Dr. Michael White is National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship Recipient!

May 21, 2008

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCES
DR. MICHAEL WHITE 2008 NEA NATIONAL HERITAGE FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT

Mark Samuels and the Basin Street Records family proudly congratulate Dr. Michael White, who today received the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts – the 2008 NEA National Heritage Fellowship Award.

Awardees are chosen for their artistic excellence and contributions to our nation’s cultural heritage and Dr. White, as a primary exponent of classic New Orleans Jazz, is most befitting of this prestigious honor.

Basin Street Records is also pleased to announce the June 10th release of Dr. White’s latest CD, Blue Crescent. On Blue Crescent, as throughout his musical life, for which he was honored today, Dr. Michael White keeps New Orleans jazz alive, not only by celebrating the past, but by creating new music in the classic tradition.

For NEA official press release access http://www.nea.gov/news/news08/Heritage2008.html
For additional photos and background information on Dr. White access http://www.basinstreetrecords.biz/.
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New Orleans Hornets vs. San Antonio Spurs AND Irvin Mayfield vs. Kermit Ruffins!

Two battles will occur in the New Orleans Arena tonight. The New Orleans Hornets will play game 7 against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semi-finals for the right to advance against the LA Lakers, and at halftime Irvin Mayfield will battle Kermit Ruffins in a trumpet battle. Irvin Mayfield and Kermit Ruffins have 16 CDs on the Basin Street Records label. Irvin Mayfield’s latest is currently at #11 on the Billboard Jazz Chart and is called Love Songs, Ballads and Standards. Kermit Ruffins’ latest is called Live at Vaughan’s. For more on both artists click on www.BasinStreetRecords.com.

Jazzfest Weekend 1. My Highlights.

My highlights this weekend…
Theresa Andersson’s performance on Acura stage followed by terrific CD signing.
Visiting with Allen Toussaint after Theresa’s set and having Robert Plant come up to say hello to Mr. Toussaint.
Jon Cleary’s performance on Acura stage before the rains came in front of a huge audience.
Visiting with Billy Joel backstage after Jon’s performance about an LP that my high school band (with Wynton Marsalis) recorded with a medley of Billy Joel tunes.
Dr. Michael White’s performance with Tom Sancton and Sammy Rimington in the packed Economy Hall Tent during the heaviest of the rain Saturday.
Thank you to Borders for creating a well stocked store with easy to find product at the Fairgrounds. Please buy CDs.