Jazz Advocate

Coming Up in Local Jazz – October 9 through October 22

October 8, 2013 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

Who is Clay Greg Abate?

Greg Abate jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer continues as an International Jazz/Recording Artist with 225 days a year touring the globe.

In the mid 70’s after finishing a four year program at Berklee College of Music, Greg played lead alto for the Ray Charles Orchestra for 2 years.

In 1978 Greg formed his group Channel One which was a favorite in the New England area and from there had the opportunity to play tenor sax with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under leadership of Dick Johnson from 1986 to ’87.

Following this experience Greg ventured out as post hard bop soloist playing Jazz Festivals, Jazz Societies and Jazz Clubs throughout the U.S. Canada and abroad, including most of Europe, UK, and Moscow and Georgia Russia.

Greg’s newest release The Greg Abate Quintet features Phil Woods, Jesse Green, Evan Gregor and Bill Goodwin.

Greg is a true International artist and has been touring through South West Ohio twice a year for as many years as I can remember and I always make a point to catch him. This Thursday, October 10th Vectren Jazz & Beyond will partner with Cityfolk, to present their seventh event this season (more here) featuring Greg Abate and The Lee McKinney Trio in the Dayton Art Institute’sShaw Gothic Cloister from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. In addition to the Art Institute Greg will be at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati two nights with the Phil DeGreg Trio, a jazz & arts brunch at Coco’s Bistro in Dayton and at Spinoza’s in Beavercreek playing the latter two again with the The Lee McKinney Trio.

Jazz Central Big Band with guest Ken McCoy

Last Thursday evening seventeen players from our general area and one very special guest assembled at Jazz Central to perform for a painfully small audience. They played a number of arrangements by Ken McCoy, formerly of the Jazz Ambassadors, that totally thrilled the listeners. I challenge you to find a three hour live performance anywhere for just $5 that can compare. It’s amazing to me those artists, who are among the best and aren’t even making gas money continue to show up. Listen to me, when I tell you, you’re missing something very good and it happens on the first (Jazz Central Big Band) and third (Generations Big Band) Thursdays each and every month. Same applies to Gillys or wherever – so much excellent entertainment going to waste so to speak. What I’d like to get across is if we want to continue having good jazz, we need to get out and support it when it’s available, you won’t be disappointed.

Jazz Calendar

Here are some (not all) of the upcoming jazz events for the next couple of weeks:

Today Wednesday, October 9 – The Dave DeWitt TRio with Randy Mather is at Natalie’s Coal Fired Pizza in Worthington, OH.

Thursday October 10 – The Dayton Art Institute presents their seventh Vectren Jazz & Beyond event featuring Greg Abate and The Lee McKinney Trio.

Friday October 11 – Greg Abate with the Phil DeGrge Trio is at the Blue Wisp and iBig Groove – Melodic Music for Piano , Bass and Drums with Kim Pensyl is at Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant both in Cincinnati.

Saturday October 12 – Greg Abate with the Phil DeGrge Trio is at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati and Randy Fankell and the Jazz Militia is at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dayton.

Sunday October 13 – Greg Abate and The Lee McKinney Trio is doing a jazz & arts brunch at Coco’s Bistro in Dayton.

Monday October 14 – Mark Flugge, Derek Dicenzo & Jimmy Castoe is at Due Amici in Columbus.

Tuesday October 15 – The Part St. Tavern Jazz Jam features Tony Hagood Quartet plus Pete Mills in Columbus.

Wednesday October 16 – the Eleven piece Different Hats Band is at the Dayton Event Connection and Blue Wisp Big Band performs in Cincinnati.

Thursday October 17 – The Generations Big Band returns to Jazz Central and Greg Abate and The Lee McKinney are at Spinoza’s in Beavercreek.

Friday October 18 – The Shaw Stanley Trio plays at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville and JC & The Rowdy’s Blues Jam is at Jazz Central in Dayton.

Saturday October 19 – The Chris Barrick Quartet is at the Cincinnati Public Library Atrium in Cincinnati and the John Von Ohlen Trio is at Dee Felice in Covington, KY.

Sunday October 20 – The Jazz Jam Session with Kenny Baccus is at Jazz Central in Dayton and Bluesbent is at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati.

Monday October 21 – The John Taylor Trio is at Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus.

Tuesday October 22 – Tony Monaco is at the Rumba Café in Columbus and Jazz Cab continues at the Greenwich in Cincinnati.

