Barry Manilow delivers on promise of instruments

By Bruce Fessier • The Desert Sun • September 29, 2008

Barry Manilow made good on his own bailout program today when the Palm Springs-based singer delivered $500,000 worth of musical instruments to 20 public schools.

With security fit for a high-ranking public official, Manilow stepped up to a makeshift stage and addressed a crowd outside of Palm Springs High School made up of students, band boosters and local school officials like a politician at a campaign stop.

"With a bunch of volunteers, we have been able to put together our own version of ‘Extreme Makeover: Band Edition," said Manilow, wearing sunglasses and a leather coat at the warm mid-morning event.

"So, now is the time to get those instruments to our kids. Drivers: Move those trucks!"

And with that, a caravan of trucks drove past the high school on Ramon Road, symbolizing the beginning of the delivery of the instruments.

Manilow said this campaign, called the Manilow Music Project, began with a telephone call — "one voice, I like to say" — about the plight of the Palm Desert Desert Middle School band program.

He and a few friends began looking at other local band programs and realized all were suffering from lack of funds.

His grassroots committee asked each school for a "wish list" for their music program. Manilow then went to one of his publishers, Hal Leonard Music, and the Yamaha company, which gives him discounts on instruments.

Manilow donated more than $10,000 per school, or roughly $250,000, and with sponsorships from Hal Leonard, Yamaha and the Toys ‘R Us Children’s Fund, that translated into $500,000 worth of instruments, music stands, sheet music and more.

Brian Foley of Indio Middle School got a tuba, marimbas, three flutes, three clarinets, a bass drum and a bass trombone for his program. He said he was grateful Manilow tried to help every school.

"It takes a community to have the arts happen," he said, "so, to have Barry Manilow do that for us — the entire valley instead of just select schools — is absolutely wonderful."

Students also seemed appreciative.

"He's a real inspiration," said Palm Springs High School junior Annalisa Cardenas. "He proved you can get where you want to go if you work hard enough."
Manilow said the hoopla over the announcement was just to inspire more people to support local music programs.

Manilow's publicist, Carol Marshall, said "Entertainment Tonight," "Access Hollywood" and "Extra" were expected to mention the giveaway tonight.

"I did this on a very grand scale," Manilow told the crowd, "but anybody can help out on a much smaller scale. Just call your school."

After the ceremony, with the Palm Springs High School Jazz Band playing while Manilow did interviews, Manilow said he may do more music projects in other regions.

"It all depends if I tour," he said. "If I actually went to a city that meant a lot to me, and I might be doing that next year, I might coordinate it for when I arrive at that city. I might actually make a donation to a local high school."

Manilow donates $500,000 for instruments

Desert Sun wire services • September 29, 2008

He may write the songs that make the whole world sing, but today Palm Springs resident Barry Manilow made a donation to encourage Coachella Valley students to learn more about music.

Manilow donated more than $500,000 in musical instruments to 20 middle and high schools throughout the valley.

The singer/songwriter -- best known for hits such as "Mandy" and "Copacabana" -- visited Palm Springs High School to announce the donations, which will benefit music programs in the Palm Springs, Desert Sands and Coachella Valley Unified School Districts.

Manilow told a crowd of teachers, school administrators and guests how his own life had been profoundly changed as a child when he was given a piano.

The donations were made through The Manilow Music Project, a nationwide effort to revitalize ailing music programs in schools.

Palm Springs High School Principal Ricky B. Wright said each school received anywhere from $15,000 to $18,000 worth of instruments, music, music stands and other items.

"It sure helps and it is a much needed contribution," Wright said. "For Mr. Manilow to do this is outstanding and it will not only help music programs here in the Coachella Valley but across the nation if everybody buys into it."

More information on the Manilow Music Project is available online at
www.manilowfund.org

Tune up for Jazz in the Pines festival in Idyllwild

But he knows from past visits to the alpine community that this is going to be his kind of festival.

Koz, a Los Angeles native, just played a gig last weekend at a Temecula winery. He plays 25 to 35 gigs every summer, and many of them are at wineries.

"There's a magic thing that happens between sun and wine and music and the outdoors," Koz said. "It's a beautiful thing, and it really makes for a lovely experience."

Jazz in the Pines will feature sets of music over two days in indoor settings and a meadow among giant evergreens on the Idyllwild Arts Academy campus

Koz, who came up with fusion and R&B bands and has played with rock bands, says “nothing can transplant being out in the middle of nature in a beautiful environment listening to music that is inspiring as much as the environment is.”

He said he appreciates the bebop that was played late at night in smoke-filled nightclub cellars but the new contemporary jazz, or smooth jazz, seems ideally fitted to beautiful outdoor locations such as Idyllwild or the California wineries.

"There are some gigs you have to (do) for routing," he said, "but there are always favorites. The ones we all look forward to are the ones that provide the musician with a little extra additive inspiration. If you're really taken care of and it's beautiful and everybody's having a great time, it's just going to be that much better of a show."

