Onaje Allan Gumbs Presents New VintageFeaturing Jazz Ain’t Dead® Dance Artists Jerome Melsaun Warren & Candice Michelle Franklin performing “Overjoyed.” Photography by Keith Rogers ...<< MORE >>

Jazz Ain’t Dead® principal dance artists Jerome Melaun Warren and Candice Michelle Franklin perform together again as guests for the New York Jazz Choreography Project which runs April 27 – 28 at the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center in midtown.  For the first night, dance artists Jerome Melsaun Warren and the young and beautiful, Maria Rodriguez (plucked from Miss Franklin’s advanced trainee Jazz dance classes at the renowned Joffrey Ballet School) will be performing a duet accompanied by Jazz Ain’t Dead vocalist, Rajdulari Barnes.  On the second day of the show run, Jazz Ain’t Dead® choreographer, Candice Michelle Franklin, will join Warren, her long standing partner (about ten years we think if you don’t count when Franklin was Warren’s teacher), in performing the same duet with Jazz Ain’t Dead’s live band.  Principal music arranger for Jazz Ain’t Dead®, Chris Rob, will be accompanying the dancing pair with his new samba arrangement of Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed” both singing and playing the piano in a vocal duet of the famous song with JAD’s Rajdulari Barnes.  Also sitting in is Wallace Roney’s fabulous bass player, Rashaan Carter, and the great salsero, Geraldo Flores.  We welcome these great musicians to the Jazz Ain’t Dead family! Tickets: Available at the MMAC box office or purchase online. $21 ($18 children 12 and under) Jazz Choreography Enterprises presents The New York Jazz Choreography Project The New York Jazz Choreography ...<< MORE >>

Jazz Ain’t Dead dancers Jerome Melsaun Warren and Candice Michelle Franklin guests at Onaje Allan Gumbs II New Vintage performance at BAM, April 6, 2013.  Enjoy! ...<< MORE >>

Jazz Ain’t Dead artists Carmen Carriker and Candice Michelle Franklin were out and about at Ashford and Simpson’s Sugar Bar on the upper west side for the Tony Seawright’s Artist Showcase helping fellow Jazz Ain’t Dead artist, Calvin Booker, celebrate his birthday.  It was a great time for all jamming to songs like Chaka Khan’s Tell Me Something Good, Tyrese’s Lately and El Debarge’s I Like with the house band.  Conveniently dropping his “wood” (tap board), Calvin performed a freestyle tap jam as a special birthday feature and threw it down!  At his request, he invited the beautiful and talented Jazz and House singer, Carolyn Harding, to bless us all with her presence.   Her beauty and radiance was felt all throughout the room as she sang like a bird standards like My Funny Valentine and That’s All with unparalleled vocal interpretation, timing, and confident delivery.  A favorite moment was when she sang a bluesy God Bless the Child  then continued on the vamp to free-style a full-out commentary, in gospel rhythm and song, laying out ALL of Calvin’s business about how she watched him grow.   Oooooh!  It was priceless.  All in all, Ms. Harding was such a joy to watch…  a beautiful voice, a beautiful face, a beautiful talent…  What more can you ask for?  Happy Birthday, Calvin! Android Snapshot:  Candice Michelle Franklin (JAD Choreographer/Jazz Dance Artist), Calvin Booker (JAD Tap Dance Artist), Carolyn ...<< MORE >>

Jazz Ain’t Dead principle dancers, Candice Michelle Franklin and Jerome Melsaun Warren, performed a fantastic duet at BAM Café last Saturday night, April 6 for Onaje Allan Gumbs Presents New Vintage.  It was a star-studded evening filled with fabulous musicians well-heeled in the Jazz scene as well as a wonderful array of singers and poets featured on the program.  The venue was crazy packed, over capacity.  People could not get in unless someone left; it was just that crowded.  Accompanying Candice and Jerome was the talented vocal artist Angela Johnson singing lead vocals and Gregoire Maret on harmonica as well as Gary Fritz on congas, Enoch Jamal Strickland on drums, Roger Byam on sax, and Gregory M. Jones on bass.  Other talented artists performing throughout the evening included Jean Caze, Mem Nahadr (Vocalist and Friend of JAD), Abiodun Oyewole, Toni Blackman, Alano, LuQuan Graham, Darien Dean, Jordan Young, Autumn Ashante, and Tai Allen. ...<< MORE >>

Jazz Ain’t Dead principle dancers Candice Michelle Franklin and Jerome Melsaun Warren will perform, Saturday, April 6 with Onaje Allan Gumbs and New Vintage at BAM Café, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.  There a ton of brilliant musicians sitting-in and exciting guests also on the program.  Please come and check it out!    For more information directly from BAM, click here for a direct link. Photography by Julie Atwell ...<< MORE >>

We have great musicians, singers, and dancers among us performing all over the world.  We are so proud of their accomplishments.  One of our own that we’ll like to give a big shout out to who still has time to play for us when he’s in town, is our fabulous bassist, Steve Styles Rodriguez! Jazz Ain’t Dead bass player, Steve Styles Rodriguez, is also the musical director on tour with super star pop singer, Demi Lovato.  He just got back from Asia and, on his return, will be performing next live, April 2, with Lovato on Dancing With the Stars!  Woo hoo! Make sure you set your DVR to watch! Steve, Demi e Mike! ...<< MORE >>

Jazz Ain’t Dead’s very own choreographer and dancer, Candice Michelle Franklin, has been spotted in two commercials for Westchester Broadway Theatre’s production of “In The Heights!”  Candice lent her dancing skills to help promote the show which opens February 7 through March 17, 2013.  See if you can spot how many times you see her in the promo! And here’s version number two of the promo for this exciting show of music and dance.   Tickets are only $59 and you get free parking and a three course dinner!  For more information or buy tickets for this production, visit the special Westchester Broadway Theatre website at http://www.intheheightswestchester.com/. ...<< MORE >>

  Axel Tosca Laugart and (U)nity     Our very own beloved keyboard player, Axel Tosca Laugart, and his awesome group (U)nity did a live performance of Jazz fusion for congahead.com.  Here is a video of Axel’s new composition, D’Axel’s Dream! Enjoy……. Axel Tosca Laugart: Keys Amaury Costa: Drums Chris Smith: Bass Michael Valeanu: Guitar ...<< MORE >>

    Jazz Ain’t Dead’s music arranger, Chris Rob, is busy working on his new album.  Check out “Deep Inside,” his new single, the first one of Free Joint Fridays! Enjoy….. http://m.soundcloud.com/chrisrobfreejointfridays/deep-inside We likey!!! ...<< MORE >>

  Jazz Ain’t Dead® performs Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed.” “Overjoyed” Music by Stevie Wonder Music Track Arrangement by Chris Rob for Jazz Ain’t Dead® Vocalist:  Billy Davis, Jazz Dance Artists:  Shakirah Stewart & Gierre Godley Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin On Saturday, December 15, Jazz Ain’t Dead® guests at the “Art is Like Me” benefit concert produced by Clarke Clark at Roulette in Brooklyn.  Jazz Ain’t Dead performs a Latin version of Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed” inspired by the music stylings of Esperanza Spalding.  Although we would have love to have played it live as we have been doing all summer, our music arranger, Chris Rob, was awesome enough to play and record a great rendition for us to use for small guest spots such as this.  For this performance, our dance artists for Jazz Ain’t Dead are the beautiful and talented Shakirah Stewart and the handsome and extraordinary, Gierre Godley.  Our vocalist from Jazz Ain’t Dead is the fantastic and ever awe inspiring, Billy Davis.  Recently, this past summer, Billy survived a terrible motorcycle accident, so bad that the doctors had to amputate his leg.  In October we performed the same song for Mo Beasley’s UrbanErotika Dance Edition with Rajdulari Barnes and Billy performing in a duet.  We were very excited because it was the first performance Billy had since the accident.  At that time, Billy just ...<< MORE >>

Photos from Roulette “Art is Like Me” Saturday, December 15, 2012 Check out the Video! Jazz Ain’t Dead® performs Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed.” “Overjoyed” Music by Stevie Wonder Music Track Arrangement by Chris Rob for Jazz Ain’t Dead® Vocalist: Billy Davis, Jazz Dance Artists: Shakirah Stewart & Gierre Godley Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin On Saturday, December 15, Jazz Ain’t Dead® guests at the “Art is Like Me” benefit concert produced by Clarke Clark at Roulette in Brooklyn. Jazz Ain’t Dead performs a Latin version of Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed” inspired by the music stylings of Esperanza Spalding. Although we would have love to have played it live as we have been doing all summer, our music arranger, Chris Rob, was awesome enough to play and record a great rendition for us to use for small guest spots such as this. For this performance, our dance artists for Jazz Ain’t Dead are the beautiful and talented Shakirah Stewart and the handsome and extraordinary, Gierre Godley. Our vocalist from Jazz Ain’t Dead is the fantastic and ever awe inspiring, Billy Davis. ...<< MORE >>

