Volume 8, No. 8 January 2012 A JAZZY VALENTINE By Tanya Suarez Hello young lovers, older lovers, former lovers, and never lovers who enjoy good music. February’s Jazz @ the CAM on February 9 will warm your hearts as we hear the music of Stardust—a sextet whose specialty is perform- ing a mix of popular jazz standards. The group is known for its vocal and instrumental talent. The players include Laura McFayden on vocals, Jim McFayden on bass, David Tyson on trumpet, guitar and vocals, Rich Zimmerman on tenor sax, Jack Krupicka on piano and vocals and Dave DiMuro on drums. To set the stage for Valentine’s Day the group will bring to the Cameron Art Museum “An Evening of Romance.” They intend to play songs such as “The Look of Love”, “The Very Thought of You”, “At Last” and of course, “My Funny Valentine”. Remember that this Jazz @ the CAM is the second Thursday of the month instead of the first so jazz fans can attend the North Carolina Jazz Festival February 2-4. The performance is from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Tickets are $10 for the general public, $7 for member of the CAM and/or CFJS and $5 for students. Also remember that it is a celebration of Valentine’s Day—wear red! MEMBERSHIP ID CARD - GOT YOURS? IF YOU HAVE PAID YOUR 2011-2012 MEMBERSHIP FEES AND DID NOT RECEIVE YOUR ID CARD FROM US, PLEASE DROP US A LINE VIA OURWEBSITE (www.capefearjazzsociety.org) OUR MAILING ADDRESS (PO BOX 4897, Wilmington, NC 28406) OR CALL PRESIDENT, TANYA SUAREZ (910-792-9531) Farewell to Etta James and Johnny Otis Courtney Merchant On January 20th the great Etta James passed away at Riverside Community Hospital with her husband Artis Mills and their two sons at her side. The Californian native, well known as a blues, R&B, and jazz singer, was diagnosed with leukemia in early 2011. Etta started her career in the mid 1950’s singing at St. Paul Baptist Church in Los Angeles and received vocal training there beginning at the age of five. With a rough childhood and a distant mother, Etta moved around with ever changing caregivers before settling in San Francisco where she formed her first band, an all girl group, called the Creolettes. The Creolettes, named for their light skin, later came to be known as the Peaches. Originally born as Jamesetta Hawkins, she changed her stage name to Etta James while working under the late Johnny Otis, who passed away at age 90 on January 17th. Otis was a musician who discovered many big artists such as Big Jay McNeely and produced or composed several chart topping songs including “Hound Dog” and “Willie and the Hand Jive.” Upon meeting Etta James at only 14, he took her band, the Creolettes, under his wing. Changing the name of the band and the singer led to great success. Otis produced Etta’s first big hit “Dance With Me, Henry” in 1955. Etta went on to tour with Little Richard and further success hit when she signed with Argo and produced her debut album At Last! This album was later inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame. Etta’s success with songs like “I’d Rather Go Blind” and “A Sunday Kind of Love” (my personal favorite) led her through a long, successful career. Her final album, The Dreamer, was released in November 2011. Etta James and Johnny Otis were quite the pair—changing American music in the fifties with their influences of jazz, pop, R&B and even rock and roll. Review: TRIPLE THREAT - JIMMY HEATH Featuring PERCY HEATH and ALBERT “TOOTIE” HEATH Primus Robinson There was a time when men wore hats. Not caps cocked to the side, but Stetson, Dobbs and Borsalino hats. Martinis were shaken and stirred. We didn’t just watch “Mad Men”; we lived the life style of Mad Men. It was the time of Cool. And Jazz was its messenger. Cool Jazz reigned before the seeming cacophony of Free Jazz. A dominant “Triple Threat” during this Cool period were the giant Heath Brothers. The Heath Brothers took their strong musical beginnings in Wilmington, NC to the potent mixing cauldron of Philadelphia, PA and developed superb individual skills with Jimmy on sax, Albert “Tootie” on drums and Percy on bass. Every great musician of the fifties and sixties found Philly the perfect shedding ground before moving on to the star making machine of New York City. From Coltrane at Peps Lounge, Billie Holiday at Emersons Bar and Grill, all the way to Grover Washington at the Aqua Lounge; Philly allowed musicians to hone their skills for the world stage. The Heath Brothers to this day are considered Philadelphia Royalty. My jazz auditory and visual encyclopedia are based on “A” through “P” learnings in Philly. Part of the potency of “Triple Threat” comes from a combination of young lions, old Turks and the symbiosis of the Heath Brothers themselves. The cover says the “Triple Threat” is Jimmy Heath’s ability to compose, arrange and play tenor while leading a veteran group. This group evolved through several Riverside recordings. Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and pianist Cedar Walton are the young lions beginning what would become trail blazing careers. Julius Watkins on french horn is a savvy veteran on a unique instrument to jazz. Brothers Percy and Albert are peer giants whose works have defined and pushed the envelope of modern jazz. Percy’s work, in fact, is defined by the word “modern” through his work with the Modern Jazz Quartet. Al “Tootie” Heath, even after working with the greatest greats, has found time to work on every one of Jimmy’s Riverside sessions. How ironic these two will continue their fraternal coupling at their upcoming Thalian show. The music on this LP...... IT SWINGS! From the standards of “Make Someone Happy” and “The More I See You” to Benny Goodman’s “Goodbye” the music is imbued with crisp upbeats regardless of underlying tempo. The originals by Jimmy soon became instant classics. Cannonball Adderly grabbed “Gemini” for a re-recording before this wax was even pressed. The paces by soloists like Hubbard are blazing with the desire to prove his dexterity. There is no melancholy here. This Jazz is “Rat Pack” Cool. This kind of jazz does not fade away. It creates Legends. JAZZ NITE IS BACK! By Tanya Suarez Jazz Nite, one of the keystones of the Cape Fear Jazz Society’s calendar year, is back! This is a night when the Jazz Society brings internationally renowned jazz musicians to Wilmington to share their talent with our community. Musicians who have performed at this event include Monty Alexander, the Brubeck Brothers, Rene Marie (check out her latest album) and an all star group that included Houston Person, Mickey Roker, Nicki Parrott, Rossano Sportiello and Chuck Redd. It is also our major fundraising event for the year. This year’s Jazz Nite is not just a concert. It is an event with a celebration of two jazz greats with strong ties to the Cape Fear Region. The Cape Fear Jazz Society is very proud to present the Heath Brothers (Jimmy and Albert “Tootie”) on March 10th, 7:30pm at Thalian Hall. The opening act will be renowned percussionist and UNCW Distinguished Professor of Jazz Studies, Joe Chambers with a group of UNCW All Star alumnae featuring Benny Hill, Doug Irving and Brad Merrit. The Heath family produced three jazz greats. Percy, the oldest brother who is deceased, and Jimmy, spent their early lives in Wilmington, where they not only attended Williston High School, but learned to play their instruments and performed in the school’s legendary marching band. Tootie, the youngest of the brothers, was born after the family moved from Wilmington to Philadelphia. All of the brothers are internationally known and respected jazz musicians. Percy may be best known as the bassist in the Modern Jazz Quartet. Jimmy, a saxophonist, has played with many jazz greats and is a composer/arranger and an educator. Tootie, a drummer, has also played with major jazz musicians, is an educator and an actor. All three came together to form the Heath Brothers group in the mid 1970’s. Now, the two remaining brothers perform as the Heath Brothers with accompanying pianists and bassists. Because of their ties to Wilmington, the Heath brothers will receive recognition and proclamations from the office of the Mayor of Wilmington, the City’s Commission on African American History, the Williston Alumnae Association and the UNCW Upperman African American Cultural Center. Other events leading up to the concert include a screening of the film “Brotherly Jazz” which features and tells the story of the Heath Brothers, a book signing by Jimmy of his autobiography, I Walked With Giants, and a master class open to the public for area college and high school students. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the Thalian Box Office located inside the main entrance to Thalian Hall at 310 Chestnut Street in downtown Wilmington. The box office is open Monday through Saturday from 2pm until 6pm, or until curtain on performance nights. The telephone numbers for the Center Box Office are 910-632-2285; toll free 800-523-2820. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.thalianhall.com. Ticket prices are $30 for prime seating, $25 for choice seating and $20 for seats in the 2nd balcony. CFJS members and groups of 10 or more get a $3 discount on seats in the prime and choice seating sections.