Saturday's Sounds (Live 4/27/19)

Photo: Ben Knabe

Composer, arranger, educator, and pianist Jim McNeely is one of the busier people in jazz.  Currently, he serves as music director for the Frankfurt Radio (HR) Big Band and teaches at both the Manhattan School of Music (NYC) and William Paterson University in New Jersey.  He has played and composed for the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra which became the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra (after the drummer's death, the organization became the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra). He toured with Stan Getz plus had tenures leading the Danish Radio Big Band and the Swiss Jazz Orchestra.

Hard to believe but it's nearly two decades since Jim McNeely created "Group Therapy" for his Tentet. Released on the forward-looking OmniTone label, the composer and pianist gathered 10 New York City-based musicians and recorded the eight-song program that includes five McNeely originals plus three exciting arrangements of songs by Bud Powell, John Coltrane, and the oft-recorded standard "Body and Soul" (music composed in 1930 by Johnny Green).  The ensemble included saxophonists Billy Drewes, Dick Oatts, and Scott Robinson, two trumpets (Tony Kadleck, Greg Gisbert or Scott Wendholt), Tom Varner on French horn, trombonist Ed Neumeister, bassist Cameron Brown, drummer John Hollenbeck (a veteran of Bob Brookmeyer's New Art Orchestra and the Meredith Monk Ensemble as well as his own groups), and the leader on piano.

Photo: New Jersey Star-Ledger

Jim McNeely brings the 2019 version of the Tentet to Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts/Crowell Concert Hall this Saturday as the featured group for the Wesleyan Jazz Weekend. The concert begins at 7:30 pm. The festivities open the night before with a free concert featuring the Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra, Jay Hoggard director, and the Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble, Noah Baerman director. The WJO will also open Saturday's show.

For tickets and more information, go to wesleyan.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=2924&p=1.

Give a listen to an interview with Mr. McNeely, Jay Hoggard, and CFA Director of Arts Communication Andy Chatfield.

Brian Charette, a native of Meriden, CT, returns to the state Saturday with his "electric" trio Kürrent to play two sets at The Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme. Charette and Kürrent - Jordan Young (drums) and Ben Monder (guitar) - released its debut album in July of 2017.  The "fusion-jazz" recording, with Charette on organ, synths, electric keyboards, was a departure from his organ trio recordings on Posi-Tone and his Sextette disks for SteepleChase.  Young and Charette are old friends and musical partners so the drummer is not afraid to challenge the leader to "go for it."  Monder, who plays such tasty accompaniments, steps out now and then to great effect; he does not always "shred" yet there is great energy in his playing.

For the Old Lyme gig, Vic Juris steps in for Monder bringing his own delightful take on jazz guitar.  Juris, who has worked alongside Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Smith, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, and Dave Liebman, has recorded numerous albums as a leader and sideman for SteepleChase including the organist's collaboration with tenor saxophonist George Coleman.  He plays with both power and elegance so he should fit right in with Charette and Young.

Kürrent will play two sets with the first starting at 8:30 p.m.  For more information, go to thesidedoorjazz.com  or call 860-434-2600.

To learn about Brian Charette, go to www.briancharette.com.

Three Gig Night

Saturday evening April 28, CT jazz mavens have a tough decision to make. Do they head to Middletown and Wesleyan University to catch T.S. Monk celebrate the music of his father, Thelonious Monk?  Perhaps, there's drummer. composer, and arranger John Hollenbeck who brings his Large Ensemble to Western CT State University for a rare appearance. Then again, you may want to take a trip to Old Lyme to see/hear saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master Dave Liebman perform with his Expansions quintet.  What's a fan to do?

A number of great jazz artists celebrated their 100th birth anniversaries in 2017, none, arguably, more influential than Thelonious Sphere Monk (1917 - 1982).  Monk moved out of the post-World War II "be-bop" explosion to create a music that had its roots in blues, in "free" improvisation, in melodic adventure, with an uncanny sense of creating melodies that caught your ear and, often, made the listener want to tap his feet and shake his head.  While Monk only published 60+ compositions in his career, many of them have served as guideposts for several generations of creative musicians, from John Coltrane to Jason Moran and beyond.

T.S. Monk (born 1949) played in his dad's band later in the elder Monk's career. After his father's passing, the son created the Thelonious Monk Institute, not only to honor his memory but also to help young musicians along their way. The son had success in the r'n'b field in a group that featured his sister Barbara but turned to jazz in the 1990s, traveling the world and continuing his father's legacy.

T.S. Monk brings his Sextet to Crowell Concert Hall, Wyllys Avenues, in Middletown for an 8 p.m. concert.  Titled "Celebrating 100 Years of Thelonious Monk", the drummer/leader heads a fine band that includes the excellent young pianist Theo Hill plus Willie Williams (tenor saxophone), Randall Haywood (trumpet), April May Webb (vocals), Patience Higgins (alto saxophone, flute), and Kenny Davis (bass) - I realize that it's actually a septet but that's jazz for you.  For ticket information, go to www.wesleyan.universitytickets.com.

Here's a track from one of T.S. Monk's early (1997) tributes to his father:


The John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble gathers at 7 p.m. in the Veronica Wegman Concert Hall, 43 Lake Avenue Extension on the campus of Western CT State University in Danbury.  The 20-member ensemble is celebrating its 20th anniversary (!) have a new album, "All Can Work", released earlier this year on New Amsterdam Records (my review is here).  The album illustrates Hiollenbeck's myriad influences, from Kenny Wheeler to William Shakespeare to Billy Strayhorn to Cary Grant's experiments with LSD to the great trumpet teacher and Ensemble member Laurie Frink (who passed in 2013), and more.   The biggest influences on the composer and arranger Hollenbeck have been his long associations with Meredith Monk and Bob Brookmeyer (1929-2011).  One can hear the influences in the melodies the drummer creates, how he uses voice, and his fascinating arrangements.

