A P A PLACE FOR O R

March 2010 Editor: Tim Coakley W E B S I T E : HTTP://WWW.APLACEFORJAZZ.ORG — UPDATED DAILY It Might as Well be Swing

by Tim Coakley

Although spring is almost Redman, Terence Blanchard, “marked by keen empathy, upon us, A Place for Jazz is Wynton Marsalis and others. sensitivity, and power.” looking ahead to fall, and has His debut CD was “Between The brilliant young saxophon- prepared an outstanding con- the Lines,” with a follow-up ist J.D. Allen will take the cert series for 2010. We hope CD on Criss Cross. He also stage for the second half with that this year’s concerts will plays on Capitol Region saxo- the same fiery rhythm section. be as successful and well- phonist Brian Patneaude’s CD His first CD, “In Search Of,” received as last year’s. Here is “River View.” won him the Best New Artist what we have in store for you Capital Region favorites Nat in Italy that year. His follow- this fall. Phipps, (see Page 4) up release, “Pharaohs Chil- On Sept. 10, one of the leg- and Jeanne O’Connor, vo- dren,” was one of Jazziz ends of jazz, alto saxophonist cals, are two of our local he- magazines Critics Picks Top Lou Donaldson will kick off roes. On Oct. 8. They will 10 Albums of 2001. our season. From his early re- bring their swinging stylings cordings with to the First Unitarian Society, and Thelonious Monk, and the backed by an outstanding Finally, in the centennial year famous “A Night at Birdland” bassist and drummer. of the great guitarist Django Reinhardt, we close out our with and Clifford Brown, LouDonaldson has season on Nov. 5 with The had a long and distinguished On Oct. 22, we have A Pair of Hot Club of Detroit. The career. Threes; two unique trios. Pi- group specializes in perform- His latest quartet is sure to get anist Bruce Barth will play ing the repertoire of our season off to a brilliant the first half of the concert Reinhardt, and a whole lot start. with Gregg August, bass, and more. The group includes the Rudy Royston, drums. Barth amazing Julian Labro on but- has made three solo piano ton accordion, and is a four- On Sept. 24, guitarist Mike tours of Japan, and has also time winner of Detroit Music Moreno and his quartet will performed with his trio Awards: Best Traditional Jazz bring a mixture of standards throughout the United States Group. and originals to our stage. He and Europe. All About Jazz has played with Joshua has described his trio as Page 2 A P l a c e f o r J a z z Ahora, Latin/Jazz! 2010 Season

A Place for Jazz is proud to join "Chembo" Corniel, congas; Wil- bany 7:30 pm, $15; $5 students Dr. Jose Cruz as a co-sponsor lie Martinez, drums. At the Whis- as he continues his Latin jazz perdome, First Unitarian Society May 14: "Doc Cheatham, A por- concert series for 2010 as part of Schenectady, 1221 Wendell trait in jazz and Latin," multime- of Jazz Appreciation Month. Ave. 8 p.m. Tickets $20; $10 for dia presentation with commen- This important series gives lis- students tary and musical performance teners new insights into this in- by Ray Vega with Ray Alexan- fluential tributary into the great April 23: "The role of the in der, piano; Erik Johnson, bass; river of jazz. Afro-Cuban music." lecture and and Pete Sweeney, drums. Em- musical performance by Andrea erson Auditorium, Union Col- The schedule: Brachfeld. Humanities 354, lege, 7:30pm, $15; $5 students University at Albany. 7:30 pm, and Union College faculty April 16: The Jazz/Latino All $15; $5 students Stars (several of whom have Season tickets are $50; $15 stu- performed at A Place for Jazz): May 1: "Secrets of the Latin dents. For tickets, information, Ray Vega, ; Chris bass." Lecture by David Am- and updates visit Washburne, ; Hilary brosio and musical perform- www.jazzlatino.org, e-mail Noble, sax; Nicki Denner, piano; ance by Grupo Los Santos. [email protected], or call 518- Jennifer Vincent, bass; Wilson Assembly Hall, University at Al- 466-9990

She's Ba-a-a-ck!

