Every great human achievement is preceded by extended periods of dedicated concentrated effort
IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB
1650 BROADWAY  (@ 51st)
NEW YORK, NY 10023
RESERVATIONS: 212-582-212
www.iridiumjazzclub.com
World's Finest Jazz Club & Restaurant
131 West 3rd Street, NYC 10012
212-475-8592
www.bluenotejazz.com
SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH
Every Sunday @ 12:30 & 2:30pm

BLUE NOTE MASTER CLASS:
Saturday, ~ 2:00pm
212 348-8300. -- 104 East 126th Street,  
New York - www.jazzmuseuminharlem.org
Harlem Speaks, the ongoing discussion
series of the Jazz Museum in Harlem (held
on Thursday evenings 6:30-8:30 p.m.) which
gives overdue tribute to people whose lives
and legacy keep jazz alive in Harlem
RUNNING, SHOOTING, SCREAMING FOR
“16 Blocks” a Conversation With Bruce
Willis About the Film
Beverly Hills plastic surgeon
Dr. Anthony Griffin, M.D.
F.A.C.S. does extreme
makeover on ABC-TV
Beautiful Ivanka Trump joins
her dad "The Donald" on
"The Apprentice"
Spike Lee's wife, Attorney Tonya Lewis Lee
Diaries" a peek inside a world of privilege and
Diaries"money
New York loves Goldie Hawn, in
town promoting paperback
release of "Goldie A Lotus
Grows In the Mud"
Matthew McConaughey Talks
About Possible Correlations With
His Character in "Failure to
Launch"
Billionaire  MARK CUBAN   
Scores Big With Reality Show  
"The Benefactor"  
About Kings Ransom Anthony Anderson
says, "With this cast that we had Kellita
Smith, Regina Hall, Loretta Devine,
Donald Faison,  READ & HEAR MORE
Jon Faddis Effulgently
Recapitulates Jazzopedia At Blue
Note 'Master Series' Inaugural
LOU RAWLS Dead At 72 of Lung
and Brain Cancer
Gabrielle Union  was entering the room when
one of the reporters said "WOW! She really is
beautiful". - "Breakin' All the Rules"
Cassandra Wilson Brings Great
Music Only to  New York Blue
Famed New York hotel offers
$10,000 martini READ MORE
Upfront and Personal - "issues" right in your face is
what  BET's "reality show "College Hill"  delivers.  
Executive producer Tracey Edmonds told us
there is a method to it all.
Goldie Hawn Is About to Turn 60 She’
s Still Cute and Funny AND Now She's
Rich Playing Ditzy Roles
Beautiful Isabella Rossilini Is
52 And Glad About It
HOTEL RWANDA subject  PAUL RUSESABAGINA
and Director TERRY GEORGE at Atlanta Ritz-Carlton
Hotel For One-on-One Interviews
LOU RAWLS thrills a sellout
crowd chats with us following 1st
performance at NY Blue Note
opening night.
At Age 64 Al Jarreau  Is back with a
new album
Carla Thomas,  Mary Wilson,  Wilson
Pickett  & Sam Moore  In New York City
Promoting  DVD  Release  of Film "Only The
Strong Survive"  Laughing on the outside
while crying on the inside.
Jamie Foxx on red carpet
with Kerry Washington and
Regina King
Still Sounding Damm Good!  -
NANCY WILSON "R.S.V.P."
Debuts at the Top of the Charts -
All proceeds go support the MCG
Jazz program
The OPRAH SHOW  Ends 2004 Proclaiming -
"America's Funniest Family: The Wayanses" And
Oprah Accepts Kim's Apology For the Fat Oprah
Jokes On 'In Living Color'  READ MORE
From Atlanta - Police Say
Tossed Baby Story A Hoax
READ MORE
Miles Davis appeciation for the sport of
boxing was part of his identity. He was
an avid prize-fightng enthusiast who
often trained in boxing gyms to stay in
shape.  READ MORE
Agnes Morris, 92, is
neighborhood garden
READ MORE
Four Lovely Daughters - Big Family Secrets - &  An
Affair to Remember Writer / Producer / Director /
Actress - VANESSA PARISE  Chats About Her Award
Winning  Family Disclosures  READ MORE
Rare Opportunity to Meet  World
Renowed ELLEN COLCORD in
person - World Headquarters  
"COLCORD STUDIOS"
The classic Lauren Bacall face
seems little touched by her 80
years. She releases autobiography
Director Jonathan Demme, Executive Producer
Tina Sinatra and stars Denzel Washington,
Meryl Streep and Kimberley Elise in NYC behind
the scenes "THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE",
Paramount Pictures.
