Legendary Bassist Jerry Jemmott to Teach Workshop

 

The ASC is thrilled to welcome legendary bassist Jerry Jemmott to the ASC for a half-day workshop on February 21 at 1 p.m. Workshop is open to all musicians! For more information contact Kimberly Kirklin at kkirklin@uab.edu.

 

I can't say enough about Jerry Jemmott...both on a personal and professional level....Jerry Jemmot is one of the most influential session bassists of all time...not only because of the landmark recordings he was a part of (B.B. King's The Thrill is Gone, Aretha Franklin's Think....to name a couple) but because of the way he raised the bar for every rhythm section that came after him. The best of the best refer to him as "The Groove Master"....for good reason. Listen to King Curtis Live at the Fillmore for a small sample of what Jerry is capable of....truly amazing. Jerry is just as relevant today as he was 40 years ago. He is currently touring with the Gregg Allman Band.

 

Jerry has a heart for his students. His depth of musical knowledge and his real world practical experience is unmatched.....best of all....he loves to share it. He has a very generous sprit and a teachers heart. I have the privilege of calling Jerry a good friend....every time we hang up the phone, I feel the need to write down some pearl of wisdom he accidentally dropped on me....He has had a huge impact on the way I listen and play music.

 

Ted Pewitt

 

Local mandolinist Jason Bailey performs after Punch Bros.

We're thrilled to showcase local mandolinist Jason Bailey and his band as the headliner for the Punch Brothers after-party this weekend. A word from Jason...

I am very excited to be playing the official after-party for the Punch Brothers concert. Being a full time mandolinist, this opportunity to share in the same evening with perhaps the best mandolin player alive is exhilarating, inspiring, and even a little bit frightening. I can't wait!! Thanks for having me, Jason Bailey

Here are the links for purchase of the new release "September in the South." Just copy and paste one into your web browser for access.

For Digital Download of "September in the South" via Apple itunes:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=267439310

For purchase of a physical copy of "September in the South"
http://cdbaby.com/cd/jasonbailey2

If you would like the first CD "Southwood" as an itunes download:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=44100507

Or, purchase of a physical copy of "Southwood." http://cdbaby.com/cd/jasonbailey

Check out my website www.baileyjason.com

Come be my friend on myspace http://www.myspace.com/jasonbaileymandolin

Need Music for your wedding, Office party, any party, or whatever, contact me.

Jason Bailey
Joots Music LLC
205-612-2723
jootsmusic@netzero.net
www.baileyjason.com

Punch Brothers interview

Chris Thile returns to the ASC

I have to admit, when Nickel Creek came to the ASC two seasons ago I didn't consider myself a fan.  I had never really taken much time to listen to their music and just thought it wasn't for me.  That all changed about 3 songs into the show.  I often think the word "virtuoso" is overused, but that was the word spinning in my head as I watched Chris Thile play.  Really amazing.  (My husband says the words that came into his head were "show off" and "annoying," but...to each his own.)



From everything I've heard from Thile's new band PUNCH BROTHERS, the sound is just fun and accessible, but still highly-skilled. "How to Grow A Women from the Ground" is one of those rare discs that I'll put on and play from start to finish - without shuffling (that never happens!)  So, I expect next Saturday's show to be a bright spot in an other-wise quiet musical January. 

If you're coming to the show, plan to stick around for the After Party.  Local madolin player Jason Bailey's band is performing and there's a chance that the guys from the Punch Brothers will stop by.  (They are definitely planning to sign cds in the lobby after the show.)

Check out this recent interview with the band. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK7TeNlPLp0

Complexions Ballet to Feature U2

U2 might be the hardest working band in modern music, and is one of my favorite rock groups of all time.

The lineup of Bono (vocals), The Edge (guitar), Adam Clayton (bass), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums) has remained unchanged since the band formed as teens way back in 1976. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, the band has sold more than 140 million albums worldwide, won 22 Grammy's, and is frequently involved in activism for human rights and HIV/AIDS awareness.

Over the course of three decades and 10 albums, the music of U2 has featured many different sounds and influences, including rock, soul, dance, gospel, alternative, blues, and country; the last two most notably on 1986-1989's The Joshua Tree and Rattle and Hum, albums that launched the band into superstardom.

This success came with both critical praise (for Joshua Tree) and then a backlash (Rattle and Hum) and created something of an identity crisis for the group. According to Adam Clayton, U2 was becoming a "shrill, sloganeering arena-rock band."

The group took a hard left turn in the 1990's by exploring techno and industrial music on Achtung Baby, Zoo TV, and Zooropa. The tracks on these albums were at times flippant, dark, and self-deprecating. In an effort to poke fun at the commercialism of pop music, stardom, and themselves, U2 went on a massive world tour that incorporated hundreds of video screens, over-the-top stage props, and multi-media effects. They came to Birmingham's Legion Field on this tour and it was one of the most impressive live shows I've ever seen.

As the 90's progressed, however, this stylistic makeover into pop/rock juggernaut alienated many of their hardcore fans. From 2000 to present, U2 wisely abandoned the campy, experimental kitsch of the 90's and rediscovered their more traditional sound with All That You Can't Leave Behind and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, two albums that won back critics and fans alike.

As the group puts the finishing touches on its most recent album No Line on the Horizon (due later this year), their music is being featured in an unusual way right here at the Alys Stephens Center! Complexions Contemporary Ballet will feature a dance number choreographed to several songs from the U2 catalogue including "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," "With or Without You," "Desire," and "Pride," among others. This unique program is being performed on January 16-18 for three shows: Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Don't wait to get your tickets because all three shows are expected to sell out! You can reserve your seats by calling our Box Office at (205) 975-ARTS (2787), toll free at 1-877-ART-TIKS, or go online here.