Barbara Kaiser, creator and host bara. “The program plays in a 3- Armstrong, and of “Jazz & …” on WRPI, is back hour loop 24 hours a day, 7 Ella Fitzgerald as well as new now on the Internet. Barbara is days a week, 365 days a year. artists such as Tierney Sutton broadcasting on So, if you wake up at 3 a.m. and and Stacey Kent. However you www.live365.com/stations/ want to play it, it’s there.” never know when you will hear jazzand. “It is a new venture and Barbara's eclectic programming Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits or it’s very interesting”, says Bar- integrates classic jazz artists Bob Dylan as well. such as John Coltrane, Louis Words on Music Some excellent books on jazz Teachout has a clear, unclut- thorough account of the unique have come out recently, a cou- tered writing style, and he tells pianist and composer, who was ple of which shed new insights us some things we might not often written about as much for on two jazz icons. have known before about this his seeming eccentric behavior “Pops” by Terry Teachout, pub- beloved American figure. as for his music. Kelley reveals lished by Houghton Mifflin, tells His happy exterior was only part that Monk was probably bipolar, the story of Louis Armstrong, of the story. which was a diagnosis unknown in his day. from his boyhood in New Or- leans to his great days in the There’s also much information 1920s and leading his big band “Thelonious Monk: The Life about the whole jazz scene in to the days of Ambassador and Times of an American New York during the 1940s and Satch, when he brought Ameri- Original,” by Robin D. G. Kelley ’50s. This is a superior read. can jazz around the world. (Simon and Schuster), is a really A P l a c e f o r J a z z Page 3 Local Jazz Venues (Listed Alphabetically)

9 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs, 518-587- Jazz on Jay, in front of City Center (across Red Onion Restaurant, Route 212, Wood- 7759 from Proctor's), Schenectady, 518-372-5656 stock, NY 845-679-1223 The Bar at 74 State, 74 State St, Albany, (summer only) Saratoga Gaming & Raceway, Saratoga 518-434-7410 Justin’s, 301 Lark St, Albany, 518-436-7008 Springs, 518-584-2110 The Basement, 21 Center St, Northamp- Lark Tavern, 453 Madison Ave. Albany, Sarazen Student Union, Siena College, 518 ton, MA, 413-586-9030 518-463-9779 -783-4117 Blue Plate, 1 Kinderhook St, Chatham, The Linda , WAMC, 339 Central Ave., Sargo's, Saratoga National Golf Club, 458 NY, 518-392-7711 Albany, 518-465-5233 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, 518-583-4653 Cabernet Café, 1814 Western Ave, Albany, Mo' Jazz Café , 7 South Main St, Wilming- Scrimshaw Tavern, Desmond Hotel, Colo- 518-452-5670 ton, VT 802-464-2280 nie, 518-869-8100 Café Capriccio, 49 Grand St, Albany, 518- Moon & River Café, 115 S. Ferry St., Spillin' the Beans, 13 3rd St, Troy, 518-268 65-0439 Schenectady, 518-382-1938 -1028 Castle Street Café, 10 Castle St, Great Bar- Muddy Cup, 1038 Madison Ave, Al- Stella's Lounge, 7 Main St, Catskill, 518- rington, MA, 413-528-5244 bany, 518-459-2022 943-3173 Chameleon on the Lake, 251 County Rt. One Caroline Street Bistro, Saratoga Stockade Inn, 1 N. Church St, 67, Saratoga Springs, 581-3928 Springs, 518-587-2026 Schenectady, 518-346-3400 Chez Sophie Bistro, 534 Broadway, Sara- Panza's Restaurant, Route 9P Saratoga The Van Dyck, 237 Union St, Schenectady, toga Springs, 518-583-3538 Lake, Saratoga Spgs, 518-584-6882 348-7999 Circus Café, 392 Broadway, Saratoga Parker Inn, 434 State St, Schenectady, 518- Wallabee's Jazz Bar, 190 Glen St, Glens Springs, 518-583-1106 688-1001 Falls, NY, 518-792-8282 Comfort Inn, 37 Rte 9W, Glenmont, 518- Prime 677, 677 Broadway Albany, 518-427- The Wine Bar, 417 Broadway, Saratoga 465-8811 7463 Springs, 518-584-8777 The Fountain Restaurant, 283 New Scot- Proctor's, 432 State St, Schenectady, 518- land Ave, Albany, 518-482-9898 382-3884 Four Corners Luncheonette, 2 Grove St, Provence Restaurant, Stuyvesant Plaza- Delmar, 518-439-0172 Western Ave at Fuller Rd, Albany, 518-689-

Freedom Park, Schonowee Ave, Scotia, 7777 370-0662 (summer only) Quarter Moon Café, 53 Main Street, Delhi, NY, 607-746-8886

