LifeForcejazz

| Various articles | 2004-11-09

Wellness & Music Throughout a career that spanned over fifty years, Billy Higgins participated in much of the innovative music classified as jazz. His list of accomplishments as a performing artist and his vast discography contributed to many of the new concepts and directions in jazz, putting him in demand amongst peers and supporters of creative music. Billy?s rise to legendary status was augmented by his commitment to presenting and promoting the music in grassroots communities throughout the world. In the Leimert Park area of Los Angeles California, during the late 1980?s, Billy Higgins and poet Kamau Da?ood founded The World Stage, roughly 600 square feet of performance space presenting professional and aspiring artists from all disciplines. Dedicated to seeking out and preparing "young lions" for successful careers as jazz artists, Billy recruited composer/woodwind specialist Dawan Muhammad to manage production projects. The World Stage soon gained a reputation worldwide for developing and attracting jazz giants. The popularity also drew attention to many lesser-known jazz artists deserving of wider recognition, and in 1994 gave rise to LifeForcejazz, a nonprofit collective of jazz artists with a record label and impressive catalog of rare recordings. Billy?s charisma and natural leadership encouraged and inspired the artists, and Dawan managed the organization?s administration, programs and services, including the record label. Since Billy?s passing in 2001, Dawan has maintained the operation and continued to pursue the vision of establishing a network of community-based organizations with jazz exchange programs throughout the country. LifeForcejazz artists share holistic approaches to creative music, focusing on the spiritual and therapeutic benefits rather than commercial potential. While we appreciate its entertainment value, we are also dedicated to presenting jazz as America?s National Treasure and a major source for cultural enrichment. Thus, we welcome opportunities to collaborate with artists and organizations identifying with our vision. As a result, we are proud to announce the establishment of LifeForcejazz Latino, a division headed up by Bobby Matos and Ismael ?East? Carlo, producers of the exciting new release ?Made By Hand.? Since Latin music and it?s African roots are integral parts of jazz,we are looking forward to expanding audiences and further exploring the healing nature of creative music. Please visit our website at www.lifeforcejazz.com and let us know what you think! AbdulMuqaddim

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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
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EJN - Europe Jazz Network - Europe-wide association of producers and presenters of creative jazz and improvised musics
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