Leaf of Populus grandidentata

Autumn colourof Populus tremula

Male flowers (catkin) of Populus tremula

Aspen is a common name for certain tree species, some, but not all, of those that are classified by botanists in the section Populus, of the poplar genus.^[1]

Species[link]

The following species are called aspens:

• Populus adenopoda: Chinese aspen (China, south of P. tremula)
• Populus grandidentata: Bigtooth aspen (eastern North America, south of P. tremuloides)
• Populus sieboldii: Japanese aspen (Japan)
• Populus tremula: Eurasian aspen (northern Europe & Asia)
• Populus tremuloides: American aspen (northern & western North America)

Habitat and longevity[link]

The aspens are all native to cold regions with cool summers, in the north of the Northern Hemisphere, extending south at high altitudes in the mountains. They are all medium-sized deciduous trees reaching 15–30 m (49–98 ft) tall.

All of the aspens typically grow in large clonal colonies derived from a single seedling, and spreading by means of root suckers; new stems in the colony may appear at up to 30–40 m (98–130 ft) metres from the parent tree. Each individual tree can live for 40–150 years above ground, but the root system of the colony is long-lived. In some cases, this is for thousands of years, sending up new trunks as the older trunks die off above ground. For this reason it is considered to be an indicator of ancient woodlands. One such colony in Utah, given the nickname of "Pando", is estimated to be 80,000 years old, making it possibly the oldest living colony of aspens. Some aspen colonies become very large with time, spreading about 1 m (3.3 ft) per year, eventually covering many hectares. They are able to survive forest fires, because the roots are below the heat of the fire, with new sprouts growing after the fire burns out.

Aspens do not thrive very well in the shade, and it is difficult for aspen seedlings to grow in an already mature aspen stand. Fire indirectly benefits aspen trees, since it allows the saplings to flourish in open sunlight in the burned landscape. Lately, aspens have an increased popularity in forestry, mostly because of their fast growth rate and ability to regenerate from sprouts, making the reforestation after harvesting much cheaper, since no planting or sowing is required.

In contrast with many trees, aspen bark is base-rich,^{[clarification needed]} meaning that aspens are important hosts for bryophytes^[2] and act as food plants for the larvae of butterfly (Lepidoptera) species—see List of Lepidoptera that feed on poplars.

Young aspen bark is an important seasonal forage for the european hare and other animals in early spring. Aspen is also a tree of choice of the european beaver.

Uses[link]

Aspen wood is white and soft, but fairly strong, and has low flammability. It has a number of uses, notably for making matches and paper where its low flammability makes it safer to use than most other woods. Shredded aspen wood is used for packing and stuffing, sometimes called excelsior (wood wool). It is also a popular animal bedding, since it lacks the phenols associated with pine and juniper, which are thought to cause respiratory system ailments in some animals. Heat-treated aspen is a popular material for the interiors of a sauna. While standing trees sometimes tend to rot from the heart outward, the dry timber weathers very well, becoming silvery-grey and resistant to rotting and warping, and has traditionally been used for rural construction in the northwestern regions of Russia (especially for roofing, in the form of thin slats).

Aspens and other members of the Populus genus contain salicylates, compounds related to aspirin. Leaves and leaf buds of aspens have been used to treat burns, irritations, aches, and swollen joints.^{[citation needed]} Bitter herbal tea from bark and leaves has been used to treat mild urinary tract inflammations. The Ojibwe used the inner bark of the trunk as a poultice, and the Cree ate the inner bark in the spring as a mild purgative.^[3]

Legends[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

Aspen has been traditionally reputed in many countries to drive off evil spirits, hence it was often planted near the dwellings. According to an Eastern Slavic apocryphal legend, Judas Iscariot hanged himself on an aspen tree, hence its leaves have been trembling with horror ever since. The species does not grow in the Middle East, so this legend obviously has local syncretic origins.

An aspen stake was believed to be one of the few weapons suitable to kill a vampire. By the same token, a bigger stake could be driven into the grave of a person condemned to damnation, so as to prevent them from rising from the dead.

References[link]

External links[link]

Trees portal

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Aspen trees in heraldry

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Aspen.

