By Gregory Burrus | Posted Sunday, December 12, 2021
One of the many tasks I perform every year is producing and promoting live music events. Curating the right band relies a lot on the bandleader bringing out all the right musicians and getting them to perform in a synchronous manner. This season, Gregory Burrus Productions had a number of "Norman Mann and Rafiki" live music performances that stood out as outstanding. This was evidenced by sold out, very happy audiences enjoying themselves to the maximum. Let's listen to a few performances and then meet the band.
Norman Mann and Rafiki were live in South Orange Downtown Live Music Concerts in August, and it was started then eventually was rained out. The band was Norman Mann on Percussion/Vocals, Gene Ghee on Sax, Peter Lin on Trombone, Joy Topping Mann (aka Ife Basim) on Vocals, Christopher Dean Sullivan on Bass, Alvester Garnett on Drums with James Austin Jr. on Piano. For the time they performed, it was oh so sweet.
They came back together again, live at the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies’ Clements Place Jazz in Newark, NJ. They all got together and produced a truly awesome live music concert. The band configuration was Norman Mann on Percussion, vocals, Gene Ghee on Sax, Peter Lin on Trombone, Joy Topping Mann (aka Ife Basim) on Vocals, Christopher Dean Sullivan on Bass, Sir G. Earl Grice on Drums, Tomoko Ohno on Piano.
As you can see and hear, Norman Mann curates a stellar list of musicians that perform some incredible sets. Part of this may be hinted at in the band name Rafiki. Norman has been quoted as saying, "Rafiki is a Swahili word that translates to English as ‘friend.’” So now, let's meet the friends in the band.
Norman Mann — Bandleader — Percussionist
Norman Mann, an alumni and Football Hall of Famer of Weequahic High School is widely respected within the community and was honored to perform at the East Orange Library’s tribute to Amiri Baraka.
Norman, along with Greg Salandis, are widely known for their past partnership at Skippers Plane Street Pub in November 2007. Skippers was a very popular spot in Newark located on University Ave and was a welcomed addition to Newark's nightlife. It was a place where music, food, drink, and conversation were the rage and occurred in a comfortable, friendly environment. Skippers featured many of the Tri-State’s musicians and singers. Norman Mann, as a musician, plays congas, percussion and also sings. He has appeared with drummers Greg Buford, Alvester Garnett, and singers Ty Stephens, Joy Topping Mann, Tomoko Ohno, and Dwight West along with one of Jersey's top organists and keyboardists, Mel Davis, to name a few.
Norman and his bands have performed in numerous venues around Northern New Jersey such as Montclair’s Trumpets Jazz Club, Newark’s Priory Jazz Club, City of Orange’s Mr. Jays, Jazz In Spiotta Park and Jazz On Sloan in South Orange, NJ. Norman is the CEO of G Mann Productions, has produced jazz shows at many of the Tri-State area clubs and lately has been producing events in Irvington’s Cricket Club.
Following are the bios of some truly cool members of the band.
Tomoko Ohno — Pianist
Tomoko Ohno, born in Tokyo, began piano studies at the age of 4. As a teenager, she began playing professionally in the Tokyo area jazz scene. After graduating from Rikkyo University in Law and Politics, Miss Ohno moved to the United States and entered the Jazz Studies Program at William Paterson University in New Jersey, where she studied with Harold Mabern and Rufus Reid. During this time she had the opportunity to perform with such artists as Jerome Richardson, Wynton Marsalis, Benny Golson and Joe Henderson. A recipient of the Student Award of Outstanding Performance and a member of the Dean’s List, Miss Ohno graduated with a B.A. in Jazz Studies.
She has performed at Lincoln Center, Weill Recital, Carnegie Hall, The Blue Note, Birdland , in addition to appearing on live radio broadcasts by WBGO and WNYC, and ABC TV's Good Morning America. She has performed and/or recorded with Slide Hampton, Claudio Roditi, James Spaulding, Rufus Reid, The John Lee Quartet, The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Big Band and Sherry Maricle and the Diva Jazz Orchestra, as well as working as a side musician with such diverse musical ensembles as the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble and The Spirit of Life Ensemble.