Hey, Jazz Ain't Dead Friends, Fans, and Family, Our Singer, Billy Davis, and Super Friend lost his left leg in a horrible motorcycle accident and is now an amputee. If you know him well, he is not only an awesome professional singer, he's a runner/(star athlete in College on the KU Track team), and a personal trainer! If you can, please give to this fundraiser so that Billy can pay for a leg prosthesis, I'm sure that he will greatly appreciate it. If you can't give, please please spread message so that Billy can get his Prosthesis. I'm sure the medical bills are crazee! Thanks, everybody! -Candice Michelle Franklin. Here's a link to give:  https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/4KwR6?srid=831c66b7ea144e06903a3bd07008f7fd Here's a link to give:  https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/4KwR6?srid=831c66b7ea144e06903a3bd07008f7fd Here's the host's note: Billy D. Fitness Prosthesis by William Prochazka My Friend Billy from high school is about the most fit and positive person I've ever known. Talented, funny, energetic, a personal trainer, amazing smile, you name it. But after a recent motorcycle accident, he was left with an amputated left leg. I want to raise whatever money I can towards the prostheses he'll need to continue his lifelong fitness training, and reach the goals I already know he is setting for himself! Please donate $10, or even more towards this cause! After 7 weeks, he is finally out of the hospital. ...<< MORE >>

Big Shout out to Mo Beasley for having us once again perform at UrbanErotika. This time we were at Dixon Place. We did Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed" Latin style. Chris Rob did arrangements, Rogerst Charles on Sax, Billy Davis and Rajdulari Barnes on vocals. Dancers are Candice Michelle Franklin and Victor Reddick. And Yes Billy performed! First performance since the accident. Yay! Woot Woot! ...<< MORE >>

  Hello, Jazz Dancers, Candice Michelle Franklin, is now teaching Beginning Jazz twice weekly Monday and Wednesday nights at 6:30pm.  Class is usually $17, but, for this week only –September 17 through September 19, (because this class is the “Class of the Week”), CLASS IS ONLY $12…  Yay!!!  Woot Woot! Hope to see you this week… ...<< MORE >>

  Beginning JAZZ Dance  with Candice Michelle Franklin Choreographer of the live Jazz Music and Dance Production, Jazz Ain't Dead® September – December 2012 Monday & Wednesday Nights @ 6:30pm "The intense exercises for abs alone is worth the price of admission!" Adult Jazz with Candice! Led by the Artistic Director of the show, Jazz Ain’t Dead®, this high-energy class will start with a full traditional jazz warm-up focusing on isolations, pelvic work, tendus, extensive exercises for abs, hinges, leg and stretch work for maximized flexibility, and dance fitness to make you sweat, followed by a fun series of across the floor progressions including jazz walks, turns, leaps, groove ...<< MORE >>

Once again Jazz Ain’t Dead Choreographer, Candice Michelle Franklin, and JAD Senior Dance Artist, JoiLynn, choreograph two numbers for the Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz and Contemporary Summer Dance Intensive which culminated into a final performance at Symphony Space in New York City.  Under the brilliant artistic direction of Michael Blake, dancers from all over the U.S. and abroad participated in three weeks of intense dance instruction from over 40 of the world’s best choreographers and teaching professionals in musical theater, hip hop, jazz, modern, and contemporary.  During the school year, Candice stayed central in New York City teaching Advance Jazz to the elite trainee students of the professional program while Joilynn, along with other dance professionals on staff, traveled the country to audition and place students into the intensive.  This summer boasts over two hundred students, from preteen to College age, participating in the Joffrey Ballet School 2012 Summer Jazz and Contemporary.  Once again for the second year in a row, Candice Michelle Franklin’s light and fun dance number is selected to open the Joffrey Jazz and Contemporary Summer Intensive student showcase.  This year, Candice uses “Birds of a Feather” by Phish to choreograph on a group of 15 young dancers composed from Teams A, B, C, D. JoiLynn’s piece features young dancers comprised from the same teams and her dance piece is performed towards the end of the show.  A total of 28 chorographers featured, other choreographers include Margo Sappington, Ginger Thatcher, Joyce King, Sue Samuels, ...<< MORE >>

Bastille Day 2012 @Chez Oskar, July 14, 2012 Jazz Ain't Dead Dancers stand in for Phoenix Rising, one of the performance dance companies that our Artistic Director is a member.  In honor of the Artistic Director of Phoenix Rising, Sasha Deveaux, who just got married in Italy, Candice Michelle Franklin choreographs a new Caribbean Can Can revue to be performed in Brooklyn at Chez Oskar for Bastille Day.  We would like to thank Charlotta, owner of Chez Oskar for having us.   We had a blast.  CHUTNEY!!! Dancers:  Shakirah Stewart, Shekitra Starke, and Candice M. Franklin ...<< MORE >>

Jazz Ain't Dead® Performs a Free Concert
for the Community!

Presented by Jazzmobile

Vandyke CC Senior Dessert Luncheon Sponsored by Council Member Darlene Mealy
Jazz Ain't Dead®
Choreography and Direction by Candice Michelle Franklin
Musical Direction by Lafayette Harris, Jr.

