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Home , Arthur Blythe, Big Bill Morganfield, Cecil Brooks III, Comfort to the Soul, Detroit Junior, Don Braden

March/April 2004 Issue 267 Free Aged 30 Years www.-.com

March/April 2004 • Issue 267 Published by Martin Wahl Communications

Editor & Founder Bill Wahl

Layout & Design Bill Wahl

Operations Jim Martin Pilar Martin Contributors Michael Braxton, Mark Cole, Chris Hovan, Nancy Ann Lee, David McPherson, Peanuts, Mark Smith, Duane Verh and Ron ’s jazz festival – Weinstock. 25 years and still swingin’!! Check out our new, updated web For 25 years Highlighting the season are two gala con- page. Now you can search for CD Tri-C JazzFest certs with special performances by Diana Reviews by artists, Titles, Record Cleveland has Krall, , , Dr. Labels or JBR Writers. Twelve years of reviews are up and we’ll be going been presenting John, Christian McBride, the Clayton- all the way back to 1974! the brightest jazz Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and a host of luminaries – from others. In addition, we acknowledge Address all Correspondence to.... young lions to the Cleveland’s contributions to the jazz world Jazz & Blues Report legends. Beyond through performances by Joe Lovano, 19885 Road # 320 world-class per- , and an exploration of the Rocky River, 44116 formances, JazzFest is nationally recog- works of composer Tadd Dameron. Main Office ...... 216.651.0626 nized as a dynamic force for jazz educa- Our 25th anniversary season truly of- Editor's Desk ... 440.331.1930 tion, reaching more than 20,000 students fers something for every jazz palate, along annually through clinics, workshops and with our offering of world-class educational [email protected] in-school performances. events. Come be enlightened, enriched Web ...... www.jazz-blues.com In celebration of our “silver” anniver- and entertained. Here’s to America’s most Copyright © 2004 Martin-Wahl Communications Inc. sary, Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland will pay dynamic art form and to 25 swingin’ years No portion of this publication may be tribute to the legendary and at Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland! reproduced without written permission award-winning and Terri Pontremoli, Managing Director from the publisher. All rights Reserved. Cleveland native Tommy LiPuma. Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland Jazz Report was founded in Buffalo in March of 1974 and began in Cleveland in April of 1978. We are subsi- THE MAIN EVENTS dized solely through advertisement and ask that you support our advertisers. The Main Events listed below are national acts presented at various venues

throughout the community. Tickets are on sale now and advance purchase is a W division of artin-Wahl definitely advised. c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Thursday, April 15 - 7:30 p.m. turing Anthony Cole (drums) and Doug Sam Rivers Trio Matthews (bass) Uncompromising and adventurous, Museum of Contemporary Art Cleve- COVER PHOTOS: Left to Right with a career spanning more than half land, 8501 Carnegie Avenue, Phone: TOP a century, Sam Rivers is a formidable 216/421-8671.Tickets: $25 tickets.com artist. His style has been Presented with the support of , , described as “slippery”, coming out of WRUW Radio Tommy LiPuma the “snake school” of sax playing rep- BOTTOM: resented by players like Coleman Friday, April 16 - 8:00 p.m. Hawkins, Lucky Thompson, Benny GALA BENEFIT CONCERT Dr. John, , Golson and Lockjaw Davis, with a “Silver on Silver” features the music sound that is immediately and of the “Hardbop Grandpop,” Horace Sil- uniquely identifiable as his own. Fea- ver, whose work with Art Blakey’s Jazz PAGE TWO March/April 2004 • Issue 267 Messengers sparked the beginning of Davis. Friday, April 23 - 8:00 p.m. the hard-bop era. His profile as a Featuring charismatic genre-bend- Joe Zawinul and The Zawinul leader and composer rose for the next ing saxman Mike Phillips, the psyche- Syndicate two decades, especially with his sig- delic funky grooves of DJ Logic, Joe Now in his 70’s, Joe Zawinul shows nature tunes including, “Doodlin’,” Miller (trumpet), Bill Ransom (drums), no signs of slowing down artistically. “Opus De ,” “Sister Sadie” and Walter Barnes (bass), Rodney With a Zawinul describes as his “Song For My Father.” Hubbard (keyboards), and Frank best since Weather Report, the ever- Performing the music of Horace Sil- McComb (vocals). prolific keyboard virtuoso and ver: John Clayton, , David Saturday, April 17 bandleader explores an expansive Sanborn, Joe Sample, The Brecker Beachland Ballroom pan-global vision. The Syndicate’s in- Brothers, Joe Lovano, Christian 15711 Waterloo Road ternational cast features Etienne McBride, Geoffrey Keezer, Lewis Phone: 216/383-1124, web info at Mbappe (bass/vocals), Amit Chatterjee Nash, and 2003 DownBeat Reader’s www.beachlandballroom.com (guitar/vocals), Paco Sery (drums/ Poll Big Band of the Year, The Clayton- Tickets: $15/advance $20/at door kalimba), Sabine Kabongo (vocals/ Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. At all tickets.com outlets, online at percussion), and Manolo Badrena (per- Friday, April 16 – 8 p.m. www.tickets.com, by phone at 216/ cussion). Winner of 2003 DownBeat Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square 241-6000 or toll-free 800/766-6048 readers poll as Best Electric Keyboard/ Tickets: $85/100 At all tickets.com Presented with the support of Synthesizer player. outlets. Online at www.tickets.com. By Coors Light, Urban Dialect and WENZ CCC Metro Auditorium phone at 216/241-6000 or toll-free 800/ Radio 2900 Community College Avenue 766-6048 Wednesday, April 21 - 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $25 At all tickets.com Presented with the support of Organ Quartet outlets, online at www.tickets.com, by Daimler Chrysler, Jeep, The Plain Composer, arranger and stellar phone at 216/241-6000 or toll-free 800/ Dealer, The Verve Music Group and saxman, 2004 JazzFest Artist-in-Resi- 766-6048 WNWV 107.3 dence Don Braden (saxophone), Presented with the support of For- Saturday, April 17 - 8:00 p.m. swings in concert with Cecil Brooks, est City Enterprises GALA BENEFIT CONCERT III (drummer), Kyle Koehler (organ) Saturday, April 24 - 8:30 p.m. “The Art of LiPuma” honors and (trombone). The Spanish Harlem Orchestra Tommy LiPuma, a Cleveland native “Cookin’ Jazz” – The audience will The festival’s always popular Latin who began his music career here and also sample a recipe from Cecil Night this year moves the audience out has worked for over 40 years to be- Brooks, III of the seats and onto the dance floor come one of the music industry’s most HealthSpace Cleveland - Auditorium for a combined salsa concert and innovative and uniquely creative forces. 8911 Euclid Avenue dance! Spanish Harlem Orchestra is With twenty-one gold and platinum Phone: 216/231-5010, web info a power packed 12-piece all-star band records to his credit, thirty Grammy www.healthspacecleveland.org of alumni from the great salsa bands nominations, and three Grammy Tickets: $20 At all tickets.com of Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Willie awards, he is one of the most success- outlets, online at www.tickets.com, by Colon and Ruben Blades. They have ful pop and jazz producers ever! phone at 216/241-6000 or toll-free 800/ been Grammy nominated and are 2003 Performing in tribute to Tommy 766-6048. Parking on site: $4. Billboard winners in the New Artist LiPuma: Diana Krall, George Benson, Thursday, April 22 - 8:00 p.m. Tropical/Salsa category. Dance the Jimmy Scott, Dr. John, David Regina Carter Quintet night away to high-energy salsa spiced Newman, Joe Lovano, Christian Regina Carter is considered to be with blaring horns, peppy percussion McBride, Geoffrey Keezer, Lewis the most significant violinist in jazz and exuberant vocals. Free pre-con- Nash, and The Clayton-Hamilton since Stephane Grapelli. In a rare feat, cert salsa dance lessons begin at 8 Jazz Orchestra. Regina recently topped the classical p.m. Saturday, April 17 – 8 p.m. and jazz charts with her cd, “Paganini: LaCentre Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square After A Dream.” She was the first non- 25777 Detroit Road in Westlake Tickets: $85/100 At all tickets.com classical artist and the first black mu- Tickets: $25 At all tickets.com outlets, online at www.tickets.com, by sician to play Paganini’s world famous outlets, online at www.tickets.com, by phone at 216/241-6000 or toll-free 800/ violin. Regina currently leads her own phone at 216/241-6000 or toll-free 800/ 766-6048 quintet, with which she has toured ex- 766-6048. Presented with the support of Na- tensively. The concert celebrates the Presented with the support of Metro tional City Bank, The Verve Music Museum’s exhibition of Tommy Toyota and Bravo! Group, and WNWV 107.3. LiPuma’s private collection of Ameri- Sunday, April 25 - 7:30 p.m. Jazz Meets , Pt. 2 can Modernism. Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express Directed by drummer/percussionist The Cleveland Museum of Art Blending jazz, rock and funky R&B Bill Ransom, who has worked with 11150 East Blvd. into his own musical hybrid, Brian Au- Najee, Patrice Rushen and Gerald Tickets: $30/22 at the Cleveland ger has had a musical career stretch- LeVert. Museum of Art box office, y phone: 216/ ing over four decades. He has been Hip Hop jazz artists mix it up 421-7350, online: hailed as “The Godfather of Acid Jazz.” onstage, focusing on the early fusion www.clevelandart.org Auger’s newest version of The Oblivion music of the 70’s, including Weather Presented with the support of SBC Express is a family affair, featuring Report, and Miles and WCLV Radio Brian on B-3 organ and keyboards, his March/April 2004 • Issue 267 PAGE THREE son Karma on drums and percussion Cleveland Museum of Art whose sound “You hear an adventur- and daughter Savannah on vocals. 11150 East Blvd. in University Circle ous mind with a refreshing aversion to Chris Golden (who grew up in Cleve- For more information, go to clichÈ.” Evans will pay tribute, in words land) plays bass. www.clevelandart.org or phone 216/ and music, to his late father, Don Evans, Hall of Fame & Museum 421-7340 FREE a playwright whose works centered on One Key Plaza the African-American experience. April 9 - 30 Tickets: $20 at all tickets.com out- Among Don Evan’s best-known plays “Its All About Jazz” -exhibition and lets, online at www.tickets.com, y phone are “It’s Showdown Time,” “One Mon- sale of jazz-themed artworks at 216/241-6000 or toll-free 800/766- key Don’t Stop No Show,” and “A The Contessa Gallery 6048 Lovesong For Miss Lydia.” Don Evans Playhouse Square Center Presented with the support of House served for several years in the 80s as 1501 Euclid Avenue – Suite 112 of LaRose, Jo Ann Stores and WNCX Artistic Director of Karamu House. For information and schedule, phone Radio Karamu House 216/861-9280 2355 East 89th Street The Party Continues Tuesday, April 13 - 5-7 p.m. Presented with the support of WCPN JazzFest 2004 Kickoff Party Radio and The CCC Office of Diversity The following events run from Live Jazz Music - Win tickets, cds and Community Outreach March to May at locations all over and t-shirts FREE Event Cuyahog County. Some are free, oth- Night Town Thursday, April 15 - 11:45 a.m.- ers have a cover charge, some are lo- 12387 Cedar Road in Cleveland 1:15 p.m. cal, some are national acts. Heights Dukes of Wail Phone: 216/795-0550 FREE Event Throughout March & April Tri-C JazzFest Stage Tri-C JazzFest – A Visual Retro- Tuesday, April 13 - 8:00 p.m. Tower City Center FREE Event Holly Hofmann/Bill Cunliffe spective: 25 Years of JazzFest by Friday, April 16 - 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 Night Town Cleveland Artists p.m. 12387 Cedar Road in Cleveland Hts. Hopkins Gallery – Sponsored by The Cats On Holiday Admission charge. For tickets, call City of Cleveland Tri-C JazzFest Stage 216/795-0550 Cleveland Hopkins International Air- Tower City Center FREE Event port FREE Event Wednesday, April 14 - Noon Saturday, April 17 - 11:45 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies for Tri-C March 19 – April 10, 2004 1:15 p.m. JazzFest “Five Guys Named Moe” Eddie Baccus Quartet Tower City Center The Beck Center for the Arts Tri-C JazzFest Stage Music by The Tri-C JazzFest High 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood Tower City Center FREE Event For tickets and information, call 216/ School All-Stars; Artist Hector Vega will 521-2540 sign free JF25 posters; Win JF tickets Sunday, April 18 - 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Presented with the support of Tri-C and prize packages! FREE Event - the WNWV Smooth Jazz Brunch JazzFest Cleveland public is invited to attend! Pickwick and Frolic 2035 East 4th Street Wednesday, April 14 - 8:00 p.m. March 19 – April 18 $24.95 per person “Lenny & Steve Rediscovered”: Mary Deutschman and The Jazz Reservations, call 216/241-74255 Exhibit – jazz paintings The Music of Bernstein and The Beck Center for the Arts – main Sondheim Sunday, April 18 - 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. lobby Red {an orchestra} New Orleans Swingin’ Jazz En- 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood In 1957, two of America’s most re- semble For more information or schedule, markable composers, Leonard Tri-C JazzFest Stage phone 216/521-2540 FREE Event Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, cre- Tower City Center FREE Event ated magic with “West Side Story,” but Sunday, April 18 - 3:00 p.m The March 28 – July 18 their musical lives flourished separately Song Is You: “I Love The Blues – She Modern American Masters: High- as well. This program offers a unique Heard My Cry: The Impact of the lights from the Gill and Tommy opportunity to hear Sondheim’s non- Blues on American Popular Song” LiPuma Collection vocal music and Bernstein’s two great Music historian and radio personal- An exhibition highlighting the private works for the clarinet featuring Cleve- ity, Bill Rudman, with pianist Joe Hunter, collection of Cleveland native and land Orchestra principal clarinetist conclude their second season of their Grammy-Award winning record pro- Franklin Cohen. popular series on The Great American ducer, Tommy LiPuma, featuring se- CCC Metro Auditorium Songbook. This program features lected pieces by leading American art- 2900 Community College Avenue th Evelyn Wright on vocals, singing ists of the 20 century. Reflecting the Tickets: $55/37/26/15 “Stormy Weather,” “Mood Indigo,” personal taste of a man who has a deep Phone: 440/519-1733, website “Black Coffee” and more. passion for experimental American www.redanorchestra.org Modernism, the LiPuma collection fea- CCC Metro Main Stage Theatre tures works spanning the years 1906- Wednesday, April 14 - 8:00 p.m. 2900 Community College Avenue 1946 by Alfred Maurer, Marsden Hartley, Orrin Evans: “Song For My Father” Tickets: $10 at the door on day of , John Graham and Arnold has called Orrin show Friedman. Evans “a singular young pianist” in Presented with the support of WRMR PAGE FOUR March/April 2004 • Issue 267 March/AprilMarch/April 2004 2004 • • Issue Issue 267 267 PPAGEAGE F FIVEIVE Radio of this trailblazing musical comedy, Tri- 2900 Community College Avenue C JazzFest will celebrate the Great FREE Event Monday, April 19 - 11:45 a.m. – American Songbook by showcasing the 1:15 p.m. Friday, April 23 – 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 music and lyrics in a one-night-only jazz Sammy DeLeon Y Su Orquesta p.m concert hosted by Bill Rudman. Tri-C JazzFest Stage Annual Field Trip – free; reserva- The Beck Center for the Arts Tower City Center FREE Event tions suggested (216/987-4444) 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood “Roads to Freedom”: A Celebration Tuesday, April 20 - 11:45 a.m. – 216/521-2540 FREE Event of the civil rights movement. 