Another "indie" big band friend

Thursday, December 3rd
7:00pm (two sets)
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery Street
(Between Houston and Bleecker)
$10 Cover

Also, for the first time:
WEBCAST LIVE!
http://www.rfg3travel.com/bowerylive103008.html
or go to:
http://www.bowerypoetry.com/


For this gig JC has adapted a 3-piece suite from his original score to the 1925 silent film classic Ben-Hur, and David continues to explore a pointillistic approach to texture with his new works
Kaleidoscope and Opportunity - based on Einstein's three rules of work.

Sound Assembly
JC Sanford – composer, conductor, trombone
David Schumacher – composer, conductor
Dan Willis, Rob Wilkerson, Chris Bacas, Ben Kono, Kenny Berger – woodwinds
Jon Owens, Dave Spier, Andy Gravish, Brad Mason – trumpets
Mark Patterson, Tim Albright, Isrea Butler, Jeff Nelson – trombones
Andrew Green, David Cook, David Ambrosio, Ted Poor - rhythm


Sound Assembly is a 17-piece jazz orchestra based in NYC
featuring the original compositions of co-leaders
David Schumacher and JC Sanford



Go to: www.soundassembly.net for details on purchasing Edge of the Mind

Perhaps we could meet at 7:00 before masterclass and check out the webcast - let me know if that's a good idea.

Jamie

A PULSE colleague gig

Here's a gig announcement from a friend and PULSE colleague.

Jamie

John Hollenbeck triple-bill

Here's another gig by a friend of mine in case you're interested:

Triple bill at NYC’s Le Poisson Rouge Monday, November 30th
"The drummer and composer John Hollenbeck inhabits a world of gleaming modernity, and "Eternal Interlude" (Sunnyside), the second album featuring his Large Ensemble, reflects both the clarity and brightness of his vision." Nate Chinen for the New York Times

Please join John Hollenbeck and friends for a celebration of two recent releases. The program opens with music from John's recent chamber music release on GPE Records, Rainbow Jimmies. Todd Reynolds on violin, Matt Moran on vibes, and John on drums will perform The Gray Cottage Studies.

Followed by Future Quest, a quintet devoted to “reimaginings” of Meredith Monk’s music, featuring vocalist Theo Bleckmann, saxophonists Ellery Eskelin and Tony Malaby, pianist Gary Versace, and John on percussion. The evening culminates in a set by the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, performing music from the group’s lavishly-praised new CD, Eternal Interlude (Sunnyside), including two New York premieres.

Further information at : lepoissonrouge
158 Bleecker Street New York, NY 10012 Phone: (212) 505-FISH (3474)
Doors Open 7:00pm Show Time 8:00pm $15 FOR ALL THREE SHOWS!

Jamie

check dis

Some pre-grunting Jarrett for y'all to enjoy. His mid seventies European Quartet, featuring one of my favorite tenor players Jan Garbarek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYCpl2lKlj8

Scofield playing "No Greater Love"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLU_gXrXw7M

Anyone know who the drummer is?

Jam tuesday night

november 10

9pm until late

come with ideas for the jam...

Jose Abreu on kids transformed by music

Check out these two videos from Ted.com:

http://www.ted.com/talks/jose_abreu_on_kids_transformed_by_music.html

http://www.ted.com/talks/astonishing_performance_by_a_venezuelan_youth_orchestra_1.html

The gulf between the rich and the poor in Venezuela is one of the worst in the world. Jose Antonio Abreu, an economist, musician, and reformer, founded El Sistema ("the system") in 1975 to help Venezuelan kids take part in classical music. After 30 years (and 10 political administrations), El Sistema is a nationwide organization of 102 youth orchestras, 55 children's orchestras, and 270 music centers -- and close to 250,000 young musicians.

El Sistema uses music education to help kids from impoverished circumstances achieve their full potential and learn values that favor their growth. The talented musicians have become a source of national pride. Several El Sistema students have gone on to major international careers, including Gustavo Dudamel, soon to be the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the bassist Edicson Ruiz, who at 17 became the youngest musician ever to join the Berlin Philharmonic.

