!September/October 2011 Peripheral Vision • May Cheung • John Stetch Trio • Grant Stewart • Darren Sigesmund Sextet Lisa Otey/Diane Van Deurzen • Trio BraamDeJoodeVatcher • Listen Here - The Music Of Beat Kaestli • Ari Hoenig 4tet – Lines of Oppression • Mike LeDonne • Music for Jazz Trio and String Quartet : Jan Jarczyk Trio with the Edmonton String Quartet We Four: Celebrating John Coltrane

Jimmy Cobb: We Four: Celebrating John Coltrane Edmonton Jazz Society’s Our Volunteer House Managers Board of Directors • Luc Bouchard • Sue Cameron • Jan Doll • Bill Hume 2010•2011 • Judy Hume • Pam Josey • Tracy Kolenchuk • Trevor Moyer • Marilyn Rude Adrian Albert • President • Collette Slevinsky • Rhonda Smith Dave Babcock • Vice President • Karen Voller • Gail Wozny Stuart Crosley • Treasurer Garry Spotowski • Secretary Yardbird Suite Newsletter The Yardbird Newsletter is published five Board Members times per year by the Edmonton Jazz Society. Monique Bielech • Shelley Chebry • Dwayne Hrynkiw eDitoRs • Adrian Albert, Jasiek Poznanski Pam Josey • Wendy Magill • Jasiek Poznanski Francis Remedios • Dominique Roy CONTRIBUTING WRITERS • Adrian Albert, Julie King ADVeRtiSing • Shelley Chebry Yardbird Suite gRAPHic DESIGN • Kim Deley, Critical Path Marketing Programming • Adrian Albert, Communications Julie King, Jasiek Poznanski Production • Lisi Sommer DiStRibution • Monique Bielech, TUESDAY NIGHT Sessions • Lindsay Woolgar Shelley Chebry, Bill Harper Littlebirds Director • Joel Gray PRINTING • ION Print Solutions Inc. Jazz For Kids Director: Audrey Ochoa Finance • Suzanne Morter Tickets Press Releases • Trevor Moyer Tickets for Yardbird Suite shows are available Transportation • Alan Spence at Ticketmaster and at the door on the night House Manager & Volunteer of the performance. Coordinator • Pam Josey

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Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: EDMONTON JAZZ SOCIETY 11 TOMMY BANKS WAY EDMONTON AB T6E 2M2 780.432.0428

CANADIAN PUBLICATION MAIL PRODUCT SALES AGREEMENT #40047729 Canadian Jazz Series Peripheral Vision

Peripheral Vision is one of the most exciting defined by its group rapport. Bringing back and innovative jazz quartets to have recently the anything-is-possible democratic approach appeared on the international jazz scene. The of both 1960’s jazz and garage bands, the creative leaders of the group are long time music takes shape as a collective process. This musical collaborators, guitarist Don Scott and no-holds-barred philosophy is at the root of bassist Michael Herring. They have assembled Peripheral Vision’s explosive performances. a synergistic musical unit designed to push the boundaries of jazz while engaging the listener with a grooving, toe-tapping immediacy. You can hear the influences of the classic 1960’s era of jazz - Wayne Shorter, Booker Little, when... Peripheral Vision Charles Mingus - mixed with the modern New Toronto York scene - David Binney, Chris Potter, Kurt Don Scott - guitar Rosenwinkel, Dave Douglas, along with hints of Michael Herring - bass Radiohead, reggae and electronica. Trevor Hogg - tenor saxophone Peripheral Vision is releasing its second , Nick Fraser - drums Spectacle: Live!, with a Western Canadian FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011 tour this fall. It was recorded at the Cellar in TICKETS - MEMBERS $16, GUESTS $20 Vancouver during the CD release tour for their DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM eponymous debut album. Scott and Herring are joined by saxophonist Trevor Hogg and drummer Nick Fraser. While the compositions Artist website: are Herring and Scott’s, Peripheral Vision is www.peripheralvisionmusic.com

