File Photo Eldar Djangirov at play Eldar Djangirov returns ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ for Jazz in June concert Spring 2004 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ By Tom Ineck ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Vol. 9, Number 2 Eldar Djangirov has been a fa- still just 17 years old and a junior in miliar name and a familiar sound here high school, he travels extensively at the Berman Music Foundation when he is able. After a series of since the BMF covered the inaugural phone-mail exchanges, I tracked him In this issue of Jazz.... Topeka Jazz Festival back in 1998, down in Washington, D.C., area, Prez Sez...................................................2 when an 11-year-old Djangirov per- where he was rehearsing for a per- formed to an audience awestruck by formance with high school and col- Jazz in June Preview..............................5 this combination of prodigious talent lege students as part of Billy Taylor Topeka Jazz Festival...........................6 and tender age. “Jazz and the New Generation” pro- Berman Jazz Series...............................7 Since then, we have watched gram. From there he was headed to him grow into a young man and an three performances at the Gilmore Claudio Roditi/NJO Review..................9 even more amazing pianist, perform- Piano Festival in Michigan. Newport Jazz Fest Review...................11 ing and recording his own composi- When he takes the stage in Lin- Boulevard Big Band Review......................12 tions and continuing to exhibit a tech- coln, he will be accompanied by bassist Luqman Hamza and Black Film.................13 nique and a confidence well beyond Gerald Spaits and drummer Tommy his years. Although he and his family Ruskin, a slight variation on the trio Butch and Grace in NYC.........................14 moved from the Kansas City, Mo., that for so long featured Todd Strait Friends of Jazz (Jazz Record Center)....18 area to San Diego, Calif., a year ago, on drums, both in concert and on I Said, She Said.....................................19 he still is a featured artist at the an- Djangirov’s recordings—2001’s Bobby Watson wins recognition.............20 nual Topeka fest. He also has devel- “Eldar” and 2003’s “Handprints.” oped a devoted following here in Lin- Almost a year since that last re- Neon Violin Quartet (plus one).............21 coln, where he has appeared with his cording, Djangirov said he continues Giacomo Gates and The Five Spot.............22 trio at Jazz in June and as featured to add to his repertoire. The Jazz in Claude “Fiddler” Williams Memorial.......23 soloist with the Nebraska Jazz Or- June set list likely will include two new chestra. He last performed here in originals, “Point of View” and “Rain- Discorama....................................23 January 2003 with the NJO. drops.” Jazz standards we can expect Jazz on Disc......................................25 He returns to the Capital City for to hear include “Body and Soul,” a June 1 concert in the Jazz in June “Maiden Voyage,” “Sweet Georgia series at the Sheldon Memorial Art Brown” and “Caravan.” Gallery Sculpture Garden. Though Eldar Djangirov cont. on page 3 Page 2 Berman Music Foundation Jazz ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Prez Sez Age 55 and still swinging full speed ahead ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ By Butch Berman ○○○○ Dear Jazz lovers everywhere, Photo by Rich Hoover Hey dere…thanks for clicking in. Lots and lots of news this issue, so get ready. Had a great 55th birth- day BMF bash and grand conclave. Wade Wright from Jack’s Record Cellar in San Francisco flew in, as well as New York percussionist and recording artist Norman Hedman. The Demuths from Colorado, and Steve Irwin and Jo Boehr from Kansas City couldn’t make it, but Gerald and Leslie Spaits, my bass playing KC consultant and his wife, drove up from Missouri. Add my Wade Wright, Leslie Spaits, Tom Ineck, Kay Davis, Tony Rager, Norman Hedman darling wife Grace, Jazz newslet- and Gerald Spaits (back row), Butch and Grace Sankey Berman, Melissa and ter editor Tom Ineck, photographer Mark Epp (front row) at Butch’s birthday luncheon. Rich Hoover, legal representative Tony Rager and secretary Kay ‘50s. We hope to collaborate on University of Nebraska-Lincoln Davis from Cline Williams law firm helping to put together the campus. (Check out my related re- and newcomers to the mix, Mark soundtrack, utilizing some of the view in this issue.) and Melissa Epp, and you’ve got rare 45s in my collection from that After many productive meet- yourself a party. Loyal, trusted and era. The one and only Herbie ings with this year’s Jazz in June dear friends, all of them. Hancock will be handling the major committee, led to perfection by We had a swell luncheon meet- musical production, so this could be Doug Campbell, the lineup for 2004 ing at the Green