sign in sign up
<<
Home , Ferenc Nemeth (musician), Greg Gisbert, Jeff Hirshfield, Joe Roccisano, Kip Hanrahan, Mark Wingfield

178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 1

The only magazine THE LATIN SIDE in NY in print, online and on apps! OF HOT HOUSE P33

February 2017 www.hothousejazz.com Cutting Room Page 21 Birdland Page 10

Matthew Shipp Noah Haidu

MOPDTK Dianne Reeves Cornelia Street Underground Page 10 JALC Page 17

Where To Go & Who To See Since 1982 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 2

2 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 3

3 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 4

4 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 5

5 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 6

6 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 7

7 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 8

8 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 9

9 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 10

WINNING SPINS By George Kanzler HE TWO ALBUMS THAT COM- "Glen Riddle" begins as two-beat Dixie prise this Winning Spins both feature that veers through decades with Ron and smallT groups with a three-horn frontline, Moppa going modern before Brandon as well as original compositions by the brings the vintage sound back. The album leaders. They also have one musician in ends with "Five (Corners, Points, Forks)," common—saxophonist Jon Irabagon. And, a piece incorporating trad conventions in each case, they present work inspired by with contemporary attitudes. literature. Infinite Distances, Noah Haidu (Cellar But the results are startlingly different: Live), finds a very different, adaptable Jon while pianist Noah Haidu develops his again on soprano and tenor saxes; Jeremy music solidly within the conventions of the Pelt, trumpet and flugelhorn; Sharel mainstream of today's jazz, bassist Moppa Cassity, alto sax; and either Peter Elliott conjures up flights of fancy that Brendler or Alejandro de la Portilla, bass; challenge conventional ideas, creating a John Davis or Mark Ferber, drums. Noah, funhouse mirror take on early jazz styles. who dominates a lot of the solo space on Loafer's Hollow, Mostly Other People the album, studied piano with Kenny Do the Killing (Hot Cup), is from the lat- Barron at Rutgers, and his playing shares est configuration of MOPDtK, Moppa's flu- some of the architectonic sense of form and idly configured small group, this time a flow we hear in Kenny's work. septet with Jon on soprano or tenor sax, Central to this 11-track CD is the six- joined in the frontline by Steven Bernstein, part suite, "Infinite Distances," inspired by trumpet and slide trumpet, and Dave a passage from the writer Rainer Maria Taylor, bass trombone. Rounding out the Rilke: "Among the closest people there group are Brandon Seabrook, banjo and remain infinite distances." Piano soloing, electronics; Ron Stabinsky, piano; Moppa against the horns and in a drop-out a cap- on bass, and Kevin Shea, drums. pella section, and Jon's tenor share the Brandon's ubiquitous banjo sound perme- space on the suite's eponymous first move- ates most of the music, bringing a vintage ment. Alan's drums dominate the short hue to a warped, surrealistic take on tradi- "Against the Sky." tional jazz. "Hanaya" is a leisurely waltz infused The CD's opening track, "Hi-Nella," with passion by Noah's piano and Sharel's steps jauntily along on a two-beat sax solos; swirling lines weave through the Dixieland rhythm, Ron's strums and slaps fast rhythms of "The Great Darkness;" are prominent throughout. Jon's soprano "Can We Talk" has a catchy, short melodic sax evokes Sidney Bechet and New line and gospel beat, Noah's piano solo Orleans; Steven's sliding, smeared notes appealingly accessible. Suspended time vies creating an a cappella centerpiece. The with accelerating, ostinato-fueled rhythms trad jazz feel continues on "Honey Hole," on the suite closer, "Guardians of Solitude," Ron's banjo and Moppa's bass anchoring Noah soloing at different tempos and the Twenties pulse as Kevin ranges toward Sharel closing it out with convincing flair. post-bop rhythmic freedom on his drum Four more tracks complete the album: kit—all under a shower of wah-wah solo- three reworked Noah tunes originally ing from Steven and Dave. recorded in a piano trio format, plus the The next five tracks are all dedicated to, late 's "Serenity." The latter and inspired by, the writing of novelists is a quartet feature for piano and Jon's Moppa admires: James Joyce, Kurt soprano sax. Both soprano and Sharel's Vonnegut, Thomas Pynchon, Cormac alto sax share solo space on the boppish McCarthy and David Foster Wallace (in "Juicy," along with John's chattering that order). "Bloomburg" evokes Joyce's drums. Jeremy is front and center on onrushing prose through Jon's cascading "They Who??," a sinuous, rolling excursion. tenor sax and tag-team solos, climaxing in Jeremy and Sharel comprise the frontline, tandem improvisations, from muted trum- and tandem solos, on the riff tune pet and trombone. "Momentum." All in all, this is an ambi- Off-kilter rhythms vie with strains of tious and highly successful showcase for stride from Ron's piano, periods of near Noah's piano, compositions and ensemble silence and mouthpiece exhalations on conception. "Kilgore;" "Mason and Dixon" features a stop-time banjo solo and Jon's tenor lead- Mostly Other People Do the Killing ing a polyphonal ensemble; Steven and Jon perform at Cornelia Street Under- (tenor again) share solo space on the slow- ground Feb. 19. Noah Haidu has a CD er "Meridian," with echoes of "Makin' release gig at Birdland for Infinite Whoopee." Distances with his band on Feb. 9.

10 MOPDTK cover photo by Peter Gannushkin, Reeves by Jerris Madison, Shipp by Barbara Januszkiewicz. 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 11

Sign-up for our E-ALERT at www.hothousejazz.com and be the 1st to know when the latest Hot House is available on line

PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR: For advertising requests and Gwen Kelley (formerly Calvier) listing info contact Gwen Kelley [email protected] Toll Free Phone: COPY EDITOR: Yvonne Ervin 888-899-8007/[email protected] [email protected] Hot House Jazz Magazine is published monthly and all PRODUCTION & ART DIRECTOR: copyrights are the property of Gwen Kelley. All rights Karen Pica [email protected] reserved. No material may be reproduced without written CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: permission of the President. No unsolicited manuscripts Ken Dryden, Yvonne Ervin, Ken Franckling, will be returned unless enclosed with a self addressed stamped envelope. Domestic subscriptions areavailable for Seton Hawkins, Eugene Holley Jr., $37 annually (sent first class). For Canada $39 and Stephanie Jones, Nathan Kamal, international $50. George Kanzler, Elzy Kolb, Ralph A. Miriello, PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Dave N Dittmann Michael G. Nastos, Emilie Pons, CO-FOUNDERS: Gene Kalbacher, Cary Tone, Gary Walker, Eric Wendell Lynn Taterka & Jeff Levenson PROOF READER: Robert Abel For press releases and CD revues send a copy to CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: Fran Kaufman Gwen Kelley: PO Box 20212 - , NY 10025

11 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 12

CLUBS & HALLS

UPPER (Above 70th Street) BILL’S PLACE: 148W 133rd St (bet Lenox & 7th Avs). www.billsplaceharlem.com. 212- 281-0777. Fri-Sat: 8&10pm $20 don Bill Saxton Bebop Band. CAVATAPPO: 1712 1st Av (bet 88th & 89th Sts). www.cavatappo.com. 212-987-9260. Sets: Mon 7-10pm free adm, Thurs 9-11pm $10 adm. Mon: Roger Lent. Feb 2: Pasquale Grasso; 7: 6-8pm Bucky Pizzarelli/Ed Laub Trio; 9: Mafalda Minozzi; 14: 8-10pm Gabrielle Stravelli; 16: Nick Myers; 23: Jason Tiemann. CLEOPATRA’S NEEDLE: 2485 Bway (bet 92nd & 93rd Sts). www.cleopatrasneedleny. com. 212-769-6969. Sets: Early (E), Late (L); Sun E 4-8pm, L 9pm-1am; Mon-Tues E 8- 9pm, L 10pm-1am; Wed-Thurs E 7-11pm, L 11:30pm-2:30am; Fri-Sat E 8pm-12am, L 12:30-3am. Free adm/$10 min. Trios except Mon&Thurs Duets. L Jam. Residencies: Sun E Open mic w/Keith Ingham, L Kelly Green Duet; Mon Jon Weiss; Tues Marc Devine; Wed E Open mic w/Les Kurtz, L Nathan Brown; Thurs L Kazu; Fri L Ben Zweig; Sat L T. Kash. Feb 2: Roel Tempelaar; 3: Julie Bluestone; 4: Masami Ishikawa; 9: Joel Fass; 10: Dona Carter; 11: Justin Lees; 16: Kate Cosco; 17: John David; 18: Brandon Sanders; 23: Matt Baker; 24: Art Lillard; 25: Walter Williams & Gitesha. GINNY’S SUPPER CLUB: At Red Rooster. 310 Lenox Av (bet 125th & 126th Sts). www.ginnyssupperclub.com. 212-792-9001. Sets: 7:30&9:30pm $15 adm. Feb 2&9: Johnny O’Neal; 3: Evan Sherman Big Band; 4: Pauline Jean; 10: Chris Turner. MILLER THEATRE: At Columbia University. 2960 Bway at 116th St. 212-854-7799. www.millertheatre.com. Feb 4: 8pm $25-45 adm Marcus Roberts Trio. MINTON’S: 206W 118th St (bet St. Nicholas Av & Adam Clayton Powell Blvd). 212-243-2222. www.mintonsharlem.com. Feb 1: 6:30- 9:30pm Jerome Sabbagh; 3: 7-10:30pm Laurin Talese. NATIONAL JAZZ MUSEUM IN HARLEM: 58W 129th St at Malcolm X Blvd. 212-348- 8300. www.jmih.org. $10 don. Feb 4: 2pm Saturday Sessions Ellington & Strayhorn Jam; 9: 7pm Jazz for Curious Listeners w/Nicholas Payton; 11: 3:30pm Move & Groove Yoga Vinyasa Jazz Flow; 12: 1pm Jazz for Curious Listeners Zah Intergenerational Jazz Jam. PARIS BLUES: 2021 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd at 121st St. www.parisbluesharlem.com. 212-222-9878. Sets: Early (E) 5-9pm, Jam 9pm-1am. Free adm. Sun: E Double G & the Possee, 9pm 1st & 3rd La Banda Ramirez, last Elliot Pineiro & Sumbaswing. Mon: John Cooksey & Spontaneous Combustion; Tues: The Sultans of Soul; Wed: Les Goodson & the Intergalatic Soul Jazz Band; Thurs: Tyrone Govan & Top Secret; Fri: tba; Sat: alternate The 69th Street Band/The Antoine Dowdell Gp. SHRINE: 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd

12 For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com. 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 13

(bet 133rd & 134th Sts). 212-690-7807. www.shrinenyc.com. Sets unless otherwise noted: Early (E) 6-7pm, Late (L) 7-8pm. Residencies (R): Sun 5-8pm except 02/5 Jam w/Lu Reid; Fri E Alfredo Colon Qrt. Feb 3: R; 8: L Dillon Mansour Trio; 9: E Joe Pino Qnt; 10: E R, L Jeffrey Krol Gp; 12: R; 14: 8-10pm Blu Cha Cha; 15: E-L Drew Zaremba; 17: E R; 18: E-L Shawn Maxwell & New Tomorrow Band; 19: R; 24: E R; 25: E Alessandro Fadini; 26: R. SILVANA: 300W 116th St at Frederick Douglass Blvd. www.silvana-nyc.com. 646- 692-4935. Sets unless otherwise noted: Early (E) 6-7pm, Late (L) 7-8pm. Feb 2: E-L Mike Sailors; 9: E-L Josh Lawrence; 11: 8-10pm Blue Cha Cha; 13: E-L Kevin Sun Trio; 14: E- L Drew Zaremba; 16: E-L Travis Sullivan; 17: E Ben Holtzman; 18: E-L J-MUSIC Ens; 23: E-L Noah Bless; 24: E Joe Pino Qnt; 27: E-L Joe Breidenstine Qnt. SMOKE JAZZ & SUPPER CLUB: 2751 Bway (bet 105th & 106th Sts). 212-864-6662. www.smokejazz.com. Sets: Early (E), Late (L), Brunch (B); Sun B 11:30am,1&2:30pm, E 7,9&10:30pm, L 11:30pm; Mon E 7&9pm, L 10:30pm; Tues-Thurs E 7,9&10:30pm, L 11:30pm; Fri-Sat E 7,9&10:30pm, L 11:45pm &12:45am; Adm/min vary. Residencies: Sun B Annette St. John Trio, L Willerm Delisfort Qrt; Mon (R) E Vincent Herring Qrt, L Smoke Jam; Tues (R) E Mike LeDonne & Groover Qrt, L Emmet Cohen Organ Trio w/guests; Wed L Nathan Peck & The Funky Electrical Unit; Thurs L Nickel & Dime OPS; Fri L 02/3,17&24 John Farnsworth Qrt, 02/10 Patience Higgins & Sugar Hill Qrt; Sat L Johnny O’Neal & friends. Feb 1: Juan Carlos Polo Qrt; 2: Bill Cantrall & Axiom; 3-5: David Berkman Sxt; 6-7: R; 8: Rick Germanson Qnt; 9: Gregory Generet; 10-12: Drumbattle feat Joe Farnsworth vs. Kenny Washington; 13- 14: R; 15-16: Alexis Cole; 17-19: Gp; 20-21: R; 22: KJ Denhert Qrt; 23: Cynthia Scott; 24-26: Wayne Escoffery Qrt; 27-28: R. SUGAR BAR: 254W 72nd St (bet Bway & West End Av). 212-579-0222. www.sugarbarnyc .com. Sets: 8pm/$10 adm unless otherwise noted. Residencies: Wed Electrikana; Thurs 9pm Open Mic w/Sugar Bar All Star Band. Feb 4: Irini Res & the Jazz Mix; 10: 8:30pm Abe Ovadia Trio; 11: Project Grand Slam; 24: 8&9:30pm $15 Joe Bonacci feat Ty Stephens & Vivian Sessoms. SYMPHONY SPACE: 2537 Bway at 95th St. 212-864-5400. www.symphonyspace.org. Bar Thalia (BT). Feb 10: 9pm BT Rale Micic's Guitar x 2 series; 19: 3:30&6:30pm Peter & Will Anderson, 7pm BT The Mini-monic w/spec guests Jim Saporito & Harrison Hollingsworth. MID-TOWN MANHATTAN (Between 35th & 69th Street) BIRDLAND: 315W 44th St (bet 8th & 9th Avs). 212-581-3080. www.birdlandjazz.com. Sets: 8:30&11pm, except Mon 7&9:30pm, Sun 6,9&11pm. Adm varies. Residencies: Sun 9pm (R) Arturo O’Farrill Afro-Latin Jazz Orch; Mon 9:30pm Jim Caruso Cast Party; Wed 5:30-7pm David Ostwald & Louis Armstrong Eternity Band; Fri 5:15-7pm Birdland Big Band by Rob Middleton & Glenn Drewes; Sat 6pm Barbara Carroll. Feb 1-4: ; 5: 6pm Melanie Marod, 9pm R; 7-11: Bossabrasil feat Marcos Valle w/spec guest Celso Fonseca; 9: 6pm Noah Haidu Qrt; 12: 6pm Benny Benack III, 9pm R; 14-18: Catherine Russell; 16: 6pm Veronica

