December 2015 - Hot House Jazz Guide

Holiday Gift guide
page 38
THE LATIN SIDE
OF HOT HOUSE P39
December 2015
Birdland
Page 21
www.hothousejazz.com
Page 25
Cornelia Street Café
Freddy Cole
Cameron Brown
Christian McBride
Gerry Gibbs
Village Vanguard
Page 10
Smalls
Where To Go & Who To See Since 1982
Page 10
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3
THE TOWN HALL PRESENTS
Town Hall’s holiday variety show returns!
Hosted by Buster Poindexter, and featuring the band Butler, Bernstein & the Hot 9
and an outstanding lineup of special musical guests, Gotham Holiday Swing rings in
New York City’s holiday season with style and swing.
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5
W W W. B LU E N OT E JA Z Z . CO M
6
7
8
9
WINNING SPINS
WO EXTRAORDINARY ALBUMS
that share the familiar piano-bassT
drums trio of mainstream jazz comprise
this Winning Spins. Both also have the
popular, and often exciting, "live recording" imprimatur. However, that's where
the similarities end. One date is led by a
drummer, Gerry Gibbs, the son of 20th
Century vibes great Terry Gibbs; the other
session is by a bassist, Christian McBride.
The pianists in both instances act as primary sidemen. While both are live recordings, one was made in the studio with an
invited audience; the other at that hallowed ground of "live" recordings, the
Village Vanguard.
Live in Studio, Gerry Gibbs Thrasher
Dream Trio (Whaling City Sound) has
drummer/leader Gibbs following on the
heels of two jazz radio chart-topping CDs
from the same trio. His cohorts compromise a true "dream" personnel: pianist
Kenny Barron and bassist Ron Carter.
This time they are joined on six of the 16
tracks by singer Cassandra Wilson or
trumpeter/flugelhornist Roy Hargrove
and, in one instance, both.
While Gibbs relied heavily on familiar
jazz and classic pop standards on the first
two Thrasher Dream Trio albums, this
time he chose old Top 40 songs he and his
wife hear on a middle-of-the-road pop radio
station verging on "easy listening." With
no track much longer than six minutes, the
songs become as much stars of the album
as the stellar cast. There are three each by
Burt Bacharach and Michel Legrand along
with movie theme songs, semi-novelty
instrumental hits and Broadway show
tunes,
including
Rogers
and
Hammerstein's "The Surrey with the
Fringe on Top."
But whatever the material, Barron and
Carter, along with an empathetic Gibbs,
especially fine on brushes, work their
alchemy to make each song a listener's
delight. Barron's piano rings the clarion
call of Legrand's "The Summer Knows,"
trading fours with Gibbs, and romps
through a Latin-inflected "Watch What
Happens." That same tune returns in a
heartbeat-ballad tempo for Cassandra
Wilson's last vocal appearance, her most
coquettish of the sessions.
Wilson is at her sultry, seductively
breathy best on two Bacharach-Hal David
compositions: "The Look of Love" with tantalizing rhythm drop outs; and "Alfie,"
begun semi-rubato with just Barron and
morphing into an eventual flugelhorn solo
from Hargrove. The horn man also plays
Harmon-muted trumpet on "On A Clear
10
By George K anzler
Day," burnished flugelhorn on the ballad
(also Legrand) "What Are You Doing the
Rest of Your Life?" and swinging choruses
on the album closer, Henry Mancini's
"Charade."
Other movie scores brought to jazzy life
by just the trio include "Spartacus Love
Theme" from "A Man and a Woman" and
"More (Mondo Cané Theme)." But no matter how obscure or seemingly inappropriate the songs, Gibbs and his Thrasher
Dream Trio and guests turn them all into
jazz gold.
Live at the Village Vanguard, Christian
McBride Trio (Mack Avenue), was recorded one year ago during McBride's annual
December stint at the famous Manhattan
jazz club. With only eight tracks, just two
barely under seven minutes long, the
emphasis here is on the prowess of the trio
members as much or more than on the
repertoire, much of it raw material for
extended soloing. Those members—
McBride, acoustic bass; Christian Sands,
piano, and Ulysses Owens Jr, drums—display a heady exuberance throughout,
beginning with Wes Montgomery's jumpy
riff blues, "Fried Pies," full of vigorous
pianistics and solos from all.
A round of introductions does nothing to
slow the band's enthusiasm as it bounds
into J.J. Johnson's most indelible swinger,
"Interlude," highlighted by a long
exchange of four-bar solos by Owens and
by McBride, at times sounding like a deep
Flamenco guitar. The dynamics of the
power ballad, a staple of rock music, are
explored with jazz depth on Sands' "Sand
Dune" and the Michael Jackson Thriller
song by Rod Temperton, "The Lady In My
Life," on which Sands evokes shades of
Errol Garner and Monty Alexander in his
joyous verve.
McBride spotlights his arco technique
on a languid, haunting "Good Morning
Heartache," his penchant for gospel on
"Down By the Riverside" and his command
of funk on a "Car Wash," replete with
handclaps. However, the album's biggest
winner is a tour-de-force, multi-tempoed
"Cherokee."
The Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Drum
Band with Jonathan Blake and
Clarence Penn joining him on drums
with Casey Benjamin, saxes; Vic
Juris, guitar; Kyle Koehler, organ;
Alex Collins, piano, and Corcoran
Holt, bass, is at Smalls on Dec. 8.
Christian McBride leads his trio, Dec.
1-6, and quartet, Dec. 8-13 at the
Village Vanguard.
Brown cover photo by Fran Kaufman, Cole by Fran Kaufman, Gibbs by Kyeshie Mallery.
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PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR:
Gwen Kelley (formerly Calvier)
[email protected]
COPY EDITOR: Yvonne Ervin
[email protected]
PRODUCTION & ART DIRECTOR:
Karen Pica [email protected]
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
Ken Dryden, Yvonne Ervin, Ken Franckling,
Seton Hawkins, Eugene Holley Jr.,
Stephanie Jones, Nathan Kamal,
George Kanzler, Elzy Kolb, Ralph A. Miriello,
Michael G. Nastos, Emelie Pons, Cary Tone,
Gary Walker, Eric Wendell,
PROOF READER: Robert Abel
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: Fran Kaufman
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listing info contact Gwen Kelley
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888-899-8007/[email protected]
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copyrights are the property of Gwen Kelley. All rights
reserved. No material may be reproduced without written
permission of the President. No unsolicited manuscripts
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For press releases and CD revues send a copy to
Gwen Kelley: PO Box 20212 - New York, NY 10025
11
CLUBS & HALLS
UPPER MANHATTAN
(Above 70th Street)
SUPPORT THE JAZZ MUSEUM IN HARLEM
www.jazzmuseuminharlem.org
12
449 LA: 449 Lenox Av (bet 132nd & 133rd Sts).
212-234-3298. Thurs: 1-3:30pm Jazz &
Dessert; Fri-Sat: 8:30pm; Sun: 1-3:30pm & 47pm Patio Jazz.
ALHAMBRA BALLROOM: 2110 Adam Powell
Blvd (bet 125th & 126th Sts). Dec 31: 1-5pm
$75-100 adm New Years Eve Day party feat
Antoinette Montague & “King” Solomon
Hicks.
AMERICAN LEGION POST: 248W 132nd St
(bet 7th & 8th Avs). 212-283-9701.
www.colchasyoungharlempost398.com.
Wed-Thurs&Sun: 7:30pm-12am Jam.
ANNEX: Hargrave House. 111W 71st St (bet
Columbus & Amsterdam Avs). 212-580-0888.
Fri: 7-10:30pm $10 adm Open Mic w/Frank
Owens. Dec 13: 6-10pm $20 adm
International Women in Jazz holiday jam/
fundraiser w/Bertha Hope & Dee Cassella.
APOLLO THEATER: 253W 125th St. 212-5315300. www.apollotheater.org. Dec 4-5: Je
Suis Soul feat 12/4 10pm Stevy Mahy &
Marine Futin, 12/5 8pm Manu Dibango, Ben
L'Oncle & Monophonics, Les Nubians, 10pm
Cheick Tidiane Seck.
BAR THALIA: At Symphony Space. 2537 Bway
at 95th St. 646-597-7340. http://barthalia.org/.
Fri: 8-11pm $5 adm Experimental Jazz Party
& Jam w/Mimi Jones. Dec 6: 7-10pm Mostly
Marcus feat Barbara Rosene.
BARAWINE HARLEM: 200 Malcolm X Blvd at
120th St. 646-756-4154. www.barawine.com.
Sun 6-9pm & Tues 7-10pm: free adm Jerome
Harris & Dave Baron.
BILL’S PLACE: 148W 133rd St (bet Lenox & 7th
Avs). www.billsplaceharlem.com. 212-2810777. Fri-Sat: 8&10pm $20 don Bill Saxton
Bebop Band.
BILLIE’S
BLACK
RESTAURANT
&
LOUNGE: 271W 119th St (bet St. Nicholas
Av & Frederick Douglass Blvd). 212-2802248. www.billiesblack.com.
BISTRO TEN 18: 1018 Amsterdam Av at 110th
St. 212-662-7600. www.bistroten18.com.
Thurs: 9:30pm-12am Morningside Jazz
Collective.
CAFÉ CARLYLE: At Carlyle Hotel. 35E 76th St
at Madison. www.thecarlyle.com. 212-7441600. Dec 7&14: 8:45pm Woody Allen &
Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band.
CAMPAGNOLA: 1382 1st Av at 74th St. 212861-1102. Fri-Sat: 8pm-12am Effie Jansen.
CASSANDRA’S JAZZ & GALLERY: 2256 7th
Av (bet 132nd & 133rd Sts). 917-435-2250.
www.cassandrasjazz.com. Sets: 9&11pm
except Mon 7-11pm, Thurs 8pm&12am. Mon:
Vocal Jam by Yvette Wright Gauff & guests;
Tues: Alex Levine Trio; Wed: Bertha Hope &
friends; Thurs: Jam w/Dwight Dickerson Qrt;
Fri-Sat: Dwight Dickerson Qrt w/spec guests.
CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE:
1047 Amsterdam Av at 112th St. 212-3167490. Dec 17-19: Paul Winter & Consort’s
Winter Solstice celebration feat Renato Braz
& Fabiana Cozza, Theresa Thomason.
CHÉRI: 231 Lenox Av (bet 121st & 122nd Sts).
www.cheriharlem.com. 212-662-4374. Sets:
Fri-Sat 8-11pm, Sun 12-3pm. Fri: Débora
Watts Brazilian Jazz Trio; Sat: Parisianisme
Serenade Lady Leah Trio; Sun: Brunch feat
Lady Leah.
CHEZ LUCIENNE: 308 Lenox Av at 125th St.
212-289-5555. www.chezlucienne.com. Tues:
7-10pm Dakota MacLeod & The Brooklyn
Soul Train.
CLEOPATRA’S NEEDLE: 2485 Bway (bet
92nd & 93rd Sts). www.cleopatrasneedleny.
com. 212-769-6969. Sets: Early (E), Late (L).
Mon-Tues E 8-9pm, L 9:30pm-1am; WedThurs E 7-11pm, L 11:30pm-2:30am; Fri-Sat
E 8pm-12am, L 12:30-3am; Sun E 4-8pm, L
9pm-1am. Free adm/$10 min. Trios unless
otherwise noted. Tues-Sun L Jam.
Residencies: Mon L Jam & Open Mic, Tues E
Marc Devine; Wed E Open mic w/Les Kurtz;
Sun E Open mic w/Keith Ingham, L Kelly
Green Duo. Dec 3: Ray Parker Duo; 4: Ai
Murakami; 5: Sonelius Smith; 10: Larry
Newcomb Duo; 11: Joel Forrester; 12: Alan
Rosenthal; 17: Ben Paterson Duo; 18: Sarah
Slonium; 19: Justin Lees; 24: Kazu; 25: Mike
Lattimore; 26: Kayo Hiraki; 31: Kazu.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY: Faculty House. 64
Morningside Dr. 212-854-1200. www.faculty
house.columbia.edu. Dec 9: 12pm CU Jazz
Ens.
EL TALLER: 215E 99th St (bet 2nd&3rd Avs).
212-665-9460. www.tallerlatino.org. Dec 5:
9pm $15 adm Karl Berger Improvisers Orch.
GIN FIZZ: 308 Lenox Av at 125th St. 2nd Fl. 212289-2220. www.ginfizzharlem.com. Sets:
Thurs&Sat 10pm, Fri 9:30pm; $10 adm
except free Sat. Thurs except 12/24: The
Harlem Sessions by Marc Cary; Sat: Gin Fizz
Harlem Dj Saturday Night. Dec 4: Soul
Understated feat Mavis “Swan” Poole.
GINNY’S SUPPER CLUB: At Red Rooster.
310 Lenox Av (bet 125th & 126th Sts).
www.ginnyssupperclub.com. 212-792-9001.
Sets: 7:30&9:30pm $15 adm unless otherwise noted. Dec 3: Denise King; 5: Charenee
Wade; 10: 7:30,9:30&10:30pm Evan Sherman & Joe Saylor; 12: Igmar Thomas &
Revive Big Band; 13: 12&1:30pm $45 Brunch
w/Lea DeLaria; 20: 6&8pm $20 Gospel Open
Mic by Liz Black.
HARLEM STAGE: At Aaron Davis Hall. 150
Convent Av at W135th St. 212-281-9240.
www.harlemstage.org. Dec 11-12: 7:30pm
$40 adm Ben Williams.
HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL NY: 891
Amsterdam Av (bet 103rd & 104th Sts).
www.hinewyork.org. 212-932-2300. Dec 10:
8pm Jake Ezra Schwartz/Bill Girolamo, 9pm
Paul Bollenback/Aleksi Glick.
JARON EAMES: [email protected]. 646337-0620. Sun 2-5pm: $20 adm BBQ & Jazz
@ Home series feat JaRon Eames & Emme
Kemp.
LE CHÉILE: 839 181st St (bet Cabrini &
Pinehurst Blvds). www.lecheilenyc.com. 212740-3111. Wed: 8-11pm WaHi Wednesday
Jazz Jam w/Louise Rogers & Mark Kross.
LIME LEAF: 128W 72nd St (bet Columbus &
Amsterdam Avs). 212-501-7800. Mon-Thurs:
7-10pm. Mon: Michael Vitali; Tues: Martin
Reuter Band; Wed: Julie Grahm; Thurs:
Emma Larsson.
LONDEL’S SUPPER CLUB: 2620 Frederick
Douglass Blvd (bet 139th & 140th Sts). 212234-6114. www.londelsrestaurant.com. FriSat: 8-11pm. Free adm.
LULU’S TAQUERIA: 533 Manhattan Av at
122nd St. www.lulustaqueria.com. 646-8509909. Sun: 1-4pm Janelle.
13
14
MILLER THEATRE: At Columbia University. 2960
Bway
at
116th
St.
212-854-7799.
www.millertheatre.com. Dec 12: 8pm $20104 adm Rudresh Mahanthappa.
MINTON’S: 206W 118th St (bet St. Nicholas Av
& Adam Clayton Powell Blvd). 212-243-2222.
www.mintonsharlem.com. Sets: Wed-Sat
7:30&9:30pm; Sun Brunch (B) 12-3pm,
Evening (EV) 7&9pm. Adm at table: WedThurs&Sun EV $15, Fri-Sat $25, Sun B $10.
Residencies (R): Wed Minton’s Players,
Thurs except 12/31 Young Lion series, Sun
EV Soul Stirring Sunday Nights. Dec 2: R; 3:
R w/Charles Turner & Laurin Talese Final; 4:
Kersten Stevens; 5: Tim Green; 6: B Dandy
Wellington, EV R w/Alyson Williams; 9: R;
10: R w/Milton Suggs; 11: Chante Cann; 12:
Camille Thurman; 13: B Jeremy Warren Gp,
EV Alyson Williams; 16: R; 17: R w/Milton
Suggs; 18: Sullivan Fortner Trio; 19:
Christian Sands; 20: B Minton’s Players, EV
R w/C. Anthony Bryant; 23: R; 24: R
w/Brianna Thomas; 26: Winard Harper &
friends; 27: B Minton’s Players, EV R
w/Raine Torae; 30: R; 31: tba.
NABE HARLEM UNDERGROUND: 2367
Frederick Douglass Blvd at 127th St. 646370-4008. www.nabeunderground.com.
Mon: 7-11pm free adm/2 drink min Jam
w/Patience Higgins Trio feat Lady
Cantrese; Tues: 8pm-12am Soul4Real
Open Mic & Jam w/Raine Torae; Wed: 811pm Keith “The Captain” Gamble; Sat:
12-3pm Brunch w/Nabuko Jazz & friends.
NATIONAL JAZZ MUSEUM IN HARLEM:
www.jmih.org. Sets: 7pm, locations tba. Dec
2: Javon Jackson; 10: The World Michael
Cuscuna w/Michael Cuscuna & David Weiss.
NEW AMSTERDAM MUSIC ASSOCIATION:
107W 130th St (bet Lenox & Adam Clayton
Powel Blvds). 212-510-8140.
PARIS BLUES: 2021 Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
Blvd at 121st St. www.parisbluesharlem.com.
212-222-9878. Sets: Early (E) 5-8pm, Jam
9pm-1am. Free adm. Mon: E Niki Rubin &
Warren G Trio + John Cooksey &
Spontaneous Combustion; Tues: Al Black
w/Annette Bland McCoy & the Sultans of
Soul; Wed: Les Goodson & the Intergalatic
Soul Jazz Band; Thurs: E Patty Murry Mint
Julip + Tyrone Govan & Top Secret; Fri: Melvin
Vines & the Harlem Jazz Machine; Sat: alternate between The 69th Street Band/The
Antoine Dowdell Gp; Sun: 1st&3rd La Banda
Ramirez, 2nd Lucious Conway & Motown
Review w/Terri Lowe, 4th Guest Band.
PARLOR ENTERTAINMENT: 555 Edgecombe Av at 160th St. #3F. 212-781-6595.
Sun: 3:30pm free adm w/Marjorie Eliot, Bob
Cunningham, Sedric Choukroun & guests.
RENDALL MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN:
59W 137th St, #61 (bet Malcom X Blvd & 5th
Av). 212-283-2928. www.welcometoharlem
calendar.com Tues: 12-1:45pm Harlem
Afternoon Jazz Series $15 adm w/Craig
Harris.
RYAN’S DAUGHTER: 350E 85th St (bet 1st &
2nd Avs). www.ryansdaughternyc.com. 212628-2613. Thurs: 8-11pm Josh Marcum &
Gene Bertoncini.
SETTEPANI: 196 Lenox Av at 120th St. 917492-4806. www.settepani.com. Thurs: 7-10pm.
SHOWMAN’S: 375W 125th St at Morningside.
www.showmansjazzclub.com. 212-864-8941.
SHRINE: 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
(bet 133rd & 134th Sts). 212-690-7807.
www.shrinenyc.com. Sets: 6-8pm unless
otherwise noted. Free adm. Residency (R):
Sun 5-8pm Jam w/Lu Reid. Dec 1: The Order;
2: Anton Kosachev; 3: Lauren Lee Space
Jazz Trio; 4: Rodrigo Bonelli Spt; 6; 5pm R, 811pm The Shrine Big Band; 8: Ally Hany; 11:
Isak Gaines; 12: Asako Takasaki; 13: 5pm
R, 8-9pm J-MUSIC Ens; 14: Marcos Rosa; 15:
Wataru Uchida; 16: Alex Bryson Qrt; 17:
Funkgology; 18: Valentina Marino; 20: 5pm
R; 21: Josh Marcus Band; 22: Beavin
Lawrence; 23: Joe Pino Qnt; 26: Blue Wind
Qrt; 27: 5pm R; 28: Stefan Goranov; 29: Mike
Dick; 30: NY Jazz Force.