1:15 p.m. Presented with the support of WRMR “Move to the Groove”: A history of Tri-Tones Radio jazz through dance, visual art and mu- Tri-C JazzFest Stage Thursday, April 22 8:30 a.m.- 5 sic Tower City Center FREE Event p.m Friday, April 23 - 9:30 a.m. – 4: p.m. Tuesday, April 20 - 7:30 p.m. High School Instrumental Perfor- Jazz Giant Series “Dameron’s Dance” mance Workshops Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland is a pio- The music of Cleveland native, Tadd Main Stage Theatre neer in educational jazz festivals, fea- Dameron, is celebrated in this concert CCC Metro turing world-class artists, as adjudica- featuring Kenny Davis (trumpet), Don 2900 Community College Avenue tors and instructors in daily clinics and Braden (saxophone), FREE Event master classes (drums), Eric Gould (piano), Robin Metropolitan Campus Cuyahoga Eubanks (trombone), Glen Holmes Thursday, April 22 - 9:30 a.m. – Community College (bass), and Derrick Gardner (trumpet). 12:30 p.m. 2900 Community College Avenue Kenny Davis will receive the 2004 Annual Field Trip FREE Event Cleveland Jazz Legend Award. “Roads to Freedom”: A celebration 9:30 a.m. Conrad Herwig – Studio CCC Metro Main Stage Theatre of the civil rights movement. Theatre 10 2900 Community College Avenue “Move to the Groove”: A history of 11 a.m. Don Braden - Studio The- Tickets: $20 at all tickets.com out- jazz through dance, visual art and mu- atre 10 lets, online at www.tickets.com, y phone sic. 12:15 p.m. Ernie Krivda directs stu- at 216/241-6000 or toll-free 800/766- FREE Event; reservations sug- dent ensemble – Main Stage Theatre 6048 gested (216/987-4444) 1 p.m. Jackie Warren directs Latin Presented with the support of Bonnie Thursday, April 22 - 9:30 a.m. – 4 Jazz Jam Session Speed and WCPN Radio p.m. 2 p.m. Kyle Koehler – Auditorium 2:30 p.m. Cecil Brooks, III - Studio Wednesday, April 21 - 11:45 a.m. Jazz Giant Series Theatre 10 – 1:15 p.m. Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland is a pio- Friday. April 23 UpEnsemble neer in educational jazz festivals, fea- 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tri-C JazzFest Stage turing world-class artists, as adjudica- Recording Arts and Technology Pro- Tower City Center FREE Event tors and instructors in daily clinics and master classes gram Demonstration Wednesday, April 21 - noon Metropolitan Campus Cuyahoga Theatre Lobby Don Braden and Tri-C Jazz Stud- Community College Bill Hartzell, instructor and audio en- ies Students in Concert 2900 Community College Avenue gineer for Recording Arts & Technology Trinity Cathedral Brown Bag Series FREE Event (RAT) will present projects completed 2021 East 22nd Street FREE Event 9:30 a.m. Conrad Herwig, III – Stu- by students in the college’s recording technology facilities. Some of the top- Wednesday, April 21 - 7:30 p.m. dio Theatre 10 ics covered will include: location record- Bernstein Swings! “On The Town” 11:00 a.m. Don Braden - Studio The- ing, multi-track recording and mixing, In Concert atre 10 digital audio editing and microphone Coneived by Bill Rudman and Ernie 12:15 p.m. Ernie Krivda directs stu- techniques. Krivda. Music adapted and arranged by dent ensemble – Main Stage Theatre Friday, April 23 - 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 Ernie Krivda. Features music by swing 1 p.m. Jackie Warren directs Latin p.m. City with vocalists Bob Becker, Erin Jazz Jam Session Dave Sterner Quintet Kufel, and Kyle Primous. Choreo- 2 p.m. Kyle Koehler – Auditorium Tri-C JazzFest Stage graphed by Pamela Langevin, and 2:30 p.m. Cecil Brooks, III - Studio Tower City Center FREE Event danced by Pamela Langevin, Mark Theatre 10 April 23 - 9:30 p.m. Tomasic and Sean Cronin. Thursday, April 22 - 11:45 a.m. – The Aphrodisiatics “Live and In “New York, New York – a helluva 1:15 p.m. Colour” town!” It’s 1944- wartime. Three young Blue Lunch The Art House sailors are on 24-hour-leave in NYC, Tri-C JazzFest Stage 3119 Denison Avenue where they find adventure, loneliness Tower City Center FREE Event Admission: $7.00 at the door and romance as the clock ticks away. . For more information, call 216/398- Creators Leonard Bernstein, Betty Friday, April 23 - 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m 8556 Comden, Adolph Green and Jerome High School Instrumental Perfor- Robbins were still in their 20s when they mance Workshops Saturday, April 24 - 11:45 a.m. – made their Broadway debut with On The Main Stage Theatre 1:15 p.m. Town. Now, 60 years after the premiere CCC Metro The Mercurys PAGE SIX March/April 2004 • Issue 267 Ernie Krivda and The Fat Tuesday Band - Saluting the Centennial of Count Basie; put on your 12387 Cedar Road dancin’ shoes and Cleveland Hts. swing out at The Av- enue! Reservations: 216-795-0550 Tri-C JazzFest Stage SUN MAR 7 6 PM Tower City Center MOYA BRENNAN FREE Event Vocalist from Clannad. Sister of ENYA. Rare Cleveland appearance. April 27-May 30 “Cookin’ at the WED MAR 10 7 PM Cookery” DOUG WAMBLE B. B. King and Robert Lockwood Jr having a good time on stage. The Music and Marsalis Music Rec. artist. Guitarist King will be appearing with Bobby “Blue” Bland at the Palace The- Times of Alberta and vocalist in Cleveland debut. atre on Easter Sunday evening, April 11. Lockwood has a brand Hunter By Marion J. new CD out on MC Records and a reissue on Savoy. Both are re- THUR MAR 11 8 PM viewed in this issue. Photo by Ron Weinstock. Caffey Drury Theatre DOMINICK FARINACCI Cleveland Playhouse Featuring vocalist Ki Allen, pianist Joe Tri-C JazzFest Stage Hunter, Peter Dominquez, and Tower City Center FREE Event 8500 Euclid Avenue drummer Carmen Intorre (Julliard). Saturday, April 24 - 1:00 p.m. For tickets/ info, phone 216/795-7000 Playing original compositions with “Women in Jazz” – “Thanks for Presented with the support of Tri-C lyrics by Bill Finley the Memories, Celebrating JazzFest JazzFest Cleveland SUN 3/14 7 PM Legends” Saturday, May 1 – 7:00 p.m. GEORGE FOLEY Featuring The Jackie Warren Trio “Dancing to Horace Silver” Pianist celebrates CD release with several special guests. with vocalists Evelyn Wright and Laura Music by the Tri-C JazzFest High Varcho School All-Stars, directed by Steve Enos. WED MAR 17 ST. PAT’S 7 PM Mt. Zion Congregational Church of Dance performed by the North Coast NEW BARLEYCORN Christ Dance Collective, choreographed by St. Patty's Day celebration with Irish favorites. 10723 Magnolia Drive FREE Event Pamela Langevin. TUES MAR 23 7 PM Saturday, April 24 - 3:00 p.m. Main Stage Theatre CCC Metro DownBeat Rising Stars Invita- 2900 Community College Avenue LUNASA Dynamic Celtic instumental tional Concert Admission: $15.00, at the door See and hear The Future of Jazz! A group direct from Ireland showcase of hot young talent.. Sunday, May 2 - 3:00 p.m. MON-TUES MAR 29-30 7 PM America’s music lives on in these “Dancing to Horace Silver” WINARD HARPER young musicians! Music by the Tri-C JazzFest High School All-Stars, directed by Steve Enos. Drummer extraordinaire lights up Featuring The YSU (Youngstown NightTown. Savant recording artist. State University) Jazz Ensemble 1, The Dance performed by the North Coast Tri-C Jazz Studies Alumni, The Tri-C Dance Collective, choreographed by SUN APR 4 7 PM JazzFest High School All-Stars with Pamela Langevin. ANDY NARELL & SAKESHO special guests, saxophonist Don Main Stage Theatre CCC Metro From Paris. Steel pan virtuoso with his Braden, Conrad Herwig (trombone), 2900 Community College Avenue French Caribbean group. Heads Up Kyle Koehler (organ) and Cecil Brooks, Admission: $15.00, at the door recording artist. III (drums), and others to be an- So there you go. Congratulations to THURS APR 8 8 PM nounced. JazzFest on a marvelous 25 years! CCC Metro Main Stage Theatre Master bassist leads trio with Patrice 2900 Community College Avenue Rushen-piano, Lenny White-drums. Tickets: $10 at all tickets.com out- MON APR 12 7 PM lets, online at www.tickets.com, by phone at 216/241-6000 or toll-free 800/ MADELINE EASTMAN 766-6048 Vocalist in Nighttown debut. Presented