Volume 35 • Issue 08 September 2007 Journal of the New Jersey Jazz Society Dedicated to the performance, promotion and preservation of jazz.
Jazz Journalists 2007 Awards Favor the Modernists By Fradley Garner Jersey Jazz International Editor
Winning Views: 2007 JJA Jazz Awards honorees Anat Cohen (left, photo by Mitchell Seidel) and Roberta Gambarini (right, photo by Bruce C. Moore) have both performed at recent Jazzfests, Ms. Gambarini in 2006 and Ms. Cohen this past June when she appeared with Sherrie Maricle’s Five Play.
Dan Morgenstern on Polls, page 20
NEW YORK: All in the same year, ist and composer won in four the year in balloting among Denardo on drums, and Ornette Coleman, who became categories, including musician more than 400 members of the Coleman playing alto saxo- the second jazz musician to win of the year, from the Jazz professional writers group. phone, trumpet and violin, was the Pulitzer Prize for music (JJ, Journalists Association. His Coleman’s unconventional chosen the year’s best small June, p. 28), took top honors in Sound Grammar, the first totally quartet Sound Grammar, with ensemble. This was the 77-year- Jazz Awards 2007. The aging improvised live recording to win two bassists — one plucking, old musician’s first new record- avant-garde multi-instrumental- a Pulitzer, was voted album of the other bowing — his son ing in a decade. He also continued on page 26
NJJS 35thJoin Anniversary the party! Dinner Dance SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 • WITH SPECIAL GUESTS see p 3
Big Band in the Sky ...... 10 CDs: Compact Views ...... 36 CTS Images...... 8 in this issue: NJJS Jazz Leadership Awards ...... 16 CDs: Other Views ...... 38 State Theatre ...... 11 NEW JERSEY JAZZ SOCIETY “Jazz News” E-mail service ...... 18 Book: Piano Girl ...... 40 Salt Creek Grille ...... 13 Pres Sez/NJJS Calendar & Bulletin Board. . . 2 Dan’s Den ...... 20 EVENTS North Carolina Jazz Festival ...... 15 The Mail Bag...... 4 Buddy Schutz Memorabilia to IJS ...... 21 JazzFeast in Princeton ...... 43 Trumpets ...... 17 Jazz Trivia ...... 4 Musings ...... 22 NJJS Member Meetings ...... 43 Seton Hall University ...... 19 Editor’s Pick/Deadlines/NJJS info...... 6 Benny Carter Centennial ...... 24 Institute of Jazz Studies/Jazz from Archives . 43 Lana’s Fine Dining ...... 23 Notes from the Music Committee ...... 8 Crow’s Nest ...... 42 ’Round Jersey: Bridgewater, Morris, Ocean . . . . 44 Sutton Rocky Mountain Jazz Party . . . . . 33 In the Mainstream ...... 41 Somewhere There’s Music ...... 46 Arbors Records ...... 31 REVIEWS Jazzdagen Tours ...... 35 About NJJS/Membership Info ...... 41 The Name Dropper ...... 47 R. Braff Tribute/J. Caruso/S. Partridge & C. Martin. . 28 PA Jazz Society...... 39 New Members ...... 42 Crossroads Jam ...... 30 ADVERTISERS Hull/Clemente at Bickford ...... 40 ARTICLES Monterey 50th Anniversary ...... 32 Cornerstone ...... 5 Laura Hull ...... 48 Classic Stine ...... 9 Big Band Academy Reunion ...... 34 Shanghai Jazz ...... 7 Weichert Realtors...... 48 New JerseyJazzSociety
Wish List NJJS Calendar NJJS seeks a volunteer Membership Sunday August 19 2007 Administrator. Need minimal Lyndhurst dance field trip computer skills and the ability to see p 2 work with a basic address book. Add new members, renewals to Saturday September 8 2007 Prez Sez database, send reminders...Please Bridgewater see ad p 37 & p 44 contact [email protected] if you can Friday September 14 2007 By Andrea Tyson President, NJJS take over this vital function. Whippany dance field trip see p 2 Saturday September 15 2007 hew — Jazzfest was quite a blast! As you saw I want to elaborate just a little on the Buffet JazzFeast Win the fab pictures and commentary in the Dinner/Big Band Dance Party — we’re trying to Princeton see pp 8 & 39 July/August issue of Jersey Jazz, the event was present our history in a way it’ll get the message Sunday September 16 2007 terrific. Aside from great weather, the performers across that we’re not just 35 years old — we’re a Lyndhurst dance field trip see p 2 at Jazzfest this year knocked our socks off. Denise fresh and vibrant organization with new ideas, too. Just look through this column and the whole Friday September 21 2007 Thimes was SRO. I could name all the groups but Princeton dance field trip you know who was there and suffice it to say that magazine — we’re going strong and happy to be see p 2 we all enjoyed ourselves. Our Music Committee doing it! Please join us for a fun afternoon — Sunday September 23 2007 once again did a splendid job in putting it all you’ll be seeing some out-of-towners sure to MONTHLY MEMBER MEETING together. Check out our website, www.njjs.org. surprise you, Charter Members and past- Trumpets/Montclair Presidents and Board Members. And come dance see p 8 & ad p 43 The fun part of being president was talking to with us to a wonderful big band. We’ll be honoring Friday September 28 2007 everybody — I walked around and schmoozed Rufus Reid, Roseanna Vitro and George Kanzler, State Theatre/New Brunswick and enjoyed the weekend. Drew U was new for us too. The Pines Manor is centrally located with see ad p 11 and turned out to be a superb venue from their ample parking. So, come on out and support our Saturday September 29 2007 Black Box to their beautiful, acoustically-perfect State Theatre/New Brunswick efforts to bring you a terrific experience. See our see ad p 11 concert hall. The Drew personnel were efficient ad on the next page. Sunday September 30 2007 and courteous and we look forward to a long ■ We’re trying to offer as many events as we can State Theatre/New Brunswick relationship. We’re planning for next year already and I’m always thinking of new and exciting see ad p 11 and hope you’ll save the date: June 7 – 8, 2008. partnerships to foster with other groups and Sunday September 30 2007 ■ venues. Let me know if you have any ideas. We’re NJJS 35th Anniversary The American Federation of Jazz Societies has Dinner Dance been re-invigorated and Joanne Day volunteered open to suggestions. Let me know what/who you’d The Pines Manor, Edison to be our rep, going to their annual meeting in like to see at some of our events: [email protected]. see ad p 3 We can’t survive without your support and Costa Mesa, CA in early August. She’ll share with attendance, so if you have ideas and bands you’d Sunday October 21 2007 us ideas she picks up there. In the discussion stages MONTHLY MEMBER MEETING like to see at our events, you have to tell us. Trumpets/Montclair right now is that their next annual meeting may be see p 8 & ad p 43 held at our 2008 Jazzfest! We’ll see. ■ One recent evening, I went over to Johnny’s on the Green, in Short Hills, to hear Madame Pat Sunday November 18 2007 ■ This month is very busy — from JazzFeast in MONTHLY MEMBER MEETING Tandy. She was fine, as she always is, but what a Trumpets/Montclair Princeton on the 15th to our 35th Anniversary nice place for me to hang — good food and sight- see p 8 & ad p 43 Buffet Dinner/Big Band Dance Party at The Pines lines, very friendly wait staff, and Johnny Marrone Saturday January 19 2008 Manor/Edison on the 30th, and in between, is a gracious host. Consider it for an evening of Bridgewater see ad p 37 & p 44 enjoying our Trumpets/Montclair Member jazz. www.johnnysonthegreen.com and tell them Meeting on the 23rd. Andi sent you! continued on page 27
JazzDance Monthly Member Meetings NJJS members. Plus free tix contest at 9/23 Member Meeting. See page 27 for complete details. Join NJJS members and friends who’ve tried our Our series of entertaining meetings continues at dance field trips! NO PARTNER NEEDED. ALL AGES Trumpets on 9/23*, 10/21, 11/18. Members attend Musicians: WELCOME. NO EXPERIENCE. Upcoming: Fridays 9/14 free. See page 8 for details. (*Win free State Theatre Join NJJS, Get Linked! and 10/12 in Whippany; Fridays 9/21 and 10/19 in tix; contest info page 27.) Calling all musicians…already NJJS members? Princeton; Sundays 9/16 and 10/21 in Lyndhurst. Contact Steve Albin ([email protected]); say you’d Get on E-mail for details or let us know how to fax State Theatre Pizzarelli/ like a LINK on the NJJS site. Not a member? Just join you. Contact Linda at [email protected] or Molaskey Discount + Giveaway at our regular $40 member rate and connect with 201-306-2769. $3 discount plus $8 transaction charge waived for your worldwide audience at www.njjs.org.
2 September 2007 New JerseyJazzSociety
Dinner35thAnniversary Dance Sunday, September 30, 2007
3 – 7 :30 PM at the Pines Manor
dinner buffet and dancing to theIncludes Reeds, Rhythm & All That Brass Big Band with Dr. Lou Iozzi, Musical Director Jazz Leadership Awards presented to special guests Roseanna Vitro, George Kanzler, Rufus Reid. 35 years of memorabilia, newsletters, more!
2085 Route 27 • Edison, NJ • 732-287-2222 www.pinesmanor.com Handicapped Accessible Facility $65 per person • $125 per couple • cash bar
Not a member? Not a problem! Non-members: Join NJJS, order tickets to the dinner dance, and receive a $5 discount on your first year’s dues — normally $40. Pay only $35 when you pay by check, or the discount will be applied when you pay using a credit card. Discount applies to new members only.
Advance reservations suggested. For more information: NJJS Hotline : 1-800-303-NJJS (6557) or visit our Web site : www.njjs.org FOUR WAYS TO ORDER TICKETS • Mail a check and SASE to NJJS, 274 Jackson Pines Rd., Jackson, NJ 08527 • Buy online at www.njjs.org using a major credit card or Paypal • Call 1-800-303-NJJS • Fax your address, phone number, and credit card info to 215-483-7045 We accept Visa/MC/Amex/Discover.
September 2007 3 New JerseyJazzSociety
The Mail Bag RE. THE JAZZ JOURNALISTS A year after Bob Hope had intro- overwhelmed by what took place WE’RE DELIGHTED to have live ASSOCIATION 2007 AWARDS: duced “I Can’t Get Started,” Gypsy that evening. As he shared the jazz at Ocean County College Why can’t (or how does) JJ get on Rose and Bobby Clark, wearing his story about how events unfolded on a monthly basis — all the the list as the most improved jazz trademark painted black glasses, we were collectively moved to tears performances have been excellent. magazine for ’06-’07 in layout, were featured singing the Vernon by the love and support of dear The jazz picnic at Drew University photos, expansion of articles, Duke/Ira Gershwin classic friends who exemplified the grace was a wonderful idea, the best added color for Jazzfest and Shortly before Hope died, I was of the human spirit at its pinnacle. venue area yet and I’ve been to all other milestones? invited to a birthday party in To this moment, Svetlana and I are of them! The groups, as always, JazzTimes, elected by JJA members Indian Wells at the El Dorado silent when looking at each other, were superb. Thanks. as “Best Periodical Covering Jazz,” Country Club. In a room adjacent still amazed at what happened. is really the slickest, and controlled Dr.G.E.McComsey to the dance floor, I was intro- Life, and its way of blessing and Island Heights, NJ like political parties by its contrib- duced to Delores and then to Bob, surprising me has, once again, left uting foundations, record company who was sitting down eating a me speechless. IT WAS A JOY TO SEE YOUR first advertisers and other “buy-ins.” shrimp cocktail. Hearing the dance Joseph Ascione color cover in July/August. What a Dick Joseph band beginning to play, I New York, NY happy-looking singer! But I would Croton on Hudson, NY remarked, “Mr. Hope, do you recall like to commend your associate [email protected] you introduced that song in the MOODY AND I just wanted to editor and art director, Linda [Thanks for the thought, awards are Ziegfeld Follies?” He looked up, thank you and everyone from the Lobdell, for that clever grid pattern nice, but we wouldn’t mind some of and after hesitating, said, “I believe American Jazz Hall of Fame for the layout of color photos on the those “buy-ins” as well — Editor] you’re right.” Hope sang “I Can’t beautiful trophy you gave to him. center spread and next page. Get Started” to Eve Arden in the It is just gorgeous and means so READING THE REVIEW in the 1936 Follies. much to Moody. He was thrilled. It I was also impressed by the review “A Revelation in the Garden.” I had Wall Street Journal, “Role of a Bill Smith sits in a place of honor in our Lifetime,” July 20, about the Palm Desert, CA family room where we can enjoy it no idea that Nat “King” Cole had a current Broadway hit Gypsy every day. We are so delighted you younger brother, Freddy, who also starring Patti LuPone, I am IT IS WITH HUMBLE AND chose to honor Moody this way. plays jazz piano and sings. Now I reminded of the afternoon, March, GRACIOUS HEART that I write to We can’t thank you enough. want to get hold of a CD and hear 1937, when several high school the NJJS community. With much spiritual love, him for myself. friends and I drove to Kansas City At the NJJS concert last June, of Linda and James Moody Hanne Ingerslev from Topeka to see Billie Burke which I was to be a part (Jazzfest), San Diego, CA Charlottenlund, Denmark Ziegfeld’s Ziegfeld Follies of 1937, the audience demonstrated such [email protected] starring Fannie Brice and Bobby [NJJS Board member Frank Nissel caring and concern and tremen- presented Moody the award this Clark. But it was to see another WE SUBSCRIBE TO three jazz dous generosity towards my wife May at the Blue Note. More member of the cast that we drove magazines from all over the world the 75 miles: Gypsy Rose Lee! and me that I am compelled to accolades followed: he was written and must say NJJS has reached Word had even reached Kansas write this letter. up at length by Will Friedwald in success in presentation in the top that, “Mama Rose had taken her I would like to say thank you to the July 27–29 New York Sun as mousy daughter Louise and everyone who was so generous at “the legendary saxophone player three! Congratulations! Proud to transformed her into Gypsy Rose the impromptu words of Ken and irrepressible funster” for his be New Jerseyans. Lee, the most glamorous and Peplowski. Ken visited Svetlana work at the Jazz in July series at the Marlene and Billy Ver Planck celebrated stripper of the ’30s.” and me, being somewhat 92nd St. Y — Ed.] Clifton, NJ
Jazz Trivia By O. Howie Ponder II Questions
1. Who was the only jazz musician to have a 4. Kirk Douglas starred as the “Young Man With a Horn.” Muppet character named after him? Who actually played those Bix-like trumpet solos on the movie’s soundtrack? 2. Benny Goodman often used arrangements that Fletcher Henderson had written for his own band. Who was Benny’s 5. What do the songs “Lester Leaps In,” “Cottontail,” clarinet-playing counterpart in the Henderson band? “Rhythm-a-Ning,” “Lemon Drop,” “Apple Honey,” “Oleo,” “Red Cross” and “Northwest Passage” have in common? 3. He was the nephew of the last Queen of Madagascar and given the name Andrea Menentania Razafinkeriefo, but this lyricist shortened it to something more manageable. answers on page 41
4 September 2007 The CORNERSTONE Café and Bistro 25 New Street, Metuchen, NJ The best in live jazz in Central New Jersey.
Jazz Schedule for September 2007 WEDNESDAYS FRIDAYS 7:30 – 11:30 PM 7:30 – 11:30 PM 9/5: SARAH JANE CION TRIO 9/7: CLAUDIO RODITI QUINTET w/ GERRY NIEWOOD
9/12: PAM PURVIS TRIO 9/14: HENDRIK MEURKENS w/ BOB ACKERMAN QUARTET w/ HELIO ALVES AND ADRIANO SANTOS
9/19: SARAH PARTRIDGE TRIO 9/21: RON AFFIF QUARTET w/ ALLEN FARNHAM w/ NICK SCHEUBLE
9/26: MAURÍCIO DE SOUZA TRIO 9/28: MIKE RODRIGUEZ QUARTET w/ TOMOKO OHNO, BILL CROW AND NICK SCHEUBLE
• No cover • Jazz Performances 7:30 – 11:30pm For last minute changes, please visit our Web site: www.cornerstonecafenj.com (732) 549-5306
September 2007 5 New JerseyJazzSociety
The Editor’s Pick JerseyJazz The Journal By Tony Mottola Jersey Jazz Editor of the New Jersey Jazz Society Volume 35 • Issue 8 USPS® 6668 Jersey Jazz (ISSN 000-004) is published monthly eleven times per year with a combined July/August issue for members of The New Jersey Jazz Society, PO Box 410, Brookside, NJ 07926. Membership fee is $40/year. Our Growing Jersey Jazz Roster Periodical postage paid at Morristown, NJ 07960. Postmaster: send address changes to PO Box 410, Brookside, NJ 07926-0410. ith all the hoopla attending Jazzfest we somehow let Dan Morgenstern’s All contents ©2007 New Jersey Jazz Society. new column, “Dan’s Den,” slip into the pages of the June issue Tony Mottola Editor unannounced. Landing the dean of jazz journalism as your newest columnist 27 Upper Mountain Ave. W Montclair, NJ 07042 is a bit of a coup, and we hereby offer Mr. Morgenstern a belated Jersey Jazz welcome 973-509-9437 drum roll. This month we present the second “Dan’s Den” column, “A Penchant for E-mail: [email protected] Polls.” Dan encourages readers to vote in the upcoming Down Beat and Jazz Times Linda Lobdell Art Director/Associate Editor 352 Highland Ave. Readers Polls, and we say, why not? It has to beat voting for politicians. Newark, NJ 07104 201-306-2769 While we’re certainly pleased to land the big league scribes, we’re also excited about E-mail: [email protected] our homegrown talent. There’s Frank Mulvaney for example, who innocently made an Fradley Garner International Editor E-mail suggestion to NJJS President Andrea Tyson and, in short order, found himself E-mail: [email protected] JJ’s college jazz correspondent, filing a series of informative reports from around the John Maimone Entertainment Contributor 908-753-6722 state over the last academic year. This issue Frank branches out with his first club E-mail: [email protected] review, “Jazz at The Crossroads Jam.” Fred McIntosh Entertainment Contributor 201-784-2182 Coming up next month we debut “Talking Jazz,” featuring one-on-one interviews E-mail: [email protected] with some very interesting jazz artists. “Talking Jazz” is the brainchild of Schaen Fox, an NJJS member from Lawrenceville, NJ. Schaen talks with NEW JERSEY JAZZ SOCIETY OFFICERS 2007 pianist Helen Sung in October’s feature, and Association Andrea Tyson President of Jazz Journalists 2007 “Up and Coming Artist of the 110 Haywood Ave. JJ Piscataway, NJ 08854 Year” Anat Cohen is up next in November. 732-356-3626 Mike Katz Vice President 908-273-7827 Kate Casano Treasurer 732-905-9063 Caryl Anne McBride Membership Chairperson 973-366-8818 Al Parmet Recording Secretary Jersey Jazz welcomes your comments on any article or editorial. Send e-mail to 908-522-1163 [email protected] or mail to The Editor (see masthead this page for address). Comments? Jack Stine President Emeritus Include your name and geographical location. 908-658-3515 Joe Lang Past President 973-635-2761 Tune Us In to Your E-mail Address! Some special offers for NJJS members DIRECTORS Len Carlson, Carolyn Clemente, Joanne Day, are late-breaking, not possible to include in Jersey Jazz or to do a separate postal mailing. We only have Laura Hull, Mike Katz, Claudette Lanneaux, e-mail addresses for about a third of our members, and only began collecting addresses regularly in 2005. Sheilia Lenga, Bruce Lundvall, Vincent Mazzola, So if you haven’t already — please send your e-mail address to [email protected]. Also keep us informed Fred McIntosh, Frank Mulvaney, Stan Myers, Frank Nissel, Jack Sinkway, Marcia Steinberg, if your e-mail changes. We want to be sure you get the message when we have something special to say! Elliott Tyson, Jackie Wetcher, Paul White, Tony Mottola (Ex-officio)
Advertising Rates Quarter page: $50; Half page $75; Full page $100. 10% discount on repeat ads. ADVISORS To place an ad, please send a check made payable to NJJS Jeff Atterton, Amos Kaune, Bob Porter to Kate Casano, 274 Jackson Pines Rd, Jackson, NJ 08527; please indicate size and issue. Contact [email protected] or 201-306-2769 for technical information. Website: www.njjs.org E-mail: [email protected] NJJS Deadlines The deadline for submission of material for upcoming issues is as follows: Hotline: 1-800-303-NJJS (1-800-303-6557) October issue: August 26, 2007 • November issue: September 26, 2007 NOTE: EARLY SUBMISSIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED. To join the NJJS, send a $40 check payable to “NJJS” to:
6 September 2007 SHANGHAI Restaurant JAZZ and bar 24 Main St. (Rt. 124), Madison, NJ 07940 973.822.2899 • [email protected]
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”It’s a true night out please visit the new www.shanghaijazz.com on the town.” Please note: We take reservations by telephone only 973.822.2899 and not by e-mail.
