July 2009.Pmd
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Photos by Tom Ineck Tom Photos by The new BMF offices are on the second floor of The Burkholder Project at 719 P St., in downtown Lincoln. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ New BMF offices open to raves ○○○○○○○○○○○○ By Tom Ineck ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ July 2009 Vol. 14, Number 3 LINCOLN, Neb.—More than 1,000 people visited The Burkholder Project in just two hours during the April 3 Friday Gallery Walk, a record atten- In this issue dance for the monthly event and a land- mark occasion for the Berman Music BMF artist receptions...........................4 Foundation. For the first time in its 14 “New Harmonies” tour............................5 years, the BMF museum and offices were combined under one roof, and ev- Kendra Shank interview.......................6 eryone came out to see it and celebrate The Bad Plus review............................7 the legacy of Butch Berman. BMF neon sign illuminates an office window for all to see. Ray Gehring interview.........................8 Building owner and artist Anne Burkholder said the attendance ex- lery studio apartment, making conver- Ray Gehring review..............................9 ceeded all expectations. The previous sation—and even movement—a chal- The Bad Plus interview........................10 record for a gallery walk was about 600 lenge. Healdsburg Jazz Festival.....................12 people. She attributed the huge in- Despite the claustrophobic condi- John Riley Trio review.........................14 crease, in large part, to the BMF’s tions, a celebrative mood prevailed both Project Omaha review........................15 grand opening. Indeed, it seemed at inside the museum-office space and ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ times that all 1,000 visitors had simulta- outside the room, where saxophonist Bill Kendra Shank Quartet review.................17 neously converged in the Skylight Gal- Wimmer and keyboardist John Carlini ZARO review.........................................18 provided live jazz in the narrow hallway Tomfoolery: California trip................19 of the Skylight Gallery. As music re- verberated throughout the building, art Legends of Jazz review....................20 patrons became aware that something Jazz on Disc reviews............................21 exciting was happening. Many who Feedback: Letters to the Editor............25 were previously unfamiliar with the Berman foundation made their way to From the Photo Archives....................26 the upper level for a look. If brave enough or inquisitive BMF opening continued on page 2 Page 2 Berman Music Foundation Jazz ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ BMF opening continued from page 1 enough to wade into the assembled snarl, they were greeted by BMF represen- tatives happy to explain the history of the foundation and its long and support- ive presence on the Lincoln music scene and beyond. Earlier in the day, trustee Tony Rager gathered the BMF consultants for a pre-opening lunch and meeting at Lazlo’s restaurant and brewpub, directly across the street from The Burkholder. They had come from as far away as San Francisco (Wade Wright) and New York City (Russ Dantzler), as well as BMF consultants (back row, from left) Dan Demuth, Kay Davis, Wade Fayetteville, Ark. (Kay Davis), Pueblo, Wright, Tony Rager, Grace Sankey-Berman, Gerald Spaits and Tom Ineck Colo. (Dan DeMuth), Kansas City, Mo. and (front row) Russ Dantzler and Leslie Spaits gather at new offices. (Gerald and Leslie Spaits), and Lincoln (Grace Sankey-Berman and Tom Ineck). All had been close, trusted friends of founder Butch Berman, so it was with mixed feelings of joy and sor- row that we shared a meal and con- versation that often involved fond remi- niscences of Butch. After lunch, we toured the new BMF facilities, most of the consultants seeing the space for the first time. Ev- Artwork by Leora Platte was unveiled eryone agreed that the museum’s relo- at the grand opening Susan and John Horn cation from Butch’s house to the lively downtown area was a move sure to waves, swelling to a critical mass about appreciated the genuine show of sup- heighten visibility and further the 8:30 p.m. and dwindling to a few friends port and friendship that the spectacular foundation’s mission to educate, enter- and jazz enthusiasts after the doors had grand-opening attendance represented, tain and celebrate through music. officially closed at 9 p.m. but he would have beamed at the pros- That sentiment was confirmed “Butch would have loved this!” pect that the foundation he created when doors opened to the public at 7 was a frequent refrain among those who might reach a new audience who would p.m. and visitors began to arrive in knew him