New Releases

• Full Circle, Bob Orr's latest release has been picked up for distribution by Direct Records. The album's title cut is currently receiving air play on the local National Public Radio station, Smooth Jazz WJZW-FM and WPFW-FM.
• Union Records will soon release a new album by big voice jazz singer Sharon Clarke. The straight-ahead jazz standards disc, recorded by Gantt Kushner at Gizmo Studios, inaugurates the label's 200 series which will strictly release studio produced recordings. To date Union Records 100 series has released two live recordings, Peter Fraize's You St. and 3LG's Live at State of the Union.
• Beth "Bakin' Soda" Fomukong and Cheryl "Ruffstar" Frazer, known as the hip-hop duo Two Unique, are finishing their nine-track EP, Skills and Attitude for a late September release on Unique Recordings. Producers include Bruce "Kool Aid" Gardner, Aaron Burroughs, James "Wiz" Hardy, Adrian "Mac" Barnes, Tony Weldon, and Djinji Brown (Jungle Brothers, Supernatural). The duo represented D.C. in July at Toronto's CELAFI Festival.
• John Cocuzzi and the Swing Professors released their CD Fool's Paradise at the Basin Street Lounge in Alexandria.
• Puzzle Head released seven new songs on a promotional cassette for their upcoming album.
• Hot Soup!, the Maryland-based vocal trio formerly known as Ribaudo, Trainor & Muir, released their self-titled recording on the SOUPer Music label. The release features guest performances by Marcy Marxer, Carolyn Surrick, Tommy Cecil, Rick Schmidt, and Paul Watson.
• Gogh Van Gogh has released its debut CD Vitamin G, which includes material from their 1995 7" EP Louder. The album was recorded at Avalon Sound Studios and was produced by Steve Murphy.
• Baltimore based band Compression has been signed to Tolerance Records, who will be distributing the band's CD throughout Europe and Japan.
• The Huge released Different Enough But Not the Same a pop/rock effort issued on the Green Goose Records label. The 11 track album includes a rocking Freddy Action Hero written by the four piece group. The album was engineered by Doug Johnston at Cue Recording.
• Everyday at Six, a Baltimore/Philadelphia based ska/reggae/hip-hop band released a CD entitled What Teenagers Want To Know. The band is represented by Rock Whirled Music Management.
• Essential Acoustic Guitar CD Recordings - Acoustic Guitar magazine included Tom Prasada-Rao's The Way of the World and Al Petteway's cooperative release A Scottish Christmas in its guide to "the essential acoustic guitar CD recordings of the past year." Writer James Jensen describes Prasada-Rao as a "triple threat" a vocalist, songwriter and guitarist. "His soulful timbre and vocal range are a cut above the norm in the singer/songwriter genre." Danny Carnahan says of Al Petteway, "one of the prettiest tracks is Petteway's fingerpicked duet with uilleann piper Eric Rigler on the rare 17th century carol Baloo Lammy. Prasada-Rao's album was released on AHIMSA Acoustics and Petteway's is on the Maggie's Music label.
• Jeff Muller presents his debut CD Jes Grew. Recorded at Timm Biery's Audio Artistry studio in Beltsville from October 1994 to December 1996 the release features guest vocal performances by Tommy Lepson, Mary Ann Redmond, Eva Cassidy, Michael McHenry, Meg Murray, and Scott Carter. The CD includes instrumental contributions from many more, including Dave Detwiler, Timm Biery and John Jensen. Muller, a respected guitarist from the Baltimore-Washington area now living in New Orleans, composed the majority of the songs on the 11 cut album.
• Western and Eastern sounds compliment each other in John Wubbenhorst jazz/new age album Facing East. The master flautist joins with Sandip Burman on tabla, Lawson Knight on sarod, percussionist Saleem Wayne Waters and others in creating an eclectic musical style that appeals to the Western ear. Facing East was engineered at Cue Recording by Doug Johnston and at Adcamp Studio in New Delhi.
• Moon Doggies Spur's second album is 14 tracks of energetic rock and roll. The hard driving songs written, performed and produced by band members Scott Elliott, David Stockwell and Wayne Green were engineered by Don Zientara at Inner Ear Studios in Arlington.
• Cloud Cover is Janet Martin's new album for the Richmond-based Planetary Records label. The 12 track CD produced by the group's bassist Mic Muller brings out the best in Martin. Her assertive voice shows an underlying vulnerability reminiscent of a cross between Bonnie Raitt and Mary Chapin Carpenter. The album was engineered by Mike Snyder and John Morand at Sound of Music Studios in Richmond.
• The group non-fiction which includes Meg Murray on vocals has released its first CD Majesty Twelve. Song writing ability is the group's strenght and Murray's voice is promising. Produced by bassist Anthony Setola, the album was recorded by Dave Barber at the Eastport Clipper nightclub and at Big Bang Audio in Baltimore.
• Al Petteway has a new album Caledon Wood released on the Maggie's Music label. The Celtic-inspired new age sounding CD includes appearances by Eric Rigler, Bonnie Rideout and Amy White whose performance on Branches makes the cut one of the highlights of the album. Produced by Petteway and White, the album was engineered by Jim Robeson at Bias Recording.
• Darkangeles has released Raygun on the Ultra Schang Records label. The five cut CD single-handley created by Arlin Godwin, who composed, performed, programmed and produced the dance/electronica centered CD, contains an especially appealing track titled Isabelle. Steve Snyder contributed the lyrics to the song What Does It Matter.
• The fun-time country/roots group Flatbroke has a new CD Flatbroke...and Proud of It! Released on the Karin Records label the album is mostly a compilation of covers such as Long White Cadillac and Red Hot. Flatbroke also includes an original composition Roll On Down the Line, a country styled tune, by the group's lead vocalist Buzz Ride. Produced by Paul Bell, Timm Biery and the group, the album was recorded at Audio Artistry Studios.

