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BMF grants awards to further its mission
By
Tom Ineck
LINCOLN, Neb.—In keeping with its mission to promote American music,
support artists’ creativity and increase appreciation for music “in
all its forms and hues,” the Berman Music Foundation is embarking on
several projects that will deliver on that promise with upcoming
performances and educational opportunities for students, teachers
and musicians of many different styles.
![Amy Denio [Courtesy Photo]](media/410Denio.jpg) Little
more than a year since Ember Schrag launched Clawfoot House
as a performance venue in Lincoln’s Near South neighborhood, it has
become one of the most vibrant, imaginative and prolific presenters
of artists who work on the edge, in media ranging from bluegrass to
classical and avant-garde music, and from dance to performance art
and the visual arts.
With a
$1,500 grant from the BMF, Schrag will present Seattle-based singer,
songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Amy Denio in a series of three
appearances during Women’s Week at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln, March 10-11. A special edition of the monthly
Clawfoot Salon will feature Denio in a lecture and performance 7-10
p.m. March 10 at the UNL Student Union, 1400 R St. The free salon
will begin with a poetry reading by Sandra Hochman, followed by a
jam session and time to share new work, with Denio participating.
Denio's
leadership luncheon presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 11
at the Student Union will focus on “Music and Social Change.”
Maggie’s Veggie Wraps will provide a free vegetarian wrap for those
who call the Women's Center (472-2597) in advance. At 9 p.m. that
evening Denio will headline a bill at Clawfoot House that also will
include The New Music Agency and Seeded Plain. Clawfoot House is
located at 1042 F St. Admission is $7 at the door.
The
Denio appearances are collaborations between Schrag and the UNL
Women’s Center in what promises to be a fruitful relationship for
both parties.
![Drummer Matt Wilson [Courtesy Photo]](media/410Wilson.jpg) The
BMF continues its support of the UNL Honor Jazz Weekend with
a $12,000 grant. The second annual event, March 26-28, will gather
Nebraska high school musicians for a comprehensive playing and
learning experience, including master classes with UNL faculty and
guests. This year’s featured guest artists are the Matt Wilson
Quartet, who will perform a free public concert at 2 p.m. March 28
at Kimball Recital Hall. Drummer Matt Wilson has gained a wide
reputation as a leader in a series of excellent recordings on the
Palmetto label since his debut in 1996. The grant also will pay
expenses for five Berman Music Foundation Jazz Fellows—high school
educators who will participate in the entire weekend of activities.
A
$3,000 grant will fund general project support for the Northeast
Family Center and its Academy of Rock program, which provides
Lincoln youth with the opportunity to explore their musical and
artistic interests in the hope that they will become strong leaders
and outstanding team members in the community, regardless of race,
ethnicity, gender or income. After Butch Berman’s death in January
2008, the BMF awarded a $1,000 grant and donated many of Butch’s
musical instruments to the Academy of Rock program. You can read
about it in the January 2009
online news.
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Berman
Music Foundation Sponsorships
August 2009
BMF
attends book-signing for Ahmad Alaadeen's "The Rest of the Story," a
combination instruction manual and jazz history that BMF helped to
fund.
July 2009
BMF
awards $2,000 grant to Nebraska Humanities Council for "New
Harmonies," a touring Smithsonian Institution exhibit celebrating
American roots music.
June 2009
BMF
partners with University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music for
first UNL High School Jazz Camp on UNL campus.
ZARO
(with saxophonist Andrew Vogt), the Kendra Shank Quartet, and
Project Omaha perform for Jazz in June concert series outside
Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln, Neb. BMF also holds post-concert
receptions for artists at museum offices.
May 2009
Guitarist Ray Gehring & Commonwealth perform at Zoo Bar in Lincoln,
Neb. Gehring's CD, "Radio Trails," is released with support from BMF
and is dedicated to Butch Berman.
April 2009
Lincoln
artist Leora Platte creates "Jazz Club," a commissioned painting for
grand opening of new BMF offices and museum. More than 1,000
visitors attend First Friday Gallery Walk opening, with music by
saxophonist Bill Wimmer and pianist John Carlini.
February 2009
Berman
Fellowship Program provides support to University of
Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music for high school music teachers
during High School Honor Jazz Weekend, allowing them to work with
artist-in-residence vibraphonist Stefon Harris, UNL faculty and
students on UNL campus.
December 2008
BMF
donates $1,000 and many musical instruments and equipment to Academy
of Rock in Lincoln, Neb. Instruments
include Fender electric bass, upright bass, Yamaha electric piano,
Epiphone acoustic guitar, conga drum, maracas and tambourine. Among
equipment donated are various amps, speakers, foot pedals, music
stands, microphones and guitar cords.
