<i>Jazz Hall Partners with Tulsa State Fair’s Community Stage</i>
By CHUCK CISSEL
Contributing Writer
FAIR PARTNERS: The Jazz Hall of Fame is excited to partner with the Tulsa State Fair to bring great local acts to the 2008 Community Stage. Tulsa State Fair President and CEO Rick Bjorklund and Tulsa County Commissioners Randi Miller, John Smaligo and Fred Perry are pictured at the grand opening of Central Park Hall at Expo Square.
GTR Newspapers photo
Expo Square and the Tulsa State Fair are rolling into the future with a phenomenal partner: the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame.
“Tulsa County is blessed with crown jewels of entertainment in the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame and Expo Square. It’s an astounding accomplishment to have two organizations that have benefited through Vision 2025 funding, uniting together to further promote Tulsa County,” says Tulsa County Commissioner John Smaligo, Chairman of the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority.
This new partnership will create a showcase of local entertainment on the new Tulsa State Fair Community Stage. The Community Stage will be located near the east side of the Tulsa State Fair. The partnership will also explore new event development and seek diversity in the offerings at Expo Square. This relationship is a wonderful opportunity to showcase multiple genres, while creating unity through music.
By partnering with the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, the Tulsa State Fair will function as a vehicle to educate Oklahomans about music history while providing a well rounded experience for Tulsa State Fair patrons. The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame’s mission is to inspire creativity and improve the quality of life for all Oklahomans through preservation, education and performance of jazz, our uniquely American art form.
The Tulsa State Fair is on a roll with a vision for the future. New and exciting programs and facilities take their inaugural steps for the 2008 Tulsa State Fair.
“Taking these inaugural steps with a great partner like the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame is especially gratifying,” says Rick Bjorklund, Expo Square president and CEO.
For more information about the 2008 Tulsa State Fair, visit www.exposquare.com
On another musical note, the Oklahoma Conference for Community and Justice is gearing up for a number of special events in the coming months, and the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame is also partnering with them on a special musical concert to be held on June 19 at the Jazz Depot. Along with the annual Jazz Hall Golf Tournament on June 9, the new “wine tasting” event on June 12 and the big music night of music at the Jazz Depot and JazzFEST 2008, June will be a busy month for all of us at the Depot. For the record, the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame celebrates its 20th year ann-iversary this year and we are planning a phenomenal night in October at our Induction Banquet Gala, national music stars, Oklahoma music stars and exquisite catering, all to be held at the Jazz Depot.
Jim Langdon of Tulsa People Magazine is
this year’s Gala chairman, Nancy Day is the executive director of OCCJ and Oliver Howard is the chairman of the board. The mission of OCCJ is as follows:
The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice is a human relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry and racism. OCCJ promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education.
OCCJ is dedicated to fighting bias and bigotry. Education, dialogue, conflict resolution and advocacy are their weapons. OCCJ is depending on Tulsans to be their warriors. OCCJ depends on people of good will to work with them to create a more inclusive community.
The Wayman Tisdale concert was completely off the chain—fantastic! Oh, did you hear about the collaboration of country music star Toby Keith and Tisdale? Remember Barry White’s 1980s music hit, “Never Gonna Give you Up?” It’s the popular tune these two giants have collaborated on and what a cool idea, country and jazz! Oh, it’s not really anything new. Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys had a lot of jazz in their cowboy boots.
The Jazz Hall of Fame concerts continue at the Jazz Depot (111 E. First Street at Cincinnati and Boston Ave.). Call the Jazz Depot for more info at (918) 596-1001 or visit online at www.okjazz.org.
Sunday, April 27: An Evening With the Donald Ryan Trio, 5 p.m.
One of Tulsa’s most respected and brilliant pianists, whether in jazz, ragtime, classical or any genre for that matter, Ryan promises to serenade you on piano with his magical fingers, along with his stunning trio. Lock the date on your calendar, it will be a phenomenal concert!
Sunday, May 4: Olivia Duhon Quartet, 5 p.m.
A new, bright, shining jazz vocal star is on the horizon and a graduate of the University of Tulsa, with years of singing with the TU Jazz Band. Duhon steps out of the ensemble to feature her own trio of jazz stalwarts and singing up a storm too. Vernon Howard on bass, George Toumayan on drums and Tulsa jazz legend Sonny Gray on piano. Norah Jones, you’d better watch out!
Sunday, May 11: The Ladies Who Lunch, 5 p.m.
An original production by yours truly! This is a story of five wealthy New York socialites who frequently lunch at the Plaza Hotel to chat about men, shopping, trips around the world and of course their secrets. Great songs, humor and a touch of gossip is on the musical menu. It stars poet/vocalist Deborah Hunter, Sandy Gardner, Rebecca Marks-Jimmerson, Rachel Lester and Pam Van Dyke Crosby.
Sunday, May 18: Dara Tucker Trio, 5 p.m.
A native Tulsan who now resides in Nashville, Tenn., Dara Tucker comes back home to make her music debut at the Jazz Depot. Tucker is a new fresh, hip and contemporary vocalist who handles the traditional, as well as the flavored style of neo-soul. For those of you on the young professional tip, this is sure to be a hit with you, as well as traditionalists. Her band is hotter than the Fourth of July! Don’t miss this show.
Sunday, May 25: TSO String Quartet / Bravo Brass, 5 p.m.
For you classical music and horn lovers, the Jazz Depot is proud to present our Tulsa Symphony Orchestra neighbors from downstairs in the Depot building. TSO steps up to the stage to give everyone a balanced evening of this awesome string quartet and the fabulous Bravo Brass quartet. Sherri Neubauer and Tim McFadden lead the way.
The mission of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame is to inspire creativity and improve the quality of life for all Oklahomans through preservation, education and performance of jazz, our uniquely American art form.
Updated 05-01-2008
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