Busy Week of Live Music in CT (Part 2)

The 2014 Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz takes place this weekend (Friday through Sunday) in Bushnell Park, downtown Hartford. The music starts Friday night at 7 p.m. with Cuban-born pianist/composer Manuel Valera & The New Cuban Express. One of the more progressive Latin-Jazz bands on the scene, the group finds Valera playing alongside Yosvany Terry (tenor saxophone), Tom Guarna (guitars), Hans Glawischnig (bass), Ludwig Alfonso (drums) and Mauricio Herrera (percussion). The sextet has issued 2 CDs on the pianist's Mavo label, both with strong compositions and playing.

The headliner for the Opening Night is alto saxophone great David Sanborn (pictured left).  He came out of St. Louis in the late 1960s, where he had backed touring blues players, and began performing with the Paul Butterfield Band. He soon moved on to work with Stevie Wonder, played with the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and providing solos for records by Paul Simon and James Taylor. He has such a recognizable tone, tart, loud, often with a blues "cry".   In the late 1980s, he hosted "Night Music", a early-in-the-a.m. television show that featured many great jazz and blues artists. Over his career, he's recorded 24 CDs as a leader, his most recent being 2010's "Only Everything" on Decca Records.

Saturday is the day to bring your dancing shoes as a good number of the performers will have you up on your feet.  The music starts at 4:30 p.m with saxophonist David Davis followed at 6 by La Orquestra Espada.  At 7:30, the smooth sounds of the Urban Jazz Coalition will set the stage for the 9 p.m show of the Jazz All-Stars, a group led by soprano saxophonist Marion Meadows (pictured left), keyboard artist Brian Simpson and alto saxophonist Kim Waters.

After that "smooth jazz" triumvirate leaves the stage, the Park becomes a big dance floor with music provided by Jus...Us and moves by Side Street; New England's Premier Dance Crew.

Sunday's Festival Day begins with a 10 a.m. Jazz Mass at Christ Cathedral Church, 995 Main Street featuring the great sounds of Ross Tucker's Hot Cat Jazz Band.  Bushnell Park revs back up at 4:30 p.m. with flutist Sherry Winston and her group. At 6 p.m., the current chair of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School, Javon Jackson performs along with his band. The tenor saxophonist is well-schooled in the fundamentals of jazz having graduated from the Art Blakey school of The Jazz Messengers.  The Festival comes to a rousing close with the Azar Lawrence Quintet.  Lawrence (pictured above), who first came to critical as a member of the McCoy Tyner Quartet in the mid-1970s and went on to play in drummer Elvin Jones group. He has performed with artists as diverse as Frank Zappa and Busta Rhymes. He spent time with Miles Davis and, more recently, appeared on the debut CD of The Cookers and with the Headhunters.  He is in the midst of a CD release, celebrating his new Sunnysde CD "The Seeker."  Joining him in the Capital City will be pianist Benito Gonzalez, trumpeter Dr. Eddie Henderson, bassist Essiet Okon Essiet, and drummer Brandon Lewis.

Every performance is free and open to the public.  For more information, go to www.hartfordjazz.com.

The UMOJA Music Series of free concerts comes to its conclusion this Friday with an appearance by the Kris Allen Quintet featuring trumpeter Duane Eubanks. Allen, who studied Jackie McLean at both the Artists Collective and the University of Hartford, has been active musician over the past decade-plus, working with saxophone great Illinois Jacquet and in the Gerald Wilson Big Band as well as with bassist Mario Pavone and with the Mingus Dynasty Band.

His top-notch Quintet not only features the afore-mentioned Eubanks (of the famous Eubanks family including Kevin and Robin) but also Allen's wife Jen (piano) and the dynamic rhythm section of Dezron Douglas (bass) and Jonathan Barber (drums).  The show actually takes place in the Pump House Gallery at the other end of Bushnell Park from the Jazz Fest.  Opening the show at 6 p.m will be the Alex Tremblay Quartet.  In case of rain, the concert moves indoors to the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Recital Hall, 15 Vernon Street. For more information, go to umojamusic.com.