There is a simple concept behind Abreu's work: for him an orchestra is first and foremost about together­ness, a place where children learn to listen to each other and to respect one another.

"Music has to be recognized as an ... agent of social development in the highest sense, because it transmits the highest values -- solidarity, harmony, mutual compassion. And it has the ability to unite an entire community and to express sublime feelings."

José Antonio Abreu

Hey Jazz Club,

This just came in from Kenny Garret's management:

"Good news! Kenny’s Manager has been able to work things out with

Kenny Garret so that he would agree to critique and advise your
student ensemble...they do not need to necessarily learn Kenny’s
music for this activity....he can just listen, interact with the kids and
critique their playing. OK?"

Looks like the group he would bring would consist of Hammond Organ, electric bass and drums. There are 2 rhythm sections he uses and can mix-n-match players.

Please spread the word, discuss amongst yourselves and let me know ASAP if you want me to make an offer to him - he'll do it a price that is within our budget.

Thanks,

Jamie

Faculty jazz last night

Hey Jazz Club,

Hope you all enjoyed the concert as mch as I did last night, I thought the faculty sounded great and really sounded like a BAND and not just a bunch of people playing... FYI - the only "rehearsal for all that music was the soundcheck from 5:30 - 6:45 just before the show!

What impressed me the most about the concert was the breadth of material presented and the skill with which it was performed; from those "Blue Note" classics (Hammerhead, Una Mas, Night Dreamer and Straight Ahead) to the free-blowing original tunes and the relatively obscure ballad Dave Scott was featured on, everything sounded natural and completely convincing. To me yet another demonstration that the traditional languge and style informs your playing and will help you go in whatever musical direction you eventually want to go on your own.

Enjoy the weekend,
Jamie

Jazz Club @ The Daily Grind

We've had the opportunity to play at The Daily Grind, which is the coffeehouse located on the west side campus, the last few weeks. It has been going really well there...more and more people are slowly coming in to listen..

After talking to the manager, we officially have a spot playing there every Wednesday and Thursday from 5:00-7:30. I'm going to do my best to get everyone a chance to play. Please let me know if you are interested/available to play.

If you do end up going to play there, please represent the jazz club well..be kind to the people working at the coffee shop and be careful when setting up equipment.

Once again, let me know if you want to play! We have EVERY Wednesday and Thursday until the end of the semester...


also, check this out. great music group called Happy Apple.(there is a song in the music player by them as well.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgCh8RBOKMY

Internet Radio Program

Hey Jazz Club,

I receive emails like this from time to time - looks like an interesting program and Bill Kirchner is a very knowledgeable Jazz Historian (and composer too).

"Dear Friends:

Recently, I taped my next one-hour show for the "Jazz From The Archives" series. Presented by the Institute of Jazz Studies, the series runs every Sunday on WBGO-FM (88.3).

This show will focus on three varied examples of the art of two-piano jazz:

First is a 1961 recording by Elmo Hope (1923-1967), a friend and peer of the better-known Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk. The album, called HOPE-FULL (Riverside/OJC), contains solo tracks by Hope and duets with his wife Bertha Rosamond Hope (b. 1936). We'll hear all three of their duets.

Kirk Lightsey (b. 1937) and Harold Danko (b. 1947) did a 1983 album of the music of Wayne Shorter, SHORTER BY TWO (Sunnyside). Four tracks will be featured.

Last, Dick Hyman (b. 1927) and Ray Kennedy (b. 1957) recorded a CD in 2003, WHAT IS THERE TO SAY? (Victoria). We'll hear three selections.

The show will air this Sunday, October 11, from 11 p.m. to midnight, Eastern Daylight Time.

NOTE: If you live outside the New York City metropolitan area, WBGO also broadcasts on the Internet at www.wbgo.org.

