Dinah Washington Music & Performing Arts Institute

05/14/2025

Real Talk 🙏✝️⚡️⭐️😇

05/14/2025

05/14/2025

Elayne Jones, percussionist, (1928-2022)Born in NYC to Barbadian immigrants, Elayne Jones became one of the most prolific and important percussionists in music history. Playing with the San Francisco Symphony and Opera, and the American Symphony Orchestra, Jones became the first Black opera orchestra member of the New York City Opera in 1949, where she played for eleven years! In 1958 she became the first documented African American to play with the New York Philharmonic, and in 1960 she became part of the newly created American Symphony Orchestra led by Leopold Stokowski. In 1972 she won a blind audition for the San Francisco Symphony under the supervision of Seiji Ozawa, making her the only African American to attain such a position at the time. She co-founded the Symphony of the New World, which advocated integration. Overcoming racism and sexism, Elayne Jones stood strong and provided the world her artistry and vision.Elayne Jones began her musical journey at a young age. Growing up in Harlem, she started in her local church choir, learning piano and voice as a child. One day, her mother saw that Duke Ellington was giving out scholarships to Juilliard. Jones was the only black and only female to recieve one!Following her graduation at Juilliard, Elayne went on to work as a freelance musician in New York City, Cleveland, San Francisco, and many other major operas and symphonies across the country. Her spirit and talent became widely known. Elayne Jones was a trailblazer, opening her own, integrated symphony. She gave hundreds of lectures in San Francisco and taught at Bronx Community College in the 60s and 70s. In her retirement, she wrote a 310 page autobiography called, "Little Lady with a Big Drum." In 2019, she became the fourth female member of the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame.

05/14/2025

Happy Birthday to the incomparable Etta James, the powerhouse vocalist whose timeless voice gave us classics like "At Last" and "I'd Rather Go Blind." Born on January 25, 1938, she captivated audiences with her raw emotion and ability to blend blues, R&B, gospel, and jazz, leaving an indelible mark on music history. A trailblazer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Etta's influence continues to inspire generations of artists.

05/14/2025

McCoy and Wayne Shorter during the “Night Dreamer” sessions in 1964.

05/14/2025

05/14/2025

05/14/2025

Fun was had by one and all at my 88th Birthday Celebration residency at Blue Note New York this past week... I send my sincere thanks to each and every one of you who attended with your well-wishes, as well as to my generous hosts at Blue Note New York.

I also send my appreciation to the musicians who joined me on stage: Renee Rosnes, Jimmy Greene, Payton Crossley, Donald Vega, and Donald Harrison. We felt our dear friend Russell Malone was there in spirit.

Plenty more adventure awaits here on … My 88th birthday has only further encouraged my continued journey in jazz, and my search for THOSE notes shows no signs of stopping.

Find out where I’ll be next via www.RonCarterJazz.com

📸: Dervon Douglas

05/14/2025

Happy Birthday to a friend an Icon & Pioneer,
Mr. Ronald Levin Carter (born May 4, 1937) is an American jazz double bassist. His appearances on 2,221 recording sessions make him the most-recorded jazz bassist in history. He has won three Grammy Awards, and is also a cellist who has recorded numerous times on the instrument. In addition to a solo career of more than 60 years, Carter is well-known for playing on numerous iconic Blue Note albums in the 1960s, as well as being the anchor of trumpeter Miles Davis's "Second Great Quintet" from 1963-1968. ( May the 4th be with U)🥳Jazzheads & Funkateers all around the World🏃‍♂️🏃🏃‍♀️Bootsy baby!!!🤩😜 Ron Carter MonoNeon Christian McBride Stanley Clarke Billy Sheehan Bill Dickens Flea Les Claypool