For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com. 13 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 14

Swift; 19: 6pm Laila Biali, 9pm R; 21-25: Qrt; 23: 6pm The Empathia Jazz Duo; 26: 6pm Carrie Jackson & All Stars, 9pm R; 28-Mar 4: John Pizzarelli. CARNEGIE HALL: 57th St & 7th Av. 212-247- 7800. www.carnegiehall.org. Feb 15: 8pm Solo. CLUB BONAFIDE: 212E 52nd St (bet 2nd & 3rd Avs). 3rd Fl. www.clubbonafide.com. 646- 918-6189. Sets: Early (E) 7:30pm, Late (L) 9:30pm, Night (N) 11pm. Residency (R): Tues E Latin & Jazz Jam w/Robert Rodriguez. Feb 2: E Emilio Teubal Trio; 3: E Do-Do Orch, L Joe Pino Qnt; 4: E Malena Dayen/David Rosenmeyer Trio, L Maz; 5: E Giuseppe De Gregorio & the NYC Gospel Jazz Syndicate; 7: R; 10: E Duke Guillaume & The Power Of Praise Band, L Max Pollak Rumba Tap; 11: E Cookin’ Hooks w/Billy Ruegger; 12: E Fredy Guzman; 14: R; 15: E Larry Corban 3; 16: L Evil Giraffes on Mars; 17: E Anders T Andersen, L Dom Palombi Project; 21: R; 22: L Erin McDougald Qnt; 23: E Albino Mbie Band, L Zack Okello; 24: E Aleks Fadini, L Irka Mateo y La Tirindanga; 25: E Ty Stephens & the SoulJaazz, L The Chardavoine Band; 28: R. DIMENNA CENTER FOR : 450W 37th St (bet 9th & 10th Av). www.dimennacenter.org. 212-594-6100. Feb 1: 7:30pm Now Festival feat Muhal Richard Abrams, Edmar Castenada, Jessie Montgomery. DIZZY’S CLUB COCA-COLA: At Jazz @ Lincoln Center. 10 Columbus Cr at 60th St. 5th Fl. www.jalc.org. 212-258-9800. Sets/ adm unless otherwise noted: 7:30&9:30pm, 11:30pm Late Night Sessions; Sun $35, Mon $25, Tues-Wed $30, Thurs-Fri $40, Sat $45; $10 min. Feb: 1-2: $35 02/2 Javon Jackson Band; 3-5: $35 02/3, $25 02/5 Gerry Gibbs Sxt feat ; 6: Devin Bing; 7: Camille Thurman; 8: The Flail; 9-12: Freddy Cole Qrt; 13: Sarah McKenzie; 14: $140 (incl 3-course meal w/entrée wine pairing) Brianna Thomas; 15: $35 Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orch; 16: $45 Andrew Cyrille Qrt; 17-19: $35 02/17 Benny Green Trio; 20: Juilliard Jazz Ensembles; 21-22: $35 Jason Marsalis Vibes Qrt; 23-26: Dexter Gordon Legacy Ens w/Abraham Burton, Josh Evans, 02/23-24 Louis Hayes, Alan Palmer, 02/25-26 David Bryant, Eric McPherson, 02/23-25 Gerald Cannon, 02/26 ; 27: $35 William Paterson University Big Band & Ensembles; 28: $35 Mardi Gras celebration w/Riley Mulherkar & Alphonso Horne. Late Night Sessions w/Feb 1-4: Kali Rodriguez- Peña; 7-11: Atla & Matt DeChamplain; 14-17: Evan Sherman Entourage; 18: Evan Sherman Big Band; 21-25: Caroline Davis Qnt; 28-Mar 4: Barry Stephenson. IGUANA RESTAURANT: 240W 54th St at Bway. www.iguananyc.com. 212-765-5454. Mon-Tues: 8-11pm Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks. IRIDIUM: 1650 Bway at 51st St. 212-582-2121. www.theiridium.com. Feb 13: 8pm $25 adm Ed Palermo Big Band; 16: 8&10pm $25 “Blind Boy” Paxton. JAZZ AT KITANO: 66 Park Av at 38th St. 212- 885-7119. www.kitano.com. Sets/adm: Sun 12-2:30pm, Mon-Tues 8-11pm, Wed-Sat 8- 9:15&10-11:15pm; Sun $40 buffet, Mon-Tues free/$15 min, Wed-Thurs $17/$20 min, Fri- Sat $32/$20 min. Residencies (R): Sun Jazz Brunch w/Tony Middleton; Mon Jam w/Iris Ornig. Feb 1: Melissa Hamilton Qrt; 2: Geoff Gallante Qnt; 3: Joyce Breach Trio; 4: Scott Robinson Qrt; 5-6: R; 7: Micah Thomas Solo; 8: Danny Bacher Qrt; 9: Kathleen Landis Trio; 10-11: Frank Kimbrough Trio; 12-13: R;

14 For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com. 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 15

14: Angelo Di Loreto Solo; 15: New York Brazilian & European Connection feat John Snauwaert; 16: Daryl Sherman Duo; 17-18: Roni Ben-Hur Qrt; 19-20: R; 21: Micah Thomas Solo; 22: William Tatge Trio; 23: Charito w/John di Martino Trio; 24-25: Qrt; 26-27: R; 28: Angelo Di Loreto Solo. JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER: 10 Columbus Cr at 60th St. 5th Fl. www.jalc.org. 212-258- 9800. Rose Theater (RT). Feb 10-11: 8pm RT Dianne Reeves; 17-18: 8pm RT Jazz of the '50s feat the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orch w/Wynton Marsalis. SAINT PETER’S CHURCH: 619 Lexington Av at 54th St. (Citicorp Bld). www.saint peters.org. 212-935-2200. 1st Mon: 7:30pm $5 adm International Women in Jazz Jam; Wed: 1pm $10 don Midtown Jazz at Midday; Sun: 5pm free adm Jazz Vespers. Feb 1: Ben Cassara; 5: Janet Planet/Tom Washatka feat Gene Bertoncini; 8: Ayako Shirasaki/Noriko Ueda; 12: Joel Frahm; 15: Russ Kassoff Big Band w/Catherine Dupuis; 16: 7:30pm Duke Ellington Society feat Krin Gabbard; 19: Luis Perdomo & The Controlling Ear Unit; 22: Marlene VerPlanck/Tomoko Ohno; 26: T.K. Blue & friends. STEINWAY HALL: 11155 6th Av bet 44th & 45th Sts. www.steinwayhall.com. 212-246- 1100. Feb 13: 7pm the Louis Armstrong House Museum feat Davell Crawford. SWING 46: Jazz & Supper Club. 349W 46th St (bet 8 & 9th Avs). www.swing46.com. 212- 262-9554. Sets: Sun-Thurs 8:30-11:30pm, Fri-Sat 9:30pm. Residencies (R): Mon Swingadelic; Tues George Gee Swing Orch; Wed Stan Rubin Orch w/Joe Politi; Thurs except 02/2 David Berger & The Sultans of Swing. Feb 1: R; 2: George Gee 17 Piece Swing Orch; 3: Ron Sunshine Swing Orch; 4: Gordon Webster & friends; 5: Vanessa Trouble & Red Hot Swing; 6-9: R; 10: George Gee Orch; 11: closed; 12: Professor Cunningham & His Old School; 13-16: R; 17: George Gee Orch; 18: Swingadelic; 19: Timatha Kastan T.K.O Band; 20-23: R; 24: Ron Sunshine Swing Orch; 25: Crescent City Maulers; 26: Jerry Costanza Gotham City Swingers; 27-28: R. TOMI JAZZ: 239E 53rd St (Bet 2nd & 3rd Avs). Lower level. www.tomijazz.com. 646-497- 1254. Sets: Early (E), Late (L), Night (N); Sun: 8-11pm; Mon&Wed L 8-11pm, N 11pm- 12:30am; Tues E 8-9:20pm, L 9:40-11pm, N 11pm-12:30am; Thurs 9-11:30pm; Fri 9pm- 1am; Sat E 6-7:30pm, L 8-10:30pm, N 11pm- 1:30am. Adm: Sun-Wed free/$5 min, Thurs- Sat $10/10 min. Feb 1: L Raquel Rivera Duo, N Abel Mireles Trio; 2: tba; 3: Craig Brann Trio; 4: E Rocco John Duo, L Greg DeAngelis, N tba; 5: David Love Duo; 6: L Akemi Yamada Trio, N Lee Ryeog Jeong Duo; 7: E Claire Natirbov Trio, L The Embers Trio, N Kenny Brooks Duo; 8: L Chieko Honda Trio, N Matt Gordeuk Duo; 9: Greg Merritt Trio; 10: Takenori Nishiuchi; 11: E Kathryn Allyn Duo, L Standard Procedures, N Paul Lee; 12: The Truthseekers; 13: L Bill Stevens Trio, N Nicholas Brust Duo; 14: E Yun Huang Trio, L tba, N George Dulin Duo; 15: L Racha Fora, N Alan Kwan Duo; 16: Linda Pregraves; 17: Kuni Mikami Trio; 18: E Sharp Tree Trio, L Daniel Bennett Gp, N Jun Xiao Trio; 19: The High Liners; 21: E Hyuneng Kim Trio, L Amanda Ruzza, N Annie Chen Duo; 22: L Michael Gallant Trio, N Dayeon Seok Duo; 23: Senri Oe; 24: Takenori Nishiuchi; 25: E Akihiro Yamamoto Trio, L Yuko Ito Trio, N Candice Reyes; 26: Kengzo Yamada; 27: L Wishing On Stars Trio, N Hattie Simon Duo; 28: E Charles Rhyner Trio, L Antonio Feula Duo, N Eric Plaks Duo.

For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com. 1515 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 16

The TOWN HALL: 123W 43rd St (bet 6&7th Avs). www.thetownhall.org. 212-840-2824. Feb 17: 8pm $32-67 adm Gregory Porter; 23: 8pm $40-75 Laurie Anderson & Christian McBride.

