| Legendary Bassist Earl May Speaks In Harlem |
|
|
Harlem Speaks -- featuring bassist Earl MayAugust 23, 20076:30 pm-8:30 pm This series is free and open to the public The National Jazz Museum in Harlem 104 East 126th Street (Between Park and Lexington Ave) 212 348-8300 jazzmuseuminharlem.org  Earl May and Eddie Locke at the Jazzfest 2007 in New Jersey  Earl May at the Jazz Fest 2007 in New Jersey The August 23rd speaker, bassist Earl May, began his career in 1949 in New York City, and honed his craft in places like Minton's Playhouse with musicians such as Lester Young and Mercer Ellington. He was also a protegé of the legendary bass player Charles Mingus. Come hear the tales of Earl May's life story and career in music on August 23rd at the offices of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. In 1951 Earl joined the Billy Taylor Trio, appearing regularly in such clubs as the Hickory House, Birdland and the Downbeat Club. During this period Earl also worked with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and recorded the classic "Lush Life" with John Coltrane. Earl left the Billy Taylor Trio in 1959 to form his own group and act as musical director and arranger for Gloria Lynne. During the mid-sixties Earl took up the electric bass and led a quartet at The New York Playboy Club. The Earl May Quartet rapidly became the epitome of great music in the New York club scene. Over the years Earl has performed or recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Foster, Cab Calloway, Tommy Flanagan, Linda Hopkins, Doc Cheatham, Charles Brown, John Hendricks, Marlena Shaw, Ruth Brown, Winard Harper and Phyllis Hyman to name a few. He is currently featured with the Barry Harris Trio. Earl has many fans in the New York swing scene, having played at swing dances multiple times in Junior Mance's Trio, Benny Powell's The Gift of Love Quintet, and with his own quintet. More upcoming "Harlem Speaks" events: September 6, 2007: Pianist Junior Mance September 20, 2007: Composer/Arranger Johnny Mandel The Harlem Speaks series, supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, is produced by the Jazz Museum in Harlem's Directors Loren Schoenberg and Christian McBride, in addition to Greg Thomas, host and co-producer of the web's only jazz news and entertainment television series, Jazz it Up! Time: 6:30 pm-8:30 pm. |
