Berman Music Foundation Newsletter
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File Photo Abate all-star quartet Greg Abate plays Lincoln June 10 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ By Tom Ineck ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Spring 2003 ing a two-night stand at the Artists’ Greg Abate remains a resident Vol. 8, Number 2 of the Providence, R.I., area where Quarter, Abate speculated about his he was reared, a lifestyle choice that choice to live in Rhode Island rather might have meant obscurity for a than the Big Apple. lesser artist. The intrepid saxophon- “Living in New York may have ist, however, has achieved a body brought me to other areas,” he said. In this issue of Jazz.... of work and a level of recognition “Maybe I would be better known Prez Sez.......................................2 that ensures his livelihood, in Eu- now, if I did live there. I’ve always 1961 Fender Esquire........................3○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ rope as well as the United States. wondered about that. I really don’t His lyrical flights, biting tone know if it has hindered me, at all.” Jazz in June Schedule..................5 and rhythmic sophistication draw One thing is sure. Whether Jordan and Brown Review........6 comparisons to Charlie Parker, but Abate plays in St. Paul or Duluth, Jordan CD Review......................7 Abate also echoes the more tranquil Minn.; Moscow, Idaho; a small Dave Brubeck Quartet Review.....8 town on Cape Cod or Lincoln, Neb., ruminations of Paul Desmond. He Fortune-Morgan Review............9 has a broad repertoire of standards audiences are enthusiastic and per- at his nimble fingertips, but he also haps more appreciative than jaded Menza & Christlieb Review.......10 is a first-class composer. His most jazz aficionados in New York City, Eldar Djangirov Review...........11 recent release, “Evolution,” is a San Francisco or Boston. NJO-Tony Gulizia Review..........12 showcase for his writing talents, “I’ve had a very good response. John McNeil Review................13 containing nine original tunes. People like my stuff, and I’m really Bob Popek...............................14 glad to be able to play.” Abate him- Abate brings all of this, and an Richard Thompson..................16 all-star quartet, to Lincoln for a June self listens to his own playing with 10 performance at Jazz in June in a critical ear. Jerry Seinfeld Review..............17 the sculpture garden of the Sheldon “I was listening to one of my Discorama.........................18 Art Gallery on the University of Ne- CDs, “Straight Ahead” (from Motown DVD...........................20 braska-Lincoln downtown campus. 1992), and I could really hear how Jazz on Disc.............................21 much I’ve evolved since then. I’ve Accompanying Abate on that trip Rocky Mountaini Hi-Fi...........22 are pianist Phil DeGreg, bassist still got these recordings, and people Harvie S. (formerly Swartz) and are buying my old stuff and I don’t Letters to the Editor..............23 drummer Billy Hart. sound anything like that. My play- Webcasting...........................23 In a phone interview from St. ing is really starting to fall into Paul, Minn., where he was perform- Greg Abate continued on page 4 Page 2 Berman Music Foundation Jazz ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Prez Sez Newsletter goes online, bachelor goes offline ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ By Butch Berman ○○○○ Dear fanciers of “April showers File Photo in line is local educator and master bring May flowers,” the birds and the trumpeter Darryl White. He’s got his bees and all that jazz… Is winter re- Colorado cats to join him, and as their ally over??? Well, guess what? This CD was great, the live show with these is officially our first true Jazz news- guys should be a real gasser. Last, but letter online, and the last Prez Sez certainly not least, are Don Stiernberg, you’ll ever receive from the single, jazz mandolin virtuoso, and his group. semi-confirmed bachelor, moi. My Discorama review of his new re- Yup, as if you didn’t know al- lease, and Ted Eschliman’s letter to ready, the bebop man is getting hitched the editor should tell the rest of the to my beloved fiancée Grace Gandu story. on May 30. Plans to bring her family I also want to thank Mr. here from Nigeria are in the works, White for turning me on to his men- and an all-star group of my best pals tor, John McNeil, whose performance in the jazz biz from KC are scheduled is also covered in this issue. We fi- to perform. I, too, plan to reunite my Butch Berman nally got to gab about our lives and old