• Aspen Information Resource, U.K.
• Quaking Aspen Forests of the Colorado Plateau
• Bioimages: Populus grandidentata bigtooth aspen
• Aspen Research Bibliography

Dominic Newton (born August 12, 1977), better known by his stage name The Jacka, is an American rapper from Richmond, California. The Jacka got his start in Pittsburg, California with his group, Mob Figaz,^[1] whose first album, C-Bo's Mob Figaz, was released in 1999. Newton converted to Islam at a young age and changed his name to Shaheed Akbar. He currently runs his own label entitled The Artist Records.^[2]

Early career[link]

He began his career with the Pittsburg group Mob Figaz, their first album, C-Bo's Mob Figaz, was released in 1999 and was a minor hit on the Billboard Hip Hop chart entering in at #63 but it sold fairly well making 160,000 units sold.^[3] His first solo release Jacka of the Mob Figaz in 2001 sold over 30,000 units. Jacka sold these units himself, in the Bay Area and shipping to one-stops across the country. Though great support came from the Bay Area, sixty percent of Jacka's sales came from outside of California.^[4] In 2005 The Jacka released his second solo album The Jack Artist but failed to chart.In 2009 the Jacka came out with his third solo album "Tear Gas" making it #93 on the billboard chart

Discography[link]

Solo albums[link]

• 2001: Jacka of the Mob Figaz
• 2005: The Jack Artist
• 2009: Tear Gas U.S. #93^[5]
• 2011: Murder Weapon (TBA) ^[6]

Singles/videos[link]

Mixtapes/Street Albums[link]

• 2005: The Jacka: The Mixtape
• 2006: Jack of All Trades
• 2008: The Jacka Is the Dopest
• 2008: The Street Album U.S. R&B #80^[7]
• 2009: Broad Daylight
• 2011: Flight Risk
• 2011: We Mafia
• 2011: The Indictment
• 2012: The Verdict
• 2012: The Sentence

With Mob Figaz[link]

• 1999: C-Bo's Mob Figaz
• 2001: The Comp
• 2002: Camp Mob Figaz - Street Soundtrack
• 2003: Mob Figaz
• 2011: Mob Figaz Reunion (TBA)

Collaborations[link]

• 2005: 3 da Hard Way (with Husalah & Marvaless)
• 2006: Mob Trial (with AP.9 & Husalah)
• 2006: Shower Posse (with Husalah)
• 2006: Explosive Mode 3: The Mob Gets Explosive (with Messy Marv, San Quinn & Husalah)
• 2006: Animal Planet Mixtape (with Husalah)
• 2007: Mob Trial 2 (with Fed-X & Rydah J. Klyde)
• 2007: 36 Zips (With Ampichino)
• 2008: Outbreak: The Epidemic (With Kel of the Western Conference)
• 2008: Drought Season (with Berner) U.S. R&B #55^[7]
• 2008: Mob Trial 3 (with AP.9 & Fed-X)
• 2008: The GoBots (with Lee Majors)
• 2009: The Price of Money (with 12 Gauge Shotie) U.S. R&B #88^[7]
• 2009: Drought Season 2 (with Berner)
• 2010: Neva Be The Same - 20 Bricks: Season One (with Laroo)
• 2010: The Gobots 2: D-Boy Era (with Lee Majors)
• 2010: Devilz Rejects 2: House of the Dead (with Ampichino)
• 2010: Jonestown (with Messy Marv & Blanco)
• 2010: My Middle Name Is Crime EP (with Andre Nickatina)
• 2011: We Mafia (With Big Hollis)
• 2011: Leaktime (With Freeway (rapper)) (TBA)
• 2012: The Chicken Hill Project(prod by - Hallway Productionz ^{[8] [9]}

Guest Appearances[link]

