Previews Live & Recorded

The Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme is certainly the "hot spot" in a cold January.  This Friday night (1/22), clarinetist Oran Etkin brings his "Benny Goodman Project" to the venue and, chances are good, you will really enjoy this show. Not only because the music is a lot of fun but also because  Etkin has assembled quite the group for this gig.  Joining him will be the splendid vibraphonist Steve Nelson (Dave Holland Quintet), the impressive young pianist Sullivan Fortner, and Israeli drummer Ziv Ravitz (Lee Konitz Quartet, Yaron Herman Trio). The repertoire covers a wide swath of Goodman's career and also includes a number of Etkin's original pieces. In November of last year, I reviewed the CD that Etkin recorded (which includes Nelson and Fortner) writing the album "celebrates the past by making it come alive, not treating the material as museum pieces and not being afraid to take chances (the way Goodman did with his music and his life)." I'm sure it's even better in person!

For reservations, go to thesidedoorjazz.com. To learn more about the fine young clarinetist, go to www.oranetkin.com. 

Here's a peek at the music from the album:

On Saturday, vocalist Allan Harris comes to OldLyme to perform music from his 2015 album, the appropriately titled "Black Bar Jukebox." Mr. Harris, born in Brooklyn and raised in Harlem, has one of those voices that draws the listener right in. Over his years, the vocalist has dedicated albums to his influences, such as Tony Bennett, Nat "King" Cole", and Billy Strayhorn. The new album features old and new songs, blues and jazz, and several standards.  You'll like how the singer inhabits each song, how he makes sure you notably hear the lyrics but also get enjoy the melodies.

Not sure who's in the band but the music will be "cooking" no matter who's stirring the pot behind Allan Harris.

For tickets, call 860-434-0886.  To learn more about the vocalist, visit him at www.allanharris.com.

Here's his take on "My Funny Valentine."

On Sunday January 24, the "Improvisations: Arcade" series at Real Art Ways in Hartford presents curators Stephen Haynes (cornets) and Joe Morris (guitar, bass) in concert with Yasmine Azaiez (violin) and Adam Matlock (accordion) at 3 p.m.  Ms. Azaiez, born in Tunisis and raised in Great Britain, came to the US to study at the New England Conservatory where she met Mr. Morris. Adam Matlock, who has recorded and toured with bassist Mario Pavone, is a member of Broadcloth, an improvising trio with vocalist Annie Rhodes and cellist Nathan Bontrager.

For more information, go to www.realartways.org or www.facebook.com/events/924562030931585/.

Bassist Matt Geraghty has a most fascinating project (the latest in a group that has taken him many places) you can view (and soon will be able to listen to on a recording) - called "Trade Winds Cuba", the project is an adventure that the bassist and his friend, saxophonist Zé Luis Oliviera, had when they traveled to the island nation of Cuba and decided to record 21 different groups in 21 days.  Despite being a very musical culture, the 2 musicians and their team initially have a tough time but word of mouth kicks in and the journey becomes quite an exciting series of collaborations with over 100 musicians, singers, and rappers.

Check out the opening video in the series - chances are good you'll want to watch and listen to the rest. To find out more about the project, go to www.mpg21.com.