FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Karin Venegas, karin@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-7049
Sandra Tharas, sandra@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-7068
 

Flushing Town Hall Announces Special Guest Artist Dr. Barry Harris Will Join 15th Anniversary NEA Jazz Masters Concert

—NEA Jazz Master Dr. Barry Harris will be joining NEA Jazz Masters Jimmy Owens, Kenny Barron, Sheila Jordan, Billy Hart, Donald Harrison and bassist Kenny Davis on November 12—
– Tickets now on sale at www.flushingtownhall.org –

(Flushing, N.Y.) — Flushing Town Hall announces the participation of special guest artist and NEA Jazz Master Dr. Barry Harris at the 15th anniversary of its annual NEA Jazz Masters concerts. On November 12, 2021 at 8 PM, in-person and virtual audiences are invited to return to the historic venue in Queens to enjoy NEA Jazz Masters: The Music of Thelonious Monk and Horace Silver, celebrating two of the greatest pianists and composers in jazz history.

NEA Jazz Master Dr. Barry Harris will join five distinguished NEA Jazz Masters—Jimmy Owens, Kenny Barron, Sheila Jordan, Billy Hart, and Donald Harrison—and American bassist Kenny Davis to perform live, all together on one stage for the first time.


“We are elated to present this historic concert with such an incredible lineup of America’s most honored jazz musicians. It is sure to be a one-of-a-kind night to remember,” says Ellen Kodadek, Executive and Artistic Director at Flushing Town Hall.

The very first NEA Jazz Masters concert at Flushing Town Hall took place on November 17, 2006 and featured three NEA Jazz Masters, Jimmy Heath (saxophone), Clark Terry (trumpet), and Dr. Billy Taylor (piano)—as well as the talented jazz veterans Earl May, Benny Powell, and Albert “Tootie” Heath, who was later awarded the NEA Jazz Masters title in 2021. Sadly, all but one—Albert “Tootie” Heath—have since passed on.

Flushing Town Hall’s most recent gathering of NEA Jazz Masters took place on November 8, 2019 for a sold-out house, before the pandemic arrived, shuttering performing arts venues for over a year, and included Candido Camero (congas), Paquito D’Rivera (saxophone, clarinet), Barry Harris (piano), Jimmy Owens (trumpet), Jimmy Cobb (drums), and Reggie Workman (bass).

This year’s concert on November 12 features five NEA Jazz Masters, the nation’s highest honor in Jazz, including Jimmy Owens (2012 NEA Jazz Master) on trumpet, Kenny Barron (2010 NEA Jazz Master) on piano, Sheila Jordan (2012 NEA Jazz Master) on vocals, Billy Hart (2022 NEA Jazz Master) on drums, and Donald Harrison (2022 NEA Jazz Master) on saxophone, joined by Kenny Davis on bass and special guest artist Dr. Barry Harris! For full bios of all performers, visit https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/list.

Clyde Bullard, Flushing Town Hall’s Jazz Producer in Residence says: “The late NEA Jazz Master Phil Schaap often talked about “spreading the gospel of jazz”—and that’s exactly what Jimmy Owens and Flushing Town Hall are doing with this upcoming concert! We are keeping the gospel of jazz alive.”

Legendary Jazz Master Jimmy Owens has curated the program and outstanding lineup for this memorable evening together with Flushing Town Hall’s Jazz Producer in Residence, Clyde Bullard. Master Owens (trumpet, flugelhorn) has over forty-five years of experience as a jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger, lecturer, and music education consultant. His experience covers a wide range of international musical achievement, which includes extensive work as a studio musician, soloist, bandleader, and composer of orchestral compositions, movie scores, and ballets. Owens is one of the few trumpeters of his generation who played as a sideman with such extraordinary jazz leaders as Lionel Hampton, Hank Crawford, Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Duke Ellington, Billy Taylor, and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Band, among others.

“I feel honored to be working with these incredibly talented and passionate NEA Jazz Masters to create unforgettable musical moments in honor of Thelonious Monk and Horace Silver,” says NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Owens, who developed the theme and lineup for this concert. “I am delighted to finally return to Flushing Town Hall’s welcoming stage and to deliver that feel-good jazz that will make audiences want to dance in their seats.”

