yasiin Bey on stage with Black Star (more by Zach Pollach)

Yasiin says:

I hope everyone will have a great 2012! Alot of things to look forward too. Especially when BlackStar will be getting out their album/Mixtape out and a new G.O.O.D music compilation album coming out spring. Let it be a Yasiin Bey year!

One of the world's most influential muslims Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) will start the Yasiin Bey year by helping pay tribute to the late Gil-Scott Heron as part of the Indelible Festival which goes down at Highline Ballroom in NYC on 1/6...

INDELIBLE FESTIVAL is dedicated to Gil Scott-Heron and Gordon Parks, with a tribute to Living Legend Jimmy Scott.

Indelible is dedicated to those who inspire and influence young people and, by their example, make a difference in the world. Jill Newman Productions created the Indelible Series two years ago, presented by the New York Public Library.

The great jazz vocalist Jimmy Scott will also be performing at the show, alongside ?uestlove, Bilal, Robert Glasper, Cecil Taylor, and many others. Tickets are still available.

Reminder: ?uestlove ALSO DJs SOBs tonight (1/3).

Bey recently introduced the cast of Fela! the musical in San Francisco. Video of that is below.

Continue reading "Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def), Questlove & more playing Gil-Scott Heron, Gordon Parks & Jimmy Scott party @ Highline"

The Highline Piano series continues at Highline Ballroom this week with one change: They have moved the Tuesday, August 25th show with Cecil Taylor to Monday, August 31st. Tickets for the show on the 25th are still valid for the 31st, or you can get a refund. Have you seen any of the shows yet? Taylor set times and a set of live videos are below...

Continue reading "Highline Pianos Series continues, Cecil Taylor date change"

by Andrew Frisicano

Cecil Taylor & McCoy Tyner...

Born Dec. 11, 1938, [McCoy] Tyner made his name as a member of the legendary John Coltrane Quartet in the 1960s. Since then, he has brought his distinctive playing style, and his compositions, to dozens of records on which he leads his own bands.

[What's his secret?]

Tyner says the secret is simple: Drink carrot juice.

"Well, I like carrot juice," he says. "I have a juice machine at home that helps. Carrot juice is real good for you. Carrot and celery. Don't forget celery." [NPR]

You can buy him a glass at the Highline Ballroom on Sunday, August 23rd, where he'll perform as part of the venue's Piano Series, an 11-night lineup of piano-driven acts that runs from August 17th through August 28th.

We previously reported that Tyner's Lincoln Center shows in May would be his last NYC gigs for a while, and though according to his website that's still true, Tyner will bring his Trio (bassist Gerald Cannon and drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt plus guest saxist Gary Bartz) to the Highline for one two-set night.

Another Hall-of-Fame level jazz great, Cecil Taylor, will play as part of the series too. He'll perform solo on Tuesday, August 25th (two sets also).

The series mixes those legends with a slew of younger but equally impressive acts like the The Bad Plus, Matthew Shipp, and the Benevento/Russo Duo, who are all playing the series.

Tickets to all the shows are on sale now.

The Piano Series' full schedule, which includes non-jazz pianists too, is posted below...

Continue reading "Highline Ballroom Piano Series - 11 shows @ the NYC venue"