R A D I O J A Z Z WVCR 88.3 FM "The Crossroads of Jazz." Saturday from noon. to 2 p.m. with a mix of the Essentials and the Contemporary . Hosted by Darrin Scott and Ted Moisides. WCDB 90.9 FM Bill McCann, Saturday 8 am to 12 noon; Bill Goss, "TGIF Jazz Party", Friday, 4 - 6 pm; Mark Stevenson, "The Contemporary Jazz Cafe`", Saturday, 6 - 8 am WAMC 90.3 FM Tim Coakley, Saturday 10:30 pm-12 midnight; Jim Wilke, Jazz After Hours 1 am to 5 am Friday and Saturday; Marian McPartland, Sunday 9pm; Afro-Pop Worldwide, 8 pm Sunday WRPI 91.5 FM Kevin Roberts, Thursday. 8-10 pm with his exciting and varied theme shows WVPR 94.3 FM (Vermont Public Radio) George Thomas Tuesday-Thursday from 8-10 pm, Friday until midnight WKLI Magic 100.9 FM Sundays Albany (Sunday Morning Jazz Brunch) 6am-8am Dave Koz Radio Show; 8 am.- 10.am; Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis; 10am-12 noon.: Swingin' with Sinatra with Steve Jackson Vicario. Page 4 A P l a c e f o r J a z z Pianist-Educator Nat Phipps Local Treasure with a National Reputation

By Tom Pierce

One of the artists slated to to being popular performers in Wayne Shorter’s recent biogra- perform at the 2010 A Place for Newark, they were key mem- phy describes Nat’s big band in Jazz concert series is pianist bers of bands led by famous very positive terms, as it was Nat Phipps. Capitol District Jazz players touring exten- quite influential to his develop- Jazz lovers have long been sively in this country. ment. very familiar with his excellent Nat, an extraordinary pianist In addition, Nat has accompa- playing at countless venues in who also is an effective vocal- nied Al Hibbler, Betty Carter the area, and can vouch for the ist, led a renowned local big and Moms Mabley, among oth- swinging, talented, classy pres- band in the 1950s that over ers. He also spent an extended ence he projects. time included such well-known period of time with internation- But most are unaware of the players as Wayne Shorter, ally acclaimed vocalist Little extent of his highly respected Jimmy Scott, as well as scores NATIONAL career, in Newark of locally talented singers. N.J. and elsewhere dating back He has recorded on the Cool to the 1950s leading acclaimed and Savoy record labels. In the bands with many well-known Capitol District, where he’s players. raised a family, he’s been a Phipps is a member of Newark well-known, respected educa- New Jersey’s “First Family of tor at several universities and Jazz,” with at least six accom- colleges, in addition to an ac- plished musicians (including Grachan Moncur III, Chris tive playing career in his own his twin brother, saxophonist White, , Reggie bands and a wide variety of Bill Phipps), extending from the Workman, Tom McIntosh and others. 1930s up to today. In addition others. Noted saxophonist McCann Marks 25 Years on the Air

Bill McCann, a board member host an all-day music bash at The event is free, and those of A Place for Jazz, has been the University at Albany cam- who stop by will have a chance hosting The Saturday Morning pus, starting at noon . to enjoy some music and Edition Of Jazz for the past 25 Playing during the day at times maybe pick up a T-shirt to years on WCDB 90.9 in Al- to be announced will be the mark the occasion. bany. In addition to his enter- Peg Delaney Quintet, Brian taining and informative style, Patneaude Quartet, Colleen he plays some great jazz and Pratt and Friends, the Troika interviews members of the lo- Trio, the Lee Shaw Trio and cal jazz community. Keith Pray’s Big Soul Ensem- On Saturday, April 17, he will ble. A P l a c e f o r J a z z Page 5 Jazz Appreciation Month

Several events are on tap for Scheduled to perform are bass- On Tuesday, April 13, The April to observe Jazz Apprecia- ist Steve LaSpina and guitarist Empire Jazz Orchestra, di- tion Month, as we celebrate the Mitch Seidman, pianist Yuko rected by Bill Meckley, will give music and performers of this Kishimoto, Mike Benedict’s its spring concert at dynamic art form. Here are a Jazz Vibes, the new Joe Barna Schenectady County few of them; other April events Quartet, and others. Check our Community College. The guest are listed elsewhere in the Web site, soloist will be trumpeter Vince newsletter. www.aplaceforjazz.org, for fur- DiMartino. Call 318-1231 for ther performers as the date ap- proaches. Information will also information and tickets. On Sunday, April 11, the be available at Schenectady Musical Union, www.albanyjazz.com, the daily Local 85-133, will present On Friday, April 16, saxophon- newspapers, and the jazz radio ist Joshua Redman and pianist some of the area’s top musi- shows listed elsewhere in this cians in a free after-noon of mu- newsletter. Brad Mehldau will perform in sic at The Muddy Cup, in the the brand-new Zankel Music Proctors Arcade, Schenectady. Center auditorium at Skidmore The afternoon will be dedicated College in Saratoga Springs. to the late guitarist Jack Frago- meni.

