Jazz

Upcoming Local Jazz Dec 5-18

December 5, 2012 By Ron Gable 2 Comments

Happy December 5th; Art Davis who pioneered the use of two basses in a jazz combo setting and played with likes of Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, and Max Roach was born on this day in 1934. Check out Wikipeda at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Davis for more information.

Roderick Wilson, Eddie Brookshire and Jack Novotny at Jazz Central

What do Johnny Lytle, Lady Day, Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and Dizzy Gillespie have in common?

These are names of some of the great jazz legends who contributed music that formed much of the backbone of jazz in our nation. This is also the list of artists who have had tribute concerts held in their honor at Jazz Central over the last sixteen months. All as part of the resurgence of jazz in Dayton, Ohio by our local talented jazz performers.

The latest example was last Saturday, December 1st. when Roderick Wilson and Friends: Roderick – trumpet, Jack Novotny – saxophone, Archie McPherson – keyboard, Eddie Brookshire – base, Fenton Sparks – drums and Cliff Darrett – congas paid tribute to Dizzy Gillespie one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time. September a year ago Mark Smarelli paid tribute to Springfield, Ohio native vibraphonist Johnny Lytle, then Teresa Moneé Gill did a Gabriel Foundation benefit tribute to Lady Day (Billie Holiday) in October of 2011. Next came Grant Koeller doing Charlie Part justice on his saxophone December a year ago and then came trumpeter Wade Baker paying homage to Clifford Brown in January, 2012. In March, 2012 Dean Simms brought Louis Armstrong to life for an entire evening and last October Ronald Hartwell played Benny Goodman while Mark Smarelli played Lionel Hampton.

Each of these events was not only very entertaining but educational and each had a story to tell us about the wonderful history of America’s great art form called Jazz! In addition to tribute concerts Jazz Central has offered many benefit, memorial and face-off concerts; all designed to expose the public to jazz and help keep the art alive. I was told years ago, by one a club owner, when I was writing for another paper that I shouldn’t write about what has happened but only about upcoming events. I disagree; I believe if people read about the fun and great times others had at an event, they will be encouraged to attend some of the great future events coming up:

Jazz Calendar

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

Tonight Wednesday, December 5 – Tonight, for you dancers The Dayton Event Connection is featuring the Lizz & Rex Quartet and the Blue Wisp Big Band is at the Wisp in Cincinnati.

Thursday December 6 – Jeremy Pinell & The 55s w/Ricky Nye is at Japps in Cincinnati.

Friday December 7 – the Bob Niederriter Trio is at The Stone Tavern in Kent, Ohio and Kathy Wade & Ed Moss are at Schwartz’s Point in Over-The-Rhine in Cincinnati.

Saturday December 8 – Jazz Explosion w/Kenny Baccus & J. Webster Smith as Dr. Feel Good is doing a benefit for the Blind at Jazz Central in Dayton.

Sunday December 9 – Phil DeGreg Trio plays Dee Felice in Covington, KY and the Jazz Jam Session w/ Kenny Baccus continues at Jazz Central in Dayton.

Monday December 10 – the John Taylor Trio is at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and the Blue Wisp Jazz Club offers a Jazz Jam hosted by Sandy Suskind inCincinnati.

Tuesday December 11 – Park Street Tavern continues their Jazz Jam and the Tony Monaco Trio performs at The Rumba Café both in Columbus.

Wednesday December 12 – the Blue Wisp Big Band performs at the Wisp in Cincinnati and Ricky Nye & Bekah Williams is at Chez Nora in Covington, KY.

Thursday December 13 – Lisa Biales and Doug Hamilton plays the O’Pub in Oxford, OH and Ricky Nye & Dottie Warner is at Arnold’s Bar & Grill in Cincinnati.

Friday December 14 – Shawn Stanley Trio is at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville, OH and the Thompson House presents Bashiri Asad & Xenobia Green in Newport,Ky.

Saturday December 15 – The final Gabriel Foundation Benefit of the season features The ShinSings Orchestra at Jazz Central in Dayton.

Sunday December 16 – the Blue Wisp Jazz Club has BLUESBENT with Lawrence Bloomfield in Cincinnati and Bill Rudman’s “A Christmas Cabaret” is at Nighttown inCleveland Heights.

Monday December 17 – Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club and Mark Flugge, Derek Dicenzo & Jimmy Castoe plays the Due Amici both in Columbus.

Tuesday December 18 – the Derek DiCenzo Trio performs at Local Roots in Powell, OH and the Jazz Cab is at The Greenwich in Cincinnati.