Best,
Bill Kirchner
http://www.jazzsuite.com/"

Check it out!

Jamie

Good all around!

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to take a moment to say that I was very happy with the masterclass last night. I take it as a "given" that the performances would be generally very good, and they were with just a few glitches here and there - fixing those glitches is why we have a school!

That said, what I was most impressed with was how good and accurate the student comments were. I see that as a sign of intelligent and thinking musicians; exactly what I believe the the focus of this department is and should be. Articulating one's thoughts about music can be challenging and I thought you all did a very good and honest job of that, making it a very positive evening for all.

Keep it up!

Jamie

i would like to let everyone know that the meeting last night with the SGA finance committee went very very well.

they voted 6-0-0 to pass rest of our budget onto the senate for a finale vote...

the SGA Senate meeting is on Monday (9/28/09) at 8:15pm....come show your support

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=141407668953&ref=nf

CEDAR WALTON TRIO with special guest JAVON JACKSON

One of the most valued of all hard bop accompanists, Cedar Walton is a versatile pianist whose funky touch and cogent melodic sense have graced the recordings of many of jazz's greatest players. Walton wrote a number of excellent tunes ("Mosaic," "Ugetsu," and "Bolivia," to name a few) that found their way into Art Blakey's book during the pianist's early-'60s stint with the Jazz Messengers.
Walton moved to New York, where he began his career in earnest. From 1958-1961, Walton played with Kenny Dorham, J.J. Johnson, and Art Farmer's Jazztet, among others. Walton joined Blakey in 1961, with whom he remained until 1964. This was perhaps Blakey's most influential group, with Freddie Hubbard and Wayne Shorter. Walton served time as Abbey Lincoln's accompanist from 1965-1966 and made records with Lee Morgan from 1966-1968; from 1967-1969, Walton served as a sideman on many Prestige albums as well. Walton played in a band with Hank Mobley in the early '70s and returned to Blakey for a 1973 tour of Japan.
Cedar Walton is a Jazz Legend that continues to serve as an ambassodor to Jazz everywhere.

Javon Jackson came into international prominence as a member of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. As a member of Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Javon toured and made many recordings with the legendary drummer. In addition to Blakey, Jackson has toured and recorded with Elvin Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Betty Carter, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter, Donald Byrd, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Richard Davis, Bobby Hutcherson, Curtis Fuller and Stanley Turrentine.

This collaboration of the young along side the legend is not to be missed.

Long Live Jazz!!!

For advanve tickets call:

Mike Kilian
Polish National Home
60 Charter Oak Ave
Hartford, CT 06106
860 247-1784

Ed Krech
Integrity n' Music
506 Silas Deane Hwy
Wethersfield, CT 06109
860 563-4005

Andres Chaparro
HHS, Office of Cultural Affairs
2 Holcomb St.
Hartford, CT 06112
860 547-1426 ext. 7413


BUY YOUR TICKETS EARLY BEFORE SELLING OUT!!!
General Admission $15.00
Hartford Residents, Students, $10.00

Jazz festival artists

Hey Jazz Club:

Here are the top possibilities for the Friday night "guest-with-the-jazz-orchestra" spot:

Dave Liebman
Terrance Blanchard
Pat Martino
Brian Blade
Ravi Coltrane
Benny Golson
Roy Hargrove

and...

Here are the top possibilities for the Satruday night "headline" artist:

Brian Blade Felowship
Ravi Coltrane Quartet
Kenny Garrett Band
Pat Martino Organ Trio
Joshua Redman

Take a look at their linked sites and also whatever else you can find. We'll meet at 7:00 on Wednesday, September 30 (before masterclass) and vote to rank them. I'll then contact their management and get the process to formally submit an offer.

Thanks,
Jamie

Possible Guitarists for December 4 guest artist:

Hey Jazz Club:

Here are the guitarists we discussed for December 4

Adam Rogers
Mike Stern
Peter Bernstein
John Scofield
Jim Hall
Ben Monder

Take a look at their linked sites and also whatever else you can find. We'll meet at 7:00 on Wednesday, September 30 (before masterclass) and vote to rank them. I'll then contact the top vote-getters, in order until, someone commits.