Seminars, Workshops, Conferences, Showcases, Grants & Contests

14th Annual Mid-Atlantic Songwriters Contest

Presented by BMI and the Songwriters Association of Washington, and sponsored by DiscMakers, Omega Recording Studios, TAXI, Songcasting, and Writer's Digest Books, the contest is the 3rd largest of its kind in the USA. There is a total of 10 categories and 20 winners, with prizes including a $1000 cash award, gift certificates, mastering services, TAXI Memberships, subscriptions and more. The deadline for entries is September 13. For more information, contest rules, or to enter, call 1-800-218-5996.

Campus Campfire

Campus Campfire, a song camp weekend conceived by songwriters Charles John Quarto (Waylon Jennings, The Band) and Paul Reisler (Trapezoid), takes place on Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Washington, VA. Equal emphasis will be placed on writing music and creating lyrics with sessions in melody, rhythm, harmonic structure and more. Early registration cost is $110, after Oct. 1 attendance fee increases to $125. Inexpensive housing is available. Contact Bill Parsons at 202/ 986-2387 for details and reservations.

Trischka 101

The Capital Area Bluegrass and Old-time Music Association (CABOMA) presents banjo legend Tony Trischka in an all-day workshop on Saturday, October 25 starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Vienna. All levels of banjo players are welcomed. Registration fee is $60, call Dave Schenkman at 301/ 274-3441for reservation and information. Regular CABOMA meetings take place on the second and fourth Sundays of each month at the Lyon Park Community Center located on the corner of Pershing Drive and North Fillmore St. in Arlington. The pickin' runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and participants can join in the jam or enjoy the music.

Recital Competition

The Montpelier Cultural Arts Center invites classical musicians to enter its 1998-99 recital competition. Winners will perform during the Center's 98-99 seasons and receive a $400 honorarium. To enter, a ten minute demonstration cassette and a completed application, which can be obtained by calling 301/ 953-1993, is required. Application deadline is Oct. 15, 1997.

Cooler Than You

Music Choice Unsigned is looking for independent bands to play on its digital audio music show. The program, run by Jay Hardin of the Local Music Store (LMS), transmits daily as part of the digital audio service that accompanies Direct TV on Music Choice's channel 30 starting at 11 p.m. Groups played on Music Choice Unsigned will be considered for inclussion in Cooler Than You, a bi-monthly A&R tipsheet and compilation CD distributed by LMS. Bands should send a CD or 7" to 2800 Juniper St. #1 Fairfax, Va 22031.

Philadelphia Music Conference

Philadelphia Music Conference '97, a music industry showcase and seminar, is scheduled for November 5-8. Bands interested in showcasing should email info@gopmc.com or call 215/ 587-9550 for an application. WAMA members are entitled to 15% off the applicable basic registration rate. To receive the discount contact Prudence at 215-587-7121. For more information on the conference visit their website at http://www.gopmc.com.