More info and jazz listings can be found at http://www,JazzAdvocate.com

Jazz Spotlight: Sinclair Community College + Upcoming Local Jazz Nov 21 – Dec 4

November 21, 2012 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

Happy November 21st; the great saxophonist Coleman Hawkins was born on this day in 1904. Check out Wikipeda at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coleman_Hawkins for more information.

What is Sinclair Community College?

This could easily be one of those “man bites off more than he can chew” items so lets keep it simple and say what is Sinclair in regards to jazz music. This season Sinclair is offering four Jazz Ensemble concerts with Bruce Jordan conducting and one Jazz Combo concert with Eddie Brookshire directing all in Blair Hall Theatre. Blair Hall is the College’s premiere theatre facility. The facility is an elegant 459-seat proscenium style auditorium that serves the entire community. Located in Building 2 alongWest Fourth Street, Blair Hall Theatre is the home of Sinclair’s Theatre department productions and Music department concerts. Check my local jazz calendar for the dates and times.

Sinclair College is yet another great asset to the Dayton Community that my wife and I, living downtown, like to take advantage of. I’d like to share one of their events that we attended last Saturday. During their Community Wind Symphony as listed in the program “Concerto for Winds and Piano Right Hand (2012) – Stranger in Paradox with Jeff Hufnagle on piano and Christian Berg on Bass. A little over a year ago I received word that local jazz artist Jeff Hufnagle had a bad stroke, which left him without the use of his entire left side. Imagine how happy I was to have received the following: “Folks, This Is Great News! Jeff will premier Chris Berg’s Piano Concerto with the outstanding Sinclair College Wind Symphony.” An amazing performance with Jeff playing better with one hand than many with both. I also want to share Jeff’s email message: Even though playing the Christian Berg piano concerto is a miraculous milestone on my road to recovery, full recovery; playing with both hands, walking unassisted, driving a car, are still probably years down the road for me. Working with Chris and the Sinclair wind symphony has made me feel like a musician again and has certainly had a beneficial effect on me. Repairing the severe damage that was done to my brain is a slow and painful process that can’t be rushed I expect no miracles. The love and support of the local music community has kept me from sinking into the abyss. Peace, Jeff.

Jazz Calendar

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

Tonight Wednesday, November 21 – Tonight, for you dancers the The Dayton Event Connection offers an eleven piece “Pocket Big Band” and James Elliott Project Featuring Roger Baccus is at Zanzibar Brews in Columbus

Thursday November 22 – Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday November 23 – the Mike Wade Quartet featuring Khalid Moss will perform at Jazz Central while Terry Murphy and Company Band is playing The De’lish Café both in Dayton.

Saturday November 24 – Jazz of the Month Club – Holiday Jazz Concert Chris Comer Trio is at the Cincinnati Public Library Atrium and the The NEW Ed Moss Trio is at Schwartz’s Point in Over-The-Rhine in Cincinnati.

Sunday November 25 – Roderick Wilson is at Huffies BBQ in Dayton and the Phil DeGreg Trio is at Dee Felice in Covington, KY.

Monday November 26 – the John Taylor Trio is at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and the Blue Wisp Jazz Club offers a Jazz Jam hosted by Sandy Suskind inCincinnati.

Tuesday November 27 – Park Street Tavern continues their Jazz Jam and the Tony Monaco Trio performs at The Rumba Café both in Columbus.

Wednesday November 28 – the Blue Wisp Big Band performs at the Wisp and John LaIacona is at Eddie Merlot’s both in Cincinnati.

Thursday November 29 – Tony Monaco is at Giammarco’s Pizza in Westerville, OH and the Rick Brunetto Big Band is at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant inColumbus.

Friday November 30 – Shawn Stanley Trio is at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville, OH and the Thompson House presents Mandy Gaines in Newport, Ky.

Saturday December 1 – Roderick Wilson, Eddie Brookshire, Archie McPherson, Jack Novotny, Fenton Sparks & Clifford Darrett join to tribute the great Dizzy Gillespie at Dayton’s Jazz Central.

Sunday December 2 – a Live Jazz Party produced by Gene Walker is at the Hunan Gourmet Restaurant in Whitehall, OH and the Jazz Central Jam Session w/ Kenny Baccus is in Dayton.

Monday December 3 – Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus and the Jazz Cab is at The Greenwich in Cincinnati.

Tuesday December 4 – UD Jazz Ensemble & University Jazz Band performs at University of Dayton Boll Theatre in Dayton and the Park St. Tavern Jazz Jam is inColumbus.

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

Jazz Spotlight: Taylor Moore + Upcoming Local Jazz Nov. 7-20

November 7, 2012 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

Happy November 7th; The American trumpeter and bandleader Al Hirt was born on this day in 1922.

