- Working Behind The Scene
Ready for the upcoming concerts in Oakland CA, will be coincide with the amazing SOLAR ECLIPSE. 'The Mayan Walker' Says Big Date is May 20th, 2012Saturday May19 at 4PM - String Summit featuring Michael White "A Tribute to Billy Bang" - 12 Annual Malcolm X JazzArts Festival at San Antonio Park. Free, All AgesSunday May 20th at 7PM - Sunday Concert With Michael White Quintet at the EastSide Cultural Center at 2277 International Blvd. $15, All Ages
- Spirit Dance CD Reissue
- This morning we saw groups of cute little Armenian boys with grand fathers and mothers in the mall where we take a walk everyday. Reminding us of "Praise Innocence", the song in Michael's first Impulse album "Spirit Dance" 72', this song is considered the first JAZZ album with children singing! THEN we got home, got a message from Ian Scott Horst left on our facebook wall saying "Do you know about this cd reissue?
Hey we did not know Oh well kind of know . . . :))) What we know is we are in SYNC with the UNIVERSE! LOVE IT ?
Salute to Michael's Legendary Album "Spirit Dance" is finally reissued just yesterday September 14th 2011 in JAPAN, as a part of the Impulse Record 50th Anniversary Reissue Total 20 Titles which all were highly requested for CD reissues, and in the high quality CD series called SHM-CD. it will be on sale in September 20th 2011 in USA, now in pre-order worldwide.NOW we can answer all our fan's inquiry and request, yes Spirit Dance is in CD!!! LOVE from Leisei & MichaelBuy Spirit Dance in USA at DustyGroove : AmazonOne of the killer albums that Michael White cut for Impulse Records in the early 70 – a sweet set of spiritual jazz that took his instrument to a whole new level! Normally, the violin isn't an instrument we love in jazz, but White really transforms it here – playing it with a stretched-out, spiritual sound that's almost like a saxophone – really hitting a fresh sound that's mighty nice. Other instrumentation includes a nicely organic blend of piano from Ed Kelly, bass from Ray Drummond, and percussion and flutes from Baba Omson – often building in the way you'd get with a Pharoah Sanders album, but with a gentler, more personal sound. There's a bit of vocals at points from Makeda & Wanika King – and tracks include "The Tenth Pyramid", "Spirit Dance", "John Coltrane Was Here", and "Unlocking The Twelfth House" - dustygroove.com
- tour the ARTS.MWQ@CCGLA Info & Tickets
design by Mirza Todorovich & Leisei Chen, photo by Masami Goto
design by Mirza Todorovich & Leisei Chen
logo design by Leisei Chen, Michael White & Martiros MarHak Halopisn
- Press Release : tour the ARTS.MWQ At Croatian Cultural Center Of Greater Los Angeles
                                                   ÂFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEÂ
MICHAEL WHITE QUINTET UNIT 2Â KICKS OFFCOLLABORATIVE ARTS INITIATIVE TOUR THE ARTS.MWQWITH A NEW SERIES BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 25 ÂSERIES COMBINES LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES, PRESENTATIONSÂBY VISUAL ARTISTS, AND EXHIBITIONS AT THEÂCROATIAN CULTURAL CENTER OF GREATER LOS ANGELESSEPTEMBER 25, OCTOBER 1, AND OCTOBER 8
July 21, 2011 (Los Angeles, CA) Â The award-winning Michael White Quintet UNIT2 inaugurates their new initiative, tour the ARTS.MWQ, with a weekly series running Saturday, September 25 through Sunday, October 8 at the Croatian Cultural Center of Greater Los Angeles (CCCGLA) in San Pedro. The multicultural, uniquely collaborative events join performances from an array of musicians, conversations with visual artists, and art exhibitions to celebrate the beauty of art in its many forms. Leisei Chen and Michael White of the Michael White Quintet UNIT2 curate the series, which is hosted by CCCGLA President Maya Bristow. The quintet also performs at each event, which features a different visual artist and musical duo.
