This is the 20th Anniversary of the Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival, and this year one of the venues to host one of the live performances is in East New York.  On Tuesday April 16, 2019 at 7pm, Bart Tesoriero will be performing at Fusion East Caribbean Soul Restaurant & Bar, located steps from the entrance to the Gateway Mall, at 1179 Elton St.

This is one of over 50 live performances that will take place as part of this year’s Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival.

See the official announcement from CBJC, below.

Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium (CBJC) presents New York City’s longest continuously running grassroots festival dedicated to jazz, beginning April 11 through May 12, 2019. More than 500 artists are performing in over 50 events at intimate venues throughout Brooklyn during this month-long celebration of the music. All performances and programs are financially accessible and open to all. Visit www.cbjcjazz.org or call 718.773.2252 ext. 103 for information.

The backbone of festival 2019 is the faith-based institutions, cultural and music venues hostig performances by Ahmed Abdullah, Stanley Banks, Marion Cowings, Winard Harper, Craig Harris, Frank Lacy, Dr. Mambo, Carol Sudhalter, and other notables throughout Brooklyn.

Brooklyn’s jazz legacy dates back over a half-century—Freddie Hubbard’s fiery session with Lee Morgan at Club La Marchal, Horace Silver’s gigs at the Club Continental, and boss bass man, Reggie Workman, at the East attracted intrepid audiences into clubs located in central Brooklyn. “The renaissance of the jazz scene in Brooklyn is due, partly, to the efforts of the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium. We reclaimed our “jazz destination” status, based on the proliferation of venues with music policies throughout central Brooklyn,” states, CBJC’s chairperson, Clarence Mosley, Jr.

See the full 2019 Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival Schedule

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If you would like more information about the Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival, please contact Bob Myers at 718.773.2252 ext. 103 or email at [email protected]. Sponsorship opportunities are available for all or some events.

Beavin Lawrence (left) and Bart Tesoriero (right)

Everyone is fully aware of the development of East New York as it relates to real estate, but Andrew Walcott, a lifelong East New York resident and owner of Fusion East Caribbean Soul Restaurant, is also helping to develop the live entertainment aspect of the neighborhood.

“Live entertainment is an important positive attraction for any neighborhood”, stated Walcott. “This upcoming event on April 16 is just the beginning. We will also have a jazz trio playing at Fusion East on April 30, as part of this year’s 20th Anniversary of the Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival, which is a 30 day music festival of live music. We welcome music lovers to come down to enjoy the shows. This is going to be a great Spring and Summer of live music in East New York.”

Walcott grew up in East New York, and is a homeowner in the neighborhood, which means Fusion East is a home grown business that’s making a positive difference in the community.

The full lineup of performers throughout the Spring and Summer will be listed on EastNewYork.com in the coming days. The music will feature jazz, reggae and R&B artists.

There is no cover charge to get in, but the restaurant does ask patrons to support the artists by ordering a meal, appetizers or drinks.

The first live performance will be April 16, 2019 at 6pm, featuring Bart Tesoriero. Checkout this event on the Facebook Calendar.

Fusion East Caribbean & Soul Restaurant is offer special discounts for women during their Ladies Night Wednesday’s.  Fusion East is a chic’ restaurant located just steps from the entrance to the Gateway Mall, at the Elton Street corridor, where all of the brand new homes and apartments are going up in East New York.  If you haven’t been to the area then Fusion East gives you a reason to check it out.

​In its 20^th Season, the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, Inc. (CBJC) in partnership with the International Women in Jazz, Inc. honors Women’s Month with Jazz: The Women’s Viewpoint on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 3pm.  The afternoon will consist of a panel discussion and performances with renowned women jazz musicians in the Downtown Brooklyn vicinity at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, 85 South Oxford Street, Brooklyn, NY.  CBJC offers annual panel discussions for jazz enthusiast and the community at large to participate in dialogue on the history of Women’s roles in Jazz, present and future.

“Even today, in the era of the “MeToo” movement, women don’t have much of a voice in jazz – but there are   signs of change. Traditional feminine instruments such as a pianist, violinist or flutist and a vocalist have been acceptable for women, but the drums, trombone or saxophone have been perceived as instruments for men. Although there has been some attitude shifts towards women Jazz artists, Jazz: The Women’s Viewpoint’s role is to spotlight the issue and sensitize men to the idea that women can play any instrument and excel in leadership roles when given the opportunity,” remarked Bessie Edwards , CBJC Executive Director.

This event will consist of a panel discussion with outstanding women of Jazz: Antoinette Montague,  host of “Jazz Women to the Rescue Show” on WHCR 90.3FM, explores the present condition of women in jazz, Dorthaan Kirk, Newark’s First Lady of Jazz, will be moderating the discussion, Gabrielle Garo, Flutist and Ambassador for the 2018 Latin Grammy Awards, represents the future outlook,  Gayle Boyd, Artist Management, presents the past and common thread of the past, present and future, and Vinnie Knight, Vocalist, offers a snapshot of the past. The day will start and end with live performances with the JTWVP Band, and close with a live jam session.

Program

• Opening Remarks from CBJC Board
• Moderator:  Dorthaan Kirk, Newark’s First Lady of Jazz
• Women In Jazz: State of Affairs: Gail Boyd, Artist Manager

Overview: A commentary by an artistic manager on the state of Jazz in the music industry; recommendations to address issues such as positioning women for growth, attracting younger musicians and increasing audience participation.

• Dance Performance: Elaisa van der Kust

Music by: “The Blues” by Mary Lou Williams

• Reflections: Speaker: Vinnie Knight, Vocalist

A historical look back at the role of women in Jazz; what were the challenges and how they were overcome. How was success measured then?

Today’s Truth: Speaker Antoinette Montague: Where are women in Jazz today compared to earlier times?

Success: 21^st Century Style: Gabrielle Garo: How do today’s artists prepare for success?

• Closing – Live Music Jam Session

The Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium (CBJC), now in its 20^th year, kicks off music, art and tributes in a series of musical and artistic events throughout the Brooklyn community. Founded by Alma Carroll, Viola Plummer and Torrie McCartney the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, also known as CBJC, consisting of local and international musicians based in Brooklyn has entertained countless communities with jazz.  This upcoming anniversary will present several site performances and welcome opportunities for the community to embrace the monumental tradition of jazz from a local and global perspective.  With a fresh approach, CBJC will be featuring musicians new to scene that bring innovative styles, envisioning the next 20 years, while honoring those who have adorned the stage for decades.

This program is supported in part by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with the NYC Council.

General Information

For info:  P 718.773.2252 | e-mail: [email protected] or visit us at www.centralbrooklynjazz.org

For Tix: https://cbjcwomeninjazz.eventbrite.com

See the flyer below for details!

Actor, Malik Yoba, will be co-hosting the BROWNSVILLE NOW Benefit Dinner, with performances by Talib Kweli and John Forte’.  This benefit event supports the Brownsville Community Culinary Center, an initiative of the Melting Pot Foundation USA.  If you haven’t been to the Brownsville Community Culinary Center yet, then what are you waiting for?  The culinary center is also a cafe’, featuring a great menu, including fish and homemade grits, kale biscuits, beet cake, and more.  All baking is done on the premises, in their state of the art kitchen and baking center. The BROWNSVILLE NOW Benefit Dinner takes place at the Brooklyn Bowl, Tuesday March 12, 2019. (see below)

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