MCLM
The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum
4130 Overland Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230
NEWS RELEASE
September 27, 2018 CONTACT: Steve Isoardi
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (626) 795-9583
MCLM TO PRESENT THE HISTORICAL UNDERGROUND HIP-HOP BAND:
THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, LED BY JMD
(Culver City, CA —) On Sunday, November 4th at 2 p.m., The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum, located at 4130 Overland Avenue in Culver City, will present another of the late Mimi Melnick’s Double M Jazz Salons. The much-anticipated concert will feature, The Historical Underground Hip-Hop Band: The Underground Railroad, led by JMD. The band will feature Randall Willis, saxophone; Robert Harris, guitar; Mikal Majeed, keyboard; Reggie Carson, bass; Don Littleton, percussion; Onaje Murray, vibes and JMD, drums. Special guests will include some of the major alternative rap stars who emerged from the local scene, including members of The Freestyle Fellowship, Busdriver and other MCs, TBA.
L.A.-based drummer, percussionist, bandleader and producer, JMD, attended Gardena High School, LACC and PCC, where he studied theory and harmony. JMD ultimately became an instructor at the California College of Music.
JMD’s primary influences include Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Zappa, Vi Redd, Billy Higgins, Les McCann, Clifford Brown, John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard and Led Zeppelin, as well as Sly & The Family Stone.
Whether it’s jazz, blues, fusion, rock, rap, reggae, funk or hip-hop, JMD is quite comfortable in any setting. He has played with Bennie Maupin, Horace Tapscott, Solomon Burke, Jamael Dean, Billy Childs, Chick Corea, Good Life MCs, and The Watts Prophets, among others. In addition, JMD has produced such popular artists as George Clinton, Medusa, The Freestyle Fellowship and Acid Reign.
On the technical side, JMD’s vast experience includes digital recording, mixing and post-production. He was an audio engineer at Iron Works Studio. JMD also served as a stage manager for the Jazz at Drew Festival.
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November 4th, will also mark the fourth Mimi Melnick Double M Award for Young Jazz Talent, given to an extraordinary artist. Mimi’s brother, Richard Clar and the Clar Family, have established an annual fund for emerging musicians. Each year, other donors have also come forward to enhance the award, totaling $2,000. Eligible candidates are those who have made early contributions to the art form and continue to display great promise. We will present this coveted award at 3:00 p.m.
Doors open at 12:30 p.m. At 1:00 p.m., JMD will briefly reflect on his life and career, in an informal discussion with jazz historian Jeffrey Winston. The concert will begin at 2:00 p.m. and conclude at 4:45 p.m., with a brief intermission.
In 1996, Jazz Baroness Mimi Melnick launched her first salon at her Encino home on Strawberry Drive. Mimi loved jazz. She organized the intimate salons to support L.A.’s jazz community. Producer Steve Isoardi notes, “November will bring to an end, the 23rd year of Mimi’s unique series!”
“We are very proud and extremely honored to carry the torch”, said Executive
Director Lloyd Clayton. The MCLM, collects, preserves, exhibits and celebrates,
the vast history and cultural heritage of Americans of African descent.
Performance Portraits, a poignant exhibit by photographer Bob Barry, includes
stunning images of iconic, world-class, artists. It may be viewed before the concert
and during intermission. The exhibit is free.
Seating is limited. Salon tickets are $20.00 and may be purchased online at https://goo.gl/mdpE89 or https://double-m-jazz-underground-railroad.eventbrite.com
For more information, call (310) 202-1647.