best. Not only would he have learn to love music almost as much as he did. Friends of the BMF (left) gather in the main room. Hors d’ouevres (above) were in ample supply. July 2009 Page 3 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Jazz is published online at: www.bermanmusicfoundation.org Joyce Latrom and Wade Wright The offices and museum of The Don and Jill Holmquist Berman Music Foundation are in the Skylight Gallery, The Burkholder Project, 719 P Street, Lincoln, NE 68508. Editor and Designer: Tom Ineck Contributing writerswriters: Dan Demuth, Tom Ineck and Grace Sankey-Berman Photographers: Dan Demuth, Richard Hay, Tom Gerald and Leslie Spaits Peter and Jane Reinkordt (right) Ineck, and others (Courtesy Photos and File Photos) For inclusion of any jazz or blues related events, letters to Photos were the editor or suggested taken by articles, mail them to the office, phone (402) 261-5480 various friends or e-mail of the [email protected]. Berman Music To be added to our mailing Foundation list, call (402) 261-5480 or e-mail [email protected]. Chris Lohry, Russ Dantzler and his dad The Butch Berman Charitable Music Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt, 501(c)(3) private foundation recognized by the Internal Revenue Service and the Nebraska Department of Revenue. It was established in the spring of 1995 to protect and promote unique forms of American music. Trustee: Tony Rager Consultants: Grace Sankey- Berman, Russ Dantzler, Kay Davis, Dan Demuth, Tom Ineck, Gerald Spaits, Leslie Spaits and Wade Wright Kim Jassung, Rose Spencer, Grace Sankey-Berman and Joseph Akpan Page 4 Berman Music Foundation Jazz ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Friends of the BMF Artist receptions continue a grand tradition ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ By Grace Sankey-Berman ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Photo by Devrah Lehner Photo Because of his appreciation for Ineck Photo by Tom music, and the love and respect he had for musicians, Butch always entertained artists at his house after concerts spon- sored by the Berman Music Foun- dation. He wanted to give them a place to relax after playing and talk about the music with people of like minds. So we continued that tradition with post-concert receptions for some of the Grace Sankey-Berman and Victor 2009 Jazz in June artists at the new Lewis (left) and the Kendra Shank BMF offices at The Burkholder Project joyed listening to Dezoto talk about the Quartet (above) in the Haymarket District. Local art- various people he has played with over ists, friends of jazz and fans also were the years, including an African musician the years and how much she continues invited. Among those who attended from Senegal. to evolve as an artist. Drummer Tony were Ed Love, music director of the When Kendra Shank and her band Moreno was fun. He could not get over Nebraska Jazz Orchestra, and arrived at the reception, they were tired how vast the music collection his lovely wife, Loretta, coor- is and kept saying, “This is dinator of Jazz in June Martha nuts!” as he looked through Florence, Lincoln jazz the records. keyboardist John Carlini, We were also delighted Sheldon Museum of Art col- to host Bill Wimmer and lections curator Sharon Project Omaha after their ar- Kennedy, Sheldon events co- guably best concert of the sea- ordinator Laurie Sipple, Star son. Guitarist Dave Stryker City Blog publisher Dennis and his extended family and Kornbluh and his father, David, friends were in attendance. and friends and fans like So also were the great drum- Ruthann Nahorny and Mary mer Victor Lewis and his man- Berry. ager Joanne Klein. I was It was nice to watch the Project Omaha and friends (from left) Grace Sankey- thrilled for the chance to talk musicians go through the mu- Berman, Tony Gulizia, Luigi Waites, Mark Luebbe, Bill to Victor Lewis. We remi- sic collection looking for their Wimmer, Victor Lewis, Dave Stryker and Joey Gulizia. nisced about the times we favorite artists or just some spent with Butch in his base- obscure artists they had not heard in a and hungry. She said singing was “an ment. He was particularly glad that the long time. Bassist Roger Barnhart of athletic event” and was so happy to have foundation continues to keep the music ZARO was fascinated with album cov- some vegetables. Kendra had previ- alive. ers. He talked about how artistic some ously played twice for Jazz in June and Victor’s friend from Omaha the of the albums were—or were not. Lin- was thrilled to be back for the third time. great musician Luigi Waites also at- coln native Andrew Vogt was pleasantly She said the experience felt like mak- tended. Watching the interaction be- surprise to hear his CD “Action Plan” ing love to 7,000 people. Her record “Af- tween the two artists was priceless. playing