December 2009 Vol. 15, Issue. 12 16 Years Serving the Jazz Community For More Information: www.jazzerie.com notes The Monthly Newsletter of JazzErie ERIC ALEXANDER AND THE HIGH NOTE / SAVANT ALL STARS Monday, December 28; Concert at 8:00 PM Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center, 7792 Peach St., Erie Advance tickets can be purchased at the following locations: Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, Mercyhurst College; Erie Art Museum, 411 State St. • Glass Growers Gallery, 10 East 5th St.; Erie Book Store, 137 East 13th St. • World of Music, 1355 West 26th St. Romolo Chocolates, 1525 West 8th St. Consistent with its tradition of offering accessible music of the highest quality in its holiday concerts (Joe Lovano, Larry Coryell, Godfathers of Groove, Tony Monaco), this year’s concert brings the outstanding saxophonist Eric Alexander back to Erie. This time he comes with an organ quartet, featuring B-3 organist Greg Hatza, guitarist Bob DeVos and alto saxophonist Jim Snidero. ...continued on pg. 2 THE FOUR FRESHMEN AT MERCYHURST Friday, December 4, 8:00 PM Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, 501 East 38th St., Erie Tickets: JazzErie Members $25 Non-members $30 Seniors/Students $27.50 Youth/MC students $15 If you like close harmonies and small combo swing, come to this one. Outstanding phrasing, dynamics, blend – the Freshmen are justifiably famous for their clear-lined, practiced sound. Add sophisticated arrangements with a magnificent chunk of American jazz/pop history as the raw material, and you’ve got it. The Four Freshmen bring the music in a way that is appealing to the ear and the heart. JazzErie Dinner and Concert: JazzErie Members $35.95 Non-members $39.95 Students $19.95 Dinner served from 6:00 PM. Your choice of Prime Rib, Stuffed Chicken or Vegetable Stir-Fry. Call 866-9999 for reservations. Dinner music will be provided by Jim Madden and Allen Zurcher. Concert only: JazzErie Members $20.00 Non-members $25.00 Students $5.00
Transcript
December 2009Vol. 15, Issue. 12
16 Years Serving the Jazz Community
For More Information: www.jazzerie.com
notesThe Monthly Newsletter of JazzErie
ERIC ALEXANDER AND THE HIGH NOTE / SAVANT ALL STARSMonday, December 28; Concert at 8:00 PMAmbassador Banquet and Conference Center, 7792 Peach St., Erie
Advance tickets can be purchased at the following locations: Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, Mercyhurst College;
Erie Art Museum, 411 State St. • Glass Growers Gallery, 10 East 5th St.; Erie Book Store, 137 East 13th St. • World of Music, 1355 West 26th St.
Romolo Chocolates, 1525 West 8th St.
Consistent with its tradition of offering accessible music of the highest quality in its holiday concerts (Joe Lovano, Larry Coryell, Godfathers of Groove, Tony Monaco), this year’s concert brings the outstanding saxophonist Eric Alexander back to Erie. This time he comes with an organ quartet, featuring B-3 organist Greg Hatza, guitarist Bob DeVos and alto saxophonist Jim Snidero.
...continued on pg. 2
THE FOUR FRESHMENAT MERCYHURST
Friday, December 4, 8:00 PM
Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, 501 East 38th St., Erie
Tickets: JazzErie Members $25 Non-members $30 Seniors/Students $27.50 Youth/MC students $15
If you like close harmonies and small combo swing, come to this one. Outstanding phrasing, dynamics, blend – the Freshmen are justifiably famous for their clear-lined, practiced sound. Add sophisticated arrangements with a magnificent chunk of American jazz/pop history as the raw material, and you’ve got it. The Four Freshmen bring the music in a way that is appealing to the ear and the heart.
JazzErie
Dinner and Concert: JazzErie Members $35.95Non-members $39.95Students $19.95
Dinner served from 6:00 PM. Your choice of Prime Rib, Stuffed Chicken or Vegetable Stir-Fry. Call
866-9999 for reservations.Dinner music will be provided by Jim Madden and Allen Zurcher.
