And they're off...

Jake Pinto

The 2012-13 jazz concert season in Southwest Florida is under way. The South County Jazz Club inaugerated its new schedule this afternoon with the Jake Pinto quartet at the Venice FL Art Center.

Sarasota-raised, New York-based Pinto, a recent graduate of NYU's jazz program, was the South County Jazz Club's inaugural concert offering two summers ago as an arts center fundraiser, so it was only fitting that the pianist return with his latest band, consisting of one NYU student and two other recent graduates.

Mat Domber - R.I.P.

Mat Domber

A true hero of classic jazz has left us. Arbors Records founder Mat Domber died yesterday (September 19) from cancer. He was 84.

In 1989, Domber, who was a lawyer, created Arbors and began recording classic jazz artists - from Dixieland to mainstream swing - who weren’t getting the attention they deserved. Over the next 20+ years, they found a welcome home on his Clearwater, Florida-based label. What began as a labor of love for Mat and his wife/business partner Rachel, and evolved into a significant force on the jazz scene. In many cases, Arbors was a career revivalist for many significant elder statesmen of jazz and a career nurturer for younger players who loved and felt most comfortable in the classic jazz style.

CDs of Note - Short Takes

Taking a closer look at new CDs from Michael Pedicin, Ralph Peterson, Iris Ornig and Kurt Elling...

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.

SW FLA's jazz busy season is fast approaching

It's time to prepare your listening calendars


Giacomo Gates

Pianist Billy Marcus’s five nights last month at JD’s Bistro & Grille in Port Charlotte as part of a fill-in trio with bassist Dominic Mancini and drummer-singer Patricia Dean had more than terrific listening value. It whetted my appetite for the Southwest Florida concert season, which pretty much runs from late September through the end of April.

I’ve compiled a rundown of interesting concert choices stretching from Sarasota to Naples that was published today at jazztimes.com. There is a lot going on, not including two rival series of weekly jam sessions.

A tip of the hat richly deserved

Eric Jackson

WGBH-FM may not fully appreciate the impact that longtime jazz broadcaster Eric Jackson* has on his listeners - and the Boston community in general - but the jazz community at large does.

This week, Jazz Week has awarded Eric its annual Duke DuBois Humanitarian Award. The award is given to recognize an individual's long-standing commitment to jazz, jazz radio, jazz education and generous service to the jazz community. Jackson certainly is qualified, given his three decades of playing jazz, interviewing countless musicians, hosting live performances and informing his listeners of what’s going on throughout the southern New England jazz scene.

CDs of Note - Short Takes

Taking a closer look at new CDs from Michael Occhipinti, Pat Metheny and Gene Ess...

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.

You don't always get what you expect

Danny Sinoff quartet

Tonight's jazz outing in Port Charlotte FL was a fine reminder that the finest moments in jazz often involve something unexpected.
It was jazz trio time, with pianist-singer Danny Sinoff in his weekly Friday night gig at JD's Bistro & Grille. But the trio format only lasted through the first set, as Miami-based percussionist Carlos Salazar then joined the band. Sherrell McCants was on upright bass and Rich Iannuzzi was at the drums.

New Orleans to Newport

Offbeat magazine, which covers Louisiana music and culture, has just published several more of my Newport Jazz Festival images. The focus was on the opening night angle, as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Dr. John's Lower 911 Band and special guests performed, bringing music from the birthplace of jazz to the birthplace of the jazz festival.

Bovi’s Allmark-Maslov double play

Eugene Maslov

Big band jazz has been the Monday night staple been at Bovi’s Tavern for 43 years – and it is still going strong,  Some locals  jazz cognoscenti consider it the musical highlight of their week. The John Allmark Jazz Orchestra has been at Bovi’s in East Providence RI for the past 13 years. The band took the Monday night reins at Bovi’s from the Duke Belaire Orchestra, which had been there for three decades
.
Needless to say, a Bovi’s stop was mandatory on my trip north for last weekend’s Newport Jazz Festival. And one of the treats was hearing pianist Eugene Maslov, a Russian émigré who has been with the band for four years.