www. yardbirdsuite.com 3 Canadian Jazz Vocalists Series May Cheung

Over the past seven years, Vancouver-raised May Cheung has been establishing herself as a versatile jazz vocalist on the Montreal jazz scene. A graduate of McGill University in Jazz Voice (2007), May studied with Juno Award winner Ranee Lee. Hailed as “The Next Ella Fitzgerald” in the Vancouver Sun (2001), May’s sound is attributed to an array of jazz vocalists drawing inspiration from a variety of music including soul, R&B, classical, folk and experimental music. In 2007, May shared the stage with guitarist John Pizzarelli and has sung extensively across Canada in numerous cities with her own ensemble. In 2008, May was invited to participate in a workshop with Bobby McFerrin through the Kurt Weill Institute and in 2009, May was awarded a prestigious study grant from the Canada Council for the Arts to study with New York Voices leader, Peter Eldridge.

May Cheung is now based in Brooklyn, New York where she has quickly become a vocalist/ when... composer in high demand and a precocious May Cheung New York/Edmonton/Calgary talent to watch. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 TICKETS - MEMBERS $16, GUESTS $20 DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM

May Cheung - vocals Jim Head - guitar Mike Lent - bass Tyler Hornby – drums

Artist website: http://maycheung.wordpress.com

4 September/October 2011 Canadian Jazz Series John Stetch Trio

Born in Edmonton, John Stetch began piano been frequently recorded by the CBC and NPR studies at age 19 after several years of clarinet and has appeared on such programs as Marian and saxophone. Upon graduation from McGill McPartland’s and Weekend Edition University, he moved to and later with Leanne Hansen. to upstate New York. Stetch has performed Sttech has performed and/or recorded with across Canada, the United States and around many jazz greats such as , Mark Turner, the world. He has released 11 CDs under his , Jeff Ballard, Jim Black, Ben Street, own name, has 5 Juno Award nominations Victor Lewis, Charlie Haden, Branford Marsalis (Canada), and won the Prix Du Jazz at The and others. He has recently been collaborating Montreal International Jazz Festival. He has with classical and world musicians such as Alex Fiterstein, Sasha Vassiliev, Daniel Binelli, and has been commissioned to write for The CBC Radio Orchestra, The Borealis String Quartet and recently premiered his own Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano.

His latest CD, released in August, 2011, is entitled “Fabled States” on Addo Records, funded by The Canada Council For The Arts. It features 12 original trio compositions by Stetch, and is assisted by Joe Martin (bass) and Greg Ritchie (drums). John Stetch is currently based in Ithaca, NY, and teaches at and Ithaca College. when... John Stetch Trio New York/Edmonton SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011 TICKETS - MEMBERS $16, GUESTS $20 DOORS 7:30 PM - SHOW 8 PM

John Stetch - piano Joe Martin - bass Greg Ritchie - drums

Artist website: www.johnstetch.com

www. yardbirdsuite.com 5 Best of Alberta Jazz Yardbird Suite All-Stars: Miles Davis/Gil Evans: Birth of the Cool/Sketches of Spain

September, 2011, marks twenty years since Miles Davis passed away. To commemorate this anniversary, The Yardbird Suite All-Stars are when... presenting two of his most important recorded Yardbird Suite All-Stars works, “Birth of the Cool” recorded in 1949-1950 Miles Davis/Gil Evans: Birth of the and “Sketches of Spain” recorded in 1959. Miles Cool/Sketches of Spain collaborated with the brilliant Canadian arranger Calgary/Edmonton Gil Evans on both of these projects. FRIDAY-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23-24, 2011 “Birth of the Cool” was a pivotal moment in jazz, TICKETS - MEMBERS $24, GUESTS $28 DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM marrying the elasticity of bop with skilful big band arrangements and a relaxed, subdued mood. The sound was intimate with a hip, detached elegance. Davis’ nine piece band included luminaries such as Rubim de Toledo - bass Kai Winding, Gerry Mulligan, Lee Konitz and Max Dave Babcock - saxophones Roach. Jim Brenan - saxophones Bob Tildesley - trumpet “Sketches of Spain” is one of Miles’ most enduring Craig Brenan - trombone and innovative accomplishments. Gil Evans Mary Fearon - French horn Alden Lowry - tuba, trombone arranged the album’s signature piece “Concierto Chris Andrew - piano de Aranjuez” for an orchestra and jazz band and Jamie Cooper - drums then he and Miles created an entire album around Ray Baril - saxophones it featuring Paul Chambers, and Doug Berner - trumpet Elvin Jones. It is the most luxuriant and stridently romantic recording Miles ever made.