with the support of Down Beat In Association with Tri-C JazzFest 25th Anniversary Sunday, April 25 - 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. HOLLY HOFMANN/BILL CUNLIFFE . . . .APR 13 WNWV Smooth Jazz Brunch DAVID BERKMAN TRIO ...... APR 14 Pickwick and Frolic 2035 East 4th Street DAVID “FATHEAD” NEWMAN ...... APR 18 $24.95 per person ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO ...... APR 22 Reservations, call 216/241-7425 MAY 23 ...... FOUR FRESHMEN Sunday, April 25 - 2 – 4 p.m. March/April 2004 • Issue 267 PPAGEAGE SSEVENEVEN tracks, and they add a great deal to the overall success of this project. At times it might remind you of Weather Report, and there is even a glimpse of Wayne Shorter’s Native Dancer al- Compact bum, but in the end, These Days has a sound all its own...and a refreshing one it is. This has a lot to due with Stern’s composi- tions and arrangements, and all eleven here are his. Discs Also on hand on various cuts are saxophonists , Bob Franceschini and Bob Malach; percussionists Arto We only bring you the Tunchoyaciyan, Don Alias and Richard Bona (doing triple duty Cream of the Crop! as he also plays bass); on piano and synthesizers and Vinnie Colatua on drums. Also on hand for the pensive bal- lad “I Know You” is banjo kingpin . With all the above-mentioned twists and turns in tempo and musical colorings, there is no way you’ll become a bit bored ROBERT with this one. Just pass GO and keep your finger off the next LOCKWOOD JR. button. In fact, you might just let it play again in the end. The Legend Live Ohhhh...and play it relatively loud for maximum impact to en- joy all the subtleties. Bill Wahl MC RECORDS This brand-new Robert Lockwood, Jr. on MC RENEÉ AUSTIN Records is a live solo per- Sweet Talk formance recorded at The Rhythm Room in Phoenix Sweet Talk, ReneÈ Austin’s Blind Pig Records debut, as- last July. There is little in the tounds the listener with 11 tracks that showcase the passion way of surprises in the material covered, which ranges from a and power of this rising blues singer/songwriter. quartet of Robert Johnson songs (including Sweet Home Chi- While the sultry singer clearly feels the most comfortable cago, Love in Vain and Rambling on My Mind), and several blues belting out the blues, standards including ’s How Long Blues and In the Sweet Talk features well-written songs that range in style Evening, plus Johnny Temple’s Big Legged Woman. Lockwood from jazzy ballads (“Fool Moon”) and Motown memories (“Black was a sideman when waxed Feel Like Blowin’ Pearl”) to gospel gems (“Ain’t Nobody,”) and in your face rock- My Horn for Delmark, and he brings a bit of panache to this ers (“Not Alone.”) along with the swing classic Exactly like You. The highlight is the second track “Pretend We Never Met.” Having played the twelve string nearly thirty years, it is no Renowned keyboardist Bruce McCabe wrote this bluesy, sensu- wonder that he is able to get such a distinctive sound to match ous break-up song. Here, Austin is joined by contemporary blues his unique, sophisticated playing while his vocals give no indi- great Delbert McClinton (a Grammy-Award winner in 1992 for cation that he was 88 when he recorded this. This is another his duet with Raitt) in a dynamite duet. excellent addition to his discography. It’s two bad that the won- “Pour the Sugar Slowly,” is a grinding, swampy song that derful live Japanese recordings he made with the Aces in the highlights the lower levels of the sexy songsmith’s five-octave 70s, along with a superb 90s Japanese album are currently un- vocal range. available in the US, but this will have to suffice for those wanting With a voice as powerful as Tina Turner’s and as polished as a document of his marvelous live performances. Bonnie Raitt’s, ReneÈ Austin’s Sweet Talk is sure to satiate the Ron Weinstock palate of soulful blues lovers everywhere. David McPherson Exhale These Times SAVANT ESC RECORDS Before the invention of the acoustic bass, there was the tuba. From the opening mo- And on this album, you’ll hear what we’ve been missing. Alto ments of “Chatter,” you will saxophonist Arthur Blythe teams up with tuba player Bob know you are in for some- Stewart, pianist , and drummer Cecil Brooks III on thing different. Quite differ- this 2002 studio session containing a mixture of 14 standards ent. The Middle Eastern and originals. groove happening on this While Blythe is fluent on uptempo pieces such as Coltrane’s opening cut is just one of the “Cousin Mary,” his raspy sound and warm tones reign supreme many twists and turns you’ll be experiencing before the disc is on slower pieces such as the head of the nine-minute version of over. Guitarist/leader Mike Stern, who I first heard with Miles Coltrane’s chestnut, “Equinox” where everyone excels to make many moons ago, continues to offer fresh up-to-date music and it one of the best-ever interpretations of the warhorse classic. now brings us of the new millennium. While I have Other gems include a boogie-woogie reading of “Night Train,” a not heard his previous album, Voices, this is said to be a con- boppish take on “Just Friends,” a drawling “All Blues” (which tinuation of that project; and the wonderful vocalise of Richard Stewart makes his own), a lightly swinging sax-piano duo ver- Bona and/or Elizabeth Kentomanou are heard on many of the sion of “Straighten Up And Fly Right,” and more. Giving these PAGE EIGHT March/April 2004 • Issue 267 top-notch musicians a little more stretch- Dafnis Prieto (drums), Roberto Quintero Serving Delicious Food ing room, the 11-minute “Exhaust Suite” (percussion), and Ruben Rodrigquez Lunch & Dinner comprises four tunes, two by Blythe (“Sur- (bass). Three tunes from the second ses- render” and “Phase Two”), one by Stewart sion substitute special guest artists–Randy (“Nonette”) and one by Brooks (“LC”), Brecker (trumpet), Romero Lubambo with Hicks switching to organ improvs on (), Mark Waller (drums), and Café two pieces. (percussion) with Samuels, Eskenazi and Prime material, ace musicianship and Rodriguez. plenty of imagination and skill make this Samuels is a master composer-per- one of the best recent quartet recordings. former. He and other core CJP musicians MARCH Nancy Ann Lee contribute most of the tunes and there’s Fri. 5 - The Soul Of John Black not a dull one in the bunch! They’ve also The new sound of soul. From San Fran. nicely re-arranged Herbie Hancock’s “Tell Sat. 6 - Travis “Moon child” Me A Bedtime Story” which is played as Muddy ‘’ Waters Live Haddix Record Release Party- an Afro/Cha-cha and Charles Mingus’ Cleveland’s answer to B.B. King SONY/LEGACY “Weird Nightmare,” executed as a 7/4 bo- This Sony/Legacy release has blues Fri. 12 - Magic Slim And The lero-cha. Lubambo contributes the melo- history stamped all over it. All liner notes Teardrops - Tipsy BLUES! dious samba, “Valencia 1.” are by blues historian Robert Gordan and Sat.13 James Armstong-High Tone These musicians generate exhilarat- . The double set begins with recording artist in vien of Robt. Cray ing four-star fare full of percussive and the Disc One; the original album. A ‘Med- Wed. 17 St. Patrick’s Day After the rhythmic complexity. Nancy Ann Lee ley – ‘After Hours/Stormy Monday Blues’ parade (3pm-til ?) The Jimiller Band + commences the action. ‘She’s Nineteen Catch the Caribbean Jazz Project in a live Kevin McCarthy. Drink deals & On the Circle performance on Saturday, Corned beef Sandwich Sub 1-2-3-Free - Years Old’, a fave of , ensues, March 13 at the Cleveland Museum of Art. and the superstitious howl, the ’Howling FREE Admission Wolf’, was and still is eerie. Fri. 19 - John Primer - Muddy’s 1978 band was equipped SAVOY BLUES 1944-1994 Raw Chicago Blues with on the piano, guitar- SAVOY 3CD SET Sat. - 20 The Ark Band - ist Bob Margolin, guitarist Luther ‘Guitar The historic Savoy catalog has been Reggae from the south Jr.’ Johnson, Calvin ‘Fuzz’ Jones on bass, reissued numerous times over the past few Thurs. 