Jazz great Ellis Marsalis dies aged 85 after virus 'complications'

Jazz great Ellis Marsalis died Wednesday at the age of 85 after contracting the coronavirus, his son Branford said.

The acclaimed American pianist and teacher -- who featured on dozens of records over a musical career spanning several decades -- was the father of trumpeter Wynton and saxophonist Branford.

"It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Ellis Marsalis Jr., as a result of complications from the coronavirus," Branford said in a statement published on his website, adding he was admitted to hospital on Saturday.

"My dad was a giant of a musician and teacher, but an even greater father," Branford said. "He poured everything he had into making us the best of what we could be."

Wynton posted photographs of him with his father on Twitter alongside a brief statement: "Ellis Marsalis, 1934 -- 2020. He went out the way he lived: embracing reality."

Born in New Orleans -- the epicenter of the jazz world -- in November 1934, Ellis recorded with heavyweights such as Cannonball and Nat Adderley, Marcus Roberts and Courtney Pine.

As well as mentoring his sons Wynton and Branford to becoming two of the world's most famous musicians, he was a leading figure at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, the University of New Orleans, and the Xavier University of Louisiana.

Ellis was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2018.

New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center, where Wynton is managing and artistic director, said: "With sadness and a heavy heart, Jazz at Lincoln Center says goodbye to Ellis Marsalis, one of the most renowned artists and music educators in his time—or any time.



"Ellis' profound impact on the lineage of the music is embodied by the many musicians whose lives he has informed, inspired, and educated."

2020 Agence France-Presse

Los Angeles museum celebrates the art of the selfie

GLENDALE - There's an art to taking the perfect selfie -- from the angle, to the focus, cropping out that pesky outstretched arm and above all, the smile.

In a celebration of self-portraits in the social media age Tommy Honton and Tair Mamedov are set to open the Museum of Selfies in Los Angeles this Sunday -- an interactive exhibition exploring the history and cultural phenomenon of snapping a photo of yourself.

And for those who think if a moment wasn't photographed, it might as well have not happened -- the good news is that at the Museum of Selfies, selfies are compulsory.

Event planner Lori Nguyen, 45, said she doesn't take selfies very often because "I'm not, like, super young." 

But another visitor, Nina Crowe, said she takes "one a day." 

Neither missed the chance to snap several at the Museum of Selfies, including at an exhibit mimicking the rooftop of Los Angeles' tallest building. 

In reality there's a backdrop photograph of the "ground below" printed on a small platform, from which sprouts a tube that looks like the building's antenna complete with a red signaling beacon.

Add a selfie stick, an "I'm afraid of heights" grimace and a click -- and the result is very realistic.

The exhibition begins with mirrors, perhaps the most basic kind of selfie. But Honton and Mamedov view the concept as something more than just a simple photo.

"The selfies have a surprisingly rich history, and go back as far as people have been making art," Honton explains. 

"Rembrandt did hundreds of self-portraits, Albrecht Durer five, Van Gogh dozens. I mean they did their portraits too, what's the difference?" he said. 

"Yes, artistic technique and scale is one thing, but in reality, if cell phones and cameras had existed, everyone would have taken them."

Another selfie museum opened in the Philippines in 2015, but there's no sign it stayed open. Meanwhile in Glendale, a Los Angeles suburb, the exhibition is just the latest in the city's stream of quirky museums focusing on everything from rabbits and death to neon and velvet.

'SELFIE MAGNET' 

The show is full of fun facts about the trend: women take pictures of themselves more than men, for example.

In Sao Paulo, 65.4 percent of selfies are taken by women -- in New York, 61.6 percent. In Moscow, the divide is even more extreme, at 82 percent.

There aren't statistics for Los Angeles, but Ally Bertik admits she is a frequent selfie-snapper.

"It shows off my good side. And I get to show people like 'hey, this is where I am, maybe you guys should check it out too, this is what I’m doing.' It's just a fun way to like spread you know what I’m doing, show people where I’m at," she explained.

Wandering through the museum, guests will be able to pose with Colette Miller's "Angel Wings" and a work by Darel Carey, who creates multi-dimensional rooms using plastic tape -- a concept the museum describes as a "selfie magnet."

There are pieces by Brazil's Rob Vital, German-Canadian Joseph Nowak, Italy's Michele Durazzi -- and a copy of the Russian government's recommendations for taking a selfie safely, created following several accidents and as many as 12 selfie-related deaths in the country.

Also featured is David Slater's controversial monkey selfie -- which became embroiled in a legal battle over who has the copyright to photos taken by monkeys using his camera.

In a corner, meanwhile, are three statues resembling Michelangelo's "David" -- painted blue with a pink cell phone -- and a Game of Thrones-esque throne created using selfie sticks.

You just "can't avoid" taking a selfie there, says Mamedov, a Russian actor who arrived in the US four years ago.

The Museum of Selfies will be open in Glendale initially for two months. Its founders are open to extending its LA run and taking the exhibition to other places around the US, if not the world.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

PH art exhibit on display in Switzerland

MANILA - Philippine contemporary and traditional art are on display at the Museo delle Culture in Lugano, Switzerland.

The exhibit features 36 paintings and sculptures of Filipino artist Ronald Ventura and 35 pieces of traditional Philippine art, including bulul sculptures from the Musee du quai Branly in Paris.

