GDJS Newsletter, May - June 2011

THE JAZZ SCENE
Volume 14, Number 3
May/June 2011
The Michigan Jazz Festival
Think The Best Local Musicians, Think Free
If you’ve not had the opportunity to attend
the Michigan Jazz Festival, mark this one ‘to
do’ event on your calendar for 2011. This year,
the first-class, one-day, free festival takes place
on Sunday, July 17, 2011. Held annually at
Schoolcraft College in Livonia, this legendary
jazz festival is a jewel for jazz lovers
and musicians alike.
pay for all of the musicians. Morry, otherwise
known as the builder/contractor for Somerset
North and other prestigious malls, funded
the musicians until his death a few years later.
Following his death, his family continued to
make sizeable donations throughout the years
This year’s lineup is formidable: five
big bands include Johnny Trudell Big
Band, Ron Kischuk’s Masters of Music,
Crag Strain Orchestra, Eddie Nuccilli’s
Big Band, and the Schoolcraft College
Jazz Band. Other groups and performers
include the Dave Bennett Quartet, Cliff
Monear, George Benson, the World’s
Oldest Saxophone Section, Terry Lower
Quartet, Sandra Bomar Trio, Paul Keller,
Sean Dobbins Trio, Barbara Ware, and a
new addition this year, the Detroit Reed
Collection. The Steinway piano room
will feature six of the top pianists in the
area: Bob Seeley, Gary Schunk, Charles
Boles, Terry Lower, Taslimah Bey and
Ellen Rowe.
Like all festivals around the country, the Michigan Jazz Festival has
gone through some funding changes.
Nearly 85% of funding for the event
comes from “Friends of the Michigan
Jazz Festival” or people like you and
me who enthusiastically embrace
good jazz. Also, Johnny Trudell’s
Quintet recently played a fundraiser
for the event in April.
The festival was started in 1995
when Emil Moro (Austin-Moro Big
Band) and Johnny Trudell who attended the Elkhart Jazz Festival and
ran into Tom Saunders (Midwest AllStars, Surfside Six, Marge’s Bar). These
three legends of music sat down together and
said “we should do this in Michigan.” Determined to try, back home they organized a festival at Freedom Hill (before it was developed as a
venue). At that time, the location was a county
park. The musicians were hired and organized
(about 80 or so) and the first festival was held.
As Johnny Trudell says, “there were more people
on the stage than in the audience.” Before the
second year, Emil Moro passed away. They
moved the concert to the Botsford Inn where an
ongoing jazz series was being held every Thursday (it was Jack Brokensha’s Quartet with Jerry
McKenzie and Matt Michaels, then organized
by Midge Ellis). The Innkeeper indicated an
interest in hosting a festival there. Midge, along
with Eileen Standley were discussing funding
with the organizers and a local builder extraordinaire and jazz lover, Morry Cohen offered to
best friend and right-hand woman handling
correspondence and day-to-day details of a
secretarial nature. Other Board Members are
John Trudell, President, Mary Sen, Recording
Secretary, Marcell Niemic (Midge says he “does
anything”) and Curt Newman who is adept at
finding sponsors.
until very recently. That first festival drew 2,000
people. During those years when the festival
was at the Inn, they used every venue on the
property for various bands. During that first
year, the Austin-Moro Band dedicated the
festival to Emil.
In 1999 (after the Botsford Inn was sold)
the festival moved to Schoolcraft College and
has grown significantly. The Schoolcraft College
Music Department is now a co-sponsor. The
emphasis has been, and remains today, on area
musicians – only locals are invited.
Midge Ellis, (affectionately known as “Ma
Jazz”) is Vice President and Treasurer, hires the
talent, holds fundraisers and sells tickets. She
is the driving force behind this festival. She
has an abundance of outstanding assistants.
Eileen Standley, Secretary is also Midge’s
Page (continued on page 4)
Inside ...
2. Paul Keller Remembers Don
Mayberry and Eddie Nuccilli
3. Detroit Piano Sales in 1916
4. Annual Pig and Corn Roast /
Terrace Inn Fall Jazz Weekend /
Meet the Organization / GDJS
Patrons
5. Shield’s Concert Schedule
6. May/June 2011 Happenings
7. Where’s The Jazz?
A PERSONAL REMEMBRANCE
DON MAYBERRY AND EDDIE NUCCILLI
By Paul Keller
laugh could shake an entire room with its deep resonance. Next to his
extraordinary musicianship, his wonderful, lovable laugh is the thing I’ll
remember most about Don.
Eddie Nuccilli and I were good friends and we shared the same birthday. Whenever he saw me, he would greet me by shouting, “Hey March
11. What’s goin’ on?!”
As a trumpeter, I loved his beautiful, warm sound and his modern
jazz sensibilities. I first became aware of Eddie when I heard his LP
recording (from the 1970s) of a quintet version of his band Plural Circle
featuring saxophonist Larry Nozero. What great playing and writing!