September 200 7 New JerseyJazzSociety
Notes from the Music Committee
By Joe Lang NJJS Music Committee Chair
t is tough to believe that Jazzfest has come and gone. Both the Education Preserve and Sustain Jazz?” To assist him, Clem will bring Imusic and the new venue at Drew University garnered mostly along several individuals who have been students of his in past raves from the attendees. Thanks to those of you who showed up, years. This should be a terrific follow-up to the informative meeting and to those of you who did not, you missed a great event, and that was held on May 20 with a panel of college jazz educators. All should plan on making the scene next time around. Thanks also go of us share an interest in keeping jazz alive, and jazz education plays to the Board members and volunteers who helped to make the event a vital role in the development of a continuing audience for jazz. As run smoothly. always, there will be a social hour from 2–3 PM, and the program will last from 3–5 PM. Admission to members is free and non- ■ I want to remind you that we shall be holding our 35th members are welcome for a charge of $10, applicable to a new Anniversary Dinner/Dance at the Pines Manor in Edison on membership should any guests opt to become members. Sunday September 30 from 3 – 7:30 PM. Music will be provided by the Reeds, Rhythm & All That Brass Big Band, under the leadership The next meeting will take place on October 21, with a program of our past Vice President Lou Iozzi, who also plays a mean tenor presented by bassist Bill Crow entitled “Jazz Anecdotes — A sax. A special bonus will be some vocals by Laura Hull, NJJS Board Humorous View of the World of Jazz.” Bill is the compiler of the member and chair of this event, a fine and busy vocalist who humorous stories that appear in Jersey Jazz each month. In addition appears frequently at many venues in New Jersey and New York to being a terrific jazz bassist, he works part time for the Local 802 City. The price of tickets will be $65 per person or $125 per couple. of the AFM, and writes a monthly column for 802’s monthly Allegro Dinner will be included, and there will be a cash bar. Among the magazine. This column is the source for the items appearing in JJ. highlights will be a display of His program will center around NJJS memorabilia, and the the many humorous anecdotes presentation of Jazz | from the jazz world that he has Leadership Awards to three CTSIMAGES The Face of Jazz accumulated over the years. Bill LICENSING • RESEARCH • APPRAISALS outstanding contributors to will have available for sale copies the New Jersey jazz scene, of his book Jazz Anecdotes. bassist Rufus Reid, past On November 18, Jersey Jazz Director of the Jazz Studies editor Tony Mottola will present Program at William Paterson a program about his late father, University, vocalist Roseanna Tony Mottola, a giant among Vitro, Director of the Jazz jazz guitarists. Tony will have Vocal Program at New Jersey some rare video footage to City University, and George include in his program. Kanzler, for many years the Jazz Critic for The Star-Ledger. ■ Finally, here is some informa- It promises to be an exciting tion about JazzFeast in and popular event. Space will Princeton’s Palmer Square on be limited, so make a Saturday September 15.Jack reservation early if you don’t Stine has done his usual fine job want to be disappointed. See of putting together an outstand- the ad on page 3 for ticket ing program. Alan Dale’s New ordering information. Legacy Jazz Band will follow a ■ Our Member Meetings will long tradition by opening the resume at Trumpets in Avery/CTSIMAGES.COM © Ray event. Following Alan will be Montclair on Sunday Photo Archives include vintage Jazz, Pop, Blues, R&B, Rock, Country/Western, the Princeton University Jazztet, Radio Personalities, Big Bands, Vocalists, Hollywood and more. September 23. For that and groups led by pianist Kenny meeting, Clem DeRosa, who • PHOTOGRAPH RESEARCH • LICENSING FOR COMMERCIAL USE Werner, saxophonist Greg has a background of more • FINE ART LIMITED EDITION PRINTS • GALLERY EXHIBITIONS Piccolo and bassist Jon Burr. • RECORD & PHOTOGRAPH APPRAISALS than 50 years in jazz This event is free and runs education, will present a WWW.CTSIMAGES.COM e-mail: [email protected] from Noon to 6 PM. program titled “How Can Jazz See ad page 43. JJ
8 September 2007 JerseyArticlesJazz
Classic Stine I’ve heard it said By Jack Stine that jazz, in the NJJS President Emeritus final analysis, is the art of the soloist and if this Red, Cole and the bandstand and into the being the stuff of jazz. I’ve realm of pure invention heard it said that jazz, in the County College and introspection. Jazz is so, then [Cole] final analysis, is the art of doesn’t aspire to this the soloist and if this is so, JJS members Al Kuehn and Don every time, but when it Porter may be then Porter may be more Greenfield choose to remember their N does attain that level important to the art than good friend Red Squires twice a year in a more important where composer and you thought. Anyway, dig it. way that I’m sure would have pleased Red. performer share the They sponsor a pair of jazz programs using to the art than same breath — that, my When last June’s concert for players Red himself often hired. It’s a fail friend, is more valuable Red Squires was over and safe formula and now it’s been going on you thought. than shorefront property. the audience started to long enough for each eagerly awaited leave, a lady stopped me concert to have assumed the comfort of a Speaking of “Dream Dancing,” I’d like to and said, “You know what I miss more than neighborly kaffee klatsch. I think Red would write a few words of a non-musician’s anything these days?” have liked this ambience too, for above all appreciation of Cole Porter’s music. Taken else he was a friendly guy, reveling in his as a whole, it seems to me to occupy its own This is the kind of question that could only friendships with fans and musicians alike. special niche in the vast panoply of lead to trouble, so I didn’t answer. Alone in a crowd he never was; Red Squires American music. It sings of the giddiness of “Those Friday nights at the County drew folks to him like honey draws bees. His new love, the disillusion of worn out thrills, College,” she said. She was referring of name is still a pretty good draw and I see no the yearning for adventure, and the regret course to the piano series I produced some sign of this diminishing any time soon. for past mistakes, to name but a few of the 20 years or so in North Branch, and they Last June’s Remembering Red program in things happening in songs like “I Get a Kick were wonderful, if I do say so myself. “Is Bridgewater was another one of those Out of You,”“Anything Goes,”“Night and there any chance of them ever starting up gatherings. Everyone there seemed to know Day,”“I Love Paris,” and (yes) “Dream again?” Dancing.”Well, okay, you could say that any everybody else, even if knowing was I told her I doubted it. But we talked a expressed in little more than a nod or number of songsmiths could occasionally touch on such an array of emotions, but minute or two about how great it was to glance. The point is that all knew there was experience the wonderful one-on-one stretched to full length, nobody told us an evening of good music ahead and that opportunities to sit at a table, sharing a more about ourselves quite as honestly or expectation provided binding enough. bottle of wine, and listening to the likes of completely as did Cole Porter. Dig it. It was a small group of musicians that Al Marian McPartland, Jaki Byard, Bobby and Don brought to Bridgewater that It’s a fair question to ask whether or not Enriquez, Bob Winter, Dick Wellstood, evening — small, yes, but oh my! Randy Porter’s music really qualifies as jazz, and Derek Smith, Joanne Brackeen, Sir Roland Sandke and Ken Peplowski played as every- this is one question I’m leaving for others to Hanna, Dick Hyman, Billy Charlap, and so one knew they could and would, but if I had answer. It’s certainly a rare thing to hear a many others in a rare moment of byplay. to name my druthers for the evening’s best, traditional group of four rhythm and three Often the evenings amounted to informal it would have to be for Derek Smith’s front line musicians give a full throated exchanges in conversation and music wonderful solo of Cole Porter’s “Dream rendition of songs like “My Heart Belongs to between the performers and musicians. I Dancing.” In my opinion this is a song that Daddy,”“Begin the Beguine,” or “Easy To told her I just couldn’t imagine anything like isn’t heard nearly enough. In my experience Love.” These songs just don’t seem to swing, those evenings ever taking place again. only Dave McKenna played it with any and that’s where jazz begins. On the other We had talked our way to the door and as regularity as an extended showcase solo, and hand, if you’re thinking of jazz as a soloist’s she turned to go to her car, she offered a in Bridgewater that evening it was clear that triumph (think Sinatra, Fitzgerald, Bennett, parting shot. “Well, they were great days and Derek shared McKenna’s fondness for the Chirillo, Pizzarelli, or Tatum, all of whom we certainly enjoyed them. It was great fun.” song. It is plain that both saw “Dream have given astounding performances of Dancing” as an opportunity to play high Porter’s songs) then you might not be quite I had to agree, “But,” as I said to her, above the normal emotional limit of the so quick to sign off Cole Porter’s music as “it was just one of those things.” JJ
September 200 9 JerseyArticlesJazz
Big Band in the Sky
By Fradley Garner Jersey Jazz International Editor
■ George Melly, 80, jazz and blues ■ Johnny Frigo, 90, jazz violinist, singer, author, raconteur, Liverpool, bassist, lyricist and wit, Chicago, IL, England, Aug. 17, 1926 – London, Dec. 27, 1916 – July 4, 2007. Johnny England, July 5, 2007. The Oscar Frigo, a superb violinist and bassist Wilde of jazz? George Melly, an staple of the Chicago jazz scene whose eccentric Englishman of many careers earliest recordings with Jimmy Dorsey whose singing style invoked his idol, were made from live broadcasts at the blues singer Bessie Smith, died in Frank Dailey’s Terrace Room in London after a stretch of emphysema Newark, died July 4 in Chicago. He and dementia. He was 80. Melly was was 90. Both cancer and complica- an exponent of the British brand of tions from a fall were cited as causes. “trad jazz,” a blend of Dixieland, Frigo’s legacy of some 81 recording music hall styles and blues. Clad in sessions is catalogued in Lord’s Jazz African robes and sitting in a wheel- Discography CD-ROM 7.0.After chair, he gave his last concert a week playing with the Coast Guard band at before his death, and finished his last Ellis Island during World War II, he album the day before he died, on July toured as a sideman with Jimmy 5. “As a surrealist, I quite enjoy having Dorsey. Broadcast recordings in April dementia,” he quipped in a June 1946 from the Terrace Room, with interview with Time Out London. Frigo switching between bass and He gave up music in 1962 to become violin, were released on Navy V-Discs. a full-time writer, publishing, among Frigo and two fellow musicians in the other books, no fewer than three Navy band, the pianist Lou Carter autobiographies. The first, Owning and the guitarist Herb Ellis, formed Up (1965) was hailed in July by the the Soft Winds Trio. They are credited British jazz critic Steve Voce as “the for writing in 1972 what became the most hilarious book ever written standard tunes, “Detour Ahead” and about jazz. The writing style is so “I Told You I Love You, Now Get good and the anecdotes so pungent Out.” Frigo later confided that he that it has dated not at all.” Returning alone had written both the lyrics and to music in 1974, Melly started George Melly at Waterloo Village in 1978. music. “Detour Ahead” was recorded performing in garish getups with a Photos by Mitchell Seidel. by Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, trad band called John Chilton’s Ella Fitzgerald, Irene Kral, Stan Getz Feetwarmers. They played at theaters, colleges and pubs in Great Britain; and Woody Herman, among others. their Christmas shows at Ronnie He was described by Jim Brown, a Scott’s, a London jazz club, grew into recording engineer friend, as “a man a tradition. The group was featured of great creative depth and wit. He at the 1978 Waterloo Picnic. This wrote poetry, from the sublime to the New Jersey offshoot of the JVC Jazz whimsical. He painted, he made what Festival evolved into Jersey Jazzfest might be called modern sculpture or in 1995. In a 2001 interview with installation art — some of it was in Scotland on Sunday, Melly addressed every recording studio in Chicago, the subject of aging. “Billie Holiday and it was wonderful.” Never a stran- sang what I feel in one verse,” he said, ger to the Garden State, Frigo played adding: “I ain’t got no future, but in Edison at a jazz party hosted in Lord, Lord, what a past.” 2004 by NJJS director Frank Nissel. continued on page 12
10 September 2007 September 2007 11 JerseyArticlesJazz
BIG BAND IN THE SKY continued from page 10
He also made recordings with Jersey Evans, George Shearing, John Coltrane, Stan ■ Nellie Lutcher, 94, rhythm and blues favorites such as Bucky and John (Jr.) Getz and other modernists. He died at 87, singer, pianist, Lake Charles, LA, Oct. 15, Pizzarelli, Howard Alden and Bill Charlap. apparently of heart failure, June 18 in 1915 – Los Angeles, CA, June 8, 2007. Sixty Statesmen of Jazz, with Bucky Pizzarelli on Bronxville, NY. Like his fellow-tubaist, the years ago, the jazz critic Leonard Feather guitar, Earl May on bass and Louie Bellson, late Don Butterfield (JJ Feb., p. 15), Bill pictured Nellie Lutcher (“Hurry on down to drums, was released in 2004 (SOJCD202). Barber was a classically trained pioneer of my house, honey/Ain’t nobody home but He was a good friend of the Montclair jazz the deep-toned, bulky horn in the modern me”) as “not pretty, or even handsome, historian Robert Gold (A Jazz Lexicon, jazz genre. Both players took their bachelor’s but…a tall, big, somehow striking person Knopf, 1964, and Jazz Talk (Bobbs Merrill, in music at the Juilliard School; Barber later (able) to change moods and express a wide 1975), who told Jersey Jazz that Frigo “goes went for a master’s in music education at range of ideas, both musical and humor- down in my book as one of the five all-time the Manhattan School of Music. After ous.” Lutcher, a singer and pianist, enjoyed a top fiddlers — along with Stephane service in the 7th Army band, he joined the spate of rhythm-and-blues hits from 1947 Grappeli, Joe Venuti, Stuff Smith and Svend Kansas City Philharmonic. He moved to until 1952. Four hits on the Capitol label Asmussen.” New York and worked for Thornhill in reached the Billboard R&B Top 10, including 1947–1948. With the Miles Davis Nonet for “He’s a Real Gone Guy,”“My Mother’s Eyes” ■ Vincent Giantomasi, 60, businessman, the next two years, he took part in a historic and “Fine Brown Frame.” She sang a duet sparetime drummer, photographer, actor, series of recordings led by the trumpeter. with Nat “King” Cole, “Can I Come in for a Newark, NJ, Mar. 14, 1947 – Parsippany, Birth of the Cool on LP helped usher in the Second?” Lutcher went on performing until NJ, June 21, 2007. Vincent Giantomasi, a period of cool jazz. Barber moved to the nearly age 80 and inspired Nina Simone and part-time drummer, writer, photographer Sauter-Finegan Orchestra in 1952–1954, other singers. At 94 and in failing health, and actor who played at Cecil's Jazz Club when Pete Rugolo then hired him. His with pneumonia, she died June 8, in Los in West Orange and occasionally at other association with Davis and Evans was Angeles. “She was a fighter to the end,” her venues, died at home in Parsippany resumed in 1957–1962 when the two nephew and manager, Gene Jackson, said. following a long illness. He was 60. A native combined talents for the acclaimed big- “She had told the family, I’m going to go of Newark, Giantomasi served in the Navy band albums Miles Ahead, Sketches of when I’m ready to go.” Her accepted date of during the Vietnam War. He earned a Spain and Porgy and Bess. He also worked birth in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is October bachelor of business degree from William in 1959 with George Shearing. Freelance 15, 1915, into a family that eventually Paterson University in Wayne. For the last assignments in Broadway shows, on TV numbered 15 children. (Spencer Leigh, of two decades he owned and managed Giant and for the City Center Ballet helped keep The Independent London newspaper, wrote Productions, an audiovisual service in the tubaist busy, but to make ends meet he that she actually was born in 1912, but that Parsippany. Giantomasi acted the role of earned a master’s degree and taught high Capitol changed the year to 1917 to make “Wiseguy” in Witness to the Mob, a two-part school music classes from 1960 on Long her seem younger.) At 11, she played piano miniseries about Sammy “The Bull” Island. In 1992 he toured with Gerry for the renowned Gravano of the Gambino crime family. Mulligan. The veteran blues singer Ma “Over the past four years, Vince warmed the of 90 recording sessions This little ditty Rainey. The Calcasieu hearts of thousands of Cecil’s patrons with recorded for the last Is a song about the city Museum in Lake his quick, witty perspective on jazz and life time, with Mulligan, Charles had already in general,”Adreena and Cecil Brooks III on the album Re-birth Where I was born … begun a series of said in a statement that called attention to of the Cool. —Nellie Lutcher, b. 1912 (?) events saluting Giantomasi’s photographs of performers Lake Charles, Louisiana Lutcher’s life in on the club’s walls. An enthusiastic music. She once
supporter of NJJS, Giantomasi ~ LIVE JAZZ ~ penned “Lake Charles Boogie,” a novelty served as a member of the By Johnny Frigo
~ tune about her hometown: “This little organization’s board of trustees. Somewhere in the silent ether orphaned by the ear ~ ditty/is a song about the city/where I
■ Bill Barber, 87, modern jazz ~ floats every note that was ever played that we no longer hear. was born.” tubaist and teacher, Hornell, NY, ~ The iceberg tip of tape and disc we resurrect at will
~ is but one note in millions drowned and ever still. ■ Dave Remington, 80, pianist, May 21, 1920 – Bronxville, NY, ~ True, the ink, the quill and paper genius put to use trombonist, bandleader, educator,
June 18, 2007. The first musician to ~ still comes alive in concert halls in reverence — or abuse. Rochester, NY, Oct. 10, 1926 – play modern jazz on the tuba, John ~
But what of every masterpiece that died while being born ~ Musicians
William Barber was an alumnus of the Traverse, MI, June 8, 2007. ~ through smoke and booze in gin mills from piano and from horn pianist Claude Thornhill’s forward- across the country telephoned a
~ for every Monk and Parker chorus ever put to tape — Michigan hospice to pay respects to looking big band. He went on to tour ~ are billions, more profound by far, that made their sad escape Dave Remington, their teacher, whose and/or record with Miles Davis-Gil ~ Those instant creativities,
~ confettied in the air, continued on page 14
~ Lost to all the world ~
Save for the few who heard them there. ~ ~ 12 September 2007 September 2007 13 JerseyArticlesJazz
BIG BAND IN THE SKY continued from page 12
