Mustafa on Sax

***MEDIA ALERT FOR MAY 29, 2014***

222 QUARTERFINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD™ PRESENTED BY THE RECORDING ACADEMY® AND THE
GRAMMY FOUNDATION®

Recipient and Finalists to Receive Cash Honorariums, with Generous Support and Resources Provided by the GRAMMY Foundation®'s Education Champions: Converse, Disney Performing Arts,
Ford Motor Company Fund, and Journeys

Second Annual Award will be Presented at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony
during GRAMMY® Week 2015

WHO: A total of 222 music teachers from 208 cities across 41 states have been announced as quarterfinalists for the Music Educator Award™ presented by The Recording Academy® and the GRAMMY Foundation®. In total, more than 7,000 initial nominations were submitted from all 50 states.

WHAT: The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (K – college, public and private schools) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. A joint partnership and presentation of The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation, this special award will be presented at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony (honoring recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Trustees Award and Technical GRAMMY® Award) during GRAMMY Week 2015.

As announced on the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards® by President/CEO of The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Foundation Neil Portnow, TV and radio host/producer and GRAMMY Foundation Honorary Board Chair Ryan Seacrest, and nine-time GRAMMY® winner Justin Timberlake, the award was open to current U.S. music teachers, and anyone could nominate a teacher — students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators. Teachers were also able to nominate themselves, and nominated teachers were notified and invited to fill out an application.

One recipient will be selected from 10 finalists each year, and will be recognized for his/her remarkable impact on students' lives. The winner will be flown to Los Angeles to accept the award, attend the GRAMMY Awards ceremony, and receive a $10,000 honorarium. The nine finalists will each receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists also will receive matching grants. The honorariums and grants provided to the finalists and schools are made possible by the generosity and support of the GRAMMY Foundation's Education Champions: Converse, Disney Performing Arts, Ford Motor Company Fund, and Journeys. Nominations for the 2016 Music Educator Award are now open at www.grammymusicteacher.com.

WHEN: A complete list of quarterfinalists is below. The semifinalists will be announced in September. For more information, please visit www.grammymusicteacher.com.






Name
School Name
City
State
Keely Abeln
Francis Howell Middle School
Saint Charles
Mo.
Diane Abrahamian
Penfield High School
Rochester
N.Y.
Steven Acciani
Diamond Bar High School
Diamond Bar
Calif.
Phil Aguglia
Kenmore East High School
Tonawanda
N.Y.
Leslie Alan
South Miami Middle Community School
Miami
Fla.
J. Anthony Allen
McNally Smith College of Music
St. Paul
Minn.
Anthony Allmond
Kaiser High School
Fontana
Calif.
Anthony Alvaro
West Genesee High School
Camillus
N.Y.
Corey Ames
Loyola Academy
Wilmette
Ill.
Mark Anderson
Oswalt K8 Academy
La Puente
Calif.
Neil Anderson
Murrieta Valley High School
Murrieta
Calif.
David Bachart
New Hope-Solebury High School
New Hope
Pa.
Nancy Maria Balach
University of Mississippi
Oxford
Miss.
Mary Barto
The New School
New York
N.Y.
Graham "Scott" Barton
Moreau Catholic High School
Hayward
Calif.
Jeff Behrens
Richland Center High School
Richland Center
Wis.
William Bennett
Cane Bay High School
Summerville
S.C.
Fritz Benz
North Smithfield High School
North Smithfield
R.I.
Jake Bergevin
Edmonds-Woodway High School
Edmonds
Wash.
Anthony Bernhauser
Pearre Creek Elementary School
Franklin
Tenn.
Rob Blaney
Woodbridge High School
Irvine
Calif.
Cindy Bradley-Cipriano
Colonial Road School
Franklin Lakes
N.J.
Gregg Breinberg
P.S. 22
Staten Island
N.Y.
Timothy Brown
Franklin High School
Reisterstown
Md.
Stephanie Brueggeman
Progress South Elementary School
St. Peters
Mo.
Aaron Buck
DeWitt Middle School
Ithaca
N.Y.
Jean Burkhart
Seymour High School
Seymour
Tenn.
Joe Cantaffa
Howell High School
Farmingdale
N.J.
Otis Carter III
Moss Point High School
Moss Point
Miss.
Jared Cassedy
Windham High School
Windham
N.H.
Brandon Catt
Glenbard East High School
Lombard
Ill.
Caleb Chapman
Pioneer High School for the Performing Arts
American Fork
Utah
Bernie Chavez
Deming High School
Deming
N.M.
Ching-Ming Cheng
California State University San Marcos
San Marcos
Calif.
Michael Chester
Stewarts Creek High School
Smyrna
Tenn.
Josh Chodoroff
Waubonsie Valley High School
Aurora
Ill.
Joseph Chouinard
East Detroit High School
Eastpointe
Mich.
Dr. Buddy Clements
Walnut High School
Walnut
Calif.
Joyce Click
North Central High School
Indianapolis
Ind.
Travis Coakley
Biloxi High School
Biloxi
Miss.
Christy Colburn
Itawamba Community College
Fulton
Miss.