SILVANA: 300W 116th St at Frederick
Douglass Blvd. www.silvana-nyc.com. 646692-4935. Sets: 6-8pm unless otherwise
noted. Free adm. Dec 1: Alessandro Fadini;
2: Nick Grinder Gp; 3: Max Seigel/Matt
McDonald Qnt; 4: Ally Hany; 5: Bite Trio; 6:
Jasper Dutz; 9: Mark Lockett Trio; 10:
Mercedes Beckman; 12: Michael Sarian &
The Chabones; 13: Stephan Goranov; 14: 67pm Mano A Mano; 15: Julphan
Tilapornputt; 17: John Eckert; 18: The Order;
20: Filipe Duarte Band; 21: Norihiro Kikuta
Trio; 22: Giedrus Nakas; 22: 8-9pm Megumi
Hakuba; 23: Erena Terakubo; 26: 8-10pm Blu
Cha Cha; 27: The International Ens; 29:
Allison Philips; 30: Steve Kaiser Gp.
SMOKE JAZZ & SUPPER CLUB: 2751 Bway
(bet 105th & 106th Sts). 212-864-6662.
www.smokejazz.com. Sets: Early (E), Late
(L), Brunch (B); Mon E 7&9pm, L 10:30pm;
Tues-Thurs E 7,9&10:30pm, L 11:30pm; FriSat E 7,9&10:30pm, L 11:45pm&12:45am;
Sun B 11:30am,1&2:30pm, E 7,9&10:30pm, L
11:30pm. Adm/min vary. Residencies (R):
Mon E except 12/21 Captain Black Big Band,
L except 12/28 Smoke Jam; Tues except
11/22&29 E Mike LeDonne & Groover Qrt, L
Emmett Cohen Organ Trio; Wed L
12/2,23&30 Lea Delaria & House of David,
12/9&16 Camille Thurman Qrt; Thurs L
except 11/24&31 Nickel & Dime OPS; Fri L
12/4&18 John Farnsworth Qrt, 12/11&25
Patience Higgins & Sugar Hill Qrt; Sat L
Johnny O’Neal & friends; Sun B Annette St.
John Trio, L Willerm Delisfort Qrt. Dec 1: R;
2-3: E Tammy McCann, L R; 4-6: E George
Cables Qrt, L R, B 12/6 R; 9-10: E Freddie
Bryant & Peter Bernstein Qrt, L R; 11-13: E
Eric Reed & the Source, L R, B 12/13 R; 1617: E Amina Figarova Gp, L R; 18-21: E Gary
Bartz Qrt, L R except 12/21 tba, B 12/20 R;
22-31: E Eric Alexander/Harold Mabern
Bands feat 12/22-25 Jimmy Cobb, 12/26-27
Steve Turre, 12/28-29 Vincent Herring, 12/3031 Eddie Henderson & Vincent Herring, L
12/22,24,28-29 tba, 12/30 R, B 12/27 R.
SUGAR BAR: 254W 72nd St (bet Bway & West
End Av). 212-579-0222. www.sugarbarnyc.com.
Sets: 9pm/$10 adm unless otherwise noted.
Residencies: Wed JT Project/Project
Groove; Thurs except 12/24&31 Open Mic
w/Andre Smith & Sugar Bar All Star Band.
Dec 12: Irini Res & the Jazz Mix.
SYMPHONY SPACE: 2537 Bway at 95th St.
212-864-5400. www.symphonyspace.org.
Dec 20: 8pm Richard Sussman Ens.
The UPTOWN LOUNGE: 1576 3rd Av (bet
88th & 89th Sts). www.uptownlounge
nyc.com. 212-828-1388. Tues: 7-10pm Justin
Lees Jazz Trio.
The WEST END LOUNGE: 955 West End Av
at 107th St. www.thewestendlounge.com.
212-531-4859. Dec 20: 4-7pm $25 adm/1
drink min www.vtyjazz.com Sunday Serenade series dedicated to Charlie Parker feat
Mark Gross Qrt + Strings Qrt.
MID-TOWN MANHATTAN
(Between 35th & 69th Street)
59E59 THEATERS: 59E 59th St (bet Park &
Madison Avs). www.59e59.org. 212-7535959. Dec 8-Jan 3: Tues-Thurs 7:30pm, Fri
except 12/25 5:50&8:30pm, Sat 2:30,5:30&
15
16
8:30pm, Sun 3:30&7:30pm $25/17.50 adm
The Anderson Brothers.
AMERICAN FOLK ART MUSEUM: 2 Lincoln
Sq on Columbus Av (bet 65th & 66th Sts).
www.folkartmuseum.org. 212-595-9533.
Free adm. Wed: 2-3pm Bill Wurtzel & Mike
Gari Duo w/Sharon Fisher.
B. B. KING BLUES CLUB & GRILL: 237W
42nd St (bet 7&8th Avs). 212-997-4144.
www.bbkingblues.com. Lucille’s Grill (LG).
Dec 7: 8pm John Scofield & Jon Cleary; 31:
1:30pm LG Brunch feat Joey Morant &
Catfish Stew.
BEETHOVEN PIANOS: 211W 58th St (bet
Bway & 7th Av). www.beethovenpianos.
com. 800-241-0001. Dec 3: 8-10pm $20 adm
Ben Cassara & Addison Frei.
BIRDLAND: 315W 44th St (bet 8th & 9th Avs).
212-581-3080. www.birdlandjazz.com. Sets:
8:30&11pm, except Mon 7&9:30pm, Sun
6,9&11pm. Adm varies. Residencies: Wed
5:30-7pm except 12/23 David Ostwald &
Louis Armstrong Eternity Band; Fri 5-7pm
except 12/25 Birdland Big Band by Tommy
Igoe; Sat 6pm Barbara Carroll; Sun 9pm (R)
Arturo O’Farrill Afro-Latin Jazz Orch. Dec 15: Saxophone Summit feat Joe Lovano, Dave
Liebman & Greg Osby; 3: 6pm Marlene
VerPlanck; 6: R; 8-12: Eliane Elias; 10: 6pm
Barbara Fasano; 13: R; 15-19: Catherine
Russell Spt; 17: 6pm Karen Oberlin; 20: R;
22-26: Freddy Cole; 27: R; 29-Jan 1: Birdland
Big Band dir by Tommy Igoe w/spec guest
Carole Bufford 12/31.
BROADWAY THAI RESTAURANT: 241W
51st St (bet 8th Av & Bway). 212-226-4565.
Sun-Mon 6:30-10:30pm & Sat 7:30-11:30pm:
Rick Bogart Trio.
CARNEGIE CLUB: At City Spire Centre. 156W
56th St. www.thecarnegieclub.net. 212-9579676. Fri: 9pm-12am free adm; Sat:
8:30&10:30pm $40 Sinatra tribute feat Steve
Maglio & Stan Rubin Orch.
CHRIST & ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH: 120W
69th St (bet Bway & Columbus Av).
www.csschurch.org. 212-787-2755. Dec 20:
5&8pm Jazz Nativity feat Deborah Voigt.
CLUB BONAFIDE: 212E 52nd St (bet 2nd &
3rd Avs). 3rd Fl. www.clubbonafide.com.
646-918-6189. Sets: unless otherwise noted
Early (E), Late (L), Night (N); Tues-Thurs E
7:30pm, L 10pm, N 11pm; Fri-Sat E 8pm, L
10:30pm, N 11pm; Sun E 7pm, L 9pm.
Residencies (R): Sun L Brazilian Night
w/Davi Vieira, 1st Tues L Open Jam by Bill
Todd. Dec 1: 8pm Kaissa, L R; 2: E Jeanmarie Corrois Qrt, L Gene Ess & Fractal
Attraction; 3: E Laurie Dapice, L Seth L
Johnson, N Grace Duo w/Andrae Murchison
& Sharp Radway; 4: E-L Somi, N Tosin; 5: EL Somi; 6: 1:30pm NY Jazz Workshop
Recital, L R; 8: E Galper & Youngbloods Qrt;
9: E-L Vivian Male; 10: E Pape Armand Boye,
L Lisa Kalil, N iRESI w/Carlos Averhoff Jr.;
11: E-L Manuel Valera & Groove Square, N
Racha Fora; 12: E-L Robby Ameen & the
Days in Night Band, N Marcos Rosa Trio; 13:
4pm NY Jazz Academy Recital, E Denbaya, L
R; 15: E Dominic Miller, L Larry Corban
Three; 16: E Steve Picataggio Trio, L Costas
Baltazanis & End of Seas; 17: E Annie Chen
Sxt, L Gracie Terzian, N Bambam Rodríguez
& “Q’ Xhosa”; 18: E-L David Gilmore, N Jon
Sheckler Trio; 19: E-L The American Guitar
Trio, N Nadia Washington; 20: E Natalie
Dietz, L R; 22: E Tatum Greenblatt, L
Rosetta’s Tone; 23: E Rubens de la Corte, L
Telma Viale; 24: E Drew Sestito, La’Wrenne,
Thaddeus Strauss & Setsuko; 25: closed;
26: E Monday Michiru, L Nick Di Maria Qnt;
27: E Alí Bello & The Sweet Wire Band, L R;
29: E Q Morrow Qrt, L Alpha Band & Mind
Open; 30: E JC Hopkins Biggish Band feat
Jazzmeia Horn & Brandon Bain; 31: Richard
Bona + Davi Vieira.
DAVID RUBENSTEIN ATRIUM: At Lincoln
Center. Bway at 62nd St. www.lincolncenter.
org/atrium. 212-875-5350. Thurs: 7:30pm.
Dec 5: 11am Jazzy Ash & the Leaping
Lizards; 17: Sara McDonald & NYChillharmonic.
DIZZY’S CLUB COCA-COLA: At Jazz @
Lincoln Center. 10 Columbus Cr at 60th St.
5th Fl. www.jalc.org. 212-258-9800. Sets:
7:30&9:30pm; Late Night Sessions 11:30pm
Tues-Sat, hosted by Michael Mwenso
Thurs&Sat. Adm: unless otherwise noted
Mon $30, Tues-Thurs&Sun $35, Fri $40, Sat
$45, Student $25, Late Nights $5-20; $10 min.
Dec 1: $40 MSM Afro-Cuban Jazz Orch
w/Bobby Sanabria w/guest Antoinette
Montague; 2: Etienne Charles; 3-6: Allan
Harris feat Eric Reed Trio; 7: Marquis Hill
Qnt; 8: New York Youth Symphony w/spec
guest Robin Eubanks; 9-10: Andy Farber
Orch; 11-13: 12/13 $40 Michael Mwenso,
Brianna Thomas & Charenée Wade; 14:
Juilliard Jazz Ensembles; 15-17: Ed Reed
Trio w/spec guest George Cables; 18-20:
12/20 $40 DIVA Jazz Orch; 21-22: 12/21 $35
Dick Hyman; 23: Ted Rosenthal Trio; 24-25:
closed; 26-31: tba. Late Night Sessions
w/Dec 1-5: Corey Wilcox; 8-10: Luke Sellick
Qnt; 11-12: Michael Mwenso's Holiday
Nightcap; 15-19: Evan Sherman w/12/1516&18 Entourage, 12/17&19 Big Band; 2223,26&29-Jan 2: tba.
FLÛTE MIDTOWN: 205W 54th St (bet Bway &
7th Av). 212-265-5169. www.flutebar.com.
Wed: 7-10pm. Dec 2: Kristina Koller; 9:
Stephanie Walker; 16: Rose Ellis; 23: Audrey
Silver.
FUNKADELIC STUDIOS: 209W 40th St (bet
7th & 8th Avs). www.funkadelicstudios.com.
212-696-2513. Dec 5: 7-10pm $15 adm
William Hooker.
IGUANA RESTAURANT: 240W 54th St at
Bway. www.iguananyc.com. 212-765-5454.
Mon-Tues: 8-11pm Vince Giordano & The
Nighthawks.
IRIDIUM: 1650 Bway at 51st St. 212-582-2121.
www.theiridium.com. Sets & adm unless otherwise noted: 8:30&10:30pm, $25 adm/15
min, student 1/2 price 2nd set TuesThurs&Sun. Dec 3-4: $30 Richard Bona; 6:
8:30pm only $35/60 Rhonda Ross; 16: 8&
10pm Jane Getter Premonition w/spec guest
Corey Glover; 20: 8:30pm only Ronnie Cuber
Trio; 26-28: $35/45 Diane Schuur;
JAZZ AT KITANO: 66 Park Av at 38th St. 212885-7119. www.kitano.com. Sets: Mon 811:30pm, Tues 8-11pm, Wed-Sat 8-9:15&1011:15pm, Sun 11am-2pm. Adm: Mon-Tues
free/$15 min, Wed-Thurs $15/20 min, Fri-Sat
$30/20 min, Sun $40 buffet. Residencies (R):
Mon Jam w/Iris Ornig; Tues Mikhail
Romanov Solo; Sun Jazz Brunch w/Tony
Middleton Trio. Dec 1: R; 2: Ayako Shirasaki
Trio; 3: Katsuko Tanaka Trio; 4: Scott
Robinson Qrt; 5: Don Friedman Qrt w/spec
guest Vincent Herring; 6-8: R; 9: Bill Mays
Solo; 10: Scott Morgan Qrt; 11-12: Michael
Carvin Qrt; 13-15: R; 16: Gabrielle Stravelli
Qrt; 17: Leslie Pintchik Trio; 18-19: Mark
Sherman Qrt; 20-22: R; 23: Vicki Burns Qrt;
24: Kelley Suttenfield Qrt; 25: closed; 26:
Marlene VerPlanck Trio; 27-29: R; 30: Dean
Johnson & Triology; 31: 9pm-1am $125/30
min incl midnight party favors & champagne
toast Nilson Matta & Samba Meet Jazz.
JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER: 10 Columbus
Cr at 60th St. 5th Fl. www.jalc.org. 212-2589800. Appel Room (AR), Rose Theater (RT).
Dec 17-18 8pm, 19 2&8pm: RT Jazz at
Lincoln Center Orch w/Wynton Marsalis &
17
guests Audrey Shakir & Denzal Sinclaire; 1819 7&9:30pm: AR Adriane Lenox, Martina
DaSilva, Tatiana Eva-Marie, Shenel Johns,
Michela Marino Lerman & Joseph C. Wiggan
w/Chris Pattishall.
L’YBANE: 709 8th Av (bet 44th & 45th Sts). 212582-2012. www.lybane.com. Tues&Fri 9pm12am: Rick Bogart Trio.
LA MEDITERRANEE: 947 2nd Av at 50th St.
212-755-4155. www.lamediterraneeny.com.
Sets: Mon: 7-10pm, Thurs 6-9&9-11pm. Thurs:
Harold John.
The LAMBS CLUB: 132W 44th St (bet 6th Av
& Bway). www.thelambsclub.com. 212-9975262. Tues-Wed: 8-11:30pm; Sat-Sun: 11am3pm Jazz Brunch.
LE CIRQUE: One Beacon Ct, 151E 58th St (bet
3rd & Lexington Avs). 212-644-0202.
www.lecirquecafe.com. Mon: 7:30-10:30pm
Musical Mondays.
LEXINGTON HOTEL: 511 Lexington Av at
48th St. www.lexingtonhotelnyc.com. 212204-2318. Tues-Fri: 6-8pm The New York
Jazz Workshop.
LOCAL 802: Associated Musicians of Greater
New York Club Room. 322W 48th St (bet 8th
& 9th Sts). 212-245-4802. www.jazzfounda
tion.org/what-we-do/monday-night-jamseries. Mon: 7-9:30pm Monday Night Jam
presented by Jazz Foundation of America.
MATTS GRILL: 932 8th Av at 55th St. 212-3075109. www.mattsgrill.com. Sets: Tues-Wed
8:30pm-11am, Sun 12:30-3pm. Free adm.
Tues: Danny Walsh Qnt; Wed&Sun: Sarah
Hayes.
MICHIKO STUDIOS: 149W 46th St (bet 6th &
7th Avs). 3rd Fl. 212-302-4011. www.
live.michikostudios.com. Dec 14: 8:30-10pm
$15/10 adm Tim Price & Kazzerie Jaxon.
18
MORGAN LIBRARY: 225 Madison Av at 36th
St. www.themorgan.org/programs/sundayafternoon-jazz. 212-685-0008. Sun: 1-3pm
New School Jazz Sunday Jazz Brunch.
The NATIONAL: 557 Lexington Av at 50th St.
212-715-2400.
www.thenationalnyc.com.
Sun: 6-10pm. Dec 6: Abe Pollack & The
Bailsman; 13: Robert Whaley; 20: Chris
Davidson; 27: C. Apicella & Iron City.
NATSUMI RESTAURANT: 226W 50th St (bet
8th & Bway). www.natsuminyc.com. 212258-2988. Tues: 6-8pm Joe Cohn Organ Trio.
The NEW YORK YANKEE STEAKHOUSE:
7W 51st St (bet 5th&6th Avs). 646-307-7910.
www.nyysteak.com. Sun: 12-3pm Brunch w/
Rick Bogart Trio.
OPIA: At Renaissance New York Hotel: 130 E
57th St at Lexington Av. 212-688-3939.
www.opiarestaurant.com. Sat: 8:30-11:30pm
free adm. Dec 5: Tony Middleton.
PERA MEDITERRANEAN BRASSERIE: 303
Madison Av (bet 41st & 42nd Sts). 212-8786301. www.peranyc.com. Free adm. Sat:
6:30-10pm. Dec 5: Tin Pan; 12: Baby Soda;
19: Jazz Manouche; 26&31: Padam Swing.
The PLAZA HOTEL: 768 5th Av at Central
Park S. 212-759-3000. www.theplaza.com.
Wed: 8:30-11:30pm free adm Kat Gang.
RAINBOW ROOM: 30 Rockefeller Plaza. 65th
Fl. www.rainbowroom.com. 212-632-5000.
Sets: 8:30-11:30pm $195 adm, Sun 12-3pm
$125. Dec 6: Sweet Megg & The Wayfarers;
13: The Bailsmen; 18: James Langton & The
New York All-Star Band; 20: Fleur Seule; 21:
James Langton & The New York All-Star
Band; 27: Dandy Wellington.
ROBERT: 2 Columbus Cir. 9th Fl. 212-299-7730.
www.robertnyc.com.
The RUM HOUSE: 228W 47th St (bet Bway &
8th Av). www.edisonrumhouse.com. 646490-6924. Sets: 9:30pm-12:30am, Mon 10pm2am. Mon: Terry Waldo & Rum House Jass
Band; Sun: Candy Shop Boys.
SAINT PETER’S CHURCH: 619 Lexington Av at
54th St. (Citicorp Bld). www.saintpeters.org.
212-935-2200. 1st Mon: 7:30pm free adm
International Women in Jazz Jam; Wed: 1pm
$10 don Midtown Jazz at Midday; Sun: 5pm
free adm Jazz Vespers. Dec 2: Roz Corral
Trio; 6: Ike Sturm + Evergreen w/Dave
Douglas; 9: Sinatra Centennial Tribute feat
Ronny Whyte Trio w/Chris Gines, Hilary
Kole, Eric Comstock; 13: Joe Fonda Trio; 16:
Warren Chiasson/Alex Gressel; 18: 7:30pm
www.thedukeellingtonsociety.org
Duke
Ellington Society Holiday concert/party; 20:
Ana Hernandez/Fran McKendree; 23:
Yuletide Celebration Alex Leonard/Ronny
Whyte Band feat Marlene VerPlanck, Joyce
Breach, Daryl Sherman; 27: Andrew Lamb
Qrt; 30: Martha Lorin/Jon Weber/Sean
Harkness.
SAN MARTIN RESTAURANT: 143E 49th St
(bet Lexington & 3rd Avs). 212-832-0888.
www.sanmartinrestaurantny.com. 1st Tues:
6-8pm Ron Odrich Qrt.
ST. REGIS HOTEL: 2E 55th St. 212-753-4500.
www.stregisnewyork.com. Dec 21: 7pm $125
adm Freddy Cole.
STUDIO 100 BAR: At Marriott Residence Inn.
1033 6th Av (bet 38th & 39th St) 3rd Fl. 212768-0007. Free adm/no min. Thurs: 7-10pm
Trios.
