May/June 2012 Pascal Niggenkemper Trio – Upcoming Hurricane Azar Lawrence Quintet Bert Johnson Quartet Jon McCaslin Quintet – Sunalta CD Release The Complete Rebirth of the Cool Dean McNeill and Jeff Presslaff Peter Belec Ralf Buschmeyer – Jazzspeak CD Release Texas Johnny Brown with the Graham Guest Band Andrew Glover – Impressions of Europe, Volume 2 Azar Lawrence Edmonton Jazz Society’s Our Volunteer House Managers Board of Directors • Luc Bouchard • Sue Cameron • Jan Doll 2011•2012 • Bill Hume • Judy Hume • Pam Josey • Gail Kelly • Tracy Kolenchuk • Trevor Moyer • Lori Mullen Adrian Albert • President • Marilyn Rude • 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. 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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 INTERNATIONAL JAZZ SERIES Pascal Niggenkemper Trio – Upcoming Hurricane Upcoming Hurricane is a new group in the in jazz. He has performed at the Yardbird Suite traditional piano trio form. The CD of the on several occasions including memorable same name was listed among the “Albums of concerts with Erik Friedlander’s Topaz, Rez the Year” for 2011 in the New York City Jazz Abbasi, Myra Melford and Cuong Vu. Record and features French-German bassist Pascal Niggenkemper (who performed at the Yardbird Suite in January with guitarist Ori Dakari), pianist Simon Nabatov from Germany, and drummer Gerald Cleaver. For their Yardbird Suite gig, drummer/percussionist Satoshi Takeishi replaces Cleaver. Although the instrumentation is piano, bass and drums, do not expect to hear mainstream jazz. The group has a layered dynamism that comes directly from the tradition but it also has the exploding, unfettered energy of free improvisation. The music reflects a special sense of movement, finding in the idea of wind a force and spirit that demonstrates the trio’s intensity and muscularity. A New York resident since 2005, Niggenkemper performs with an interlocking network of musicians including Tyshawn Sorey, Jeff Davis, Kris Davis, Gunther Schuller, Lionel Loueke and more traditional players such as Phil Woods, Billy Higgins and Maria Schneider. He has recorded about 20 discs in his young career including several where he is the leader or co- when... leader of the group. Pascal Niggenkemper Trio – Upcoming Hurricane Pianist Simon Nabatov was born in Russia, From New York/Germany moved to New York in 1979 where he lived for a number of years and relocated to Germany in FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2012 1989 although he also maintains a presence in TICKETS - MEMBERS $20, GUESTS $24 New York. He has performed or recorded with DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM a “Who’s Who” of the improvised music scenes of the United States and Europe most of whom are familiar to jazz fans and many of whom have Pascal Niggenkemper - bass performed at the Yardbird Suite. Simon Nabatov - piano Satoshi Takeishi - drums Replacing Gerald Cleaver in Upcoming Hurricane for this event is Stomu Takeishi, one of Artist website: the most interesting drummer/percussionists www.pascalniggenkemper.com www. yardbirdsuite.com 3 INTERNATIONAL JAZZ SERIES 4 May/June 2012 Azar Lawrence Quintet Saxophonist Azar Lawrence is known for his Within the past few years, he has performed, contributions as sideman to McCoy Tyner, Miles written, and produced several CDs including Davis, Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw. “Speak The Word” and “Prayer For My Ancestors” Lawrence was the tenor saxophonist Tyner used which received an honourable mention for Best following John Coltrane’s death. of 2009 by All About Jazz/New York. He also lead and co-produced a live tribute album “Legacy and Born in Los Angeles in 1952, Lawrence’s musical Music of John Coltrane” in 2006. studies began at age five. He received direction from his mother, a music educator, starting as Azar Lawrence’s latest release “Mystic Journey” will a classically trained violinist and pianist before without a doubt again place him amongst jazz’s switching to saxophone at age twelve. He resided elder statesmen. His bold style reminds the listener on his hometown’s famed Central Avenue which of the energy, spirituality and emotion that John was Southern California’s jazz Mecca. The vibe Coltrane, Pharaoh Sanders and others brought of that scene clearly seeped into his musical to jazz in the 1960s and 1970s. He rekindles the consciousness. memory of one of the most explosive