25 - JT & The Clouds Jerry Portney on harp, and Willie ’Big decades, making available seminal reis- (Formerly The River men) Eyes’ Smith on the skins. The original Disc sues of blues, jazz, and . Fri. 26 - Soul’d Out One was produced by Johnny Winter. The catalog may now be in new hands Record Release Party Disc Two is definitely live and previ- and it seems the label is being mined yet Sat. 27 - Debbie Davies ously unissued. Disc Two featured Johnny again. One of the new releases is Savoy Former Albert Collins Guitarist Winter on the axe, Charles Calmese on Blues 1944-1994 which is a three disc Sun. 28 Honestly (in from showcasing the bass, Bob Margolin, Pinetop Perkins, sampler that not only includes classic re- at SXSW, opening for Third Eyed Blind) Luther Johnson, and Willie Smith. Back- cordings by Joe Turner, Johnny Otis, Little Tues. 30 - Mountain Of Venus with ground vocals are by Perkins and Esther, Little Miss Sharecropper (Lavern special guest Sean Mullins Johnson. This disc illuminates an eleven Baker), and Big minute dual solo by Muddy and Pinetop, Wed. 31 - Roomful Of Blues Maybelle, but also recordings by Eddie With special guest Blue Lunch and a five minute ‘Pinetop Boogie Woogie’. Kirkland, Robert Lockwood and Charles The closer/encore is his theme song ‘Got Brown that reflect the acquisition of the APRIL My Mojo Working’...appropriate! Muse and Trix catalogs to supplement the Sat. 3 The Michael Rotman Trio The post-war blues patriarch Muddy Savoy classics. meets James Taylor Waters (McKinley Morganfield) lives again. Opening with Hot Lips Page’s Uncle Saturday 10 Curtis Salgado Mark A. Cole Sam’s Blues and closing with Charles Think Bobby “Blue” Bland Brown’s I Got a Right to Cry, the three discs Sun. 11 - Joe Deninzon& CARIBBEAN JAZZ PROJECT cover a wide spectrum of music including Stratospheerius - Record release party Birds of a Feather Billy Eckstine’s classic Jelly Jelly, w/sp guest Jann Kloss-”amazing vocal CONCORD PICANTE Gatemouth Moore’s Walking My Blues range...smart pop/jazz sensibilities...”- Led by vibist Dave Samuels, the Car- Away, Billy Wright’s Stacked Deck, Doc Mon.12 Home Opener Party ibbean Jazz Project follows up last year’s Pomus’ cover of Joe Turner’s Hollywood Grammy-winning CD (The Gathering) Bed, Turner’s My Gal’s a Jockey, John lee MAY with an album of Afro-Cuban and Brazil- Hooker’s Miss Pearl’s Boogie, Joe Williams’ Sun. 2 - Michael McDermott Award ian fare given greater punch and fire with In the Evening, Nappy brown’s The Right winning singer/songwriter out of Chicago the addition of a trumpet. Time, ’s Blues Early, Early Fri. 14 - Anthony Gomes The new Recorded in two separate sessions at (Parts 1 & 2), ’s Snake in generation of blues guitar GOD! Bennett Studios in Englewood, NJ, the 10- the Grass, and Robert Lockwood Jr.’s Self- Weekend Shows 9:30; Weekdays 8:30 tune CD contains seven songs spotlight- ish Ways. ing Samuels on vibes & marimba with Ray A review of these titles should give 216-902-4663 Vega (trumpet), Dario Eskenazi (piano), an idea of the range of material presented 812 Huron Rd E.. • Cleveland March/April 2004 • Issue 267 PAGE NINE here from the swing and uptempo mood of Hot Lips Page and drums made such timeless (no pun intended) music some 40 Gatemouth Moore, to John Lee Hooker’s delta blues boogie years ago that is just as fresh and enjoyable today. and Eddie Kirkland’s mix of soul and delta blues. With good These five should be in every Brubeck fan’s col- sound and good notes on the performers by compiler Billy Vera, lection, and these remastered discs with fantastic sound, origi- this serves as a solid overview of the riches of the Savoy Cata- nal and updated liner notes, original cover art and anywhere log and is value priced as well. Ron Weinstock from one to three bonus tracks (except for the Time Out al- bum) collected together in this set would be the best way to DAVE BRUBECK acquire them for those who don’t already have them on CD (which would be quite a trick...read on). The other albums in For All Time the set are 1961’s Time Further Out, 1962’s Countdown: Time COLUMBIA/LEGACY BOXED SET In Outer Space, 1964’s Time Changes and 1965’s Time In. /Legacy has been doing a fantastic job The last three of these are issued here for the first time on CD. of reissuing the catalogues of Dave Brubeck, An Exceptional set! Bill Wahl and others either as single discs or boxed sets over the past few years. This Dave Brubeck 5-CD set is ANA POPOVIC their latest offering. Comfort To The Soul During his time with Columbia Records, Brubeck and his RUF quartet often experimented with odd time signatures outside Living under a repressive relationship will give you the blues. of the norm for jazz at that time -namely 4/4. They did many So imagine how magnified that would be if you’re living under a jazz waltzes in 3/4, but especially on the five albums in this repressive government for decades in, let’s say, Yugoslavia. That’s set, they traveled into other territories...namely 5/4, 6/4, 10/ where 26 year old guitarist Ana Popovic comes in via her second 4, 9/8, 11/4 and whatever else would strike their fancy. Then release Comfort To The Soul. they might change time signatures several times throughout a Popovic took advantage of the changes in Eastern Europe song to make things even more interesting. The most famous and relocated to Holland in 1999 to study jazz guitar. Since then of the songs from these albums is Paul Desmond’s “Take Five,” she’s done a lot of European festivals and touring, which gives played in 5/4 time which was a major jazz hit from their most even more backbone to Comfort To The Soul. popular album, 1959’s Time Out. This quartet was not just a If looking for straight, eight bar blues, this isn’t it as Popovic leader with sidemen, but rather a cohesive unit with an in- mixes styles left and right, opening with the sonic blast of “Don’t stantly recognizable sound all its own. Brubeck, along with Bear Down On Me (I’m Here To Steal The Show).” While her jazz Paul Desmond/alto sax, Eugene Wright/bass and Joe Morello/ education is put to good use during “Love Me Again” and “Jaco,” the title piece and “Change My Mind” both lean into the funkier side of Popovic as she switches gears again during the lighter “Recall The Days.” A lot of time you can read an artist’s mind by listening to their pick of cover tunes and Popovic takes on the old Howlin’ Wolf classic “Sittin’ On Top Of The World,” with her slide guitar, plus a smooth remake of Steely Dan’s “Night By Night” and a high strung take on Delbert McClinton’s “Need All The Help I Can Get.” Popovic is way too young to put in the same breath with Bonnie Raitt, but, if Comfort To The Soul is a peek of things to come, then maybe the first impression wasn’t that far off. Peanuts CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE BAND Ver tical Vision WARNER BROS Experience and lineage...in the past ten years 31 year old Christian McBride has been featured on over 200 recordings and has toured with such artists as David Sanborn, George Duke, McCoy Tyner, Bobby Hutcherson, , Joe Henderson, , Abbey Lincoln, , , Ray Brown, , George Benson, Benny Golson, Johnny Grif- fin, and Isaac Hayes; not to mention gracing the big screen in director Robert Altman’s 1940s period piece, “Kansas City”. Now let’s add in his father, Lee Smith, who played bass for everyone from local Philly Soul superstars like the Delfonics and Billy Paul to Cuban conguero, Mongo Santamaria. Then there’s his uncle, Howard Cooper, who played bass with members of the jazz avant- garde, including Sun Ra and Khan Jamal. Needless to say YIKES!! Ver tical Vision is the 6th CD by McBride and the first for the quartet. Keyboardist Geoffrey Keezer, horn player Ron Blake and PAGE TEN March/April 2004 • Issue 267 Terreon Gully on drums, the Christian McBride Band weaves through ers and the for-the-lovelorn If This Is Love I’d Rather Have The a fusion jazz landscape once visited by such musical favorites as Blues. Past and present label stars