Former SST keyboard winner, Giorgi Mikadze, performs with Lee Ritenour in Israel!

Our 2014 Keyboard Winner, Giorgi Mikadze, will perform with Lee Ritenour in Israel. This marks the first time Lee will have performed in Israel making it a real special night.  We like to highlight the continued opportunities that come from being a Six String Winner!

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/Lee-Ritenour-ready-to-jazz-up-TA-451868

MJF_20140707_CLUB_LeeRitenour_DanielBalmat_L1000657

American Grammy award winning jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour will be performing in Israel for the first time on May 31 at Tel Aviv’s Reading 3. Known to fans as “Captain Fingers” for his uncommon dexterity on the guitar, Ritenour has recorded over 40 albums, with 35 chart songs, notably the Top 15 hit “Is It You,” which has become a contemporary jazz radio classic.

In the ’90s, Ritenour was a founding member of Fourplay, the most successful band in contemporary jazz, with keyboardist Bob James, bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason.

The first Fourplay album in 1991 spent an unprecedented 33 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s contemporary jazz chart.

Over the years, he has collaborated with an array of diverse artists such as George Benson, Vince Gill, Slash, Joe Bonamassa, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and even opera great Renee Fleming.

For the Tel Aviv show, Ritenour will be joined on stage by his band, including Ben Shephard on bass, Wesley Ritenour on drums and Giorgi Mikadze on keyboards.

For tickets visit www.eventim.co.il/ritenour.

Total Prize Package Worth Over $700,000

The total prize package for the 2016 competition is truly extraordinary… with 4 Berklee scholarships, international travel  and performance as well as domestic travel for recording and performing, plus instruments and prizes and priceless access and mentoring, it is a remarkable opportunity for the winners.

SST Prizes 2016

Competition registration open to May 15th!

Update:  The 2016 competition registration is going great and we have applicants from over 21 countries so far. There is still plenty of time to register with the deadline being May 15th. The judges have started reviewing (but not evaluating/judging) the first wave of applicants.  Get your videos ready today!

Winners Collage

Lee discusses competition, change in music industry, technology, mentoring and more

Lee Ritenour talks technology and social changes in the music business

“I take all these changes and try to embrace it. … If you try to stay in the past in the music business, you’re in trouble.”

Lee Ritenour is one of the most prolific and renowned artists in jazz. The legendary guitarist has charted over 30 contemporary jazz hits, has been awarded a Grammy, and has played with the crème de la crème of the music scene. We caught up with Lee Ritenour to talk about how he adapted to technology and social changes that disrupted the music business and were offered great insights and opinions.

VIDEO LINK:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnlekurJdvA

 

Lee Ritenour to perform at White House for International Jazz Day 2016!

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND MICHELLE OBAMA TO HOST INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY 2016 ALL-STAR GLOBAL CONCERT AT THE WHITE HOUSE FEATURING LEE RITENOUR, HERBIE HANCOCK, STING, ARETHA FRANKLIN, TROMBONE SHORTY, DIANA KRALL, AL JARREAU, HUGH MASEKELA, BUDDY GUY, CHICK COREA, WAYNE SHORTER, PAT METHENY AND MANY OTHERS

All-Star Global Concert Will Be Televised on ABC on April 30 for the Fifth Annual International Jazz Day Worldwide Celebration Recognizing Jazz and Its Significant Role in Cultural Diplomacy

Paris and Washington, D.C. – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock are pleased to announce the fifth annual International Jazz Day, which will be celebrated around the world on April 30, 2016President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will host the 5th anniversary International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert at the White House on April 29th and this spectacular event will be broadcast on International Jazz Day as a one-hour primetime ABC television special, “Jazz At The White House,” on Saturday evening, April 30th and streamed on the United Nations, UNESCO, U.S. State Department and White House websites. The concert will feature an extraordinary array of artists from around the world paying tribute to the truly American art form of jazz.

