Nov. 16, 2005 – Sunset Jazz features vibraphonist Don Moors and Friends this Friday night.
Now that it's November, and this active hurricane season is almost over, we can begin our collective "exhale" knowing that we have much to be thankful for. While October's Sunset Jazz was canceled due to the heavy rains experienced on that third Friday, organizers are not going to let Don Moors' performance slip away.
The Frederiksted Economic Development Association, Inc. (FEDA) is pleased to feature (once again) Don Moors & Friends for the Nov. 18th Sunset Jazz in Frederiksted, beginning at 6 p.m. For those that need a "refresher" on the Don Moors – the mallet percussionist Moors began his career as a drummer in the Boston area. In 1961 he moved to New York as a vibraphonist and came under the influence of Randy Weston, the renowned pianist and composer. This tenure with Weston altered Moors' musical direction to an angular, percussion oriented player with an emphasis on rhythmically thick African, West Indian and Brazilian material.
In the mid 60's Moors returned to Boston to complete his education at the Berklee College of Music. During this period the first Jazz quintet was formed with saxophonist Charles Owens. This group, and its later incarnation with Junior Cook replacing Owens, toured extensively. Don moved to California in 1970, settling in the Bay Area. Subsequently he formed the group JUMP STREET in San Francisco. This band became a local phenomenon. It was during this period as music director, arranger and leader that Don began serious work as a composer. In the mid 1970's he moved to Los Angeles where he toured with Marvin Gaye, Trini Lopez and Roberta Flack as a mallet percussionist.
While resident in L.A. he also recorded extensively for Motown, A & M, Elektra-Asylum and Columbia as a freelance studio player. Moors most recent CD, Back to the Islands, is a combination project, embracing computer sequences with all live drums and percussion performed by Rich DeFazio. Moors will be joined on stage by some of St. Croix' finest jazz artists, and Sunset Jazz fans are once again guaranteed an enjoyable evening including good friends, a wonderful ambiance and setting, and, of course–the requisite cool sunset and hot, hot jazz.
Sunset Jazz, being a family affair, goes for two hours. With it's early evening hours, concert goers are afforded the opportunity to stay with us in the West and enjoy one of the fine restaurants or night spots. FEDA is joined in it's efforts to present Sunset Jazz by Sunny 99.5 fm, the official radio station of Sunset Jazz, and also by WTJX-Channel 12—the Virgin Islands PBS station. WTJX-Channel 12 broadcasts Sunset Jazz on Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.