The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street in Middletown, presents the Mike Augeri Quintet in concert Saturday at 8 p.m. The Middletown native, who is about to go on the road with The Drifters (yes, the singing group from the 1950s and 60s who had hits with "Up On The Roof" and "On Broadway"), is a fine jazz drummer who's been playing since his early teens.  Joining him will be the fine young pianist and vocalist Orice Jenkins, bassist Matt Dwonszyk, saxophonist Jim Bosco and percussionist Rich Tortorigi. Expect any style from jazz to funk to Latin and beyond when the Band hits the Buttonwood stage (such as it is).
For more information, go to www.buttonwood.org.

The first time I saw drummer Ralph Peterson Jr. (pictured left) was in Hartford at an indoor concert sponsored by the Hartford Jazz Society, perhaps 20+ years ago.  He's been back to the state numerous times as a leader or a sideman.  His latest 2 CDs are a product of 2 gigs in New Haven at Firehouse 12, the latest "Vol 2: Fo' n Mo'" (Onyx Productions) recorded in December 2013.  The knockout band for that date included the "Fo'" - Peterson, Felix Peikli (clarinet, bass clarinet), Joseph Doubleday (vibraphone) and Alexander Claffey (bass) - and the "Mo'" - Steve Wilson (soprano saxophone) and Eguie Castrillo (percussion).

On Monday July 21, the Hartford Jazz Society continues its 2014 Monday Night Jazz Series with an appearance by the Ralph Peterson Jr. Fo' n Mo', hopefully in Bushnell Park.  The band for the live show includes Messrs. Doubleday, Wilson, and Castrillo - joining them will be Alex Toth (bass) and Todd Marcus (clarinets).   Expect to be on your feet a lot during the show as Peterson's music can really shake the earth! Yet, he can also caress a ballad from the drum set and, with Wilson in the lineup, there should be a good amount of fine sounds.

Opening the show at 6 p.m. will be the quartet of Frank Kozyra (saxophones), Andrew Renfroe (guitar), Matt Dwonszyk (bass) and Curtis Torian (drums).  The concert is free and open to the public.  If you can't get to the Park, WWUH-FM91.3 broadcasts the show in its entirety over the airwaves and online (www.wwuh.org).

Live This Week in CT

Busy of week of in the Nutmeg State starting this Thursday July 10 with the Rob Garcia 4 at The Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme. Drummer, composer and arranger Garcia stays busy with numerous projects but the RG4 is his "baby."  He formed the ensemble in 2009 with Noah Preminger (tenor saxophone), Dan Tepfer (piano) and a rotating lineup of bassists including John Hebert, Chris Lightcap and the current favorite, Joe Martin.  That lineup has just issued its new CD, "The Passion of Color" (BJU Records) and the show at The Side Door will serve as the CT CD Release Party.  Expect that the 2 sets (the first one commences at 8:30 p.m.) will feature material from all 3 of the RG4's recordings.  For ticket information, call 860-434-0886 or go to thesidedoorjazz.com.

To find out more about Mr. Garcia and the band, go to www.robgarcia.com.

Bassist and educator David Chevan is and about this week, playing 2 gigs with his group, Bassology.  Built around the drums and vocals of Ron Braggs, this trio version of the ensemble also features saxophonist Will Cleary.  They'll be playing their infectious blend of jazz, funk, pop music and more on Thursday at 7 p.m. at The 9th Note, 56 Orange Street in New Haven (with later sets at 8:30 and 10 p.m.) as well as Saturday July 12 at 9 p.m. in the Park Central Tavern, 1640 Whitney Avenue in Hamden.   Click on the venue names for more information.

On Friday night, The UMOJA Music Series presents the 3rd of 4 free concerts, this one featuring Rene McLean & The Cosmic Brotherhood at 6 p.m. Mr. McLean (pictured left), the son of the late saxophonist/educator Jackie McLean, was born in New York City in 1946 and learned his craft at the feet of his father as well as attending both NYU and the University of Massachusetts.  He has performed in venues around the world, first as a co-leader of his father's group and, even before the elder McLean passed in 2006, a leader of his own groups.  He has also taught in schools and universities in the United States and South Africa. Rene McLean is a "Senior Artist Teacher"  on the faculty of the Jackie McLean Institute at the University of Hartford.

