197512_HH_Dec_0 11/23/18 10:06 AM Page 1 DE 2018 Holiday Gift Guide page 32 P32 THE LATIN SIDE OF HOT HOUSE P31 December 2018 www.hothousejazz.com Jazz Standard Page 10 Smalls Jazz Club Page 10 Ben Wendel Jeb Patton & Dmitry Baevsky Jimmy Owens Veronica Swift 75 Club Page 17 JALC and Blue Note Page 21 Where To Go & Who To See Since 1982 197512_HH_Dec_0 11/23/18 10:06 AM Page 2 2 197512_HH_Dec_0 11/23/18 10:06 AM Page 3 3 197512_HH_Dec_0 11/23/18 10:06 AM Page 4 4 197512_HH_Dec_0 11/23/18 10:06 AM Page 5 5 197512_HH_Dec_0 11/23/18 10:06 AM Page 6 6 197512_HH_Dec_0 11/23/18 10:06 AM Page 7 7 197512_HH_Dec_0 11/23/18 10:06 AM Page 8 8 197512_HH_Dec_0 11/23/18 10:07 AM Page 9 9 197512_HH_Dec_0 11/23/18 10:07 AM Page 10 WINNING SPINS By George Kanzler HE DUO IS ONE OF THE MOST slow "Fools Rush In," affectionately caress- challenging settings in jazz. Ruby Braff ing the contours of melody and chords in onceT said it was like "two men on a lyrical solos. Another ballad, Cole Porter's tightrope without a net." The intimate for- "You'd Be So Easy to Love," verges on ele- mat requires constant attention, as the two giac as Dmitry's alto sighs through the musicians must not only listen to but melody with elongated held notes; Jeb hon- accommodate each other. That accommo- ors the mood in an understated middle dation includes complementing the other's solo, and Dmitry finishes with a gorgeous tone and texture, as well as tempo and coda/cadenza capping off a nigh-perfect attack. One of this month's Winning Spins duo album. spotlights a classic duo recording featuring The Seasons, Ben Wendel (Motéma, alto sax and piano; the second, a suite with 2018), is an expansion/realization of saxo- movements named for each of the 12 phonist Ben's duo project with various months. Originally released three years musicians over the course of 2015. Here ago as monthly duets on YouTube, the Ben, who plays bassoon and electronic suite has expanded into quintet renditions EFX as well as his tenor, is joined by Aaron that feature overdubs and electronics. Parks on piano, Gilad Hekselman on gui- We Two, Dmitry Baevsky & Jeb tar, Matt Brewer on bass and Eric Harland Patton (jazz&people, 2018), is a bracing, on drums—each of whom participated in exhilarating duo program as refreshing in the original project. The versions of the 12 its choice of repertoire as it is in its virtu- months here are more capacious and con- osic, joyful execution. Aside from alto saxo- cerned with aural and orchestral textures phonist Dmitry's intricate, bop-ish origi- than the originals, as is made abundantly nal, "Theme for Sonny," divided between clear on the opening number, "January," unison and contrasting parts and featuring which has Ben doubling on bassoon and trades with pianist Jeb, the ten-track pro- EFX with and behind his tenor sax and the gram consists of jazz and American band. Gilad emerges from the flux for a Songbook pop standards. The jazz selec- guitar solo before Ben's tenor rises over tions are particularly perspicacious, rang- racing rhythmic figures ahead of tempo ing from bebop to lesser known Duke retards for an ending. Ellington. The former are Charlie Parker's The EFX and bassoon appear together, "Quasimodo," a contrafact of—and pun layering three more tunes, but the EFX's on—"Embraceable You" with spot-on uni- synth-like textures grace several more, son rendering of the Bird melody, and creating an electronic sheen that perme- Jimmy Heath's rhythm changes tune once ates the album. Sometimes it is soft and claimed by Miles Davis: "The Serpent's dreamy, as on the last and longest track, Tooth." Duke's "Le Sucrier Velours" "December," where the textures suggest a recorded for The Queen's Suite, is one of penumbra of falling, swirling snow around those warm, bluesy ballads that he was a tenor and piano solos. But individual master of, delivered with suitable warmth pieces are surprisingly varied. "May" has a and breathiness of tone by Dmitry, with two-beat flavor and theme played by Ben Jeb contributing a two-handed solo Duke on tenor and Gilad, whose guitar suggests would have appreciated. Two pianists out a country twang. Hand drums bring a dif- of