More depth on Newport

 Jazz Times has just posted Bill Beuttler's extensive review of last weekend's Newport Jazz Festival, along with 10 of my images. With more than 30 acts performing on four different stages Friday-Sunday, there was a lot more to hear and see. Here for your viewing pleasure are 12 more of my images.

Singer Kurt Elling

Jenny Scheinman and Bill Frisell

Steamy days and music at Newport

More in the coming days on the 2012 edition of the Newport Jazz Festival, which took place over the weekend. As usual, the three overlapping stages provide an opportunity to park yourself for a full set by a favorite or intriguing band or to nibble at the music tapas-style by wandering from stage to stage. The daytime crowds were a bit light but the weather was New Orleans-like with oppressive sun and high humidity.

Keeping the candle burning

Given finite resources and wavering community support, it can be challenging to keep the jazz candle burning in many areas. The ebb and flow can vary from gig to gig, month to month, season to season.

The latest example is on Florida’s east coast, where the Jazz Arts Music Society of Palm Beach has announced that it is suspending its annual concert series for the upcoming 2012-13 season. That after 13 years of presenting more than 250 concerts featuring an array of international, national, regional and local mainstream jazz musicians.

CDs of Note - Short Takes

Taking a closer look at new CDs from Branford Marsalis, Paul West, Grant Geissman, Kevin Coelho. and Randy Hoexter....

Newport beckons

The folkies are headed for Newport this weekend, where the 2012 edition of the Newport Folk Festival is an advance-sales sellout for both days at picturesque Fort Adams State Park. That means jazz is just around the corner, with the Newport Jazz Festival set for August 3, 4 and 5. Kudos to George Wein (pictured) and his production team for putting together a diverse array of talent with a continuing increase on younger acts.

Ron Carter

 



The August issue of Hot House magazine is online and includes my profile of bassist Ron Carter (page 31). He's one of the most prolifically recorded musicians in jazz history. He'll be at Birdland with his Great Big Band for a six-night run that begins August 28. He's fresh off a European tour with his trio featuring guitarist Russell Malone and pianist Donald Vega.

CDs of Note - Short Takes

Jazz singers are in today’s spotlight. Taking a closer look at new CDs from Alison Wedding, April Hall and Ori Dagan....

If You Build It, They Will Come

The South County Jazz Club's weekly jam session at Allegro Bistro in Venice has become a vibrant entertainment staple in southwest Florida, no matter that we are well into the steamy summer off-season. The jam session moved to Allegro in early March, and attendance has been strong, even after the northward exodus of the snowbirds.

Last night's jam was proof positive.

Please welcome Professor Sanabria

Latin jazz is back for next year's Grammy categories, thanks in large measure to the efforts of New York-based drummer Bobby Sanabria who led the protest charge after that category was eliminated last year, among many others.

Today, Sanabria is using a different forum to show how deeply embedded Latin music is in American musical culture.

WGBH needs to revisit its short-sighted decision, not dig in its heels

Last night was Eric Jackson’s final weeknight broadcast and tonight brings Steve Schwartz’s final broadcast as WGBH-FM in Boston retools (deeply cuts and moves to weekends) its jazz programming. That is sad indeed, unless station management takes a step back and admits it made a mistake. (Sadly, I fear radio executives never admit they were wrong about something).

But maybe last night’s heavily attended jazz funeral and protest outside the station, led by musician Ken Field, will prompt a reconsideration. I doubt it will happen, but the optimist in me hopes it does.

What's your take?

An interesting conversation developed the other day at the weekly jazz musicians’ brunch in Sarasota FL, which has been an off-the-gig informal weekly gathering for area musicians for more than a dozen years.

Just what makes someone – male or female – a jazz singer?

CDs of Note - Short Takes

Taking a closer look at new CDs from La Lucha, The Black Butterflies and The ABC & D of Boogie Woogie....

A Sonny day at JJA; overdue honor for Silver

Horace Silver and Sonny Rollins topped the winners list at the Jazz Journalists Association’s 2012 Jazz Awards gala on Thursday at the Blue Note in New York. Rollins has become the awards’ iron man, collecting three awards (musician of the year, record of the year, tenor sax player of the year), while Silver received lifetime achievement honors for his impressive career as a composer, pianist and bandleader.

