9/11 Remembrance, Max Weinberg, and Disco Fever

This week Count Basie brings a tribute to 9/11, the musical genius of Max Weinberg, and the energetic fun of Discopalooza to the stage.

Start off the week on Thursday, Sept. 8, by taking in Rebirth: A Full Length, Post 9/11 Documentary Film.  

The movie, directed by Jim Whitaker, is a full length documentary that “records the strength of the human spirit coping with disaster and the ongoing development of the World Trade Center site.”

The film follows five people who were affected by 9/11 from 2002 to 2009. The subjects include a survivor, a firefighter who lost his best friend, a high school student who lost his mother, a woman who lost her fiancé, and a construction worker who lost his brother, helped with the recovery efforts, and is now working on the construction of the Freedom Tower.  The movie follows the struggles and the healing process that followed the tragic events on 9/11.

Rebirth also tracks the rebuilding of the former World Trade Center site.  The documentary chronicles the progress so far, but will continue to track the evolution of the building until the site is complete.  The documentary will be presented for free at Count Basie, but tickets must be obtained through the box office.

On Friday, September 9th, head to Count Basie for a live performance of The Max Weinberg 7+ featuring Bill Champlin and Mindi Abair.

Max Weinberg is best known as the legendary, long time drummer for  Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.  Weinberg is also known as the bandleader for Conan O’Brien on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.

Weinberg was born and raised in NJ, and played drums from an early age.  He got his first big break in 1974 when he won an audition to become a drummer in the Bruce Springsteen Band.  He played with Springsteen until the band was dissolved in 1989.

Following his success with Springsteen, Weinberg went on to play with The Max Weinberg 7. He also landed the role of bandleader for Late Night with Conan O’Brien.  

In 1999, Springsteen resurrected the E Street Band, and Weinberg enjoyed a two pronged success as he was able to both tour with Springsteen and continue his role on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

For the Count Basie performance, Weinberg teams up with Grammy Award winning vocalist Bill Champlin (formerly of Chicago), and saxophone player Mindi Abair to create an eclectic sound of pop, funk and rock and roll.

On Saturday, September 10th, take a step back in time when Count Basie hosts Discopalooza.  Disco fans of all generations will be getting their groove on to a number of classic performers. 

 The lineup of live performances includes Trammps, famous for their hit Disco Inferno, Tavares, most widely known for their hit More Than a Woman, Santa Esmeralda, who performs the hit Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, and Carol Douglas, most known for Midnight Love Affair.

Also on the list of performers are France Joli, Lime, Martha Walsh of the Weather Girls, First Choice and Musique. The concert is hosted by CBS-FM, Joe Causi, and DJ Sal “Sally Boy” Curto.

Schedule:

• Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011: 9/11 Documentary: Rebirth 7:30pm
• Friday, Sept. 9, 2011: The Max Weinberg 7+, 8pm
• Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011: Discopalooza, 7:30pm