LOWER MANHATTAN (Below )

55 BAR: 55 Christopher St (bet 6th & 7th Avs). 212-929-9883. www.55bar.com. Sets: Early (E) 7-9pm except Sun&Fri-Sat 6-9pm, Late (L) 10pm. 1st Mon: E Sean Wayland; 1st Thurs: E Amy Cervini; 1st Sat: E Ayana lowe; 2nd Thurs: E Nicole Zuraitis; 2nd Fri: E Tessa Souter; last Wed: E Paul Jost; last Fri: E Kendra Shank. Feb 22-25: E Duchess Trio. BAR NEXT DOOR: 129 McDougal St. 212- 529-5945. www.lalanternacaffe.com. Sets: Sun 8&10pm, Mon-Thurs Early (E) 6:30- 7:45pm, Late (L) 8:30&10:30pm, Fri-Sat 7:30,9:30& 11:30pm. Adm: $12 all night + 1 drink min/set except Fri-Sat $12/set + 1 drink min/set, E free. Trios unless otherwise noted. Mon-Thurs: E Emerging Artists series; Mon: L Vocal Mondays series. Residencies (R): Sun Peter Mazza, Wed L Jonathan Kreisberg. Feb 1: E Prawit Siriwat, L R; 2: E David Kuhn, L ; 3: Jeff Barone; 4: Freddie Bryant; 5: R; 6: E Peter Amos, L Beat Kaestli; 7: E Tal Yahalom, L Matt Marantz; 8: E Andrew Shillito, L R; 9: E Bobby Katz, L Jonathan Greenstein; 10: Tom Dempsey; 11: Mark Cocheo; 12: R; 13: E Paul Jubong Lee, L Elisabeth Lohninger; 14: 4,6,8&10pm $92 incl 5-course dinner w/Champagne feat Mark Phillips; 15: E Alicyn Yaffee, L R; 16: E Tommaso Gambini, L Paul Pieper; 17: Quentin Angus; 18: Warren Chiasson; 19: R; 20: E Flavio Silva, L Roz Corral; 21: E Jeff Miles, L Nadav Peled; 22: E Leandro Pellegrino, L R; 23: E NanJo Lee, L Raviv Markovitz; 24: Paul Meyers; 25: World on a String; 26: R; 27: E Andrew Shillito, L Christine Tobin; 28: E Sam Zerna, L Hendrik Meurkens. BLUE NOTE JAZZ CLUB: 131W 3rd St at 6th Av. 212-475-8592. www.bluenotejazz.com. Sets: 8&10:30pm + Fri-Sat 12:30am Late Night Groove series, Sun 11:30am&1:30pm Sunday Brunch. Adm varies. Feb 1-5: Count Basie Orch feat Dee Dee Bridgewater; 6-7: McCoy Tyner; 8: Fabrizio Sotti & friends feat Melanie Fiona & M1 of Dead Prez; 9-12: Rachelle Ferrell; 13: The Baylor Project; 14- 19: Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton; 20: Loop Loft AllStars; 21-22: Ivan Neville; 23-26: Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers; 27: tba; 28-Mar 1: Donald Harrison feat Henry Butler. Late Night Groove w/Feb 4: Phony Ppl; 10: Satellite Mode; 17: Phony Ppl; 24: Nick Hakim; 25: Prodigy. Sunday Brunch w/Feb 5: Rich Shemaria Big Band; 12: Lauren Henderson; 19: Ferber/Nussbaum/Essiet; 26: Joey Morant & Catfish Stew. The CAVE: At St. George’s. 209E 16th St at Rutherford Pl. www.olmstedsalon.com. 2nd Fri: 7:30&9:30pm $15 adm. Feb 10: Dominick Farinacci Qnt. CORNELIA STREET UNDERGROUND: 29 Cornelia St. www.corneliastreetcafe.com. 212-989-9319. Sets unless otherwise noted: Sun 8:30&10pm, Mon-Thurs 8&9:30pm, Fri- Sat 9&10:30pm. Adm varies. Feb 1: Tobias Meinhart Qnt, 9:30pm Matt Marantz Qrt; 2: Steve Sandberg & Alaya; 3: Aubrey Johnson Gp; 4: George Garzone & Boston Collective; 6: 8:30pm Amram & Co; 7: Maya Nova, continued on page 20

16 For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com. 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 17

musicians from India, Cuba and Brazil, she welcomed a moment of clarity: "It was all about color," she says. "That you could actually paint a song with vocal color— that was where it all started for me." When she speaks, Dianne's words bub- ble over at a decibel that's at once enthusi- astic and reflective. But her soft and shim- mering pattern of speech only intensifies the message of her words. EEDS AND STRINGS PLAY SOFT- Dianne's visceral understanding of com- Rly under indigo hues illuminating cor- posing and performing resists what she ners of the stage. A melodic hum swells, considers a more modern notion of genre. soars and releases. Dianne Reeves closes her eyes to receive the moment, before a "I grew up in a time when a lot of artists shimmering cascade of lyrics escapes her appreciated one another, and it was like a lips. big sound stage because there was so much Since the master vocalist and song music," she says. "You had the music of interpreter began singing as a child, Motown, church music, traditional jazz, Dianne's appetite for exploration and more freedom in jazz, more experimenta- experimentation has only expanded. Her tion—people were changing forms and open invitation for sounds and textures songs; so, you had great writers like Stevie extends as far back as the 1960s. "My lan- Wonder and Joni Mitchell who were mov- guage comes from a time when music was ing away from A-A-B-A form songs and very open. There were no fences around writing really new, wonderful melodies music," she says. that were [using] fantastic poetry." "The word 'genre' was not even part of Believing true artists collaborate, not anything, which was fantastic. There were only to stretch their own sound, but to all these amazing people who developed enhance the unique sound of their peers— their own sound in a way that was so and witnessing this kind of collaboration unique. If you heard Sarah, you didn't hear among the younger generation's players— anybody else who sounded like Sarah; you Dianne is hopeful for the future of the heard Marvin Gaye and there was nobody music. "That's what I love about these else who sounded like him. It was almost young people—they facilitate these voices." taboo to try to sound like somebody else. To Her latest release produced by Terri be inspired by them was one thing, but to Lyne Carrington, the Grammy award-win- sound like them was taboo." ning Beautiful Life (Concord, 2014), Individualism is more than a word; to engages many distinctive female artists Dianne, it's a legacy. "I always say: Define that, in part, comprise the record's power- it, refine it, respect it and protect it in a ful, modern voices that range in age from way that you know that it's yours," she Esperanza Spalding and Gerald Clayton to says. Over the evolution of her career, and Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway to through her refinement of sound, she has her longtime musical partner George learned to embrace human imperfections Duke. Knowing all the personnel she in concept and execution as true art. Part called for the recording to be in some way of her own approach that comprises subtle influenced by the music she heard growing harmonic tendencies, conversational up, Dianne had considered that particular phrasing and that pure, resonating tone, point of origin to be "the perfect meeting often depends on her interpretation of the place." Of the younger players, she says, song itself. "They're all very fearless; they're all very Even as a young player, her eagerness strong in their own voices; and they're all to collaborate with Billy Childs, Clark collaborators." Terry, Jimmy Rowles and her cousin, the continued on page 29 late George Duke, allowed her to make dis- coveries in lyrical delivery as part of over- all musicianship. "I think what taught me how to interpret a song was coming up at a time when jumping off the edge was every- thing," she says. "We got to try out things. We got to experiment and go places—even if we couldn't get back. It was okay. We had the opportunity to feel what it feels like to not think about it, but to feel about it." While embracing experimentation with many distinctive American contemporaries, Dianne delighted in hearing musical inter- pretations of artists from all over the world. Observing peers collaborate with

Reeves photo by Jerris Madison. 17 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 18

SPOTL

YOTAM SILBERSTEIN JAZZ STANDARD / FEBRUARY 8 Israeli guitarist Yotam Silberstein's distinctive, warm tone and his splendid bebop lines have made him an asset for many Big Apple-based jazz bands since arriving in New York 11 years ago. The 2005 Monk Competition finalist has worked with saxo- phonists Antonio Hart and David Sanborn, pianist Monty Alexander and the Paquito D'Rivera-led Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, among others. This performance cel- ebrates the release of The Village, his fifth CD as a leader. Its title reflects Yotam's artistic home in Greenwich Village, as well as the global musical village through which he has absorbed Israeli, Arabic, Brazilian, Caribbean, Flamenco, the blues and other melodic and rhythmic influences in his playing and writing. His band includes pianist Glenn Zaleski, bassist Matt Penman and drummer Eric Harland. KF CYNTHIA SAYER TRIBECA PAC / FEBRUARY 9 While the banjo might not be as closely associated with jazz these days, its pedigree in the music's history and relevance in early rhythm sections is important to recall and celebrate. Enter banjoist and vocalist Cynthia Sayer, whose consistently swing- ing and delightful projects make one wonder why it left, and wish for a large-scale return of the instrument to jazz. Sporting strong solo chops and an effortless sense for comping, Cynthia takes full advantage of the instrument's brassy qualities and has produced classic records alongside a bevy of talents, including Bucky Pizzarelli, Milt Hinton and Kenny Davern. Appearing at the 44th anniversary Highlights in Jazz with her ensemble Joyride, Cynthia presents a joyful and utterly irresistible set. Also featured are Vince Giordano and his Nighthawks, and Ms. Vinnie Knight. SH TATUM GREENBLATT SMALLS JAZZ CLUB / FEBRUARY 9 Without a doubt, one of the most versatile trumpet talents on the scene today, Tatum Greenblatt has graced the albums and projects of artists and groups ranging from Richard Bona to the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and from the Captain Black Big Band to Grizzly Bear. Indeed, on his solo efforts, in particular his fantastic album Imprints, Tatum can leap across genres, covering Afro-Latin styles, soul jazz, hard bop and more, with a trumpet sound that can switch from dazzlingly bright high-end pyrotechnics to breathy and intimate ballad work. Joined at Smalls by Misha Piatigorsky on piano, Sam Minaie on bass, and Donald Edwards on drums, Tatum demonstrates why he's a first-call talent for many artists, and why he's so deserving of broader acclaim. SH THE BAYLOR PROJECT BLUE NOTE / FEBRUARY 13 With roots deep as their faith is strong, spouses Jean and Marcus Baylor are embark- ing on a musical exploration together. Their debut release as The Baylor Project, The Journey (Be A Light), 2017, marks the culmination of an extended partnership between uniquely expressive artists. The singer/drummer duo—both of whom com- pose and arrange on the release featuring Keyon Harrold and Dezron Douglas, among other collaborators—flourished in the church as children of pastors. Associations with Kenny Garrett, Cassandra Wilson and The Yellowjackets have allowed the Baylors to stretch their sound and shape their vision, but their profound mutual admiration truly informs the authenticity of their music. They feature Shedrick Mitchell, Yasushi Nakamuria, Keith Loftis, Freddie Hendrix and Stephanie Fisher. SJ

DELFEAYO MARSALIS DIZZY'S CLUB COCA-COLA / FEBRUARY 15 Trombonist and Delfeayo Marsalis' groove and gravitas has graced numer- ous projects with his incomparable tone, exciting and delighting the ears of the lis- tener. Whether producing albums for Harry Connick Jr. and , per- forming as a sideperson with Art Blakey and Slide Hampton or leading his own groups, Delfeayo's tasteful sonority is a cut above. In addition to his performance schedule, Delfeayo founded the Uptown Music Theatre in 2000 and instituted the music program Kidstown After School in several grammar schools in New Orleans as a means of inspiring the next generation of jazz musicians. For this concert Delfeayo is joined by his group, The Uptown Jazz Orchestra, to perform selections from their latest album Make America Great Again! (Troubadour Jass Records) EW By Ken Dryden, Ken Franckling, Seton Hawkins, Stephanie 18 Kassoff photo by Craig Collins, Kimbrough by Marielle Solan, Marsalis by Zack Smith, Sayer by Gary Spector, Silberstein by Gulnara Khamatov 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 19

LIGHT

RUSS KASSOFF SAINT PETER'S CHURCH / FEBRUARY 15 With nearly 20 years as a big band leader, NYC pianist Russ Kassoff has plenty of material to offer interesting charts for his talented sidemen. Supporting singers is nothing new for Russ having worked prominently with Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli. Growing up in Brooklyn and Long Island, he began working in the Catskills at age 13, he holds a 1974 Bachelors degree in performance from the Crane School of Music SUNY Potsdam. His sidemen since the formation of the orchestra in 2003 have included Ted Nash, , Pete McGuniness, , Dennis Mackrel and Gene Bertoncini. Russ is also an adept composer and producer. His recent CDs are Bird Fly By and Somewhere. For this midday show at Saint Peter's, he features long- time collaborator, vocalist Catherine Dupuis. MGN

MARK WHITFIELD THE DJANGO / FEBRUARY 17-18 Guitarist Mark Whitfield was one of the Young Lions who revitalized the mainstream- modern jazz scene in the last decades of the 20th Century. Since then he has released 11 albums and appeared with a who's who of jazz heavyweights. Currently he tours with the trumpeter-singer Chris Botti. Now Mark, who is 50, has realized a lifelong dream, assembling a Whitfield Family Band with his sons, drummer Mark Jr. and pianist and keyboardist Davis, who are, like Mark was when he emerged on the scene, also in their 20's. Their new album, with Yasushi Nakamura on bass, Grace (Marksman Productions), is spotlighted at this CD release weekend. The quartet appears on Feb. 17 and is joined by Sy Smith, who sings on the CD's title song, on Feb. 18. GK

CYNTHIA SCOTT SMOKE JAZZ AND SUPPER CLUB / FEBRUARY 23 A top-notch, albeit underrated, vocalist brandishing an entrancing contralto voice, Cynthia Scott first came to public acclaim as a member of ' legendary sup- porting vocal team the Raelettes. The lessons gleaned from that ensemble have stayed with her, as Cynthia has continued to broaden her artistic scope, beautifully integrat- ing jazz, blues, R&B, and soul stylings into her performances, which can comfortably straddle both small ensemble and big band settings. At Smoke, Cynthia is in superb company, joined by pianist James Weidman, bassist Paul Beaudry and drummer Cook Broadnax, all broad-minded and genre-defying artists in their own rights. For fans of Nancy Wilson and of early Sarah Vaughan, Cynthia is a must-see, a soulful and inspired vocalist who conjures a classic era of singing. SH BILL MOBLEY MEZZROW / FEBRUARY 24-25 Memphis native Bill Mobley has long been a part of the New York jazz scene. The trumpeter and flugelhornist is best known for his creative compositions and arrange- ments for groups of all sizes, while his rich tone, expressiveness and extended range on both horns are an asset to any ensemble. Mobley has also been in demand as a side- man, having worked with George Coleman, the Mingus Dynasty Band and the Maria Schneider Orchestra, in addition to small groups led by James Williams, Geoff Keezer, T.S. Monk and others. His latest CD, issued by Space Time, is Hittin' Home, featuring pianist Kenny Barron, guitarist Russell Malone, bassist Essiet Essiet and vibraphon- ist Steve Nelson. The latter two musicians join Mobley at Mezzrow, along with pianist James Weidman. KD

