Here is the most recently revised schedule of Featured Artists scheduled to appear at the Club Saratoga through October 20th of 2018. If you do not wish to receive this schedule, please reply with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line or text area. Otherwise, please forward to anyone who loves great music!

Every Saturday, from 3pm to 7pm (for32 years now and counting!), the 'Toga Trio, featuring Paul Ierino (piano), John Thorene (bass) and Jeff Peabody (drums,), performs with various guest artists or as a fabulous piano trio.

Last Saturday’s Recap: Hanna Cesario trekked 5 hours to get to her show from Mankato to Duluth…facing more of the same road construction delays as our other guest artists from South of Minnesota’s own Mason-Dixon Line (which, I am told, runs unofficially from East to West and through Hinkley!). But, she made it on time full of energy. Hanna and the ‘Toga Trio kept it moving right along and covered 32 songs in four sets! Hanna’s voice, as is her trademark, was spot-on as she performed ballads, jazz and blues with ease and clarity. As one audience member put it, “ …you have a voice that flows like honey…” Well said! This talented young lady not only sings and performs with her ukulele, and a band in Mankato, but is also a voice teacher, a pianist and a piano technician…tuning and repairing these sometimes-ungainly acoustic beasts to keep them playing and sounding as they should.

Set 1: Instrumental intros, as is customary, kicked of the set with ‘Kenny Barron’s Bossa,’ (1970 Kenny Barron, with a completely re-written bridge and other embellishments by Paul Ierino). Oscar Peterson’s 1976 version of ‘You Look Good To Me’ was next and then Hanna sang Irving ’s 1926 ‘Blue Skies.’ Ellington and Russell’s 1940 but still very popular, ‘Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,’ included a nice solo on the double bass by Mr. John Thorene, that was a nice contrast to Hanna’s voice, which is at least three octaves higher. ‘Bye-bye Blackbird,’ (1926 Henderson & Dixon) sounded great, although I’ve never been able to figure out what the lyrics mean…If anyone could tell me, it would satisfy a long-standing curiosity! ‘Crazy,’ (1961 Willie Nelson), made famous by Patsy Cline, sounded wonderful…Willie’s original title for the song was ‘Stupid,’ but Patsy Cline’s husband changed the word in the title and the lyrics to ‘Crazy,’ to make it sound less self-depreciating. Hanna did a fabulous job on ‘Moonglow,’ (1933 , & Eddie DeLange) with some nice vocal improvisation and jazz phrasing to embellish this already great tune!

Set 2: Duke Jordon’s 1953 ‘Jordu’ set the pace for the second set, with Charlie Parker’s 1953 (’53 was a great year for music!) ‘My Little Suede Shoes.’ Billy D’s break song for the original ‘Toga Trio came next, as Hanna sang ‘Get Your Kicks On Route 66,’ (1946 Bobby Timmons). Another terrific bass solo and some very nice piano improv were part of George and Ira Gershwin’s ‘They Can’t Take That Away From Me.’ Ms. Cesario sang ’s 1935 classic ,’ Begin the Beguine’ beautifully…like an early ‘Vegas club singer, with class and grace! Victor Young and Ed Heyman’s 1945 beauty, ‘Love Letters,’ was the next selection and the set ended with ‘All Of Me,’ (1931 Marks & Simons)…..but wait…it was break time but Hanna wasn’t done yet…so she picked up her ukulele and sang ‘Sleepin’ Bee, ‘(1954 Truman Capote and Harold Arlen), and then did a 1935 movie tune from ‘Top Hat,’ ‘Isn’t It A Lovely Day.’

Set 3: ‘Softly As In A Morning Sunrise,’ (1928 Oscar Hammerstein & Sigmund Romberg) started out the next set, with ’s 1942‘C-Jam Blues,’ featuring Paul’s amazing keyboard performance. More great keyboard, bass and drums from the trio, as they set up a funky backbeat for a modernized rendition of Cole Porter’s 1929 ‘What Is This Thing Called Love?’ Hanna sang Antonio Carlos Jobim’s 1962 ‘Desifinado,’ which means, ‘slightly off key,’ and was never even close to being off key! The hauntingly beautiful movie tune, ‘Cry Me A River, ‘ (1956 ), was made famous by Julie London, even before in was featured in the film ‘The Girl Can’t Help It.’ Hanna does sound very much like Julie London when she performs this song! More classic movie music followed with Irving Berlin’s 1946, ‘They Say It’s Wonderful,’ made popular by Ethyl Merman’s performance in ‘Annie Get Your Gun.’ A really nice blues-shuffle, ‘Walkin’ After Midnight,’ (1957 Alan Block & Donn Hecht) wrapped up the set.

