The Magic in Music: Improvisations Series

With the Holiday season having descended upon us, we often lose track of time and events.  In yesterday's posting (here), I mentioned concerts in New Haven and Old Lyme while neglecting the monthly "Improvisations" series at Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor Street in Hartford.

This month, curators Joe Morris (guitar, bass) and Stephen Haynes (trumpet, cornet, flugelhorn) welome Ingrid Laubrock to partake in the musical conversation. The German-born saxophonist (tenor, soprano) who spent several decades in London and now resides in Brooklyn, NY, leads or co-leads several groups, among them Sleepthief (with Liam Noble and Tom Rainey), Anti-House (with Rainey, Mary Halvorson,John Hebert, and Kris Davis), and LARK (with Rainey, Ms. Davis and Ralph Alessi).  She is both a thoughtful and expansive player as well as a composer who writes to the strengths of her collaborators.

No stranger to free improvisation, Ms. Laubrock will make a formidable partner for Messrs. Morris and Haynes.  Their encounter takes place Thursday, December 12, at 7 p.m.  For more information, go to www.realartways.org.  To find out more about the saxophonist/composer, go to www.ingridlaubrock.com.

Firehouse Finale, Side Door Shows, More Uncertainty and 2013 Best-Of: Solo Piano

Bassist/composer Mark Dresser and his accomplished Quintet are featured in this Friday's concert (12/13) at Firehouse 12 in New Haven, the ultimate show in the Fall 2013 Concert Series.  The bassist, who last appeared in the venue as part of Trio M (with Myra Melford and Matt Wilson) in April 2012, is touring with the musicians (all but drummer Tom Rainey) from his most recent recording for Clean Feed Records, "Nourishments." Notice the "m" theme as the group includes Michael Sarin (drums), Denman Maroney (piano), Rudresh Mahanthappa (alto saxophone) and Michael Dessen (trombone).  The interactions displayed by the musicians on the CD translate well to live performance as Dresser's compositions blend composed "through lines" and improvisations.  The blend of the vibrant alto saxophone with the blustery yet melodic trombone, spurred on by the strong piano work, involves the listener multiple levels.  Maroney's celebrated "hyper-piano" is in full bloom throughout the session.

The Mark Dresser Quintet plays 2 sets - 8:30 and 10 p.m. - tickets are still available so go to firehouse12.com or call 203-785-0468 for more information.

The Side Door Cafe at the Old Lyme Inn has another busy weekend of great music.  Friday, they present the Bruce Barth Quartet, an ensemble that finds the pianist (pictured left) in musical conversation with the great Steve Nelson (vibraphone), Vicente Archer (bass) and Montez Coleman (drums).  Nelson appears on several of Barth's CD including 2012's "Three Shades of Beauty" (Savant).  Barth is a fine pianist who can play with equal shades of fire and gentleness, has a penchant for strong melodies and intelligent interactions.

On Saturday, pianist Kevin Hays returns to The Side Door, this time with a Trio featuring bassist Rob Jost and drummer Greg Joseph. Together, they go by the name of The New Day Trio and have been performing a new book of pieces Hays composed for the ensemble. Hays, who spent his childhood in Greenwich, CT, has worked with Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Benny Golson, Roy Haynes and many others yet has also led his own groups for nearly 2 decades.

For more information about these shows and upcoming ones as well, go to thesidedoorjazz.com or call 860-434-0886.

The Uncertainty Music Series continues on Saturday (12/14) with a double bill that features the Joe Moffett/Kristin Slipp Duo plus Jacket Thor.  The latter is the name for the duo of Ryan Kalentkowski (guitar) and Marco Vernacatola (drums).  Their music blends folk, rock, punk and other influences.  Trumpeter Joe Moffett has worked with vocalist Kristin Slipp for the past 5 years, creating music under the name of Twins of El Dorado. They call themselves a "modern song ensemble", music that brings in myriad influences from different genres.  Ms. Slipp also works with keyboard artist Dov Manski - their debut CD was issued earlier this year on Sunnyside Records.

The show starts at 8 p.m. and takes place at Never Ending Books, 810 State Street in New Haven.  For more information, go to uncertaintymusic.com.
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The Best of 2013 continues with 2 solo piano recordings.

