- Annette A. Aguilar & Stringbeans
- Charles Moore Percussion Ensemble
- Féraba; African Music and Percussion
- Harlem Blues & Jazz Band
- Heritage O.P.
- Kevin Nathaniel
- Naomi Miller
- Orlando Marin Ensemble
- Percy Brice
- Sarah McLawler & Les Femmes Jazz
- Senor Lucky Blues Band
- Sonido Costeno
- Tom Smith Ensemble & Big Band
- Tony Terrell Caribbean Jazz Quartet
Download Circuit's Latest Press Information
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May
June music performances of Rhythm Journeys
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Free World Beat performances to feature Feraba; Burdetsky Family Circus duet in Brooklyn
January
Free concerts announced with McLawler
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CPI presents Winter Programs
Archives
2007
Fall performances of Rhythm Journeys feat. 3 composers
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Circuit Productions Inc. (CPI) is supported, in part, with public funds from New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Support CPI and our programming
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Rhythm Journeys: Masters of Jazz and World Music, was made possible with funds provided by The New York State Music Fund, established by the New York State Attorney General at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, provided additional support to Circuit Productions, Inc.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -The New York State Music Fund published guidelines and criteria and accepted grant applications in a number of categories, including music education and public performances of music by artists working in hip hop, reggae, fusion, jazz, classical and folk music of all cultures.
Applications related to recording, distribution, or broadcast through traditional or new media were also eligible. Special emphasis was placed on reaching underserved populations and broadening awareness of artists, genres or styles with limited access to commercial broadcast or other mass distribution vehicles.
Advisory Panels comprised of recognized leaders from a cross-section of the music world evaluated and recommended applications based on criteria focusing on artistic merit and community impact. The award to Circuit Productions was among nearly 400 grants totaling more than $35 million made by the Music Fund.
News and Press
For press and publicity inquiries please contact: Serena Rockower, Bookings/Outreach
Circuit Productions, Inc. || Ph/Fax: (718) 638-4878
2008 May | Brooklyn, New York
Circuit Productions, Inc. presents Spring Presentations of Rhythm Journeys: Masters of Jazz and World Music and World Beat: Study of Diverse Cultures in NYC
// June music performances of Rhythm Journeys will take place at Museum of the City of New York, The Fort Green Market Concerts and the Harlem Meer Performance Festival
// Free World Beat performances to feature Feraba- African drumming and tap dance; Burdetsky Family Circus duet with dancing dogs at Brooklyn venues.
[ Download this press release ]
Circuit Productions, Inc., announced today that Spring 2008 programs will feature the work of three featured music ensembles for RHYTHM JOURNEYS: MASTERS OF JAZZ AND WORLD MUSIC. The project is a series of free and low-cost concerts showcasing blues, jazz and world music throughout New York City in collaboration with local cultural and educational institutions.
Circuit Productions, through its community outreach series, RHYTHM JOURNEYS, continues to provide new music and live performances presenting senior and emerging artists in a range of culturally relevant programming aimed primarily at youth and family audiences. “We are delighted to partner with three premier city organizations dedicated to promoting diverse music programs,” said Susan Goldbetter, Executive Director of Circuit Productions.” The artists include the Smith Brothers, the Harlem Blues and Jazz Ensemble and Sarah McLawler and Les Femmes Jazz.
On June 12th, 2008 in collaboration with the Museum of the City of New York’s new exhibit, “Catholics in New York” the Smith Brothers will perform songs from the 19th and 20th centuries that reflect the history, politics and cultural impact of Catholic culture in New York City from 1808-1946.
On June 14th, 2008 the Harlem Blues & Jazz Ensemble will be performing at the Fort Greene Concert Series, part of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership’s Music and Dance Festival. The concert takes place near the Greenmarket on the lawn of Fort Greene Park, located at Washington Park Ave. and DeKalb Ave. entrance. Info/Directions: 718-403-1650.