I love how this group can go from "a whisper to a scream" in a heartbeat, how the solos grow organically out of the ensemble work, and how vocalist Theo Bleckmann is part of the ensemble sound as well as lead vocalist.  The band is stocked with many of the best musicians working in creative music, many of whom have been members since the group's inception.  For more information and a listing of the personnel, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/23rd-annual-jazz-fest-featuring-the-john-hollenbeck-tickets-44268366877.

Here's the JHLE in action:

Photo: Wolfgang Gonaus

Saxophonist, flute player, and composer Dave Liebman is in the midst of a long and successful career. Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1946, the NEA Jazz Master (2011) first came to critical notice in the 1970s playing join the bands of Miles Davis and Elvin Jones. His association with pianist Richie Bierach began during that time period, culminating with the fusion-jazz group Lookout Farm whose early albums on ECM are quite impressive.  He's recorded with so many people, teaches now at the Manhattan School of Music even as he conducts workshops all around there world.  Liberian continues to work with Bierach in various settings including the powerful Quest group (with drummer Billy Hart and bassist Ron McClure).  In recent years, he's recorded with Saxophone Summit, with the University of Toronto (CA) Jazz Orchestra, with percussionist Adam Rudolph, with the PRISM Saxophone Quartet, and his own Big Band.

Dave Liebman returns to The Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme with his impressive Expansions quintet.  This band - Matt Vashlishan (alto sax, flute, clarinet), Bobby Avey (piano, keyboards), Alex Ritz (drums, percussion), and Tony Marino (bass, electric bass) - has been in existence for eight years, has released three albums on Whaling City Sounds, and stays busy with tours and residencies.  The music covers a large swath of musical territory with all members contributing original material and arrangements.

The first set commences at 8:30 p.m.  For more information and reservations, go to thesidedoorjazz.com or call 860-434-2600.

Here's Expansions dancing its way through one of Wayne Shorter's classic tunes:

Muhal, the AACM, & Middletown

For those of us who came off musical age in the 1960s and believed that John Coltrane and Miles Davis were the twin giants of jazz, the people involved with the AACM (Association for Advancement of Creative Musicians) did not come to our attention until the next decade.  But the Chicago-based AACM came to life when pianist and composer Muhal Richard Abrams formed his Experimental Band in 1962, an ensemble that included saxophonists Fred Anderson, Roscoe Mitchell, and Joseph Jarman plus drummers Steve McCall and Jack DeJohnette. Abrams, who was mostly self-taught, composed a good amount of the material but everyone mentioned above as well as others started to bring in material to rehearse and then perform.

In 1965, Abrams, fellow pianist Jodie Christian, Kelan Phil Cohran, and several other people signed the letter of incorporation and the AACM began to be a center of learning and performance in Chicago and is still in existence today there as well as in New York City (where many of the musicians moved to in the 1970s and 80s). From those early sessions, groups such as the Art Ensemble of Chicago and Trio Air came into existence as did musical visionaries such as Anthony Braxton, Henry Threadgill, George Lewis, Douglas Ewart, Oliver Lake, Amina Claudine Myers, Nicole Mitchell, Malachi Thompson, and Famadou Don Moye.

On Friday February 24, Muhal Richard Abrams will bring his Quintet to Crowell Concert Hall at Wesleyan University. Joining him will be the fine young trumpeter (and protege of saxophonist Steve Coleman) Jonathan Finlayson, vibraphonist Bryan Carrott, drummer Reggie Nicholson, and bassist John Hébert.  The music they will play will have its roots in jazz, there will be many moments of improvisation, there will certainly be swathes of tunes that "swing", yet cliches will be absent and it will often seem as if the musicians are conversing with each other in a language based on their own instrumental voices. It's a language the musicians are familiar with even though it changes each time they play and with every song.

Might not make sense to many of us but Muhal Richard Abrams has been navigating these waters for over 6 decades. The NEA Jazz Master, who turned 86 the past September, challenges himself, his fellow musicians, and his audiences whenever he sits down at the piano.

For more information about the concert, go to www.wesleyan.edu/cfa/. To reserve tickets, call 860-685-3355. To learn more about Mr. Abrams, go to www.muhalrichardabrams.com/. Check out the AACM by going to aacmchicago.org.

Here's Muhal with the late Fred Anderson from 2009:



Here's his Quintet in action from February 2016, same lineup as this Friday's concert except Brad Jones is the bassist.

Young Musical Voices in Old Lyme + Music in Middletown

The Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School of Music in Connecticut continues to turn out one impressive musician after another. And The Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme is becoming a venue known for nurturing new talent.  This Friday 7/08), the Club welcomes alto saxophonist Alden Hellmuth and her Quintet.  Ms. Hellmuth, a native of Hartford, graduated several months ago and is already working with her own band, one that includes Charlie Savage (piano), Josh Uguccioni (bass), Corey Garcia (drums), and special guest Josh Evans (trumpet). Expect a combination of originals and standards, uptempo jams and fine ballads.

Ms. Helmuth and company take the stage at 8:30 p.m.  For tickets and more information, go to thesidedoorjazz.com.

On Saturday night, the young veteran Tadataka Unno (36 years old in August) comes to The Side Door with his Trio of Essiet Okon Essiet (bass) and Hartford native Jonathan Barber (drums).  Unno, a native of Tokyo, Japan, first came to the US in 2008 and was part of the Betty Carter's Jazz at the Kennedy Center in 2010.  He has worked with drummer Jimmy Cobb, saxophonist Jimmy Heath, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, and many others.  Unno has released two CDs in the United States, a solo recording of standards in 2011 and a trio date in 2014.

To find out more about the pianist, go to www.tadatakaunno.com -  to reserve a seat or a table, call 860-434-0886.

The Center for the Arts at Wesleyan welcomes Bloomfield native, Hartt School alumnus, and Professor of Music at Western Connecticut State University Jimmy Greene and his fine Quartet Thursday July 7 at 8 p.m. in Crowell Concert Hall, Wyllys Avenue in Middletown. The saxophonist (tenor and soprano) and composer, who's worked and recorded with bassist Mario Pavone and pianist/vocalist Harry Connick, has quite the band, including pianist Aaron Goldberg (who's worked with Joshua Redman), veteran bassist Doug Weiss, and the splendid drummer Otis Brown III (who's worked with saxophonist Joe Lovano's Us Five).  Jimmy Greene is such an impressive musician, a big man whose sound can fill a room or make you lean in to hear him whisper.

