Post by ClassicSoul on Mar 5, 2006 23:10:40 GMT -5
All-star lineup in Marvin Gaye tribute
Friday, March 03, 2006
By JERRY DUCKETT
The Express-Times
Rounding out opening weekend of the First Energy Berks Jazz Festival is a tribute to the great Marvin Gaye and the music of Motown.
The 16th anniversary Concert, Sunday, March 19, is produced by Jason Miles.
Gaye was the best selling Motown artist of all time, and used his soulful voice to shape the Motown sound. Considered a gifted visionary, Gaye, and the rest of the Motor City artists, had a profound impact on the soulful grooves and stylish vocals that define smooth jazz.
Born in 1939 in Washington, D.C., Gaye's childhood was influenced by his father, a minister in the Apostolic Church. The denomination brought together Orthodox Judaism and followers of Pentecostal beliefs.
Gaye began to sing as early as 3 years old in his church choir and soon became a soloist. His songwriting always shifted between mainstream and religion. He is noted for his contributions to "black" music, which he performed for more than four decades.
His first experience outside the church choir was in 1957, when he joined the Marquees. He moved on to the Moonglows, then to Detroit, where he began recording for Motown records as a session drummer.
In 1962, Gaye was persuaded to record as a jazz singer. His first record became a top 10 hit and his career took off. He even found himself anointed Motown's best-selling male vocalist.
Gaye added the "e" to his last name during the early 1960s; he was worried about being associated with homosexuality. He made a name for himself in many ways, producing such notable music as his 1973 album, "Let's Get It On." He showcased eroticism in much of his work.
Another notable event took place in 1983, when he sang "The Star Spangled Banner" before the start of the NBA All-Star game. His rendition is still considered a most controversial presentation. It also was his final appearance in public.
Gaye's cocaine habit and deep depression led him to constantly talk of suicide. His habits also brought to a head the conflicts he had with his father since childhood.
His father, Marvin Gay Sr., shot his son on April 1, 1984, the day before Marvin's 45th birthday, after another one of their violent arguments, thus ending the life of one of soul music's premier performers.
From his home in Orange County, N.Y., producer Jason Miles says, "What happened was we produced the 15th anniversary concert last year at Berks with a concept that I put together.
"I tried to pattern it after the Murray the K, and the WMCA Good Guys Reviews that I saw when I was a kid, about 14, at the Paramount and Brooklyn Fox theaters in New York. They had great house bands backing up fantastic artists like the Four Seasons, Dionne Warwick and Chuck Berry."
In May 2003, Miles explains he was about to start a new record album, "The Music of Marvin Gaye." He says he used his own spin to bring the music up to the 2005 period. Looking at the songs, driven by a Bossa Nova beat, he says he just didn't cover the music -- he found a totally new concept. The record was released Feb. 7 on Narada, with a new title, "What's Going On? -- The Music of Marvin Gaye."
The lineup of artists featured in the Berks concert includes Miles, Bobby Caldwell, Peter White, Kevin Mahogany, Guida de Palma, Mike Mattison, Nick Colionne, Jay Beckenstein, Sharrod Barnes, Gene Lake, Jonathan Maron, Dominick Farinacci, D.J. Logic, Cesar Camargo Mareiano and Bashiri Johnson.
Miles says the first part of the concert is Motown; the second half is the music of Marvin Gaye.
LINK
Friday, March 03, 2006
By JERRY DUCKETT
The Express-Times
Rounding out opening weekend of the First Energy Berks Jazz Festival is a tribute to the great Marvin Gaye and the music of Motown.
The 16th anniversary Concert, Sunday, March 19, is produced by Jason Miles.
Gaye was the best selling Motown artist of all time, and used his soulful voice to shape the Motown sound. Considered a gifted visionary, Gaye, and the rest of the Motor City artists, had a profound impact on the soulful grooves and stylish vocals that define smooth jazz.
Born in 1939 in Washington, D.C., Gaye's childhood was influenced by his father, a minister in the Apostolic Church. The denomination brought together Orthodox Judaism and followers of Pentecostal beliefs.
Gaye began to sing as early as 3 years old in his church choir and soon became a soloist. His songwriting always shifted between mainstream and religion. He is noted for his contributions to "black" music, which he performed for more than four decades.
His first experience outside the church choir was in 1957, when he joined the Marquees. He moved on to the Moonglows, then to Detroit, where he began recording for Motown records as a session drummer.
In 1962, Gaye was persuaded to record as a jazz singer. His first record became a top 10 hit and his career took off. He even found himself anointed Motown's best-selling male vocalist.
Gaye added the "e" to his last name during the early 1960s; he was worried about being associated with homosexuality. He made a name for himself in many ways, producing such notable music as his 1973 album, "Let's Get It On." He showcased eroticism in much of his work.
Another notable event took place in 1983, when he sang "The Star Spangled Banner" before the start of the NBA All-Star game. His rendition is still considered a most controversial presentation. It also was his final appearance in public.
Gaye's cocaine habit and deep depression led him to constantly talk of suicide. His habits also brought to a head the conflicts he had with his father since childhood.
His father, Marvin Gay Sr., shot his son on April 1, 1984, the day before Marvin's 45th birthday, after another one of their violent arguments, thus ending the life of one of soul music's premier performers.
From his home in Orange County, N.Y., producer Jason Miles says, "What happened was we produced the 15th anniversary concert last year at Berks with a concept that I put together.
"I tried to pattern it after the Murray the K, and the WMCA Good Guys Reviews that I saw when I was a kid, about 14, at the Paramount and Brooklyn Fox theaters in New York. They had great house bands backing up fantastic artists like the Four Seasons, Dionne Warwick and Chuck Berry."
In May 2003, Miles explains he was about to start a new record album, "The Music of Marvin Gaye." He says he used his own spin to bring the music up to the 2005 period. Looking at the songs, driven by a Bossa Nova beat, he says he just didn't cover the music -- he found a totally new concept. The record was released Feb. 7 on Narada, with a new title, "What's Going On? -- The Music of Marvin Gaye."
The lineup of artists featured in the Berks concert includes Miles, Bobby Caldwell, Peter White, Kevin Mahogany, Guida de Palma, Mike Mattison, Nick Colionne, Jay Beckenstein, Sharrod Barnes, Gene Lake, Jonathan Maron, Dominick Farinacci, D.J. Logic, Cesar Camargo Mareiano and Bashiri Johnson.
Miles says the first part of the concert is Motown; the second half is the music of Marvin Gaye.
LINK