OB 101

Michael Oberman's Music Business Course (now in its 14th year) will be taught again around the middle of October. Oberman, a former music columnist for the Washington Star, has managed artists on PolyGram, United Artists and Capital Records along with acts on a number of independent labels. Among other things, his course covers management, booking, record companies, contracts, promotion, distribution, publishing and careers in the music business. A member of WAMA's advisory board, Oberman offers a 10% discount to WAMA members for both his course and his private consulting. He can be reached at (202)244-1065.

Women in Hip Hop Conference

A "Women in Hip Hop Conference" is scheduled for Sept. 27 at the State of the Union nightclub starting at 9 a.m. The all day event, sponsored by My Sister's Place, Sisterspace & Books Inc. and Strictly For Da Underground Promotions Inc., will address issues pertinent to women who are trying to succeed in the male dominated hip hop arena. Proceeds from the event will benefit My Sister's Place and the African American Women's Resource Center. A pre-conference showcase featuring D.C.'s women of hip hop is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 26 at State of the Union. Call Wanjiru Chege for details at 202/ 321-7338.

Lyric Workshop

The Songwriters' Association of Washington presents a lyric workshop with writer Pat Pattison on Saturday and Sunday Sept 20 and 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the George Mason Law School in Room #304. Patterson's writings have appeared in Home & Studio Recording Magazine and Performing Songwriter. Advance tickets are $75, call SAW at 301/ 654-8434 for additional information.

Grammy Showcase

The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences is now accepting entries for the Grammy Showcase. 75 unsigned bands will be selected to perform in one of 15 local showcases in January of 1998. A&R reps from major and indie labels, agents, signed musicians, managers, radio execs and other industry professionals will judge each showcase. Five showcasing bands will travel all expenses paid to perform at the national Grammy Showcase during Grammy week. There is no fee to enter, deadline for entry is Sept. 15, 1997. For more information, 1-800-544-8991, or http://www.showcase.grammy.com .

JazzTimes Convention

The '97 JazzTimes Convention will be held at the Sheraton Meadowlands in New Jersey on November 5-8. The conference will feature live performances, panels, workshops, and exhibits. For more information contact JazzTimes at (301)588-4114, ext.10

KYMA Sound Design Workstation

Musicians Stanley Cowell and Jane Ira Bloom will demonstrate the KYMA Sound Design Workstation, a system used by sound designers and composers who need to design new sounds requiring a fine degree of realtime control, on December 5 at the John Addison Concert Hall in Fort Washington Md. starting at 1 p.m. The duo will specifically address how they applied KYMA for a musical piece that they will debut at the concert hall on December 6 at 8 p.m. with guest appearances by Stanley Turrentine and Bruce Williams. Admission to the workshop is $5, concert admission is $15. Call 301/ 292-8331 for tickets or more information.

Country Breeze's 14 Year Anniversary

Country Breeze Records based in Kansas City is looking for material for its upcoming compilation CD. The 14 track album will be divided into 7 gospel tracks and 7 country tracks. The release is intended to help celebrate Country Breeze's 14 year anniversary and will be circulated to radio stations in the U.S. and abroad. There is no charge to appear on the compilation, but there is a judging process. Songs must be studio produced and all writers and publishers listed. Send a tape by Sept. 30 to Country Breeze Records 1715 Marty, Kansas City, KS 66103 or call 913/722-5780 for more information.

East Coast Jazz Festival

The 7th Annual East Coast Jazz Festival will be held Feb. 13-15, 1998 at the Doubletree Hotel in Rockville. The festival will feature over 40 hours of Acoustic Be-bop, Swing, Latin & Blues performances, as well as exhibits, workshops, open jam sessions and scholarship competitions. For more information, contact the Fish Middleton Jazz Scholarship Fund at (301)933-1822 or look them up at www.eastcoastjazz.com/festival/

My Sister's Place Benefit

My Sister's Place will host a benefit concert featuring Mary Pat Hughes and 2 Funkin' Heavy on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Clarendon Grill starting at 9 p.m. The show follows a national march and rally meant to bring awareness to domestic violence issues. Advance tickets are $15 or $20 at the door, call 202/ 529-5020 ext 3 to order.