Because many people in our area may not know some of the better local jazz artists who perform regularly in our area I’ve been doing a “Who Is” opening in each of my recent articles. I’m deviating slightly in this article with a performer from Chicago:

Who is Taylor Moore?

I have seen this young lady perform twice recently at Jazz Central and was so impressed I decided to showcase her in this month’s Gabriel Foundation benefit concert this Saturday, November 10th.

While in kindergarten, she entered an Afro-centric after school program that offered the rhythms that had always been a part of her. Over the years, Taylor honed her skills playing classical music pieces as a member of the Kenwood Academy H. S. Concert and Marching bands. Her classical music training also included playing with the Protégé Philharmonic and the All-City Concert Band in Chicago, Illinois.

A lover of all kinds of music, this talented young lady branched out into jazz in her sophomore year, playing with the Kenwood Jazz Band and the Jazz Links Ensemble. Taylor was identified as a gifted percussionist and was a scholar in the Ravinia Jazz Scholars program in the Chicago Public School system.
This percussion phenomenon recently made her debut at The Jazz Showcase in Chicago, a premier venue which has featured such jazz luminaries as Art Blakey, James Moody and Charlie Parker, among many. Taylor one of the youngest headliners ever at the club and one of the city’s most sought-after musicians also performed at this year’s Hyde Park Jazz Festival.

Taylor Moore has played with a multitude of great musicians like percussionist Shelia E., singer Patrice Rushen, world-class drummer Ndugu Chancler, jazz pianists Willie Pickens, Ken Chaney and Robert “Baabe” Irving III, gospel greats Andrae Crouch and Sandra Crouch, jazz singers Kurt Elling and Maggie Brown, legendary jazz organist Rueben Wilson, and blues guitarist Clarence Spadey. She has also been mentored by music legends such as world renowned percussionist/drummer, Steve Berrios and Grammy Award-Winning vocalist, Cassandra Wilson, just to name a few.

A college graduate, Taylor received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance (Jazz Drumset) and Production from theUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on May 15, 2011.

The rhythm that attracted Taylor Moore from infancy has become an integral part of her life. Her drumming has been called “crisp, passion-filled, expressive and all consuming.”

Jazz Calendar

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

Tonight Wednesday, November 7 – Tonight, for you dancers, the Lizz & Rex Quartet is at The Dayton Event Connection and Rich Lopez performs at Rigsby’s in Columbus.
Thursday November 8 – Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra is at The Blue Wisp Jazz Club in Cincinnati and Puzzle of Light closes the Vectren Jazz & Beyond series at the Dayton Art Institute. Stay tuned for when their next season begins in March of 2013.
Friday November 9 – Roderick Wilson & Friends perform at Al’s Smokehouse & Café while Terry Murphy and Company Band is playing The De’lish Café both in Dayton.
Saturday November 10 – Taylor Moore & Friends are doing a benefit concert for the Gabriel Foundation at Jazz Central and Bob Baldwin with Songstress Toni Redd is doing a benefit concert for WCSU-FM at Gilly’s both in Dayton.
Sunday November 11 – Byron Stripling Band plays Blues and Gospel at Gallagher Student Center Theater, XavierUniversity in Cincinnati and Dayton’s longest jazz jam continues at Jazz Central.
Monday November 12 – the John Taylor Trio is at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and the Clintonville Woman’s Club is hosting Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra in Columbus.
Tuesday November 13 – Park Street Tavern continues their Jazz Jam and the Tony Monaco Trio performs at The Rumba Café both in Columbus.
Wednesday November 14 – the Dave Cousino Trio performs at the Wright State’s Student Union Hearth Lounge inFairborn and Cuban Connections is at Sears Hall, Humanities Center University of Dayton.
Thursday November 15 – the Generations Big Band is back at Jazz Central in Dayton and Thompson House in Newport,Ky host Jane Bunnett & Hilario Duran w/ special Guest Candido.
Friday November 16 – Shawn Stanley Trio is at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville, OH and the Thompson House presents the Mike Wade Quintet in Newport, Ky.
Saturday November 17– the Jazz of the Month Clubpresents the Jamey Aebersold Quartet at the Cincinnati Public Library Atrium and the New Ed Moss Trio performs at Schwartz’s Point in Over-The-Rhine both in Cincinnati.
Sunday November 18 – Roderick Wilson will play at Huffies BBQ and John Hampton Wagner will host the regular Jazz Central regular Jazz Jam both in Dayton.
Monday November 19 – Tia Roseboro & Vernon Hairston is at the Old Bag of Nails in Columbus and Jazz Cab plays at The Greenwich in Cincinnati.

