Editor: Kathy Lyon Vol. 27 • January 2010 • No. 1 27th Annual Pensacola “JazzFest Goes On” Extravaganza JazzFest Line-up Announced to feature both Divas and Divos! The performers for the 2010 Pensacola JazzFest, scheduled Mark your calendars for one of the major events of the for April 10 and 11, 2010, have been announced, and it promises year: “JazzFest Goes On” will take place on Saturday, to be another exciting weekend. Scheduled to appear: February 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m in the Phineas Russell Kassoff Phogg’s Room at Seville Quarter. With the overwhelming success and popularity of both the “Diva Extravaganza” Returning to the Pensacola JazzFest after last February that featured top area female vocalists, and a well-received performance here at the “Los Divos Extravaganza” spotlighting top male singers in 2006 JazzFest, Russ is an accomplished jazz August, the decision was made to combine both the “divas” pianist, conductor, composer, orchestrator, and “divos” and arranger. He served as pianist to Frank in an all-star line-up. Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, Sammy Davis, Jr., The vocalists who Dean Martin, and many others. He has ap- have confirmed that peared on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz they will participate on NPR, and at numerous jazz festivals. In in the show include New York, he has performed countless times at Carnegie Hall, Radio (in alphabetical order) Rosie Butler, Cynthia Domulot, City Music Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and other prominent venues. He Erma Granat, Kathy Lyon, Holly Shelton, David Suhor, continues to be in demand as a producer, arranger, composer, band Jim Vale, and David Washington. The vocalists will be leader and performer. He has collaborated and performed with art- backed up by The Guffman Trio (Cynthia Domulot, ists including Bucky Pizzarelli, Ed Polcer, Gene Bertoncini, Harry piano; Fred Domulot, drums; and Tom Latenser, bass). Allen, Jay Leonhart and many more. As a pianist, music director There may be additional singers added to the line-up, and/or conductor Russ has accompanied many well-known perform- but they were unconfirmed at the deadline for this ers including: Steve Allen, Paul Anka, Tony Bennett, Sammy Cahn, printing. Complete details will be posted on our website Vic Damone, Barry Manilow, Ginger Rogers, Carly Simon, Carol (www.JazzPensacola.com) as they become available. Sloane, Luciano Pavarotti and many more. In addition, Joe Occhipinti’s Big Band will be featured. To find out more, visit: www.russkassoff.com Proceeds from this event go to support the 27th Annual Howard Alden Pensacola JazzFest, to be held April 10-11, 2010. Presented free to the community, the JazzFest is possible Another Pensacola JazzFest veteran (with only through the support of our membershp and guests at the Concord All-Stars in 1997), Howard events like this as well as the generous donations received began playing guitar at age ten, and was throughout the year. In addition, top-flight programs such soon working professionally around Los as this attract new members to our organization and help us Angeles playing in groups ranging from grow for the future. This show is a great opportunity for our traditional to mainstream to modern jazz. members to introduce their friends to the Jazz Society–many Upon moving to New York in 1982, of our members joined after discovering us through one of Alden’s skills, both as soloist and accompa- these showcase events. nist, were quickly recognized and sought- Admission to “JazzFest Goes On” is $20.00 per person out for appearances and recordings with such artists as Joe Bushkin, in advance and $25.00 per person at the door. Admission for Ruby Braff, Joe Williams, Warren Vaché and Woody Herman. students with ID is $5.00 at the door. Advance tickets are He has continued to win accolades from critics and musicians alike. available at JSOP events, Seville Quarter, Reynalds Music A Concord Jazz recording artist since the late ‘80s, his prolific and Dollarhide’s Music and Sound, as well as the JSOP recorded output as leader, co-leader, and versatile sideman has cap- office. Tickets may be purchased with Visa, Mastercard tured an artist of consistently astonishing virtuosity and originality. or Discover card by calling the office during office hours Alden plays a seven-string guitar which imparts a greater range and (Tues.