week in New York said, “I would not be here today except for Mr. Remington. In a three- hour gig, 80 percent of it is music I learned from him.” Contact: Karen Remington, [email protected] ■ Buddy Childers, 81, trumpeter and composer, Belleville, IL, Feb. 12, 1926 – Woodland Hills, CA, May 24, 2007. Buddy Childers, hailed as “one of the greatest lead trumpet players in the history of big bands” by a member of the Stan Kenton Alumni Band, died May 12 of cancer complications in Woodland Hills, California. He was 81. Childers was only 16 when Kenton audi- Pittsburgh tioned him for the lead trumpet chair, in career spanned a half-century as a Symphony. 1942. “I played about eight or nine things in freelance pianist, trombonist, band- Enrolled in 1947 a row and the adrenalin was really flying,” leader and educator. A member of NJJS at St. Lawrence Childers told the British critic, Steve Voce. who lived in Beulah, MI, he died June 8 University, “I had this thing in my mind that I had to of prostate cancer complications. He was Canton, NY, join a name band at 16 or I’d never be able 80 and worked into May, playing “his Remington and a to make it as a musician. I was thinking of usual Mother’s Day weekend bandleader bass-playing fellow Harry James so young with Ben Pollack job at a Wisconsin resort, a 400-mile student, Fradley and then with Benny Goodman, and Corky drive each way,” said his wife, Karen, in Garner, formed Corcoran who joined Sonny Dunham when an E-mail. She is a freelance vocalist The Laurentians, he was 16 and then became Harry James’s who graduated from the Eastman School of the largest dance- and Kenton-style concert leading soloist the next year. So I made it by Music in 1981, the year her future husband band in the university’s history. His older three weeks.” Childers said he dropped out took his M.A. in jazz studies. Remington brother, Emory, Jr., played drums. Later, of high school a couple of months before worked mainly in Illinois, New York and Dave Remington led groups in top Chicago graduation to go on the road. He remained Wisconsin, never gaining national fame. clubs like Jazz Ltd., Pump Room, Wise mainly a big band trumpeter for the rest But his legacy includes 17 recording sessions Fools, and at venues in Wisconsin. He of a career that included stints with Benny with releases mostly on smaller labels, and fronted his band at both inaugural balls for Carter, Les Brown, Woody Herman, Tommy in Chicago-style traditional jazz groups. President Richard Nixon, in 1969 and 1973. Dorsey, Georgie Auld, Charlie Barnet, Frank He recorded with groups that included, at After heading the Rockford (Illinois) Sinatra, and the Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew times, the pianist Art Hodes, guitarist Marty College music department in 1970–1974, he Tabackin Orchestra. In 1993 he left Sinatra Grosz, violinist Johnny Frigo (See obituary moved to New York, joining the trombone to form his own big band, continuing to — Ed.) and clarinetists Bill Reinhardt and section of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big perform into this century. He finished his Chuck Hedges. Live at Bourbon Street, Band and working as a sideman for Lou last, still to be released CD, Haunted recorded at the Chicago club in 1965 and Rawls and Paul Anka. He also played in pit Ballroom, in 2005. While gradually cutting released on Decca, had the trombonist orchestras for the Broadway musicals Annie back on his own playing, Childers became leading the Dukes of Dixieland, with Frank and A Chorus Line. He moved to Beulah, an even more avid listener. “To play a good Assunto on trumpet and vocals and his MI, and taught jazz piano and improvisa- solo is a joy,” he told The Los Angeles Times brother, Jac Assunto, on banjo; Jerry Fuller tion from 1999 to 2006 at Interlochen Arts in 1995, “but to hear one of my own on clarinet; Red Brown on bass, and Barrett Academy. Bill Cunliffe, a pianist in Los arrangements played as well as these JJ Deems on drums. Born October 10, 1926 Angeles, credited Remington with sparking guys play is an indescribable thrill.” in Rochester, NY, David Wilbur Remington his jazz career. Cunliffe had taken a master’s Thanks to Jerry Gordon, Joe Lang, was the second son of Emory Remington, in music theory when Remington heard him Don Robertson and the Jersey Jazz editors professor of trombone and chairman of the playing in a practice room and talked him for ongoing tips on departed musicians. brass department at the Eastman School, into switching to jazz studies. Another And to Leonard Feather and Ira Gitler and his wife Laura, an organist. His older Interlochen student, Jesse Elder, a musician for The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz sister, Janet, was principal harpist with the in his early twenties working six nights a (new ed. 2007). fG
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September 2007 15 JerseyArticlesJazz
he New Jersey Jazz Society is NJJS Announces Roseanna was a “Jazz Tpleased to honor three out- Ambassador” long before she was standing individuals who have discovered by the Kennedy Center. demonstrated exceptional leadership 2007 Jazz In 2003, she was hired to perform three and made notable contributions to the concerts for the US Embassy in Beirut, jazz community, while advancing the Leadership Lebanon, with Hilton Ruiz and Andrew mission of the New Jersey Jazz Society in its Jones, to packed houses. On an extended trip dedication to the performance, promotion and to Bombay, India in 1998, Roseanna began her preservation of jazz in the Garden State. We are Awards study in Indian classical vocal technique, which was excited to announce that our three honorees will documented in her recent article in the IAJE attend our 35th Anniversary Dinner Dance event on By Laura Hull magazine. The article entitled, “From Bebop to Sunday, September 30 to personally accept their awards. Bombay” is also the name of her eclectic ensemble that We invite you to join us to meet our honorees! Visit debuted at Birdland in New York, and Arts International www.NJJS.org to learn more about the event and to reserve sponsored her November 2002 appearance in Bombay, India your tickets. Don’t delay, as this event is sure to be a sellout! for the Jazz Yatra Festival. Roseanna was also featured with “The Maribor Philharmonic” in Slovenia for their 2001 Christmas ROSEANNA VITRO is one such outstanding individual. As an Concert that was televised throughout Eastern Europe. Jazz pianist educator, Roseanna is currently in her ninth year as Director of Marian McPartland has featured Roseanna twice on NPR’s “Piano the Jazz Vocal Program at New Jazz,” as well as recording “Cool Yule” with her for an NPR Jersey City University. She was Christmas CD. She has had the pleasure of singing with a wide a resident faculty member at variety of jazz greats, and has several recordings to her credit. Visit SUNY Purchase for four years, her website at www.RoseannaVitro.com to learn more. has taught vocal jazz at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center GEORGE KANZLER is a life-long jazz fan who became a pioneer in the Gifted Teens Program for five field of daily newspaper pop/rock criticism when he began writing years, and at Janice Borla’s for The Star-Ledger in 1968, Vocal Jazz Camp in Naperville, George Kanzler also always Illinois. Her various clinics have managed to write about jazz for included “Vocalists are From the paper, becoming one of the Venus, Instrumentalists from only full-time daily newspaper Mars” presented at the IAJE jazz critics in the country by and Jazz Times Conventions, 1989. Many of his columns were “In Tune and On Time” at the syndicated nationally and in
Photo by John Abbott. John by Photo East Coast Jazz Festival, “Jazz — Canada by the Newhouse News Yesterday and Today” at Kings College, and “The Art of Vocal Jazz” Service. His interest in jazz also with Mark Murphy at both Davidoff Jazz Festival, Capetown, SA led him to initiate the first jazz and Kings College. Roseanna has also provided clinics and program on WSOU, Seton Hall instruction at a variety of music education institutions. University’s radio station, in 1958 while a student at the college, and to host a jazz show on As a singer, Roseanna brings a wealth of swing, melodic improvisa- Western Nigeria Radio while a Peace Corps Volunteer. He received a tion and heartfelt expression to the jazz idiom. She combines a B.A. from Seton Hall; M.A. in English Literature from NYU; was a vibrant energy and spirit, a deep understanding of the history and Newspaper Fund Fellow at the University of Wisconsin (1972), and theoretical elements of jazz with her rhythmic, soulful southern a Music Critics Association Fellow at a two-week seminar for jazz roots to produce her own unique sound and style. Roseanna was critics at the Smithsonian Institution (1974). After 33 years, Kanzler inducted into the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame in 1998 along with retired from The Star-Ledger in 2002 and moved to the upstate of Bob Dorough and John Stubbelfield. This was a great homecoming South Carolina. He continues his career as a contributing writer to and return to her roots. She grew up in Texarkana, Arkansas and Hot House, Jazz Times and All About Jazz New York, and as Critic- moved to Houston, Texas where she was mentored by the great at-Large, writing mainly about theater and dance, for The Beat, Arnett Cobb. After a very successful run in Houston at the Green an alternative paper serving the Greenville-Spartanburg-Clemson Room where she presented live radio shows and sang with the likes area of South Carolina. of Oscar Peterson, she made her move to New York City. Soon after her arrival, she began touring with jazz great Lionel Hampton and RUFUS REID is one of today’s premiere bassists on the international became a regular at The Blue Note, Fat Tuesday’s, Birdland and The jazz scene. With over 250 recordings to his credit, Reid is no stranger Five Spot, as well as a concert at Town Hall with Steve Allen. to the international jazz scene. He has performed and recorded with continued on page 18 35th Anniversary Dinner Dance ad page 3
16 September 2007 Trumpets Jazz Club & Restaurant 6 Depot Square Montclair, New Jersey 07042 Jazz 6 Nights a Week! and Continental Cuisine September Highlights Hendrik Meurkens “Trumpets in the Mountains” Quartet Trumpets Jazz Club brings a Jazz Festival to the Catskills. SATURDAY 9/1 SATURDAY/SUNDAY 9/1 & 2 Enjoy live music with friends in a tranquil setting. Bus trip available Rain or shine at The Altamura Performing Arts Center, on Sunday, Sept. Houston Person Quartet 2nd: breakfast, 404 Winter Clove Road, Round Top, NY 12473. FRIDAY/SATURDAY lunch, tour of area 518-622-0070 or 201-866-4307 9/7 & 8 and festival ticket www.altocanto.org $75. For ticket sales and information: call 973-744-2600 Reservations Mik Kaplan Nonet or visit Trumpets’s on-line store. required for FRIDAY 9/14 General admission: $35 one day, $55 both days guaranteed seating. Senior Citizens: $25 one day, $40 both days Yashmin & Paul Abler Students with I.D.: $15 one day, $25 both days CD release party Saturday 5 – 8 pm Line-up: Sunday 2 – 7 pm Line-up: SATURDAY 9/15 The Lenny Argese Trio, Betty Liste Trio; Marlene Verplanck (Brazilian music) The Ellington Legacy Band Quartet; Kristine Massari Quartet; Bucky Pizzarelli Trio; Enrico Granafei Quartet
Tuesdays at Trumpets — no music charge/$5 minimum 6:30 – 10:30 PM These are partial listings. Visit www.trumpetsjazz.com for our complete schedule.
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September 2007 17 JerseyArticlesJazz
JAZZ LEADERSHIP AWARDS continued from page 16
a variety of jazz luminar- Three more 2006 in the Mid-Atlantic Region. He is the 2006 ies. Born in Atlanta and presentations of recipient of the ASCAP/IAJE Composition raised in Sacramento, his “Linear Surround- Commission, in honor of Billy Strayhorn. musical background ings” by The Rufus The new big band work premiered in began on the trumpet Reid Quintet + 4 New York City at the 2007 IAJE Convention. but diverged to the bass have been made The 2006 Sackler Composition Commission during his service in the possible with Prize was awarded to Rufus Reid. This is a Air Force. Since then, support from four-movement work, “Quiet Pride,” which Reid has established Chamber Music was inspired by Elizabeth Catlett sculptures. himself as a premier America’s New The debut concert will be held March 18 jazz bassist, as well as Works: Encore and 19, 2007, at the University of a respected author and Program, funded Connecticut in Storrs, CT. Rufus educator. His book, Kirtley. Judy by Photo through the continues to travel around the country The Evolving Bassist, first generosity of the Doris Duke Charitable and abroad, performing and giving published in 1974, continues to be Foundation. The Mid-Atlantic Arts master-classes and workshops. He truly recognized as the definitive source on bass Foundation awarded Rufus The 2005 continues to be the evolving bassist. method. In 1997, he was honored by the Mellon Jazz 2005 Living Legacy Award Visit www.RufusReid.com to learn more. JJ International Association of Jazz Educators for his dedication to America’s National (IAJE) with their Humanitarian Award. His Cultural Treasure: Jazz, and his personal and Laura Hull is a vocalist and music business 30-year career on the jazz music scene was professional commitment to Jazz Education consultant serving the tri-state area. profiled in the March 1999 issue of Down Beat magazine. With his reputation firmly established in Free What you see first when you enter producer Orrin Keepnews’ living the education arena after a 20-year stint as room is five Grammys and a large record collection, reports Jim director of Jazz Studies at William Paterson Harrington (Contra Costa Times
18 September 2007 Seton Hall University Arts Council 2007–2008 Concert Season JazzJazz ’n’n thethe HallHall Tuesday, October 23 THE U.S. ARMY BLUES JAZZ ENSEMBLE World renowned 18 member jazz ensemble. FREE CONCERT • 7:30PM SOPAC Tuesday, November 20 VINCE GIORDANO AND THE NIGHTHAWKS Vince Giordano, Bandleader This band recreates the sound of 1920’s and 30’s jazz and popular music. 7:30PM SOPAC
Tuesday, April 1 JACK KENT AND PROJECT JAZZ John Toman, Director All performances at the South Orange and The Toman Group Performing Arts Center One SOPAC Way located in the heart of South Orange Village. NY’s finest jazz Ample parking is available just steps from the musicians journey theatre. Directions: www.sopacnow.org. through the golden age of jazz from Present a copy of this ad at the box office 1945 to 1960. and take $5 off the price of a regular ticket! 7:30PM SOPAC For information on all Seton Hall Arts Council sponsored arts events visit our website at artsci.shu.edu/artscouncil. Call us at (973) 313-6338 or email [email protected].
South Orange Performing Arts Center | One SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ To order tickets call SOPAC Box Office (973) 313-2787 | Regular admission $25 | seniors and alumni $15 | all students and SHU employees with ID $8
September 2007 19 JerseyArticlesJazz
Dan’s Den | A Penchant for Polls
By Dan Morgenstern
it became a double annual induction, read- that many, though this is still an interna- ers and critics having their separate says — a tional base. And it ain’t all, by any means. Polls have good idea, considering the huge backlog of The Institute of Jazz Studies subscribes to a deserving artists. Incredibly, Erroll Garner ton of periodicals, and many contributors always been hasn’t made it yet, but Albert Ayler and are not among the voters. The JJA does not Frank Zappa have! Erroll, of course, was provide a list, but it’s surely longer, and an odd inducted in 1987 into the IJS-NJJS- while some, like yours truly, vote in both, we sponsored American Jazz Hall of Fame. have to guess at how many. Down Beat lists all artists receiving more than 15 points in feature of Stuffing the Ballot Box every category; JJA supplies just the winners. When I was the Down Beat editor, I became This year’s undisputed champion in both the jazz aware of attempts to stuff the Readers Poll polls is Ornette Coleman, who placed first ballot box. In those days, there was a mail-in in Musician (JJA)/Jazz Artist (DB) of the landscape. magazine insert, and some folks (managers, Year. Ornette also copped Best Jazz Album, hey go way back to 1936, when Down press agents, fans, maybe even artists them- for Sound Grammar, on his own eponymous TBeat started it all and Metronome soon selves) would either buy loads of magazines label, first place alto saxophone, and, from joined in. The Pittsburgh Courier, once the or make bad copies (these were the dark JJA, best Small Ensemble of the Year for his country’s most widely circulated African- ages; no scanners, primitive copiers), voting Quartet — which, as some of our more American newspaper with a national for some little-known or even totally insular readers may be surprised to learn, circulation of almost 200,000, also got into obscure person. The “stuffs” could readily be includes Greg Cohen as one of its two the act and is, to the best of my knowledge, weeded out, since a surprisingly small per- bassists. the only newspaper ever to do a jazz poll. centage of readers bothered to participate. This has always puzzled me, but to this day DB’s Jazz Group winner was the Dave For a long time, it was strictly the readers the numbers, even if you factor in votes for Holland Quintet. This has been a banner who voted. Thus the results provide a kind artists who don’t place, add up to something season for Ornette (see Fradley’s piece for of historical record of popularity. Speaking less than 5 per cent of circulation. The more of his honors) and for someone who of records, Metronome, starting with the figure was much higher in the Swing Era, has known the man for close to half a neutrally named 1939 “All Star Band” but that is hardly a surprise. century, it’s more than welcome. More active session, annually assembled bands made up than he’s been in years, Ornette sounds Why do these random thoughts come to marvelous on Sound Grammar (love that of winners — and runners-up, when the mind? Because I voted this year in two polls, first-placers proved unavailable for contrac- the results of which have recently been long quote from “Beautiful Dreamer”). tual or personal or logistical reasons. The revealed: The Jazz Journalists Association’s Having the courage of one’s convictions proceeds, if I remember correctly, went to 2007 Awards, and Down Beat’s 55th Annual sometimes does pay off. charity, which made it possible to get a Critics Poll. While the latter has more Andrew Hill, two years younger than bunch of high-priced star players into the categories (DB has a “Rising Star” for each Ornette, was posthumously voted into DB’s studio. The results were uneven but include instrument) and there are some that do not Hall of Fame and won JJA’s comparable some very good music; the labels were RCA overlap (JJA has a “Latin Jazz Album of the Lifetime Achievement award; the journalists Victor, Columbia, MGM, Capitol and, for Year,” DB has a “Beyond Album,”) there is also made him Jazz Composer (DB: Maria the final installment, Norman Granz’s Verve. sufficient common terrain to do some Schneider; Hill second) and Jazz Pianist (DB: In 1953, Down Beat debuted its Interna- comparing. (You should first read Fradley Keith Jarrett; Hill a distant third) of the Year. tional Jazz Critics Poll, now more simply Garner’s cover story on the JJA Awards.) Another iconoclast, Hill in recent years got called the Annual Critics Poll. The DB Hall Down Beat lists its participating critics, all some well-deserved recognition, including of Fame was introduced in 1952; from 1961 111 of them. Bet you didn’t know there were the penultimate Danish Jazzpar Prize.
20 September 2007 JerseyArticlesJazz
Writer-editor-archivist Dan Morgenstern is Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University, Newark.
Octogenarian Flutists with many dialects: Wycliffe Gordon, that double male vocal honors; he’s a clever All told, not a bad year for septuagenarians unique trombone master (and fine jazz fellow, that I’ll grant him. Maria Schneider and beyond: Sonny Rollins won both polls singer), JJA’s trombonist of the year, and got a lot: Arranger in both polls, Composer for his signature tenor voice, and like Scott Robinson, who can do so many things and Big Band from DB. Trumpeter Dave Ornette, unveiled his own label. And the so incredibly well but always gets to win Douglas was another double dipper. categories like JJA’s cumbersome Player of irrepressible Roy Haynes, as unbelievably I could go on, but this covers what I find the Year of Instruments Rare in Jazz. Scott well-coordinated at 82 as he was with Lester most interesting. Yet, in the end, polls are happens to be one of my favorite tenor Young and Charlie Parker eons ago, and frustrating. I love Sonny Rollins, but where players, not to mention baritone, non- even more creative, took both drum honors. is Joe Lovano, who did some fine work this rarities both. By the way, Anat, Wycliffe As for the flute, both polls chose octogen- season, notably with Hank Jones — and and Scott have intersected during the year. arians: James Moody (DB) and Frank Wess where’s Hank? They don’t come any better (JJA). The days when jazz was branded a Another double winner, of JJA’s Female than that. Don Byron won overwhelmingly young player’s music (remember Andre Singer of the Year and DB’s Rising Star, is in DB’s established clarinet category, leaving Hodeir’s essay, “Why Do They Age So Roberta Gambarini. She is an excellent such masters as Ken Peplowski and Pacquito Badly?”) have long since passed, though musician — her scatting is palatable because D’Rivera far behind. Well, chaque un a son there is still a lack of appreciation and she knows her chord changes — who has gout, as the French say, and there’s the understanding for older styles. But not, yet to grab me by the heartstrings. But Jazz Times and Down Beat Readers Polls happily, among some of the younger Dianne Reeves, DB’s established category yet to come. You should vote — winners. winner, sometimes does. Kurt Elling won what’s to lose? JJ As a longtime fan of Anat Cohen, I was delighted to see her win JJA’s Up & Coming Musician of the Year and Clarinetist of the Year — and, by a wide margin, DB’s Rising Star Clarinetist. Many NJJS members know that Anat also plays great tenor and soprano, showing in both in DB’s Rising Star cate- gories, and having caught her with The DIVA Jazz Orchestra as well as its offshoot, Five Play, which performed at this year’s Jersey Jazzfest. Few players of any age are so versatile: Anat excels at Brazilian choro,a style of music that should appeal to many readers of this journal, and she knows how to play in a traditional jazz group like David Ostwald’s Gully Low Jazz Band — which can be heard Wednesdays from 5 to 7 PM at ON JULY 26, 2007, THE FAMILY OF THE LATE BUDDY SCHUTZ presented his collection Birdland, a bargain at 10 bucks. And, of course, Anat has mastered the contemporary of photographs to the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University’s Newark campus. vocabulary, along with big-band section Pictured are (l to r) Dan Morgenstern, Director of the IJS, Raymond Schutz, Buddy’s son, and playing. Don Robertson. The photos span Buddy’s musical career beginning in the 1930s as well as Other, still-young, first-placers share this his later career as a commercial photographer. Don R. became a good friend of Buddy’s in understanding of jazz as a single language his later years and coordinated the family’s donating his memorabilia to the IJS.
