Author Archives: Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

Concert Review: The Mast – moving into a different realm than it was on their previous release “Wild Poppies.”

Venue: Glassland Gallery (NY)
Date: August 18, 2013

Review by Dawoud Kringle

My previous exposure to The Mast, the duo of Haleh Gafori Kilmer and Matt Kilmer a year or so past, was impressive. Their live performance and CD release was marvelous (you’ll find my review here: https://doobeedoobeedoo.info/2012/03/13/cd-review-the-mast-wild-poppies-how-did-profit-trump-well-being/). So, on a recent Sunday night, I trekked into an obscure area of Williamsburg to hear what they’re doing these days.

The act before The Mast was Nitemoves, a laptop player / DJ. He had a musical sensibility, and was an interesting performer. While some of his melodies seemed little different from the melodically unsophisticated synth bands of the 80s, he did create some interesting things and made creative use of his computer’s possibilities. His music was always changing and never became monotonous.

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Music Listings – 8/26 through 9/1/2013

1. Lakecia Benjamin and Soulsquad

Date: Monday,  August 26, 2013
Times: 10:30 pm
Venue: Blue Note (131 West 3rd St., New York, NY 10012, 212-475-8592)
Tickets:  $10/$15
Genre: jazz/funk

A streetwise New York City native born and raised in Washington Heights, Lakecia Benjamin has become one of the most highly sought-after players in soul and funk music. Charismatic and dynamic as both a saxophonist and bandleader, she has worked with Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, The Roots, Macy Gray, and more. She has performed on four continents, and her extensive recording credits include saxophone and arrangements for Santigold, Maurice Brown, the Clark Terry Big Band, Krystle Warren, and Talib Kweli, among others.

Lakecia Benjamin – alto sax, Jesse fisher – keys, Chris Rob – keys, Jameison – guitar, Solomon Dorsey – bass, Joe Blaxx – drums and Jonathon Powell – trumpet. Nicole Phiefer – vocals, Akie Bermiss – vocals and Collette – vocals. Continue reading →

DooBeeDoo Endorses The Next Rally of The “Justice For Jazz Artists” Campaign This Wednesday!

Text by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

This time again I can’t make it because I have a gig with my band SoSaLa at Nublu. But…I’ll do my part by wearing the J4JA t-shirt when performing “Low Key Blues.” which is dedicated to this campaign and to the musicians who want and make a change.

Again: What do we want? Pension contributions, pay scales and protections on recordings at NYC clubs including Jazz Standard.

J4JAText by J4JA

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Event Recommendations: B’Earthday Celebration for Russell Maroon Shoatz in New York & Pittsburgh!

A TALE OF TWO CITITES: NEW YORK & PITTSBURGH…
BLACK AUGUST B’EARTHDAY CELEBRATION…
HONORING RUSSELL MAROON SHOATZ’S 70TH BIRTHDAY

maroon_the_implacable.inlineOn August 23 & 24th, 2013, from 7pm-9pm, the Campaign to Free Russell Maroon Shoatz, in collaboration with Scientific Soul Sessions, Movement in Motion, and Human Rights Coalition-Fed Up! will be hosting events in Pittsburgh and New York City to celebrate Maroon’s 70th birthday.

Maroon, who has spent close to 30 years in solitary confinement in the state of Pennsylvania, is a crucial symbol in the growing movement against the long-standing practice of solitary, which amounts to unconstitutional torture under international human rights law.

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Interview: John Pietaro – musician, activist & producer of the Dissident Arts Festival 2013 – speaks out!

Interview by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi (DooBeeDooBeeDoo’s chief editor), August 20, 2013

All photos by John Pietaro

946305_10201375067076280_1897149628_nSohrab Saadat Ladjevardi (S): John, let’s talk about your festival “baby” first: the annual Dissident Arts Festival 2013. Why and when did you start this festival?

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