Audiences at each tour the ARTS.MWQ event will have the opportunity not just to view visual art on display or to listen to music, but also to experience from the artists and musicians together in their own unique presentations. Each event begins at 6:30 pm with a multimedia presentation from a visual artist, followed by live music. On September 25, abstract painter Matiros Hakopian (MarHak) is followed by the Mojacar Flamenco duo, and on October 1, impressionist and portrait painter Evrika Zatikian (EVO) is followed by innovative chamber music duo Alma Nova. At the final event on October 8, alpinist and photographer Mirza Todorovich is followed by the Paul Livingstone Duo, plays the creative tradition of Indian classical raga music. Each evening continues with a performance from the Michael White Quintet UNIT2 and ends with a raffle and celebratory reception.Â
The tour the ARTS.MWQ concept is the brainchild of Leisei Chen & Michael White, partners in life and music, and founders of the Michael White Quintet. The initiative derives from their long-held vision to bring the quintet to spaces that allow for collaboration with artists from all cultures and disciplines. White and Chen derive inspiration from various sources, from visual art to martial arts and dance, and take their holistic approach to music-making. White says, “We play music like painting the pictures, making the scenes” The two feel that each artist participating in tour the ARTS.MWQ has a special role to play, just as jazz musicians do within a group. Says Chen, “As artists and musicians, we are all so excited to see how our own arts and music will influence each other’s.” The group trusts these collaborations will let them explore their own artistic potential more deeply, and continue to express their group’s cornerstones: love, healing, inspiration, and hope.Â
Chen and White are themselves the cornerstones of the Michael White Quintet UNIT2. Group leader White was recently honored as a Living Legend in jazz, and his voice on violin has been called “one of the more distinctive in jazz.” Versatile vocalist Chen, drawing on a vast array of cultural traditions, serves as muse and co-writer for much of the material from the group’s recent release, Voices. Along with some of Los Angeles’ most talented musicians on percussion, bass and guitar, the quintet seamlessly combines soulful original songs, jazz classics, and latin grooves, delighting audiences worldwide.
Tickets for each tour the ARTS.MWQ event (Saturday, September 25; Sunday, October 1 and Sunday, October 8) are $10 in advance online at tourtheartsmwq01.eventbrite.com and $15 at the door. Raffle tickets are free with admission. For more information, visit leisei-michael.com or contact the CCCGLA at feedback@croatianculture.org.
Legendary jazz violinist Michael White is a composer, educator, and innovator who has been a major recording artist on Impulse and Elektra/Asylum records, and has played alongside musical giants including John Coltrane, Sun Ra, Stevie Wonder, among many others. His musical endeavors over the decades have taken him through a number of genres, and his newly released CD "Voices" prompted the formation of the Michael White Quintet. "We discovered that our musical philosophy had a mutual, spiritual dynamic. The four cornerstones of our music are 'Love, Healing, Inspiration and Hope.' Our sound is intended to touch one's heart and fill one's body with a 'kozmic groove!'" says White. The Michael White Quintet: Unit 2 keeps that spirit of positivity intact, combining versatile guitarist Timothy Young and soulful vocalist Leisei Chen, the quintet's original members, with new, accomplished LA-based musicians Jon Ossman on bass (Paula Cole, Marc Cohn) and Danny Frankel on drums (K.D. Lang, Bebel Gilberto). With each member a true musical master in his and her own right, the quintet bridges cultures, genres, and backgrounds, for a sound that is truly "ageless, timeless, and borderless." For more information about the Michael White Quintet, please visit: leisei-michael.com.
The Croatian Cultural Center of Greater Los Angeles (CCCGLA) is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to educating the general public about the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Croatia. Their vision is to engage not only people of Croatian-American descent, but all people with a desire to participate in our activities, events, classes and fundraisers. The CCCGLA offers a variety of programs for the community’s participation and enjoyment, including: Croatian language classes, traditional folk dance classes, exhibits by local and international artists, film festivals, and lectures on a various topics. The center partners with local outreach organizations, merchants, churches, elected officials and other ethnic associations to represent and reinforce the power and positive influence of diversity in the community.EDITORS PLEASE NOTEÂtour the ARTS.MWQArtist Presentation + Exhibition + Live PerformanceÂSeries hosted by Maya Bristow and curated by the Michael White Quintet UNIT2 joining multimedia presentations and visual art exhibitions with multicultural musical performancesÂCroatian Cultural Center of Greater Los AngelesÂ510 W. 7th St, San Pedro, CA 90731feedback@croatianculture.orgDATES AND TIMESÂSaturday, September 25; Sunday, October 1; Sunday, October 8ÂDoors open 5:30 pm, with presentations and performances from 6:30 - 9:30 pm followed by reception and raffle.        ÂPERFORMING MUSICIANS  Michael White Quintet UNIT2 sonicbids.com/michaelwhitequintet - Michael White, violin and Leisei Chen vocals, Tim Young Guitar, Jon Ossman Bass, Danny Frankel PercussionMojacar Flamenco (September 25) mojacarflamenco.com ÂAlma Nova (October 1) - flute & guitar duo, Jessica Pierce and Almer Imamovic almanova.usPaul Livingstone Duo (October 8) - sitar, the creative Indian classical ragas tanpura.comÂVISUAL ARTISTS IN RESIDENCEÂMatiros Hakopian (MarHak), abstract painter (September 25) marhak.comÂEvrika Zatikyan (EVO), impressionist and portrait painter (October 1)ÂMirza Todorovich, photographer and alpinist (October 8) alpiner.net
For samples of artists’ work, please request photos - press@leisei-michael.comTICKET PRICES   Â$10 in advance, $15 at the door - free raffle tickets issued with admissionÂ
TICKET INFO      ÂTickets available online at tourtheartsmwq01.eventbrite.com and at the door at each event.   Â
PRESS CONTACTLeisei Chen 323-366-9986, press@leisei-michael.com###
- Michael White Quintet UNIT2 Selected As A Los Angeles County Arts Commission Group 2011-2014!