Ventura is one of the leading contemporary artists in the Philippines and has exhibited in Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Milan. Born in Manila in 1973, his art features themes and references from traditional Filipino culture and western pop elements.

The art exhibit, organized by the Canton of Ticino and the City of Lugano, was opened by Philippine Ambassador Leslie Baja and Lugano Mayor Marco Borradori on March 6. It was jointly curated by Patrick Flores of the UP Vargas Museum and Jessica Savoia of the Museum.

Baja thanked the City of Lugano and the Museum for organizing the exhibition which strengthens the cultural and people to people links between the Philippines and Switzerland.

Baja added that the exhibit will create greater awareness on Philippine art among the Swiss and help promote greater understanding between the two countries.

The exhibit will run until June 1, 2014.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Nora downplays National Artist buzz

MANILA - As the announcement for the list of nominees for the National Artist award nears, rumors about early favorites and deserving candidates started catching fire.

Speculation as to veteran actress Nora Aunor's nomination surfaced Tuesday when the Facebook page, "Nora Aunor for National Artist: The Real Journey Begins Here," posted the supposed list of nominees submitted by the joint boards of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

In an interview with ABS-CBN's Mario Dumual at the premiere night of the horror film "Sapi" on Tuesday, Aunor, however, quickly dismissed the rumors about her nomination.

"Huwag muna po kasi hindi naman natin alam eh," she said.

The supposed list included Aunor, who is dubbed Philippine cinema's "Superstar, under the category Film and Broadcast Arts.

Jose Ma. Zaragoza (Architecture), Cirilo Bautista (Literature), Alice Reyes (Dance), Francisco Coching (Visual Arts), Francisco Feliciano (Music) were also named as candidates.

Asked for her message to fans who continue to push for her nomination as National Artist, Aunor said, "Sa lahat ng mga tumutulong at nakikipaglaban pa rin, maraming salamat sa kanilang lahat."

Last year, Bacolod Representative Anthony Golez Jr. filed House Resolution 2317 seeking to name Aunor, whose real name is Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, as National Artist.

In the same interview, the 60-year old actress also revealed that she will be working with multi-awarded director, Jun Robles Lana for her upcoming film, "Dementia."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Here's where to get all-Filipino, museum-quality items

MANILA – An upcoming artisan’s fair at the Rockwell Tent in Makati promises to offer nothing but museum-quality Philippine arts and crafts, from hand-painted table runners to stylish purses.

The annual maARTE artisan fair of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines is expected to bring together up to 60 participants selling products not usually found in malls.

The event, which will be held from August 23 to 25, aims to encourage Filipinos to appreciate their artistic heritage.

One of the artisans who will be participating in this year’s maARTE fair is award-winning jewelry designer Ann Ong, who is known for her gold-dipped metal cuffs and neckpieces.

There is also Riqueza by Erica Concepcion-Reyes, which features vintage Filipino jewelry; high-quality fabric from Tepiña; intricately designed coasters, picture frames and serving trays by Creative Definitions; pottery by Joey de Castro; and abaniko (fan) by Monchet Y Cia.



One can also expect to see works by Studio Bohemia, Balay ni Atong, Two Chic and Art of Gold Enterprises, among others.

“We want to boost productivity to make their businesses sustainable,” maARTE 2013 co-chair Maritess Pineda said during a recently held media launch for the event. “We want to provide artisans a venue where they can market their products... [so we] transferred to a bigger venue, to Rockwell.”

"The more you buy, the more you support [our artisans]," Pineda added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Resorts World to hold auditions for 'Cinderella'

MANILA, Philippines – Resorts World Manila is now preparing for its next big musical as it looks for performers who can portray the roles of the major characters of “Cinderella.”

Auditions for the lead roles and ensemble of “Cinderella” will be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 4 and 5. Registration starts at 8 a.m., with the cut-off time at 3 p.m.

Those who want to get the role of Cinderella should be 18 to 25 years old and be able to sing “In My Own Little Corner,” while Prince Christopher hopefuls should be aged 20 to 30 and can perform “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful.”

Applicants for the Fairy Godmother role should be aged 35 to their late 40s and practice the song “Impossible.” Those who want to be the Stepmother should also be in the same age range and be able to sing “A Lovely Night.”

Other roles open for auditions include the stepsisters Joy and Grace (aged 19 to 30 and can sing “Stepsisters’ Lament”), steward Lionel (aged 25 to 40 and can sing “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful”),  and the King and Queen (all ages).

The first callback will be on March 6.

Meanwhile, online auditions for the role of Cinderella will also be held until midnight of March 10. Applicants may upload videos of them performing a song from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” on YouTube, download an audition form and e-mail the link to the video and the completed form to cinderella@rwmanila.com.

The applicants must be female, at least 5-foot-4 in height, and between 18 to 25 years old. Those chosen in the online application will receive an e-mail and a phone call to schedule a live audition on March 13.

For more information about the auditions, visit the Cinderella Manila Facebook page.

This is not the first time the musical will be staged in Manila. In 2008, Tony Award winner Lea Salonga played the title role in the musical, which was staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, as part of an international tour.

source: abs-cbnnews.com