September 2007 21 JerseyArticlesJazz
ABOARD SK910 TO COPENHAGEN: The night worked the block,” Bill recalls, “a guitarist, a very happy to be with you this evening.” He after I flew into Newark from Denmark for a bassist and a singer/catcher, who wielded a paused. “The fact is, I am so happy to be short visit this summer, I had dinner with fedora like an outfielder’s mitt, catching coins anywhere this evening.” Chico sat out the Herb Spitz over in Greenwich Village. That’s people tossed from their windows.” The bass second set as a younger drummer mounted where I lived for five years before marrying a player toted his axe on his back and played the throne. I gazed across the darkening Dane and moving to her country to start a many wrong notes. Today the street is famous Hudson at the purple Jersey Palisades, fading new career as a freelance writer. for the Cornelia Street Café, a jazz club with a into nightfall. cellar platform for poets Herb is a retired history professor and dear old and playwrights. The friend from that late-fifties golden era. façade fills a big, in- “Do you remember the day you gave me a ride your-face, super-realistic on the back of your motor scooter — while painting by the Danish I held onto your bass fiddle?” Herb asked. No, Musings artist Ole Ziger, which I did not. I remember my girlfriend, Joan hung in his show this Sheckley, doing that, and our scooter trip up summer at Galerie at 38,000 feet to the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival without the Grothe in Charlotten- By Fradley Garner Jersey Jazz International Editor bass. But a bass-aboard scoot with Herbie? lund, north of Copen- I couldn’t imagine it. hagen. That’s where Richard “Rasheed” Howard blows one and sometimes two “You were playing at a jam session somewhere this old Jersey Jazz trumpets with the NuQ-Leus uptown, and you brought me along to hold scribe lives. Small sextet in Washington Square your bass.” Herb, now 84, explained that the world, dear reader, Park, Greenwich Village. and shrinking fast. Leader Charles Carrington bulky instrument rested on its end pin on the comps on keyboards. right running board of my little green NSU Prima. “I had my right arm around the bass Near the and my left arm around you, hanging on for North Pole dear life.” We must be flying past We must have made it uptown and back to the southern tip of 7 Cornelia Street again, unsighted by New Greenland, world’s York’s Finest. That was Herb’s first and last ride biggest island, where on a motor scooter. I went on to start and edit Reader’s Digest sent me America’s first motor scooter magazine. Scoot, in 1982 to cover like Jersey Jazz, began as a special interest orga- Denmark’s sled patrol nization’s newsletter, in this case the American Sirius, up near the Motor Scooter Club, based in Executive North Pole. Now my Photo by Fradley Garner. Director Stanley Barr’s west side apartment. thoughts zip to a full week of friends and Cornelia Street. Dearer to me than Basin Street. music in New York and New Jersey. The other musical delight happened by Bill Crow, a real bassist who played in the chance. On a Sunday afternoon stroll through Marian McPartland Trio at the Hickory House Old clarinetist gumba Dick Joseph and I Washington Square, in Greenwich Village, the on West 52nd Street, lived across and further caught the first set of Mingus Dynasty at the sounds of trumpets tweaked these ears. (Yes, down the little street, which starts where Sixth Iridium Club, on Broadway. This seven-piece, ears also tweak.) I followed them and saw two Avenue joins West 4th and ends one block later crack modern unit is part of the family of trumpets at the lips of one trumpeter. Richard at Bleecker Street. Future U.S. poet laureate Mingus Big Band and the Charles Mingus “Rasheed” Howard also plays one trumpet in W.H. Auden lived in my building and strolled Orchestra, which — thanks to Sue Mingus — the NuQ-Leus sextet, under the white-haired- the street in his slippers. Bill tells me that Dave keeps the departed bassist’s spirit and works and-bushy-bearded direction of keyboardist Lambert, who had just formed Lambert, alive and cooking. Charlie must glance down Charles L. Carrrington. On drums that day Hendricks and Ross, lived on the top floor of from the Big Band in the Sky every Tuesday was Jay Lepley, a composer and arranger out of his building, No. 24. I visited Bill once and he night with a big smile and a “Umm-umm, Seattle. Blues and mainstream jazz (“Georgia showed me his new stereo system. “I turn bass right on!” and treble all the way up,” he explained. “That on My Mind”) this was, and supportive Up in Dobbs Ferry, on the banks of the seems to give me maximum fidelity.” backbenchers filled the trumpet case with Hudson, Dick and I pitched two old folding green bills, including my $10 for the group’s Cornelia Street. Famous a half-century ago for chairs and, home-fried chicken legs in hand, CD, NuQ-Leus. its resident poet and a watched as the drumming legend Chico glorious Italian Hamilton and his young-person combo Now they’ve turned off the cabin lights and a bakery, Zampeiri dipped into the treasure chest of yesteryear. lovely Scandinavian flight attendant pulled Brothers. “A trio of “Ladies and gentlemen,” Chico’s aging voice down the window shades, so it’s time to musicians often (he’s 86) crackled over the speakers, “I am so say god nat. JJ
22 September 2007 Affordable prices in a casually elegant atmosphere!
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September 2007 23 JerseyArticlesJazz Benny Carter’s Jazz Century
y any of a number of performances by his many Bmeasures, Benny Carter friends and disciples in the was a dominant force in the jazz world. music of the 20th century. As Several events took place an alto saxophonist alone, over the summer months, Carter would merit immor- including a Hollywood Bowl tality as one of jazz’s first — Gala directed by Quincy and most influential — Jones, but here are a few virtuoso performers on the highlights of the Benny instrument. But then the Carter 100th musical self-taught prodigy also birthday party, including played trumpet with an equally distinctive and some events still upcoming. singular style, and he knew his way around the clarinet, Evening Star the trombone and the piano. Records: The Benny Carter By the age of 20, Carter had Centennial Project already begun writing the Benny after recording “All About You.”10/29/01. Photo by Ed Berger. innovative arrangements that (Evening Star ES-113) would earn him a reputation as a primary color barrier in the process. The label that Carter helped architect of the swing era’s jazz style. And to get a sense of the found in 1992 has produced Some of the bands that recorded Carter expansiveness of his musical a swinging and musical CD arrangements include Fletcher Henderson, imagination, consider the that, while giving a nod to Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count diversity of some of the hit a couple of vintage Carter Basie, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and recordings arranged — charts (“I’m Coming, Gene Krupa. In the 1930s he performed sometimes composed — Virginia,”“All of Me,” e.g.), throughout Europe (including a stint by Benny Carter: Ella Mae offers mainly lesser-known arranging for the BBC) and played a major Morse’s “Cow-Cow Boogie” and later compositions, some role in the popularization of American (written by BC), Peggy Lee’s never before recorded. The jazz abroad. “I’m a Woman,” Stan Getz result is no stale retrospective tribute, but an and Astrud Gilberto’s “Only Trust Your Carter was among the first in the jazz world alive and vibrant musical experience. Mr. Heart” (written by BC) and Ray Charles’s Carter’s art wears very well indeed. to embrace the emergence of bebop in the “Busted,” a rocking arrangement that early 1940s, and his bands of the time earned a Grammy nomination. (Carter The core of the record is Carter’s last regular featured a number of the new genre’s future was awarded three Grammys, including a working rhythm section: pianist Chris stars, among them Kenny Clarke, Dizzy Lifetime Achievement Award.) Neville, bassist Steve LaSpina and drummer Gillespie, Miles Davis, Art Pepper, Max Steve Jones. The project also features some Born Benjamin Lester Carter in the San Roach and J.J. Johnson. very special guest artists who were friends Juan Hill neighborhood of Manhattan’s west and colleagues of Carter, including Dubbed “The King” by his musical colleagues, side on August 8, 1907, the multi-instru- trumpeters Warren Vaché, Randy Sandke Benny Carter possessed seemingly limitless mentalist, composer and arranger lived an and Joe Wilder, saxophonists Phil Woods, musical abilities, and his prolific accom- extraordinary musical life to the very fullest Loren Schoenberg and Bill Kirchner, and plishments extended outside of the world of until his death in 2003, a month shy of his guitarist Russell Malone. jazz. He spent more than 20 years working 96th birthday. Now, four years later, the in Hollywood, scoring films and television centennial of this gifted artist’s birth is According to the project’s producer, Ed programs, breaking down a long-standing being commemorated with recordings and Berger of the Rutgers University Institute of
26 September 2007 JerseyArticlesJazz JAZZ JOURNALISTS 2007 AWARDS
Recordings and performances mark Carter Centennial By Tony Mottola Editor Jersey Jazz
Jazz Studies, Carter was always thinking ahead and was not Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, October 19 given to nostalgia. The 2007-08 season kicks off on October 19 with The Benny Carter “I wanted to highlight some of his more recent pieces, including Centennial, as the JLCO performs the legendary saxophonist/ several he had written during the last three or four years of his life. trumpeter’s music and arrangements. I also wanted to involve some of the musicians who had worked For more information please visit www.bennycarter.com. JJ closely with him, especially his Trio. Phil Woods of course was essential because of their mutual affection and admiration and frequent collaborations,” Berger told Jersey Jazz. Mr. Berger tried to find songs that would fit each of the guest solo- ists, sent them several lead sheets from which to pick and left the rendition pretty much up to the soloists, which he says “resulted in some interpretations that probably diverged greatly from how Benny probably intended them to sound. But I think that’s good, because it shows how his music continues to inspire musicians in different ways.” Particularly noteworthy for me are a sultry “Key Largo” featuring Warren Vaché, and the plaintive “Other Times,” a movement from the suite Echoes of San Juan Hill, as performed by Phil Woods and pianist John Coates. But the CD’s quiet and understated high point is reserved for King Benny himself, whose 2001 solo piano rendition of the beautiful ballad “All About You,” his last recording, serves as the album’s closing piece. In the words of The New York Observer’s Will Friedwald, the track is “beautiful, sweet and simple — a perfect Benny’s Orchestra at The Savoy Ballroom, 1939: Vic Dickenson, Tyree Glenn coda for the career of an understated jazz giant.” (standing), trombones; front row: Carl Frye, Ernie Powell (saxes).
Just Friends: Mel Martin/Benny Carter Quintet Live @ Yoshi’s (Jazzed Media: JM1025) “Mel Martin was a champion of Benny Carter’s music while Carter was alive, and has worked tirelessly to preserve his legacy since the maestro’s death in 2003,” says Ed Berger, co-author of Benny Carter: A Life in Music. This recording presents previously unreleased material from Martin and Carter’s performances at Yoshi’s in Oakland, CA in April of 1994. Carter, nearing 87 at the time of the appearances, is shown to be in excellent form, “clearly buoyed by the sympathetic rhythm section and by the presence of his friend and fellow saxophonist.”
Dizzy’s Coca-Cola Club, New York, October 15 Among the artists contributing to the Benny Carter Centennial Project were One-night tribute to Benny Carter produced by Mel Martin. (l-r): Steve LaSpina, Warren Vache, Randy Sandke, Steve Johns and Chris Neville. LaSpina, Johns and Neville, “The Benny Carter Trio,”formed the artist’s last regular working section. Photo by Ed Berger.
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JAZZ JOURNALISTS’ COMPLETE 2007 JAZZ JOURNALISTS AWARDS LIST 2007 AWARDS LIFETIME TROMBONIST OF THE YEAR EXCELLENCE IN ACHIEVEMENT Wycliffe Gordon PHOTOGRAPHY continued from page 1 IN JAZZ THE LONA FOOTE– Andrew Hill PLAYER OF THE YEAR OF INSTRUMENTS RARE IN JAZZ BOB PARENT AWARD MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR Scott Robinson, multi-reeds MORE INFORMATION: Ornette Coleman Gene Martin ALTO SAXOPHONIST JAZZ JOURNALISTS UP & COMING MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR EXCELLENCE IN NEWSPAPER, ASSOCIATION: OF THE YEAR Ornette Coleman MAGAZINE OR ONLINE HTTP://WWW.JAZZHOUSE.ORG Anat Cohen TENOR SAXOPHONIST FEATURE OR REVIEW WRITING JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR THE HELEN DANCE–ROBERT Sound Grammar Sonny Rollins PALMER AWARD (Sound Grammar) Nate Chinen Ornette Coleman SOPRANO SAXOPHONIST garnered individual honors as alto OF THE YEAR BEST PERIODICAL saxophonist and musician of the year. JAZZ REISSUE OF THE YEAR, Dave Liebman SINGLE CD COVERING JAZZ BARITONE SAXOPHONIST Gathered at Manhattan’s Jazz Music Written for Monterey JazzTimes 1965 Not Heard: At UCLA 1965 OF THE YEAR Standard club, an audience of about Gary Smulyan (CME-Sunnyside) BEST WEBSITE 100 at the June 28 ceremony heard a Charles Mingus CLARINETIST OF THE YEAR CONCENTRATING ON JAZZ moving tribute to Andrew Hill, who JAZZ REISSUE OF THE YEAR, Anat Cohen AllAboutJazz.com died at age 75 in April (JJ June, p. 13). BOXED SET FLUTIST OF THE YEAR http://www.allaboutjazz.com/ Three awards were posthumously The Complete 1957 Frank Wess bestowed — as composer and pianist Riverside Recordings BEST BOOK ABOUT JAZZ (Riverside) Thelonious Monk PIANIST OF THE YEAR of the year, and for lifetime achieve- The House That Trane Built: with John Coltrane Andrew Hill ment in jazz. “Saturday is Andrew’s The Story Of Impulse Records ORGAN-KEYBOARDS birthday,” his widow, Joanne JAZZ RECORD LABEL (W. W. Norton) OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR Robinson, reminded the journalists in ECM Joey DeFrancesco Ashley Kahn accepting the awards for her husband. “You know that he was so happy and JAZZ EVENTS PRODUCER OF GUITARIST OF THE YEAR BEST JAZZ PHOTO THE YEAR Pat Metheny OF THE YEAR honored to be participating with all Patricia Nicholson Parker John Abbott of you in this great art,” she said. Vision Festival/Arts for Art, Inc. ACOUSTIC BASSIST OF THE YEAR “Hill was further honored with JAZZ COMPOSER OF THE YEA Dave Holland A TEAM AWARDS (FOR Andrew Hill ACTIVISTS, ADVOCATES, glasses raised in a special champagne ELECTRIC BASSIST toast,” the Associated Press reported, JAZZ ARRANGER OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR ALTRUISTS, AIDERS AND adding that the pianist Frank Maria Schneider Steve Swallow ABETTORS OF JAZZ) TO: Leslie Johnson, publisher of the Kimbrough then “paid a musical MALE JAZZ SINGER STRINGS PLAYER tribute by playing two of Hill’s OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR Mississippi Rag Kurt Elling Regina Carter rhythmically and harmonically Bob Koester, owner of Chicago’s complex compositions, ‘Clayton FEMALE JAZZ SINGER MALLETS PLAYER Jazz Record Mart and Delmark OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR Gone’ and ‘Tinkering.’” Records; Roberta Gambarini Bobby Hutcherson The Israeli reeds player Anat Cohen LATIN JAZZ ALBUM PERCUSSIONIST OF THE YEAR Orrin Keepnews, record was chosen up-and-coming artist of OF THE YEAR Cyro Baptista producer and writer the year. Cohen, along with her Simpatico DRUMMER OF THE YEAR (ArtistShare) Donald Harrison, artistic brothers Avishai, a trumpeter, and Roy Haynes Yuval, a saxophonist currently limited Brian Lynch & Eddie Palmieri director, and Bill Taylor, SMALL ENSEMBLE JAZZ JOURNALISM LIFETIME executive director of the New to the soprano, are favorites on the ACHIEVEMENT AWARD GROUP OF THE YEAR Orleans-based Tipitina’s New York jazz circuit. A formidable Ornette Coleman Quartet Francis Davis Foundation tenor saxophonist, Anat Cohen was EXCELLENCE IN JAZZ also the surprise winner in the LARGE ENSEMBLE OF THE YEAR BROADCASTING Clint Rosemond of The World THE WILLIS CONOVER- clarinetist category. In her acceptance Charles Tolliver Big Band Stage for inner city-outreach remarks, she paid tribute to a fellow MARIAN MCPARTLAND TRUMPETER OF THE YEAR AWARD programs; Mark Masters of the nominee, the traditional jazz clari- Dave Douglas Bob Porter American Jazz Institute netist Kenny Davern. A New Jersey
26 September 2007 JerseyArticlesJazz resident for nearly 40 years, Davern PRES SEZ NJJSers and assorted musicians, friends. The died in December. “We lost Kenny… continued from page 2 I met him a few years ago, and he’s rain held out just long enough for everybody to been very supportive and a great ■ NJJS will again inspiration, and I miss him dearly,” squeeze into our room. The music was great co-sponsor New Brunswick’s State fun — the Midiris are a fine band. We Cohen said. Theatre Jazz Festival at September’s heard many bands from 11 AM to midnight (Dan Morgenstern, director of the end, and their line-up looks great. See — some new to us, some familiar. Herb Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies and the ad on page 11 and on their Web site: Gardner was there — Ed Metz, Jr., Kevin an eager supporter of the Cohen www.statetheatrenj.org. For our partnership, Dorn, among many others. Think about it family, noted that “Anat plays great The State Theatre is offering the following for next year — last weekend in July. traditional jazz. I’m talking to her discounts to members of our society as ■ Ell and I will be off to North Carolina at about doing an album of that side. follows: $3 off each ticket to the Pizzarelli Concert (valid all sections except Gold the end of January for the 28th Annual She does a duet on “Shreveport” with Circle) and they will waive the $8 North Carolina Jazz Festival (see ad page Howard Alden that’s something else.” transaction charge. When ordering tickets, 15). I know some of our members live there See Dan’s Den, page 20.) please note these discounts in the special — and hope to meet them while we’re request section of the order form and/or visiting the lovely old historic city of ‘Comeback’ Big Band over the phone to their sales reps when Wilmington, on the Cape Fear River. Their JazzFest 2006 audiences will calling. You will need to mention code NJ- line-up is stellar starting with BED (Becky remember the Italian singer, Roberta JAZZ01 in order to get the discounts. Plus, Kilgore, Edie Erickson and Dan Barrett) and Gambarini. The Grammy-nominated all Pass olders can get a $90/room/night rate moving through many well-known New vocalist was an upset winner as across the street at the brand new Heldrich Jersey favorites: Bucky, Polcer, Peplowski, female singer of the year in a field Hotel. And as a special feature at our Block, young violin phenom Jonathan that included the more familiar September 23 Members Meeting, we have 10 Russell, and many more. Visit their website names of Cassandra Wilson, Diana tickets to the Friday Night Pizzarelli concert — www.capefearjazz.com. to offer. So make sure to be there! Krall, Dianne Reeves and Nancy ■ So the festivals keep coming. Jazz is alive Wilson. Kurt Elling won again as male ■ We’ve been asked to introduce our audi- and well in all its forms and transfigura- singer of the year. The comeback big ence to the 2nd annual Rutgers Camden tions. We’re blessed to be able to choose band of trumpeter Charles Tolliver Center for the Arts Gordon Theater Jazz from so many options. I’m trying to go was elected the best large ensemble. Festival, which presents four monthly further afield to gather information to bring The band’s album, With Love, was concerts from October 27 (Omar Sosa) back to NJJS. Partnering is one way to do released last year. through February 23 (McCoy Tyner that. But you’ve got to show up; the venues w/Savion Glover). If you want to check it Other 2007 winners included Sonny presenting jazz — including NJJS — need out, please see their Web site you to just show up. If not, we’ll be saying, Rollins, tenor sax; Maria Schneider, www.gordontheater.org. They offer hands- “Remember when we could go hear jazz arranger; Dave Douglas, trumpet; on workshops, a FREE pre-concert perform- every night of the week in New Jersey? Wycliffe Gordon, trombone; Dave ance in their Black Box Studio, and then Those were the good old days.” Don’t let Liebman, soprano saxophone; Gary their headline act in the Gordon Theater. that happen. Let’s keep it real — let’s keep it Smulyan, baritone saxophone; Frank Sounds interesting. More to follow on that. alive and hot! Wess, flute; Joey DeFrancesco, organ; ■ Pat Metheny, guitar; Dave Holland, A fun event is coming into Cape May the ■ We’re starting to plan for new board acoustic bass; Steve Swallow, electric weekend of November 9–11 as they present members and volunteers for 2008. If you’re their fall Jazz Festival — “Favorites Return.” bass, and Roy Haynes, drums. interested in getting involved, please let us We’ll be there — and hope to see other NJJS know. We need assistance in promoting our In the jazz journalism categories, members. The weekend sounds exciting Society and all its endeavors. Financially, we JazzTimes was voted best periodical, with many performances from which to could always use donations toward our while the lifetime achievement award choose. Check out their Web site programs so, if you can help in that area, went to Francis Davis, a contributor www.capemayjazz.com. If interested in there are available seats on our Develop- to the Atlantic Monthly and Village attending, I suggest you make hotel ment Committee. Our educational outreach Voice. Hopefully, a voting JJA member reservations early! program is growing and we need assistance will enter Jersey Jazz in the journalism ■ Went to Moodus, CT for the Great there as well. Please see also our Wish List category next year as “fastest evolving Connecticut Jazz Festival end of July and on page 2. periodical.” JJ hosted our annual wine and cheese party for Thanks, Andi JJ
September 2007 27 JerseyReviewsJazz