Even Beyonce' Hair Makes Big Bucks
Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, from
A&M Records label donate company
papers READ MORE
NYU JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Featuring LENNY PICKETT
From "Saturday Night LIVE"
Band Takes Colorful Musical
Journey at New York Blue Note
-   Impressive Performance By
COMBO NUVO w/Dir of NYU Jazz
Program Dr.  Dave Schroeder
Tribute to Nina Simone at NY Blue Note Brings
Thunderous Applause Standing Ovations  "More"
Whoops & Star Power for  brother Sam Wayman
and daughter Simone
Tina Knowles is very proud
of her daughter Beyonce'.
She talks about sacrifices to
make it all become reality
RICHARD BONA Fascinates the Crowd
at NY Blue Note Jazz Masters Class
"Me & Pop Looking Good Tonight"
shouts Muhammad Ali's daughter
Musical Biographical Drama of Legendary
RAY CHARLES -Starring Jamie Foxx -
Has Academy Award Winners  Written All
Over It - - Or Grits Ain't Groceries & Mona
Lisa Was A Man
Shemar Moore, Kimberley Elise,
Tyler Perry, Rueben Cannon in
ATlanta to Discuss TYLER PERRY'S First
Film  "Diary of a Mad Black Woman"
Diana Ross Performs FREE
Greenwich,
Connecticut Concert to Benefit Children
Jane  Fonda surrounded by
Dallas Austin and Big Boi' join  
the cast of  "Monster-in-Law" on
red carpet in Atlanta
Hilary Clinton "THE  HUNTING  OF  
THE  PRESIDENT" READ MORE
The often outspoken Whoopi Goldberg
seems to have said and done it all
"What defines a sound is how
you resolve it." Says Jazz
Master McCoy Tyner at The
Blue Note Jazz Master
Class Finale READ MORE
LIVE On Broadway in New York City at  
the Iridium FREDDIE HUBBARD
66th BIRTHDAY  Celebration Party
Samuel L. Jackson Says He Had
to Learn Patience While Filming New
Line Cinema's  "The Man"
TAKE 6 Are Six Gorgeous
Instruments Who Took to the
Stage At the New York Blue
Note Performance To Please
READ MORE
SPIKE LEE "SHE HATE ME" A Film About
Sex, Greed, Money and Politics In America
READ MORE
Chaka Khan Under the Stars With the
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at  Chastain
Park Amphitheatre
DENZEL WASHINGTON   
Big  Screen  Directorial  
FISHER" READ MORE
Najee the man, the performer with a
new album all about love. Hear an
album sample.
ANITA BAKER Is Back!!  More Melodic!!  More
Harmonic!! More Colorful!!  Delivering Lyrics &
Music Reminiscent of True Rhythm'n'Blues
MONIQUE does tribute to Beyonce
on  "BET awards *04" A Darn
Good Time With Side-Splitting
Humor READ MORE
Entertainer in "The
Honeymooners" movie  final plea.
"Now I completely understand why a writer wants
you to stick to  the script", says Eddie Griffin
about his directorial debut "My Baby's Daddy"
with actor Anthony Anderson
Abbey Lincoln involved in a
near fatal vehicle accident on
her way to the Blue Note gig,
READ MORE.
In Atlanta is  Spellman College (the
only PHdDr. Christine King sister of
Martin Luther King, Jr). on hand to
celebrate 1965 Voting Rights Act 40 Year
Anniversary
Actor Omar Epps discusses discipline the sport of
boxing requires and his role in "Against the Ropes"
-  "Life is not a game of emotion. You must
Missouri Court of Appeals
Judge Lisa White Hardwick
could make history by becoming
the first female African-American
to sit on this nations highest
court  READ MORE
Hear DONALD FAISON talk
about being inspired by  Denzel
Washington.