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The ensemble - part of the larger Harlem Blues & Jazz Band - stars veteran jazz and blues musicians their musical roots reaching back to the classic period of the 1920s and the 30s. The Band was founded in 1973 by Clyde Bernhardt (trombonist to King Oliver) and Dr. Albert Vollmer and included a core group of musicians who actually "jumped" at the Woodside and "stomped" at the Savoy with Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, "Fats" Waller, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and other jazz greats.
On Sunday June 22 from 2:00-4:00 pm, Sarah McLawler will be featured in the 15th annual Harlem Meer Performance Festival. McLawler, known for her vocals and Hammond organ playing will appear with her all women band, Les Femmes Jazz. The Festival, under the guidance of Artistic Director Rob Blumenthal, is one of the most popular free events showcasing some of New York's top local, emerging and established talents. At Circuit Productions we are truly saddened by the untimely passing of our friend and colleague, Rob Blumenthal on May 7, 2008. You may read more about the festival and a memorial piece about Rob on the home page of the Conservancy's website www.centralparknyc.org. The Festival takes place at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center located inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues. For details and directions call: 212-310-6658
Spring 2008 also marks upcoming performances of Circuit Productions’ WORLD BEAT: A STUDY OF DIVERSE CULTURES IN NYC with Brooklyn Public Libraries. On June 5th, from 2:30-3:30 join Feraba: African Rhythm Tap Duet at Brooklyn Heights Library located at 280 Cadman Plaza West. For details and directions call: 718-623-7100. On June 6th at 12 noon join in the hilarious antics of the Burdetsky Family Circus duo with their dancing dogs. A live performance will take place at Stone Avenue Library, 581 Mother Gaston Boulevard. For details and directions call: 718-485-8347.
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2008 January | Brooklyn, New York
Circuit Productions, Inc. presents Winter Programs of Rhythm Journeys:
Masters of Jazz and World music
// February music performances highlight the work of composers and ensembles during Winter performances of Rhythm Journeys: Masters of Jazz and World Music.
// Free concerts feature Vocalist/Hammond Organist, Sarah McLawler at Brooklyn Heights
Library, February 23, 2008.
[ Download this press release ]
Circuit Productions, Inc., the recipient of the New York State Music Fund grant (“Music Fund”), announced today that Winter 2008 programs will feature the work of Sarah McLawler, one of three commissioned composers for RHYTHM JOURNEYS: MASTERS OF JAZZ AND WORLD MUSIC. The project is a series of free and low-cost concerts showcasing jazz and world music throughout New York City and State in collaboration with local cultural and educational institutions.
Circuit Productions, through its community outreach series, RHYTHM JOURNEYS, continues to provide new music and live performances presenting senior and emerging artists in a range of culturally relevant music programming aimed primarily at youth and family audiences in culturally under-served communities state-wide. “We are thrilled to advocate for and present such a diverse group of artists,” said Susan Goldbetter, Executive Director of Circuit Productions, “who bring their contemporary and world music to new communities.”
Sarah McLawler will be featured on Hammond organ - a rare treat for local New York City audiences - on February 23, 2008 at 2pm, Brooklyn Heights Branch Library, 280 Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn, New York. For details/travel contact Brooklyn Heights Library, 718.623-7100. McLawler’s earliest introduction to music was piano and organ playing in her father's church in Indiana. Later, she became interested in secular music – Jazz, meeting both the famous Hampton family (Lionel and Slyde) and the Wes Montgomery family. After winning a music scholarship to Fisk University in the 1940's she began touring with the Lucky Millander Big Band. Striking out on her own she soon formed the "allgirls" band known as The Syn-Co-Ettes. Their extraordinary popularity brought them to Chicago where they became the house band at the great Savoy Ballroom. Ms. McLawler's recordings for Brunswick and Vee-Jay Records include some of the greatest standards in jazz music. Sarah has been a recipient of a Meet the Composer grant; Outstanding Jazz Artist Award, St. Peters Church; WWRL's Jazz Woman of the Year; a Lifetime Achievement from International Women in Jazz; and the Music Danceology Award. In March 2005 she went to Virginia Tech University as part of a Ford Foundation grant award through Circuit Productions.