SWING 46: Jazz & Supper Club. 349W 46th St
(bet 8 & 9th Avs). www.swing46.com. 212262-9554. Sets: Mon-Tues&Thurs 8:30pm,
Wed&Sun 8pm, Fri-Sat 9:30pm. Residencies
(R): Mon Swingadelic; Tues George Gee
Swing Orch; Wed Stan Rubin Orch w/Joe
Politi. Dec 1-2: R; 3: Vanessa Trouble & Red
Hot Swing; 4: Yalloppin Hounds; 5: Maulers;
6: Flying Neutrinos; 7-9: R; 10: Sarah Hayes
& Swing Society; 11: George Gee Orch; 12:
Swing 46 Orch feat Joe Politi; 13: Vanessa
Trouble & Red Hot Swing; 14-16: R; 17:
Glenn Crytzer & Savoy Seven; 18: George
Gee Orch; 19: Ron Sunshine Orch; 20: Felix
& The Cats; 21-23: R; 24-25: closed; 26:
Swingadelic; 27: Felix & The Cats; 28-30: R;
31: Maulers.
TAGINE: 221 W38th St (bet 7th & 8th Avs).
www.taginedining.com. 646-373-6265.
TGI FRIDAY’S: 677 Lexington Av at 56th St.
212-339-8858. www.tgifridays.com. Sun: 69pm Marc Devine Trio.
TOMI JAZZ: 239E 53rd St (Bet 2nd & 3rd Avs).
Lower level. www.tomijazz.com. 646-4971254. Sets: Mon-Wed&Sun 8-11pm, Thurs 911:30pm, Fri 9pm-1am, Sat 8-10:30pm +
11pm-1:30am. Adm: Mon-Wed&Sun free/$5
min, Thurs-Sat $10/10 min. Dec 1: Michael
Gallant Trio; 2: Yasuno Katsuki Trio; 3:
Akihiro Yamamoto Trio; 4: Kuni Mikami Trio;
5: E Linda Pregrave, L Craig Brann Trio; 6:
Sein Oh Trio; 7: Yuki Shibata Trio; 8: E Elijah
Thomas Trio, L Doug White; 9: Hiroko Kanna
Duo; 10: The Highliners; 11: Takenori
Nishiuchi; 12: E Standard Procedures, L
German Gonzalez Trio; 13: Norihiro Kikuta
Trio; 14: Suzanne Ross Trio; 15: E Nick
Holtzman, L Kira Daglio Fine Duo; 16: E
Ugene Romashov Trio, L Chris Beaudry Trio;
17: Eileen Howard Trio; 18: Tsuyoshi
Yamamoto Trio; 19: E Emi Takada Trio, L
Kathrine Vokes Trio; 20: Kengo Yamada; 21:
Marla Sampson Duo; 22: Stephen Fuller
Duo; 23: Ian Bass Trio; 24: Paul Lee Trio; 25:
closed; 26: E Yuko Ito Trio, L Yusuke Seki;
27: Yako Eicher Trio; 28: Atsushi Ouchi Trio;
29: Yuko Kimura Trio; 30: Scot Albertson;
31: Trio Senri Oe.
The TOWN HALL: 123W 43rd St (bet 6&7th
Avs). www.thetownhall.org. 212-840-2824.
www.the-townhall-nyc.org. Dec 18: 8pm
Henry Butler, Steven Bernstein & the Hot 9.
LOWER MANHATTAN
(Below 34th Street)
5C CULTURAL CENTER & CAFÉ: 68 Av C at
5th St. www.5cculturalcenter.org. 212-4775993. Dec 5: 8pm Michael Bisio/Kirk
Knuffke; 6: 3pm Tony Williams Trio.
11TH STREET BAR: 510E 11th St (bet Av A &
B). www.11thstbar.com. 212-982-3929. Mon:
8-11pm Richard Clements & Murray Wall
Jazz Express.
55 BAR: 55 Christopher St (bet 6th & 7th Avs).
212-929-9883. www.55bar.com. Sets: Early
(E) 7-9pm except Fri-Sun 6-9pm, Late (L)
10pm. 1st Mon: E Sean Wayland; 1st Thurs:
E Ami Cervini; 1st Sat: E Ayana lowe; 2nd
Fri: E Tessa Souter; last Fri: E Kendra
Shank.
ABC NO RIO: 156 Rivington St (bet Clinton &
Suffolk Sts). www.abcnorio.org. 212-2543697. Sun: 7pm $5 don C.O.M.A. series 2
sets + open session.
ALL THINGS PROJECT: At Neighborhood
Church. 269 Bleecker St. 212-691-1770.
www.allthingsproject.net. 1st Fri: 8&9:30pm
free adm. Dec 4: Kirk Knuffke Trio.
AMBROSE BEER AND LOBSTER: 18 Fulton
St. www.ambrosebeerandlobster.com. 212480-0300. Wed: 7pm.
ANALOGUE: 19W 8th St (bet 5th Av &
McDougal St). www.analoguenyc.com. 212432-0200. Sets: 7:30-10:30pm free adm. Sun:
Stefano Doglioni Trio; Mon: Renaud Penand
Trio.
ANTIBES BISTRO: 112 Suffolk St (bet
Delancey & Rivington Sts). 212-533-6088.
www.antibesbistro.com. Tues-Wed: 7:3010:30pm free adm/no min. Dec 15: Tamuz
Nissim Trio.
ANTIQUE GARAGE: 41 Mercer St. 212-2191019. www.antiquegaragesoho.com.
ARTHUR’S TAVERN: 57 Grove St. 212-6756879. www.arthurstavernnyc.com. Sets: 710pm. Mon: Grove Street Stompers feat Joe
Licari; Tues: Yuichi Hirakawa; Wed: Eve
Silber; Thurs-Sat: Eri Yamamoto Trio; Sun:
Creole Cooking.
AUTHENTIC BAR B FLAT: Basement 277
Church St (bet Franklin & White Sts).
www.bflat.info. 212-219-2970. Sat: 10pm12am. Mon 8-11pm & Wed 8:30-11:30pm
except 12/2: Jordan Young Trio. Dec 2: Brian
Charette Trio; 5: Etsuko Tajima Trio; 19:
Takeshi Asai Trio.
BAR HUGO: 525 Greenwich St (bet Vandam &
Spring Sts). www.hotelhugony.com. 212608-4848. Mon: 6-8pm free adm Rooftop Jazz
feat Gracie Terzian w/New Dominion Trio.
BAR NEXT DOOR: 129 McDougal St. 212-5295945. www.lalanternacaffe.com. Sets: MonThurs Early (E) 6:30-7:45pm, Late (L) 8:30&
10:30pm, Fri-Sat 7:30,9:30&11:30pm, Sun
8&10pm. Adm: $12 all night + 1 drink min/set
except Fri-Sat $12/set + 1 drink min/set, E
free. Trios unless otherwise noted. MonThurs: E Emerging Artists series; Mon: L
Vocal Mondays series. Residencies (R): Wed
L Jonathan Kreisberg; Sun Peter Mazza. Dec
1: E Tommy Holladay, L Kevin Wang; 2: E
Paul Jones, L R; 3: E Benjamin Bryden, L
Aki Ishiguro; 4: Jon Irabagon; 5: Dan
Rochlis; 6: R; 7: E Arath Corral, L Rachel
Caswell; 8: E Alicyn Yaffee, L Alex
Sugerman; 9: E Dave Juarez, L R; 10: E
Tobias Meinhart, L Amanda Monaco; 11:
Paul Bollenback; 12: Ben Eunson; 13: R; 14:
E Bobby Katz, L Chiara Izzi; 15: E Chase
Baird, L Peter Brendler; 16: E Kevin Clark, L
R; 17: E Yuto Kanazawa, L Nelson Riveros;
18: Steve Kovalcheck; 19: Sheryl Bailey; 20:
R; 21: E Gioel Severiini, L Alexis Parsons;
22: E Isaac Darche, L Assaf Kehati; 23: E
Prawit Siriwat, L R; 24: E tba, L Gene Segal;
25: closed; 26: Jeff McLaughlin; 27: R; 28: E
NanJo Lee, L Dana Reedy; 29: E Caroline
Davis, L Casey Berman; 30: E tba, L R; 31:
7:10&10pm $75 incl dinner/champagne tba.
BLUE NOTE JAZZ CLUB: 131W 3rd St at 6th
Av. 212-475-8592. www.bluenotejazz.com.
Sets: 8&10:30pm + Fri-Sat 12:30am Late
Night Groove series & Sun 11:30am&1:30pm
Sunday Brunch. Adm varies. Dec 1-6:
Fourplay; 7: tba; 8-13: David Sanborn
Electric Band; 14-31: Chris Botti. Late Night
Groove w/Dec 4: James Francies & Kinetic;
5: Billy Buss/Michael Feinberg Gp; 11: The
Soulfolk Experience; 12: Mimi Jones Band;
18: Lauren Desberg; 26: ESNAVI. Sunday
Brunch w/Dec 6: Alan Ferber & NYU Ens; 13:
Jesse Fischer w/spec guests Sarah
Elizabeth Charles & Takuya Kuroda; 20:
Marianne Solivan Qrt; 27: Geoffrey Keezer
Trio feat Gillian Margot.
The BOWERY ELECTRIC: 327 Bowery (bet
2nd & 3rd Sts). www.theboweryelectric.com.
212-228-0228. Dec 2: 11pm Desvelo.
CAFÉ LOUP: 105W 13th St (bet 6th & 7th Avs).
212-255-4746. www.cafeloupnyc.com. Sun:
12:30-3:30pm Jazz Brunch w/Steve LaSpina
Trio w/Ron Affif & Matthew Fries, 6:309:30pm Junior Mance, Hide Tanaka & Michi
Fuji Trio.
CAFE NOCTAMBULO: At Pangea. 178 2nd Av
(bet 11th & 12th Sts). 212-995-0900.
www.cafenoctambulo.com. Fri-Sat: 7&9pm
except 12/4 $40-70 adm/$20 min Our Sinatra
19
Centennial Celebration feat Eric Comstock,
Christopher Gines, Harmony Keeney. Sat:
12&2pm except 12/26 $30 Brunch feat Daryl
Sherman. Dec 2: 8pm $20/15 min Martha
Lorin; 9: 7&9pm $15/15 min Kathryn Allyn
w/Anna Marie Sell, Hayes Greenfield; 12:
8pm $20/15 min Danny Lerman Experience;
28: at Pangea $15/20 7:30&9pm Deb Auer.
CAFFE VIVALDI: 32 Jones St (bet Bleecker &
4th St). www.caffevivaldi.com. 212-691-7538.
Free adm. Dec 6: 9:30-11pm John Lander;
20: 9-11pm John Lander.
CAPITAL GRILLE: 120 Bway (at Pine &
Nassau). www.thecapitalgrille.com. 212-3741811. Free adm. Fri: 6:30-10pm Richard
Russo Qrt.
The CAVE: At St. George’s. 209E 16th St at
Rutherford Pl. www.olmstedsalon.com. 2nd
Fri: 7:30&9:30pm $10 adm feat Bryan Carter.
The CELL: A Twenty First Century Salon. 338W
23rd St (bet 8th & 9th Avs). 646-861-2253.
www.thecelltheatre.org. Dec 12: 7:30-8:30pm
Tali Rubinstein.
CLUB ROOM: At The Soho Grand Hotel. 310W
Bway. www.sohogrand.com. 212-965-3000.
Wed: 8pm-12am Chris Norton.
CORNELIA STREET CAFÉ: 29 Cornelia St.
212-989-9319. www.corneliastreetcafe.com.
Sets unless otherwise noted: MonThurs&Sun 8:30pm, Fri-Sat 9&10:30pm. Adm
varies. Dec 2: Alon Albagli Trio, 9:30pm Ben
van Gelder Qrt; 3: Sara Serpa Qrt; 4-5: Tony
Malaby & Paloma Recio; 6: Paul Jones Qrt +
The Snap Saxophone Qrt; 8: Kyle Nasser
Qnt; 9: Igor Lumpert & Innertextures; 10:
Lage Lund/Bryn Roberts Qrt; 11: Mark Helias
Qrt; 12: Guillermo Klein Qnt; 13: 6pm
William Hooker Trio, 8:30pm Samuel
Blaser/Sebastien Ammann; 16: Randy
Ingram Qrt; 17-19: Cameron Brown; 20: Dave
Liebman & Saxophone Colossus; 21: Ziv
Ravitz & Colin Stranahan Duo; 22: Jason
Yeager Gp; 26: Petros Klampanis; 27: Eri
Yamamoto Trio; 29: Koran Agan Qrt; 30: Tom
Rainey Trio; 31: Sheila Jordan & Cameron
Brown.
The CUPPING ROOM CAFE: 359W Bway (bet
Broome & Grand Sts). 212-925-2898.
www.cuppingroomcafe.com. Sat: 8pm12am. Dec 5&19: Mal Stein; 12: JudiMarie
Canterino.
The CUTTING ROOM: 44E 32nd St (bet
Madison & Park Av). 212-691-1900. www.the
cuttingroomnyc.com. Dec 13: 6:30pm
$30/35 adm James Langton & the New York
All-Star Big Band; 19: 7:30pm $20/25 Shunzo
Ohno.
The DEAD RABBIT GROCERY & GROG: 30
Water St (Broad & Old Slip Sts). 646-4227906. www.deadrabbitnyc.com. Wed: 7:3011:30pm Terry Waldo Solo.
The DJANGO: At Roxy Hotel. 2 Av of the
Americas at Walker St. www.roxyhotelnyc.
com. 212-519-6600. Sets: 7pm-12am. Dec 15: Jon-Erik Kellso & The EarRegulars; 15-18:
Rossano Sportiello.
DOMA NA ROHU: 17 Perry St at 7th Av. 212929-4339. www.domanyc.com. $10 min.
Wed: 7:30&9pm, Sat: 8&9:15pm. Dec 2:
Lapis Luna; 5: The Recessionals; 12: Sweet
Megg & the Wayfarers; 16: The Scrubboard
Serenaders; 26: The Bailsmen.
DOWNTOWN MUSIC GALLERY: 13 Monroe
St (bet Market & Catherine Sts). 212-4730043.
www.downtownmusicgallery.com.
Sun: 6pm In-Store shows. Dec 6: Gordon
Grdina, 7pm Ben Goldberg; 13: Tamio
Shirashi Solo, 7pm Chris Pitsiokos; 20: Ben
Goldberg/Charles Burnham/Ellery Eskelin/
Stephan Crump; 27: DMG Holiday/New Years
Celebration.
20
DROM: 85 Ave A (bet 5th & 6th Sts). 212-7771157. www.dromnyc.com. Dec 4: 6&8:15pm
Pepito Gomez; 7: 7:30pm Silver Arrow Band;
12: 8pm Underground horns & Brown Rice
Family.
The EAR INN: 326 Spring St (bet Greenwich &
Washington Sts). www.earinn.com. 212-4319750. Sun: 8-11pm EarRegulars feat Jon-Erik
Kellso & friends.
FAT CAT: 75 Christopher St at 7th Av. 212-6756056. www.fatcatmusic.org. $3 adm/no min.
Sets unless otherwise noted: Early (E), Late
(L), Night (N); Mon E 6pm, L 9pm, N 12:30am;
Tues-Wed E 7pm, L 9pm, N 12:30am;
Thurs&Sat E 7pm, L 10pm, N 1:30am; Fri E
6pm, L 9pm + 10:30pm, N 1:30am; Sun E
6pm, L 9pm, N 1am. Ev N: Jam. Residencies
(R): Mon N Billy Kaye; Tues E except 12/1 Saul
Rubin Zebtet; Wed E except 12/2 Raphael
D'Lugoff Trio + 1, N Ned Goold; Fri 9pm
Gospel Queens; Sat N Greg Glassman; Sun E
Terry Waldo & Gotham City Band, N Brandon
Lewis & Renee Cruz. Dec 1: E Ai Murakami
Qrt, L El Montuno, N Reid Taylor; 2: E Kate
Cosco & Laura Dreyer Project, L Groover Trio,
N R; 3: E Jovan Alexandre Qnt, L Saul Rubin
Zebtet, N Tada Unno; 4: E Tad Shull Qrt, L R +
Jared Gold/Dave Gibson, N Chris Beck Qrt; 5:
E Jure Pukl Qrt, L Raphael D'Lugoff Qnt, N R;
6: E R, 8:30pm Jade Synstelien & FCBB, N R;
7: E tba, L Paris Wright Qnt, N R; 8: E R, L
Peter Brainin & the Latin Jazz Workshop, N
Pablo Bencid; 9: E R, L Harold Mabern Trio, N
R; 10: E Dave Schnitter Qnt, L Greg Glassman
Qnt, N Alexi David; 11: E Billy Kaye Qnt, L R +
Ed Cherry Qrt, N Jared Gold; 12: E Steve
Blum Trio, L Darryl Yokley Latin Project, N R;
13: E R, L Victor Gould Sxt, N R; 14: E tba, L
Ned Goold Qrt, N R; 15: E R, L-N tba; 16: E R,
L Don Hahn/Mike Camacho Band, N R; 17: E
tba, L P.O.D., N tba; 18: E Corin Stiggall Qnt, L
R + tba, N tba; 19: E tba, L Sharel Cassity, N
R; 20: E R, 7pm Gamelan Dharma Swara, N R;
21: E tba, L George Braith, N R; 22: E R, L-N
tba; 23: E R, L tba, N R; 24: closed; 25: E tba,
L R + Dialo House, N tba; 26: E tba, L Orlando
le Fleming, N R; 27: E R, L Pablo Bencid Latin
Qnt, N R; 28: E tba, L Alex David, N R; 29: E R,
L Itai Kriss & Gato Gordo, N John Benitez &
Latin Bop; 30: E R, L Claffy, N R; 31: tba.
GARAGE: 99 7th Av S (bet W 4th & Bleecker).
www.garagerest.com. 212-645-0600. Free
adm/no min. Sets: Early (E), Late (L), Brunch
(B); Mon E 7-10pm, L 10:30pm-1:30am; TuesThurs E 6-10pm, L 10:30pm-1:30am; Fri E
6:15-10:15pm, L 10:45pm-2:45am; Sat B 124pm, E 6:15-10:15pm, L 10:45pm-2:45am;
Sun B 11:30am-4pm, E 6:30-10:30pm, L
11pm-2am. Residency (R): Sun E David Coss
Qrt. Dec 1: E La Voz de Tres, L William
Stevens Qnt; 2: E Yvonnick Prene Qrt, L
David Love Trio; 3: E Champian Fulton Qrt, L
Cheryl Pyle Trio; 4: E Fukushin Tainaka Trio,
L “King” Solomon Hicks Trio; 5: B Larry
Newcomb Qrt, E Evgeny Sivstov Trio, L
Akiko Tsuruga Trio; 6: B Kyoko Oyobe Trio,
E R, L Abe Ovadia Trio; 7: E Howard Williams
Jazz Orch, L Dmitry Baevsky Trio; 8: E Rob
Edwards Qrt, L Pablo Masis Qrt; 9: E Ray
Blue Trio, L Jim Piela Gp; 10: E Maya Gour
Trio, L Assaf Kehati Trio; 11: E Al Marino Qrt,
L Peter Valera & the Jump Blues Band; 12: B
Marsha Heydt & the Project of Love, E Guy
Mintus Trio, L Virginia Mayhew Qrt; 13: B
Lou Caputo Not So Big Band, E R, L tba; 14:
E Cecilia Coleman Big Band, L Ken
Kobayshi Qrt; 15: E Carl Bartlett Jr. Trio, L
Lawrence Clark Trio; 16: E George Weldon
Trio, L Chris Caroll Trio; 17: E Rick Stone
Trio, L Steve Picataggio Trio; 18: E Joe Pino
Qrt, L Hot House; 19: B Mauricio de Souza
continued on page 24
T 84, LIONEL " FREDDY" COLE
has persevered over a long and illustriA
ous musical career. He has been a keeper
of the flame, plying his trade and paying
his dues, and it seems to have finally
brought him the well-deserved recognition
he earned.
Growing up in Chicago, the young Cole
had hopes of pursuing a highly promising
football career before injury changed his
path. Having played piano since he was six
years old and being immersed in a musical
family, he abandoned football to become a
musician. He attended both Julliard and
the New England Conservatory of Music.
Despite his training, his brother Nat's critical success and popularity loomed like a
shadow over him for much of his early
career.