Miss Ohno also leads her own group, and has released three CDs on the Japan-based Tokuma label. In 1997 her first album, “Powder Blue” was released, and in 1999 her second album, “Affirmation” was released, followed in 2000 by the album "Natural Woman." Her album "Shadows of Spring" (recorded in Argentina) was released by MDR Records in 2005. "Tomoko Ohno in Buenos Aires" was also released by MDR Records in 2007. The duet album with legendary Argentine guitarist Ricardo Lew " From Tokyo to Buenos Aires " was released in spring 2011. The duo added the cellist Nestor Tedesco from Teatro Colon and released the Tango/Jazz album " Tres Sabores " in 2016.
Gene Ghee — Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet
Gene Ghee - (saxophone, flute, clarinet) is a long-time performer and educator. He graduated from NYU with a music education undergrad degree, from the Manhattan School of Music with an MA for music performance and from Columbia University Teachers College with a Master of Education degree. He has appeared as a sideman with an array of performers from Art Blakey to Stevie Wonder and is also a recipient of the Daily News Music Teacher Recognition Award.
Gene Ghee is a highly in-demand saxophonist and has performed with numerous professionals such as Art Blakey Jr., Brother Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Teddy Pendergrass, Anita Baker, B.T.Express, Arthur Prysock, Little Anthony and The Imperials. Add to that Etta Jones, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, Benny Powell, Eddie Palmieri, Machito, and Barry Harris plus the list goes on. He's a performer on recordings of Stevie Wonder (Do I Do), played tenor saxophone and contracted the horn section for the session which included Frank Wess, Virgil Jones, Ron Tooley, Britt Woodman, Clifton Anderson, Victor Paz and others. Recordings / performances with the likes of Evelyn “Champagne” King, The Village People, Candi Staton. T.S.Monk plus many more national and international performers.
Joy Topping Mann (aka Ife Basim)
Joy Topping Mann (aka Ife Basim) - In her early days as a Contemporary Christian artist, songwriter and arranger, Joy Topping-Mann co-produced three CD projects of original music which she performed nationally and internationally with her band ‘Gifts.’ She has opened for other well-known Christian artists, was signed with Jamm Records, a Los Angeles, California record company, and has had her music played on radio stations throughout the U.S.
As a producer and promoter of special events, Joy has received local acclaim for the Annual Women’s History Month Celebrations held each March at the St. Joseph’s Plaza (formerly known as the Priory) located in Newark, New Jersey. These uniquely memorable experiences have focused on honoring extraordinary women for their outstanding accomplishments, Audiences have been treated to virtuoso performances by the Tri-state’s most talented artists.
As a jazz vocalist, Joy’s rich melodic voice and unique phrasing take the listener back to the days of classic jazz, invoking shades of Sarah Vaughan and hints at the daring of Billie Holiday. Warmly embraced by enthusiastic audiences, she has appeared at several venues throughout the Tri-state area.
https://www.jerseyindie.com/blog/whm2021-womens-history-month-celebration-by-ife-basim-masterpieces
Christopher Dean Sullivan — Bass
Christopher Dean Sullivan - “a bassist who is authoritative and bluesy while bending notes that honor his affection for legends such as Slam Stewart as well as Ray Brown.” ~ Steve Monroe, Jazz Journalists Association
The critically acclaimed Chicago Ill born, Pittsburgh PA raised bassist Christopher Dean Sullivan is well traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad. Christopher started his career in Pittsburgh , PA. After a few years in Germany he returned to Pittsburgh and honed his craft as a bassist during his time with the Jazz Workshop Inc., located in the Homewood district, under the direction of Harold Young Sr, and the Archives, located in the Hill district, developed by Errol “Mobutu” Reynolds (Grant Green, Johnny Lytle), where Chris in his words stated …“I got the honor to perform with guitarist Grant Green on three different occasions, through my association with the Archives.”
