Riffs: Music News from Out & About
By Patricia Myers
Seven acclaimed post-graduate jazz musicians from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance/UCLA Herb Alpert School will visit six underserved central-city high schools in Phoenix Oct. 19-21. They will perform concerts, present assembly programs on the history of jazz, conduct music clinics, and offer individualized lessons for high school students at Camelback, Central, Trevor G. Brown and Thunderbird, also Herrera Middle School and Arizona School for the Arts.
The ensemble also will present free classes and perform a concert at The Nash jazz club in Phoenix. Those classes are on Sunday, Oct. 18, first presenting “The History of Jazz” master class from 2 to 3 pm, followed by “Interactive Composition Workshop” from 3 to 4 pm. The ensemble’s performance with guest drummer Lewis Nash will be 7:30 to 8:45 pm Sunday, Oct. 18; general admission $20, $10 for students.
These musicians, who represent the international future of jazz, are Alex Boneham-bass, Sydney, Australia; Christian Euman-drums, Blue Island, Ill.; Michael Mayo-vocals, Van Nuys, CA; Ido Meshulam-trombone, Bat-Yam, Israel; David Otis-alto saxophone, Downey, CA; Daniel Rotem-tenor saxophone, Jerusalem, Israel; and Carmen Staaf-piano, Seattle, WA. These are not “just student musicians.” During their two years at the Institute, the students are studying every week with artists such as pianist Herbie Hancock, saxophonist Wayne Shorter, bassist Ron Carter, saxophonist Benny Golson, drummer Lewis Nash and pianist Danilo Perez. The students also take academic courses at UCLA, and attend seminars relating to the business side of music.
Longtime Arizona arts advocate Karen Scates, who has been affiliated with the Monk Institute since its inception in 1995, conceived this visit by the acclaimed ensemble. She also obtained financial support for travel and lodging, and assisted with coordinating the schools’ schedule. Once again, Scates has proved her dedication as an arts volunteer by applying her considerable energy and expertise to make possible this one-of-a-kind experience for youth and jazz fans. Bravo!
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The Buzz: Pianist Nick Manson has been named director of the new Mesa Community College Performing Arts Center Jazz Ensemble (MPJE), formerly Arizona Jazz Masterworks Orchestra (AJMO) that was created and led by trumpeter Fred Forney. The aggregation will play compositions and arrangements by Thad Jones, Lyle Mays, Woody Herman, Claire Fischer and Manson at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, in the classy new 460-seat Mesa Community College Performing Arts Center, 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa, 480-461-7172 or mesacc.edu/pac; $8, $6 students-seniors-military.
The band’s members are saxophonists Paul Brewer, Bryon Ruth, Mary Petrich, Hugh Lovelady, Chris Campbell, Emily Blair Wolf; trombones Matt Lennex, Bill Foy, Michael Lake, John Wise; trumpets Dave Coolidge, Danny Doyle, Andrew Smith, Rob Hunter; with Manson-piano, Mario Mendivil-bass and John Lewis-drums. The orchestra will perform again on Nov. 24 and, Manson said, “On April 27, New York City drummer Gerry Gibbs will be guesting with the band, performing his arrangements and those of his vibraphonist father, Terry Gibbs.”
Devon Bridgewater continues his active affiliation with the Chapito Chavarria Orchestra, playing trumpet and violin in the ensemble that performs charts of its late leader. Upcoming concerts include 7 to 9 pm Friday, Oct. 9, at Paz Cantina, 1011 N. 3rd St., Phoenix (pazcantina.com), and more concerts in November TBA. The dual-talented musician also leads his longtime Nuance trio to perform at the Mesa Arts Center’s Dia de Los Muertos festival from 12:45 pm-1:30 pm & 1:45-2:30 pm Sat., free on the center’s south stage lawn off First Ave. (mesaartscenter.com)
The Nash’s third anniversary will be celebrated with The Platinum Trio (Kenny Barron-piano, George Mraz-bass, Lewis Nash-drums) at 7 and 9:15 pm Saturday, Oct. 17, details at theash.org.
The Tucson Jazz Society has announced a new series of free Sunday jam sessions, starting Oct. 18 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort & Spa from 2:30-5:30 pm in the Cascade Lounge. The first hour will feature pianist Jeff Haskell, with Jason Carder on trumpet-flugelhorn, Mike Moynihan on saxophone, Jack Wood on bass and Fred Hayes on drums, followed by jam sets.
Longtime Valley tenor saxophonist Richie Oropeza recently performed at the popular every-Sunday jam session at the Fired Up Grill in west Chandler that’s led by the Aebi-Coulson Duo, tenor saxophonist Jim Nistico, with Bob McKeon on drums. Oropeza, who told me with a grin, “I’m 82-and-a-half,” delivered torrid tenor tones with the pizzazz of a 28-year-old with swing, bebop and blues style reminiscent of Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis. Among the jammers that September night were Katrina survivor Eddie “Bo” Paris expressing his exuberant personality on trombone and bass trumpet, David Bernstein on guitar, Selwyn Reams on bass, Gary Browning on vibes and Margo McKeon on vocals. The one jarring element was a second saxophonist who repeatedly “horned in” on Oropeza’s well-constructed solos.
Two of my 2014 jazz reviews for AllAboutJazz.com and my website MusicSceneAZ.com received awards from a national professional writers’ organization. For my critique of the Diana Krall concert at the Mesa Arts Center, the judge wrote: “This is a thoroughly satisfying review; I’m not that familiar with Ms. Krall’s music but you caught my attention with your opening line, and kept it throughout the entire review; excellent turns of phrases; this is good work.” For my review of pianists Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes at the Musical Instrument Museum, the same judge wrote: “After reading your first review, I wondered if you could repeat your fine performance, and this review shows that you did. Your writing is riveting.”
