0074 Jazz Booklet.qxd - Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation

www.jsjbf.org
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able of Contents
The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation
page X
began informally back in 1988 when a few local music fans met in a nite
club and plotted out the first Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival. Since
then JSJBF has grown in numbers and range of activities. Our goal is to
The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation
page X
began informally back in 1988 when a few local music fans met in a nite
club and plotted out the first Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival. Since
then JSJBF has grown in numbers and range of activities. Our goal is to
The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation
page X
began informally back in 1988 when a few local music fans met in a nite
club and plotted out the first Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival. Since
then JSJBF has grown in numbers and range of activities. Our goal is to
What’s new?
The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation
page X
began informally back in 1988 when a few local music fans met in a nite
club and plotted out the first Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival. Since
then JSJBF has grown in numbers and range of activities. Our goal is to
ANN TAYLOR
CLARKS
KIDEGORIES
SEALFONS
APRIL CORNELL
COACH
MIMI MATERNITY
SIGRID OLSEN
BANANA REPUBLIC
COUNTRY CURTAINS
NEVES JEWELERS
STACY GEMMA
BEBE
EASY SPIRIT
NINE WEST
STARBUCKS COFFEE
BELMONDO
EDDIE BAUER
THE PAPERY
TALBOTS
BLUEMERCURY
BABY GAP
PASTA FRESCA
TALBOTS PETITES
BOMBAY
GAP / GAP KIDS
PLATYPUS
VICTORIA’S SECRET
BROOKS BROTHERS
J. JILL
POTTERY BARN
CHICO'S
J. MCLAUGHLIN
RUNNING STORE
WILLIAMS -SONOMA
GRAND CUISINE
THE GROVE
ONE MILE SOUTH
OF RED BANK
ON RT 35
GROVE
INFORMATION
732-530-1200
GIFT CERTIFICATES
AT THE PAPERY
& SEALFONS
OPEN EVENINGS: MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 10 UNTIL 9 | SATURDAY 10 UNTIL 6 | SUNDAY 11 UNTIL 5
VISIT US AT WWW.THEGROVEATSHREWSBURY.COM
PROPERTY MANAGED BY
M E T R O VAT I O N
TERRANOMICS DEVELOPMENT
John Froehlich 2005
The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation
page X
began informally back in 1988 when a few local music fans met in a nite
club and plotted out the first Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival. Since
then JSJBF has grown in numbers and range of activities. Our goal is to
The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation
page X
began informally back in 1988 when a few local music fans met in a nite
club and plotted out the first Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival. Since
then JSJBF has grown in numbers and range of activities. Our goal is to
The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation
page X
began informally back in 1988 when a few local music fans met in a nite
club and plotted out the first Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival. Since
The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation
page X
began informally back in 1988 when a few local music fans met in a nite
club and plotted out the first Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival. Since
then JSJBF has grown in numbers and range of activities. Our goal is to
JERSEY SHORE JAZZ AND BLUES FOUNDATION
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dennis Eschbach, President
Fred Reilly, First Vice President
Lou Acevedo, Second Vice
President
Joan Ferraro, Secretary
Amy Caro, Treasurer
Fletcher Barkley
Steve Chrepta
Tom Cuchiarra
Greg Gaughan
Jeff Ginsberg
Mel Lowe
Steve Pszcola
STAFF
Patti Baxter, Executive Director
Ronnie Gardstein,
Director of Communications
25 Bridge Avenue Suite 150
Red Bank, NJ 07701
732 933-0541 [email protected]
www.jsjbf.org
JAZZ & BLUES NOTES
A quarterly publication of the
Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues
Foundation © 2005 Jersey Shore
Jazz and Blues Foundation
The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation
page X
began informally back in 1988 when a few local music fans met in a nite
club and plotted out the first Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival. Since
then JSJBF has grown in numbers and range of activities. Our goal is to
Ronnie Gardstein,
Executive Director
Suzie O’Kane, Articles Editor
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Mike Barris
Chris Barry
Jpat Dalton
Paul Sisolak
CONTRIBUTING GRAPHIC
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
Leigh Stoecker
JSJBF MEETING SCHEDULE
Monthly membership meetings
are held at 8 pm, on the third
Wednesday of each month, at
locations that offers live jazz or
blues. Meetings begin with
business and end with a jam
session open to all. Contact
JSJBF for location.
JSJBF NEW MEMBERS
Thomas Makoviecki
Stephen Sala
Katherine Thropp
Erika Casriel
Tom Baldino
Karen Campbell
Donald DeSantis
Marie Doberentz XL
Giorgio Goumas
Roy Metz
Karen Lee Schwarz
Joanne Wymer
Jam Room
Jersey Shore Saxophone Quintet
Music Complex
Music Makers
The Rugby School
P
resident’s Message
The nationally renown Red Bank Jazz &
Blues Festival and its more than 150,000
music fans, international headliners and
scorching newcomers is only a part of what
JSJBF offers its members and the entire
music community.
w w w . R e d B a n k Fe s t i v a l . c o m
Heritage and Future
The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation began informally back in
1988 when a few local music fans met in a nite club and plotted out
the first Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival. Since then JSJBF has
grown in numbers and range of activities. Our goal is to
preserve, promote and perpetuate jazz and blues in the Jersey Shore
region, through performance and education.
Jazz ‘N’ Blues In the Schools
We offer a variety of in-school, educational assemblies, clinics and
workshops. Our performers and presenters bring musical history to
life, help school bands bend the standards into jazz or blues, offer
writing guidance and much more. Volunteer music educators provide
weekly classes to the next generation of headliners enrolled in
JSJBF's Youth Jazz & Blues Ensemble.
Scholarships and Awards
Having have lost jazz and blues comrades both young and old, we
honor and celebrate jazz musician Tal Farlow and promoter Michael
Goforth with memorial scholarships that ensure that the music they
loved will play on through talented young performers. The annual
Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes artistic integrity over the
course of a career. The Award of Merit honors a New Jersey
resident for extraordinary support of jazz or blues.
Benefit Performances &
Community Events
Each year JSJBF’s Harpin’ Help raises funds to benefit a local
charity. Throughout the year, JSJBF assists local organizations by
arranging music for community events.
Jazz & Blues Notes
The Big Picture
JSJBF connects musicians and fans with the jazz and blues scene
well beyond the Jersey Shore. We sponsor bands to play at festivals
and music events in other parts of the U.S., and have recently begun
an international band exchange. JSJBF is a member of the Blues
Foundation and the Monmouth County Arts Council.
Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues
Foundation members receive:
- Monthly alerts about upcoming events and news of importance to
members. (You’ll want to receive these emails!)
- Discounts on JSJBF events and at area music venues.
- United Teletech Credit Union membership eligibility.
- JSJBF T-shirt for new members.
- Subscription to Jazz & Blues Notes, and more
JSJBF Suuports Its Member Bands
- Performance opportunities
- Promotional packages
- CD compilation
- Booking incentives with local clubs
- www.jsjbf.org link to your band site, and more
Check Us Out
Monthly meetings are held on the third Wednesday each month, at a
location that offers live jazz or blues. What other meetings start with
business at 8 pm, and end with a jam session open to all?
WWW.JSJBF.ORG is your link to the music, the bands, the festivals
and fund raisers, a calendar of the best jazz and blues at the shore
and beyond, plus a wealth of links to interesting and helpful sites.
Pitch in and help
JSJBF’s many active volunteers are serious about enjoying the
music and supporting JSJBF’s projects and events. Who says you
can’t have fun while working hard with a bunch of great people?
Opportunities include events, promotional activities, fund raising,
outreach, educational programs and more.
How do we get it all done?
JSJBF is run by an elected board of trustees, committees, and other
volunteers. A core staff provides professional management and
operational support. JSJBF is a NJ nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization.