Highlights from the show...
Oye Como Va, Fever, Zombie Blues (original composition by Lafayette Harris, Jr., JAD Music Director), Overjoyed, Footprints, Copper Colored Gal, Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby, Summertime, Calvin Booker's Tap Jam, My Funny Valentine, Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries, Words from Council Member Mealy, Goodbye, Someone Else is Steppin In

Featuring:
Rajdulari Barnes (Lead Vocalist)
Rick Delancy (Song & Dance Vocalist)
Calvin Booker (Tap Dance Artist)

JAD Band:
Axel Tosca (Keys), Kenneth Salters (Drums), Paul Beaudry (Bass), Rogerst Charles (Alto Sax)

JAD Jazz Dance Artists:
Samantha Berger, Calvin Cooper, Victor Reddick, Ashley Chavonne McGill, Shakirah Stewart, & Candice M. Franklin

Venue:  Vandyke CC Gymnasium, Brooklyn, NY
June 29, 2012

Thank you Council Member Mealy and Sabrina Eady and Linda Walton from Jazzmobile for having us!  We had a blast.........

New Shows! New Sound! New Energy!
JAZZ AIN'T DEAD^_®

Live Jazz MUSIC and DANCE Entertainment ReLoaded

www.JazzAintDead.com
The official website of Jazz Ain't Dead

Music Concerts, Videos,
Recordings, News, & Events

Jazz Ain't Dead^_®, a YOUNG URBAN MUSIC and DANCE COLLECTIVE, re-ignites the best standards of classic jazz into the updated rhythms of funk, soul, acid jazz, and house, while binging new energy to the 21st Century Jazz scene with hot FRESH originals and clever new arrangements of today's hot music re-imagined into a new, classically "jazz-inspired" sound.

"The Future of Live Jazz Music & Dance Entertainment . . ."

New Shows! New Sound! New Energy!

Jazz Ain't Dead is a show with a production that is so high energy audiences can't help to get up, get loose, and dance. Jazz Ain't Dead features live dancers, a live mixing DJ, and a host of special guest musicians and vocalists that are well known around the globe!

Click Here to see Jazz Ain't Dead Raw on Video... Live and in Action

**These works are made possible in part by a Harkness Space Grant from the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center.

___________________________________________________________________________


Jazz Ain't Dead® performs at the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival produced by Jazzmobile, Inc.

Performing Jazz Ain't Dead: Straight, No Chaser with the Jazz Ain't Dead Legacy Band featuring the Lafayette Harris Jr. Trio, Tap Artist, Calvin Booker, Vocalist, Maritri Garrett, and the Jazz Ain't Dead Dancers.  Lafayette Harris Jr (piano), Paul Beaudry (bass), Steve Williams (drums)
May 10, 2012 at the Magic Johnson Theater, Harlem
FREE By Invitation @1:30pm
Music Direction by Lafayette Harris, Jr.  Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin
___________________________________________________________________________


Jazz Ain't Dead® performs at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival in Rockville, MD.
Featuring JAD Music Director, Lafayette Harris, Jr., Tap Artist Baakari Wilder (Bring in Da' Noise/Funk), and the Jazz Ain't Dead Dancers
Two new world premiere's:  "Zombie Blues" by Lafayette Harris, Jr., and a New Orleans dedication to Katrina composed by JAD drummer, Kenneth Salters, "Souls of NoLa" 
All Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin
February 18, 2012  Tickets $50
Click Here for Tickets Click Here for Complete Program Information
___________________________________________________________________________


Jazz Ain't Dead® performs at Joyce SoHo, Thursday through Sunday, March 24 - 27, 2011.

CLICK HERE for complete program information and advance ticket discounts.
For tickets, visit www.Joyce.org or call JoyceCharge 212-242-0800.
6 Performances/5 SOLD OUT!
___________________________________________________________________

Celebrates the Legacy of George Gershwin's

Porgy & Bess

A Live Music Event Showcasing all New Arrangements of the Music of Porgy & Bess in the Styles of House, Funk, Jazz, and Soul including such favorites as It Ain't Necessarily So, My Man's Gone Now, I Loves You Porgy, A Woman is a Sometime Thing, Bess, You is My Woman Now, I Got Plenty of Nuttin', and of course, Summertime. Click here for complete program information.

Featuring Live Musicians, Live DJ, and Live Dancers!

Look for our new production beginning this fall at a festival near you! 
___________________________________________________________________________

Click Here for Video!
Click Here for Music!
Click Here for Radio Interview!

Click Here for Jazz Ain't Dead's 2011 Season Music Set Lists and Music Arrangement Credits 

Jazz Ain't Dead® and Jazz Ain't Dead Presents is based in New York City and produced by Candice Michelle Franklin for DIP & Associates.

