A Wonderful irony - jazz-style

John Hampton Wagner with
Tommy Goodman and bassist Dominic Mancini

You can never be sure what to expect at a jam session, but it is always nice when previously unknown talent rolls into the venue. Tonight, it was John Hampton Wagner, a Ramada Inn Tuesday jam session first-timer, who drew rave audience response with his takes on "Bye Bye Blackbird" and "What a Wonderful World."

Wagner, who goes by the nickname Hamp, is a singer and trumpeter from Dayton, Ohio, where he emcees Sunday Night Jazz Central Jams. After visiting southwest Florida regularly for the past 10 to 12 years, Wagner said he and his wife bought a home in Venice FL and plan to split their year between Ohio and southwest Florida.

An Elgart alumni reunion of sorts, a nod to Shearing - maybe

Lew Gluckin and Len Murphy
Robbie Rose (piano), Dominic Mancini (bass)

Tonight's edition of the South County Jazz Club's weekly jam session at the Ramada Inn's Wave Grill in Venice FL had some interesting twists. These things always do - as the crowd and the music-making attendees vary from week to week
.
Two alumni of the Les Elgart Orchestra were on hand. Saxophonist Len Murphy and trumpeter Lew Gluckin (on flugelhorn this evening) took separate solo moments with the rhythm section during the opening set. They joined forces to open the second set, mixing it up very nicely on "Blue Monk."

For some, jazz nights can be a sentimental journey

The South County Jazz Club's weekly jam session  has settled in nicely at its new home at the Ramada Inn in Venice FL. There's something of interest each week, either a new instrumental pairing, a fine synergy between musicians, or a tune not heard in a while.

On Tuesday, May 14, there was a bit of each of those ingredients, culminating when two singers took to the stage at the same time. That is unusual for these jams, where
the vocalists tend to get scattered throughout the three sets most weeks.

One value of the jazz jam session

André Roy

Jam sessions are great for a lot of things. One of my favorite values: the opportunity to hear musicians from near or far with whom one might not cross paths otherwise.
Over the past few months, I got a chance to hear Toronto guitarist André Roy at the South County Jazz Club's weekly jam, which has been held for the past year at Allegro Bistro in Venice FL.

Roy is a guitar modernist born of the rock era, and his beautiful guitar sound is infused with a rockish energy and intensity. Think John Scofield for comparisons.

In walked Mike...

One of the cool things about a jam session is that you never know who may show up and enhance the proceedings - above and beyond the regulars. Such was the case last night at the South County Jazz Club's weekly jam at Allegro Bistro in Venice FL.


Goodman, Mainieri, Mancini, Hassan, Ellison

Mike Mainieri, a longtime fixture in jazz fusion and the New York and studio music scene, popped in - and ended up playing five tunes over the course of the three-hour jam. Between the two men, club fixture Jack Fanning’s vibes never had such an extensive workout at Allegro.

An identity challenge taken in stride

Jazz pianist and composer William Evans splits the bulk of his time between Florida's Tampa Bay area, where he has lived part-time since 1984, and Switzerland, where he teaches and performs frequently.



William Evans with bassist Dominic Mancini,
drummer Dane Hassan and clarinetist Paul Vrakas

Like most musicians, he travels a lot and is tough to difficult to pin down, particularly on the Information Highway. Google jazz pianist William A. Evans and you’ll find 80 or more pages about jazz giant Bill Evans. No matter that Bill Evans was William J. (for John). William Evans says he is often teased about the name similarity but has a different outlook about it. 

Brothers in life - and jazz

Tonight's special moment at the South County Jazz Club's weekly jam session at Allegro Bistro in Venice FL belonged to the Mancini brothers.

Dominic Mancini, a longtime fixture on the southwest Florida jazz scene, is the regular bassist for the jam sessions and one of the busiest musicians around. He's one of the very best at what he does. That trait seems to run in the family. His brother Joe, making a pre-holiday visit from southern New Jersey, is a fine pianist.

Tonight, Joe sat in with Dominic for the first time at a South County Jazz Club jam session. Together with drummer Dane Hassan, they explored "I Close My Eyes," "What is This Thing Called Love?" and the beautiful Harry Warren waltz "Summer Night" to wind down the evening's first set.

A tired tune walked into a bar...