Name
School Name
City
State
Mark Colozzi
Cranston High School East
Cranston
R.I.
Steve Connell
Moc-Floyd Valley Senior High School
Orange City
Iowa
Travis Cook
Marvin L. Winans Academy of Performing Arts
Detroit
Mich.
Cheryl Corkran
Greenacres Middle School
Bossier City
La.
Glenn Cowen
Upper Moreland High School
Willow Grove
Pa.
Ryan Crabtree
Fruita Monument High School
Fruita
Colo.
Charles Cushinery
Ed W. Clark High School
Las Vegas
Nev.
Michael Danielson
First Avenue Middle School
Arcadia
Calif.
Adrian Davis
Andy Davis
Roosevelt High School
Reavis High School
Minneapolis
Burbank
Minn.
Ill.
David Davis
Harmony Middle School
Overland Park
Kan.
Mark De Hertogh
R.L. Paschal High School
Fort Worth
Texas
David Dehner
Monte Vista Christian School
Watsonville
Calif.
Jamal Dickerson
Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy
Camden
N.J.
Jeff Doebler
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso
Ind.
Mark Duker
Waubonsie Valley High School
Aurora
Ill.
Terry Eberhardt
Marriotts Ridge High School
Marriottsville
Md.
Steven Edwards
Falmouth High School
Falmouth
Mass.
Nicholas Efstathiou
Bay High School
Panama City
Fla.
Alexandra Errico
Springdale Elementary School
Stamford
Conn.
Eufemio Escalante
Vina Danks Middle School
Ontario
Calif.
Krista Fanning
Caddo Middle Magnet
Shreveport
La.
Michael Fansler
Western Illinois University
Macomb
Ill.
Mark Femino
Millis Middle/High School
Millis
Mass.
Anne Fennell
Mission Vista High School
Oceanside
Calif.
John Flora
Franklin L. Williams Middle School #7
Jersey City
N.J.
Elizabeth Fortune
Washington Middle School
Seattle
Wash.
Desiree Fowler
Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual & Performing Arts
Los Angeles
Calif.
Brian Gagnon
Fairview Elementary School
Auburn
Maine
Michael Garvey
Lamphere High School
Madison Heights
Mich.
Sean Gavarny
Hoboken Charter School
Hoboken
N.J.
Debbie Glick
Alexandria Middle School
Pittstown
N.J.
Vivian Gonzalez
South Miami K-8 Center
Miami
Fla.
Anthony Good
Nicholas Oresko School
Bayonne
N.J.
Johnnie Green
Lehman High School
Kyle
Texas
Randy Greenwell
Lawrence Central High School
Indianapolis
Ind.
Janet Grice
Fordham High School for the Arts
Bronx
N.Y.
Melissa Gustafson-Hinds
O'Fallon Township High School
O'Fallon
Ill.
Eric Hahn
Bangor Area High School
Bangor
Pa.
Amy Hannequin
Derby High School
Derby
Conn.
Aaron Hardwick
Frank W. Cox High School
Virginia Beach
Va.