Kennedy Center Open House
Features WAMA Stage

Every year the Kennedy Center showcases dozens of artists, both regional and national during its annual Open House. The WAMA Stage on the River Terrace at this year's Kennedy Center Open House will showcase the acoustic-centered Pat McGee Band, the four woman R&B group Pure Soul, country singer Darren DeFoore, roots rock group The Grandsons, and the African Music Ambassadors. Open House is scheduled for Sept. 7 starting at noon with the circus featured on the mainstage.

DC Landmarks

Petitto's Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Petitto's, now 20 years old, is located in a turn-of-the-century brownstone on Connecticut Ave. in Woodley Park. Along with Italian cuisine and wine-tasting, Petitto's also features opera. Every Friday, soprano Diane Abel and alternating tenors Chris Petrucelli, Antonio Giuliano, and Tony Torchia join piano accompianist Alice Mikolajewski in famous arias during an intimate presentation in the private upstairs dining room. Petitto's has been hosting opera in the upstairs room for almost three years.

Straight From the Street Newszine

Straight From the Street newszine celebrated its 6th anniversary this past July. The nationally distributed publication started by CEO/Publisher Malcolm Alexander hosted a series of events to commemorate the date including a company picnic and a music industry showcase and forum which included panelists hip hoper DJ Kool, R&B vocalists Pure Soul and manager James Nichols.

Memories Receive Maryland Governor's Citation

On June 7, 1997 Governor Paris Glendening presented the Maryland State Governor's Citation to the doo-wop group the Memories, in appreciation for their forty years of performing. The Memories, who have received citations from two previous governors, were also approached by the Vocal Group Hall of Fame located in Sharon, PA, who requested the group's stage outfits and recordings from the 50's and 60's. The memorabilia will be displayed in the new regional Hall of Fame building, scheduled to open in late September.

Omega Recording Studios

Two albums recorded at Omega Recording Studios by the Taliesin Orchestra conducted by Charles Sayre of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra have charted on Billboard's Classical Crossover list.

The Taliesin Orchestra, composed of some of the finest classical musicians in the Washington area including bassist Jon Nazdin, keyboardist Trammell Starks and violinist Robert Spates, recorded Orinoco Flow: The Music Of Enya and Forbidden Forest: Impressions of George Winston. Engineers on the projects include Eric Lemley and Bill Allgood.

Also at Omega, the Richard Smallwood Singers completed its upcoming Christmas album with producer Roger Holmes and engineer Eric Lemley. WHFS's "Just Passing Through" series recorded at Omega included national artists Local H, Tonic and the Verve Pipe.

Recording

Wired for Sound recording artist Ingrid Blazer is now in the studio working on a follow-up to her debut single, Vanity. For more info visit http://www.dumbluck.com.

• 1996 Kerrville New Folk Winner Jackie Tice has independently released her new CD, Blue Coyote. Produced by John Pearse, the CD features a full spectrum of folk-rock mixed with pop rhythms. The album also features guest appearances by Kevin Soffera, Al Guerrero, Bill Hall, Jesse Grim, Craig Kastelnik, and nationally-known mandolinist Barry Mitterhoff.
• Singer/actress Lysa Flores and filmaker Miguel Arteta came to town in mid-July promoting their new feature film Star Maps and met with WAMA board members at a special luncheon at the Hard Rock Cafe. Flores, who also served as the film's musical director plus wrote and sang Beg, Borrow and Steal in the film, performed a short solo set at the Hard Rock that afternoon. The film's soundtrack, released on Geffen Records, is helping to bring the rock en espanol a.k.a rocanrol music genre to a wider audience. Rock en espanol, once exclussively created by foreign acts, is now happening in the States with labels such as San Francisco's Aztlan Records, New York's Grita! and the mostly punk label Epitaph breaking Spanish-language and Spanglish bands in the American market.
• Shame, a Wyomissing, PA based band, recently finished their second release, Shades of Grey. The CD was recorded at The Green Room, and features guest vocal performances by Greg Riorden of Baltimore's Once Hush.
• Anson Smith Management in association with client, producer Roger Greenawalt and co-manager Michael Mistroff, have signed the band Product to Arista Records U.K. for a worldwide multi-album recording contract. The band's first singles are scheduled to be released in Europe this fall. Worldwide distribution of Product's debut album will follow several months thereafter. Product is a New York City based groove/dance oriented alternative rock band, fronted by 22 year old singer Melissa Lefton.