Dobeck to Appear at Last Issue This is your last issue! (if you Skidmore aren't a member or if you haven't let us know when you 40 years of covering Jazz. bought a ticket that you wanted the newsletter). Mr. Dobek is known for his and play- intense emotional So many of you have bought ing. His recording, reviewed tickets, become members, has in our newsletter last year votrunteered and been good been broadcast nationally and friends of the Jazz Commu- has received great reviews. nity. But with cutbacks in all of the arts funding sources, ifs The admission charge will be tough to carry some of you on students, $3.00 for Skidmore the "free" list. And now the Senior Citizens and Skidmore good old Post Office has community and only $6.00 for raised its rates for bulk mail the general public. Another and changed other rules that lazz,bargain that has got to makes it expensive to be Dan Dobek, area pianist who come under the category of generous. appeared at our Jazz Picnic in cheap thrills! l990,will appear as a soloist at If you haven't become a mem- Skidmore's Filene Music HaII INSIDE ber, renewed your member- on Friday March 6,1992 at ship or told us you wanted to 200 Words...... p.2 7Pm. be a part of making A Place Billie Holiday Play...... p.2 torJazz in Northeastern New The performance will consist My Solo...... p.3 York when you came to our of exciting new music from his J azz, Calendar...... p.4,5 concerts, this will be your last J azz Suite entitled "Seasons Marcus Roberts & mailed issue. (Please call me at within the Heart. In addition, Ellis Marsalis...... p 7 374-6912 if you think you Dobek will play some popular might have forgotten to renew J a22makers...... p.7 Jazzstandards. In total the or give me your name when concert will cover stylings Continued onback 2 0 0 o r d s Play on Life of by Glyn Evans Billie Holiday More on "No Figs" ing to grow with the music. Heritage Artists at the Cohoes (Note: The "prequel" to More Music Hall announced that a On "No Figs" aDDears in APFI The controversy spilled over play on the life of the world Vol II. No. 4) into the public arena with famous I azz singer, Billie critics and fans divided. Holiday will begin previews (perhaps At first glance, Tristano's title Someone Leonard on January 22 and continue "No Figs" is as enigmatic as Feather) named the old school through February 16th. The many other Jazz tttles. In fact audience'moldy figs'. Even as play,l,ady Day at Emuson's Bar it refers to a bitter Jazz contro- a high school boy in Wales I and Grill was written by versy that erupted in the was aware and partisan. The Lamie Robinson and stars 1.940's. debate grew beyond words. Debra Tidwell, who transfers Diz recalls a fistfight between her much praised starring role Bird,Diz, Bud and Monk; the rival factions when playing in from Washington, D.C. to the beboppers had arrived, chal- Paris in1947. There is no Capital District area. lenging earlier jazz forms question the boppers saw The play takes place during rhythmically, melodically and themselves in the fradi- Jazz the last seven days of Billie harmonically. Many older tion - the line from Oliver, Holiday's life and is set in a players reacted critically. Armstrong, Eldridge, Diz is bar where she performs with Armstrong "Aww, said that's clear. live musicians on stage. The slop! No melody.", although musical was the hit of the Off- Diz writes that Louis Rever For the bspper+, struggling i'roadwayseason in 1986 and criticized him personally. with their own genius in a continues to draw intense Boppers were such a threat to difficult environment, to have interest as it tours the country. older players, those like, say, their roots questioned was Coleman Hawkins or Don bitter. Now the beautiful Ms. Holiday is considered to Byas, were unable or unwill- music is richer. Time passes. be one of the most influential artists inJazzhistory. Her phrasing, timing and musical interpretation has been lis- tened to and imitated by singers and musicians all over the world. Her life was both an artistic triumph and a personal tragedy. This combi- Come and See all the Changes nation has made her the at our StuyvesantPlaza Store subject