Thanks,
Jamie

Tuesday Night Jam

 Jam on tuesday night

9 pm, green room.

Tunes:

Beautiful Love

On Green Dolphin Street

Hope to see you all there

Dan, is there any way we can all post tracks up on this blog? I'm not quite sure how to do it..

-Ian

About last night....

The energy in Alumni Hall was electric last night. The quartet featuring Jamie Begian and alumni Jonathan Blanck, Chris DeAngelis and Tim Walsh demanded the attention of everyone in the room with four original tunes that were eclectic and innovative.

One of the greatest things I took away from this performance (aside from being inspired to grab my bass and tap into the right side of my brain) is seeing all the lessons we learn on a daily basis being put into practice by professionals and educators on such a level of mastery: playing the room, our sound, the swell of a piece, energy, interaction, etc. The guys in the group are exceptional and thoughtful musicians.

Also it was really great to see how the coffee house has grown. It was packed last night. Make sure to check for jazz at the Daily Grind on the westside campus. This is a great opportunity for Jazz Club to have a regularly weekly presence on campus in addition to helping the Jazz Club grow.

Enjoy the weekend!
Cheers

"Be not the slave of your own past. Plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old"
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Show tomorrow night at Alumni Hall

Hey all,

My quartet is playing tomorrow night (Thursday) at Alumni Hall on the midtown campus. We'll start around 9:00, after the open mic portion of the evening.

In addition to myself on guitar you can come listen to Westconn Jazz alums Jonathan Blanck (WCSU '05), Chris DeAngelis (WCSU '04) and Tim Walsh (WCSU '05).

We'll be playing 4 original tunes, 1 from each member of the quartet.

Hope you can come out!

Jamie

The Jazz Duo

If you have a chance, swing by the library and check out Houston Person and Ron Carter's duo album "Something in Common". Both Person and Carter have great tone and feel. Check out "Anthropology" in particular.



"Music is a higher revelation
than all wisdom and philosophy.
Music is the electrical soil
in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents"
~ Ludwig van Beethoven ~

Jam

Hey all,

Just a reminder that there will be two jams this week. 

Monday, 8pm 

& 

Tuesday, 9pm

Tunes of the week: 

Beautiful love

&

I love you

 

Both jams will be in the green room

iantait88@gmail.com

check this out everyone......clinic at david gage's in NYC

"All Alone," The 2009 Ron Carter Workshop "All Alone." is a one night only event, Wednesday, November 4, 2009. The incomparable Ron Carter will present a clinic tentatively entitled “All Alone” on November 4, 2009. The event will be open to the public, but seating is limited and expected to sell out quickly. Mr. Carter has presented as part of The Workshop Series before and is considered to be one of the best presenters in the program’s 25 years. His particular mastery of the instrument, along with his ability to clearly articulate complex ideas make Ron Carter a very effective teacher. The workshop will also be webcast on Mike’s Master Classes (mikesmasterclasses.com). Downloadable recordings will be available for sale afterwards from Mike’s Master Classes, as well. This is a one night only event. Wednesday, November 4, 2009. David Gage String Instruments is located at 36 Walker Street, New York, NY. Tickets are now on sale and are priced at $20.00, $15.00 for students and seniors.