represented here include Weather Report, Brand X and more recently ’s Electrik Jimmy Thackery, Tommy Castro, Debbie Davies and Big Bill Band II. Mostly original tunes were written by the various band mem- Morganfield. And like those LP’s of yesteryear, the artwork is bers with additional contributions by guitarist David Gilmore and out to prove that sex still sells. Duane Verh percussionist Danny Sadownick. This clearly qualifies as “They just don’t make ‘em like that any more” and, needless to say, I like it. As an added extra bonus the CD contains two QuickTime movies, one Selected Recordings a interesting interview with McBride and a live version of Joe Zawinul ECM :rarum tune “Boogie Woogie Waltz” thrown in the web links. All in all, this is ECM’s :rarum series continued in February with six more a very well put together package. Jim Martin titles from John Abercrombie, Tomasz Stanko, Eberhard Christian McBride will be appearing at the Tri-C JazzFest on Fri. & Weber, Jack DeJohnette, John Surman, and this Pat Metheny Sat., April 16 & 17. See page 4. disc. The series offers cuts hand picked by the featured art- ists from their ECM recordings over the years offered at a sale VARIOUS ARTISTS price. Mid-Priced Mood Pieces While some may certainly disagree, I still feel that BLIND PIG Metheny’s ECM recordings are his finest. Opening with “Bright Back in the early days of Hi-Fi, “theme” albums were every- Size Life,” the title cut from his recording debut in 1975 with where. Music for lovers, music for dinner, music to excite or soothe and Bob Moses, through to another title track, you. The artist could be some studio group with some trendy name 1984’s “First Circle,” Metheny has picked a total of nine songs stuck on or the album could have featured various artists. Blind Pig for this set. All are originals by the guitarist, or were co-writ- has drawn on this concept and come up with a rather interesting ten by pianist , except for Horace Silver’s “Lonely trio of budget-priced discs culled from their vaults. The results are Woman,” the last song on the disc taken from his trio collabo- some nifty sets that work either as background or as tasty up-front ration with and Billy Higgins titled Rejoicing. variety listening. Bare Blues is an all-instrumental set that is varied He’s got so many great cuts from the ECM years that it iun sound and mood. Jazz-tinged numbers like the manic or the would be hard for anyone to pick just nine for a retrospective “Ethel’s Place” from Deanna Bogart ande Danny Gatton or Chris such as this. Good thing he’s the one who did it. The other Cain’s sly, mellow “Gin & Soda” brush up against soulful outings songs heard are “Phase Dance” from , like Bill Perry’s “Morning Spiritual” and down-home tracks such as “” from the album of the same name, “Air- Charlie Musselwhite’s “Chicago Sunset”. stream” from , “Every Day (I Thank You)” The standards stay high on for-cruisers-only White Line Play- from 80/81, “It’s For You” from As Falls Wichita, So Falls March FRI 5 ...... MR. STRESS WITH ALAN GREENE SAT 6...... COLIN DUSSAULT’S BLUES PROJECT FRI 12 .....ARMSTRONG BEARCAT BAND SAT 13.....CRUISIN (DANCE, MOTOWN) It’s More Than Just a Club FRI 19 .....KINGBEES Serving Fine Food & Great Music, with no cover daily till closing SAT 20.....TEENY TUCKER & DRIVIN’ WHEEL MONDAY EDDIE & THE EDSELS (COLUMBUS, OH) TUESDAYS ERNIE KRIVDA & THE FAT TUESDAY BIG BAND FRI 26 .....MY THREE SONS SAT 27.....COLIN DUSSAULT’S BLUES PROJECT WEDNESDAYS WED 3 ...... DUPREE (BLUES, R & B) IN MARCH WED 10 .... ARM’D (CLASSIC ROCK) WED 24 .... DT & THE SHAKES (CLASSIC ROCK) WED 31 .... REMEMBER WHEN (OLDIES)

WEDNESDAYS WED 7 ...... LOCO GATOS (ROCKABILLY BLUES) IN APRIL WED 14 .... FRAID NOT (MARY BRIDGET DAVIES DANCE BAND) April WED 21 .... FOREVER RHYTHM & BLUES WITH DIDI WILLIAMS FRI 2 ...... TONY KOUSSA JR. BAND WED 28 .... THE GEEZE CATS (OLDIES SHOW) SAT 3...... COLIN DUSSAULT’S BLUES PROJECT THURSDAYS THE SAVANNAH JAM WITH BAD BOYS OF BLUES FRI 9 ...... SAM GETZ BAND ST. PAT’S DAY SAT 10.....TRAVIS HADDIX BAND WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17TH SPECIAL EVENTS FRI 16 .....HEART & SOUL IRISH HAPPY HOUR WITH KEVIN MCCARTHY & DAVE MORRISON 4:30 PM AT RUISIN (DANCE, MOTOWN) S 17.....C THEN BLUE LUNCH 8:30 PM FRI 23 .....DAVE C & THE SHARPTONES SATURDAY, MARCH 20TH 10:00 PM TEENY TUCKER & DRIVIN’ WHEEL (FROM COLUMBUS, OH) (DANCE & OLDIES) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14TH – 8:00 PM SAT 24.....COLIN DUSSAULT’S BLUES PROJECT FRAID NOT WITH MARY BRIDGET DAVIES FRI 31 .....BLUES DEVILLE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21ST – 8:00 PM FOREVER RHYTHM & BLUES W/ DIDI WILLIAMS Also visit us at The Yukon on French Creek 30676 Detroit Road Westlake (440) 892-2266 37399 French Creek Road Avon Ohio www.TheSavannah.com

March/April 2004 • Issue 267 PAGE ELEVEN Wichita Falls, and the live version of “Are You Going With (which Lockwood initially recorded prior to Elmore James although Me?” from Travels. it was not issued until after James’) along with St. Louis Jimmy’s The first time I heard the Pat Metheny Group I thought it Come Day, Go Day, his uptown Hold Everything, and the wistful to be incredibly uplifting music that could bring anyone out of Forever on My Mind. The progressive boppish tinge to the music is a slump. I still feel that way. A must have for any Metheny fan evident on the instrumental Majors, Minors and Ninths, which is a who can’t afford all his ECM albums, or a perfect gift for a feature for Saxophonist Reedus. friend you wish to turn on to some fine music. Bill Wahl Does 12 refers to the fact that Lockwood had started using a twelve-string guitar that his wife Annie gave him. Guitarist Mark ROBERT LOCKWOOD JR. Hahn is added and Jimmy Jones replaces George Cook on a ses- The Complete Trix Recordings sion that swings and drives hard. From the opening funky rework- SAVOY ing of Rosco Gordon’s Just a Little Bit to the cooking reworking of The word legend is overused, but it is an appropriate one the radio theme from the King Biscuit radio show, King Biscuit when discussing Robert Lockwood, Jr. Perhaps best known Time, the album again shows the breadth of the musical reach of for his relationship to Robert Johnson, Lockwood was a pio- Lockwood and band. There are band reworkings of several Robert neering guitarist in the Mississippi delta who Johnson numbers including Terraplane Blues and Walkin’ Blues, played with such legends as Sonny Boy Williamson, Little a nice feature for Reedus on Gene Ammons’ Red Top and a choice Walter, Eddie Boyd, and Roosevelt Sykes, and was a session blues ballad, Selfish Ways. Listening to the subtle nuances in guitarist in demand in Chicago. Living in Cleveland since the Lockwood’s tone and his mix of chord and single note runs is are a sixties, an appearance at the second Ann Arbor Blues Festi- refreshing break from the dime a dozen Stevie Ray clones out there. val in 1970 led to his reemergence in the National blues scene, This is very nice stuff indeed. Ron Weinstock although this time as the leading figure of his group. Savoy Jazz has just reissued The Complete Trix Record- /GUSTAV MAHLER ings which makes available his 1973 album Contrasts and Dark Flame his 1975 session, Does 12. This was previously issued on WINTER & WINTER Muse-Trix around 1978 and it’s great to have this back in This album, mostly inspired by German composer Gustav print. Mahler, provides a strong glimpse into pianist-composer Uri Caine’s Contrasts included 14 tracks, some with just bassist Gene astoundingly broad talents. Numerous musicians contribute to this Schwartz and others with a full band which included tenor unique listening experience, a mixture of European classical, jazz, saxophonist Maurice Reedus and drummer George Cook. spoken voice and more. Opening with the stunning slide guitar of Little Boy Blue, the Philadelphia-born and classically-trained, Caine’s been de- album includes a remake of Robert Johnson’s Dust