Quarter Notes
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Quarter Notes Volume 4, Issue 1 January-March, 2009 P.O. Box 329 Somers Point, NJ 08244 SPJS Presents 2009 Jazz Master Award to Joe Barrett 609-927-6677 On Saturday, February 21st, 2009, The www.spjazz.org Somers Point Jazz Society was busy presenting South Jersey jazz lovers Susan Ayres, Co-Editor & Design with more of the great music perform- Tim Lekan, Co-Editor ances that listeners have come to ex- pect from this thriving organization. It Jim Bonar, Contributing Editor was the 4th installment of the Blue Dr. Robert Rawlins , Guest Colum- Moon Brewery Third Annual Win- nist ter Jazz Series, with the Johnny An- drews Quartet performing at The Inlet Inside this issue: Restaurant, and Bob Ferguson's Tradi- tional Jazz All-Stars performing at 2009 Jazz Master Award 1 Gregory's Restaurant. Coleman Mellett 2 Audience members were in for a spe- cial treat on this night, Upcoming Events 2 as SPJS honored its 2009 Jazz Master Award recipient Joe Barrett, in recog- 2008 Jazz Master Johnny Andrews and 2009 Jazz Master Joe Barrett nition of Mr. Barrett's lifelong contri- Gina Roché 3 bution to jazz and the South Jersey music community. The presentation of the On this particular ‘jazz night’, Somers Point Jazz Cape Bank Jazz @ the 4 award took place at a reception at The Inlet Society Vice-President, Susan Ayres, welcomed Point 2009 Lineup prior to the performance by Johnny Andrews, those in attendance, and thanked everyone for and, to the delight of all in attendance, provided their support of the jazz society. 1st Annual Benefit Concert 5 for a 'meeting of the masters' -- Johnny An- drews was honored by SPJS a year ago, with the A brief statement by SPJS President, Nick Regine, 2008 Jazz Master Award. was followed by the introduction of board mem- Sittin’ In 5 ber and master of ceremonies, Tim Lekan, Barrett was born in Atlantic City, and was in- who proceeded to introduce tributes to Mr. Bar- rett by his friends and fellow musicians Charlie Winter Jazz Series 6 spired at the age of 10 by the recordings of Benny Goodman. Clarinet and saxophone les- Logeman, George Mesterhazy, Barbara Devlin and sons soon followed and Joe was on his way to a Stan Weiss. A Little Bird Told Me... life that has brought his beautiful and warm clarinet tone to the ears of many Charlie Logeman spoke fondly of Joe, and recalled (Overheard by our sax-playing a grateful listener. For more than 40 years, Mr. when Joe donated his time to play a September seagull) Barrett balanced a full-time job as an electrician 11th benefit concert for veterans. —Check out the SPJS radio show with an active music schedule, which saw him perform at nearly all of the major hotels, casinos Pianist and arranger Mesterhazy, who is currently on alternate Monday nights from and legendary clubs in Atlantic City. Barrett has performing in San Francisco with vocalist Paula 8-10 P.M., on WCFA-LP 101.5 (Cape performed with a long list of jazz greats, includ- West, filmed his tribute and with the help May), with your host Bob Dolge. ing Slam Stewart, Billy Bauer, Tal Farlow, of modern technology, all were able to enjoy it on Bob and Charlie Logeman will be Maxine Sullivan and Warren Vache. He contin- a large movie screen. Mesterhazy reflected with featuring interviews with artists ues a daily practice regimen, still searching warmth and a sense of humor on 40 years of friendship and music-making with Barrett. performing at upcoming events, for new songs to add to his repertoire, and he including this year’s Cape Bank can often be heard at the Merion Inn in Cape May, performing on 'jazz night' with the George Barbara Devlin shared some memories of singing Jazz @ the Point Festival! (Continued next page) Mesterhazy Trio. Page 2 Quarter Notes (con’t from previous page) surgery isn't so bad after all.' invited Barrett to sit in, and they wowed in bands with Joe, and being moved by the audience with “Pennies from Heaven”, his lyrical solos. While she acknowledged Saxophonist Stan Weiss, Barrett's friend and “What’s New?” The quartet continued her musical inexperience at the time, she and frequent band mate of 50 years was their great performance, which included was quick to point out that Joe always unable to attend due to a minor health set- “Just Friends”, “Bye Bye Blackbird”, “My treated her with kindness and respect. back. Lekan informed the audience Old Flame”, and “Moanin’/Work Song”. She also noted that following Joe's open that Weiss wrote a piece about Barrett, heart surgery a few years ago, she and a which Lekan was asked to read in Mr. Weiss' Over at Gregory’s Restaurant, trumpeter