(Newswire.net — November 28, 2013) New York, New York —
Cobi Narita’s “Jazz Center of New York” in conjunction with Flo-Bert Ltd. presents “The Annual Holiday Festivities” at Zebs in NYC on Sunday December 8th, 2013 from 6pm to 10pm. Ms. Narita has, for 40 plus years, been producing jazz concerts, jam sessions, festivals and fundraisers and continues her Holiday Tradition in 2013 featuring Guest Singers, Dancers and Storytellers.
Flo-Bert LTD., a not for profit founded in 1989 by historian and researcher Delilah Jackson, focuses on the art of tap dance. Known for celebrating the achievements of tap dancers, honorees have included Maurice and Gregory Hines, Gene Kelly, Cab Calloway, Honi Coles, Ernest “Brownie” Brown, Brenda Buffalino and many others.
Along with the dancers, pianists Barry Harris and Frank Owens, film director Stanley Donen and singers Yvette Glover and Mabel Lee (one of the original Apollo girls) have also received the award. Cobi Narita herself was a recipient in 2005.
Light refreshments will be served, each person who attends will be given a new CD or DVD. Music is provided by The Frank Owens Trio. Mr. Owens is highly regarded in the jazz/broadway/cabaret world as a dynamic musical director and sensitive accompanist to both singers and dancers.
Musical Director to Johnny Mathis, Chubby Checker, Melba Moore, Johnny Nash, Connie Francis, John Denver, Irene Cara, Lesley Gore, Freda Payne, Ruth Brown, Petula Clark, and Lena Horne. More recently, he has served as musical director for actor.singer/voice over artist, Keith David. Also featured in the trio are bassist, Mr. Lisle Atkinson and on the drums, Mr. Greg Bufford.
Mr. Atkinson began studying the violin at the early age of four. At six, he gave his first concert. When he was 12 he was introduced to the bass violin. While at Music and Art High School in NYC, he played in the school orchestra. Upon graduation, Lisle went to Manhattan Music Conservatory, where he received his degree in Music.
Since then, Mr. Atkinson has enjoyed a distinguished career and has appeared with such artists as: Nina Simone, Betty Carter, Wynton Kelly, Hazel Scott, Billy Taylor, Stanley Turrentine, The New York Bass Violin Choir, Clark Terry, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, Jon Hendricks, Hank Jones, Kenny Burrell and many, many others.
Greg Buford is the epitome of class on the drums. Never too loud, too forceful or insensitive, Buford is a master of swing, purveyor of evocative sounds. Whether soloing or backing up the singer or soloist, the swing is always in the pocket, the dance is always in the drums. Buford was inspired by the great “Philly Joe” Jones and was influenced by his views on the drums and life. In a concert in 2005 Buford organized in Montclair, NJ to honor the great drummer “Philly Joe”, he told The Star Ledger; “….He (Philly Joe) felt there was a beauty in playing the drums. So what I try to do is get close to the musicality of Philly Joe. My job is to make everybody in the band sound their best. It’s not about me sounding good.”
Zebs is a hidden gem right in the heart of New Yorks hustling and bustling Chelsea. Across the street from an unassuming, non descript large building, down the block from a Japanese restaurant and underneath a plumbers business sign, look for the red iron door. On that door you’ll see a tiny blue sign that says ZEBS. Jazz always seems to find these precious spaces to live and thrive. Open the door, walk up 26 steps and join the festivities.
Cobi Narita’s “Jazz Center of New York” has found a new home at ZEBS and keeps the jazz alive with a Jam Session every Friday evening from 6:30 to 9:30pm hosted by Mr. Frank Owens. Singers and Dancers Welcome. There is a $10.00 cover
On Saturday, December 14, 2013 Ms. Narita will feature The Victor Lin Trio. Shows at 8 and 10pm. Kevin Farrell (bass) and Jimmy Mc Bride (drums) $20.00 each show.
On Sunday, December 15, 2013 Cobi Narita and “The Jazz Center of New York” presents:
The Big Band and Tap Preservation Society
presents:
A Night of Song and Dance
with Calvin Booker and Carolyn Harding
Showtime 6pm $20.00
On Sunday December 21, 2013 Cobi Narita’s “Jazz Center of New York” presents:
Billy Harper Voices (Small Ensemble)
Billy Harper (tenor saxophone)
featuring: Yago Vasques (piano), Kevin Smith (bass) and Panos Koustopoulis (drums)
For more information on Cobi Narita:
For more information on The Jazz Center of New York
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jazz-Center-of-New-York-Cobi-Jazz-Productions/440047209434140?ref=hl
For more information on Lisle Atkinson:
For more information on Greg Bufford:
http://www.examiner.com/article/music-the-moonlight-jazz-series-with-greg-bufford-at-luna-stage
For more information on Victor Lin:
For more information on Billy Harper:
Author:
Sarah James
White Diamond Media
201.723.4762