PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND RETURNS TO EL CAMPANIL THEATRE
Sunday, April 10, 2011, 4:00 p.m. Matinee
El Campanil Theatre
602 W. Second Street
Antioch, Ca 94509
(925) 757-9500
www.elcampaniltheatre.com
Antioch, CA – The Preservation Hall Jazz Band (PHJB), based in the city known as the birthplace of Jazz, New Orleans, LA, will return to Northern California on April 10, 2011 to perform for the second year in a row at the historic El Campanil Theatre in Antioch, CA. Sponsored in part by a grant from the Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation and the support of the Antioch Music Foundation, the concert will be staged for a 4:00 p.m. Sunday matinee performance. ...
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PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND RETURNS TO EL CAMPANIL THEATRE
Sunday, April 10, 2011, 4:00 p.m. Matinee
El Campanil Theatre
602 W. Second Street
Antioch, Ca 94509
(925) 757-9500
www.elcampaniltheatre.com
Antioch, CA – The Preservation Hall Jazz Band (PHJB), based in the city known as the birthplace of Jazz, New Orleans, LA, will return to Northern California on April 10, 2011 to perform for the second year in a row at the historic El Campanil Theatre in Antioch, CA. Sponsored in part by a grant from the Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation and the support of the Antioch Music Foundation, the concert will be staged for a 4:00 p.m. Sunday matinee performance.
This return engagement results from the very enthusiastic response that the band received on March 6, 2010, from the near-capacity, international crowd at the 700-seat theatre. Executive Director of El Campanil Theatre, Rick Carraher, learned while working in the box office before the show that the band apparently has an avid fan-base willing to travel long distances to see them perform. He spoke with one female fan on vacation in the US from Okinawa, Japan. She had just flown across the country in order to see PHJB perform live at El Campanil, after having just missed the band’s performance in New York. Carraher, to say the least, was impressed!
The band ended its inaugural performance in Antioch that night with a member of the band marching a line of fans from their seats to the stage. With all that he witnessed and learned in connection with PHJB, Carraher realized that both the band and its fans were something special. He was observed at the end of PHJB’s performance turning to Frank Giovanni, the Delta Blues Festival organizer who had recommended the band, and giving him a look that registered his pleasure with what had just transpired on stage. Carraher seemingly mouthed to Giovanni, while the band bowed during their well-earned standing ovation, "Yeah, this was a good choice!"
PHJB was also apparently taken by both its East San Francisco Bay Area following and the vintage theatre's recently-restored, Vaudeville-era ambiance that is a good fit for its music (the theatre was originally built in 1928). This was evidenced by the band’s quickly booking the upcoming return engagement shortly after last year's performance.
The building in New Orleans that houses Preservation Hall was the site of many businesses over the years. These included a tavern during the war of 1812, a photo studio and an art gallery. It was during the years of the art gallery that then owner, Larry Borenstein, began holding informal jam sessions for his close friends. Out of these sessions grew the concept of Preservation Hall.
The PHJB began touring in 1963 and for many years there were several bands successfully touring under the name Preservation Hall. Many of the band's charter members performed with the pioneers who invented jazz in the early twentieth century including Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, and Bunk Johnson.
On a yearly basis, the PHJB performs hundreds of concerts in major cities around the world. A major component of the PHJB's mission is to share with young audiences the living musical traditions of New Orleans. Through Master classes and Student Performances, the PHJB exposes thousands of students to New Orleans Music the world over. From Master classes with college level students and professional musicians at leading conservatories or children's performances for grammar school students, the PHJB seizes every opportunity to spread the resounding joy of New Orleans Music.
Tickets for the PHJB concert at El Campanil may be purchased in advance at the ticket office at 604 W. 2nd Street (next door to the theatre) Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and one hour before show time. There is no service charge when purchased at the ticket office; if purchased by phone, (925) 757-9500, there is a $2.00 service charge per order (not per ticket). Ticket prices are as follows: $28 for Adults, $25 for Seniors, and $15 for Youth. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.elcampaniltheatre.com, then, clicking the Buy Tickets link on the home page.
In addition to PHJB last year, notable Jazz Musicians who have appeared at El Campanil Theatre in recent years include the following:
• Pete Escovedo Orchestra;
• Christian McBride, Geoffrey Keezer, and Justin Brown;
• Tuck and Patti
The Antioch Music Foundation (AMF), a California non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation, was created in September 2005 to stage musical entertainment events and seek monetary and musical instrument donations for the benefit of the Antioch Unified School Districts music programs. Walter and Cynthia Ruehlig of Antioch, CA, founded the organization, and it has a Board of Directors totaling 10 members. During its first full year of existence, AMF distributed nearly $20,000 and numerous instruments to the various AUSD music programs. It has also staged several other diverse musical events, most notably:
The Antioch Collegiate Jazz Festival, headlined by Jazz Bassist Christian McBride, pianist Geoffrey Keezer and drummer Justin Brown, along with small Jazz combos from the Dave Brubeck Institute (University of Pacific), Cal State East Bay, Fresno State, and San Jose State.
• Ken Bergman's Percussion Discussion
• Internationally-renowned, Philippines-based Saringhimig Singers.
• East County Idol, patterned after American Idol, which was won by Neyshia Go in 2006, Chanelle Lewis in 2008, and Storm Lever in 2010; the next one is scheduled for 2012.
• A church choir competition won by Antioch Family Church.
For more on the AMF, please visit its website at antiochmusic.org
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