A P A PLACE FOR JAZZ O R June 2009 Editor: Tim Coakley WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.APLACEFORJAZZ.ORG—UPDATED DAILY Ready, Get Set . Swing! by Tim Coakley Not to rush you through the last few years and have always The management of APFJ summer, but plans are already delighted their audiences. continually strives to find ways in place for the 2009 fall season to better serve the jazz lovers of A Place for Jazz. So, as you of the Capital District. Would- enjoy the sounds and warmth of On Oct. 23, organist Gene Ludwig will bring his big- n't it be good if we could get June, July and August, be sure this newsletter in front of your to mark your calendar for an- sounding trio to our stage, fea- turing guitarist Dave Stryker, eyes quicker? And if we could other series of diverse and en- reduce our printing and post- tertaining concerts at the First who played so well with Karrin Allyson last fall. age costs, we wouldn't have to Unitarian Society of raise our concert prices. Schenectady. Rounding out the year on Nov. So we're going to start to dis- Kicking off our season on Sept. 6 will be one of the Capital Re- gion’s outstanding group of tribute this newsletter by e- 11 will be the dynamic tenor mail to as many of you as pos- saxophonist Eric Alexander young players, the Steve Lam- bert Sextet. Those who at- sible. We'll continue to mail it and his quintet, featuring trom- to the non-techies among you, bonist Steve Davis, in an eve- tended the Schenectady Musical Union’s bash in April will attest but if you've got a computer, ning of straight-ahead yet ad- please give us your e-mail ad- venturous music. to the skill and professionalism of these fine players. dress. It's really quite simple: Just go to aplaceforjazz.org All concerts are at 8 p.m. on Fri- On Sept. 25, the Latin-jazz and complete the simple form day. Membership and ticket or- that's right on the home page. quartet of pianist Otmaro Ruiz der forms are inside. Be sure to will take the stage to engage us Do it now, because we're go- make your plans now to enjoy ing to start with the next issue with some scintillating rhythms our 22nd season of the best in and original compositions. in August. Thank you for your jazz. cooperation. Check out our monthly calendar The incomparable vocalist Tier- on our website at ney Sutton and her dynamic www.aplaceforjazz.org. trio will cast their spell over the The calendar is updated daily Whisperdome on October 9. and includes links to Jazz Festi- They have made several ap- vals, clubs and concert series pearances in the region over the Page 2 A P l a c e f o r J a z z EMPIRE JAZZ ORCHESTRA Symphonies In Riffs By Tom Pierce (reprinted with the permission of written composer Don Menza, is now www.albanyjazz.com) in 1933 and performed here with especially poignant with the in- brief solos by five different band tense guitar solo of the recently What's so special about big members, contrasts interestingly departed virtuoso, Jack Frago- bands in jazz? Some younger with the other Carter inclusion, meni. music fans who became enam- “The Legend” from 1961. It fea- ored with jazz long after the big tures post be-bop influences, Fans of the celebrated modern band era, might ask this ques- with exciting solos by Steve composer/band leader Maria tion, while pointing out the nu- Lambert and Brian Patneaude. Schneider will no doubt enjoy merous extraordinary recordings her sophisticated 1994 and live performances in the The CD also includes composi- “Wrygrly”, inspired by her un- post-swing years by many tions by two other important usual fascination with monsters. smaller groups. However, these early Jazz innovators - Fetcher Its ensemble complexity is lovers of the unique charm and Henderson and Don Redman. warmly complemented by brac- intimacy possible in duos and Henderson, whose preeminent ing solos from Brian Patneaude, trios, as well as the freedom and all-star orchestra started in Gary Barrow and Jack Frago- extended individual soloing op- 1923, actually predating Duke meni. Despite the inclusion of all portunities in quartets and quin- Ellington's 1927 initial recording, these engaging pieces by the tets, would do well to give a is represented with a jaunty aforementioned renowned com- close listen to this latest (fourth) romp of his “The Stam- posers (plus one by the pro- CD by the Empire Jazz Orches- pede” (1926), highlighted by vocative genius, Charles Min- tra, for a fine example of the Kevin Barcomb and Peter Bel- gus), this observer found himself richly layered and dynamic pos- lino solos. Closely allied in the most repeatedly drawn to the sibilities unique to big bands. early 1920's with Henderson highly moving, extended saga was his chief writer, reedman “The Gate: A Portrait of the Mo- Music director Bill Meckley Don Redman, long considered hawk”, by the talented local chose a wide range of excellent the virtual inventor of big band young composer/bandleader material for the concert this live arranging. The EJO ensemble Keith Pray. recording documents, encom- offers a surrealistic, medium passing the major styles of or- tempo version of Redman's Lastly, for Jazz vocal lovers, no chestral jazz from the 1920's to hauntingly imaginative 1940 performance by this remarkable the finest contemporary artists. “Cupid's Nightmare”. professional repertory ensemble The opening title track is one of based at Schenectady County two works by the incredibly tal- The two most rousing, straight Community College, would be ented composer/arranger/ ahead swingers are the exuber- complete without Colleen Pratt. trumpeter/saxophonist Benny ant Louis Prima's rollicking 1933 Her poise, precision and power Carter. His magnificent contribu- standard, “Sing, Sing, Sing”, is a delightful match for the or- tions spanned eight decades, sparked here by the virile drum- chestra's swinging backing on from 1922 up to the dawn of the ming of Bob Halek; and the very “Too Close For Com- new millennium, before his popular “Time Check”, a favorite fort” (evoking Joe Williams' joy- passing at 95 in 2003. That of fans of the Buddy Rich or- ous 1955 version with Count sprightly syncopated title piece chestra. This tune, written by Basie) and Irving Berlin's clas- passionate saxophonist/ sic, “Cheek to Cheek”. 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, Linda Norris Aud., WAMC, 339 Central Sargo's, Saratoga National Golf Club, 458 NY, 518-392-7711 Ave., 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 Wallabee's Jazz Bar, 190 Glen St, Glens toga Springs, 518-583-3538 Lake, Saratoga Spgs, 518-584-6882 Falls, NY, 518-792-8282 Circus Café, 392 Broadway, Saratoga Parker Inn, 434 State St, Schenectady, 518- The Wine Bar, 417 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 518-583-1106 688-1001 Springs, 518-584-8777 Comfort Inn, 37 Rte 9W, Glenmont, 518- Prime 677, 677 Broadway Albany, 518-427- Zaika, 54 Clifton Country Rd, Clifton Park, 465-8811 7463 518-688-1548 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 11a.m. to 1 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; O.J., "Maiden Voyage", Thursday, 6 - 10 pm; 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 Barbara Kaiser 10 am to noon on Tuesday.