Set 4: Oscar Peterson’s beautiful 2004 ‘Requiem,’ an Oscar Peterson version of Reynolds & Lyon’s 1974 ‘Backyard Blues,’ and a third by Oscar…his 1964 ‘Hymn To Freedom,’ initiated the final set. Hanna took the stage and sang ‘There Will Never Be Another You,’ (1942 Warren & Gordon, from movie ‘Iceland’). Channeling Dorothy from ‘The Wizard Of Oz,’ Hanna performed ‘Over The Rainbow,’ with every bit of the sensitivity of the late Judy Garland! Ray Charles had a hit in 1961 with Bobby Sharp’s blues composition,‘Unchain My Heart,’ showcasing Hanna’s command of blues tunes. Back from the blues to another show tune, ‘Pure Imagination, ‘ (1971 Bricusse & Newely originally performed by Gene Wilder in the movie ‘Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory), which led to the final selection of the session, ‘Alright, Ok, You Win,’ (1953 Watts & Wyche)…a song that Peggy Lee had a long-standing hit with.

Thanks to Hanna Cesario for the beautiful singing and making the trip up for this gig, and Paul, John and Jeff for all of the music and fun they provide….to you, our audience, for supporting these talented people, and to our club owners, Phil F. and Dan L. for the venue. Also, Emily (your fearless wasp- swatting barkeeper!), Tony S. (club manager) and Rachel, (your server) for all of the great service.

See you next week with Rich Mowers and Billy Barnard! These guys have it down for fantastic guitar, saxophone and vocals!

The Jazz Link at www.clubsaratoga.com/jazz.html is up and running. For those of your friends that haven’t subscribed to the e-mail list for jazz….they can click on the link that says,”Click here for Jazz Schedule,’ and they will have it.

Legal Matters: Fun is always in the air at the ‘Toga, and incredibly accomplished musicians are there performing every Saturday afternoon from 3pm to 7 pm. All are welcome to come and enjoy the music and friendly atmosphere, but you must be 21 years old and be prepared to show proper I.D. to staff, or be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian! A lot of young music enthusiasts do show up with parents or grandparents. So, kids…round up the old folks and come on down! Music is for everyone and we don’t like having to turn anyone away!

The updated summary:

Saturday, September 8, 2018: Rich Mowers & Billy Barnard! Many of you have heard Billy and Rich play with John Thorene on the bass at the Radisson. Mr. Barnard, “The Professor” teaches guitar and jazz studies at UMD…Check out his bio at UMD http://sfa.d.umn.edu/node/1516 …you will see that this fabulous music educator and guitar player has performed with none other than Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Rufus Reid. Rich has been playing in various groups since 1984, performing with or accompanying Wayne Newton, The Harry James Orchestra, Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians, The Mills Brothers, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Patti Austin, Johnny Mathis, Russ Morgan, Fred Sturm, Steve Lippia, Paul McKee, Tom Matta, Andre Hayward, Bob Bacca, The Wayne King Orchestra, Clambake and the Pied Pipers,The Big Time Jazz Orchestra, UMD Jazz Ensemble, Twin Ports Wind Ensemble, The Club Saratoga Jazz Trio, Lounge Hounds, The Hounds, Dr. Soul and the Blueshounds, The Shack Pack, Steve Millar and the Diamondheads, Radio Days, Northshore , Big Woods Big Band, Red Rudeck and the Talkabouts, Hungry Five Society, Multiplicity, Ray Ahlgren, and most recently The Trio with Billy Barnard and John Thorene.

Saturday, September 15, 2018: Lee Engele Lee is scheduled to rejoin the ‘Toga Trio as a featured vocal artist. Lee has performed at the Metropolitan Room in , fronts Twin Cities big bands, and her active solo career has put her in the company of both local and national artists such as Butch Thompson and clarinetist Evan Christopher. She has appeared at numerous events and jazz festivals including the Twin Cities Jazz Festival for the past 17 years. She has also performed in concert at the Bloomington Center for the Arts, Hopkins Center for the Arts, and the Old Log Theater. Lee has three self-produced CD’s to her credit, as well as featured internationally on a number of jazz compilation CD’s www.leeengele.com