Tuesday November 20 – Sinclair Community College Jazz Ensemble performs at Blair Hall in Building 2 in Dayton and Tony Monaco Trio is at the Rumba Café in Columbus.

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

Jazz Spotlight: Phil DeGreg + Upcoming Local Jazz Oct. 24 – Nov. 6

October 24, 2012 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

Happy October 24th; Well You Needn’t – First recorded for Blue Note (549) on October 24, 1947, it is one of Thelonious Monk’s most recorded and most popular tunes, and a very good example of Monk’s penchant for chromatic harmonic motion.

Who is Phil DeGreg?

Phil DeGreg began playing the piano in his childhood and now performs as a jazz pianist internationally. His earliest jazz influences were Bud Powell and Bill Evans, but he is accomplished and comfortable in a wide range of jazz styles, ranging from mainstream to bebop to Brazilian jazz. His versatility has led to professional performances with dozens of internationally recognized jazz artists, as well as leading and recording with his own groups. Phil DeGreg has released nine recordings as a leader and has been recorded as a sideman on many other jazz projects.

A native of Cincinnati, Phil completed a degree in psychology from Yale University before becoming a professional musician. After three years working and studying music in Kansas City, he finished a masters degree atUniversity of North Texas, and subsequently toured the world for a year with Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd. Later he was the recipient of two National Endowment for the Arts grants. He was named one of the 10 finalists in Jazziz Magazine’s 1995 “Keyboardists on Fire” competition, and was a 1996 finalist in the Great American Jazz Piano Competition. Phil has performed in clubs and concerts throughout the United States, and in the United Kingdom,France, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Brazil.

Phil considers music to be a gift and is dedicated to sharing his love of jazz through teaching. Phil was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to lecture about jazz in Brazil, which he did for three months in the spring of 2008. He is currently Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, where he teaches jazz theory, arranging, piano, and ensembles. He has taught for the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops (since 1982), the UK Jazzwise Jazz Camps (since 1996) and has served on the faculty of the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, the Miami Valley Summer Jazz Workshops, and the Jim Widner Jazz Camps.

You can catch Phil at Dee Felice in Covington, KY every Sunday at 4:00pm as well as many other places in our area; check the Jazz Advocate calendar.

Jazz Calendar

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

Tonight Wednesday, October 24 – Tonight, for you dancers, the Lizz & Rex Quartet is at The Dayton Event Connection and Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers performs at Neil’s Heritage House both in Dayton.
Thursday October 25 – Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra is at The Blue Wisp Jazz Club in Cincinnati and Backstage w/TCarpe Diem & Speak Williams is at The Lincoln Theatre in Columbus.
Friday October 26 – Shawn Stanley Trio performs at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville while Terry Murphy and Company Band is playing The De’lish Café in Dayton.
Saturday October 27 – Chez Norain in Covington, KY has Halloween! with Ricky Nye Inc. and Nighttown in Cleveland Heights presents the Greg Abate Quintet Featuring Phil Woods.
Sunday October 28 – Dayton’s longest jazz jam continues at Jazz Central in Dayton and the Phil DeGreg Trio is at Dee Felice in Covington, KY.
Monday October 29 – the John Taylor Trio is at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and the Clintonville Woman’s Club is hosting Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra.
Tuesday October 30 – Park Street Tavern continues their Jazz Jam and the Tony Monaco Trio performs at The Rumba Café both in Columbus.
Wednesday October 31 – the Tuxedo Junction Big Band is at The The Dayton Event Connection and the James Elliott Project Featuring Roger Baccus is performing at Zanzibar Brews in Columbus.
Thursday November 1 – The Dayton Art Institute Vectren Jazz & Beyond series concludes with on of their most popular offerings when Puzzle of Light returns. Stay tuned for when their next season begins in March of 2013.
Friday November 2 – Jazz Alive presents The Cohesion Jazz Ensemble at The Fairfield Community Arts Center in Fairfield, OH and the Thompson House presents the Eddie Brookshire Quintet in Newport, Ky.
Saturday November 3– Schwartz’s Point in Over-The-Rhine presents The NEW Ed Moss Trio in Cincinnati and The Jazz Kitchen offers Corey Christiansen in Indianapolis, IN.
Sunday November 4 – PAT KELLY’s PsychoAcoustic Orchestra will play at The Blue Wisp Jazz Club in Cincinnati and John Hampton Wagner returns to Jazz Central for their regular Jazz Jam in Dayton.
Monday November 5 – the Derek DiCenzo Trio is at Local Roots in Powell, OH and the Ed Moss & The Society Jazz Orchestra plays Schwartz’s Point in Over-The-Rhine in Cincinnati.