CRAIG TABORN VILLAGE VANGUARD / FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 3 With boundless imagination that challenges the values of jazz, pianist Craig Taborn has become an in-demand sideman with some 80 CDs alongside many major names in progressive music. His star has also risen as a leader with recordings on the ECM label. By 2011, Downbeat magazine readers and critics named him a winner for Electric Keyboard and Rising Star piano and organ categories. The Minneapolis native came to Ann Arbor as a U-Michigan student, collaborating with saxophonist James Carter, drummer Gerald Cleaver, and the Lunar Octet. His improvising often adopts a modular approach, in which he begins with small units of melody and rhythm and then develops them into larger forms and structures. Clarinetist and saxophonist Chris Speed, bassist Chris Lightcap and drummer Dave King round out the quartet. MGN nie Jones, George Kanzler, Michael G Nastos & Eric Wendell amatova, The Baylor Project by Deneka Peniston, Towner by Caterina di Perri, Whitfield by Deneka Peniston. 19 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 20

continued from page 16 JAZZ GALLERY: 1160 Bway at 27th St. 5th Fl. www.jazzgallery.org. 646-494-3625. Sets: 9:30pm Deanna Kirk/John Di Martino; 8: 7:30&9:30pm $15/10 adm, $22/12 Fri-Sat. Noam Wiesenberg Qnt; 9: 6pm Cowboys & Feb 1-2: Melissa Aldan Sxt/Glenn Zaleski Sxt; Frenchmen, 8pm The Powell Brothers; 10: Ari 3-4: Joel Ross Good Vibes; 8: Immanuel Hoenig Brazilian Trio; 11: Lage Lund; 12: Wilkins Qrt; 9: Andy Milne & Dapp Theory; Anouman; 14: Nancy Marano & Jack Wilkins 10-11: David Virelles; 15: Talujon + CTRL-Z; Duo, 9:30pm Kevin Burke; 15: Alexa Barchini; 16: Ches Smith/Craig Taborn/Mat Maneri; 17: 16: Martin Nevin Gp; 17: Sara Serpa Trio; 18: Christine & Ingrid Jensen w/Ben Monder; 18: Kinan Azmeh & City Band; 19: Mostly Other Ferenc Nemeth; 22-23: Threadgill + Iyer + People Do the Killing; 21: Dan Weiss Trio; 22: Prieto; 24: Adam Larson Qrt. Tom Guarna & Wishing Stones Project, JAZZ STANDARD: 116E 27th St (bet Park & 9:30pm Jon Cowherd Mercy Project; 23: Paul Lexington Avs). www.jazzstandard.net. 212- Jones Sxt; 24: The Crash Trio + One; 25: Tom 576-2232. Sets/adm unless otherwise noted: Chang Qnt; 26: Sofia Ribeiro; 28: Marta 7:30&9:30pm; $30 except Mon-Wed $25. Sanchez Qnt, 9:30pm Carmen Staaf. Residencies: Sun 1:30-3pm Jazz for Kids; The CUTTING ROOM: 44E 32nd St (bet Mon (R) Mingus Monday feat Mingus Big Madison & Park Av). 212-691-1900. www.the Band. Feb 1-4: $53 02/1-2, $40 02/3-4 Monty cuttingroomnyc.com. Feb 9: 7:30pm Matthew Alexander; 5: closed; 6: R; 7: Theo Shipp Trio. Bleckmann; 8: Yotam Silberstein; 9-10: The DJANGO: At Roxy Hotel. 2 Av of the Alfredo Rodriguez/Pedrito Martinez; 11-12: Americas at Walker St. www.roxyhotelnyc. Alfredo Rodriguez Trio; 13: R; 14: $30 Bria com. 212-519-6600. Feb 17-18: 10&11:30pm Skonberg; 15-16: $30 02/15 Ralph Towner Mark Whitfield. Solo; 17-19: Mingus Big Band Festival; 20: R; DOWNTOWN MUSIC GALLERY: 13 Monroe 21-26: $30 02/21-23&26, $35 02/24-25 Ravi St (bet Market & Catherine Sts). 212-473- Coltrane Qrt; 27: R; 28: Wolfgang Muthspiel. 0043. www.downtownmusicgallery.com. Sun: JOE’S PUB: At Public Theater. 425 Lafayette 6pm In-Store shows. St & Astor Pl. www.joespub.com. 212-967- The EAR INN: 326 Spring St (bet Greenwich & 7555. Adm varies. Feb 3: 7:30pm Pedro Washington Sts). www.earinn.com. 212-431- Giraudo Tango Ensembles w/spec guest 9750. Sun: 8-11pm EarRegulars feat Jon-Erik Sofia Tosello; 4: 7:30pm Jazz Stories Kellso & friends. w/ & David Haney; 5: 9:30pm Michael Mwenso. FAT CAT: 75 Christopher St at 7th Av. 212-675- 6056. www.fatcatmusic.org. $3 adm/no min. KNICKERBOCKER BAR & GRILL: 33 Sets unless otherwise noted: Early (E), Late University Pl at 9th St. 212-228-8490. (L), Night (N); E 7pm except Sun-Mon&Fri www.knickerbockerbarandgrill.com. Fri-Sat: 6pm; L 9pm except Thurs&Sat 10pm, Fri add 9pm-1am. Feb 3-4: Jill McCarron/Chris 10:30pm; N 1:30am except Sun 1am, Mon- Haney; 10-11: John Colianni/Boots Maleson; Wed 12:30am. Residencies (R): Sun E Terry 17-18: Robert Silverman/Davis Zox; 24-25: Waldo & Gotham City Band, N Brandon Lewis Mike Longo/Paul West. & Renee Cruz; Mon N Billy Kaye; Tues E LE POISSON ROUGE: 158 Bleecker St at except 02/28 Saul Rubin Zebtet; Wed E Thompson St. www.lepoissonrouge.com. except 02/1 Raphael D'Lugoff Trio + 1, N Ned 212-796-0741. Adm varies. Feb 8: 7:30pm Goold; Fri L The Supreme Queens; Sat N $20/25 adm Dhafer Youssef. Greg Glassman. Feb 1: E 4 IN' 1, L Groover METROPOLITAN ROOM: 34W 22nd St (bet. Trio, N R; 2: E The Flail, L Saul Rubin Zebtet, 5th & 6th Avs). www.metropolitanroom.com. N Pablo Bencid; 3: E Ai Murakami Qnt, L R + 212-206-0440. Sets unless otherwise noted: Jared Gold/Dave Gibson, N Ray Gallon; 4: E Early (E) 7pm, Late (L) 9:30pm. Residency Robert Quintero, L Raphael D'lugoff Qnt, N R; (R): Tues L Annie Ross. Feb 3: E Monika 5: E R, 8:30pm Jade Synstelien & FCBB, N R; Ryan; 4: E Luiz Simas & Nanny Assis, L John 6: E Osso String Qrt, L Miki Hiyama, N R; 7: Minnock; 6: L Ryan Allen; 7&14: L R; 16: L E R, L David Oquendo & Havana 3, N Jeremy Enrique Haneine; 17: E Jorge Altamirano; Manasia; 8: E R, L Harold Mabern Trio, N R; 21&28: L R. 9: E Rodney Green Qrt, L Greg Glassman MEZZROW: 163W 10th St (bet 7th Av & Qnt, N Mimi Jones; 10: E Oscar Williams, L R Waverly Pl). www.mezzrow.com. 646-476- + Jerome Jennings, N Avi Rothbard; 11: E 4346. Sets/adm: Early 8-10:30pm, Late (L) Noller/Sylla, L Antoine Drye, N R; 12: E R, L 11pm-close; adm varies. Residencies: Sun L Caroline Davis Qnt, N R; 13: E Eric Fraser, L John Merrill & friends; Mon L Pasquale Ned Goold Qrt, N R; 14: E R, L Peter Brainin Grasso; Tues L Jam w/Miki Yamanaka & Adi & the Latin Jazz Workshop; 15: E R, L Don Meyerson; Wed L Tony Hewitt & friends; Hahn/Mike Camacho Band, N R; 17: L R; 18: Thurs L Spike Wilner w/spec guest; Fri L N R; 19: E&N R; 20: L George Braith, N R; 21: Johnny O'Neal. Feb 1: Roberta Piket; 2: E R; 22: E&N R; 23: L P.O.D; 24: L R + David Claudia Acuña; 3-4: George Burton; 4: L Theo Weiss & Point of Departure; 25: L Kamarata Hill; 5: JP Jofre; 6: Dan Tepfer; 7: Fred Jazz, N R; 26: E&N R; 27: N R; 28: L Itai Kriss Hersch; 8: Mike Eckroth; 9: Ben Allison; 10- & Gato Gordo, N John Benitez & Latin Bop. 11: Orrin Evans; 12: David Hazeltine; 13: Kate McGarry; 14: Sheila Jordan; 15: Glenn GREENWICH HOUSE MUSIC SCHOOL: 46 Barrow St (bet 7th Av S & W 4th St). 212- Zaleski; 16: Ben Wolfe; 17-18: Jonny King; 242-4770. www.greenwichhouse.org. Sound 19: Dave Frank; 20: Steve Ash; 21: Joanna It Out series w/Feb 4: 7:30pm $18/15 Taka Wallfisch; 22: Wilerm Delins; 23: Bill Kigawa + Sebastien Ammann & Color Wheel; O'Connell; 24-25: Bill Mobley & Steve Nelson; 11: 8pm $15/12 Nick Millevoi & Desertion 26: Michael Kanan; 27: Sam Yahel; 28: Bryn Trio; 18: 8pm $20/18 Francois Courturier/Anja Roberts & Lage Lund. Lechner Duo. BAHA’Í CENTER: 53E 11th St (bet Bway & University). 212-222- HIGHLINE BALLROOM: 431W 16th St (bet 5159. www.bahainyc.org. Tues: 8&9:30pm 9th & 10th Avs). www.highlineballroom.com. $10/15 adm. Feb 7: Jorge Sylvester & the 212-414-5994. Feb 3: 7pm $25-100 adm Wé ACE Collective; 14: Mike Longo Trio; 21: Lou McDonald w/spec guest Matthew Whitaker & Caputo & Not So Big Band. friends; 17: 8pm $25/30 Cyrille Aimée. continued on page 22

20 For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com. 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 21

helped Matthew's ensembles and perform- ances achieve a distinctive and somewhat paradoxical result, managing to be unmis- takably Matthew's music even as they highlight his ability to voraciously absorb and incorporate many different sounds and genres. Recognizing this skill to create a unique musical universe that accommodates dif- ferent stylistic planets, helps to guide one through the sometimes dizzying display of Matthew's discography: from the hypnotic loop fusion of Harmony and Abyss to the solo piano work that offers a unique glimpse into Matthew's love for pianists like Mal Waldron and Bud Powell: I've Been to Many Places. While other artists might share this talent, Matthew excels at it, perhaps due to a crucial formative peri- od in his career: a 15-year tenure in the quartet of the late master David S. Ware. Joining the saxophonist's ensemble in 1989, Matthew quickly established himself as the perfect keyboard complement to David's work. "David hasn't gotten his due NE CAN BE FORGIVEN FOR NOT yet," Matthew says. "He was a free thinker having heard all the entries in pianist and an iconoclast, but also very disci- MatthewO Shipp's discography. This is not plined. I don't call his music 'free jazz.' We due to any deficiencies of the material, but, weren't always playing 4/4, or in a cycle of rather simply, because his recorded output repeating chord changes, but what we is massive. In 2016 alone, Matthew either played was in a specific universe whose led or served as a prime collaborator on ten aspects were as defined and disciplined as records. But while this level of work might those of any other group." be daunting to track, it also is intensely To be sure, Matthew's own projects are rewarding to hear, offering an utterly not stylistic copies of the Ware Quartet. engrossing glimpse into the multi-decade However, this more abstract concept of artistic development of one of today's building clearly defined musical universes greatest pianists and composers. provides a link between the ensembles. "I This year, Matthew leads his trio fea- think of David as a conceptualist and turing longtime collaborator Michael Bisio thinker of his own universe, and I think of on bass and drummer Newman Taylor myself in the same way," he explains. "The Baker, a comparative newcomer to the fact that my language worked in his uni- ensemble. Together, they release Piano verse has made me feel grateful that I Song, the second record of the trio and could have my own musical world, yet still Matthew's 19th and final album for fit into someone else's while still being Thirsty Ear Records, a label whose Blue myself musically." Series imprint has been largely forged by Matthew's leadership style extends to Matthew's vision as its artistic director. collaborators at the same level of openness Piano Song serves as a pitch-perfect tes- and communication that David offered to tament to the capabilities of the group. him. On Piano Song, plaintively melodic Sometimes hard swinging, often boundary bass work and the rhythmically omnivo- pushing, yet at moments intensely reflec- rous drumming coexist gorgeously with tive, personal, and even atmospheric, Matthew's own ferocious technique. As a Piano Song provides devoted fans with a result of this avowed openness, Piano Song thrilling array of material to absorb. For demonstrates a continued growth for the newcomers, the album serves as a welcome trio, and thus shows off a distinct new introduction, effectively utilizing a time- sound the group has forged even since its honored ensemble format to create a 2015 release The Conduct of Jazz. unique alchemy of the familiar and the As the trio prepares for its performance unexpected. at The Cutting Room, Matthew views it as "The piano trio is a well-established a continuation of the process begun on the configuration within jazz parlance; there’s album. "The album, as a document, can a great history of jazz trios," Matthew kind of define the group," he says. "The live notes. "That can be intimidating because gigs, however, can serve as extrapolations there's been so much great work done, but and further conversations from that it's also liberating because there are no album. So any performance for us is a part specific rules to hold you in." Indeed, that of the continuum, from when we first got refusal to correspond to proscribed rules or together as a group, to The Conduct of handed-down musical strictures has continued on page 29