SOUL PLANE "Is a spoof
comedy, not a masterpiece" says
star KEVIN HART READ MORE
NY Blue Note Continues "Jazz Master
Class" Series With trumpeter  
NICHOLAS PAYTON Says, "A sound
is like your fingerprint"
"Black 2 Broadway" at NY B.B.
King Blues Club Honoring
Blues Legend 'Ruth Brown'    
READ MORE
Donald Trump's "The Apprentice"
rewards "the winning team" with a trip to
weightlessness.  Craig Williams from
Atlanta was the team captain who decided
that  READ MORE
If you know Jimmy Heath you
know Bop." Dizzy Gillespie
once said.  Heath teaches Jazz
Masters Class at NY Blue Note  
READ MORE
Broadway's Toast (THE WIZ)  (MA RAINEY'S
BLACK BOTTOM) & TELEVISON  ("That's My
Momma") superstar Theresa Merritt-Hines Gone
Eva Pigford was rewarded with a
$100,000 contract with CoverGirl, a
spread in Elle magazine and a contract
with Ford Models.READ MORE
World mourns Luther
Vandross Dead at age 54
READ MORE
Anthony Mackie from Spike Lee's "She Hate Me"
looks years younger, as Perry.  Writer/Director Rodney
Evans says "Brother to Brother" is Mackie's first film.
OLETA ADAMS Turns New
York BB King's Club In to A
Lovers Den Singing and Talking
All About Love
Marlena Shaw Feels Like Making
Love and She's Out to Warm A
Musical Spot In Your Heart With
Two CD's
MGM Home Entertainment Pays Cinematic
Homage to Legendary Composer Cole Porter In
"De-Lovely" Starring Ashley Judd, Kevin Kline
With performances from Natalie Cole
Melba Moore Is Back Big Time
"Conversations With Michael Eisner"
Is Yet Another Unrivaled Success For CNBC
and A Big Hit With
African-American Males 17-77
Marion Meadows  on his new CD
"Dressed to Chill" ..Sample the CD
Oprah, Ruby Dee and
Angela Bassett on the red
Broadway.  READ MORE
Afro American Syndicate: The information contained herein may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of AFRO AMERICAN SYNDICATE.  
Visual Affects in  the WAYANS'
Family Greatest Laugh Out Loud
Comedy Film "Little Man" Has
Audience Members Rip-Roaring
Nancy Wilson's taking a chance on
love with   "turned to blue"   AND
you just might fall In It  -- after listening
Becomes Part-Owner Of Charlotte
Bobcats With BET Michael Jordan
Buys Stake In NBA  Founder
Starring Raymond Burr Was Trailblazing Now
Available On Paramount DVD
The Donnie McClurkin Story  long
awaited DVD is an extraordinary film
documenting his life, as one of Gospel
music’s most dynamically liked singers
Etta James looks amazing.  Said
she feels amazing.  Most importantly
the lady definitely SOUNDS
amazing.   ETTA JAMES soulfully
attest in her NY Blue Note debut.
Jane Wyatt, the lovely, serene
actress who for six years on "Father
Knows Best" was one of TV's favorite
moms, has died.  She was 96.  
FULL STORY
Ed Bradley from CBS '60
Minutes' Dead At 65
Merv Griffin DVD Tops '100 Gift
Ideas',  List, followed by Alfred
Hitchcock, Perry Mason, Fantasia,
Smokie Norful, Tyrese and others.  
View video, listen to his music, and meet
talented  singer-songwriter-producer-director,
instrumentalist Darrel Petties "count it all joy"  
Debut CD for EMI Gospel
Sex Shame & Power Former New
Jersey Governor James McGreevey
Tap Dances on Larry King Live
New Charges For Alleged 'Suitcase Killer'
N.J. Woman Accused Of Hacking Up
Husband, Dumping Remains In Suitcases.
