Volume 46 • Issue 3 MARCH 2018 Journal of the New Jersey Jazz Society Dedicated to the performance, promotion and preservation of jazz. Marlene VerPlanck, left, with Marian McPartland on piano and Steve LaSpina on bass performed a program of the music of Alec Wilder at Michael’s Pub in New York City in March, 1979. Photo by Mitchell Seidel. Marlene VerPlanck A Voice Like a Summer Breeze 1933 - 2018 Remembering a beloved singer, pages 8 and 14. NJJS Dedicates 49th Annual Pee Wee Russell Memorial Stomp to Chuck Slate (see page 28) New JerseyJazzSociety in this issue: New Jersey Jazz socIety Prez Sez .......................... 2 Bulletin Board ...................... 2 NJJS Calendar ...................... 3 Jazz Trivia ......................... 4 Prez sez Editor’s Pick/Deadlines/NJJS Info ....... 6 Change of Address/Support NJJS/ By Cydney Halpin President, NJJS Volunteer/Join NJJs ............. 51 Crow’s Nest ...................... 52 n New/Renewed Members ............ 53 s March brings with it the advent of Spring I’m delighted to announce that the first Jazz Aand its promise of renewal, I encourage you Social of the New Year made for a wonderful storIes to get a jump on celebrating the new season by afternoon of music. Under the programming of Marlene VerPlanck ............... cover Big Band in the Sky ................. 8 attending NJJS’s 49th Annual Pee Wee Russell newly elected Vice President Carrie Jackson, a Jim Czak Memorial ................. 18 Memorial Stomp. This swinging music and dance jam-packed audience was treated to the vocals of Talking Jazz: Giacomo Gates ......... 20 party will take place Sunday, March 18 at The Kate Baker along with jazz legend Norman Chuck Slate Stomp Dedication ........ 28 Birchwood Manor in Whippany, starting Simmons on piano and Rick Crane on bass. Kate Dan Levinson at Algonquin Arts ....... 30 promptly at noon. The following lineup of top kept the audience well entertained as the trio Schaen Fox Reviews ................ 32 jazz musicians will bring this party to life: The shared their interpretations of songbook Kate Baker Jazz Social .............. 34 Daryl Sherman Sextet, Professor Cunningham standards and jazz favorites. Rhythm & Rhyme .................. 36 and His Old School Septet, the Warren Vaché Noteworthy ....................... 38 n March has NJJS offering two times the musical Quintet and the George Gee Swing Orchestra. Dan’s Den ........................ 40 enjoyment with the Memorial Stomp and the This is going to be a party that you’re not going President Emeritus ................ 42 March 11 Jazz Social at Shanghai Jazz, featuring to want to miss! reVIews the Andrea Brachfeld Trio with Bill O’Connell on Caught in the Act .................. 44 This year’s Stomp honorees are: 2018 Jazz piano and Harvie S on bass. A jazz and Latin jazz Other Views . ..................... 46 Musician Joe Licari and 2018 Jazz Advocate flutist, composer and educator, Andrea has Book Review/Village Vanguard ........ 48 Will Friedwald. The Stomp will also serve as a worked with many noted musicians, including eVeNts memorial tribute to musician, longstanding NJJS Paquito D’Rivera, Joe Newman, Tito Puente, ’Round Jersey: Morris, Ocean, Mercer .... 50 friend and Stomp forefather Chuck Slate, Sr. Rufus Reid, Winard Harper and Wycliff Gordon. Somewhere There’s Music ........... 54 She is the recipient of numerous awards with the The Name Dropper ................. 55 Program ads/salutations and event sponsorships are still available. Please contact me ASAP at Chico O’Farrill Lifetime Achievement Award and adVertIsers the Pionero Award for her contribution to Latin Arbors Records ..................... 4 [email protected] for more information. music being among them. Attendees are in for a Diane Moser ....................... 4 This year’s party has all the makings for a “Sold 1867 Sanctuary ..................... 4 varied and lively afternoon of incredible music. Shanghai Jazz ...................... 5 Out” event. Ticket information is available on You will not want to miss this event. Doors open WBGO ............................ 7 page 29. Should you be unable to attend, tax at 3 pm, music begins at 3:30. Ocean County College ............... 9 deductible donations are always welcome via our As a reminder, one of the amazing benefits to SOPAC ........................... 11 website through PayPal, credit card or check. William Paterson University .......... 13 Costumes and dancing shoes are strongly NJJS membership are our Jazz Socials — which Grover Kemble/Jerry Vezza. 17 encouraged. See you there! are scheduled 10 times per year and have no NJPAC ........................... 21 music charge. Shanghai Jazz requires a $10 food Bickford Theatre ................... 25 Rutherfurd Hall .................... 