Thanks For Enjoying These Fine Artists With Us!
Here is the most recently revised schedule of Featured Jazz Artists scheduled to appear at the Club Saratoga through December 8th of 2018. If you do not wish to receive this schedule, please reply with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line or text area. Otherwise, please forward to anyone who loves great music!
Every Saturday, from 3pm to 7pm (for32 years now and counting!), the 'Toga Trio, featuring Paul Ierino (piano), John Thorene (bass) and Jeff Peabody (drums,), performs with various guest artists or as a fabulous piano trio.
Last Saturday’s Recap: After about a year away from the club, Lila Ammons, Howard and the Pups made it back to Duluth. Catching up with old friends, singing with stunning beauty through familiar old standards and quite a bit of new material, as well a performing ‘on the edge,’ such as experimenting with reggae rhythm on a Duke Ellington tune, created a lot of interest in the musical landscape. A good sized and attentive audience was comprised of regulars, new walk-ins, and a few of our Canadian friends that make the trip from Thunder Bay for jazz.
Set 1: Three instrumental offerings from the trio initiated the session with ‘Kenny Barron’s Bossa,’ (1970), including a lot of quotations, excursions, improvisation and then a spry composition by Oscar Peterson, ‘Cool Walk,’ followed by Antonio Carlos Jobim’s 1966, ‘Triste.’ Paul called Lila to the stage, where she sang ‘That Sugar Baby Of Mine,’ (1926 Maceo Pinkard). Next was the seasonally appropriate, ‘Autumn Leaves,’ (1945 Kosma & Prevert). John Thorene embellished ‘No Moon At All, ‘ (1947 Mann & Evans) with a cool bass solo in between Lila’s vocals, then Lila finished off the set with Van Heusen & Burke’s 1947 ‘But Beautiful.’
Set 2: Movie music from ‘Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory,’ started the second set, as ‘Pure Imagination,’ (1971 Bricusse & Newely) got the instrumentals underway. Jeff Peabody provided the drum solos in a funky version of Cole Porter’s 1929’What Is This Thing Called Love?’ Lila challenged our drummer by suggesting a reggae rhythm for Duke Ellington’s 1935, ‘In A Sentimental Mood,’ and the group pulled it off beautifully! Melodic and lyrical improvisation enhanced ‘Satin Doll,’ (1953 Ellington, Strayhorn & Mercer), an already catchy tune, and made it even more appealing. ‘Fragile,’ (1988 Sting), not typically something you’d think of in the Jazz world…fit right in!
Set 3: Two of Oscar Peterson’s terrific piano arrangements, performed by perhaps Oscars most faithful fan and student, Mr. Paul Ierino and his ‘Toga trio, started the third set. Then Lila sang ‘All Or Nothing At All,’ (1939 Altman & Lawrence). Thelonius Monk’s ‘Still We Dream,’ (1967, T. Monk, also titled as ‘Ugly Beauty’) came next. A classic 12- bar blues shuffle from 1945 (Humes) ‘Be-Baba-Leeba,’ (spelling…!!) led to another blues classic made famous by the great Billie Holiday,’ Good Morning Heartache,’ (1946 Higginbotham & Drake). Brazilian Jazz filled out the set with ‘Mahna De Carnival,’ (1958 Luiz Bonfa, aka ‘Black Orpheus,’ aka ‘A Day In The Life Of A Fool’).
Set 4: Oscar Peterson’s 1964 ‘Hymn To Freedom,’ and Mandel & Altman’s 1970 ‘Suicide Is Painless,’ started the final set. Lila sang, ‘It Had To Be You,’ (1947 Kahn & Jones) and then did the attitude-wielding tune, ‘Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby, ‘ (1943 Jordan). A gorgeous rendering of Leon Russell’s 1972 ‘This Masquerade,’ was next, and then Hoagy Carmicheals’s beauty, ‘Georgia On My Mind,’ (1930). Miles Davis’ 1954 ‘Four,’ and Bacharach & David’s 1967 ‘The Look Of Love,’ finished up the session.
Thanks to our audiences, to Lila and her family, and to Tony, Sarah and Emily for yet another fun musical afternoon!
See you next week with Billy Barnard and Tim Stratioti!
The Jazz Link at www.clubsaratoga.com/jazz.html is up and running. For those of your friends that haven’t subscribed to the e-mail list for jazz….they can click on the link that says,”Click here for Jazz Schedule,’ and they will have it.
Legal Matters: Fun is always in the air at the ‘Toga, and incredibly accomplished musicians are there performing every Saturday afternoon from 3pm to 7 pm. All are welcome to come and enjoy the music and friendly atmosphere, but you must be 21 years old and be prepared to show proper I.D. to staff, or be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian! A lot of young music enthusiasts do show up with parents or grandparents. So, kids…round up the old folks and come on down! Music is for everyone and we don’t like having to turn anyone away!