Notice of Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the annual general meeting of members of the Edmonton Jazz Society (1973) will be held at the Yardbird Suite, 11 Tommy Banks Way, Edmonton, Alberta, on Wednesday, October 26th at 7:00 PM for the purpose of: 1. Receiving the report of the president; 2. Receiving and considering the report of the treasurer of the Society for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011 including the appointment of the auditors for the coming year; 3. Election of the board of directors and officers of the Society; 4. The transition of such further business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Further information regarding the business to be discussed at the annual general meeting can be obtained by contacting the Yardbird Suite at telephone 780-432-0428. Dated at the city of Edmonton, in the Province of Alberta, this first day of September, 2011.

6 September/October 2011 jammin’ tuesday night sessions TICKETS AT THE DOOR - MEMBERS & GUESTS $5 DOORS 7:30 PM - SHOW 8 PM

September 20 October 11 Kent Sangster Quartet Don Berner Quartet Kent Sangster - saxophone Don Berner - saxophone Jim Head - guitar Chris Andrew - piano Jeff Johnson - bass Mike Lent - bass Sandro Dominelli - drums Sandro Dominelli - drums

September 27 October 18 Dave Morgan Quintet Andrew Glover Quartet Dave Morgan - trumpet Andrew Glover - piano Craig Brenan - trombone Bob Tildesley - trumpet Paul Richey - piano Mike Lent - bass Brayden Wise - bass Sandro Dominelli - drums Jamie Cooper - drums

October 4 October 25 Jerrold Dubyk Quartet Jeff Hendrick Quartet Jerrold Dubyk - saxophone Jeff Hendrick - vocals and Chris Andrew - piano saxophone Josh McHan - bass, Chris Andrew - piano Andrew Miller - drums Moni Mathew - bass Bill George - drums

www. yardbirdsuite.com 7 Canadian Jazz Series Grant Stewart

Born in Toronto in 1971, Grant Stewart was exposed to the music of Charlie Parker, Wardell Gray and Coleman Hawkins by his father, a high school English teacher and semiprofessional guitarist. It was through these early experiences and his father’s encouragement that Stewart first developed a strong ear for melody, style, and improvisation. He began with the alto saxophone at age 10, began playing professionally with his teacher Pete Schofield in Schofield’s Big Band. At 17 he switched to the tenor saxophone and was soon playing with such master saxophonists as Pat La Barbera and Bob Mover. Stewart considers Mover to be one of his greatest teachers and among his strongest influences along with , John Coltrane, Don Byas, and Lester Young.

Since moving to New York City at the age of 19, Stewart has studied with such masters as Donald Byrd, Barry Harris, and Joe Lovano, and performed with Curtis Fuller, John Hendricks, Clark Terry, Etta Jones, Bill Charlap, Bob Mover, Brad Mehldau, Russell Malone, Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, Jimmy Cobb, Harry Connick, Mickey Roker, Cecil Payne, Dick Hyman, Herb Geller and was a member of the last Al Grey Sextet. Stewart can be found playing at many New York clubs, particularly Smalls Jazz Club. Stewart has performed all over North America, Europe and throughout the world. He was also one of the first jazz artists to be invited to play at the historical Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. In addition Grant was a featured when... Grant Stewart artist at the Guggenheim Museums’ Jazz series with New York/Edmonton his trio including drum legend Jimmy Cobb. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 Stewart has numerous recordings as a leader, TICKETS - MEMBERS $20, GUESTS $24 many on the Sharp Nine and Criss Cross labels. DOORS 7:30 PM - SHOW 8 PM His two most recent CDs are “Grant Stewart Plays FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 the Music of Duke Ellington and TICKETS - MEMBERS $22, GUESTS $26 released in 2009 and “Around the Corner” DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM released in 2010.