• 2004: "On the Block" (Yukmouth also featuring Benjilino & Lil' Cyco) (Soundtrack: United Ghettos of America Vol. 2)
• 2004: "More Crime" (Cormega) (EP: Legal Hustle)
• 2006: "From the Hood" (Traxamillion also featuring Husalah & San Quinn) (Album: The Slapp Addict)
• 2006: "Party Jumpin" (J. Stalin) (Album: On Behalf of the Streets)
• 2006: "Monday Like a Friday" (Andre Nickatina & Equipto) (Album: Bullet Symphony: Horns and Halos 3)
• 2007: "Millions On Our Mind" (Yukmouth also featuring B-Luv) (Soundtrack: United Ghettos of America: Eye Candy)
• 2007: "Zestaways (Remix) (Andre Nickatina also featuring Husalah) (Album: Glock Tawk)
• 2008: "Quarterbacking" (Keak da Sneak) (Album: Defiled)
• 2008: "PYOSY" (J. Stalin, Shady Nate & Jay Jonah) (Album: Pay Ya'Self or Spray Ya'Self]
• 2009: "Nohoe" (Remix) (D-Lo featuring E-40, Beeda Weeda & The Jacka) (Album: The Tonight Show with D-Lo)
• 2009: "Up All Nite" (Yukmouth also featuring Matt Blaque & Glasses Malone) (Album: The West Coast Don)
• 2010: "Woyyoy" (Baby Bash also featuring Jay Rock & Mickaël) (Album: Bashtown)
• 2010: "Everyday Is a Weekend" (E-40) (Album: Revenue Retrievin': Day Shift)
• 2010: "He's a Gangsta" (E-40 also featuring Messy Marv and Kaveo) (Album: Revenue Retrievin': Night Shift)
• 2010: "Count My Blessings" (Outlawz) (Mixtape: Killuminati 2K10)
• 2011: "I'm the King (Remix)" (Game also featuring Mistah F.A.B.) (Mixtape: Purp & Patron)
• 2011: "I Don't Give A" (G.A.P. featuring The Jacka, Ampichino & Young Bossi) (Album: Ampichino & The Jacka of Mob Figaz Present: I Am the Way I Rap)
• 2011: "All We Know" (G.A.P. featuring The Jacka, Joe Blow & Ren Fetti) (Album: Ampichino & The Jacka of Mob Figaz Present: I Am the Way I Rap)
• 2011: "100 Out Da Clip" (G.A.P. featuring Magg, Tha Jacka & Young Bossi) (Album: Ampichino & The Jacka of Mob Figaz Present: I Am the Way I Rap)
• 2012: "In the Ghetto" (E-40 also featuring Rankin Scroo) (Album: The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 1)

External links[link]

• The Jacka discography at Discogs
• The Jacka on Twitter

References[link]

This biographical article related to hip hop music in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Craig Morris is a world-renowned orchestral trumpeter. He is widely known for serving as the Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He is also known as a critically acclaimed soloist and chamber musician. He is an endorsing artist for the New York Trumpet Company,^[1] and is currently Professor of Trumpet at the University of Miami.

History[link]

Craig Morris was born in 1968 in Texas. He received much musical influence from his father, a local band director and tuba player. After high school he attended the University of Texas and received his Bachelor of Music. In 1991 he received a Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory.^[2]

Career[link]

Craig Morris was a member of the Pinnacle Brass Quintet from 1991–1994, as well as a member of Dallas Brass. He obtained the position of Principal Trumpet in the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra, Opera, and Ballet from 1994-1996. From 1998-2001 he was Associate Principal Trumpet for the San Francisco Symphony. In 1998 Craig Morris also had a short stint with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as Fourth/Utility trumpet. In 2001 he was named Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at only 32 years of age.^[3] He has also appeared as a solo artist with the Austin Handel-Haydn Society, Diablo Symphony Orchestra, and the San Francisco Old & New Music Ensemble.

Mr. Morris is currently the Professor of Trumpet at the University of Miami, Frost School of Music. Morris spends each August performing as Principal Trumpet at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, having been appointed by Music Director Marin Alsop in 2007. In 2011, Mr. Morris won the principal trumpet position of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Major performances[link]

• Soloist with the Chicago Symphony, playing Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 and Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat.
• Solo artist at the Ravinia Festival.
• Performed the world premier of Thom Sleeper's Concerto for Trumpet.^[4]

References[link]

http://craigmorristrumpet.com/

This article about an American classical musician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Lucia Annunziata.

Lucia Annunziata (Sarno, August 8, 1950) is an Italian journalist.

Career[link]

This biographical section of an article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (January 2009)