As an arranger, I admired Eddie burning passion for and dedication
to his craft. His loved writing music! He was a master of assembling
the components of big band arranging in fresh, new ways. He was
incredibly prolific. God only
knows how many original arrangements he created for small
and big bands but I’ll bet it was
in the many thousands.
As a bandleader, I respected
Eddie for always getting the best
out of his players and for teaching them new ways of thinking
about the music. He insisted on
excellence from his musicians.
One of Eddie’s famous quotes
was, “I want instant conception!”
That statement was difficult for
a young player to understand.
But now I realize what he meant: He meant that even as brilliant as his
written arrangements where, it took intelligent human beings to bring
them to life. He wanted you to use your head and your common sense;
think fast on your feet; stay aware; look around the corner for whatever
surprises might be coming up in the music; know the language of jazz
and speak it not only in your solos but throughout all aspects of the
chart, rehearsal and performance.
Eddie was always searching for and creating new gigs for his band.
Over the past 35 years, Eddie Nuccilli’s Plural Circle turned up at many
unexpected venues. Of course Plural Circle was a mainstay also at the
most prestigious events including The Detroit Jazz Festival and The
Michigan Jazz Festival.
Eddie touched the lives of many musicians in our area. A lot of them
worked with him for over 30 years including Walt Szymanski, Mike
Pashnee, Ernie Rogers, Steve Wood, Bill Barbour, and Johnny Trudell.
Fortunately for us, Eddie’s music will live on through his amazing
arrangements. I hope that someone will organize an Eddie Nuccilli Memorial Concert that features Eddie’s music. That would be a very fitting
tribute to a man that created so much brilliant music.
Coincidentally, both Don and Eddie were laid out at the same
funeral home, McCabe Funeral Home, only one week apart. These two
giants of jazz are now gone but they will never be forgotten. Their work
was too important and they delivered it with such enthusiasm, gusto and
personality! They made a lot of people happy through their music and
taught a lot of musicians how to be better players and people! RIP, my
friends. n
Editor’s Note: Heartfelt appreciation to Paul Keller who always takes
the time out of his hectic schedule to share thoughts with us. Here he
remembers Don Mayberry and Eddie Nuccilli who recently left us for the
great jazz band in the sky.
This month our Detroit jazz family lost two of its most prominent
and important members, string bassist Don Mayberry and trumpeter.
arranger, big band leader Eddie Nuccilli. Don Mayberry died of a heart
attack at his home on April 12 at the age of 60. Eddie Nuccilli died
April 22 at the age of 86 after a long illness. Here are a few personal
remembrances of these fine
gentlemen who brought so
much joy to so many music lovers for many years.
Don Mayberry was
probably the busiest string
bassist in the Detroit area
for the past four decades.
He seemed to be everywhere at the same time.
He worked with Johnny
Trudell at the Fox Theatre.
Photos courtesy of Paul Keller.
He was on stage with the
At left, bassist Don Mayberry.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He
Have you ever seen a photo
loved leading his weekly jam session
that more accurately depicted
at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge and
Don’s personality? Above,
trumpeter and big band
staying in touch with the younger
leader Eddie Nuccilli.
generation of jazz musicians. He
played dixieland with Tom Saunders
and Jim Wyse at Marge’s Bar (where a
beautiful photo of Don hangs on the
musician’s Hall of Fame wall). He played modern jazz with Teddy Harris, Vaughn Klugh, Tad Weed, Renell Gonsalves, Sean Dobbins, George
Davidson, George Benson, Chuck Shermatero, Tom Brown and many,
many more. He even dabbled in more edgy avant-garde music with his
life-long friend, guitarist A. Spencer Barefield. He loved accompanying
singers like Ange Smith, Naima Shambourger, Thornetta Davis and Shahida Nurullah. Don played in duos, trios, quartets, big bands, Broadway
shows, symphonies. He did it all! And he did it well!
Don was a graduate of Cass Tech High School. Before he even
graduated he was performing on stage with the Dorothy Ashby Trio. I
first heard Don playing in the big band of the great Detroit drummer
J. C. Heard along with trumpeters Marcus Belgrave, Walt Szymanski,
Bob Fazecash, pianist Earl Van Riper and saxophonist Scott Petersen and
Marvin “Doc” Holliday. What an awesome band!
Don Mayberry was not only well known in Detroit but very much
in-demand internationally as he toured with the likes of Lena Horne,
Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Diane Schur, Dizzy Gillespie, Art
Blakey, Mel Torme, Johnny Mathis and most recently with pianist/singer
Michael Feinstein. He had a magnificent career working with so many
different musicians and bands. I loved to kid Don that he “just couldn’t
hold down a steady job!”