Name
School Name
City
State
Rodney Harshbarger
Old Kings Elementary School
Flagler Beach
Fla.
Brad Hart
Johansen High School
Modesto
Calif.
Richard Hauf
Havre de Grace High School
Havre de Grace
Md.
Micah Haven
Meeker Middle School
Tacoma
Wash.
Sheila Heffernon
Northfield Mount Hermon School
Gill
Mass.
Lenora Helm Hammonds
North Carolina Central University
Durham
N.C.
Michael Henderson
Chase High School
Forest City
N.C.
Michael Anthony Hernandez
Plano Senior High School
Plano
Texas
Aaron Hill Sr.
Smithfield High School
Smithfield
Va.
Michael Hood
Wissahickon High School
Ambler
Pa.
Robin Hopper
Homestead Elementary School
Eagle River
Alaska
Ronald Horner
Frostburg State University
Frostburg
Md.
Matthew Howe
Indio High School
Indio
Calif.
Frank Hudson
Bledsoe County High School
Pikeville
Tenn.
Ian Hughes
Verner Elementary
Oakmont
Pa.
Ralph Jackson
Bridle Path Elementary School
Lansdale
Pa.
Robb Janov
Jefferson Middle School
Albuquerque
N.M.
Sarah Jester
Northeast High School
Pasadena
Md.
Calvert Johnson
Agnes Scott College
Decatur
Ga.
Curtis Johnson
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Buckhannon
W. Va.
D.L. Johnson
Kyle Johnson
North Monterey County High School
JJ Pearce High School
Castroville
Richardson
Calif.
Texas
Jamie Johnston
Camelback High School
Phoenix
Ariz.
Sean Kennedy
Sandy Run Middle School
Dresher
Pa.
Demeka Kimpson
Sedgefield Middle School
Charlotte
N.C.
Shannon Kitelinger
San Diego State University
San Diego
Calif.
Anne Klus
St. Paul Academy and Summit School
St. Paul
Minn.
Joan Knoernschild
Greenfield Middle School
El Cajon
Calif.
Barry E. Kopetz
Capital University
Columbus
Ohio
Nancie Kozel-Tobison
Barrington High School
Barrington
Ill.
Gordon Krauspe
Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Wheaton
Ill.
Jacalyn Kreitzer
Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo
Calif.
Don Krudop
Visual & Performing Arts Academy at Salem High School
Virginia Beach
Va.
John Landers
Patch High School
APO
N.Y.
Mark Laughlin
Georgia Southwestern State University
Americus
Ga.
David Leach
Pioneer High School
Ann Arbor
Mich.
Ollie Liddell
Memphis Central High School
Memphis
Tenn.
Susanna Loewy
Kutztown University
Kutztown
Pa.
Jason Luciana
Wilmington High School
Wilmington
Mass.
Jami Lupold
Pearl Hall Elementary
South Houston
Texas
Erik Lynch
Verona High School
Verona
N.J.




Name
School Name
City
State
Mark Lynn
University of Louisville
Louisville
Ky.
Fernando Malvar-Ruiz
American Boychoir School
Princeton
N.J.
Dean Marino
West Port High School
Ocala
Fla.
Stevi Marks
Glenbrook South High School
Glenview
Ill.
Christine Martin-Beutner
Sam Houston Elementary School
Denton
Texas
Richard Maxwell
Arcadia High School
Phoenix
Ariz.
James McCrann
Garden City High School
Garden City
N.Y.
Lisa McCutchan
Sandra Day O'Connor High School
Helotes
Texas
Shawna Mendez
The Manning School
Golden
Colo.
Carlos Mendez Jr.
Fayetteville-Manlius High School
Manlius
N.Y.
Andrea Meyers
Jonathan Meyers
Douglas County High School
P.S. 182Q Samantha Smith
Castle Rock
Jamaica
Colo.
N.Y.
Duane Minnick
Briar Woods High School
Ashburn
Va.
Patrick Mitchell
Cameron Park Elementary
Hillsborough
N.C.
Charles Morgan
Joliet Junior College
Joliet
Ill.
Melissa Morris
CSI High School for International Studies
Staten Island
N.Y.
Mark Mraz
John Metcalf Junior High School
Burnsville
Minn.
Melton Mustafa
Parkway Middle School of the Arts
Lauderhill
Fla.
Kim Neu
Julia R. Masterman Laboratory & Demonstration School
Philadelphia
Pa.
Torrey Newhart
Academy of Arts and Academics
Springfield
Ore.
Matthew Neylon
Rockford Christian Schools
Rockford
Ill.
Pablo Ocanas
Pine Shadows Elementary
Houston
Texas
Michael Ortiz
Bellalago Academy
Kissimmee
Fla.
Frank Owens
Centennial Lane Elementary School
Ellicott City
Md.
Thomas Paster
Northern Highlands Regional High School
Allendale
N.J.
Sarah Payne
Bryan Station Middle School
Lexington
Ky.
Andrew Perkins
Fenton High School
Fenton
Mich.
Cynthia Plank
Beaumont Middle School
Portland
Ore.
Linette Popoff-Parks
Madonna University
Livonia
Mich.
Richard Popolizio
Park Ridge Middle/High School
Park Ridge
N.J.
Jay Posteraro
Mesa Verde Middle School
San Diego
Calif.
Deborah Prather
Brownsburg High School
Brownsburg
Ind.
Edward Protzman
Blue Valley Southwest
Overland Park
Kan.
Rosa Rabinovich
Norman S. Edelcup Sunny Isles Beach K-8
Sunny Isles
Fla.
Michael Raiber
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City
Okla.
Mary Raymond
Immaculate High School
Danbury
Conn.
Debra Reilly
Springhouse Middle School
Allentown
Pa.
Shawn Reynolds
Howland Middle School
Warren
Ohio
Jim Rice
Inglemoor High School
Kenmore
Wash.
Erich Rivero
Glades Middle School
Miami
Fla.
John Roberts
Montana State University Billings
Billings
Mont.




