New Releases

• It's Crowded Upstairs, Mom Emmitt Carroll's new album on the Seeing Eye Dog Records label is a blend of rock/jazz and folk influences. Co-produced by Carroll and engineer Chris Murphy of Cue Recording the CD leans towards Carroll's strength, the keyboards and features Robert Spates on violin. Guest performers on the album include guitarist Michael Fath and jazz musician Tim Eyermann on woodwinds. Rather than the usual booklet insert, the lyrics, credits and albumart by Jeff Coleman are printed on a pull-out poster.
• Voices of the Civil Rights Movement, released on CD by Smithsonian Folkways, is an extraordinary collection documenting the movement's "freedom songs" and the power that they exerted. The 43 track, two disk release includes a 40-page booklet, annotated by Bernice Johnson Reagon. Recorded live between 1960 and 1966, the project was produced by Reagon and supervised by audio engineer Pete Reiniger. Originally released by Paredon Records in 1975, Give Your Hands to Struggle has been re-issued on CD by the Smithsonian Folkways. The collection of freedom and social justice centered songs are performed in African tradition by Bernice Johnson Reagon. The new Smithsonian release includes one new track and a previously recorded but unreleased track plus a comprehensive 36-page booklet with introduction, essay and lyrics. The new release is produced by Reagon and Amy Horowitz.
• The soothing, rolling piano blues style captured by Ann Rabson on her debut solo album, Music Makin' Mama, hints at being able to satisfy Rabson's career wish, to bring new converts to the blues. The warmth that normally counters Gaye Adegbalola brash vocal delivery in the group Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women, Rabson's other music gig, permeates the 16 cut, mostly blues standards album. Produced by Rabson and Alligator Records President Bruce Iglauer, the CD was recorded at Cue Studios and includes performances by drummer Big Joe Maher, bassist Jeff Sarli and guitarist John Cephas.
• II D Extreme has its second album, From I Extreme II Another, on the Gasoline Alley/MCA label. The collection of R&B-driven love songs and sentimental ballads is spiced-up with an occassional hip hop-influenced delivery, as in the cut You Got Me Goin. D'Extra Wiley, Randy Gill and Jermaine Mickey continue to weave their velvety smooth vocal style, which drove the trio's early 90s hit single, Cry No More, to the top of the R&B charts. If I Knew Then (What I Know Now) is the first single off the new album.
• Fun 50s doo wop group, The Memories, has released an anthology of its first 40 years, titled From The Beginning. The compilation of oldies rock & roll and original material, written by Lou Martin, Ron Lutz, Jim Durst and Dino Smith, includes the group's 1964 regional hits Love Bells and I Promise. Described as "the only white doo wop group ever to come out of Washington, D.C. and still be performing," by disc jockey Dick Lillard, the CD release keeps alive memories of the a cappella craze of the 50s.
• Mr. Happy, Mambo Combo's first full-length CD album, on the Baltimore based Blue Herron Records label, blends Latin and Caribbean dance music. The energetic instrumentals include several original pieces written by Robert Friedman and the Combo. The five piece group augments its a tight, professional delivery with a sense of humor. Not only do the five men dress ready for Carnival, they bring their own palm trees too.
• Innocent When You Dream Lisa Moscatiello's debut solo album offers a tenderness of spirit and the power of Moscatiello's voice. Formerly the lead singer of the English folk/rock group The New St. George, Moscatiello is now a member of the New York-based Irish music group Whirligig and also a solo artist blazing a new career. Produced and recorded primarily by Marco Delmar at Recording Arts in Fairfax, Va., the album has a wonderful clarity and balance.
• Progressive jazz/funky pop best describes Steven Shipley's debut album, The Journey. Produced and composed by Shipley, the album, though Christian centered, is not your traditional gospel/jazz, it's Christian dance music that swings. Engineered by Kevin 131 at Assembly Line Studios, the release includes vocals and compositions by Pat Welch.
• Grainger released on the GBM Records label is brothers Gary and Greg Grainger's debut release. The album's credits are a virtual who's who of Washington/Baltimore jazz instrumentalists -- guitarist Vinny Valentino, sax players Marshall Keys and Jaared Arosemena, percussionist Alfredo Mojica, guitarist Carl Filipiak to name a few -- combined with the Graingers' excellent musical skills, the result is a wonderful, diverse jazz experience. There is a light Earth, Wind and Fire influence and an urban contemporary feel that can be attributed to hours spent with Whitney Houston, since the Graingers have toured with both artists.
• Percussionist Keith Killgo's latest album, Mood For Love furthers the ex-Blackbyrds' interweaving of jazz, funk and rock. Produced by Killgo and recorded by Heide Gerber at Bias Recording, the CD's eight cuts serve up soft jazz compositions, urgent funky progressions balanced with Sam Smith's grooving vocals and struting concoctions like the title track Mood For Love. Guest artists, on the Wilkil Music release, include Marshall Keys on tenor sax, Yusef Chisholm on bass and Vince Evans on keyboards.
• Positive love, respect and happiness is the string that holds together Day Ta Day's debut solo album, Take Your Time. The young quintet, which includes soul singer Johnnie Taylor's nephew "Fuzz" Taylor, is an amalgman of percission harmonies and a smooth laid-back style. The Jireh/MCA recording group, who started its career singing back up for Salt-N-Pepa, co-produced the album along with Fitzgerald Scott, Rex Rideout, William Bush, Righteous Roy Murray and Benjamin Winans. Smile, written by group members Reggie McFadgen and Scootie Hairston, Jr., is the album's first single.
• Captured live on DAT at Philadelphia's Bahama Bay club, DJ Kool calls out, "It ain't where you're from, It's where you're at" -- DJ Kool is now hot nationwide. American Recordings has re-released for national distribution, Kool's latest album Let Me Clear My Throat. Kool's hip hop/go go rhythms feed the crowd and the resulting energy makes the recording not just live, but electric. But don't take my word on this, tune-in to BET or MTV and see the video, which includes cameos by hip hop legends Doug E. Fresh and Biz Markie.
• You Make Me Weep, released by G-Force Records, is Cornell Stone's debut CD single. The smooth soulful love ballad, written and performed by Stone, was produced by Martin Van Blockson. Contributing artists include Anissa Moody and Yendi adding background vocals.
• The Peter Fraize Quintet is captured live on You St., the group's first release, on the new D.C. label Union Records. Co-produced by Fraize and long-time musical partner Doug Derryberry, the six instrumental jazz tracks have a melodic warmth and subtle groove that is indicative of both Fraize's style preference and personality. Recorded at the State of the Union nightclub and mixed at Rutabaga Studio the album includes performances by Leland Nakamura on drums (The Emptys), and Rick Lillard on trombone.
• Lisa Cerbone's latest release on the Ichiban International label is titled Mercy. The singer/songwriter's introspective, sometimes-dark, sometimes-tender lyrics reflect on the complexity of life, "numbered nights numbered days, you sit on the back porch and watch them fade" and leave the listner with the naked truth - stuff happens and all you can do is try. The project was produced and recorded by Edd Miller (Georgia Satellites) at Kala Studio in Atlanta.
• Tony Gil...essentially Jobim is a tribute to the Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim created by jazz vocalist Tony Gil. Produced by Louis Scherr at Warm Valley Studios, the album includes several duets with Pam Bricker and performances by Paul Bollenback on guitar, Chris Bacas on sax/flute and Tony Martucci on drums. Charlie Byrd who established his reputation while performing many of Jobim's compositions, and is credited by Gil as providing the inspiration for the project, is featured throughout the album.
• Dead Girls and other stories, defintely not your average indie pop girl trio, debuted its blend of attitude-tinged driving pop songs, on Jan. 27, at the Galaxy Hut. Composed of ex-Lilys vocalist/guitarist Dana, session vocalist Nancy Tarr, and Melissa Lou, formerly with Polydor/Germany recording artists Poems for Laila, this music collective is currently recording an album at Actiondale Studios. The album will be available in early May and the trio is raising production funds through the sale of pre-release sponsorship packages. Contact the Dead Girls for tour and other information at Deadgirls@aol.com.