of writersr poets, scholars, movie-makers and Voted Metroland Magazine's playwrights. It is a show not Best Record Store overall to be missed! - - last four years! For information about tickets call the Cohoes Box Office at Stuyvesant Plaza Delaware Plaza Shop n'Save Plaza 235-7959. Preview Albany Delmar E. Greenbush 438-3003 439-2449 477-7846 performances will be January 22nd and 23rd. 2 v s o o Strayhorn to write for particu- he does it because he likes "to @ lar solbists in full knowledge hang" with the best musicians ilsa marvelous form of the art. it because Wondrous delights have been that they would be there year in town. Others do put forth under the leadership after year to display their it helps them build their of Basie, Kenton, Ellington, talents. "chops." Herman, Lunceford and it be great to have a Henderson to name just a few. That doesn't happen any Wouldn't big band series in the area so The 18 piece aggregation is more... or does it? we could hear them all? Or truly a marvel... and almost a Over L00 musicians are have somebody hire them for Jazz dinosaur since the 1950's a concert! and sixties. actively rehearsing in 5 Big dance AND Bands in this area. Many have With the exception of a few regular rehearsal dates, some as a week, leaders such as Herman, Basie as often once but and Ellington, it has been most rehearse only once a almost irnpossible to keep month. The participants range from full time professional these living organisms alive Iustin's national stat- for more than a few years. musicians with They are nightrnares of logis- ure to part-time musicians job. tics and finance, are hard to who still keep their "day" Good food move around, expensive to Most of these bands will never a paying public. keep and have all the com- be heard by Spirits plexity that you might expect Why would a musician spend for no from trying to get L8 very all this time rehearsing Iazz creative people to do anything money? Why would leaders Stan at the same time! like Diane Marlowe, Szepkowski, Paul Couch, Lou & Emil In the past these groups Pettys, Skip Parsons, Loca1Art earned their living through Kalled and others spend their playing for public and private money to buy and have charts rehearsal halls dances. They kept up with written, renting jobs ...The 301 Lark St., Albany their cost by traveling 300 with no in sight? charts. 436-7008 days a year, using buses and chance to play big band carefully balancing the egos of the soloists and section play- Big Band lazz can only be with the coopera- ers. Leaders such as Ellington performed t-t-f r-f-rr_Tr II I r I a large number of other and Basie had to be a mixture tion of IT, I The musicians of psychologist, music direc- musicians. lrodcrl money Special Or, tor, composer and father work hard, put out to I Any Book In Print figure. develop their music library ; i and put a lot of time into r Call346-271e i enjoy I n Nr This constant travel and con- rehearsal because they I tinual play melded these playing together, the challenge r THE opeN DooR I musicians into an ensemble of reading new scores and the | ,ZS f", Sr. Downrown Schenectadv I that could almost think in chance to play with some of ! Books Gifrs Greeting Cards F the outstanding soloists in the I cnilarr-nf trausic and t'oys unison. It also allowed com- rEEEItrrrr-I_ posers like Ellington and area. One musicians told us I Z Iron Horse Cafe 20 Centre St., The information below was sent Calendar Northampton, Mass . 413-5U- to us by the clubs listed below. 0610. There's a music charge and Van Dyck Cont. It's best to check by telePhone most concerts are ticketed February- before going because there maY (about $10) Call 1-800-THE- 13-Doc Springs be last minute changes. Clubs TICK for advance ticket sales. (or 21.-22Dave McKenna have a cover music charge) Seats about 170. (food Watch for Marion McPartland or a minimum purchase February or drink). Frequently both. 8- Young Lions of Fountain Restaurant 283 New Jazz:Yrlallace Reservations are advisable Roney Scofland Ave., AlbanY. 482-9898 Quartet (especially for better-known 9-Anita O'Day Skip Parsons and his Riverboat Quartet groups) as many of the clubs 13-Dirty Dozen Brass Band azz Band 2nd weekend every seat less than 100. ! 