Name
School Name
City
State
Brian Roelandt
Fitzgerald High School
Warren
Mich.
Robin Rogers
Charleston School of the Arts
Charleston
S.C.
Kathy Rohrs
Chaminade College Preparatory Middle School
Chatsworth
Calif.
Don Rose
Mara Rose
Curtis Senior High School
Fleming Island High School
University Place
Orange Park
Wash.
Fla.
Susan Rydzeski
East Islip High School
Islip Terrace
N.Y.
Melissa Salguero
P.S. 48 Joseph R. Drake
Hunts Point
N.Y.
Peter Sampson
Whiteland Community High School
Whiteland
Ind.
Jesse Sanchez
Westmont High School
Campbell
Calif.
Scott Schleuter
Perrysburg High School
Perrysburg
Ohio
Glen Schneider
Metea Valley High School
Aurora
Ill.
Adam Schultheis
Fremont Middle School
Las Vegas
Nev.
Calvin Sexton
Beltline Elementary School
Lancaster
Texas
Curtis Shaw
Homestead High School
Fort Wayne
Ind.
Keven Shepherd
Miller Grove High School
Lithonia
Ga.
Chaz Shipman
Freeport Area Senior High School
Sarver
Pa.
Karl Siewertsen
John H. West School
Bethpage
N.Y.
Paula Simmons
Elwood Community High School
Elwood
Ind.
Luke Skerpon
Bellefonte Area High School
Bellefonte
Pa.
Huber Smith
Michael Smith
Maplewood Middle School
Nyack High School
Sulphur
Nyack
La.
N.Y.
Nick Smith
Hillcrest High School
Tuscaloosa
Ala.
Patrick Smith
Ronald Smith
Pueblo West High School
Northfield Mount Hermon
Pueblo
Gill
Colo.
Mass.
Andrea Crisara Snouffer
West Ridge Middle School
Austin
Texas
Wilbert Solomon
McLean Middle School
Fort Worth
Texas
Charles Somech
Murrayville Elementary
Wilmington
N.C.
Eric Songer
Chaska Middle School West
Chaska
Minn.
Michael Steele
Lake Orion High School
Lake Orion
Mich.
Roxanne Stevenson
Chicago State University
Chicago
Ill.
James Story
Volunteer State Community College
Gallatin
Tenn.
Brad Stoughton
Fall Creek High School
Fall Creek
Wis.
Daniel Strange
University of Miami
Coral Gables
Fla.
Jeffrey Street
Jesse C. Carson High School
China Grove
N.C.
Michael Struzik
Brighton High School
Rochester
N.Y.
Loy Studer
S. H. Rider High School
Wichita Falls
Texas
Siema Swartzel
Arnold Memorial Elementary School
Cleveland
Tenn.
Jennifer Theisen
Howell L. Watkins Middle School
Palm Beach Gardens
Fla.
Matthew Thomas
River Trail Middle School
Johns Creek
Ga.
Vann Thornton
Savannah Arts Academy
Savannah
Ga.
Amber Turcott
Tarpon Springs Middle School
Tarpon Springs
Fla.
Vincent Turturiello
Scotch Plains Fanwood High School
Scotch Plains
N.J.




Name
School Name
City
State
Josh Tyree
Liberty Middle School
Cumming
Ga.
Matt Vanacoro
Fox Lane Middle School
Mt. Kisco
N.Y.
Amy Vanek
Clarksburg High School
Clarksburg
Md.
Micah Volz
Saint Clair High School
St. Clair
Mich.
Ashley "AJ" Walker
Linden Hall School
Lititz
Pa.
Kristen Walter
Dana Elementary School
Hendersonville
N.C.
Jay Wardeska
Brunswick High School
Brunswick
Ohio
Fred Wenger
East Middle School
Great Falls
Mont.
Ken Wiele
Indian Trail High School and Academy
Kenosha
Wis.
Dustin Wiley
Firelands High School
Oberlin
Ohio
Diana Wiley-Harrigan
Sauk Elementary School
Richton Park
Ill.
Katie Wilson
Cathedral Catholic High School
San Diego
Calif.
Kelly Winovich
Northgate Middle and Senior High School
Pittsburgh
Pa.
Mark Wurtzel
Pershing Middle School
Houston
Texas
James Wynne
Jefferson Township High School
Oak Ridge
N.J.
Danny Yancey
Martin Gifted and Talented Magnet Middle School
Raleigh
N.C.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like "The GRAMMYs" on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on Foursquare, GetGlue, Google +, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.

