WBGO Blog

  • Thanks for supporting our Winter Membership Campaign

    February 19, 2013. Posted by Kien Lac.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Volunteers

    Thanks to our volunteers for their support and dedication during our winter membership campaign and also the following bakeries / restaurants / caters for donating food and refreshments for the volunteers during our long hours:

    Thanks

    RESTAURANTS, CATERERS AND BAKERIES – NJ/NY

    NEW JERSEY

    BRAGMAN'S RESTAURANT & DELICATESSEN - NEWARK

    CHA MA GU DAO (CHA MA GOO DOW) GOURMET TEAS

    CHATEAU OF SPAIN - NEWARK

    COMMERCE FOOD COURT - NEWARK

    CIAO PIZZA - UNION

    HERO KING - NEWARK

    HOBBY’S DELICATESSAN & RESTAURANT - NEWARK

    JE'S RESTAURANT- NEWARK

    MICHAEL V’S CATERERS - BELLEVILLE

    M.S.S DISTRIBUTORS - NORTH ARLINGTON

    OLDE SOUL CHEESECAKES - NORTH PLAINFIELD

    SANDY SASSO - OAKLAND

    SHANGHAI JAZZ RESTAURANT

    SUPREME BAKERY - WEST ORANGE

    NEW YORK

    RED JACKET ORCHARDS - GENEVA

    © 2013 WBGO

  • Interview: Brandon Wright by WBGO volunteer Cindy Ronson

    July 8, 2009. Posted by Simon Rentner.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Jazz Alive, Volunteers

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    Jazz 88 Volunteers! We want you to contribute to our WBGO Blog: Jazz and Beyond.  Below is our first entry by Cindy Ronson, whose nephew, Brandon Wright, performs tomorrow night at the Kitano Hotel.  Ronson interviews Wright about his gig featuring drummer Matt Wilson.

    Cindy: Given the economy, it's amazing how much work you have as a young jazz musician. What’s been working for you?
    Brandon: Diversification is the key factor to my survival. When I moved to New York, I made sure to stay open-minded to all kinds of music, including learning how to play in Broadway shows and weddings. I took every gig that came my way and my network expanded rapidly. By not staying in just one scene ,work opportunities became more frequent and new doors opened. Now I could play for Chuck Mangione, the Mingus Big Band,  a swing dance event, and a wedding all in the same week.  Each gig requires different skills, but mixing things up keeps the music fresh and myself employed!

    Cindy: Now that you’ve been apart of the NY jazz scene for a few years, do you think your career would have accelerated faster if you attended a school near Manhattan, say for instance, William Paterson or the Manhattan School of Music?
    Brandon: I feel that going to the University of Miami was one of the best career decisions I ever made. It gave me the chance to work on my craft and be ready for the challenges of New York later on. Once you’ve made an impression it’s difficult to change someone’s opinion of you. Miami gave me all the tools I needed to come to NYC ready to work I’m very happy with how things have turned out so far.

    Cindy: Has playing with Chuck Mangione influenced your own music?
    Brandon: Playing with Chuck Mangione has made me realize the importance of melody! For years, I’ve been working on my technique and advanced theory but without a great melody in a song, the other stuff doesn’t matter. People come to hear Chuck Mangione because they want to hear “Feels So Good” and “Chase the Clouds Away” first. The lesson is to edit myself so I’m being as melodic as possible, especially in my solos.
    Read more

    © 2009 WBGO

  • The Drive Starts

    September 11, 2008. Posted by Amy Niles.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Members, Riff, Volunteers, WBGO Community Events

    In the two years that I have been fortunate enough to be a part of this great WBGO family as an employee, I don't think that I have experienced a more unifying experience as our member drives. Read more

    © 2008 WBGO