Here are four key awards:

A sad day for jazz in Boston (updated)

I expect the protests to start rapidly, accompanied by a severe fall off in the checks and pledges that fund Boston's premier public radio station.

Word came from broadcaster Steve Schwartz this afternoon that WGBH-FM in Boston is dropping his Friday night show, and it is eliminating jazz programming on weeknights as well. It is moving longtime host Eric Jackson (of Eric in the Evening fame) to weekends only. These changes take effect in July.

CDs of Note - Evans and Evans

Taking a closer look at new CDs from Ryan Truesdell and Bill Evans....

What a pair

Today’s the first day of issue in the United States and France for a pair of postage stamps being issued to honor jazz great Miles Davis and French singer Edith Piaf.

A sizzling victory of sorts for Latin jazz

Yes, boys and girls, there is value in being the skunk at the lawn party. We saw proof of it yesterday.

The Recording Academy has made a partial but significant rollback this week from its 2011 decision to cut 31 Grammy Awards categories. It’s decision, made by the Board of Trustees last month and announced yesterday, added two awards and reinstated the Best Latin Jazz Album category.

A solo treat, brief but solid

Every once in a while, it is good to revisit the earliest  jazz piano styles to reinforce one's appreciation for the bedrock upon which today's jazz developed. An opportunity to do that took place today in Venice, FL - and it drew hundreds of listeners.

Dick Hyman

Pianist-composer-arranger Dick Hyman gave a free 40-minute performance that opened a weekly music series through June to celebrate Venice Presbyterian Church's acquisition of a fine, new K. Kawai grand piano.

During this afternoon's mini-concert, Hyman performed a bit of ragtime (Scott Joplin's "Heliotrope Bouquet" and "Maple Leaf Rag,") "Basin Street Blues" and boogie-woogie pianist Meade Lux Lewis's "Honky Tonk Train," the latter tune bringing the set to a rollicking finish.

CDs of Note - Short Takes

Taking a closer look at new CDs from Louise Van Aarsen, Lisa Hilton, Hailey Niswanger and Jared Gold....

Renee Rosnes on jazz, family

Renee Rosnes

Pianist Renee Rosnes has developed quite a musical family since arriving on the New York jazz scene from Canada 25 years ago. My profile of Renee is published in the June issue of Hot House. As usually happens with these conversations, not everything fits in the magazine article.


Rosnes also told me how thrilled she was that drummer Lewis Nash was honored in April by having a building named in his honor in his native Phoenix AZ. She and Nash have been working together for almost 20 years and are sidemen in each other’s bands. 

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.

Jazz and crime fiction mix well

I’m a sucker for a good mystery. I’ve pretty much devoured the outpouring of crime-related  fictional works by Sue Grafton, J. A. Jance, and Tony Hillerman, as well as Nora Roberts’ J.D. Robb series about homicide detective Eve Dallas, who solves crimes set about 40 years in the future and is married to the richest man on the planet. Once I get my hands on a new one, it’s pretty much uninterrupted read time. That goes for the jazz-related mysteries as well, which got me to thinking this week about why jazz and fictional crime blend so well together.

Honors set for Montreal

The Montreal International Jazz Festival  has announced the award winners that it will honor this summer for their exceptional contributions to music. The awards will be presented during the 33^rd edition of the festival, which runs June 28 to July 8.

CDs of Note - Short Takes

Taking a closer look at new CDs from Kat Edmonson, Louis Armstrong, Shawnn Monteiro and Tony Monaco...

One step at a time

Sérgio Mendes

The Punta Gorda Wine & Jazz Festival, a local Chamber of Commerce production with a loyal following from near and far, continues to evolve. This is a good thing.

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.

Labor Day Weekend will feel different

Tanglewood is celebrating its 75^th season as summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. But the summer season just won’t be the same for jazz fans in western Massachusetts.

Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood

There will be no silver anniversary for Tanglewood’s  long-running Labor Day Weekend jazz festival.

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.