READ MORE
SEAN "P. Diddy" COMBS
Introduces New
Gillette M3Power Razor at
Gotham Hall in NYC
SILVER BELLES met in the 1930's as chorus dancers
at the Apollo and the Cotton Club. Watch video
of their performance 70 years laters SEE them
as they are today 5-Women Aged 84 to 96.  KICKIN' IT
Ev'rebody  Loves  New York
Monday's  at 8E/7C on VH1.  Flavor
Flav made Tiffany a household word.  
Stage and Film Actor/Director
Bill Duke in pre-production of
"Cover", a film about family with the
DL (down-low) experience  turn reality
in his own life, he says and his
motivation to do the film.
TV on DVD (1956-57) "Alfred
Hitchcock Presents: Season 2" -  
Another Excellent Reason
to Build A "Classic TV On DVD Library
Season 13, Episode 1305
“Inside the Actors Studio: Diana Ross.”
Original Airdate: February 19, 2007
HBO's original movie, LIFE SUPPORT: Wendell
Pierce, Queen Latifah. Directed by Nelson
George - a personal and so timely message of HIV
in African American women.
Multi-talented BERNIE MAC  tells
David Letterman he's going to retire
from standup comedy.  FULL STORY
Director Spike Lee was named Tuesday as one of
the winners of the annual George Polk Awards for
journalism for his acclaimed documentary on life in
post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans.- "When The
Levees Broke: A Requiem In Four Acts"
Actress, playwright Clarice Taylor pictured
here Off Broadway as Moms Mabley and
adored as Cliff Huxtable's mother on Bill
Cosby Show talks about the meaning of
Father's Day.             READ MORE
Down to the wire with two left
standing, Sanjaya Malakar and
LaKisha Jones on American Idol
Top Fashion Designer
VALENTINO Retires After
45 Years says   "I have
been very lucky to be able
to do what I have loved all
my life." FULL STORY
Billionaire and Motivator MARK
CUBAN Tops Attraction List of Cast
Announced"  READ MORE
QUEEN LATIFAH building confidence by example in a
film tht uses a mix of actors and real people from the
HIV/AIDS community  to tell the story of HIV-positive Ana
Wallace, in "Life Support" on DVD from HBO.
DIANA ROSS Known As Much For Her
Unique Voice As For Her Survivor  Attitude
P/R Mogul TERRIE M. WILLIAMS  
Co-founder of The Stay Strong
Foundation in NYC
releases must read book titled
"Black Pain"
Premiere Jazz label "HEADS UP
INTERNATIONAL" Signs JAZZ/R&B/FUNK
LEGEND GEORGE DUKE
Good Listening and Dance Music
For Grown-ups Still Exists
ANGIE STONE Delivers Soul
"Prince of Sophisticated Soul" -  
WILL DOWNING
New CD  "After Tonight"   is
infectious
Funk at its Finest and Chaka At the
Height of Her Powers As A Performer
- She Joins Cast of "Color Purple" In
January 2008  READ MORE
W I N
Autographed Copy of "BLACK PAIN"
Courtesy Terrie M. WILLIAMS
Offer Expires      December 31, 2015
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REAL TALK!!