Grant’s tenor sound is borne of the jazz of the 1950s and 1960s but played with a contemporary Grant Stewart - saxophone élan. He has a huge sound and a creative and Tommy Banks - piano beautiful melodic sense. Jimmy Cobb calls him Mike Lent - bass Sandro Dominelli – drums “one of my favorite players in the world.” For his Yardbird Suite debut, Stewart will be joined by Artist website: Tommy Banks, Mike Lent and Sandro Dominelli. www.grantstewartjazz.com

8 September/October 2011 Grant Stewart

www. yardbirdsuite.com 9 Canadian Jazz Series Darren Sigesmund Sextet 2010 JUNO nominee and Galaxie Rising Star Darren has led his Strands project across the winner Toronto trombonist Darren Sigesmund globe regularly since 2003, including concerts has firmly established his Strands project as one throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada. of Canada’s leading national and international He has studied and performed at the touring ensembles. Following up his 2008 debut internationally renowned Jazz Workshop at quintet CD Strands, Darren has released Strands the Banff Centre for the Arts with acclaimed II, nominated for a 2010 JUNO for Best Traditional artists such as Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Jazz Album. Sigesmund received the 2010 Galaxie Julian Priester, Richie Beirach, Dave Liebman, Rising Star award for Best Composition (“Dance Steve Coleman, Don Thompson, Pat LaBarbera, for Leila”) at the Festival International de Jazz and Hugh Fraser. A graduate of the University de Montreal. Acclaimed for its compositional of Toronto’s Jazz Performance Program, Darren ingenuity, the Strands project consists of currently teaches at Humber College and Sigesmund’s self-penned compositions, a privately. contemporary blend of jazz, Latin and classical influences. For this tour, Sigesmund’s group includes the sensational vocalist Eliana Cuevas as well as four of the west coast’s most dynamic jazz musicians in Phil Dwyer, Brad Turner, Ken Lister and Jesse Cahill. when... Darren Sigesmund Sextet Toronto/Vancouver SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011 TICKETS - MEMBERS $20, GUESTS $24 DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM

Darren Sigesmund - trombone Eliana Cuevas - vocals Phil Dwyer - saxophone Brad Turner - trumpet Ken Lister - bass Jesse Cahill - drums

Artist website: www.darrensigesmund.ca

10 September/October 2011 YARDBIRD SUITE BLUES Lisa Otey/Diane Van Deurzen

Lisa Otey and Diane Van Deurzen are a dynamic duo, a perfect blend of hot jazz, sultry blues and cabaret. They take their act all over the US and Mexico and to festivals, clubs and theatres across Europe. Lisa is a high-powered piano player whose music is a mixture of jazz, blues and boogie-woogie. She previously played at the Yardbird Suite to sell out crowds. She has released 12 CDs of her own, and was inducted into the Tucson Music Hall of Fame, the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame and has appeared on the Grammy-nominated CD, “Ladies Man”, with Pinetop Perkins. Everywhere Diane performs, she receives rave reviews and standing ovations for her angelic voice. Whether she is singing a heartbreaking ballad or a bluesy swing number, she puts herself into every note, creating an intimacy with the audience with her warm, precise phrasing. Diane and Lisa have co-produced several CDs on their label, Owl’s Nest Productions, including Diane’s debut CD, “I Never Knew” (2006), Lisa’s “Trio” CD, “Bring Your Own Boa” ( Lisa Otey and the Desert Divas), and Diane & Lisa’s duo CDs, “Wild Women” (2009) and “Meet Me Under the Mistletoe”(2010), a when... Lisa Otey/Diane Van Deurzen jazzy collection of Christmas favorites. Tucson, Arizona FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7-8, 2011 “Whenever these two artists TICKETS - MEMBERS $16, GUESTS $20 DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM perform together, people Tunnelcomment on theirSix easy rapport and emotional Lisa Otey - piano, vocals connection. Otey’s piano Diane Van Deurzen – vocals and vocals are hot and Artist website: steamy. Van Deurzen sings www.lisaotey.com www.dianevandeurzen.com sweetly. Together they blend like a musical cappuccino with extra foam on top.” ~ Chuck Graham, Tucson Citizen