There’s a musicians’ joke that goes something like this: “How many jazz singers does it take to sing ‘My Funny Valentine’ [or ‘Summertime’ or ‘(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66’ or ‘All of Me’]?”

Answer: “Apparently all of them.”     

Bah-dum-dum.

Only it’s no joke. Too many singers, and wannabees, go right to the tiredest of tunes in the Great American Songbook. It’s not that these are bad songs. Far from it. But the new purveyors show NO imagination. And most times they’re doing the great tunes an injustice.

They fail to seek out and freshen other excellent songs that they can identify with, illuminate and present to ears who might like to hear something different. Something that may have bypassed the listeners’ own radar screens, or something they loved but haven’t heard in a while. A singer's failure to do that is lazy - and insulting to his/her audience.

Mining the bluesy side of jazz

June Garber and Tom Ellison

Toronto's loss is Southwest Florida's gain. That's become very apparent very quickly since last month's arrival of singer June Garber, who moved to Sarasota with her husband, Bob Doherty.
Two weeks ago at the South County Jazz Club's Tuesday night jam session at Allegro Bistro in Venice, she wowed the crowd, including yours truly, with one of the bluesiest renditions of "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66" I've ever heard.

Bringing 9/11 reflection to jazz

Saxophonist Tom Ellison didn’t mention the date at tonight’s jam session at Allegro Bistro in Venice FL. He didn’t have to. But he found a way through his music to bring remembrance to this 11^th anniversary of 9/11.

He selected a song written by a man with New York connections - comic actor, director and composer Charlie Chaplin. If you measure it by title alone, “Smile” would seem an odd choice. But Ellison made sure to first sing the lyrics at this edition of the South County Jazz Club weekly jam session.

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking.

When there are clouds in the sky  

you'll get by.

If you smile through your pain and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shining through

For you.

 

Light up your face with gladness,
Hide every trace of sadness.

Although a tear may be ever so near

That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying.

You'll find that life is still worthwhile -

If you just smile.

Then, morphing into an instrumental balladeer, Sarasota-based Ellison delivered a poignant  tenor sax solo that in its own way also sang of sadness and gladness.

Bravo.

Another gem brought to the table – and refreshed

Tommy Goodman

The South County Jazz Club’s weekly Tuesday evening jam session at Allegro Bistro is notable for two things: it’s always packed… and one of the rhythm section regulars always brings a tune the audience hasn’t heard – or heard in a long while. Then it gets refreshed in splendid fashion.
Last night, it was pianist Tommy Goodman’s turn.

A thing of beauty, and then some...

The South County Jazz Club's weekly jam sessions each Tuesday evening at Valenti's Allegro Bistro, in Venice FL, continue to pack in the crowds. Tonight's musical treat came deep into the third set. Bassist Dominic Mancini held the spotlight, even silencing most of the distant-table yackers, with his gorgeous intro and solo work on the 1930s jazz standard "Beautiful Love." His extended intro set up rhythm section mates Tommy Goodman on piano and Dane Hassan on drums for subtle, tasty and sparing fills behind him. The bass work - a blend of wood and honey, rich and supple, solid on the beat and inventive with Mancini's touch and vocal-like bass sound - made it resonate with emotion filling the room.

Keeping the beat in southwest Florida’s extended summer

The formal concert scene pretty much dries up in southwest Florida once most of the snowbirds have begun their return to northern climates. But the music certainly isn’t gone ‘til autumn. Here are just two examples of things to check out.

A wonderful tradition - 22 years and counting

Frank Ascone

Drummer Al Hixon wound up the 22nd season of his Monday night jazz jams last night at 15 South  on Sarasota's St. Armand's Circle.
Hixon and bassist Mark Neuenschwander were joined by a special guest on keyboards: Boston's Chris Neville, whose hefty jazz credentials include working with the late Benny Carter on the alto saxophonist/composer's last seven albums.

Special moments

The South County Jazz Club's jam session on Tueday nights at Valenti's Allegro Bistro in Venice FL is always a treat, and the reasons vary week to week. It's always packed. And it goes on year-round despite the snowbirds' return to points north this time of year.

Sometimes the musicians seem to be lined up out the door hoping to get a moment on stage. The Tuesday, May 1 edition had fewer sitters-in, which meant more playing opportunities for all participants.

