Having 2020 vision means you can see clearly. However, you must focus on what you want to see. At the 2020 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival our focus has always been without a doubt, “REAL JAZZ”, and this year is no exception. This year my good friend, world renown trumpeter Terell Stafford, will serve as our “Artist in Residence”. He will lead our very own Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Jazz Orchestra as they kick off our Ronnie Wells Main Stage Performances. He will also perform with the Jazz Academy Orchestra, serve as a special guest with my band on Saturday night and perform with Bobby Watson and Horizon Reassembled. Also, on Friday night, back by popular demand, is vocalist Kenny Washington, bringing you some Valentine’s day delights. And, closing out the Friday night session, is the impeccable vocalist Vanessa Rubin. Just this first night of jazz should bring everything into focus for you, but we are not finished. As usual, Saturday, our education day, starts bright and early with our high school band competition which features 16 bands from 6 different states. And by noon, we are at it again on the Ronnie Wells Main stage with not only The Paul Carr Jazz Academy Orchestra, but we also have two bands that were the finalist in my “Discovery Band” competition, Alex Hamburger and the Sencalar-Glassman Quintet. Do not miss these outstanding young performers. As you will see, the future of Jazz is in good hands. For the Saturday evening session, I will debut my new CD “The Real Jazz Whisperer” and pre-release copies will be available for purchase in the O’Quinn’s--MAJF Souviner Shop. Following my performance, is our annual “Summit” and this year we chose the Bass as our featured instrument. We have procured three legendary bassists to perform in the summit, Washington’s own Steve Novosel, Rufus Reid and Buster Williams. Also, we will be screening, the new documentary on Buster Williams entitled, “Bass to Infinity” by Adam Kahan, and Rufus Reid also appears in the documentary. Mr. Williams will be available for a Q&A session after the Friday and Sunday showings of the documentary. After the bass summit, we honor the great pianist Geri Allen with the help of Terri Lyne Carrington. She will be directing a group of wonderful musicians that feature Orrin Evans and Tia Fuller. On Sunday, we begin as we always do, giving praise to God, with our Gospel show on our Atrium Stage. At 1pm the Ronnie Wells Main Stage kicks off again with the afternoon session that I refer to as “A Singers Paradise” because it features 4 incredible vocalists. The session begins with our very own Allison Crockett, and then Sharon Clark will grace our stage and I will join her to showcase our joint CD “Soulful Serenity”. Closing the afternoon session will be Michael Bowie as he shares through his music his time with Abbey Lincoln and Betty Carter. He is joined by Akua Allrich and Shacara Rogers. Our final session of the festival, will leave you wanting more starting with renown guitarist Kevin Eubanks, former director of the Jay Leno Tonight Show band and one of the hottest pianist in jazz, Orrin Evans. They team to present you with the “Eubanks Evans Experience”. Next we present a young and exceptionally talented vocalist and trumpeter Benny Bennack III. His vocals will remind you of Frank Sinatra and his trumpet playing will remind you of Clifford Brown. He is a future superstar in jazz. You don’t want to miss his group featuring vocalist Alita Moses. Closing out the festival is 2019 Jazz Times critics poll winner, Bobby Watson and Horizon Reassembled. In addition to the Ronnie Wells Main Stage, we have 3 other performing stages, Atrium, Club and Juke Joint, all with outstanding and exciting artists. So, focus your 2020 vision on all of the Real Jazz Music this festival has to offer. And did I mention, our master classes, films, dance showcases, and our world class vendors. Thank you for your continued support and peace and blessings to all.
