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OOcttcotbboeebrer 2r2 0202020200 wwwwwww.h..hohotohtthohouoususesejeajjazazz.zzc..occmoomm Smoke Jazz & Supper Club Page 2 SmokeSmoke JazzJazz Jazz && Supper&Supper Supper ClubClub Club Page Page Page 2 2 2 DeerDeerDeer Head Head Head Inn Inn Inn and and and Tavern Tavern Tavern On On On George GeorgeGeorge Page PagePage 4 4 PeterPeterPeter BernsteinBernstein Bernstein MarianneMarianneMarianne Solivan SolivanSolivan JoelJoel Ross Ross JuanchoJuancho Herrera Herrera Joel Ross Juancho Herrera BlueBlue Note Note PagePage 6 6 SoapboxSoapboxSoapbox Gallery Gallery Gallery Page PagePage 8 8 Blue Note Page 6 Soapbox Gallery Page 8 WhereWhere To To Go Go & & Who Who To To See See Since Since 1982 1982 Where To Go & Who To See Since 1982 PETER BERNSTEIN Connecting in a Pandemic By George Kanzler UITARIST PETER BERNSTEIN, Gwhose last album as a leader came out in 2018, was mulling over releasing a new CD of some live recordings from that year. Then he got a call from Smoke Sessions producer Paul Stache, saying that Sear Sound's New York studios are open for business. So on June 25, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Peter was able to record a new quartet album, What Comes Next, socially distancing with pianist Sullivan Fortner, bassist Peter Washing- ton and drummer Joe Farnsworth. For Peter, it was a rare chance this year to play with other musicians and to record music he wrote during the pandem- ic lockdown. "You get rusty playing by yourself," Peter notes from the West Village apart- ment where he is hunkered down with his wife and two sons. "Teaching and practic- ing are just not the same, you're not firing on the same cylinders in the same way. It's just not as intense as listening to other people and interacting. Like having a con- versation, there's different rhythms and a different balance going on. I've been play- ing solo, and need to work to get better at that, but at the same time you just miss that connection playing for and with peo- ple, that connection you can feel." Connections, especially with musicians Peter refers to as the elders, are very important to him. What Comes Next is ded- when studying at the New School, and icated to two recently deceased elders Mabern, with whom he recorded, Peter has Peter worked with: drummer Jimmy Cobb an abundance of other fond memories. He and pianist Harold Mabern. The album is recalls working with saxophonist Lou out this month in conjunction with Donaldson and organist Dr. Lonnie Smith livestreaming performances from Smoke in Lou's group in the 1990s, as well as gigs Jazz & Supper Club by the CD's quartet, and recordings with such elders as saxo- October 16-17. phonists David "Fathead" Newman, "I'm lucky to be part of the last genera- George Coleman and Sonny Rollins. tion who could be sidemen to the great "It was a real thrill to work with elder musicians and learn from them," Sonny," he says of his sporadic tenure in Peter says. His good fortune began early, Sonny's band from 2010 to 2012. "I love when he enrolled in the jazz program at standards, that's how we learn how music Rutgers University and studied with gui- works in a lot of ways. And Sonny taught tarist Ted Dunbar. "We also had Kenny us all how to play these old songs." Barron for a small group ensemble. He What Comes Next includes the debut wouldn't say much, but would correct us recording of a Rollins calypso, "Newark when we played the wrong chord changes; News," which Peter played with Sonny. it was a lesson to trust the Real Book. And The melody stuck with him so much that when he played a tune with us on piano at he asked Clifton Anderson, Sonny's the end of a session, everybody would nephew, to get his uncle's permission to sound so much better. It was like he was record it. It is one of three non-originals in showing us how you should play to make the nine-track program. The others are everyone sound better." Dizzy Gillespie's "Con Alma" and the Carl One of the biggest lessons Peter says Fischer-Frankie Laine ballad "We'll Be he's learned from the elders he's worked Together Again." Peter is celebrated for his with is "their conviction. There's no doubt interpretation of ballads. His sometime in them, it's all about complete commit- bandmate Brad Mehldau notes, "He ment to the music." Besides Jimmy Cobb, whom he met continued on page 14 2 Bernstein cover photo and photo on this page by Jimmy Katz. 3 play