Volume 46 • Issue 6 JUNE 2018 Journal of the New Jersey Jazz Society Dedicated to the performance, promotion and preservation of jazz. On stage at NJPAC performing Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s “Bright Moments” to close the tribute to Dorthaan Kirk on April 28 are (from left) Steve Turre, Mark Gross, musical director Don Braden, Antoinette Montague and Freddy Cole. Photo by Tony Graves. SNEAKING INTO SAN DIEGO BRIGHT MOMENTS! Pianist Donald Vega’s long, sometimes “Dorthaan At 80” Celebrating Newark’s “First harrowing journey from war-torn Nicaragua Lady of Jazz” Dorthaan Kirk with a star-filled gala to a spot in Ron Carter’s Quintet. Schaen concert and tribute at the New Jersey Performing Arts Fox’s interview begins on page 14. Center. Story and Tony Graves’s photos on page 24. 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 . 43 Crow’s Nest . 44 t is with great delight that I announce Don commitment to jazz, and for keeping the music New/Renewed Members . 45 IBraden has joined the NJJS Board of Directors playing. (Information: www.arborsrecords.com) in an advisory capacity. As well as being a jazz storIes n The April Social at Shanghai Jazz showcased musician of the highest caliber on saxophone and Dorthaan at 80 . cover three generations of musicians, jazz guitar Big Band in the Sky . 8 flute, Don is an award-winning recording artist, virtuosi Gene Bertoncini and Roni Ben-Hur and Memories of Bob Dorough . 12 composer, arranger, and world renowned educa- bassist Josh Marcum. The trio entertained the Talking Jazz: Donald Vega . 14 tor and clinician. He has spent over two decades packed house with familiar, yet gorgeously voiced Rhythm & Rhyme . 20 running programs at institutions like NJPAC, tunes, and Gene regaled the audience with many Giacomo Gates at Monmouth Library . 21 William Paterson University, Montclair State anecdotes and jokes. The trio’s comfortable Dan’s Den . 22 University, Harvard University, is Music Director rapport made for a sunny afternoon, even if Old Record Collectors Bash . 23 at the Litchfield Jazz Camp, and the list goes on! Man Winter sang a different tune. Maplewood Gypsy Jazz Camp . 26 I have every confidence that Don will bring his Town Hall Django a GoGo . 28 enthusiasm and professionalism to bear on NJJS Gene and Roni are both very committed to Noteworthy . 32 passing along their knowledge of jazz to younger Luna Stage Benefit . 34 as we seek creative ways to expand and present players and shepherding rising talent. To this New Warren Vaché Arbors CD . 35 the Generations of Jazz program along with the Chick Corea at Detroit Jazzfest . 35 many other plans and challenges that are ahead. end, Gene and Josh often work together and their Please join me in welcoming Don to the board. genuine affection and professional respect for reVIews one another is heartwarming. I’m blessed to call Caught in the Act . 36 n There’s a name that comes up over and over these fine musicians my friends and recently Other Views . 38 again in the business of jazz and that name is remarked to Josh how awesome it was that their Rachel Domber, co-founder with her late eVeNts musical partnership was helping to extend Gene’s husband Mat of the recording label Arbors NYC Brass Festival . 41 career (he’s 81). His reply was that Gene was Riverview Jazz Festival . 41 Records. Ask any of her artists — Bucky helping to influence and enrich his! This is the art ’Round Jersey: Morris, Ocean, Mercer . 42 Pizzarelli, Nicki Parrott and Adrian Cunningham of jazz at its best. Somewhere There’s Music . 46 to name a few — about her and they are always The Name Dropper . 47 quick to respond, “She’s the best.” n It’s with much pride and enthusiasm that I congratulate NJJS’s Vice President of Publicity adVertIsers Allow me to join in the chorus of accolades and Sanford Josephson on his new co-booking Amani . 4 extend to her our deepest gratitude for Arbors partnership with Ricky Riccardi of the Jazz on a Centenary Stage . 4 Records’ extraor dinary generosity to NJJS as we Arbors Records . 4 Sunday Afternoon series at The Jay & Linda have endeavored to promote and preserve jazz. Shanghai Jazz . 5 Grunin Arts Center on the campus of Ocean Thank you Rachel for your passion and WBGO . 7 County College. There will be six concerts, three Ocean County College . 9 William Paterson University . 11 Metuchen Jazz festival . 13 Stay tuned to www.njjs.org for updates and details. Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival . 15 NJJS Bulletin Board Sandy Sasso . 16 Ben Cassara . 18 Jazzdagen . 19 member discount Claim your member privilege! Get free admission to NJJS socials, discounts Leonieke Scheuble . 