My Broom scribed as “one of the more gifted and intuitive sidemen” working New York’s Downtown jazz scene. He’s been a frequent collabora- tor with clarinetist , who appears on this 14-track al- bum, Caine’s 12th release for the label since 1996. Among other familiar artists on the album are violinist , bassist Michael Formanek, drummer Jim Black, and trumpeter Ralph Alessi. Vocalist Barbara Walker provides one of the album’s high points on the gospel-tinged “Only Love Beauty,” backed by the Kettwiger Bach Choir. Caine stretches out with a rousing jazz solo on nearly 10-minute Mahler-inspired, “Two Blue Eyes,” which also includes strings and spoken words (in German). Tunes range in length from 11 minutes to slightly over one minute. Alessi’s talents and plump tones are well-displayed in his improvisations on Caine’s melodi- ous “Shining Trumpets.” While you won’t hear a lot of swinging fare on this album, Caine and colleagues strive to stretch the form, merge global sounds with jazz, and steer listeners in enjoyable new directions. Nancy Ann Lee WALTER TROUT Relentless RUF Like Coco Montoya, guitarist /vocalist Walter Trout is a John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers alum. Also like Montoya, Trout is a muscle-bound blues-rocker with chops to spare and an inclina- tion towards crossover music. On Relentless, Trout splits his time between high-powered blues romps and power ballads that sound radio-ready thanks prima- rily to his very radio-friendly vocals. The latter will surely put off anyone with purist inclinations but guitar fanciers with fewer PAGE TWELVE March/April 2004 • Issue 267 issues in this area, and who like their blues underpinned with and “Sweet and Lovely,” which provide ear-appealing rock punch, should find enough good, strong blowin’ on this showcases for Hicks’ ultra-lyricism. disc to compensate. “Live” production is strong and the format Hicks fans will not be disappointed. This is one of his is compatible CD/SACD. Duane Verh best albums. Nancy Ann Lee VARIOUS ARTISTS DETROIT JUNIOR Africa Straight Ahead Live At The Toledo Museum Of Art HEADS UP BLUE SUIT The latest release in the Heads Up Africa Series it this twelve It’s a known fact musicians wind up with some strange song sampler of eleven bands offering an interesting and diverse gigs, but, for piano man Detroit Junior, this celebration of the program of jazz in Africa. While previous albums in the series, the Toledo Museum Of Art’s 100th birthday had to be one of the Smooth Africa issues, focused more on contemporary jazz, this more unusual ones in his long career. An interesting twist is disc brings you the real stuff - hence the title Straight Ahead. You that Junior got to play one of the pieces in the museum, a won’t be finding any swing, bebop or standards here...all the tunes piano designed by Wendall Castle in 1987 to commemorate are originals written by African musicians, except for two written by the 500,000th piano made by the Steinway & Sons corpora- American bandleaders (heard here with African sidemen) Darius tion. Brubeck (son of Dave) and steel pan master Andy Narell. The only Instead of using his band, Detroit Junior flew solo on this band to be heard twice is The Sheer All Stars, a working quintet gig and through some standards like Little Walter’s 1958 gem assembled by South Africa’s premier independent jazz label Sheer “Key To The Highway,” Brook Benton’s 1959 hit “Just A Sound Matter Of Time” and a rolling and tumbling take on Louis You’ll hear a variety of stuff here, from a beautiful ballad from Jordan’s 1945 classic, “Caledonia.” Included in the mix here flautist Zim Ngqawanathe to the modal hard bop offerings from are a couple Detroit Junior originals, including “Turn Up The Marcus Wyatt, Hotep Idris Galeta and McCoy Mrubata and lots in Heat” and “If I Hadn’t Been High,” although he skipped on his between. There is not a bad cut to be found here and the set flows most famous song “Call My Job,” the latter cut best known to extremely well. Any jazz fan who is also into world music will find the public via Son Seal’s version. this to be an outstanding listen. Bill Wahl The only negative aspect of the disc is I hope Detroit Junior didn’t pay whoever did the art work on the release in OMAR & THE HOWLERS cash. The track numbering on the back is off one digit as Boogie Man they didn’t count the introduction as track 1. Thus, “Key To RUF RECORDS The Highway” isn’t cut 3, it’s cut 4 and all the way down the Sometimes Omar Dykes and his Howlers cast a New Orleans flavor where they light, tho’ they’re from Austin, Texas. Omar hosts a bevy of guitarists on different songs; Papa Mali Westbourne, Chris Duarte, and Jon Dee Graham. Double Trouble; B.B.KING Chris Layton (drums) and Tommy Shannon (bass) lend a hand on “ ” a couple, too. Shannon powers most of the bottom on this cd. Guest Bobby Blue Bland vocalist Alejandro Escovedo does his bit, as well. Other sessionists Palace Theatre include George Rains, George Reiff, and James Fenner. Omar’s unique voice has the handle on the others though; take April 11 ‘White Crosses’ and ‘Shakin’’. Omar and the Howlers have a killer Sunday, 7 PM album here. Mark A. Cole $42, $38 & $30 JOHN HICKS Fatha’s Day: An Earl Hines Songbook HIGHNOTE -born pianist John Hicks, performing with bassist Dwayne Dolphin and drummer Cecil Brooks III, pays tribute to Earl “Fatha” Hines, one of the influential jazz piano stylists. This 12-tune CD is part of a HighNote series of releases by Hicks saluting jazz giants from his adopted city, Pittsburgh. Competently supported by his cohorts, Hicks dominates this session in trio and solo settings with imagination at the ivories. He keeps his right hand busy, generating melodious lines and Also coming: expressive phrasing, especially notable on the reinvented Leroy Anderson classic, “Serenata,” which Hicks gives a Latinate twist. Manhattan Transfer Hicks keeps Hines in mind yet has his own eloquent style. Jane Monheit Only three tunes are composed by Hines and, of those, the most Palace Theatre lively and enjoyable is the track 6 swinger, “My Monday Date,” Tickets: May 23 which (finally!) gives Dolphin and Brooks each a little solo space. Box office, Sunday, 7 PM • $38.75, Hicks contributes five originals and plays unaccompanied on 216-241-6000 $33.75 & $28.75 or 800-766-6048, four of them. The remaining tunes are by other composers and and online at playhousesquare.com include familiar gems such as “Poor Butterfly,” “Almost Spring,” March/April 2004 • Issue 267 PAGE THIRTEEN line. Amateur hour, to say the least. Because of different personnel and more serious material in Bottom line on the evaluation is if you like boogie woogie keeping with the title theme, this Brooklyn, NY studio session piano music, Live At The Toledo Museum Of Art will give you a lacks the fiery wit and spunk of the earlier Brass Fantasy al- grin that’ll put the Mona Lisa’s to shame. Peanuts bums which included flamboyant trombonist Frank Lacy and inventive percussionist Famoudou . However, this BRASS FANTASY outing’s highly enjoyable for the tightly-blended horns arrange- ments and percussive touches that have become the earmarks When the Spirit Returns of this band. Nancy Ann Lee DREYFUS/BIRDOLOGY Founded in 1985 by the late Lester Bowie (1941-1999), the KENNY TRAYLOR dazzling, avant-pop Brass Fantasy band was an audience pleaser Tribute that used imaginative tone colors and seemingly subtle scoring TOPCAT of reinterpreted pop favorites, always fronted and led by the in- Guitarist Kenny Traylor started this release as a tribute to ventive trumpeter. Elmore James but ended up taking a detour that resulted in the Recorded in 1997, this CD contains tunes by then pop art- likes of B.B. King, Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker and others ists such as Biggie Small and Babyface, featured along with getting a nod as well. While the world doesn’t really need an- songs by Bob Marley, Al Hibbler, and others. Perhaps the most other set of