For ticket information, go to wesleyan.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx or call 860-685-3355.

Pianist, composer, and educator Laszlo Gardony seems to have made The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street in Middletow, his second home.  He's played the intimate venue as a solo artist, with his Trio, and with several different duos, including one with bassist John Lockwood.  This Saturday (7/09), Mr. Gardony brings another friend "home" to play, Italian-born saxophonist Marco Pignataro.  Mr. Pignataro, who plays both tenor and soprano saxophones, is a colleague of the pianist at Berklee College in Boston; in fact, he's Managing Director of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI), working closely with Artistic Director Danilo Perez (pianist with the Wayne Shorter Quartet) to work with young musicians to develop a fuller and further understanding of the world around them, business, creative and natural.

The duo begins to play at 8 p.m.  For more information, go to www.buttonwood.org.  

Take the Jay Train

It's been 40 years since Jay Hoggard graduated from Wesleyan University (and over 25 since he's been on the faculty of his alma mater).  Balancing the life of a professional musician as well as an educator, husband, and father, Hoggard has performed around the world, recorded more than 20 albums as a leader, and served as a mentor for musicians such as trumpeter Taylor Ho Bynum and vibraphonist Chris Dingman.  His early albums for India Navigation Records explored African rhythms plus, at around the same time, he recorded commercial Lps for GRP Records. In the 1990s, Hoggard made a series of albums for the Muse Label, including a personal favorite "In The Spirit" (1992) that featured pianist Anthony Davis, reed master Dwight Andrews, bassist Mark Helias, flutist James Newton, and drummer Ed Blackwell. He also recorded albums that featured musicians such as guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Geri Allen, drummers Marvin "Smitty" Smith and Frederick Waits. As a sideman, he worked and recorded with pianist Davis, Newton, plus saxophonists Chico Freeman and Oliver Lake.

Like many musicians caught in the midst of the major label collapse of the 21st Century, Jay Hoggard started his own label in 2003, JHVM Music, a move that has allowed him to record a wide variety of material, from a Christmas album to a duet with long-time associate James Weidman (piano, organ) to a tribute to his mentor Lionel Hampton.

Which bring us up to 2016.  On April 29 and 30, the Center for the Arts at Wesleyan University presents its annual Jazz Weekend. Each year, the Music Department invites an artist for a weekend of music starting on Friday night with a concert, free and open to the public, featuring the University Jazz Orchestra, directed by Professor Hoggard, and the Jazz Ensembles, directed by Noah Baerman, Visiting Instructor, and Pheroan akLaff, Visiting Assistant Professor of Music.  The concert takes place at 8 p.m. in Crowell Concert Hall, Wyllys Avenue, in Middletown

Saturday night, which happens to be International Jazz Day, belongs to the Jay Hoggard Harlem Hieroglyphs Ensemble. It's a quintet setting that finds the vibraphonist playing music from his new double-CD ("Harlem Hieroglyphs") with James Weidman, drummer Pheroan akLaff, bassist Belden Bullock, and saxophonist René McLean. The album (cover pictured left), funded in part by Wesleyan GISOS (Grant in Support of Scholarship), brings together the many influences on Hoggard's life, from the gospel music he heard in church (including the sacred music of Duke Ellington) to the sounds of African percussion to mentors like the afore-mentioned Lionel Hampton and Milt Jackson to the popular music on the radio and so much more.

Messrs. Weidman and Bullock both play on the album along with Yoron Israel (drums), Gary Bartz (alto and soprano saxophones), and, on 6 of the 18 tracks, Nat Adderley, Jr. (piano, organ). Mr. Bartz, who first came to critical notice in the mid-1960s playing  in the Max Roach/Abbey Lincoln group and then moving on to Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, is a welcome addition to this music. It's not just because he's such an inspired musician but it marks the first time the vibraphonist has recorded with a reed player since the early 90s.  The first disk opens with "If I Were a Bell", the Frank Loesser classic from "Guys and Dolls", which Miles Davis first recorded in 1956.  The group gives the tune a gentle swing, the clear tones of the vibes meshing well with the soft tones of the alto sax.  Moving on to the blues of Hoggard's "Harlem Jazzbirds Swingin' and Swayin'"; the piece bounces sweetly atop Bullock's bass, Weidman's piano chords and Israel's masterly brush work.  Gospel chords from the piano leads the group into "I Am Free", a funky original that also reflects the influence of South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim. For this listener, the highlight on disk 1 is the emotionally strong performance of Bernard Ingher's "Everything Must Change", an oft-recorded ballad, most notably by Nina Simone and Quincy Jones with James Ingram. Here, it's the expressive alto saxophone that shares the lead with ringing tones of the vibraphone. Nothing is rushed, the musicians pouring their souls into the song creating a beautiful experience.

Wesleyan CFA

CD 2 opens with the fiery "Sonic Hieroglyphs" with great solos by the leader, Bartz (on alto), and pianist Weidman, all powered by Bullock's walking bass and Israel's high-flying cymbals.  There's a rollicking version of Sonny Rollins' "Airegin" - it's one of the shorter tracks (3:33) but the musicians give their all.  "I Live Because I Breathe" is a lovely ballad with a handsome melody, a splendid vibes solo, and fine soprano sax counterpoint.  An African feel permeates "Mystical Cycles of Skin, Wood, and Metal", the hypnotic rhythms and circular melody, the pulsating vibraphone, Adderley, Jr.'s piano working in tandem with the organ work of Weidman, all creating a musical wonderland.  Hoggard and Weidman (on piano) paint a sublime portrait of Duke Ellington's "My Love", a piece the Maestro wrote for his Third Sacred Concert.  Following that track is a impressionistic solo work "Pleasant Memories." It's one of the two pieces on the album that is over 9 minutes long yet the music moves forward easily and melodically, going through several different moods and sonic variations (there are moments where the vibraphone sound like steel drums and marimbas).