One County, One Book Selection Has Jazz Theme

The Schenectady County Pub- 1940s and forms a lifelong Haugen Quartet. In addition, as lic Library’s One County, One friendship and love of jazz. part of the programs being built Book group read for this year is The author will appear at the around the book, local jazz pi- “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter Schenectady County Commu- anist Yuko Kishimoto will play in and Sweet,” by Jamie Ford. In nity College on Saturday, the library’s McChesney Room it, a young Chinese-American March 27. His appearance will on the evening of Friday, April meets a jazz saxophonist in the be accompanied by the Al 16.

Check out our monthly calendar on our website at www.aplaceforjazz.org.

The calendar is updated daily and in- cludes links to Jazz Festivals, clubs and concert series Page 6 A P l a c e f o r J a z z Two Centennials in May Mary Lou Williams She accepted a regular gig at the the Navy later formed a band, May 8, 1910 Café Society Downtown, started a which served in the Pacific. After Born Mary Elfrieda Scruggs in At- weekly radio show called "Mary 18 months playing for Navy person- lanta, she grew up in Pittsburgh. Lou Williams's Piano Workshop" on nel Shaw returned to the U.S. in a In 1924, age 14 she was taken on WNEW, and began mentoring and state of physical exhaustion, re- the Orpheum Circuit. In 1927 she collaborating with many younger ceiving a medical discharge. married saxophonist John Williams bebop musicians, most notably Like and other and moved with him to Memphis. In and Thelonious leaders of big bands, Shaw fash- 1929 John accepted an invitation to Monk. In 1945 Williams composed ioned a small group from within the join Andy Kirk's outfit. When Kirk the bebop hit "In the Land of Oo- band. He named it the Gramercy accepted a longstanding engage- Bla-Dee" for Dizzy Gillespie.. Five after his home telephone ex- ment in Kansas City, Williams She later took a hiatus from per- change. Pianist Johnny Guarneri joined her husband and began sit- forming, dedicating herself to the played a harpsichord on the quintet ting in with the band, as well as Catholic faith. Two priests and recordings and Al Hendrickson serving as its arranger and com- Dizzy Gillespie persuaded her to played an electric guitar, which was poser. She provided Kirk with such return to playing, which she did at unusual in jazz recordings of the songs as "Walkin' and Swingin'", the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival time. Trumpeter Roy Eldridge be- "Twinklin'", "Cloudy'", "Little Joe with Dizzy's band. In addition to came part of the group, succeeding from Chicago" and others. club work she played colleges, Butterfield. The Gramercy Five's The band’s records sold briskly, formed her own and biggest hit was "Summit Ridge catapulting Williams to national publishing companies, founded the Drive.” fame. She began working as a Pittsburgh Jazz Festival and made Throughout his career, Shaw would freelance arranger for such names television appearances. Through- take sabbaticals, quitting the music as Earl Hines, Benny Goodman, out the 1960s her composing fo- business. He led an excellent band and . Goodman cused on sacred music - hymns in 1949 that reflected the changes asked her to write a blues for his and masses. One of the masses wrought by the bebop era. In 1954, band. The result was "Roll 'Em", a was choreographed and performed he stopped playing the clarinet, cit- boogie-woogie piece based on the by the Alvin Ailey dance troupe. ing his own perfectionism, which, blues, which followed her success- You can find out more about Mary he later said, would have killed him. ful "Camel Hop", Goodman's theme Lou Williams in the excellent biog- He spent the rest of the 1950s liv- song for his radio show sponsored raphy “Morning Glory” by Linda ing in Europe. by Camel cigarettes. Dahl (Pantheon, 1999). In 1981, he organized a new Artie In 1942, Williams left the Kirk band, Shaw Band with clarinetist Dick returning again to Pittsburgh. She May 23, 1910 Johnson as bandleader and soloist. was joined there by bandmate Har- Born Arthur Jacob Arshawsky in The band appeared at the Sara- old "Shorty" Baker, with whom she , Shaw grew up in toga Performing Arts Center and at formed a six-piece ensemble that New Haven, Connecticut. He first Sherman’s on Caroga Lake. Shaw included Art Blakey on drums. After gained critical acclaim with his himself guest conducted from time a lengthy engagement in Cleve- "Interlude in B-flat" at a swing con- to time, ending his self-made ap- land, Baker left to join Duke Elling- cert at the Imperial Theater in New pearances on The Mike Douglas ton's orchestra. Williams joined the York in 1935. During the swing era, Show and The Tonight Show. band in New York, and then trav- his big band was popular with hits Anyone interested in hearing the eled to , where she and like "Begin the Beguine" (1938), current Artie Shaw band, now be- Baker were married. She traveled "Stardust" (with a trumpet solo by ing led by clarinetist Rich with Ellington and arranged several Billy Butterfield), "Back Bay Shuf- Chiaraluce after the recent death of tunes for him, including "Trumpet fle", "Moonglow", "Rosalie" and Dick Johnson, can check them out No End" (1946) and her version of "Frenesi” at the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies," but Mass. on May 15 within a year had left Baker and the group and returned to New York. During World War II, he enlisted in Page 7 A P l a c e f o r J a z z APFJ Membership Form