eras in jazz history, channeling the fiery spirit of Coltrane’s While in high-school he met the late Reggie legacy. Unlike most Coltrane wannabes, he lived Golson and become an extended member of and breathed the music of the turbulent 60s, Benny Golson’s family. Thanks to Reggie, Azar’s playing with Coltrane’s contemporaries and peers. professional music life began in his late teens when he was asked to join Elvin Jones’ band, The Jazz Machine. During his years performing with Elvin Jones and later with McCoy Tyner, he was also a music when... Azar Lawrence Quintet executive with Fantasy/Prestige Records, worked From Los Angeles as a songwriter at Capitol Records and also at SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2012 Orion Pictures which was involved with the long- TICKETS - MEMBERS $24, GUESTS $28 standing Hollywood Squares television show. DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM He wrote three songs for Earth Wind & Fire’s “Powerlight” album and performing on keys on that disc. Azar Lawrence - saxophone As a leader his seminal work “Bridge into the Gilbert Castellanos - trumpet New Age” in 1974 was lauded as a classic and has Benito Gonzalez - piano recently been reissued. His discography is diverse Henry Franklin - bass Lorca Hart – drums with names like Frank Zappa, Busta Rhymes, Woody Shaw’s “Moontrane”, and “Dark Magus” by Artist website: Miles Davis. www.azarlawrence.com www. yardbirdsuite.com 5 CANADIAN JAZZ SERIES Bert Johnson Quartet Since graduating in 2009 with a Masters degree Joining Bert on his debut at the Yardbird Suite in jazz piano from the University of Manitoba, is vocalist Grace Hrabi. Grace is a regular face on Bert Johnson has become a familiar face on the stages throughout Winnipeg and is a graduate Winnipeg music scene. Having recorded and of the University of Manitoba jazz program. Since performed in numerous musical settings, Bert’s her days studying with Anna-Lisa Kirby (a former debut album “Calm and Collected” showcases New York jazz vocalist) at the U of M, she has his love for the jazz style. Having garnered sung in a wide variety of styles. Her recent album interest in the album as far away as Luxembourg, release “Collection Get!” with Montreal’s Elliot Bert is excited to share the music live with an Britton, is a treasure trove of pop style originals. Edmonton audience. While Bert is currently Though Grace has shown her ability to adjust to based in Winnipeg, he is no stranger to Alberta any musical genre, she is excited to show her love having studied with one of Edmonton’s most of jazz whenever possible. respected pianists, Chris Andrew, before moving to Winnipeg. when... Bert Johnson Quartet From Winnipeg/Edmonton FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2012 TICKETS - MEMBERS $16, GUESTS $20 DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM Grace Hrabi - vocals Bert Johnson - piano Josh McHan - bass Jamie Cooper – drums Artist website: www.bertjohnsonmusic.com 6 May/June 2012 THE BEST OF ALBERTA Jon McCaslin Quintet Sunalta CD Release “Sunalta” represents McCaslin’s second release as the Banff Centre for the Arts in 1997. In the spring a leader and is a follow-up to his debut release of 2002, McCaslin completed his Master’s in Jazz “McCallum’s Island” (2003). Supported by an Studies at McGill University where he studied all-star cast of Canadian jazz artists including Brad jazz drumming, improvisation and composition. Turner, Phil Dwyer, Steve Kaldestad, Tilden Webb He is currently a Doctoral Candidate through the and Jodi Proznick, this album features a program University of Toronto. of diverse and dynamic original compositions Jon has also been fortunate to have performed and arrangements all penned by the drummer/ with many of Canada’s jazz elite as well as composer. international jazz stars such as Hadley Caliman, Drummer, vibraphonist, performer and educator Greg Clayton, Ralph Bowen, and Chucho Valdes. Jon McCaslin was born in Winnipeg and raised In 2003, he was the recipient of a fellowship from in Regina. He began playing the drums at the the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and age of nine. He progressed through the award attended the “Betty Carter Jazz Ahead” residency winning Regina Lions Junior Band and Campbell in Washington, D.C., where he was featured with Collegiate music programs, soon developing a other distinguished young jazz artists and had the passion for playing the drums and jazz.