June 2008
Dan
Thomas Quintet and Les DeMerle Band perform at Jazz in June outside
Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln, Neb. Concert series is dedicated
to Butch Berman.
May 2008
Nebraska Jazz Orchestra performs tribute to Russ Long and Butch
Berman at Embassy Suites in Lincoln, Neb., with guest artists Gerald
Spaits, bass; Ray DeMarchi, drums; Charles Perkins, reeds; and
pianist Roger Wilder. BMF also donates 200 copies of Russ Long CD
"Never Let Me Go" to Lincoln Public Schools for use in middle
schools.
April 2008
"Rhythm
Relief" benefit performances for Norman Hedman are held at Jazz
Standard in New York City, featuring such artists as Norman Hedman's
Tropique, bassists Ron Carter and Buster Williams, trombonist Dick
Griffin, saxophonist T.K. Blue, trumpeter Wayne Cobham, vibraphonist
Joe Locke, pianist Frank Kimbrough, drummers Horacee Arnold and Will
Calhoun, percussionists Ray Mantilla and Steve Kroon, and singers
Kendra Shank, Andrienne Wilson and Queen Esther Marrow.
March 2008
Celebration of Life for Butch Berman is held at Cornhusker Marriott
Hotel in Lincoln, Neb. Artists paying tribute include singers Karrin Allyson
and David Basse,
saxophonist Ahmad Alaadeen, pianist Joe Cartwright, bassist Gerald
Spaits, drummer Ray DeMarchi, the Lightning Bugs, Ashanti, Charlie
Burton, the Hot Club of Lincoln and the Cronin Brothers with special
guest Sean Benjamin.
June 2007
Kendra Shank Quartet, Hot Club of San Francisco and Stan Kessler and the Sons
of Brasil perform at Jazz in June concert series outside
Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln, Neb.
April 2007
Singer
Giacomo Gates performs with Nebraska Jazz Orchestra at
Embassy Suites ballroom in Lincoln, Neb.
December 2006
CD release party for Russ
Long’s “Time to Go: The Music of Russ Long,” a tribute to the Kansas
City composer and keyboardist, is held at Jardine's in Kansas City.
Performing original tunes is a seven-piece ensemble featuring Paul
Smith, piano; Gerald Spaits, bass; Ray DeMarchi, drums; Stan
Kessler, trumpet; Charles Perkins and David Chael, reeds; and Paul
McKee, trombone.
June 2006
Guitarist
Luke Polipnick and Volcano Insurance perform at Zoo Bar in
Lincoln, Neb., with bassist Chris Bates and drummer Joey Van
Phillips.
April 2006
Singer
Giacomo Gates performs at The Melting Spot in Lincoln, Neb., with
Joe Cartwright, piano; Gerald Spaits, bass; and Ray DeMarchi, drums.
November 2005
Kelly Rossum Quartet performs at P.O. Pears in Lincoln,
Neb., with Rossum on trumpet, Chris Thomson, saxophone;
Chris Bates, bass and J.T. Bates, drums.
October 2005
Rob Scheps Core-tet performs free concert at Cafe de Mai
in Lincoln, Neb., with Scheps on reeds, Roger Wilder, piano;
Bob Bowman, bass and Tim Cambron, drums.
June 2005
Ahmad Alaadeen & Group 21 perform at Jazz in June series
outside Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln, Neb.
May 2005
Butch Berman is artistic director for eighth annual
Topeka Jazz Festival at Topeka Performing Arts Center, booking all artists and
introducing them on stage. Featured artists include Bobby
Watson & Horizon, Norman Hedman & Tropique, the Hot Club of
San Francisco, the Joe Cartwright Trio, Interstring,
Alaadeen & Group 21, the Doug Talley Quartet, pianists Eldar Djangirov
and Roger Wilder, trumpeters Claudio Roditi and Stan
Kessler, saxophonists Ken Peplowski and Rob Scheps,
trombonist Paul McKee, guitarists Danny Embrey and Rod
Fleeman, bassists Jay Leonhart, Bob Bowman and Gerald
Spaits, drummers Todd Strait, Ray DeMarchi and Tommy Ruskin
and singers Giacomo
Gates and Kathleen Holeman.
March 2005
George Cables performs solo piano concert for Berman Jazz Series
at Topeka Performing Arts Center in Topeka,
Kan.
Saxophonist
Greg Abate performs as guest soloist with Nebraska Jazz
Orchestra at Embassy Suites in Lincoln, Neb.
