Coming soon and NOT to be missed!

You heard about it here first! One of the highlights of the Summer of 2007! Details to follow.

TONIGHT!!!!!!!!! The Brazilian Pool Party

See Below for details...........

Hotel QT at 125 West 45th Street near Times Square in New York City 7 pm tonight! Free Admission!!! www.myspace.com/aguanyc and www.hotelqt.com for further details about tonight.

DJ Miller Cruz and DJ Anderson Trindade will spin Samba, Pagode, MPB, Forro and World Beat Sounds.

LIVE Music with SAVEIRO with Caipirnha Specials beginning at 8pm. Should be fun. This is a FREE EVENT..... See you there!

The Photo Exhibit of Mary Lou Williams

Mary Lou Williams, born Mary Elfrieda Winn in Atlanta, Georgia on May 8, 1910, was exposed to Ragtime, Boogie-woogie, and the Blues at the tender age of three. When her mother discovered her daughter had a gift to play the piano she had professional musicians come to the house to play for Mary Lou. At age 6, the family moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Mary Lou was exposed to all kinds of music. She studied for a time under the then-prominent Sturzio, a classical pianist. Her grandfather would pay her 50 cents a week to play classical music (Il Trovatore) which she learned from watching and pressing down the keys on a toy piano. But her stepfather, Fletcher Burley, who hummed the Boogie and Blues for her was her main inspiration. Her talent quickly became known throughout Pittsburgh as "the little piano girl". It was not long before Mary Lou was playing at private parties and gambling joints, that her stepfather could sneak her in, well before she was ten years old.

It was during the mid-twenties that she made her first recordings with John Williams' Jazz Syncopators. At 17, she formed a small band in Memphis, Tennessee. Among its sidemen were Jimmie Lunceford, Glen Gray, and the Casa Lomas. During the Swing Era in the thirties, Mary Lou's strong playing -- especially in the left hand -- coupled with her many original compositions and unusual arrangements did much to spread the style known as Kansas City Swing: the strong blues-based and joyful music most widely known through Count Basie. Mary Lou wrote and arranged for Louis Armstrong, the Dorseys, Benny Goodman ("Roll Em" and "Camel Hop"), Jimmie Lunceford ("What's Your Story Morning Glory").

In the early forties Miss Williams began a long and happy engagement at Cafe Society Downtown in New York City. Known as one of "the original boppers" Mary Lou kept company with Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Clarke, Oscar Pettiford, Miles Davis, Tadd Dameron, J.J. Johnson, Kenny Dorham, Charlie Parker, Art Blakey, and Thelonious Monk.

After her gig at Cafe Society, Mary Lou Williams could be found at Minton's listening to the sounds of Dizzy, Monk, and Bird. It was one of three known jazz spots in New York City’s Harlem were late night playing and creating new sounds in music occurred. Mary Lou Williams was in the center of it. They all brought their compositions to her to listen and her Harlem apartment (located then on Hamilton Terrace) was the gathering place for all of the musicians.

Until her death on May 28, 1981, Mary Lou Williams was involved in exposing Jazz to the world to preserve its history and future.

More........................ Call for times and info... Gwen Black the Curator--212/665-5313

More on Mary Lou....

The photo exhibition on Mary Lou Williams is currently at the National Museum of Catholic Art & History. The exhibition includes photographs of many of the Jazz Legends from Pittsburgh (including Lena Horne, Billy Strayhorn, Dakota Staton, Kenny Clarke “Klook”, Ahmad Jamal, and others).

Other materials include posters from the 1^st Pittsburgh Jazz Concert (produced by Mary Lou Williams and George Wein in 1962), table tent cards from Wells featuring Mary Lou Williams, and other memorabilia.

The exhibition is important for our young ladies and community at large to reflect and continue exposing the legacy of such a great lady—Mary Lou Williams.

Thanks Much!!!

Gwen Black Curator--212/665-5313

Jazz in Harlem!!!!!

Jersey Jazz Girls Series..... Free!!!!!!!!! This Weekend...

The Jazz Summer Festival Season Heats up with another terrific FREE event in the New York area. Lauren Hooker is among many artists performing in the Garden State this weekend. Do check out the details on one very hip series of shows in New Jersey below!

Jerzey Jazz Girlz Series celebrating the role of New Jersey Women in the field of Jazz continues at the Barron Art Center in Woodbridge, NJ on June 29th at 8 pm with Jazz Vocalist Lauren Hooker. Performing with Lauren will be pianist Allen Farnham, drummer Tim Horner and bassist Belden Bullock.