the hard bop era are responsible for the ferent tone to "March," which also includes other two jazz tunes: Horace Silver's Aaron's most lyrical solo. And there are "Swingin' the Samba" opens the CD in an suggestions of hip hop and rock in infectiously bouncy manner; McCoy "September," including jerky beats empha- Tyner's "Inception" jumps out with spirited sized by Gilad behind piano and tenor up-tempo drive. solos. This album is a far cry from its duos Tracks such as those last two, and Cole blueprint, especially in its embrace of elec- Porter's "All Through the Night," taken at tronics, 21st Century beats and sonic lay- a full swinging clip, bring out the exuber- ering. ance and combustive thrust of Dmitry's quicksilver alto and Jeb's two-fisted piano Dmitry Baevsky's Quartet with Jeb techniques. But the two are no one-trick Patton, bassist Neal Miner and drum- ponies, as slower and bluesier cuts prove. mer Joe Strasser plays Smalls Jazz "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'," as Club, Dec. 7-8. Ben Wendel's Seasons recorded by Louis Jordan and Ray Charles, Band Quintet with Gilad Hekselman, brings out the duo's bluesy roots: Jeb's pianist Taylor Eigsti, bassist Joe blues rocking feel echoed by Dmitry's Sanders and drummer Mark Guiliana breathier sax timbre. The two embrace a plays Jazz Standard, Dec. 6-9. 10 Wendel cover photo by Josh Goleman, Swift by Bill Westmoreland. 197512_HH_Dec_0 11/23/18 10:07 AM Page 11 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] COPY EDITOR: Yvonne Ervin Hot House Jazz Magazine is published monthly and all copyrights are the property of Gwen Kelley. All rights [email protected] reserved. No material may be reproduced without written PRODUCTION & ART DIRECTOR: permission of the President. No unsolicited manuscripts Karen Pica [email protected] will be returned unless enclosed with a self addressed CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: stamped envelope. Domestic subscriptions areavailable for Ken Dryden, Nick Dunston, $37 annually (sent first class). For Canada $39 and Yvonne Ervin, Ken Franckling, international $50. Raul da Gama, Seton Hawkins, PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Dave N Dittmann Eugene Holley Jr., Stephanie Jones, CO-FOUNDERS: Gene Kalbacher, George Kanzler, Elzy Kolb, Michael G. Nastos, Lynn Taterka & Jeff Levenson 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 197512_HH_Dec_0 11/23/18 10:07 AM Page 12 CLUBS & HALLS UPPER MANHATTAN (Above 70th Street) 449 LA: 449 Lenox Av (bet 132nd & 133rd Sts). 212-234-3298. Sun: 4-7pm Patio Jazz; Thurs: 1-3:30pm Jazz & Dessert; Fri-Sat: 8:30pm. AMERICAN LEGION POST: 248W 132nd St (bet 7th & 8th Avs). 212-283-9701. www.colchasyoungharlempost398.com. Sun, atlernative 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. CAFÉ CARLYLE: At Carlyle Hotel. 35E 76th St at Madison. www.thecarlyle.com. 212-744- 1600. Sets: 8:45pm + 10:45pm Sat. Mon: except 12/24&31 8:45pm Woody Allen & Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band. The CECIL: 210W 118th St (bet St. Nicholas Av & Adam Clayton Powell Blvd). 212-866-1262. www.thececilharlem.com. Fri-Sat: 11pm Jam. 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. 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 E Noriko Kamo, L Nathan Brown; Fri L Robbie Lee; Sat L T. Kash. Dec 1: Carol Sudhalter; 7: Libby Richman; 8: Justin Lees; 14: Denton Darien; 15: Satchamo Mannan Qrt; 21: Ship Shelton; 22: Sonelius Smith; 28: Soul Guard Jazz; 29: Roland Temple; 31: 10pm-2amKayo Hiraki Qrt. GIN FIZZ: 308 Malcolm X Blvd at 125th St. 2nd Fl. www.ginfizzharlem.com. 212-289-2220. Sets: 7-8&8:30-9:30pm. Dec 7: Irene Blackman feat Darnell White; 14: Karlea Lynné feat Shareef Clayton; 21: Ada Dyer feat Kahlil Kwame Bell; 28: Jackie Gage. GINNY’S SUPPER CLUB: At Red Rooster. 310 Lenox Av (bet 125th & 126th Sts). www.ginnyssupperclub.com. 212-792-9001. Sets/adm: 7&9pm $15/20 unless otherwise noted. Thurs except 12/13 Pedrito Martinez. Dec 8: Michael Mwenso & spec guests; 14: Jonathan Michel; 15: $20/25 Rachel Brown; 21-22: $20 Mwenso & the Shakes. GODDARD RIVERSIDE’S BERNIE WOHL CENTER: 647 Columbus Av (bet 91st & 92nd Sts).