United Negro College Fund’s An Evening of
Stars Tribute to ARETHA FRANKLIN Largest
Audience EVER with Clive Davis, Smokey
Robinson, Dr. Lomax on hand. READ MORE
GLADYS KNIGHT Brings Down the House Singing
Two Tribute Cover Songs to Congresswoman
Maxine Waters  READ MORE
TYRA BANKS delivers awe-inspiring antidote
visionary message response to "No" it can't be done  
READ MORE
Reunites Salt N Pepa Monday
Nites Both Look Sexy & Fine
So Funny & Entertaining
READ MORE
A CAPPELLA Singing Giants TAKE 6 Gets
Lucky Deal With Dave Love's Record Label  
READ MORE
HBO Releases Hilarious Television Series
"MARTIN" Season Three on DVD With
Non-Stop Laughs  READ MORE
Nancy Wilson, Marcus Miller, George
Duke, Terence Blanchard, Steve Gadd & others
celebrate the music of Cannonball
Adderley            READ MORE
Superstar STEPHANIE MILLS Makes Special
Guest Appearance on BET's Hit Show "Sunday's
Best"  READ MORE
RICK JAMES tells how he worshipped the devil in his
self-penned autobiography "The Confessions of
Rick James Memoirs of a Super Freak"
READ MORE
WALTER BEASLEY is "Ready For Love" says
this  hit CD is for him.  READ MORE
DVD Courtesy of Mill Creek Entertainment
Offer Expires December 31, 2015
W I N
10 Hours of Family Home Viewing
Entertainment in Black & White with stars
including Sarah Vaughn, Duke Ellington,
Lena Horne, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole,
Lionel Hampton, Big Joe Turner, Count
Basie, Martha Davis, Nipsey Russell, Ethel
Waters, Ruth Brown, Dinah Washington
and much much more.
"A wake-up call"
- Iyanla Vanzant
"An opportunity to reach your
break through moment."
- Rev. Al Sharpton
"A new understanding to
misconceptions"
- Bebe Moore Campbell
"It pushes to give a
voice to the pain"
- Patti LaBelle
VANESSA BELL ARMSTRONG  walking
on miracles. READ MORE
Jazz group INCOGNITO with frontman Jean-Paul
Maunick known to fans worldwide as "Bluey", debut
high octance album "Tales of the Beach" on
Heads Up International label. READ MORE
At age 70 marvelous FREDDIE HUBBARD revisits re-arranged
classic tunes backed by The New Jazz Composers Octet, album
titled "On the Real Side".   READ MORE
"I decided to dig back into standards
I love them that's how I honed my
craft", CASSANDRA WILSON
Sax Virtuoso GERALD ALBRIGHT Pays Homage
to STAX Records       READ MORE
LALAH  HATHAWAY  Sings Songs  About  Love That  
Hasn't  Been Fulfilled Yet on "Self-Portriat"  READ MORE
THE FUGITIVE - Season Two  Vol One DVD
Starring DAVID JANSSEN falsely convicted of
murdering his wife and sentenced to death.
"Soul Food The Final Season" DVD a
tight knit African American family living in
Chicago
New York Tenor Saxophonist JD Allen Steps Up to
the Plate With Significant Purpose and Intent in
Jazz CD "I AM I AM"    READ MORE
TV's   "MANNIX"  Celebrates 40th Anniversary With
Season One DVD Starring Mike Connors
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JonBenet's Mother, Patsy Ramsey dies of
cancer, once a suspect, killer never found
READ MORE
19-year-old Joshua Allen from Ft. Worth Texas wins
Season Four So You Think You Can Dance
competition, gets $250K.  READ MORE
A very comical interview with quintessential
musician, singer, producer, composer
George Duke about "Dukey Treats" will
have you laughing out loud.  Read More
A tasteful assortment of colorful jazz flavorings  
COMBO NUVO the NYU artist/faculity jazz
ensemble in residence goes on record READ MORE
Motown Records legend MARTHA REEVES
enters Detroit City Council race.  READ MORE
Jazz Giants Nathan East, Bob James, Larry Carlton,
Harvey Mason. together are FOURPLAY making
incredible music lp "ENERGY" for Heads Up Int
Stanley Clark, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten known as
S.M.V Record Massive Lp For Dave Love's Head's Up Int.  
READ MORE
PAUL PORTER suffered an aneurism on the brain, lost his
speech, became paralyzed, stayed in a wheelchair for 3 years,
was given-up for dead by doctors
who said he won't make it. READ MORE
"Joe Louis: America’s Hero Betrayed"- 75 extremely
impressionable minutes on DVD from HBO about  the first
black sports star you won't believe. READ MORE
Good, clean, decent "Father Knows Best"
hopelessly captivates Anderson's perfectly
rosy lives now available on DVD for the first time.