The younger Cole struggled. Refusing to
be subsumed by his brother's identity, he
wrote his own signature song "I'm Not my
Brother, I'm Me" and made it part of his
repertoire. Cole recalls his epiphany in
1989 while playing an extended gig at
Bradley's, the now-defunct Greenwich
Village piano haunt. "When I was playing
at Bradley's this one night, who comes in
but Carmen McCrae, Betty Carter, George
Coleman, you name it. You know I said to
myself, 'They're all coming to see me!'
Never knowing that they respected me and
what I did."
He has maintained a journeyman's
career over the years, developing himself
into a "romantic balladeer" as the writer
Stanley Crouch once called him. His burnished baritone has a pleasing timbre and
he has developed a smooth as silk delivery
that comes from years of honing his craft.
Cole is the beguiling storyteller, using
his words judiciously, but using an emphasis on phrasing and emotional content to
connect with his audience. Much like one
of his mentors and idol Billy Eckstine, "Mr.
B," he is always nattily attired, the consummate showman.
Cole is "a messenger of love" as he likes
to call himself and his listeners have
responded to the authenticity of the message he brings to each and every one of his
performances. Like his contemporary Tony
Bennett, who was recently inducted into
the DownBeat Hall of Fame, Cole is an
American treasure. To experience Cole live
is like bearing witness to the jazz tradition.
Over the last few years, Cole has traveled extensively and his recent recordings
have gained widespread recognition for
this octogenarian. His 2010 release titled
Freddy Cole Sings Mr. B, was nominated
for a Grammy Award. In addition to being
a great balladeer, Cole has a distinctively
bluesy approach to his music and his mostrecent release, Freddy Cole Sings the
Blues, works that style to perfection.
Amazingly, he refuses to make a
playlist before a performance, preferring to
read the crowd with his finely tuned intuition. When asked how he chooses the
material to play for a particular audience
he says, "I don't know. It's hard to explain,
'cause I just zero in on it as I do the first
song and then from there it's like boom,
boom, boom, you know."
No longer in Nat's shadow, for his onenight holiday performance at the St. Regis
Hotel, Cole says he expects to play some of
the songs made famous by his brother
along with his own extemporaneous repertoire. He will follow that with a week at
Birdland.
Freddy Cole performs at the St.
Regis Hotel on Dec. 21 with Randy
Napoleon on guitar and Elias Bailey
on bass. At Birdland Dec. 22-26, the
band becomes a quartet with the addition of saxophonist Harry Allen and
drummer Quentin Baxter.
21
S P O T L
TAMMY McCANN
SMOKE JAZZ & SUPPER CLUB / DECEMBER 2-3
When luminaries and legends like Ray Charles, Ramsey Lewis, Von Freeman and
Laurence Hobgood count among a musician's collaborators and admirers, it's time to
sit up and pay attention to that artist. Indeed, Chicago native Tammy McCann applies
extraordinary interpretive skills to anything she sings, offering gorgeously intimate
takes on ballads that might remind listeners of Nancy Wilson, and catchy gospelinfused takes on standard fare, even bringing her jazz bonafides and unerring swing
to bear on otherwise non-jazz material. With McCann's star slowly rising as she
releases more albums and tours more extensively outside of Chicago, the opportunity
to hear her in a comfortable venue like Smoke may become rarer; don’t miss this one
with pianist Mike King, bassist Kenny Davis and drummer Clif Wallace. SH
KERSTEN STEVENS
MINTON'S / DECEMBER 4
Violinist Kersten Stevens' mix of jazz inflection and gospel spirit has her poised to
translate the sound of the violin for the modern age. Stevens' wide-ranging talents
have shared the stage with everyone from President Barack Obama, singer Ray
Charles and her mentor, violinist Regina Carter. Since releasing her debut album The
Beginning in 2002, Stevens has cultivated a sound that is all her own with the Black
Gospel Blog hailing her the "Queen of Sacred Violin." Stevens' latest album, Inspire
Me, has been met with critical acclaim with All About Jazz stating, "punctuated by
intelligent and thought-provoking conversational musings on the nature of inspiration, this is a uniquely engaging record." EW
PETER AND WILL ANDERSON
59E59 THEATERS / DECEMBER 8-13, 15-20, 22-24, 26-27, 29-JANUARY 3
Twin woodwind players Peter and Will Anderson have put together another special
show for this eastside theatre. Their 2013 offering, Le Jazz Hot, was nominated for a
Drama Desk Award. The Count Meets the Duke: The Andersons Play Basie and
Ellington will include pianist Jeb Patton, who has played for some other brothers of
the Heath kind. Bassist Clovis Nicolas and drummer Phil Steward round out the band
which will revisit Basie's "April in Paris," "Moten Swing," "Jumpin' at the Woodside,"
and Ellington's "Take the 'A' Train," "Caravan," "It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got
that Swing" and more. These two young musicians are woodwind virtuosos who enjoy
communicating their love and respect for the jazz past through stellar performances
and charming banter. YE
LOU VOLPE
NEW YORK CITY BAHA’I CENTER / DECEMBER 8
Guitarist Lou Volpe gets his inspiration from many sources and hints of Wes
Montgomery, Lee Ritenour and George Benson are particularly notable in his playing.
Though a capable straight ahead player, Volpe prefers a broader scope, drawing in the
music of The Beatles, Al Green and the Eagles alongside showcases of the Great
American Songbook. Most recently, however, Volpe applied his vision to interpreting
works associated with a single individual, as heard on his latest album Remembering
Ol' Blue Eyes. While a Sinatra tribute is an unusual choice for a contemporary jazz
guitarist, Volpe manages to recall the singer's unique phrasing and timing while still
putting his own stamp on the music. Listeners can find out for themselves when Volpe
performs tracks from the album. SH
JOEY DEFRANCESCO
JAZZ STANDARD / DECEMBER 10-13
Organist Joey DeFrancesco's performance style simultaneously calls upon the spirit of
the organ's history while treading new and interesting heights. A prodigious talent,
DeFrancesco's aptitude was fostered by his father, a jazz organist himself who often
brought the young boy to gigs in their native Philadelphia. As a teenager, DeFrancesco
was enlisted by Miles Davis to join his group; he toured with the legend and appeared
on his 1989 recording, Amandla. That same year, DeFrancesco released his debut
album as a leader, All of Me, introducing the organ to a new generation of jazz fans.
For these concerts, DeFrancesco rounds out his trio with guitarist Dan Wilson and
drummer Jason Brown in celebration of the trio's latest release, 2015's Trip Mode. EW
22
By Ken Dryden, Yvonne Ervin, Ken Franckling, S
Jones photo by Cheryl Richards, Johnson by Judy Kirtley.
˜
L I G H T
LESLIE PINTCHIK
ALVIN & FRIENDS / DECEMBER 12
Though she was well on her way to becoming an English professor in the mid-1980s,
Leslie Pintchik switched her focus to a music career. Pintchik studied both classical and
jazz piano, the latter with Bruce Barth. Her hard work has paid off with several
acclaimed CDs and a live DVD. An imaginative composer and arranger, Pintchik often
has an impressionistic air on ballads but also swings with gusto. She is equally at home
playing standards in a new light or reharmonizing hits by Bob Dylan and Bonnie Raitt,
along with her gift for writing multifaceted songs. Pintchik's group includes her husband, bassist Scott Hardy, and drummer Michael Sarin. Her new CD, True North, is
due out in the spring. Pintchik also performs at Jazz at Kitano on Dec. 17. KD
ED REED
DIZZY'S CLUB COCA-COLA / DECEMBER 15-17
Ed Reed has been singing since his teens, but it took the jazz world at-large a long time
to find him. This master of putting his heart in a song made his recording debut in 2007
at age 78. So what took so long? Reed struggled with heroin addiction for 40 years,
spending a decade behind bars, where he performed in the San Quentin Warden's Jazz
Band with saxophonist Art Pepper, among others. At Dizzy's, Reed digs into material
from his four fine CDs, which focus on love songs, the blues and the Nat Cole songbook,
as well as his current interest in exploring John Coltrane ballads. His band includes
special guest George Cables at the piano, bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Akira
Tana. KF
RICHARD SUSSMAN
SYMPHONY SPACE / DECEMBER 20
You may remember pianist/keyboardist Richard Sussman on his late-1970s album,
Free Fall, for Irv Kratka's Inner City label, reissued by Double-Time. Lately, Sussman
has been recording for West Coast-based Origin Records. Now it's time for him to present his magnum opus, proving that being inventive yet playful are not mutually exclusive elements in jazz. Sussman's ambitious composition "The Evolution Suite" is a combination of his love for modern jazz, 21st century programmatic music and live electronics, supported by a Chamber Music America New Jazz Works commission. Upstate
performances in White Plains and Sparkill precede this NYC premiere, featuring legit
mainstream jazz players including trumpeter Scott Wendholt, saxophonist Rich Perry,
bassist Mike Richmond, drummer Anthony Pinciotti, the Sirius String Quartet and special guest violinist Zach Brock. MGN
JESSICA JONES
SHAPESHIFTER LAB / DECEMBER 21
Originally from the Bay Area, saxophonist Jessica Jones integrates a remarkably
diverse array of influences—from Don Cherry to Duke Ellington, and from Haiti to
Brooklyn—into beautifully personal and nuanced performances, applying her clean
and disciplined tone to winding melodic inventions on anything from free improvisation
to heartfelt standards. A creative and forward-thinking bandleader, Jones fronts an
ensemble featuring bassist Stomu Takeishi and drummer Kenny Wollesen, as well as
Jones' husband Tony Jones, who adds a second tenor voice to the frontline. She celebrates the release of the ensemble's latest album, Moxie, a superb outing that highlights the Jones' tremendous chops as composers. This highly versatile and thoroughly
enjoyable band should appeal to fans of the traditional and the adventurous alike. SH
DEAN JOHNSON
JAZZ AT KITANO / DECEMBER 30
For more than three decades, Dean Johnson's rich tone and creative accompaniment
have made him a first-call bassist for numerous bandleaders. Johnson gained wide
recognition early in his career on several recordings by both Jackie Cain & Roy Kral
and Gerry Mulligan, the latter with whom he spent over a decade. His extensive discography includes contributions to CDs by numerous vocalists: Roseanna Vitro, Kendra
Shank, Carla White, Diane Hubka and Carol Sloane, in addition to being a part of
vibraphonist Mark Sherman's bands. His trio for this performance includes pianist Jim
Ridl and drummer Rogerio Bocato, both of whom appear on Triology, his soon to be
released debut CD as a leader, which also features Dave Ballou, Matt Wilson, Art
Lande, Frank Kimbrough and Tony Moreno. KD
Seton Hawkins, Michael G Nastos & Eric Wendell
23
LISTINGS... continued from page 20
Trio, E Mark Marino Trio, L Daylight Blues
Band; 20: B Iris Ornig Qrt, E R, L Joonsam
Lee Trio; 21: E Lou Caputo Not So Big Band,
L Nobuki Takemen Trio; 22: E Mayu Saeki
Trio, L Alex Karakis Trio; 23: E Dre Barnes
Trio, L Tsutomu Naki Trio; 24: 5:30-9:30pm
Champian Fulton Qrt; 25: E Masami Ishikawa
Trio, L Peter Valera & the Jump Blues Band;
26: B Brian Pareschi Qrt, E Champian Fulton
Qrt, L “King” Solomon Hicks Trio; 27: B
Michika Fukumori Trio, E R, L Dave Kain Gp;
28: E Eyal Vilner Big Band, L Kenny Shanker
Qrt; 29: E Justin Lees Trio, L tba; 30: E Marc
Devine Trio, L Adam Moezinia Trio; 31: 8pm12am David Coss Qnt.
GREENWICH HOUSE MUSIC SCHOOL: 46
Barrow St (bet 7th Av S & W 4th St). 212-2424770. www.greenwichhouse.org. Dec 4: 8pm
$15/12 adm OWL Trio; 10: 7:30pm $10 John
Yao & 17-Piece Instrument; 17: 7:30pm $12
Surface to Air + Tongues in Trees; 18: 8pm
$15/12 Ned Rothenberg & Inner Diaspora
Qnt.
HIGHLINE BALLROOM: 431W 16th St (bet 9th
& 10th Avs). www.highlineballroom.com.
212-414-5994. Dec 27: 12:30pm $22/30 adm
Julie Eigenberg w/Yaron Gershovsky Trio.
HOTEL CHANTELLE: 92 Ludlow St (bet
Broome & Delancey Sts). 212-254-9100.
www.hotelchantelle.com. Tues 8-11:45pm &
Sat Brunch 12-4pm: Dandy Wellington Band;
Sun Brunch 11-4pm: Martina & The
Ladybugs.
JAZZ GALLERY: 1160 Bway at 27th St. 5th Fl.
www.jazzgallery.org. 646-494-3625. Sets:
7:30&9:30pm $15/10 adm, $22/12 Fri-Sat.
Dec 3: Tim Berne & Snakeoil; 4-5: $35-15
Jazz Gallery 20th Anniv concert w/Gerald
Clayton; 10: E.J. Strickland & Transient
Beings; 11-12: Fabian Almazan; 15-16: Mary
Halvorson Oct; 17: Helen Sung; 18: Mark
Guiliana Jazz Qrt; 22: Sachal Vasandani.
JAZZ STANDARD: 116E 27th St (bet Park &
Lexington Avs). www.jazzstandard.net. 212576-2232. Sets/adm unless otherwise noted:
7:30&9:30pm, Mon-Wed $25, Thurs&Sun
$30, Fri-Sat $35. Residency (R): Mon Mingus
Monday w/Mingus Big Band, Sun 1-3pm
except 12/27 Jazz for Kids. Dec 1: Mike
Moreno Qrt; 2: Alan Hampton; 3-6: $35 David
O’Rourke & All-star O’Rourkestra feat
Sachal Vasandani; 7: R; 8-9: $30 Lionel
Loueke Trio; 10-13: Joey DeFrancesco Trio;
14: R; 15-20: $35 Bill Charlap & Renee
Rosnes Duo; 21: R; 22-23: $30 Matt Wilson
& Christmas Tree-O feat Jason Moran; 2425: closed; 26-27: $30 Houston Person Qrt;
28: R; 29-30: $30 Duchess; 31: 7:30pm $135
& 10:30pm $195 incl dinner Mingus Big Band.
JOE’S PUB: At Public Theater. 425 Lafayette St
& Astor Pl. www.joespub.com. 212-967-7555.
Adm varies. Dec 2 7&9:30pm, 3 7pm: The Hot
Sardines; 10: 7pm Ethan Lipton Orch; 24:
7pm Alter Jazz Ens.
JULES BISTRO: 65 Saint Marks Pl (bet 1st & 2nd
Avs). 212-477-5560. www.julesbistro.com.
KAPOWSKI’S: 168 1/2 Delancey St at Clinton
St. 212-260-5775. www.moscow57.com.
Daily: Ellen Kaye.
KNICKERBOCKER BAR & GRILL: 33
University Pl at 9th St. 212-228-8490.
www.knickerbockerbarandgrill.com. Fri-Sat:
9pm-2am. Dec 4-5: Valerie Capers/John
Robinson; 11-12: Ray Gallon/Paul Gill; 1819: Kathleen Landis, Dan White & Saadi
Zain; 26: Joel Forrester/David Hofstra; 31:
Valerie Capers, John Robinson & Richie
Goods.
METROPOLITAN ROOM: 34W 22nd St (bet.
5th & 6th Avs). www.metropolitanroom.com.
212-206-0440. Sets unless otherwise noted:
Early (E) 7pm, Late (L) 9:30pm. Residency
24
(R): Tues L Annie Ross. Dec 1: L R; 5:
11:30pm MARVXLOUS; 6: L Lauren White &
Quinn Johnson Trio; 8: L R; 10: L Steven
Chera; 11: L Florencia Cuenca & Jaime
Lozano; 15: L R; 16: L Kate Chaston; 20: L
Molly Ryan; 22: L R; 23: E Rebecca Angel;
29: L R.
MEZZROW: 163W 10th St (bet 7th Av &
Waverly Pl). www.mezzrow.com. 646-4764346. Sets/adm: Early (E) 7:30-9pm, free
except Tues 7:30-10:30pm, $20; Late (L)
9:30pm except Tues 10:30pm, $20; Night (N)
12-1am except Fri 12:30-2am, $10.
Residencies: E Mon except 12/14 John
Merrill w/guests, N Sacha Perry; Tues L
“Polite” Jam; Wed E except 12/23&30
Lafayette Harris Solo, N Sarah Slonim; Thurs
E Spike Wilner Solo, N Jon Davis; Fri E Ehud
Asherie Solo; Sat E Spike Wilner w/guests.
Dec 1: E Peter Zak/Stephen Riley; 2-3: L
Aaron Parks/George Garzone; 4-5: L Steve
Wilson Duo; 6: L Pete Malinverni; 7: L Peter
Bernstein/Neal Miner; 8: E Barbara Rosene;
9-10: L Lawrence Fields; 11-12: L Harry Allen
Trio; 12: N Anthony Wonsey; 13: L Joel
Frahm Trio; 14-15: E Peter Martin/Robert
Hurst; 16-17: L Sullivan Fortner; 18-19: L
Aaron Goldberg; 20: L Grant Stewart; 21: L
Peter Bernstein/Rueben Rogers; 22: E
Roseanna Vitro Trio; 23: L David
Berkman/Ray Drummond; 24: closed; 25-26:
L Steve Nelson Trio; 28: E Nicole Zuraitis;
30: L Alex Sipiagin/Dave Kikoski; 31: L
Johnny O'Neal Trio.
MILANO’S BAR: 51E Houston St (bet Mott &
Mulberry Sts). 212-226-8844. Thurs 2-4pm:
Carol & Company.
NELSON BLUE: 233-235 Front St. 212-3469090. www.nelsonblue.com. Sun: 1-4pm
Jazz Brunch feat Mark Lockett Trio.
NEW SCHOOL JAZZ PERFORMANCE
SPACE: 55W 13th St, 5th Fl. 212-229-5488.
www.newschool.edu/jazz. Fall '15 ensemble &
recital series feat 12/1 9-10pm Music of
Herbie Hancock Ens w/George Cables, 12/8 78pm Super Trios Ens w/Allison Miller, 12/10 78pm Music Of Ornette Coleman Ens w/Jane
Ira Bloom, 12/14 9-10pm Music of John
Coltrane Ens w/Reggie Workman, 12/15 Jazz
Voices Ens 6-7pm w/Joan Stiles, 7-8pm
w/Amy London, 9-10pm w/Janet Lawson,
12/17 w/Charles Tolliver 7-8pm Jazz
Orchestra Ens, 9-10pm Music of Art Blakey &
The Jazz Messengers Ens, 12/18 7-8pm Music
of Wayne Shorter Ens w/Doug Weiss, 9-10pm
Vocal Blues Ens w/Danny Mixon, 12/22 7-8pm
Afro Cuban Jazz Orch Ens w/Bobby Sanabria.
NEW YORK CITY BAHA’Í CENTER: 53E 11th
St (bet Bway & University). 212-222-5159.
www.bahainyc.org. Tues: 8&9:30pm $10/15
adm. Dec 8: Lou Volpe.
NORTH SQUARE: At Washington Square
Hotel. 103 Waverly Pl at McDougal.
www.northsquareny.com/about-jazz. 212254-1200. Sun: 12:30&2:15pm free adm Jazz
Brunch Trios. Dec 6: Roz Corral Trio
w/Yotam Silberstein; 13: Alexis Cole Duo;
20: Roz Corral Trio w/Freddie Bryant & Neal
Miner; 27: Paul Jost Trio.
NUYORICAN POETS CAFÉ: 236E 3rd St (bet
Avs B & C). www.nuyorican.org. 212-7809386/212-505-8183. Sets: 9:30pm. 1st Wed:
All That - Hip Hop Poetry & Jazz; 1st Sat: $15
adm Puddin’ Jazz series + Jam. Tues: 9pm
Latin Jazz feat 1st Tues Chembo Corniel,
2nd Tues Bronx Conxión, 3rd Tues Hector
Martignon; last Sun: Bobby Sanabria & New
School Afro-Cuban Jazz Band.
ONE IF BY LAND, TWO IF BY SEA: 17
Barrow St (bet 7th Av & W4th St). 212-2558649. www.oneifbyland.com. Tues&Thurs 6continued on page 26
Bass Is The Place
CAMERON BROWN
By Elzy Kolb
OMETIMES IT FEELS AS IF THE
"what is jazz?" discussion has been
S
going on as long as the form has existed.
