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Commemorating John Hope Bryant 

On February 15, 2024, I was honored to be featured and perform alongside very talented musicians for the Hyatt Regency Annual Heritage event in Atlanta. This year‘s honoree was John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation Hope. Below is an audio excerpt from the musical salute to Mr. Bryant. Pictured below from left to right: Rod Harris, Fareed Williams, Joel Powell, Ben Johnson, and yours truly.

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The Emory University Jazz Festival was greeted with a full house for the headliner concert on February 2 and featured guitarist Bobby Broom. Broom was joined a trio consisting of me on piano, bassist Kenny Davis, and drummer Kobie Watkins. What a blast! Photos by Bill Head

Patrick Tabbed for Earrelevant Concert Review. Posted in Jazz and World February 5, 2024

Listen as Bobby Broom performs “Oh Lady Be Good” with Gary Motley and Kenny Davis for the 2021 (virtual) Emory Jazz Fest.

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G-Stream Media announces the release of “Another Christmas” a four track holiday EP by pianist Gary Motley. In contrast to the hard swing and bop which have come to define his career, Another Christmas, finds Motley creating a landscape replete with nods to his Alabama – inspired musical influences. More

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Among the many highlights of my experience at the 2020 TED.com global initiative was this introduction by Chris Hemsworth.

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Educators and performers Gary Motley and Dr. Gordon J. Vernick discuss the significant roles that Jews have played in the jazz scene. More

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Let’s face it: climate change is real. Join over 50 activists, scholars, scientists, thought leaders, musicians and actors in a series of sessions which are certain to leave you inspired to fight for the health of our planet. I’m excited to perform during this momentous event with actor/performer Cynthia Erivo Saturday, October 10 between 3:50 and 5:00 pm. To join the countdown, visit countdown.ted.com.

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G-Stream Media is pleased to join EJAZZ News in celebrating the release of “Tone Poems” by Gary Motley. Read

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G-Stream Media announces the release of “Tone Poems” by Gary Motley. In contrast to the hard swing and bop which have come to define his style, Tone Poems showcases Motley “creating a musical painting of harmonic richness on a blank canvas” – a tour de force which unabashedly tests the boundaries of sound and space.

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G-Stream Media announces the release of “No Reservation Required” by pianist Gary Motley. The album showcases eight original compositions featuring Motley in multiple trio settings. The tracks feature vocalist Veronica Tate, drummers Emrah Kotan and Terreon Gully along with bassists Billy Thornton and Craig Shaw and saxophonist Teodross Avery. Click here to learn more.

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Led By Its Education Director Victor Goines, Also Director of Jazz Studies for Northwestern University
* * *
Part of Amistad a Través del Jazz, Students Will Travel To The
U.S. In Spring 2016 For Exchange To Be Announced

 

In the improvisational and exploratory spirit of jazz, The Horns Project/Horns to Havana was created in 2010 to support the talent and professional aspirations of young Cuban musicians. Ultimately it also works to strengthen the ties between the U.S. and Cuba using shared music traditions. Its innovative three-fold program of instrument repair and training; music education; and cultural exchange provides opportunities for transformative learning and cross-cultural exchange by helping Cuban students and schools overcome limitations created by instruments, resources, economic conditions and/or geography.
 
As part of a new initiative called Amistad a Través del Jazz/Friendship Through Jazz that Horns to Havana launched this month, Victor Goines, the organization’s director of education, will host a one-week music residency in Havana from January 3-9, 2016, for up to 500 music students from Amadeo Roldan, La ENA and Guillemo Tomas, partner schools to Horns to Havana. Accompanying him will be five professional U.S. jazz musicians selected by Goines: Justin Copeland (trumpet); Adam Thornburg (trombone); Gary Motley (piano); Emma Dayhuff (bass); Marion Felder III (drums.)
 

Objectives are to teach students the improvisational and collaboration skills of jazz and to build long-lasting relationships. The residency is comprised of the following: 1) a teacher’s workshop to address the needs of the local music educators and offer techniques for instructing students in jazz; 2) a student sectional workshop in which faculty will work with students each day in cohorts assigned by instrument; 3) a student ensemble workshop which brings all players together to collaborate as a full ensemble; and 4) a culminating performance by Horns faculty and by the students to close out the residency. The January residency is a precursor to an education and cultural exchange initiative in spring of 2016 to be announced soon.

 

Shared Goines, “This is such a rare gift to both sides as the cultural exchange of musical traditions is so important to exploring where music comes from and where it can go both in ensemble form and as individual musicians. We will all learn a great deal about each other’s musical traditions and have a great time in the process. More importantly this will be a great opportunity to learn who we are and how much we have in common through music.”