STELLAR LINE-UP FOR JAZZANOOGA 2015

JAZZANOOGA'S "SUNDAY BEST!"

(Chattanooga, TN.)-Jazzanooga 2015 is almost in the history books, but now before one of the biggest headliners in the music festival's 4 year history takes center stage. Take 6 is the 10 time Grammy Award winning; multi-platinum selling,  ensemble celebrating 25 years in the industry with a stop in Chattanooga. Jazz and gospel lovers like VISION/VOICE/VARION applaud Jazzanooga organizers for truly "presenting their Sunday Best" with climax of the music festival.  The "smooth and sultry sounds" of Gretchen Parlato and Alan Hampton are also apart of the 2015 line-up.  

Photo Credit:  Jazzanooga.org

Jazzanooga started in 2010 as a one day community festival and has grown to a month-long celebration that honors and promotes Chattanooga as "the destination for arts and culture" during Jazz Appreciation Month in April.  Ticket sales support local youth Jazz education activities and music scholarships.

Gretchen Parlato  PHOTO CREDIT:  Jazzanooga.org

The April 26th performance will be held at The Robert Kirk Walker Community Theater, a smaller more intimate venue at the famed Memorial Auditorium. Organizers tell VISION/VOICE/VARION they are committed to making certain every single note of Jazzanooga 2015 is "savored" until the last performance.  Tickets are still available at the theater box office.  For more information on this incredible event that rivals New Orleans and Memphis in May visit:  www.jazzanooga.org.  

JAZZANOOGA EXTRA: Eric Roberson Improvises Song at Jazzanooga

(Chattanooga, TN.)  Eric Roberson is truly an incredible talent.  In addition to a "Biggie Smalls" melody, he asked the audience to participate and give hime 6 phases to add to an impromptu song.  PRESS PLAY and check out the results in this JAZZANOOGA EXTRA!

JAZZANOOGA 2015: ERIC ROBERSON

APRIL-JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH

(Chattanooga, TN.)--April is Jazz Appreciation Month and it has never sounded better!  For years music lovers have trekked to "Jazz Meccas" like New Orleans and Memphis.  Surprisingly, Chattanooga, Tennessee is making headlines as one of the top arts and culture destinations in the South. 

Since 2011 the final weekend of April has lured national and international recording headliners to The Scenic City.  Performances by Grammy winners Gregory Porter and Lalah Hathaway, American Idol Favorite Ruben Studdard and Independent Spirit Award Winner Avery Sunshine,  just to name a few.

Photo Credit: Eric Roberson Music

JAZZANOOGA 2015 promises to be bigger and better!  Several world reknowned recording artists like Take 6,  Eric Roberson and Gretchen Parlato are helping to solidify "The Choo Choo City" as one of the best spots for jazz enthusiasts looking to kick off the music festival season.

                                                

VISION/VOICE/VARION had the pleasure of an intimate chat with Eric Roberson only minutes from the stage at The Camp House in Downtown Chattanooga.  PRESS PLAY and find out why Varion says "Mister Nice Guy" shouldn't just be limited to the title of the Grammy-Nominated singer, songwriter's latest project.

PHOTO CREDIT: NICOLE BROWN

For more ticket information on Jazzanooga 2015, visit http://www.jazzanooga.org

Check Out The Stellar Awards Easter Sunday on TVOne

ASCAP MORNING GLORY RECEPTION

6^TH ANNUAL BREAKFAST RECEPTION HONORS 2015 STELLAR AWARDS NOMINEES  IN LAS VEGAS

PASTOR SMOKIE NORFUL AND THE WILLIAMS BROTHERS RECEIVED ASCAP SONGWRITER AWARDS  

Grammy Award Winner Michelle Williams hosted The 6th Annual ASCAP Morning Glory     

Photo Credit: George Bekich, Picture Group

(LAS VEGAS, NV— March 30, 2015) The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) honored some of gospel music’s most prestigious names at the 6th annual ASCAP Morning Glory Breakfast reception in Las Vegas, NV at The Orleans Hotel & Casino on March 28.  The breakfast, which was one of the premiere events leading up to the 30^th annual Stellar Awards, honored revered Pastor Smokie Norful with the ASCAP “Spirit of Song” Award, legendary quartet The Williams Brothers with the ASCAP “Gospel Icon” Award, and recognized a multitude of other 2015 Stellar Awards honorees.  Hosted by GRAMMY-Award winner Michelle Williams, the breakfast also featured special performances by powerhouse gospel recording artist Dorinda Clark-Cole and acclaimed male vocalist, William McDowell.

“We’re very excited to honor so many gospel greats and 2015 Stellar Award nominees at our annual Morning Glory Breakfast,” stated Nicole George-Middleton, ASCAP VP, Rhythm & Soul/Urban, who regretfully couldn't be in attendance, but left the event in the great hands of ASCAP Associate Directors Jennifer Goicoechea, Moya Nkruma, Joncier Rienecker and Director Jonathan Jones.

ASCAP’s honorees were also nominated for Stellar Awards: Pastor Smokie Norful for Artist of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year – “Forever Yours,” Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year; and The Williams Brothers for Group/Duo of the Year, Quartet of the Year, Traditional Group/Duo of the Year.  Morning Glory Breakfast performer William McDowell was nominated for Praise and Worship CD of the Year – “Withholding Nothing,” Traditional CD of the Year – “Withholding Nothing,” and Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year.   

             

ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Director of Creative Services Jonathan Jones presents Pastor Smokie Norful with the ASCAP “Spirit of Song" Award.     Photo credit: George Bekich, PictureGroup

Also in attendance were other ASCAP Stellar Award nominees including Larry D. Trotter (Traditional Choir of the Year), Charles Butler (Contemporary Choir of the Year), Darnell Davis (Contemporary Choir of the Year), Harmony Samuels (Song of the Year – “Say Yes”), Rick Robinson (Producer of the Year), STL3 (Youth Project of the Year – “All Things New”), Tasha Page-Lockhart(Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year), Warryn Campbell (Producer of the Year, Song of the Year – “Help”), Will Bogle (Producer of the Year), along with recording artists Kirk Franklin, Shawn Stockman and The Walls Group, songwriter Gerald Haddon and motivational speaker/preacher DeVon Franklin.   

For more information on the ASCAP Morning Glory Breakfast reception, please visit  www.ascap.com.