Hi everyone,

After a lingering winter, Spring is finally here!
It's about time!

It was nice to see so many of you in Seattle at
Jazz Alley last week for Aaron's debut Seattle
performance with the Terence Blanchard Quintet.  I
think he really feels a part of the band now.
They even played one of his tunes (Mean Madam
Mim), which was a lot of fun for him.

April is heating up also, with performances in and
out of state.  The first is on April 6 in Denver
with the Terence Blanchard Quintet, followed by a
tribute to Billie Holiday at Carnegie Hall on
April 22.  The next night, Aaron will play his
senior recital at the Manhattan School of Music,
where he will invite several musicians to join
him.

Looking ahead to May, the Quintet will be playing
in Virginia around May 2 and at Jazzfest and other
New Orleans venues around May 3-4.  Also, keep an
eye out for two performances at the Edmonds Jazz
Connection in Edmonds, Washington--first with
Aaron's trio on Friday night, May 24 and then with
the Terence Blanchard Quintet on Saturday night,
May 25.  Joining Aaron in the trio will be
Terence's bassist and drummer, Derek Nievergelt
and Eric Harland, respectively.  That weekend will
be a great opportunity to catch Aaron back-to-back
as a band leader playing mostly originals and then
as a sideman for Terence Blanchard.

Anja is doing great as well, performing regularly
with La Guardia High School ensembles and the New
York All City Jazz Band.  She recently performed
in a multi-media tribute to Duke Ellington,
narrated by Mercedes Ellington, Duke's
granddaughter.  There is talk that they may take
the dance/film/musical showcase on the road, which
would be lots of fun.  Coming up on April 13, is
the Senior Concert Band Spring concert, where Anja
will play the solo trumpet part for Aaron
Copeland's trumpet concerto, Quiet City.

You can also catch La Guardia's Jazz Band at the
Essentially Ellington Competition at Lincoln
Center on May 11, as they are one of 15 finalists
from around the country selected to compete,
including 3 Seattle bands!  The word around here
is "What's in the water out there?"  Those of us
with connections to Washington Middle School know
very well what's in the water:  Robert Knatt!  By
the way, Paul de Barros just wrote a wonderful
article about Mr. Knatt in the Seattle Times
(March 31, Arts section).  More details on future
performances to come.

Here are the details for April:

April 6   7:30 pm

    Terence Blanchard Quintet
    Metropolitan State College of Denver
    Concert Hall Kenneth King Center
    855 Lawrence Way
    Denver, Colorado (303) 556-5300
    Tickets:  $20 general/$10 students & seniors

April 13   7:30 pm

    La Guardia Concert Band
    Including "Quiet City," Anja Parks, solo trumpet
    La Guardia High School
    65th Street & Amsterdam
    New York, NY
    Tickets at the door

April 22   8:00 pm

    Terence Blanchard Quintet and Broadway singers
    Broadway Salutes Billie Holiday
    Carnegie Hall
    57th & 7th Avenue
    New York, NY  (212) 247-7800
    Tickets:  $21 & $30

April 23   8:00 pm

    Aaron Parks Trio with special guests
    Graduation Recital
    Manhattan School of Music
    122nd Street & Broadway
    Meyers Studio, Room 234
    New York, NY
    Free

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