Jazz News that You Can Use ~ May 11, 2011

There's news about two unexpected deaths of jazz musicians (one sounds like a homicide!), information about the festivals in High Point (NC), Brecon (UK), the Blue Note Jazz festival, the XRIJF, Pat Metheny and more! 

General News

• UK magazine Jazzwise announced that Pat Metheny will release a solo album entitled "What's It All About" on 21st June 2011 (NoneSuch Records). 
• Disturbing news from Brooklyn, NY - Jazz musician Stanley Wright, who performed under the name of Suleiman-Hakim, was found dead stuffed in a storage trunk in the basement of his house. 
• More news of an unexpected death, this time in Johannesburg, South Africa - Acclaimed saxophonist and flutist Zim Ngqawana died Monday evening at the age of 52.
• DJ Premier contributes to the anticipated L.A. Noire: Remixed EP.

Brecon, UK

•  Location, transport and accommodations for Brecon Jazz Festival 2011, August 12th-14th. 

High Point, North Carolina 

• High Point City Council has decides to give financial support to the first International John Coltrane Jazz and Blues Festival.

Miami-Dade County, Florida area 

• MLB team Florida Marlins pitch in to help 2 local jazz bands get to the Essentially Ellington High School Competition in New York City.

Midland, Texas

• West Texas Jazz Society presents Collaboration 2011: 45th annual West Texas Jazz Party. This year it will be held May 13th-15, 2011 at the Midland Hilton Plaza. Check it out - 3 days of partying.  

New York City 

• 5 Shows at the inaugural Blue Note Jazz Festival that should not be missed (per NBC New York blog). The Blue Note Jazz Festival is going to be city-wide and will be June 1st-30th, 2011.

Oakland, California

• The Jazz Mafia All-Stars present a Stevie Wonder Birthday Celebration at The New Parish, May 13th at 8:30pm.

Rochester, New York 

• Check out the extensive artist lineup for the 10th Annual Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival happening between June 10th-18th, 2011.
• The 5th Annual Stompology Authentic Solo Jazz Dance Weekend takes place June 17th-19th, 2011.

San Francisco, California 

• The Jazz Mafia All-Stars present a Stevie Wonder Birthday Celebration at the Brick and Mortar Music Hall, May 14th at 10pm.

Sebastopol, California 

• The Jazz Mafia All-Stars present a Stevie Wonder Birthday Celebration at Hopmonk Tavern, May 12th at 9:30pm. 

Swansea, UK 

• Swansea Jazzland 2011 Summer Programme announced. 

 West Bend, Wisconsin 

•  It was announced that the 2-Day Kettle Moraine Jazz Festival will take place along the banks of the upper Milwaukee River at Riverside Park on Sept. 9th-10th, 2011. The entertainment line up includes Johannes Linstead, Eric Darius, Basia, Nabori, Steve Cole, Peter White, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.