The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1988 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with its founder, The Recording Academy, to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. In recognition of the significant role of teachers in shaping their students' musical experiences, The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation partnered to present their first Music Educator Award. Open to current U.S. music teachers in K through college, the Music Educator Award will be presented at the Special Merit Awards ceremony during GRAMMY Week 2015. For more information about the Music Educator Award, please visit GRAMMYMusicTeacher.com. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.grammyfoundation.org. For breaking news and exclusive content, please like "GRAMMY in the Schools®" on Facebook, follow the GRAMMY Foundation on Twitter (@GRAMMYFdn) and join us on Instagram (@GRAMMYFdn),

Converse Inc., based in North Andover, Massachusetts, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NIKE, Inc. Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as "America's Original Sports Company"™ and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary shoes such as the Chuck Taylor® All Star® shoe, the Jack Purcell® shoe and the One Star® shoe. Today, Converse offers a diverse portfolio including lifestyle men's, women's and children's footwear, apparel and accessories. Converse product is sold globally by retailers in over 160 countries and through 83 company-owned retail locations in the United States. For more information, visit media.converse.com.


Disney Performing Arts unlocks student potential and helps young people make their own dreams come true - whether it's performing in front of an international audience of thousands at Disney theme parks and resorts or honing their craft in enriching workshops and clinics taught by entertainment professionals. Every year, thousands of vocal, instrumental, and other ensembles travel from around the world to participate in Disney Performing Arts programs at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California and the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Disney delivers workshops and performance opportunities that enrich, inspire and often lead to life-changing personal achievement.

Ford Motor Company Fund & Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. For more than 60 years, Ford Motor Company Fund has operated with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through national programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and dealers work on projects each year that better their communities in more than 30 countries. For more information, visit www.community.ford.com.

Journeys is a leader in the teen specialty retail scene, with more than 800 stores in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Journeys uses fashion savvy and merchandising science to keep in step with the fast-paced footwear and accessories market for 13- to 22-year-old guys and girls. Journeys offers a wide variety of trendy, relevant brands that cater to teens that seek the hottest, new styles. However, the Journeys store is more than a retail environment — it's an extension of the teen lifestyle. From the plasma TVs playing exclusive content and the latest music videos, to the visual merchandising strategy and promotions, to the employees whose image and style reflect the customers' lifestyle and attitude. In addition, Journeys reaches its customers through www.journeys.com, a mobile website, catalog, national advertising, strategic cross-promotions, social media and grass-roots events like the Noise Tour. Journeys — An Attitude You Can Wear! Journeys is a division of Genesco Inc.


# # #

Media Contacts:
Hannah Berryman/GRAMMY Foundation/MusiCares/310.581.8724/hannah.berryman@grammy.com
Christina Cassidy/GRAMMY Foundation/310.581.8670/christina.cassidy@grammy.com

For Ford Motor Company Fund:
Lauren Tobin/Ford Motor Company Fund/818.988.8864/lauren@pantherpr.biz

Program Contact:
Kellyn Robison/GRAMMY Foundation/310.581.8605/kellyn.robison@grammy.com - PRESENTED BY THE RECORDING ACADEMY® AND THE GRAMMY FOUNDATION®

Dear Melton Mustafa,
Congratulations! It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been chosen as a quarter-finalist for the GRAMMY’s Music Educator Award. Although we are very excited to send you this information, it has not been made known to the public yet. Please do NOT announce this information publicly until we have sent out an official press release announcing all of the quarter-finalists. We are sending you the application so that you can begin working on it as soon as possible. The press release will be sent to you are permitted to announce this great news!

Congratulations again!

Best,
Kellyn Robison - Grammy Foundation Kellyn Robison

Interactive Fun at Jazz in the Gardens

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNER: Multiplatinum
superstar Kelly Rowland graces the stage
at the Ninth Annual Jazz in the Gardens.
MUSTAFA ON SAX: Melton Mustafa Jr., son
of international jazz trumpeter Melton S.
Mustafa, performs at Jazz in the Gardens.
KHARY BRUYNING/ FOR SOUTH FLORIDA TIMES

By TERRENCE DAVIS
South Florida Times
MIAMI GARDENS — Surprise
guests from Kevin Hart to Dwyane
Wade and Gabrielle Union were spotted
by people who attended the Ninth
Annual Jazz in the Gardens on March
14 and 15. Upwards of 30,000 people
crowded into Sun Life Stadium on
March 14, though no official crowd
numbers were released as of Wednesday.
Music enthusiasts who hailed
from New York, Michigan, Indiana,
Louisiana and Georgia including
locals came out to witness this annual
cultural event in Miami Gardens.
Other surprise cameos included
Nelly, Doug E. Fresh, Tank, Tom Joyner
and Harry Belafonte.
A couple from Detroit heard about
the event while vacationing in Orlando
and wanted to come find out what it
was all about.
“We came to see everybody; we
really enjoy music so this was a must

PLEASE TURN TO JITG/2B - By Terrance Davis - South Florida Times

Larry Marano/Getty Images
Rich Terrell Miami Uber-Music Examiner


March 19, 2014

The term "phenomenal" will become synonymous with "unbelievable," whenever a reluctant crowd member from last weekend's mega-event mentions the ninth-annual Jazz in the Gardens!