Saturday, September 22, 2018: Greg & Tanya Moore will share their amazing talents with us…Greg on sax and clarinet, and Tanya performing vocals! Tanya Moore is active on the Twin Ports arts scene as a singer, teacher, terrific vocal coach, actress and music director. She has been singing at Club Saratoga since 2008. Tanya has performed on the UW-Superior University Recital Series as part of the recurring Greg Kehl Moore and Friends jazz-themed recitals. Tanya has been prominent on the local theater scene, notably including her roll as Lena in the long-running Ole and Lena's Wedding. She has served as music director for several Duluth Playhouse youth productions including Fame, The Lion King and Legally Blond. She recently performed in the roll of Rosie for the Duluth Playhouse production of Mama Mia at the newly renovated NorShore Theater.Tanya teaches voice at the UW-Superior Conservatory. She holds a Bachelor's degree in music with a theater minor from UW-Superior.

Saturday, September 29, 2018: Dorothy Doring & Donald Thomas will return. They are both vocalists (Donald is also a drummer). Don has been in the music world his whole life, having been encouraged when some of his friends heard him singing with his own unique sound and style, yet reminiscent of Lou Rawls. You can find a recent video of Donald performing on YouTube at this address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czGu2p0QFFQ&noredirect=1

Dorothy is a music educator and tremendous vocalist, and happily retired from St. Paul Schools. To hear her versions of Horace Silver’s ‘Song For My Father,” Nora Jones’, “Don’t Know Why,” and many others such as “P.S. I Love You,”… all different styles of music, all extraordinarily executed, is inspiring. Dorothy's website is www.dorothydoring.com and she has a lot of YouTube videos. Here’s one with Donald Thomas on the drums: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnghmY62_Fk.

Saturday, October 6, 2018Arne Fogel will return to the Club Saratoga! Arne is an astounding artist with such an incredible list of accomplishments that one should really take the time to read through his website: http://arnefogel.com/ to have a look at all he’s been up to. His Bing Crosby connections alone are fantastic! Arne’s shear ability and talent combined with that engaging personality add up to an unforgettable music experience for all that have heard and seen him and enjoyed his albums. His mentoring and collaborations with others (Nancy Harms, Maud Hixson and more) have helped to gift us with additional top notch artists, performances and albums to enjoy. Here’s a recent one with Jennifer Eckes www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BIIyXdsk5Y Arne’s deep love and knowledge of his craft and this fine art we call music seems further unbounded by the fact that he even has his own radio show on JAZZ 88 FM in the Twin Cities and 8 pm on Sunday nights. You can stream it on demand anytime here: http://www.jazz88.fm/show/the-bing-shift/

Saturday, October 20, 2018 : Lila Ammons has forged a path in music that at once honors tradition and her own expressive impulses. Beginning her vocal career in opera houses and concert halls, she later returned to her roots in jazz and the Classic Blues tradition. For the past eight years she has gained popular and critical acclaim touring Europe and Brazil with German pianist Axel Zwingenberger, and as feature vocalist with the ABC&D of Boogie Woogie Quartet with Zwingenberger and Charlie Watts. Ammons has won fans of Bossa to Classic Blues performing at some of the Midwest’s and Europe's largest Boogie Woogie, Blues, and Jazz Fests. For the past year, Ammons has returned Stateside and her Jazz ensembles are performing regularly in her home-base of the Twin Cities. Through recordings and live performances alike, Ammons continues to attract new audiences with her nuanced vocal jazz narratives, a respect for jazz idioms, traditional Blues and an unpredictability that delights. Lila’s recent album,’ The Nearness of You,’ is a premium work of art, recorded with superb musicians and top drawer audio engineering. This is very personal music, perfect for quiet, intimate listening, where you can really appreciate this level of talented artistry…unless, of course, you can hear her live! You CAN hear this world-class performer live at the Club Saratoga! No cover, come early to make sure you have a place to sit and enjoy! Lila’s albums will be available at the show. http://www.lilaammonsmusic.com

8-September Rich Mowers Billy Barnard 15-Sept. Lee Engele Vocals 22-Sept. Tanya & Greg Moore Vocals, Sax, Clarinet 29-Sept. Dorothy Doring & Donald Thomas Vocals 6-October Arne Fogel Vocals 13-October To Be Announced 20-October Lila Ammons Vocals

Jazz Every Saturday from 3 to 7 pm Club Saratoga

331 Canal Park Drive

D u l u t h , Minnesota 55802

218- 7 2 2 - 5 5 7 7 www.clubsaratoga.com/jazz.html Thanks for Supporting Live Music!!