21 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 3:05 PM Page 22

continued from page 20 Tues 7&9pm Pedrito Martinez, Sat 12am Habana Nights. Feb 3: Luis Blasini Y Iroko La NORTH SQUARE: At Washington Square Banda; 4: 12am R w/Gerardo Contino Y Los Hotel. 103 Waverly Pl at McDougal. Habaneros; 6: R w/Rodrigo Bonelli Qnt; 7: R; www.northsquareny.com/about-jazz. 212- 10 7:30&9:30pm, 11 8&10pm: Sie7e; 11: 254-1200. Sun: 12:30&2pm free adm Jazz 12am R w/The Quintero Project; 13: R Brunch Trios. Feb 5: closed; 12: Roz Corral w/Chameleon; 14: R; 17: 7:30&9:30pm w/Jim Ridl & Jay Leonhart; 19: Scott Morgan; Gregorio Uribe; 18: R w/Gerardo Contino Y 26: Roz Corral w/Ron Affif & Paul Gill. Los Habaneros; 20: R w/; 21: NUYORICAN POETS CAFÉ: 236E 3rd St R; 25: 12am R w/Carlitos Padron; 27: R (bet Avs B & C). www.nuyorican.org. 212- w/Jiyoun Lee Trio; 28: R. 780-9386/212-505-8183. Sets: 9:30pm. Tues: TRIBECA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: $10 adm Latin Jazz feat 1st Tues Chembo 199 Chambers St. www.tribecapac.org. 212- Corniel, 2nd Tues Bronx Conxión, 4th Tues 220-1460. Feb 4&18: 7:30pm $30/20 adm Willie Martinez & La Familia Sxt; 1st Wed: Monk-in-Motion feat 02/4 Orrin Evans, 02/18 $13 All That - Hip Hop Poetry & Jazz; 1st Sat: Charenee Wade; 9: 8pm $45/50 adm $15 Banana Puddin’ Jazz series feat Rome Highlights in Jazz series feat Vince Giordano Neal + Jam 02/4 w/Leonieke Scheuble. & the Nighthawks, Ms. Vinnie Knight, Cynthia SHEEN CENTER: 18 Bleecker St @ Elizabeth Sayer & Joyride Band w/Adrian Cunningham. St. www.sheencenter.org. 212-925-2812. Feb VILLAGE VANGUARD: 178 7th Av S at 11th 10-11: 7:30pm $45 adm Lindsey Webster. St. 212-255-4037. www.villagevanguard.com. SMALLS JAZZ CLUB: 183W 10th St at 7th Sets: 8:30&10:30pm. Adm: $30/1 drink min. Av. 212-252-5091. www.smallslive.com. Sets: Residency (R): Mon Vanguard Jazz Orch. Afternoon (PM) Sun 4:30-7pm, Sat 4-7pm, Feb 1-5: Ambrose Akinmusire Qrt; 6-13: Early (E) 7:30-10pm, Late (L) 10:30pm-1am, Vanguard Jazz Orch; 14-19: Miguel Zenón Night (N) 1-4am; jam following N; adm varies. Qrt; 20: R; 21-26: Joe Lovano & Dave Residencies (R): Sun 1pm Vocal masterclass Douglas Sound Prints; 27: R; 28-Mar 5: Craig by Marion Cowings, PM Ai Murakami Trio feat Taborn. Sacha Perry, N Hillel Salem; Mon L except ZINC BAR: 82W 3rd St (bet Thompson & 02/6 Ari Hoenig, N 02/6&13 Jonathan Michel, Sullivan). 212-477-8337. www.zincbar.com. 02/20&27 Jonathan Barber; Tues N 02/7&21 Sets: Early (E) 7pm except Sat 8pm + Jovan Alexander, 02/14&28 Jon Beshay; Wed 9,11pm&12:30am except Fri 8pm, Mon + N 02/1&15 Aaron Seeber, 02/8 Sanah 2am. Adm varies. Residencies: Sun 9pm- Kadoura; Thurs N 02/2&16 Joel Ross, 12am Tango w/Fernando Otero; Mon 10pm 02/9&23 Sarah Slonim; Sat N 02/4&18 Ron Affif Trio; Tues 11pm $10 Evolution Jam Brooklyn Circle, 02/11&25 Philip Harper. Feb by Revive Music; Thurs: 11pm&12am $15 1: E Ari Hoenig Qrt, L Jared Gold Trio, N R; 2: Roman Diaz Midnight Rumba; Sat E Todd Herbert Gp, L Ken Fowser Qnt, N R; 10,11:30pm&1am Monika Oliveira & The 3: E Dan Block Qnt, L Joe Farnsworth Qrt, N Brasilians. Feb 6: 10pm-2am VandoJam feat tba; 4: PM Robert Edwards, E Ralph Lalama Mike Lee. & Bop-Juice, L Joe Farnsworth Qrt, N R; 5: 1pm-PM R, E Johnny O'Neal Trio, L Charles Owens Qrt, N R; 6: E Kenneth Salters & Haven, L J.D. Allen Trio, N R; 7: E Spike BRONX Wilner Trio, L Lucas Pino Nnt, N R; 8: E Sean Nowell Qrt, L Curtis Nowosad & CNQ, N R; 9: E Tatum Greenblatt Qrt, L Nick Hempton AN BEAL BOCHT CAFÉ: 445W 238th St. Band, N R; 10: E Behn Gillece Qrt, L Duane 718- 884-7127. www.lindasjazznights.com. Eubanks Qnt, N Joe Farnsworth; 11: PM 1st Wed: 8&9:30pm $25-10 adm Linda's Jazz Tuomo Uusitalo, E Saul Rubin Qrt, L Duane Nights. Feb 1: Emily Braden Qrt. Eubanks Qnt, N R; 12: 1pm-PM R, E John Dokes Qnt, L Ilya Lushtak Gp, N R; 13: E Josh Lawrence, L-N R; 14: E Jeremy Manasia BROOKLYN Trio, L Steve Nelson Gp, N R; 15: E Akiko Tsuruga Gp, L Harold Mabern Gp, N R 16: E Jeff Hirschfield Gp, L Carlos Abadie Qnt, N R; 65FEN: 65 Fenimore St. www.65fenmusic 17: E Chuck Redd Gp, L Qrt, series.tumblr.com. Mon: 9&10pm $10 don N tba; 18: E Will & Peter Anderson Qnt, L Ken 65Fen Music series. Feb 6: 9pm Musicianer, Peplowski Gp, N R; 19: 1pm-PM R, E Lezlie 10pm Lukas Kœni; 13: 9pm E Penniman Harrison Gp, L Jerry Weldon Gp, N R; 20: E James/Eric Reeves/Lisanne Tremblay, 10pm The Marquis Hill Blacktet, L-N R; 21: E The The Good Owls; 20: 9pm Jaimie Branch, Marquis Hill Blacktet, L Frank Lacy Gp, N R; 10pm Will Greene/Zoe Christianson; 27: 9pm 22: E Gilad Heksleman Trio, L Jim Pryor Qrt, Sam Sowyrda Solo, 10pm Devin Gray & N tba; 23: E Gilad Hekselman Trio, L Troy Fashionable Pop Music. Roberts Qrt, N R; 24: E Taru Alexander Gp, L 440 GALLERY: 440 Sixth Av. 718-499-3844. Sam Newsome Qrt, N tba; 25: E Chip White www.440gallery.com. 1st Sun: 4:40pm $5 don Dedications Sxt, L Sam Newsome Qrt, N R; Me, Myself and Eye. Feb 5: Briggan Krauss. 26: 1pm-PM R, E Rodney Green Gp, L Ian BAMCAFÉ: 30 Lafayette Av. 718-636-4100. Hendrickson-Smith Gp, N R; 27: E Greg www.bam.org. 9:30pm/free adm. Feb 10: Murphy & The Murphtet, L-N R; 28: E Spike Braxton Cook; 18: The Ed Stoute Experience. Wilner Trio, L Steve Nelson Gp, N R. BARBÈS: 376 9th St at 6th Av. Park Slope. The STONE: 2nd St at Av C. www.thestone www.barbesbrooklyn.com. 718-965-9177. nyc. com. Adm varies. Tues-Sun: 9pm weekly Residencies: Sun 9pm Stephane Wrembel; residencies. Feb 1-5: Simon Hanes; 7-12: Mon 7pm Brain Cloud; Tues 9pm Slavic Soul Kris Davis; 14-19: Brandon Ross; 21-26: Party; Wed 10pm Mandingo Ambassadors. Chris Dingman; 28-Mar 5: Oscar Noriega. Feb 1: 8pm Andy Statman. SUBROSA: 63 Gansevoort St (bet Washington BRIC ARTS: 647 Fulton St. 718-683-5600. & Greenwich Sts). www.subrosanyc.com. www.bricartsmedia.org. Feb 16: 8pm $15/18 212-997-4555. Sets: 8&10pm $20 adm. adm Roy Ayers/Shareef Keyes & The Groove. Residencies (R): Mon Latin Jazz Monday; continued on page 24

22 For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com. 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 23

-*" -", Ê 9Ê / NEW JERSEY JAZZ Gary Walker, “Morning Jazz Host”, WBGO, 88.3 FM/wbgo.org JOEY ALEXANDER BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH / FEBRUARY 4 Joey Alexander starts every day quietly at the piano, playing gospel music and thinking about his day. For this young man, the ascension has been an incredible journey from his beginnings in Bali to attention and performances on stages at fes- tivals around the globe. Mostly self-taught, aided by listening to his father's exten- sive record collection, it's a journey of endless expression, technique and talent, bringing laser focus to Joey's remarkable abilities to create and draw legions to his unexplainable gift. Two recordings, My Favorite Things and Countdown (Motéma), capture an array of new looks at old nuggets, along with inspiring originals that demand repeated listening. With a playful musicality and keen sense of swing, Joey creates a crowded excitement, a delight he shares with his trio in Newark.

KEVIN MAHOGANY DORTHAAN'S PLACE AT NJPAC / FEBRUARY 12 Vocalist Kevin Mahogany's Kansas City roots surrounded him with a feeling for jazz. He learned to swing like Charlie Parker, sing a ballad like Lester Young and deliver the blues like Big Joe Turner, dripping with Gates Barbecue Sauce. Kevin has demonstrated on numerous recordings his feeling for standards, Jobim, Monk, Ellington, Sam Cooke and Motown, approaching each with a baritone styling that fits nicely with a small group, and drives a big band to head turning heights. Kevin's latest recording, The Vienna Affair (Mahogany Jazz), captures him live, showing an added ability for original stories in song. There's a richness in every phrase that many seek but few attain.

FRANK VIGNOLA BERRIE CENTER / FEBRUARY 25 Guitar icon Les Paul once told The Wall Street Journal that Frank Vignola was one of his five most admired guitarists. A Long Island native, Frank developed his fast fingered technique working in the worlds of jazz, classical, rock, R&B and pop. He has toured with Les, Wynton Marsalis and Queen Latifah. Frank's Hot Club of France tributes brought to life the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. Frank teamed up with fellow guitarist Vinny Raniolo for Melody Magic (Azica), a recording showing skill and affinity for Beethoven and Bach, The Beatles, Sting and more. Hear for yourself why Guitar Player Magazine calls Frank "one of the most vicious tremolo-pickers on the scene" when Frank, Vinny and bassist Gary Mazzaroppi bring alive the spirit of Les Paul.

PAUL MEYERS LUNA STAGE / FEBRUARY 26 On the New York scene for many years, guitarist Paul Meyers has shared his skills with Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, Sonny Fortune and Geri Allen, and toured with the legendary vocalist Jon Hendricks. His recordings, including those with and Andy Bey, and World On A String (Miles High) are testament to Paul's diversity of melody, harmony and style, from Arlen/Koehler to John Lennon, Billy Strayhorn, Cole Porter and the Gershwins. Paul's own compositions mirror this flexibility. Paul says, "jazz has always had an explorer's heart. For me, a beautiful part of that exploration is in the rhythms, dimensions that push the form forward." With bassist Leo Traversa, drummer Vanderlei Pereira and saxophonist Mike Lee, Paul shares the marriage of jazz with Brazilian and Latin music.