chums from Charlie Burton and jazz in general on the phone last week, Rock Therapy and rock ‘n’ roll as great jazz pianist pal of mine, Jaki and had a blast. He’s a totally groovy, well. In all, a ball to be had by all. Byard, said the same thing to me when and very bright, fellow with heavy Full coverage and photos will be we had him here a few years ago. history behind him. Check out his brought to you in our next issue in the What a drag that we revere these catalogue, and pick up his stuff. fall. people by buying their records and The weather outside is de- A lot of cool stuff has gone down talking them up, but when you get lightful, my hammock is calling me since I last wrote to you. To quote my them to your hometowns they’re and the SF Giants are leading in the old Irving Junior High School science treated like cattle. Food for thought, Western division, so I’d better close teacher, Mr. Goebel, “please let me huh? and get outta here. Still gigging occa- summarize.” Even though Grace and I will sionally with Charlie Burton’s great First, I’m still reelin’ with the be heading off to Arizona for our hon- new band when regular ax man Mark feelin’ of wonderment in pulling off eymoon at the famed Canyon Ranch, Simpkins does his Mezcal thing. We our springtime concert coup featuring we probably won’t go until after June shook up Omaha’s 49ers club last the dynamic duo of jazz diva Sheila as—you guessed it—get ready for month, and Charlie’s last FAC at Jordan, and bassist Cameron Brown. another out-of-sight Jazz In June se- Lincoln’s famed Zoo Bar was one of As usual, attendance was small at ries. We were lucky enuff to have our his best, from what I’ve heard. They’ll Kimball Recital Hall on March 8, as hands in it again this year to help book be back again June 6, so go for it and Sheila and Cameron tore up the place three of the four acts and sponsor one support one of the best singer/ with their in-person renderings of the of ‘em. I don’t want to steal any thun- songwriter rockers around…as well as last CD together entitled “I’ve Grown der from Tom’s preview, but dig this. jazz EVERYWHERE, ya dig? Accustomed to the Bass.” Check out Norman Hedman, one of my best men Later, my friends. Here Tom Ineck’s in-depth coverage of that in my wedding will be bringing his comes the bride. memorable evening later in this issue. great, but slightly different line up of We had a lovely BMF staff lun- his band, Tropique, to lead off the se- cheon for them at the Green Gateau ries. Next, we welcome back my earlier that day. It made me a bit sad Rhode Island friend, saxophonist Greg when Sheila said no one had ever done Abate, bringing with him Phil DeGreg this for her in the U.S. in her 50-plus on piano, Harvie S. on bass and Billy years in the biz. Ya know, the late, Hart on drums. Yeah, WOW! Third Winter 2003 Page 3 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Photo by Rich Hoover Jazz is published online about four times a year by The Berman Music FoundationFoundation, 719 P St., Studio G, Lincoln, NE 68508. Editor and Designer: Tom Ineck Contributing writerswriters: Butch Berman, Tom Ineck and Dan Demuth Photographers: Rich Hoover, Tom Ineck and Bev Rehkop For inclusion of any jazz or blues related events, letters to the editor or suggested articles, either mail them to the office, phone (402) 476- Charlie Burton and Butch Berman jam in the BMF museum office. Butch is 3112, fax (402) 475-3136 or e- holding the 1961 Fender Esquire that Charlie sold him years ago. mail Berman guitar gets tender loving care [email protected]. Our website address is: By Tom Ineck ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ www.bermanmusicfoundation.org For advertising information, Like most dedicated musicians, tar. So, I started using this guitar a contact Butch Berman at (402) Butch Berman’s relationship with lot. Like a sports car, it needs main- 476-3112. A business card- his instruments is close. He’s espe- tenance. I’d always been hanging sized ad for one issue is $25, a cially close to his 1961 Fender Es- around Dietze, and somehow I met half-page ad for one issue is quire, and when it comes to repairs Popek.” $100. Discounts apply for six- month or one-year rates. and maintenance of this classic axe, Berman told Popek he was hav- he turns it over to Bob Popek at ing problems with guitar, and took If you want to be added to Dietze Music House (Popek is fea- the instrument to Dietze’s third-floor our mailing list, call (402) 476- tured in a Friends of Jazz article repair shop. The skilled craftsman 3112, fax (402) 475-3136, or elsewhere in this issue of Jazz). saw the guitar’s value and potential. e-mail [email protected].