Koz's favorite gigs include the Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and the Planting Fields Festival in Oyster Bay.

He said he also likes playing the Palm Springs Smooth Jazz Festival.

Koz's father was an L.A. physician, and he loved taking his family to Palm Springs.

"We used to go there constantly, all year round," he said. "We'd rent a little place for the weekend. It's ironic. My dad was a dermatologist, and he loved to be in that sun."

Koz has become friends with Barry Manilow in the desert. Manilow has said he discovered Koz while listening to Jim Fitzgerald's local morning show on KJJZ-FM, and they wound up playing on each others' CDs.

Koz offers several saxophone solos on Manilow's upcoming "Greatest Hits of the Eighties."

Koz says another of his favorite live performances was indoors at the McCallum Theatre when Manilow decided to make a "surprise" appearance.

"I knew it was going to happen, but no one else did," Koz recalled. "He's a good friend, and we had this idea of him popping up in the middle of my show and saying, 'I want to do something.' And he launched into a song. The crowd went berserk. It was absolutely hysterical."

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Manilow among honorees at 2009 Steve Chase Awards

The 15th annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its beneficiary, the Desert AIDS Project, Feb. 21 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.


A principal honoree will be Palm Springs resident Barry Manilow.

Tickets to the black tie event, one of the largest and most prestigious charity benefits in the Coachella Valley, are available now for $425 by calling 323.2118, ext. 266.

Honorees will receive silver anniversary awards in recognition of their time, energy and commitment to the HIV/AIDS fight.

Manilow is being recognized for his contributions to the Coachella Valley and beyond. His Manilow Fund for Health and Hope is a major sponsor of AIDS Walks in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. It also has funded programs to raise money for school musical instruments, homeless youth and those afflicted with disease.

Dr. Anthony Fauci will receive the Silver Anniversary Science and Medicine Award. He is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Earlier this year, President Bush presented Fauci with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the U.S.’s highest civil award. He has helped explain how the AIDS virus destroys the body’s defenses and the mechanisms of induction of HIV expression. He also has been instrumental in developing therapy strategies.

Recipients of two other silver anniversary awards, and presenters and entertainers, are yet to be announced.

Jim Casey, president of Integrated Wealth Management, is co-chair of the ceremony with fund-raiser Barbara Keller. Integrated Wealth Management became a presenting sponsor by donating $150,000 to the event.

MORE INFORMATION: www.desertaidsproject.org and click on Steve Chase.

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Barry Manilow special gets Emmy nod

Barry Manilow's PBS television special, “Barry Manilow: Songs From The Seventies,” received an Emmy nomination earlier this week for Outstanding Music Direction.

But Manilow said the credit belongs to his music director.

“I just want to say how proud I am of Ron Walters that he got the nod,” Manilow said in a statement from a publicist.

Manilow, whose primary residence is in Palm Springs, is staying at his Malibu home while recording his latest greatest hits album focusing on the 1980s.

A report in the Globe newspaper said he was ill and weighing just 100 pounds, but publicist Stephenie Hope denied that.

She called to get Manilow's reaction to the Emmy nomination Friday, and, upon asking how he was, she said he jokingly replied, “Didn't you hear? I'm dying!”

Actually, he's also rehearsing his new Las Vegas show, planning an arena show and enjoying the beach, Hope said.

“Granted, he's pretty trim,” she said. “But 100 pounds? Give us a break. Even Mary Kate and Ashley weigh more than 100 pounds. And no, he's not ill.”

Manilow won an Emmy in 2006 for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for his PBS special “Barry Manilow: Music and Passion.”

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Sitting around at Barry Manilow's house talking music

Posted 7/15/2008 7:42 PM PDT on MyDesert.com

I’m known as the biggest Fanilow on The Desert Sun.

I’ve never taken a poll of the employees, but I do appreciate him as a musician and a Palm Springs neighbor.

And I love that Guillermo del Toro used his song, “Can’t Smile Without You,” in “Hellboy II: The Golden Army.”

I saw the film with my son, Clay, and couldn’t help but reminisce about Barry as we walked out of the theater with Barry singing on screen.

Clay met him back stage at the McCallum Theatre once. Later, Barry asked me about Clay’s school music experiences. Clay hated his middle school music program. He transferred out and joined the Buddy Rogers Youth Symphony, where he was given a trumpet and free music lessons as a scholarship recipient.

Barry then bought instruments for all of the local schools. I guess he thought the Buddy Rogers Youth Symphony was already doing its share of the load.

Inside the Manilow estate

Barry invited me to his house to tell me about his plan to raise money for school instruments.

Actually, he invited me to his back yard. I drove to his gate at the end of a cul de sac and a woman in a golf cart greeted me. Then the gate opened and she drove me 100 yards to some lawn chairs and a table where Barry and his assistant, Marc Hulett, were enjoying the Great Gatsby-type ambiance.

