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WHEREAS, Center of Life (COL) is a community empowerment organization that serves to strengthen families, create opportunities for micro-enterprise and encourage home ownership; and,
WHEREAS, the COL Jazz Band, was established in 2000 by Tim Smith, along with his two sons, Tim Jr. and Isaiah Smith, and was initially supported by the talent and equipment of musicians Cornelius Martin and Lewis (Doug) Ransaw. The COL Jazz Band has given several musically inclined students the opportunity to do what they do best and earn money doing it; and,
WHEREAS, the COL Jazz Band is a part of a larger program called the KRUNK (Kreating Realistic Urban New-School Knowledge) Movement, which is a music and health initiative designed as a production company where students are engaged as engineers, equipment managers, musicians, dancers, rappers visual artist and writers performing for organizations and events all over the city and throughout the country; and,
WHEREAS, the COL Jazz Band took an impressive first place in the 2012 Next Generation Jazz Festival's Open Combo Division in Monterey, California. The COL Jazz Band played three original tunes from their new CD, Hazelwood, which was just recently released. Battle Cry by Pianist Brett Williams opened the set, followed by drummer George Geid III's Amalfi Coast. The band wrapped up with a beautiful rendition of bassist, Anton DeFade's tune HeartIE.S.S written in honor of his good friend Jordan Miles. The band received a standing ovation from the crowd; and,
WHEREAS, as the winner of the first place prize for the Open Combo Division, the band will perform onstage at the 2012 Monterey Jazz Festival in September 2012. In addition, COL Jazz Band members won two of the four soloist awards: George Heid II on the drums and Brett Williams on the piano.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and commend the Center of Life for its commitment to it...
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