A P A PLACE FOR JAZZ O R May 2006 Editor: Tim Coakley WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.APLACEFORJAZZ.ORG—UPDATED DAILY VOLUNTEER HELP Looking Ahead to Another Great Season WANTED By Tim Coakley We need help: As summer approaches, a local connection. This we greatly appreciate it. Labeling newsletters (1 hour every 3 A Place for Jazz is in the year, we will have not If you haven't yet sent in months…can be done at home) process of readying the one, but four of our finest your membership, please fall 2006 series of con- musicians. Our own great take a look at the inside Writing music reviews certs. We have an out- pianist Lee Shaw and back page at the various Working on a young people’s project standing lineup of per- her trio of Jeff Siegel, membership levels, and at the Hamilton Hill Art Center formers in mind, with drums, and Rich Syra- find one that fits your several already definite. cuse, bass, will be joined budget. Among the artists we will by the outstanding guitar- Pilarczyk If you can help, please call Tim ist Jack Fragomeni for Coakley at present this fall are the outstanding guitarist what we are sure will be 518-393-4011 Chris Flory and the a memorable evening. or e-mail him at great pianist John Bunch, We will also be present- a veteran of both big ing the great tenor saxo- by Andrzej Photo [email protected] bands and small. Both phonist David Fathead have appeared at major Newman with a quartet. The Jazz Voices rhythm section (Bob Halek, jazz festivals around the Otto Gardner and Peg Delaney) performs. world for many years. (see more on pages 6 and 10) Their quartet will be sure The remainder of the Web Site News to offer a blend of swing, concert series will be an- modern jazz and great nounced in our next Check out our updated- popular standards. newsletter. monthly calendar on- our website at We have had a series of There's a new way to Help us on our www.aplaceforjazz.org. reach our web site! The captivating vocalists on way. or www.timesunion.com/ old URL our stage in recent years, (www.timesunion.com/com and this year we will be communities/jazz munities/jazz) will still presenting Giacomo Most important, as we Gates and his trio. Gates work, so if you've already move toward becoming The calendar is up- got it in your Favorites, you is an authentic jazz an independent nonprofit dated daily and in- don't have to do anything. singer in the tradition of organization, we need, cludes links to Jazz But otherwise, you can Jon Hendricks and Eddie more than ever, the sup- now get to our web site Jefferson. He has ap- port of the generous and Festivals, clubs and peared all over the world, loyal patrons who have concert series including the Freihofer's sustained us over the Inside this Issue Jazz Festival at the Sara- years. toga Performing Arts Center. He and his trio New CDs Page 2 will bring us an evening We have already had of swinging sounds (See several members renew Calendar Page 4-5 Tom Pierce's review on their memberships for page 2). 2006, as well as some Summer Page 8 Each year, APFJ tries to folks who are joining us Jazz present a performer with for the first time. If you are one of those, Page 2 A P l a c e f o r J a z z RECENT ACQUISITIONS By Tom Pierce Songbirds, a group of music lovers 3. JO STAFFORD - "YES IN- “Last Night When We Were Young” devoted to vocalists, occasionally DEED!" (1940 – 1950) 4 CD Box set 8. BOB DOROUGH - "JUST ABOUT posts a list of "Recent Acquisitions" I received as a gift EVERYTHING” (1966) listing some of the CDs they have - Her understated, seemingly distant especially enjoyed. - A delightfully real “Hipness” coming delivery still conveying emotional across as sweet & witty, not affected I post them because I appreciate involvement; The almost flawless or smug; the effective way his en- the fact that many of these CD's (and vocal craft that more than justifies her grossing piano skills complement his many others I've obtained in the 5 & enormous popularity original lyrics & delivery 1/2 years I've been on Songbirds), - “It Could happen to You”; “I Didn’t - “Baby You Should Know it”; “But have come directly or indirectly from Know About You”; “Fools Rush In” comments of other Songbirders. For Now”; “Just About Everything” 4. JOYCE BREACH - "LIVE IN LON- 9. EDDIE JEFFERSON - "THE JAZZ Unlike the last time I did this in Au- DON" (2004) gust 2005, where I listed ALL of SINGER” (1959 – 1965) those I could recommend, I'm limiting - Superior ability to project melan- - Relentlessly enthralling swing; this post to my DOZEN favorite vocal choly without being maudlin. An in- Charming tenderness; superb Jazz recent acquisitions. I’ve included the tense but gentle intimacy that