Don was an intelligent, generous and caring person who loved people. He was a great listener. He always made time to spend talking with
and listen to anyone who wanted to chat with him. His great, booming
Page Editor’s Note: Visitors to some of the tremendous jazz concerts at the beautiful, neoclassical Steinway
Piano Gallery in Commerce Township are greeted with a dizzying array of over 100 pianos in a 30,000 sq.
ft. showroom. Tim Hoy, president of the Gallery, wrote this article (as a ghostwriter for the Detroit Post in
the early 1900s) about the piano business in Detroit in the year 1916. We share it here with Tim’s permission. Contrast the pricing of pianos in 1916 to one played last week by Cliff Monear with a price tag of over
$130,000 – now there’s inflation!
Their next concert will be Wednesday, May 25 featuring Cliff Monear on piano and Dave Bennett on
clarinet (please see page 6 for details).
DATELINE: Detroit
quick stroll down “Piano Row” and we found quality used uprights
selling for as low as $90 and new grand pianos for around $375.
At the Grinnell Brothers showroom we witnessed the sale of a
magnificent grand piano from the New York manufacturer Steinway
and Sons. The purchase price, just $875. And who is buying new
Steinway’s? Mrs. Helen Lawrence who is employed as a piano
consultant at Grinnell’s says that it would surprise you. “In addition
to the lumber barons, bankers and auto executives, many people of
lesser means are also buying Steinway Pianos. If a fine piano is an
important value they will use Grinnell’s payment plans to secure
their new Steinway.” We spoke with the buyer Mrs. Virginia Wright,
a music teacher who traveled to Detroit from Ann Arbor MI. “I
want to purchase the finest to insure that this piano would become
a treasured family heirloom in the years to come, and be passed
from generation to generation.” And a Steinway in a rich mahogany
finish, serial number #176455 was her choice. It is a fact that a
piano from Steinway is an appreciable asset that grows in value with
each passing year. “The first Steinway we sold at Grinnell’s in 1895
costs only $345 and it will sell for over $650 in the used market. I
can’t think of another product that you can purchase, use it as much
as you like, offer enjoyment and personal satisfaction and double
your money at the same time.” Most of Society will agree that a fine
piano for the home is not only a beautiful piece of art but a symbol
of culture and education. It defines who you are. A piano is an incredibly noble purchase and should be considered by all, regardless
of means. Happy playing. n
By Tim Hoy, staff writer for The Detroit Post
There is a changing landscape on the Woodward Avenue shopping corridor. Hudson’s enormous piano department has some new
competition. Piano manufacturers from across the country want
to be part of the growing Detroit market. New piano stores have
sprung up on both sides of the street, and Detroiter’s are now calling
it “Piano Row.” Asked what is fueling the demand, Mr. Grinnell of
the Grinnell Brothers Music Co. at 1515 Woodward Ave. stated that
“Families build a home, in the home is a parlor and in the parlor
goes the piano. It is the center for family entertainment as families
everywhere surround the piano and sing their favorite songs and
hymns. There is no question that participating in music making is
the favorite past time for much of America.”
Mr. Grinnell started his business in 1882 and is now one of the
largest retailers and manufacturers in the country He opened his
piano factory in Detroit in 1902, and in just 14 years he is now
operating at full capacity and is making 1800 handcrafted pianos
this year. Currently there are approximately 400,000 pianos being
manufactured in the U.S. and choices abound for the player, from
the world renowned Steinway and Sons in New York to small
regional companies building several hundred pianos annually. And
for those that have never had lessons, you can pump your way to
fame with the new player pianos that can reproduce the sounds of
world famous artists. And how much does a piano cost today? A
Page Michigan Jazz Festival
Terrace Inn Fall Jazz Weekend
(continued from page 1)
Many of us are enjoying our spring jazz weekend with Wally’s
Warehouse Waifs at the The Terrace Inn, an historic bed and breakfast
Inn in Petoskey (Bay View) as you read this newsletter. If you didn’t
make it up this spring, we are booking for their fall jazz weekend
right now. Almost twenty rooms are already booked!
Another special event, “Playing with the Pros” features the Dennis
Tini Trio playing with three music students who have been recommended by private instructors. Also back this year is the “Future of Jazz Stage”
featuring five college and high school bands playing in the cafeteria.
Join us in the fall for a jazzy weekend getaway packed with the
music of the Dave Bennett Quartet and Ray Heitger’s Cakewalkin’
Jass Band featuring Nicole Heitger on vocals. Check in on Friday
afternoon to your favorite room and join the crowd in the elegant,
chandelier-clad dining room for a spectacular kick-off jam session.
The weekend pricing includes all food and lodging. The date of the
fall jazz weekend is Friday, September 30 through Sunday, October 2.
There’s another Michigan Jazz Festival concert you should not miss.