We are proud to announce that Michael White Quintet UNIT2 has been officially selected as a Los Angeles County Arts Commission (LACAC) group. The LACAC Musicians Roster primarily serves as a resource for Presenters of Free Concerts in Public Sites, of the rich and diverse talent available to them. The Commission fosters excellence, diversity, vitality, understanding and accessibility of the arts in Los Angeles County. The Commission provides leadership in cultural services for the County, including information and resources for the community, artists, educators, arts organizations and municipalities. So look for MWQ UNIT2 to bring their talents to the public and community stages of Los Angeles County.
- R.I.P. Billy Bang
©The New York City Jazz Records
Michael wrote a tribute text for Billy Bang, published in June 2011 Issue Of The New York City Jazz Record
- In Sync With The Universe
- Yesterday Michael & Leisei were chilling out at "Barnes and Noble" in the Americana for coffee where they have a beautiful third floor balcony. We were looking out at the fountains, the lawns surrounded by trees, children laughing and playing, old JAZZ playing through many many speakers, birds flying over hopping and pecking crumbs. "Peace in Chaos" : ) so to speak with sun shinning blissfully.
On the way out, we were coming down an escalator, got to go through book shelves to get to another. Then all of a sudden, we smelled good fragrances and STOPPED, PAUSED, LOOKED around . . . Ahhhh it's the music section Ahhhh the Jazz section.
ZOOM! TWO JAZZ books on the shelve came to Leisei's eyes, we found out that Michael was featured in those books : )
John Coltrane : His Life And Music By Lewis Porter
It was on Page 367Â " - 1962 - May 1-20. San Francisco. Jazz Work. DB, July 5 says Dolphy, Wes Montgomery and violinist Michael White sat in during the last day, when there was a matinee and possibly a final evening show as well."
Michael never mentioned it till 6 years ago, his brother Teddy reminded him to make sure we should add it (playing with John Coltrane) onto our press kit. Yes Michael has been and still is the man looking ahead hardily ever looking back, busy improving his music, playing and dreaming. But in recent years we have looked into all of his musical history. Also with modern technologies, we have found quite a bit of written proof. And nowadays he is more willing to share his stories with the public!
Freedom, Rhythm, & Sound - Revolutionary Jazz Cover Art 1965 to 1983Â By Gilles Peterson & Stuart Baker.
A beautiful hard cover weighs tons : ) with an incredible collection of revolutionary jazz album cover art from 60s & 70s! It featured the cover art Michael's Impulse Album "Pneuma", and "The Blessing Song" was also featured on their accompanied two set compilation CDs "Freedom Rhythm & Sound Revolutionary Jazz In The USA 1965-80" from Soul Jazz Records 2009. We were happy to see that many of our friends and Jazz masters were also featured Cecil McBee, Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders, Phil Ranelin, Prince Lasha among others.
When we are in the ZONE, our senses will over-ride any pre-conceived notions & knowledges, and we flow with least resistance. Then we know we are in TUNE, in SYNC with the UNIVERSE * . * * . * Receiving through and sending out. We love those moments!
With LOVE, Leisei & Michael
- Show: May 1st, 2011 : Open Gates Theatre Presents Sunday Concert Series
Sunday May 1st, 2011 : 7 PM-9:30PM
@ Center of The Arts, Eagle Rock
2225 COLORADO BLVD. Los Angeles
tel. 626.795.4989
$10 (Students/Seniors/Series Performers: $5 with valid ID at door)
Free street parking is available, and there is also parking available at the Bank of America parking lot.
Michael White Quintet UNIT2
Michael White - Violin
Leisei Chen - Vocals-Voice-Percussion
Timothy Young - Guitar
Jon Ossman - Acoustic Bass
Danny Frankel - Percussion
The Concert will be filmed by Andrew Van Baal followed by an Interview session!
+ Missincinatti
CD "Voices" $15, CD "Voice Of Brazil" $10
On Sale At This Show. We Accept Credit Cards!
About Open Gate Theatre
Open Gate Theatre was founded in 1982 by Artistic Director Will Salmon. They are dedicated to opening the gates between music, dance, and drama; between cultures; between the unconscious and the conscious; between emotion, mind and spirit. Open Gate is both an ensemble and a creative collective, combining image with sound, voice with movement, and poetics with light; Open Gate strives for a theatre that is both passionate and numinous. Open Gate is a unique approach to theatre; unified in its expression and impulse, diverse in its sources and disciplines. For more information, contact Artistic Director Will Salmon 626.795.4989