Joining for this concert, which takes place in The Pump House Gallery in Bushnell Park (60 Elm Street in Hartford), will be Nat Reeves (bass), Alan Palmer (keyboards), Ronnie Burrage (drums) and Neil Clarke (percussion).  Opening the show will be vocalist Shenel Johns and her Quartet.  Rain location is the Greater Hartford Academy of The Arts, 15 Vernon Street, in the Capital City.  For more information, go to umojamusic.com.

The Monday Night Jazz Series in Bushnell Park has resumed and this coming Monday (7/14) presents the Marc Cary Focus Trio.  Pianist/composer Cary was born in Washington D.C. but grew up in New York City.  Since emerging on the scene in 1988, Cary has worked with many artists, from Max Roach to Shirley Horn to drummer Arthur Taylor, and spent 12 years (1994 - 2005) working with vocalist  Abbey Lincoln.  In fact, one of the 2 CDs Cary released in 2013 was dedicated to his mentor (the lovely solo recording "For the Love of Abbey" on Motema Music).

His Trio features drummer/percussionist Sameer Gupta and bassist Rahsaan Carter.  Their music, documented on the other 2013 Motema release "Four Directions",  sparkles with creativity and splendid interactions.  At times, it's downright funky.  Opening the show at 6 p.m. will be the Peter Greenfogel Quintet. In case of rain, the event moves indoors to the Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Avenue.  These concerts, arranged and sponsored by the Hartford Jazz Society, are free and open to the public. For more information, go to hartfordmondaynightjazz.com. If you don't wish to venture out of your house, the concert is carried live on WWUH-91.3FM (online at www.wwuh.org.)

Here's the Marc Cary Trio from "Focus":

Summertime and the Music is Smoking!

Week # 2 for the 2014 UMOJA Music Series in Hartford features the energetic rhythm master Ralph Peterson Jr & The Unity Project Friday 6/27 at 6 p.m. in the Pumphouse Gallery, 60 Elm Street in Hartford.  This is the first of several appearances this summer for the drummer/composer/arranger and this band will not disappoint.  Joining him will be Hartford-area native Josh Evans (trumpet), Myron Walden (tenor saxophone, also appearing twice next week at The Side Door - more about that subsequently) and Pat Bianchi (Hammond B-3 organ).  This is a group that blends the fire of hard-bop with the blues-drenched soul of jazz-funk; in other words, they "bring it and bring it good!"

Opening the show will be the Jovan Alexandre Group, led by the fine young tenor saxophonist originally from Wallingford, CT.   The concert is free and open to the public. In case of rain, the show moves indoors to Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Recital Hall, 15 Vernon Street.  For more information, go to umojamusic.com.

The Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme has 2 excellent shows this weekend.  On Friday night, the Door opens to the David Kikoski Trio.  Pianist Kikoski (whose credits could take up the rest of this post but includes the Mingus Big Band plus a score of strong recordings as a leader) brings the dynamic rhythm section of Ed Howard (bass) and Adam Cruz (drums).  Kikoski displays his knowledge of the history of jazz every time he sits at the piano and is a fearless improviser.  Doors open at 7:30 for the 8:30 first set.

 On Saturday, the fine tenor saxophonist Jimmy Greene brings his Quartet to the Old Lyme venue.   The Bloomfield, CT, native, currently on the Music faculty of Western Connecticut State University, has a big, flu, sound that can rattle the doors yet has a gentle side that can caress a ballad as sweetly as any musician (on any instrument.)  Not sure who's in the group but this evening promises to be one the avid listener is sure to enjoy.

For more information, go to thesidedoorjazz.com or call 860-434-0886.  Do it now, tickets are moving quickly!

I trust you are keeping up with Jason Crane & The Jazz Session - it's so easy to do as the links for the 3 most recent shows are to the right of this (and every) post near the top. Our recent weekend away from home gave me the opportunity to catch up and I do recommend you listen.  There are few interviewers as knowledgable or curious about the music and musicians he presents on every program - Mr. Crane keeps you in touch with both established artists as well as ones you may have yet to discover.  Give The Jazz Session a whirl - you'll be glad you did! Go to thejazzsession.com.