The updated summary
Saturday, October 27, 2018: Billy Barnard & Tim Stratioti will grace the ‘Toga stage making a ‘power quintet’ that is guaranteed to knock your musical socks off! Mr. Barnard is a guitar virtuoso who has played professionally almost every day of the year…for years and years, besides being a mentor and very highly regarded professor of music at UMD. Tim is another veteran jazz player with his trombone and vocals. Together with Paul, John and Jeff, this will be a show to remember!
Saturday, November 3, 2018 : Reuben and Diane Ristrom, aka, “Mom & Pop Ristrom,’ as son Dan would say, have been making beautiful music together for years… and must have passed it along to Dan. Diane has a gorgeous voice, and ‘Pops’ as we’ve heard Dan call his Dad, Reuben (is it because he can sound just like ol’ Sachmo?), plays an incredibly smooth guitar and makes it sound and look so effortless. We know it’s not. This is the result of the labor of love of a lifetime! Music is definitely a family affair!! Here are the Ristrom’s websites: www.reubenristrom.com and www.danristrom.com
Saturday, November 10, 2018: Sam Miltich will be returning to treat us to more of his Django-esque guitar style. Sam has a new “Sam Miltich and Friends” album out, one of seven or so records that he has made. This new album is terrific, as are all of the other albums he has recorded. All of them will be available at the show! Sam’s website is www.sammiltich.com where you can read about what he’s been up to, purchase albums and contact him to schedule gigs.
Saturday, November 17, 2018: Mary Lou Williams & Mark Anderson will join the ‘Toga Trio for some stellar vocals and guitar jazz! Mary Lou’s vivacious, outgoing personality and Mark’s quiet, gentlemanly demeanor blend with their music, yielding some incredible and memorable audio artwork. This pair of great local artists always pack in the crowd at the club with fans, friends, local musicians and family…a fun and friendly good time for all. Come early and enjoy the musical party!
Saturday, November 24, 2018: Scott Junkert is scheduled to appear with his Mallet Kat and harmonica. The Mallet Kat is an electronic version of the massive vibraphone, or ‘vibes’ instrument, that is capable of literally hundreds of different sounds or ‘voices.’ As fans of this unique jazz instrument will tell you, vibes players are generally stacked up against Lionel Hampton and Gary Burton as a level of artistry to aspire to. Scott and his chops are every bit as accomplished as those two iconic vibes performers! His harmonica performances on such tunes as Moon River, Moonlight in Vermont, Moonglow and other tunes having to do with lunar things (or not) have earned lengthy ovations! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vos-CEffJLA
Saturday, December 1, 2018: : Bob Kase will be returning by VERY popular demand!! Dr. Robert Kase is a seasoned pro, having played with Paul Ierino over 30 years ago, recorded several jazz albums, written beautiful original music (some of which we heard him perform live), and is currently Dean of UMD’s School of Fine Arts. An engaging stage presence just adds to his top-drawer musicianship…so don’t let the academic titles fool you...this guy feels the music right down to his core, and although he doesn’t wear a wizard’s hat, he magically transfers that feeling right to his listeners!
Saturday, December 8, 2018: Sarah M. Greer is scheduled to perform her unique style of improvisational singing with the ‘Toga Trio. Sarah is a regular guest performer at the Club Saratoga, but does many, many more performances in the Twin Cities area. She has packed the club on each of her previous visits as featured guest artist, so you know you will have to arrive early for the best seating! In addition to being a performer, Sarah is also a teacher who uses her deep passion for singing to inspire others to find their own voice, style and improvisational freedom. Sarah’s website is www.sarahmgreer.com Sarah recently released her new album, ‘What The Music Says Do,’ and will have them at the club for sale and autographs! This is a very creative collection of her original jazz compositions and poetry, recorded with A-list players in a top-quality recording studio!
27-October Billy Barnard & Tim Stratioti Guitar, Trombone, Vocals 3-November Reuben & Diane Ristrom Guitar, Vocals 10-November Sam Miltich Guitar, Vocals Mary Lou Williams & Mark 17-November Anderson Vocals, Guitar 24-Noivember Scott Junkert MalletKat, Harmonica 1-December Dr. Robert Kase Trumpet, Flugel Horn, Vocals 8-December Sarah M. Greer Improvisational Vocals
Jazz Every Saturday from 3 to 7 pm Club Saratoga
331 Canal Park Drive
Duluth, Minnesota 55802
218- 7 2 2 - 5 5 7 7 www.clubsaratoga.com/jazz.html Thanks for Supporting Live Music!!