www. yardbirdsuite.com 11 International Jazz Series Trio BraamDeJoodeVatcher

Trio BraamDeJoodeVatcher comprises three of the Dutch jazz scene’s most idiosyncratic musicians, for whom freedom and adventure when... are essential values. They all play an absolutely Trio BraamDeJoodeVatcher equal role in the music, which can go in any which Amsterdam way, depending on decisions made on the spot. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2011 The long musical friendship (since 1989) results TICKETS - MEMBERS $16, GUESTS $20 in intuitive playing of the highest order. The trio DOORS 7:30 PM - SHOW 8 PM shines in short powerful pieces, honoring the jazz tradition by pushing it ahead with consummate, dazzling skill. The trio combines a playful Michiel Braam - piano Wilbert De Joode - bass incorporation and expansion of older forms with Michael Vatcher – drums a great adventurousness. Artist website: In 2009 they released ‘Trio BraamDeJoodeVatcher www.michielbraam.com Quartet’. For this project, they invited a different guest musician for each piece. Francois Houle, Fred Anderson, Paul Dunmall, Taylor Ho Bynum, Mats Gustafsson, and Nils Wogram were some of “Trio BraamDeJoodeVatcher the special guests. Much of the material on this is one of Europe’s strongest double CD is quite accessible, demonstrating the groups, due in no small trio’s knowledge of the jazz tradition. part to Braam’s excellent The trio has toured throughout Europe, the composing.” United States, Canada, and elsewhere. They have ~ Andrey Henkin, All About Jazz performed at festivals worldwide.

12 September/October 2011 Best of Alberta Jazz Listen Here - The Music Of Eddie Harris by Steve Huey, allmusic.com version, it climbed into the lower reaches of the pop Top 40 pushing the LP all the way to number Long underrated in the pantheon of jazz greats, two on the pop album charts. Eddie Harris was an eclectic and imaginative became the first jazz album ever certified gold. saxophonist whose career was marked by a hearty appetite for experimentation. For quite some time, Many critics lambasted Harris for his commercial he was far more popular with audiences than with success, overlooking his very real talent. Harris critics, many of whom denigrated him for his more switched record labels to Atlantic in 1965 and commercially successful ventures. Harris’ tastes promptly rejuvenated his jazz credentials with ranged across the spectrum of black music, not all The In Sound, a classic, fairly straight-ahead bop of which was deemed acceptable by jazz purists. album that introduced his original “Freedom Jazz He had the chops to handle technically demanding Dance” (later covered by Miles Davis on the classic bop and the restraint to play in the cool-toned Miles Smiles). 1967’s The Electrifying Eddie Harris, a West Coast style. He also delved into crossover- bluesy, funky soul-jazz classic marked Harris as one friendly jazz-pop and rock and funk-influenced of the very few sax players to develop a distinctive, fusion. With the passage of time, the excellence personal style on the electric Varitone sax. The tune of his best work has become abundantly clear. “Listen Here” from that album gave Harris a second Harris’ accomplishments are many: he was the first major hit single. jazz artist to release a gold-selling record, thanks In 1969, Harris joined pianist Les McCann’s regular to 1961’s hit adaptation of the “Exodus” movie group at the . Despite a theme; he was universally acknowledged as the complete lack of rehearsal time together, the on- best player of the electric Varitone sax, as heard on his hit 1967 album The Electrifying Eddie Harris; he was an underrated composer whose “Freedom Jazz Dance” was turned into a standard by Miles continued on page 16 Davis; he even invented his own instruments by switching brass and reed mouthpieces. Plus, his 1969 set with Les McCann at the Montreux Jazz Festival was released as became one of the biggest-selling jazz of all time. when... Edmonton/Calgary Harris was born in Chicago on October 20, 1934. FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14-15, 2011 He landed his first professional job as a pianist, TICKETS - MEMBERS $14, GUESTS $18 backing saxman Gene Ammons, and got the DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM chance to sit in with greats like Charlie Parker and Lester Young. After military service and some time spent in New York, Harris returned to Chicago in 1960 and soon signed with the successful, locally- Dave Babcock - tenor saxophone based Vee Jay label, which was better known for Bob Tildesley - trumpet its R&B and blues acts. Although the label signed Jim Head - guitar Harris as a pianist, he played only tenor sax on his Chris Andrew - keyboards first album, 1961’s Exodus to Jazz. The key track Rubim deToledo - bass was “Exodus,” Harris’ easygoing rearrangement of Jamie Cooper – drums Ernest Gold’s theme from the epic Biblical film of Artist website: the same name. Released as a single in a shortened www.eddieharris.com www. yardbirdsuite.com 13 International Jazz Vocalists Series Beat Kaestli