Greetings from the Jersey
S h o r e J a z z & B l u e s Fo u n d a t i o n
On behalf of the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation and all of
this year’s sponsors, I’d like to welcome you to the 19th annual
CD101.9 Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival, the largest free music
festival on the East Coast. This year’s festival spotlights R&B
vocalist E.C. Scott, blues harmonica master Jason Ricci and the
Latin jazz of Eddie Palmieri on the PNC Bank Marina Stage, as
well as some of the area's finest jazz and blues artists throughout
the weekend.
There’s something for the entire family at the festival. Our food
courts will tempt you with an amazing array of foods, and Artisan’s
Alley features crafters and artists from around the world. Take a
stroll through Kid’s Zone, where you’ll find rides, games and
activities for the kids alongside the expanded Jazz & Blues in the
Schools Stage, featuring special performances and interactive
workshops for young people all weekend.
The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit corporation dedicated to preserving, promoting and
perpetuating jazz and blues in New Jersey through performance
and education. Each year we send member bands to compete in
the International Blues Challenge held by the Blues Foundation
in Memphis.
This year, we’re initiating an International Blues Exchange - hosting
the Blues Berry Jam this weekend and sending the Chuck Lambert
Band to participate in FestiBlues International de Montreal. Our
Jazz & Blues in the Schools programs, scholarships and musician
support programs all rely on membership, grants and corporate
support to accomplish these goals. Our Web site, www.jsjbf.org,
is a great way to learn more about the foundation’s year round
activities, as well as which of your favorite bands are playing
where next weekend!
We’re grateful to CD101.9 New York Chill, PNC Bank, The Newark
Star-Ledger and all of our sponsors, whose ongoing support makes
the CD101.9 Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival possible - and keeps it
a free event. Be sure to visit the sponsor booths and take advantage of the fine services and opportunities they’re proud to share
with you. We’d also like to thank the Honorable Mayor Ed
McKenna, his staff and the employees of the Borough of Red Bank
for their cooperation in making this event possible.
JSJBF programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council
on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the
Arts and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. JSJBF receives support from
the Bunberry Company, DW Smith, LLC, International Paper Company and many other
generous friends.
Enclosed is my tax-deductible, one-year membership
fee. Please send my JSJBF membership card, T-shirt
(first time members), subscription to Jazz & Blues
Notes, invitations to special events and more, to:
Name: ______________________________________
Street: ______________________________________
Town: _______________________________________
State: ___________ Zip: ________________________
Email: _______________________________________
Phone: ______________________________________
‰ Individual: $35
‰ Family: $50 (One T-shirt only)
‰ Band: $65 (One T-shirt only)
‰ Full-time Student: $20
‰ Lifetime Member: $300
(Businesses, please ask for membership packet)
‰ New member ‰ Renewal
‰ My company has a matching gift program.
A form is enclosed.
‰ Charge my:
‰ Mastercard
‰ Visa
‰ American Express
Account Number:______________________________
Security Code: ________________________________
Expiration date: _______________________________
Signature:____________________________________
While enjoying the festival, be sure to visit our festival store to
purchase T-shirts and CDs. Help us keep this proud tradition going become a Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation member.
I sincerely hope you enjoy the music and activities and continue to
support the festival. Please keep this festival edition of Jazz &
Blues Notes, as it contains lots of news about music events that
will take place throughout the summer, in a variety of venues.
Sincerely,
Dennis
Quarterly newsletter offers informative and entertaining writing on
our favorite music and the folks who make it, great event coverage
and photos of all the fun.
Count me in... I’m ready to join!
‰ My check to Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues
Foundation is enclosed:
Mail completed coupon to:
Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation
25 Bridge Avenue
PO Box 8713
Red Bank, NJ 07701
You may also fax to 732 933-9455 or join online through
the membership page of www.jsjbf.org
First Time Members T-shirt Size M L XL XXL
‰ I’d love to get involved, please contact me.
CD
1 0 1 . 9 R e d B a n k J a z z & B l u e s Fe s t i v a l 2 0 0 5
PRODUCED BY THE JERSEY SHORE JAZZ & BLUES FOUNDATION WWW.JSJBF.ORG
PNC Bank Marina Stage Lineup
MARINE PARK, RED BANK
FRIDAY, JUNE 3
4:45 pm
Sebastian Garcia (National Anthem)
5:00 pm
JPAT (IBC Winner/Acoustic)
6:00 pm
Hazmat Modine
7:10 pm
Killer Blues Band
8:30 pm
Jason Ricci (Other/Blues)
SATURDAY, JUNE 4
11:45 am Chelsea Palermo (National Anthem)
12:00 pm Radam Schwartz
1:20 pm
Jazz Lobsters
2:55 pm
Tony Trischka Band
4:15 pm
Blues Berry Jam (International Blues Exchange)
Lifetime Achievement - Homegrown Artist- Sandy Mack
Al Farlow Scholarship Award
5:35 pm
Sandy Mack 20
Award of Merit - Billy & Theresa Lilly - Cassey Callan
7:00 pm
8:30 pm
Ron Sunshine 20 minutes
E.C. Scott
SUNDAY, JUNE 5
11:45 am Katlyn Civitano (National Anthem)
12:00 pm TJ Wheeler
12:55 pm Ryan Hart & The Blue Hearts
2:10 pm
Philadelphia Funk Authority
Michael Goforth Scholarship Award
3:25 pm
Ray Rodriguez Y Swing Saboroso
Mega 50/50 Drawing, Lifetime Achievement Award-Eddie Palmeri
4:40 pm
Eddie Palmeri & La Perfecta
River Front Stage Lineup
FRIDAY, JUNE 3
5:20 pm
TJ Wheeler w/Kids Band
6:20 pm
XL
7:40 pm
Junior Mack
SATURDAY, JUNE 4
12:45 pm TJ Wheeler w/Kids Band
2:05 pm
Nite Train
3:25 pm
VooDudes
4:50 pm
Jazz Squad
6:10 pm
Alexis P Suter
7:30 pm
Andrew Neu
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2005 - (4 LOCAL)
12:30 pm Debbie Willis
1:40 pm
RD3
2:50 pm
Deb Callahan
4:00 pm
Rick Fink & His Gashouse Gorillas
Jazz & Blues in the School Stage
SATURDAY, JUNE 4
12:00 pm M’Zume - Free The Rhythms Inside Of You!
12:50 pm MC2 - Where Music & Character Come Together!
1:40 pm
Terraplane Trio - Traditional Blues
2:30 pm
Isis Tribe - African Rhythms By Young People
3:20 pm
TJ Wheeler Jug Band For Kids
4:30 pm
Yosi - Jumpin’ & Jive’n
5:30 pm
Outside the box - Teenage Blues Band
6:50 pm
TJ Wheeler Workshop - Blues Fingerpicken Workshop
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2005
12:00 pm Gary STRUNCIUS & Debbie Lawton- Folk Music For Young
Folk
12:50 pm Pam West as “Frex” Worldbeat Blues-Rock Songs For Kids
1:40 pm
JSJBF Community Youth Ensemble
2:30 pm
Dani - Fresh New Take on Kid’s Music
3:30 pm
TJ Wheeler Kids Jugband Workshop
4:20 pm
Miss Sherri
5:10 pm
Dawn Allyne from Peanut & Jammin’
Metrovation Demo/Workshop Tent
MARINE PARK, RED BANK - CHILDRENS AREA
SATURDAY, JUNE 4
12:45 PM Marc Fuchs/M’Zume’ - Shows You Some Rhythms
1:15 PM Sister Isis - How To Make A Frum & Egg Shaker
2:30 PM Terraplane Trio - Guitar & Harmonica
3:10 PM Local Commotion Walking History-Field Holler & Work Songs
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2005
12:45 PM Gary & Deb- The Art of Spoon Playing
2:10 PM Kati - Local Commotion Walking History- Blues Song Improv
3:00 PM Isis - Drum and Egg Shaker Making
3:30PM
Danny & Jimmy
After Hours Music
THE WALT STREET PUB
180 MONMOUTH STREET - RED BANK, 732-741-5936
WWW.WALTSTREETPUB.COM
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2005
9:00 PM The Incinerators w/ Special Guests
I
nterviews
Catching Up With Jason Ricci and New Blood
BY SUZIE O’KANE
Jason Ricci has appeared at JSJBF functions over the past several years,
notably Harpin’ Help 2003, followed by an outstanding performance at last
year's Red Bank Festival. I caught up with Jason between tour stops (as
usual!) for an update.