However, bassist Cameron Brown has no
problem pinpointing the essence of jazz:
rhythm, listening and a constantly fresh
approach.
"Rhythm's what this music is all about.
It's the aspect that most pulls people in;
it's the most electric and exciting part,"
Brown declares. "The essence of the music
is from the drum, from Africa. Drummers
have the biggest responsibility in jazz: the
subtleties of the music, the shading, moving from solo to solo, the shaping of the
music is dependent on the drummer's sensibilities."
Over the past half century, Brown
worked with storied drummers such as Art
Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Ed Blackwell,
Idris Muhammad, Billy Hart, Joe
Chambers, Lewis Nash and Matt Wilson.
Brown's decade-long collaboration with
Dannie Richmond, Charles Mingus' drummer of choice, had perhaps the greatest
impact. Richmond brought the bassist into
his own band as well as into the George
Adams-Don Pullen Quartet.
"Playing with Dannie was the thrill of a
lifetime, he's an unsung master," Brown
says. "And Don was so special, that was
such a thrill for me, to have a guy with that
kind of breadth—he could play like Les
McCann and Cecil Taylor. That was the
band of my lifetime."
The quartet aimed to bring something
new to every performance, a goal that
required careful listening. "Playing jazz
you have to be aware of so many things:
the rhythm, the harmony, what the others
are doing, what you might want to interject creatively into the situation. If another player's improvisationally suggesting
something, are you going to answer it?
From there, you see where you're going,"
Brown explains.
"With George and Don's band, our
intent was to make the music different
every night. That's what the listening was
all about. Same tunes, same framework,
make it new. Not just play all our sh**, but
see if we can find some different sh**."
These skills have served Brown well
during his half-century of making music—
and more than 100 recordings—with
giants of jazz. And the skills will definitely
come in handy when the bassist celebrates
the lead-up to his 70th birthday with four
gigs with four bands in four days. The icing
on the cake is finishing out 2015 with a
fifth gig, New Year's Eve at the Cornelia
Street Café in a duo with singer Sheila
Jordan.
The Manhattan phase of the birthday
festivities happens Dec. 17-19, at Cornelia
Street starting with an evening dedicated
to Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry, featuring saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom, trumpeter Dave Ballou and drummer Anthony
Pinciotti. He never played with Ornette,
but so much of his musical history is
wrapped up with people who were close to
him he says, in particular saxophonist
Dewey Redman, with whom Brown played
for nine years, and trumpeter Don Cherry.
"I met Don when I was 19, he was like a
whirlwind coming through my life, an
apparent human being who was made of
music."
The following night, Cameron Brown
and the Hear and Now band, which first
recorded in 2004, reconvenes with Jordan,
multi-instrumentalist Don Byron, Ballou
and drummer Tony Jefferson. Brown
enjoys a long association with Jordan,
whom he regards as a mentor. "Sheila is
amazingly flexible, she can take the role of
a horn, sing a beautiful song, anything. I
have a love of the human voice. I love
singers. I'm not an instrumentals-only
snob or whatever truly terrible attitude
instrumentalists are supposed to have."
The third night at Cornelia Street features Cameron Brown and Dannie's
Calypso—named for a Richmond composition—with Jefferson, trumpeter Russ
Johnson, and saxophonists Lisa Parrott
and Jason Rigby. "I wanted to keep that
tune alive, to keep Dannie's memory alive
and to honor him. He's so important to me."
The band focuses on a Don Cherry concept, the Cocktail Suite. "I experienced
that in his band when I was 20—we would
play 10 or 12 tunes in a long string, we
wouldn't stop playing. It was a moment in
history when John Coltrane was playing
one tune for an hour. Don played continuously but would play a dozen tunes in that
hour." The horn players in Dannie's
Calypso have made the concept their own,
including different tunes each gig. "That's
the essence of jazz," Brown points out.
The birthday gig marathon travels to
the Falcon upstate where Jordan, saxophonist Joe Lovano, drummer Billy Hart,
special guest vocalist Judi Silvano join
Brown. "It will be amazing to have Joe and
Sheila together. I have a special relationship with Billy, and it's my birthday. Judi
continued on page 29
25
LISTINGS... continued from page 24
11pm, Sun 11:30am-3pm: Ryo Sasaki & Nial
Djuliarso Duo.
PEGU CLUB: 77W Houston St (bet W Bway &
Wooster St). 2nd Fl. www.peguclub.com. 212473-PEGU. Sun: 6:30-9:30pm free adm Glenn
Crytzer & Pegu Club All Stars.
PIANOS: 158 Ludlow St at Stanton. 212-5053733. www.pianosnyc.com. Fri: 8-10pm
Cabinet Makers.
PORCHLIGHT BAR: 271 11th Av (bet 27th &
28th Sts). www.porchlightbar.com. 212-9816188. Dec 31: 9pm Nick Russo & Hot Jazz
Jumpers.
ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL: 196 Allen St at E
Houston St. www.rockwoodmusichall.com.
212-477-4155. Dec 2: 10pm Burak Bedikyan
Qrt; 7: 11pm Nick Russo & Hot Jazz Jumpers;
12: 7pm Elsa Nilsson Qrt; 22: 7pm Brenda
Earle Stokes & Tammy Scheffer.
ROXY HOTEL: 2 Av of the Americas at Walker
St. www.roxyhotelnyc.com. 212-519-6600.
Sets: 7-10pm. Wed: Bill Dobrow & friends;
Thurs: Jon Regen.
RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART: 150W 17th St.
www.rubinmuseum.org/harlem.
212-6205000X344. Dec 11: 7-8:30pm $20 adm Bria
Skonberg.
RUE B: 188 Ave B (bet 11th & 12th Sts). 212-3581700. www.ruebnyc.com. Sets: 8:30,
9:30&10:45pm. Jam except Fri-Sat. Mon:
Davis Whitfield Trio; Tues: Adrian Thomas
Moring Trio; Wed: Oscar Williams Trio; Thurs:
Andrew Forman Trio; Fri: Frankie Valdes
Mambo Orch; Sat: 12/5&19 Curtis Graham
Nowosad Funk Trio, 12/12&26 Alex Levine
Funk Trio; Sun: Jocelyn Medinas Vocal Jam.
SMALLS JAZZ CLUB: 183W 10th St at 7th Av.
212-252-5091. www.smallslive.com. Sets:
Afternoon (PM), Early (E), Late (L), Night (N);
Mon E 7:30-10pm, L 10:30pm-1am, N 1am;
Tues E 7:30-9pm, L 9:30pm-12am, N 12:30am,
Wed-Thurs E 7:30-10pm, L 10:30pm-1am, N
1:30am; Fri-Sat PM 4-7pm, E 7:30-10pm, L
10:30pm-1am, N 1:15am; Sun 1-3pm, PM 4:307pm, E 7:30-10pm, L 10:30pm. Jam following
N. Adm varies. Residencies (R): Mon L except
12/28 Ari Hoenig, N 12/7&21 Jonathan Michel,
12/14&28 Jonathan Barber; Tues E except
12/8 Spike Wilner Qrt, N 12/1,15&29 w/Corey
Wallace DUBtet, 12/8&22 w/Kyle Poole &
friends; Wed N Sanah Kadoura Band; Fri PM
Jam 12/4&18 w/Tuomo Uusitalo Trio, 12/11&
25 w/Ai Murakami; Sat PM Jam 12/5&19
w/Ben Meigners, 12/12&26 w/Jonathan
Thomas Trio; Sun 1pm except 12/13 Vocal
masterclass by Marion Cowings. Dec 1: E R,
L Theo Hill Qrt, N R; 2: E Thomas Marriott Qrt,
L Todd Herbert Qrt, N R; 3: E Ulysses Owens
Qnt, L tba, N Jam; 4: PM R, E Alex Graham
Qrt, L Aaron Parks Qrt, N Joe Farnsworth; 5:
PM R, E Alex Graham Qrt, L Aaron Parks Qrt,
N Philip Harper Qrt; 6: 1pm R, PM tba, E Lezlie
Harrison, L Bruce Harris Qnt; 7: E Greg Tardy
Qnt, L-N R; 8: E Mike Lipskin Duo, L Gerry
Gibbs Thrasher Drum Band, N R; 9: E Todd
Marcus Jazz Orch, L Willie Jones III Qnt, N R;
10: E Melissa Aldana Qrt, L Willie Jones III
Qnt, N Jam; 11: PM R, E Antonio Ciacca Trio,
L Scott Wendholt & Adam Kolker Qrt, N Tivon
Pennicott Qrt; 12: PM R, E tba, L Scott
Wendholt & Adam Kolker Qrt, N Brooklyn
Circle; 13: 1pm NYC Jazz Workshop, PM tba,
E Johnny O'Neal Trio, L Behn Gillece Qrt; 14:
E Brenda Earle Stokes Qrt, L-N R; 15: E R, L
Smalls Legacy Band, N R; 16: E Brian Lynch
Qrt, L Harold Mabern Trio, N R; 17: E Brian
Lynch Qrt, L JC Stylles Qrt, N Jam; 18: PM R,
E Ralph Lalama & Bop-juice, L Jay Collins
Qnt, N Jeremy Manasia Trio; 19: PM R, E
26
Tardo Hammer Trio, L Jay Collins Qnt, N
Philip Harper Qrt; 20: 1pm R, PM tba, E The
Songbook Qrt, L Joe Magnarelli Qrt; 21: E tba,
L-N R; 22: E R, L Lucas Pino Nnt, N R; 23: E
Yotam Silberstein Qrt, L Jared Gold Trio, N R;
24 : E Yotam Silberstein Qrt, L Tal Ronen Qnt,
N Jam; 25: PM R, E tba, L Dezron Douglas &
friends, N Tivon Pennicott Qrt; 26: PM R, E
Billy Mintz Qnt, L Dezron Douglas & friends, N
Brooklyn Circle; 27: 1pm R, PM George Gee
Swing Orch, E Johnny O'Neal Trio, L Dmitry
Baevsky Qrt; 28: E Ray Gallon Trio, L tba, N R;
29: E R, L Josh Evans Qrt, N R; 30: E tba, L
Brandon Sanders Qrt, N R; 31: closed.
The STONE: 2nd St at Av C. www.thestonenyc.
com. Adm varies. Tues-Sun: 8&10pm weekly
residencies. Sun: 3pm John Zorn & friends.
Dec 1-6: Trevor Dunn; 8-13: Matthew Welch;
15-20: Chuck Bettis; 22-23&25-27: Timba
Harris; 29-Jan 3: John Zorn Improv.
TURNMILL: 119E 27th St (bet Park &
Lexington Avs). www.turnmillnyc.com. 646524-6060. Wed: 11pm-2am Jam w/Rob
Duguay & Low Key Trio.
VILLAGE VANGUARD: 178 7th Av S at 11th
St. 212-255-4037. www.villagevanguard.com.
Sets: 8:30&10:30pm. Adm: Mon-Thurs $30/1
drink min. Residency (R): Mon Vanguard
Jazz Orch. Dec 1-6: Christian McBride Trio;
7: R; 8-13: Christian McBride Qrt; 14: R; 1520: Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington &
Esperanza Spalding; 21: R; 22-27: Kenny
Barron Qnt; 28: R; 29-Jan 3: 12/31 9&11pm
$150 incl 2 sets, snacks & party favors The
Bad Plus.
WALKER’S: 16N Moore St at Varick. 212-9410142. www.walkerstribeca.com. Sun: 8-11pm
Duos.
ZEB’S: 223W 28th St (bet 7th & 8th Avs). 2nd Fl.
www.zebulonsoundandlight.com. 212-6958081. Wed: 8pm $10 adm Saul Rubin Trio
w/vocalist guest + Jam.
ZINC BAR: 82W 3rd St (bet Thompson &
Sullivan). 212-477-8337. www.zincbar.com.
Sets: Early 7pm except Sat 8pm + 9,11pm
&12:30am except Fri 8pm + Mon 2am. Adm
varies. Residencies: Mon 10pm-2am Ron
Affif Trio, Tues 10pm Evolution Band, 11pm
Jam by Ingmar Thomas, Thurs 12am Roman
Diaz Midnight Rumba Get Classical, Fri Big
Bands, Sat Misha Piatigorsky Trio + Monika
Oliveira & The Brasiliansm, Sun Tango Trio
& Milonga. Dec 1: Cidinho Texeira; 2: Valery
Ponomarev; 3: Andrew Grau; 4: Gregorio
Uribe; 5: Livio Almeida; 7: VandoJam feat
The Vandoren Holiday Sax Section; 9: Jack
Jeffers; 10: Pedro Giraudo; 11: Valery
Ponomarev Big Band; 16: Sheriff Bob; 17:
Stan Ruben & Tigertown Five; 18: Gabriel
Alegria; 21: Gene Perla; 23: Jack Jeffers; 25:
Seth Weaver & Holiday Swing Party feat
Svetlana; 30: Sketchy Orkestra; 31: Roman
Diaz & Midnight Rumba.
BRONX
AN BEAL BOCHT CAFÉ: 445W 238th St. 718884-7127. www.lindasjazznights.com. 1st
Wed 8&9:30pm $15/25 adm Linda's Jazz
Nights. Dec 2: Eric Alexander Qrt.
BRONX
LIBRARY
CENTER:
310E
Kingsbridge Rd. www.nypl.org. 718-5794244. Dec 5: 8:30pm Robert Glasper Trio.
G-BAR: 579 Grand Concourse at 149th St. 718402-6996. www.gbarnyc.com.
RIVERDALE Y: 5625 Arlington Av. 718-5488200. www.riverdaley.org. Dec 10: 7:30pm Ted
Rosenthal Trio + the Inventions Trio.
UNIVERSITY OF THE STREETS: 2381
continued on page 28
ANOTHER REASON TO CELEBRATE
By Elzy Kolb
Jane Getter, Iridium
Experimental journey
Guitarist, vocalist and composer Jane
Getter started out playing an acoustic axe
in folkie mode, but it wasn't long before she
plugged in, turned up and dropped into
applying her agile hands to jazz, fusion
and more.
She's had creative stints with Brother
Jack McDuff, the Saturday Night Live
band,
the
Headhunters,
Michael
Urbaniak's Urbinator, Kenny Garrett,
Lenny White, Regina Carter and others.
Getter continues investigating wide-ranging musical territory with her new recording of all-original material, On (Snapper).
"Artists who are constantly growing and
changing are most inspiring to me," the
guitarist explains. "Lately, I've been
inspired by progressive rock, progressive
metal, while always maintaining my love
of jazz. It's not a conscious thing with me;
it's my natural process. I have an eclectic
love of music, including African, roots
music, blues, jazz and rock."
On is the first release from her new
band, Jane Getter Premonition, and she
declares it her strongest work yet. "I'm
writing what I've been hearing recently
and I'm continuing to evolve." Daily experiences fueled the writing process for On.
Getter wrote two songs, "Surprised" and
"Where," "in response to the toxic political
environment we've been living in for a
while," she reveals. "Some of the saddening
things that people do, cause to happen,
allow to happen, make me wonder, 'If you
have a heart, where is it?'"
Her tune "Logan (Would've Sounded
Great on This)" came about when Getter
was developing a bassline that brought to
mind a bassist friend, the late Steve
Logan. "Falling" is a reminder that sometimes you have to "pick yourself back up
and continue," while "Train" gets part of
its lyrics from a homeless man's monologue
Getter overheard on the subway.
Besides CD and download, On is available on vinyl, another first for Getter. "It's
really exciting to have my music on vinyl.
You start comparing the sound quality and
it's totally different—it's warmer, more
atmospheric, spacious sounding. CDs are
crisper but almost too perfect. Plus, with
vinyl, you're more involved while listening,
turning the album over, checking out the
artwork, which looks so good at that size."
Jane Getter Premonition introduces
music from On at a release party at
Iridium Jazz Club on Dec. 16; she'll
also present some material from her three
previous recordings.
Anne Phillips, Christ and St. Stephen’s Church
Peaceful coexistence
Composer and vocalist Anne Phillips
doesn't just believe jazz and opera can
work and play well together—she proves it
with her annual production of Bending
Towards the Light…A Jazz Nativity in
which readings and songs are performed
by opera singers, jazz instrumentalists and
vocalists, and tap dancers.
"Opera and jazz join hands here and we
can do it without jeopardizing either
genre," she says. "No opera singers
attempt to sing jazz and no jazz singers
attempt to sing opera. There is nothing
that is jarring about it. When you hire the
right musicians, they know what to do."
Bending Towards the Light has certainly attracted more than its fair share of the
right musicians. Alumni include Clark
Terry, Benny Powell, Dave Brubeck, Tito
Puente, Lionel Hampton, John Faddis,
Steve Turre, Dave Valentin, Jon
Hendricks, Lew Soloff, Phil Woods, Savion
Glover and many others. "It would have
been wonderful to have sewn tags inside
the costumes over the years, ID'ing who
has worn them," Phillips muses.
This year marks Latin percussionist
Candido's 25th appearance in the production; the 93-year-old looks forward to it,
telling Phillips, "Every time is like the first
time." The 2015 cast also includes trumpeters Ingrid Jensen and Marcus Printup,
vocalists Brenda Feliciano and Amy
continued on page 29
Getter photo by Martin Vandory.
27
LISTINGS... continued from page 26
Belmont Av. 2nd Fl. www.university
ofthestreets.org. 212-254-9300. Sat: 9pm12am $10 don Jam w/Rob Anderson Qrt.
BROOKLYN
65FEN: 65 Fenimore St. www.65fenmusic
series.tumblr.com. Mon: 9&10pm $10 don
65Fen Music series. Dec 7: Patrick Breiner,
Michael Foster, Jake Henry, Adam Hopkins,
Anais Maviel & Josh Sinton; 14: Jon
Irabagon Solo, 10pm Han-Earl Park w/Nick
Didkovsky & Josh Sinton; 21: Charles
Waters, 10pm Luke Stewart.
ALOR CAFÉ: 2110 Richmond Rd. Staten Island.
718-351-1101. www.alorcafe.com. Fri: 8pm;
Sun: 11am-1pm Brunch w/Rose Rusciani.
ATLAS STEAKHOUSE: 943 Coney Island Av.
www.atlassteak.com. 646-494-7227. Sat: 710pm Marina Makarova Solo.
BAMCAFÉ: 30 Lafayette Av. 718-636-4100.
www.bam.org. Sets: 9:30pm. Dec 4: Matt
Darriau & Paradox Trio; 11: Antoinette
Montague; 18: Beat Kaestli.
BAR CHORD: 1008 Cortelyou Rd. 347-2406033. www.barchordnyc.com. Sun: 9pm
Cortelyou Jam.
BAR TABAC: 128 Smith St at Dean St. Cobble
Hill. www.bartabacny.com. 718-923-0918.
Tues&Thurs: 7-10pm. Tues: Blue Vipers of
Brooklyn; Thurs: Stephane Wrembel.
BARBÈS: 376 9th St at 6th Av. Park Slope.
www.barbesbrooklyn.com. 718-965-9177.
Residencies: Mon 7pm Brain Cloud; Tues
9pm Slavic Soul Party; Wed 10pm Mandingo
Ambassadors; Sun 9pm Stephane Wrembel.
Dec 2: 8pm Andy Statman; 19: 8pm Lucian
Ban & Mat Maneri.
BROOKLYN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC:
58 7th Av. www.bqcm.org. 718-622-3300. 1st
Fri: 7pm $5 adm Open Stage. Dec 19: 8pm
$10 adm Connection Works www.connec
tionworks.org presents Brooklyn Jazz Wide
Open series feat Stephan Crump & Rosetta
Trio & WORKS.
BROWNSTONE JAZZ: 107 Macon St at
Nostrand Av. www.sankofaaban.com. 917704-9237. Fri-Sat: 8:30pm $30 adm incl 1
drink Brownstone Jazz. Fri-Sat: 11pm-1am
Open Mic w/Eric Lemon & BJ Ens.
BROWNSVILLE HERITAGE HOUSE: 581
Mother Gaston Blvd. www.brownsvill
eheritagehouse.org. 718-385-1111. 3rd Sat:
3-6pm free adm Wade Barnes Tribute Band.
