The Nightlife Jazz Tour sponsored by Investors Group kicked off its 2005 season in style with 3 sold out performances across Ontario. Internationally renowned jazz artist Joe Lovano and his quartet performed in London Ontario, Hamilton and Toronto to delighted audiences. 

“The response to these first concerts has been amazing” says James Ross, the artistic Director of the Nightlife Jazz Tour. “This tour received national attention and drew sold out crowds in each city that we visited”.

The Nightlife Jazz Tour will continue in September with three concerts featuring jazz legend David “Fathead” Newman, recently portrayed in the blockbuster movie “Ray”. David worked with Ray Charles for over 30 years and is on most of Ray’s most important recordings. David recently released a tribute to Ray Charles entitled “I remember Brother Ray” which has been on the top of the jazz charts for over 12 weeks. “We are very excited about David “Fathead” Newman’s upcoming shows on the Nightlife Jazz Tour” says James Ross. “He is a great artist and we are lucky to have him”.

 

Jazz saxophonist David “Fathead” Newman breaks his hip. Jazz stars Curtis Fuller and Marcus Belgrave come to his aid by completing Canadian Tour.

Curtis Fuller and Marcus Belgrave will be filling in for their longtime friend David “Fathead” Newman on the Nightlife Jazz Tour.

David “Fathead” Newman fell at his home in up state New York State while doing yard work over the weekend. The 72 year old jazz master fell after being stung by wasps and broke his hip. He was rushed into emergency surgery on Friday night for a hip replacement. Karen Newman, David's wife and manager, said on Monday night that David was resting peacefully and is expected to recover fully.

“This was an unfortunate accident, everybody feels terrible for David” said James Ross, the producer of the Nightlife Jazz Tour. “Thank God for guys like Curtis Fuller and Marcus Belgrave who are ready to help out their friend in a situation like this”. Both Curtis Fuller and Marcus Belgrave opened up their schedules immediately after hearing about their longtime friend's accident.

Curtis Fuller is one of the most famous jazz artists of the last 5 decades. He was born in Detroit, Michigan and began playing the trombone at age 16. Curtis has performed and recorded with every major name in jazz including Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, Cannonball Adderley, Bud Powell, Art Blakey, Jimmy Smith, and McCoy Tyner. Curtis is best know for performing on John Coltrane's Blue Trane, considered one of most important jazz recordings of all time.

Marcus Belgrave is a true musical Renaissance man. A trumpeter, composer, educator and producer, Marcus has made major contributions to jazz in North America. In addition to co-founding the Jazz Studies Program at the Detroit Metro Arts Complex, Marcus has performed and recorded with an unparalleled variety of musicians including Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie, and Wynton Marsalis. Belgrave, who recently performed in Detroit with Newman, was sad to hear of his friend's accident. The two have been friends for years after playing together in the Ray Charles band.

Curtis Fuller and Marcus Belgrave will be joined on stage by rising jazz star, 29 year old Texas based saxophonist Quamon Fowler. Well known Toronto pianist Mark Eisenman, bassist Artie Roth, and drummer Joe Poole and will form the rhythm section.

In a message relayed through Karen Newman, David indicated that he was moved by the actions of his friends to help him cover his Canadian tour. “This really means a lot to David” said Karen. “Curtis and Marcus are two of the very best… to have them do this really means so much”.

 

©2005 Nightlife Records. All Rights Reserved.