On Sunday, June 19, the MJF will present their annual Father’s Day
Brunch featuring the Pete Siers’ Quartet. The time is Noon-3 p.m.
at Schoolcraft College in the DiPonio Room and always, the food at
Schoolcraft will be gourmet all the way. Make reservations by sending
a check, payable to MJF, (include a SASE) to Midge Ellis at 20457
Maplewood Street, Livonia, MI 48152-2022. The price is $27.50 per
person.
For more information, please call the Terrace Inn at
1-800-530-9898 or call Sally Bolle on (248) 813-0328. There’s more
info about the hotel at: www.TheTerraceInn.com n
For more information, call Midge Ellis (otherwise affectionately
called “Ma Jazz” on 248-474-2720. Their web site is http:michiganjazzfestival.homestead.com n
2011 GDJS Pig and Corn Roast
Set for July 31, 2011
Greater Detroit Jazz Society
Emily Laura – Public Relations
Chuck Moss – Concert Booking Manager
Art Stone – Membership – Canada
Ricki Atkinson / Jay Cornett – Newsletter Distribution
Bill Bolle – Treasurer / Legal
Nancy Blake / Picnic Chairperson, Ticket Sales
Membership Cards
Ambassador Chairperson – TBD
Concert Support: Pat Elliott, Suzanna Kain, Lee Lindsay,
Mary Ann Garback, Ricki Atkinson, Jay Cornett , Kathy
Lee, Brian Pelton, Nancy Blake
Sally Bolle – Newsletter Design / Editor /Promotion
([email protected])
Bill Knowles – Director Emeritus
The third annual GDJS Pig and Corn Roast is scheduled! We’ve lined up Nick
Mazich and his amazing pig and corn roast for the last Sunday in July, at 1
p.m. at Nancy Blake’s house. Nancy has again graciously offered her home
(which is the perfect venue) to the jazz society. As always, we’ll provide
the pig, corn, plates, cups, silverware, beer, pop and water (B.Y.O.B.). You
may bring a dish if you’d like, that home cooking is much appreciated.
More details to come in the form of a flier soon.
Thinking of you, Mary Panicacci
Mary Panicacci (Mrs. Nate), long-time member and jazz
friend has been seriously under the weather and in the hospital.
Home now, she’d love a card from friends. Her address is 5165
Canyon Oaks Drive, Brighton, 48114.
Many thanks to the friends and musicians who contribute
articles, artwork and photos for our newsletter. We’re very
grateful for your time and expertise. If you’re interested in
providing an article or have questions regarding the club,
please give me a call at 248-8130328 or e-mail me at:
[email protected].
All photos by Sally Bolle unless otherwise noted.
Important Membership/E-mail Reminder
We would again like to take this opportunity to welcome all
of our new members and Patrons, and thank you for joining.
Thanks also to all existing members who have chosen to stay with
us by renewing your memberships. Supporting live jazz and the
multitude of outstanding musicians who play for us is our mission. Unless you paid your dues in October-December 2010, and
if you have not paid your 2011 dues, you will be deleted from our
roster this month.
One additional note about e-mail addresses. I still have many
e-mails that are bouncing back, which means you have given us
the wrong address, it was not legible, or your mailbox is full. If
you believe you should be receiving e-mail jazz information (particularly if you should be receiving a digital version of the newsletter) and you’re not, please call me at (248) 813-0328 to verify
your e-mail address. Your e-mail subject line from us should read
“Greater Detroit Jazz Society Jazz-o-Gram.” If you obtain a new
e-mail address, it is your responsibility to notify us. Please help us
keep you in the live jazz loop. Many thanks! Sally
We Love Our Members and Patrons who make
this jazz society possible. Special thanks to
society patrons: Robert and Dorothy Amis,
Peter and Barbara Becker, Chuck and Mary
Bonten, Roger DeMeyere, Dixiebelle, Fulkerson Speaker Rebuilders (Judy Fulkerson),
Linda Gates, Don Goss, Gary Greenfelder and
Aleksandra Miziolek, doug jacobs and sue
shepanek, Marco Knapp and Jim Stern, Hugh
and Kathy Leal, Wally and Rosemary Lubzik,
Marge’s BaR, Jack Molloy, Cliff and Aileen
Morris, Brian and Lisa PELTON, Bob and Jean
Pettigrew, Kerry Price, Nancy Salden, Tom Rodgers, tom saunders, John Sotir, Arthur Stone,
CATHY AND DAVE TATROW, PEGGY AND SAM TUNDO,
Al and Barbara Virzi, and Clem Waldmann.
Page Jazz at Shield’s
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Marge’s Bar Band
Featuring:
John Hammer, piano
Bill Bolle, bass
Bob Pinterich, drums
Jim Wyse, reeds and leader
Johnny Trudell, trumpet
Chuck Moss, trombone
Future 2011 ‘Jazz at Shield’s’ Concerts
JUNE 4
RON KISCHUK’S
“TARTARSAUCE TRADITIONAL
JAZZ BAND”
featuring Judie Cochill
on Vocals
JUNE 18
BUDDY BUDSON QUARTET
featuring Ursula Walker
on Vocals
Mark Your Calendar
come and enjoy an
afternoon of the
Detroit area’s finest
classic jazz, dixieland
and swing musicians!