17-Elvin w/SonnY month 10pm-2am. Call for ]ones Quintet Fortune, Ravi Coltrane Mc Neill's 30L Lark St., details. Iustin 23-Dr. John Albany. Musichas been Pushed 26-Mahlathini and the Mahotella up to 1.0:30pm, but still3 sets. Skip Parsons Presents at the Italian American CommunitY Queens Very small. Excellent food. March Center Washington Ave. Ext., Reservations a must. Cover and L3- Buster Williams and Rene Albany 456-0292. SundaY lazz minimum. Jazz Brunch on Rosnes Sundays at LLam. Music begins Brunch 11:30 am-2pm. $15. Skip's band performs with at L2noon. (b = brunch) Half Moon Cafe 154 Madison special guest artist each week. February Ave,, A1b4ny 436-0329 February l.- PIus 24 February/March - every FridaY 2-Pete Compo 2-Rob Fish Duo b Cygnus 7-8- Nick Brignola Quartet 9- Bobby Pratt 15-Tom Artin 9-John Mclean Duo w/L. Mother Earth Cafe corner of 23-Vince Giordano Brown b. and Health March Western Quail.Neu).. 14- Hal Miller w/J. Monterose Food, no alcohol served. BYO. l.- Frank Vignola 15- Hal Miller w/Erika LindsaY Music from 8-11pm 3- MARDI GRAS evening 16-E. Lindsay w /Franchesca February dinner and dance 7-1'1Pmw/ Tankersley b 2- Seven Rabbit Stew two bands SammY KaYe and 2'1.-22-D ave Colarco &J azz February thru March Skip Parsons. $30. Call439-231,0 Caucus Every other ThursdaY Mich6 23-Jody Shayne Duo b Fambro 28-29- Greg Abat6 Qt. Troy Music Hall88 Fourth St., (brunches Troy, 273-0038. This is a trulY March TBA) DeWitt Clinton Valentine's Duo wonderful place to listen to 1- Peg Delaney b Sweetheart Ball! FebruarY 15 - Melvin Trio (played too late to buY the 6-7 Brian lazz.It's 8pm to Lam. Doc Scanlon's Pastorious) series, but don't miss the others. with Jaco Band in an evening of feasting 13-14-Hal Miller Band February 7- Ellis Marsalis Marcus Roberts duo and dancing. Catered bY the 20-21-Nick Brignola Qt. Includes dinner. March 21-The HarPer Brothers Cranberry Bog. 27 -2}-Cfuack D' Aloi a Trio further infor- April4- Tito Puente Call465-7423 for mation The Van Dyck237 Union Cill for'lickets. These Perfor- Street, Schenecta dy. 37 4-2406 mances usually sold out in Music at 9pm Call for listings advance! RADrO I AZZ Listed below are the stations Pauly's 337 Central Ave., Metro 17 Maple Ave., Saratoga and some of the programs Albany 426-0828 Springs. A two level club. available February Usually hasJazz upstairs and 14- Tango Man(Latin/Rock/ "other" downstairs. No phone. WVCR 88.3FM Cutting edge Fusion) Carl Landa and Jill Hughes are Afro-Am Pop w/occasional 13- Sandra Wright (blues) the mainstays in the house band lazzflavor. March with varied artists brought in. S-Talking with Angels (Fusion) February WMHT 89.1FM Boylan's Show i.-Doc Scanlon on Saturday Night. 9 Maple Ave., lazz Club 7-8- Carll.anda 9 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs. 15-16- Upstairs Blues Band w/ WRUC 89.7FM Late night play Frequently has cover of $2. McVeede( guitar),Tokarz(sax) is good. February 22- Carl Landa Band/w Syra l-Dick Johnson Trio, cover cuse and Colarco WAMC 90.3FM Great mix. 7-Cole Broderick & Cliff Avery 23- Carl Landa w/Brignola, Tim Coakley (Friday Night), 6-8pm Colarco, Syracuse Jazz After Hours (Midnight to 8-Tony Costanzo trio w/Paul 29 - C arl Landa (ups tairs) early AM Fri and Sat), Mastriani, Chris Rouse Doc Scanlon's Rhythm Boys McPartland and lazzset (Spm to 10pm-2am cover (downstairs) 10pm Sunday Nights) 14- Don Young, JazzGuitar 28- Carl Landa(upstairs) 5-9pm Doc Scanlon's Rhythm Boys WSPN 91.1FM Gail Mattison's 15- Cole Broderick & Friends (downstairs) show, Wed. 12 to 3pm 10pm-2am cover March Dave Casner, Mon. 3-6pm . 21-Cole Broderick & Cliff Avery 14-Doc Scanlon 5-8pm WCDB 90.9FM Wonderful 22-Cental Park East 10 to2am L'Ecole Encote 44 Fuller Rd., Show on Sat. & Sun Mornings 28- Ray Alexander 6-8pm Albany, 437-1234. Unusual in plus 1.1.am to lpm daily. 29-Airwaves 10pm-2am, cover that it has music during the March middle of the week. Check WRPI 91.5FM Kevin Roberts 6- Cole Broderick & CliffAvery them out on Tues, Wed,Thurs. Thurs.pm, 7 to 1,0. Important 7-John Hilton Trio Call for information. Jazzmrsicians in great depth. 