February 2005
Pianist
Luqman Hamza and bassist Lucky Wesley perform for Berman Jazz
Series at Topeka Performing Arts Center in
Topeka, Kan.
Guitarist
Jerry Hahn performs at P. O. Pears in Lincoln, Neb., with
Gerald Spaits, bass; and Tommy Ruskin, drums.
November 2004
Russ Long Trio performs for Berman Jazz Series at
Topeka Performing Arts Center in
Topeka, Kan., with Russ Long, piano; Gerald Spaits, bass;
and Ray DeMarchi, drums.
October 2004
Rob Scheps/Zach Brock Quintet perform at P. O.
Pears in Lincoln, Neb.
Doug Talley Quarter performs for the Berman Jazz Series
at Topeka Performing Arts Center in Topeka, Kan.
September 2004
Dan Thomas Quintet kicks off Berman Jazz Series at
Topeka Performing Arts Center in Topeka, Kan.
June 2004
Eldar
Djangirov Trio and Kendra Shank Quartet perform for Jazz in June
concert series outside Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln, Neb.
March 2004
Trumpeter Claudio Roditi returns as a guest soloist with the
Nebraska Jazz Orchestra.
January 2004
Rob Scheps-Zach Brock Quintet performs at P.O. Pears in
Lincoln, Neb.
October 2003
Interstring performs at P.O. Pears in Lincoln, Neb.
June 2003
Norman Hedman and
Tropique, Greg Abate Quartet and
Don Stiernberg Quartet perform for
Jazz in June concert series outside Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln, Neb.
May 2003
Kansas City Musicians Ensemble
performs at Firefighters Hall in
Lincoln, Neb.
March 2003
Singer Sheila Jordan and bassist
Cameron Brown perform at Westbrook
Recital Hall in Lincoln, Neb.
December 2002
Doug Talley Quartet performs at
P.O. Pears in Lincoln, Neb.
October 2002
Westport Art Ensemble performs
at P.O. Pears in Lincoln, Neb.
Antibalas performs at Royal
Grove in Lincoln, Neb.
September 2002
Pianist Ivan Paduart performs at
P.O. Pears in Lincoln, Neb., accompanied
by bassist Bob Bowman and drummer
Todd Strait.
August 2002
Screenings of the film "Grateful Dawg,"
with mandolinist David Grisman at Mary Riepma Ross Theatre in
Lincoln, Neb.
June 2002
George Cables Trio,
Sons of Brasil and Hot Club
of San Francisco perform for Jazz in
June concert series outside Sheldon Museum of Art in
Lincoln, Neb.
May 2002
Pianist Eldar Djangirov performs as
featured soloist with Nebraska
Jazz Orchestra at Cornhusker
Hotel in Lincoln, Neb.
March 2002
Pianist Monty Alexander and trio
perform at Royal Grove in
Lincoln, Neb.
February 2002
Pianist Russ Long and trio perform
at P.O. Pears in Lincoln, Neb.
November 2001
Karrin Allyson performs at Lied
Center for Performing Arts in
Lincoln, Neb.
Pianist Joe Cartwright and trio
perform at P.O. Pears in Lincoln,
Neb.
October 2001
Pianist Hod O'Brien and Stephanie
Nakasian perform at P.O. Pears in
Lincoln, Neb.
June 2001
Pianist Eldar Djangirov performs at
Jazz in June outside Sheldon Museum
of Art in Lincoln, Neb.
March 2001
Norman Hedman's Tropique and Jerry
Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band
perform at Lied Center for
Performing Arts in Lincoln, Neb.
January 2001
Trombonist Benny Powell appears as
guest soloist with Nebraska Jazz
Orchestra at Cornhusker Hotel in
Lincoln, Neb.
November 2000
Norman Hedman's CD "Taken By
Surprise," funded by the BMF, gets
CD release party at Jazz
Standard in New York City.
May 2000
John Lee receives sponsorship to
transcribe Dizzy Gillespie's
arrangement of "I Can't Get
Started."
October 1999
Pianist Jane Jarvis, trombonist
Benny Powell and bassist Earl May
perform at Lincoln Seniors
Foundation benefit at Downtown
Senior Center in Lincoln, Neb.
Bobby Watson and Horizon with
drummer Victor Lewis perform at
Lied Center for Performing Arts in
Lincoln, Neb.
May 1999
Screenings of Woody Allen film
"Sweet and Lowdown" at Mary
Riepma Ross Theatre in Lincoln, Neb.
March 1999
Norman Hedman's CD "One Step
Closer," funded by the BMF, gets a
CD release party at the Blue Note in
New York City.