consis- lyric writing, rivaled only by Jon following brief comments: tently hushes the audience Hendricks - Year recorded - “I Hadn’t Anyone Till You”; “Heart - “Baby Girl (These Foolish Things)”; and Soul”; “How About You” - Aspects I particularly enjoyed “Moody’s Mood for Love”; “Now’s the 5. LURLEAN HUNTER - "NIGHT Time” - Songs I found most appealing LIFE" (1956) 10. ERNIE ANDREWS - "GIRL For more information, the sites I've - The fresh, exquisite timbre of her TALK" (2000) found most helpful are Amazon.com, voice; the quiet, but undeniable ex- Half.com (by ebay), Allmusic.com - His unhurried sense of time; Strong citement she engenders; the superb baritone with gentleness & clarity and iTunes music store; as well as orchestral arrangements of Manny the artists’ own sites, of course. Albam, Al Cohn & Ernie Wilkins - “A Cottage for Sale”; “It Might as Well be Spring”; “I want to be Loved” 1. DENA DEROSE - "LOVE'S HOLI- - “It Could happen to You”; “This DAY" (2002 Time the Dreams on Me”; “It’s the 11. GIACOMO GATES - - The sense of real LONGING she talk of the Town” "CENTERPIECE" (2004) projects; her well-defined, easily 6. PATRICIA BARBER - "A FORT- - Rich, clear, commanding tone; identifiable style the impressive horns NIGHT IN FRANCE" (2004) solid Jazz phrasing & rhythmic ease & rhythm section (including her pi- - “All of Me”; “Milestones”; ano) - The darkly captivating mood she “ Summertime” establishes with her highly personal - “Close Your Eyes”; “Lamp is Low”; approach; the sharply swinging band, 12. KURT ELLING - "LIVE IN CHI- “I Thought About You” with fine solos from her piano & gui- CAGO" 2. GLORIA LYNNE - "GOLDEN tarist, Neal Alger -Virtuosity in almost every respect: CLASSICS" (1959 – 1963, approx) - “Gotcha”; “Laura”; “Call Me” Resonance, dynamics, range, lyri- - The gradual building of songs’ cism, breath control, imagination; 7. THE RITZ - "ALMOST drive; humorously engaging stage drama, without some of the excesses BLUE" (1991 I recall from some of her 60’s live manner performances. Her striking voice su- - Excellent close harmony ENSEM- - “My Foolish Heart”; “Smoke Gets in perbly meshing the best elements of BLE passages whether singing lead Your Eyes”; “For Sentimental Rea- Jazz, R&B and Pop or background; beautifully melodic sons solos of Melissa Hamilton, Daryl Bos- - “I Wish You Love”; “Folks Who Live teels & Val Hawk on the Hill”; “I’m Glad There is You - “Almost Blue”; “Heart’s Desire”; A P l a c e f o r J a z z Page 3 J A Z Z C A L E N D A R Visit our website at www.aplaceforjazz.org Jazz Venues Listed Alphabetically HAVE YOU MAILED BACK YOUR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL? Bard College, Annandale-on- Parker Inn, 434 State St, Hudson, NY, 845-758-6822 (50 miles Schenectady, 688-1001 south) If so, we thank you for your con- Red Onion Restaurant, Route 212, tinued support. Blue Plate Restaurant, 1 Kinder- Woodstock, NY 845-679-1223 (55 If not, please take a moment to hook St, Chatham, NY, 518-392- miles south) pick a membership category from 7711 (30 miles southeast Roadhouse 29, 1023 Route 29 East, the form at the back of this newslet- Café Capriccio, 49 Grand St, Al- Saratoga Springs, 695-6995 ter and mail it, together with your bany, 465-0439 check made payable to "Jazz/ Saratoga Hotel, 534 Broadway, FUSS", to the address listed be- Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Saratoga Springs, 885-4430 low. Membership is critical to al- Springs, 583-0022 Sargo's, Saratoga National Golf low us to continue our tradition of Century House, 997 New Loudon Club, 458 Union Ave, Saratoga providing great Jazz at affordable Springs, 583-4653 (Open to General Rd (Rt 9), Latham, 785-0834 prices. We would greatly appreci- Public) ate it if you would renew your Danceland/Boomers, 1892 Central Scrimshaw Tavern, Desmond Hotel, membership in A Place For Jazz Ave, Albany, 456-2888 Colonie, 869-8100 now. Thank You. The Egg, Empire State Plaza, Al- Stockade Inn, 1 N. Church St, A Place For Jazz bany, 473-1845 Schenectady, 346-3800 1221 Wendell Avenue The Fountain Restaurant, 283 New The Van Dyck, 337 Union St, Schenectady, NY 12308 Scotland Ave, Albany, 482-9898 Schenectady, 381-1111 Four Corners Luncheonette, 2 Vermont Jazz Center, 72 Cotton Mill Hill, Studio 222, Brattleboro, Grove St, Delmar, 439-0172 VT, 802-254-9088 (80 miles east by Justin’s, 301 Lark St, Albany, 436- northeast) 7008 Pilarczyk Lark Tavern, 453 Madison Ave. WAMC Performing Arts Studio - Albany, 463-9779 Linda Norris Auditorium, 318 Central Ave, Albany, 800-323-9262 ext 4 Mo' Jazz Café, 7 South Main St (beneath the Wilmington Village by Andrzej Photo Pub), Wilmington, VT 802-464-2280 (45 miles northeast) Moon & River Café, 115 S.