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Get SOCIAL with Jazz Ain't Dead^_®

Current Music Concerts:

• Jazz Ain't Dead Presents

  Classic Jazz -The Remix: "Standards on Steroids"

• Jazz Ain't Dead:  Celebrating the Legacy of Porgy & Bess
• Jazz Ain't Dead:  The JAD Lounge
• Jazz Ain't Dead:  Straight, No Chaser
• Jazz Ain't Dead: The JAD Café
• Jazz Ain't Dead: JazzHaus Club Sessions
• Jazz Ain't Dead: Under the Mistletoe Holiday Jam

Book Jazz Ain't Dead: Jazz Ain't Dead is managed by MZK Entertainment
To Book Jazz Ain't Dead at your venue or event, please email Book@JazzAintDead.com

For general information and ARTISTIC inquiries, please email us at Info@JazzAintDead.com.

Donate & Keep Jazz Ain't Dead Alive:

To support the Jazz Ain't Dead New Music & Dance Fund, click here.

For more information about Jazz Ain't Dead^_® and Jazz Ain't Dead Presents, please contact the following:

Jazz Ain't Dead^®

New York City
Tel:   212-426-1305
Info@JazzAintDead.com

www.myspace.com/JazzAintDead
www.facebook.com/JazzAintDead
www.YouTube.com/JazzAintDead

Jazz Ain't Dead® and Jazz Ain't Dead Presents is produced by Candice Michelle Franklin for DIP & Associates.  Click here to support the Jazz Ain't Dead New Music and Dance Fund.

 

jazzaintdead's photostream on Flickr.

WE ARE ALWAYS HIRING!
Jazz Ain't Dead is a young urban Jazz music and dance collective/pick-up production performing and promoting Jazz music and it's progressive derivatives for today's audiences with it's focus on young adult live music connoisseurs.  To promote this appeal, all performers auditioning should be at least 18 - 35 years age, and must "appear" to be under 30.  Veteran Jazz recording artists are encouraged to submit inquiries of collaboration or performance as "guest artists" to info@jazzaintdead.com.

All Performers must be CONSERVATORY TRAINED in their respective talents and have the insane ability to improv (scat, dance, tap, play an instrument) at any given time with fearless command of their craft!


Performers Needed

• Young (18-35) Conservatory Trained Singers in Jazz with ability to sing R&B, Funk, and House
• Young (18-35) Tap Dancers
• Dancers that Sing Musical Theater Very Well.  Vocal training in Jazz performance a plus
• Young (18-35) Conservatory Trained Jazz and Contemporary Dancers who have funky rhythm and are fearless at improv
  
  
• Young (18-35) Conservatory Trained Musicians in Jazz who can read charts and improv their butts off with ability to play Latin, Acid Jazz, Live House, & Soul
• Spoken Word Artists that can also freestyle lyrics.  Movement a plus!
  

Music Arrangers
Music Arrangers with commanding knowledge of Jazz standards/American Song Book who also can arrange acid jazz, neo-soul, funk, dub, and house.  Latin jazz is a plus.  Please submit inquiry for collaboration to info@JazzAintDead.com.


Band Needs

• Jazz Bass Player (Upright Mandatory & Bass Guitar) who can also play Funk, Latin, Acid Jazz, House, & Soul
• Sousaphone and/or Tuba player that knows New Orleans/Zydeco music
• Harmonica player that knows New Orleans/Zydeco music
• Fill-in Jazz Sax Player that can play Flute
• Fill-in Jazz Pianist who can also play Latin, Acid Jazz, live house, Funk, R&B and neo-soul
• Fill-in Jazz Drummer who can also play Latin, Acid Jazz, live house, Drum & Bass, Funk, and Soul
• Electric violinist who knows Jazz and has great rhythmic funk and soul.  Knowledge of New Orleans/Zydeco a plus

All performers (yes musicians too) send recent PHOTO and RESUME with performance links (MySpace and YouTube, etc.) and bio to info@JazzAintDead.com.  Our music director and choreographer will keep your respective submissions on file and may call you in for observation during a music or dance rehearsal or open call (dancers).

Thanks so much for your interest in Jazz Ain't Dead!  Looking forward to reviewing your submission...

Good luck!

Latin Jazz Version of Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder covered by Esperanza Spalding.  Enjoy!

Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin
Duet:  Shakirah Stewart & Victor Reddick

First performance will be for our June 28, 2012 gig with Jazzmobile in Brooklyn, NY.  Hope we finish in time!

 

Remember the Cotton Club?  Well, we rummaged through the old song books and thought this number made famous by Gregory Hines in the movie, The Cotton Club, would be cool to add to our set list.  Enjoy!