14-Tony Constanzo and Friends 20-Ray Alexander The Park Bench Cafe, On Rte IryHRL 103.1FM Jazz and 2l-Cole Broderick & Friends 7A in Manchester Centre, Vt. "othet'' kinds of music. David 28-Teresa Broadweell Trio (across from Grand Union) Sanborn Show on Sunday is an (starring Teresa onJazz Violin) 802-362-2557. Music from 8- interesting mix. 12pm no cover. Call for infor- Chambers 1 S. Pearl, Albany, mation. WPYX 105.7FM JazzBrunch on M9-3923 cover ffi; higher for 14-16-Blues Wing Sunday. special groups. Music on Friday and Saturday. Call for informa- Duffy's Main St., Bennington, WMVI 1160AM Robin Quinn tion. Vt.802-M2-5818. Call for info. ]azz Show from 3pm - 7pm on Sunday Afternoon. Empire Plaza, Hart Theatre,

l Call4'G5-l7423 WABY 1400AM Good on Big February 23, Dave Bromberg Band play; Edwardsen (6am to Big Band 10am) in Morning . Become aMembeil that many of the inventors of We got a letter A Place torlazz is a membershiP were treated is also a this music oreanization that has two basic matter of historical record' Our to enlarge the audiences in is unusual. Most readers noils This country has a long historY of tlortheastern New York for lazz up the and te1l me pick Phone discrimination based on skin and to suPPort locallaz4 on their mind without work at these goals whafs skin color which I am sure You musician's.'We down on a concert series, bothering to Put it ManY talented by sponsoring are aware of. a newsletter, presenting paper. So I was Pleased to hear olUiisttins and creative PeoPle have suf- ttioict and workshoPs in schools from Mr. George Hansen' He fered as a consequence' I also and colleges and bY Publishing a resPonding to mY column was believe that we who are of lazzCaleidar for the area' He was not "B*o*" andProvide on segregatedJazz. European descent suffered as a member with me discussing these support for these activities' huppi well from this discrimination' mitters and thought that I was Social and Political structures MembershiP brings the news- making things much worse bY You that inhibit the free flow of letter and a sPecial discount on doing so. -services. are ideas hurt all of us. MY Point in manv of our Members rate on a first this article was to discuss how entitied to a discount in vear annual subscriPtionto Jazz I responded Part: in U.S. historY had currents 'Ti*rt of $15.00 (a d-iscount of 32Vo' "Sinie I received Your letter,I of influenced the history lazz' Iust add $15 to Your check and let have read it carefullY several Ls know it's to be aPPlied to alazz Before I rePlied,I times. 3)I am not sure where You Times subscriPtion) to be sure I understood membershiP wanted detected an imPlication on mY . For a $100 You points raised. I have receive one free series ticket' For the You oart that "some dwious racist Plot .onil,rded that what I said $250 vou receive 2 series tickets is keEing 'PeoPle of color' awaY olus I Hstins as underwriter for claUfieation. 4 needs -Perh4Ps eoefit{'from mY state' [he concert 5f Your choice' At the is too brief a format to fromlozz column ment of the fact that verY few $500$500level level Youreceive 4 series such comPlicated listing as sole qlder' deal with people of African descent at- tickets and issues. So here goes. writer for a concert. Consider iendeC lazzconcerts in this for The article states some of the buying a membershiP 1) area. It is a mYsterY to me. The surrounding the earlY friends! issues very reason I raised the issue otJazz. I would be history was to get some answers' Any pleased to recommend several answers out there? Name iurrent historical treatments of the era if do not alreadY Address You Thanks for Your comments' have them in Your acquain- Ztp- tance. Jazz is a remarkable of EuroPean and African fusion Sincerely, traditions whose long Phone musical Butch Conn evolution has witnessed a APlace forlazz tr $10 contribution considerable amount of borrow- tr $15 No bread membershiP ing back and forth. It is a won- P.S. Have You attended one of I u ffiO Individual membershiP examPle of cultural deiful our concerts or lectures? If You I a $50 Family membershiP and is celebrated all member synthesis please come uP and intro- lU $tOO Supporting American do, over the world as an . is a great I o $zso Patron duce yoursell Jazz lo art form. and worth discussing" $SOO Underwriter ..i music Iwtake check tolazzlFuss and maill Ave., t the other hand, the waY iilirtiw""a"fi 2)On i SchenectadY, NY I l----:-- ryq - - - Marcus Roberts and Ellis Marsalis