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Circuit Productions, Inc. presents Winter Programs of Rhythm Journeys:
Masters of Jazz and World music
// February music performances highlight the work of composers and ensembles during Winter performances of Rhythm Journeys: Masters of Jazz and World Music.
// Free concerts feature the Harlem Blues and Jazz Trio in Long Island, Sarah McLawler in Brooklyn
and Andy Algire in Mt. Vernon.
[ Download this press release ]
Circuit Productions, Inc., the recipient of the New York State Music Fund grant (“Music Fund”), announced today that Winter 2008 programs will feature the work of three featured music ensembles and two commissioned composers for RHYTHM JOURNEYS: MASTERS OF JAZZ AND WORLD MUSIC. The projectis a series of free and low-cost concerts showcasing jazz and world music throughout New York City and State in collaboration with local cultural and educational institutions.
Circuit Productions, through its community outreach series, RHYTHM JOURNEYS, continues to provide new music and live performances presenting senior and emerging artists in a range of culturally relevant music programming aimed primarily at youth and family audiences in culturally under-served communities state-wide. “We are thrilled to advocate for and present such a diverse group of artists,” said Susan Goldbetter, Executive Director of Circuit Productions, “who bring their contemporary and world music to new communities.” The artists include the Harlem Blues and Jazz Trio, vocalist and Hammond organist, Sarah McLawler and percussionist Andy Algire with Irene Koloseus’s Feraba: African Rhythm Tap Company.
Kicking off Black History Month is the Harlem Blues and Jazz Trio who will be performing on Sunday, February 3, 2008, 2:30pm at Long Beach Library, 111 W. Park Avenue, Long Island, NY. For information contact Long Beach Library: 516.432.7201. The trio - part of the larger, Harlem Blues & Jazz Band - stars veteran jazz and blues musicians their musical roots reaching back to the classic period of the 1920s and the 30s. The Band was founded in 1973 by Clyde Bernhardt (trombonist to King Oliver) and Dr. Albert Vollmer and included a core group of musicians who actually "jumped" at the Woodside and "stomped" at the Savoy with Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, "Fats" Waller, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and other jazz greats. The band is based in Harlem, the symbolic home of swing, but they spend most of the year on tour throughout the U.S. and Europe.
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Percussionist, Andy Algire’s new work “Sound Bridges” will be heard during a free performance on February 8, 2008, 6-7 pm at Edward Williams Elementary School in Mt. Vernon. A week prior to the performance, a series of special free workshops and a short concert will be given to all 120 students enrolled in Williams’ free after-school program. For details and travel contact , Pelham Art Center, 914.738.2525 or info@pelhamartcenter.org. In addition to the Music Fund, Algire’s performance was made possible, in part, through Meet the Composer* and Westchester Jewish Community Services.
Sarah McLawler will be featured on Hammond organ - a rare treat for local New York City audiences - on February 23, 2008, at Brooklyn Heights Branch Library, 280 Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn, New York. For details and time contact Brooklyn Heights Library, 718.623-7100. McLawler’s earliest introduction to music was piano and organ playing in her father's church in Indiana. Later, she became interested in secular music – Jazz meeting both the famous Hampton family (Lionel and Slyde) and the Wes Montgomery family. Shortly after winning a music scholarship to Fisk University in the 1940's she began touring with the Lucky Millander Big Band. Striking out on her own she soon formed the "all-girls" band known as The Syn-Co-Ettes. Their extraordinary popularity brought them to Chicago where they became the house band at the great Savoy Ballroom. Ms. McLawler's recordings for Brunswick and Vee-Jay Records include some of the greatest standards in jazz music. Sarah has been a recipient of a Meet the Composer grant; Outstanding Jazz Artist Award, St. Peters Church; WWRL's Jazz Woman of the Year; a Lifetime Achievement from International Women in Jazz; and the Music Danceology Award. In March 2005 she went to Virginia Tech University as part of a Ford Foundation grant award through Circuit Productions.
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2007 October | Brooklyn, New York
Circuit Productions, Inc. presents Fall Programs Featuring Three Composers
and Their Music Commissions with a Grant from the New York State Music Fund
// Three composers present their music during Fall performances of Rhythm Journeys:
Masters of Jazz and World music.
