Turns out, the garden was built on top of a ruin so we explored it with our host, Marco Zurzolo. We ventured the 200+ steps to the end to find a huge open space with long passageways and dimly lit rooms. Pottery pieces were randomly spotted and while we could only imagine how the space was originally used, Marco smartly turned it into a jazz chamber by taking out his saxophone filling the room with music.  He then promoted the show and all  and the guests then returned to the surface for more music.

Performing tunes from the current project “Reed My Lips,” Yonnet kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. Despite language barriers, solos by Dennis Turner, Daryl Hunt, Robbie McDonald and Chis “Biscuit” Bynum  told musical stories that everyone could relate.

Special guest vocalist Maimouna Youssef added her own flavor to Erykah Badu’s “Didn’t You Know” (see video) and Sylver Logan Sharp, former lead singer for CHIC, turned what is normally a smooth and jazzy Sunday morning, into a full blown party with her version of “We Are Family.”

Our hour in the park was a great way to start the day. After greeting guests, we stopped for an impromptu photo shot at a simple, yet intriguing spot in the park. Be sure to check out some of the photos.

After ZTL, our driver and “friend for life” Christrian Maresca took us to Brandi’s — the pizzeria where pizza Margherita was invented in 1889, in honor of Queen Margherita, the Savoy queen of the then less than 30-year-old unified Italy. The Margherita was good but the pizza Biscuit ordered was amazing!  It had  italian sausage, a broccoli with tasted more like mustard greens and Provola cheese (pictured on right). We had fun with the manager Francesco and staff.  We jammed with guitar player — Sylver and Maimouna on vocals and everyone else on spoons, forks and knives.

From Brandi’s we headed to Pompei, the ancient Roman town-city was buried in ashes when the volcano Vesuvius erupted on 24 August AD 79. It engulfed the flourishing Roman town of Pompei. The site has been progressively excavated and made accessible to the public since the mid-18th century.  It was pretty amazing to walk the streets of Pompei and to wander thru the ruins. From mansions to brothels, from temples to coliseums, we time traveled back to a period of time many have only seen on the History Channel. We all  agreed it was a major highlight of the trip.

Read the full article and then visit Frédéric’s fan page on Facebook to see all the pics from the trip.

[May  8, 2013] Special thanks to Marco, Juna and Marco Zurzolo who — when they found out Yonnet was in Amalfi, Italy for a private event, they immediately created an opportunity to bring he and the band to Naples.  If you’re in the area be sure to come by Zurzolo Teatro Live for an afternoon of great music, food and drinks on Sunday, May 12, 2013 from 10:0 AM -12 noon.

Location: Via Giuseppe Piazzi n° 55
80137 – NAPOLI

———————

Visita/Concerto/Aperitivo in GIARDINO
Via Giuseppe Piazzi n° 55
80137 – NAPOLI

Ore 10.00
Visita al Giardino di Babuk
ed all’Ipogeo Napoletano
Durante la Visita all’Ipogeo ci sarà una performance del
Maestro MARCO ZURZOLO Sax Solo
Appuntamento in Cappella Mauro, Via Giuseppe Piazzi n° 59

ore 11.00
Frederic Yonnet in Concerto

Other artist performing during the series include: The Clarke Duke Project (George Duke and Stanley Clarke), Al Jarreau, Trombone Shorty, Boney James and Lenny Williams. For tickets or more information visit: www.fresnojazz.com.

When:
Series One
Friday, June 14, 2013
6:00 pm

Where:
Woodward Park Rotary Amphitheater
7775 N. Friant Rd
Fresno, CA 93720

1-855-JAZZ-INFO

For more info: www.fresnojazz.com

[[Show as slideshow]]

The future of jazz harmonica looks promising indeed with this potent double bill presenting two improvisers taking the harp into uncharted territory. Paris native Frédéric Yonnet has developed an achingly soulful and rhythmic approach as demonstrated during his show-stopping performance with pianist Jason Moran at the SFJAZZ Center Historic Opening Night Concert, and he returns with a singular synthesis of contemporary jazz, funk, gospel and hip-hop. Yonnet has worked with a mind-blowing array of artists, collaborating with comedian Dave Chappelle, performing regularly with Stevie Wonder, and recording with Prince, India.Aria, and Vieux Farka Touré.