In rehearsal tonight is JAD musical director, Lafayette Harris Jr. at piano, with JAD musicians Paul Beaudry on bass, Kenneth Salters on drums, Rogerst Charles on alto sax, and JAD dancer and singer, Rick Delancy, on vocals.  Axel Tosca (JAD keys) is in the room, as well as Rajdulari Barnes (JAD vocalist), and Candice Michelle Franklin (JAD choreographer) holding camera.

Shot June 19, 2012

TAKE 5 to 95
JAZZ AIN'T DEAD, conceived and directed by New York City choreographer, Candice Michelle Franklin, is a high energy, genre bending, live music concert featuring live musicians, live singers, live dancers, and even a live DJ keepin' the show shakin' and pumpin' on the one's and two's. With the help of our great music arrangers like Chris Rob and Donald Hayes and our stellar Music Director, Lafayette Harris, Jr., this "concept" musical production transforms the classical Jazz standards of the American song book and remixes them into the great sounds of Funk, House, Acid Jazz, and Soul, presenting them in a way that audiences from all generations, from five to 95, can appreciate. Special guests and big stars from Billboards' Jazz and R&B scene, are also occasionally on-hand to perform, making JAZZ AIN'T DEAD one music concert not to be missed. Click Here to Read JAD's Full Production Bio.

Come check out our current music concept concert:

JAZZ AIN'T DEAD: Celebrating the Legacy of Gershwin's Porgy & Bess
Featuring new music arrangements of the Porgy & Bess hits Summertime, I Got Plenty of Nuttin', I Love You Porgy, A Woman is a Sometime Thing, Bess, You is MyWoman Now, and It Ain't Necessarily So in Funk, House, Soul, Spoken Word, and Jazz.

Click Here to see raw video of JAD in action-live and in concert

Check out our current show collaboration:
UrbanErotika with Jazz Ain't Dead
A fun evening of erotic poetry, comedy, live music, and antics featuring the Jazz Ain't Dead Dancers, Singers and Musicians.
Hosted by the "headmaster" himself,
Mo Beasley

Click Here to see photos from
UrbanErotika Juke Joint: A Tribute toDem Dirty Sexxxy Blues

Current Show Repertory:

• Jazz Ain't Dead: Celebrates the Legacy of George Gershwin's Porgy & Bess

• Jazz Ain't Dead: The JAD Lounge

• Jazz Ain't Dead: Straight, No Chaser with the JAD Legacy Band

• Jazz Ain't Dead: The JAD Cafe

• Jazz Ain't Dead: Nu Soundz, New Grooves Series

• Jazz Ain't Dead: Standards on Steroids

• Jazz Ain't Dead: Under the Mistletoe Holiday Jam

• Jazz Ain't Dead: JazzHaus Club Sessions

Click Here for Production Descriptions

JAZZ AIN'T DEAD Young Audiences Initiative
JAZZ AIN'T DEAD is proud to be a part of spearheading a renewed interest into the music of the Jazz world. By introducing today's youth and young adults to the classic songs of Jazz through the energy of pop culture, dance, slick music videos, new media, and social networking, JAZZ AIN'T DEAD has built a platform designed to promote our great jazz songs of the past, keeping them relevant in the minds of young audiences in hopes that these classics will continue to be appreciated by the young as they age. JAZZ AIN'T DEAD produces several concert concepts to achieve this initiative as well as provide on-site classes and lecture demonstrations for education institutions.

Jazz Ain’t Dead Community Connect
Jazz Ain’t Dead performs free concerts and open movement classes to children, non-dancers, and seniors subsidized through church organizations, after school programs, festivals, and such non-profit organizations such as Jazzmobile.  Many of these free performances and classes are open to the public.  Check the Jazz Ain’t Dead Event Calendar for more details. 

JAZZ AIN'T DEAD: Nu Jazz ReMixed!
Jazz Ain't Dead: Nu Jazz ReMixed is all about young audience building for major recording artist both new and established. The JAZZ AIN'T DEAD band, DJ and dancers share the concert stage with major Jazz artists to perform the remix versions of their latest hits live. To initially introduce young audiences to current Jazz music and Jazz recording artists, JAZZ AIN'T DEAD also partners with labels and recording artists to produce a slick music video to be distributed through media and social networks, and a companion CD of a remixed version of their classic jazz recordings. We hope that getting the attention of young audiences through the mediums they know, will turn them into long time fans of these jazz artists for many years to come. Long live JAZZ AIN'T DEAD!

For More Information contact via the following:
Jazz Ain't Dead®
Tel: 212-426-1305
DIP & Associates
info@JazzAintDead.com

 

Hello, JAD Lovers.... Check out our JAD Lounge montage to My Funny Valentine!  Enjoy....