23 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 24

continued from page 22 10:15pm Matt Malanowski; 16 8pm Liberté BROOKLYN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC: Big Band; 18: 9pm Rogiérs; 19: 9pm Guy 58 7th Av. www.bqcm.org. 718-622-3300. 1st Mintus Trio; 23: 8pm Dan Pugach Nnt; 25: Fri: 7pm $5 adm Open Stage. Feb 4: 7:30pm 10pm Mughal Muesli, 11:15pm Jacob $15 adm Brooklyn Jazz Wide Open series Varmus; 26: 9pm Fuck Squad. feat Min Xiao-Fen Solo & Duo w/Satoshi Takeishi + WORKS. The DRAWING ROOM: 56 Willoughby St #3. CONNECTICUT www.drawingroommusic.com. Sets: 7pm. Feb 4: $15 adm Lena Bloch Qrt; 5: $20 Alan Broadbent; 12: $20 Peter Bernstein/Michael The 9th NOTE JAZZ & SUPPER CLUB: 15 Kanan; 19: $20 Gene Bertoncini. Bank St. Stamford. www.the9thnote.com. KORZO RESTAURANT & BAR: 667 5th Av 203-504-8828. (bet 19th & 20th Sts). 718-499-1199. BUTTONWOOD TREE: 605 Main St. www.facebook.com/konceptions. Tues: Middletown. www.buttonwood.org. 860-347- 9&10:30pm $10 don/$10 min Konceptions 4957. Sets: 8-10pm. Feb 4: Daniel Meron Sky Music series by James Carney. Feb 7: Begins Trio; 10: The Charter Oak Jazz Qrt; Caroline Davis Qrt, 10:30pm Jen Shyu; 14: 18: Uri Shaham; 25: Luke Hendon. 9pm tba, 10:30pm Richard Bonnet/James RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE: 80 East Ridge. Carney; 21: 9pm The Horns Band, 10:30pm Ridgefield. www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org. Leo Geno; 28: 9pm Noah Garabedian Qrt, 203-438-5795. Feb 8: 7:30pm Tiempo Libre; 10:30pm tba. 18: 8pm Rita Moreno feat Russ Kassoff. KUMBLE THEATER: 1 University Pl (bet The SIDE DOOR JAZZ CLUB: At Old Lyme DeKalb & Willoughby). 718-488-1624. Inn. 85 Lyme St. Old Lyme. 860-434-0886. www.kumbletheater.org. Feb 25: 8pm $35 www.thesidedoorjazz.com. Sets: 8:30pm. adm Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio. Feb 3: Mike Casey; 10: Andy Milne & Dapp NATIONAL SAWDUST: 80N 6th St. 646-779- Theory. 8455. www.nationalsawdust.org. Feb 18: 11am $20/5 adm Oran Etkin & Timbalooloo; 22: 7pm $20 The Stone feat Matt Mitchell. LONG ISLAND ROULETTE: 509 Atlantic Av at 3rd Av. www.roulette.org. 917-267-0363. Sets: 8pm $25-15 adm. Feb 1: James Brandon Lewis The JAZZ LOFT: 275 Christian Av. Stony Trio; 9: 8pm Robert Dick/Ursel Schlicht; 21: Brook. 631-751-1895. www.thejazzloft.org. Weasel Walter Large Ens; 28: Richard Sets/adm: 7pm $20-10. Wed: 7-8pm $10, Sussman Evolution Ens. 8pm $5 Jam w/FM Band. Feb 2: The Jazz Loft SHAPESHIFTER LAB: 18 Whitwell Pl. Big Band; 4: 7:30pm Swing Dance Long www.shapeshifterlab.com. 646-820-9452. Island; 16: Rich Iacona & The Little Big Band; Sets/adm unless otherwise noted: Early (E) 18: Andrea Veneziani Trio feat Kenny Werner; 7pm, Late (L) 8:15pm, Night (N) 9:30pm; $10 23: Interplay Jazz Orch; 24: Bill Rignola Qrt. adm. Feb 1: $8 E Ammann/Davis Qrt, L Caleb LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY-POST: 720 Curtis Double Trio, N Conscience Collective; Northern Blvd. Brookville. www.liu.edu/post. 3: E Charles Blenzig & NYC Hiphopjazz www.tillescenter.org. 516-299-2895. Feb 10: Orkistra; 4: 4-6pm Amy Winehouse Teen Jazz 8pm $22 adm Tiempo Libre. Ens; 6: E New Forum; 7: E $8 Nathan Peck & TREME: 553 Main St. Islip. 631-277-2008. the Funky Electrical Unit/Andy Bianco Qnt, N www.tremeislip.com. Sets: 7-11pm. Feb 1: Camera con Camera; 8: E Schapiro17, L tba, ELEW; 8: Eric Berg Qrt; 12: Tim Siciliano Trio; N $15 Schapiro17; 9: 8pm Josh Deutsch, Pat 15: Swing Sessions w/Dudley; 16: Carroll, Jure Pulk, Frank Cohen w/Patricia Latintology; 19: John Ray & Irving Grossman Wichmann; 10: E Clockwork Trio, L Spt; 24: Spike Wilner; 26: Jam; 28: Nawlins SuperBrian; 12: L Amazonas Strings, N $15 Funk Band. & Mark Wingfield w/spec guest Marko Djordjevic; 13: 6pm New Forum; 15: 8pm Sergej Avanesov Qrt; 16: E Sean Noonan & Soap; 17: L $8 Funk Pterodatyl; NEW JERSEY 20: 6pm New Forum; 22: 7:30&9pm Erica Seguine & Meg Okura Ens; 23: E Mute the Commercials, L $8 Matt Robbins Gp; 24: E-L BERGEN Retrosonik. BERGEN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: 30 N Van Brunt St. Englewood. 201-227- SIR D’S LOUNGE: 837 Union St. 718-623- 1030. www.bergenpac.org. Feb 16: 8pm $99- 9065. www.facebook.com/Sirdslounge. Mon: 39 adm Chris Botti. 8-11pm Monday Night Big Band Jazz. Feb 6: BERRIE CENTER: Sharp Theater. 505 Jon De Lucia Oct; 13: Steve Feifke Big Band; Ramapo Valley Rd. Mahwah. 201-684-7844. 20: Art Lillard & Heavenly Big Band; 27: Lou www.ramapo.edu/berriecenter. Feb 25: 8- Caputo & Not So Big Band. 10pm $30-24 adm Frank Vignola Trio. 456 Nostrand Av at Jefferson SISTAS’ PLACE: PUFFIN CULTURAL FORUM: 20 Puffin Way. Av. www.sistasplace.org. 718-398-1766. Sat: Teaneck. www.puffinculturalforum.org. 201- 9&10:30pm $20/25 adm. Feb 4: Reggie 836-8923. $10 don. Feb 4: 8pm Emilio Solla Nicholson Gp; 11: T.K. Blue; 18: Chuk Fowler Tango/Jazz Trio; 11: 8pm Lorens Chuno; 24: w/Patsy Grant; 25: Carl Bartlett Jr. 7pm Roni Ben-Hur. WILLIAMSBURG MUSIC CENTER: 367 Bedford Av. www.wmcjazz.org. 718-384- ESSEX BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH: 275W 1654. Fri: 10pm-2am free adm/2 drink min Market St. Newark. www.bethany- Gerry Eastman Qnt w/spec guests + Jam. newark.org. 973-623-8161. Feb 4: 6-7:30pm Feb 2: 8pm The Liberté Big Band; 4: 10pm Jazz Vespers feat Joey Alexander. David Acker, 11:15pm Rubens Salles; 5: 9pm At Nico Kitchen + Bar Ken Ychicawa; 9: 9pm Kevin Sun, 10pm DORTHAAN’S PLACE: ConSoul Big Band; 12: 9pm Harry Smith, continued on page 30

24 For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com. 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 25

ANOTHER REASON TO CELEBRATE

By Elzy Kolb

Rock solid Learning Silver's story—how he created Camille Thurman has been singing his music, how he named his compositions, since age 4, but when it came time to study who he played with, his relationships music, she chose the saxophone over voice. beyond the bandstand—fired her imagina- She wanted to excel on sax and didn't tion in preparing for the upcoming tribute think she could reach her goals without album, which will be released later this giving the instrument 100 percent of her year. attention and effort. That changed, howev- History of all kinds intrigues Camille, er, when colleagues at a Jazz in July pro- who has a degree in geology and environ- gram overheard her singing in the shower. mental sciences. "I fell in love with geology, I could get lost in looking at the rock in Central Park, seeing evidence of the gla- cier that passed over the earth," she muses. "If you just look around, you can understand the history of where you are. Seeing how rivers flow across the land, everything is working together. We're so connected with our environment, we can't live without one another." Appreciating history, whether musical, geological or societal, is key for Camille. "When we get beneath the layers we become better people, we have a better understanding of society and the world," she points out. "We can use that under- Camille Thurman, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola standing as an inspiration. That's how we "They gathered around to find out who fix things. That's our job; that's what we're was singing," recalls Camille, who was per- supposed to do." suaded to add voice to her studies. "Voice is the first human instrument, everyone can Full immersion relate to it. An instrumentalist needs that Pianist and composer Frank aspect to tell a story with the melody. I'm Kimbrough counts fellow pianist and blessed to have both gifts, they help each composer among his greatest other in a beautiful way." Though she ini- influences, and describes him as his main tially felt shy about both playing and mentor. "His playing was great, but his singing on gigs, Camille has noticed that thought process was very provocative; he she's felt more confidence, personally and could drive you crazy," Frank says. While musically, since adding the vocal compo- Bley never practiced, he was always turn- nent. ing over ideas about music in his mind. Listeners will get a chance to hear it "He could be like a crazy person muttering themselves at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola on to himself in the street, he thought about it Feb. 7, when Camille and the Darrell all the time without ever touching an Green Trio debut material from their instrument. He'd save it up so there would upcoming CD paying tribute to the great be a certain anticipation, a certain rush Horace Silver. Camille has arranged and when he did play." written lyrics to some of Silver's seldom- heard tunes from the 1970s and 1980s. She began listening to the vintage recordings on the advice of her mentor Antoine Roney, and was further inspired by Let's Get to the Nitty-Gritty: The Autobiography of Horace Silver. "Reading that gave me a little under- standing of him. I was moved by his com- passion, his awareness of what's going on in society, and how he used his music to share his views," Camille explains. "That message is relevant today, for humanity to be conscious of one another, to be mindful of our place, to be helpful, supporting and Frank Kimbrough, Jazz at Kitano nurturing." continued on page 26

25 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 26

ANOTHER REASON...continued from page 25 Time zone Frank mentions a few tips from Bley Guitarist/composer Ralph Towner has that he took to heart, but doesn't share written and recorded so much music, he's with his students at Juilliard: Don't prac- surprised whenever he comes across his tice; don't play much; don't give a lot of discography. "I've been on so many records because I'm so old at this point," he says direction to other musicians. with a laugh. "I've been busy over the last Of course, all it takes for this method to 50 years; I've written more than 400 work is years of practice, regular playing songs." Besides dozens of recordings as and building relationships. But it does leader or co-leader with the band Oregon work, as evidenced by Frank's latest CD, and players such as John Abercrombie, Solstice (Pirouet), with bassist Jay , and Paolo Anderson and drummer . Fresu, Ralph also appears on albums by Released in November, when Frank Duke Pearson, the Paul Winter Consort, turned 60, most of the tunes on Solstice are Weather Report, Kenny Wheeler, Keith first takes—one is a sound check. "It was Jarrett, Jan Garbarek, the folk singer Tim like falling off a log; there was no work Hardin and many others. involved. We just walked in and hit it," he notes. "I don't tell them what to do. I hire people to do what they do; when they do that, it will be correct." He continues, "It's a three-way conver- sation, not solo and backup. Jeff and Jay have been playing together for 35 years; I've known them for 20 years. It's all about concentrated listening. There's a lot of give and take, an intimate conversation between us. Listeners get to eavesdrop on the conversation." Frank took a stack of 15 or 20 tunes into the session, "We just played, I had no order written down, then later I cut out the fat." Ralph Towner, Jazz Standard When he chose the tracks for the album, His latest effort is a solo guitar album, Frank noticed that coincidentally, five are My Foolish Heart (ECM), which comprises written by women, and another he had 11 originals, along with the title track, an learned from Shirley Horn, his mentor. "It Oscar-nominated standard from a 1949 wasn't about picking women; these were movie of the same name. just things I like. The music comes first, Starting out as a young pianist in New the back story happens afterward when York in 1968, Ralph was inspired by an you start to see patterns. These composers iconic version of "My Foolish Heart" played all influenced me or were close to me some- by Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro and Paul how." Frank's wife, Maryanne De Motian. "I was so moved by that," he Prophetis, wrote the title track; recalls. "I wanted to feel what it's like to be and Annette Peacock (she wrote two of the in that space, play that way, have that tunes) both composed for Paul Bley; Frank feeling, that reverence." Studying the trio's has been a mainstay of Maria Schneider's playing on the tune set Ralph on the path band for more than two decades. to developing his own style. “I squeezed Solstice also contains a Kimbrough orig- every drop of inspiration from that record inal, "Question's the Answer." Frank on first impact. I internalized the feeling, points out that he's not as prolific a writer which was the whole point: internalize, as in his youth, but notes that quantity change it slightly and make it your own." doesn't necessary equal quality. "Sitting About three years later, Ralph experi- down to write is putting the cart before the enced a similar breakthrough when—on a horse. I could write ten tunes to have one whim—he bought a guitar, which soon good one." These days, he takes an became his primary instrument. "A guitar approach Paul Bley would recognize: "I is actually an ancestor of the piano, it has might have an idea for a tune, then walk a pianistic function similar to a keyboard. around the park with it for six months." By It's kind of a portable piano with a special the time he writes it down, it's fully real- personal sound," he points out. "It's like a ized. small orchestra. Everyone sounds different Catch Frank, Jay and Jeff in action at on guitar." Jazz at Kitano Feb. 10-11, where they Approaching his 77th birthday on celebrate the release of Solstice, and most March 1, Ralph is grateful for finding his likely play other originals and some stan- flow through the Evans recording and the dards. fluke purchase that turned him into a gui- continued on page 29