More info and jazz listings can be found at JazzAdvocate.com

Coming Up in Local Jazz – August 28 through September 10

August 28, 2013 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

What is C’est Tout?

I went with my wife, Rosemary and some friends last Saturday night to see James and Moore at the C’est Tout Bistro 2600 Far Hills Avenue in Oakwood, Ohio. This was the Gable’s second trip to this venue and I’ll have to say it’s a unique experience. Chef/Proprietor Dominique Fortin says “You know, the thing that we do here is a French bistro, good food, fresh food at the right price.” It truly has the ambience of a French bistro, a very meticulous setting for your dining pleasure. To say the food is outstanding is a gross understatement; that combined with the service and the entertainment (the reason I came) made our two evenings something way above our normal life style. I’ll be honest, two retirees living on a fixed income budget makes me very apprehensive about dining in a fancy restaurant but after two trips I found their prices affordable and when you consider the quality of their cuisine, very affordable. You might want to check out their website.

Now lets get back to the reason for the trip, you know the Jazz Advocate doesn’t like to pay the fare for a good meal without some good entertainment. We’ve been following James & Moore for a number of years and I’ve seen Lou James for many years before they formed their duo. Lou is a superb musician who can do magical things on that state of the art keyboard he plays. His song list is virtually unlimited. How many guys do you know who can play Tin Roof Blues, Honky Tonk and just about all of the Great American Songbook? As to the Moore part ot the duo; Pamela especially loves the music of the 30’s and 40’s, the Billie Holiday, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald tunes. The song’s that tell the stories of life and this young lady has the voice to deliver that kind of music. Pamela says “just 6 years ago I started to live out my dream to be a Singer” and I for one am glad she did.

In summary, a great time was had last Saturday by our group of friends. Great food, great service (Steve the bartender was really something) and last but not least, great entertainment. Entertainment that I feel is the perfect fit for a French bistro style venue. I know the economy is tough and James and Moore will be completing their ten month run this Saturday August 31st. I’m thinking about one more trip to France this coming weekend.

Jazz Calendar

Here are some (not all) of the upcoming jazz events for the next couple of weeks:

Today Wednesday, August 28 – The Sound Body Jazz Orchestra is at Greenhills Commons in Cincinnati and the David Murray Band with Macy Gray is at ShadowboxLive in Columbus.

Thursday August 29 – The Kim Kelly Orchestra plays RiverScape in Dayton and our friend Jeff Hufnagle, will be performing one song!

Friday August 30 – The Shawn Stanley Trio plays every Friday at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville and there’s a Friday Night Jazz Show at the Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant in Cincinnati.

Saturday August 31 – James & Moore is at the C’est Tout Bistro in Oakwood, OH and Randy Fankell’s Jazz Militia is at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dayton.

Sunday September 1 – There is a new Sunday Night Jam w/ Deron Bell at the top of the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Jazz Central Jam continues both in Dayton.

Monday September 2 – The John Taylor Trio is at Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus.

Tuesday September 3 – A Brian Cashwell faculty recital with John Taylor and Chris Berg is at Wright State University’s Schuster Hall in Fairborn, OH.

Wednesday September 4 – The Blue Wisp Jazz Club in Cincinnati presents Noah Wotherspoon followed by their long running Blue Wisp Big Band.

Thursday September 5 – The Jazz Central Big Band returns to Jazz Central in Dayton and Rick Brunetto Big Band is at The 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant in Columbus.

Friday September 6 – Jazz Violinist, Jack Shallat is Petrelli’s Italian Restaurante in Mason, OH and Matt Adams is at Dick’s Den in Columbus.

Saturday September 7 – The Wade Baker Jazz Collaboration is at the Chatterbox Jazz Club in Indianapolis, IN and the John Von Ohlen Trio is at Dee Felice in Covington, KY.

Sunday September 8 – The Jazz Jam Session with Kenny Baccus and John Hampton Wagner is at Jazz Central in Dayton and Phil DeGreg Trio is at Dee Felice in Covington, KY.

Monday September 9 – Mark Flugge, Derek Dicenzo & Jimmy Castoe is at Due Amici in Columbus.

Tuesday September 10 – Ed Moss & the Society Jazz Orchestra is at the Schwartz Point Jazz Club in Cincinnati.

