If you’re looking for New York city tours that offer something truly exciting and different, you should try one of the Harlem Jazz Tours. Relive the 1920s by experiencing a fun, high-stepping night out in the Harlem neighbourhood.

Take a tour of the neighbourhood led by an expert on Harlem’s jazz history, explore Harlem’s crucial role in jazz music history and discover where and how New York’s jazz musicians gave the city its musical edge. Of all the New York city tours, a Harlem Jazz tour is definitely one that you shouldn’t miss if you’re a jazz music fan.

If you choose to take part in one of the Harlem Jazz tours, you will see a number of famous Jazz landmarks including:

The Apollo Theater
The Cotton Club
The Savoy Ballrooom
Minton’s Playhouse

The Apollo Theater is one of the most famous music halls in U.S. history and it was the place where Ella Fitzgerald made her singing debut in one of the first amateur show nights held there, at the age of 17. It also later became famous for kickstarting the careers of other famous singers and musicians such as Billie Holiday, James Brown, Sarah Vaughan and many, many more!

The original site of the Cotton Club is also a highlight of the tour. The Cotton Club helped to launch the careers of famous people like Duke Elliington, Fletcher Henderson and Lena Horne who spent hours playing to crowds that came from all around the world. It closed for good back in 1940, but in 1978 a new club was opened in Harlem with the same name.

]]>

The Savoy Ballroom is famous for being the place where Chick Webb and Benny Goodman fought against each other during a ‘Battle Of The Bands’ competition. It’s also the place where dances such as the Charleston, Big Apple and Lindy Hop dances became a firm part of American culture.

Minton’s Playhouse is a jazz club that opened back in 1938 and it is famous for being the place where the tradition of ‘jam sessions’ was started and it was also the place crucial to the development of bebop music.

On Harlem jazz tours, you don’t just have to look from the outside in, you’ll also have the opportunity to experience cocktails and some of the finest jazz in Harlem’s most popular clubs.

You will also learn about other Jazz sites of interest including:

Two of New York’s hottest clubs alongside the Cotton Club.

Alongside Minton’s, this was one of the principal bebop clubs.

Duke Ellington, Dinah Washington, Bud Powell, Fletcher Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie are just some of the famous Jazz names that lived in Harlem.

No true jazz tour of Harlem would be complete without some ‘soul food’. If you’re taking a jazz tour of New York city, make sure you make the most of the excellent dishes available in Sylvia’s Restaurant. Sylvia is affectionately known as the ‘Queen of Soul Food’ and Sylvia’s restaurant has been serving generous helpings of soul food since 1962.

If you’re going to explore New York’s jazz culture and African-American background in Harlem, the perfect accompaniment is Soul Food. It is African-American cuisine which traditionally originated in southern U.S. states. Some of the things you can expect to eat are spicy ribs, freshly baked corn bread, crispy fried chicken, collard greens and black eyed peas.

New York jazz tours take place on several evenings a week, subject to weather. Tours are available throughout most weeks of the year. They take place during the evening so you get a chance to experience an evening in one of Harlem’s Jazz clubs.

Tours need to be booked in advance. If you need wheelchair accessibility or you are accompanying someone with specific needs, it is reccommended that you book onto the New York City Tours at least a fortnight in advance.

Find More Jazz Music Articles

This year’s Chicago Underground Film Festival, September 10-17, follows past festival blueprint in which selected films often ignore limitations of genre, and which alternative music films, political agitprop, formal experimentation, and high camp are not uncommon elements of the Festival program. During the Toronto International Film Festival 2009, September 10-17, everyone is invited to Yonge-Dundas Square (YDS) for a playful and dynamic line-up of free screenings, concerts, performances, guest appearances, and special events. The TriMedia Film Festival has an innovative “tri-media” focus, with independent film, TV pilots/specials, and live theatre, rated a PG-13 or equivalent rating limit, and screenings and exhibit entries from all over the world. Festivities running September 11-13 in Fort Collins, open with a Double Feature and VIP Celebrity Party. At the West Coast Documentary and Reality Conference in Santa Monica, there are two areas of professional interest that are designated: The Documentary Village and The Reality Village. The third day of the conference, which runs September 14-16, will be entirely devoted to PitchFest, a live presentation for Documentary and Reality producers to pitch new concepts to network and development executives for potential acquisition. At a Film Finance Forum East, set to run September 16-17 in New York, speaking faculty discuss how to minimize risk when financing films; provide the latest updates on tax incentives and tax credits; address financing strategies and structures; and address effective distribution trends and brand integration resources to lower costs and increase revenue streams.