26 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 27

HOT FLASHES

By Seton Hawkins

Double Hat: Musician/Club Owner Then I saw an article on Swing Street, and UCKED AWAY IN UPPER HAR- it went on to list all the speakeasies in lem lies one of the best live jazz experi- Harlem during Prohibition, and my encesT for people who truly love the music: address was one of them! Later, we found Bill's Place. Every Friday and Saturday out that Billie Holiday was discovered by night, Harlem saxophonist Bill Saxton's John Hammond in this spot. So when I club, which is built upon the site of a perform here, I let people know about Harlem speakeasy on the original leg- where they are, and what came before." endary Swing Street, offers up a blend of Opened in 2006 following a two-year ferociously swinging, intensely melodic renovation project, Bill's Place has man- hard bop steeped in Harlem's rich history. aged to maintain its drive and quality even A dry venue, in relatively close quarters, as other venues around it come and go, Bill's Place is for many listeners a dream thanks to the ingenuity and tenacity of Bill outcome: a small, intimate space to hear himself. Indeed, since its founding, Bill's uncompromising music, surrounded by Place has held steady even amidst the clo- audience members there for the listening sure of St. Nick's Pub and Lenox Lounge, experience. Bill Saxton explains it best: as well as the re-opening, closing, and re- "what we sell is music." opening of Minton's Playhouse. Over the years, it has grown into a role as one of, if not the, last authentic voices of Harlem's jazz heritage. While the story and legacy of Bill's Place may draw initial attention, what pro- pels its staying power is the quality of the music it has engendered across genera- tions of artists. Bill's playing alone is a tremendous draw: sporting a massive tone and ample saxophone chops, Bill can con- jure artists ranging from Coleman Hawkins to Jackie McLean, and to be sure, his ensemble playing reflects the wealth of mentorship he received from artists like Roy Haynes (who donated the drums at Bill's Place), Dannie Richmond, and many others. In turn, Bill has passed and continues to pass on these les- sons to young artists, notably through his project ATYMONY (And the Young Musicians of New York). "Some of these young artists learn from me, because they don't otherwise have the opportunity to learn in the way I got to learn," Bill says. "I was fortunate to play with Clark Terry and with Frank Foster, Bill Saxton and I've been able to teach younger artists In 2004, Bill and his wife, scholar and the lessons I learned on the road." Bill's author Theda Palmer Saxton, sought to mentoring efforts span several generations purchase a building, and came across a of younger artists, as Theo Hill, Ali space on 133rd street that needed signifi- Jackson, Kyle Poole and many others can cant renovation, but proved promising. count Bill among their teachers and advo- Buying the building as a home and a per- cates. formance space, as well as for rental units, Ultimately, to Bill the challenges of the Saxtons stumbled onto a treasure of running a venue are worth the sacrifice in jazz history. "Randy Weston was the first service of honoring Harlem's jazz heritage person to suggest to me that there was and in passing it onto future generations. something special going on with the block "Being born and raised in Harlem, I want- I'm on," Bill explains. "He encouraged me ed to bring something back for the commu- to research it. Sonny Rollins said the same nity," he explains. "I believe if you want to me, saying it was one heck of a block. continued on page 28

Saxton photo by Paul Aresu. 27 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 28

FRESH TAKES

By Nick Dunston

F THERE'S ANY NEW TALENT NOT Sarah Vaughan and Bing Crosby." to be missed, it's organist and pianist When talking about some of her compo- LeoniekeI Scheuble. She is performing at sitional approaches, Leonieke mentions the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe this month. With "Often, I'll start by composing a melody impressive skills in organ playing, piano over a set of the chord changes to a tune playing and composing, Leonieke is an up- that I know and and-coming force with a fresh, new sound love." She follows in the New York jazz scene. up, "The tunes that Showing an aptitude for piano at an I write are often early age, then shortly after, learning very influenced by organ, Leonieke says, "I don't really have a the music that I'm preference, I enjoy both and they're so dif- learning at the ferent. I make sure to learn tunes on both time." instruments, and then I just decide which I like better." Hear Leonieke When asked about her musical influ- Scheuble play at ences, she says, "I really love Bobby the Nuyorican Timmons, Joey DeFrancesco, Dr. Lonnie Poet's Cafe on Smith and vocalists like Billie Holiday, Feb. 4.

HOT FLASHES... road. A funny and engaging animated continued from page 27 short, Say What can be viewed at something, you have to do it yourself and https://www.rescuedogfilms.com/say-what. take a chance. This industry can stress you The works of mixed media visual artist out, and make you question yourself. And I Sam Middleton is featured at GP refuse to deal with that, because if you get Contemporary, beginning Feb. 1 in an caught up in it, you will be lost. I hope I exhibition entitled The Sam I am is live my life as a model of what a musician Collage. Reflecting Sam's upbringing in can do, rather than wait for someone to New York City and immersion in Harlem's give a gig." Jazz scene, the exhibit showcases his Bill's Place holds live music every exceptional work in watercolor, gouache, Friday and Saturday night, two sets each and collage. The gallery is open Monday night. To learn more, visit www.billsplace through Friday; for more details, visit harlem.com. www.gpgallery.com. New York City offers a wide range of romantic jazz possibilities on Valentine's Day. Vocalist Brianna Thomas has a spe- cial themed concert titled It Had to Be You at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola; learn more at www.jazz.org/dizzys. Nonpareil vocalist Catherine Russell appears at Birdland on Valentine's Day, tickets are available at www.birdlandjazz.com. Bria Skonberg makes a one-night-only appearance at Jazz Standard, offering up a superb mix of material with special guest Houston Person. See more details at www.jazzs tandard.com. Kevin Mahogany brings his singular crooning talents to Smoke Jazz & Bria Skonberg Supper Club for a special performance. Make a reservation at www.smoke Movies, Exhibitions, Valentine's Day, jazz.com. and Residencies One of the last bulwarks for creative Say What! A Geriatric Proposal is the and experimental music in Manhattan, brainchild of jazz violinist Aaron The Stone will commence its final 12 Weinstein and his brother Jeremy, and months of life beginning this month, offer- follows the story of a young jazz artist ing fans a beautiful series of residencies to struggling with the travails of life on the continued on page 29

28 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 29

BACKSTAGE PASS

JAZZ ANECDOTE BY BILL CROW Bill Crow's books "Jazz Anecdotes" and "From Birdland to " can be found at your favorite bookstore, and at www.billcrowbass.com along with many interesting photos and links. Lloyd Wells sent me a note expressing his sorrow at hearing that jazz guitarist Howie Collins had passed away. Howie had done a lot of subs for Lloyd when he was doing Broadway shows. Lloyd remembered seeing a Merv Griffin show that Howie subbed on for Jim Hall. Merv said something about the band, and the camera panned over to the band- stand, stopping right on Howie, who's face was buried in a roast beef sandwich. Bill Wurtzel and were quietly playing a gig in a restaurant. A guest who had been sitting with friends, came over and praised them by saying, "With other bands you can't carry on a conversation."

REEVES... ANOTHER REASON... continued from page 17 continued from page 26 tarist. "I'm blessed to have this as a profes- As she looks forward to her upcoming sion. It's a wonderful thing to be able to do, performance at Jazz at Lincoln Center, a wonderful experience to be in that zone; where she'll be premiering new music with there's nothing like it. It's an out of body familiar bandmates, Dianne reflects on the experience when things are going well. most important component of concept: When you're playing really well people "You have to continue to develop your breathe with you, they're in tune with the uniqueness—your authenticity," she says, smallest sound. It's fun and you don't get "because nobody is like anybody else, or tired of it." has the same experiences as anybody else." Now based in Rome, Ralph visits New And after three decades of contemplative York to celebrate the release of My Foolish interpretation, harmonic conversation and Heart at Jazz Standard Feb. 15-16. The resonating sound, no one's concept is more CD's title is a bit of an in-joke, he reveals, authentic than Dianne Reeves'. laughing: "I had a little problem with my heart two or three years ago, that's all fixed Dianne Reeves performs at JALC now, but there's a bit of dark humor, a lit- Feb. 10-11. tle irony in the name of the record."

SHIPP... HOT FLASHES... continued from page 21 continued from page 28 Jazz, through to Piano Song, to going on close out its tenure. Of note, vibraphone the road." master Chris Dingman holds a residency Feb. 21-26, bringing in an incredible roster The Matthew Shipp Trio performs of collaborators, including Fabian at The Cutting Room on Feb. 9 to cel- Almazan, Ike Sturm, Tyshawn Sorey and ebrate the release of Piano Song. many more. For a full list of events, visit www.thestonenyc.com.

A Moment You Missed by Fran Kaufman Hot House Contributing Photographer Pianist, arranger and composer Helen Sung and vocalist Charenée Wade are clearly enjoying themselves as they share a look at upcoming arrangements back- stage at the APAP meeting at the Hilton Hotel on Jan. 8. Both artists performed in the New York Suite with reedman Oran Etkin when he showcased his charming and informative program for kids.

29 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 30

continued from page 24 MORRIS BICKFORD THEATRE: 6 Normandy Heights in NJPAC. 1 Center St. Newark. 888-466- Rd. Morristown. 973-971-3706. Concerts 8- 5722. www.njpac.org. Feb 12: 12pm $45/15 9:30pm. www.njjs.org. $17/20 adm. Feb 6: adm Jazz Brunch feat Kevin Mahogany. Marty Eigen & Amani Qrt w/guest Leonieke FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH: 40S Scheuble; 20: Dan Levinson Band w/Mike Fullerton Av. Montclair. 973-744-6560. Davis, Matt Mussleman. www.outpostintheburbs.org. Feb 26: 3:15- MAYO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: 100 5:15m $10 adm Spiritual Drumming South St. Morristown. www.mayoarts.org. Workshops by Richard Reiter. 973-539-8008. Feb 17: 8pm $99-49 adm LUNA STAGE: 555 Valley Rd. West Orange. Chris Botti. 973-395-5551. www.lunastage.org. Feb 26: SHANGHAI JAZZ: 24 Main St. Madison. 973- 7pm $18/20 adm Paul Meyers & World on a 822-2899. www.shanghaijazz.com. Free adm. String. Sets: Sun 6-8:30pm, Tues 6:30-9pm, Wed- SOPAC: 1 SOPAC Way. South Orange. 973- Thurs 7-9:30pm, Fri 6:30&8:30pm, Sat 313-2787. Feb 19: 7pm Jazz in the Loft feat 6:30&8:45pm. Closed Mon. Feb 7: John Frank Noviello. Korba; 8: Harry Allen Trio; 17: TRUMPETS: 6 Depot Square. Montclair. 973- Trio; 18: Nilson Matta Trio; 19: 3-5:30pm Jazz 744-2600. www.trumpetsjazz.com. Adm Social feat Elise Axelrad; 21: Nicki varies. Feb 4: 8-11pm Jack DeSalvo; 12: Parrott/Rossanno Sportiello; 28: John Korba. 7:30-10pm Lou Caputo & Not So Big Band; OCEAN 13: 7-8:30pm Gabriel Alexander, Aphrodite OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE: College Dr. Daniel & Achilleas Wastor; 24: 8&10pm T.K. Toms River. 732-255-0500. www.ocean.edu. Blue. $18/22 adm. www.njjs.org. Feb 15: 8-9:30pm VAN VLECK HOUSE & GARDENS: 21 Van Ricky Riccardi. Vleck St. Montclair. www.vanvleck.org. 973- PASSAIC 744-4752. Feb 11: 6:30-8pm $250 adm, 8- WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY: 300 11pm $150 Jazz House Kids benefit feat The Pompton Rd. Wayne. www.wpunj.edu. 973- Jazz House Alumni Band, Claudio Roditi 720-2371. Feb 12: 4pm Claudio Roditi w/WP Bossa Trio, Matthew Whitaker. Latin Jazz Ens dir by Chico Mendoza; 19: HUDSON 4pm Vincent Herring & Eric Alexander Qnt. MILLER BRANCH LIBRARY: 489 Bergen Av. SOMERSET Jersey City. 201-547-6907. Feb 25: 8-10pm WATCHUNG ARTS CENTER: 18 Stirling Rd. T.K. Blue. Watchung. www.watchungarts.org. 908-753- MERCER 0190. Feb 4: 8pm $22-10 adm JaZZ in the 1867 SANCTUARY AT EWING: 101 Scotch Gallery feat Carrie Jackson All Stars. Rd. Ewing. www.1867sanctuary.org/series UNION jazz. 609-392-6409. Feb 4: 8pm L Town UNION COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS Express; 26: 3pm Odean Pope/Gloria CENTER: 1601 Irving St. Rahway. 732-499- Galante Qrt. 8226. www.ucpac.org. Feb 19: 7-9:30pm CANDLELIGHT LOUNGE: 24 Passaic St. Jersey City Jazz Collective. Trenton. www.candlelightevents.way.to. 609- WARREN 695-9612. Sat: 3:30-7:30pm free adm/$10 RUTHERFURD HALL: 1686-R Rte 517. min. www.jazztrenton.com. Feb 4: Lynn Riley; Allamuchy. 908-852-1894. www.rutherfurd 11: Jeanne Brooks; 18: Landom Brothers; 25: hall.org. Feb 26: 3-5pm $25/20 adm Jazz at Andrae Mutcherson. the Rutherfurd feat Pete McGuinness Sxt. MCCARTER THEATRE: 91 University Pl. Princeton. 609-258-2787. www.mccarter.org. Feb 15: 7:30pm Chris Botti. NEW YORK STATE MIDDLESEX DUE MARI: 78 Albany St. New Brunswick. www.duemarinj.com. 732-296-1600. Fri: 76 HOUSE: 110 Main St. Tappan. 845-359- 6:30-9:30pm free adm The New Brunswick 5476. www.76house.com. Wed: 8-11pm free Jazz Project/www.nbjp.org. Feb 3: Kate adm Quintets w/Mark Hagan & feat artists + Curran Duo; 10: 8-11pm Emma Larsson Duo; Jam. Feb 1: Andy Gravish; 8: Michael 17: Kate Baker Duo; 24: Mike Bond Duo. Rabinowitz; 15: Bobby Level; 22: Matt GEORGE STREET ALE HOUSE: 378 Haviland, Oscar Feldman. George St. New Brunswick. www.gsale FALCON ARTS: 1348 Rte 9 West. Marlboro. house.com. 732-543-2408. The New www.liveatthefalcon.com. 845-236-7970. $20 Brunswick Jazz Project/www.nbjp.org. Tues: don suggested. Sets: 7-10pm; Sun 10am- 8-11pm Emerging Artists + Jam. 2pm Brunch (B). Feb 5: B Big Joe Fitz & The HYATT HOTEL: 2 Albany St. New Brunswick. Lo-Fis, 7pm David Amram Qnt & friends; 8: www.newbrunswick.hyatt.com. 732-873- Jazz Sessions at The Falcon Underground; 1234. Thurs: 8-11pm free adm The New 11: Ed Palermo Big Band; 12: Noah Haidu Brunswick Jazz Project/www.nbjp.org. Feb 2: Qrt; 16: Latin Jazz Express; 26: Roland Stephen Fuller Qrt; 9: Ralph Peterson & Vazquez Qnt. Triangular III; 16: Steve Fidyk Qrt; 23: Dave TURNING POINT CAFÉ: 468 Piermont Av. Schumacher Qrt; Piermont. www.turningpointcafe.com. 845- INC RESTAURANT: 302 George St. New 359-1089. Mon: 8-11:30pm $5 adm Monday Brunswick. www.increstaurant.com. 732-640- Jam by John Richmond. 0553. Wed: 8-11pm free adm The New Brunswick Jazz Project/www.nbjp.org. Feb 1: Jerome Jennings Trio; 8: Felix Peikli Trio; 15: PENNSYLVANIA Nat Adderley Trio; 22: Mike Bond Trio feat . MONMOUTH DEER HEAD INN: 5 Main St. Delaware Water COUNT BASIE THEATRE: 99 Monmouth St. Gap, PA. www.deerheadinn.com. 570-424- Red Bank. www.countbasietheatre.org. 732- 2000. Sets: Sun 5-8pm, Thurs 8-11pm, Fri- 842-9000. Feb 19: 4pm Russ Kassoff w/Rita Moreno. continued on page 32