Musically Yours, Paul
2019 MAJF JAZZ SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
WILLIAM A. BROWER
STEVE NOVOSEL
GERI ALLEN
VENDORS 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RONNIE WELLS MAIN STAGE
MAJF CLUB, JUKE JOINT, DISCOVERY STAGE
VENDOR MAP
HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION,
ATRIUM & BILLY TAYLOR ROOM
ABOUT JOHN “BUSTER” WILLIAMS
SPONSORS
JAM CAMP & LAB INFORMATION
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020
7:00PM Terell Stafford and the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Jazz Orchestra
8:30PM Vocalist Kenny Washington
10:00PM The Vanessa Rubin Organ Band
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2020
12:00PM Terell Stafford and the Jazz Academy of Music Orchestra
1:30PM Paul Carr’s Discovery Act: The Sencalar/Glassman Quintet
3:00PM Paul Carr’s Discovery Act: Alex Hamburger
SATURDAY PM, FEBRUARY 15, 2020
7:00PM The Paul Carr Group Featuring Terell Stafford and Sharòn Clark
8:30PM Bass Summit
Featuring Buster Williams, Steve Novosel and Rufus Reid
10:00PM “GENIUS, GRACE AND FIRE” A Tribute to Geri Allen Under the Direction of Terri Lyne Carrington featuring Tia Fuller
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2020
1:00PM Alison Crockett
2:30PM Sharon Clark
4:00PM “My Time with Abbey & Betty” Bassist Michael Bowie Featuring: Akua Allrich, Shacara Rogers, Michael Bowie
SUNDAY PM, FEBRUARY 16, 2020
7:00PM The Eubanks Evans Experience Featuring Kevin Eubanks and Orrin Evans
8:30PM Benny Benack III Group Featuring Alita Moses
10:00PM Bobby Watson and Horizon Reassembled
MAJF CLUB ACTS JUKE JOINT ACTS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020
7:30PM Coniece Washington & Friends with Special Guest Michele Bowman
9:00PM Tacha Coleman Parr (Live Recording) Carmen McRae Tribute
10:00AM BOOK RELEASE by Author Sandra Trusdale Washington DC Jazz
11:00AM Improvisation Workshop for Beginner to Intermediate Musicians
12:00PM MASTER CLASS: Vocals | Allison Crockett and Wayne Wilentz
2:00PM Guitar Interview/ MASTER CLASS: Kevin Eubanks-Willard Jenkins
3:00PM PANEL DISCUSSION: What would you do to improve the state of Jazz? Paul Carr, Orrin Evans, Buster Willaims Moderator: Suzan Jenkins
4:00PM INTERVIEW: It’s All About the BassSteve Novosel, Rufus Reid and Buster Williams
6:00 PM MOVIE: Bass to Infinity
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2020
1:00PM MOVIE: Bass to Infinity
3:30PM MOVIE Q&A
4:00PM INTERVIEW: Bobby Watson and Horizon Reassembled
JOHN “BUSTER” WILLIAMS
JOHN “BUSTER” WILLIAMS has a special place in our hearts at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival (MAJF).
The first East Coast Jazz Festival was held in 1992. Buster got here early! He performed at the third ECJF in Gaithersburg, MD in 1994––26 years ago! The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival took up the banner of the East Coast Jazz Festival (ECJF), after the death of its founder, Ms. Ronnie Wells.
Buster performed here almost yearly, bringing his sophisticated straight-ahead music to our audiences. But he also contributed as an adjudicator for the annual international jazz competitions to identify and award Fish Middleton Jazz Scholarships to up and coming musicians. As a judge, Buster encouraged many younger musicians who went on to gain fame internationally. One year, the highly talented young bassist, Ben Williams, still in high school at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, competed. Not only did Ben win hands down, but the next year, Ben showed up onstage WITH Buster. Both were dressed to the nines. They had been on tour together! Ben went on to win the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition! Showing the power, mutual respect, and love that comes from true mentoring, Buster and Ben remain close to this day.
Buster also gave a master class ever year, often accompanied by his drummer, Lenny White. Generations of young bassists and other musicians, many from the junior high, high school, and college bands who had played in the Atrium during the festivals, were able to learn from these experienced professional musicians.
Finally, Buster did not just stay in his hotel room for three days when he was not performing or teaching. He came down to the mezzanine and hung out––getting to know others musicians and guests. This year, Buster returns to the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival and as always he is making himself available to attendees through his performance on Saturday’s Evening Main Stage Session Bass Summit at 8:30pm and through Q&A sessions in our Billy Taylor Humanities Room relating the screening of a new documentary, all about him, called “Bass to Infinity”.
Buster’s career is long and illustrious. Yet he remains down to earth, warm, funny, and approachable. We are very fortunate that Buster has enjoyed coming here as much as we love having and hearing him. He has contributed much to us, and we love him dearly.