The Florida Media Market, September 16-20 in Orlando, is an annual market for film, documentary, television and media deal-making whose goal is to educate and build a platform where independent film and media makers meet with international buyers, distributors and production companies to buy, sell and network. Rosanne Cash will be the subject of the Americana Music Association’s Festival & Conference 2009 Keynote Interview, conducted by author/journalist Michael Streissguth, when the Convention gathers in Nashville, September 16-19. The First Annual Martha’s Vineyard Songwriters Festival, running September 18-19, will combine pop and country BMI hit makers in exclusive live music lineups and intimate settings, adopting the same approach of the Key West Songwriters Festival. Formerly known as IFP Market, Independent Film Week is an ongoing showcase in New York for the discovery of new projects in development and new voices on the independent film scene. From September 19-24, among conference highlights, are select scenes from IFP’s Independent Filmmaker Labs uncovering next year’s film festival circuit from IFP’s Documentary & Narrative Rough Cut Labs. The New York Television Festival is held annually each fall (September 21-26) in New York City, and along with the Independent Pilot Competition, the Festival features panel discussions, premiere screenings, and other special events designed to honor television as an institution and art form. The International Bluegrass Music Association presents its annual business conference for the bluegrass music industry with artist showcases, an exhibit hall with more than 100 booths, professional development seminars, member constituency meetings, and more, all happening September 28 through October 4 in Nashville. The Business of Entertainment is a two-part workshop on September 30 in Minneapolis that addresses: “Best Practices in Production Payroll Management,” outlining best practices in production payroll management; and “Before The Camera Rolls”, an interactive primer on production scheduling and budgeting.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the “Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events” page. Video and podcast versions of this news summary are also available at popular video sites around the Web like MySpace, YouTube, Daily Motion, as well as on The Actor’s Checklist podcast blog. Follow the posting of the news summary on Twitter at: twitter.com/actorschecklist. This month on the video news summary you will again see a dynamic array of artists in performance of film and music. These videos are now available on the Free Home Video Showcase which now serves as an archive for all past video presentations but without the audio news narration. The Actor’s Checklist is proud announce the return of the photo gallery which you can visit to upload valuable head shots or other photos of your choice, create profiles, and use your pictures or others found on the gallery as ecards which you can email to friends and associates with messages.

Find More Music News Articles

A studio consists of a recording room where the instruments are played and a control room where the equipments for capturing of music are placed. It is just not the technology but the human expertise, which makes the New York City recording studio the place of choice for all music aspirants.

Technology has certainly opened up a field that was once closed and could be accessed only by a few lucky ones. A few courageous people somehow managed to make their entry into the coveted zone of professional studio. New York city recording studio is famous for their cutting edge technology utilized in recording music. These studios offer best services to the users like vintage gears, consoles, abundant mics and outboard along with on-site maintenance. Recording studio New York City has engineers waiting on the wings, to fix any technical problems that arise. Music artists and the producers always have a wide range of needs depending on their tracks. These solutions, to meet urgent musical and acoustic needs are always ready at hand, courtesy the recording studio New York City.

Another key differentiator, while selecting a recording studio in New York City is availability of vocal production, which will help the audience to identify, the vocal part of the song. To spruce up the skills of the singers, a vocal coach is ready for consultation to help in create all the vocal parts and harmonies. Even the artists recording their songs at some place else, return back to the New York city recording studio for the vocal production, because of the expertise available. Few of the New York City recording studios also offers extra musicians whenever the projects require, at an extra cost.

The New York City recording studio has a fully expandable and completely integrated digidesign protocols HD3 accel system, which have a large digidesign digital work surface. These equipments are best suited for radio, television, film postproduction and music. Recording studio New York City also boasts of a tech savvy software professionals and plug-in list. CD Mastering is one of the options offered by the New York City recording studio. CD mastering is the final dimension in recording for a song or album that will help grab the listener’s attention. The usual time taken for mastering a CD, containing about 14 songs, will take some where between 5-8 hours time.

The New York City recording studio has the facility to accommodate a complete band. In a well-equipped studio for playing in the best signal chains with good isolation and acoustics, headphone mixes, in order to produce world-class music. Recording studio New York city offers the best experience with the best of human and technology advantage for its exclusive clientele. There are many artists, which the recording studio New York City has given the elusive big break. In case one wants to launch his/her career in music, this is the place to be.

For a budding artist in New York, New York recording studio provides all the assistance required. Contact our recording studio New York to record your songs and tracks. Call us now for details.

Music Universe, Music Mind: Revisiting the Creative Music Studio, Woodstock, New York

Scott Hamilton has been a super star in the Jazz genre for quite a while now and Back In New York is an excellent illustration as to why.

Back In New York is a pleasantly varied, mix of 1 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly superb artist. With many of the songs displaying a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Seemingly drawing from what I can only imagine are him own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions like love, and the pain of failed relationships can certainly be heard.

Overall Back In New York is an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up and is most definitely a worthy addition to any Jazz collection. Truly an outstanding Jazz CD. One of those that is completely void of any wasted time, as each track is simply superb.

While this entire CD is really very good some of my favorites are track 4 – I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face, track 7 – Bouncing With Bud, and track 10 – I’ve Just Seen Her

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – What Is This Thing Called Love. This is a great track!