30 For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com. 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 31

BRIDGE CROSSINGS

By Cary Tone

RANDON ROSS' MUSIC IS SOME- ensemble, Brandon Ross Pendulum, times quiet and deep, sometimes loud (Hardedge; Kevin Ross, electric bass; Chris andB mysterious. His guitar playing and Eddleton, drums) which I am developing. compositions reveal themselves as simul- Q- You've played with such a wide array taneously soothing and unsettling with an of musicians. Cassandra Wilson, Muhal aesthetic, as you will read here, and hear Richard Abrams, Tony Williams, Arto when you listen, that is never static, Lindsey, Archie Shepp, Oliver Lake, Bill always searching. Laswell, only a partial list. How have you developed such a broad pallet? A- I think Roscoe Mitchell put it very succinctly in an interview once. He said something like, and I'm paraphrasing here: "... If you are in love with music, if you're having a love affair with music, then you are going to listen to all kinds of musi- cal expression…" I don't foster an attitude of musical apartheid. It's about whatever touches me or gets my positive attention. In terms of being able to function musically with those artists, as I look at it, those people are peo- ple who have been and are, musically themselves. When I first came to NYC, I had the good fortune to meet Ornette Coleman when I was invited to play at his place in the school building he had on Rivington Street, on LES. He said to me, "Always be musically, yourself." I assumed I knew what that meant. I did not. I have come to understand it, and live by it, and to Q- Brandon, you have a few different have found myself in the company of musi- groups you lead or co-lead. Tell us what cal mentors and colleagues who have made you're working on with Harriet Tubman, that choice also. Blazing Beauty, For Living Lovers? Or do you currently have other musical priori- ties? A- Currently, my musical focus is on I know that it is crucial music I've written for a Chamber Music to cultivate my Self, or America New Jazz Works grant project, "Immortal Obsolescence" which is a musi- to allow my Self to cal response to a visual chronicle of psy- cultivate me. A solitary chotherapeutic artifacts, documented by Venezuelan visual artist, designer and singular pursuit. photographer, Carolina Munoz. The music If I can realize it, is composed for For Living Lovers—my acoustic duo with acoustic bass guitarist I am my own reward. Stomu Takeishi—and additional instru- mentation through a song cycle of 11 com- positions for improvisation. Q- If you weren't a musician what other In addition to Harriet Tubman, (which directions would your life have taken? has a new CD releasing on Feb. 24 on A- When I graduated from high school I , Araminta) and was either going to music college or drama Blazing Beauty, which will perform during school. I was very active in theatre in high my Stone residency this year (Feb. 14-19), school, and won a few awards for roles I I've found myself engaging with aspects of played and I love something about the sound creation in the Glyph band, engagement with a director and interpret- DarkMatterHalo, with sound designer, ing direction through a character. I follow Hardedge and electric guitarist Doug actors the way I do musicians. Wieselman. Those are the projects that Interestingly, when I work with the pro- have released CDs in the last year. ducer/musician Kip Hanrahan, it is very Additionally I have an "experimental" continued on page 32

Ross photo by Junya Suzuki. 31 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 1:40 PM Page 32

continued from page 30 BRIDGE CROSSINGS... Sat 7-11pm. Adm varies. Residency (R): continued from page 31 Thurs Jam w/Bill Washer & friends. Feb 2: R; 3: La Cuchina & Unplugged; 4: Dave Liebman much like being directed theatrically. I sing & Expansions; 5: Patrick McGee Qrt; 9: R; 10: on Kip's records as well as play guitar, and Iris Ornig; 11: Bob Dorough; 12: Erica Kip's lyrics (which are more often prose- Golaszewski Qrt; 14: Marianne Solivan Qrt; 16: R; 17: Mike Collins Qrt; 18: Silvano like than lyrical) can be elliptical and hard Monasterios; 19: Phil Markowitz & Zach to align with the music they've been writ- Brock; 23: R; 24: Davey Lantz Trio; 25: Kate ten for—as well as being written in the stu- Baker & ; 26: Bill Charlap Solo; 27: 5- dio, sometimes line by line and handed to 8pm Delaware Water Gap Orch. me while we're recording—so he and I have established this 'pas de deux' that might well be a convergence of my theatrical and QUEENS the musical inclinations. Q- What do you know today that you didn't know 20 years ago? FLUSHING TOWN HALL: 137-35 Northern Blvd. Flushing. www.flushingtownhall.org. A- I know today, that the importance of 718-463-7700. 1st Wed: 7pm $10 adm Jam being oneself, and accepting oneself is the- w/Carol Sudhalter. Feb 18: 8pm $25/35 most important ability to cultivate in any Mozayik feat Tulivu-Donna Cumberbatch (creative) endeavor. Henry; 24: 8pm $16/10 adm Grace Kelly. When I first met Ornette in '83, (I've JACKSON ROOM: 192-07 Linden Blvd. St Albans. www.jacksonroom.com. 718-525- shared this story a lot) the first thing he 2387. Last Sat: 8&10pm $15 adm incl said to me was "How's the music business?" snacks/beverage feat Ed Jackson Qrt. To which I sheepishly replied (being young LOUIS ARMSTRONG HOUSE MUSEUM: and star struck) that I didn't know enough 34-56 107th St. Corona. 718-478-8274. about it to say. After which he said, www.louisarmstronghouse.org. Sun&Sat 12- 5pm, Tues-Fri 10am-5pm: $10 adm Guided "There's the music world and the music Tours of Louis Armstrong House. business. A long time ago, I decided that I'd rather be a part of the music world." I know that it is crucial to cultivate my WESTCHESTER Self, or to allow my Self to cultivate me. A solitary singular pursuit. If I can realize it, I am my own reward. BEANRUNNER CAFÉ: 201 S Division & Q- What have you been listening to late- Esther St. Peekskill. 914-737-1701. www.beanrunnercafe.com. Fri-Sat: 8- ly? 10:30pm $10 adm. Feb 3: Chico Alvarez & A- Lately, I have been listening to Dori Mauricio Smith w/Ran Kan Kan; 4: Wali Ali; Caymmi's Poesia Musicada. 11: Eric Person Qrt; 18: Mala Waldron Qrt; 25: Q- Is the nature of jazz and improvisa- The Voyagers. tion a political statement? FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: 199N A- In the context of politics, it would Columbus Av at E Lincoln Av. Mount Vernon. www.pjsjazz.org. 914-636-4977. 2nd Sun: seem to be. In the context of true reality, it 5:15-9pm $25 adm Second Sunday Jazz is a poetic facsimile of same. I define cul- series. Feb 12: Antonio Hart. ture as the way of our lives. Politics would then be, in the way of our lives. The things Hot House is not responsible for we call jazz and improvisation are cultural any errors in the listings which may gestures within a process of organization have occured from late changes or and manifestation. It's what humans do. Daily. Some more than others. incorrect information supplied to us. Q- What's the last truly great piece of Please call the venues or check music you listen to live or recorded? website for up to date calendars. A- It was a concert. A great concert, by Jeff Beck, in August 2016. I find it so satis- fying to experience any artist who manages to be self-possessed, more or less complete; themselves, gestural, natural, revelatory, inspired and inspiring. That was a time when those qualities showed up for me. I had a teacher who used to use the term, "It of itself" as a description of what was inef- fable. Jeff Beck was that. Q- You're having a dinner party and can invite three musicians. Who would they be? A- Ornette Coleman, Lawrence D. "Butch" Morris and Toru Takemitsu. For the complete interview, visit our website: http://hothousejazz.com/blog/Brandon-Ross. Brandon Ross has a weeklong resi- dence at The Stone Feb. 14-19

32 For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com. 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 33

THE LATIN SIDE OF HOT HOUSE By Emilie Pons

HEN HE WAS YOUNG, PIANIST Mike Eckroth listened to the John ScofieldW album Blue Matter and the Oscar Peterson's Soul Espanol, in which Peterson plays Brazilian and Latin music. These two albums were precursory of Mike's col- orful and diversified career. Mike belongs to many worlds and cultures and he is part of diverse projects. You might have lis- tened to him if you ever watched John's live concert video The Paris Concert, but if you are a fan of Cuban, Afro-Peruvian and Brazilian music, you probably know Mike's sound as well. His humility is only exceeded by his tal- he says, "I am still learning so much about ent: Mike, whose hazel eyes sizzle with it." intelligence, refuses to identify as an One of Mike's projects, the trio La Voz de expert. But his eclecticism is riveting. He Tres, features a Chilean singer and a just graduated from NYU with a Ph.D. in Brazilian seven-string guitar player. He ethnomusicology. During his studies, he not also plays with the Spanish Afrobeat band only transcribed and analyzed more than Peliroja, and his upcoming album Piano 70 solos by the bigger improvisers in Cuban and Rhythms is influenced by classic music, he explains, but he also met gui- Cuban records such as the Peruchin's Piano tarist , who hired him from con Mona album. Another of Mike's trade- 2009 until 2011. marks is that he plays with a lot of gui- For his dissertation, titled "Cuban piano tarists, a pairing that speaks to his sensi- improvisation on record from 1937 to 1949," bility and, one more time, his talent. Mike wrote about "the Cuban stylistic Mike also performs and records with aspects of the 1940s that were carried on by bassist Ron McClure. New York, he says, is later pianists." He is now looking into pub- the only place where he sees himself when lishing a method book based on his it comes to making a living as a jazz musi- research, the only one about that topic, he cian and supporting his family: after all, he says. is now a father of three. Mike is busy, and Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba is one his dream is to replicate what he was able of Mike's favorite musicians, along with to achieve with John. Up to now, "John was Brazilian pianist Cesar Camargo Mariano. definitely the height of my career," he read- In Brazilian music, Mike loves the feel, the ily admits. improvisation and the style, he says. "I just For his duo set at Mezzrow on Feb. 9, like doing things that have groove and Mike features Matt Clohesy on bass. It will rhythm in them," he adds. Mike just fin- be a straight ahead gig, Mike explains. ished a mambo big band music recording in Regardless, the pianist is likely to exude Cuba for the singer Pepito Gomez. He also his usual technical and improvisatory dex- plays a lot of salsa and Latin jazz with per- terity, spanning many genres, many formers such as percussionists Johnny decades, and many sensibilities. "Dandy" Rodriguez and Ralph Irizarry. Regardless, he remains humble: "Even Mike Eckroth is at Mezzrow Feb. 8 after playing Cuban music for ten years," in a duo with Matt Clohesy

33 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 3:04 PM Page 34

34 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 35

35 178430_HH_Feb_0 1/24/17 10:36 AM Page 36