JULY 2
BILL MEYER
JULY 16
CHUCK MOSS
“PAINT CREEK JAZZ BAND”
AUGUST 6
PAUL KLINGER
“EASY STREET JAZZ BAND”
AUGUST 20
JAMES DAPOGNY
“PHIL OGILVIE’S
RHYTHM KINGS”
SEPTEMBER 3
NO CONCERT
DETROIT JAZZ FESTIVAL
AUGUST 20
RAGTIME RICK
“THE CHEFS OF DIXIELAND”
OCTOBER 1
KERRY PRICE AND FRIENDS
OCTOBER 15
CARL CAFAGNA AND
“CREOLE KITCHEN”
NOVEMBER 5
JAMES DAPOGNY’S
JAZZ BAND
NOVEMBER 19
MILLIONAIRES BIG BAND
featuring Garfield
on Vocals
DECEMBER 3
DAVE BENNETT QUARTET
DECEMBER 17
TBD
25101 TELEGRAPH ROAD (AT 10 MILE), SOUTHFIELD, 48033, 248-356-2720
$10 COVER • FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT EMILY LAURA AT 248-855-1342 OR SALLY BOLLE 248-813-0328
WE LOVE OUR MEMBERS AND PATRONS WHO MAKE THESE CONCERTS POSSIBLE!
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2011 PATRONS: ROBERT AND DOROTHY AMIS, PETER AND BARBARA BECKER, CHUCK AND
MARY BONTEN, ROGER DeMEYERE, DIXIEBELLE, JUDY FULKERSON (FULKERSON SPEAKER REBUILDERS), LINDA GATES,
DON GOSS, GARY GREENFELDER AND ALEKSANDRA MIZIOLEK, BOB HILTON, DOUG JACOBS AND SUE SHEPANEK, MARCO KNAPP AND
JIM STERN, KATHY AND HUGH LEAL, WALLY AND ROSEMARY LUBZIK, MARGE’S BAR, JACK MOLLOY, CLIFF AND AILEEN MORRIS,
BRIAN AND LISA PELTON, BOB AND JEAN PETTIGREW, KERRY PRICE, TOM RODGERS, NANC Y SALDEN, JOHN SOTIR, ARTHUR STONE,
CATHY AND DAVE TATROW, PEGGY AND SAM TUNDO, TOM SAUNDERS, AL AND BARBARA VIRZI, and CLEM WALDMANN.
Page Orchestra Hall – Detroit
Steinway Jazz Café – Farmington
Thursday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m.
The Hot Club of Detroit with the Anat Cohen Trio (313) 576-5111
Wednesday, March 23, 7 p.m.
Paul Keller and Friends present Remembering Mr. and Mrs. Swing:
xylophonist/marimbist/vibraphonist Red Norvo and vocalist Mildred
Bailey. 2700 E. West Maple Road in Commerce Charter Township (at
the SE corner of the intersection of M-5 and Maple Road). Call the
Steinway Jazz Café at (248) 560-9200. Admission is $10. In addition
to string bassist and leader Paul Keller, vibraphonist Cary Kocher will
play the role of Red Norvo and vocalist Judie Cochill will sing the part
of Mildred Bailey. The band will also include trumpeter Mark Byerly,
trombonist Terry Kimura, saxophonist Keith Kaminski, pianist Cliff
Monear and drummer Scott Kretzer.
Ron Kischuk
Wednesday, March 2/Wednesday April 6
First Wednesday of every month celebrates Mardi Gras every month
with the Tartarsauce Traditional Jazz Band. 6-9 p.m., $5 cover, good
food and drink specials. 2651 West Jefferson Avenue, Trenton 48183,
Phone (734) 671-5676, www.tvsgrandevent.com
Sunday, March 6
First Presbyterian Church of Farmington, Tartarsauce Traditional Jazz
Band Mardi Gras. (26165 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills, MI
48334) 4-6 p.m. This one features Johnny Trudell on trumpet, Gene
Parker on clarinet, Chuck Shermetaro on piano, Marion Hayden on
bass, Bill Cairo on drums and Judie Cochill on vocals. (248) 474-6170,
or check the website www.farmington-pres.org.
Jazz At The Elks – Plymouth
Fourth Tuesday of Every Month
Tuesday, March 22nd will be the John Trudell Quartet with Ray Tini
on bass, Bill Cairo on drums, and Chuch Shermatero on keyboard.
Tuesday, April 26th will be vocalist Naima Shambourger with Sven
Anderson on keyboard, Marion Hayden on bass and George Davidson
on drums.
Saturday April 16,
Valentine Theatre Toledo, Ohio - Toledo Jazz Orchestra with featured
soloists Johnny Trudell and Gene Parker.