Beat Kaestli is an internationally acclaimed vocalist, songwriter, arranger and producer. In 1993 he moved from Switzerland to New York, when... leaving behind a promising singing career in his Beat Kaestli homeland, and was awarded a scholarship to New York/Seattle/Edmonton the Manhattan School of Music. While honing his FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2011 craft alongside noteworthy jazz performers such TICKETS - MEMBERS $18, GUESTS $22 as Jane Monheit, Jason Moran and Stefon Harris, DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM he immersed himself in Manhattan’s fiercely competitive music scene, emerging as a seasoned performer. He now appears in major New York Beat Kaestli - vocals Bill Anschell - piano clubs such as The Blue Note, Birdland, The Bitter John Taylor - bass End, The Jazz Standard and The Stone, performing Jamie Cooper – drums with jazz greats like Esperanza Spalding, Jon Hendricks, Gregoire Maret, Joel Frahm and Billy Artist website: Drummond. www.beatkaestli.com

In 2005, Beat was the chosen vocalist for the Glenn Miller Orchestra, thrilling audiences in concert halls across the USA. Since the release of his acclaimed CD “Happy, Sad and Satisfied” in 2006, he has toured the world extensively with his own projects, showcasing his music in renowned clubs and at festivals across the US, Europe, Mexico, Central America and Canada. In 2007 he earned the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation Scholarship to complete his Masters Degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music which was followed by the release of his lauded 2009 European song tribute Far From Home. 2010 was highlighted by his major Jazz label debut Invitation, an eclectic array of American standards.

14 September/October 2011 International Jazz Series

Ari Hoenig 4tet – Lines of Oppression

Ari Hoenig is a jazz drummer, composer and educator known for his unusual and intense approach to drumming emphasizing complex rhythms in direct harmony with other group members. He is widely noted for his drumming not being relegated to just keeping tempo, or being a side issue to the music he plays, but rather for elevating drumming as an indispensable part of the performance. Hoenig is also known for his unique ability to modify the pitch of a drum by using drum sticks, mallets, and even parts of his body (such as his hands and elbows). Using this technique, he can play any note in the chromatic scale, virtually any melody, and even improvise on a chord structure in the same way as any other instrumentalist would. Anyone who saw Ari with the James Farm group at the 2010 Edmonton International Jazz Festival can attest to these qualities.

Hoenig was born into a family of classically trained musicians, his father being a choral conductor and his mother a violinist. He was exposed to classical and folk music at an early age. He played both piano and violin as a child, then rock and metal drums as a teen before settling into jazz and improvised music. Ari is also now an educator, currently on the faculty of the New School for Social Research at New York University. He has authored various jazz education books and DVDs. Since moving to New York in the mid-1990s, he when... Ari Hoenig 4tet has worked with a variety of performers including New York Jean Michel Pilc, Kenny Werner, Chris Potter, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Joshua Redman, Mike Stern, Pat Martino SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011 TICKETS - MEMBERS $22, GUESTS $26 and Dave Liebman. DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM Amongst his many musical activities, he currently leads three groups, a trio, a group called Punk Bop which has recorded for Dreyfus Records and for the Gilad Hekselman - guitar Smalls Live label, and the Ari Hoenig 4tet which is Tigran Hamasyan - piano Chris Tordini - bass the group performing at the Yardbird Suite on this Ari Hoenig – drums occasion. Hoenig has released several albums since 2000, the most recent being the quartet’s 2011 album Artist website: called “Lines of Oppression” on the Naïve label. This www.arihoenig.com disc has been very well-received by the jazz press.