Concert only:JazzErie Members $20.00Non-members $25.00Students $5.00
Page 2 JazzErie Notes
Jazz EriE
2009-2010 Board of Directors
President................................. Ed GoebelVice President ............................. Ted ElyTreasurer ..............................Liz Scarpelli
DirectorsRobb Hoff Charles LuteAl Lubiejewski John Marzalek Carl Hultman Allen Zurcher Mary Watson Dick Thompson John Kytic Paul Bates J. Carter Rowland Shamus Flynn Rich Giardina Charles JoyMarilyn Renkes Patricia Tellers
Past PresidentsDavid F. Van Amburg 1994-1995 (Founding President)Atty. Al Lubiejewski 1995-1997Virginia M. Pelkowski 1997-1999R. Patrick Rodgers 1999-2002Steve Eidell 2002-2003Tom McLaren 2003-2005Carl Hultman 2005-2008
JazzEriE NotEs is published monthly by JazzErie which is a subsidiary organization of the Erie Art Museum, a nonprofit organization.
JazzErie NotesEditor - Dick Thompson
published byThe Erie Art Museum for JazzErie
printed byPIP Printing West
2827 West 26th St. • Erie, PA 16506
Deadline is the 15th of each month.Send articles to:
JazzErie is a com-munity of music lovers and musicians and, a member-ship organization dedicated to sharing with children, adults and one another an awareness and love of
music, particularly jazz. JazzErie brings together people who want to listen to jazz, learn about it, play it and just live it.
Check out our website at www.jazzerie.com for complete
information on current and upcoming events.
Alexander needs no introduction to many Erie listeners. He appeared here a year ago September (2008) at Gannon University, with his quartet. He was met with an enthusiastic crowd of students, musicians and non-musicians, all of whom seemed to get his message without difficulty. This time, bringing an organ quartet, he will recall his earlier adventures in that classic genre with the late, great Charles Earland.
The tenorman, who made his first album as a leader 17 years ago, shows up as a dependable can-do-anything sideman of many current recordings by other greats, and has released a string of albums under his own name, most recently “Survival of the Fittest” (High Note, 2009.) In a current review in Jazz Tomes, Thomas Conrad lauds his “powerful tenor saxophone and the orderly ideas that pour from it.” Conrad notes that, while Alexander describes the album as “laid-back mellow,” to anyone else the music is marked by his intensity and perfect execution of complex, challenging material. Alexander is so good, he just makes it sound easy.
Alexander’s sidemen in this Erie gig:
· Reading, PA native Greg Hatza, a piano student since early childhood, became obsessed with jazz organ as a teen (listening to Jimmy Smith, Jimmy
McGriff, Ray Charles), began gigging at 16, was heard by football great Lennie Moore who asked him to perform at a club Moore was opening
in Baltimore. Hatza played at the club for four years, recorded as a leader with drummer Grady Tate and guitarist Eric Gale as sidemen (!). There he also met Jimmy Smith, who became his mentor and advisor. He expanded his horizons, studied composition at Peabody, worked with David Liebman, John Abercrombie, John Scofield and others, toured the U.S. and Russia.
...Eric Alexander, ctd. · Bob DeVos has built a long history as a soul jazz musician, as a guitarist for groups led by “Groove” Holmes and Sonny Stitt, and by Jimmy McGriff
and Hank Crawford – then the Charles Earland Quartet, which included Eric
Alexander and led to their association. DeVos was also a member of Teo Macaro’s Nonet, and has worked with pretty much everybody. He is also an arranger and composer, and is currently on the faculty at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.
· Jim Snidero is not a household name, except among other musicians, where he is well known as a sideman. After attending the University of North Texas, Snidero moved to N.Y. in 1981, toured and recorded with organist Jack McDuff, is a member of the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, was a member of Eddie Palmieri and Frank Sinatra backup bands, the Frank Wess Sextet, the Mel Lewis Orchestra, the Mingus Big Band, and plays with trumpeter Brian Lynch and many others. He is also a teacher and author.
· Yes, there’s a drummer, but we don’t have a name yet (though I’m sure Alexander does.)
It should be a great evening, and one where you can bring the family without anybody getting bored. The extra treat of live music during dinner will help complete the experience. Hope to see you there.