A two-day experience of electrifying and non-stop entertainment; the packed show erupted in ticket-sales weeks before – a whopping total of 70,000 plus tickets sold; a new record for the privileged organizers, further signifying the famed event as a cultural mainstay.

An All-Star line-up which included Jamie Foxx, Kelly Rowland, Anthony Hamilton, Rachelle Ferrell, Melton Mustafa, Stanley Clarke, LL Cool J, Trey Songz, Boney James, Mint Condition and the incomparable Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. The mixture of genres triumphantly created more memories than many of the fan-attendees can count on one hand…

Special surprise guests came out in droves from Nelly to Joy Reid of MSNBC, Kevin Hart, Sommore, Tank, Doug E. Fresh, Gabrielle Union & Miami Heat’s Dwayne Wade to name just a few. The #JITG9 host, D.L. Hughley interjected with side-hurting laughter in roast-styled comedic sets.

In retrospect, Saturday’s kick-off demanded more from the performers than years' past. Challenging each artist to top the previous set; dancing saxophonist, Boney James – who knew? Then, shirtless Trey Songz to follow after sultry Kelly Rowland -- who poured out hits like “Dilemma”, “Bootylicious” and “Motivation”.

One ambitious fan yelled – “Pick me! No pick me….why her” to get face-time on stage? Some ladies literally hurdled to give Miley Cyrus a run for her money during Jamie Foxx’s enticing #TwerkOff contest! Prized actor, Foxx shelled out a measly $5,000 for the winner…maybe in homage to his spirited “Blame It” classic – fitting for an evening of consumptional activities.

Fans from Sunday even attempted to photo-bomb LL Cool J given the current self-ie obsession and fighting over long stemmed roses – a signature player move by James Todd Smith; thematically appropriate for a jazz music-festival held in Miami Gardens. - Rich Terrell Miami Uber-Music Examiner

Review by: Lexi Lewis

9th Annual Jazz In The Gardens  Music Festival.
 
Rachelle Ferrell, Stanley Clarke, Boney James, Anthony Hamilton, LL Cool J, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Doug E. Fresh, Dazz Band, The SOS Band, Mint Condition, Kelly Rowland, Trey Songz, Jamie Foxx, Mustafa on Sax, Unir Band and Jay Jones.
 

Doug E. Fresh

The 9th Annual Jazz in The Gardens took place March 15th and 16th with an opening night party at the Calder Race Course on March 14th. The opening night party featured Doug E. Fresh, Dazz Band and the SOS Band.  All of the performers did a fantastic job.  As the SOS Band performed, I was reminded of all the hits they had! What a throw-back in time.  One of the female singers mentioned that she will be 70 years old soon. I didn’t believe it! She looked nowhere near 70 years old nor did she perform like she is nearly 70 years old. I told someone I’d have to have her show me some ID.  The Dazz Band performed their hits including “Joystick” and “Let It Whip” – a woo hoo! There were lots of attendees at the party so I would venture to say it was a success. This was the first time in nine years that they put on an opening night party.  I certainly hope this is the new standard! And, it would be really nice if they kept booking old school bands for this particular event going forward….that’s my two cents.

Saturday, March 15th kicked of the official Jazz in The Gardens festival with acts such as Unir Band, Jay Jones, Boney James, Mint Condition, Kelly Rowland, Trey Songz and Jamie Foxx. The weather was great with plenty of sunshine. Speaking of sunshine, did you know the festival has never been rained out in its nine year history? Now that’s luck! The performances were top-notch, however, I was expecting Jamie Foxx to come out in a suit and tie, sit at the piano, play and sing, then turn it up by ripping of the suit jacket and getting a little more funky singing the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol song. Truth is, I'm not the only one who was anticipating something like that from him however, his performance was great!

The entertainment continued on Sunday, March 16th with Mustafa on Sax, Rachelle Ferrell, Stanley Clarke, Anthony Hamilton, LL Cool J and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. Rachelle Ferrell's performance was moving to say the least. She put her mind, body and soul into her show. You see, in a previous interview with me, she said she had to "make up for being sick last year" as she was scheduled to perform at Jazz in the Gardens in 2013. Well, she made up for it and then some with her outstanding performance. If you don't know this 6-octave songstress, look her up!

LL Cool J is still looking good! His high-energy performance had people on their feet and waving their hands in the air. He did something very unusual; he invited the media on stage with him to surround him and take photographs! Of course I went out there to capture some of the great shots of him you will see in the photo gallery related to this festival. There were some incredibly close shots of his face. That was a neat experience.