• Helmet Party, the politically incorrect album from the punk/metal group Dick Army is musically tight and its lyrics are just plain funny -- there is no angst here. Released on the Padded Cell Records label, the album was recorded at WGNS Studios by Charles Bennington.
• I Want The World, is Julie Sanderson's latest effort. Produced by Pete Kennedy, the album's simplicity puts the focus on Sanderson's fine voice and her simple, yet visually compelling songs. The project was recorded at Gypsy Wagon Studios by Pete and Maura Kennedy.
• Singer/songwriter Marge Calhoun has a debut CD, Freedom in Captivity, released on the WizeWoman Music label. The project was mainly recorded in Nashville, both at the County Q and The Boardroom studios. Jonathan Yudkin produced the pop-influenced country/folk album, co-wrote four of the songs, contributed background vocals as well as guitar tracks.
• Street corner harmonies with a 90s urban edge describes the sounds on Street Elite, the new CD release by the a cappella group Alexx.! Doo wop and R&B favorites spanning from Papa Was A Rollin' Stone to Sh-boom are performed to perfection by Tyrone Cloud, Tony Harris, Reggie Washington, Dave Echols and Marco Washington. The album was produced by Paul Steinmetz and engineered by Lou Perez at Cue Studios.
• Jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms and vocal textures define Collage the new CD release from Imani and First Prayer. Some of the best known names on the D.C. jazz scene, like guitarist Vinnie Valentino, pianist/arranger Maria Rodriguez and bassist Pepe Gonzalez, took part in the project. A collaborative effort from the start encompassing all levels of the musical experience, from song composition to song arrangement to the interaction of voice and instrument. Produced by Pepe Gonzalez and Jon Ozment, the album was recorded by Mark Greenhouse at the NPR Studios.
• An Orange Inch of Moon and Action Man, two songs written by alternative rock singer/songwriter Chris Alastair will appear on the movie soundtrack of Jealous God. The independent feature film, produced and directed by Steve Gillilan, was shot in Baltimore. Described by Gillilan as a "modern-day version of Othello with a twist," the 90 minute film is currently being submitted to domestic and international film festivals while awaiting distribution.
• Ex-New St. George band leader Jennifer Cutting has returned from England, where she had been recording with vocalist Polly Bolton. Described as "one of the most in-demand singers on the English folk scene" by the Guinness Book of Folk Music, Bolton is the preferred vocalist of folk/rock legends Bert Jansch (Pentangle) and Ashley Hutchings (Steeleye Span). Working in an 18th century barn converted into a modern studio, Cutting and Bolton recorded Child of Loss, the title cut to Cutting's up-coming anthology of songs about mother loss.
• The Flying Cows of Ventry will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day and the release of their debut CD Celtic Ruminations at the Cote d'Or in Arlington on March 15.
• John Jennings just released his CD Buddy to excellent reviews. The project was co-produced by Bob Dawson. Recorded at Bias .
• Time to Try, the current single by The Michael Sheppard Group (MSG), can be heard on over 200 radio stations along the East Coast. The group is now recording a full-length release due in early spring.
• Al Petteway's Caledon Wood (Maggies Music) was produced by Al along with Amy White, and recorded and mixed by Jim Robeson. The project is slated for an April release.
• John Butler released a new album, So Real. It is currently being distributed here in the states, in London, New Zealand, and other parts of the world.
• Saxman Al Williams and First Step Records announce the release of the CD Never Too Late. The 12-song collection of contemporary jazz was recorded by Gantt Kushner at Gizmo Recording Company, and features Al on sax and flute as well as local artists Jon Ozment, Andy Hamburger, Gary Grainger, Scott Ambush, Vinny Valentino, Pam Bricker, Jihn Stoddart, Dawn Robinson, Dan Reynolds and Alejandro Lucini, among others.