www. yardbirdsuite.com 15 Cross Border Jazz Mike LeDonne

Mike LeDonne’s parents ran a music store, his father also being a jazz guitarist. When he was 14 years old, his father bought him his first Hammond B-3 organ, an instrument Mike describes as “having the soul built right in”. After graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music, he moved to New York City where he worked with many of the masters of jazz history - , Sonny Rollins, Bobby Hutcherson, , For this two night gig at the Yardbird Suite, Mike Dizzy Gillespie, and others. In 1988 he had his LeDonne will be joined by three of Vancouver’s recording debut and joined ’s Quartet. finest in saxophonist Cory Weeds, guitarist Oliver He performed with Jackson’s band for eleven Gannon and drummer Jesse Cahill. Much of their years and eventually became the quartet’s musical program will feature the music of . director. He has worked with since Perhaps most exciting, these concerts will be 1996 as well as performing under his own name recorded for future release. all over the world. He has a long-standing weekly gig at in New York. Although he was originally known mainly as a pianist with a number of recordings on the Criss when... Cross and Double Time labels, several of his recent Mike LeDonne recordings on the Savant label feature his brilliant New York/Vancouver and energetic Hammond B3 organ playing. Now THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011 recognized as one of the best jazz organists in TICKETS - MEMBERS $18, GUESTS $22 the Downbeat Critics’ Poll, he has been praised by DOORS 7:30 PM - SHOW 8 PM luminaries such as Oscar Peterson who described his as “one of the most promising and talented FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011 TICKETS - MEMBERS $20, GUESTS $24 pianists of this era.” DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM His playing reflects a love for both bop and accentuating his impressive chops. There is substance and depth in LeDonne’s musicality Mike LaDonne - organ and piano while avoiding overt funk, making for a style that Oliver Gannon - guitar will please both mainstream jazz lovers and baby Cory Weeds - saxophone boomers. Jesse Cahill – drums continued from page 13 stage chemistry was immediate, and the gig was released as the LP Swiss Movement, credited to McCann and Harris. Paced by the hit singles “” and “Cold Duck Time,” Swiss Movement became one of the biggest-selling jazz albums of all time. He recorded a number of albums throughout the 1970s for Atlantic. Over the course of the ‘80s and ‘90s, he recorded mostly for small labels like Steeple Chase, Enja, Timeless, and Flying Heart, among others. These albums found Harris returning to traditional , generally in acoustic quartet settings. He made his final studio recordings in the mid-’90s, and was forced to stop performing by the combined effects of bone cancer and kidney disease. He passed away in Los Angeles on November 5, 1996.

16 September/October 2011 Canadian Jazz Series

Music for Jazz Trio and String Quartet Jan Jarczyk Trio with the Edmonton String Quartet

The musical meeting of a jazz trio and a Born in Poland, Jan Jarczyk has lived in North string quartet goes back to our musical America since 1977. He taught harmony and roots, transcending time and generations. composition at the Berklee College of Music in This project presents the tradition as well as the 1980s. For many years, he has divided his time our contemporary times in a unique musical between composing, performing and attending moment where folk, jazz and classical sounds are to his teaching duties as Professor at McGill harmonized. University Shulich School of Music.

The repertoire of this concert is made up He is a highly-regarded composer, having of beautiful folk melodies which go back in written music ranging from solo pieces to full- history to the medieval times. Today, through sized symphony orchestras. His work has been this performance, we rediscover their renewed performed throughout the world. Since 1994 lyric aspect. Through its faithful harmony and he has recorded numerous CDs in Montreal counterpoint, the string quartet follows tradition as pianist, leader and arranger-composer. Mr. while the jazz rhythm reinvents the happy Jarczyk has composed music for The Polish Jazz hythmic and melancholy melodies. Served by Studio Orchestra, Polish TV and radio as well as his classical and jazz training, Jan Jarczyk his own for theatre and film in Poland and North America. compositions like “ Round, round and round” Recipient of the Polish Composers Society Annual that he describes as a music that recalls our own Scholarship in 1969-71, Mr. Jarczyk also won the origins. Grand Prix of the Concours d’improvisation de piano jazz in Lyon, France in 1974 and the SOCAN award for Best Jazz Composition during the Montreal Jazz Festival in 1999. when... Montreal/Edmonton SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2011 TICKETS - MEMBERS $20, GUESTS $24 DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM

Jan Jarczyk - piano Morgan Moore - bass Jim Doxas - drums

Edmonton String Quartet led by Mark Fewer

www. yardbirdsuite.com 17 International Jazz Series We Four: Celebrating John Coltrane

Four jazz luminaries, including NEA Jazz Master and “Kind of Blue” drummer Jimmy Cobb, join together to lovingly pay tribute to John Coltrane and the music of his time. Coltrane created some of the most innovative and expressive music in jazz history and We Four will explore many of these “classic tunes” including “Impressions,” “Giant Steps,” “Mr. PC,” “Naima,” “Central Park West,” “Fifth House,” “Like Sonny,” “Blues to Elvin,” and “Countdown” in addition to original material inspired by John Coltrane.

