By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

Regina Carter (above) highlights the Civic Music Association’s 2008-2009 season, which kicks off in September at Drake University’s Sheslow Auditorium.

Jazz violinist to kickoff CMA series

Heralded jazz violinist Regina Carter will kickoff the Civic Music Association’s 84th season with a performance on Sept. 18 at Drake University’s Sheslow Auditorium. And officials with the CMA say her impressive resume and status as one of the most popular young violinists in modern music is indicative of the talented artists the CMA has booked for its 2008-2009 season, which includes classical and jazz concerts.

“I’m proud of the caliber of shows we’re able to offer this year,” said Carrie Clogg, the CMA’s new executive director. “Fans will get to see world-class musicians up close and in person at Sheslow Auditorium.”

Since taking over as the CMA’s executive director last May, Clogg said her main goal has been to increase the CMA’s fan base. In addition to catering to the group’s loyal, existing fan base, she hopes to draw younger fans to the series.

“I love the family we have, but I think there is a whole new audience that has yet to be introduced to our mission,” she said.

Part of the CMA’s mission is music education. In addition to the concerts, the CMA sponsors a free Partners in Music Education program that includes master classes for area students, public workshops and performances at local retirement homes.

Season subscriptions are available through the CMA’s office now located at 1620 Pleasant St., Suite 244 in Sherman Hills. Call 280-4020 or visit www.civicmusic.org. Special early-bird subscriptions prices starting at $95 are available until May 1. Single show tickets will go on sale this summer. All performances will be held at Sheslow Auditorium’s Jordan Stage.

Here’s the lineup:

• Regina Carter — Thursday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m. A proponent of the Suzuki method, Carter received a degree in music from Oakland University and studied at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston before pursuing a career in jazz. Fans took notice of the Detroit native’s career when she fronted the all-female jazz quintet Straight Ahead. She left the group shortly after three albums to pursue a solo career and also works as a music educator. Her latest album is 2006’s “I’ll Be Seeing You: A Sentimental Journey.”

• The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble — Friday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. Founded in 1967, this eight-player ensemble is dedicated to creating dynamic performances of larger chamber works without a conductor. Under the leadership of violinist Kenneth Sillito, the band has toured places as far away as Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan.

• Andreas Klein — Friday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m. German-born classical pianist Andreas Klein has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., London’s Wigmore Hall and Berlin’s Philharmonic Hall. The New York Times calls him “A fascinating artist with all the indispensable qualities: temperament, taste, touch, tone, the four T’s of pianism.”

• John Pizzarelli — Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, 7:30 p.m. Jazz guitarist-singer John Pizzarelli is known for his interpretation of jazz standards, but he also shares his passion for the genre by hosting a radio show entitled “Radio Deluxe” on nationally-syndicated radio, which he co-hosts with his wife and Broadway star, Jessica Molaskey.

• Byron Stripling Quartet — Friday, Jan. 27, 2009, 7:30 p.m. This jazz trumpeter is known for breathing new life into jazz standards, bebop, blues and gospel. He has worked with the Boston Pops Orchestra and serves as artistic director and conductor of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra.

• Georgia Guitar Quartet — Friday, April 17, 2009, 7:30 p.m. The Georgia Guitar Quartet — Kyle Dawkins, Brian Smith, Phil Snyder and Jason Solomon — wraps up the CMA’s 84th season with their high-energy classical blend of rock, jazz, bluegrass and Celtic tunes.

Scene notes

New Orleans jazz clarinetist and Xavier University music professor Dr. Michael White and his quartet play Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Drake University’s Sheslow Auditorium for the next installment of the Civic Music Association’s 2007-08 series. For tickets call 280-4020 or visit www.civicmusic.org. … Guitarist James Biehn and other local musicians will pay tribute to the Allman Brothers Band with a concert entitled “Southbound,” Saturday at 9:30 p.m. at the House of Bricks. Admission is $5. … The Greater Des Moines Music Coalition’s next Music University seminar will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the House of Bricks. “Getting on the Radio” is the topic and music directors will share how they choose what gets played on the radio and what musicians can do to increase their chances of getting airplay. Admission is free. ... The deadline for Iowa artists and arts organizations to apply for Major Grant funding from the Iowa Arts Council for fiscal year 2009 is April 1. Visit www.iowaartscouncil.org or call 242-6194. … An all-female tribute double album to Neil Young, “Cinnamon Girl,” covering Young’s music from 1969 to 1979, recently hit the shelves. Proceeds benefit a non-profit group that supports women with breast cancer. Contributing artists include Tanya Donelly, Kate York, Veruca Salt and Luff. … Tickets went on sale this week to Rothbury, the newest mega-rock music festival to be held July 3-6 in Rothbury, Mich. The four-day camping festival boasts an impressive lineup that includes the Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, John Mayer, 311, Phil Lesh and Friends, Modest Mouse, Primus, Snoop Dogg, Thievery Corporation, Gov’t Mule, The Black Keys, Drive-By Truckers and Jakob Dylan. Visit www.rothburyfestival.com or call (888) 512-SHOW. … Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, whose critically acclaimed, gold certified album “Raising Sand” continues to be a big seller, are on tour together this spring and summer. The closest show to Des Moines is June 19 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis. … Pollstar lists Patty Smyth and Scandal as playing the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 9; Amy Grant playing the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines on Sept. 20; and country music singer Phil Vassar performing at the Iowa Speedway in Newton that same day. … Dead at the age of 60: Former Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys drummer Buddy Miles died Feb. 26 at his home in Austin, Texas. He also recorded with Stevie Wonder, Electric Flag and Santana. And Christian rock pioneer Larry Norman, who died of heart failure at his home in Salem, Ore. His 1969 solo album, “Upon This Rock” was the first Christian rock record and his milestone 1972 release, “Only Visiting This Planet” is considered one of the best albums in the genre. … Also, blues-rock guitarist Jeff Healey, 41, died of cancer on Sunday at a hospital in Toronto. Blind since early childhood, Healey signed to Arista records in 1988 following his appearance in the movie “Road House.” … Some other music-movie news: Filmmaker Martin Scorsese, who produced the popular Bob Dylan bio-pic “No Direction Home,” and recently released the new Rolling Stones concert film, “Shine A Light,” will produce a film about the late reggae legend Bob Marley. … Pop singer Beyonce will play R&B legend Etta James in the 2009 film, “Cadillac Records.” The film, which also stars Cedric the Entertainer, focuses on the music scene in Chicago during the 1950s and includes portrayals of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and Elvis Presley. … Speaking of bygone eras of music being portrayed in film, Danny Glover and upcoming Austin bluesman Gary Clark Jr. co-star in the newly released John Sayles film “Honeydripper,” set in 1950s Alabama. CV

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