The All-Star Global Concert at the White House will feature stellar performances by Joey AlexanderTerence BlanchardKris BowersDee Dee BridgewaterTill Brönner,Terri Lyne CarringtonChick CoreaJamie CullumKurt EllingAretha Franklin,Robert GlasperBuddy GuyHerbie Hancock Dave HollandZakir HussainAl JarreauDiana KrallLionel LouekeHugh MasekelaChristian McBrideJohn McLaughlinPat MethenyMarcus MillerJames MorrisonDanilo PérezRebirth Brass BandDianne ReevesDavid Sánchez, Wayne Shorter,Esperanza SpaldingStingTrombone ShortyChucho ValdésBobby Watson, Ben Williams and others, with further details to be announced shortly. John Beasley will serve as the evening’s Musical Director.

Washington, D.C. has been selected to serve as the 2016 Global Host City, and International Jazz Day programs are made possible by Toyota, the 2016 Lead Partner. Presented each year on April 30th in partnership with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, International Jazz Day highlights the power of jazz as a force for freedom and creativity, promotes intercultural dialogue through respect and understanding, and unites people from all corners of the globe. The day is recognized on the official calendars of both UNESCO and the United Nations.

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock said, “We are thrilled that President Obama and Michelle Obama are hosting the International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert at the White House, and are truly grateful for their commitment to jazz and its role in building bridges and uniting people around the world. Over the past five years, the innovation and creativity of Jazz Day has been a beacon of light to millions of people who find common ground and communicate through the values inherent in jazz. On April 30th, people of all ages in all corners of the globe will participate in International Jazz Day. A wide range of momentous events will take place in thousands of neighborhoods – and the streets will be alive with the sounds of peace and freedom.”

Many acclaimed musicians and educators will participate in a daylong series of free jazz performances, master classes, improvisational workshops, roundtable discussions, education programs, jam sessions, and community outreach initiatives at schools, embassies, arts centers, hospitals, museums, social service agencies, jazz clubs, senior centers, metro stations, recreation centers and parks across Washington, D.C. on April 30th. These programs in Washington, D.C. will be among the thousands of International Jazz Day live performances, educational activities, and community service programs taking place in all 50 U.S. states and in more than 190 countries on all seven continents.

“Jazz was born in the US and traveled the world as a music of tolerance, freedom and human dignity. This is why UNESCO created International Jazz Day and we are extremely pleased that in 2016 Washington, DC has been designated the host city for this global celebration, with a unique All Star Concert at the White House, hosted by the President of the United States Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. This event reminds us Jazz is more than music – it is a universal message of peace with rhythm and meaning,” declared the Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova.

The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz is once again working with UNESCO and its field offices, national commissions, networks, Associated Schools, universities and institutes, public radio and public television stations, and NGOs to ensure their involvement and participation in International Jazz Day 2016. Additionally, in countries throughout the world, libraries, schools, universities, performing arts venues, community centers, artists, and arts organizations of all disciplines will be celebrating the day through presentations, concerts, and other jazz-focused programs.

According to Tom Carter, President of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, “International Jazz Day places a strong emphasis on education programs and community service. Many of these worldwide programs are now provided year-round in big cities, small towns, and even remote villages. It is a testament to all those involved with International Jazz Day that we are reaching people on every continent, including some of the most vulnerable and challenged individuals and communities.”

As part of the International Jazz Day worldwide celebration, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz will launch Math, Science & Music, a groundbreaking education platform with free, engaging curricula, games, apps and other online elements that use music as a tool to teach math and science to K-12 and college students. The program will address the growing need for students to gain skills and knowledge in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects and learn to think creatively. The Institute is collaborating with international math, science and music experts at seven leading universities to develop the program, which initially will be offered in English, and in later years will be available in other United Nations languages. Math, Science & Music will debut earlier in the week on Tuesday, April 26 at a presentation at the U.S. Department of Education hosted by Secretary of Education John King.

For more information about International Jazz Day and to register events on the official website, please visit www.jazzday.com or www.unesco.org/jazzday.

###

Sponsors

Join The Mailing List