Another gem from Randy Despommier

New Orleans-based OffBeat magazine has published my review of saxophonist Randal Despommier's latest CD, A  Midsummer Odyssey, in its July issue. 

The Louisiana native's duo project with guitarist Ben Monder explores  compositions written by Swedish baritone saxophonist Lars Gullin. Click on the hyperlink to check out my review.

A month for saxophonists

In my mind, June is a month for saxophonists. At least this June. For this jazz journalist.

Let me explain.

The June issue of Hot House jazz magazine, which covers the New York City jazz scene, as well as select venues in neighboring states, includes my profile of tenor saxophonist Harry Allen. 

I've known Harry since he was a junior in high school back in 1983. It is always great to hear and talk with this musician whose high-quality recording output in the U.S. and abroad is prolific to say the least. 

The June issue of JazzTimes includes my extensive profile of saxophonist Greg Abate. 

Greg Abate

He talks about his early-career road stint with Ray Charles, his evolution into a hard-bop ambassador, his important collaborations with late alto sax master Phil Woods, and much more. 

Greg was a natural fit for this issue, which spotlights a variety of sax players. They range from early 30s players Marcus Elliot, Julieta Eugenio and Melissa Aldana to Preservation Hall Jazz Band veteran Charlie Gabriel, who is just out with his first recording as a leader at age 89. The others include Eli Degibri, Kenny Garrett, Walter Smith III and Mark Turner, as well as the late Steve Lacy.

Greg and Harry came out of the Rhode Island jazz scene, where I got to know them well over the years. Harry is 55. Greg turned 75 on May 31.

More on music from Quincy Davis

The May issue of Hot House includes my profile of drummer Quincy Davis, who performs with his quintet May 20-21 at Smalls Jazz Club in Greenwich Village (see p. 17).

As sometimes happens with extended interviews, this one produced far more material than the magazine's wordage limit could accommodate. 

So here are two additional topics of interest from Davis, who, in addition to his performing career, is on the University of North Texas jazz studies faculty.

Spotlight on Antonio Sánchez

Hot House magazine has published my profile of drummer Antonio Sánchez in its May issue in conjunction with his week-long engagement at the Village Vanguard. He's scheduled to appear at the club May 7-12.

Antonio Sánchez

He's a fascinating musician, drawing increased attention for his long working relationship with guitarist Pat Metheny and his award-winning solo drums soundtrack to the movie Birdman.

Antonio had much to say about his musical journey, as well as the immigration issues that are in the headlines every day. Those issues are key ingredients in the music he makes with his band Migration.

You can read about it here. 

Assignment Newport

George Wein

This was the 37th consecutive year that I've gone to Newport on assignments to cover the Jazz Festival and/or the Folk Festival. 

That long  run started when George Wein brought the jazz festival back to the City-by-the-Sea in 1981 after a 10-year absence. 

This year' s coverage was for Jazz Times and New Orleans-based Offbeat magazine, as well as this blog.

Here is a link to my photo coverage for JazzTimes.  

Here is a link to images of New Orleans musicians published by Offbeat.  

It's been a splendid run so far. I look forward to 2018 and documenting the festival's continuing evolution.

Gates and Morgan – two different takes on vocal jazz

Giacomo Gates

Hot House, New York City’s long-running monthly jazz guide, asked me to profile singer Giacomo Gates, as well as preview singer Melissa Morgan’s metro-area gigs for its July issue, which is now out.

It can be read online or downloaded - or picked up at the many metro NYC jazz venues. 

Gates and Morgan have their own jazz vocal niches because of their approach and specialties. 

Melissa Morgan

You can read here about Giacomo, a master of many trades.

Melissa’s spotlight is available here. 

Profiling singer Jane Monheit

Jane Monheit, Tanglewood 2010

The October issue of HotHouse is now out. It includes my profile of singer Jane Monheit, which you can find on p. 21 of the publication. 

Check it out to learn more about this passionate ambassador of the Great American Songbook. Her take on that responsibility is very interesting.

Jazz Profile: "The Nurturer"

Marcus Belgrave 

Hot House has just published my profile of Marcus Belgrave, the trumpet great who has called Detroit home for more than 50 years, and mentored an amazing array of jazz talents who have come out of the Motor City. 

In the July issue of the magazine, he also talks about the nurturing he received from Clifford Brown, when they were adolescents in a community band in Delaware, and his first road boss – Ray Charles, as well as his take on the fine art of jazz soloing. You can read it here. Belgrave and his band appear July 22-24 at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola.

A Toronto-New Orleans link

Toronto-based pianist Jim Clayton considers New Orleans his home away from home. He spends considerable vacation time and got married there. He also decided to make his newest CD in the Crescent City, with four New Orleans-based jazz musicians. Songs My Daughter Knows is on the pianist’s Clay-Tone label.

Clayton developed the project around songs familiar to or inspired by his young daughter, Lenny. It’s an unusual concept, but one that works well. It also underscores the primary ingredients in making jazz: it’s not about the source material so much as the improvisational art practiced by versatile musicians, and their ability to think as one on any given tune. Mixing in a variety of N’awlins rhythms created a bubbling musical gumbo.

Here’s a link to my full review from the January 2014 issue of Offbeat.

Music from the cat in the hat

Gregory Porter

Think of all the jazz greats who have worn distinctive hats through the years. Count Basie, Lester Young, Abbey Lincoln, Jon Hendricks and Marcus Miller are but a few. Be sure to add rising vocal star Gregory Porter to the list. His ever-present style is a Kanga Summer Spiftfire cap worn over a head and neck wrap.

During my interview with Porter for a profile published in the August issue of Hot House, the singer-songwriter said the hat has become his “vibe” since he moved to the Big Apple eight years ago. Get his thoughts on his music – and the hat – here.

Catching up with Scott

I talked with Italy-based Scott Hamilton this month for a feature in Hot House magazine’s February issue. (He’s a guest artist with fellow tenor saxophonist Harry Allen at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency in New York on February 6.) 

 

Two tidbits that didn’t fit in the profile:

• Scott said he finds the audience for his brand of mainstream swing has changed over the past 35 years. “The audience I’m dealing with now is one that hasn’t heard much jazz. You have to start from scratch and draw them in."
• The phone call from London revealed that music runs in the family. His oldest son, Sho, who was born in New York but who now lives in Tokyo, is now 21 and is lead singer for Okamoto’s, a psychedelic garage rock band from the city’s Shinjuku district. You can check them out on YouTube.