bass and Chuck Riggs on drums for three Arbors label during his last decade or so. Caught in numbers, “You’re Lucky to Me,”“Wrap Your There followed a three-song set by the trio Troubles in Dreams, with a charming vocal of Kelso, Alden and Tate, one reminiscent the Act by Wein, and “’S Wonderful.” Each player of a group led by Braff that included Alden received plenty of solo time, and all came and bassist Jack Lesberg. They played a By Joe Lang through with the kind of creativity and beautifully soulful version of the Mary NJJS Music Committee Chair good taste that was a hallmark of the Lou Williams ballad “Lonely Moments,” Braff style. along with “Do It Again,” and “Nobody Else but Me.” Next up was a group comprised of Warren Vaché on cornet, Howard Alden and Jon Pianist/vocalist Daryl Sherman then shared We Remember Ruby: Wheatley on guitars, and the ubiquitous some of her memories of Ruby, ones that A Musical Salute to Frank Tate on bass to recreate the sound stemmed from a friendship developed of the much revered but too short-lived through an introduction to Ruby by Dan Ruby Braff George Barnes/Ruby Braff Quartet. The Morgenstern when Ruby was seeking the The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, New York, NY BBQ was a group that played some of the sheet music for a particular song. They hit June 20, 2007 best small group jazz that I ever heard, but it off perfectly, and Braff ended up playing here was only one concert at the JVC imploded due to the probably inevitable some of his final recorded notes in October Jazz Festival 2007 that I was intent on clash of the difficult personalities possessed 2002 as a guest for one track on Sherman’s Tattending, “We Remember Ruby: A by the co-leaders. It was a real treat to hear album A Hundred Million Miracles. Musical Salute to Ruby Braff.” Ruby was a the BBQ sound recreated by the exceptional Sherman sang that song, “You Are Too unique individual, capable of playing some quartet chosen for this occasion. Warren Beautiful,” as well as “You’re Laughing at Me,” supported by Wheatley and Tate. of the most exciting and beautiful music on Vaché is probably the current player closest his cornet, while also capable of dispensing in style, sound and imaginative creativity to Dick Hyman was also a frequent collabora- some of the most acerbic comments one the man being honored at this concert. As tor with Braff. He played three solo pieces, could imagine, yet equally capable of being they played two Braff originals, “Everything a very Monkish take on “Bali Hai,” Monk’s a charming presence who could give a Is George” and “With Time to Love,” along “Misterioso,” and “Sweet Georgia Brown,” lengthy discourse on the brilliance of British with the Gershwin classic “Liza,” we were, before being joined by Vaché for two actors. This description just scratches the for a few minutes, transported back to the numbers that Hyman had recorded with surface of the Ruby Braff who was recalled short period when Ruby, George, Wayne Braff, “I Have Dreamed” and “America the by a host of jazz luminaries at this concert Wright and Michael Moore or John Beautiful.” The latter was a truly moving that was produced by Mat Domber, Guiffrida played some truly sublime performance that led me to lean over to president of Arbors Records, and guitarist chamber jazz. my friend and offer that “Warren has more Howard Alden, who served as the musical control over his cornet than Horowitz had director for the evening. The first portion closed with a trio of songs over his piano.” associated with Billie Holiday, “I Cried for Kicking things off was George Wein who You,”“God Bless the Child,” and “Them To close the evening, most of the players knew Ruby since they were both young There Eyes,” performed by Hamilton, Alden returned to the stage to jam on “Love Me or jazzmen in Boston who preferred more Tate, Norman Simmons on piano and Jackie Leave Me” and “The Song Is Ended.”Well traditional styles of jazz to the bebop that Williams on drums. Many in the audience the song may have ended, but the memories was then starting to dominate the attention were particularly excited by this opportunity of this evening, and of the special player of the jazz press and a large segment of the to see and hear the tenor sax artistry of who was Ruby Braff, will linger on and on jazz enthusiasts. Braff’s hero was Louis Scott Hamilton, who now resides in and on and on. Armstrong, not Dizzy Gillespie. He built a England, and does not gig too frequently career by taking the music of his inspira- in New York City. His robust sound, tion, and developing a unique and instantly Jim Caruso underscored by an insistent sense of Broadway at Birdland, New York City, June 4, 2007 identifiable style and sound admired by swing was a pleasure to hear. players and fans of many jazz styles. Wein im Caruso’s Cast Party,” held at sat at the piano to be The second half of the Birdland every Monday night at joined by Jon-Erik evening kicked off with “J9 PM, has become a staple of the Kellso on trumpet, some recollections of Ruby New York City nightlife scene. Recently, a Harry Allen and Scott by Dan Morgenstern who 7 PM show has been added each Monday Hamilton on tenor wrote the liner notes for under the heading “Broadway at Birdland.” saxes, Bucky Pizzarelli several of the many albums On June 4, Jim Caruso presented “Jim on guitar, Frank Tate on that Braff recorded for the Caruso & Friends — A One-Man Show,”
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and the host of the Cast Party evenings proved to be wildly her audiences in the Big Apple. She had her regular trio of entertaining. accompanists, Allan Farnham on piano, Bill Moring on bass and Tim Horner on drums. Her opener, “Gypsy in My Soul,” set the Actually, Caruso did have a friend along in the person of his piano theme for her show titled “I Gotta Roam,” one devoted to songs accompanist, Johnny Rodgers, who also contributed some vocal about places and movement. We visited places like “Never Never support along the way. From the opening notes of “I’m Shy,” it was Land,”“Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home,”“April in Paris,” as seen apparent that this is one thing that Caruso is not. He combines a in English by the team of Vernon Duke and “Yip” Harburg and in pleasant voice, a truly uninhibited sense of humor, a wonderfully French by Charles Trenet, “Key Largo,”“The Faraway Part of Town,” rhythmic feel for time and phrasing, and deft comic timing to and “Back in Your Own Backyard.”We coped with a “Detour provide a consistently entertaining program. Ahead” to get “Beyond the Sea,” endured the fact that “Ev’ry Day I His selection of material was eclectic and well paced. He easily Have the Blues” while “Travelin’ Light” through “Yesterdays,” until segued from a bluesy cum honky-tonk version of “Hey Good there were “No More Blues” and we were “On the Road Again.” Lookin’” to a double-entendre soaked song called “Making Love This trip proved that Partridge knows exactly how to convey the Alone.” He included several selections from his sole album, Live emotions of time and place with fine phrasing, a strong and and in Person (LML – 125), including a medley of “Crazy Rhythm” pleasant voice, and a true jazz feeling. One might opt for a bit less and “Fascinating Rhythm,” Fred Ebb’s hilarious take on “Girl from scatting, but that is something that I find to be true with many Ipanema” called “Boy from Fire Island,” an amazing, jazzy Kay singers on the scene today. Partridge certainly provided a fresh Thompson arrangement of “How Deep Is the Ocean,” and a lengthy breeze in the staid environment of the Oak Room, a venerable medley of Johnny Mercer songs. Other highlights were an updating nightspot where I have spent countless evenings enjoying a of the lyrics for Kander and Ebb’s “Coffee in a Cardboard Cup” to plethora of fine performances by the cream of pop/jazz and c allow for the ubiquitous presence of Starbuck’s, and a medley of abaret performers. songs associated with a performer who has served as an inspiration for Caruso, Dick Van Dyke. Claire Martin brought fellow British jazzers pianist Gareth Williams and bassist Laurence Cottle to assist her in showing New York Johnny Rodgers was given a solo spot to render an impressive take audiences exactly why she has been recognized as among the finest on “Birth of the Blues.”At another juncture, Caruso invited Broad- jazz singers in her native land. She can now lay claim to a more way diva Stephanie J Block up to join him on “We Got Each Other.” universal version of that recognition, for she proved to be invested Caruso’s charm, wit and seemingly limitless energy are infectious. with an unflagging sense of swing that was matched by her ability Despite the show being a bit on the longish side, Caruso had the to find the heart of a ballad. The former was best illustrated on her audience in the palm of his hand throughout his performance. rollicking “Better Than Everything,” while she brought the room to a reverent hush with an intense reading of “The Music That Makes If you are looking for something to do in Manhattan on a Monday Me Dance.” Other memorable moments were her takes on “Partners night, Birdland is a fitting choice, as the early show feature some of in Crime,”“He Never Mentioned Love,” and “Cheek to Cheek.” the best of the younger Broadway performers, and the Cast Party is Williams combines great chops with fine sensitivity as an always a gas. accompanist, while Cottle avoided letting his electric bass become overly in evidence while keeping the bass lines flowing as they Sarah Partridge/Claire Martin should. Based on the evidence that she gave to the Algonquin Oak Room, Algonquin Hotel, New York, NY audiences, expect to see more of Claire Martin in Gotham. June, 2007 While the Oak Room has presented occasional performers with or most of this past June, the Oak Room at the Algonquin a jazz orientation like Diana Krall, Tierney Sutton and Daryl Hotel on West 44th Street in Manhattan was turned from a Sherman, this month-long stay by Sarah Partridge and Claire Fcabaret room into a jazz club with the booking of vocalists Martin will hopefully pave the way for more of their soul mates. Sarah Partridge and Claire Martin for two weeks each. The room Wouldn’t Stephanie Nakasian or Roberta Gambarini or Mark had its normal ambience, but the performers were a departure from Murphy or Giacomo Gates or any of several others be a the norm. Both Partridge and Martin rely heavily on the catalog refreshing change of pace in this venue. JJ of standards that dominate most acts in the Oak Room, but the approaches taken by these two ladies were certainly more toward the hip than the chic, both musically and in their casual attire. I Cape May Traditional Jazz Society suspect it served as a bit of a shock to those who entered the room unaware of the nature of the acts that they were about to MEMBERS WANTED experience, but to most, the high quality of the music that was Send name & address for newsletter, gig information, etc. presented by both performers certainly won out. [email protected] Those of you who saw Sarah Partridge at Jazzfest, just before her 609-827-7909 Oak Room opening, will have a good idea of what she provided
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has been the regular guitarist for about a year and a half. His clean virtuoso playing has made him a crowd favorite. He is much in demand A NiGht for New York gigs and frequently plays with B3 rising star Akiko Tsuruga. at the This particular night, July 16, is typical. The place is packed at 9:30, as it usually is in the summer. There are tables for about 110 and D the large bar area accommodates 30–40. On Crossroa s hand at the start are trumpeter Dave Ginsberg, Trumpeter Dave Ginsberg with alto sax man Danny Perez and conga player Radam Schwartz on the B3. Butch Johnson. Dave was a pro for 25 years Photo by Frank Mulvaney. Jam and even worked with legendary Art Blakey up a sweat and this number has gone on By Frank Mulvaney and the Messengers. Dave is of the hard bop for about 18 minutes. That’s enough! school and, with a great 9–5 job, is one of the 10:10 — We have another talented young he Crossroads is a very successful club and finest part-time musicians around. He has restaurant in Garwood NJ that has live student named Steve Ditmar from The T become such a fixture at the jam it is often University of South Carolina who got to play entertainment five nights a week. Tuesday night incorrectly assumed he is being paid. Danny the head on Stanley Turrentine’s “Sugar.” Steve is Jazz Jam night. The NJJS’s own Stan Myers Perez is a marvelous alto sax player who played a fine improv, which might have been a has been the M.C. from the beginning, nearly recently graduated from the Berklee School tad too long. Danny and Dave made their nine years ago. The jam attracts many of the in Boston and has been a frequent jammer excellent contributions on this jazz standard. finest professional, student and amateur jazz at Crossroads since he was in high school. After Eric, Radam, and Elad had their shots players and vocalists from northern and central Butch Jonson is with us most nights. His and the trading fours the drummer we’ve Jersey. The amount of talent that used to come fine conga playing adds rhythmic interest to burned another good 20 minutes. through the door was really overwhelming until every up-tempo tune. Cecil’s Jazz Club in West Orange started a 10:35 — Trumpeter James Gibbs just came What follows is a chronicle of the events/ competing jam headed by Crossroads regular through the door. James is a marvelous young performances as they occurred this evening: Bruce Williams. Nonetheless, there is more than musician and former student of Radam’s. He’s enough talent to go around. The great guitarist 9:35 — Things got started a couple of minutes recently made a trip to Brazil with T. S. Monk Russell Malone comes in four or five times a late. After grabbing a $2 Yuengling and and been hired by Wynton Marsalis as an year. None other than George Benson himself catching up with Stan Myers, I sat down at alternate for the Lincoln Center Jazz paid a surprise visit earlier this year and four Yvette Glover’s table. Yvette is a good friend Orchestra. guys from the Maynard Ferguson band came in and great jazz and gospel singer in addition 10:41 — Yvette Glover is on the bandstand. one night and tore the place up. You never to being the mother of the world renowned know who you’re going to hear and who you’re Savion Glover. The first tune of the evening She is not feeling particularly well and had going to discover and that’s one of the great is “My Secret Love.” This is one of the boys’ trouble deciding what to sing but finally appeals about the sessions. Some nights are favorites; Dave and Danny do some fine settled on her signature tune “Georgia On My simply magical and they are worth the wait, but improvising to get us started. Mind.” Danny and Dave delivered some great every night is a good night for jazz lovers. improvs to support Yvette and she brought 9:50 — Tonight’s the house down, as she often does, with a The house band is a trio headed up by Radam You never second tune is big finish. Singing picked up her spirits and Schwartz on the Hammond B3 organ, with “That’s All” with a made her feel much better. Don Williams on drums and Eric Johnson on know who talented young guitar. Radam is a great organ/piano player student named Elad 10:54 — Vocalist Yasko Koko has taken the and composer of note. He’s played with many you’re going Edelman showing stage and has chosen to sing the Chicago hit of the big names like Fathead Newman and to hear and his stuff on alto sax. “I Love You More Today Than Yesterday.” Cecil Brooks and can be heard on a couple of He’ll be a junior Yasko has a strong Japanese accent and dozen CDs, including one under his own name who you’re at Columbia everyone admires her spunk. All the horn that was high on the national jazz charts for University and he players enjoy doing this tune and the house many weeks last year. Perhaps Radam’s greatest going to brought his fan club trio does as well. talent is as a teacher; the list of successful who couldn’t get a 11:10 — We are in the middle of a trumpet musicians he’s mentored is quite extensive. discover… table and couldn’t duel with James Gibbs and Dave Ginsberg on Don Williams is as good a drummer as any- every night hang in the bar Clifford Brown’s “Blues Walk.” These guys love body could want. He was B3 master Jimmy because they are each other like father and son. Creativity McGriff’s regular drummer for 20 years, is a good underage. The explodes with each round and the crowd touring the world with him. Don’s better half conga player is is the wonderful vocalist Ceci. Eric Johnson night for already working continued on page 32 jazz lovers.
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CROSSROADS JAM continued from page 30 really digs it. James waves his hand to have the Hackworth has called the Canonball Adderly Been In Love Before.” It’s one of my favorites rhythm section cut classic “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.” The boys are in from the show Guys and Dolls. This was a a good funky groove and we all enjoy this fun good point in the evening for such a beautiful out and they go at it, just trumpet on tune for a change of mood. tune and Julius did it justice. Jeff and Danny trumpet,which elicits thunderous applause. were still with us providing more lush The boys were nice enough to let young Elan 12:16 — Radam has come back from his saxophone interpretations. Steve Johnson also in on some of the action and he did not break. We have a new drummer, Mike, who got in on this one for some pleasant licks. disappoint. Trombonist Steve Johnson and looks like a Marine drill sergeant and seems to saxophonist Jeff Hackworth have just come in know what he’s doing, and a first-time vocalist 12:43 — There are only a dozen patrons in the and Steve gets right into the number. Steve is named Vivian Sikes. The lady has obvious place and the boys are playing the ever popular a retired IBMer and Jeff is a fine pro who talent but I can’t identify the tune. We are also “Polka Dots and Moon Beams.” It’s unusual to will soon release a new CD. Eric Johnson joined by the fourth alto of the night, Julius have four horn players still with us at this hour has embarked on his nightly jaunt around Tolontino, a William Paterson alum. Julius is a but they seem to be charged up and we are the the room with his wireless guitar amp fine player whom I can’t recall seeing before. beneficiaries. hookup as he solos. This is something we 12:25 — We have our fourth guitar player of 1:02 — The instruments have been put down always look forward to. the night, whose name we did not get. He likes and it’s the end of another wonderful evening 11:24 — Vocalist Carrie Jackson is now on to play standing up and he obviously has had a of Jazz at The Crossroads. Come join us any stage and she has chosen “My Secret Love.” lot of experience. Julius has called “I’ve Never Tuesday night. JJ Carrie has been around a while; she’s now hitting her stride with lots of prestigious gigs including the Iridium in NYC. She could be ready for a big career jump. Carrie has consis- tent tone and power throughout her consid- erable range. Henry Gershman has given Eric a break on guitar. Henry is a full-time lawyer and never fails to hold his own on any tune. 11:34 — Carrie is doing a second number, the familiar “Misty.” James Gibbs has contributed a sweet solo following perhaps an overly long improv from young Steve Ditmar. Our second young alto player looked anxious and decided that Carrie wouldn’t like another horn player on her ballad. It’s always a treat to hear Carrie. 11:43 — A young organ player named Devon has given Radam a break. Devon is a talented 23-year-old who is mainly playing in church. Radam would love for him to take lessons with him because he thinks the young man has a lot of potential. We also have a new drummer, Mark, to give Don Williams a breather (and a couple of cigarettes) plus a new guitarist, Larry Gordon. Gil “Bop” Benson, Carrie’s husband, is now singing “Flip, Flop, Fly.” Jeff on tenor and IBM Steve on trombone have added a lot of interest to this blues tune. Gil, a retired school teacher, loves to sing here and he is one THELONIOUS MONK, Monterey Jazz Festival 1963, (c) Ray Avery/CTSIMAGES.COM heck of a scat man. His second number is “Body and Soul” at an untypical tempo. The Monterey Milestone boys struggled a little on this one. Methinks The 50th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival will take place September 21 – 23, 2007 at the 20-acre Monterey the organ player was not well acquainted with Fairgrounds in Monterey, California. The event is the world’s oldest continually running jazz festival. the tune. This photo of Thelonious Monk also appears on the cover of one of the debut releases of the newly formed Monterey Jazz Festival CD label. The image is also among 20 fine art framed prints by legendary jazz 11:59 — The crowd is thinning out. It’s a photographer Ray Avery being exhibited by CTSIMAGES.COM in a group show at this year’s 50th work day for most folks (poor devils). Jeff Anniversary celebration. JJ
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By John R. Tumpak Big Band Academy of America n a recent picture perfect Southern OCalifornia Sunday afternoon, more than three hundred Big Band Era enthu- Annual Reunion siasts gathered at the Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City, CA, to attend the Big Band Academy of America’s (BBAA) Annual Reunion. It’s a good bet that the reunion ranks among the largest annual events held nationwide for swing music fans. The event was emceed by the droll and witty current BBAA president, David Bernhart. The first Annual Reunion was organized left to right: and conducted in 1986 by Bernhart’s father, Gordon Goodwin, Milt, along with assistance from Steve Allen. Jo Stafford, Milt Bernhart had a legendary big band Van Alexander. (Fellow in white shirt career that included playing trombone unknown.) Van is with Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton, Teddy the ’30s and ’40s Powell, and Boyd Raeburn. He was also bandleader who involved with Howard Rumsey’s Lighthouse wrote the 1938 All-Stars and played on numerous Frank smash hit “A Tisket A Tasket” Sinatra recording sessions. for Ella Fitzgerald The Reunion featured a chronological and Chick Webb. history of the Big Bands with Pat Longo leading the 18-piece BBAA Blue Ribbon Band. Longo’s own orchestra is featured on the hit television series The Sopranos.Ten song selections were interspersed through- decade bandleading career and led the Blue The third and final recipient of a Golden out the affair starting with the “Theme from Ribbon Band in playing his father’s popular Bandstand Award was Gordon Goodwin. The Mancini Generation” followed by music “Building a Band” to the “The Bells of Saint His popular Big Phat Band that has from the1920s to 2007. Society of Singers Mary’s.” Heidt, Jr., has led his own popular recorded three recent hit CDs plays with a modern big band sound featuring president Jerry Sharell evoked memories of big band for over 30 years appearing across Goodwin’s creative arrangements and Frank Sinatra smoothly singing “Fly Me to the United States and at the 1985 compositions in a variety of musical styles the Moon” and “Nice and Easy.” Presidential Inaugural Ball. He also has a weekly radio show, America Swings, and while keeping alive the tradition of the The Big Band Era was showcased when manages the Horace Heidt Estates in great big bands. Upon receiving his award, BBAA board member John Tumpak Sherman Oaks that is home to several Goodwin paid tribute to Sammy Nestico, who was in the audience, as his inspiration presented a tribute to Martha Tilton who entertainment luminaries. passed away last December. He featured and led the Blue Ribbon Band in an three of her numerous hit records and gave Next, a Golden Bandstand Award was given explosive performance of “Sing, Sang, an overview of her celebrated career that to a true American music icon, renowned Sung,” the chart he wrote for his Big Phat vocalist Jo Stafford. A montage of her best- Band based on Benny Goodman’s famous spanned seven decades and included singing selling records was played and her daughter “Sing, Sing, Sing.” with Benny Goodman at his historic 1938 Amy Weston and granddaughter Anna Carnegie Hall concert. Jim Brooks, Tilton’s After Goodwin accepted his award, the Cumming sang the biggest of her incredible husband of fifty-five years, and their formal program came to a close and Pat 110 Top Forty hits, “You Belong to Me,” a Longo led the Blue Ribbon Band in playing daughter Cathy were in the audience. Then record that was number one on the charts a 30-minute dance set. They played nine came the presentation of the BBAA Golden for twelve straight weeks in 1952. The song selections from the Big Band Era for Bandstand Awards. audience rose to their feet with an extended a packed dance floor. It was a perfect The first of three awards was presented to applause when Bernhart handed her the ending to an afternoon of exceptional Horace Heidt, Jr. After accepting the award award. She later posed for photos with her musical entertainment. JJ he staged an informative multimedia pre- fans and graciously accepted their personal John R. Tumpak is an occasional sentation featuring Horace Heidt, Sr.’s, five- congratulations. contributor to Jersey Jazz..