JazzErie is a grateful recipient of support from the Arts Council of Erie.
Issue No. 176 Page 3
by Charles Ventrello
A terrific concept: a film crew travels the world filming and recording the same songs performed from the streets of New Orleans to Venezuela, Ethiopia and beyond. A grand venture which celebrates both music and humanity.
We watch and listen to “Stand By Me” and “Don’t Worry” from the project,
“Play For change.” Thanks to Denny Kitchen.
Don Schwab contributes Stan Kenton “Live From the Las Vegas Tropicana.” The
choice is “The End of a Love Affair,” a solo feature for alto saxophonist Lennie Niehaus, who performs this lovingly with rich, warm sound and Parkeresque restraint. Very artistically conceived.
From 1961, “Stan Getz Bossa Nova” is Don Swift’s album demonstrating the reason for Getz’ nickname, “The Sound.” The ravishing Getz is joined by Charlie Byrd and Keter Betts on guitar and bass respectively. “Samba Triste” is the Brazilian vehicle. Byrd and Betts played together in Washington, D.C. for years.
Speaking of D.C., here’s a band from the capital city called “The Shook/Russo 4tet” comprised of Amy Shook - bass, Pat Shook - tenor, Frank Russo – drums,
JAZZERIE DISCUSSION GROUP
October 15, 2009
Tim Young – piano and guest Greg Gisbert – trumpet and flugelhorn. We hear a spritely romper titled “Gasafrass,” a medium up-tempo tune based on Thad Jones’ “Don’t Get Sassy.” Good boppin’, Thanks to Al Lubiejewski.
Back to the alto saxophone now as Jim Metzler spins Campbell Ryga joined by fellow Canadian Renee Rosnes.
Rosnes is always superb and the alliance with the buttery sound of Ryga doubles the pleasure on “Yes Here” by the saxophonist. CBC Records.
“The Joe Henderson Big Band” plays “Without A Song” by Vincent Youmans, a favorite of Henderson, who is the favorite of mine. I listen to this CD frequently. In addition to the tenor saxophonist’s inspiring playing, he is also accomplished as a composer-arranger, many of whose pieces have entered the jazz lexicon. From my short stack.
Al closes the evening with baritone saxophonist Claire Daly, who regularly performs with the all female big band “Diva.” Here, joined by a smart rhythm section, she stretches out on the tune “The Small But Evil Man.” She is a player!
Join us next time, Thursday, December 17, Erie Art Museum Annex, 20 East Fifth St. If the weather suggests a possible cancellation, call me at 866-2731.
SHUSTER GRANT GIVES GO-AHEAD TO
JAZZ IN SCHOOL’S PROGRAM
A grant from the Shuster Foundation will enable JazzErie to proceed with an educational program to introduce Erie primary and middle school students to hearing and making jazz music. The program was introduced last year by Dr. Allen Zurcher and Dr. Scott Meier as a pilot project, and met with an enthusiastic response from students. Methodology emphasizes student involvement in music making, creative improvising with sounds – which is the essence of jazz – as well as hearing some of the great range of available sounds to work with, and some of the story of jazz. This year’s program will probably be centered in the Irving and Jefferson schools, with plans calling for additional schools to be added.
This project was supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency, through its regional arts funding partnership , Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA). State funding for the arts depends upon an annual appropriation by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. PPA is administered in this region by the Arts Council
TheJazz Linewww.jazzerie.com
Page 4 JazzErie Notes
COLONY PUB & GRILLE 2670 West 8th St. • 838-2162
Live jazz every Thursday:
Colony Club House Trio featuring Gene Leone
SCOTTY’S JAZZ CLUB 301 German St. • 459-3800
$5 cover.Sat., Dec. 5 Juan Yarosz and the Power Organ TrioFri., Dec. 18 Bill Burke, WAR guitar whiz
Sat., Dec. 19 Heidious Primates
DOCKSIDER1015 State St. • 454-9700
Weds., Dec. 23 One World Tribe, 10:00 PM
Live music every weekend call for details.
Schedules below reflect information available at the time of publication, and are subject to change. Call club or sponsoring organization to confirm.