friend marveled that Joe's playing had even absence. It was a fitting tribute, reflecting Bob Ferguson and the Atlantic City Tradi- gotten better, 'if that were possible', leading Weiss' great admiration and respect for tional Jazz All-Stars brought a Mardi Gras her to conclude that 'maybe open-heart Barrett. Lekan pointed out that Weiss was celebration to Somers Point with their Dix- particularly proud of a long, complex sen- ieland repertoire. The sextet featured Herb tence which captured Joe's mastery of the Roselle on trombone, Dr. Robert Rawlins clarinet. With Stan's permission, we have on clarinet, Fran Smith on banjo, Jim included it here, for all of our readers to McClernan on tuba, and Tom Angello on ponder and enjoy: drums. They entertained the enthusiastic crowd with favorites such as “Shine”, "Undaunted by the pesky cross-fingerings and “Ain’t Misbehavin”, “Avalon”, and “A Kiss rigid tonal requirements, Joe’s warm sound to Build a Dream On”. Joe Barrett made an brings forth the pretty notes and musical lines with the flawless execution of what his im- appearance and sat in on a couple of tunes, provisational instincts inspire him to play with with Dr. Rawlins switching over to alto flowing ease”. saxophone. In summation, it was a wonderful evening Lekan then presented the 2009 Jazz Master of love, friendship, and great music. Award to Joe, along with a lifetime member- ship in the Somers Point Jazz Society. Ms. Congratulations, Joe! Ayres presented a bouquet of flowers to Joe’s wife, Sunny, on behalf of the Society. Shortly afterward, 2008 Jazz Master and Upcoming Events pianist Johnny Andrews took the stage with his quartet, which featured Behn Gillece on March 5-8 vibes, Joe Kearney on bass, and Keith Hollis Cape Bank Jazz @ the Point 2009 on drums. After a lovely rendition of the classic “It Could Happen to You”, Andrews See Page 4 for the complete lineup Bob Ferguson Visit our website www.spjazz.org for more details and ticketing information, or call Coleman Mellett: 1974-2009 our hotline at 609-927-6677 On February 12, 2009, guitarist Coleman Mel- March 15 lett, saxophonist Gerry Niewood, and 48 oth- Evolution of Jazz—Part 3 ers lost their lives in the crash of Continental Airlines Flight 3407, a few miles from Buffalo Jazz After the Big Bands—Bop, Cool, Mod- Airport. ern Presenter: Denis DiBlasio Coleman and his wife, vocalist Jeanie Bryson, gave a memorable performance with the Stumpo’s Italian Grill @ 3 P.M. George Mesterhazy Trio, to close out Cape April 4 Bank Jazz @ the Point 2008. Blue Moon Brewery Winter Jazz Series To hear 'Coley' play guitar was to experience The Antfarm Quartet the honesty, beauty and kindness that he expressed so effortlessly as a human being. The Inlet Restaurant, 8 P.M. 998 Bay Avenue Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Jeanie, and all of his family and friends. Radam Schwartz Organ Quartet Gregory’s Restaurant, 8:30 P.M. R: Coleman Mellett at Cape Bank Jazz @ the Point 900 Shore Road March 9, 2008 Page 3 Quarter Notes A Conversation with Gina Roché Gina Roché is the area’s premier and most versatile vocalist, and is known for her capti- vating performances. Singer, guitarist, song- writer, and Mom, Roché imbues a Brazilian flavor into her unique blend of jazz, blues, and original compositions. She has toured the U.S., Japan, the Grand Cayman Islands, and Aruba. Bassist and SPJS Board Member Tim Lekan had the opportunity to chat with Gina about her music and what inspires her. Their conversation follows. Q: Who are some of your musical influ- ences? A: Musical influences...hmmm...well, do we have enough space? In my youth, I was addicted to Rickie Lee Jones, Earth Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, and Bonnie Raitt. Then I fell for Patti Austin, Chet Baker, Carmen McRae, Al Jarreau, and Pat Metheny. The last decade was all about Antonio Carlos Gina Roché and her daughters (Photo credit: John Lore) Jobim, Ivan Lins, Keith Jarrett, and Kenny like a box of chocolates”. I feel that way always thought of him as a generation or Wheeler. Most recently, I've been inspired about music--you know it's going to be deli- two younger than I, only to learn that by Raul Midon, Chiara Civello, Sara Tavares cious, yet no one can say exactly what each we're similar in age. Keith must’ve found and Esperanza Spalding...Wow! experience will bring. I love that. the fountain of youth. We should all spend Q: What are your sources of inspiration? some time with this man, find out his nutri- Q: Could you talk about the band members? A: The obvious source is life's joy--the love I tional and spiritual habits and follow suit.