Highlights from New York Joyce SoHo Spring 2011 Season

We Got Good News & Bad News...

The Good News

As of May 19, we have received the fantastic news that our very own
super talented pianist, AXEL TOSCA, will be playing piano,
Conga Style, in Colombia, South America,
June 1- 3, 2012 with the

NYC Pan-American All Stars

The Bad News

The Jazz By the Riverside Engagement has been POSTPONED!
Please check back for our new date.

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You're Invited... Jazz by the Riverside Presents

Afro-Cuban LATIN JAZZ with Jazz Ain't Dead's HOT Cuban-Born pianist,

Axel Tosca

Featuring the Jazz Ain't Dead® Dancers and Choreography by
Candice Michelle Franklin

with Special Guest Vocalist, Maritri Garrett

**Afro-Cuban Jazz, Salsa, Timba, Bossa Nova, Samba, Contemporary Latin Jazz

Click Here for Tickets

Jazz by the Riverside

Friday, June 1, 2012 POSTPONED

8pm - 10pm

@ The Riverside Church

91 Claremont Avenue
(Between 121 & 122nd Street, one block West of Broadway)
New York, NY 10027
10 Tower

Tickets $20

Click Here for Tickets
Beer & Wine Cash Bar Available Plus Free Snacks!

About the Artists

Axel Tosca Laugart, Pianist
Born on January 27, 1984, in Cuba, Alex Tosca Laugart is one of the most dynamic young pianists on the scene. Laugart's family influenced his musical interests at an early age. Both his father and stepfather were musicians and his father's guitar playing sparked and early interest in the instrument. He began playing around the age of four, accompanying his parents. Laugart's mother, Xiomada Laugart, is a world-famous singer, whom he still performs with today. At the age of seven, Laugart became interested in the piano. He was influenced by Miriam Valdez, sister of the famous Cuban virtuoso Chucho Valdez, and Rosa Maia Tolo. Laugart credits Tolo with helping mature his style and musicality.

Laugart benefitted from a wide range of musical experiences growing up in Cuba. Dennis & Swing was a group that Laugart credits for "giving me the real timba groove." Laugart also played with the Afro Cuban All Stars, Teresa Garcia Caturla,Sexteto Sendito, Jose Miguel Crego (known as “El Greco”), and a Latin Jazz group called the Bobby Carcases Group, where Laugart says "I learned a lot about the language of music." Laugart was also part of the Hip-Hop scene in Cuba and had the opportunity to play with The Roots while they were in Cuba. He has also worked in the studio with Cuban conductor Miguel Ceruto.

Amadito Valdez, the great timbalero with the Buena Vista Social Club, was a musical mentor and an important part of Laugart's decision to come to the United States in July of 2005. His arrival came with the opportunity to perform with “Havana Night” in Las Vegas for two years. During that time, George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic scouted discovered Laugart. They began rehearsing, and Laugart performed with the group in Washington, DC, on New Year's Eve, 2007. The gig was at BB King's, and is still one of the most memorable in the young pianist's career. Laugart met Pedrito Martinez while touring with the group Yerba Buena, in 2007. They began playing together, and as Laugart says, they "began creating something - some kind of groove that I can’t explain. It’s made me grow as a musician."

Now based in New York, Laugart is continues to grow musically. He is music arranger and keyboardist for Gerardo Cortino y sus Habaneros as well as pianist for Jazz Ain't Dead. Of his future, he says "my goal is to just keep upgrading my talent and my soul. I love the world. "

Candice Michelle Franklin, Choreographer
Originally from St. Louis, MO, Candice Michelle Franklin is a New York based professional dancer, choreographer, and producer who has been seen in numerous film, TV shows, music videos, industrials, and, of course, on the live stage performing in plays and dance companies. She owns Dance Industrial Professionals, Inc./The Pro DANZ Group in which she oversees the dance and creative direction of several performance groups, industrials, and stage shows. Her work has been performed in a host of New York venues including The Kumble Theater, BAM Cafe, and Joyce SoHo, as well as numerous casinos on the east coast such as Turning Stone, the Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, Trump, Tropicana, Borgata, and Caesar’s. Most recently, her choreography work has been seen in the WEBBY-nominated music video for the rock band Black Taxi called “Shoeshine” and in the gospel stage play,Blest Be the Tide, performed at Aaron Davis Hall in New York City. Currently, she teaches Advanced Jazz at The Joffrey Ballet School in the Jazz and Contemporary department to their elite professional bound trainee program and works as the producer and choreographer for Jazz Ain't Dead®. Moreover, she is Head Choreographer for CEG Productions LLC, is choreographer for the 80's Girl Group, Buffalo Stance, and serves as choreographer for a number of recording artists including internationally celebrated Bollywood Hip hop artist, SHAKTI, the rapper BRASCO, and Grammy award winning recording artist, Macy Gray. Miss Franklin is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and is represented by DDO Artists New York City.