Having seen and heard Myra Melford play solo over 2 decades ago, I often wondered why the pianist/composer did not do that more often.  She has a strong left hand - actually she's quite the two-handed pianist  -and has recorded numerous duos with the likes of Marty Ehrlich, Tanya Kalmanovitch and Han Bennink. She became inspired by the paintings of Don Reich, a family friend and, like the pianist, a long-time resident of California.  Reich's work has always been a source of inspiration for Ms. Melford and he gave her a group of paintings as well as drawings to hang in her studio to see what might happen.  "Life Carries Me This Way" (Firehouse 12 Records) is the result; the package comes complete with the paintings that inspired the music.  This is a wonderfully personal experience, contemporary music that wears any of its influences very lightly and truly invites the listener in.  Look at the paintings, listen to the piano, forget about drawing conclusions, just soak in these sounds.

For more information and to listen for yourself, go to firehouse12records.com/album/life-carries-me-this-way.

There's a similar feel to "Piano Sutras" (Thirsty Ear), the latest solo venture from pianist/composer Matthew Shipp. The notoriously outspoken Mr. Shipp rarely has sounded as good as he does on these 13 tracks, all but 2 - "Giant Steps" and "Nefertiti", the shortest ones - original compositions.  He has such a fertile mind, such a great sense of dynamics, with melodies that often sound like either short stories or fragments of poems.  Also enjoyable is that one seems to hear something new each time out.  I'm not sure Matthew Shipp has ever gotten enough credit for the strength of his compositions; these are among his finest.  The presence of the piano on this CD stands out from the rest of his Thirsty Ear catalogue, even his most recent solo effort, 2010's "4 D."

For more information, go to www.matthewshipp.com.

Next post will include the Best of Large Ensembles and there are a slew.

2013 Best of - The Vocal List(s)

I've been writing about music since my Freshman year in college, nearly 5 decades.  Starting with reviews of live performances and moving on to Lps, then to cassettes, the CDs and now mp3s, digital downloads or a combination of list, save for cassettes, music has been a major part of my existence. My first date with the young lady who became my wife was a show that featured the Paul Butterfield Blues Band on tour supporting the release of "The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw", a band that featured guitarist Elvin Bishop, drummer Phil Wilson and alto saxophonist David Sanborn.  We ended up back in Middletown, CT (our hometown) and a great place to be if one was interested in expanding his musical vocabulary. Over the decades, Wesleyan University has had a strong music department, especially in African American music and ethnomusicology.  People such as Bill Barron, Bill Lowe, Anthony Braxton, Jay Hoggard, Alvin Lucier, Ron Kuivila, and Ed Blackwell have taught students such as Royal Hartigan, David Bindman, Taylor Ho Bynum, Chris Dingman, Matt Bauder, Mike Hefley, Mary Halvorson, Tyshawn Sorey, and Carl Testa, all of whom I got to see and hear perform.

I have had the privilege to write for The New Haven Advocate, CADENCE Magazine, and The Hartford Courant and have had the opportunity to vote in the Downbeat Critics Poll and the yearly Jazz & Pop Poll.  I have met so many fine people, musicians such as Noah Baerman, Jaki Byard, Kevin O'Neil, Henry Lugo, Professor Neely Bruce, Anna Barron, Joe Fonda, Michael Pestel, Mario Pavone, Thomas Chapin, Ben Allison, Ron Horton, Frank Kimbrough as well as music supporters Chuck Obuchowski, Jason Crane (on-line, at least), Ed Krech, Robert & Susan Rusch, Ann Braithwaite, Maurice Robertson, Joe Rybczyk and so many more. I owe them all great thanks.

I'm usually not so nostalgic at the end of the year (no, only every day) but 2013 has had numerous challenges, triumphs and sadness.  Through it all, music played in the foreground, in the background and running through my sub-conscious.

Loyal readers know that there is no such thing as the Step Tempest Top 10 or, even, 15.  This year, I'm breaking my favorite recordings into 5 categories e.g., vocalists, large ensembles, solo, trios-quartets-quintets, and modern classical.  Your feedback is always welcome.

Depending on the day and my mood, my favorite vocal CD this year has either been "Space and Time" (self-released) by Nicky Schrire and "Attachments" (Jazzed Media) by Lorraine Feather.  Ms. Schrire's 2nd CD, produced by Matt Pierson, is a series of duets, 4 tracks each with pianists Gil Goldstein, Gerald Clayton and Fabian Almazan.  The pianists bring different individual strengths while Ms. Schrire sings with clarity, with emotional strength and a joyousness that cannot be faked (one knows when a singer is not honest - doesn't bother everyone but....).  From originals to standards to popular songs to pieces that reflect her South African upbringing, Nicky Schrire's music just might transcend space and time.