D.L. Hughley
 
Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly closed the night out on Sunday. The host, comedian D.L. Hughley, said he'd never seen a band keep performing and selling out crowds when they hadn't made a record in 74 years! Of course you know 74 years is exaggerated but truth is, it's been about 24 years! That must be a special feeling to have that kind of impact and following with no records in over two decades.

Generally speaking, there were an estimated 25-30,000 people in attendance each day. That's huge! This festival has grown tremendously from the days when they saw about 1,800 people attend in the beginning. They've partnered with AEG to help grow the brand and implement other strategic initiatives to propel Jazz in the Gardens to the next level.

The festival had a media tent set up where artists appeared for a mini interview and to entertain media questions. This was a nice set up and they even provided complimentary dinner and non-alcoholic beverages for media personnel each day. There were a couple of drawbacks. On average, festivals/concerts allow photographers to photograph during the first three songs, however, this year they only allowed pictures on the first song then they rounded us up like cattle and encourages us to leave the photographer's pit. 

For a festival of this magnitude and the fact that they had artists in the media tent when other artists began to perform, it was hard to even get photographs of some of the artists because I couldn't be two places at the same time. However, had it still been a three song limit, I would have been able to cover more artists. The one song limit was extremely disappointing and I hope they consider going back to a three song limit since the media attendees seems far less than last year. 

Besides the media one song photograph limit, the VIP area seems to be in a very strange place in the park. I've heard people complaining that they can't easily maneuver around to get to the general area and to get to food vendors. I even got stuck in an area out side of media but I headed toward where I thought I could go through and couldn't. It would have been nice to have an opening with security personnel there to protect the area then it would have been more convenient for me and the other patrons.

There were many food and non-food vendors there; something to please everyone's taste. For those who don't know me, I love to wear jewelry with lots of bling. Well, guess what? There were even jewelry vendors there, and yes, I did buy something with bling! While out "shopping" with the vendors, I noticed that MSNBC had a booth and some of their personalities were on site for autograph signings and pictures. This festival has really grown!

In closing, the festival, overall, was outstanding. Mayor Oliver Gilbert and all supporting festival staff should be very proud of the city hosting such an exciting event each year that gets better and better. Next year marks the 10th annual Jazz in the Gardens in 2015. I'm expecting them to do something really big for this one. I cannot wait to see the line-up for next year! Okay Jazz in the Gardens you've impressed me, now surprise me. See you then.
 - Review by: Lexi Lewis

The Third Annual Community Concert in the Liberty City/Brownsville area will be at 4 p.m. Dec. 16 at Bethany Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2500 NW 50th St. Presented by the Historic Hampton House Community Trust, Inc., the free concert will be conducted by Dr. Nelson Hall and is entitled Bridging Classics of the Past with Classics of the Future. A highlight will be jazz great Melton Mustafa and the 2012 Community Mass Choir and Orchestra performing Handel’s Messiah Miami’s own...

- Miami Herald

Meet the 40 Under 40 honorees. Legacy Magazine's 40 Under 40 Leaders of Today and Tomorrow 2012, featured in The Business Monday section of the July 23rd edition of The Miami Herald. Honored to be numbered among such an esteemed group of individuals...

http://legacy-mag.com/Honorees/2012_40under40.html
- Legacy Magazine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20th, 2012
Contact: Dexter A. Bridgeman
Legacy Magazine, Miami
305-528-4277

Legacy Magazine Presents the Seventh Annual 40 Under 40 Leaders of Today and Tomorrow

Miami, FL –Legacy, South Florida’s premiere publication for Black Affluencers and Influencers, is pleased to present an elite group of individuals for its seventh annual 40 Under 40 Leaders of Today and Tomorrow designation. These honorees were nominated by their peers, then vetted and chosen by a distinguished and highly accomplished Selection Committee, comprised of 40 Under 40 alumni. Legacy will showcase the honorees in its Monday, July 23 issue in the Business Monday section of the Miami Herald.

Legacy magazine congratulates the following honorees selected as South Florida’s 40 Under 40 Leaders of Today and Tomorrow of 2012:

• Victoria Beatty, Esq.: Commercial Litigation Associate, Broad and Cassel
• Rochelle Boreland: Legislative Analyst, Miami-Dade County
• Richard Champagne, Esq.: Managing and founding partner, Champagne Law Group, P.A.
• Ralph Colimon: Financial professional, Space Coast Credit Union
• Christopher Benjamin, Esq.: Managing Shareholder, The Barrister Firm, P.A.
• Matthew Bradford: Infrastructure Technology Manager, Sheridan Healthcare
• Nikole Cleare: President, Integral Financial and Insurance Solutions Incorporated
• Randy Corinthian: Jazz saxophonist, music producer and educator
• Kimberley Curry-Smith, Esq.: Owner, Kymberlee Curry Smith, P.A.
• Betty Davis: Meteorologist, WPLG-TV
• Christopher Edwards: Co-founder and CEO, Reaching U Network
• Nicole Ellis, Esq.: Attorney, Kubicki Draper, P.A.
• Asanyah Davidson: Fashion designer and professor
• Stephanie Ducheine-Welsh, Esq.: Managing Partner, Sweeting Ducheine, LCC
• Tonya Edwards: Voter Education Coordinator, Broward County Supervisor of Election Office
• Adrian Freeman: Professional Speaker, Executive Director of the South Florida Youth Summit, Manager at University of Miami Hospital
• Nancy Gauvin: Program Instructor and Clinical Supervisor, Nova Southeastern University
• Robyn Hankerson: Account Supervisor, Bitner Goodman
• Shavon Jones, Esq.: Partner, Jones McGhee, PLLC
• Kerline Jules: Business Intelligence Analyst, Southern Wine & Spirits and President, Broward County Young Professionals Network (YPN)
• Shana Green: Founder, ILY Beauty Co.
• Felecia Hatcher-Pearson: Founder, Feverish Ice Cream
• Shevrin Jones: Co-founder, L.E.A.D. Nation
• Danielle Koping: Owner, Liberty City Dry Cleaners & Laundry
• Noelle McMahon: Senior Assistant Director, International Admission at the University of Miami
• Melton R. Mustafa: Jazz musician and educator
• Jimmy Nickerson: CEO, JNICK Management Group
• Crystal Pitmman: Business professional and Professor at Miami Dade College
• Felisha Monet: Radio personality, WEDR 99 Jamz
• Al Nelson: Founder, EzVip
• Yolanda Paschal, Esq.: Litigation Associate, Carlton Fields, P.A.
• Asa Sealy: SE Business Development Manager, Carib Beer
• Aisha Thalia: Activist, educator and actress
• Derrick Turton: CEO and President, planetpit.com
• Venessa Walker: CEO and President, Owen Walker Jr. Foundation, Incorporated
• Nicole White-Quinn: President and CEO, Nicole White Designs
• Davicka Thompson: President/CEO, Thompson Creative Collective
• Leslie Walker: Educational audiologist, Miami-Dade County Public Schools and President, Hear The Runway Foundation, Inc.
• Leighton Walsh: DJ and entertainer
• Latoya Williams: Community Relations Director, Orange Bowl Committee - Miami Herald

Congratulations! You have been selected by Legacy Magazine as one of South Florida's 40 Under 40 Leaders of Today & Tomorrow of 2012.

Please forward a high resolution picture of yourself and your bio, a maximum of 125 words to Kallan Louis at klouis@miamediagrp.com by June 8, 2012. Your information will be included in the June/July 2012 issue of Legacy magazine. The issue will be inserted on Monday June 25th 2012 of The Business Monday section of the Miami Herald, 156,000 copies will be distributed throughout South Florida.

We are hosting a reception honoring you and the other honorees in July, further details to be announced shortly. Please forward your mailing address ASAP. A formal invitation will be sent to you shortly.

Established in 2004,www.legacy-com. Legacy is a news/business publication serving South Florida’s black professional community with insightful articles and information on business, careers, politics, lifestyle, culture and social commentary.
Through a distribution partnership with the Miami Herald and the Palm Beach Post Legacy has a tri-county readership of 270,000, and publishes bi-monthly.


I look forward to meeting you, DAB! - Miami Herald

Fifty years ago, they were two intimately connected but unjustly separated sides of Miami: the luxurious Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, and the black neighborhood of Overtown. In the days of segregation, the celebrated black entertainers who performed at the Fontainebleau — artists such as Lena Horne, Count Basie and Nat King Cole — could not sleep, eat or drink at the Fontainebleau or any other Miami Beach hotel. When they finished work, they had to head back across the bay - Miami Herald

Back in the days of segregation, black artists who played luxe Miami Beach hotels had to cross the bay to spend the night in Overtown. From 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Ave., will be the site of a celebration of the community’s storied past when the Overtown Music Project hosts its annual fundraiser at the Liv nightclub. Entertainment includes the 18-piece Melton Mustafa Orchestra and DJ Maseo of De La Soul. The project’s newest program will bring a free,...
- Miami Herald

La Miami Tower Jazz Series de la Miami Jazz Society presentará hoy, miércoles, en función gratuita a las 7 p.m., al virtuoso saxofonista Melton Mustafa Jr., en lo que será por algún tiempo más la sede de los conciertos de la institución: el histórico Avenue D en South Miami Ave. "Tocar en el concierto de la Miami Jazz Society había sido un sueño de mucho tiempo, que se cumplió cuando la maravillosa vocalista Yvonne Brown me pidió que la acompañara junto a Charlie Brown [bajo], Dolph...

Read more here: http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives? - EL Nuevo Herald