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Compact Views By Joe Lang NJJS Music Committee Chair
his month items from a variety of sources ■ Pianist RAY KENNEDY, long a Thanks to the efforts of Thave been added to NJJS inventory, so let’s cornerstone of the John Pizzarelli Ed Metz and his band, get to them. Trio, is one of those jazz players who THE BOB CROSBY leaves you shaking your head won- BOB CATS, the music ■ Saxophonists HARRY ALLEN and JOE dering why he is not one of the biggest stars in of the Crosby band lives today. Their latest release, TEMPERLEY have gotten together with John jazz. He has great chops, and an imagination to Prayin’ Humble, Payin’ Tribute (Bob Crosby Bunch on piano, Greg Cohen on bass and Jake match. He has a new album with his trio, including Bob Cats – 106) serves two objectives. It pays Hanna on drums for a totally satisfying session brother Ray on bass and Miles Vandiver on drums, tribute to several of the Chicago style players who titled Cocktails for Two (Sackville – 3071). plus special guest Howard Alden on guitar. The disc were on the Crosby Band, and it performs several Recorded in October 2006 at Sunnie Sutton’s Rocky is Plays Cole Porter (Victoria – 4365), and it is of the lesser known, but musically exciting charts Mountain Jazz Party, these two sax masters, Allen simply terrific. The tune selection is interesting, as performed by the earlier Crosby band. Among on tenor and Temperley on baritone, are a perfect it includes familiar standards like “Anything Goes,” those honored on this disc are Matty Matlock, pairing. Both are endlessly creative, and swing like “Let’s Do It,” “Night and Day” and “All of You,” along Jack Teagarden, Irving Fazola, Nappy Lamare and mad. The cats in the rhythm section are a perfect with less frequently heard songs like “Why Can’t Jess Stacy. There is also a nod to the other Crosby, complement, as they all share similar tendencies You Behave,” “Everything I Love,” “Why Shouldn’t I” brother Bing of course, with a fine instrumental to the front men. The leaders team up for seven of and “I Love You Samantha,” plus a real rarity, arrangement of “Where the Blue of the Night Meets the ten selections, the exceptions being a stunning “Weren’t We Fools.” Altogether there are 14 selec- the Gold of the Day.” The Crosby charts included performance of “My Romance” by Bunch and his tions, each of them wonderfully conceived and here include many highlights, among them “I’m rhythm section cohorts, a very Getzian reading of executed. Alden had not played with Kennedy’s Prayin’ Humble,” “Five Point Blues.” “I Hear You “Everything Happens to Me” by Allen, and a lovely trio before, but they fit together seamlessly. Talking,” “Loopin’ the Loop” and “Juke Box Judy.” I especially dug Alden’s take on “Always True to “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” from Temperley. The The current Bob Cats include leader Metz on You.” The Porter catalog is chock full of great title tune opens the set in romping fashion, a piano, David Jones on cornet, Harold Johnson on tunes, and this album makes you hope that these mood that is maintained on “Blues in the Closet,” trombone, Paul Hubbell and John Orsini on reeds, same cats will find time to return to it and explore the latter with a fine piano intro by Bunch. Their Bob Leary on guitar, Tim Metz on bass and Ed Metz, some more Porter gems. “Tangerine” uses a lot of counterpoint that is Jr. on drums. They do great justice to this appealing reminiscent of the Gerry Mulligan small group ■ Scott Alberici with the Ray Kennedy Trio material on an album that will keep you swaying approach. Two swing classics, “In a Mellotone” (Victoria – 4360) finds clarinetist SCOTT and smiling throughout. and “Jumpin’ at the Woodside,” are excellent ALBERICI in the fine company of the Ray Kennedy ■ BANU GIBSON has targeted the tunes that Fred examples of how a relatively small group can Trio. This rhythm section has the same makeup as produce a sound that captures the feeling of a Astaire and Ginger Rogers performed in their classic that mentioned in the prior review. Alberici has a RKO films for Let’s Face the Music and Dance much larger ensemble. This is an album that could lovely tone on an instrument that can get a bit shrill (Swing Out – 112), and she has hit a bull’s eye. just as easily been titled “Satisfaction Guaranteed.” in the wrong hands. He is a first rate jazz player For 16 selections, she effectively captures the ■ Zoot Suite (HighNote – 7170) is a disc con- with a wonderful sense of swing that is evident spirit of these memorable songs. Mixed in with from the first notes of “’S Wonderful” to the final taining a previously unreleased 1973 performance the familiar like “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails,” “Isn’t notes of a medium tempo take on “A Beautiful by the ZOOT SIMS QUARTET somewhere in the This a Lovely Day,” “Pick Yourself Up” and “A Fine Friendship.” In listening to this disc, I found myself Caribbean. The quartet on this recording, comprised Romance” are some less frequently heard gems hitting the repeat button when “Poor Butterfly,” of Sims on tenor and soprano saxes, Jimmy Rowles such as “Music Makes Me,” “Let’s Begin,” “I’ll Be “One Morning in May” and “Sweet Lorraine” came Hard to Handle,” “A Needle in a Haystack” and on piano, George Mraz on bass and Mousey up. Alberici has spent most of his musical life in the “(I’ve Got) Beginner’s Luck.” Gibson is a truly Alexander on drums, is one that Sims greatly St. Louis area. With the scarcity of top line clarinet- engaging performer with a style that harkens favored. The 10-song program runs for about one ists on the jazz scene today, it is time that the back to an earlier era like that when these songs hour, and is prime Zoot. This being a non- talented Mr. Alberici garners some national recog- originally entered the public consciousness. She professional recording, the audio quality is not of nition, and this fine disc should help that to happen. has an alto voice with just a hint of Merman, and the highest order, but the playing is sublime. There man does she swing. This album was recorded over ■ has never been a musician who, to my ears, ever The band led by Bob Crosby was one of the more a seven-year period in the Ultrasonic Recording swung any harder or more consistently than Zoot unique aggregations of the Big Band Era, and also Studio in New Orleans, Gibson’s home base. This Sims, and the music on Zoot Suite does nothing one of the most musical. It was the only major studio fell victim to the cruelty of Hurricane Katrina. but reinforce my opinion regarding this exceptional band that leaned heavily on tunes played in the Twenty-seven musicians and seven arrangers, too jazz musician. styles of Dixieland and the Chicago school of jazz. many to mention individually here, had a hand in continued on page 38
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COMPACT VIEWS NEWMAN and guitarist FREDDIE GREEN teamed Other Views up with a variety of other players to record three continued from page 36 By Joe Lang NJJS Music Committee Chair 1955 albums. Two, The Natural Seven and The Jazz Workshop — Four Brass, One Tenor…Al Cohn, were producing the wonderful sounds on this gleeful wo months between issues means a pile up of released under Cohn’s name; two, All I Wanna Do Is collection. Once this is in your collection, it will new CDs. Time and space preclude touching on Swing and I’m Still Swinging, were released under find its way frequently into your CD player. T all the new non-NJJS inventory that I feel are worth Newman’s name;and the other, Mr. Rhythm, was ■ Too often husband and wife pairings in the world purchasing, but here’s the cream of the crop. released under Green’s name. In addition to having of music fall by the wayside, usually because of ego the three players mentioned above in common, ■ JOHNNY MERCER is probably the only major conflicts. It is not always the case, however, and we each of them is a fine representation of small group lyricist who is thought of when great songwriters are lucky that vocalist HANNA RICHARDSON and swing at its best. Cohn was one of the finest are discussed. There are many reasons for this. He bassist PHIL FLANIGAN have evolved as perfect arrangers and most imaginative improvisers in wrote with so many different composers that he soul mates. They have recently released their third jazz history, Newman among the most underrated never became associated in the public’s mind with album, Live at the Fleece (LA-LA – 5603), and it players on his instrument, and Green was the any single one of them, and they included giants continues successfully on the appealing path taken essence of what rhythm guitar is all about. They, like Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Hoagy Carmichael, by their initial efforts. Joined by longtime colleague and their cohorts, among them pianists Nat Pierce Harry Warren, Jimmy Van Heusen and Henry and guitarist Chris Flory, they recorded their current and Dick Katz, trombonists Frank Rehak and Urbie Mancini. Primarily, however, his name came into the collection in 2006 at a British venue called The Green, bassists Milt Hinton and Eddie Jones, and public consciousness as a performer who had many Fleece. Richardson is hiply laid back in her drummers Osie Johnson and Shadow Wilson, romp hit records during his career. Most of this recording vocalizing with a style reminiscent of her primary through a collection of 61 standards and originals. was done for the Capitol label, one that he helped inspiration, Maxine Sullivan. Check out “How’dja The charts used on all of the sessions were written to found, and many of those Capitol sides have Like to Love Me” or “I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues” by Al Cohn, Manny Albam and Ernie Wikens. It’s not made it to CD in a kind of random manner. Finally, or “I Get the Neck of the Chicken,” and you will surprising, given the lineup of players, that there is Mosaic has taken the bull by the horns and the hear what I mean. The rhythm boys each get an a distinctly Basie feel to much of the material on result is a 79-song, 3 CD set, Mosaic Select: instrumental feature with Flanigan assaying this most listenable three-disc set Johnny Mercer (Mosaic Select – 28) that “Visitation,” a tune by one of his heroes, Paul (www.mosaicrecords.com). contains the most jazz-oriented of his Capitol Chambers, and Flory giving “Close Your Eyes” an singles. Many of them, like “G.I. Jive,” “Jamboree ■ The 1956 version of the STAN KENTON easily swinging treatment. When they close with Jones,” “Sugar,” “My Sugar Is So Refined” and Orchestra was the most free swinging of all “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got That Swing),” “Huggin’ and A Chalkin’” stand among his most iterations of this band. The charts of Bill Holman, they prove the acuity of Ellington’s title. familiar recordings. Others like his duets with Jack my nominee for best of all big band arrangers, ■ Another performing couple is cornetist ED Teagarden on “The Old Music Master” and with Nat dominated the book. The players included POLCER and vocalist JUDY KURTZ. They team up Cole on “Save the Bones for Henry Jones” are well wonderful soloists like Ed Leddy and Sam Noto on with a stellar variety of cohorts on When known to fans of jazz vocals. While most people trumpet, Carl Fontana on trombone, Bill Perkins, Broadway Meets Swing Street (BlewZ Manor associate Mercer with novelty tunes, he could also Lennie Niehaus and Jack Nimitz on sax, and the – 107). Broadway tunes have always been a effectively handle standard ballads like “They Didn’t whole band was kicked by the drumming of Mel significant part of jazz repertory, and Polcer and Believe Me,” “(Love’s Got Me in a) Lazy Mood,” and Lewis. There have been many people who have Kurtz have included a choice sampling of them on “Sweet Lorraine.” The bottom line is that he sure gone that extra mile to keep the Kenton legacy this album. Kurtz is front and center on 10 of the knew how to put over a song. Many of these sides alive, and among the most committed is Bill 15 tracks, while Polcer is featured with several all- find him in the company of the Pied Pipers, Lichtenauer who has made available much star groups on the five instrumental selections. frequently backed by the orchestra of Paul Weston previously unreleased Kenton concert material Kurtz has had one foot in the world of musical who was married to the female member of the Pied on his Tantara label. His latest release, Cool theatre, and one in the pop/jazz field for many Pipers, Jo Stafford. I could probably write an entire Hot and Swingin’ (Tantara – 1123), captures years, and this cross-pollination of styles results in column just about this set, but suffice to say that it the 1956 band in an outstanding performance knowing and effective renderings of her selections, captures a true American musical icon as a on February 2 at the Civic Auditorium in San with the jazzier side dominating in most cases. performer at his best. Naturally, many of the songs Bernardino, California. The 17 tracks are loaded Polcer is a lyrical player, an old school swinger that he sings have lyrics by the same American with excitement. Wally Heider’s original tapes have when in the spotlight, and an effective complement musical icon, but from this perspective Mercer is been mastered to provide unusually fine sound to Kurtz’s vocals when the situation calls for it. wearing another hat (www.mosaicerecords.com). from this vintage material. This is a must for all This is an album that contains a consistently high Kenton enthusiasts (www.tantaraproductions.com). ■ Back in the 1950s, RCA Victor produced many level of musicianship, with all of the cats showing great jazz records by a number of the top jazz ■ When you hear a new release from The BOB obvious respect and affection for the choice artists of the day. The catalog was extensive, but FLORENCE Limited Edition, you can be assured of material that they are playing. in these days of reissues, this catalog has barely several things. The arrangements will be interesting We now have available a listing of all CDs in the NJJS been tapped for the current US market, except via for both players and listeners, the musicianship of music inventory. We can either mail a hard copy imports, mainly from a family of labels based in the band will be of the highest order, and Florence inventory to you, or e-mail it to you as an attachment Spain. Mosaic has now filled a small, but significant will have a ton of surprises up his sleeve. Eternal in Excel format. To obtain a copy please contact void by issuing Mosaic Select: Al Cohn, Joe Licks and Grooves (MAMA – 1030) is in keeping Andi Tyson, 110 Haywood Avenue, Piscataway, NJ Newman & Freddie Green (Mosaic Select with these expectations. This is one of those 08854, or e-mail Andi at [email protected]. –27). Saxophonist AL COHEN, trumpeter Joe albums that you could write about forever, listen to
38 September 2007 JerseyReviewsJazz
it again, and find more things that concentration from the listener if it you want to say. Three of the tracks, is to be enjoyed to the fullest. It is “Eternal Licks and Grooves,” “Mirror definitely not toe-tapping music, some Images” and “Appearing in Cleveland,” might find some of it a bit of a difficult are tributes to Count Basie, the alter listen, but it struck me just right, for egos of Duke Ellington and Billy those times when I am in the mood Strayhorn, and Stan Kenton. The latter for challenging music is a tour de force that I have heard (www.JazzedMedia.com). played in person by both the Florence ■ SCOTT WHITFIELD is primarily band and the Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra, known as a top tier jazz trombonist, and it is simply one of the most creative arranger and composer, and exciting big band charts ever written. the leader of a bi-coastal big band. “Claire de Lune,” “Invitation” and Over the past few years, he has been “I’m Old Fashioned” are similarly dipping his toe into the waters of approached. The charts start off with vocalizing ever more frequently. On a simple statement of the tune by Speaking of Love (Summit – 470) P.O. Box 995 • Easton, PA 18044-0995 Florence on piano in the first and he has produced his first album where second instances, and by Alex Iles on the emphasis is on his vocalizing. He trombone in the latter case, and then places himself in several settings, as a 2007 – Now Our 29th Year! it is Katie bar the door as Florence jazz-influenced solo singer, in duet takes these pieces on trips to places with Cheryl Bentyne, and as a Presents where they have never been before. member of a close harmony jazz vocal Special mention must be made of the quartet, the Manhattan Vocal Project. soloists, Carl Saunders, Larry Lunnetta, The basic instrumental quartet of Ron Stout and Steve Huffsteter on Whitfield on trombone, Ted Kooshian trumpets, Bob Efford, Tom Peterson, on piano, Mary Ann McSweeney on Vince Giordano’s Bob Carr, Jeff Driskill, Kim Richmond bass and Willard Dyson or Terry Clarke and Don Shelton on reeds, Florence on drums is supplemented at various on piano, Larry Koonse on guitar, Trey times by Marvin Stamm on trumpet or Nighthawks Henry on bass and Peter Erskine on flugelhorn, Scott Robinson on reeds, drums. Many big band albums today Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar and Memo Dedicated to playing the are dominated by endless, undirected Acevedo on percussion. Whitfield solos that take all of the momentum contributes five of the 14 tunes, Golden Era of jazz repertory. out of even the best charts; this writing both lyrics and music on three problem is avoided on Eternal Licks of them. Whitfield has a pleasant Sunday and Grooves to the benefit of the baritone with a slightly sandy edge. He music and the listener’s ears is, like most outstanding improvising September 23, 2007 (www.summitrecords.com). musicians who vocalize, adept at jazzily phrasing his vocals. His talents ■ In many past reviews, I’ve 2:00 – 5:00PM as a singer nicely complement his mentioned a fascination with outstanding trombone work. The Easton Moose Lodge performances by jazz duos. This tracks featuring the Manhattan Vocal Easton PA format constantly exposes both Project, Whitfield on vocals and players to potential quick slips off of musical cliffs if they are not ever alert trombone, Pete McGuinness on lead and almost mystically compatible. vocals and trombone, Joe Elefante on PJS Members~ $18 vocals and alto sax, and Kevin With Beyond the Green Door Others $20 Students $5 (Jazzed Media – 1027), pianist Osborne on vocals and trombone, are BILL MAYS and alto saxophonist pleasantly reminiscent of the Four Food and Drink Available BUD SHANK venture into the jazz Freshmen. Speaking of Love, and its constantly shifting moods, is fun to For tickets send SASE to: duo waters and find the sailing PENNSYLVANIA JAZZ SOCIETY smooth indeed. Throughout the nine hear from start to finish. PO BOX 995 EASTON, PA 18044 tracks, they prove to have a musical (www.summitrecords.com) empathy that produces sounds that Remember that these albums are not are esthetically and emotionally available through NJJS.You should be Info: 610-740-9698 satisfying. If Zoot walked in to hear able to obtain most of them at any their take on his “Red Door,” he would major record store. They are also Oct. 14 Jazz Lobsters Big Band (18-20 pieces) have raised a toast or two to their available on-line from the websites that I 2 – 5 PM Easton Moose Lodge, Easton PA unique take on this tune. This album have shown after each review, or from a does demand some effort and variety of other on-line sources. JJ
September 2007 39 JerseyReviewsJazz
snares a gig playing cocktail piano at the finding time to expand her catalog of Book Review Pittsburgh Grand Hyatt. She is gaining the original music. By Joe Lang NJJS Music Committee Chair experience that will stand her in good stead That is a brief overview of how she got from when she marries a few years later, and is on to here to there, but that is not what makes this the Big Apple with an ambition to succeed as Piano Girl: A Memoir book such an engaging read. Ms. Goldsby, in an actress. Making it in New York is never easy, By Robin Meloy Goldsby • Backbeat Books, addition to her talents as a performer, is and there are many diversions like road shows, San Francisco • 278 Pages, Paperback, 2005 equally adept at spinning her tale by choosing and cocktail gigs in places as diverse as her words as carefully as she chooses her notes any of you have probably spent some Waterbury, Connecticut and Pentionville, Haiti at the piano. Her writing has a natural flow time in a cocktail lounge where a piano before success finally arrives, not as an actress, M that keeps the reader turning the pages with player is providing background music and, but in the form of a piano gig at the Grand relish. The nature of her chosen profession, perhaps, vocalizing a bit here and there. There Hyatt hotel by Grand Central Station. is usually a variety of attention being paid to and her concomitant exposure to an interest- these performers from rapt to total unaware- Finally things are starting to fall into place, ing variety of people and situations, provide ness of their presence, with a lot of variations and the next 10 years are filled with a series of her with the raw material for the kind of in between. Robin Meloy Goldsby has spent hotel engagements in Manhattan. Eventually, entertaining volume that she has written. over 30 years performing under those love enters the picture in the form of jazz Whether it is the story of how her desperate conditions, and Piano Girl is a memoir that bassist John Goldsby. They marry, have a son, early days in New York led her to accept the and, in 1994, Goldsby accepts a position as the role of a stripper in a touring version of the relates just what it is like to be on the bassist with the WDR Big Band in Cologne. It show “Big Bad Burlesque,” or the heckling that performing side of the piano. is time to head for Germany where a daughter she receives on a daily basis from a street lady Ms. Goldsby traces her development as a is added to the family, and our heroine slowly named Virginia near her apartment in Queens, performer, from her Pittsburgh childhood works her way back into gigging on an Ms. Goldsby knows exactly how to convey in a home filled with music (her father was a occasional basis, while raising her family and her tales with the right combination of detail professional jazz drummer), to her and humor. first gig as a pianist on Nantucket This is a quick read, but also one during the summer following her that will make you think about how first year at Chatham College, and each life is filled with experiences on through the many experiences that come because of what you do, she had playing in clubs and other where you live, and why you hap- settings in Pittsburgh, New York, pen to be at a certain place at a and, currently, Cologne, Germany. It is a tale full of interesting certain time. You can witness what characters and adventures, many others witness, but how each person of them quite humorous. is affected by any experience is unique to them. I have sat in many One thing is apparent throughout a club like the ones in which Ms. her tale. She possesses a keen Goldsby has performed, have wit- intelligence combined with the kind nessed behavior similar to what she of sense of humor that is almost a describes in her book, and have requirement for survival in her wondered what my reaction would chosen field of endeavor. She starts be were I the performer. I know her memoir with the events that what effect an obstreperous cus- took place during that first summer tomer has upon me as a listener. on Nantucket where she arrived Now I understand better what a with a job as a waitress, and expec- performer feels, and how they tations of meeting lots of college boys and partying her way through develop a coping mechanism that the summer. She quickly realized neutralizes much of the potentially that she missed playing her piano, disheartening effects of odd or and soon arranged to spend some crude behavior. of her off time practicing at a piano Piano Girl is a book that will leave in a restaurant and bar that had one you smiling, and pleased that you available. The owner, upon hearing spent some time getting to know a her play, offers her a job playing the lady who has had an interesting piano in his place, and waitressing life, and a talent for relating her quickly becomes a thing of the past. story in an entertaining and Back at Chatham College, she enlightening manner. resumes her formal education, and (www.backbeatbooks.com) JJ
40 September 2007 New JerseyJazzSociety
In The Mainstream About NJJS By Mainstream Mac NJJS Entertainment Contributorr The New Jersey Jazz Society is dedicated to the performance, promotion and preservation of jazz. Founded in 1972, the Society is run by a board of sextet featured guitarist Charlie directors who meet monthly to conduct the business of staging our music he media have been festivals, awarding scholarships to deserving New Jersey college jazz studies Tcommemorating it. Christian. There is an interesting students, conducting the Generations of Jazz programs in local school anecdote about how he came to systems, and inducting pioneers and legends of jazz into the American Jazz Rightly so. It was one of those the group. John Hammond had Hall of Fame, among other things. The membership is comprised of jazz events that change things for devotees from all parts of the state, the country and the world. The New Jersey been after Benny to listen to Jazz Society is a qualified organization of the New Jersey Cultural Trust. good. It was sixty years ago, in Charlie. Benny was (as usual) Visit www.njjs.org, e-mail [email protected], or call the HOTLINE 1-800-303-NJJS 1947, that Branch Rickey not cooperating. Finally he gave for more information on any of our PROGRAMS AND SERVICES: brought Jackie Robinson up to in and a jam session was ■ Generations of Jazz (our Jazz in the Schools Program) the Brooklyn Dodgers. If you can arranged for in L.A. When ■ Jazzfest (two-day summer jazz festival) remember those days, you will Christian walked in with his ■ Pee Wee Russell Memorial Stomp ■ e-mail updates recall how cataclysmic that was. guitar, Benny called a tune that ’Round Jersey (Regional Jazz Concert Series): ■ Bridgewater But…it should also be remem- he believed Charlie would not ■ Ocean County College ■ Bickford Theatre/Morris bered that, 12 years before that, know: “Rose Room.” He was ■ Student scholarships ■ American Jazz Hall of Fame the number one musical organi- right about that! Benny took a zation in the USA hired a chorus and nodded to Charlie. “negro” piano player. Benny Forty-five choruses later Member Benefits Goodman had become the Christian was hired. He went What do you get for your $40 dues? “King of Swing” after the on, in his short life, to create ■ Jersey Jazz Journal — a monthly journal considered one of the best jazz masterpiece after masterpiece society publications in the country, packed with feature articles, photos, jazz Palomar gig of August 1935 calendars, upcoming events and news about the NJ Jazz Society. in Los Angeles. He recorded with Benny. ■ NEW! FREE Monthly Member Meetings — See www.njjs.org and as the Goodman Trio with Goodman had many versions Jersey Jazz for updates. Gene Krupa and Teddy Wilson of his small bands. Some ■ Musical Events — NJJS sponsors and co-produces a number of jazz events each year, ranging from intimate concerts to large dance parties and picnics. that same year. In ’36 Lionel memorable ones included Stan Hampton joined to form the Members receive discounts on ticket prices for the Pee Wee Russell Hasselgard on a second clarinet, Memorial Stomp and Jazzfest. Plus there’s a free concert at the Annual Benny Goodman Quartet. Wardell Gray, Mel Powell and Meeting in December and occasionally other free concerts. Ticket discounts (where possible) apply to 2 adults, plus children under 18 years of age. These men were not just making Slam Stewart. The list of those Singles may purchase two tickets at member prices. records with Benny. They were who were with Benny is far too ■ The Record Bin — a collection of CDs, not generally found in music stores, full-time. An eyewitness told me long for this writing. But, here available at reduced prices at most NJJS concerts and events and through of hearing the Goodman big are some of the local musicians mail order. Contact [email protected] for a catalog. band with a tent along side who worked with him: Sonny where Teddy and Lionel and the Igoe, Derek Smith, Bucky vocalists would sit until called Pizzarelli, Warren Vache, Urbie Join NJJS on to play. No question — jazz Green, Jerry Dodgion, John MEMBERSHIP LEVELS Member benefits are subject to update. ■ led the way! Bunch, Bill Crow. Family $40: See above for details. ■ Youth $20: For people under 25 years of age. Be sure to give the year of It could be argued that Benny To hear some of these bands your birth on the application where noted. had the most significant of the check out Charlie Christian: The ■ Give-a-Gift $40 + $20: The Give-a-Gift membership costs the regular $40 for you, plus $20 for a gift membership. (Includes your 1-year membership “bands-within-a-band.” The Genius of the Electric Guitar on and your friend’s first year membership. Not available for renewals of gift formation of the Benny Columbia and After You’ve Gone: memberships.) Goodman Sextet in 1939 was The Original Benny Goodman ■ Supporter ($75 – $99/family) one of the most important Trio and Quartet Sessions — ■ Patron ($100 – $249/family) Members at Patron Level and above JJ receive special benefits. These developments in jazz. The first Vol. 1 on Bluebird. ■ Benefactor ($250 – $499/family) change periodically, so please ■ Angel $500+/family) } contact Membership for details.