 Take a moment and give a thought to drummer/composer Matt Wilson, whose wife Felicia passed away earlier this month.  Mr. Wilson, who has brought so much joy and music to people of all ages around the world, is one of the true gentlemen in the world, always willing to teach or give an intrusive reviewer/writer an in-depth interview.

Life is fragile, even in the best of times.  Music can be a vehicle that removes one from the strife and insanity of daily existence and/or a reminder how we need to, as a caring community, continue to work on creating a just society for all.

Our thoughts and prayers go to Matt Wilson and his children.

NEA Jazz Masters 2014 + Live This Week + Vocal Master

The National Endowment for the Arts has announced its selection for the 2014 Jazz Masters.  4 men who have contributed much to creative music over the last 5 decades have been chosen; included are Jamey Aebersold (saxophonist, pianist, educator), Richard Davis (bassist, educator), Keith Jarrett (pianist, composer) and Anthony Braxton (composer, reed player, educator, author).  Unless you have totally ignored American creative music since the 1960s, these names should be familiar (save for the first person).  Since 1967, Jamey Aebersold has produced over 130 "Play-A-Long With..." records and books.  The recordings allow musicians of all stripes to work alongside great rhythm sections performing standards and jazz compositions (without the leader), a DIY educational experience.  He has taught Summer Workshops for decades and tours with his own Quartet.

Richard Davis, a native of Chicago, has been a working musician for the better part of 6 decades.  The 83-year old bassist has appeared on a number of classic Lps, including Eric Dolphy's "Out To Lunch", Booker Ervin's "The Song Book", Joe Henderson's "In 'n' Out" and on 8 recordings with the pianist/ composer Andrew Hill.  His work on these and other classic recordings displayed his understanding of counterpoint and revealed a desire to more than just a timekeeper. Davis has also had a career in classical music where he has worked with many major orchestras.

Keith Jarrett...hmmm..what can one write that has not already been written.  He has received numerous accolades, has led several classic ensembles, worked with Miles Davis and Charles Lloyd before moving out on his own, and, thanks to his 40+ year relationship with ECM Records and Manfred Eicher, has ventured into classical music and more.

Ahh...Professor Anthony Braxton...he has lived in my hometown of Middletown, CT, since coming  over 20 years ago to teach at Wesleyan University. I have seen and heard him plays with many different-sized ensembles and we have chatted on countless occasions about many different topics (sometimes even music).  His influence on musicians such as Kevin Norton, Taylor Ho Bynum, Mary Halvorson, Carl Testa, Andrew Bauder and countless others is immense; his work and ideas inform much of today's creative music.  He must get a quite a charge about being named a "Jazz Master", considering all the negative reviews early in his career and audiences walking out of concerts. Mr. Braxton has persevered for any number of reasons but, I think what is most significant about his music is that he has always acknowledged the influence of those musicians who moved Black music forward, those who "made it" and those who struggled to be heard. Although he is retiring from formal teaching in the coming year, Anthony Braxton will continue to blaze new trials in creative musicians.

To find out more about the NEA Jazz Masters program and what it entails, go to www.nea.gov/honors/jazz/. The Induction Ceremony takes place on Monday January 13, 2014 at Jazz at Lincoln Center and will be webcast - more information to follow.

That's trumpeter Josh Evans on the left and he'll be performing this Thursday evening (7/11) as part of the 2013 UMOJA Music Series.  He's appearing with his Trumpet Ensemble that includes fellow brass men Brian Lynch and Darren Barrett.  Opening the show at 6 p.m. will drummer Jonathan Barber and his Group. Weather permitting, the show (which sounds really exciting) will take place at the Pump House Gallery in Bushnell Park but, if it rains, the proceedings move to the Charter Oak Cultural Center, 21 Charter Oak Avenue in Hartford.  For more information, go to www.umojamusic.com.  (By the way, the website lists a different "opening" act, the Steven King Porter Trio with saxophonist Abraham Burton - either way, it's a fine evening of music and it's free!)