here is an article from david gage's website

_____________________________________________

Injury Prevention and Recovery for Bassists by Dennis James In this first article on Injury Prevention and Recovery, I would like to stress ‘prevention’. It is so much easier to prevent injuries than take the long road back, as in many cases, to an incomplete ‘recovery’. The more understanding one has about the healing process, the more control one will have in making intelligent decisions in remaining injury free and healthy. Repetitive movement and overuse are the musician’s dilemma. One must realize that sometimes there will be a certain amount of damage. The goal is to minimize the damage and manage issues properly when they occur. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, diet and exercise being the two most important. For example, Carpal tunnel syndrome is very common among musicians and persons working long periods of time at computers. One way of treating it through self-care is to eliminate packaged foods that usually carry the dye tartrazine (FD&C Yellow#5) which interferes with vitamin B6 in the body. Eating foods rich in vitamin B6 such as brewer’s yeast, sunflower seeds, soybeans, walnuts, legumes, brown rice and bananas or taking vitamin B6 supplements have shown to decrease the symptoms of carpal tunnel through clinical testing. Fresh pineapple juice and ginger are suggested for flare-ups. Exercises are numerous depending on the individual’s history and symptoms, but a simple rotating of the shoulder for a minute or so every day may help free up the median nerve and give relief. Future articles will be covering these types of injuries with a more detailed and comprehensive approach to the prevention and recovery of them. A third helpful way to prevent or treat injuries, would be to receive bodywork with someone who understands the stress you have put on your arms, shoulders, neck, hands, legs , back, etc. This will help you recover faster and become more aware of imbalances that should be attended to immediately. A good practitioner should also be able to guide one through a set of exercises and self-care techniques, and discuss ergonomic awareness, so that one will have more control over his or her recovery. Whether it’s Swedish massage, shiatsu, acupuncture or Thai yoga massage is not important. The type of bodywork that one prefers is a personal choice and sometimes an acquired taste. Appreciating a variety of different bodywork techniques definitely has its advantages in promoting a wider range of benefits. Listed below are a number of books that are very informative on diet, exercise, stretching and self-care. These books express an east/west perspective and are extremely accessible to the layman and invaluable as aids in preventing injuries or helping with their recovery. Between Heaven And Earth - A Guide To Chinese Medicine Harriet Beinfield, L.Ac, and Efrem Korngold, L.Ac. O.M.D./ Ballantine Wellspring- The Random House Publishing Group This book combines Eastern traditions with Western sensibilities with a current relevance. A comprehensive introduction to Chinese medicine- theory, therapy and types. It also covers the role of herbs and food in healing. Tooth From The Tigers Mouth Tom Bisio / Simon and Schuster Publishers Very simple descriptions of treatments of common sports injuries from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective. Lots of interesting anecdotes and imagery. Facilitated Stretching Robert E. McAtee and Jeff Charland/Human Kinetics Assisted and unassisted PNF stretching made easy. Clear explanations and photographs of proper stretching techniques. First published in 1993, it was the first book to translate the complexities of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation into an easy, step by step method. The Encyclopedia Of Healing Foods Michael Murray N.D. Atria Books The most comprehensive user friendly guide on nutrition and medicinal benefits of food. Full Catastrophe Living : Using the wisdom of your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and Illnes Jon Kabat-Zinn About Dennis James Dennis James is presently a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist. As a professional musician for over the past 40 years he has had the good fortune to work with some of the world’s greatest musicians and ensembles. Dennis has held the position of Principal Bass with the Montreal Symphony and Minnesota Orchestra. He has worked extensively with the New York Philharmonic, the Orpheus Ensemble and performed with jazz artists such as Hank Jones, Peter Leitch, Bill Mays, Sam Noto and John Clayton. His CD TrioConcertant won a NAIRD award for best recording of the year. A graduate of the Swedish Institute, Dennis is presently studying the advanced use of essential oils from a Chinese medical perspective with the venerable Jeffrey C. Yuen. He is also working towards becoming an Associate Practitioner in the field of Ortho-Bionomy®. In 2006 Dennis formed the healthcare group NY Hands Will Travel, presenting workshops with the sole purpose of educating musicians and nonmusicians alike on ”Injury Prevention and Recovery.” These articles for David Gage’s newsletter are designed with that same purpose in mind. Dennis has worked with some of the best spas and health clubs in New York (Exhale, Equinox and Paris Health Club), but is now focusing more on a private clientele and volunteering some of his time to work with hospice patients. For more information you may contact Dennis James at (212) 569-6837 orgraystrypcats@hotmail.com Injury Prevention and Recovery for Bassists by Dennis James In this first article on Injury Prevention and Recovery, I would like to stress ‘prevention’. It is so much easier to prevent injuries than take the long road back, as in many cases, to an incomplete ‘recovery’. The more understanding one has about the healing process, the more control one will have in making intelligent decisions in remaining injury free and healthy. Repetitive movement and overuse are the musician’s dilemma. One must realize that sometimes there will be a certain amount of damage. The goal is to minimize the damage and manage issues properly when they occur. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, diet and exercise being the two most important. For example, Carpal tunnel syndrome is very common among musicians and persons working long periods of time at computers. One way of treating it through self-care is to eliminate packaged foods that usually carry the dye tartrazine (FD&C Yellow#5) which interferes with vitamin B6 in the body. Eating foods rich in vitamin B6 such as brewer’s yeast, sunflower seeds, soybeans, walnuts, legumes, brown rice and bananas or taking vitamin B6 supplements have shown to decrease the symptoms of carpal tunnel through clinical testing. Fresh pineapple juice and ginger are suggested for flare-ups. Exercises are numerous depending on the individual’s history and symptoms, but a simple rotating of the shoulder for a minute or so every day may help free up the median nerve and give relief. Future articles will be covering these types of injuries with a more detailed and comprehensive approach to the prevention and recovery of them. A third helpful way to prevent or treat injuries, would be to receive bodywork with someone who understands the stress you have put on your arms, shoulders, neck, hands, legs , back, etc. This will help you recover faster and become more aware of imbalances that should be attended to immediately. A good practitioner should also be able to guide one through a set of exercises and self-care techniques, and discuss ergonomic awareness, so that one will have more control over his or her recovery. Whether it’s Swedish massage, shiatsu, acupuncture or Thai yoga massage is not important. The type of bodywork that one prefers is a personal choice and sometimes an acquired taste. Appreciating a variety of different bodywork techniques definitely has its advantages in promoting a wider range of benefits. Listed below are a number of books that are very informative on diet, exercise, stretching and self-care. These books express an east/west perspective and are extremely accessible to the layman and invaluable as aids in preventing injuries or helping with their recovery. Between Heaven And Earth - A Guide To Chinese Medicine Harriet Beinfield, L.Ac, and Efrem Korngold, L.Ac. O.M.D./ Ballantine Wellspring- The Random House Publishing Group This book combines Eastern traditions with Western sensibilities with a current relevance. A comprehensive introduction to Chinese medicine- theory, therapy and types. It also covers the role of herbs and food in healing. Tooth From The Tigers Mouth Tom Bisio / Simon and Schuster Publishers Very simple descriptions of treatments of common sports injuries from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective. Lots of interesting anecdotes and imagery. Facilitated Stretching Robert E. McAtee and Jeff Charland/Human Kinetics Assisted and unassisted PNF stretching made easy. Clear explanations and photographs of proper stretching techniques. First published in 1993, it was the first book to translate the complexities of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation into an easy, step by step method. The Encyclopedia Of Healing Foods Michael Murray N.D. Atria Books The most comprehensive user friendly guide on nutrition and medicinal benefits of food. Full Catastrophe Living : Using the wisdom of your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and Illnes Jon Kabat-Zinn About Dennis James Dennis James is presently a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist. As a professional musician for over the past 40 years he has had the good fortune to work with some of the world’s greatest musicians and ensembles. Dennis has held the position of Principal Bass with the Montreal Symphony and Minnesota Orchestra. He has worked extensively with the New York Philharmonic, the Orpheus Ensemble and performed with jazz artists such as Hank Jones, Peter Leitch, Bill Mays, Sam Noto and John Clayton. His CD TrioConcertant won a NAIRD award for best recording of the year. A graduate of the Swedish Institute, Dennis is presently studying the advanced use of essential oils from a Chinese medical perspective with the venerable Jeffrey C. Yuen. He is also working towards becoming an Associate Practitioner in the field of Ortho-Bionomy®. In 2006 Dennis formed the healthcare group NY Hands Will Travel, presenting workshops with the sole purpose of educating musicians and nonmusicians alike on ”Injury Prevention and Recovery.” These articles for David Gage’s newsletter are designed with that same purpose in mind. Dennis has worked with some of the best spas and health clubs in New York (Exhale, Equinox and Paris Health Club), but is now focusing more on a private clientele and volunteering some of his time to work with hospice patients. For more information you may contact Dennis James at (212) 569-6837 or graystrypcats@hotmail.com -enjoy the article and i hope even non-bassist find this helpful