27 Pee Wee Russell Memorial Stomp ..... 29 Stay tuned to www.njjs.org for updates and details. Bethany Baptist Church ............. 31 Marty Eigen ...................... 33 NJJS Bulletin Board Cadence Magazine . 35 NY Hot Jazz Camp ................. 37 Rick Jenkins ...................... 39 Member Discount Claim your member privilege! Get free admission to NJJS socials, discounts Summit Library .................... 41 to music events, discounts from partners! Phyllis Blanford .................... 42 Jazzdagen ........................ 43 NJJs members discounts Hibiscus Restaurant, Morristown and The Crossroads, Garwood NJJS T-Shirts ...................... 45 offer NJJS members a discount of 10% off their check. The Berrie Center at Ramapo College offers NJJS Sandy Sasso ...................... 47 members 5% off event tickets. $5 ticket discount for monthly Salem Roadhouse Cafe jazz nights. Jim Eigo .......................... 48 CTS Images ....................... 49 Free Jazz socials…ongoing. Join us for music and mingling. Free for members, $10 non-members NJJS Record Bin .................... 49 (applicable to membership) with just a $10 venue minimum. Watch calendar page 3 for upcoming dates Swingadelic ....................... 52 and details. Beyond the schmooze, there are some serious musical prizes raffled off at our socials!! Princeton Record Exchange .......... 56 2 ___________________________________March 2018 New JerseyJazzSociety PEE WEE RUSSELL MEMORIAL STOMP TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! Details on page 29 or drink participatory experience with some of New minimum. York’s finest trad jazz musicians and A listing of recording artists. Faculty includes several performers NJJS favorites, including: Catherine Russell, Like this issue scheduled through April is available online at vocals; Randy Reinhart, trumpet; Jim Fryer, of Jersey Jazz? www.njjs.org. Be sure to mark your calendar trombone; and Nicki Parrott, bass,. Notable Have it delivered and attend. guest lecturers, master classes, jams and nights on the town round out the experience right to your mailbox n For those of you who haven’t yet been to that culminates with participation at the the newly remodeled Shanghai Jazz, you are 11 times a year. Gotham Jazz Festival. The NJJS strongly in for a treat! New owner Tom Donohoe has Simply join NJJS to get supports this effort to help adult musicians worked diligently to create a revitalized club hone their chops and perfect their perfor- your subscription. atmosphere filled with warmth and mance skills while helping to preserve and sophistication while remaining devoted to See page 51 for details perpetuate the great American artform that is bringing world class live jazz to this incredible or visit www.njjs.org. jazz. Spaces are still available for campers. Madison venue. Along with the décor Please see the NYHJC ad in this issue for changes, Tom has expanded the “stage” space more details and contact information. and significantly improved the acoustics — all resulting with a greater focus on the music. n Many of you know that the jazz world The relationship between the NJJS and has lost one of the most accomplished Shanghai Jazz is a longstanding one. We so interpreters of the Great American Songbook value this partnership and want to thank with the death of singer Marlene VerPlanck A New Jersey Jazz Society Tom for his continued commit ment to this this past January. Others will speak to her membership makes organization. Join me in congratulating him greatness and career in the pages that follow, a great birthday gift! on a “job well done” and wishing him and but allow me, along with my fellow board the staff much continued success! members, to extend our most sincere Plus, if you are already condolences to her family, all of you who n The New York Hot Jazz Camp, for adults a member, a gift membership knew her, worked with her and loved her, 18 and over, returns for its third year to the for the loss of your dear friend and colleague. costs just $25! historic Greenwich House Musical School We share your grief. A Society favorite, See page 51 for details! April 2 - 8. Founded and co-directed by Marlene will be sorely missed. JJ Molly Ryan and Bria Skonberg, NYHJC is a Stay tuned to www.njjs.org for updates and details. March 11 March 18 April 15 NJJS JAZZ SOCIAL PEE WEE RUSSELL MEMORIAL STOMP NJJS JAZZ SOCIAL Andrea Brachfeld Trio Daryl Sherman Sextet, Professor Cunningham Gene Bertoncini/Roni Ben-Hur Trio FREE NJJS members, and His Old School, Warren Vaché Quintet, FREE NJJS members, $10 public, $10 minimum George Gee Swing Orchestra $10 public, $10 minimum Shanghai Jazz | Madison $30 members, $35 non-members advance Shanghai Jazz | Madison 2 sets, doors open at 3 PM ($40/$45 door), cash bar and hot and