What's new since we saw you last?
Ricci: Right now, we have two new CDs out, and we’ll be going back into
the studio to record another. Live At Checkers Tavern is a new release for
2005, and I’m very happy with the music, production and engineering on it.
It’s available on the Web from Blue Sunday Entertainment at www.bluesunday.com. We have another CD out; a new harmonica compilation,
which I’m really proud of. It’s kind of ghetto looking because I made it in
Nashville (laughs), but the music’s really good. It’s called Her Satanic
Majesty Requests Harmonica Music. Hopefully, I'll have that at Red Bank,
and it’s also available from my Web site, www.jasonricci.com.
We’re going back into the studio and we’re going to do a studio CD, which
will be a new product that is representative of the band...because, in other
news, we have a brand new drummer.
Our drummer, Maki, got deported. He can’t come back into the country for
five years. We miss Maki; he was a tremendous player. But, you know,
everybody brings something different to the table. Some guys are really
great at one thing, but not as good at another, and though Maki will always
be missed, our new drummer is also phenomenal! He’s 51 years old and
he brings a lot of experience. His name is Steve Johnson; we call him
Steve “Swingin” Johnson (laughs). There will be pictures of him up on
the Web site pretty soon.
How did you find Steve?
Ricci: First of all, I want to say a couple of things in specific about Roxy
Perry. I had a really hard June; maybe the toughest month I’ve ever had
since this band’s been around. Now, Roxy's not responsible for finding
Steve Johnson, but she really came to our rescue as a person up in that
area. We love her music, her personality; she's been a really good friend
to me. She went to bat for us and she worked around the clock.
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2005
9:00 PM Karaoke Pete
ASHES CIGAR CLUB & SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
33 BROAD ST. - RED BANK, (732) 219-0710
WWW.ASHESCIGARCLUB.COM
On top of losing the drummer, I had a fan give me a hug around the neck
way, way too hard. I spent all night in the emergency room and it was just
awful. I couldn't speak for three days, much less sing.
The swelling was so tremendous and because I didn't
have time to let it heal before I had to go play again, I
did considerable damage to my vocal cords. So it really
messed me up and I'm just getting over it now. That
month was terrible and Roxy really helped me out. I
must have gotten eight or nine references for drummers
not only that would have worked out musically, but that
were ready to go.
SaturdayIncinerators plus
Ryan Hartt & The
Blue Hearts
CROSS ROADS
BAR & GRILL
MAIN STREET, ASBURY
PARK 732 774-8400
Friday - The Harley
Stevens Band
Saturday- The
BlackBerry Blues
Band Reunion
But as it turns out, Steve Johnson just came by luck. A
friend of a friend here in Nashville referred him. He's
from my home state of Maine, and when I heard that, I
was able to drop a couple of names of some players up
there that I grew up playing with; Nick Curran and D.W.
Gill and some other guys, and he had played with all of
them. So, I already knew he was good. I didn't have to
wait to get a CD or ask him questions about this or that
type of drum beat. He just knew everything, so I said
why don't you come and do a gig with us. I had a weekend in South Carolina and I brought him out.
PINE TAVERN
ROUTE 34 MATAWAN
732 727-7186
Friday - The Dennis
Peters Band
Saturday Sonny Kenn
John Froehlich 2005
I liked him a lot and right away I felt like I had found the
best possible drummer I was ever gonna find. So the
only question was, “Was his personality going to
work?” And it did, because being a little bit older and
coming from that older
school, it really rounded the
band out. Slim is 57 and
he’s also part of the rhythm
section, meaning drums
and bass, and now I have
the drummer at 51. They
both come from a similar
school, where they play
behind the beat. Now, Maki
played on top of the beat or
on the beat, and that was a
problem with my bass player. So now, I have a better
match for the rhythm section. Sean (Starski) and I;
we just had to adjust to
playing a little bit more
behind the beat which is
good for us, because we’re
shredders and it's good for us to slow down a little bit, too. The band is
more rocking than it's ever been; it's just a tighter groove.
Yeah, I could imagine, because you guys were all so tight - the show at
Mexicali a couple of months ago was just fabulous...
Ricci: But that’s never gonna stop because it's like a democracy on stage.
That's just the way the band works.
Well, you’re obviously the front man, but it’s great when you have players
that match your talent.
Ricci: Yeah, exactly. I want to be pushed every night; I don’t want to pull.
These guys are great, and hopefully, everything will go well and I'll have
the same band when I get to New Jersey. It’s been so hard, but we’re okay
and everything’s great; the new CD's coming out, and God! On the road,
we’re gonna beat 300 days this year!
You’re definitely developing a following! Everybody’s really excited to
have you come back here to the Red Bank Festival.
Ricci: When we were touring in Florida, we met a bunch of people there
who were from New Jersey who somehow didn’t know about the Red
Bank Festival. So, we’re gonna have a whole mess of other people there
that are coming because of touring we did down in Florida.
I
nterviews
Eddie Palmieri, Latin Jazz Ambassador to the World
BY SUZIE O’KANE
The CD101.9 Red Bank Festival 2005 builds to a crescendo when Eddie
Palmieri and his orchestra, La Perfecta, take the PNC Marina stage on
Sunday evening.
Recognized as the Latin Jazz Ambassador to the World, the Spanish
Harlem born, seven-time Grammy Award winner Eddie Palmieri is one of
the foremost Latin pianists of the last half-century. Celebrating his fiftieth
year in the business, Palmieri continues to compose with stylistic
innovation, from classic Tico albums, to mixing
salsa with R&B, pop, rock, Spanish vocals and
more jazz improvisation.
Congratulations on your 50th year in the business!
What keeps you inspired?
Palmieri: Thank you. Well, it’s the love for the
music; the love and happiness in everyone's eyes
when they’re dancing or listening to the orchestra.
It's a mutual exchange between the audience, the
dancers and us. I’ve always been an orchestradance leader and I enjoy that very, very much.
Writing and performing must be equally exciting.
Palmieri: Yes, as a matter of fact, they’re all my
original compositions. And what happens is we
come in with two different orchestras. We have the
south orchestra, which is with the vocalist. Then
we have a jazz octet or septet, depending on the
engagement, but that's a Latin Jazz orchestra, and we played with them
this weekend in Denver, Colorado, and then we went to Salt Lake City.
Latin jazz is one of the hottest musical forms in terms of popularity today.
Palmieri: Well remember, it’s the maximum of the harmonic structures in
musical harmony, so it leads into the jazz world. With the Latin jazz,
because of the rhythms that we are able to put behind the structure to
accompany it, that’s the most exciting rhythmic pattern in the world! It
gets you dancing; it gets you jumpin’!
You have a new record, Listen Here, due for release this June, featuring
a whole list of great artists: Michael Brecker, John Scofield, Christian
McBride, John Benitez,
David Sanchez…
Palmieri: Yes, and
Regina Carter, Nicholas
Payton. We also have
Horacio Hernandez on
drums, Giovanni Hidalgo
on congas, and then we
had on the lineup, Mr.
Brian Lynch on trumpet,
Donald Harrison on alto,
and Conrad Herwig on
trombone...and on some
of the compositions,
Doug Beavers on trombone, too.
Tell me about your band.
