Wednesday: Grammy Museum Presents Jazz Icon Charlie Haden

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The Grammy Museum will host The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts' Duke Jazz Talks Jan 21. The West Coast edition of the series, traditionally held at New York's Lincoln Center, is a one-on-one conversation between Los Angeles based Grammy winning jazz composer/ bassist Charlie Haden and Bob Santelli, Executive Director of The Grammy Museum.

"I am particularly excited to bring the Duke Jazz Talks to Los Angeles, hosting the extraordinary Charlie Haden in his own home city, as well as ours," says Santelli in a statement.

Haden has been defining jazz since the late 1950s, beginning as a member of Ornette Coleman's quartet and then exploring styles and messages throughout his career. He recently returned to his childhood bluegrass and country influences to release "Charlie Haden Family & Friends - Rambling Boy." From that, Haden received a 2009 Grammy Nomination in the category of Best Country Instrumental Performance for the song "Is This America (Katrina 2005)." If he wins, it will be his fourth Grammy.

Haden is also known for offering political viewpoints through his music. During the 1960s, he formed the Liberation Music Orchestra to protest the Vietnam war. The group reunited in response to the Bush administration. It's hard to say if politics may be a topic the day after Barack Obama is sworn in as President, but the background gives a glimpse into the layers of narrative that Haden has given to jazz, and music in general.

After the interview, Charlie Haden will perform with pianist Alan Broadbent, a member of Charlie Haden Quartet West. The group plays with the theme that melancholy jazz is having a sordid affair with film noir.

"Duke Jazz Talk with Charlie Haden" is Wednesday, January 21, 2009, at 8pm in the GRAMMY Sound Stage. Doors open at 7:30pm. Tickets are $14.95; $12 for Museum members. You can purchase tickets through the Museum Box Office from 10am and 6pm, or find them online

Also Haden is the subject of the current documentary called simply "Charlie Haden Rambling Boy" that will be screened at REDCAT February 12.

The Grammy Museum Public Program Series opened with Brian Wilson this Thursday. January 22 the space will host a roundtable discussion with the "Masterminds Behind the GRAMMYs."