THE BREWERIE at UNION STATION123 West 14th St. • 454-2200
Music from 9 PM - MidnightSat., Dec. 12 The HeliotropesSat., Dec. 26 String Theory
ALTO CUCINA3531 West Lake Road
835-3900
Music 6:30 – 9:30 PMSat., Dec. 5 Dan HallettSat., Dec. 12 Jim Madden, with Stan Bialomizy and Marilyn LivoskySat., Dec. 19 Marty O’ConnerSat., Dec. 26 Jim Madden, with Stan Bialomizy and Marilyn LivoskyDec. 31 (New Years Eve) Sam HymanEvery Wednesday evening - Sam Hyman
NELSON’S TAVERN1033 State St. • 454-4300
Fri., Dec. 11 Jim Madden, Ed Hallehan & Dave KanaFri., Dec. 18 Jim Madden, with Dave Blaetz, Allen Zurcher, Matt Ferguson & Marilyn LivoskySat., Dec. 19 Ahimsa Beat
CONCERTS & AREA EVENTSERIEFri., Dec. 11 Dave Stevens Big Band Concert at Grace Church, 7300 Grubb Road in Erie. Dinner and concert $15, dinner is at 6:30 PM. Concert only $7, concert is at 7:00 PM. For information or tickets, call the church at 790-4973.
MEADVILLEBosco’s Restaurant & Bar continues to offer a Jazz Jam every Tuesday, 8 – 11 PM. Musicians are encouraged to sit in. For more information, contact Dan Hallett 814/336-1580.
PITTSBURGHManchester Craftsmen’s Guild, 1815 Metropolitan St., Pittsburgh, PA 15233. Call 412/322-0800 or visit www.mcgjazz.com.
Dec. 12 Regina Carter’s Reverse Thread. Music of Africa, Mali & Senegal. For those who missed the concert at Mercyhurst, or want to hear more.
Dec. 13 Chris Botti, Swoon-inducing smooth jazz trumpeter and singer with a Holiday music program.
Dec. 19 Duke Ellington’s Beggar’s Holiday, with the Opera Theater of Pittsburgh. Call or check website for more information.
Artists in 2010 will include David Sanborn, Bob James, McCoy Tyner, Lionel Loueke Trio & the Gretchen Parlato Band, Ahmad
Jamal and Paquito D’Rivera’s Funk Tango Quintet. We’ll list dates with more information in our next issue.
CLEVELANDNighttown Restaurant,12387 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Hts., OH 216/795-0550 www.nighttowncleveland.com.Weds., Dec. 2 7 PM Cover $10. Pianist Larry Porter, with acoustic bassist Peter Dominguez and Paul Samuels, drums. Porter has been working in Europe in recent years, with stars ranging from Art Farmer to Archie Shepp.Sun., Dec. 6 7 & 9 PM Cover $30. Singer Freddy Cole, formidable jazz & recording artist, with guitarist Randy Napolean, drummer Curtis Boyd and bassist Elias Bailey.Fri., Dec. 11 10 PM Cover $20. Jason Marsalis Quartet. The youngist of the Marsalis brothers, drummer/vibraphonist with Austin Johnson, piano, Will Gobel, acoustic bass and David Potter, drums.Tues., Dec. 15 7 & 9 PM Cover $20. French guitarist Jesse Cook. Steeped in Gypsy and flamenco traditions.Thurs. & Fri., Dec. 17 – 18. 7 & 9 PM Cover $20. Singer Helen Welch presents her Christmas show, with pianist Rock Wehman, Bryan Thomas, bass and Chris Baker, drums.
OTHER CLEVELAND AREA EVENTS:For more information on Cleveland jazz events, go to www.wruw.org and click on Northeast Ohio Jazz Calender. Listings include events below, plus college & university jazz band performances, clubs, and of course JazzErie events!
Fri., Dec. 4, 7:30 PM. Admission . “Smooth Jazz Christmas,” with Dave Koz -- saxophone, Rick Braun – trumpet, Peter White – guitar, David Benoit – piano & Brenda Russell – vocals. Palace Theater, 1621 Euclid Ave. 214/244-6000 for prices, tickets.
Sat., Dec. 5, 8:00 PM Admission. Introducing Sean Jones: Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. Hanna Theater, 2067 E. 14th St., Cleveland. 440/942-9525. www.clevelandjazz.org for prices, tickets
Sun., Dec. 24 3 PM Admission. Tri-C Metro Campus, 2900 Community College Avenue, Cleveland. “Our Huckleberry Friend: Songs of Johnny Mercer,” with Vince Mastro -- vocals, Helen Welch -- vocals, Evelyn Wright – vocals, Joe Hunter – piano, Bill Rudman – narration.
THE JIVE1014 State St. •
Live music 2 – 4:00 PM on Saturdays. Sat., Dec. 12 Joe Dorris & the B Band
BAY BREEZE LOUNGE25 East 10th St.
Every Fri. 6 - 9 PM - Mary Alice Brown
JAZZERIE THANKS THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS
FOR THEIR SUPPORT
Gannon University, 109 University Square.MacDonald, Illig, Jones and Britton, Attorneys, 100 State Street, Suite 700.Glenwood Beer, 2177 W. Grandview Boulevard.Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, Mercyhurst College.Erie Art Museum, 411 State Street.Glass Growers Gallery, 10 E. 5th Street.World of Music, 1355 W. 26th Street.Froess Pianos and Keyboards, 2558 W. 8th Street.Romolo Chocolates, 1525 W. 8th Street.Lynch Music, Rte. 9 & Rte. 20, Fairview.Erie Book Store, 137 E. 13th Street.Raven Sound, 2617 Peach Street.Edinboro University ofPennsylvania, EdinboroPenn State Erie, The Behrend College, WesleyvilleLake Erie Fanfare, 1218 E. 38th St.Coors BeerScott Enterprises/Ambassador Center, 8040 Peach StreetEast Erie Turners Club, 829 Parade Street.Mercyhurst College, 501 E 38th St.Second Hand Rose, 351 W 26th St.Frank CorapiRockErieBuilder’s Hardware 2002 W. 16th Street
JazzOn The Radio
WQLN FM (91.3)The Source for Jazz
Monday thru Thursday9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Jazz Flight - Rob Hoff
Friday8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Bop‘n the Blues - Al Lubiejewski10:00 PM - Midnight
Mondays, 2 PM – “Jazz at Lincoln Center” with Wynton MarsalisTuesdays, 2 PM – “Jazz Profiles” with Nancy WilsonWednesdays, 2 PM – “Jazz Inspired” with pianist Judy CarmichaelThursdays, 2 – 4 PM – “Jazz Variations,” with Tania King.Saturdays, 1 – 3 PM, “Jazz Deluxe,” with John Pizzarelli and his trio, and wife Jessica Molaskey.Sundays, 1 – 2 PM – “Jazz Scene” with Jake Longwell.
Hours devoted to regional jazz hosts will include:
Monday through Friday, 6-10 AM and Mondays through Thursday, 3 – 6 PM: Bonnie Grice, Author, librettist, flautist, actor and aspiring singer.
Mondays through Friday, 10 AM – 2 PM: Jeff Fox, Associate Professor of English and Japanese, and working musician (sax, guitar & bass). 20 years in jazz radio.
Monday through Friday, 6 PM - 2 AM: Tony Mowed, president and founder of Pittsburgh Jazz Society, 40 years of involvement in jazz.
Fridays, 3 – 6 PM—“Everything Jazz” with Bob Protzman. Bob is well known to most Erie jazz fans as a radio host, a journalist and a highly knowledgable and passionate advocate for jazz music.
Saturdays, 8 – 9 AM---“Latin Jazz Perspective” with Tony Vasquez. Afro-Cuban music from Cuba, U.S.A. and around the world.
Saturday, 3 PM – Midnight: Scott Hanley, long-time public radio activist, reporter and director, jazz buff Hanley also performs as a trombonist & ensemble vocalist.
Saturday and Sunday, 3 PM – midnight: Bob Studebaker, also from Pittsburgh. Active in public radio since 1980. Teaches “History of Jazz” at Carnegie Mellon’s Academy for Lifetime Learning.
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The Monthly Newsletter of JazzErie
December 2009 Vol. 15, Issue 12
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