Evans does Evans

William Evans

Pianist William Evans, who splits his year between Florida's Gulf Coast and teaching music in Switzerland, was at JD's Bistro in Port Charlotte on Thursday April 23, subbing in the piano chair in singer-drummer Patricia Dean's regular Thursday gig.

Dixieland jazz in top form - and with a few twists

How do you keep Dixieland jazz from being mere repertory music? Trombonist Herb Bruce's approach is one way to go. As presented by his Herbicide Jazz Band, the music is solid, with clever, intricate arrangements. And the band takes the stage with good humor. Lots of it. 

The players take the music seriously, but don't take each other too seriously. That personable approach helps draw in the audience for what's a fun ride. Such was the case, Monday, April 13, when Herbicide closed out the Charlotte County Jazz Society's 2014-15 concert season with a Dixieland Night concert at the Cultural Center Theater in Port Charlotte FL. In short, you could call it syncopated swing with a sense of humor.

CDs of Note - Short Takes

Taking a closer look at new CDs by Greg Abate, Duchess, Bill O'Connell, and Ryan Truesdell's Gil Evans Project....

A splendid jazz reunion

Jon Faddis

Trumpeter Jon Faddis' guest appearance with the Naples (FL) Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra on Wednesday, April 1 had all the ingredients that go into a fine jazz show - extraordinary talent and musicality, doses of humor, and a keen rapport with the audience. 

It was also a chance to share the bandstand with a musician with whom he'd crossed paths many times in the Big Apple through the years - tenor saxophonist Lew Del Gatto. Del Gatto, a 25-year veteran of TV's "Saturday Night Live" band, leads the NPJO with pianist Jerry Stawski. The sextet's other members are trumpeter Dan Miller, violinist Glenn Basham, bassist Kevin Mauldin and drummer Mike Harvey.