headline from downbeat

i was reading downbeat online and came across this little article....

Mayfield, Mingus Honored on Second Night of Chicago Jazz Fest
Daily News Headlines

Posted 9/6/2009

Bassist William Parker has taken on considerable risks before, but perhaps none so daring as dramatically reinterpreting Chicago-native Curtis Mayfield’s work in the city where he may be the most revered. His “Inside Songs of Curtis Mayfield” project on the second night of the Chicago Jazz Festival turned into a major triumph.

Parker, who has never taken the easy way out of anything, refused to merely play Mayfield’s memorable songs, with the usual theme-variation solos. Rather, he and his group took and sometimes recombined, the familiar melodies, transposing them, or including Amiri Baraka’s new poems on top of singer Leena Conquest’s performance of Mayfield’s lyrics. The results were moving, and, often, a lot of fun. Unexpected emotional turns were infused with Conquest and Baraka’s stunning melding of the different moods in melding together “The Makings Of You” (a ballad) and “Keep On Pushing” (an inspiration hymn) with “We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue” (a warning). “People Get Ready” turned upbeat with a faster tempo, even with (or, perhaps, because of) Baraka’s warning that “there’s a storm coming.” While in the past, Baraka’s been known for his ill-tempered rants, here all of his extemporaneous, and mostly positive, shouts served the music itself. Particularly as he paid tribute to past struggles, and past musical masters (including Sun Ra and Son House) on “It’s All Right.” Saxophonists Darryl Foster and Sabir Mateen, along with trumpeter Lewis Barnes, sounded seeped in what makes blues and r&b brass sections click so well with a mass audience. Parker, pianist Dave Burrell and drummer Hamid Drake locked in the funk, particularly on “Freddie’s Dead.” It doesn’t hurt that Drake himself has spent so many years in Chicago, surrounded by Mayfield’s sounds right from the source.

Along with the tribute to Mayfield, Dave Holland’s big band honored Charles Mingus with the group’s “Blues For C.M.” to close the night. Holland’s large group is filled with such accomplished jazz stars as saxophonist Chris Potter, who unveiled strong solos towards the end of the set. But it was vibraphonist Steve Nelson, along with Holland himself, whose passages indicated that this large band can easily spin deftly in any direction.

Veteran Chicago saxophonist Fred Anderson started the night with his trio, which included Drake and bassist Josh Abrams. Having just turned 80, his set proved why he continues to be such an inspiration to so many younger players, especially the ones coming up from this city.

Aaron Cohen

Serious fun

One thing to keep in mind when studying the arts, especially when one is serious about it, is to not let the seriousness of your study get in the way of having FUN with what you're doing.

Nobody plays music to have a bad time and, Keith Jarrett's grunts-n-groans notwithstanding, the greatest players usually look like they enjoy what they're doing.

When I was an undergrad student the great Jaki Byard said to me "You need to have something outside of music to keep your head on straight!" I was always grateful for that advice as it kinda' gave me permission to be a serious student and a well-rounded person.

On that note I close our first jazzclub post as I need to get some rest 'cause disc is up at 11:30am tomorrow and I need to run around!

Jamie