Palmieri: La Perfecta II
has been together now
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for over two years, going on three. And now it’s just to do certain specific engagements. We were traveling with it. We went to Europe, we
went all over and into the States, and it went over very well because it
was the sound of the original La Perfecta, which I devised about 43
years ago. The sound of the two trombones with the flute is quite a
unique sound and is very exciting, also, with the hard rhythm section
behind it…and a vocalist. The vocalist is Herman Oliveras, and he did a
tremendous job on the two CDs. It’s a combination between the
Perfecta II and the Latin Jazz compositions that are on those two CDs,
so it’s a nice combination. But, the orchestra, we’re phasing it out as far
as presentations that we're doing. They’re not as major as they were
about two years ago.
A lot of people describe your music as Latin Jazz Fusion, noting some of
the influences like Thelonius Monk and McCoy Tyner. How would you
describe it?
Palmieri: Well, I really enjoy experimenting on variations on themes and
within the composition, to be able to turn it around into a different
rhythmical pattern later, you know, like when the orchestra comes in.
So, Latin Jazz Fusion is a good terminology because it encompasses
the way I present the orchestra; the melodic message coming from the
composition. At the same time, it satisfies the jazz players; the way I
engineer the design of the arrangement and it’s complimentary to the
Latin rhythm section. It also takes priority within the composition at a
certain time, so it'’s quite exciting.
We’re all looking forward to seeing you in Red Bank and it will be an
honor having you and your orchestra perform at the festival this year.
Palmieri: We’re very excited to be able to appear at the Festival. We’re
looking forward to it and it will be very exciting just knowing that it’s
where Count Basie (one of my favorite orchestras) came from. It will be
my honor to be able to perform for you.
I
nterviews
E.C. SCOTT ~ The Empress of Soul
BY SUZIE O’KANE
The last time E.C. Scott
played the festival was
just after the 9/11
tragedy. When we
spoke, Scott recalled
the somber atmosphere at Six Flags
Great Adventure,
where the festival
was held that year,
when smoke from the
Trade Center fire was
still visible, and Six
Flags was moving all
their Halloween decorations; the skeletons,
and putting them in
the back lot. Scott is
thankful to be returning to the Red Bank
Jazz & Blues Festival
under much happier
circumstances and noted, “Not that we will ever have that behind
us…only in a way. It will never be forgotten.”
How did you get your start in singing?
Scott: I never wanted to do anything but sing. I’ve been singing since I
was three.
Was your family supportive of your pursuit of blues music?
Scott: Well, my mother wanted me to pursue gospel.
How did you make the transition?
Scott: It was very difficult. It took a while. It wasn’t as easy as it sounds. I
teetered back and forth for a while because it was sort of against the way
I was brought up, and then I just made the plunge. My godfather said, “You
know, you can sing and still be a good person.” He just kind of enlightened
me on things I could do and still love God, and that worked for me.
The Blues Berry Jam
BY SUZIE O’KANE
The JSJBF and FestiBlues International of Montreal have joined forces in an
“artist exchange” program, whereby a member band from each organization is sent to perform at the other’s summer festival. This year, the Chuck
Lambert Band was chosen as the JSJBF representative group at FestiBlues.
In turn, JSJBF will welcome The Blues Berry Jam to the Jersey Shore at
the 2005 CD 101.9 Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival!
Gilles Gauvreau, organizer of FestiBlues and the band’s manager, gave me
an idea of what the Red Bank audience can expect from a Blues Berry Jam
performance.
Being a Canadian band, the Bluesberry Jam will probably be new to much
of the Red Bank audience. What style of blues does the band perform?
Gauvreau: They play all the classic blues, which are generally written for a
guitar, bass and vocals. But as the band is comprised of keyboards,
harp, bass, drum and guitar, the music is adapted for the five instruments,
plus vocals.
You originally sang cover music. At what point did you discover your
talent for songwriting?
Scott: When I couldn’t find anyone to write for me. Back in ‘93, I decided to
record. I had already put out a single, and I decided to record a CD to
move up a notch and couldn’t find anyone to write for me. So, I said, “Well,
I think I know how to do this,” and I tried it out. And the very first song that
I wrote was one of the first songs that Blind Pig (Records) selected for my CD.
What inspires the subject matter for your songs?
Scott: Life, itself. From my or others' experience, or reading a newspaper.
It just jumps out at you and you grab a pencil and go for it.
On your latest CD, The Other Side of Me, is there any particular song that
stands out as especially close to you?
Scott: No, they’re like children. Everybody’s close to mom!
Little Milton also appears on that CD. Who are the musicians you most
enjoy playing with?
Scott: Milton is one. He’s a pro in the studio. Vernon Black (Mariah Carey
guitarist), what a wonderful guitar player he is! Chris Cobb. There are just
a lot of great musicians on that CD.
Are you touring with them?
Scott: No, they are guests on the CD. I’m touring with my band, “Smoke,”
which has been around for many, many, many years (laughs). They’re a
great group of musicians!
Who do you feel has been the greatest influence on your musical style?
Scott: Probably my godfather. He was a singer and a keyboard player. I
see a lot of things that I do that he used to do. But, coming up, I was
influenced by a lot of gospel singers. And naturally, as a young girl, Aretha
Franklin was hot! A lot of artists...you know, I just loved music.
How do you balance your career and your heavy tour schedule?
Scott: I always thank my children for “sharing their mom,” because if they
didn’t want to share, I probably wouldn’t be an entertainer. My kids are
grown now, so before, I was like a single woman on the run, living my
second childhood.
Where do want to take it from here?
Scott: I just want to do good music. I’m looking forward to being at Red
Bank this year. This will be on a very happy note; this will be great!
Who would you say
are their major
influences?
Gauvreau: B.B.
King, Howlin’ Wolf,
Koko Taylor, John
Lee Hooker…
Is there a thriving
blues scene in
Canada?
Gauvreau: In the
province of
Quebec, the blues
is very popular in
summer because
of the festivals. It’s
really “summer
music.” The people like to get outdoors. Blues and
beer go together (laughs), so in summer, when there's lots of good cold beer,
along with really good blues, the people appreciate and enjoy it. It’s very
hard for the band to play in winter, because only the bars are available and
there are no big halls devoted to live blues. In Montreal, there are only one
or two clubs left where you can hear blues every weekend, and if you go
outside Montreal, it’s very rare.
Who are the Blues Berry Jam band members?
Gauvreau: The band is made up of vocalist Nancy Desmarais, who sings
very much in the style of Susan Tedeschi. On percussion is my son, J.F.
Gauvreau. Olivier Hottin plays bass, Nicolas Piguet is on harp, Éric Maher on
guitar, and Sebastien Dubois on keyboards.
The kids met when the FestiBlues International
de Montréal added a Blues Relief feature in our
1988 event. After that first edition, seven kids
formed the band, and my wife Johanne and I
became their second family, manager and
agents. The band now has five musicians and a
female vocalist. The keyboard, bass and the guitar player studied music in college and university,
while the drummer, harp player and singer all
studied in private schools, creating a fabulous
mix of talent. They already have some compositions set for their second CD.
Grands Classiques Du Blues will be available at the Red Bank Festival, and
can also be purchased online at www.bluesberryjam.cjb.net.
Has The Blues Berry Jam played internationally or in the U.S. before?
Gauvreau: No, Red Bank will be their first time playing in the States. We’ll
begin touring internationally in the States, then in November they will perform at Blues Sur Seine in France, this year being Blues Sur Seine’s seventh
year.
The band would like to send special thanks to JSJBF’s Nicky Coppola for this
opportunity. It's a great band - the Red Bank audience can expect to see an
exciting performance and to hear some great blues music!
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Last January they opened for Mr. Colin James,
one of the best guitar players in Canada. In
Quebec, they have played all the blues fests, as
well as the International Jazz Festival. So the Red
Bank Jazz & Blues Fest will be their first time
playing outside Canada.
Is there a CD currently available from The Blues
Berry Jam?
