HAPPY MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY FROM THE BLUE NOTE

From all of us at the Blue Note, here's wishing everyone a Happy Martin Luther King Day.

In this video, the late great pianist Dr. Billy Taylor talks about his friendship with Dr. Martin Luther King and how he came to write the Peaceful Warrior Suite in honor of Dr. King:

Here is the movement "If You Really Are Concerned Then Show It" with tribute clips done by Bret Primack:

Finally, one of the most famous speeches in history that needs no introduction. Full version here:

NEW SERIES STARTING FEB. 4; FRIDAYS @ 12:30AM - SPONTANEOUS CONSTRUCTION SERIES

The Blue Note is proud to announce a new series starting Feb. 4 to take place on Friday Nights in 2011 at 12:30am -

Spontaneous Construction Presented by Search & Restore is a series based on jazz's most important and distinctive element: improvisation. For each Friday night at 12:30am, ensembles are created from a pool of musicians ranging from up-and-coming to legendary, hand-picked to perform as a group for the first time. No rules or boundaries exist - the artists are free to create music on the spot as they see fit. After 30 years as one of the finest jazz club's in the world, the Spontaneous Construction Series brings back the feel of the old Blue Note Late Night Jam Sessions, but with a new and forward-thinking concept.

Feb. 4's Spontaneous Construction will feature:

Reid Anderson, bass

Andy Milne, piano/keyboards

Matt Mitchell, fender rhodes

Tyshawn Sorey, drums

To get tickets for this show click HERE