// Concerts continue to take place in NYC and NYS beginning November 2007.
[ Download this press release ]
Circuit Productions, Inc., the recipient of NYS Music Fund grant (“Music Fund”), announced today that Fall programs will feature the work of three commissioned composers for RHYTHM JOURNEYS: MASTERS OF JAZZ AND WORLD MUSIC. The project is a series of free and low-cost concerts showcasing jazz and world music throughout New York City and State in collaboration with local cultural and educational institutions.
Circuit Productions, through its new community outreach series, RHYTHM JOURNEYS, will provide new music and live performances presenting senior and emerging artists in a range of culturally relevant music programming aimed primarily at youth and family audiences in culturally under-served communities state-wide. “We are thrilled to advocate for and present such a diverse group of artists,” said Susan Goldbetter, Executive Director of Circuit Productions, “who created and/or revised their music for new underserved communities throughout the city and state.” The three composers, Sarah McLawler, John Miller and Andy Algire will each be featured in performances this Fall. Additional performances will take place through March 2008.
Sarah McLawler will be featured in Carol Sudhalter‘s Astoria Big Band program, “Women Composers of Queens” on Friday, November 16, 2007, 7:30 pm at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in LIC, Queens. Tickets are $13 or $10 for students, seniors and musicians! McLawler’s earliest introduction to music was piano and organ playing in her father's church in Indiana. Later, she became interested in secular music – Jazz meeting both the famous Hampton family (Lionel and Slyde) and the Wes Montgomery family. Shortly after winning a music scholarship to Fisk University in the 1940's she began touring with the Lucky Millander Big Band. Striking out on her own she soon formed the "all-girls" band known as The Syn-Co-Ettes. Their extraordinary popularity brought them to Chicago where they became the house band at the great Savoy Ballroom. Ms. McLawler's recordings for Brunswick and Vee-Jay Records include some of the greatest standards in jazz music. Sarah is a recipient of a Meet the Composer grant; Outstanding Jazz Artist Award, St. Peters Church; WWRL's Jazz Woman of the Year; a Lifetime Achievement from International Women in Jazz; and the Music Danceology Award. In March 2005 she traveled to Virginia Tech University as part of a Ford Foundation grant award through Circuit Productions.
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“The Music Fund will allow me to create new work, and present it this Fall (12/20/07) with the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band at the free Trinity Concerts at One Series,” said John Miller, accomplished pianist, composer and arranger. He has recorded, performed and made television appearances with the Stanley Turrentine Band for the past seventeen years. He has also performed with George "Big Nick" Nicholas, Frank Foster, Harold Ousley, Sy Austin, Bruce Hayden and Dee Clark. In the past decade John has recorded albums with Count Basie, Angela DeNiro and the Ron Aprea Orchestra, George Jackson, Mel Bliss, The Baritone Saxophones, and Gene Gardener and the Jazz Recoverers. Mr. Miller has also taught his art extensively throughout New York State and has his own company, Jomil Music. Currently, he is the lead pianist for the legendary Harlem Blues and Jazz Band. They recently appeared at Westchester Community College, the Museum of the City of New York and the Brooklyn Center for Performing Arts at Brooklyn College.
“It’s been an extraordinary opportunity having this source of funding to encourage my work,” said, Andy Algire, composer and performer. Andy plays drum set, congas, African drums and percussion, balafon (wood xylophone), kalimba (thumb piano), keyboards and piano. His performances include the Kennedy Center with Rhythm Exchange World Music Ensemble (REWME), Manhattan Tap, the Lakestreet Foundation and clubs, theaters, festivals both nationally and internationally. For the past five years Andy has worked closely with Irene Koloseus’s Féraba: African Rhythm Tap Dance. Artistic Director, Koloseus - a prolific tap and African dance choreographer- creates unique rhythmic patterns using her feet as an additional percussive instrument. The two are currently working on Andy’s new work “Sound Bridges” which will be heard during their free performances in “Rhythm Journeys” at Bronx Library Center (11/17/07) and in Westchester, Mt. Vernon and Pelham in March 2008.
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