covers of such chestnuts as Jame’s definitively Brass Fantasy number is the percussive, oom-pah Shake Your Moneymaker or T-Bone’s Travelin’ Blues, the re-invention of Marley’s “One Love,” which spotlights long-time bulk of the disc is made up of more obscure numbers and a member ’s tuba playing. Stewart also adds punch number of Traylor originals that pay tribute by honoring the style to the band’s reinvented version of “Unchained Melody,” which of his heroes without covering them note for note. Traylor’s fine features Bowie’s finest soloing. Both tunes were arranged by guitar work is complimented by his soulful vocals as well as by Earl McIntyre, who also arranged or co-arranged (with Bowie) some righteously funky b-3 that would fit nicely on a Ron Levy four others. Trombonist Luis Bonilla contributes the beautifully disc and wailing saxophone that would give Rocky Morales of reverent arrangement for the melodious ballad, “Save the Best Doug Sahm’s band a run for his money. Overall, a pleasant sur- For Last.” Bowie draws on New Orleans influences for the title prise. Mark Smith tune, the rousing album finale and the lengthiest number at 9:25, which spotlights guest vocalist Dean Bowman as well as solid DON BRADEN solos from trombonist Gary Valente, and trumpeters Bowie and The New Hang Gerald Brasel. HIGHNOTE On the verge of what might be a definite breakthrough, tenor saxophonist Don Braden has been at the top of the list among those more informed jazz followers, but has just skirted below the radar of the average consumer. His superb trio of Criss Cross sides in the mid '90s led to a contract with RCA Records that unfortunately didn't deliver the bang for the buck that one would have hoped for. Now he's with another small independent label and the publicity machine is surely on the small side once again, but Braden has stepped up recently with some of his best work, of which The New Hang is easily one of his finest records to date. In an update of the tenor-organ combo, Braden brings on board trombonist Conrad Herwig, organist Kyle Koehler, and drummer Cecil Brooks III. Don't expect a sleepy jam session just by a perusal of the instruments on hand though; these guys wail and the emphasis is definitely on shuffles and backbeat numbers that ignite the solos of Braden and Herwig. As for Koehler, he's definitely more influenced by Larry Young than by Jimmy Smith and his own style is a tasteful mix of standard elements with his own forward-thinking sense of improvisation. A number made popular by Chaka Khan in the '80s and first recast by Eric Alexander a few years back, "Through the Fire" sheds light on Braden's skills for adapting present-day pop numbers for jazz usage, much like what he's done in the past for his Contemporary Standards Ensemble. "Without a Song" moves at a healthy clip, with the lead horns wasting no time in getting their messages delivered. As a balladeer, Braden is at his most sublime in a duo performance with Koehler on "When I Fall In Love," the tune's extended coda yielding some technically daz- zling tenor displays. The rest of the program contains a variety of Braden origi- nals- including an update of "Wish List"- that explore new hori- PAGE FOURTEEN March/April 2004 • Issue 267 zons within the funky outlook of this very hip ensemble. If there's but one complaint it might be that drummer Cecil Brooks III Search The CD & DVD Review Archives tends to be on the busy side, yet his bristling approach does www.jazz-blues.com tend to spur on the soloists. In the final analysis, Braden's "new hang" is one that you will definitely want to revisit often, as it Sansone; Keyboards/Piano Player of the Year- Jon Cleary; holds many rewards. C. Andrew Hovan Best Record Store- Louisiana Music Factory; Best Club- Tipitina’s; Roots Rock Album and Band of the Year- The Igua- Don Braden is the 2004 Artist-In-Residence for the Tri-C JazzFest. nas- Plastic Silver 9 Volt Heart…. New Release blues….Keb’ The Don Braden Quartet will be performing at JazzFest on Wed., Mo’- Keep It Simple; Omar & The Howlers- Boogie Man; April 21. See page 3. Johnny A- Get Inside; Tab Benoit & Jimmy Thackery- Whis- OSCAR PETERSON TRIO key Store Live; Randall Bramblett- Thin Places; ()––West Four; Various Artists- Good Time Blues: Vancouver, 1958 The Ultimate Tenor Sax Album; Mike Morgan & the Crawl- JUST A MEMORY/JUSTIN TIME Live in Dallas; Sunnyland Slim- Highway 61; Various Art- Recorded at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, British ists (Eddie Campbell, Charlie Musselwhite, Bill Perry, Chris Columbia on August 4, 1958, pianist Oscar Peterson, guitar- Cain, Mitch Woods, Bob Margolin & others)- Bare Blues; Vari- ist Herb Ellis and bassist Ray Brown perform six standards ous Artists (Jimmy Thackery, Debbie Davies, John Mooney, and three originals on this previously unissued CD. Studebaker John, E.C Scott, Arthur Adams and others)- If This Ellis had replaced the group’s original member, Barney is Love… I’d Rather Have the Blues;’Various Artists (Johnny Kessel, in 1953 and the trio was in peak form by this 1958 Shines, Deborah Coleman, Hamilton Loomis, Lloyd Jones, appearance, one of their last recordings together before Ellis Jimmy Thackery, Big Bill Morganfield and others)- White Line left the group that year. This recording follows the first vol- Flyers- Mile Melting Road Raves; Eric Bibb, Rory Block & ume (“Tenderly”) from the same concert. Maria Muldaur- Sisters & Brothers; Jimmy Dawkins- Tell Me The straight-ahead fare provides an attractive listen, fo- Baby; Fillmore Slim- Funky Mama’s House;’Robert Jr. cusing on all-around musicianship and imaginative solos. Lockwood,’The Legend Live and Jimmy D. Lane- It’s Time…. Sampling from a history of jazz piano, Peterson’s playing con- License plate blues…. Texas blues fans can soon show their tains elements of stride, boogie woogie, barrelhouse blues, colors with an “Enjoy Texas Music” license plate which fea- impressionism, bebop and swing blended in a virtuosic dis- tures a portrait of Texas blues musician”Blind Lemon play that can rapidly shift from filigreed finesse to thundery Jefferson. The plates will feature a different Texas musician crescendo. Tunes include “How High The Moon,” “We’ll Be every two years. Proceeds of the Jefferson plate go to the Together Again,” “Joy Spring,” “Daahoud,” and more. John state’s musical education efforts…. See ya! Lewis’ “The Golden Striker,” explores Third Stream expres- sions. Two tunes by Ellis, the ballad “Patricia” and the bopping “Pogo,” spotlight the guitarist’s mastery. Peterson contributes the elegant extended piece (11:15), “The Music Box Suite (aka Daisy’s Dream).” This is one of those A-plus recordings that invites repeated play for years to come. Nancy Ann Lee

BLUES WATCH By Mark Smith Grammy blues….. Buried in the footnotes of the 46th An- nual Grammy Awards, which took place on February 10th, were two awards for achievement in the blues. And the win- ners are…..Best Traditional Blues Album- Buddy Guy- Blues Singer; Best Contemporary Blues Album- Etta James- Let’s Roll…. Since both discs also received multiple W.C. Handy nominations it will be interesting to see how the votes of blues fans line up with the Academy of Recording Sciences…. New Orleans blues awards…. While awaiting the results of the Handy voting, it is always interesting to note how things line up in the musical hotbed of New Orleans. Offbeat Magazine has just announced the 2003 Best of the Beat” awards which honor Louisiana musicians and music venues. Taking home the honors in the blues category were Tab Benoit- Best Blues Band or Performer; Sonny Landreth- The Road We’re On- Best Album by a Louisiana Artist; Eric Lindell- Best Emerg- ing Band or Performer. Also of note were the awards for Al- bum of the Year- Deacon John- Deacon John’s Jump Blues; Guitar Player of the Year- Walter “Wolfman” Washington;”Harmonica Player of the year- Johnny March/April 2004 • Issue 267 PAGE FIFTEEN PAGE SIXTEEN March/April 2004 • Issue 267