"Attachments" is truly wonderful music that blends jazz, pop, soul, classical, funk, and country-rock into a satisfying stew.  Discovering the music of Lorraine Feather has made my life infinitely better - no, honestly - because these songs are the work of someone who is nearly a contemporary and proves there is no need to be fenced in by a genre or subject matter or that "playing music" can truly be "playing."  The work of the pianists - Dave Grusin, Shelly Berg and Russell Ferrante - is splendid as are the contributions of bassist Michael Valerio, guitarists Grant Geissman and Eddie Arkin (also an arranger and co-writer), drummers Michael Shapiro and Gregg Field, percussionist Tony Morales, the bass clarinet of Bob Mintzer and especially the super violin playing of Charles Bisharat. At the forefront is that voice, at times plaintive, on occasion with a wise-guy attitude, smooth and clear (her background vocals are mighty impressive) and above all, emotionally honest.

This was not the only release from Ms. Feather in 2013.  She partnered with pianist Stephanie Trick to create the duo "Nouveau Stride" and the CD titled "Fourteen" (Relarion Records). Rags and stride tunes, most blessed with Ms. Feather's fun and insightful lyrics, that should be heard.

Then, there is "WomanChild" (Mack Avenue), the second CD from 23-year old Cecile McLorin Salvant. With influences ranging from Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday, Ms. Salvant brings a dramatic quality to this set of tunes that range from traditional pieces to early jazz to originals and, yes, a playfulness that should not be ignored.  Her version of "John Henry", powered by bassist Rodney Whitaker and drummer Herlin Riley, will knock you from your seat.  When pianist Aaron Diehl enters, damping the strings to get a "banjo" sound, the intensity level jumps even higher. The sensual feel of the opening of "What a Little Moonlight Can Do" breaks into a romp that touches on Ella without imitating her (and Mr. Diehl's solo is splendid.)

Other strong releases include "Liquid Soul", Gregory Porter's Blue Note debut, "Winter Morning Walks" (Artist Share), the glorious orchestral music Maria Schneider composed for vocalist Dawn Upshaw and the soulful swing yet very adult of "What I See" (Jazzed Media), the latest release from Judy Wexler. All are worth your time and attention.

More to follow.

Celebrate Creative Music This Week (and every week)

The Side Door at the Old Lyme Inn continues is impressive run of shows this weekend starting Thursday 12/05 with an appearance by the Donny McCaslin Trio.  The saxophonist/composer, who appears regularly with the Maria Schneider Orchestra, has led his own groups since the 1990s but is best heard in a small group.  For this date, he partners with bassist Scott Colley and the Hartford native Jonathan Barber (drums).  Expect this music to go in many directions as McCaslin is not only a player who loves melody but also enjoys really digging into a solo and seeing where it takes him and his fellow musicians.  Considering the pedigree of the rhythm section, the possibilities are endless.  Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the first set commencing at 8:30.

The following night, the club welcomes percussionist/composer Samuel Torres and his Octet. The Colombian-born musician will present the CT premiere of a new work, "Forced Displacement", whose creation was supported by Chamber Music America/ The Doris Duke Charitable Fund.  Listen to this great lineup:  Alex Norris (trumpet), Yosvanny Terry (saxophones), Ryan Keberle (trombone), the great Luis Perdomo (piano), Ricky Rodriguez (drum set), and Jonathan Gomez (Colombian percussion) join Torres for this fascinating musical adventure.  Showtime is 8:30 p.m. For more information about Torres and his music, go to www.samueltorres.com.

Saturday night, the Side Door opens its doors to vocalist Shawnn Montiero and her fine Trio that includes Mike Renzi (piano), Nat Reeves (bass) and the legendary Jimmy Cobb (drums).  Ms. Montiero, who is adjunct faculty at the Hartt School of Music/Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, seemingly can sing anything, from ballads to swing to Latin-infused melodies.  With this sparkling rhythm section, this should be a memorable evening.  For more information about the club, go to thesidedoorjazz.com.  Check out the site for 2014 dates including the Matt Wilson Quartet with John Medeski (1/28) and the return of Fred Hersch, this time with his Trio in tow (2/07-08).