Gauvreau: Yes, their first and current CD is entitled Les Grands Classiques Du Blues (The Great
Classics of the Blues). This CD contains all covers, but next fall the band will return to the studio
to record a new CD of all original material. Les
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I
nterviews
T.J. Wheeler
BY SUZIE O’KANE
The last time E.C. Scott
played the festival was
just after the 9/11
tragedy. When we
spoke, Scott recalled
the somber atmosphere at Six Flags
Great Adventure,
where the festival
was held that year,
when smoke from the
Trade Center fire was
still visible, and Six
Flags was moving all
their Halloween decorations; the skeletons,
and putting them in
the back lot. Scott is
thankful to be returning to the Red Bank
Jazz & Blues Festival
under much happier
circumstances and noted, “Not that we will ever have that behind
us…only in a way. It will never be forgotten.”
How did you get your start in singing?
Scott: I never wanted to do anything but sing. I’ve been singing since I
was three.
Was your family supportive of your pursuit of blues music?
Scott: Well, my mother wanted me to pursue gospel.
How did you make the transition?
Scott: It was very difficult. It took a while. It wasn’t as easy as it sounds. I
teetered back and forth for a while because it was sort of against the way
I was brought up, and then I just made the plunge. My godfather said, “You
know, you can sing and still be a good person.” He just kind of enlightened
me on things I could do and still love God, and that worked for me.
You originally sang cover music. At what point did you discover your
talent for songwriting?
Scott: When I couldn’t find anyone to write for me. Back in ‘93, I decided to
record. I had already put out a single, and I decided to record a CD to
move up a notch and couldn’t find anyone to write for me. So, I said, “Well,
I think I know how to do this,” and I tried it out. And the very first song that
I wrote was one of the first songs that Blind Pig (Records) selected for my CD.
What inspires the subject matter for your songs?
Scott: Life, itself. From my or others' experience, or reading a newspaper.
It just jumps out at you and you grab a pencil and go for it.
On your latest CD, The Other Side of Me, is there any particular song that
stands out as especially close to you?
Scott: No, they’re like children. Everybody’s close to mom!
Little Milton also appears on that CD. Who are the musicians you most
enjoy playing with?
Scott: Milton is one. He’s a pro in the studio. Vernon Black (Mariah Carey
guitarist), what a wonderful guitar player he is! Chris Cobb. There are just
a lot of great musicians on that CD.
Are you touring with them?
Scott: No, they are guests on the CD. I’m touring with my band, “Smoke,”
which has been around for many, many, many years (laughs). They’re a
great group of musicians!
Who do you feel has been the greatest influence on your musical style?
Scott: Probably my godfather. He was a singer and a keyboard player. I
see a lot of things that I do that he used to do. But, coming up, I was
influenced by a lot of gospel singers. And naturally, as a young girl, Aretha
Franklin was hot! A lot of artists...you know, I just loved music.
How do you balance your career and your heavy tour schedule?
Scott: I always thank my children for “sharing their mom,” because if they
didn’t want to share, I probably wouldn’t be an entertainer. My kids are
grown now, so before, I was like a single woman on the run, living my
second childhood.
Where do want to take it from here?
Scott: I just want to do good music. I’m looking forward to being at Red
Bank this year. This will be on a very happy note; this will be great!
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P
erformers
ALEXIS P. SUTER
Never mind the sugar-coated, copycat, canned music out there; Alexis P.
Suter is the real deal. A staple of underground garage sounds since the
early 90’s and the first African-American woman signed to Japan’s SONYEPIC label, her legendary Club Shelter anthem “Slam Me Baby” distinguished her as a genuine underground star.
Urban, soul, groove, blues, R&B, rock...monikers can’t define her style. All
seamlessly flow from her tenor dream pipes. A seasoned gospel performer,
Alexis is used to singing from the heart and soul. The intensity of her live
performances result in standing ovations each and every time.
Alexis P. Suter’s latest release, Shuga Fix, makes it clear that she is a force
to be reckoned with. Moving, thoughtful, powerful, and with a groove that
just won't stop. From the mouth of Doc’ Blues, “anytime Alexis Suter offers
you a ‘Shuga Fix,’ you should take it!!”.
ANDREW NEU
Nationally acclaimed saxophonist, composer and arranger Andrew Neu
enjoys a reputation as an extremely versatile musician, comfortable
playing with the Philly Pops as he is with performing at the Newport Jazz
Festival. Neu’s talents are in high demand, and he has shared the stage
with such luminaries as Mel Torme, Tito Puente, The Four Tops and The
Temptations, among others. He has also recorded with a number of
national acts, including Sister Sledge and jazz bassist Gerald Veaseley.
Fueled by the critical success of his first album, Inspire, Neu has focused
his energy on performing with his own band, and has delighted audiences
at Musikfest, Penn’s Landing, and at many regional jazz venues. He is
currently in the finishing stages of his second album, due to be released
this summer.
BLUES BERRY JAM
The truth is, who in our day and age plays or sings the blues for the love of
it? The members of Montreal group The Blues Berry Jam know what they
want: play blues and more blues and nothing but the blues, just for the
love of it. Known for its interpretations and compositional talent, this
charismatic group is made up of five musicians and one remarkable singer,
Nancy Desmarais. Joined by drummer Jean-Francis Gauvreau, guitarist
Eric Maher, bassist Olivier Hottin, harmonica player Nicolas Piguet, and
Sebastien Dubois on piano, The Blues Berry Jam is a talented young group
whose influences hail from both the Chicago Blues and Delta Blues.
Inspired by artists like B.B. King, Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker and Susan
Tedeschi, Blues Berry Jam is an experienced band, determined to please,
and full of enthusiasm to entertain.
The Blues Berry Jam participates in the 2005 Red Bank Jazz and Blues
Festival as part of the International Blues Exchange.
CHELSEA PALERMO
A vocal major graduate of the Red Bank Regional High School Visual Arts
Performing Academy, Chelsea Palermo has been singing since she was
three years old. Focusing on jazz since the age of 12, her two main
influences are Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
For four years, Palermo was one of eight vocalists chosen statewide for
the “Jazz for Teens” program at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in
Newark. She has received the Governor's Award in Vocal Music, and was
a member of the New Jersey Honors Jazz Choir and Allstate Opera
Company. Palermo was a finalist at the New York audition of American
Idol, and was also a winner of the WJLK Radio Station Vocal contest.
She has represented Monmouth County as a solo vocalist in the State
Teen Arts Festival.
Palermo performs with professional jazz musicians in restaurants, singing
jazz, pop and R&B. She sings the National Anthem for professional sports
and business events, and attends Brookdale Community College in Lincroft
as a music major.
DEB CALLAHAN
Philadelphia’s blues and soul-drenched vocalist and songwriter Deb
Callahan has been a fixture on the mid-Atlantic music scene for the past
several years. Now getting airplay throughout the U.S., Europe, and as far
away as Australia, her debut CD, If the Blues Had Wings, has been
embraced by critics and fans, being featured as the “Hot Debut” in the
October/November 2004 issue of Blues Revue Magazine. The magazine
refers to her as “the next Bonnie Raitt.” Sing Out! Magazine says Callahan
“sings with all the authority of Ma Rainey or Janis Joplin, but it's her songwriting that sets her apart.”
Visit www.debcallahanband.com for more information.
DEBBIE WILLIS JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Her unique voice is smooth and silky with a bit of smoke, and her sound is
sultry and sophisticated. Debbie Willis has performed all over the tri-state area,
New Orleans, Los Angeles and at the St. Luke’s Theater in New York City.
The vocalist’s ensemble breaks into any size to compliment the venue, and
features Louise Bailey on percussion; Gil Carlson, guitar; Blue Ocean, drum
synthesizers, timpani, congas & percussion; Joe Paterson on jazz guitar;
and trumpeter Jerry Pashin, an integral part of the Jazz & Blues scene.
Also featured are Bill Sapienza on keyboards, Rodney Williams on sax and
flute, and Jeff Zach on drums.
