James Morehand:
CLASS OF 1973
Staley Junior High SchoolClass of 1973
Rome, NY
Pratt InstituteClass of 1993
Brooklyn, NY
Monroe Community CollegeClass of 1990
Rochester, NY
Rome Free AcademyClass of 1976
Rome, NY
Harvey E. Alter SchoolClass of 1969
Rome, NY
James's Story
...a very long story, short:
After Rome Free Acadamy, I moved to Buffalo, NY, got my GED, moved to various cities around NY state, settled in Syracuse for 6 yrs (81-87), moved to Rochester, NY to begin collage (MCC'87-'90); transferred to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn (BFA - '90 -'93);worked as an interior designer for 7 yrs, Interior design sales for another 8 yrs ('99-'080; attended the Swedish Institute (Massage Therapy)('05-'08) and about to take the state board exam for NYS licensure.
I am currently unofficially retired, married to David Polazzo, property manager, collecting rent, finally out of NYC and am grateful to be able to enjoy life. :-)
Concurrently, from '02-present, I co-founded (and now incorporated as a not-for-profit org.)
PARLORJAZZ! INC.
That story is below:
ParlorJazz came about as a reaction to the typical live-music venues. Fed up with the blattant disrespect they witnessed musicians enduring while frequenting various Jazz venues around the city. ..ParlorJazz was born.
"The minute you consider hiring a musician, the focus should naturally be on how to highlight THEM. Musicians - artists who work constantly on their craft - are not background 'ambiance' where they must compete with every distraction a restaurant/bar can muster up: wide screen TVs, poorly thought out wait-staff traffic patterns, cappuccino machines, the constant chatter of those who aren't even there for the music..and that's just scratching the surface! These types of venues may be satisfactory training grounds for those just "cutting their teeth," but this also happens to those who've played with all the headliners - aka PROFESSIONALS who should be "headliners" themselves...let's show some respect for those keeping our musical culture alive!"
- Jim Morehand, co-founder/Director/Booking Mgr - ParlorJazz!
On February 23,...Expand for more
2002, Jim Morehand and partner, Dave Polazzo began hosting semi-monthly (1st & 3rd Saturday of every month) live jazz concerts in their home to connect lovers of quality music to those musicians who create it. As of September 2005, the concerts had to be reduced to once/month due to time constraints (Jim is back in school!)
Still swinging going on eight years, they continue to lure the best Jazz musicians to their Clinton Hill/Fort Greene neighborhood. While Jazz is the primary music played there, the musicians are free to stretch out across R&B, Funk, Neo-Soul, Nu-Jazz, Spoken-word, Blues and a bit of Gospel too! The audience is always very enthusiastic. Word of mouth, local city listings, internet postings and their website have attracted Jazz enthusiasts & musicians from Germany, Italy, Atlanta, San Francisco, Chicago and the tri-state area.
Presently, once a month they offer their home as a venue for jazz musicians to play, sing and swing, surrounded by contemporary and African art. Meet and hear some of the best jazz musicians that NYC has to offer in an atmosphere that is dedicated to bringing the jazz experience literally, back into the community. The musicians appreciate that they're supplying a unique venue that attracts a new audience for them in which they are the main focus where the music and musicians alike are respected. The audience has been as diverse as NYC - ages 14 - 91, every cultural background and profession. Both the musicians and audiences alike, love that "up close and personal" feeling of being at a house party of a good friend with live jazz.
The hosts also provides a softly lit, bi-level backyard garden/gazebo area with a waterfall! Guests & musicians hang out before & between sets that offers a secluded, welcoming space to hang out with the musicians, network and meet new friends.
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