Ricky and Dave Nelson grew up before America's eyes in the
1950's hit television sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie &
Harriet READ MORE
Just a year removed from "Perry Mason", Raymond Burr
became "Ironside" and the show gave jobs to Blacks in show
business. READ MORE
Shonda Rhimes is the screenwriter, director and
producer, who created Grey's Anatomy and spin-off
Private Practice.  READ MORE
Obama Elected Top Movie Date
By Texters     READ MORE
BET will premiere FRANKIE AND
NEFFE, a spin-off of the Network's
top-rated reality show KEYSHIA COLE:
Sometimes making music is all about the mechanics, like
balancing the melody with the harmony and the rhythm,
making sure the tempo is right.  NAJEE releases lp "Mind Over
Matter" inspired my Miles Davis writing.  READ MORE
vibraphonist composer Stefon Harris'   7th album as a
bandleader and Concord debut titled "Urbanus". READ MORE
THE WAY IT IS, that intimately profiles the wildly
entertaining mother and sister of R&B singer
Keyshia Cole.READ MORE
PIECES OF A DREAM Goes Back
to Basics Including Using Hand Claps
on "Soul Intent" - Don't Miss the Party
JONATHAN KANTOR QUNITET  featuring Kenny
Werner, Alex Sipiagin, Gerald Cannon & Adam
Nussbuam at New York BLUE NOTE DEBUT
& DEMO RELEASE     READ MORE
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Esteemed Broadcast Journalist ED GORDON
Returns to BET Networks' News Division
PBS-TV's Michele Norris
Kansas City  pictured with
Vivien Jennings, Rainey Days
Books Owner
MARCUS MILLER A NIGHT IN MONTE CARLO
featuring trumpeter Roy Hargrove and singer,
songwriter/guitarist Raul Midón
TERRIE M. WILLIAMS is an advocate for
Change and Empowerment
_______________________________________________________________
WIN the Powerful Drama "SELMA" on Blu-ray DVD Combo
Pack Compliments Paramount Home Media Distribution
By: Gatsby Melodi'
In 2005 I was invited to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National
Historic Site Center in Atlanta, GA, in recognition of the 40th
Anniversary of the "Voting Rights Act of 1965", to view an original
exhibit chronicling the journey of African Americans toward
guaranteed enfranchisement.

Legal and extralegal hindrances; such as poll taxes, gerry-
mandering, lynching and blatant intimidation; created hostile
environments that prevented African Americans from exercising
the constitutional right to vote afforded them through the 15th
Amendment ratified in 1870.  The nearly 100-year-long campaign
would yield a succession culminating with President Lyndon B.
Johnson’s signing of the Voting Rights Act on August 6, 1965.     
READ MORE
Branford Marsalis Quartet to Reissue John
Coltrane's "A  Love Supreme:Live In Amsterdam"
Mo'Nique
is Ma Rainey in HBO's Bessie
Offer expires December 31, 2015
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Review of "BESSIE" HBO
Strikes Big With "BESSIE" Smith
Story Starring Quality All Star Cast
With Queen Latifah In Title Role
Richard Pryor's daughter, the very talented director,
singer, actor, writer, producer, comedian, and mom
RAIN PRYOR talks about her Off Broadway show
and her pop. READ MORE
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Opening Nationwide in theaters August 28   WAR ROOM   a Vivid
Reminder Prayer is A Powerful Weapon From Kendrick Brothers’
June 10, 2015 - Tony and Elizabeth Jordan have it all, great jobs, a beautiful
daughter, and their dream house. But appearances can be deceiving. Tony and
Elizabeth world is actually crumbling under the strain of a failing marriage. While
Tony basks in his professional success and flirts with temptation, Elizabeth
resigns herself to increasing bitterness. Their lives take an unexpected turn
when Elizabeth meets her newest client, Miss Clara, and is challenged to
establish a “war room” and a battle plan of prayer for her family. From TriStar
Pictures and FaithStep Films, starring Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore,
and Karen Abercrombie; and the creators of FIREPROOF  and COURAGEOUS.