Plymouth Elks Lodge #1780, 41700 Ann Arbor Rd., just west of
Haggerty Rd. Plymouth. Limited seating in a beautiful club setting, $5
donation suggested. Hors d’oeuvres. 734-453-1780 for more info.
Carl Cafagna
Sunday, March 6
Carl Cafagna and the Creole Kitchen host a ‘Jazz Concert & Jam Session,’ 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Club Bart, 22728 Woodward Ave., Ferndale.
Mardi Gras-themed event, with Bart’s great food/drink, and as always,
under-agers are welcome! Everybody, come and bring your instruments
to jam! $5 general admission, all musicians who play are FREE. Please
call (248)457-9575 for more info.
Detroit Opera House – Detroit
Saturday, March 12, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
“A Gershwin Rhapsody,” featuring Alvin Waddles and choir with
soloists in a concert version of “Porgy and Bess.” Rackham Symphony
Choir conducted by Suzanne Mallaire Acton.
Tickets (313) 237-SING. www.motopera.org
Tuesday, March 8 (Fat Tuesday)
Metro Jazz Voices, ‘Taste of Ferndale,’ 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Via Nove,
344 W. 9-Mile Rd., Ferndale. Great food from many different Ferndale
restaurants, street-fair style, lots of beads, and our great vocal jazz music!
Tickets are $30., and proceeds benefit the Ferndale Community Foundation; please call (248)672-4067 for more info.
Music Hall Jazz Café – Detroit
March 20, 2011, 2 p.m.
“Ain’t Misbehavin,” 350 Madison, Detroit, Tickets (313) 887-8500.
www. musichall.org
Bob Mojica
The Millionaires
Thursday, March 10
Orchestra La Inspiracion at Focus Hope, 1400 Oakman Boulevard,
Detroit, 6:45-8 p.m., www.lainspiracion.com
Friday, March 11
Tumbao Bravo, Bloomfield Twp Library, 1099 Lone Pine Rd.,
Bloomfield Twp. 7:30-8:30 p.m. www.tumbaobravo.com
Detroit’s Premier Jump Blues and Swing Band
Wednesday, Nov. 24, 7 p.m., $5 cover
(Special Guest: Mack Avenue Records recording artist and Detroit’s
Gentleman of the Blues,” Johnnie Bassett)
Thursday, December 30, 7 p.m., $5 cover (Holiday Jam Session and
Party featuring ALL of our musician friends!)
Sunday, March 13, Sunday, April 10
Tumbao Salsa, Sangria Tapas Café, 401 S. Lafayette, Royal Oak,
9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $5.
Callahan’s Music Hall, 2105 South Boulevard
Auburn Hills, MI 48326 • 248-858-9508
www.AtCallahans.com www.MillionairesPlay.com
Friday, April 22
Tumbao Bravo, Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. 4th Avenue,
Ann Arbor, 8-10:30 p.m., www.tumbaobravo.com
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge
Open Again! Various Acts!
20510 Livernois, Detroit, (313) 345-6300,
www.bakerskeyboardlounge.com
Terrace Inn Fall Jazz Weekend 2011
September 30-October 2
Cakewalkin’ Jass Band and Dave Bennett Quartet
Terrace Inn, Bay View, Michigan (near Petoskey)
1-800-530-9898 www.TerraceInn.com
Page WhERE’S THE JAZZ?
For more extensive schedules including out-of-town concerts, please visit the respective musician’s web sites. Send information via e-mail information to Sally Bolle:
[email protected] Don’t forget to check the “Saturday at Shield’s” schedule on page 5 of this newsletter to see many of these fine musicians playing for our
GDJS concerts.
Jerry McKenzie Trio with Matt Michaels on piano and Dan Jordan on bass, special guests
DAVE BENNETT
on most Thursdays. Don Swindell Quartet, on 2nd Thursday.
For complete schedule visit www.DaveBennett.com
April 20-23, Dave Bennett Quartet at the Dirty Dog Jazz Café, 9 Kercheval Avenue,
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236, (313) 882-5299. www.DirtyDogJazz.com
April 27, Oakland Community College, Orchard Ridge Campus, 1 p.m.
BERT’S MARKET PLACE / BILL MEYER
Thursdays, 8:30-12:30 p.m. – Bert’s Market Place, 8:30-12:30 p.m., Open jam
session with the new RGB Trio featuring Ralphe Armstrong on bass, drummer Gayelynn McKinney and Bill Meyer on piano. Cover $3, free parking, great food. 2727
Russell in the Eastern Market, (313) 567-2030. www.BertsEntertainment.com.