-Fri. 9 am - 1 pm) Continued page 2 JazzFest Line-up Continued from page 1 (called “the rebirth of the hot jazz violin” by Nat Hentoff) Aaron has become the youngest jazz musician to have recorded as leader for harmonic richness to Alden’s already colorful tonal palette. Howard this prestigious traditional jazz record label. To find out more, visit can be heard on the soundtrack to the 1999 Woody Allen movie www.aaronweinstein.com. “Sweet and Lowdown,” starring Sean Penn, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as a legendary jazz guitarist in the Dennis Mackrel ‘30s. Howard played all the guitar solos, and also coached Mr. Penn Noted jazz drummer and highly respected on playing the guitar for his role in the film. To find out more, visit: composer and arranger, Dennis’ work has been www.howardalden.com recorded and performed by the Count Basie Orchestra, The Frank Wess Orchestra, The Donald Vega Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, and Bringing a unique style and virtuosity to others. He has won numerous awards and his his piano performances, as well as to his Broadway credits include “The First” and composing and arranging, Donald’s sound “A Chorus Line.” In 1983, Dennis joined has been said to resonate with a touch of The Count Basie Orchestra on the personal Oscar Peterson’s versatility and Bill Ev- recommendation of Joe Williams and worked alongside Mr. Basie ans’ elegant lyricism.Vega’s first album as until his death in 1984. Dennis continued with the orchestra under a leader, “Tomorrows,” was released July the direction of Thad Jones and later under Frank. He has served as 2008 to rave reviews, and includes a jazz educator in Europe, Asia, Canada and the USA. Some of the six original tunes. Vega has appeared on other recordings with notable musicians Dennis has performed with include: Monty artists including Anthony Wilson’s, Bennie Wallace, Jose Rizo, and Alexander, John Pizzarelli, Harry Connick Jr., Lionel Hampton, Al McKibbon. Vega’s recent competitive winnings include Down Kevin Mahogany, Tony Bennett, Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Beat’s 2007 Jazz Student Soloist award and 1st place at the 2008 Chris Connor, Quincy Jones, and George Shearing. To find out Philips Jazz Piano Competition at the University of West Florida. more, visit www.dennismackrelmusic.com Currently residing in New York where he recently completed his studies at the Juilliard School with piano great, Kenny Barron. Loren Pickford Quartet He frequently performs throughout Europe and Latin America. Loren, a Grammy nominated saxophonist, Recent NYC performances have been at venues such as Birdland, flutist, pianist, vocalist, composer, and The Blue Note, Smalls, and The Jazz Standard. To find out more, recording artist, appeared at the 2005 Pensacola visit: www.donaldvega.com JazzFest. He has composed and performed scores for movies (Warner Bros.), documen- Aaron Weinstein taries (PBS), CBS, radio presentations (NPR), Having earned a reputation as one of the Broadway, and modern classical impression- finest jazz violinists of his generation, Aaron istic dance scores for world renowned dance was named a “rising star violinist” by troupes. He has recorded seven CDs which Downbeat Magazine. As a featured solo- have garnered high critical praise. He played with R&B blues legend ist, Aaron has performed at Lincoln Center, Jackie Wilson, The Chi Lites, and Percy Sledge, and was in the Wolftrap Center for the Performing Arts, bands of Van Morrison, The Righteous Brothers, T Bone Walker, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, and JVC Jazz Ray Charles, Etta James, Albert Collins, Randi Crawford and others. Festival, the Iridium, Birdland and Django In the modern jazz scene he has been a sideman in the bands of Chet Reinhardt festivals in France, Iceland and Baker, Nicholas Payton, and many others. He was bandleader for the New York City. Aaron has performed and CBS TV shows “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Rhoda,” “The Bob recorded with an array of jazz masters including: Howard Alden, Newhart Show,” and more. His numerous recordings have earned Gene Bertoncini, Al Caiola, Scott Hamilton, Dick Hyman, Les Paul, critical high praise from reviewers from top jazz publications. Houston Person, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, and many more. After residing and working in New Orleans for fifteen years, Loren He is a recent graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, evacuated the city due to Hurricane Katrina in September 2006, and where he was awarded a full four-year talent-based scholarship. With relocated to Kansas City, Mo, in search of the musical roots of the release of Aaron’s Arbors Records debut, “A Handful of Stars,” Continued page 3 2 Ø JazzFest Line-up Continued from page 2 Charlie Parker, Jay McShann and other K.C. greats. He Ø Jazz Happenings Ø is also devoted to musical education as a jazz educator, for which he received a grant to work in the Kansas City schools, and was on uMon. January 18, 6:00 pm— the faculty of the KC Youth Jazz Camp. To find out more, visit www. Jazz Gumbo: Clarence Bell Trio lorenpickford.com Phineas Phogg’s Room in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Steve Gilmore For more than 30 years, Clarence Steve began playing at age twelve when he Bell (left) has entertained fans as played in Pennsbury (Pennsylvania) High a pianist, producer, composer and School’s progressive music program.