Maritri Garrett, Guest Vocalist
Maritri Garrett studied jazz with Grady Tate and Geri Allen and classical with Raymond Jackson and Russell Baldwin. She received a B.S. degree in Biology from Fisk University in Nashville where she also was a world renowned Jubilee Singer. Maritri also holds a Bachelors in Composition and a Masters in Jazz Studies from Howard University, Washington, D.C.

In 2002, Maritri made her classical piano debut at Steinway Hall in New York. She was subsequently commissioned, along with cellist Shana Tucker to compose music for two ballets at the Washington Ballet under the direction of Mary Day at the Kennedy Center and at the Witts Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa. Maritri has opened for Gladys Knight, The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, Stanley Jordan, Toshi Reagon, Hiram Bullock, Muzz Skillins, Vinx and the Indigo Girls with her band Hue; appeared on BET on Jazz as a musician and host, performed at Nina Simone’s family memorial with Patti LaBelle, Nina Simone, Valerie Simpson, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis. Maritri was also chosen as one of the background singers for Barbara Streisand at the Clinton inaugural gala.

Maritri’s TV credits include BET on Jazz and BCAT’s Straight Up! With Stella Winston. Her recent performances include Def Poetry Plugged In at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, hosted by Danny Simmons; the Apollo Theater with Sekou Sundiata and Ani Di Franco, the Cutting Room, Central Park's Summerstage, the Women's Jazz Festival at the Schomberg Center with Tamar Kali, Borders Books, Bar Sputnik, 4W Circle, New York City’s Triad Theatre, the 92nd Street Y-Makor/Steinhart Center, the New School and Aaron Davis Hall with Sekou Sundiata as part of “The America Project,” Rush Arts Gallery, The Knitting Factory, BRIC Studios, Riverbank State Park, Joe's Pub, Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar, BAM Café.

About Jazz Ain't Dead®
Produced and directed by New York City choreographer, Candice Michelle Franklin, Jazz Ain't Dead® is a young urban jazz music and dance collective that presents a high energy, genre-bending live music concert of house, acid, funk, and soul songs performed with an urban jazz sensibility. Featuring live dancers, singers, musicians, and live DJ, Jazz Ain't Dead's signature sound is taking popular classical jazz standards and re-igniting them into house, acid jazz, funk, and soul. Also in repertory are contemporary and Nu Jazz covers, original works, and straight-ahead classics.

Jazz Ain’t Dead’s principle music arrangements are composed by Chris Rob, musical arranger for John Legend and Kanye West among others. Additional music arrangements are by jazz pianist, Lenny Underwood (Whitney Houston, Madonna, Common, Faith Evans), Donald Hayes (Beyonce, Usher, Chaka Kahn, Stevie Wonder), and Marcus Bell/Bellringer Productions (Def Jam, Interscope, Warner Brothers, MCA, Sony, Virgin Records, Arista), with Mansa Gory (Horn Arrangements for JAD). Choreographer for Jazz Ain’t Dead® is Candice Michelle Franklin (SHAKTI, BLACK TAXI, BRASCO, MACY GRAY). Musical Director for Jazz Ain’t Dead® is Lafayette Harris (Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk, Color Purple).

Jazz Ain’t Dead® has performed at the Apollo, MTV, BAM Cafe, Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, JazzMobile/Harlem Shrines Jazz Festival, the Iridium Jazz Club, Joyce SoHo, the Paradise Theater, the Kumble Theater, the Bowery Poetry Club, Southpaw, DNA, Nuyorican Poet's Cafe, Jordan’s Lounge, Sage Theater, The Player’s Club, Rush Arts Gallery, Therapy Bar, and other live music clubs as well as numerous private events and galas. Jazz Ain’t Dead® also partners with Mo Beasley’s UrbanErotika, lending musicians and dancers for their monthly UrbanErotika Juke Joint series, performing choreographed features with poets and live music as well as non-choreographed/unscripted, completely improvised jam sessions for both dancer and musician. During the Summer, Jazz Ain't Dead dancers teach for the Joffrey Ballet Jazz and Contemporary Summer Dance Intensive and, during the year, choreographer, Candice Michelle Franklin, is on faculty teaching advanced jazz to their elite dancers in the pre-professional trainee program. In addition, Jazz Ain’t Dead® has shared its love of dance with the community by teaching the art of Jazz dance to elementary school-aged children, through Ready, Set, Learn, LLC, a summer day camp and after school program providing free to low- cost activities for children living in the Bronx Housing projects of New York City. In the future, Jazz Ain’t Dead® hopes to extend our commitment to the Ready, Set, Learn programs by providing music lessons as well.

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