Anyone who is acquainted with Jay Hoggard knows he's one of the most positive persons you'll ever meet. The music on "Harlem Hieroglyphs" is imbued with joy, hope, and wonder.  His story is not only filled with his history but also his accomplishments and dreams.  This is music that breathes, that swings with ease, soothes the soul, and makes one smile.

For more information about the album, go to www.jayhoggard.com.  To get tickets to Saturday's 8 p.m. concert, go to www.wesleyan.edu/cfa or call 860-685-3355.

Here's "Everything Must Change" to whet your appetite and the show:

This Week of Music in CT + Sand Pounds

Yet another week where CT music fans have much to choose from, including a MacArthur Fellow, a NEA Jazz Master, a world traveler, excellent pianists and much more.

Pianist-composer Dan Tepfer returns to The Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme this Friday (10/10), this time as the leader of his own Trio (he is part of the Rob Garcia 4, an ensemble that played the club this past summer.) Tepfer, who often works with saxophonist Lee Konitz, has a multitude of musical interests, from classical to classic jazz and rock and beyond, all of which shows up in his music.  Joining him for this gig is drummer Eric Doob and bassist Chris Tordini.  As usual, doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the music commences at 8:30.

Saturday, the Side Door presents pianist/accordionist Hector Martignon and his Foreign Affairs Quartet.  Like Tepfer, the Colombian-born Martignon plays jazz and classical music (both pianists have rearranged Bach's "The Goldberg Variations") - this desire and ability to cross "over" genres creates music that is exciting and challenging for the avid listener. Besides Martignon, the FAQ is comprised of Roberto Quintero (percussion), Christos Rafilides (vibraphone), Alex Hernandez (bass) plus special guest percussionist Mino Cinelu (Weather Report, Branford Marsalis).  The Side Door stage will be filled with shakers, cymbals, keyboards and more.

NEA Jazz Master and a true saxophone master, Dave Liebman plays a special Sunday night show at The Side Door with his Expansions quintet.  Anchored by his long-time bassist Tony Marino, Expansions also includes the fine young pianist Bobby Avey (who, like the pianists listed above and below, can play just about any style of music and play it well), Matt Vashlishan (alto saxophone, clarinet), and Alex Ritz (drums, percussion). Mr. Liebman has proven time and again over his career, now spanning 4+ decades, that he has no limitations in his music, channeling the spirits of John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter when he plays his tenor and, especially, his soprano saxophones.  This should be a very exciting evening of music.

The doors open at 7 p.m. for this show only with the music beginning at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information, go to thesidedoorjazz.com or call 806-434-0886.

Firehouse 12 in New Haven continues its adventurous Fall 2014 Concert Series on Friday (10/10) with Cuban-born pianist Manuel Valera and his Trio featuring E.J. Strickland (drums) and Hans Glawischnig (bass).  Valera has had a very busy few years, releasing several CDs with his New Cuban Express (Criss Cross has just issued "In Motion", an album chock-full of strong melodies and exciting rhythms) plus a great solo piano CD, "Self Portrait" (my review is here). Valera's musical knowledge is boundless, with classical influences from Europe, South America and especially his native Cuba.  Yet, he can play montunos, sambas, be-bop and beyond with the best of them.

For more information, go to firehouse12.com or call 203-785-0468.

Saturday night, pianist, composer, and conceptualist Vijay Iyer plays a concert at 8 p.m. in Crowell Concert Hall on the campus of Wesleyan University. Joining him will be bassist Stephan Crump and drummer Tyshawn Sorey (who received his Masters in Music from the University in 2011).  Iyer, who has toured with Wadada Leo Smith and Steve Coleman (fellow MacArthur Award grantee) and had groups that included Wesleyan grad Steve Lehman (alto saxophone) and poet Robert Pinskey, studied physics in college (Harvard) before moving into the the music world.  His work with poet Mike Ladd has been tackled issues such as veterans problems, media and racism. Earlier this year, ECM Records issued Iyer's classical piece "Mutations."

For ticket information, call 860-685-3355 or go online to www.wesleyan.edu/cfa.

The Uncertainty Music Series presents an evening of duets on Saturday at 8 p.m. in Never Ending Books, 810 State Street in New Haven. Opening the show will be the duo of Anne Rhodes (voice) and Carl Testa (electronics) - following them will be the duo of Brian Parks (compositions) and Janet Simone Parks (dance). Both Parks and Testa studied at Wesleyan  (the former with Ronald Ebrecht, the latter with Anthony Braxton) and continue to work and perform in the area (the Uncertainty series is curated by Testa who also is the house manager at Firehouse 12).

For more information, go to uncertaintymusic.com.
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Drummer/composer Dylan Ryan leads a "power" trio Sand, a hellacious ensemble that features guitarist Timothy Young (Zony Mash, Sweeter Than The Day, Wayne Horvitz) and bassist Devin Hoff (The Nels Cline Singers, Vijay Iyer, Ben Goldberg). "Circa" is the trio's 2nd release for Cuneiform and it's an exciting mash pf sounds.  One can hear echoes of the Jimi Hendrix Experience throughout "Mortgage In My Soul" (a Keith Jarrett piece from 1972 on which he played soprano sax and Charlie Haden fuzz "wah-wah" bass!) ) and Neil Young's Crazy Horse in the final half of "Visionary Fantasy." This music moves in fascinating directions - there is a touch of Tony Williams' Lifetime in Ryan's drum work on "Pink Noir" and more than a dollop of surf music blending into the rousing feel of "Sledge Thread" (Hoff's acoustic bass comes roaring out of the speakers.

At times, the trio's approach brings to mind the Oregonian alternative instrumental band Pell Mell, especially the pounding drums and hypnotic bass lines -  that band often employed 2 guitarists and on "Circa", as far as one can tell, Young rarely overdubs.  He employs all sorts of effects, expanding the sonic palette of the band.  Dylan Ryan pushes but never overplays. He even sits out "Slow Sculpture", giving Young and Hoff plenty of space to create a ballad that builds up to sustained guitar chords and bowed bass frenzy.

