notes The Monthly Newsletter of JazzErie October 2008 Vol. 14, Issue. 10 14 Years Serving the Jazz Community JAZZERIE CHARLIE PARKER MEMBERSHIP Hopefully most of you have re-upped for the 2008-09 JazzErie Membership year. If you have, many thanks for continuing to support this hardworking volunteer organization. If you haven’t yet joined/rejoined, NOW’S THE TIME! Those whose memberships have lapsed will not be eligible for discounted tickets at JazzErie events BRUCE JOHNSTONE (remember Liebman’s coming), and your subscription to News Notes will cease, either in November or December. “BIRDS WITH STRINGS” Please rejoin us. Bring a friend. A TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE PARKER • Rosch Recital Hall, Fredonia University • IN THIS ISSUE... • Fredonia, NY (directions at end of article) • Charlie Parket w/ Strings ............p.1-2 • Sunday, Oct.19 • 1:00 pm (pre-concert talk at 12:30 pm) • Record Collector? .......................p.2 Adults.......................................$20 Experience the beauty and warmth of this Board Minutes ............................p.3 Alumni, Faculty, & Staff........$15 beautiful, timeless and engaging music Bird Lives! Students (Fredonia)................$5 President’s Message ...................p.3 The performers: String Trio of NY........................p 3 In 1950, Clef Records acceded to a Alto saxophonist Darcy Hepner, a long-standing dream of Charlie Parker strong jazz performer and educator on The Jazz Line..............................p.4 to record with strings. The record, the Canadian scene, is less well known “Bird With Strings,” became one of in the U.S. Raised in Hamilton, Ontario, JazzErie Discussion Group .........p.5 Hepner’s musical trajectory began as an his best selling records and one that Celebrating Roots .......................p. 6 he himself considered to be one of his accomplished young cellist. He switched to saxophone while exploring rock & best. With the discovery of the original JE Performance Calendar ...........p. 7 manuscripts used for the recording, this roll (first as a guitarist) with college concert is a reconstruction of these great friends in Canada, became infected with JazzErie Cruise Pics ...................p. 7 performances, delivered with insight the challenges and beauty of jazz, and and expertise by great contemporary completed his formal education with an Jazz on the Radio ........................p. 7 musicians. Don’t miss this rare tribute. ...continued on pg. 2 For More Information: www.jazzerie.com MA degree in jazz from the University Bruce Johnstone is the producer and JAZZ ERIE of Miami music program. He moved instigator of this event. Johnstone hails to New York to pursue studies with Lee from New Zealand, showed his talent JazzErie is a com- early – New Zealand Junior Symphony munity of music lovers and at age 13 (clarinet), New Zealand Radio musicians and, a member- Orchestra at age 16 (adding baritone, alto ship organization dedicated & flute.) Went on the road at 21, playing to sharing with children, behind biggest U.S. pop stars of the day adults and one an-other when they toured down under. To Europe an awareness and love of in 1969, playing in Copenhagen with music, particularly jazz. JazzErie brings avant-garde legends Horace Parlan and toget-her people who want to listen to jazz, Don Cherry, and mainstream musicians learn about it, play it and just live it. Al Grey and bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pederson. To U.S. in 1972, joined Check out our website at Konitz and Bob Mintzer, and gigs with the Maynard Ferguson band, becoming www.jazzerie.com for complete local musicians, ultimately including a featured soloist and developing an information on current and many jazz greats – Liebman, Olliver international reputation (#3 in Downbeat upcoming events. Lake, Kenny Wheeler, Louis Bellson, etc. poll.) More gigs, records, a stint with From 1985-89 Hepner taught full-time Woody Herman, then came to this area 2007-2008 Board of Directors at Berklee College of Music in Boston, to settle with his bride, Robyn in Ripley, then back to New York (and worldwide) N.Y. Continues to astound with area President................................. Ed Goebel for gigs with legends BB King, Aretha and traveling bands, but his major gig is Vice President ............................. Ted Ely Franklin, Sergio Mendez, Henry Mancini teaching at Fredonia University, where he Treasurer ..............................Liz Scarpelli and others, plus workshop presentations is chair of the Jazz Studies program. in far-flung locations (Istanbul, Berlin, The Fredonia Chamber Jazz Directors even Sacramento, CA.) Meanwhile, he Ensemble, which will perform under Joe Curlett Robb Hoff was establishing a new music program Johnstone’s direction, is culled from the Charles Lute Al Lubiejewski at Selkirk College, British Columbia. John Marzalek Scott Meier Following a four-year tour with Blood, ranks of Fredonia’s best students. Carl Hultman Sheldon Peterson