Free to the public but reservations are necessary and can be made by calling the staff of the Barron weekdays between 9am and 4 pm at 732-634-0413. More Info Here: http://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/Pdfs/June07/061207JerzeyGirlzPR.pdf

Kingston, New York Jazz Festival This weekend!!!!!

Do check this link for further details. All Events are
Free!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.kingstonjazzfestival.com/index.html

Brazilian Pool PARTY in NYC Thursday!

Free Party!!!!!!!!!!! Samba, Pagode, MPB, Forro and World Beat! LIVE MUSIC with Saveiro!

Hotel QT 125 West 45th Street New York City All Starts at 7 pm Thursday June 28th.

See you there!

Swedish Mid-Summer Late Night Party

Another year in the making but, the work of Thomas Noe, one of two executives behind the International Swede group, pulled it off. Here Noe is hard at work behind the turn-tables of a noted downtown New York Hot Spot. The following are photos from two remarkable events in the New York over the past 24 hours. The Summer Season is here in the Northern Hemisphere and scores of pagan events around the globe took note of the changing of the season. Sit back and enjoy the good vibes and images as we are now at the half-way point of 2007.

Go to this link for more International Swede photos from this event:

http://www.internationalswede.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=95&Itemid=100

Swedish Mid-Summer Late Night Party

One of many big kisses at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Mid Summer After Party in New York

Happy ladies at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Mid Summer After Party

The Swedish flag very much on display at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Swedish Mid-Summer in New York!

Part of the crowd of over 1,000 dancing to the music of Uno Sveningsson at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Mid Summer After Party in New York

Uno Sveningsson, former leader of the Swedish Pop group FRIDAY, performing in front of hundreds of on-lookers at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Mid Summer After Party in New York

They will be talking about this party the rest of the Summer of 2007.

Mid Summer After Party

Reverse view with lead guitarist, Magnus Reuterberg, in the foreground, Uno Sveningssons, in the center chair and Bassist, Christofer Nilsson, stage right, at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Mid Summer After Party in New York

The man behind-the-scene, Thomas Noe, looking on, as Magnus Reuterberg, on guitar, Christofer Nilsson, on Bass, join Uno Sveningsson in a performance at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Swedish Mid-Summer Late Night Party

Bassist, Christopher Nilsson, in the foreground and band leader, Uno Sveningsson, on guitar in the center chair, performing to a crowd of over 1,000 at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Mid Summer After Party in New York

The view from the rear of the band lead by Uno Sveningsson, playing to a crowd numbering over 1,000, at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Mid Summer After Party

The ladies dancing and screaming to the music of Uno Sveningsson, former leader of the the Swedish pop group, FRIDAY, at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Swedish Mid-Summer Late Night Party

The man behind the scene and making it all happen..... Thomas Noe putting down some licks and producing the sound that hundreds would dance to this evening... some highlights at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Swedish Mid-Summer Late Night Party

A relaxed, non-stressed and DRAMA FREE multi-ethnic and inter-racial scene..... just some of the highlights at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Mid Summer After Party in New York

Laughing and having a blast was just some of the highlights at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Mid Summer After Party in New York

Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Now THAT was just some of the highlights at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Swedish Mid-Summer Late Night Party

Hot and Heavy was the order-of-the-night and, just some of the highlights at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Mid Summer After Party in New York

Heavy styling and hot dancing was just some of the highlights at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Mid Summer After Party

This lady was dancing the night away..... just some of the highlights at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Swedish Mid-Summer Late Night Party

Pretty faces, indeed, was just some of the highlights at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Swedish Mid-Summer Late Night Party

A noted photographer having a a blast and 'getting lucky,' was just some of the highlights at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Swedish Mid-Summer Late Night Party

A couple of New York revelers at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Mid Summer After Party

Mike and 'Ce-Ce' Haines Garden, of the Rap and Hip Hop group, Khumalo, at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Mid Summer After Party

One 'Brother' throwing down at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

Swedish Mid-Summer Late Night Party

I-A-N's Executive Director, Eric Williams, with the Swedish Rap and Hip Hop duo, Khumalo at Thomas Noe's International Swede group's big Swedish Mid-Summer Party in Soho at Bowery and Spring Street in New York City this evening of 22nd of June 2007.

What took place earlier this day.......