Seminars, Workshops, Conferences, & Contests

NxNE

North By Northeast, (NxNE) a music industry conference, tradeshow and showcase event targeted for the East coast will take place June 12 to 14, at the Toronto Hilton Downtown, in Toronto, Canada. Organized by the same folks who present South By Southwest in Austin each year, NxNE is smaller but similar to the Austin event. Registration fees start at $135 per person. Contact NxNE at their web address nxne.com or call 416/469-0986.

Successful Grant Proposal Writing

The Foundation Center, a resource for individuals and organizations seeking grant monies, is conducting a seminar on the nuts-and-bolts of successful grant proposal writing. Two all-day seminars are scheduled to take place in the Washington, D.C. area, the first on Wednesday, March 26 and the second on Friday, May 30. Registration is $175, call 800/424-9836 for details.

Song Swap

Local songwriters are hosting an informal song swap on the third Tuesday of each month, at 112 S. West St. in Old Town Alexandria, four blocks east of the King St. Metro station, starting at 6:30 p.m. The songwriters meet to share their work and exchange constructive feedback. All songwriters of all levels of experience are encouraged to attend. Contact Tami Lack at 703/660-6325 for more information.

WAMA Workshop Survey

The WAMA Education Committee will begin planning a series of six workshops for 1997. Now is your opportunity to let us know which topics you would like covered in future workshops and at what learning level. Leave a message on WAMA voicemail at 202-338-1134 or fax us at 703-237-7923 or email.

Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts

Artists Workshop Calender

March 18 12:30-2:30 p.m
Non Profit Incorporation and Tax Exempt Status
An experienced attorney will discuss the pros and cons of incorporating as a nonprofit and applying for tax exempt status from the IRS.
Presenter: Barbara Kraft, Esq., Beins Bodley Axelrod & Kraft
Co-Sponsor: The Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington
Place: CAGW, 410 8th St. NW Suite 600, Washington, DC
Fee: $35 WALA/CAGW members; $45 others

March 25 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Copyright Workshop
How do you protect that piece of music, sculpture, or poetry you've slave over for months from being copied by someone else? Jennifer Hall, Esq., an attorney with the U.S. Copyright Office will explain what copyright protects and how to register your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Place: Arent Fox Kinter Plotkin & Kahn, 1050 Conn. Ave NW
Price:TBA

March 27 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Trademark Workshop
When should an arts organization register their trademark? Can an artist protect her name as a representative mark? How does any entity obtain a trademark? Caryn Hines, Esq. from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will explain the ins and outs of registering your trademark. D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, 410 8th St NW
Price: TBA

April 17 Noon-2:00 p.m.
Non-Profit Incorporation and Tax Exempt Status
(see March 18 description)
Presenter: Edward Grandis, Esq.
Co-Sponsor: The Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington
Place: CAGW, 410 8th St. NW Suite 600 Washington, DC
Fee: $35 WALA/CAGW members; $45 others; $10 publication

April 26 All day
Music Meets Technology
As part of the WAMA Crosstown Jam, WALA is proud to co-sponsor an all day workshop on issuesfacing musicians in the Internet era. Online publishing and distribution issues will be addressed as well as copyright considerations and the Digital Performance Rights Act.
Panelists: TBA
Co-Sponsor: WAMA
Place: TBA
Fee: $25 WALA/WAMA/DC Bar Section members; $35 non-members; $10 students

3-Tape Set Now Available!

Negotiating & Getting
THE DEAL

June 1996 Georgetown University Law Center

Panel Discussion and Mock Negotiation Panelists: Kenneth Kaufman, Esq., Jay Rosenthal, Esq., Michael Oberman, Marcus Johnson, Alan Stewart, Jeanne Lin, Patrick Clancy, Esq. Sponsored by WAMA / WALA/DC Bar Arts, Entertainment and Sports Law Section/and GU Sports and Entertainment Law Society

$25/Set +$3 S&H - Available by mail: WAMA, 1690 36th St., NW, Washington, DC 20007 or Phone WAMA at 202-338-1134

Small Projects

The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities is accepting proposals for its Small Projects Program grant series. Individual artists, who reside in the District of Columbia, and arts organizations, whose main place of business is in the District, are eligable for up to $1,000. Submission deadlines are Friday, April 25 and Friday, July 18. For specific requirements and applications call 202/724-5613.

ArtsEmerge Grant Opportunity

The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation anounces a new grant opportunity, ArtsEmerge, that is intended to bolster presenter/artist relationships. Funds can be used for artistic company honoraria, marketing materials, travel and meeting expenses or any other related idea. Eligable projects must include at least three presenters, located in at least two mid-atlantic states, planning must occur in the 1997/98 season and the event must take place in the 1998/99 season. Submission deadline is April 1, contact Anne Cantler Fulwiler by phone at 410/539-6656 or write 11 East Chase St., Baltimore, Md. 21202-2524.

Solo Instrumentalists, Vocalists or Composers

The Arts Council of Montgomery County is accepting applications for two of its grant programs. Solo instrumentalists, vocalists or composers may apply for the Artist Fellowship program which will award six unrestricted grants, up to $1,500 each. Maryland corporations that produce or present arts programs, and have prior year revenue of under $100,000, may apply for $2000 grants through the Organization Enhancement Grants program. All entrants must be Montgomery County residents. Submission deadline is April 1, call 301/921-6101 for applications and information.

Misc. & Etc.

Business Volunteers for the Arts

e Arts (BVA) program. The volunteers share their professional skills, participate in the operations of local arts organizations, get a "behind the scenes" look and meet interesting creative people. BVA projects are tailor-made to fit the skills and schedules of the volunteers. Professionals are sought in all areas including marketing, accounting, computer systems, fund raising and public relations. For information, contact Jann Darsie at 202/638-2406.