Sweat & Tears (1999-2004,) Hepner More on how to get there: Take I-90 Allen Zurcher Mary Watson returned to teaching in his home town of east to Exit 59 (Dunkirk & Fredonia). Dick Thompson John Kytic Hamilton, where he is currently Professor After the toll booth, go straight to the Paul Bates Kathy Danielson of Music at Mohawk College. “T” intersection with Central Ave. Turn Past Presidents Pianist Tony Caramia is currently left on Central to the Main Campus Entrance (on your right.) Rosch Recital David F. Van Amburg 1994-1995 Professor of Piano and Director of Hall is located more-or-less in the center (Founding President) Piano Pedagogy at Eastman School of Music. Caramia’s credentials include of the campus. There is parking on Atty. Al Lubiejewski 1995-1997 your right as you enter the campus, and Virginia M. Pelkowski 1997-1999 an appearance as a guest on Marian McPartland’s somewhat behind Rosch Hall. R. Patrick Rodgers 1999-2002 “Piano Jazz “ Steve Eidell 2002-2003 radio show which INTERESTED IN Tom McLaren 2003-2005 already puts him HISTORICAL JAZZ Carl Hultman 2005-2008 among jazz’ piano elite. His latest DISCS??? JAZZERIE NOTES is published monthly CD, “Tribute” News Notes has been contacted by JazzErie which is a subsidiary organiza- (cdbaby, 2006) by the widow of a former record tion of the Erie Art Museum, features the music collector who wants to offer mint a nonprofit organization. of Ellington, condition 33 1/3 LP’s to jazz lovers at JazzErie Notes McPartland, a reasonable price. The records are of Editor - Dick Thompson Brubeck and his Andy Kirk, Earl Hines, Chick Webb, published by own compositions. He has lectured Duke Ellington, The Chicagoans, The Erie Art Museum for JazzErie and performed at workshops and jazz Count Basie (“Kansas City Piano”), printed by training institutes around the world Woody Herman (“The Turning Point”), PIP Printing West (Europe, Australia, New Zealand). In and others -- $5 each. She also offers 2825 West 26th St. • Erie, PA 16506 2005, Caramia presented a multi-media a two-record set of “Louis Armstrong tribute to composer Harold Arlen on at Carnegie Hall” for $25. These are Deadline is the 15th of each month. the occasion of Arlen’s 100th birthday. new records, sent to her husband by a Send articles to: Caramia’s own compositions are record distributor, and have never been [email protected] published by Hal Leonard. played. or Box 8833, Erie, PA 16505 Local legend and internationally Contact Betty Smith at 866-0554. recognized jazz musician and educator Page 2 JazzErie Notes discussed. The Performance Committee SUMMARY OF was commended on its early completion JAZZERIE JAZZERIE of the 2008-2009 season’s schedule. Paul Bates reported that radio, internet, PRESIDENT’S BOARD MINUTES posters and print media have received MESSAGE September 2, 2008 information regarding the Eric Alexander Because of rain at the start of our concert. Ted Ely reported that he and Ed Jazz & Blues Walk, the crowd was The minutes of the August 5, 2008 Goebel filed a request for a grant from somewhat smaller than last year’s, and meeting were approved. Liz Scarpelli The Arts Council of Erie for the 2008- JazzErie faced a deficit of almost $2,000. confirmed that the Jazz & Blues Walk 2009 performance season. Al Zurcher This is money that is needed to help pay receipts were down about $2,000. Ed is attempting to arrange for a master’s for previously scheduled world-class jazz Goebel reported that the Jazz Cruise workshop to be given by Dave Liebman groups. Fundraiser on the Scott Free was sold prior to his November 21, 2008 concert. JazzErie no longer has this deficit. out, with 29 guests expected. The John Marzalek reported that high school Our thanks go out to the generosity of Performance Committee reported that musicians met every Wednesday during Nick and Kim Scott of Scott Enterprises arrangements for the Eric Alexander the summer to learn and practice playing and 29 JazzErie supporters who attended concert were complete. Not many season jazz. John Kytic said that JazzErie has the fund raising Jazz Cruise on the Scotts’ tickets were being purchased, although received over 100 membership renewals. yacht, the Scott Free. Comments of those more sales were expected at the concert. No one present at the meeting was who attended ranged from “fantastic time” to “couldn’t have been better.” Whether and the extent to which there is interested in organizing the Erie Jazz Hall or can be a definition of a “jazz singer” of Fame at this time. Thus, leadership Speaking of world-class jazz groups, for the Singers’ Night concert was will be sought outside the Board. if you didn’t attend the Eric Alexander concert held at Gannon University on September 6, 2008, you missed one expanded its focus to include numerous of the best jazz quartets to ever have STRING TRIO OF commissioned works by contemporary performed in Erie. They played many avant-gardists, plus arrangements standards, along with some of their own NEW YORK of classic pieces by jazz masters.