music. If I'm not singing all the time, Marianne Solivan then something's wrong. At first I wasn't Pandemic Pivot listening to anything, particularly jazz. Gradually I turned to rhythm and blues By Don Jay Smith and now, thanks to my students, I am again focused on jazz." That focus can be heard in her weekly Jazz Vocal Repertoire Hang, which con- venes every Saturday at 1 p.m. Marianne uploads a chart and the participants sing and talk about the tune for an hour or so. It's an opportunity for both students and working singers to gather and enjoy vocal- izing while learning new charts and com- ing together as a community. The free event is open to everyone at all levels, and is much needed during these challenging times. In addition to teaching, Marianne also has a couple of gigs coming up this month. On October 10, she performs at the Deer INGER MARIANNE SOLIVAN IS Head Inn with guitarist Michael Valeanu Smore fortunate than most musicians, and bassist Boris Kozlov. She appears in thanks to saying yes when she was tempt- New Brunswick at Tavern on George ed to say no. October 26 with Boris on hand once again, "I was offered a full-time teaching gig plus guitarist Ron Affif. Both performanc- last year and I wasn't sure I should take it es are going to follow safety guidelines and because I was performing so much," she are outdoors, although the Deer Head Inn explains. "Happily I overrode my emotion- offers some indoor seating. al hesitation and took the job. Now I con- "I haven't been performing in a while, sider myself very lucky because almost all but there are some tunes that I'm looking of the musicians I know are not working forward to singing. I love 'Forget Me,' and practically destitute." which was a hit for Shirley Horn; 'You Hit A well-schooled vocalist, Marianne is the Spot,' originally recorded by Sarah assistant professor of jazz voice at Syracuse Vaughan; and 'Live for Life,' which seems University's Setnor School of Music. Due to so appropriate right now," Marianne notes. the pandemic she currently teaches online "I have a huge repertoire, so I don't plan a from her New York City home. Thanks to a set list in advance. We can go from 'You knack for technology, she is very comfort- Must Believe in Spring' to 'Confirmation,' able teaching virtually, and her students but it really depends what seems right." benefit from her expertise. This popular singer enjoys a reputation Hailing from the Boston suburbs, for a captivating stage presence (which no Marianne originally wanted to pursue a doubt makes her a popular teacher) and a career in musical theater. She attended passionate singing style. She is known for Boston Conservatory for a year, but took a always learning and pushing herself. hiatus because of family issues. During Marianne has performed and recorded that time, she discovered Ella Fitzgerald with many jazz luminaries including and realized that she really wanted to be a Christian McBride, Peter Bernstein, jazz singer. She returned to school to study Jeremy Pelt, Xavier Davis, Gene voice. Bertoncini and Lewis Nash. JazzTimes "I applied and was accepted to the noted that she "remains too much a local Berklee College of Music and started at the delicacy," but praised her latest release, very beginning," she says. "Ella was my Spark, as a recording that "will at last primary influence, but I also listened a lot ignite wider recognition." to Nina Simone, Carmen McRae and Betty The pandemic has paused that upward Carter. After graduation, I continued trajectory, but Marianne Solivan continues studying, getting a master's from New to delight listeners wherever she performs England Conservatory." whether it is with her weekly jazz hang or In 2007, Marianne moved to New York socially distanced live performances. She is where she became one of the top singers on definitely a singer to watch. the scene, performing at well-known clubs including Dizzy's Club, Birdland, the Blue Marianne Solivan appears every Note, Smalls and elsewhere. Saturday at 1 p.m., on Jazz Vocal When the pandemic hit in March, she Repertoire Hang through Facebook was in the middle of a five-week tour that and is set to perform with her trio at came to an abrupt halt, changing life for the Deer Head Inn in Pennsylvania her as it did for others. "For the first few Oct. 10, and at Tavern on George in months it was really hard to listen or to New Brunswick, New Jersey, Oct. 26. 4 Solivan photo by Caroline Conejero.