Barry spent about a year designing the landscape. There were pepper trees, with skinny leaflets hanging like vines, all around the massive green lawn. Jazz recordings wafted from his house in the distance.

The '80s music project

Barry told me about a CD of ’80s music he was planning. He was looking at songs with great melodies like Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” and “Careless Whisper” by Wham! He said he was doing the album for his record label chief and mentor, Clive Davis.
He’s in the studio now recording it. It will be his fourth “decade” CD for Davis. His first, “The Greatest Songs of the Fifties,” opened at No. 1 and revitalized his career.

“I’m just a grateful recipient of this man’s genius,” Barry said. “I’ve never in my life been involved with anybody like this. This is as close to Einstein, as close to genius as I’ve ever stood.”

The rock project

But the CD he’s dreaming about is his first album of original, guitar-driven rock music. He’s started it, but he’s trying to make it as authentic as when Ray Charles put his soul touch on country music.

“I’ve been studying what’s been going on out there, from the Foo Fighters to The Fray to Garbage,” he said. “Usually it’s jazz or pop or show tunes, classical or Dave Koz. This is the first time I’ve ever been serious about tackling an album that would be more guitar rock-driven.

“I’ve written all the songs and now I’m beginning to think of ‘How do I do this?’ The arranging I’ve got down. But, how do I record this album and make it authentic and not just a pop singer with guitars.

“These guys I’ve been listening to, they’re the real deal. It comes from their guts and if I can’t figure a way of it coming from my gut, then it’s just going to be a poseur. I have to find a way of doing my own genuine, truthful way of doing a rock album.”

I suggested a guitarist to listen to — another guy named Clive who plays with an English punk band called Cock Robin. He has this atmospheric sound that takes whatever he’s playing to a different dimension, like Brian Eno. I thought they’d be a great combination.

But Barry has to feel it in his own gut.

“I have the whole thing on my iPod, I listen to it all the time,” he said. “I’ve got to go dig into seeing what it is.”

I hope his fans will encourage him to finish it because he said, “It’s kind of scary and exciting. I’m not sure I’m even going to show it to anybody yet. If I actually finish it and we like it, I may say, ‘Well, that was fun,’ and go on. But, if I really like it a lot and want to share it with people, we’ll see where it goes.”

Band directors laud Manilow's gift of instruments

Eighteen of the Coachella Valley's 20 public middle and high schools have met today's deadline for ordering materials from the Manilow Music Project.

But the schools' band directors say they need more support to help their students compete for admission to the top music colleges.

Barry Manilow said that's why he announced his offer this month to buy $250,000 worth of instruments, stands and sheet music for local public schools with band programs.

"The reason I'm talking to you is not to brag about doing this," he said in an exclusive interview at his Palm Springs home, "I think everybody should do it. At your kids' school you can buy a clarinet and they would be very grateful for that clarinet.

"I thought the school system takes care of things like this. Well, they don't. Or they won't. Anybody that wants these kids playing music, they can do it."

Manilow formed a committee to help support local music programs. It assigned a point value to dozens of Yamaha instruments and offered each school 100 points for instruments they'd select on order forms due today. Manilow also got the Hal Leonard music publishing company to offer sheet music to the schools.

The materials are expected to be delivered in September.

"I hope it helps," Manilow said. "I hope it encourages other people to do it, too."
Local high school music instructors said the donations will supplement what their band booster programs are doing.

Paul Bluto, band director at La Quinta High School, said he sees Manilow's plan as a relief for his boosters, which last year helped lease $100,000 worth of instruments and band uniforms.
"Our biggest needs are providing uniforms and equipment," Bluto said. "I know that in the future, with the cuts coming down from the state, we're probably going to be hit pretty hard in transportation, to be able to go to events and do things."

Greg Whitmore of Cathedral City High School said transportation costs would be next on his wish list from another philanthropist. His bands have earned invitations to perform in prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall to British concert halls, but he said his students need financial help to be able to take advantage of those rare opportunities.

"I think Barry's belief that more needs to be done reflects his understanding that the arts are not oversubsidized," Whitmore said.

Brian Ingelson, band director and fine arts chairman of Palm Springs High School, said he's getting tympani from Manilow to add to a string orchestra his booster club helped him start with donations from the Agua Caliente band, the Friends of the Philharmonic, Wells Fargo and Tour de Palm Springs.

But Ingelson said Palm Springs is the only local school with 60 string instruments in an orchestra and it needs additional instructors.

"You look at Boston or New York or Philadelphia, there's an orchestra in every school," he said, "and they'll have staffs of five or 10 people that are hired by the school districts. They have private instructors. We just don't have that in California.

"For us to be able to have our students compete on a national level, (we need) fundraising and the generosity and support of the community."

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