Gateau discussing a gas. We’ll keep you posted as should be another blockbuster. We all of our stuff. The Epps were there more details become finalized. kick off the proceedings with the as my renewed friendship with Later that evening we were BMF-sponsored return of Russian- Mark has turned into two couples joined by my other girl Friday (be- born piano phenom Eldar Djangirov who enjoy each other’s company sides Grace and Kay) Ruthann on June 1. We also helped procure and stimulate each other very cre- Nahorny and a slew of about 50- the incredible singing talents of New atively. Mark and I were in rival plus other old cronies from my Yorker Kendra Shank and her band bands during the mid- to late ‘60s. cherished past. We wined and for June 8. Next are East Coast The Modds and Music certainly had dined at the ever-so-cool Marz Bar trumpeter Ingrid Jensen and her their moments. Now Mark and in downtown Lincoln. Had a ball group performing June 15. Chica- Melissa are running an operation and that ain’t all…but now, back to goan acoustic bluegrass/jazz guitar- called Here We Go Kids (HWGK the news at hand. ist John Carlini and his combo, fea- Productions) which puts out infor- Got to hang out a little with my turing a returnee from last year, mative musical illustrated books and new musician buddies, pianist Roger mandolinist Don Stiernberg, appear tapes for education. They are now Wilder from KC and the ever-so- June 22, and Lincoln’s own swing- embarking on “Sticks n’ Stones,” a saxy Rob Scheps from Portland, ing big band the Nebraska Jazz Or- movie they created with a screen- Ore., who were in Lincoln gigging chestra (NJO) round out another play by Joseph Kwong, about com- with the Boulevard Big Band from ing of age in Nebraska during the KC at Kimball Recital Hall on our Continued on page 4 Spring 2004 Page 3 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Eldar Djangirov cont. from page 1 that trait and getting it to grow.” As far as having developed a “I’ve been learning more tunes, “voice” that is unmistakably his, making more music, trying to make Djangirov is more philosophical. progress,” he said. “Handprints,” he “It’s always for the people to de- said, is a collection of some of his fa- cide whether they hear the voice and vorite tunes by his favorite musicians, the musical statement that one is try- many of them pianists. The 11 tracks ing to make,” he said. He acknowl- Jazz is published online at: www.bermanmusicfoundation.org edges that Oscar Peterson remains feature compositions by Thelonious The office of The Berman Monk, Herbie Hancock, Billy Taylor, his favorite pianist, but “whomever Music Foundation is at 719 Bill Evans and Chick Corea. (“Hand- I’m listening to, whether it’s Chick P St., Studio G, Lincoln, NE prints” is reviewed elsewhere in this Corea, Brad Mehldau, Benny Green, 68508. newsletter.) Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Art Editor and Designer: “We just tried to have fun and Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Fats Waller, Tom Ineck create music,” Djangirov said of that Bill Charlap, Joey Calderazzo, I’m finding some- Contributing writerswriters: File Photo Contributing writers thing that really Butch Berman, Grace Sankey appeals about Berman, Giacomo Gates, Tom Ineck and Bill Wimmer all of them. They’re all just Photographers: Butch amazing in Berman, Grace Sankey what they do, Berman, Rich Hoover and and I admire Tom Ineck what they do. I For inclusion of any jazz or try to be influ- blues related events, letters enced, in a to the editor or suggested good way, by articles, either mail them to all of those.” the office, phone (402) 476- 3112, fax (402) 475-3136 or e- Many of Eldar Djangirov with the NJO in January 2003 mail these jazz lumi- [email protected]. recording. “It’s a reflection of many naries—includ- things. It’s a reflection of piano play- ing Billy Taylor, Marian McPartland, If you want to be added to ers that I like, and the way I was play- Dave Brubeck, Benny Carter and our mailing list, call (402) 476-3112, fax (402) 475-3136, ing at that point in time, what I was Benny Green—have heaped praise or e-mail listening to and working on.” upon the young Djangirov, recognition [email protected]. Djangirov doesn’t worry much by his peers that he considers very about the conventional wisdom that flattering. But he doesn’t let it go to The Butch Berman says a soloist who achieves fame too his head. Rather, he said, he seeks Charitable Music Founda- tion is a non-profit, tax ex- early in life may fail to develop a sound their advice. empt, 501(c)(3) private foun- of his own, instead merely mimicking The best news for Djangirov dation recognized by the In- the sound of others. fans is that he already has recorded a ternal Revenue Service and “When players or musicians get third CD, to be released as early as the Nebraska Department of together, you never find two musicians August.