Ellis Marsalis: An open Letter To Thelonious

NU JAZZ ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES THE FIRST JAZZ “LP” ON ITUNES – ELLIS MARSALIS: AN OPEN LETTER TO THELONIOUS

(New
York, NY) – Nu Jazz Entertainment–a long time producer of high quality
audio and video content in the genre of jazz–announced the January
2011 release of the critically acclaimed album, Ellis Marsalis: An Open
Letter To Thelonious, from the NEA 2011 Jazz Master inductee, as the
first traditional Jazz release in the new iTunes “LP” format on iTunes,
with bonus audio, bonus high-definition videos, bonus photos, bonus
liner notes and bonus literary content.

About the iTunes “LP” Format

The
iTunes “LP” format was launched in September 2009, and to date has
released approximately 30 albums from pop stars and major labels. An
Open Letter To Thelonious marks the formatsfirst foray into traditional
jazz content, with materials produced exclusively for the new format.
“The new iTunes “LP” format was the ideal vehicle for releasing this
project” says label president, Jerald Miller. “In association with Elm
Records, we were able to go in and create some extremely unique material
which not only gives great insight into the first family of musicians
to be named “Jazz Masters” by the National Endowment of the Arts, but
creates an exciting interactive program that every music lover can truly
enjoy.”

The iTunes “LP” Ellis Marsalis: An Open Letter To
Thelonious (Platinum Edition) will retail for $16.99 and features the
(11) eleven original tracks on the album, (3) bonus audio tracks, and
(4) bonus high-definition video tracks, bonus photographs from the
Milton J. Hinton Photographic Collection™ and the Marsalis Family
Archives™, bonus liner notes, and bonus literary content from the
award-winning book Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of An American
Original by Robin D.G. Kelley.

Included as the bonus video tracks
are: Marsalis Family: First Family of Jazz ( a discussion by Ellis of
how his family got their start playing music); Musings On Monk: The
Inspiration Behind An Open Letter To Thelonious (A discussion by Jason
Marsalis & Ellis Marsalis of what lead them to pursue the current
project); and Ellis Marsalis: My Life In My Words (a video autobiography
of Ellis’ life in jazz). Interlaced in the videos are intimate family
photographs of the Marsalis‘ throughout the years – Ellis as a young
musician and educator, Branford Marsalis & Wynton Marsalis — from
toddlers through high school, Delfeayo Marsalis on stage, and Jason
perfecting his skills as an up & coming drummer.

The
creation, production and computer programming involved in the entire
project was undertaken and completed by CYBER-NY (www.cyber-ny.com),
based
in the heart of midtown, Manahattan. “For quite sometime we’ve
specialized in developing multi-media and interactive content that meets
the physical requirements and is sensitive to the financial
contstraints of the smaller music genres.”, said Mike Brown, President
of CYBER-NY. “With this in mind we’ve created very specific affordably
priced packages, for those labels that want to make the foray into the
new opportunities that such formats as iTunes LP present. Whether it’s
Classical, Jazz, World Music, or any other niche genre we can provide a
specific package or customized options to make it feasible to join the
‘digital revolution’. This project allowed us to showcase some of the
things that could be done.”

The interactive experience brought
to you through the new “LP” format offers a different approach to
enjoying the music. You can watch as a master educator shares his
insights, read the liner notes or hear them read by the author, view the
never before seen photographs, learn the etymology and history of the
songs performed or enjoy the stories that give insight into the creation
of a living legend in jazz.

About “An Open Letter To Thelonious”

Thelonious.Monk….
enigma…. An artist whose unique sense of harmonic structure and rhythm
has captivated every jazz lover to date. While tribute albums to him
have come and gone, very few have managed to capture the essence of his
extraordinary uniqueness without attempting to replicate him. Ellis
Marsalis: An Open Letter To Thelonious (NJE #1034, #1035, #1036), the
latest release from contemporary jazz piano legend, Ellis Marsalis, does
just that.

In this critically acclaimed release, Ellis is
supported by Derek Douget on Tenor & Soprano Saxophone, Jason
Stewart on Bass, and Jason Marsalis on Drums. Originally released in the
physical format in 2008, this album is available for the first time as a
digital download on iTunes in the exclusive new “LP” format. With such
Monk classics as Crepuscule with Nellie; Jackie-ing; Epistrophy; Monks’
Mood; Straight, No Chaser; Light Blue; Teo; Ruby, My Dear;
Rhythm-a-ning; Round Midnight, and Evidence there’s something for jazz
aficionado and music lover alike..

Nu Jazz Records is proud to
herald the release of Ellis Marsalis: An Open Letter To Thelonious in
the new iTunes “LP” format and on digital music services around the
world. For more information on Nu Jazz Entertainment, Nu Jazz Records,
or Nu Jazz Video visit www.nujazzentertainment.com/press or email:
[email protected].