Below are shots of the Swedish Consulate sponsored event on this 22nd of June at the Swedish Mid-Summer Event in Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan in New York City.

Swedish Mid-Summer in New York!

Clear skies, a lovely location with equally lovely weather, brought a calm multi-aged and multi racial crowd to a major Swedish event that is growing in popularity here in New York and in some cities in the U.S. Here the crowd begins to build this 22nd of June at the Swedish Mid-Summer Event in Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan in New York City

Swedish Mid-Summer in New York!

The first dance where the crowd joins in bringing in the Summer season on this 22nd of June at the Swedish Mid-Summer Event in Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan in New York City.

Swedish Mid-Summer in New York!

The crowd slowly gathering on this 22nd of June at the Swedish Mid-Summer Event in Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan in New York City.

Summer is Here! Summer is Here! Summer is here!

Swedish Mid-Summer in New York is a multi racial and multi cultural event!

Just a bit of the multi-racial and multi-cultural view of the crowd of hundreds on this 22nd of June at the Swedish Mid-Summer Event in Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan in New York City.

Swedish Mid-Summer in New York!

One of several Swedish Cultural groups performing to a hip and multi-cultural crowd on this 22nd of June at the Swedish Mid-Summer Event in Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan in New York City.

Swedish Mid-Summer in New York is a multi racial and multi cultural event!

The making of new friends and the greeting of old on this 22nd of June at the Swedish Mid-Summer Event in Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan in New York City.

Summer is Here! Summer is Here! Summer is here!

Swedish Mid-Summer in New York!

One of many pretty faces on tap on this 22nd of June at the Swedish Mid-Summer Event in Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan in New York City.

Summer is Here! Summer is Here! Summer is here!

Crowd slowly but steadily gathers with the majestic view of New York Harbor and Lady Liberty in the background at the Swedish Mid-Summer Event in Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan in New York City.

Clear skies, a lovely location with equally lovely weather, brought a calm multi-aged and multi racial crowd to a major Swedish event that is growing in popularity here in New York and in some cities in the U.S. Here the crowd begins to build this 22nd of June at the Swedish Mid-Summer Event in Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan in New York City.

Swedish Mid-Summer and Solstice Events coming to New York this week

Be sure not to miss the Summer Solstice and Swedish Mid-Summer Events around town this week. Read below or hit the '2007' and individual links listed and located on the left of this page for further details.....

Summer Solstice Fun With The Source Band

Summer Solstice 2007

Come celebrate with us!

Thursday June 21

7:00-11:00pm

La PLaza Cultural Garden

9th Street & Avenue C (south-west corner)

East Village, New York NY

Music by Source & Abdoulaye Diabate + special guests

Bring a candle to light the night

Summer edibles and magical potions welcomed

Musicians, feel free to bring your instruments

Bring friends, your dancing feet, laughter and sunshine!

Midaircondo in Williamsburgh, Brooklyn Monday

The Swedish electronic duo Midaircondo is coming to Brooklyn, New York on Monday, June 18th and performing in Williamsburgh. Coming off their recent performance at the Rochester International Jazz Festival this month, this group, largely unknown to New York audiences explores beat, sound, voice, and improvisation in an audio-visual environment, fusing highly visual performance with improvised live electro-acoustic music. Midaircondo was founded in Gothenburg, Sweden in December 2002 when the gifted musicians realized during a knitting session that that they had a similar urge to experiment with sound and widen their musical range. They developed their unique sound through improvised jam sessions using saxophone, flute, vocals, and of course laptops and samplers. By further incorporating a plethora of unusual instruments and abstract recorded sounds, their jam sessions developed into structured and coherent improvisations. Before long Midaircondo were on stage, and the live element became the core of the band—something unusual in modern electronic music. Sending a breath of fresh air into the genre, they harness incredible sound design skills while managing to inject what can sometimes appear cold and calculated with life and vibrant color. Influenced as much by a stray radio broadcast or a glittering pop melody as by the latest star-studded albums, Midaircondo is a self-contained musical constellation. Midaircondo is Lisa Nordström (flutes, voice, computer) and Lisen Rylander (saxophones, voice, computer). For more information, visit www.midaircondo.com or www.myspace.com/midaircondo.

I had a chance to meet and, see them perform at the Swedish Jazz Showcase program at Scandinavia House on Wednesday the 13th of June and, I believe this group is worth a look. Their Current CD, SHOPPING FOR IMAGES, is a nice surprise and shows their range in voice and song selection. For further information visit the web sites above and www.swedeninnewyork.com