Chris quickly became known for his own unique approach to playing the bass. He formed local commercial groups that would go on to open up concerts for such bands of notoriety as the Ohio Players, The Bar-Kays, New Birth, The Tavares, and others. Chris decided to expand his musical horizons and started performing with the jazz notables of the Pittsburgh, PA region; Joe Harris (Dizzy Gillespie), Roger Humphries (Horace Silver), Nathan Davis (Pitt University), arranger Arthur Powell, Pete Henderson, Larry Mcgee, Nelson Harrison (Count Basie), J. C. Moses (Eric Dolphy), Geri Allen, Carl Arter, Jothan Callins (Sun Rah), and others. Soon he achieved the opportunity to perform and travel with music notables Lou Soloff, Jimmy Owens, Johnny Lytle, and others for a number of years before locating to New York City.
While residing in the New York region Christopher Dean Sullivan has had the opportunity to share the stage in performance and/or record with Archie Shepp, Sheila Jordan, Carter Jefferson, Yusef Lateef, Odean Pope, Stanley Jordan, Freddie Hubbard, Billy Hart, Christian McBride, Stanley Jordan,
Sonny Fortune, Horace Parlan, Carl Grubbs, Irene Reid, Richie Cole, Jon Faddis, Vanessa Rubin, Eddie Henderson, Bob Gluck, Charli Persip, Henry Grimes, Pete Seeger, Roy Campbell, Della Griffin, Barbara Sfraga, Joe Lovano, Cotton Club All Star Band, Pucho and the Latin Soul Brothers, Israel “Cachao” Lopez, Stanley Turrentine, just to name a few.
G. Earl Grice — Drums
G. Earl Grice - G. Earl has been playing music throughout the New York City area for the past three decades. His talents stretch from the piano to the drums. His favorite instrument is the drums. He currently plays with the Crown Heights Affair. He is affectionately known as 'Sir Earl' with his fellow musicians. Impressing everyone with his ability to text and drum at the same time.
G. Earl has shared the stage with artists such as Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Rhoda Scott, Stevie Wonder, George Benson and many others.
Earl was also the recipient of the 1997 Jazz Award from the Jamaica Development Corp. Other drummers who have received this award include Max Roach, Roy Haynes, and Charlie Persip.
In addition to his music background, G. Earl has worked on approximately fifty movies and television shows as an actor.
Peter Lin — Trombone
Peter Lin - Taiwanese-American trombonist Peter Lin is a young and creative musician active on the New Jersey and New York scene. A graduate of the jazz programs of William Paterson University (undergraduate) and the graduate program of Rutgers University, Peter studied with jazz trombone legends such as Slide Hampton, Steve Turre, Conrad Herwig, Robin Eubanks, Steve Davis, & Frank Lacy. He has performed with many notable artists including Slide Hampton, Winard Harper, Charli Persip, Valerie Ponomarev, JD Allen, & Radam Schwartz. Peter is also an established educator, holding a prestigious faculty position at Melissa Walker & Christian McBride’s non-profit organization, Jazz House Kids.
His first record, With Respect, featured arrangements of classic Chinese and Taiwanese songs, which peaked at #3 on the NACC Charts and #4 on the RMR Charts. His second album, New Age Old Ways, features eight of his original compositions along with an original comic book with illustrations by Kelly Lin.
Norman Mann and Rafiki — South Orange Live Music Concerts
For me, booking this stellar cast of musicians every year means good times and great live music performances. Whether Norman Mann and Raiki are performing jazz originals and/or standards, you are guaranteed to be tapping your feet while dancing and swinging in your seat. These seasoned veterans combined have over 150 years in the entertainment business, creating a wealth of experience from numerous performances around the US and across the World. Hence, I invite you to check out the band Norman Mann and Rafiki and his other events currently at Irvington’s Cricket Club. I guarantee you a really great time.
About the Author
Gregory Burrus produces, promotes, curates and hosts numerous live music concerts. Gregory Burrus is also a supporter of local businesses and community events. On a regular basis he writes for various art and entertainment news sites, blogs while documenting community events. Just having fun, living life, while helping others.
Learn more at http://gregoryburrusproduction.com.