More info and jazz listings can be found at JazzAdvocate.com

Jazz Spotlight: WDPS-FM + Upcoming Jazz Feb. 13-26

February 13, 2013 By Ron Gable 1 Comment

Happy February 13th; Jazz saxophonist Wardell “the thin man” Gray was born on this day in 1921, he was a major contributor to one of the great periods of jazz creativity that ushered in modern jazz. Check out Wikipeda at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardell_Gray for more information.

Jazz Spotlight: WDPS-FM (Support our local Jazz Educators)

WDPS-FM is Dayton’s only jazz radio station. A non-commercial radio station; however, they do accept underwriting. They broadcast from the new David H. Ponitz Career Technology Center in downtown Dayton. The station is staffed by students and the following volunteers: Clay “The Cooker” Collins, Paul and Patti Gehred, Charles “The Ice Man” Stone, Kyle Fisk and Amanda Romero, Slammin’ Steve Wilson, Clifford Darrett, Jim Woodford, Mike Reisz, George Balog, Jazz Cat & Deb, ChrisSmith and program manager Chris “Hippie” Hartley.

(From Ken Kreitzer, communications team leader and station manager):

4 years ago as we were preparing to move to our new studios at the David H. Ponitz career technology center. We decided to make a change in the format of the district’s radio station. When exploring the radio dial in Dayton I found that there was an underserved group of listeners; Jazz was just not getting its due in Dayton radio.

I made the announcement that The Dayton Public Schools’ radio station would become “All Jazz All the Time.” To begin to promote the new format I sought the advice of two people, Ron Gable of Jazz Advocate and Clay “The Cooker” Collins. After our first meeting we formed a partnership that i feel has benefited the Dayton Schools, Jazz Advocate and the local Dayton Jazz Scene. That partnership has sprouted many projects including, work with the Gabriel Foundation, hundreds of hours of on air promotion of local jazz events, free Jazz Listener Appreciation Concerts and much more.

One of the most noted outgrowths of that initial meeting is Clay “The Cooker” Collins being back on the radio in Dayton! Clay is an incredible talent who volunteers to be on the air each weekday and assist with the training of our students in radio broadcasting. Just the ability to interact with someone of his caliber and experience is a tremendous advantage for Dayton students. At the end of the day WDPS is still a teaching tool of the Dayton Public Schools. Students in The Radio & Television Broadcasting Class at Ponitz work on all aspects of running the radio station and web stream. From on air talent, to spot production, to preparing the broadcast logs. It is all about the students! Giving them exposure to Jazz is a great thing! They come to us thinking they will not like Jazz and leave our program with jazz favorites and a bit of knowledge of the jazz greats.

I encourage everyone to listen to WDPS-FM 89.5 Monday through Friday from 9:15 until 4:30 and 24 hours a day on WDPSFM.com.

Jazz Calendar

Here are some (not all) of the upcoming jazz events for the next couple of weeks:

Wednesday, February 13 – Jazz Central presents Blue Wednesday with Jack & Joe Waters and you can Swing Dance with Lizz & Rex Review at the Dayton Event Connection.

Thursday February 14 – James & Moore is at C’est Tout Bistro in Oakwood and CityFolk presents Grace Kelly at Gilly’s inDayton.

Friday February 15 – The Microcosm Trio is at Season’s Bistro & Grille in Springfield and the Classic Jazz Stompers are at Jay’s Seafood in Dayton.

Saturday February 16 – Ron Jones Quartet is at Cincinnati Public Library Atrium and Dave Bixler Quartet is at the Blue Wisp inCincinnati.

Sunday February 17 – the Jazz Education Connection Jazz Jam will be held at Jimmy’s Ladder 11 and the Jam Session w/ Kenny Baccus continues at Jazz Central.

Monday February 18 – Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus and the John Taylor Trio is at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek.

Tuesday February 19 – the Hot Club of Detroit is at the University of Dayton Boll Theatre and the Part St. Tavern Jazz Jam continues in Columbus.

Wednesday February 20 – Todd Hepburn is at Arnold’s Bar & Grill and the Blue Wisp Big Band is at the Wisp both in Cincinnati.

Thursday February 21 – the Gererations Big Band returns to Jazz Central in Dayton and Jazz Night with Mike Teckenbrock Trio is at Spinoza’s in Beavercreek.

Friday February 22 – Shawn Stanley Trio is at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville, OH and Marc Fields New Quintet are at the Thompson House in Newport, Ky.

Saturday February 23 – Boudin’s Bistro & Jazz Club presents the Bobby Floyd Trio and Andrew Waters – Smooth Jazz is at the Eastern Palace Restaurant both in Columbus.

