FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 3/21/09
Morgan Arts Council • Berkeley Springs, WV
304-258-2300 • www.macicehouse.org
PRESS CONTACT ONLY: Mary Hott - 304-258-2300
ERIC BYRD STAGES TRIBUTE CONCERT TO RAY CHARLES
BERKELEY SPRINGS -- The music of legendary pianist and soul singer,
Ray Charles, is brought to life at the Ice House in Berkeley Springs,
WV on Saturday, March 28 at 7:30pm when the Eric Byrd Trio performs a
tribute concert. The concert is part of the "Back To Our Roots"
yearlong celebration of music, dance, folklore and visual arts
produced by the Morgan Arts Council in collaboration with the Morgan
County Library.
Eric Byrd is on the piano and vocals, Bhagwan Khalsa on acoustic bass
and Alphonso Young Jr. on drums. Adding to the classic jazz, swing
and blues rhythms of the award-winning trio, Byrd brings a horn
section of four including Brad Clements on trumpet, Paul Carr on tenor
sax, Chris Watling on baritone sax, and Lyle Link on alto sax.
Inspired by Charles as a child, Byrd recognizes that no one can do Ray
Charles better than the man himself. He wisely chooses to perform
lesser known songs of Charles' with pure and heartfelt respect for the
master. On several of the tunes, Byrd has written some earthy,
muscular arrangements for trumpet, tenor, alto and baritone
saxophones. The musicians are exceptional but more than that they are
enthusiastic about the music and it is infectious. "We're prepared to
have people up and dancing," says Mary Hott, MAC's Executive
Director. "Mr. Charles would be honored."
The Eric Byrd Trio has performed for audiences all over the world for
the past decade. Their unique style of jazz has headlined stages from
The East Coast Jazz Festival to the Montreux Jazz Festival in
Switzerland. They were selected as Kennedy Center Jazz Ambassadors
and have released three internationally known CDs including their
latest, "Brother Ray" which ranks in the top ten of several play
charts from the US to Australia and also showed up on the JazzWeek
Jazz chart.
Audiences can bone up on the life and music of Ray Charles earlier in
the week when the Roots Film Series shows the 2004 film starring Jamie
Foxx. the film starts at 7pm on Wednesday, March 25 at the Ice
House. A post-film chat hosted by John Douglas is held at the
Fairfax Coffee House, sponsor of the yearlong film series.
For more information about the "Roots" activities, check online at www.macicehouse.org
or call 304-258-2300. The Ice House is located at the corner of
Independence and Mercer in downtown Berkeley Springs.
For a full schedule of Back To Our Roots activities, visit www.macicehouse.org or call 304-258-2300. The Ice House is located at Independence and Mercer in downtown Berkeley Springs.
Saturday, April 11 - 7:30pm. Gala opening New Harmonies exhibition @ the Ice House. Sponsored by: CNB, Kesecker Realty and War Memorial Hospital.
Wednesday, April 15 - 7pm Roots Music Film Series: I’m Not There - The Bob Dylan Story. Film @ the Ice House; discussion to follow @ Fairfax Coffee House, sponsor of the film series.
Saturday, April 18 - 7:30pm Concert and talk: pianist and narrator Bill Messenger and tenor Alan Gephardt present the music of George Gershwin as he would have played it. @ the Ice House.
Saturday and Sunday, April 25 & 26 - Gospel Music weekend with workshops and performances by Eric Byrd, the McDaniel College Choir and local choir members. Sunday, 3pm performance @ Berkeley Springs High School auditorium.
Sponsored by Morgan Sanitation.
Friday, May 1-- 7:30pm Gala opening Delectable Mountains Quilt Show and Sale @ the Ice House. Show hangs though June 7
Saturday, May 9 - 7:30pm & Sunday, May 10 - 3pm. Piecework - staged readings of locally written plays with quilting themes. @ the Ice House.
Wednesday, May 20 - 7pm. Roots Music Film Series: Walk the Line - Johnny Cash and June Carter.. Film @ the Ice House; discussion to follow @ Fairfax Coffee House, sponsor of the film series.
Friday, May 22 - Final day for New Harmonies exhibit. Sponsored by: CNB, Kesecker Realty and War Memorial Hospital.
Saturday, May 23 - 3pm. Lecture: Jazz History w/Dr. Chris Wilkerson, WVU @ the Ice House 7:30pm. Dance & concert. Tri-State Big Band plays Glenn Miller @ the Country Inn.