Back In New York Release Notes:

Scott Hamilton originally released Back In New York on April 5, 2005 on the Concord Jazz label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. What Is This Thing Called Love 2. Wonder Why 3. Blue ‘N’ Boogie 4. I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face 5. Lullaby Of The Leaves 6. Fine And Dandy 7. Bouncing With Bud 8. Love Letters 9. This Is Always 10. I’ve Just Seen Her

Personnel: Scott Hamilton (tenor saxophone); Bill Charlap (piano); Peter Washington (double bass); Kenny Washington (drums). Recording information: Nola Studios, New York, New York (2004).

Q:  What is the Watchcuff Shirt?

A:  The Watchcuff is the newest and most innovative men’s shirt to hit the urban market and the men’s fashion world. It’s more then a shirt, it’s a luxury item, it’s that pool, it’s that mansion, it’s the marble floors you truly want. We are ushering in a new dress code for the urban market, we are taking everyone out of hoodies and jerseys and upgrading their attire and life style with the Watchcuff Shirt.

Q:  What does Watchcuff represent and who is it for?

A:  Watchcuff represents upscale living.  It is for the men out there who are successful and who aren’t afraid to show it.  It’s for the Diddys, the Jigga’s, the shot callers and the ballers.  It’s for the people who love living luxuriously.

Q:  What is your involvement with the Watchcuff Brand?

A:  I will be Blinging the Watchcuff Shirts by recording 3 Hip Hop songs for the Watchcuff Brand.  “My Watchcuff Blinging” is the first song that will launch the Watchcuff Brand and it is now available for free download from my website or myspace page which has attracted over 3 Million plays so far. Two other songs will then follow:  “Watchcuff Blinging On Me” and “Oh My Watchcuff”. I will also produce videos and photos, as well as, serve as the Watchcuff spokes model which can be seen on my website as well. Additional music by C.James is also available on iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody and Amazon MP3.

Q:  What is your favorite song quote from your song “My Watchcuff Blinging”?

A: My favorite quote; I would say is, “My Watchcuff Blinging, celly phone ringing, I’m a busy man mami, if you really want it then bring it” that’s my favorite quote from the song, it just sums what Watchcuff is all about. Being busy, making moves, always on the go.

I continue on saying, “I got the maybach outside, do you feel what I’m spitting?

I got the bezel on the sleeve; don’t you see how I’m living? This is luxury baby …”           

That’s a hot line…

 Q:  What is unique about Watchcuff?

 A:  The unique thing about the Watchcuff shirt is that it allows you to tell the time without having to roll up your sleeve.  You don’t have to hide that expensive watch that you are wearing, you can wear it on your sleeve and everybody will be able to see it. Really why hide it….

Q:  How did C. James and Watchcuff come together?

A:  I just finished recording a 16 track album called “Who Should I Sign To” which is now available on Itunes, Napster, Rhapsody, Amazon MP3 and I was looking for a Public Relations company to help publicize my music.  I had my contact inform me about Transmedia, a highly reputable PR company that has been in the PR business for 25 years.  I sent my press kit to Thomas Madden the chairman and founder of so that he could take a look at it and right away he loved it.  Thomas then had Transmedia contact me with an offer that I couldn’t refuse.  He wanted to Bling the Watchcuff Shirts with my raps. We then paired innovative music with an innovative clothing design and it was a perfect fit.   Now they call me “The Ambassador of Luxury” 

Q:  Where can we check out the Watchcuff clothing line and the Watchcuff songs?

A:  You can check out the Watchcuff clothing line  and download the Watchcuff songs at:  http://myspace.com/thewathcuff

Q:  Is there anywhere else we can go to find out more about you and Watchcuff?

A:  Yes, C. James & Watchcuff have also been featured on:

Forbes New York Times

TSN sports network,

Fox News,

NBC,

Yahoo,

CBS,

Channel Six News,

Business First, Eye Witness News,

Business Journal,

Music Industry Today,  

Channel 3 News,

Toronto Seekers,

Fox Business,

Market Watch and more.

 Q:  So what’s next for the Watchcuff Brand?

A:  Right now we are looking to license the Watchcuff Brand to Hip Hop Clothing Companies such as Phat Farm, Enyce, Rocawear and Sean John we are also in talks with other Hip-Hop clothing manufactures as well.

The Watchcuff TM Shirt holds International patents in 9 Major countries and it is backed by billionaire Carl DeSantis who is the formal owner of Rexall Sundown Vitamins. So you know it’s going to be big!

Q:  What are your final thoughts about the Watchcuff Brand?

 A:  It’s an innovative shirt paired with innovative music.  The Watchcuff Shirt will be worn by everyone and will take every city by storm.  Watchcuff and C. James are a perfect fit. Watch out for Watchcuff!  Now go get your Watchcuff Blinging!

 Download the Watchcuff Song: http://www.zshare.net/audio/15618638fc9091eb/

 For More information contact or media content:

Kevin Hodge

Email: kr.hodge@gmail.com