A truly wonderful and unique experience is in store for those of you who will be lucky enough to have a ticket to see Marcus Roberts and Ellis Marsalis at Troy Music Hall on February 7. Mr. Marsalis is the father, both biologically and musically, of Ellis Marsalis the Marsalis clan that includes Marcus Roberts Wynton and Branford. He has Mr. Roberts is also one of his In this recording Mr. Roberts been active inJazz education and musical "children" in that he lovingly presents and interprets performance for over 40 years. has the same respect and com- the compositions of Jelly Roll He is a thoughfful and creative prehensive view of the history Morton, Duke Ellington and musician. His album notes on a of Jazz. His recent recording, Thelonious Monk. recent Art Tatum re-issue truly " Alone With Three Giants" took this writer "back to school" is one of those brave pieces of Treat yourself and a friend to in an assured and pleasant assemblage that you would this performance. You Won't manner. expect from an older musician. regret it

lazzrnakers

There is strong interest among >t developing a better system of their own lists and club own- musicians in this area to promotion for local musicians. ers who are looking for new improve the lot of Jazzin Most agreed that individuals and groups to Northeastern New York. taking out ads in newspapers book. During the past few weeks doesn't build audiences. There they've made that abundantly was discussion of the use of D Organizing public jam clear in meeting after meeting specially designed postcard sessions on at least a monthly throughout the Capital Dis- mailings, developingbetter basis. This could be done in trict. A Place for Jazzhas mailing lists and getting club local clubs or other facility. acted as a facilitator for those owners to try different methods meetings. The goal: to come of publicity. Almost everyone agreed that up with a number of steps musicians need to be part of these lazz arhsts can all agree >t developing a registry of the solution. We'll keep you on to make things better. In musicians and leaders with a posted as the ideas take the first few meetings sugges- central phone number. This shape. tions have included: would help musicians without

7 ThisMay BeYour Lastlssue, Cont. We need you! you bought a ticket! There's a membership application AP!] and this newsletter are on * You won't get it in the mail, but supported inpart by the First page 6) Newsletter can bepicked APFI up at Unitarian Society of Schenectady, 9 Maple Aoe., in Saratoga, Records n' Schenectady County Improvement We know you'll miss the Jazz Such in Guilderland, the Open Door Program and membership contri- Calendar*and advance notice of in Schenectady,lustin's in Albany butions. Programs include con- Jazzhappenings in the area. and we're looking for a place in Troy. certs, public workshops, school- You won't get GIyn Evans' And we'll still mail you our notice of based clinics and general support wonderful "200 Words", you the concert seies in luly and SEtatt- of lazz and its musicians. We are ber. affiliated with the National ]azz won't get notice of special Service Organization and the discounts and you'llmiss out International Associatio n of I azz on all theJazz gossip in the Educators. We welcome area. You'Ilalso miss a chance announcements and comments. to build support for the won- Deadlines are the 10th of every odd month. derful Jazz musicians that live Warmthe and work in this area. Please Editor: B. Conn give a second thought to giving Spirit -- A Place forlazz A Place for Jazz your support. 1221Wendell Ave., We're arare, tropical plant Support Schenectady, NY 12308 trying to nurture Jazzin a chilly Designer: Miki Conn climate. Lioe f azz!

US Postage PAID First Unitarian Society Schenectady NY 1221 Wendell Avenue Permit No. 348 Schenectady, New York, 12308