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Ron Myers

MYERS KEEPS JAZZ ALIVE IN THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA

Belzoni, Mississippi) - As the Artistic Director of the Mississippi Jazz & Heritage Program, minister, physician and jazz musician, Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., works to keep Mississippi's rich jazz legacy alive in the Mississippi Delta. Best known as the home of the blues, the Belzoni physician and accomplished jazz trumpeter and pianist, with medical clinics throughout the Mississippi Delta, continues to make jazz a household name in the delta.

"The Mississippi Delta has rich jazz legacy," states Dr. Myers. "One of the greatest jazz pianist in the world, Mulgrew Miller, was born in Greenwood, Mississippi and one of the greatest jazz composers since Duke Ellington, Gerald Wilson, was born in Shaw, Mississippi. Other legendary jazz artist from Mississippi include Milt Hinton, the father of the modern jazz bass, who was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, while Lester "Prez" Young, the father of the modern jazz saxophone, was born in Woodville, Mississippi," continues Myers. "Now that Mississippi is my home, keeping that tradition alive while performing throughout the area is quite an honor."

Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1956 and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Myers career as a jazz musician was greatly influenced by performing with the legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny Stitt as a 16 year old high school student. "Performing with Stitt was a pivotal experience for me as a young musician," states Myers. "I knew then that I wanted to be a jazz musician."

Myers, while still in high school, had the opportunity to perform for one of the masters of jazz trumpet, Donald Byrd. "I thank my high school jazz band director, George Andrews, and music instructor, Anderson White, for providing me with so many unique jazz opportunities, such as performing with Sonny Stitt and for Donald Byrd," states Myers. "They really encouraged me to develop my music talents, which is why I work so hard to encourage young people I meet to develop theirs."

While completing his pre-medicine studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Myers met his true music mentor, the late Professor Jimmy Cheatham, formerly with the Duke Ellington and Count Bassie Orchestras.

"Jimmy taught me the basics of jazz improvisation and composition," states Myers. "I know I wouldn't be performing with the intensity that I do today, were it not for Jimmy sharing his invaluable wisdom about life and jazz music."

While completing his residency in family medicine at L.S.U. Medical Center, Charity Hospital, in Baton Rouge, Bogalusa and New Orleans, Louisiana, Myers met his true jazz artistic mentor, the late legendary jazz clarinetist Alvin Baptiste. "It was a great experience to play piano with the Alvin Baptist quartet," states Myers. "Alvin introduced me to Ellis Marsalis, and I also ended up playing with him in New Orleans."

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Mississippi Jazz & Heritage Festival

Mississippi Jazz & Heritage Festival

Source: All About Jazz

13th Annual Mississippi Jazz & Heritage Festival Continues in Summit Mississippi Jazz & Heritage Festival Honors Late Jazz Saxophonist John Gilmore Happy Birthday John Gilmore & London Branch (Summit, MS) The 13th Annual Mississippi Jazz & Heritage Festival (MJHF), celebrating Mississippi's great jazz legacy, will take place in Summit, Mississippi on Sunday, September, 28, 2008, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. The late legendary jazz saxophonist and Summit, Mississippi native John Gilmore will be honored on what would have been ...

"Juneteenth is a landmark in history, a celebration of freedom and the end of slavery in America. Juneteenth Jazz is dedicated to the preservation of the unique aesthetic expression of freedom through jazz, and the spiritual essence of a people whose lives continue to be the creative catalyst of all America's music."

National Juneteenth Jazz Artist - Ron Myers

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