JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ANNOUNCES ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME MUSICAL EVENT
WILLIE NELSON AND WYNTON MARSALIS PLAY THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES!
Recorded Live IN HD at Jazz at Lincoln Center…
In cinemas in HD and available on DVD and Blu-ray, this debut release features 15 soul-stirring performances and a special appearance by Norah Jones
IN CINEMAS OCTOBER 15 — IN STORES OCTOBER 20
NEW YORK, NY (September 23, 2009) - On one special evening at Jazz at Lincoln Center, two musical icons, Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis, along with the stunning songstress Norah Jones, collectively brought their unique musical perspective to 15 of legendary Ray Charles’ hits such as “Hallelujah I Love Her So,” “Hit the Road Jack” and “Unchain My Heart.” Recorded in High Definition by HDNet, WILLIE NELSON AND WYNTON MARSALIS PLAY THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES gives music lovers a front-row seat to the sold-out concert, including never-before-seen rehearsal footage, interviews and photos. WILLIE NELSON AND WYNTON MARSALIS PLAY THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES can be seen in select cinemas from October 15 and arrives in-stores on both Blu-Ray and DVD on October 20 from A&E Home Entertainment for $19.95 (SD) and $29.95 (BD). The concert event, including a half-hour backstage, behind-the-scenes interview special, airs on HDNet in true high definition on October 18 at 8:00 p.m. ET and on SIRIUS XM’s Real Jazz channel, SIRIUS channel 72 and XM channel 70 on October 18 at 8:00 pm ET. Blue Note Records will release a live album of the concert in Spring 2010.
Country music legend Willie Nelson and Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz artist and Jazz at Lincoln Center Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis share more in common than their multiple GRAMMY® awards. They also share great respect and admiration for the late musical pioneer Ray Charles. In February 2009, Nelson and Marsalis joined musical forces for a two-night Jazz at Lincoln Center concert event at New York City’s Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Their set list explored the legacy of Charles, cleverly sequencing the songs to tell the story of a love affair from beginning to end and beyond. This fine idea was made finer by the inclusion of fellow multiple GRAMMY® winner Norah Jones, whose style suggests a middle ground between Nelson and Marsalis. The sold out performance was captured on video, and the resulting footage expertly edited for the brand new DVD, WILLIE NELSON AND WYNTON MARSALIS PLAY THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES.
In addition to 90 minutes of exemplary, soul stirring music, both the DVD and Blu-ray versions of WILLIE NELSON AND WYNTON MARSALIS PLAY THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES feature All Access, a new documentary comprised of interviews with Marsalis, Nelson and Jones as they share thoughts and anecdotes about the Jazz at Lincoln Center concert. A musical photo gallery takes the viewer on a remarkable journey through the two-night event, including never-before-seen rehearsal footage, and set to the artists’ phenomenal rendition of Charles’ “What’d I Say.”
Prior to the DVD release, cinema audiences will have a chance to enjoy the concert on the big screen in High Defintion and full surround sound. DigiScreen will release WILLIE NELSON AND WYNTON MARSALIS PLAY THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES starting October 15th. at select cinemas in North America, Europe and the United Kingdom. Visit www.digiscreen.ca to find participating cinemas in your area.
SIRIUS XM’s Real Jazz channel, SIRIUS channel 72 and XM channel 70, broadcasts live each week from Jazz at Lincoln Center with its Live at Jazz At Lincoln Center and A Night at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola programs. SIRIUS XM is also home to Willie’s Place, SIRIUS channel 64 and XM channel 13, the SIRIUS XM channel devoted to authentic Texas honky-tonk and Western Swing music with special regular segments featuring Willie Nelson.
Jazz at Lincoln Center is dedicated to inspiring and growing audiences for jazz. With the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and a comprehensive array of guest artists, Jazz at Lincoln Center advances a unique vision for the continued development of the art of jazz by producing a year-round schedule of performance, education and broadcast events for audiences of all ages. These productions include concerts, national and international tours, residencies, a jazz hall of fame and concert series, weekly national radio programs, television broadcasts, recordings, publications, an annual high school jazz band competition and festival, a band director academy, jazz appreciation curriculum for students, music publishing, children’s concerts and classes, lectures, adult education courses, student and educator workshops and interactive websites. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, Chairman Lisa Schiff and Executive Director, Adrian Ellis, Jazz at Lincoln Center will produce thousands of events each season in its home in New York City, Frederick P. Rose Hall, and around the world.
