Welcome to the 50th issue of the Ebony & Ivory.news newsletter. The first issue appeared in January of 2001, announcing, among other items, the launch of the Ebony & Ivory website - www.ebonyandivory.ca.

Since that first issue the newsletter has developed from a black and white single sheet to a full-color 2-page newsletter containing details of concerts, conventions, mailings, upcoming events and other items of news regarding Ebony & Ivory. Here are some of the highlights of the last 4+ years reported in the Ebony & Ivory.news newsletter:

• 9 chocolate mailings go out containing over 20,000 pieces of chocolate (Yum!)

• Robert Baird attends over 20 Presenters' conferences

• Ebony & Ivory develops a Christmas Show

• Ebony & Ivory performs an extensive residency in Louisiana

• Our third Ebony, Fred Jacobowitz, joins Ebony & Ivory

• The Ebony & Ivory Gourmet Giveaway is a popular attraction at conventions

• The Crossword Puzzle Contest becomes an annual event

• Ebony & Ivory releases its debut CD - Red Hot!

The release of Red Hot! to the media has resulted in some glowing press reviews. Here's a sample of what they're saying about Red Hot!:

"I hardly know where to start with this comprehensive recording. Over 71 minutes of pure jazz and absolute musical bliss are unearthed amongst the 19 tracks on Red Hot. This ambitious project from Ebony & Ivory, a marvelously talented group of musicians that came together to give us this magical treat for the ears, cover contemporary, classical, bluegrass, ragtime, Latin, nearly every genre, subgenre, or fusion thereof, and they are all instrumental delights." (www.ejazznews.com)

Sales through the website and at concerts continue to be brisk and many fans of Ebony & Ivory are now able to enjoy the music of the Duo at their leisure. Airplay of the CD can be heard on Internet Radio and on many CBC stations in Canada.

Gilpin Publishing's newly designed website, located at www.gilpin.ca, is now up and running and features the compositions, arrangements and recordings of Andrew Gilpin. In addition to the just-released Red Hot!, www.gilpin.ca spotlights Andrew's previous CDs, Multiplicity and And All That Jazz. Featuring secure online ordering, www.gilpin.ca is your source for the music of Andrew Gilpin and Ebony & Ivory.

Now in its second year, the Ebony & Ivory Crossword Puzzle Contest garnered a record number of entries from all over North America. All correct entries were placed in a grand piano and a blindfolded guest judge (Andrew's Mum) drew the winning entry. Congratulations to George K. Baldwin, President, Cedar Rapids Community Concerts Association, Cedar Rapids, IA. He will receive:

• an Autographed Copy of Red Hot!, the Ebony & Ivory debut CD

• a Meeting Portfolio

• a Certificate of Crossword Competence (Signed by the creator of the puzzle)

• and Chocolates and Ice Wine!

Thank you very much to everyone who completed our crossword! Of course, Ebony & Ivory will also send a chocolate consolation prize to all who entered. Be sure to mark next February on your calendar for our 3rd Annual Ebony & Ivory Crossword Puzzle Contest.

Ebony & Ivory will perform at First United Methodist Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas on Sunday, April 17th at 6:30 p.m. Thanks to Kurt Kennedy, Director of Music Ministries, for engaging the Duo and for making all of the necessary arrangements.

PERFORMANCE

First United Methodist Church

PERFORMANCE