BUSHWICK PUBLIC HOUSE: 1288 Myrtle Av.
www.bushwickpublichouse.com. 917-9668500. Dec 6: 8pm Three Bananas & Filipe
Duarte.
CADAQUÉS: 188 Grand St. 718-218-7776.
www.cadaquesny.com. Thurs-Fri: 7:3011pm.
The DRAWING ROOM: 56 Willoughby St #3.
www.drawingroommusic.com. Sets: 7pm.
Dec 18: $15 adm The Pretzel Club; 20: $20
Gene Bertoncini.
EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH: 279
Lafayette Av at Washington Av. 718-6221107. www.ebcconnects.com. Dec 31: 7pm
$20 adm Jazz Vespers feat Vivian Sessoms.
FIREHOUSE SPACE: 246 Frost St. 917-7097799. www.thefirehousespace.org. 1st Fri:
8pm $10 adm Firehouse New Music series
by Dan Blake feat Marcelo Toledo & Stelios
Michas Duo. Dec 17: 8pm Desvelo.
FOR MY SWEET: 1103 Fulton St. 347-7704735. Mon: 7-11pm $10 adm Bill Jacobs Ens.
FREDDY’S BAR: 627 5th Av (bet 17th & 18th
Sts). www.freddysbar.com. 718-768-0131.
Dec 11: 10pm Smith & 9th Ward; 17: 9pm
28
Aaron Irwin Trio; 20: 9-11pm Freddy's
Sunday Jam w/Flea Circus; 22: 8-11pm $10
adm On The Way Out series by Evan
Gallagher.
FULL GOSPEL ASSEMBLY: 131 Sullivan Pl.
718-940-9687. www.fgany.org. Dec 20: 4:305:30pm David White Jazz Orch.
GAMBRINUS: 3100 Ocean Pkwy. 718-2651009. www.gambrinusny.com. Thurs: 811pm Yaakov Mayman Qrt.
HOPE & ANCHOR: 347 Van Brunt St. 718-2370276. www.hopeandanchorredhook.com.
Wed: 7:30-10:30pm Jam w/Ray Scro Qrt.
I-BEAM: 168 7th St. www.ibeambrooklyn.com.
Sets: 8pm $10 adm. Dec 6: Josh Sinton +
Stephen Gauci Gp; 18: Adam Hopkins Sxt.
INKWELL: 408 Rogers Av (bet Lefferts &
Sterling Sts). www.inkwellcafe.com. 8888INKWEL. Dec 11: 7-9pm Christian Finger.
JALOPY: 315 Columbia St. www.jalopy.biz.
718-395-3214. Sets: 8:30pm $15 adm. Dec 2:
Terrence McManus & Russ Lossing Duo,
9:15pm Terrence McManus Trio; 4: Tim
Berne & Snakeoil; 10: Jaimie Branch & Ståle
Smith; 11: Sam Blower Qrt & Brian Drye Trio;
12: Sam Blower Qrt & Davølka Kirkberger.
JAZZ 966: 966 Fulton St. 917-593-9776.
www.jazz966.com. Fri: 8:15&10:15pm $15
don.
KORZO RESTAURANT & BAR: 667 5th Av
(bet 19th & 20th Sts). 718-499-1199.
www.facebook.com/konceptions.
Tues:
9&10:30pm $10 don/$10 min Konceptions
Music series by James Carney. Dec 1:
James Carney, 10:30pm Devin Gray &
RelativE ResonancE; 8: Richard Bonnet,
10:30pm Danny Fox Trio; 15: Igor Lumpert,
10:30pm Will Bernard Trio.
LORENZO’S
RESTAURANT,
BAR
&
CABARET: At Hilton Garden Inn. 1100
South Av at Lois Ln. Staten Island. 718-4772400X3222. www.lorenzosdining.com. Sun:
12-2&2-4pm Jazz Brunch.
NATIONAL SAWDUST: 80N 6th St. 646-7798455. www.nationalsawdust.org. Dec 3: 9:3010:30pm Jason Lindner & Breeding Ground;
17: 7-8pm Theo Bleckmann.
PANE E VINO: 174 Smith St at Warren.
www.panevinony.com. 718-501-1010. Sun: 710pm Carl Thompson Gp w/Virginia Mayhew.
PROSPECT RANGE: 1228 Prospect Av.
www.prospectrange.com.
917-776-6834.
Dec 4: 7:30pm Dave Smith Qrt, 9pm Tammy
Scheffer Sxt.
ROULETTE: 509 Atlantic Av at 3rd Av.
www.roulette.org. 917-267-0363. Sets: 8pm.
Dec 1: Joel Harrison & Infinite Possibility;
10: Wadada Leo Smith & Douglas Ewart; 1415: Henry Threadgill & Double Up Ens.
SAGE: 299 Graham Av. www.sageongraham.
com. 718-218-6644. Fri-Sat: 7pm. Fri: Ryo
Sasaki Trio w/Bill Crow.
SCHOLES STREET STUDIO: 375 Lorimer St.
www.scholesstreetstudio.com.
718-9648763. Dec 13: 3-5pm $15 adm Scot Albertson
& Dan Furman.
SEEDS: 617 Vanderbilt Av. www.seedsbrook
lyn.org. Sets: 8:30&10pm unless otherwise
noted. Dec 2: Tom Beckham/Brad Shepik
Duo, 10pm Roy Nathanson Duos; 9-12: 9pm
Tyshawn Sorey 6tet w/Strings; 16: Adam
Kolker Trio, 10pm Talmor/Halvorson/Cleaver.
SHAPESHIFTER LAB: 18 Whitwell Pl.
www.shapeshifterlab.com. 646-820-9452.
Sets/adm unless otherwise noted: Early (E)
7pm, Late (L) 8:15pm, Night (N) 9:30pm; $10
adm. Residency (R): Wed 8pm except 12/23
Brooklyn Raga Massive Jam Session. Dec
1: E George Spanos, 8pm Jake Hertzog
Band, N Rob Garcia 4; 2: R; 3: L $15 Burak
Bedikyan New York Trio; 4: L QNA, N
continued on page 30
ANOTHER REASON... continued from page 27
London, drummer Tim Horner, saxophonist
Ted
Nash,
trombonists
Pete
McGuinness and Art Baron, tap dancers
Maurice Chestnut and Max Pollak and
others. Deborah Voigt, of the Metropolitan
Opera, sings the title song; hosts are
Terrance McKnight of WQXR and Sheila
Anderson of WBGO.
For the past three decades, Phillips has
presented this unique version of the
Christmas story around the country in
auditoriums, clubs, churches, synagogues,
even in Avery Fisher Hall. There was a
Spanish-language version at B.B. King's in
2012, the last time the show ran in New
York. Bending Towards the Light will be
back in the Big Apple this year, with two
performances Dec. 20 at Christ and St.
Stephen's Church.
"The show is still going strong, thanks
to some miracles," Phillips says, citing coproducer Chelsea Opera as this year's miracle maker. "I've said for years this is a
jazz opera, now it's got its imprimatur from
Chelsea Opera. The show is so joyous,
great for families. Having it in church this
year is a nicer setting for the children—
and there's no two-drink minimum in
church," she points out with a laugh.
Matt Wilson, Jazz Standard
Serious fun
Drummer Matt Wilson's collection of
Christmas tree decorations comprises
ornaments depicting Star Trek's Mr.
Spock, basketball great Larry Bird, a
twisting Santa, and Johnny Cash singing
"Ring of Fire." That may be a tip off that
when Wilson's Christmas Tree-O, with
special guest Jason Moran, convenes at
Jazz Standard Dec. 22-23, they won't be
playing the style of piped-in holiday carols
that have been wafting through shopping
malls since the day after Halloween.
The Tree-O has made it a practice to put
its own spin on seasonal tunes, familiar
and obscure, sacred and secular. On the
band's self-titled CD, released on Palmetto
in 2010, Wilson and band mates Jeff
Lederer (saxophones, clarinet, toy piano
and more) and bassist Paul Sikivie present
non-standard takes on the likes of "Winter
Wonderland" and "The Hallelujah
Chorus." They delve deeper into Santa's
bag of tunes for a rousing version of the
Hawaiian-inspired Bing Crosby hit "Mele
Kalikimaki," a playful look at The
Chipmunk's "Christmas Don't Be Late,"
and a soulful mash-up of Albert Ayler's
"Angels" with "Angels We Have Heard on
High."
According to Wilson, "We like to take
the familiar and see what we can do with
it. People know the tunes, but never
thought about them this way before. This
time of year gives us a little license to be on
the unconventional side."
Among the Tree-O traditions are a ceremonial lighting of the drum set à la
Rockefeller Center, and wearing matching
outfits; this year red velvet blazers make
their debut.
Another new element is including short
films of the band's version of It's a
Wonderful Life. "It's kind of a variety
show; I feel like I'm doing an ABC
Christmas Special," Wilson says with a
laugh. "I got the film idea from seeing
Cecile McLorin Salvant use it at the
Standard. I thought, 'What's holding us
back from trying different things? It's not
so hard.' If I have an idea, I'm going to try
to pull it off. If it's legal, the answer's
'Yes!'"
As much as Wilson enjoys creating "an
event," as he calls it, he's serious about the
music. "The Tree-O is a really great jazz
band. No matter what else is going on, the
music has to be at a high level. We can try
something new and take chances, but I
won't sacrifice the quality of the music."
Starting with its first December gig six
years ago, Matt Wilson's Christmas Tree-O
(guitarist Pat Metheny declared it "the
greatest name for a jazz band ever") has
attracted a bevy of special guests including
Salvant, Esperanza Spalding, Joe Lovano,
Kurt Elling, Chris Bergson and Bill Frisell.
Pianist Jason Moran is scheduled to
join the Tree-O during its two-day run and
Wilson expects others to drop in to play,
sing or recite. "I love the moment, I love
the community of the gig," the drummer
says. "It's always fun to see what will transpire."
BROWN... continued from page 25
will jump in and sing with Sheila, and we'll
feature Joe and Judi doing their wonderful
free stuff. It'll be a lot of fun."
On Dec. 21, his actual birthday, Brown
plans a quiet celebration with his family,
"If I survive the previous four days," he
declares, laughing.
Cameron Brown will be at the
Cornelia Street Café with the following programs: Celebrating Ornette
Coleman and Don Cherry Dec. 17,
Hear and Now band Dec. 18, Dannie's
Calypso Dec. 19, and in duo with
Sheila Jordan on Dec. 31. He'll be with
special guests including Jordan and
Joe Lovano at the Falcon on Dec. 20
29
LISTINGS... continued from page 28
Butcher Brown; 6: E-N Bern Nix Qrt, The 12
Houses Orch feat spec guest Jemeel
Moondoc; 7: E-L SWARMIUS; 8: E Isaac
Darche Qnt, L The Relative Trio, N Gordon
Grdina Qrt; 9: R; 10: 8pm Jazz Gallery
Mentoring series Johnathan Blake Gp feat
Joe Dyson; 11: 7:30pm Nachibi, 10:30pm
Oded Tzur Qrt feat Meytal Blanaru; 12: L-N
George Schuller Ens; 13: E Wingfield &
Kastning, 8pm Yagull, 9pm Beledo w/spec
guest Mark Wingfield; 14: Edwin Pope; 15: E
Nadje Noorduis Qnt, L Josh Deutsch &
Pannonia, N Andy Clausen & Shutter
Project; 16: R; 17: L the Pittsburgh
Collective & IMPetus; 18: Polyfold Collective
feat E Amanezca, 7:45pm Rafael Statin,
8:45pm Malis/Daher Duo, 9:20pm Ambitus,
10:15pm Alex Levine Qrt; 19: E Katie Bull
Gp, 8:30pm bluelight; 20: 3pm Kaoru
Watanabe Boonenkai, 8&9:45pm $8 James
Muller & Sydney Con Jazz Orch; 21: E-L
Jessica Jones; 22: E-L Mitchell Leonard; 29:
L Paola Quagliata Band; 30: R.
SISTAS’ PLACE: 456 Nostrand Av at Jefferson
Av. www.sistasplace.org. 718-398-1766. Sat:
9&10:30pm $30/25 adm. Dec 5: Charles
Tolliver; 12: Kiane Zawadi; 19: Carl Bartlett
Jr. Qnt.
THREES BREWING: 333 Douglass St. 718522-2110. www.threesbrewing.com. Dec 13:
8pm Jon Lundbom & Big Five Chord, 9pm
Jessica Lurie & Bravadas, 10pm Eivind
Opsvik & Overseas.
WILLIAMSBURG MUSIC CENTER: 367
Bedford Av. www.wmcjazz.org. 718-3841654. 10pm-2am. Fri: free adm/2 drink min
Jam w/Gerry Eastman Qnt & friends.
WOLF & LAMB STEAKHOUSE: 1635 Coney
Island Av. 718-627-4676. www.wolfandlamb
brooklyn.com. Sets: 7:45pm. Dec 15:
KlezJazz; 29: Richard Samuels/Steve
Benson.
CONNECTICUT
The 9th NOTE JAZZ & SUPPER CLUB: 15
Bank St. Stamford. www.the9thnote.com.
203-504-8828. Tues-Sun.
BUTTONWOOD
TREE: 605 Main St.
Middletown. www.buttonwood.org. 860-3474957. Sat: 8-10pm. Dec 4: Eric Mintel Qrt; 11:
George Mastrogiannis Gp; 12: Sinan Bakir
Solo; 19: Joe Fonda w/Carlo Moreno.
FAIRFIELD THEATRE: 70 Sanford St. Fairfield.
www.fairfieldtheatre.org. 203-259-1036. Dec
3: 7:45pm $22 adm New Duke.
FIREHOUSE 12: 47 Crown St. New Haven.
203-785-0468. www.firehouse12.com. Fri:
8:30pm $20 adm, 10pm $15. Dec 4: Peter
Evans & Zebulon Trio; 11: Ned Rothenberg &
Inner Diaspora.
FUJI OF JAPAN RESTAURANT & BAR: 111
Old Kings Hwy North. Darien. 203-655-4995.
www.fujiofjapan.com. Thurs: 6:30-9pm
Music Thursdays series feat Nicole
Pasternak or Maria Tiscia.
The OUTER SPACE: 294 Treadwell St.
Hamden. www.theouterspace.net. 203-6401684. Sun: 5-7pm $5 adm The Outer Space
Jazz All Stars. Dec 6: Nick DiMaria; 13: The
Alone Strategy; 20: 2nd Line Qrt.
PIZZERIA LAURETANO: 291 Greenwood Av.
Bethel. www.pizzerialauretano.com. 203792-1500. Sun: 6-8pm $15 adm/10 min. Dec
6: Sambeleza; 13: Michael Leventhal &
Orgone Jazz Qnt; 20: Jerrod Cattey Trio.
RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE: 80 East Ridge.
Ridgefield. www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
203-438-5795. Dec 8: 8pm $155-95 adm
30
Kenny G; 17: 7:30pm $25 Tiempo Libre.
The SIDE DOOR JAZZ CLUB: At Old Lyme
Inn. 85 Lyme St. Old Lyme. 860-434-0886.
www.thesidedoorjazz.com. Sets: 8:30pm.
Dec 4: Ulysses Owens Jr. & New Century
Jazz Qnt; 5: Mike DiRubbo Qnt; 10: Noah
Preminger; 11: Rodney Green Qrt; 12: Kevin
Mahogany Trio; 18: Ed Cherry Trio; 19: Warren Wolf Qrt; 25: closed; 26: Opius Bliss.
LONG ISLAND
AMERICAN HOTEL: 49 Main St. Sag Harbor.
631-725-3535. www.theamericanhotel.com.
Fri-Sat: 6:30-10:30pm Lee Glantz.
TRATTORIA GRASSO: 134 Main St. Cold
Spring Harbor. www.trattoriagrasso.com.
631-367-6060. Sets: Tues 8pm; Wed&Sat
7pm; Thurs 6:30pm; Fri 7:30pm; Sun Brunch
(B) 12pm, Evening (EV) 6pm. Residencies
(R): Sun B Joe Carter, Thurs Frank O’Brien.
Dec 6: B R; 9: R; 11: Jerry Weldon Trio; 13: B
R; 18: Joanna Durante Trio; 19: Phoebe
Austin Trio; 20: B R, EV Madeline Kole; 24:
Frank O'Brien; 27: B R.
NEW YORK STATE
76 HOUSE: 110 Main St. Tappan. 845-359-5476.
www.76house.com. Wed: 8-11pm free adm
Quintets w/Mark Hagan & feat artists + Jam.
DARYL’S HOUSE: 130 Rte 22. Pawling. 845289-0185. www.darylshouseclub.com. Sat:
12-3pm Jazz Brunch w/The Hudson Valley
Jazz Ens.
The DAUTAJ: 36 Oakland Ave. Warwick. 845986-3666. www.thedautaj.com. Free adm.
Sat: 7:30-11:30pm. 1st Sun: 7-8:30pm NY
Swing Exchange Band.
EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC: 26 Gibbs St.
Rochester. www.esm.rochester.edu. 585274-1000. Dec 8: 8pm Jazz at Lincoln Center
Orch w/Wynton Marsalis.
FALCON ARTS: 1348 Rte 9 West. Marlboro.
www.liveatthefalcon.com. 845-236-7970.
$20 don suggested. Sets: 7pm, if opening
act (Op) 8pm main act. Dec 2: Sofia Ribeiro;
3: Fabian Almazan & Rhizome; 5: Soulia &
the Sultans; 9: David Krakauer & Kathleen
Tagg; 12: Soñando; 16: Bucky Pizzarelli & Ed
Laub Duo; 20: Cameron Brown w/Sheila
Jordan, Joe Lovano & Judi Silvano; 29: Brad
Mehldau & Chris Thile.
QUINN’S: 330 Main St. Beacon. www.quinns
beacon.com. Sets: 9pm. Mon: 8pm free adm
Monday Night Jazz Sessions. Dec 2:
Pechakucha; 7: Robert Kopec; 8: Joe
McPhee/James Keepnews/Dave Berger; 14:
Samuel Blaser & Spring Rain Qrt; 15: Jason
Kao Hwang & Amygdala; 17: Lucas Brode &
G. Calvin Weston; 21: tba; 28: Jessica Jones
Qrt; 29: Hilliard Greene.
TURNING POINT CAFÉ: 468 Piermont Av.
Piermont. www.turningpointcafe.com. 845359-1089. Mon: 8-11:30pm $5 adm Monday
Jam by John Richmond.
UNION ARTS CENTER: 2 Union Av. Sparkill.
845-359-0258. www.uacny.com. Dec 18: 8pm
Richard Sussman Ens.
QUEENS
ASTOR ROOM: 34-12 36th St. Astoria. 718-2551947. www.astorroom.com. Fri-Sat: 7-11pm
& Sun: 11:30am-3pm.
FLUSHING TOWN HALL: 137-35 Northern
continued on page 36
HOT FLASHES
Musicians-Collective/Record Label
Corner
A stunningly creative and entrepreneurial enterprise that reflects the incredible spark of Brooklyn's jazz scene, the
Brooklyn Jazz Underground (BJU)
enters its second decade as a genre-defying
collective. Comprising some of the borough's most adventurous musical minds,
the BJU has succeeded in fostering artistic
growth, developing new performance opportunities, showcasing fresh compositional
outputs, and even engaging in community
outreach and audience development.
The BJU's inaugural decade led to fascinating and admirable successes; indeed,
the launch of a record label in 2008, a
series of acclaimed curated concerts and a
yearly music festival count among its
achievements. Along the way, it began to
attract other artists to its fold, who in turn
took on the running of the organization
even as its founding members went on to
other projects. In that respect, the BJU
passed over a hurdle that undoes many
peer organizations: developing enough
momentum that it can succeed beyond the
efforts of its initial founders and engender
continual renewal through fresh insights
and newcomers.
Brooklyn Jazz Underground
With them came new directions for the
group, notably an interest in reaching out
to and engaging with the local communities with education initiatives in afterschool programs. This month, the organization takes this goal a step further, by
commencing a community concert series at
Prospect Range in Windsor Terrace.
