Festival & Outdoor THE LATIN SIDE Concert Guide OF HOT HOUSE P31 pages 32-45 June 2019 www.hothousejazz.com Jazz At Kitano Page 10 Ginny's Supper Club Page 19 Chuck Redd Brianna Thomas Al Foster Scott Robinson Smoke Jazz & Supper Club Page 10 Birdland Theater Page 17 Where To Go & Who To See Since 1982 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 WINNING SPINS By George Kanzler RUMMERS ARE KNOWN AS MAS- Caribbean in two compositions by ters of the groove, the band members Jamaican Monty Alexander, one of his whoD keep ensembles percolating. Both of favorite bandleaders. "Renewal" builds the albums covered here are from leaders slowly from two introductory repeated who spend much of their time behind drum notes through rising solos from Chuck, kits: One CD even has the word "groove" in John and Nicki. "Regulator" is a hot riff the title. But this time around, leader tune built on funk beats that shifts to Chuck Redd sticks to his other mallet straight, hard-driving swing for Jerry's sax instrument, vibes, leaving the groove- solo. Throughout, the album lives up to keeping to the master drummer Lewis Chuck's promise of a rewarding jazz Nash. The other album is from Al Foster, a groove. versatile drummer famous for his work in On Al Foster's Inspirations and Miles Davis' later funk- and fusion-orient- Dedications (Smoke Sessions), he book- ed bands. As Al's current trumpeter, ends 11 originals with tunes from leaders Jeremy Pelt, affirms, "No matter what the he greatly admires. Both Herbie Hancock's setting, Al is always swinging with a deep "Cantaloupe Island" and Miles Davis' groove." "Jean-Pierre" are fueled by variations of On Groove City (Dalphine), Chuck the shuffling, calypso-inflected groove Redd presides over a rhythm team that known as Al's "Fungi Mama" beat. Al's pairs Lewis with the formidably swinging memorable originals are surprising in that bassist Nicki Parrott; pianist John di they are all composed by a drummer who Martino rounds out the quartet. Tenor sax- doesn't read much music and writes his ophonist Jerry Weldon, long a featured songs intuitively on the piano, picking out soloist in Harry Connick Jr.'s big band, melodies and harmonies by ear. joins in on five tracks. Chuck's tune "A On this album, the drummer is ably Groove for Gail," dedicated to his wife, is a abetted by his quintet members: tenor sax- funky take on "I Got Rhythm" changes, ophonist Dayna Stephens (who also sup- alternating backbeat and straight 4/4 time plies baritone on one track), trumpeter behind soloists, including John's only Jeremy Pelt, pianist Adam Birnbaum, and Fender Rhodes excursion on the album. a longtime associate, bassist Doug Weiss. There's also a coruscating solo from Jerry, Al's tunes celebrate family members, and shout chorus riffs punctuating Lewis' including his wife, his late son, four daugh- drum solo. "Blues in the Shedd," another ters, and a grandson, as well as Doug and original from Chuck, is a lively blues himself. That last, "Aloysius," begins with notable for intricate trade-offs between the album's only extended drum solo. Most players during the theme, and spirited of Al's pieces are introduced by Adam's solo solos from all. piano, and there is a cornucopia of varying Almost more intriguing are Chuck's times, tempos and rhythmic feels to the choices of covers and standards, and his songs, with all propelled by what Dayna approach to arranging them. He has calls Al's "loose precision." Except for the picked ballads perfect for the resonant short piano solo "Brandyn" and the sound of his vibes, including "Don't Let the Harmon mute trumpet dirge "Our Son," Sun Catch You Cryin'" and "All or Nothing both dedicated to Al's deceased son, the at All" (patterned after a 1966 Frank mood of the album is celebratory. Among Sinatra-Nelson Riddle recording). Billy the highlights are the light-footed 6/8 Strayhorn's "A Flower Is a Lovesome "Simone's Dance," the pulsating Caribbean Thing," is a lyrical vibes/piano duet. Also "Song for Monique," and the shifting times mesmeric is the quartet's subtly shifting (3/4, 6/8, 4/4) of "Jazzon," a bright quintet perspectives on Ornette Coleman's "Lonely salute to Al's grandson. Woman," emphasizing the melody's deep resonance. Chuck keeps his Brazilian ref- Al Foster's quintet, featuring the erences fresh too, choosing "Tide," Antonio personnel from Inspirations & Carlos Jobim's lesser-known variation on Dedications, will play a CD release gig his hit "Wave," for the CD's bossa nova, at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club, June and turning Thelonious Monk's "Evidence" 20-22. Chuck Redd and his band will into a high-stepping samba, with Jerry's celebrate the release of Groove City at tenor sax featured. Chuck references the Jazz at Kitano June 28-29. 