Date ______

Name ______

Address______

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Phone ______

E-Mail ______

Membership Levels (Circle One)

No Bread (But Want to Help) $20 Individual $30 Family $50 Supporter (+1 Series Ticket) $100 Patron (+2 Series Tickets) $250 Underwriter (+4 series Tickets) $500 Jazz Hero (5 Year membership $1,000 +2 series tickets until 2011)

***************** Special Thanks ******************

Norm Ainslie; Rob Aronstein; Ed August; C. Robie Booth; Joe Bowman; Al Brooks; Jody Shayne & Russ Brooks; Tim Coakley; College of St. Rose; Bob Cudmore; Evvie & Bob Currie; James & Margaret Cunningham; Peg & Bill Delaney; Jan Egry; Beverly Elander; The Goldberg Clan; Jerry Gordon; The Hamilton Hill Arts Center; The Hart Clan; Anita and Al Haugen; Leslie & Mark Hyland; Pete Jacobs; Barbara Kaiser; Mike and Rosemary Lategano; Peter Lesser; Eleanor Lin- berg; Chris Martin; Bill McCann; Gail & Bill Mattsson; Bill Meckley; Peg Miller; Bobbie Mon- terose; John & Donna Moroney; Yves Nazon; Brian Patneaude; Tom Pierce; Kevin Roberts; Alice Rudnick; Schenectady County Community College; Joe Slomka & Claudia White; Randy Treece; Chris Waldron; Sharon Wesley; David Wilkinson Thanks also to the Daily Gazette for their promotion of APFJ A Place for Jazz is a not-for-profit organization dedi- cated to presenting the best in jazz. We receive funding Swingtime Jazz Society from the Schenectady County Initiative Program and the New York State Council on the Arts, well as from Presents our ticket sales and membership contributions. March 14, 2010 from 4-7 PM Programs include concerts, public workshops, school-based clinics, a Jazz website, Concert from 4-6 PM, followed by 1-hour open jam session and general support of Jazz and its musicians. We welcome announcements and comments. Teri Roiger Quartet Editor: Tim Coakley Teri Roiger, vocals Contributors: Tim Coakley, Beverly Elander, Pat McKearn, piano Jerry Gordon, Tom Pierce John Menegon, bass Web Mensch: Jerry Gordon Danny Whelchel, drums Newsletter: Chris Waldron Stockade Inn A Place for Jazz PO Box 1059 , Schenectady, NY 12301 1 N. Church St (corner of Union St) Schenectady, NY 518 393-4011 [email protected] Reservations: (518) 346-3400 Admission $15 adults, $5 students Board of Directors Swingtimejazz.org Norm Ainslie, Al Brooks, Tim Coakley, Beverly Elander, Jerry Gordon, Al Haugen, Anita Haugen, Les- lie Hyland, Mike Lategano, Bill McCann, Leesa Perazzo, Tom Pierce, Andrzej Pilarczyk, Alice Rudnick, Joe Slomka, Chris Waldron

Calendar can be found at www.aplaceforjazz.org

A Place for Jazz PO Box 1059 Schenectady, NY 12301

Funded in part by a grant from the Schenectady County Initiative Program

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