The Uncertainty Music Series, curated by bassist/composer Carl Testa, will present 4 concerts over the next 6 weeks beginning this Saturday July 13. On that day, the UMS presents a double bill starting at 8 p.m. with a solo bass clarinet performance by Chicago-based musician/performance artist Alejandro Arcieto followed by the duo known as Blister performing a work titled "Just Who Are the Banksters - a meditation on the greatest transfer of wealth ever concocted"  Blister is Lucio Monegon (guitar, stuff) and David Grollman (snare drum, things), both of whom manipulate sound and words to get their message across.  The play with sound, fury, delicacy and noise. To find out more, go to kingtone.com/blister/.  The performances take place at Never Ending Books, 810 State Street in New Haven.  To find out more about the series, go to uncertaintymusic.com/.

Carl Testa has a new CD, "IRIS"(Lock Step Records) and will be presenting a CD Release concert Friday July 12 at 8 p.m. in the Douglass Street Music Collective, 295 Douglass St, in Brooklyn.  The following Friday (7/19), Testa will hold a CD Release concert at 8:30 p.m. in the performance space at Firehouse 12, 45 Crown Street in New Haven.  To find out more about those shows and more, go to carltesta.net/performances.htm.  Finally, Carl and I had a pleasant chat about his music and more that I will be posting on the WLIS/WMRD website in the next day - I'll keep you notified.

Andy Bey, pianist and vocalist, has been performing since he was 8 years old (in a group with saxophonist Hank Mobley, no less!). His first recording was issued when the Newark, New Jersey, native was 13 and, at the age of 17, he formed a group with his sisters.  After that group disbanded in 1967, Bey went on to work with Horace Silver, Max Roach, Duke Pearson and others. After one solo date on Atlantic Records in 1970, Bey recorded infrequently until "Blues, Ballads and Bey" appeared in 1996. His stunning baritone had gotten deeper and his range expanded (4+ octaves) - he's released several CDs since then and just keeps getting better.

"The World According to Andy Bey" (HighNote Records) is his new CD.  11 songs, 4 originals, 7 standards (including 3 by George Gershwin, and just voice and piano. But, what a performance!  Bey has stated in interviews that he is greatly influenced by the blues, gospel and jazz singers (especially Billy Eckstine and Nat "King" Cole.)  Those influences have all been absorbed into a style built around clear vocals and piano accompaniment that is more melodic than ornamental.  Bey is a dramatic singer yet not overtly so - when you listen to his bittersweet reading of the Gershwin's "But Not For Me" (with the original opening intro), it's amazing how deeply soulful this song is.  He can certainly be playful, as he shows on Fats Waller's "The Joint is Jumpin'" with a minimalist approach to the piano that, at times, sounds like Randy Newman.  His piano playing is more expansive on "S Wonderful" but he rarely lets his left hand fall into a "swing" rhythm.  Ira Gershwin supplied the lyrics to Harold Arlen's handsome melody for "Dissertation on the State of Bliss" (penned for the 1954 Bing Crosby movie, "The Country Girl.").  This bluesy sermon is sad yet worldly-wise and one truly feels Bey is singing directly to him.

As for the originals, they include the scatting bop fun of "Dedicated to Miles" and a soulful "The Demons Are After You", a piece with a riff that could have come from a Gil Scott-Heron song and a message of personal and artistic freedom.  A sweet groove leads one into "There's So Many Ways to Approach the Blues" (a good alternative title for this program) - the singer describes all the different "blues" a person might encounter in his life and does so with his most spirited vocal. The combination of the "blues" vocal and abstract piano lines makes for fascinating counterpoint.  Listen to the variations on the line "There is really only one way/One way/There's really one way/Tell the truth/Tell the truth" that takes the song to its finish - it's breathtaking.   "Being Part of What's Happening Now" also has a socially-conscious message about a "positive change", about exploitation of people and natural resources, and this world has "a price most of us have to pay for success."

"The World According to Andy Bey" is a world where songs, performer and piano create stories that touch on the human condition, that aim for the soul and the heart. There's wisdom being imparted but no finger-pointing, no "told-you-so";  this is mature music, timeless and true.  Mr. Bey does not have a internet presence but here's a link to a recent interview posted on Sachal Vasandini's website:
www.sachalvasandani.com/latest/article/happy_bday_full_andy_bey_interview/.  There is also a link to the CD (plus song samples) at www.jazzdepot.com.