February 1999
Bassist Jack Lesberg performs at
opening reception for John
Falter exhibit at the Nebraska State
Historical Society in Lincoln, Neb.,
accompanied by Bill Wimmer on saxophone and John Carlini on piano.
1999
Exhibit of artwork by John Falter on
display at Nebraska State
Historical Society in Lincoln, Neb.
December 1998
Saxophonist Ahmad Alaadeen conducts
workshop at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln
August 1998
Andrienne Wilson and saxophonist
Bobby Watson perform at Yoshi's in
Oakland, Calif.
June 1998
Andrienne Wilson performs dates in
Seattle with pianists George Cables
and Kenny Drew Jr.
May 1998
Membership luncheon for NARAS (Grammys)
in Kansas City, Mo.
April 1998
A Band in All Hope, with drummer
Bill Stewart, pianist Bill
Carrothers and saxophonist Anton
Denner perform at Westbrook Recital
Hall in Lincoln, Neb.
March 1998
Mid-America Arts Alliance (MAAA)
jazz conference in Kansas City, Mo.
November 1997
Mingus Big Band performs at Lied
Center for Performing Arts in
Lincoln.
October 1997
Motion Poets perform at
Westbrook Recital Hall in Lincoln,
Neb.
Doug Talley Quartet performs at
Ebenezer's in Lincoln, Neb.
June 1997
Singer-flutist Andrienne Wilson
performs with Norman Hedman and
Tropique at Jazz in June in Lincoln,
Neb.
May 1997
Screenings of Robert Altman film
"Kansas City" at Mary Riepma
Ross Theatre in Lincoln, Neb.
April 1997
Saxophonist Greg Abate performs at
Ebenezer's and conducts workshop
at University of
Nebraska-Lincoln
March 1997
Saxophonist Benny Waters and pianist
Jane Jarvis perform at Zoo Bar
in Lincoln, Neb., and conduct
workshops at Park Elementary School
and University of
Nebraska-Lincoln
February 1997
Saxophonist Joe Lovano and bassist
Christian McBride perform at
Lied Center for Performing Arts in
Lincoln, Neb.
October 1996
Singer Kevin Mahogany performs with
Kenny Barron Trio at Westbrook
Recital Hall in Lincoln, Neb., and
conducts workshops at Lincoln
Southeast High School and
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
May 1996
Robert Altman film "Kansas City"
premieres in Kansas City, Mo.
February 1996
Saxophonist Greg Abate and trumpeter
Claudio Roditi are accompanied by
pianist Phil DeGreg, bassist Bob
Bowman and drummer Todd Strait in a
performance at 7th Street Loft
in Lincoln, Neb.
December 1995
Karrin Allyson performs two consecutive nights at Huey's Fine Food &
Spirits in Lincoln, Neb., with featured players including Paul
Smith, piano; Bob Bowman, bass; Todd Strait, drums; Rod Fleeman,
guitar; Kim Park, saxophone and Stan Kessler, trumpet.
October 1995
Quintet of the Hot Club of San
Francisco performs with singer
Barbara Dane at Zoo Bar in Lincoln,
Neb.
August 1995
Claude "Fiddler" Williams performs
with New York All-Stars at
Zoo Bar in Lincoln, Neb., featuring singer Kendra Shank, pianist Jaki Byard, bassist Earl
May and drummer Jackie Williams.
March 1995
Singer Karrin Allyson performs at Zoo Bar in Lincoln, Neb.,
with Paul Smith, piano; Danny Embrey, guitar; Bob Bowman, bass; and
Todd Strait, drums.
Also:
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The Berman Music Foundation was
a sponsor of the Topeka Jazz
Festival
(1997-2002, 2004) and the Topeka Jazz
Festival Academy (2002, 2004).
Butch Berman was artistic
director of the 2005 Topeka Jazz
Festival.
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The Berman Music Foundation was
executive producer of CDs by the
following artists: Not All
There; The Tablerockers:
Andrienne Wilson; Norman Hedman
& Tropique ("One Step Closer" and "Taken by
Surprise"); The Russ Long Trio
("Never Let Me Go" and
"Time to Go: The Music of Russ
Long"); Teraesa
Vinson ("Opportunity Please
Knock"), The
Westport Art Ensemble; the KC
Scamps; Charlie Burton and Rock
Therapy (demo); and Jim Jacobi.
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![Butch Berman at the BMF museum [Photo by Rich Hoover]](media/bbmuseum.jpg)
promote unique forms of American
music during Butch's lifetime
and into the future. The
foundation offices and museum
are located in the Skylight Gallery, The Burkholder Project,
719 P St.,
Lincoln, Neb. 68508.