Christmas in April

The Alexandria Christmas in April program is looking for artists willing to donate their talents for its annual picnic. The volunteer collective repairs houses for the in-need, elderly and physically disabled on the last Saturday in April, each year. Over 600 Christmas in April volunteers are expected at the outdoor picnic, scheduled to take place at Fort Ward Park, in Alexandria. Call Nathan Noble at 703/548-6699 if interested in performing.

R.I.A.A. On the Move

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has moved to new offices at: 1330 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036.

Nominate A Living Legacy

The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation in collaboration with the Kennedy Center's Education Department is accepting nominations for the 1997 Living Legacy Jazz Award. Candidates must currently reside in the mid-Atlantic region, defined as: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia or West Virginia. A detailed two-page letter must describe the candidate's contribution to the development and ongoing education of the jazz legacy in the African-American tradition. Submission deadline is April 1, for details contact Anne Cantler Fulwiler by phone at 410/539-6656 or write 11 East Chase St., Baltimore, Md. 21202-2524.

Showcasing In Nashville

Showcasing for national record company execs, at 12th annual Nashville Entertainment Association Extravaganza '97 to be held Feb. 19 to 22, are six area artists. Selected to perform through a stringent screening process, are the pop/folk group Love Riot, the roots rock based Kevin Johnson, modern rock band everything, contemporary folk singer Terri Allard, the Southern blues/rock band Gibb Droll and the alternative pop/rock band Vertical Horizon. Extravaganza was started by Nashville music industry professionals to showcase, other than country music, unsigned talent in Nashville.

Folk Dream Gala

D.C. area resident and folk legend Tom Paxton helped kick off the 9th annual Folk Alliance Conference by performing at the Folk Dream Gala concert, on Wednesday, Feb 12, in Toronto, Canada. Described as a once-in-a-lifetime performance by folk artists, Paxton joined in concert with Pete Seeger, Ani DiFranco, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, James Keelaghan and others.

Studio News

Omega Studios

Luscious Jackson recorded acoustic versions of songs from its latest album, Fever In Fever Out, which will be issued as a limited edition release for members of its fan club. The Washington Winds is working on several projects for Warner Brothers Publications, including new arrangements of the music from Star Wars. Area groups Fetish, Heliotrop and Orange Whipp are working on new albums, expected to be released in the spring. Busch Gardens theme park is recording new soundtracks for its live shows, plus a sound effects recording to augment the experience felt on its new rollercoaster ride, Alpengeist.

Cue Recording

Blues vocalist Cindy Cain is working on a new release along with bassist Steve Wolf, guitarist Justin Lees and Chris Watling. The album will focus on swinging blues and jazz tunes.

Rutabaga Studio

Doug Derryberry and John Alagia have begun recording a new project with the group River. Recording will done both at Rutabaga and at Bias Recording studios. Jon Carroll (Mary Chapin Carpenter) will play keyboards on the project. Derryberry and Alagia completed recording projects in December for the Richmond based group Agents of Good Roots, the Blue Dogs and Vertical Horizon. The duo is also mixing tracks for a new Rockwell Church album which includes guest performances by drummer Timm Biery and bassist Steve Sidley. Mixing continues for 3LG's new live hip hop album, recorded by Derryberry at the State of the Union nightclub.

Bias Recording

Bethann Bonner's new album, Born of Love was engineered and produced by Heidi Gerber. Joyous Reunion was recently released by Bruce Gates' Jazz Consortium. This second release was produced by Bruce and mixed by Bob Dawson. Six of the nine cuts were arranged by Mike Crotty.

For the second year in a row, John McCutcheon and Bob Dawson have been nominated for Grammy Awards for their co-production of McClutcheon's series of children's records. This year's nomination is for Four Seasons - Wintersongs, which has won a host of other awards including NAIRD's Indie Award for Children's Album of the Year, The Gold Medal Award from Parents Choice Magazine, The Platinum Award from the National Association of Parenting Publications, and it was named a "Notable Recording" by the American Library Association.

Also nominated for a Grammy are Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer for their Blanket Full of Dreams. In addition to producing, Cathy and Marcy wrote all the songs for this project which has racked up an impressive list of awards from Parents Choice, NAPPA, Early Childhood News Directors Award, The American Library Association and the WAMA. Bias Recording engineer, Jim Robeson mixed the project.

Classified Advertising