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RoBu St Louis Big Band Film Project

ONE LOVE, ONE PEOPLE, TONS OF SOUL

RoBu Big Band is under the leadership of Ronnie Burrage, a native of St. Louis who currently resides in Bellefonte, PA. Ronnie, having established himself as one of the most recorded jazz drummers in the industry and the youngest to perform with Duke Ellington and at Carnegie Hall, has traveled the world many times with numerous jazz greats.

The work of Ronnie Burrage and his company, RoBurrage Productions, aims to give back to his home of Saint Louis by producing events such as the RoBu Big Band Concert, as well as implementing youth empowerment platforms that advance the legacy of music, art, global leadership and social justice for generations to come.

The RoBu Big Band project is part of a larger Film Documentary initiative to explore the rich cultural history of St. Louis and tell the stories of numerous artists that have come from the region.  When it comes to jazz history, St. Louis has trailed behind places like New Orleans because of the well-told narratives and funding around New Orleans jazz – inaccurately making it the ‘only’ place where jazz was created and expressed.

Similarly, it is critical that these stories be told since, for example, one of our great icons – saxophonist, Willie Akins – is presently battling some serious health issues. His career in jazz in St. Louis is a legacy that will be shared to all through this project.

ACTIVITIES & TIMELINE

This project has already undergone one successful RoBu Big Band event, which occurred in June at Voce in St. Louis. The musicians came together and presented a wonderful music experience for the many attendees.

On October 3rd and 4th the Big Band will give another concert in partnership with Man of Valor nonprofit and University City High School. The rehearsals at University City Hight are open to the public and the music students.

Documentary filming will be conducted the entire week leading up to the Oct event and future concerts in the spring of 2016.

Outreach efforts, including music workshops and enpowerment forums, for youth in the St Louis area will take place around each RoBu Big Band concert in 2015 and 2016.

The finished film project is projected to be available in Dec 2016.

Thank you in advance for your support in bringing awareness to the great legacy of St. Louis jazz!

Sincerely,
Ronnie & Chanda Burrage

Organizer

Ronnie Burrage
Organizer
Bellefonte, PA
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