RICK BRYANT / PROFESSOR WRIGHT AND FRIENDS
play jazz, blues (and laughs) at the Players Inn, 3040 N. State Rd., Davison, MI
48423, Phone (810) 653-6408, 7-10 p.m.,
CAKEWAKIN’ JASS BAND / RAY HEITGER
Ray and the Cakewalkin’ Jass Band, featuring Nicole Heitger will play our March
13 Mardi Gras concert (see pg. 1) and a ‘Jazz at Shield’s’ concert on April 16 (see pg
5). www.RayHeitger.com
CADIEUX CAFE
300 Cadieux Rd. (between Mack and Warren), Detroit MI 48224 Phone: 313-8828560, Various bands on Tuesday nights. Call for schedule.
BRIAN CLEARY QUARTET
every Monday from 8-11 p.m., featuring Brian Cleary on piano/vocals, Kurt Beguhn
on trumpet and vocals, Jeff Reynolds or Clarence Isabel on bass, and David Penny
on drums. Dylan’s Raw Bar and Grille, 15402 Mack Avenue (1 block North of Marge’s
Bar), Grosse Pointe Park, (313) 884-030.
CLIFF BELL’S
2030 Park Avenue at W. Adams, Detroit, Phone 313-961-6422. Various jazz
groups. For more information visit www.CliffBells.com
DIRTY DOG JAZZ CAFE
97 Kerchival, Grosse Pointe Farms, 313-882-JAZZ (5299). $10 cover charge. Live
piano bar and great jazz groups. Wednesday-Saturday, please call the venue for
exact schedules or visit www.DirtyDogJazz.com. Dining American and Tapas style.
March 2-5 Jason Marsalis, March 9-12 Freda Payne, March 16-19 Johnny Bassett,
March 23-26 Kimmie Horne.
JOHN HAMMER
Playing with the Marge’s Bar Band, 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month (see
Marge’s listing).
John Hammer Trio, featuring John on piano, Bill Fierst on drums and vocals, and
Danny Pliskow on string bass. Peabody’s in Birmingham, 8:15-11:15 p.m., playing
jazz and pop standards from the Great American Songbook. Come spend a relaxing
evening listening to your favorite tunes, many as made popular by Frank Sinatra,
Tony Bennett and the other great singers of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.
PAUL KELLER
Please see more Paul Keller information on page 3, 5, and 6. For complete local
schedule of Paul’s extensive schedule visit www.pkorecords.com
MARGE’S BAR AND GRILL
The jazz tradition continues with Jim Wyse, leader. John Trudell on trumpet,
Chuck Moss on trombone, John Hammer on piano, Bill Bolle on bass, Bob Pinterich
on drums. Dixieland and jazz standards “done right!” Second and fourth Thursday’s,
7-10 p.m., 15300 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230. Mack at Beaconsfield. Phone 313-881-8895, www.MargesBar.com
NIKOLA’S – JERRY MCKENZIE’S “JUST JAZZ”
25225 Telegraph Road, Southfield, 48034, 248-355-4695. 7-10 p.m., Jerry ‘s
group appears on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Thursday of each month. Great food!
KERRY PRICE
Tuesday, March 15, 1 -.m., Royal Oak Musicale presents a free concert: “Ev’rybody’s
Irish On St. Patrick’s Day” with Kerry presenting a program full of the ‘blarney!’ Good
Shepard Lutheran Church on Campbell Road just south of Gardenia/Catalpa in Royal Oak.
Royal Oak Senior Center, 3rd Friday Programs, 12:30-1:15 p.m., $2 at the door, Mahany-Meininger Center, Mairais, off 13 Mile Road near Royal Oak High School.
Friday, March 18, “Welcome, Sweet Springtime” music program with sing-along. No
April program.
“Anything Goes” at the Dakota Inn on 3rd Thursdays, 3 hours of great sing-along with
Mike Montgomery and Kerry Price, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day at the Dakota Inn; it’s
worth the trip just for the corned beef and cabbage! Also, Thursday, April 14. Dakota
Inn on John R. just north of McNichols (6 MIle) Detroit. Good German food and drink,
Lighted, guarded parking lot, reservations recommended, 313-856-9722.
Kerry is ‘in the pit’ for the Bloomfield Players production of “Annie” - at Lahser H.S.;
March 18-20, 25-27. Contact www.bloomfieldplayers.org for more info.
See page 5 for “Kerry and Friends” Jazz at Shield’s concert for GDJS on April 2, 2011.
Call Kerry for questions on 248-549-2057 or e-mail: catch [email protected].
PAUL KLINGER AND EASY STREET
Every Tuesday, Paul Klinger’s Easy Street Jazz Band plays dixieland and traditional jazz
from 6-9 p.m. at Zal Gaz Grotto, 2070 Stadium Boulevard (between Liberty and Pauline)
in Ann Arbor, MI. Call 734-663-1202. $10 cover. Guest appearances and a great lineup of
Paul’s obscure tunes!
PETE SIERS AND LOS GATOS
Los Gatos play Cuban and Latin Jazz for Salsa Dancers from 8-11 p.m. at LIVE at PJ’s,
102 S. First Street, Ann Arbor, MI. $7 cover.
PHIL OGILVIE’S RHYTHM KINGS (P.O.R.K.)
Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings, led by James Dapogny and Chris Smith, ten-piece band
playing music of Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson and
other inventors of the big band. Sundays, 5-8 p.m. at LIVE! at PJs, 102 S. First Street, Ann
Arbor, MI. Dance floor, good menu. Free Sunday parking in the city lot across the street. $7
general admission, $5 students and seniors. Phone (734) 623-1443, www.liveatpjs.com
PLANET D NONET (9-piece swing band)/RJ Spangler
Please visit their web site at www.myspace.com/planetdnonet and on Facebook.
Authentic swing music from the 20s/30s, standards and blues from the 40s.
March 20, 4 p.m., Blue Goose Inn, 28911 Jefferson between 11 & 12 Mile, St. Clair
Shores, (586) 296-0950.
Every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., Open Organ Jam with R.J. at Cliff Bells, no cover. 2030
Park, Detroit, 313-961-2543, www.cliffbells.com
RAGTIME RICK AND THE CHEFS OF DIXIELAND
Every Wednesday night from 8 p.m.-Midnight, Main Street Bar and Grill (formerly the
Sodbuster Saloon), Sylvania, Ohio. Please visit their web site: www.chefsofdixieland.com
ROYAL GARDEN TRIO
The Royal Garden Trio will perform Sunday, March 20th, 4pm @ Elio Del Col Gallery,
256 Dalhousie Street, Amherstburg, Ontario, N9V1W7. It is always a wonderful time,
not only a great day trip, but the warmest group of jazz fans you will ever encounter
anywhere! Hope to see you there! Info: (519) 736-0067. Please visit their web site:
www.theroyalgardentrio.com
BOB SEELEY
Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10, The Ark, 315 Main St., Ann Arbor, Mr. Bs Piano
Gala, 8 p.m., $25. With Mr. B, Eric Reed, Stephanie Trick.
April 15, Zehnder’s Ragtime Festival, Friday, 1 p.m., Bob Seeley, Bob Milne, Kerry
Price, $30 including lunch at 11:30 a.m.; April 16, Saturday, 8 p.m., Bob Seeley, Bob
Milne, $50, includes dinner at 6:30 p.m., call for details 1-800-863-7999.
Page JOIN OR RENEW HERE! The Greater Detroit Jazz Society 2011 Membership Application
PLEASE CHECK ANNUAL DUES SELECTION:
$12 SINGLE
$20 COUPLE
PLEASE CHECK HERE:
RENEWING MEMBER
or
$100 PATRON (INDIVIDUAL OR BUSINESS)
NEW MEMBER
ALL RENEWING MEMBERS All dues are payable by January 31, 2011 (unless you joined in October through December of 2010). Our dues are extremely reasonable when
compared to other jazz clubs around the country, and we’re requesting your dues in January to continue the fine entertainment you now enjoy.
NEW MEMBERS joining January through April will pay the full amount of dues. Members joining May through August 31 pay 50 percent of dues for 2011. Members joining October through December pay full amount of dues but membership is valid through December of 2012.
Name(s) PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY
Address
City and State
Telephone
Zip Code
Cell
E-Mail:
Date:
I prefer to receive the JAZZ SCENE via e-mail in a digital Acrobat PDF format. I do not need a hard copy in the mail. (All members with a valid e-mail address
will receive this option unless they opt out. Please note, this option requires a valid e-mail address – it will be your responsibility to notify us if your e-mail address
changes!)
I would love to be a member of the GDJS Ambassador Club and assist with concerts and the summer jazz picnic, in promotion of the club, etc.
Give me a call!
***Please remit new and renewal membership applications, along with your check payable to “GDJS” or “Greater Detroit
Jazz Society,” to Bill Bolle, 6625 Aurora Drive, Troy, Michigan 48098. ALL correspondence for the club should be mailed here.***
The GREATER DETROIT JAZZ SOCIETY is a registered LLC (Limited Liability Company) under the laws of the State of Michigan. Our mission is to encourage the performance, preservation and
perpetuation of Classic Jazz, Dixieland and Swing, and nurture this type of music as an American art form. Activities of the club include organizing and presenting jazz concerts and jazz-related activities
throughout the year. One hundred percent of your dues money and profit from our concerts go to promote live jazz in this area! The JAZZ SCENE, a publication of the GREATER DETROIT JAZZ SOCIETY, is
published six times a year. A hard copy is mailed to all members and, in addition, a PDF file of the newsletter mailed to those members with valid e-mail addresses. Members may opt out of receiving a hard
copy by mail. Your membership dues cover this newsletter, expenses of the concerts, and notification of special events via e-mail blasts.
Return Postage Guaranteed
c/o Bill Bolle
6625 Aurora Drive
Troy, Michigan 48098
To our jazz-loving friends:
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