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Musicians News: Acclaimed alto saxophonist Phil Woods, 83, a National Endowment for the Arts jazz master, died Sept. 29, in Stroudsburg, Pa. His final performance was Sept. 4 at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild in that state. He reprised the classic album “Charlie Parker with Strings” with a local trio and members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Telling the audience that he had emphysema, he performed while on oxygen, and jokingly referred to the tank as “my amplifier.” He then announced that he was retiring because of his health. Woods also was known to non-jazz fans for his memorable sax solo on Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are.”
AZ’s favorite snowbird/songbird Judy Roberts has returned after a busy summer in Chicago. Vocalist Renee Patrick booked a birthday bash on Oct. 3 at Asia Kitchen in Mesa, the dynamic duo packing the house from 5:30 to 10 pm-plus. Among the guests was were Renee’s father George “Pepe” Grant (formerly of the Ink Spots), astounding with his tender rendition of “The Nearness of You” and entertaining with the upbeat “Cab Driver.” Also sitting in were guitarist Pete Gitlin and vocalist Ira Hill. A longtime Judy fan drove here just for that gig: former AZ resident Donna Stewart, now on the staff of a major San Diego television station, reminded me that she first heard Judy with me at Camelback Inn in 1984. Renee and Judy also have resumed their weekly gigs: Mondays at Malee’s on Main, Wednesdays at Eddie V’s and Fridays at Sassi, all in Scottsdale.
Another former Chicagoan, pianist-vocalist Danny Long, also headed back and performed during his visit. He recently entertained for Royal and Sue Treadway, with Tony Vacca on tenor sax and flute and Neal Seroka on bass-guitar.
Big Pete Pearson, “Arizona’s King of the Blues,” who’s been touring the European blues circuit, has a rare local performance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Janeys, 6602 Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek. Before he went onstage for the AMEHOF benefit on Sept. 27 at The Hall in Scottsdale, he told me about playing European festivals this year. Next April he will be in France, Belgium and Germany, where he often performs with the European band The Gamblers. Born in Jamaica and raised in Austin, Texas, Pearson also is known for his cooking prowess, especially barbecue. One of his recent albums, “Steppin’ Out,” features a strong aggregation of locals: Chris Gough on keyboards, Jerry Donato on tenor sax, Al Siniaho on trumpet, Terry Davis on bass guitar, Donnie Dean and Mike Howard (lead guitars), Chuck Hall (slide, Dobro), Hans Olson (lap steel guitar, harmonica), Jenny Bone (background vocals) and producer Andy Gonzales (bass, rhythm guitar, background vocals). The 12 sizzling tracks include “Salt in My Coffee,” “Too Much Trouble” and “Real Bad Dream.” The CD was produced in Phoenix on Fervor Records and recorded at The Bomb Shelter. Pearson was inducted n 1995 into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame; info at bigpeteblues.com.
Vocalist Ira Hill soon will release his first CD, “Tomorrow,” produced by Cheryl Bentyne of Manhattan Transfer, recorded in the Los Angeles studio of former Tucson bassist Brian Bromberg. Hill, a 19-year-old protégé of Dennis Rowland, said his recording colleagues were John Proulx-piano, Kevin Axt- bass, Dave Tull-drums, Craig Fundyga-vibes, Doug Webb-sax, Ramon Stagnaro-guitar and Alex Acuna-percussion.
Drummer Joe Costello toured with West Coast guitarist Gary Brandon and his band in Los Angeles, including a performance at the legendary Whiskey A Go Go in Hollywood this month.
Flugelhorn player Dmitri Matheny’s “Sagebrush Rebellion Tour” this month features concerts and conducting workshops at colleges and high schools in Wisconsin, California, Colorado, New Mexico and New York. His summer tour went to Chicago, Detroit and the Midwest.
Fans and friends are sending good wishes to pianist Armand Boatman who had triple bypass heart surgery on Aug. 30, and for trumpeter Dave “Doc” Chaney who has been hospitalized for two weeks for tests.
Former Phoenix bassist Warren Jones III, now living in Michigan, has written an E-book for Kindle/Amazon. “It Must Be The Waters: small stories to think on” is described like this: “A seemingly innocent visit from a friend sets off a series of unusual events for village boy Jayman Lattimer. With the help of a special guide and his own skeptical nature, he begins to understand more about the talents he has been gifted with. He must recount and examine some of his experiences with these powers in order to realize his potential and determine the purpose and direction his life must take.” Claudia C. Berry was the editor and photographer, and former Phoenix pianist John Shea wrote this in the book’s forward: “These stories take place in the town Warren grew up in, Altamount, NY. I find them amusing, captivating, surprising, stimulating, and sometimes touching.”
Wilton Felder, tenor saxophonist, electric bassist and co-founder of The Crusaders, died Sept. 27 from cancer in Whittier, CA. The 75-year-old jazz-funk-pop musician played bass on the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back,” Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On,” Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” album and multiple recordings by Joni Mitchell. He also recorded with B.B. King, Randy Newman, Nancy Wilson, Steely Dan, Barry White and Cat Stevens.
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Quotable: Jazz does not belong to one race or culture, but is a gift that America has given the world.—Ahmad Alaadeen, Kansas City saxophonist and educator (1934-2010)
Categories: News