HAZMAT MODINE
Hazmat Modine delivers a rustic, deliriously Dionysian blend of whorehouse blues, reggae, Klezmer, country and gypsy-tinged music. The band
features the dueling harmonicas of frontman Wade Schuman and Randy
Weinstein, funky tuba powerhouse Joseph Daly, virtuoso guitarists Pete
Smith and Michael Gomez, and drummer Rich Huntley. Schuman is one of
the most dynamic performers on the New York scene, and Hazmat holds
down a smoldering groove behind his raspy, bluesy voice and passionately
energetic stage presence.
While they play mostly originals, their cover versions are choice and
eclectic, including songs by Slim Gaillard, Jimmy Rogers, Jaybird Coleman,
and Irving Berlin. Their live show frequently features guest artists from the
best of the New York music scene, including cult-favorite singer/accordionist Rachelle Garniez, Moonlighters steel guitarist extraordinaire Henry
Bogdan, and the great cimbalomist Alex Federiouk.
Alan Young of Trifecta says, “With their sly musical wit, expert musicianship and completely unique sound, Hazmat Modine has built a wide and
devoted following, drawing crowds to shows at venues as diverse as the
Knitting Factory, Terra Blues, the Fez, Satalla and Galapagos Art Space.”
JAZZSQUAD
The Jazzsquad brings joy to audiences throughout the tri-state area with
their catchy originals, fiery hard bop tunes, and poignant jazz standards.
The band features Andy McLoud (bass), who has worked extensively with
jazz greats Pharaoh Sanders, Hannibal Peterson, Sonny Fortune and Mary
Lou Williams. He has appeared on over 50 recordings and currently tours
with Savion Glover. Bruce Edwards (guitar) has been a "first call" guitarist
in New York's diverse music community. His versatility enables him to play
a rock gig with G.E. Smith of the Saturday Night Live band in one moment,
P
erformers
and the avant-garde space music of jazz visionary Sun Ra in the next.
Conrad Herwig (trombone) has recorded 16 albums as a leader. His new
CD release, Another Kind of Blue - The Latin Side of Miles Davis, was nominated for a 2005 Grammy Award. Sarah Hommel (drums, compositions,
and vocals), is a joyful, swinging performer, whether behind the drums,
singing her original tunes, or playing with her acclaimed percussion
ensemble. And Audrey Betsy Wright's (saxophones, flute) searing, gospeltinged saxophone can be heard in the Metropolitan Gospel Big Band, the
Midnight Sun Jazz Orchestra, and the Klez Dispensers.
Visit www.jazzsquad.com for more information.
JUNIOR MACK BAND
The Junior Mack Band is a hard driving group that explores the world of
traditional blues with excursions into jazz, rock, soul and gospel. The band
consists of Junior Mack on guitar and vocals, La Frae Sci on drums and
Andy Eulau on bass. Contributing on the Hammond B3 is Matt Zeiner.
Drawing from a wide variety of influences, the band's goal is to take the
listener on a musical journey. The Junior Mack Band has performed at the
Jamsa Blues Festival in Finland for the past two years.
KENNY G
Fifteen albums and counting, Kenny G's saxophone acrobatics have made
him an international success and a Grammy Award winner. His latest
release, At Last - The Duets Album, is a testament to his love for making
great music and surrounding himself with great artists. To craft this album,
Kenny worked with some of the finest, such as Barbara Streisand, Gladys
Knight, Brian McKnight and Arturo Sandoval.
His sound has been a staple on adult contemporary and smooth jazz radio
stations since the mid-80's. He has made the soprano sax sound appealing
to millions of fans with songs like "Songbird," "Forever in Love," and
"Sentimental."
KILLER BLUES BAND
The Killer Blues Band is a profoundly original three-piece outfit led by
electric violinist Perry Leandro, who screams the blues on violin on par
with any guitarist. We're talking "Wah Wah" violin folks !
With no bass guitar in the group, one-half of its rhythm section is pounded
out by the smokin' left hand of Hammond-style organist Jeff Kiseli.
Imagining the impact of grooving to the rockin,' sweaty, smokin' sound of
this trio with no traditional six-string or bass guitarist must be seen to be
believed!
The group is navigated by the rock steady big beat of drummer Mike Antol.
One of the most popular groups in the New York/Tristate area, they have
been together over ten years. The Killer Blues Band is one of the house
regulars at B.B. King's Blues Club in Times Square, and is also a popular
attraction at all the local pubs, festivals, concerts and universities throughout the Jersey Shore area.
Check out the Killer Blues Band's self-produced live CD, Blues Violin
Volume One.
PHILADELPHIA FUNK AUTHORITY
Specializing in a rich mix of funk, soul, R&B, and ultimate party music, the
Philadelphia Funk Authority has successfully entertained thousands of fans
in countless venues across the country. Authentically recreating the unde-
niable grooves and tunes of such 70's staple artists as Stevie Wonder,
Earth Wind & Fire, Tower of Power, James Brown and many others, the
Philadelphia Funk Authority has shared the stage with Elton John at
Philadelphia's Kimmel Center; performed in Houston, Texas at the NFL
Commissioner's Super Bowl XXXVIII party; played at New York's
Hammerstein Ballroom; wowed audiences at the Red Bank Jazz &
Blues, Musikfest, Awkscht Fescht, and Mayfair festivals, and even
helped cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles at the Veterans Stadium Fan
Fair. Combining excellent musicianship with an infectious sense of fun,
the Philadelphia Funk Authority is not to be missed!
Visit www.phillyfunk.com for more.
RADAM SCHWARTZ BAND
"You gotta supply the groove" is an oft-repeated credo of soul jazz
organist Radam Schwartz. As leader of his eponymous band, Schwartz
has spent over 25 years as a master of the Hammond B3, compared to
the likes of luminary organists Charles Earland and Jack McDuff. The
Cadence Review has called him "a marvel, a total workhorse carrying
the bass line, comping, filling up holes and contributing good solos
when called upon."
Schwartz released an acclaimed solo album, ORGAN-ized, in 1995. He
has performed with Arthur Prysock, Cecil Brooks III in the CBIII Band,
Eddie Lockjaw Davis, and David Fathead Newman. Schwartz is a longtime affiliate of the Jazz Institute of New Jersey.
RAY RODRIGUEZ Y SWING SABROSO
Ray Rodriguez y Swing Sabroso have been delighting audiences
throughout the tri-state area and abroad with their unique style of
"Salsa Dura" and "Latin Jazz."
Swing Sabroso's performances are precision tight and its popularity
continues to grow. They have been the featured main attraction at
clubs, festivals, and at many black tie events. Each musician in the
band brings with them a wealth of talent and experience from having
previously worked with some of the top names in the Latin music industry.
Ray Rodriguez (leader-saxophone/flute) founded the group in 2001 and
has been a guest artist with Dave Valentine, Claudio Roditi, Ray Vega,
Edy Martinez, and many other well-known artists.
Ray Rodriguez y Swing Sabroso are currently in the studio working on
their first CD.
RICK FINK AND HIS GAS HOUSE GORILLAS
Friends told Rick Fink that he was crazy to start a jump blues band in a
post Cherry Poppin' Daddies world. Fink, however, had no intention of
starting a zoot suited neo-swing band with aging punk rockers and 90'sstyle irony, playing at 140 beats per minute. Rick's band would play
classic American music for scenesters and regular folks alike.
Whether "Swingin' the Blues", or conjuring the fiery intensity of an early
rock & roll combo, the sound of Rick Fink and His Gas House Gorillas is
uniquely retro and modern all at once. Its members have both appeared
on stage and recorded with such greats as B.B. King, Gary U.S. Bonds,
Los Lobos, Baby Face, Chubby Checker, Bruce Willis, Jerry Lee Lewis
and Danny Aiello.
With their house rockin' live shows and new CD, the Gorillas have been
compared favorably to artists that include Bill Haley and his Comets,
and Brian Setzer.
