WAMA News Home Page April/May 1996 Pg-1

DC NARAS Chapter Promised

In a dramatic shift in position, Mike Greene, President of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), announced that Washington would have a NARAS Chapter. The announcement was made during a reception at Washington's Hard Rock Cafe, attended by Mayor Marion Barry, Jane Alexander, and Washington music industry leaders.

For the many in attendance who had worked for more than two years to establish a Chapter, the news came as a welcome surprise. Greene stated that Washington would have a Chapter as soon as it was established that there were 200 NARAS members in the region. It is estimated that the region already has the required number of members.

Greene further stated that NARAS is renewing its commitment to the Mid-Atlantic Branch. NARAS members in the Mid-Atlantic Branch, which currently includes Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, will now be eligible for self-paid health insurance benefits through the HMO organized by the MusiCares Foundation, a NARAS supported charity. Emergency Assistance programs and Intervention Services are also available through the MusiCares Foundation.

Monk Jazz Saxophone Competition

The Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition has been set for November 23rd and 25th, 1996 in Washington, DC. Prizes range from $20,000 for First Place to $5,000 for Third Place. Fifty percent of each prize will go directly toward the winner's musical studies, and remaining prize monies may go towards music education expenses or promotional expenses.

The Semi-Finals are set for November 23rd at Baird Auditorium, with Finals scheduled for November 25 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Also scheduled on November 25th is the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and BMI International Jazz Composers Competition. For more information, contact the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz at (202) 364-7272, or by fax at (202) 364-0176.

11th WAMA Crosstown Jam

New life, new leaves and a brand new Crosstown Jam spring up this month. The Washington Area Music Association presents its 11th Annual Crosstown Jam April 21 through April 28, an event that both showcases Washington area talent and raises funds for WAMA and area charities.

The Jam's Kick Off Party will swing at the Hard Rock Cafe on Sunday, April 21, 9 P.M. with Rock/Pop Wammie nominees The Emptys and Contemporary Jazz artists the Impresarios. For the first time, the Kick Off Party will be open to the general public. April 22 through 28 will bring a sampling of music stretching from Rockabilly to Rap, Alternative Rock to Country, Hip Hop to Folk, Celtic/Irish to Metal.

New clubs involved in the Jam's 11th incarnation include Whitlow's On Wilson, Underground Railroad, Planet Nova and the Alamo. Taking a stand at the Alamo are Washington's Women of Country Darren DeFoore, Melinda Root, Angie Miller, Marge Calhoun, Pam Hobby, Fannie Zollicoffer and Colleen Shanley. Mary Chapin Carpenter beats out these fine singer/songwriters for a Wammie every year; undaunted they hold forth in their quest, their cry is heard, Remember the Alamo! Wednesday April 24.

Highlights in the Jam include: Jazz great Buck Hill performing at One Step Down Lounge; Toni Blackman, founder of the Freestyle Union cipher and Wammie Award recipient for Community Achievement 1995, weaves her rhymes at the Underground Railroad; Blues/Rock providers, the Danny Morris Band at the Vienna Tap & Grille; The Nighthawks take a break from non-stop touring to perform at Twist & Shout; Back from Austin, Texas, Tom Principato headlines the Blues night slated at Whitlow's On Wilson; Alternative rockers Jimmie's Chicken Shack will play Planet Nova.

Pediatric AIDS/HIV Care, Inc., The DC Reclaim Our Youth Crusade - Juvenile Diversion, Friends of the National Zoo and WAMA are the beneficiaries of the 1996 Crosstown Jam. All Event Passes are available for $17.50 at ProTix and at participating clubs on Jam nights. Complete listings are available online at CrosstownArts.com.