Sunday February 24 – Phil DeGreg Trio is at the MidPointe Library in Middletown and theres at Jazz Jam at Victory’s inColumbus..

Monday February 25 – a Jazz Jam hosted by Sandy Suskind Quartet is at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati and Mark Flugge, Derek Dicenzo & Jimmy Castoe are at Due Amici in Columbus.

Tuesday February 26 – Ed Moss & the Society Jazz Orchestra are at the Schwartz Point Jazz Club and Jazz Cab is at The Greenwich both in Cincinnati.

More info and jazz listings can be found at JazzAdvocate.com

Jazz Spotlight: Ron Jones + Upcoming Local Jazz Sept 12-25

September 12, 2012 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

Coming Up in Local Jazz – September 12 through September 25

Happy September 12th; the jazz saxophonist Scott Hamilton was born on this day in 1954.

Who is Ron Jones?

Ron Jones, leader of the Ron Jones Quartet, graduated Cum Laude in 1980 from Florida A & M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. Jones was a member of the world famous FAMU Marching 100 and Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity. Along with teaching 50 private saxophone students per week, Jones and his quartet are in high demand to perform many events in Louisville as well as the surrounding Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Illinois area.

Jones is very involved in the world of jazz education. For 10 years Jones taught at the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camps, as well as other camps and Festivals in Ohio and Indiana. He has given jazz improvisation workshops and has been a guest soloist at Ohio State University, Austin Peay State University, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Indiana State University, Bradley University, Ball State University, Purdue University, The University of Dayton, St. Louis University, Central Michigan University, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, The University of Kentucky, The University of Evansville, Eastern Kentucky University, Jefferson Community College, and many others.

Jazz Advocate with help from WDPS Radio, Park-N-Go Airport Parking, Kroger, Jazz Central and the Dayton Pizza Factory will produce their sixth benefit concert for the Gabriel Foundation to attain funds for musical instruments for area youth. On Saturday, September 22nd the Ron Jones Quartet from Louisville will perform from 8pm to midnight at Jazz Central 2931 E, 3rd St. in Dayton, Ohio. Tickets, some of which will be given away on WDPS 89.5-FM Radio, are $7.50 advanced and $10 at the door. There will be door prizes and pizza during the event, so come out, be entertained and help us in this worthy cause! Find more details at:
http://www.jazzcentraldayton.com/#BB

Jazz Calendar

Here are some (not all) of the upcoming jazz events for the next couple of weeks:

Tonight Wednesday, September 12 – Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers is at Neil’s Heritage House in Dayton and the Blue Wisp will feature their Big Band in Cincinnati.
Thursday September 13 – the Retrospect Jazz Quartet featuring Elisabeth Hayes is at Jazz Central in Dayton and Greg Abate with Lee McKinney Trio is at Spinoza’s in Beavercreek.
Friday September 14 – Dayton’s Fall edition of Urban Nights takes place all over downtown and in the Wright-Dunbar neighborhood while the Shawn Stanley Trio plays at Carvers in Centerville.
Saturday September 15 – the Main Downtown Library will present Mike Wade & BOSEDE as part of their Jazz of the Month Club and the NEW Ed Moss Trio is at Schwartz’s Point both in Cincinnati.
Sunday September 16 – Phil DeGreg Trio performs at Dee Felice in Covington, KY and Jazz Central’s Jazz Jam continues in Dayton.
Monday September 17 – the John Taylor Trio is at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus.
Tuesday September 18 – the Derek DiCenzo Trio is at Local Roots in Powell, OH and the Tony Monaco Trio is at the Rumba Café in Columbus.
Wednesday September 19 – Backstage at the Lincoln Theatre host the Bobby Floyd Trio in Columbus and a 11 piece “Pocket Big Band” will play the Dayton Event Connection.
Thursday September 20 – the Generations Big Band returns to Jazz Central in Dayton and the Lisa Biales Trio is at the Midland Theater in Newark, OH.
Friday September 21 – Doc Broadnax and the Thompson House in Newport presents the Bobby Broom Trio in Newport, Ky, and Trio Pi Plus One will be at Washington Patform Saloon & Restaurant in Cincinnati.
Saturday September 22 – the Ron Jones Quartet plays a benefit concert at Jazz Central for the Gabriel Foundation and the Mark Flugge Trio plays the The Worthington Inn in Worthington.
Sunday September 23 – Branford Marsalis performs at the Schuster Center in Dayton and Chip Stephens/Glenn Wilson Quartet is at Nighttown in Cleveland Heights, OH.
Monday September 24 – John Scofield w/Steve Swallow & Bill Stewart will be at the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis.
Tuesday September 25 – the Tony Monaco Trio is at the Rumba Café and the great jazz jam at the Park Street Tavern continues in Columbus.

More info and jazz listings can be found at JazzAdvocate.com

Coming Up in Local Jazz – July 18-31

July 18, 2012 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

Happy July 18, the day RCA Victor recorded When I Hear That Jazz Band Play by Marion Harris from Ziegfeld’s “Midnight Frolic.

It occurs to me that many people in our area may not know who some of the better jazz artists who perform locally on a regular basis. In an attempt to rectify this shortcoming I’ll be writing articles from time to time featuring a different jazz performer:

Classic Jazz Stompers at Crowne Plaza

Who are the Classic Jazz Stompers?

(A politically correct question, who are Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers?)

They call themselves a territory band from Dayton, Ohio and claim to be magnetized by the moment in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s when classic jazz evolved into small band swing. Dave Greer aside from being one of Dayton’s leading attorneys is one of the fine gentlemen of jazz. He has been leading his band, the Classic Jazz Stompers and expounding on the history of their chosen style of music from bandstands in our area since 1981 (33 years) and have played at different times through out the Unites States and Europe but they are mainly a hometown commodity and our local standard bearer of what we call Traditional Jazz (Dixieland and Ragtime jazz styles) today. This kind of music leaves lead players free to explore their individual creativity with the support of a “modern” rhythm section. My first exposure with the group was through Mama Jazz, (15 – 20 years ago) who’s theme song for her regular Tuesday Trad Jazz program was “Hello Central Give Me Mama Jazz by Dave and the Stompers. This has to be one of the most talented groups going today and we’re so lucky to have them in our area. You can catch them this Friday at Jay’s Seafood 8:30 to 11:30pm and at Neil’s Heritage House from 7:00 to 10:00 pm every Wednesday.

Jazz Calendar

Here are some (not all) of the upcoming jazz events for the next couple of weeks:

Thursday July 19 – Riverscape Metro Parks continues their Big Band Series with the Tom Daugherty and the Tommy Dorsey Tribute. and Jazz Central presents the nineteen member Generations Big Band.

Friday July 20 – Jazz Alive presents a Tribute to Larry Kinley at The Redmoor in Cincinnati and Doc. Broadnax presents The Norman Connors with Tom Browne and Azar Lawrence is at the Thompson House in Newport, KY.

Saturday July 21 – Trumpeter Mike Wade and the Jazz Ambassadors will be at the Blue Wisp and the NEW Ed Moss Trio will be at Schwartz’s Point in Over-The-Rhine in Cincinnati.

Sunday July 22 – Phil DeGreg Trio will be at Dee Felice inCovington,Ky. and Jazz Central’s regular (for 34 years) Jazz Jam continues in Dayton.

Monday July 23 -Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus and the John Taylor Trio is at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek.

Tuesday July 24 –the Park Street Tavern holds their ongoing Jazz Jam in Columbus and Recording Artist Ron Enyard is at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati.

Wednesday July 25 – Blue Wisp Big Band performs at the Wisp and John LaIacona will be at Eddie Merlot’s in Cincinnati, while Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers will be at Neil’s Heritage House in Dayton.

Thursday July 26 – Riverscape Metro Parks presents the Swing Era Big Band in Dayton and Triage w/Vocalist/Percussionist Eugene Goss and Keyboardist Billy Larkin will be at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati.

Friday July 27 – The John Tesh Big Band will perform at Fraze Pavilion in Kettering and the Shawn Stanley Trio is at Carvers in Centerville.

Saturday July 28 – April Aloisio sings! at the Park Square Hyde Park, OH.

Sunday July 29 – Phil DeGreg Trio performing at Dee Felice inCovington,Ky. and the Hoo Doo Soul Band plays the Rumba Café in Columbus.

Monday July 30 – Sandy Suskind continues their long running jazz jam at the Blue Wisp inCincinnati and the John Taylor Trio does likewise at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek.

Wednesday August 1 – Ricky Nye with Liz Pennock & Dr. Blues @ Chez Nora in Covington, KY.

More info and jazz listings can be found at JazzAdvocate.com