Tag Archives: DJ Ayana

David Boykin Trio: Live at Dorchester Projects Album Release/Listening Party.

dorchester project listening party poster white

Saturday February 16th at 8pm, join local Chicago Jazz combo The David Boykin Trio (Boykin on sax, Alex Wing on bass, and James Woodley on drums) at the new Washington Park Arts Incubator. They will be playing work from the new album “Live at the Dorchester Projects”.  I (also known as DJ Ayana Contreras) will also be spinning.

Dusty Groove says about the new record:

One of the greatest albums so far from mighty Chicago reedman David Boykin – and easily a set that lives up to the rich legacy of avant jazz in the Windy City! There’s a depth to the record that comes through right from the very first note – a sense of history and feeling that shows just how much Boykin’s developed as a player over the past decade or so – a tenorist with a done that’s right up there with Archie Shepp or David Murray at their creative best – really stretching out on some wonderful solos that never fail to dim in imagination or new ideas.

The event is a part of the “Off the Record Series”, through the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and Elastic Arts. The year-long series highlights new works by local musicians released on vinyl.

Below, my interview with David about the new record, and about the scene in Chicago today. This originally aired on my radio program, Reclaimed Soul. Reclaimed Soul airs on 89.5fm in Chicago, and streams on vocalo.org everywhere Thursday Nights at 8pm CST. Jive on!

RecycledJacketTemplate

the particulars:

David Boykin Trio: Live at Dorchester Projects Listening/Album Release Party

Friday February 16th, 8pm – 11pm

Washington Park Arts Incubator

301 East Garfield Blvd., Chicago

RecycledJacketTemplate2

 


DJ Ayana: Ready. Set. Spin.

I’ll be spinning at two public events this week (and just picked up a whole bunch of records…):

Reclaimed Soul at Maria’s

Tuesday November 13th, 10pm-2pm

Spinning groovy classics and rarities with a heavy Chicago accent (not unlike my weekly Radio Show, Reclaimed Soul)

96o w. 31st Street, Chicago

No Cover.

Genius of Jazz and Hip Hop

I’ll be spinning hip hop (mostly instrumentals), samples, jazz, and some new grooves (all on wax). Also on the bill are:

Chess Mastaz – performers of “metaphysical hip hop”
http://chessmastaz.bandcamp.com/

David Boykin Expanse – experimental jazz infused with hip hop lyricism – David Boykin sax and vocals, James Baker keyboards, Alex Wing bass, Phillip Fornet drumset
http://sonichealingministries.com/

Saturday November 17th, 9pm

Carlos and Sarah’s Surplus of Options
3664 N. Lincoln Avenue

Suggested Donation $7


Listen Locally: DJ Ayana at Maria’s….

Reclaimed Soul’s host, Ayana Contreras, is perhaps best known for spinning classic Chicago Soul records, but on Tuesday, October 2nd, she plans to mix it up and play cuts from the trippier and (even) grittier side of her Chicago Music collection. She will also feature what she likes to call the “Rock Hand Side of things”: artists like Rotary Connection (pictured above), Hudsen Bay Company, New Colony Six, Howlin Wolf, Young Turks, Elmore James, Spanky and Our Gang, Lost Generation, Magic Sam, Five Stairsteps, The Family, Shadows of Knight, The Buckinghams, John Klemmer, Bobby Rush, Little Milton, Junior Wells, Aesops Fables, Baby Huey and the Babysitters, Syl Johnson, and much much more will be on deck. Of course, all will be spun on vinyl.

 Tuesday October 2nd /9pm-1am

Maria’s Packaged Goods

960 West 31st St., Chicago

rotary connection


Darkjive Updates!

Image

Greetings, Darkjivers. I’ve been on sort of a blog hiatus as I’ve been working on Reclaimed Soul (the broadcast radio version of Darkjive).

I’ve also been ramping up for the fall, engaged in research and digging (all too often intertwined for me). But let me be the first to tell you: feel-good events, new content, and generally more good stuff is in store.

In the meantime, Jive on!

 


Archeologist and Architect: this Friday at the SSCAC.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

This Friday, (aka DJ Ayana) am spinning at the Southside Community Art Center, an establishment originally founded with help from the WPA during the Great Depression. It is the nation’s oldest African American Art Center.

Also on the bill is the David Boykin Trio (featuring Marcus Evans on drums, Alex Wing on bass, and Boykin on saxophone.) More details on the flyer below. Jive on!

Image


Tomorrow, we groove.

Below, one of the grooves I’ll spin: “Love so Strong” from the Lovelites (pictured, left). Fronted by Patti Hamilton, the group of ladies from Chicago’s South Side  recorded a gaggle of groovin’ steppers (including one of their biggest hits, “My Conscience”).

The Lovelites are, in my humble opinion, one of the most consistent female groups in all of Chicago Soul, thanks to a string of sassy-sweet records mainly composed by Hamilton and produced by Clarence Johnson. Enjoy and jive on!


come get artsy/dance. dj ayana at the geolofts.

Gallery 400 and threewalls present a ceremony honoring the 15 winners of the 2011 Propeller Fund awards, which serve to promote informal and self-organized creative activity in the Chicago area. Come celebrate the grant recipients and the community with food, drink, and music at the Geolofts. The awards ceremony is presented in conjunction with the Hand in Glove Conference and MDW Fair.


Listen Locally: DJ Ayana at Maria’s (because chicago has a history of tripping out)

I am perhaps best known for spinning classic Chicago Soul records, but on Thursday, October 27, I plan to play cuts from the trippier and (even) grittier side of my Chicago Music collection. I will also feature what I like to call the Rock Hand Side of things.

Artists like Rotary Connection (pictured above), Hudsen Bay Company, New Colony Six, Howlin Wolf, Young Turks, Elmore James, Spanky and Our Gang, Lost Generation, Magic Sam, Five Stairsteps, The Family, Shadows of Knight, The Buckinghams, John Klemmer, Bobby Rush, Little Milton, Junior Wells, Aesops Fables, Baby Huey and the Babysitters, Syl Johnson, and much much more will be on deck. Of course, all will be spun on vinyl. Jive on!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.



Groove Conspiracy… coming this Thursday.

Join DJ Ayana and Simeon Viltz (of the Primeridian) as we stretch out musically at Morseland.  I’ll be spinning with a Chicago accent, as always, and will be featuring local treasures including a cut or two by Leroy Hutson.  A college friend of both Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack (all attended Howard University), Hutson was on Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom Records in the 1970s (listen below to 1976’s “Lover’s Holiday”, and for more on Leroy, click here).

Groove Conspiracy. All vinyl, no cover. Jive on!


Yesterday and Tomorrow (it’s a chicago thing): David Boykin Trio at Danny’s featuring DJ Ayana

Below, one of the great Chicago recordings that I’ll feature.

check out a bit of David’s work below.