JAZZ TRIVIA ANSWERS questions on page 4 To receive a membership application, 1. Zoot Sims. 4. Harry James. for more information or to join: Contact Membership Chair Caryl Anne McBride 2. Buster Bailey. 5. They, and many at 973-366-8818 or [email protected] 3. Andy Razaf, Fats others, are based OR visit www.njjs.org Waller’s songwriting on the chord changes OR simply send a check payable to “NJJS” to: NJJS Membership, PO Box 410, Brookside, NJ 07926-0410. collaborator for more of George Gershwin’s than 20 years. “I Got Rhythm”.
September 2007 41 New JerseyJazzSociety
What’s New? Members new and renewed We welcome these friends of jazz who recently joined NJJS or renewed their memberships. We apologize for errors and omissions.
Renewed Mr. Robert Klar, Indiana, PA Mr. & Mrs. Richard Weidner, Ms. Bea Henderson, Randolph, NJ Shillington, PA Mr. Charles Acito, Scotch Plains, NJ Mr. John Kolesar, Bordentown, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Joe Lardieri, Ms. Mary A. Weltchek, Florham Park, NJ Dr. Joseph Alpert, Savannah, GA Mr. Dan Kram, West Orange, NJ Berkeley Heights, NJ Ms. Phyllis Layne, Cedar Knolls, NJ Mr. Rod Anderson, Princeton, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kru, Great Meadows, NJ Mr. & Mrs. John J. Woodruff, Mrs. Robin Leitner, Morristown, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Charles Becht, Silver Spring, MD Morristown, NJ Mr. Don Lass, West Allenhurst, NJ Mrs. James Lough, Westfield, NJ Ms. Beth Yingling, Lincoln Park, NJ Ms. Brenda Boban, Somerville, NJ Mr. Howard Leary, Basking Ridge, NJ Mr. James L. Manley, New Vernon, NJ Mr. Rick Leeds, Edison, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Youry, Mr. Lee Margolis & Janice Bland, Mr. & Mrs. David Bonn, Morristown, NJ North Caldwell, NJ Mr. Arthur Smith Levy, Mountainside, NJ Edison, NJ Mr. Ted Zeitlin, Glen Rock, NJ Mr. & Mrs. William Bowkley, Mrs. Alton L. Lineweaver, Salisbury, MD Ms. Laura McCallum, Morristown, NJ Randolph, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Steve Lipman, Springfield, NJ New Ms. Patricia McPartland, Sea Girt, NJ Mr. & Mrs. James E. Bredenkamp, Dr. Bob Litwak, Tenafly, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Eric Meissner, Ottsville, PA Anderson, SC Mr. & Mrs. Richard Logan, Mr. Charles Albers, Chatham, NJ Mr. Michael Mulvihill, Staunton, VA Ms. Barbara B. Brown, Hackettstown, NJ Hockessin, DE Mr. Jerry Allocco, Morristown, NJ Ms. Rhonda Newton, West Orange, NJ Mr. & Mrs. John M. Bucher, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Maguire, Mr. & Mrs. Tom Baldwin, Freehold, NJ North Carolina Jazz Society, Mountainside, NJ Peapack, NJ Mrs. Beverly Berlly, Pine Brook, NJ Wilmington, NC Mr. & Mrs. Carl Buck, Dr. & Mrs. Robert L. Malatesta, Ms. Pamela Bloom, Bloomfield, NJ Ms. Janet Ott, Chatham, NJ Berkeley Heights, NJ Whitehouse Station, NJ Ms. Susan Cafoncelli, Chatham, NJ Ms. Doris K. Pinsley, Rumson, NJ Mr. Bernard Burke, Summit, NJ Mr. Robert R. Max, Summit, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Canty, Ms. Julie A. Planck, Berkeley Heights, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Callender, Mr. & Mrs. Alan McBride, Randolph, NJ Hillsborough, NJ Mr. Viktor Rozovsky, Rockaway, NJ Bridgewater, NJ Mr. Fred McIntosh, Old Tappan, NJ Mr. Louis Castellucci, Dover, NJ Ms. Sylvia Sassaroli, Mr. Thomas F. Caloia, Morristown, NJ Ms. Barbara McLaughlan, Ms. Mary Donelik, New Providence, NJ New Providence, NJ Ms. Sylvia Campbell, Denville, NJ Mountainside, NJ Ms. Deatrah DuBose, Mr. & Mrs. Dan Schmalz, Oak Ridge, NJ Mr. Bob Cantalupo, Mr. James J. McLaughlin, North Plainfield, NJ Mr. Raymond Schutz, Rockaway, NJ Monroe Township, NJ Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ Mr. James Eddleton, Edison, NJ Mr. Bertram Silver, Bedford, NH Mr. Patrick Capone, Chatham, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Froman Mehl, Ms. Cynthia A. Feketie, Morris Twp., NJ Mr. & Mrs. Sid Sirulnick, Teaneck, NJ West Caldwell, NJ Mr. Norman Cargill, Brooklyn, NY Dr. P. Everett Fergenson, Tenafly, NJ Miss Maris Smith, Morristown, NJ Mr. Linc Milliman, Pomona, NY Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Chamberlain, Ms. Linda Ferretti, Morristown, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Hami Solu, Madison, NJ Mr. Italo Minutello, Princeton, NJ Wayne, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Bob Findlay, Flanders, NJ Ms. Constance Stober, Madison, NJ Mr. Hal Moeller, Madison, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Robert Cohen, Fair Lawn, NJ Mr. & Mrs. William Fitzgerald, Ms. Angeline Tan, Florham Park, NJ Mr. & Mrs. James Nissel, Blue Bell, PA Mr. Robert Creveling, Clinton, NJ Bridgewater, NJ Ms. Phebe Tarassov & Felix Cruz, Ms. Gloria Crowell, Middlesex, NJ Ms. Muriel O’Connor, Tequesta, FL Mr. Steve Gardner, Basking Ridge, NJ Princeton, NJ Ms. Joanne Day, Westfield, NJ Mr. Roger Oliver, New York, NY Mr. & Mrs. Ira M. Garelick, Livingston, NJ Ms. Georgeann Ventola, Montville, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Bob Denapoli, Mr. & Mrs. David Ostwald, New York, NY Mr. & Mrs. Joe Glade, Madison, NJ Mr. & Mrs. William Weisberg, Monroe Township, NJ Mr. James Pansulla, Bloomfield, NJ Ms. Toni Gourdine, West Orange, NJ Fort Lee, NJ Mr. & Mrs. John Doughten, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Parascand, Ms. Marcia Graff, Basking Ridge, NJ Mrs. Meryl Zweig, Randolph, NJ Chadds Ford, PA Morganville, NJ Mr. Christopher Hampson, Mr. & Mrs. Gary Drzewiecki, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Pareti, Spotswood, NJ Bridgewater, NJ Glen Gardner, NJ Mr. C. Robert Pletzner, Venice, FL Mr. Thomas L. Duncan, Teaneck, NJ Ms. Mary A. Post, Paramus, NJ Mr. Larry Eckert, Ossining, NY Mr. Sidney Rabinowitz, Aberdeen, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Engler, Mr. Edward J. Raser, Murray Hill, NJ Monroe Township, NJ From the Dr. Jeffrey Flamme, Summit, NJ Ms. C. Claiborne Ray, Brooklyn, NY Mr. James A. Floyd, Princeton, NJ Mr. Robert R. Reichenbach, Crow’s Nest Mr. & Mrs. Jack Frey, West Caldwell, NJ Basking Ridge, NJ Mr. Stephen C. Galleher, Mr. Stewart Schiffer, Roseland, NJ By Bill Crow West New York, NJ Mr. Eric Schmitt, Jr., Summit, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Hank Gasbeck, Camden, DE Mr. Martin Shapiro, Secaucus, NJ n a duo gig in a restaurant last year, Ron Mr. & Mrs. James W. Gentles, Mr. James J. Smith, Nutley, NJ Basking Ridge, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Harold G. Sterling, OMills and his singer Kate were competing Mr. Harry R. Grant, Sloatsburg, NY South Orange, NJ for the attention of the crowd in the bar with the televised Final Four Ms. Hortense Green, Westfield, NJ Mr. Jerry Stevenson, Madison, NJ basketball game. Just as Kate finished a song with a neatly placed Ms. Lorelei Harris, Morristown, NJ Mrs. Margaret Thompson, Dr. Arthur G. Hartwick, Tuxedo, NY Mountainside, NJ sharp eleventh, a thunderous cheer broke out around the television Mr. Dudley L. Healy, Chatham, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Dan Tobias, Mercerville, NJ set. Kate winked at Ron and said, “And you thought they weren’t Mr. John Hessel, Monroe Township, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ullrich, listening!” JJ Mr. & Mrs. John Hirner, Summit, NJ Morristown, NJ Ms. Judith Jacob, Stanhope, NJ Mr. Jerry Vezza, Madison, NJ Bill Crow is a freelance musician and writer. His articles and reviews have Ms. Susan Jarvis, Lincoln Park, NJ Mr. Lincoln R. Wadsworth, Jackson, NJ appeared in Down Beat, The Jazz Review, and Gene Lee’s Jazzletter. His Mr. Louis Katz, Rockaway, NJ Mr. Peter Ward, Minisink Hills, PA books include Jazz Anecdotes and Jazz Anecdotes: Second Time Around. The Mr. & Mrs. Dan Kaufman, Mr. Mark Webb, Arlington, VA preceding story is excerpted, with permission, from Bill’s column, The Band Monroe Twp., NJ Mr. Max Webb, Arlington, VA Room in Allegro, the monthly newsletter of A.F. of M. Local 802.
42 September 2007 JerseyEventsJazz
Jack Stine & Palmer Square Mgmt. present JazzFeast an al fresco afternoon of fine jazz
Saturday, September 15 The Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University–Newark is the 12 to 6 PM largest and most comprehensive library and archive of jazz and jazz-related at Palmer Square Green, materials in the world! — a valuable resource for jazz researchers, students, Downtown Princeton • Off Route 206 musicians and fans. The archives are open to the public from 9 AM – 5 PM Monday through Friday, but please call and make an appointment. ■ Alan Dale and the New Legacy Jazz Band with Vocalist Felicia Carter ■ Kenny Werner Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers, The State University of NJ John Cotton Dana Library, 185 University Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102 ■ ■ Trio Greg Piccolo, Tenor Sax Princeton Web site: newarkwww.rutgers.edu/IJS 973-353-5595 University Jazztet ■ Jon Burr, bass • CDs for sale calendar: • Food carts from great local eateries JAZZ RESEARCH ROUND TABLE A series of lectures and discussions. Names in italics are the presenters. Admission is Free ■ September 19 (Wed): Noal Cohen/Steve Albin: Progress and Problems in Modern-Day Jazz Discography www.njjs.org | 1-800-303-6557 ■ October 17 (Wed): William Bauer: Armstrong’s Cornet and Vocal www.palmersquare.com Solos on Hotter Than That 1-800-644-3489 ■ November 14 (Wed): Dean Alger: Lonnie Joynson Programs are free and open to the public, and most take place Thursday evenings (unless otherwise noted like the one above) from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the Dana Room, 4th floor, John Cotton Dana Library, Rutgers University, 185 University Ave., Newark, NJ. NJJS Monthly Refreshments are served. Information: 973-353-5595.
