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BOROUGH PRESIDENT HELPS KICK OFF 24/7 JAZZ BROOKLYN WITH A COOL PERFORMANCE BY SOME OF BROOKLYN'S HOTTEST MUSICIANS

Photograph by Kathryn Kirk
	In photo: Sabor on percussion, Ed Hopsede, Publisher Positivibes Entertainment Guide; Borough President Markowitz and Jitu Weusi, Chair, Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium.

Borough President Marty Markowitz officially kicked off 24/7 Jazz Brooklyn, the first borough-wide jazz festival, with a performance by some of Brooklyn’s most talented musicians at Borough Hall. 24/7 Jazz Brooklyn has more than 100 exciting events planned at over 30 venues throughout Brooklyn for the entire month of April. Today marks the kick-off of this month-long festival of music, film, fashion and even a puppet performance for families about Duke Ellington's life. The festival, organized by Borough President Markowitz, the 24/7 Jazz Brooklyn Committee, and in partnership with the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, promotes the exciting jazz spirit throughout Brooklyn today.

“24/7 Jazz Brooklyn is what Brooklyn is all about. It is a unique combination of both the old and the new – from church and parlor jazz to fusion and hip-hop,” Borough President Markowitz said. “This is such a great opportunity for Brooklynites of all ages, and people throughout the area, to discover all of Brooklyn’s incredible sounds from Brighton Beach all the way up to Williamsburg. Believe me, there is a vibe here in Brooklyn that just isn’t found anywhere else.”

Tenor sax player Grant Langford, bassist Stanley Banks, percussionist Sabor and guitarist Gerry Eastman filled Borough Hall with their sweet sounds. Brooklyn poet Louis Reyes Rivera also performed with the band.

Clubs, restaurants, churches and music schools throughout Brooklyn will host dozens of performances showcasing talent like Cyrus Chestnut, Olu Dara, Akua Dixon, John di Martino, Sonny Fortune, Eddie Gale, Barry Harris, Bobbi Humphrey, Dewey Redman, James Spaulding, Warren Vache and Randy Weston.

The 24/7 Jazz Brooklyn Committee includes the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium (the successful producer of three annual jazz festivals during the first two weeks of April); BAMcafe; Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corp.; BRIC Studio; Brooklyn Conservatory of Music; Brooklyn Brewery; Brooklyn Historical Society; Brooklyn Museum of Art; the Brooklyn Music School; Circuit Productions; Club 243; Concord Baptist Church of God; Devoe Street Baptist Church; De Ribas Restaurant; First Presbysterian Church; Goga Café; Grappa Café; Hanson Place Methodist Church; Jane United Methodist Church; The Jazz; Jazz @ Four; Jazzy Jazz; Jazz 966; Jazzpazazz; Long Island University; Parlorjazz; Positive Vibes Entertainment Guide; Pumpkins; Sistas’ Place; 651 Arts; Sugarcane Restaurant; Sugarhill Supper Club; Tillies; the Up Over Jazz Café; The Waterfront Ale House; Williamsburg Music Center.

All the events are listed on the Borough President’s website, www.brooklyn-usa.org. People can also call 718-802-3875 to get a schedule by mail or call 718-802-4488 to hear the weekly schedule of events throughout the borough.

Sponsors include Best of Brooklyn, Brooklyn Brewery and Con Edison.