P
erformers
THE ROBERT CRAY BAND
Their 1986 major label debut, Strong Persuader, went double platinum and
won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Recording. Since then, The
Robert Cray Band has also earned two gold albums, five Grammy Awards
and 11 nominations. The pre-eminent blues guitarist with the gospelinflected vocals, Robert Cray has collaborated with Eric Clapton, Tina
Turner, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, and even Tony Bennett (whose
2003 Grammy winning CD Playing With My Friends is named for the title
song that Robert co-wrote). The band's newest CD is Twenty.
RON SUNSHINE & FULL SWING
Singer, songwriter, and harmonica master Ron Sunshine has been performing all around the world since 1990 with his band, Full Swing, releasing five
CDs along the way. The current lineup includes saxophonist Craig Dreyer,
drummer Jason Pharr, organist Kyle Koehler, trumpeter Tim Ouimette, and
guitarist Matt Chertkoff. With its soulful mixture of catchy original songs,
jazz standards and blues/R&B classics, the band continues to win new followers. They have been featured on CNN, BET, NBC, Fox, BBC, and other
international television and radio networks, along with numerous nationally-released compilation CDs, books, and films. Ron Sunshine & Full Swing
have dazzled audiences from New York to Los Angeles, Paris to Stockholm,
and Bermuda to Red Bank.
Visit www.ronsunshine.com.
RYAN HARTT & THE BLUE HEARTS
Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts are one of New England's best traditional
blues bands. Playing the same mixture of Chicago, Texas and jump blues
that filled postwar California, the Blue Hearts evoke the sounds of Chicago
legends like Muddy Waters and Little Walter, as well as modern masters
like Rod Piazza and William Clarke.
Singer/harmonica player Ryan Hartt, guitarist Eric Ducoff, upright bassist
Jeff Berg and drummer Nick Toscano have performed at some of the best
clubs and festivals in the northeast. Their debut CD, Empty Wallet, produced by Rick Holmstrom, has won praise from fans, critics, DJs and musicians throughout the world. Their latest release, Yeah Man!, featuring special guest Junior Watson, adds swamp blues, organ trio jazz, West Side
blues, 40's R&B and just a dash of roots rock to the 50's-styled Chicago
and Jump blues they have become known for.
TONY TRISCHKA BAND
What can only be described as a jazzy, rocky, bluegrassy jam band, the
Tony Trischka Band plays music that hangs together with an unswerving
core of taste and invention. Featuring the technical wizardry of Tony
Trischka (banjo), Michael Amendola (saxophone and flute), Rolf Sturm (guitar and vocals), Bob Bowen (electric and acoustic basses), Scott Neumann
(drums and percussion), Trischka and his band please diverse crowds
across the country with their musical prowess and on-stage interaction.
The New York Times has called Trischka "a modern master of the banjo," "a
banjo virtuoso," and "the godfather of...new acoustic music." With a legion
of students, including Bela Fleck and Emily Robinson of the Dixie Chicks,
Trischka is certainly one of the most revered.
VooDUDES
What is that VooDoo The VooDUDES do? Think of it as a hot gumbo of New
Orleans funk, boogie woogie and honky tonk. Since 1990 the band has
toured, recorded and served up its musical cuisine at several types of gigs,
appearing on MTV, at the Hard Rock Cafe, and in numerous festivals. The
VooDUDES have produced three CDs (Wake the Dead, Night of the Living
'DUDES, and Block Party) and even offer their own line of hot sauces, the
perfect accompaniment to their music.
The VooDUDES are Dave Ambrosy (vocals and drums), Gary Ambrosy (guitar, lapsteel and vocals), John Barry (vocals, keyboards and accordion),
Andy Bernstein (vocals, harmonica, rubboard and percussion), and Fred
Saunders (bass). The group will be joined at the Red Bank Jazz and Blues
Festival by the Hellacious Horns: Tommy LaBella (saxes) and Neal Pawley
(trombone).
Visit www.thevoodudes.net for more information.
W
R
eviews
ROXY PERRY - Back in Bluesville
BluePerry Hill Records
CD REVIEW BY BOB UNGER
The powerful horns on the opening track of this CD roll in like thunder and
the rich guitar work generates an electricity that sets the listener up for an
unforgettable trip. Back in Bluesville is a powerful blues allegory with Roxy’s
rich vocals leading us down the road she’s been on many, many times
before - the road that always leads her back to Bluesville.
This is a superb opening for a long awaited CD, which takes us down many
paths in various moods and styles. Roxy's a gutsy and powerful vocalist and
her lyrics are as ear catching and clever as ever.
In the horn driven “Whole Dog” Roxy lays it on the line to her lover, proclaiming she’s the real deal and he better not fail. She wants the Whole Dog,
not just a piece of tail. Roxy’s commanding vocals and Eric Merovitch's
powerful horns are solid and tight and give this tune its punch.
The rock-oriented “Stone in the Sea” displays Dave Fields’ masterful guitar
work, as Roxy displays her vulnerable side, singing about a Svengali-like
relationship wherein she goes down like a Stone in the Sea at his every
move and intention.
“Midnight Train” could be Roxy’s darkest, yet most determined lyrics yet.
The Midnight Train calls her to pack up and leave an abusive relationship.
The soundtrack is not what you would expect in a song of this nature as it
plays a slow, determined, yet almost upbeat, verve. Roxy’s voice is subtle
when she sings, “Tonight’s the night my pain will end and you’ll never raise
a hand to me again,” yet you feel the underlying strength and persistence in
it.
Switching to an upbeat gear, everyone will know the guy Roxy is singing
about in the jiving “Two Left Feet.” Whether you play in a band or go out to
hear one, there’s always that guy out there on the dance floor, screaming for
more and doing the absolute worst dance routine humanly possible. As Roxy
states, “He’s gotta be my biggest fan. He’s at every gig I land!”
The opening notes to “Get It” bring to mind the Mills Brothers classic “Opus
One,” but then Roxy chimes in and brings this jumpy number around her
way. It's a fun tune with Roxy cautioning, “You better get it while I still got
it.”
Against the backdrop of a Booker T-style riff, the keyboard driven “Forgive
and Forget” tells of being “Lied to and cheated - wronged and mistreated.”
Dave Fields’ keyboard and Tim DeHuff’s guitar work keep the tune flowing as
Roxy laments how she can't just Forgive and Forget.
The lightly funky/rockish “Do It” has Roxy letting it all out by telling her long
time admirer to stop playing around and just “Do It.” A funky-choppy guitar
underscores Roxy’s frustration and her harp solo fits well into this lighter
track.
Matt Baxter, Roxy’s collaborator on her previous CD, Roxy Perry - New York
Blues Queen, makes a special appearance playing dobro on the one tune he
and Roxy wrote together for the CD, “Crooked Path.” Baxter displays his
superb slide-playing skills on this Delta-style burner with Roxy’s harp and
vocals lamenting, “It’s a wonder what life puts us through - and it’s that
crooked path that led me back to you.”
Also featured on the CD is celebrated multi-musician Bill Holloman, who is
credited with “All Horns” on the one tune he plays on - the big easy, jazzy
New Orleans inflected swing number “Nothing Like You.” Here, Roxy
boasts to her new lover’s ex, “No headaches do I fake. We got hot loving
every night - thanks to your mistakes.”
The CD’s only cover song is the traditional “House of the Rising Sun.” This
song previously appeared on the 2002 Grammy-nominated compilation CD
Public Domain [Purchase Records]. “It sounds nothing like anybody else's
version. I can almost throw a copyright on it for the arrangement,” Perry
said. A haunting harp and guitar complement the song behind Roxy's emotional parable.
hat is Happening...
2005 Harpin’ Help Aided
the Children’s Cancer Fund Sunshine
Each year the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation’s “Harpin’ Help”
raises funds to benefit a local charity. The event delivers seven hours of
outrageous music performed by a range of awesome and generous
musicians that volunteer to help people in our community.