21 to music events, discounts from partners! Bickford Theatre . 29 Jazzfest at Sea . 31 NJJs members discounts Hibiscus Restaurant, Morristown and The Crossroads, Garwood Phyllis Blanford . 33 offer NJJS members a discount of 10% off their check . The Berrie Center at Ramapo College offers NJJS Swingadelic . 34 members 5% off event tickets . $5 ticket discount for monthly Salem Roadhouse Cafe jazz nights . CiWeb . 36 Free Jazz socials…ongoing . Join us for music and mingling . Free for members, $10 non-members 1867 Sanctuary at Ewing . 40 (applicable to membership) with just a $10 venue minimum . Watch calendar page 3 for upcoming dates Jim Eigo . 44 Rich Jenkins . 45 and details . Beyond the schmooze, there are some serious musical prizes raffled off at our socials!! Princeton Record Exchange . 48 2 ___________________________________ June 2018 New JerseyJazzSociety Musician and educator Don Braden has joined the NJJS as an advisor to the Board of Directors. Photo by Chris Drukker. n If you haven’t the extra expertise and elbow grease been to the Louis necessary for success. Armstrong House June brings with it the promise of Museum in Corona, summer and the advent of the Queens, New York, outdoor music festival season. Be sure you must put a visit to check the newly designed NJJS on your summer website www.njjs.org often to not booked by Ricky and three booked by calendar! Dave Dilzell, miss any of the summer performance Sandy. Check www.grunincenter.org for one of our newest board members, is one of offerings that await. Pack a picnic the lineup of fan favorites. their many knowledgeable docents and the and hit the road and let jazz be your tours bring the life and legacy of Satchmo n compass! JJ April hosted the Third Annual New York vividly to life. Hot Jazz Camp co-directed by Molly Ryan and Bria Skonberg. As hospitality coordi- As their website says, “History Lives!” nator, I can say that a fine time was had LAHM offers special programs throughout by all! This year, NYHJC partnered with the year so join their mailing list at Patrick Soluri’s Prohibition Productions www.louisarmstronghouse.org and be and the intensive week of clinics, jams, “in the know.” I simply adore this place private lessons and lectures culminated and I assure you, you’ve never seen a blue Like this issue with the Gotham Jazz Festival held at the kitchen quite like the Armstrong’s. tony Players Club, a private, 19th century n As NJJS works toward exciting future of Jersey Jazz? social club on Gramercy Park. Students, growth and development, I want to Have it delivered the all-star faculty and alumni performed acknowledge the incredible efforts of our right to your mailbox as part of the 12 hour music festival volunteer board members for working 11 times a year . whose complete multi-venue lineup was through the challenges of growing pains the best of New York’s hot jazz, swing and with continued dedication, professionalism Simply join NJJS to get blues bands. There’s nothing like hot jazz and grace. your subscription . in a cool place. Change requires vision and commitment See page 51 for details Dates have not been set for next year’s camp and I’m especially grateful to Stephen, Pete, or visit www .njjs .org . but check nyhotjazzcamp.com and put next James, Dave, Ted, Peter and Jay who have year’s festivities on your calendar. been willing to stay the course and provide Stay tuned to www.njjs.org for updates and details. June 24 August 18 September 16 September 23 NJJS JAZZ SOCIAL MORRISTOWN JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL PRINCETON JAZZFEAST NJJS JAZZ SOCIAL Bob de Benedette Trio Rhythm in Blue, Bria Skonberg, In its 26th year, JazzFeast is an open air Artist TBA with Gary Mazzaroppi, Labamba & the Hubcaps, festival that swings with the joy of great FREE for NJJS members, bass, Rick Visone, drums The Bernard Allison Group, Davy Knowles music with great food too! Artists TBA $10 public, $10 minimum FREE for NJJS members, FREE | NOON – 10 PM FREE | NOON – 6 PM Shanghai Jazz | Madison $10 public, $10 minimum On The Green in Morristown Palmer Square, Princeton 2 sets, doors open at 3 PM Shanghai Jazz | Madison www .morristownjazzandblues .com www .palmersquare .com www .njjs .org 2 sets, doors open at 3 PM www .njjs .org NJJS Calendar Funding for the NJJS Jazz Socials program has been made possible in part by Morris Arts through the N.J. State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. June 2018 ____________________________________ 3 New JerseyJazzSociety Jazz trivia By O. Howie Ponder (answers on page 35) Here Come The Brides It’s June and wedding bells are ringing.