The Swiss-born Grégoire Maret is a consummate artist; a masterful player who has recorded and toured with everyone from Youssou N’Dour and Meshell Ndegeocello to Steve Coleman and Herbie Hancock. A long-time member of the Pat Metheny Group, he’s also spent the past three years working with vocalist Cassandra Wilson. She’s one of the illustrious guests on his stellar 2012 debut, an eponymous Koch release that also features bassist Marcus Miller, singer Gretchen Parlato, and harmonica legend Toots Thielemans, whose presence serves as a jazz benediction for Maret, a rightful heir to Thielemans’ throne.

Date: June 18, 2013
Time: 8:00 PM
www.sfjazz.org

SFJAZZ Center Box Office
201 Franklin St. (at Fell)
San Francisco, CA 94102

Tickets: 866-920-5299
Members: 415-788-7353
boxoffice@sfjazz.org

Date: April 13, 2013
Showtime:  8:00 PM

Tickets: $32 (high) – $29 (low)

12901 Town Commons Drive
Germantown, MD
Box Office: 240.912.1058
Online: www.instantseats.com

Event URL: http://www.blackrockcenter.org

During the delegations visit to First Baptist Church in Montgomery, Police Chief Kevin Murphy discussed the Montgomery Police Department’s role in the Civil Rights movement.  He discussed the comparison and contrast of the MPD from the 1950′s to present day. Back then, the entire department was made up of white males. “The present day photographs show diversity… men and women, African Americans in positions of leadership, women, police officers in positions of leadership,” said Murphy. Citing their new educational and training video on how to police in a historical city, Murphy vowed, never again. “Once divided, forever united.”

Then, in n act of reconciliation, Chief Murphy removed his police badge and presented it to Congressman Lewis.  Watch the original footage that appeared on MSNBC:

http://youtu.be/IhetkfyS54Q

The 2013 AVOICE Heritage Celebration is the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s official Black History Month observance. This intimate dinner and awards fundraiser honored individuals and organizations that celebrate the spirit of our AVOICE Virtual Library Project, the only virtual library project of its kind serving as a central source of information on historical and contemporary African-American policy issues. The gathering also lauded the legacy of African-American legislators with current and former African-American Congressional members in attendance. Proceeds from the event support and preserve digital archives uploaded and maintained on the AVOICE website as well as carry out the various programmatic activities throughout the year, including collecting research, holding meetings with Congressional Black Caucus members and former members to obtain source material.

This intimate dinner and awards fundraiser honors individuals and organizations that celebrate the spirit of our AVOICE Virtual Library Project, the only virtual library project of its kind serving as a central source of information on historical and contemporary African-American policy issues. The 2013 honorees are: Stevie Wonder, Congresswoman Carrie Meek and Time Warner, Inc.

The 2013 AVOICE Heritage Celebration is the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s official Black History Month observance. This intimate dinner and awards fundraiser honors individuals and organizations that celebrate the spirit of our AVOICE Virtual Library Project, the only virtual library project of its kind serving as a central source of information on historical and contemporary African-American policy issues. The gathering also lauds the legacy of African-American legislators with current and former African-American Congressional members in attendance. Proceeds from this event are allocated to supporting and preserving digital archives uploaded and maintained on the AVOICE website as well as carrying out the various programmatic activities throughout the year, including collecting research, holding meetings with Congressional Black Caucus members and former members to obtain source material.

For more information visit cbcf.gov.

On Saturday, January 26, Yonnet returns to Yoshi’s for his own show, with a special guest Talib Kweli. Be prepared to totally expand the way you perceive the harmonica as Frederic Yonnet bring his brand of jazz, R&B and hip hop to the stage. Also expected to make a guest appearance are vocalist Patti (famed Tuck and Patti), Martin Luther and Victoria Theodore (keyboardist for Stevie Wonder).

Two shows, 8PM & 10PM.

Order tickets online at http://ow.ly/h4ZVr