Performances/Workshops



Wendell Harrison and Mama's Licking Stick Clarinet Ensemble Wendell Harrison, Ernie Rodgers, Deborah Scales, Steve Wood, Greg Koltyk

Mama's Licking Stick Clarinet Ensemble

Harrison's latest adventure is his famed clarinet ensemble, Mama's Licking Stick which features each member of the clarinet family (three B flat clarinets, contra bass and bass clarinets, alto clarinet and Eb soprano clarinet plus rhythm section). Don Byron, James Carter and Howard Johnson often share the stage in this unique ensemble which continues to gain avid listeners. Enja Records in Germany released RUSH & HUSTLE which features Harrison's clarinet ensemble, Mama's Licking Stick. FOREVER DUKE and LIVE IN CONCERT CDs also feature the ensemble on WenHa Records. Wendell and his ensemble have been awarded grants from Chamber Music America, National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Serve Michigan and has been a leading force in educating youth.








Mathieu Dush
Benjamin Masciotta
Frederic Estoup
Oliver Faure


For more information on Quartet Issy, visit http://issyparis.free.fr/

Wendell Harrison and Mama's Licking Stick Clarinet Ensemble awarded French American Cultural Exchange grant from Chamber Music America - French American Cultural Exchange project

Wendell Harrison and Mama's Licking Stick Clarinet Ensemble will perform another gala event, Friday, September 5, 2008, at the Detroit Institute of Arts. This ensemble will perform Wendell's original compositions, commissioned by Arts Serve Michigan and Chamber Music America-Doris Duke New Works and Creation program. Also, featured in this performance is Quatour Issy, a magnificent clarinet quartet from Paris, France. This clarinet quartet is a chamber music ensemble formed by four professional clarinet players, performing in prestigious Parisian orchestras.

Issy is a suburb of Paris, France, formally known as Issy-Les-Moulineaux. The city is located 4.1 miles form the center of Paris and has a population of 62,000, which is considered one of the most densely populated municipalities in Europe. According to the Wikipedia, the city of Issy has successfully moved its' economy from an old manufacturing base to a high value service sector. The largest cluster of telecommunication, media businesses and most major French TV networks in France are located in Issy. This suburb of Paris employs more jobs than its' inhabitants.

Quartet Issy, met and organized in the Paris suburb, Issy and decided to adopt the name, Quartet Issy-Paris. These Parisians will fly to New York City for a recording session, and continue to Detroit to perform their original music. Quartet Issy's members are: Mathieu Dush-B flat soprano clarinet and bass clarinet, Benjamin Masciotta-B flat, E flat soprano and bass clarinets, Frederic Estoup-B flat, soprano and bass clarinets, Oliver Faure-bass and contra bass clarinets. This quartet, exemplifies the broad Parisian culture in the styles of classical and jazz idioms. Mama's Licking Stick and Quartet Issy ensembles will perform separately and for the final climax come together to play one of Wendell's compositions, SIR OLIVER.

On October 7, 2008, Wendell Harrison will fly to Paris to perform with Quartet Issy at the Selmer Paris Performing Center, October 10. He will play compositions from his famed suite SOMETHING FOR POPS as well as other selections. After the Paris engagement, Harrison will travel to Linz Austria on October 12 to perform and teach a workshop at the Buckner University, and return to Detroit on October 15.

This program is sponsored by Chamber Music America, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The Cultural Services of the French Embassy, The Florence Gould Foundation, SACEM, Cultures of France, FEMO - Le Bureau Export de la Musique Francaise, French-American Cultural Exchange, The French Embassy, The Detroit Institute of Arts.

YouthVille Detroit Music Collective

Rebirth has joined with Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts , In Accord and YouthVille Detroit for an unprecedented musical effort: YouthVille Detroit Music Collective. Our aim is to foster a creative safe haven for up and coming musical talent. Professional instructors teach a range of classes from jazz appreciation to woodwinds, brasswinds, string, introductory and intermediate piano, vocal and a full jazz ensemble, the YouthVille Detroit Music Collective. We expect to bring you some of the most talented musicians and vocalists the world has ever seen.

Faculty Members
Wendell Harrison-woodwinds
Deborah Scales-basic and intermediate woodwinds, brasswinds, strings
Ernie Rodgers-woodwinds
Greg Koltyk-woodwinds
Cornelius Johnson-saxophone and oboe
Melanie White-brasswinds
John Douglas-brass
Pamela Wise-keyboards/piano
Djallo Djekete-drums/percussion
Dorian Fiddler-drums
Ibrahim Jones-bass
Andrea Jackson-bass
Deeana Weeden-vocals


Mondays:
5:00-6:00PM, Intermediate Woodwinds, Brasswinds, Strings

5:00-6:00PM, From Be Bop To Hip Hop
Tuesdays
4:00-5:00 PM, Drumline
5:00-7:00PM, Anita Baker Jazz Vocal Workshop Series (limited time)
Wednesdays
4:00-5:00 PM,Drumline
5:00-6:00PM, Intermediate Woodwinds, Brasswinds, Strings
6:00-7:00PM, Intermediate Piano
Thursdays
4:00-6:00 PM, Jazz Ensemble (advanced players only)
5:00-6:00PM, Intermediate Woodwinds, Brasswinds, Strings

For a full schedule of events visit www.detroityouth.org

Photos by Cybelle Codish

YouthVille Detroit
7375 Woodward Ave.
Detroit
www.youthvilledetroit.org