We Four is a new band of esteemed New York jazz players, all of whom feel a special connection to John Coltrane. The band is composed of tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson, pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Nat Reeves and drummer Jimmy Cobb. In point of fact, only Jimmy has zero degrees of separation from Coltrane, as he famously played with him in the

18 September/October 2011 Miles Davis bands of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. Davis. Javon is a fluent improviser who carries the Jimmy’s inspirational work with Miles, John standard proudly. Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley and company Mulgrew Miller, like John Coltrane, is a deeply spanned 1958 until 1962, and included the spiritual man and a superb pianist who was masterpiece recording Kind of Blue, the most mentored by a Jazz Messenger pianist, James popular jazz recording in history. He also played Williams. He played in Tony Williams’ band for six on Sketches of Spain, Someday My Prince Will years, so you know that he can bring it. Mulgrew Come, Live at Carnegie Hall, Live at the Blackhawk, has golden fingers and can swing you to death. Porgy and Bess, and many, many other watermark Miles Davis recordings, as well as other dates with Nat Reeves has been influenced by bassists such leaders Coltrane, Adderley, and Kenny Burrell. as Sam Jones, Paul Chambers and Ron Carter. His Jimmy is still going strong at 82 with Miles and two longest-standing performing colleagues are Coltrane tribute bands and his own group dates. Kenny Garrett and the late Jackie McLean. For the past decade, Reeves has been focusing on Javon Jackson rose to prominence as an Art his career as an educator at the Jackie McLean Blakey Jazz Messenger and has played with Institute of Jazz in Connecticut. others connected to Coltrane, including drummer Elvin Jones, and bassists Ron Carter and Richard when... We Four: Celebrating John Coltrane New York SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2011 Two Shows: DOORS 7:30 PM - SHOW 8:00 PM TICKETS - MEMBERS $16, GUESTS $20 DOORS 9:15 PM - SHOW 9:30 PM TICKETS - MEMBERS $16, GUESTS $20

Javon Jackson - tenor saxophone Mulgrew Miller - piano Jimmy Cobb - drums Nat Reeves – bass

www.jimmycobb.com

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Friday & Saturday Shows: Doors at 8pm • Show 9pm unless otherwise stated.

September 16 October 1 October 27 Peripheral Vision Darren Sigesmund Sextet Mike LeDonne Members $16, Guests $20 Members $20, Guests $24 Members $18, Guests $22 Doors 7:30pm - Show 8pm September 17 October 7-8 May Cheung Lisa Otey/Diane Van Deurzen October 28 Members $16, Guests $20 Members $16, Guests $20 Mike LeDonne Members $20, Guests $24 September 18 October 13 John Stetch Trio Trio BraamDeJoodeVatcher October 29 Members $16, Guests $20 Members $16, Guests $20 Music for Jazz Trio and String Doors 7:30pm - Show 8pm Quartet: Jan Jarczyk Trio October 14-15 with the Edmonton String September 23-24 Listen Here - Quartet Yardbird Suite All-Stars The Music Of Eddie Harris Members $20, Guests $24 Miles Davis/Gil Evans: Birth of Members $14, Guests $18 the Cool/Sketches of Spain October 30 Members $24, Guests $28 October 21 We Four: Beat Kaestli Celebrating John Coltrane September 29 Members $18, Guests $22 Doors 7:30pm - Show 8pm Grant Stewart Members $16, Guests $20 Members $20, Guests $24 October 22 Doors 9:15pm - Show 9:30pm Doors 7:30pm - Show 8pm Ari Hoenig 4tet – Members $16, Guests $20 Lines of Oppression September 30 Members $22, Guests $26 Grant Stewart Members $22, Guests $26

EDMONTON JAZZ SOCIETY 11 TOMMY BANKS WAY (Corner of 102 St & 86 Ave) EDMONTON AB T6E 2M2

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