Watch the trailer   visit the website  http://warroomthemovie.com/      
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The often outspoken Whoopi Goldberg
seems to have said and done it all
READ MORE
Previews on BROADWAY
in "COLOR PURPLE"
as Shug Avery  starting
November 10, 2015
by JC LEE

NEW YORK - June 29, 2015 Oscar®, Golden Globe® and Grammy® winner Jennifer Hudson
(Dreamgirls) has dazzled the world with her matchless talent. This fall, she makes her long-awaited
Broadway debut as the sultry Shug Avery in the joyous and triumphant musical "THE COLOR
PURPLE", alongside a powerhouse cast including celebrated British stage star Cynthia Erivo, who
will recreate her electrifying performance as Celie, and "Orange is the New Black" star Danielle
Brooks as Sofia.

This unforgettable and intensely moving new production mesmerized audiences when it premiered
in London, where critics hailed it as "a revelation" (Mark Shenton, The Stage).

Now, this American classic comes to Broadway to inspire a new generation. With a soul-raising
score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, THE COLOR PURPLE gives an exhilarating new spirit to
this Pulitzer Prize-winning story.

Tickets go on sale to the public on Tuesday, June 30.
New series "BALLERS"  Starring & Executive
Produced by THE ROCK  --DWAYNE JOHNSON Debuts
June 21 Exclusively ON HBO READ MORE
Funny lady Kym Whitley caught on the red carpet
looking fabulous READ MORE
National Jazz Museum in Harlem's Artistic
Director-at Large, JON BATISTE, Has Been
Announced  Bandleader for CBS' "The Late Show
with Stephen Colbert."  READ MORE
Shonda Rhimes Golden Globe Winning Creator &
Executive Producer  is the youngest among three
sisters and two brothers, born January 13, 1970.
READ MORE
TINA KNOWLES   -   
Beyonce's Mother  Recalls
How The Road To Success Was
Stressful "and people thought we
were nuts" READ MORE
Funnyman Marlon Wayans talks about
the first time he knew he was funny, and
stopped getting kicked out of class.  
READ MORE
"UNSULLIED", the Feature Film Directorial Debut of
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive End and
NFL Super Bowl Champion SIMEON RICE Will
Open Theatrically Nationwide on August 28, 2015
READ MORE
Stephanie Mills, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, David Alan Grier Set to
Headline THE WIZ on NBC-TV December 3, 2015
By: Gatsby Melodi'
In the 1978 film version of THE WIZ, pictured (l to r) Ted
Ross, Lion; Michael Jackson, Scarecrow; Diana Ross,
Dorothy; Nipsey Russell, Tinman.
Queen Latifah will play The Wizard
Stephanie Mills will play Aunt Em
New York , August 11, 2015 - NBC Picks THE WIZ over Music Man as next Live Musical, sets December
air-date, and will come with a literal twist (or, more likely, dozens of ’em).

The network recently announced that executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the men
behind NBC’s live versions of The Sound of Music and Peter Pan, will mount a live production of The
Wiz in partnership with Cirque du Soleil on Dec. 3.

Cirque’s new stage theatrical division will then present The Wiz as a major Broadway revival for the
2016-17 season.

As with NBC’s previous musical picks, The Wiz not only had Broadway runs (in the mid-70s and
again in 1984), but it also spawned a big screen adaptation — starring Diana Ross. Richard Pryor,
Theresa Merritt, Lena Horne, and Michael Jackson --- in 1978.

Amber Riley (Glee) and Uzo Aduba (Orange Is the New Black) will play the Wicked Witch of the West’
sisters. Riley will play Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North, and Aduba will play Glinda, the Good
Witch of the South who are both sisters of Evilene, the Wicked Witch of the West played by Mary J.
Blige. Addaperle, (originally created by actress Clarice Taylor on Broadway) is the witch who points
Dorothy to the Yellow Brick Road and gifts her with the silver slippers.

Shanice Williams will play Dorothy in the upcoming event. Previously cast roles include the Wizard
played by  (Queen Latifah), the Cowardly Lion (David Alan Grier) and Aunt Em will be played by
Stephanie Mills, who created the role of Dorothy in the show’s original Broadway production.

The Wiz Live airs Thursday, Dec. 3.