10 Foster cover photo by John Abbott, Robinson by Bud Glick. Sign-up for our E-ALERT at www.hothousejazz.com and be the 1st to know when the latest Hot House is available on line PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR: For advertising requests and listing Gwen Kelley (formerly Calvier) information contact Gwen Kelley [email protected] 203-434-4646/[email protected] CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Elzy Kolb Hot House Jazz Magazine is published monthly and all [email protected] copyrights are the property of Gwen Kelley. All rights PRODUCTION & ART DIRECTOR: reserved. No material may be reproduced without written Karen Pica [email protected] permission of the President. Domestic subscriptions CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: areavailable for $37 annually (sent first class). For Canada Ken Dryden, Nick Dunston, $39 and international $50. Ken Franckling, Raul da Gama, PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Dave N Dittmann Seton Hawkins, Eugene Holley Jr., CO-FOUNDERS: Gene Kalbacher, Stephanie Jones, George Kanzler, Lynn Taterka & Jeff Levenson Elzy Kolb, Michael G. Nastos, COPY EDITOR: Yvonne Ervin 2012-2019 Don Jay Smith, Eric Wendell For press releases and CD revues send a copy to CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: Fran Kaufman Gwen Kelley: PO Box 20212 - New York, NY 10025 11 CLUBS & HALLS UPPER MANHATTAN (Above 70th Street) 449 LA: 449 Lenox Av (bet 132nd & 133rd Sts). 212-234-3298. Sun: 1-3:30&4-7pm Patio Jazz; Thurs: 1-3:30pm Jazz & Dessert; Fri-Sat: 8:30pm. AARON DAVIS HALL: At City College. 138 Convent Av at W133rd St. www.citycollege centerforthearts.org. 212-650-6900. Jun 12: 7:30pm National Jazz Museum in Harlem benefit Concert feat Valerie Simpson & Camille Thurman, honoring Benny Golson. AMERICAN LEGION POST: 248W 132nd St (bet 7th & 8th Avs). 212-283-9701. Sun, atler- native Wed & Thurs: 6:30-10:30pm Jam. BILL’S PLACE: 148W 133rd St (bet Lenox & 7th Avs). www.billsplaceharlem.com. 212-281- 0777. Fri-Sat: 8&10pm $20 don Bill Saxton Bebop Band. CLEOPATRA’S NEEDLE: 2485 Bway (bet 92nd & 93rd Sts). www.cleopatrasneedleny. com. 212-769-6969. Sets: Early (E), Late (L); Sun E 4-8pm, L 9pm-1am; Mon-Tues E 8- 9pm, L 10pm-1am; Wed-Thurs E 7-11pm, L 11:30pm-2:30am; Fri-Sat E 8pm-12am, L 12:30-3am. Free adm/$10 min. Trios except Mon&Thurs Duets unless otherwise noted. L Jam. Residencies: Sun E Open mic w/Keith Ingham, L Benno Marmur; Mon Mark Hagan; Tues Marc Devine; Wed E Open mic w/Les Kurtz, L Nathan Brown; Thurs L Nathan Brown; Fri L Robbie Lee; Sat L T. Kash. Jun 1: Denton Darien; 7: Libby Richman; 8: Justin Lees; 13: Dave Hirschman; 14: Robert Rucker Project; 15: Richard Russo Qrt; 20: Equilibrium; 21: Steve Sandberg; 22: Phill Briggs Band; 27: Joel Forrester; 28: Kuni Mikami; 29: Dan Furman. GIN FIZZ: 308 Malcolm X Blvd at 125th St. 2nd Fl. www.ginfizzharlem.com. 212-289-5550. Sets unless otherwise noted: 7:30&9pm. Residency: Mon Full Circle Mondays by Noah Jackson. Jun 1: 6pm Joe De Gregorio Trio Reunion, 8pm Louise Cappi; 5: Ras Chemash; 6: Carlos Gomez Qrt; 8: 6pm Simas & Amorim Duo, 7:30&9pm Nickel & Dime Ops; 12: Circular Time; 15: Bevin Turnbull & New Jazz City; 19: Dennis Llewellyn Day; 20: Julieta Eugenio Qrt; 25: Aubrey Barnes; 29: 8pm Ty Stephens & (the) SoulJaazz. GINNY’S SUPPER CLUB: At Red Rooster. 310 Lenox Av (bet 125th & 126th Sts). www.ginnyssupperclub.com. 212-792-9001. Sets: 7&9pm. Jun 1: Dezron Douglas Black Lion Qrt; 6: Allan Harris; 13: Sugartone Brass Band; 14: Gotham Kings; 15: Charles Turner Uptwon Swing; 20: Havana In Harlem; 22: Charenée Wade; 28-29: Brianna Thomas Band. GREATER CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH: 55W 124th St (bet Malcolm X Blvd & 5th Av). 212-348-6132. www.harlemjazzboxx.com. Tues 12pm $15 adm & Fri 7pm $20: Harlem Jazz series. Jun 7: Melissa Slocum; 11: Richard Fairfax; 14: Yayoi Ikawa; 18: Kelvyn Bell; 21: Carla Cook; 25: Art Baron; 28: James Brandon Lewis. 12 LENOX SAPHIRE: 341 Lenox Av at 127th St. www.lenoxsaphireharlem.com. 212-866- 9700. Thurs: 8-11pm Keyed Up series w/Phil Young Oct. MEXICAN FESTIVAL RESTAURANT: 2672 Bway. www.mexicanfestivalrestaurant.com. 646-912-9334. Thurs: 7-10pm. Jun 6: Benjamin Samuelson Trio; 13: Benny Rubin Jr. Qrt; 20: Marvin Horne Trio; 27: Maria Paula Pulgarin Tropical Beat Qnt. MINTON’S: 206W 118th St (bet St. Nicholas Av & Adam Clayton Powell Blvd). 212-243-2222. www.mintonsharlem.com. Sets: Sun 7:30&9pm, Wed-Sat 7:30&9:30pm. Residen- cies: Sun Christopher McBride w/guest; Sat except 06/8 Hopkins & The Biggish Band. Jun 6: Vanisha Gould; 12: Eyal Vilner Big Band; 14: Alfredo De La Fé; 20: Vanisha Gould.