Member Meetings JAZZ FROM THE ARCHIVES Broadcast hosted by IJS Director, 2007 NEA Jazz Master Dan Trumpets Jazz Club | Montclair Morgenstern every Sunday at 11:00 PM on WBGO Radio (88.3 FM). Information: www.wbgo.org. Sundays: ■ August 26 — Benny Carter in Europe: Host Vincent Pelote plays the September 23, October 21, recordings Carter made while in Europe from 1936 to 1938. November 18 ■ September 2 — The Young Billie Holiday 1933-1940 Pt. 1: Join host Loren Schoenberg for a listen to the earliest Holiday recordings, which See page 8 for details. are full of joy and humor, aided and abetted by Teddy Wilson, Benny Goodman, Roy Eldridge and friends. free for NJJS members ■ September 9 — Remembering Dick Wellstood: It’s been 20 years since we lost the great pianist, who excelled at, but was not limited to, stride style, as host Dan Morgenstern will demonstrate. $10 charge for non-members of NJJS; this charge may be applied to annual NJJS membership ■ September 16 — The Prestige-ious Tiny Grimes, Part 4A: Host John Clement samples the albums guitarist Grimes made for the Prestige 2:00 – 3:00 PM Social Hour label. 3:00 – 5:00 PM Program ■ September 23 — The Prestige-ious Tiny Grimes, Part 4B: Host John food and drink available all afternoon/evening Clement plays more of the recordings guitarist Grimes made for the followed by 6:00 PM show | ($10 music charge/$5 minimum) Prestige label. ■ September 30 — Pianists and Woodwinds: Host Bill Kirchner surveys Trumpets Jazz Club & Restaurant recordings by Clare Fischer, Steve Kuhn (with composer Gary McFarland), 6 Depot Square Montclair, NJ 07042 Lorraine Desmarais, Florian Ross, and Manuel Valera. 973-744-2600 • www.trumpetsjazz.com ■ October 7 — Rappin’ With Stiles: Host Annie Kuebler interviews pianist Joan Stiles and plays selections from her CDs including her latest release, Hurly-Burly. For more info: NJJS 1-800-303-NJJS • www.njjs.org
September 2007 43 JerseyEventsJazz ’Round Jersey
when in this area, but also tours AS WE GO TO PRESS, we’ve Bridgewater with the enormously popular Morris Jazz learned that Jazz in Bridgewater Jazz Titan Hot Seven and leads a will be revived briefly for a stand- The Bickford Theater band in England (with pianist at the Morris Museum Somerset County alone Benny Goodman tribute on Jeff Barnhart). Morristown, NJ 07960 Vocational and Saturday, January 19, marking the Tickets/Information: 973-971-3706 Technical High School 70th anniversary of the landmark According to the New York Jazz Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Carnegie Hall concert. Different Gazette, pianist Bill Sinclair Tickets/Information: matinee and evening offerings are “handles solos with imagination 908-725-6640 planned. We hope to have more and taste, and is well able to on this soon, but you’ll definitely f festival invitations are any drive the rhythm section when want to save the date. Imeasure of a band’s success, required.” He’s heard on three New England’s Galvanized Jazz dozen recordings and gets Band is one of the leaders on the East Coast. They annual invitations to perform in Europe, where jazz seem to have regular invitations to the Hot piano is highly appreciated. Art Hovey contributes Steamed and Great Connecticut festivals on their to the band’s versatility by playing both string bass home turf, plus the prestigious SunCoast festival in (5-strings!) and a tuba-related helicon. He plays a Florida and the Pennsylvania Jazz Society’s real tuba with the New Haven Symphony, which concerts too. PJS said in their newsletter that “we says something about his skills. Bob Bequillard’s have the opportunity from year to year to hear drum work goes back to appearances with Teddy some of the top groups and musicians playing Wilson and Wild Bill Davison, so he’s clearly anywhere! The Galvanized Jazz Band…left little qualified. doubt that they can compete with any jazz band.” The band is evidently excited about this Jazz in Their secret is in the personnel, most of whom Bridgewater appearance on Saturday evening, have been playing (with this band and others) this September 8. They’ve blown the budget and music for years. Leader Fred Vigorito is a hot brought vocalist Jane Campedelli up from Florida, ianist Rio Clemente and vocalist Laura Hull are cornetist who doesn’t shy away from the most usually only justified for a full weekend festival. Ptwo of the most in-demand entertainers in the challenging pieces in the band’s huge repertoire, Jane is a popular jazz singer in her own right, but region. Each has built a substantial following over which covers the full range of jazz offerings, with Galvanized there is a chemistry that makes for the years, so their combined performance for the including some that might be labeled small band a lethal combination. Wyeth Jazz Showcase on Monday evening, swing. “Just listen to Fred Vigorito’s charging lead September 24 has “sellout” written all over it. cornet,” urges Joe Klee in the Mississippi Rag. “King Galvanized is the sort of band that reminds you Rio is no stranger to NJJS members, having played Oliver would be proud to know he has a disciple of why you first started listening to jazz, became a fan for them since the early Waterloo Village days. He’s such quality more than half a century after he first and joined NJJS. It is fitting that they’ve been select- attracted full-capacity audiences in Watchung, played that thing!” ed to close the 14th Season of Jazz in Bridgewater. requiring the move to somewhat larger quarters Indeed, they’re here at the Bickford Theatre, but he’s also drawn Russ Whitman closing the well at Bridgewater, Lincoln Center, even Carnegie continues to series itself, Hall. NJJS has given Rio its coveted Nick Bishop amaze, with a since no further full battery of Award, featured him at JazzFest and used him as seasons are saxophones, headliner for events at the huge Community planned. soprano to bass, Theater. “Rio is EXCELLENT,” says jazz icon Dave Organizers felt in addition to his Brubeck, and even a fussy guy like Dick Sudhalter that Galvanized fluid clarinet. rates him as “a solid and dynamic musician.” Noted captured the Trombonist Jim critic George Kanzler sums it up by saying “he can overall spirit and Fryer plays with stimulate your mind.” variety of music Vince Giordano’s presented here “Laura Hull is a feast for your ears,” writes John Nighthawks over the years, Bohannon, host of radio’s Jazz Café. “She swings, and was a she’s comfy with a ballad, and she’s here to stay.” logical choice to She’s honed her craft singing in a variety of Galvanized Jazz settings, from Catskill resorts to studio sessions, Band lives up to bring out a its name in diverse audience and on to the many jazz nightclubs sprinkled about Bridgewater on for a final, the region. “Laura is a great singer, songwriter and September 8. upbeat blast. performer,” notes a Chicago DJ. “Her songs go right
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Laura Hull, Pianist Derek Smith follows on Wednesday, above, Jazz For Shore November 28, playing a solo performance with no joins Rio The Fine Arts Center limits on his flying fingers. He’s played with Clemente, at Ocean County College famously fussy Benny Goodman, the Tonight Show left , on band (with Doc Severinsen) and others, and was September Toms River, NJ 08754 always a hit as a soloist and dueler at NJJS’s Piano 24 at the Tickets/Information: Bickford. 732-255-0500 Spectaculars. ometimes there is a program so compelling that Finally, vocal star Marlene VerPlanck will close the Sjazz fans from throughout the state ought to year for them on December 12. She made such a drive an hour or so to experience it. MidWeek Jazz hit here on her first visit that she’s been invited has one this month. back as soon as a mutually workable date could be found. Cornetist Ed Polcer has been a fixture on the NJ jazz scene since his days at Princeton, when he These weeknight concerts are viable for those was part of Stan Rubin’s celebrated Tigertown Five. with early schedules the next morning, since they Since then, if you weren’t at Princess Grace’s run as one set, from 8PM to around 9:30PM. Ocean from her heart to yours.” Others call her “captivat- wedding (he performed there) or at one of his County College has easy driving directions from ing and relaxing,” “a fresh new style and interpre- Carnegie Hall appearances, you probably caught the Parkway and other highways, and plenty of tation” and just plain “multi-talented.” Reviewer him during a decade at Eddie Condon’s club in parking right across from their comfortable and Bruce von Steirs speaks for many others when he Manhattan. Or perhaps one of his many perform- acoustic Fine Arts Center. Discover MidWeek notes that “Laura Hull has a lot of energy, and you Jazz soon! JJ ances for NJJS, such as The Pee Wee Stomp in can hear it in her music.” 2002, where he was also honored for his lifetime Guitarist Frank Vignola follows just a week later on of musical contributions. Or at several ChickenFat October 1 with his new quintet, which features a Balls, for that matter. Ed Polcer brings a great band hot young mandolin player that he’s crazy about. to Midweek Jazz in Toms River Putting aside his outstanding horn work, he has They’ll obviously touch on the music of Django on September 19. Reinhart, who has been in the American Jazz Hall of another exceptional talent: organizing bands. He Fame for 20 years, as well as an eclectic mix of has a knack for selecting and combining top musi- others. cians into groups to play both general and theme concerts. MidWeek Jazz learned that he had just Popular vocalist Nancy Nelson has put together a such a group on tour, and the date of Wednesday, collection of Johnny Mercer songs for Monday, September 19 was a hole in their schedule. November 19, and it is very compelling material. Organizers were quick to pounce, managing to Keith Ingham will be at the piano, always a treat. afford a great band without violating their pricing Those who didn’t catch them at JazzFest this year policy of $13 in advance and $15 at the door. may recall them from the First Edison Jazz Party, as well as previous visits to the Bickford and Consider that the Ed Polcer Swingtet has frequent Watchung. headliner Ken Peplowski playing reeds, plus John Cocuzzi playing both vibes and piano. The stellar Banjo star Cynthia Sayer has assembled a trio for rhythm section has Frank Tate playing bass, and Monday, December 3, and you’re not likely to hear Joe Ascione behind the drum set. All that, at an an evening of Christmas carols with reedman Dan exceptionally low ticket price. They’ll touch on Levinson and bassist Jennifer Vincent backing tunes associated with Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo her. This small but versatile group can go nearly and Bunny Berigan in the program…but don’t let anywhere within the realm of classic jazz. that keep you away! The performance year closes here on Monday, The remainder of the year ain’t too shabby either. December 17 as the Big Apple Jazz Band fills the Drummer Kevin Dorn will bring his Traditional Jazz hall with their music. You enjoyed this 7-piece Collective down to Toms River on Wednesday, traditional group at The Stomp last year, and they’ll October 3. This band just wowed the audience at have a bit more onstage time here, since the the Pennsylvania Jazz Society’s JazzFest, and had a weeknight performances run as one extended 90 Photos supplied by the artists. similar effect at their Stomp and Bickford Theatre minute set. performances. Hot jazz, adroit musicianship and ’Round Jersey concerts are produced by Tickets remain $13 in advance but $15 at the door, youthful enthusiasm add up to an enjoyable Bruce M. Gast in conjunction with the and all of the jazz concerts here start at 8PM. evening. New Jersey Jazz Society.
September 2007 45 JerseyEventsJazz You can find jazz all over the state Somewhere There’s Music in venues large and small. Here are just some of them.
Asbury Park Edgewater Hopewell Montclair JOYFUL NOISE CAFE LA DOLCE VITA HOPEWELL VALLEY BISTRO & INN CHURCH STREET CAFÉ 1400 Asbury Ave. 270 Old River Rd. 15 East Broad St. 12 Church St. “JAZZ Alive Asbury Park” 201-840-9000 609-466-9889 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH second Friday each month 8 PM www.hopewellvalleybistro.com 40 South Fullerton Ave. $8 Englewood Friday/Saturday 7 PM 973-744-6560 BERGEN PAC Minimum $15 Bayonne 30 N. Van Brunt St. PALAZZO RESTAURANT THE BOILER ROOM 201-227-1030 Lawrenceville 11 South Fullerton Ave. 280 Avenue E www.bergenpac.org FEDORA CAFÉ 973-746-6778 201-436-6700 2633 Lawrenceville Road Friday/Saturday 7:00 PM www.arts-factory.com Garwood 609-895-0844 Joe Licari/Larry Weiss Fri/Sat 10 PM; Sun 7 PM CROSSROADS Some Wednesdays 6:00 PM No cover/BYOB RICHIE CECERE’S 78 North Ave. 2 Erie Street Bernardsville 908-232-5666 973-746-7811 BERNARD’S INN www.xxroads.com Little Falls 27 Mine Brook Road Jam Session Tuesday 8:30 PM BARCA VELHA RESTAURANT/BAR SESAME RESTAURANT & JAZZ CLUB 908-766-0002 440 Main St., 07424 398 Bloomfield Avenue www.bernardsinn.com Glen Rock 973-890-5056 973-746-2553 Monday – Saturday 6:30 PM GLEN ROCK INN www.barcavelha.com sesamerestaurant.com Piano Bar 222 Rock Road Fridays 7:30 PM Bossa Brazil Jazz Evening once every month, usually 201-445-2362 No cover 2nd or 3rd Wednesday PORT CITY JAVA www.glenrockinn.com TRUMPETS 55 Mine Brook Road Lyndhurst Thursday 7 PM 6 Depot Square www.fridaynightjazzjam.com WHISKEY CAFÉ 973-744-2600 4th Friday 7 PM Hackensack 1050 Wall St. West, 07071 www.trumpetsjazz.com 201-939-4889 SOLARI’S Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday 7:30 PM www.whiskeycafe.com Bloomfield 61 River St. Friday/Saturday 8:30 PM WESTMINSTER ARTS CENTER/ 201-487-1969 One Sunday/month James Dean Orchestras swing dance + lesson BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE 1st Tuesday 8:00 PM Morris Plains 467 Franklin St. Mickey Gravine Big Band AMBROSIA RESTAURANT & BAR 973-748-9000 x343 No cover Madison 650 Speedwell Ave. SHANGHAI JAZZ 973-898-1111 STONY HILL INN Brooklawn 24 Main St. www.ambrosianj.com 231 Polifly Rd. BROOKLAWN AMERICAN LEGION HALL 973-822-2899 201-342-4085 Browning Road & Railroad Ave. 08030 www.shanghaijazz.com www.stonyhillinn.com Morristown 856-234-5147 Wednesday/Thursday 7 PM Friday and Saturday evenings Friday/Saturday 6:30 PM THE BICKFORD THEATRE Tri-State Jazz Society usual venue AT THE MORRIS MUSEUM Sunday 6 PM www.tristatejazz.org 5 Normandy Heights Road No cover Some Sundays 2:00 pm Hawthorne 973-971-3706 ALEXUS STEAKHOUSE TAVERN www.morrismuseum.org 80 Wagaraw Road, 07506 Mahwah Clark Some Mondays 8:00 PM 973-427-9200 BERRIE CENTER/RAMAPO COLLEGE LANA’S FINE DINING 7 –10 PM 505 Ramapo Valley Road THE COMMUNITY THEATRE 1300 Raritan Rd. No cover 201-684-7844 100 South St. 732-669-9024 AlexusSteakhouse.com www.ramapo.edu/berriecenter 973-539-8008 www.lanasfinedining.com Bucky Pizzarelli & Frank Vignola Warren Vaché Trio Thursdays 7–11 PM on rotating schedule Tuesdays & Maplewood COPELAND RESTAURANT/WESTIN Live jazz (rotating artists) Fridays 7–11 PM every other Thursday GOVERNOR MORRIS HOTEL BURGDORF CULTURAL CENTER 2 Whippany Road Cherry Hill 10 Durand St. 973-539-7300 Highland Park 973-378-2133 www.copelandrestaurant.com TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH www.artsmaplewood.org PJ’S COFFEE Sunday Seafood Jazz Brunch 11:30 AM Rt. 70 315 Raritan Avenue 856-234-5147 732-828-2323 Manville THE SIDEBAR AT THE FAMISHED FROG Tri-State Jazz Society occasional venue Sunday 1 PM Open Jam RHYTHMS OF THE NIGHT 18 Washington St. www.tristatejazz.org 729 S. Main Street 973-540-9601 Some Sundays 2 PM Hillsborough 908-707-8757 www.famishedfrog.com/thesidebar DAY’S INN rhythmsofthenight.net ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Clifton 118 Route 206 South Open jam session Wednesdays 7–10 PM 70 Maple Avenue ST. PETERS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 908-685-9000 973-455-0708 380 Clifton Ave. Thursday 7 PM Open Jam Matawan 973-546-3406 CAFÉ 34 SUSHI LOUNGE Saturdays 7:30 PM Hoboken 787 Route 34 12 Schuyler Place MAXWELL’S Jazz trios Wed and Thur 8 PM 973-539-1135 Closter 1039 Washington St. 732-583-9700 www.sushilounge.com HARVEST BISTRO & BAR 201-798-0406 www.bistro34.com Sunday jazz 6 PM 252 Schraalenburgh Road Every other Monday 9:00 PM 201-750-9966 Swingadelic Mendham Mountainside www.harvestbistro.com ARIRANG SHADES KC’S CHIFFAFA HOUSE Every Tuesday: Ron Affif/ 1230 Route 22W 720 Monroe St. 5 Hilltop Road Lyle Atkinson/Ronnie Zito 908-518-9733 www.shadesofhoboken.com 973-543-4726 Wednesday 7:30 PM 888-374-2337 www.chiffafa.com Deal Live Jazz — Rio Clemente, others AXELROD PAC SUSHI LOUNGE Call for schedule Newark Jewish Community Center Corner of 2nd St & Hudson St. NEWARK MUSEUM 732-531-9100 x 142 www.sushilounge.com Metuchen 49 Washington St. www.arthurtopilow.com 201-386-1117 CORNERSTONE 973-596-6550 Sunday jazz 6 PM New & Pearl Streets www.newarkmuseum.org 732-549-5306 Summer Thursday afternoons Wednesdays & Fridays 7:30 PM No cover.
Listings are alphabetical by town. All entries are subject to change; please call each venue to confirm schedule of music.
46 September 2007 JerseyEventsJazz
Tell them you saw it in Jersey Jazz!
NJPAC Pine Brook Ridgewood SOUTH ORANGE PERFORMING Wayne ARTS CENTER 1 Center St. MILAN WINBERIE’S AMERICAN BISTRO WILLIAM PATERSON One SOPAC Way 888-466-5722 30 Oak Street UNIVERSITY 13 Hook Mountain Road 973-235-1114 www.njpac.org 973-808-3321 201-444-3700 300 Pompton Road www.milanrestaurant.com www.selectrestaurants.com 973-720-2371 THE PRIORY Thursdays Piano Jazz/Pop Summit www.wpunj.edu 233 West Market St. Fridays 6:30 PM Stein Brothers Fridays/Saturdays Jazz/Pop duos SUMMIT UNITARIAN CHURCH Sunday 4:00 PM 973-242-8012 4 Waldron Ave. Friday 7:00 PM Plainfield Rumson Sunday No cover CAFÉ VIVACE West Caldwell SALT CREEK GRILLE Teaneck T’S TRATTORIA MARTINI BAR 1370 South Avenue 4 Bingham Avenue SAVOY GRILL 908-753-4500 LOUNGE ZEN 1090 Bloomfield Ave. 60 Park Place 732-933-9272 973-882-3110 www.cafevivace.com www.saltcreekgrille.com 254 DeGraw Ave. 973-286-1700 Saturdays 7:30 PM 201-692-8585 Wednesdays/Thursdays/Fridays music www.thesavoy Sayreville www.lounge-zen.com grillnewark.com No cover West Orange Princeton SHOT IN THE DARK SPORTS BAR & GRILL CECIL’S New Brunswick MCCARTER THEATRE PUFFIN CULTURAL FORUM 91 University Place 404 Washington Road 20 East Oakdene Ave. 364 Valley Road DELTA’S 609-258-2787 732-254-9710 201-836-8923 973-736-4800 19 Dennis St. Thursday 7:30 PM 732-249-1551 MEDITERRA John Bianculli Tom’s River FRANKLIN TAVERN 29 Hulfish St. OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE 97-99 Franklin Ave. STATE THEATRE 609-252-9680 Seabright FINE ARTS CENTER 973-325-9899 15 Livingston Ave. www.terramomo.com THE QUAY College Drive No cover 732-246-7469 280 Ocean Ave 732-255-0550 www.ocean.edu/campus/ www.statetheatrenj.org SALT CREEK GRILLE 732-741-7755 Westfield fine_arts_center 1 Rockingham Row, Tuesday nights Jazz Lobsters Some Wednesdays NORTHSIDE TRATTORIA Newton Forrestal Village big band 16 Prospect St. 609-419-4200 BULA Totowa 908-232-7320 134 Spring St. www.saltcreekgrille.com Sewell www.northsidetrattoria.com 46 LOUNGE 973-579-7338 Sunday, Tuesday, TERRA NOVA 300 Route 46 East www.bularestaurant.com Rahway 590 Delsea Drive Thursdays evenings 973-890-9699 Fridays 8:00 PM ARTS GUILD OF RAHWAY 856-589-8883 Wednesday Jazz 7:30 PM 1670 Irving St. http://terranovarestaurantbar.com ACQUAVIVA 115 Elm St. North Arlington 732-381-7511 Fridays & Saturdays Live Jazz SUSHI LOUNGE 908-301-0700 UVA www.rahwayartsguild.org 235 Route 46 West www.acquaviva- 602 Ridge Road 8:00 PM Short Hills www.sushilounge.com dellefonti.com Friday 7:00 PM JOHNNY’S ON THE GREEN 973-890-0007 Fridays 7:00 PM Adam Brenner Randolph 440 Parsonage Hill Road Sunday Jazz 6 PM 973-467-8882 STONEFIRE GRILLEHOUSE & BAR www.johnnysonthegreen.com Woodbridge North Branch 500 Route 10 West Trenton JJ BITTING BREWING CO. NEW ORLEANS FAMILY www.stonefirerestaurant.com Somerville JOE’S MILL HILL SALOON RESTAURANT 973-537-7070 Market & Broad Streets 33 Main Street VERVE RESTAURANT 1285 State Highway 28 Sunday Jazz 6 PM 609-394-7222 732-634-2929 18 East Main St. 908-725-0011 Occasionally www.njbrewpubs.com 908-707-8605 Fridays 9:30 PM 7:00 PM Raritan www.vervestyle.com Union MUGS PUB AND RESTAURANT Occasional Thursdays 6 PM Wood Ridge Nutley 73 West Somerset Street Fridays/Saturdays 8:30 PM VAN GOGH’S EAR CAFÉ HERB’S PLACE 908-725-6691 1017 Stuyvesant Ave. MARTINI GRILL AT THE PARK PUB Fridays 7 PM South Brunswick 908-810-1844 187 Hackensack St. 785 Bloomfield Avenue JAZZ CAFÉ www.vangoghsearcafe.com 201-209-3000 973-235-0696 Red Bank South Brunswick (Dayton) Sundays 8:00 PM Wednesday through 8:30–11:30 PM Saturday COUNT BASIE THEATRE Municipal Complex $3 cover 99 Monmouth St. 540 Ridge Road 732-329-4000 ext. 7635 Oakland 732-842-9000 Watchung HANSIL’S BAR AND GRILL [email protected] WATCHUNG ARTS CENTER 7 Ramapo Valley Rd. ”JAZZ IN THE PARK” first Friday every month 18 Stirling Road We continually update entries. $5 admission includes light 201-337-5649 Riverside Park 908-753-0190 Please contact [email protected] if 732-530-2782 refreshments www.watchungarts.org RUGA’S you know of other venues that 4 Barbara Lane South Orange ought to be here. We want to 201-337-0813 DANCING GOAT CAFÉ include any locale that offers jazz Tuesday thru Saturday 7:00 PM 21 South Orange St on a regular, ongoing basis. Also 973-275-9000 please advise us of any errors you’re www.thedancinggoat.com 8 PM aware of in these listings.
If you heard ANAT COHEN at Jazzfest with Five The Name Dropper CHARLAP; VIRGINIA MAYHEWStockton; JOHN COATES THE STOCKTON INN JR.; BOB DOROUGH; BILL MAYS & MARVIN Play you know that she is one of the most exciting LAURA HULL and RIO CLEMENTE are at the 1 Main Street STAMM; URBIE & JESSE609-397-1250 GREEN; ADAM new players on the scene. Cohen will be playing as Bickford Theatre September 24. NIEWOOD, and many others.Tuesday For 6:30 a complete PM Jeffrey Gordon part of “The Waverly Seven” at the Oscar Schindler The Celebration of the Arts Festival (COTA) at East schedule their web site is: www.cotajazz.org. Arts Center in West Orange on September 8. (You Stroudsburg PA has been bringing out the best of The State Theatre in New Brunswick has a can watch a video of Anat and the Waverly Seven the musicians residing in the Poconos. This year dynamite schedule for late September with JOHN playing a hard-swinging “Nature Boy” and (September 6 – 9), the lineup includes PHIL PIZZARELLI on the 28th, PAQUITO D’RIVERA on “Caravan” live at the Jazz Standard at YouTube.com. WOODS with JON GORDON and BILL the 29th, followed by JON FADDIS on the 30th.
September 2007 47 Time Value Material PERIODICALS Deliver Promptly Postage PAID at Brookside, NJ c/o New Jersey Jazz Society and additional PO Box 410 mailing offices Brookside, NJ 07926-0410
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