NEW! Jazz Primer
Welcome to Jazz & Swing at the Anacortes Public Library, located in NW Washington.
The Library features the Manieri Jazz & Swing collection, specially chosen books, CDs & DVDs on the uniquely American art of jazz & swing music. This collection is funded by a generous endowment from the Dominic & Patricia Manieri estate & is carefully selected by Paul de Barros, jazz critic for the Seattle Times.
The Manieri Jazz & Swing collection represents the entire history of jazz, from the juke joints & cathouses of New Orleans to the swank modern jazz clubs of New York & Chicago. The items in the collection are available for check-out by Library patrons.
Through the Manieri endowment, the Library also
- Sponsors local jazz events, including free concerts at the Library on the 2nd Sunday of each month;
- Fosters jazz education in area public schools through grants & scholarships; &
- Encourages the preservation & proliferation of jazz & swing through education, entertainment & the collection itself.
Get jazzed & enjoy the website!
 Listen to jazz music online through our newest database, the Jazz Music Library.
This is the largest online collection of jazz available anywhere with over 120,000 recordings. The music is streaming audio for listening on computers or mobile devices. Create playlists and return to favorite recordings any time. A 14-digit library card is needed for access to the database, which is available from the library website library.cityofanacortes.org or www.jazzatthelibrary.com. Please call the library for assistance getting started. This database is a compliment to our extensive Jazz CD collection. Both are made possible through the Manieri Bequest for jazz and swing.
Featured Artist
Curtis Lee Mayfield
 You are right. The music of Curtis Mayfield is not considered JAZZ. Yet he has influenced those who are considered jazz. In fact he has influenced many a genre as can be witnessed by the successful cover songs and numerous tribute albums released by other artists. Certainly he was more established as an African-American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer. Curtis Mayfield is also remembered for his 1960s Mo-town sound with The Impressions and his anthem style music during the Civil Rights Movement and today is regarded as a pioneer of funk and of politically conscious African-American music. To top it all he was also a multi-instrumentalist who competently played the guitar, bass, piano, saxophone, and drums. His solo career peaked commercially and critically when he composed the soundtrack to the “blaxploitation” film Super Fly. The whole soundtrack stood alone as a musical release with or without the movie. Super Fly sold over one million copies and was awarded gold discs by the R.I.A.A (Recording Industry Association of America). Mayfield's lyrics often consisted of somewhat gritty hard-hitting commentary on the state of affairs in black, urban ghettos at the time. Bob Donat wrote in Rolling Stone Magazine in 1972 that the anti-drug message on Mayfield's soundtrack is far stronger and more definite despite what may be portrayed in the film. Along with Marvin Gaye's What's Going On and Stevie Wonder's Innervisions, Super Fly ushered in a new socially conscious, funky, popular, soul music that mirrored a comparable movement within the jazz scene.
READ MORE ON ARTIST ::
Featured Book
Bossa Nova: The Story of the Brazilian Music That Seduced the World
Ruy Castro
781.6409 CAS
Hard to believe that the bossa nova sound, universally recognized as one of Brazil's finest exports, was actually considered controversial at first. This book offers some great anecdotes about the original artists and composers involved in the creation of this wonderful music.
Featured DVD
Rahsaan Roland Kirk: Live '63 & '67
DVD R (Manieri Collection)
You might think Rahsaan Roland Kirk was some kind of novelty act, seeing him on stage wearing 2 or 3 saxophones plus several whistles and other horns, but his artistry shines through in this illuminating pair of concerts. Kirk's mastery of multiple instruments and circular breathing are all on display here.
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Blog
Friday, July 29, 2011
Sunday Jazz Hour at the Heart of Anacortes August 14th
READ BLOG POST ::
Upcoming Concerts
Know of any other jazz/swing events in the Anacortes, WA area?Click here to send it to us.
News
2012 Scholarship Winners
The Manieri Jazz & Swing Endowment of the Anacortes Public Library announces the winners of scholarships to students of the Western Skagit County region who are active in jazz and swing music. We are proud to say that the endowment received a number of worthy applications. The winners are:
College Scholarship:
Connor Darrow: $1000
Connor is a trumpet player (also French horn and classical guitar) in the Anacortes High School Jazz Band, the Fidalgo Youth Symphony, and his church youth jazz ensemble and adult classical orchestra. He has three strong letters of recommendation. He plans to attend Eastern Washington University and major in Music. Last summer, he attended the Jazz Port Townsend Camp through a Manieri scholarship.
Emma Eliason: $500
Emma is a Mount Vernon senior who plays trombone and tuba and also sings in numerous jazz ensembles and choirs, including the MVHS Jazz/Chamber Choir, MVHS Jazz Band, MVHS Wind Ensemble, Whatcom Wind Ensemble, Basically Brass (WWU), Heavy Metal (tuba ensemble), and many more. Her very enthusiastic recommendations all talk about her leadership, ability, and generosity in helping other students. She has performed and competed in dozens of festivals and musicals. Emma plans to attend Western Washington University, major in Music and become either a middle or high school band/choir director.
Jazz Camp:
Ava Martin: $500
Ava is a Fidalgo Elementary school student who participates in a variety of music and theater activities including piano lessons, school choir, 5th Grade Band (trombone), META Summer Camp, and a variety of others. She would like to continue developing her skills and learning about musical improvisation. Ava will be able to attend the NW Choir 2012 Honor Summer Camp at Ft. Worden this August.
Teacher's Continuing Education:
Ian Simensen: $500
Ian is the band teacher for all Anacortes schools. He teaches beginning band at the elementary schools, Middle School Band and Jazz Band, and all the high school bands, from marching band to the Jazz Ensemble. Ian has organized performances to raise money for new band uniforms and a multi-district performance including jazz ensembles from 7 nearby school districts. Ian will be pursuing his Master's degree through the American Band College, and the Manieri Endowment is very proud to contribute.
The Manieri Endowment Advisory Board and the Jazz Committee honored the scholarship winners at their meeting on Monday, June 4, 5pm, at the Anacortes Public Library. A representative of the Manieri Advisory board presented the awards to the recipients.
Streaming Jazz
Attention Jazz Fans! For a few weeks we are offering a free trial of NAXOS Music Library Jazz. You can access this music streaming resource by typing your Anacortes Public Library card number in the Subscriber field on the Naxos website. Be sure your library card barcode has 14 digits; if your card has a 5-digit barcode, please stop by the Library for an updated card.
NAXOS Music Library Jazz is an invaluable resource for jazz enthusiasts. Here you will find renowned Jazz labels, first-class performance and sound, and you will have access anytime, anywhere that you have an internet connection. Every track is instantly accessible at the click of a mouse. Also, you can build playlists of your favorites.
Click on the logo below, log in and enjoy! We’d love to hear about your experience as we are considering adding a subscription to this music resource to our collection.
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