Those listeners who enjoy "prog rock", Jeff Beck, or Jimi Hendrix will find much to enjoy on "Circa" - Dylan Ryan Sand can blast with the best of them, sounding great when you crack up the speakers.  Yet, this music does not overstay its welcome, contains both moments where melody stands out and other times when the band pours it on.  For more information, go to sand.dylanryanmusic.com.

Busy Week of Live Music in CT (Part 1)

There is so much live music in our small state this week that this column must be posted in 2 parts.

On Wednesday July 16, bassist, composer and CT native Mario Pavone brings his "Street Songs: The Accordion Project" to Cafe Nine, 250 State Street in New Haven.  He has assembled quite a band - Matt Mitchell (piano), Adam Matlock (accordion), Carl Testa (acoustic bass), and Steve Johns (drums) plus a brass quartet that features Dave Ballou (cornet, flugelhorn), his wife Leise (french horn), Peter McEachern (trombone) and Gary Buttery (tuba) - and the music reflects his upbringing in the Italian community of Waterbury.  Like many of his ensembles, Mr. Pavone blends older and younger musicians who bring a wealth of experiences to his music, enriching the listener's evening.  The concert celebrates the release of Pavone's new Playscape Recordings CD (same name as the concert).

Doors open at 7 p.m. with the music starting at 8. For more information and ticket reservations, go to www.cafenine.com/event/553707-mario-pavone-street-songs-new-haven/.

Photo by Jimmy Katz

24 years ago, saxophonist Joe Lovano collaborated with drummer (and, at the time, Wesleyan instructor) Ed Blackwell on a pair of recordings, a trio date titled "Sounds of Joy" (with bassist Anthony Cox on ENJA) and "From The Soul" (on Blue Note with pianist Michel Petrucciani and bassist Dave Holland.) The drummer, who suffered terribly from diabetes, passed away just 10 months after the Blue Note sessions. In a recent conversation with Mr. Lovano, he recalled several trips to Middletown to visit and play with Mr. Blackwell and how easy their connection was.  That connection is quite evident on the 2 CDs.

On Thursday (7/17), Joe Lovano brings his Trio Fascination to Crowell Concert Hall at Wesleyan (Wyllys Avenue) for a concert that not only celebrates those earlier sessions but also looks forward to new music that the saxophonist has created for this band. Joining him are bassist Peter Slavov (a member of Lovano's US Five band), drummer Lamy Istrefi Jr (a native of Kosovo, Albania) plus special guest Judi Silvano (vocals).  Mr. Lovano, who plays tenor and soprano saxophone (among many others), enjoys these small groups as it allows him to interact on an intimate level, building the music up from the rhythm section.  Ms. Silvano, who is the saxophonist's wife, adds her voice in unique ways, serving as another improviser with her wordless vocals.

The concert starts at 8 p.m.  For more information, go to www.wesleyan.edu/cfa or call 860-685-2806.

If you want a real treat, head over to the home page of the HR Big Band (the short name of the Frankfurt (Germany) Radio Big Band) and check out the video of Joe Lovano's performance of John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme", arranged by Jim McNeely.  Trust me, it's well worth the 2 hour investment of time as this performance is quite wonderful.  Talking with the saxophonist, he had nothing but praise for the Big Band (note the joy on drummer Paul Hochstader's face as the music unfolds) and for the superlative arrangement, which allowed him to be be himself in the midst of the legendary Coltrane composition. Mr. Lovano certainly displays a debt to Coltrane's saxophone legacy but also goes his own way throughout the performance. After a short intermission, the second half of the video features several arrangements of Lovano compositions as well as more Coltrane material.  Go to www.hr-online.de/website/rubriken/kultur/index.jsp?rubrik=2023 and hunker down for a most wonderful experience.

Speaking of impressive saxophonists, Cuban-born Yosvany Terry has made his mark on the American music scene performing alongside Dave Douglas, Ravi Coltane, Cassandra Wilson, David Murray, Taj Mahal and many others since arriving in New York City in 1999.  Not only does he play tenor and soprano saxophones but he is also known for his percussion work (especially the chekere).  He has a brand new CD, "New Throned King" (on pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba's 5Pasion label), featuring a sextet with numerous guests playing original compositions based in Terry's study of vodun.

This Thursday, he brings his Bohemian Trio for an 8:30 p.m. show at The Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme.  The ensemble, formed in 2013, features French-born cellist Yves Dharamraj (a recent graduate of Yale University) and pianist Orlando Alonso (also a native of Cuba) playing music that brings together myriad influences, from Afro-Cuban music to classical to tango to rock and much more.  Though the Trio has yet to release a CD, you can hear a selection of its music by going to www.bohemiantrio.com.  Better yet, see and hear them live in a room that accentuates the joy and sounds of music. For ticket information, go to thesidedoorjazz.com or call 860-434-0886.

On Friday, The Side Door Club presents The Zach Bartholomew Trio.  Organized in 2009 at Florida State University, the ensemble features pianist Bartholomew, bassist Brandon Robertson and drummer Miles Bozeman. They released their debut CD, "Out of This Town" in 2012, concentrating on original music and new interpretations of jazz favorites. They have played venues throughout the United States.  Their first set begins at 8:30 p.m.

On Saturday, it's the music of the Metta Quintet.  Formed at the turn of the 21st Century by the not-for-profit JazzReachInc (a group committed to the "promotion, performance, creation and teaching of jazz music", the Quintet features tenor and soprano saxophonist Marcus Strickland, alto saxophonist Mark Gross, pianist David Bryant, bassist Zach Brown, and drummer Hans Schuman.  Over the course of 3 CDs, Metta has commissioned works by Brad Mehldau, Mark Turner, Miguel Zenon, Omer Avital, the afore-mentioned Yosvanny Terry and others.  The music is exciting, forward-looking, and challenging while the band plays with great fire and style.  To find out more about the Quintet and its music, go to www.jazzreach.org/metta-quintet.html.