The concert will feature iconic jazz tunes such as “Round Midnight,” “Straight No Chaser,” “In Walked Bud,” “Blue Monk” from the Monk catalogue and “Song For My Father,” “Soulville,” and “The Preacher” from the Horace Silver Catalog and much more.

In-person tickets are $45/$35 Members/$20 Students. Those unable to attend in person can still join the livestream and tune in virtually. Virtual tickets are $20/$15 Members.  For tickets and more information, visit www.FlushingTownHall.org or call (718) 463-7700 x222.

COVID Policy: 

In adherence with Mayor De Blasio’s Covid policy for performance venues, Flushing Town Hall will require all visitors, performers, and staff to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 with matching identification. Additionally, masks will be required at all times. For more details on Flushing Town Hall’s Covid-safety measures and vaccine requirements, please visit: https://www.flushingtownhall.org/covid-safety.

Flushing Town Hall is accessible by car, bus, train and foot—located a short distance from the 7 train—at 137-35 Northern Blvd. in Flushing, Queens. Access for wheelchair users and individuals with limited mobility is available.
 

FOR CALENDAR LISTINGS:

NEA Jazz Masters: The Music of Thelonious Monk & Horace Silver
FRI, NOV 12, 8 PM
In-Person Tickets: $45/$35 Members/$20 Students
Virtual Tickets: $20/$15 Members

Flushing Town Hall’s annual NEA Jazz Masters concert returns live in person to play the music from two of the greatest pianists in the history of Jazz: Thelonious Monk and Horace Silver. This concert features six NEA Jazz Masters, the nation’s highest honor in Jazz, including Jimmy Owens on trumpet, Kenny Barron on piano, Sheila Jordan on vocals, Billy Heart on drums, and Donald Harrison on saxophone, joined by Kenny Davis on bass and special guest artist Dr. Barry Harris!

 

Support Global Arts With A Gift Today!

All gifts of $50 or more give you exclusive Flushing Town Hall Circle of Friends membership benefits including a Smithsonian membership, ticket discounts, and more! Donations in any amount are appreciated to support the artists and the nonprofit cultural organization as they continue to provide programming and entertainment across New York and the world. 
 

Flushing Town Hall is a not for profit organization which receives major support from the National Endowment for the Arts; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; New York State Assembly Member Ron Kim; The City of New York, Major Bill de Blasio; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Commissioner Gonzalo Casals; Queens Borough President Donovan Richards; The New York City Council, Speaker Corey Johnson, Council Members Costa Constantanides, Daniel Dromm, Barry Grodenchik, Peter Koo, Karen Koslowitz, Paul A. Vallone, Jimmy Van Bramer; Howard Gilman Foundation; Booth Ferris Foundation; The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation.

To view our current donor lists, please visit www.flushingtownhall.org/donor-listings

About Flushing Town Hall

Flushing Town Hall (FTH), a Smithsonian affiliate, presents multi-disciplinary global arts that engage and educate the global communities of Queens and New York City, in order to foster mutual appreciation. As advocates of arts equity since 1979, we support local, immigrant, national, and international artists, developing partnerships and collaborations that enhance our efforts. As a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), we serve to restore, manage and program the historic 1862 landmark on behalf of the City of New York. FTH celebrates the history of Queens as the home of Jazz, by presenting the finest in Jazz performance. We are committed to arts education and hands-on learning, for the arts-curious, arts enthusiasts, and professional artists. We serve one of the most diverse communities in the world and strive to uphold the legacy of inclusiveness that has defined our community since the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657.

Land Acknowledgement:

Flushing Town Hall acknowledges that we are on the traditional land of the Matinecock People, one of the original tribes of New York, and the first people of Flushing, Queens. The Matinecock continue to live and work on this land to this day. Flushing Town Hall honors their elders who have stewarded this land throughout generations.

For more information:

www.flushingtownhall.org

(718) 463-7700 x222

137-35 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354