Firehouse 12, 45 Crown Street in New Haven, presents the penultimate concert in its 2013 Fall Series on Friday 12/06 when drummer/composer and human hurricane Ralph Peterson brings his Fo'Tet Augmented to town.  Joining him will be the superb young bassist Alex Claffy, percussionist Eguie Castillo, Felix Peikli (clarinet), Joseph Doubleday (vibes, marimba) and special guest Steve Wilson (alto saxophone).  If you have ever seen and heard Mr. Peterson in concert, you know that he is an extremely dynamic drummer, that he mentors young musicians the way Art Blakey did in The Jazz Messengers, and that his music is often fiery (though he has a splendid touch on ballads.)

Ralph Peterson and the Fo'Tet play 2 sets - 8:30 and 10 p.m. - for more information, go to firehouse12.com.  To get a taste of the drummer's music, go to www.ralphpetersonmusic.com.

The following night, the New Haven Improvisers Collective return to the Firehouse with a new program.  Electronhic features NHIC founder/guitarist Bob Gorry in collaboration with Chapman Stick artist Brett Bottomley, Jeff Cedrone (electric guitar), Paul McGuire (saxophones, shawm) and Pete Riccio (drums). Because of the improvisatory nature of the music, this should be a challenging and rewarding show, with the musicians pushing each other continuously.  The first set begins at 8:30 p.m. and more information is available at the venue's website above. To learn more about the various programs and groups associated with the NHIC, go to www.nhic-music.org/.

The Uncertainty Music Series continues with yet another fascinating double bill, this one featuring the trio of Phillip Greenlief (pictured left, saxophones), Taylor Ho Bynum (cornet) and Carl Testa (bass) paired with the duo of Anthony Coleman (organ) and Chris Cretella (guitar).  The concert takes place Sunday 12/08 at 8 p.m. in a Elm City venue called Lipgloss Crisis, 756 Chapel Street in New Haven.  Mr. Greenlief, who is based in Oakland, California, is the founder of Evander Music, a forward-thinking label that has issued CDs by bassist Todd Sickafoose, drummer Ches Smith, The Industrial Jazz Group, TinBag and a slew of groups co-led by its founder.  Mr. Coleman is a keyboard player/composer most often identified with the Downtown Music Scene in New York City and John Zorn's Tzadik label.

One expects an evening of inventive improvisations from both groups; after all, these are people schooled in the art of creative dialogue and interactions.  For more information, go to uncertaintymusic.com.

A Label Reborn + Big Band Joe

Gus Wildi, an enterprising Swiss-born jazz lover, started Bethlehem Records in 1953 and, over the course of 9 years (through 1962) released many Lps by jazz newcomers and jazz greats.  After selling the rights to King Records, the recordings stopped coming and the music became a "hit-or-miss" situation for music lovers.

Now, Verse Music Group and Naxos of America are combining to re-issue the label's music in digital, CD and vinyl formats.  The initial 6 CDs came in early September with 3 more in the coming weeks and 6 more after New Year's Day.

Among those first reissues is "The Book Cooks" from the Texas tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin (1931-1970). After a stint in the US Army, Ervin traveled around the country until pianist Horace Parlan convinced him to come to New York City.  Within months, he was touring and recording with bassist/composer Charles Mingus.  He recorded his debut Lp in April 1960 with a sextet featuring fellow tenor player Zoot Sims, Tommy Turrentine (trumpet), Tommy Flanagan (piano), the dependable bassist George Tucker and long-time Mingus associate Danny Richmond (drums).  The music is infused with the blues - Ervin was quite the blues player - and everyone is in the groove.  The front line gives a "little big band" feels to the proceedings, solos are, for the most part, short.  The title track stretches to nearly 11 minutes and contains the most fiery playing on the session.  The rhythm section does its share of "cooking" and provides a strong cushion for the soloists.  The dialogue between Ervin and Sims bubbles over with excitement.

Booker Ervin would go on to cut a series of strong recordings for Don Schlitten at Prestige Records that featured the great section of Jaki Byard (piano), Richard Davis (bass) and Alan Dawson (drums).  He finished his career at Pacific Jazz and Blue Note Records before succumbing to liver disease in 1970.  Listening to his debut, one can hear a style fully formed that he would maintain throughout his career.

