SEVENTH ANNUAL CENTRAL BROOKLYN JAZZ FESTIVAL ENTITLED, JAZZ: A MUSIC OF THE SPIRIT

A collaboration of musicians, community leaders, educators, faith-based institutions, café and restaurant owners and cultural arts organizations, The Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium (CBJC) announces their Seventh Annual Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival, which will take place from March 29th through April 30th, 2006. Events will be taking place at an assortment of venues all over Central Brooklyn.

This year’s festival theme is Jazz: A Music Of The Spirit. CBJC Chairperson, Jitu Weusi stated, “This theme is a tribute tot the fighting spirit to survive and rebuild, being demonstrated daily by the cultural community of New Orleans, Louisiana.”

The festival opens with our Annual Opening Night Gala at the Sugarhill Restaurant & Supper Club, 609 DeKalb Avemue (corner of Nostrand Avenue) on Wednesday, Mrch 29th featuring the Billy Harper Quintet and the vacal stylings of Ms. Judy Bady. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Program begins at 7:00 PM. Suggested donation $20.

During this Seventh Annual Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival we are requesting that all our venues open their programs to members of the New Orleans musical and cultural community currently residing in Brooklyn.

Over the past two years, the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium has received financial support via the efforts of New York State Assembly Member Annette Robinson, NYC Council Member, Al Vann, The Brooklyn Delegation to the New York City Council, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, ,The New York State National Heritage Trust, BAC/JPMorgan Chase Regant Funds, Bedford Stuyvesant Family Health Center and this year, our first corporate sponsor, Anheuser-Busch.

One of the long-range projects of CBJC is the establishment of the Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame. This year, 2006, inductees include Mary Lou Williams (Hall of Fame), Montego Joe (Life Time Achievement), Oliver Lake (Jazz Impact), Kenyatta Beasley (Deacon Leroy Applin Young Lions Award), and Up Over Jazz Café (Jazz Shrine Award).