"This area of Brooklyn is a little underserved in terms of artistic venues for people in the neighborhood to see music," BJU
member and saxophonist Adam Kolker
explains. "There are also many children in
this area, so we wanted to present music
that was free for kids. We wanted to make
By Seton Hawkins
something musical that was available to
them and for them."
The decision to embark on an outreach
initiative such as this points to the continued evolution of the BJU and highlights
the collective impact of the members'
efforts as well as the egalitarian structure
of the organization itself, ensuring that all
participating artists' voices can be heard
and that the benefits and tasks are shared.
"It's interesting to see how group
dynamics play out, particularly in a group
like this where not everybody initially
knew everyone else," Kolker notes. "But
everything is shared equally, and it has
really turned out well. We have monthly
meetings to discuss what we want to do
and how we want to pursue it. We've kept
it manageable because we've operated on a
smaller scale."
The collective's participants have
gained valuable music and business experiences from their respective efforts with
the group. Kolker notes that the communal
business spirit and artistic sharing has
proven particularly beneficial for him. "It's
easy for one to get overwhelmed by the
business environment surrounding our
lives as artists," he notes. "With the group,
we were able to instead share business
ideas and mailing lists and ultimately support one another."
The Brooklyn Jazz Underground kicks
off its new series at Prospect Range on
Dec. 4 with performances by the David
Smith Quintet and the Tammy Scheffer
Sextet. Learn more about the collective at
http://www.brooklynjazz.org/.
New Year's Eve Jazz
Luther Gales presents a New Year's
Eve Day Party beginning at 1 p.m. at the
Alhambra Ballroom, featuring an open bar
and three-course dinner paired with music
by Antoinette Montague and " King"
Solomon Hicks; learn more by calling
212-926-6211. At Jazz Standard, the
Mingus Big Band rings in 2016, and tickets can be purchased by visiting www.jazz
standard.com. Brazilian bassist Nilson
Matta's Samba Meets Jazz project
appears in a special set at Jazz at Kitano;
details can be found at www.kitano.com.
Eric Alexander fronts a sextet with additional special guests at Smoke; reserve a
seat at www.smokejazz.com. Chris Botti
appears in special sets at the Blue Note;
tickets are available at www.bluenote.net.
continued on page 32
31
FRESH TAKES
ON THE HEELS OF HER SUMMER
appearance at the Museum of Modern Art's
MoMa Nights, vocalist Shenel Johns hits
this month at Jazz at Lincoln Center's
Divas of the Silver Screen, a two-day celebration of legendary vocalists Lena Horne,
Rosemary Clooney and Ethel Waters.
Johns' vocal style integrates a brilliant,
clear sound with a nuanced rhythmic
undercurrent and she pulls from a rich
musical lineage. "What I like to do is focus
on one particular vocalist for a length of
time, maybe months, and sometimes I find
the study to be ongoing. I look at their life
story, their records, live performances,
until I feel as though I know them inside
and out," she explains.
The singer's recent inquiries have led
her into the realm of Nina Simone who,
along with Abbey Lincoln, was a featured
artist at her summer MoMA gig.
Accompanied by the paintings of Jacob
Lawrence, Johns led her quintet into "an
uninhibited spiritual and musical dialogue."
As a young and touring musician—this
HOT FLASHES...
continued from page 31
The Knickerbocker Bar and Grill hosts a
New Year's Eve celebration featuring the
music of Valerie Capers, John Robinson
and Richie Goods; to learn more visit
www.knickerbockerbarandgrill.com.
Henry Butler and Steven Bernstein
December Concerts and Holiday
Events
The Apollo Theater hosts Je Suis Soul:
A Salute to French and African Jazz and
Soul on Dec. 5, highlighting the influence
of Africa's music in France and the
Americas. Manu Dibango, Ben L'Oncle
and Monophonics, and Les Nubians join
32
By Nathan Kamal, student at The New School
year she had a residency at Jazz at Lincoln
Center Doha in Qatar—Johns credits traveling as a well of inspiration. "It inspires
me to experience and learn of another's culture. Often times a melody will come out of
a conversation or the images I see while
gazing out of a car in a new place."
S h e n e l
Johns is a
feat ured
artist, along
with Adriane
L e n o x ,
M a r t i n a
DaSilva and
Tatiana EvaMarie,
at
Divas of the
S i l v e r
Screen, Dec.
18-19 at Jazz
at
Lincoln
Center Appel
Room.
the bill for the event. Learn more at
www.apollotheater.org.
Saxophonist and composer Paul
Winter hosts his popular Winter Solstice
Celebration at the Cathedral of St. John
the Divine Dec. 17-19. Now in its 36th
year, the celebration will focus on the
music of Brazil by featuring performances
by Brazilian artists including Renato Braz
and Fabiana Cozza, in addition to the Paul
Winter Consort and dancers from the
Forces of Nature Dance Theatre. To purchase tickets, visit www.stjohndivine.org.
Henry Butler, Steven Bernstein and
their ensemble, The Hot 9, will celebrate
the holiday season with a program of classic New Orleans and New York fare at
Town Hall on Dec. 18. Hosted by Buster
Poindexter, the event will also feature a
variety of special guests. For more information, visit www.thetownhall.org.
Jazz and opera artists collaborate in
Bending Towards the Light, the beloved
jazz-themed interpretation of the Nativity
story. This year, opera legend Deborah
Voigt will appear in the work's title role,
while jazz masters including Wycliffe
Gordon,
Ingrid Jensen,
Marcus
Printup, Ted Nash and others fill out the
roles and band. Find out more at
www.chelseaopera.org.
-*"
-",Ê9Ê
/
NEW JERSEY JAZZ
Gary Walker, “Morning Jazz Host”, WBGO, 88.3 FM/wbgo.org
FRANK KIMBROUGH
HAMILTON STAGE / DECEMBER 12
Frank Kimbrough says he's been sitting at the piano for longer than he can remember. Of his artistry, The New Yorker says, "Kimbrough is a near-visionary whose
improvisation and composing simmer with melodic intrigue and invention." He has
played in solo, trio and more than 20 group settings from his founding-member work
with the Jazz Composers Collective, to The Herbie Nichols Project and his participation in the Maria Schneider Orchestra. Kimbrough's duos with vibraphonist Joe Locke
on recordings like Saturn's Child (Omnitone) have shown that less is more and his solo
efforts are overflowing with freshness, from Monk to Motian to Ellington. He describes
his own tunes like "The Call" as a celebration, to be part of something larger than oneself. Kimbrough plays solo in this Piano Masters event.
TED ROSENTHAL
LUNA STAGE / DECEMBER 13
One of the outstanding pianists of his generation, Ted Rosenthal won the 1988
Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. Rosenthal has released 16
albums as leader, including Rhapsody In Gershwin (Playscape), a trio interpretation
of Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue. Rosenthal effortlessly merged the worlds of Bud
Powell, Bill Evans and Beethoven on his solo recording The 3 B's (Playscape), a creative sense he's carried over in original works for symphony orchestras in Boston,
Detroit and Rochester, and the Manhattan Philharmonic. His piece "Uptown" was premiered by The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Rosenthal's considerable jazz
chops have been featured with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Art Farmer, Phil
Woods and James Moody. Rosenthal's work as Gerry Mulligan's last pianist comes to
light with master saxophonist Scott Robinson for Mulligan and More.
JERRY WELDON
HYATT NEW BRUNSWICK / DECEMBER 17
Jerry Weldon talks about that night in the early 70s as though it was last night: when
his father took him to the Village Vanguard to see Stan Getz. It was then that Weldon
knew he wanted a life as a jazz saxophonist. In a "think thin" culture Weldon developed a fat sound, putting him in the bands of Lionel Hampton, Harry Connick Jr., Roy
Haynes, George Benson and the wall sweatin' organ groups of Jack McDuff, Jimmy
McGriff and Joey DeFrancesco. It's this organic groove that plays out on Weldon's
upcoming release, On The Move (Doodlin'), where he burns through jazz standards
and originals, while showing a soft side on songs like "You've Changed." Weldon's
quartet features tunes from his latest release guaranteed to get your move on.
JERRY VIVINO
SHANGHAI JAZZ / DECEMBER 26
Like so many of us, Jerry Vivino started out playing a soprano recorder in grade school.
The difference is he progressed to tenor sax (he dug Stan Getz) and flute, and went to
Manhattan School of Music. He toured the world with Ray Charles, Tony Bennett,
Keely Smith, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Bruce Springsteen and James
Brown. He's played top Broadway shows and can be seen nightly in Conan O'Brien's
television band. With his true jazz and R&B passion, Vivino returns home with his
sax, flute and vocal talents featured with pianist Ken Levinsky, bassist John Arbo and
drummer Frank Pagano. Look for a night of jazz and R&B standards mixed in with
holiday favorites, in addition to fun from his latest recording, Back East (Blu Jazz).
Weldon photo by John Scuderi, Vivino by Dr. Zoet.
33
NEW JERSEY BY COUNTY
ATLANTIC
SOMERS POINT JAZZ SOCIETY: 609-9276677. www.spjazz.org.
BERGEN
SOLARI’S: 61 River St. Hackensack. 201-4871969. Ev 1st Tues: 8pm One More Once Big
Band.
STONY
HILL
INN:
231 Polifly Rd.
Hackensack. www.stonyhillinn.com. 201342-4085. Ev other Fri-Sat: 8pm-12am Betty
Liste Qrt.
VILLA AMALFI: 793 Palisade Av. Cliffside
Park. www.villaamalfi.com. 201-886-8626.
Sat: 7:30-11:30pm Lou Volpe.
BURLINGTON
TRI-STATE JAZZ SOCIETY: PO Box 896.
Mount Laurel. www.tristatejazz.org. 856-7200232.
ESSEX
CODA KITCHEN & BAR: 177 Maplewood Av.
Maplewood.
www.codamaplewood.com.
973-327-2247. Sun: 12-3pm Jazz Brunch feat
Lee Glantz.
DANA LIBRARY: Institute of Jazz Studies at
Rutgers University. 185 University Av.
Newark. http://newarkwww.rutgers.edu/IJS/.
973-353-5595.
DUKE’S SOUTHERN TABLE: 11 Clinton St.
Newark. www.dukesnewark.com. 862-7635757. Fri-Sat: 7:30-11:30pm, Sun: 1-4pm. Dec
5: Bryan Beninghove; 6: Carrie Jackson; 11:
John Bauers; 12: Kahlil Kwame Bell; 13: Roz
Corral; 18: Pat Van Dyke; 19: Lance Bryant;
20: Lee Hogans.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH: 40S
Fullerton Av. Montclair. 973-744-6560.
www.outpostintheburbs.org. Dec 6: 3-5pm
$10 adm Spiritual Drumming Workshops by
Richard Reiter.
GATEWAY CENTER 2: 2 Gateway Center. 283299 Market St. Newark. 973-624-8880. Dec 2:
12-1pm Luis Perdomo.
HAT CITY KITCHEN: 459 Valley St. Orange.
862-252-9147. Wed: 8pm Jam by Mike Lee.
JAZZ HOUSE KIDS: 14 S Park St. Montclair.
973-744-2258 www.jazzhousekids.org.
LUNA STAGE: 555 Valley Rd. West Orange.
973-395-5551. www.lunastage.org. Dec 13:
7pm Scott Robinson & Ted Rosenthal.
MCLOONE’S BOATHOUSE: 9 Cherry Ln at
Northfield Av. West Orange. 862-252-7108.
www.mcloonesboathouse.com. Sun: 10am3pm Jazz Brunch feat Doug Clarke Duo.
MEMORIAL WEST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: 286S 7th St at South Orange
Av. Newark. 973-242-1015. Dec 12: 6-7:30pm
free adm Flatted Fifth Jazz Vespers series
feat William Paterson University Jazz Ens &
the Arts High School Jazz Band.
NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: 1 Center St. Newark. 888-466-5722.
www.njpac.org.
PALAZZO RESTAURANT: 11 S Fullerton Av.
Montclair. www.palazzonj.com. 973-7466778. Fri-Sat: 7-10:30pm.
PAPILLON 25: 25 Valley St. South Orange.
973-761-5299. www.papillon25.com. Thurs:
8:30pm.
RICALTON’S: 19 Valley St. South Orange.
www.ricaltons.com. 973-763-1006. Tues:
7:30-10:30pm Greg Bufford Trio.
SOPAC: 1 SOPAC Way. South Orange. 973-313-
34
2787. www.sopacnow.org. Dec 1: 7:30pm
Lionel Hampton Big Band; 13: 3pm Juilliard
Jazz Ens.
SUZYQUE’S BBQ & BAR: 34 S Valley Rd.
West Orange. www.suzyques.com. 973-7367899. Free adm. Thurs: 8-11pm John Lee
Trio w/spec guests. Dec 14&28: 8-10pm
Glenn Franke's BigBand.
TRUMPETS: 6 Depot Square. Montclair. 973744-2600. www.trumpetsjazz.com. Sets:
unless otherwise noted 7:30&9pm, Fri-Sat
8&10pm, closed Mon-Tues. Adm varies. Dec
3: Bill Y. Farley Jr.; 5: Bob Baldwin; 6: James
L. Dean Sxt; 9: Diane Moser’s Composers
Big Band w/guest composer Phil Engsberg;
11: Vinny Valentino Trio; 12: Houston Person
Qrt; 20: 12-3pm Brunch w/Anna Maria
Mannarino Qnt.
WBGO: 54 Park Pl. Newark. www.wbgo.org.
973-624-8880.
HUDSON
LIBERTY HOUSE RESTAURANT: 82 Audrey
Zapp Dr. Jersey City. 201-395-0300. www.lib
ertyhouserestaurant.com. Sun: 12am-3pm
Jazz Brunch.
LIGHT HORSE TAVERN: 199 Washington St.
Jersey City. www.lighthorsetavern.com. 201946-2028. Sun: 6-10pm.
MADAME CLAUDE: 364 1/2 4th St. Jersey City.
www.madameclaudecafe.com.
201-8768800. Thurs: 7:30pm Manouche Bag.
McGINLEY SQUARE PUB: 755 Montgomery
St. Jersey City. 347-408-5194. Tues: 7:3010pm free adm Neil Johnson & Matt
Panayides Duo.
MOORE’S LOUNGE: 189 Monticello Av. Jersey
City. 201-332-4309. Fri: 8:30pm-12am free
adm/no min Jam by Winard Harper &
Rosalind Grant. 1st Sun: 6-10pm Winard
Harper, Jeli Posse & spec guests.
NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY: 2039
Kennedy Blvd. Jersey City. www.njcu.edu.
201-200-2000. Dec 7: 7:30pm Fall Jazz Bash
feat Walt Weiskopf.
HUNTERDON
SAINT ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
50 York St. Lambertville. 609-397-2425.
www.standrewslambertville.org. Dec 13:
4pm Phil Orr, Brittany Anjou & Sean Dixon.
MERCER
CANDLELIGHT LOUNGE: 24 Passaic St.
Trenton. www.candlelightevents.way.to. 609695-9612. Sat: 3:30-7:30pm free adm/$10
min. www.jazztrenton.com. Dec 4: Sylvia
Cuena; 11: Vince Ector; 19: Bob Devos; 26:
Carrie Jackson.
HOPEWELL VALLEY VINEYARDS: 46 Yard
Rd. Pennington. Thurs-Fri: 6-9pm, Sun: 25pm. Free adm. Dec 3: Adelante; 4: Jeff
Brown Trio; 6: Darla & Rich; 10: Vince De
Mura; 11: HVV Jazz; 13: Al Oliver; 17: Bill
Henry Trio; 18: no jazz; 20: Adelante; 27:
Sergio & Lars.
MIDDLESEX
GARDEN STATE ALE HOUSE: 378 George
St. New Brunswick. www.gsalehouse.com.
732-543-2408. Sets: 8-11pm + 9:30pm Jam.
Dec 8: tba; 22: Justin Jones Trio.
HYATT HOTEL: 2 Albany St. New Brunswick.
www.newbrunswick.hyatt.com.
732-8731234. Wed: 8-11pm. Dec 3: Anibal Rojas Gp;
10: Dave Stryker Gp; 17: Jerry Weldon Gp.
NOVITA: 25 New St. Metuchen. 732-549-5306.
www.novitanj.com.
Thurs:
6-10pm
Champian Fulton.
STATE THEATRE: 15 Livingston Av. New
Brunswick. www.statetheatrenj.org. 732-2467469. Dec 5: 8pm Dave Koz & friends.
STEAKHOUSE 85: 85 Church St. New
Brunswick. www.steakhouse85.com. 732247-8585. Fri-Sat: 7-11pm.
TUMULTY’S: 361 George St. New Brunswick.
www.tumultys.com. 732-545-6205. Tues:
8pm + 9:30pm Jam feat Emerging Artists
Band.
MONMOUTH
GIAMANO’S: 301 Main St. Bradley Beach. 732775-4275. www.giamanos.com. Free adm/no
min.
HERB ECKERT AUDITORIUM: At Senior
Center
South
Brunswick
Municipal
Complex. 540 Rte 522. Monmouth Junction.
www.sbarts.org/jazz-cafe. 732-329-4000X
7635. Dec 11: $6 adm 7:30pm Wenonah
Brooks & Company.
MANALAPAN LIBRARY: 125 Symmes Dr.
Manalapan. 732-431-7220. Dec 13: 2-4pm
Marlene VerPlanck.
MORRIS
BICKFORD THEATRE: 6 Normandy Heights
Rd. Morristown. 973-971-3706. Concerts 89:30pm. www.njjs.org. $15/18 adm. Dec 1:
Rio Celmente w/Carrie Jackson.
HIBISCUS RESTAURANT: 270 South St.
Morristown. www.hibiscuscuisine.com. 973359-0200. Tues 6-9pm, Fri 7-10pm, Sun
Brunch 12-3pm.
NEW JERSEY JAZZ SOCIETY: 800-303NJJS. www.njjs.org.
SHANGHAI JAZZ: 24 Main St. Madison. 973822-2899. www.shanghaijazz.com. Free adm.
Sets: Tues 6:30-9pm, Wed-Thurs 7-9:30pm,
Fri 6:30&8:30pm, Sat 6:30&8:45pm, Sun 68:30pm. Closed Mon. Tues: John Korba. Dec
2: Harry Allen & Rossano Sportiello; 5:
SaRon Crenshaw; 6: John Carlini & Bill
Robinson Trio; 12: Keith Ingham Trio; 13:
Brynn Stanley Trio; 18: John Korba Trio; 19:
Eric Mintel Trio; 20: Nancy Nelson & Keith
Ingham; 24: Keith Ingham; 25: closed; 26:
Jerry Vivino Qrt; 31: Catherine Russell Qrt.
HAMILTON STAGE: 360 Hamilton St. Rahway.
www.hamiltonstagenj.com. 732-428-4592.
8pm: Piano Masters series. Dec 12: Frank
Kimbrough Solo; 19: Joanne Brackeen Solo.
VAN GOGH’S EAR CAFÉ: 1017 Stuyvesant
Av. Union. www.vangoghsearcafe.com. 908810-1844. Sun: 8-11pm $4 adm. Dec 6: Pat
Clare Trio; 13: Free Speech; 20: Motion 3.
WARREN
RUTHERFURD HALL: 1686-R Rte 517.
Allamuchy. 908-852-1894. www.rutherfurd
hall.org. Dec 27: 3-5pm $22.50 adm Jazz at
the Rutherfurd feat Geoff Gallante Qrt.
PENNSYLVANIA
DEER HEAD INN: 5 Main St. Delaware Water
Gap, PA. www.deerheadinn.com. 570-4242000. Sets: Thurs 8-11pm, Fri-Sat 7-11pm,
Sun 5-8pm. Adm varies. Residency (R):
Thurs except 12/24&31 Jam w/Bill Washer &
friends. Dec 3: R; 4: Carolyn & Jay Leonhart;
5: Warren Vaché Trio; 6: Bovine Social Club;
10: R; 11: Co-op Bop; 12: Bob Dorough Trio;
13: Bill Charlap Solo; 17: R; 18: Marcel
Bellinger; 19: Marianne Solivan; 20: Bob
Leive & the Wooster Street Trolley Band; 2425: closed; 26: Eric Mintel Qrt; 27: Veronica
Swift w/spec guests Stephanie Nakasian &
Hod O’Brien Trio; 28: 7:30-10:30pm Deer
Head Inn Jazz Orch; 31: tba.