As debut recordings go, Nina Simone's "Little Girl Blue" (the original title was "Jazz as Played in An Exclusive Side Street Club") is nigh-on perfect.  Joined on most tracks by bassist Jimmy Bond and drummer Al Heath (better known these days as "Tootie"), the leader's husky vocals and fine piano work make her sound so much older than the 25-year old on this Lp. She gives credit to JS Bach for introducing her to his world, writing "I wanted to be a concert pianist." After studying at the Julliard School in New York City, the North Carolina native worked as an accompanist until she decided how her career would go.  The only original tune  among the 11 tracks is the instrumental "Central Park Blues"; still, Ms. Simone makes pieces like "I Loves You Porgy" and "My Baby Just Cares For Me" (this version swings slyly) her own.  On the title track, she juxtaposes the melody of "Good King Wenceslas" with the Lorenz Hart lyrics to great effect.

Nina Simone (1933-2003) would go to create many memorable songs and concerts and one can hear the seeds of her long career on this debut recording. If you don't have it, the sound quality on this reissue is stellar.

Other releases in the "first wave" include Dexter Gordon's "Daddy Plays the Horn", "The Jazz Experiments of Charles Mingus" from 1953, Chris Connor's "Sings Lullaby for Lovers" and the short (16 minutes) "Modern Quintet" from bassist/cellist Oscar Pettiford (originally released as a 10-inch Lp, it's worth it). There is not a clunker among them. For more information, go to bethlehemrecords.com.

Here's a brilliant idea for a big band recording - put together a series of compositions by Joe Lovano (whose career as a musician spans over 3 decades), give them to Gil Goldstein to arrange as a suite and get a top-notch ensemble to play these pieces. That's exactly what you get with "Sonata Suite for the Brussels Jazz Orchestra" (Half Note Records).  The 17 musicians who make up the BJO (including Artistic Director and saxophonist Frank Vaganée) sound splendid on these 8 compositions by Lovano who also plays tenor saxophone throughout as well as 1 track that features his aulochrome (a soprano saxophone with 1 reed and 2 pipes - go to www.aulochrome.com/aulochrome to find out more).

The entire program is dedicated to Lovano's mother Josephine (Giuseppina) Verzi Lovano who passed away in May 2012.  A native of Cleveland, Ohio, her familiar roots were from Sicily and those roots reman an important touchstone for the saxophonists.  2 of the tracks, "Streets of Naples" and "Viva Caruso", come from his 2002 CD dedicated to the life and music of the great vocalist Enrico Caruso. That, too was a large ensemble effort (Goldstein appeared on accordion).  The pieces here retain the "folk" influence of the previous versions (especially "Streets of Naples") while the new arrangements emphasize section playing.  Throughout the program, Lovano solos with abandon - in fact, the feeling of joy infuses most of the material.  Even ballad pieces, such as "Sanctuary Park", glisten with creativity.  The title track, first recorded by Lovano's Us Five, opens the program - it is also a ballad and has Lovano's most expansive solo with horn and reed voicings that display the influence of Gil Evans on the arranger. The rhythm section (guitarist Hendrik Breackman, pianist Nathalie Loriers, bassist Jos Machtel and drummer Toni Vitacolonna) are also stellar throughout with the drummer's easy yet forceful "swing" supporting and prodding the soloists. "Big Ben", dedicated to Ben Webster, has a wonderful moment in the middle of the solos where 4 soprano saxophonists trade "licks.

Joe Lovano has a lage discography, filled with stunning trio efforts, work with Paul Motian, plus his "swing" nonet and other large ensemble recordings.  The work done here by the saxophonist, by Gil Goldstein and the Brussels Jazz Orchestra is by no means a retrospective. Like many jazz musicians, Joe Lovano is continually exploring, finding alternative approaches to his original pieces.  "Wild Beauty" is an apt description of this music and Lovano's seemingly limitless quest.

As I write this, Joe Lovano begins a week-long residency (12/03-12/08) at The Stone in New York City to celebrate his 60th birthday.  For more information about that and other matters Lovano, go to www.joelovano.com.

