Text by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi
I really recommend this funding campaign by my friend, fan, and DooBeeDoo contributor.
Text by Augusta Palmer
Photo courtesy of John Pietaro
Text by John Pietaro
I was so very sorry to hear of Fred Ho’s passing. We had many contacts over the last couple of decades and shared performance and/or speaking engagements a few times. He was irascible and loved debates of any and every kind; he left NO prisoners! That energy allowed him to fight off this illness for so long. We last saw each other at the first Russell Maroon Shoats fundraiser at St Mary’s Church a couple of years ago where he played a powerhouse solo bari piece that illustrated none of the physical strain he was going through. I was a part of the ensemble led by Salim Washington and we performed a piece of Fred’s but he sat out that section of the gig as he was too exhausted after his solo piece. He rocked the rafters. Still, he had the passion and drive to smile so hard when he saw the musicians that he filled the hall with a warmth that made us feel a very deep love. Fred’s heart was as big as his tenacity.
Text by Kosi
My name is Kosi. You’ve probably met me at an open mic, or you heard me singing “Summertime” in the subway tunnel in the dead of winter. You may have heard me performing at bars and music venues across the city with my trusty sidekick, Aron Marchak. I was the girl in the dress crouching in her high heels. It’s nice to see you again, friend. Perhaps, wherever it is that you met me, you picked up my debut solo album, One More Cup of Coffee, which I released last year. Perhaps you enjoyed it and maybe that’s why you’re here.
Well, I’m at it again, and this time I’m bringing more of my very talented friends along. My second album, Pictures of Us, will feature some of the finest jazz musicians in New York City. Aron was fantastic in my first album, and yes, he will be featured prominently in this one as well, but more musicians means more possibilities to explore. If you liked my first album, you’ll love what we’re doing now.
Text bu Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi
Last Tuesday was the 3rd anniversary of the Fukushima disaster. Following NHK WORLD and reports from friends in Japan: the government’s efforts to fix all the problems have been insufficient and extremely slow. The people of Japan can’t figure out what the government has been doing. There are still 270,00 refugees, of whom 100,00 live in makeshift housing. The Fukushima nuclear power plant melt down can’t be stopped. Local administrations don’t know what to do. There is a lack of managing and carrying out reconstruction work. In other words: Japan is still a big mess. Who’s responsible for this? Of course, the whole country!
TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF………..Hi! I’m Joanie Leeds and I have the best job on the planet!I write and perform kids music with my band, Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights rocking out at schools, music festivals, performing arts centers, museums & rock music venues across the country. I have released 5 CDs and 1 DVD to date and our songs are heard on many radio stations across the country including Sirius/XM Kids Place Live. Our CDs have been giving top honors and put on various “Best Kids CD” Lists – People Magazine, Parents Magazine, Washington Post, NY Post, Time Out NY Kids…