DELAWARE WATER GAP: www.cotajazz.org.
LAFAYETTE BAR: 15 N 4th St. Easton.
www.lafayettebarjazz.com. 610-252-0711.
The PHILADELPHIA CLEF CLUB OF JAZZ
& PERFORMING ARTS: 738 South Broad
St. Philadelphia. 215-893-9912. www.clef
clubofjazz.org.Dec 13: 4pm $25 adm Clef
Club Community Big Band dir by Buddy
Cifone & Lou Ciocci.
OCEAN
OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE: College Dr.
Toms River. 732-255-0500. www.ocean.edu.
$18/22 adm. www.njjs.org. Concerts: 89:30pm. Dec 10: Ricky Riccardi Trio.
PASSAIC
WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY: 300
Pompton Rd. Wayne. www.wpunj.edu. 973720-2371. Dec 6: 4pm Charles McPherson.
SOMERSET
WATCHUNG ARTS CENTER: 18 Stirling Rd.
Watchung. www.watchungarts.org. 908-7530190. Dec 5: 8pm Trio Jazz feat Gene
Bertoncini, Ed Finkel & Michael Moore.
UNION
16 PROSPECT WINE BAR & BISTRO: 16
Prospect St. Westfield. 908-232-7320.
www.16prospect.com. Free adm/no min.
Thurs: 8-11pm Carrie Jackson & friends.
CROSSROADS: 78 North Av. Garwood. 908232-5666. www.xxroads.com. Tues: 9pm1am free adm Jam w/Crossroads All Stars.
35
B A C K S TA G E PA S S
JAZZ ANECDOTE BY BILL CROW
Bill Crow's books " Jazz Anecdotes" and " From Birdland to Broadway" can be
found at your favorite bookstore, and at www.billcrowbass.com
along with many interesting photos and links.
Since the news of Phil Woods' death spread, the internet has been filled with comments
by friends, colleagues and fans expressing their feelings of loss. Bill Bray sent me a consoling email from Boston when he heard the news. He included this story: Around 1990, while
I was waiting for Emilio, Boston's famous Sax Doctor, to bring out my repaired Selmer, in
walked Phil Woods to collect his alto. In awe, I stepped aside while Emilio brought out Phil's
horn. He stood it up on the counter and proceeded to blow the most gorgeous "something"
imaginable. Then he turned toward me, smiling, and said; "What the hell, it beats workin'…"
and left us all in stunned silence.
LISTINGS
continued from page 30
Blvd. Flushing. www.flushingtownhall.org.
718-463-7700. 1st Wed: 6pm Clinic, 7pm
Jam. Dec 12: 8pm Lou Donaldson Qrt.
JACKSON ROOM: 192-07 Linden Blvd. St
Albans. www.jacksonroom.com. 718-5252387. Last Sat: 8&10pm $15 adm incl
snacks/beverage feat Ed Jackson Qrt.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG HOUSE MUSEUM:
34-56 107th St. Corona. 718-478-8274.
www.louisarmstronghouse.org. $10 adm.
Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 12-5pm:
Guided Tours of Louis Armstrong House.
PROPER CAFÉ: 21701 Linden Blvd. Cambria
Heights. 718-341-2233. Wed: 9-11:30pm $10
adm.
WESTCHESTER
ALVIN & FRIENDS: 14 Memorial Hwy. New
Rochelle. www.alvinandfriendsrestaurant.
com. 914-654-6549. Dec 12: 7:30-11:30pm
free adm Leslie Pintchik Trio; 18: 7-10:30pm
$20 Tammy McCann.
ARTSWESTCHESTER: 31 Mamaroneck Av.
White Plains. www.artswestchester.org.
914-428-4220. Dec 19: 8pm Richard
Sussman Ens.
BEANRUNNER CAFÉ: 201 S Division &
Esther
St.
Peekskill.
914-737-1701.
www.beanrunnercafe.com.
Fri-Sat:
810:30pm. Dec 12: $15 adm Doug Munro Qrt;
19: $10 Giacomo Gates.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: 199N
Columbus Av at E Lincoln Av. Mount
36
Vernon. www.pjsjazz.org. 914-636-4977. 2nd
Sun: 6-9pm $25 adm Second Sunday Jazz
series. Dec 13: “King” Solomon Hicks.
The GREEN GROWLER: 368 S Riverside Av.
Croton-On-Hudson. www.thegreengrowler.
com. 914-862-0961. Dec 5: 8pm Ike
Sturm/Jesse Lewis.
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE...
continued from page 38
van de Leur, Will Friedwald and many
others.
On the listening guide side are a pair of
volumes, one specific to a recording, the
other a general survey of the music: Listen
to This: Miles Davis and Bitches Brew by
Victor Svorinich (University Press of
Mississippi) and Listening to Jazz by Ben
Bierman (Oxford University Press). The
former is self-explanatory, the latter, by a
long-time trumpeter, is a survey also suitable as an intro to jazz textbook.
A veteran writer with a body of work
that includes novels and non-fiction has a
new jazz-centered novel. The Jazz Palace
by
Mary
Norris
(Nan
A.
Talese/Doubleday), is a story of Jazz Age
Chicago in the 1920s and early 1930s, centering on the intersection of gangsters and
manufacturers, white musicians and
black, all converging on a speakeasy
known by the novel's title.
A Moment You Missed by
Fran Kaufman Hot House
Contributing Photographer
Pianist Cyrus Chestnut can’t carry
around his piano, but there's one thing he
always has with him, whether he's on the
bandstand or in the audience, and that's
his camera! Here he is in the Allen Room at
Jazz at Lincoln Center for the WBGO
Champions of Jazz Gala in 2012. I'm guessing that camera is aimed at guest artist
Questlove. Can’t wait for Cyrus to have a
show of his work.
BRIDGE CROSSINGS
ONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST
versatile and influential trumpeters in
C
modern jazz, Shunzo Ohno was born in
Japan and came to the United States for
the first time in 1974 to tour with Art
Blakey. He has also performed with
Machito, Gil Evans, Wayne Shorter,
Herbie Hancock and Larry Coryell. He has
released 16 recordings as a leader, his latest, ReNew, features his original compositions.
Q. What's the jazz scene like for you in
Japan today?
A. Today, the jazz musicians are
advanced. They have more experience
technically than I ever had when I was
their age. The venues are full and jazz is
admired and respected in even small communities in Japan. I find it hard to secure
work in the U.S. as the clubs are trying to
survive by bringing in what they assume
will bring in financial success. Those
Sweet Basil days are gone for now. I do
have hope that this American Cultural
Treasure which is deeply embraced by so
many cultures will grow and flourish in
New York as well as globally. Jazz has the
ability to unite and uplift any generation
across any cultural boundary.
Q. You dedicate some of your music to
people in crisis around the world. Tell us a
little about that.
A. All life has challenges. I went
through experiences that threatened to
take away my ability to play music and life
itself. Besides health issues with cancer
and a car accident, I found myself homeless and painfully shy in NYC. I don't
think this is any different from most people all over the world. Millions of people
face loss and destructive encounters, isolation, be it from natural disasters, war,
poverty or personal illness. It almost doesn't matter what the trigger is, the critical
response to develop the dignity of life and
hope for the future is always embedded in
these circumstances. Hope, determination,
By Cary Tone
courage, can be contagious! It's not easy to
recover. Once we recognize the inter-connectedness of all life, our own life takes on
much more meaning. Collectively, we all
are powerful and important towards a
future of authentic peace and harmony.
Each time we are challenged, we have an
opportunity to discover a solution we never
thought of before. This forces us to be creative, not to repeat. And, of course, it is
certainly not easy, but a wonderful way to
take one step towards our true identity.
Q. Is jazz music a political statement?
A. It's hard to differentiate right and
wrong, and politics have too many ways of
dividing people. Jazz has a unique history
and continues to progress and develop.
Jazz crosses boundaries like no other
genre.
Q. If you were starting out now, would
you change anything?
A. I started playing trumpet in night
clubs in Japan as a teenager and was
incredibly fortunate to meet Art Blakey
when I was young. That changed my life.
Today's young musicians have enormous
wealth of references and a precious history
of legendary musicians. It's hard to compare then and now. However, I am very
optimistic about where the younger musicians are going to take this abundance of
art/history/experience in the jazz form.
“Jazz crosses
boundaries like
no other genre.”
Q. What is something you've gotten into
and excited about lately?
A. The last CD I did included hip-hop,
spoken word, free style, classic jazz…
"genre bending"… seems like so many people of different generations and cultures
had so much fun and really enjoy it. Last
week we performed a song I was commissioned for in Japan. We performed it with
233-piece orchestra and chorus. To my surprise, the audience was in tears.
Collaboration with multiple generations,
cultures and artists for me is my new
inspiration.
Shunzo Ohno celebrates the release
of his CD at The Cutting Room Dec. 19
with Clifford Carter, keyboards; David
Berkman, piano; Mark Egan, bass and
Billy Kilson, drums.
Shunzo Ohno photo by Spencer Kohn.
37
This holiday season there are many
choices for those looking for an appropriate
gift for jazz aficionados, from Christmasthemed albums to jazz books, as well as
some reissues that include newly discovered, significant additions to the canon.
And for a real bargain, try recommending a
blog or website to a jazz fan friend.
JAZZ TAKES ON CHRISTMAS
Big band, vocal or soulful organ, whatever your preference, here are three pairs
of new albums that fit the bill. A Very
Swingin' Basie Christmas!, The Count
Basie Orchestra (Concord Jazz), is exactly
that: Christmas favorites in the inimitable
Basie style, from the long-running ghost
band. Joyful Jazz, Pittsburgh Jazz
Orchestra (MCG Jazz), brings fresh, creative takes to holiday favorites from a new
big band co-led by trumpeter Sean Jones
and Mike Tomaro, with warm vocals from
guest Freddy Cole. Christmas classics as
well as tunes from the Charlie Brown holiday TV special are featured on Believe, The
David Benoit Trio featuring Jane Monheit
& the All-American Boys Choir (Concord),
with Benoit sticking to acoustic piano and
Monheit at her jazzy best. For a novel vocal
take on the season, there's The Hope of
Christmas, Ann Hampton Callaway (MCG
Jazz) on which she sings the lyrics of
William Schermerhorn with a large cast of
guests including New York Voices and saxophonists Steve Wilson and Gerald
Albright. And for those who like the soulful
sound of B3 organ, try Home for the
Holidays, Joey DeFrancesco (Alma), with
23 holiday tunes spread over two CDs. Or
Christmas Soul, Barbara Dennerlein
(MPS), with carols and holiday songs given
the B3 combo with sax treatment.
REISSUES AND MORE
Topping this category is a genuine classic find, the complete recordings of a concert that produced one of the best-selling
live jazz LPs of the 20th Century: The
Complete Concert by the Sea, Erroll
Garner (Columbia Legacy). Newly remastered, with much better sound than the
original, this three-CD set features a disc
of the concert as originally released in
1956, plus the complete recorded concert in
Carmel on Sept. 19, 1955, expanding the
number of tunes from 11 to 22.
A vast majority of the material on Miles
Davis at Newport, 1955-1975 (Columbia
Legacy), a four-CD set, is also previously
unreleased, including two full sets from the
seminal quintet with Wayne Shorter,
38
Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony
Williams. A Love Supreme/The Complete
Masters, John Coltrane (Impulse!), comes
in a three-CD set that includes the only
live performance of the entire work, as well
as a full CD of outtakes and overdubs from
the original sessions. Also available again
after long being out of print, is Thelonious
Monk: The Complete Riverside Recordings
(Concord), 15 CDs covering the most creative and prolific years (1955-1961) of
Monk's career, including such classic
albums as Monk's Music, Brilliant Corners
and Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town
Hall.
NEW MEDIA: ONLINE
The Internet is a valuable resource for
jazz fans and it's free if you have a connection. You can find thousands of jazz tracks,
and plenty of films and videos, on sites like
YouTube, and most jazz publications also
have an online presence now (this magazine can be found at www.hothousejazz.
com). So do some Googling of jazz and see
what you can find, and recommend to
friends. And don't miss one of the best jazz
blogs, written by pianist Ethan Iverson of
The Bad Plus. It's at www.dothemath.type
pad.com, and features not only in-depth
reviews, commentary and inevitable controversy, but also some of the best musician to musician interviews you can find
anywhere. Recent ones included Ron
Carter and Nicholas Payton.
OLD MEDIA: ON THE BOOKSHELF
And there's always the old tried and
true media: the printed word on paper, i.e.,
books. Tomes on jazz, from listener guides
to biographies to a companion reader to a
Roaring Twenties novel have all been published this year. Here's a sample.
One of the most provocative and readable biographies of a jazz legend in some
time is a new work on an iconic singer by a
critic who has already produced one of the
best introductory textbook/primers on the
music: Jazz 101. His new one is Billie
Holiday: The Musician and the Myth by
John Szwed (Viking Books). Szwed successfully separates the often tawdry myths
about Holiday from the artist, confirming
her worth as one of jazz's best singers.
Also in the bio-critical category is a new
collection of pieces on a member of jazz royalty: The Cambridge Companion to Duke
Ellington, edited by Ed Green (Cambridge
University Press), featuring contributions
by such eminent critics of Ellingtonia as
Brian Priestly, Dan Morgenstern, Walter
continued on page 36
TH E L AT I N S I D E
O F HOT HO
USE
By Emilie Pons
ARTURO SANDOVAL
92Y / DECEMBER 2
Trumpet player and composer Arturo Sandoval, who is known for his collaboration
with Dizzy Gillespie as well as for the band Irakere, is a symphonic orchestra: his
music is wild, electrifying, lyrical, avant garde, Cuban, straight-ahead jazz and he is
an entertainer, a storyteller, a most dexterous flugelhorn player, pianist and singer.
Sandoval's performances are memorable. It is probably for all those reasons, not to
mention his charisma and sense of humor, that Sandoval has earned ten Grammys
and has been nominated 19 times. On Dec. 2, Sandoval pays tribute to his mentor,
trumpeter Gillespie.
TIEMPO LIBRE
RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE / DECEMBER 17
The Afro-Caribbean seven-piece band, which was Grammy nominated three times,
artfully pays tribute to baroque music as their collaboration with classical flutist
James Galway has proved, but also with tunes such as "Fuga" and "Tu Conga Bach."
Meanwhile, the ensemble remains Cuban in its use of rhythms and lyrics: 14-year-old
group makes people dance with pieces such as "Quien Soy Yo" and also sings about
love. "We play, and we dance, and we sing," says music director and keyboardist Jorge
Gomez on a YouTube video describing their album Bach in Havana (2009). "We transmit energy to the music." This year, the band released the album Panamericano and
signed a contract with the record company Universal Music Latin Entertainment.
They are also performing at Metropolitan Museum Of Arts on Dec. 18.
TELMA VIALE
CLUB BONAFIDE / DECEMBER 23
Whether she sings in Portuguese or English, Telma Viale is soothing and calming, the
way Jao Gilberto or Antonio Carlos Jobim are. Viale makes you travel to the world of
bossa nova. But overall, she represents what jazz is about: a fusion. Viale has been
living in Switzerland for several years and is from El Salvador, but she has chosen to
sing Brazilian music and perform in both New York and Geneva. Her first album,
Recovenxo, was recorded in Rio in 2008. In Popular Brazilian Music, or Música
Popular Brasileira, "people are not ashamed to talk about pain, love or utter happiness," Viale explained during an interview with Radio Paradiso. At Club Bonafide,
Viale's low timbre pays tribute to classic Mexican, Venezuelan, Cuban, Panamanian,
Colombian and Brazilian boleros with Yvan Baumgartner on trumpet, Yves Marguet
on bass, Diego Gadenz on guitar and Didier Metrailler on percussion.
BANDA MAGDA
SUBROSA / DECEMBER 12 AND 26
Eclecticism is Banda Magda's motto. While the New York band features 17 instrumentalists, it also encompasses such varied styles as samba, French chanson, Greek
folk tunes, Colombian cumbia and Afro-Peruvian lando. Pianist, singer and accordionist, bandleader Magda Giannikou was born in Greece but trained in film scoring
at Berklee School of Music. The band's first two albums, Amour, t'es là? and
Yerakina, will soon be followed by a third, Tigre, scheduled to be released in early
2016. It is not a surprise that Banda Magda and Snarky Puppy have been performing together, since both ensembles keep transcending musical definitions and bring a
delightfully entertaining and uplifting energy on stage.
With the contribution of Jeremiah Briley
U PPER MANHATTAN
92Y: 1395 Lexington Av at 92nd St. 212-4155500. www.92y.org. Dec 2: 8pm Arturo
Sandoval.
EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO: 1230 Fifth Av at
104th St. www.elmuseo.org. 212-831-7272.
LENOX SAPHIRE: 341 Lenox Av at 127th
Tues: 7-11pm free adm Mambo Jaambo.
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART: 1000
5th Av at 82nd St. www.metmuseum.org.
212-535-7710. Dec 18: 7pm $65 adm Tiempo
Libre.
PAPASITO: 223 Dyckman St. 212-544-0001.
Sat: 1-4pm Latin Jazz Brunch w/Paul Carlon
Latin Jazz Trio.
SILVANA: 300W 116th St at Frederick
Douglass Blvd. www.silvana-nyc.com. 646692-4935. Dec 1: 10-11pm Manu Sija; 4: 89pm Marco & Tomas Pimenta; 7: 6-8pm
Tiger’s Milk; 12: 6-8pm Michael Sarian & the
Chabones; 26: 8-10pm Blu Cha Cha.
MIDTOWN
BIRDLAND: See p. 16.
continued on page 40
Tiempo Libre photo by Elvis Suarez GlassWorks MultiMedia.
39
LATIN LISTINGS...
continued from page 39
CLUB BONAFIDE: See p. 16.
GUANTANAMERA: 939 8th Av. 212-262-5354.
www.guantanamerany.com. Sets: Mon-Wed
&Fri 8:30pm, Thurs&Sat 9:30pm, Sun 9pm,
free adm. Tues-Wed: Ariacne Trujillo y su
banda; Thurs-Fri: Gerardo Contino y los
Habaneros; Sun: A Son Radical.
LO WER MANHATTAN
DROM: See p. 20.
FAT CAT: See p. 20.
NUYORICAN POETS CAFÉ: See p. 24.
SOBS: 200 Varick St. www.sobs.com. 212-2434940. Sets: 8&10pm $10/15 adm. Dec 11: Joe
Cruz y Orquesta Somos Musica; 18:
Spanglish Fly.
SUBROSA: 63 Gansevoort St (bet Washington
& Greenwich Sts). www.subrosanyc.com.
212-997-4555. Sets: unless otherwise noted
Early (E) 8&10pm, Late (L) 11pm. Adm
varies. Residency: Sat L Habana Nights. Dec
1: E Brazilian Music Soul; 7: E Luisito
Quintero y Su 3er Element Project; 8: E
Santanaria; 12: 8:30pm Banda Magda w/
Strings; 14: E Rie Akagi y Chiemi Nakai
Noche Especial; 21: E Pedrito Martinez Gp;
26: 8:30pm Banda Magda w/Drums; 28:
7:30&9:30pm The Music of the Buena Vista
Social Club.
ZINC BAR: See p. 26.
BRO NX
LEHMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING
ARTS: At Lehman College. 250 Bed-ford
Park Blvd W. 718-960-8833. www.lehmancen
ter.org.
BROO KLYN
BARBÈS: See p. 28.
CUBANA SOCIAL: 70 N 6th St. 718-782-3334.
www.cubanasocial.com. Sets: 8pm-12am.
Fri: Afro Latin Jazz; Sat: Afro-Cuban.
FALCON ARTS: See p. 30.
CONNECTICUT
RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE: See p. 30.
QU EEN S
TERRAZA 7 TRAIN CAFÉ: 40-19 Gleane St.
Elmhurst. www.terrazacafe.com. 718-8039602. Sets: unless otherwise noted 9:30pm
$7 adm. Sun: $5 adm Jam.
Hot House is not responsible for any errors in the listings which may have occured from late changes or
incorrect information supplied to us. Please call the
venues or checkwebsites for up to date calendars.
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