THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 17, 1996 TAG: 9604170052
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARSHA GILBERT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
LOVERS OF JAZZ, rap, blues, rock and funk should all find something to satisfy their musical appetite at WNSB's 91.1-FM Sweet 16 party.
Tonight from 8 to midnight, at the House of Jazz in Virginia Beach, a smorgasbord of musical styles can be sampled at the free Norfolk State University Acid Jazz Listening Party.
Malcolm ``Midday'' Butler and Ed ``Ed Love'' Hoffler, NSU seniors and deejays of WNSB's ``On the Verge,'' planned the celebration. The two host the station's only all acid jazz show, heard Saturday nights from 10 to 1 a.m.
``Acid jazz bridges the gap between the '70s funk and syncopated rhythms and improvisation of jazz,'' said Hoffler, 24, a mass communications major. ``It makes a melting pot of different musical genres.''
The Brand New Heavies, Incognito, and Ronny Jordan are some of the recording artists that demonstrate this musical form.
``It has a youthful edge that combines the principles of jazz improvisation coupled with underground music like hip hop and rap with European influences,'' said Butler, 25, who is also majoring in communications.
``It took root in England 15 years ago. People can't put their finger on whether it's pop, soul or straight jazz. Popular music is in one bin or another. Acid jazz doesn't fit into a mold.''
Partygoers can groove to prerecorded acid jazz selections, munch on refreshments, win tapes, CDs, posters, T-shirts and concert tickets at the mingling party.
``Acid jazz is an opportunity for younger generations to show appreciation for the forefathers of jazz,'' Hoffler said. ``It's not the be all and end all in jazz, but it gets people who aren't into jazz to check out past jazz artists when their music is sampled in new releases.''
As part of WNSB's anniversary festivities, the station is sponsoring a drive to register minority bone marrow donors.
``Only 6 percent of all registered bone marrow donors are African-American,'' said assistant station manager Deanna Moore. ``People only have to give about two pints of blood to register. If there is a match, they will be asked to donate bone marrow to help save the lives of people with leukemia or aplastic anemia. Donors can't cross races. African-Americans need to donate to each other.''
To learn more about acid jazz or to register as a bone marrow donor, call the station for information at 683-9672. by CNB