The opening set commences at 8:30 p.m.  Call 806-434-0886 for reservations or go to  thesidedoorjazz.com.

The next post will talk about the 4th and final concert in the UMOJA series, about this weekend's Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz and the Monday Night Bushnell Park series.

A Week With Much to Choose From

The Uncertainty Music Series presents a double bill this Tuesday (April 21) at 7:30 p.m. in the performance space of Never Ending Books, 810 State Street in New Haven. The opening act is the duo of Chris Cretella (guitar) and Adam Matlock (accordion) to be followed by the solo saxophone improvisations of Keir Neuringer (pictured left). Neuringer lives in Philadelphia but plays in venues around the world.  His most current album, "Ceremonies Out of the Air" (New Atlantis), is a 79-minute document of a single performance.  He employs techniques developed by artists such as Anthony Braxton and Rashaan Roland Kirk.

For more information, go to uncertaintymusic.com.

It's Wesleyan Jazz Weekend with 2 concerts in 2 nights in Crowell Concert Hall - the fun starts at 8 p.m. on Friday with 2 student ensembles.  Opening the show will be the University Jazz Ensemble conducted by Noah Baerman. Following that performance will be the University Jazz Orchestra directed by Adjunct Professor of Music Jay Hoggard (pictured left.)   Expect a program filled with new arrangements of jazz classics and several surprises.  For more information, go to www.wesleyan.edu.  This show is free and open to the public.

Saturday night, Wesleyan welcomes the Oliver Lake Big Band for an 8 p.m. in Crowell Hall. The 71-year old Lake has been a presence on the creative music scene since joining the St. Louis-based Black Artist Group (BAG) in the 1960s.  He moved to New York City in the mid-1970s, created the World Saxophone Quartet with Julius Hemphill in 1977 (the grow remains active today), all the while continuing a solo career.  He began his own label, Passin' Thru, in 1988 and has released numerous albums with ensembles small and large (including a recording with Professor Hoggard).  In May of 2013, his label issued "Wheels", his second recording with his 17-member ensemble (the first CD, "Cloth", was issued in January of 2003.) The music is raucous, forceful, with a generous helping of blues and swing as well as a touch of the "free jazz" that Lake has played throughout his career.

For tickets, call 860-685-3355.  To find out more about Mr. Lake's fascinating career, go to www.oliverlake.net.

'Tis a busy weekend at The Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme and the music definitely has a Connecticut connection.  On Friday night, flutist/composer Ali Ryerson (pictured left) will fill the club with music featuring her splendid Quintet.  Playing alongside her will be Mark Egan (electric bass), Pete Levin (keyboards),  Karl Latham (drums), and Mike DiMicco (guitar).  Her repertoire blends jazz classics with originals and she's quite the dynamic musician plus this is one terrific band. Her most recent CD, "Game Changer: The Ali Ryerson Jazz Flute Big Band" (Capri Records), is a fascinating recording in that all the parts, with the exception of the rhythm section, are played by flutists. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the first set commences at 8:30.


The following night, The Side Door welcomes the Curtis Brothers come to Old Lyme, an exciting quartet led by Luques (bass) and Zaccai (piano), with its blend of Afro-Caribbean music and jazz.  Born in Hartford, both studied at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Performing Arts and The Artist Collective and then went on to the Berklee School in Boston.  Their ensemble is completed by drummer (and Hartford native) Richie Barshay and percussionist Reinaldo De Jesus.  Rest assured, the performance space will be filled with poly-rhythmical delights as well as heart-felt ballads.

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

Back to Friday night and off to Firehouse 12 in New Haven where the great drummer (and now composer) Rudy Royston brings his 303 ensemble to the Elm City performance space. Royston, who grew up in the Denver, Colorado area (whose area code supplied the name for the band), has become one of the busiest drummers on the modern scene.  He works with Dave Douglas, with trumpeter Ron Miles, Bill Frisell, saxophonist JD Allen and so many more.  This splendid quintet - guitarist Nir Felder, saxophonist Jon Irabagon, trumpeter Nadje Noordhuis and bassist Yasushi Nakamura - plays with fire and delicacy, shown to great display on its self-titled Greenleaf Records release of earlier this year (the CD also features bassist Linda Oh whose quartet Royston plays in.)  The room is going to rock!  For more information, go to firehouse12.com or call 203-785-0468.

On Saturday night, The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street in Middletown, brings back guitarist/oudist Jussi Reijonen and his Un quartet.  Their first appearance in the performance space last fall was a great success. As a young boy, the Finnish born Reijonen traveled throughout the Middle East and Eastern Africa, areas whose music made a large impression on his development. His debut CD, "Un", ranges from fiery original works to an intelligent reworking of John Coltrane's "Naima."  The core band on the recording - Bruno Raberg (bass), Turkish-born Utar Artun (piano) and Palestinian-born Tareq Rantisi (percussion) - return with Reijonen and they are a mighty impressive ensemble.  For more information and reservations, go to www.buttonwood.org.  To learn more about the guitarist, go to jussireijonen.com.

Live, Local, Let's Go!

The Uncertainty Music Series, held in various locations in New Haven, continues on Wednesday, April 25, with a concert featuring the duo of Colin Fisher (guitar, saxophone, drums) and Brandon Valdivia (drums, percussion, electronics).  They go by the name of Not The Wind Not The Flag and they will perform at 9 p.m. in Elm Bar, 372 Elm Street.  NTWNTF makes music that pushes and pulls at convention, can be noisy and improvisational and will often surprise the listener.  They will add Adam Matlock (accordion) and series curator Carl Testa (bass) for a different set as an unnamed quartet.  For more information, go to uncertaintymusic.com. 