Many Thanks

Everyone is posting on various platforms on this day about what they are thankful for. As I get older, I find much more to be thankful for.  Also, I find it disturbing that, in many instances, "them that's got" don't.  They are cranky about the burgeoning gap between the rich and the poor in a way that blames the latter for being who they are.  The United States has always been the country where you could pull yourself up by the bootstraps, especially if you had the help of your family, your religious community, your educational system, and, on occasion, your government.  

"Yes, the strong gets more/while the weak ones fade" is, sadly, as true now as when Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog composed "God Bless The Child" in 1939 (recorded in 1941). There is a belief among many "That's just the way it is/some things will never change" (Bruce Hornsby), especially the freshmen I come in contact with in Fall Seminar I facilitate at Quinnipiac University. "What can I do?" is a question heard more often than I would believe and the best answer I can give is "Get involved" - you see something you don't like, find other people who believe as you do.  With Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets, one is never more than a click or 2 away from making a connection and, yes, you have to suss them out to make sure these connections are real. There are so many examples of people who have made or are making a difference, one can always find a role model or a master to learn from.

With "Best-ofs" right around the corner, I want to use this space to acknowledge those who make a difference in my life and keep me "keeping on."  To my immediate family, I appreciate your patience in my endless quest for knowledge and fulfillment.  From my colleagues at QU (Betsy, Tom, Fred, Ann, Michelle, Mark, and Joanne) to those at WMRD-WLIS (Barry, Bob, Phil, Ed H., Ed L., Don D. and Don M.) to those in my town (Stephan A., Rabbi Haaz, Debbie, Art Meyers), I am continually bolstered by their caring, their insights, explorations, sense of humor and sense of place.

I would be remiss not to thank Ann Braithwaite, Jason Crane, Nicky Schrire, Matt Shipp, Matt Merewitz, Carl Testa, Taylor Ho Bynum, Stephen Haynes, Jason Paul Harman Byrne, Amy Cervini, Kari Gaffney, Lorraine Feather and so many others for their friendship, the music they make or send, and those other intangibles.

And, of course, you, dear reader, who keep me honest as I write about the great music that comes to my door, my town and my state - "Ain't we got fun!"

Yes, No Leftovers This Weekend

Firehouse 12, 45 Crown Street in New Haven, is trying something different this fall season, a concert on "Black Friday." And, not just any concert but a fiery mix of the composed music and improvisation courtesy of Peter Evans' Zebulon Trio with special guests Dave Liebman (saxophones) and Ron Stabinsky (piano).  Evans, a trumpeter and composer whose, perhaps, best known for his work with Mostly Other People Do the Killing, is a truly creative player, who can move from melodic stretches to noisy "blats" in a heartbeat. Rounding out the Trio is the classy bassist John Hebert and drummer Kassa Overall.

The Trio's debut CD, "Zebulon" (named after the now-defunct Brooklyn club where the recording was made), was issued earlier this year and has turned a lot of heads.  Released on the trumpeter's More is More label, you can find out more by going to www.moreismorerecords.com/label.html.  Adding the young pianist and the legendary veteran saxophonist ups the ante - it will be quite fascinating to see and hear where this music goes.

The Zebulon Trio + guests will play 2 sets - 8:30 and 10 p.m - for ticket information and more, go to firehouse12.com.

The Side Door at the Old Lyme Inn, 85 Lyme Street in Old Lyme (naturally), presents 2 nights of great jazz this weekend.  On Friday, the venue welcomes back pianist Glenn Zaleski with a Trio that includes Craig Weinrib (drums) and Hartford-native Dezron Douglas (bass). The pianist first appeared as a leader at The Side Door in August and then again on November 16 when he subbed for John Escreet in Jamie Baum's ensemble.  He's a delightful player, with a penchant for melody but also acknowledges the percussive element of his chosen instrument.   Zaleski is also an excellent composer and one expects the sets to be liberally sprinkled with pieces by the Trio.

On Saturday night, The Side Door will "get down and get funky" thanks to the playful nature of the Jeremy Baum Trio.  Baum (no relation to the flutist) brings a group featuring guitarist Chris Vitarello and the "chunky/funky" drums of Chris Reddan.  The JB3 also first appeared at the venue in August, proceeding to turn plenty of heads.  The leader has worked and toured with numerous ensembles including ones led by the late Melvin Sparks, Levon Helm, Shemekia Copeland and the North Mississipi Allstars.

For more information, call 860-434-0886 or go to thesidedoorjazz.com.