Riffs — Music News from Out and About By Patricia Myers
October 2014 AZ Jazz Update
All content copyright © Patricia Myers, psmyers1@cox.net
Co-sponsored by lakeshoremusic.org
Riffs — Music News from Out and About
By Patricia Myers
An exciting new Arizona-music website has been launched that will feature all the elements of my monthly Jazz E Updates: Riffs column, Events Calendar and Jazz Venues. I will continue to send my monthly Jazz Updates via email to all those who have asked to receive it and share with others, but this new website will provide even more music information in an easily readable format.
The online site is www.musicsceneaz.com and it is a compilation of all genres of music events throughout the state, with a special focus on local live jazz and The Young Sounds of Arizona’s two high-school honor jazz bands. I’m honored to be involved in this new project that was conceived and is sponsored by the 101-year-old Phoenix Musicians Union, Local 586. The union presents free monthly concerts open to the public at 7 pm on the first Tuesday of each month (1202 E. Oak St., Phoenix 85006). The next jazz one is Nov. 4 featuring vibraphonist Jim Cooper and pianist Armand Boatman, plus friends.
Danny Long & Friends will perform a benefit concert from 3 to 7 pm Sunday, Nov. 23, for 16-year-old Stephen Dwyer, who is being treated for leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. Stephen is Danny’s grandson, the son of his daughter Trishelle and her husband Rick Dwyer. Admission is $15 donation to COTA (Children’s Organ Transplant Association, tax deductible). An exciting lineup of local musicians will perform at OC Seven in the Scottsdale Resort and Athletic Club, 8325 E. Indian Bend Road (south side, between Hayden and Pima Roads), Scottsdale 85250, 480-991-1571. This venue has been Danny’s home-base since October 2013, currently performing from 6 to 9 pm Saturdays with Tony Vacca on tenor sax and flute, as well as solo on some Fridays. The restaurant menu and dance floor has gained a strong following during the past year, and soon also will feature the Margo Reed-Judy Roberts Duo.
Francine Reed toured all summer with the Lyle Lovett Large Band, that also included and featured guitarist Ray Herndon, who plays nightly at the Handlebar-J in Scottsdale. The band performed Aug. 25 on the David Letterman Show (see YouTube video), featuring Francine and Lyle singing a duet on “What Do You Do?” The band performed 55 concerts during 60 days nationwide, including July 24 at the Mesa Arts Center when Francine sang her signature “Wild Women Don’t Get the Blues.” Francine has been part of The Large Band for decades, and was featured on the 1995 “Live in Texas” CD for the Curb/MCA label that was recorded live in Austin and San Antonio (and is still among my top favorite albums). Past tours also featured other Arizona musicians, including drummer Dan Tomlinson, saxophonist Steve Marsh and pianist Matt Rollings.
Stan Devereaux, soul-blues vocalist, was hospitalized with injuries from a vehicular accident. A benefit was held in September at the Rhythm Room.
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Quotable:”Music is my mistress, and she plays second fiddle to no one.” – Duke Ellington
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Final Bar: Patrice (Patty) Quan, longtime jazz scholarships supporter, June 10 in Scottsdale;Dick Odette, 89, longtime Phoenix drummer, Aug. 15 in Scottsdale; Gerald Wilson, bandleader-composer, 96, Sept. 8 in Los Angeles;Jackie Cain, 86, vocalist of Jackie and Roy, Sept. 15 in Montclair, NJ.
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ARIZONA JAZZ EVENTS
Copyright © Patricia Myers, psmyers1@cox.net
** Venues listing follows Events Listing
Bookings are subject to change without notice; call to confirm
Categories: News, Young Sounds