Jamming for a super cause

There’s an event scheduled Sunday, April 15 that should be top of mind for anyone in the jazz community near or far who has enjoyed hearing pianist Michael Royal in concert or via recording – or has had the pleasure of working with him.

Michael Royal

The South County Jazz Club has organized an afternoon jam session at Floribbean Restaurant & Lounge’s new upstairs banquet room to benefit Michael and his wife Julie in a time of overwhelming financial need.

Julie was diagnosed with breast cancer, has had three surgeries and faces significant radiation and medication treatments. The estimated cost for all of this is into six figures and – as sometimes the case with musicians and their families – the Royals have no health insurance.

The benefit runs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Floribbean, 1400 Main Street in Sarasota [Phone (941) 365-2266]. The South County Jazz Club and the Jazz Club of Sarasota are among those spreading the word. The suggested minimum donation for attendees is $20 apiece. The restaurant is also kicking in a percentage of proceeds from its food and beverage sales.

If you can attend and help, I will see you there. If scheduling conflicts or geography are issues, I encourage you to help by writing a check. 

Checks should be made out to Michael Royal, and mailed to:
Michael Royal
c/o South County Jazz Club
1435 East Venice Ave #104-172
Venice, FL 34292

(Michael Royal photo by Gary F. Humes)

SCJC's Tuesday jam session settles in at Allegro Bistro

Just three weeks into its new home the South County Jazz Club's Tuesday night jam session feels fully entrenchedat Valenti's Allegro Bistro in Venice. The music remains strong and the dining options are wonderful, to say the least.

One of the treats when he stops by - which is most Tuesdays - is the opportunity to hear saxophonist Jim Wellen.

Jake Pinto in Sarasota

Jake Pinto does spring break a bit differently than most of his college peers. He headed home from New York University to Sarasota FL for a week mixing beach time and several music appearances. The pianist brought at least five of his frequent musical collaborators and other friends along for the ride.

Snook Haven's final jam session

Just wanted to share a photo from Tuesday night's South County Jazz Club jam session at Snook Haven, where there's been jazz every Tuesday night at the end of the dirt road for the past 18 months or so.

Beginning March 13, the jazz club's jams are moving about four miles west to Valenti's Allegro Bistro, 1740 E. Venice Ave. in Venice FL. An overwhelming majority of club members voted for the change. It may be a great step in the jams' evolution.

Still, as a Florida newcomer, I'll miss the "Old Florida" rustic charm of Snook Haven, mere steps from the scenic and wild Myakka River. I know of no other place offering jazz on a regular basis that has taxidermist-prepared critters (a bear, two skunks, a coyote) on or alongside the stage - and a skinned alligator on the ceiling.

Valenti's seems to have a bit more seating, which should be a great enhancement going forward. Snook Haven's jams were packed to the gills most Tuesday nights.

Pictured: drummer Dane Hassan, clarinetist Dr. Bob Felman, bassist Dominic Mancini, pianist Tommy Goodman and valve trombonist Jim Fitzpatrick.

Get there early

Get there early - and make a reservation if you want to have any chance of getting in to the South County Jazz Club's weekly jam session on Tuesday nights at Snook Haven in Venice (music from 5:30 to 8:30, home by 9:00). Otherwise, you may find yourself at a table al fresco - out on the deck overlooking the Myakka River. I called first thing one Monday morning and was told all the inside tables for the following night were reserved already, but sometimes folks cancel their reservations and seats open up.

 

In addition to the regulars who sit in most weeks, there have been some treats of late. Rhode Island pianist Mac Chrupcala, who's in the area for six weeks this winter, subbed for Tommy Goodman on February 7 (after sitting in a couple of weeks earlier for a few tunes.) He joined regulars Dane Hassan (drums) and Dominic Mancini (bass) as the house rhythm section. 

 

Mac's wife, singer Nancy Paolino, joined the jam for two tunes. (See top photo). That was a treat, particularly since they have separate Newport-area bands and never work together back home in Rhode Island.

 

For the past two weeks, trumpeter John Willis was one of the new jammers. The resident of Michigan's Upper Peninsula didn't know about the club's Snook Haven jam sessions when he arrived at Venice Campground next door on vacation. Fortunately he brought his horn. He headed back to Michigan on Wednesday, but some jam regulars hope he'll be back with his spirited playing next winter.(bottom photo)