The Improvisations Concerts series at Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor Street in Hartford, continues on Thursday April 26 with an evening of solos, duos, trios and quartet music.  The series, curated by Stephen Haynes (trumpets) and Joe Morris (bass, guitar), has been an exciting addition to the resurgent live music scene in the Capitol City.  For "Improvisations VII", Messrs. Haynes & Morris welcome Kyoko Kitamura (voice) and Rick Rozie (acoustic bass).  Mr. Rozie, principal bassist with The Hartford Symphony as well as a member of the faculty at the Hartt School and the Jackie McLean Institute, has successfully maintained a career that moves from the classical to the improvisatory.  With his brother Lee "Mixashawn" Rozie, he co-led the Afro-Algonquin ensemble and also played with pianists Anthony Davis and Muhal Richard Abrams, vibraphonist Jay Hoggard and flutist James Newton.  Ms. Kitamura, who performs with reed player Michael McGinnis in the experimental ensemble ok|ok and sings with Professor Anthony Braxton's "Trillium E" ensemble, recently self-released "Armadillo in Central Park", a collection of quirky songs that will make you laugh as you scratch your head in amazement.  This should be a fascinating evening of improvisational adventures.  For more information, go to www.realartways.org or call 860-232-1006.  To find out more about the series, go to www.facebook.com/pages/Improvisations/324014434279441.

The following evening (4/27), Mr. Morris brings his guitar to Firehouse 12, 45 Crown Street, as a member of the Noah Kaplan Quartet. Mr. Kaplan (tenor and soprano saxophones), a California native and graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, will play music from "Descendents" (Hatology), a CD recorded at the Firehouse  in November of 2008 with Mr. Morris, Giacomo Merega (electric bass) and Jason Nazary (drums.) The recording is a spirited blend of serious compositions and strong improvisations, angular riffs, an interactive rhythm section and more.  The blend of burbling electric bass and Nazary's creative percussion often works as counterpoint to the saxophonist's probing melodic lines and the guitarist's quiet yet insistent phrases.  The NKQ will play 2 sets -- 8:30 and 10 p.m. --  for more information, go to firehouse12.com.  For a good overview of Noah Kaplan and his different musical adventures, go to noah-kaplan.com.

On Saturday evening April 28, the always nattily-attired Jay Hoggard (vibraphone) presents his Quartet in concert at 8 p.m. in Crowell Concert Hall, Wyllys Avenue, Middletown.  Mr. Hoggard, a Wesleyan graduate and member of the Music faculty, will present the world premiere of the multi-part suite "Sonic Hieroglyphs from Wood, Metal, and Skin", dedicated to the inspiration of Wangari Maathai, the late Nobel Peace Prize recipient from Kenya.  Quartet members include long-time associates James Weidman (piano) and Yoron Israel (drums) plus bassist Santi De Briano.  Joining them will be Professor Anthony Braxton and Marty Ehrlich (reeds), Kwaaku Kwaakye Martin Obeng (percussion) and Brandee Younger (harp.) Knowing Professor Hoggard's love of percussion and African music as well as his deep knowledge of jazz traditions, this should be an exciting evening of music.  For ticket information, go to www.wesleyan.edu/cfa or call 860-685-3355. 

Live Music (recent past + upcoming) and Selected New Favorites

The Fabian Almazan Trio - pianist Almazan, bassist Linda Oh and drummer Kendrick Scott - opened the Fall 2011 Concert Series last Friday night at Firehouse 12 with grace, style and fire.  From the opening piano notes to the "danzon" that closed both sets, the night was alive with melody and percussive intensity.  Scott, who has worked with the pianist in Terence Blanchard's band, is not on Almazan's scintillating new release, "Personalities" (Henry Cole is on the trap set), really dug into the music, pushing, prodding, driving and shining throughout the evening.  Ms. Oh is a bassist who not only underpins the music but also is a fine melodic soloist.  Her work in the second set was quite impressive, with solos that emphasized rhythmic as well as thematic possibilities.  As for Almazan, he is another one of the fine young pianists who already has his own style (Dan Tepfer, Jeremy Siskind, Gerald Clayton and Gwilym Simcock also come to mind) - there is a foundation of classical music in his approach to melody and his solos eschewed cliches.  After the second set, the pianist praised the piano and the room for helping to make his music shine.  If you get the opportunity to hear Fabian Almazan in person, do not pass it up - he makes wondrous music.

"Leapfrog" is the name of the sweet new Sunnyside CD from pianist/composer Armen Donelian and he's bringing the ensemble from the recording to play this Friday evening at Firehouse 12.  It's the same group that appeared with Donelian in April of 2010 at the Firehouse - they returned in July and October of the same year to to record the 8 tracks on the CD.  Driving the group is recent Wesleyan graduate Tyshawn Sorey (drums) ably abetted by the rock-solid bass work of Dean Johnson.  On the front line with the pianist is saxophonist Marc Mommaas and guitarist Mike Moreno.  Donelian provides the band with a number of adventurous as well as melodically rich pieces, ranging from the bluesy "Smoke" to the hard-edged "Rage" to the seductive "Mexico."  Sorey, who has powered the trio Fieldwork and Steve Coleman's group, shines throughout the program - Donelian, in his 4th decade as a professional musician, creates music that has myriad influences yet sounds fresh and refreshing.
The Group will play 2 sets, 8:30 and 10 p.m.  For more information, call 203-785-0468 or online at firehouse12.com. To find out more about the impressive career and music of the pianist, go to www.armenjazz.com. 

Saxophonist/composer Jeremy Udden, whose new CD "If the Past Seems So Bright" (Sunnyside) is a lovely and understated blend of Americana, "pop" music and jazz will be on a short tour this week (9/20 - 9/25) that will take him back home.  Udden is a native of Plainville, Massachusetts, who now lives in Brooklyn, NY but his music resonates with the feeling of small-town life. Many of the tunes on the new CD and his 2009 Fresh Sounds New Talent release that bears the name of his hometown, have rock-influenced beats yet also feature banjo and acoustic guitar.  The tour, with a band featuring guitarist Mike Baggetta, Randy Ingraham (Fender Rhodes), bassist Eivind Opsvik and RJ Miller (drums), starts at NUBLU (24 1st Avenue in New York City) then moves north to UMASS/Dartmouth (9/22), the Lilypad in Cambridge, MA, Dirty Truth in Northampton, MA, and ends in his hometown for a benefit concert on 9/25 for the Plainville Lion’s Club in the Plainville Town Park at noon. During the Massachusetts part of the short tour (funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Chamber Music America Endowment Fund), Udden will give workshops at his former elementary and high schools.  Sounds like fun for all involved - to find out more, go to www.jeremyudden.com. 

