Wednesday, April 06, 2005

Yazzy Concert: Young jazz players bolstered by Brady Blade, Jr, and violinist Michael Ward at the Strand Theater, Friday, Ap 8

Theater of the Performing Arts, directed by Gloria Gibson, takes care of young jazz players Friday by inviting hometown hero Brady Blade, Jr, and electric violinist Michael Ward to join the teens onstage. The show, featuring musicians, singers and string players from Caddo high schools, will begin at 7 pm at the Strand Theater. Tickets are $10, adults, and $5, students.

Brady, son of the Reverend Brady Blade, Sr., was born into a musical household in Shreveport, says the Mapex Drums site (he endorses and performs clinics for Mapex). He and his brother, Blue Note recording artist Brian, grew up playing in the church, listening to the same albums and sharing many of the same influences. Brady has performed and recorded with Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Jewel, Dave Matthews and the Indigo Girls.

Michael Ward developed his chops at Southern Univeristy, Baton Rouge, under teacher Alvin Batiste. Moving to New Orleans, Ward established himself as a Crescent City artist. Sample his music or buy his smooth jazz albums at michaelwardviolinist.com.


For more info on the concert, the Third Annual Yazzy Young People's Jazz Concert, call Theater of the Performing Arts director Gloria Gibson at 525-0740.

No comments: