News

Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play the Music of Ray Charles in Theaters and on DVD

On one special evening at Jazz at Lincoln Center, two musical icons, Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis, along with the stunning songstress Norah Jones, collectively brought their unique musical perspective to 15 of legendary Ray Charles’ hits such as “Hallelujah I Love Her So,” “Hit the Road Jack” and “Unchain My Heart.” Recorded in High Definition by HDNet, WILLIE NELSON AND WYNTON MARSALIS PLAY THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES gives music lovers a front-row seat to the sold-out concert, including never-before-seen rehearsal footage, interviews and photos. WILLIE NELSON AND WYNTON MARSALIS PLAY THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES can be seen in select cinemas from October 15 and arrives in-stores on both Blu-Ray and DVD on October 20 from A&E Home Entertainment for $19.95 (SD) and $29.95 (BD).

The concert event, including a half-hour backstage, behind-the-scenes interview special, airs on HDNet in true high definition on October 18 at 8:00 p.m. ET and on SIRIUS XM’s Real Jazz channel, SIRIUS channel 72 and XM channel 70 on October 18 at 8:00 pm ET. Blue Note Records will release a live album of the concert in Spring 2010.

Country music legend Willie Nelson and Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz artist and Jazz at Lincoln Center Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis share more in common than their multiple GRAMMY® awards. They also share great respect and admiration for the late musical pioneer Ray Charles. In February 2009, Nelson and Marsalis joined musical forces for a two-night Jazz at Lincoln Center concert event at New York City’s Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Their set list explored the legacy of Charles, cleverly sequencing the songs to tell the story of a love affair from beginning to end and beyond. This fine idea was made finer by the inclusion of fellow multiple GRAMMY® winner Norah Jones, whose style suggests a middle ground between Nelson and Marsalis. The sold out performance was captured on video, and the resulting footage expertly edited for the brand new DVD, WILLIE NELSON AND WYNTON MARSALIS PLAY THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES.

In addition to 90 minutes of exemplary, soul stirring music, both the DVD and Blu-ray versions of WILLIE NELSON AND WYNTON MARSALIS PLAY THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES feature All Access, a new documentary comprised of interviews with Marsalis, Nelson and Jones as they share thoughts and anecdotes about the Jazz at Lincoln Center concert. A musical photo gallery takes the viewer on a remarkable journey through the two-night event, including never-before-seen rehearsal footage, and set to the artists’ phenomenal rendition of Charles’ “What’d I Say.”

Prior to the DVD release, cinema audiences will have a chance to enjoy the concert on the big screen in High Defintion and full surround sound. DigiScreen will release WILLIE NELSON AND WYNTON MARSALIS PLAY THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES starting October 15th. at select cinemas in North America, Europe and the United Kingdom. Visit www.digiscreen.ca to find participating cinemas in your area.

  1. # #

WILLIE NELSON AND WYNTON MARSALIS PLAY THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES

Pre-order date: September 22, 2009

Genre: Music

Street date: October 20, 2009

Sug. Retail Price: $19.95 (SD), $29.95 (BD)

Rating: N/A

Catalog #: AAAE159340 (SD), AAAE168780 (BD)

Running Time: 90 minutes plus bonus

Screeners: Available upon request

Format: DVD/Single

Color Artwork: http://www.jalc.org/about/press/willie_wynton.html

SET LIST

01. Hallelujah Love Her So
02. You Are My Sunshine
03. Come Rain Or Come Shine
04. Unchain My Heart
05. Crying Time
06. Losing Hand
07. Hit The Road Jack
08. I’m Moving On
09. Busted
10. You Don’t Know Me
11. Here We Go Again
12. Makin’ Whoopee
13. I Love So Much (It Hurts)
14. What’d I Say
15. That’s All

« Previous Entry

Next Entry »

Comments

  1. A great performance and I am still trying to find out who the pianist and bassist were.

    walt on Dec 17th, 2010 at 1:05pm

  2. Any news of when/if a cd of concert will be released?

    Linda, Boulder on Nov 15th, 2009 at 11:13pm

  3. Hi!! I was watching Dancing with the Stars last night and saw Norah Jones on there! I think all Willie and Wynton is rubbing off on her. She was playing blues guitar while she sang “Come Away With Me”. That’s a trick from Willie’s hat if I ever saw one!

    Oh, and Norah, you were great!!!

    karen on Oct 21st, 2009 at 1:56pm

  4. Can’t wait to hear it. Looking at the song list, I’m starting to imagine what Wynton and Willie will sound like on these classic tunes. Surprising, but I think this is the first time Wynton has recorded Makin’ Whoopee and Come Rain or Come Shine?

    ZW on Oct 10th, 2009 at 5:12am