Harpin’ Help 2005 took place April 24th, at Bar Anticipation, Lake Como
(formerly South Belmar), NJ. This year’s corporate sponsor of Harpin’
Help was Holiday Inn of Tinton Falls. The event raised $1,000 and 800
pounds of food and non-perishables for The Children's Cancer Fund
Sunshine House. It was a rockin’ party!
Since 1992, Sunshine House has offered a retreat home for New Jersey
children undergoing cancer treatments. Sunshine House is a place
where the child, his or her parents and siblings can get away from the
hospital environment, relax and simply have fun. The visits, often
scheduled between chemotherapy treatments, usually run for 3-4 days.
The young guests at Sunshine house range in age from 2 to 13 years,
with the majority being between 7 and 10 years old, according to
Sunshine House president and director, John Borowski.
On arrival at Sunshine House, each child in the family receives a
shopping bag to use in an in-house “toy store,” that is stocked with new
toys donated by the community. The children fill their bags with goodies
to play with during their stay, and take home when they leave.
This is Roxy Perry’s third CD and all the players are here in full force. Bob
Fusco on bass and Linda Geiger on drums lay down the backbone as the
canvas for all the colors of this journey. Eric Merovitch’s thundering horns
open the CD and in particular are the driving force behind “Whole Dog,” and
he keeps it right and tight throughout the CD. Guitarist Tim DeHuff’s tasteful
style appears on three tracks complementing Roxy's colorful vocals. Dave
Fields’ guitar and keyboard work follow Roxy down every street of
Bluesville.
While staying at Sunshine House, families enjoy the rides and games
along the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk Parents receive spending
money so the whole family can visit its choice of local eateries. Food
and essentials are also provided at Sunshine House to enable the families to spend quality time simply being together “at home.”
Roxy Perry has a lot to say on Bluesville, covering the many moods of her
personality; witty and jazzy to pensive and determined, but always up front
giving you the full strength of her enormous talent. While the CD’s foundation is in the blues, the tracks touch on rock, jazz, and even a bit of country.
According to the liner notes, Roxy proclaims, “This album was created with
the intention of exploring both modern and traditional blues styles to their
limits, as we do in our live show.” They have succeeded in their intentions.
I Eat, You Eat, We All Eat at Munch U
Back in Bluesville is currently available on CDBaby.com, and there’s more
info about Roxy on www.RoxyPerry.com.
Thanks to all the generous folks who enabled the Jersey Shore Jazz and
Blues Foundation to send a bit of sunshine to some friends in need.
Munchmobile! In case there is no ring of recognition when you hear the
name Munchmobile, you need to know that for hoards of hungry foodies,
the Munchmobile is their favorite giant hot dog roaming the state for
good grub. The Munchmobile, a k a The Big Dog,
has entered its eighth season, hungry as ever for
food. Look for the Munchmobile Friday evening,
at the Newark Star Ledger's booth at the Red
Bank Jazz & Blues Festival. The Big Dog loves
sizzlin' tunes as much as any music fan.
This summer, the Munchmobile becomes the
University of Munchmobile. Munch U. for short. Its
slogan: Edo, edis, edimus. (I eat. You eat. We all eat!)
Each week, Munch U takes a group of Newark
Star Ledger readers along -- on an all-expensespaid trip to food nirvana! Munch U “students”
are graded -- on their enthusiasm, intelligence,
food knowledge and eating abilities (big eaters
will not have an advantage; as the “faculty” at
Munch U are more interested in eating spirit and
Big Dog savoir-faire!). One lucky “student” is
selected each week to be eligible for another trip
later in the summer. The finalists will compete for
those most prestigious of honors -- degrees in
magna cum Munch and summa cum Munch. The
Ultimate Munchers, if you will.
It’s not only hot dog haunts and hang-outs that are
visited. Past categories include back road bites,
coffeehouses, down the Shore, German, salads,
cheesesteaks, most romantic places, Fourth of July picnics, deli sandwiches, dim sum, the Ironbound , chocolate, crabs, brew pubs and much more.
Munchmobile fans, come over to the Newark Star Ledger’s booth and meet
Peter Genovese. You’ll have a chance to let the “professor” know what old and
new categories you would like the Big Dog to visit. Any suggestions for improving the overall Munchmobile report? Any new features you would like to see
introduced? Check out www.nj.com/munchmobile to complete your education.
21
BLUES &
JAZZ FANS-
Convention Hall & Paramount
Theatre
Asbury Park,
NJ
Hold on to your hats!
In conjunction with the City of Asbury Park’s eminent
redevelopment, Asbury Park Convention Hall will present
DOZENS of National, Regional and Local BLUES and JAZZ
Artists in a FREE Outdoor Summer Concert Series running
Memorial Day through Labor Day.
www.asburyparkconventionhall.com
Aside from specific themed events and the Guitarbeque Festival (which features National Headliners, John Jorgenson, Ray Gomez,
The Holmes Brothers, Kaki King, Coco Montoya, Happy Traum and Roomful of Blues) the sounds of blues and jazz will entertain
Asbury Park's Beach and Boardwalk in performances covering multiple styles of each genre.
Break to the Asbury Park beach this summer for FREE Blues & Jazz concerts all summer long!
5/28
5/29
5/30
6/4
6/5
6/11
6/12
6/18
6/19
7/2
7/3
7/9
7/10
7/16
7/17
7/23
7/24
7/29-31
8/6
8/7
8/13
8/14
8/27
8/28
9/3
9/4
9/5
Beach Stage 12pm-4pm
Boardwalk Stage 5pm-8pm
Geoff Achison & Michael Falzarano
Johnny Charles
Wooster St. Trolley Jazz Band
Michael Hill’s Blues Mob
Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory
Greg Piccolo & Heavy Juice
Warren Chiasson
Melvin Sparks Band
Gil Parris
Billy Hector Band
Terraplane Blues
Classic Rock/Classic Car Event
Classic Rock/Classic Car Event
Jim Weider Band II
Sonny Kenn Band
Children’s Festival
Children’s Festival
Guitarbeque Festival
Jerry Vivino Quartet/Wine Festival
Shakespeare on the Beach/Wine Fest
Kelly Bell Band
Todd Wolfe Blues Project
Caribbean Beach Party
Caribbean Beach Party
Frank Vignola’s Frank & Joe Show
Dan Lawson Band
David Maxwell Maximum Blues
Frank Fotusky Duo
Nikki Armstrong
Memorial Day Event
Rob Papparozzi Duo
BB & the Stingers
Stringbean & the Stalkers
Michael Packer Blues Band
Kerry Kearney Band
David Cohen
Robert Ross Band
John Ellis
Paul Gargiulo Band
Jimi Hocking
Russ Gurney
Chris Buono Trio
Ron Jackson
Eric Warren Band
Guitarbeque Festival
Marc Muller Trio
Jim Pellegrino & John Carlini
Dr. Frank Forte Trio
Lou Pallo & Bob Leive
Corey Harris
Steve Calafati
Jerry Topinka
David Maxwell’s Honky Tonk Piano
Dave Gross Band
Visit our website for further details on these artists, plus other exciting events
www.asburyparkconventionhall.com 732-775-3533
Note: For those wishing to hit the beach, The City of Asbury Park charges $5 per day for a badge.
CD & DVD DUPLICATION
Copy your band CDs, old tapes, albums, old pics & videos to
high quality CDs and DVDs!
Turn it up.
Dish it up.
Wrap it up.
Special Discount for JSJBF Members and NJ Residents
Asbury Park. Live it up.
Jazz it up.
Asbury Park Jazz Festival
June 25th –26th
6 Great Clubs.
5 New Restaurants.
15 New Stores.
1.3 Billion New Development.
That’s livin’ it up!
www. CityofAsburyPark.com or call 732.502.5749
www.jsjbf.org is your
link to the music, bands,
festivals, education,
calendar of the best
jazz & blues at the shore
and beyond and more.