Irvin Mayfield to Release Book & CD, “A Love Letter To New Orleans” on April 26th, 2011

A Love Letter to New Orleans will be released nationally
through Amazon and select retailers on April 26, 2011. A series of local
book release parties will be held at the Tennessee Williams Literary
Festival on March 27 at The Palm Court Jazz Café in New Orleans and
April 20th and 30th at the Irvin Mayfield Jazz Playhouse in New Orleans.

(New
Orleans, Louisiana)—Irvin Mayfield and Basin Street Records announced
today the release of A Love Letter to New Orleans, a richly designed
coffee-table book and CD that provides an intimate glimpse into the
people, places and ideas that have shaped Mayfield’s musical evolution
into an internationally recognized Jazz artist. Anchored by a stunning
black and white cover photo of Mayfield by jazz photographer Herman
Leonard, A Love Letter to New Orleans begins with a foreword by
journalist Soledad O’Brien, who after her first interview with Mayfield,
is convinced that in her next life she wants to come back as a native
of New Orleans.

The richly illustrated collection of essays and
photographs give life and meaning to each song on the accompanying CD,
also titled A Love Letter to New Orleans. The book reveals intimate
childhood memories and Mayfield’s keen observations on art, love and
loss. Throughout the book, Mayfield reminisces of the musical
inspirations that fueled his creativity and led to his numerous artistic
collaborations. In a poignant passage, he shares the quiet influence of
his father, a postal worker who played trumpet and harbored dreams of
one day “Getting out his old trumpet “ to give his son some much needed
competition. He candidly writes of an eclectic group of musicians who
influenced his artistic pursuits including bassist George Porter Jr. of
the Funky Meters; drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez; Big Chief Bo
Dollis of the Mardi Gras Indians; and piano genius James Booker. In a
moment of candor, Mayfield reveals the creative bond and tension that
developed between him and his co-bandleader, percussionist Bill Summers,
of the critically acclaimed Los Hombres Calientes project. “We faced
every challenge and argument that could arise between co-band leaders
with a thirty year difference. It was our difference, however, that made
for some really diversified and energetic music.” states Mayfield.

The
book is peppered with backstage anecdotes and funny studio shenanigans
including a story about the mayhem of a typical New Orleans recording
session for Los Hombres Calientes when much to the chagrin of Summers,
Mayfield invited over 20 musicians including Kermit Ruffins who showed
up with a suitcase of Bud Light, Trombone Shorty, an array of Mardi Gras
Indians, some church singers, and at least 10 other musicians. In a
chapter dedicated to Gordon Parks, the legendary film director and
photographer who also plays piano on Mayfield’s recording Wind Song,
Mayfield recalls Park’s advise to “Search, lead and love through your
art.” The many stories comes to life with vivid photographs by some of
New Orleans most prodigious photographers, including Ericka Goldring,
Jeff Strout, Greg Miles, and the late Michael P. Smith and Herman
Leonard. Woven through each story is Mayfield’s overwhelming love for
New Orleans, the city of his birth. “New Orleans is not a city, New
Orleans is an opportunity. It’s not the music, the food, the
architecture or the art that makes New Orleans great; It’s the people, ”
writes Mayfield.

Musically, A Love Letter to New Orleans
includes 14 selections from Mayfield’s 10-album recording career on
Basin Street Records. “We selected songs that tell the story of
Mayfield’s evolution as an artist, ” states Mark Samuels, founder and
CEO of Basin Street Records, who signed Mayfield to his first recording
contract at the young age of 20. “A Love Letter to New Orleans is both a
letter of thanks to all of the incredible artists that I had the honor
to work with and it is a love offering to my beloved city of New
Orleans.” states Mayfield. The CD, which is also available independent
of the book, includes selections from the four critically acclaimed Los
Hombres Calientes albums featuring Bill Summers and drummer Jason
Marsalis. It also includes selections from Strange Fruit, and Love Songs
& Duets, Mayfield’s seminal recording with Ellis Marsalis. Other
selections include collaborations with mentor and Grammy-award winning
Wynton Marsalis, and the 80-piece Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, to
name a few.

As a composer, bandleader, cultural ambassador and
University of New Orleans professor, Mayfield is a true musical
offspring of New Orleans. He formed his first band at the age of
fourteen, signed his first recording contract at the age of 20, won a
Latin Billboard Award at 22 and a Grammy Award at 32; and now at the
young age of 33, has published his first book. Mayfield currently serves
as the Artistic Director for the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and holds
the position of Artistic Director of Jazz for the Minnesota Orchestra.
Mayfield also serves as Cultural Ambassador for the City of New Orleans
and was nominated by both President Bush and President Barack Obama to
serve as the youngest member of the National Council of the Arts. He
also serves on numerous civic boards and also oversees the Irvin
Mayfield Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta Hotel and Poorman Mayfield
Records.