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

Jazz Spotlight: Ronald Hartwell + Upcoming Local Jazz Oct. 10 – Oct. 24

October 10, 2012 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

Happy October 10th; American jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk was born on this day in 1917. Check out Wikipeda for more information.

Who is Ronald Hartwell?

Ronald Hartwell has been performing, teaching and enjoying music for over thirty-five years. He regularly entertains audiences in formal and informal settings. Currently he performs in Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati areas of Ohio. I’ve seem him lead all size groups from his Different Hats Big Band at RiverScape to jazz jams for young players at the BRD House in Englewood. He is the hardest working musician and educator that I have the pleasure of knowing. He never ceases to amaze me in his ability to play virtually every instrument he picks up as well as being a credible vocalist. He combines a deep love of traditional music from across Europe and the Americas with a flair for innovation, improvisation and composition. He is equally at home performing musical theater and jazz laced rendition of popular songs as he is in the concert hall. Performances regularly include the best of Broadway, Jazz Classics, and gems from the rich heritage of North / Central / South America and Europe.

Ronald Hartwell has studied historical art music of North America and Europe at the University of Arizona, jazz, theater and composition at Berklee College. His mentors have included Peter Walker (Julliard) for Piano Proficiency Richard Herman (Indiana) Flute, Joseph Viola (Conservatories de Paris – Marcel Mule) Saxophone and Ernest Dalwood (Cambridge – BBC and ESO) Clarinet. In addition to instrumental studies he has studied voice with Carole Forte and acting with Rylan (L.B.) Brenner.

Upcoming on Saturday, October 20 he is producing, as part of Jazz Central’s resurgence of jazz in Dayton, a tribute to one of the greatest King of Swing legends in history when he plays Benny Goodman and Mark Smarelli plays Lionel Hampton from 8:00 pm to midnight, which will cover the small group music renditions from Goodman’s trios, quartets, quintets and sextets.

Jazz Calendar

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

Tonight Wednesday, October 10 – Randy Fankell’s Jazz Militia is at the Wright State’s Student Union Hearth Lounge inFairborn and Saxophonist Composer Educator Jeff Coffin & the Mu’tet is at Greaves Concert Hall, Northern KentuckyUniversity.
Thursday October 11 – the Street of Dreams (organ & vibes jazz trio) is at Spinoza’s in Beavercreek and Jeff Coffin Mu’tet is at Nighttown in Cleveland Heights.
Friday October 12 – Shawn Stanley Trio performs at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville while fo/mo/deep is playing at Dick’s Den in Columbus.
Saturday October 13 – Jazz Central is bringing the Blues back to their club for a one evening performance of Big Joe Blue & the Foundations in Dayton and Joe Dunlap, Jim Masters & Chris Berg are at the Worthington Inn in Worthington.
Sunday October 14 – Phil DeGreg Trio performs at Dee Felice in Covington, Ky. and Dayton’s longest jazz jam continues at Jazz Central in Dayton.
Monday October 15 – the John Taylor Trio is at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and the Clintonville Woman’s Club is hosting Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra.
Tuesday October 16 – the Blue Wisp Jazz Club presents Jazz from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati and the Park St. Tavern Jazz Jam continues in Columbus.
Wednesday October 17 – Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers performs at Neil’s Heritage House in Dayton and the James Elliott Project Featuring Roger Baccus is performing at Zanzibar Brews in Columbus.
Thursday October 18 – the Generations Big Band returns for their monthly gig at Jazz Central in Dayton and Ricky Nye plays Betty’s Bar in Cincinnati.
Friday October 19 – Captain Carl (from Florida) and his Jazz Pirates invade Jazz Central and the Thompson House presents a Tribute to Louis Armstrong in Newport, Ky.
Saturday October 20 – Jazz Central will present a tribute to Benny Goodman featuring Ron Hartwell and Mark Smarelli inDayton and The Tommy Wade Orchestra will play at the Aladdin Shrine Center in Columbus.
Sunday October 21 – WDPS 89.5-FM will present their second Listener Appreciation Concert at the David H. PonitzCareer Center offering jazz & swing dance music by a select group of entertainers headlining with the Generations Big Band and the after party jam session will be at Jazz Central in Dayton.
Monday October 22 – Blue Wisp Jazz Club offers a Jazz Jam hosted by Sandy Suskind in Cincinnati and Tia Roseboro & Vernon Hairston are at the Old Bag Of Nails in Columbus.
Tuesday October 23 – the Tony Monaco Trio is at the Rumba Café in Columbus and the UD University Jazz Band & Jazz Lab Band performs at University of Dayton Boll Theatre.

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