The Uncertainty Music Series, curated by multi-instrumentalist/composer Carl Testa, steps out of its home base of New Haven, CT, and heads up either Rte 91 or 17 to Middletown and Wesleyan University to use the lovely pipe organ (pictured left) housed in the school's Memorial Chapel (High Street) on Thursday September 22.  "The Musical Singularity: Music for Computer-controlled Pipe Organ" will feature new works by Forbes Graham, Ben Klein, Dean Rosenthal, Brian Parks, Michael Winter and Testa.  Each composer has created a new piece programmed so that he can sit in the audience (except for trumpeter Forbes Graham who will be on stage and programming the computer while playing his horn.)  The event, which begins at 8 p.m., is free and open to the public.  For more information, go to uncertaintymusic.com. 

RECOMMENDED NEW RELEASES:

Recently, there have been (and will be) a slew of releases featuring or inspired by poetry - "Mobile" (Inner Circle Music), the new release by vocalist Sara Serpa, has songs that take their inspiration from the poetry, fiction or essays of writers such as Herman Melville, Homer, V.S. Naipaul, John Steinbeck, e.e. cummings and Herodotus.  Ms. Serpa, who composed all but one of the melodies, realized that her fascination with the stories she read was the fact they were based on the journeys of solitary travelers.  Ms. Serpa does not enter her musical sojourns alone - aiding her is Andre Matos (guitars), Kris Davis (piano, Fender Rhodes), Ben Street (bass) and Ted Poor (drums).  What the listener realizes after several times through the program is how much of a group effort this program. Whether it's the stunning acoustic guitar opening on "Pilgrimage to Armanath" or Ms. Davis's dizzying piano solo on "Ahab's Lament", this music draws one in.  Poor can kick hard when called for ("Gold Digging Ants") or be percussively "conversational" ("Ulysses's Costume") and his cymbal work is quite impressive.  Street is the "glue" on this music, working alongside Poor through all the changes while offering musical counterpoint now and then - "Sequoia Gigantis" is a good example of his fine playing.  Matos' shimmering electric guitar work on that track stands out as well. 

Still, it is Sara Serpa's voice that haunts the listener long after the last notes fade.  Her "instrumental" work moves from scatting on several tracks to singing along with Matos' guitar ("Traveling with Kapuszinsky") to the multi-tracked chorus on cinematic "City of Light, City of Darkness" that closes the program. Her Portuguese is flawless on "Sem Razão" while "If" (a poem from cumming's first edition of poetry "Tulips & Chimneys") is dark and foreboding music leavened by Serpa's soft vocal.

"Mobile" moves the listener in many directions, whether it's the fine keyboard work of Kris Davis, Andre Matos strong guitar playing, or the active and reactive rhythm section of Ted Poor and Ben Street.  Sara Serpa's vision for the project is impressive - the creativity of her vocal work is yet another reason for one to explore this music time and again.  For more information, go to www.saraserpa.com. 

 Saxophonist Tineke Postma (alto and soprano) grows more mature and impressive with each recording.  "The Dawn of Light" (Challenge Records) is her 5th release in 8 years and features her working band.  Composed of Martijn Vink (drums, he appeared on her debut CD), Marc Van Roon (keyboards, synthesizer) and Frans Van Der Hoeven (acoustic bass), the bands wends its way through 10 tunes (6 by Ms. Postma, 2 by Van Roon, and 1 each by Thelonious Monk and Heitor Villa Lobos.)  Much of the music and some of Ms. Postma's saxophone work bears the influence of Wayne Shorter ("Falling Scales" with its various shifts in tempo and the evocative alto sax is an early example.)  Her soprano is earthy and seductive on "The Observer" then turns introspective for Van Roon's "Newland."  Esperanza Spaulding gets a vocal showcase on "Leave Me A Place Underground" (music by Ms. Postma, lyrics by Pablo Neruda) and her energetic scat singing sets the stage for a fine soprano solo.  Van Roon's acoustic work is lively and engaging while the rhythm section shines throughout.  Her alto work on the Villa Lobos piece that opens the CD, "Canção do Amor", shines with inventiveness, especially in the breathy and sprightly solo section.

"The Dawn of Light" is filled with sweet moments, songs with inventive solos and rhythmic excitement as well as melodies played with real emotion (not just someone going through the motions.)  Tineke Postma's music is well worth investigating.  For more information, go to www.tinekepostma.com.

Drummer/composer Jerry Granelli has released a slew of recordings in his long career but few as engaging  as "Let Go"  (Plunge Records). Featuring saxophonist Danny Oore and bassist/cellist Simon Fisk, the 9 tracks have an intimacy that belies the fact this is the first time the 3 men have recorded together.  There is a nakedness to the sound - the music rarely shouts - and Granelli is not the sort of player who feels the urge to be showy.  In some ways, he's like Paul Motian, not as spare perhaps but rarely intrusive.  Vocalist Mary Jane Lamond adds her voice to several tracks but it's Oore who is the main voice whose tenor, soprano and baritone saxophone work is quite impressive.  On "Leaving", his tenor rises over the funky drums and melodic bass lines while his breathy soprano swoops and swirls around the Bertolt Brecht-like "Dango."  Fisk's lively overdubbed cello lines create quite the rhythmic inspiration for Granelli on "Letter to Bjork."

The interplay throughout the CD is mighty impressive and one is attracted to the lack of clutter in this music.  Jerry Granelli and company enjoy their interactions and, if you like music that is intimate and entertaining, "Let Go" will please you.

To find out more, go to jerrygranelli.com.

Listen for yourself: