with R.J. Bianchino
your weekly guide to "all things jazz"
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with R.J. Bianchino your weekly guide to "all things jazz" |
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jazz news | calendar | jazz chart | birthdays | new releases | feature | clubs | beyond the neon | biography | blues news
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September 18-24, 2006
The Jazz Rodger Fox Big Band at Artemus Ham Hall
Direct from the Monterey the Rodger Fox Big Band in concert with the UNLV Jazz Ensemble I. The bandleader and his big band has performed at the Montreaux, Monterey and Wichita Jazz Festivals along with two performances at the International Association of Jazz Educators Conventions in Chicago and Los Angeles. The Big Band has also performed with many of the great jazz artists — Louie Bellson, Arturo Sandoval, Bill Cunliffe, Bob Sheppard, Bobby Shew, Joe Williams, Lanny Morgan, Don Rader, Bruce Paulson, Bill Reichenbach, Buddy De Franco, Chuck Findley, Dave Weckl, John Scofield, Tom Harrell, Gregg Bissonette, Michael Brecker, Diane Schuur and Steve Smith among others. Rodger Fox was born in 1953, son to music teacher Louis Fox. He was brought up in the little town of Porirua, not too far from New Zealand's capital, Wellington. He auditioned for a youth orchestra but was not sucessful as they were no longer taking brass players. And because of this, Rodger Fox entered the world of Jazz, for which he is famous for today. He is director of the Rodger Fox Big Band, which he has run for over 25 years in New Zealand. It plays in over 80 international dates annually and has featured many talented guest artists, like Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ted Clarke, Randy Crawford, David Feehan, Erna Ferry, Jerome Hendrix, Jodie Ohlson and Ray Woolf. To date the Rodger Fox Big Band has recorded 14 albums. Because of his many achievements with his Bands on tours, with invitations to some of the world's biggest Jazz festivals he is one man responsible for raising the profile of Jazz music in New Zealand. When not with his Big Band he directs many high school music groups and frequently travels up and down the country, hooking in up and coming musical talent. Tickets $10, $5 for LVJS members (must show membership card), free for UNLV students and seniors with ID. Call 895-ARTS for more information. Artemus Ham Hall is located on the UNLV Campus at 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154
Guitarist/Vocalist John Pizzarelli Plays the Suncoast
John Pizzarelli, son of guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli, has had a multi-faceted career as a jazz guitarist, vocalist and bandleader. Internationally known for classic standards, late-night ballads, and the cool jazz flavor he brings to his performances and recordings, he has recently established himself as the consummate entertainer and radio program host with the launch of "Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli" a nationally syndicated radio program co-hosted with his wife, Broadway star Jessica Molaskey. John Pizzarelli has recorded as a bandleader for RCA, Chesky, Stash and Novus, and in 1997 appeared in the Broadway musical Dream, a revue of Johnny Mercer songs. Along the way, Pizzarelli and his band have earned rave reviews. Reviewers often compare the Pizzarelli Trio to jazz icons such as Nat "King" Cole: "The John Pizzarelli Trio has never been tighter, and Pizzarelli himself has never been looser," said The Village Voice of a recent New York show. "We can say we’re as lucky to listen to [Pizzarelli] as Nat Cole fans were in the years before he became a legend." Concert Dates: Fri-Sun, September 22-24 Venue: Suncoast Showroom, Showtime: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $44-$66. For Tickets and Information Call 702-636-7075 or Toll Free 1-877-636-7111 for guests outside of the Las Vegas area. The Suncoast Casino is located at 9090 Alta Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89145. Tel: 702.365.7111 Larry Coryell, Victor Bailey, & Lenny White Trio
Larry Coryell Victor Bailey
Tickets range from $15-$25 and may be purchased by calling 547-5300 for Las Vegas residents or (866) 264-1818 for guests outside of the Las Vegas area, or at all Station Casinos Rewards Centers, Fiesta Front Desks and The Galleria Mall. Santa Fe Station is located at 4949 N Rancho Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89130 Tel 702.658.4900
7:00 p.m. Saturday, September 23 Born in West Virginia and raised in Stamford, Connecticut, Smooth-toned soprano saxophonist Marion Meadows began playing clarinet and studying classical music at age eight. Moving to the saxophone as a teenager, Meadows majored in composition and arranging at Berklee College of Music, where he perfected his craft outside of school as a sideman, playing with Joe Henderson, Dave Liebman, and Eddie Daniels. Meadows later worked as a member of Norman Connors' Starship Orchestra, but he is known primarily for his recordings as a leader. He made his solo debut in 1990 with the RCA release For Lovers Only, followed in 1992 by Keep It Right There. Resurfacing two years later with Forbidden Fruit, after 1995's Body Rhythm Meadows jumped to Discovery to issue 1997's Pleasure. Another Side of Midnight followed in 1999. His series of six albums for RCA and Discovery have established him as one of the more popular and dynamic smooth jazz artists of the 90s. Currently operating out of Phoenix, Meadows now spins his lyrical phrases with a Southwestern vibe and can be heard on 1999´s Another Side of Midnight (Discovery). His latest releases are Next To You (2000) and Dressed To Chill (2006). Tickets, from $22-$36, may be purchased by calling 547-5300 for Las Vegas residents or (866) 264-1818 for guests outside of the Las Vegas area, or at all Station Casinos Rewards Centers, Fiesta Front Desks and The Galleria Mall. Santa Fe Station is located at 4949 N Rancho Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89130 Tel 702.658.4900
Rick Arroyo & the Latin Percussion The District at Green Valley Ranch invites you to enjoy the Latin Jazz & Salsa of Rick Arroyo & the Latin Percussion. It will be an evening the entire family will enjoy. The performance will be outdoors at The Courtyard, west of Green Valley Parkway, just past the P.F. Chang China Bistro. It's Saturday, it's fun, and it's free. Come early and plan to have dinner or just stroll down the street and do a little shopping. Rick Arroyo has recorded and or played with Luis Conte, Bill Laster, Karen Briggs, Dick Mitchell, Dan St. Marsais, Tata Palau, Johnny "Dandy" Rodriguez, Luis Miranda, Bobby Matos, Johnny Polanco, Eddie Resto. Shared the stage with The Yellow Jackets, Fatburger, The Rippingtons, Gerald Albright, Carl Fontana, Everrett Harp, Gilberto Santa Rosa and many others. He has opened for Tito Puente, Willie Chirino, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Jesus Alemany, David Benoit, Richard Elliott, Michael McDonald, Donna Summers, The Beach Boys and many others. Showtime is from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Bring a lawn chair. Green Valley Ranch is located at 2300 Paseo Verde Pkwy, Henderson, NV 89052 Tel: 702.617.7777 The Shapiro Project at Craig Ranch Regional Park
The Shapiro Project is Eugene Shapiro, guitar; Phil Wigfall, alto and soprano saxophone; Eric Runquist, acoustic and electric bass; and Boris Shapiro, drums. Admission is free. Be sure to bring folding chairs and/or blankets. BalloonaPalooza will lift off at the newly acquired Craig Ranch Regional Park, 628 W. Craig Road, North Las Vegas, NV 89032. The park boasts more than 6,000 trees, acres of rolling greens and sparkling ponds. For more information, please call North Las Vegas Special Events at 702.633.2418
2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 24, 2006 Presented by the Las Vegas Jazz Society. The opening concert of the LVJS Rising Star Series features noted Las Vegas trumpeter David Perrico and an all-star ensemble in an afternoon of all original compositions and arrangements from David's creative pen, from straightahead jazz to funk, fusion, Latin and New Orleans-influenced works. Backing David will be Phil Wigfall on flute, soprano, alto and tenor saxes; David Loeb on piano; from New Zealand, Vanessa McGowan on bass; and Joe Malone on drums. Guest performers at the show will be Nina DiGregorio on violin and Dena Perrico on cello. Both recently recorded with Andrea Bocelli and were members of the Wayne Newton Orchestra. Nina is now performing in Toni Braxton's band at the Flamingo and Dena is in the "O" band at the Bellagio. Tickets are $17 general admission, $12 students and seniors, $8 Jazz Society and Guitar Society members, and are available at the door on the day of the concert. The Whitney Library Concert Hall is located at 5175 E Tropicana Ave, (between Nellis Boulevard and Boulder Highway) Las Vegas, NV 89122. Tel: 702.507.4010
Brass Roots Quintet at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center For this event, trumpeter Gary Cordell joins trombonist Walter Boenig, fellow trumpeter Rocky Lombardo, Doug Beasley on horn and Dan Uhrich on tuba. The quintet's wide-ranging repertoire embraces all styles of music. Selections may include classical compositions by Bach, Victor Ewald or Malcolm Arnold; roaring '20s or blues medleys, or standards such as Irving Berlin's "Puttin' On The Ritz" and "What A Difference A Day Made." All musicians are longtime Las Vegas professionals. Walter Boenig toured with the Glenn Miller and Harry James orchestras before performing in local showrooms and forming his own band over twenty years ago. Gary Cordell has performed with Nevada Symphony, Nevada Chamber Orchestra and Nevada Opera Theater in addition to his work in hotel orchestras. He's also active in several Latin bands. Rocky Lombardo has played with numerous brass quintets, symphonies and opera companies and on several television specials. He also was one of the musicians on the soundtrack for the movie, "Casino." Doug Beasley, band director at Greenspun Middle School, is also member of the Las Vegas Philharmonic and Symphonic Band. Uhrich is a veteran Las Vegas musician who has performed with local symphonies, showroom orchestras and with the musical, "Chicago." The concert is presented by the Performing Arts Division of the City of Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services. Admission is free. Tickets are available at the door on a first come, first served basis. Call 702.229.6211 for information. Reed Whipple Cultural Center ia located at 821 Las Vegas Boulevard North. Jazz Dave Stryker Releases 'The Chaser' on Mel Bay Records
DownBeat Magazine named Big City, Dave's first project for Mel Bay Records, one of the best CDs for 2005. “Guitarist Dave Stryker harkens back a bit to his days with Brother Jack McDuff on this organ trio album of mostly originals. But the sounds aren't limited to soul jazz; while tunes like 'The Great Divide' and especially 'Our Miss Brooks' really groove, most of the album is decidedly straight ahead. Stryker is at his melodic best with a very slow reading of 'Close To You' and takes a swinging romp through tempos and time signatures on a breathtaking 'I Didn't Know What Time It Was.' And it's readily apparent that this is a working band - organist Jared Gold and drummer Tony Reedus are regulars as Stryker's trio in the jazz clubs of New Jersey (including Cecil Brooks' Cecil's Place). While he has been a leader on close to 20 projects, Stryker is still not a household name among jazz fans, but this album should go a long way in fixing that”-- Ed Trefzger, JazzWeek.com Whether you've heard guitarist Dave Stryker fronting his own group or as a featured sideman with Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and Kevin Mahogany, you know why Gary Giddins in the Village Voice calls him ”one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years.” He was just voted a rising star again in the 2006 Downbeat Critics poll of DownBeat Magazine. 
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Jazz Birthdays This week's jazz artists birthdays include: Sep 18 Emily Remler (guitar), 1957
Brian Auger's Oblivion Express (2005) Steve Marcus CD and artist biography brief: Tomorrow Never Knows Saxophonist Steve Marcus spent the late 60's & early 70's touring & recording with Gary Burton, Herbie Mann & Larry Coryell as well as playing with guitarist Sonny Sharrock & vibe man Roy Ayers. This album was originally released on Atlantic's Vortex label in 1968 & makes its CD debut here. Produced by Herbie Mann & featuring Larry Coryell on guitar - the 'jazz' band works its way thru free form psychedelic rock versions of songs by The Byrds ('Eight Miles High'), Donovan ('Mellow Yellow'), & the Beatles (an 11 minute freakout of 'Tomorrow Never Knows' & 7 minutes of 'Rain'). Fans of lounge-core kitsch will enjoy these late 60's pop music instrumental grooves, while modern jazz fans will love the Coltrane-like freak out of Marcus' sax work & rock fans will dig some of Coryell's most distorted & shredding guitar work. A 16 page booklet with new liner notes & rare photos is included. 6 tracks. Water. 2003. -- amazon.com :: editorial review This week's new jazz releases: Click on any album cover to purchase CDs
Sep 18 Dave Sinclair - Moon Over Man (Remastered UK) (Eclectic) - Reissue Jazz 'Round Las Vegas M o n d a y, September 18 Caesars Palcce (Galleria Bar)
Dehner Franks (piano) T u e s d a y, September 19 Artisan Hotel 8-11pm Jerry Brookings Jazz Showcase (rotating jazz musicians) W e d n e s d a y, September 20 Capo's Italian Restaurant 7-11pm Peppe Merolla (drums, vocals) T h u r s d a y, September 21 Bootlegger Bistro 9:30-11pm Ruth Brown F r i d a y, September 22 Artisan Hotel 6-9pm Martin Mancuso (sax) S a t u r d a y, September 23 Artisan Hotel 6-9pm Martin Mancuso (sax) S u n d a y, September 24 Capozzoli's 9pm Lou Martinez 'Nuff Said Now it's your turn. If you have any information you would like to see in this JazzBeat column send an e-mail to info@jazzinternet.com. We especially welcome club listings. Telephone numbers are supplied for all venues. Please Call to verify events. Keep on jazzin' in Las Vegas and beyond. -- Bion Jazz Beyond the Neon Hammond B3 Innovator Brian Auger Appears At The Baked Potato "Brian Auger is one of the best B-3 artists I have ever heard in my life. His technique is awesome and the amount of energy he generates is unparalleled and relentless." - Herbie Hancock 
For over forty years, Brian Auger has been a musician’s musician. Jazz pianist, bandleader, session man, Hammond B3 innovator, and key player in the rise of jazz/rock fusion, Brian has done it all and then some. Brian has played or toured with artists such as Rod Stewart, Tony Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Sonny Boy Williamson, Led Zeppelin, Eric Burdon and other legends. An incredible gentleman with one of the most varied careers in music, he has incorporated jazz, early
British pop, R&B, soul and rock into an incredible catalog that has won him a Grammy Nomination, Keyboard Magazine Organ Player of the Year, 3 million record sales, and legions of fans all over the world.
Showtimes: 9:30 pm and 11:30 pm. Tickets: $20. The Baked Potato is located at 3787 Cahuenga Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 Tel: 818.980.1615
David Perrico Trumpeter, Composer, David Perrico is a native of Youngstown, Ohio and holds a Master’s degree in Composition/Jazz Studies from UNLV and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance/Jazz Emphasis from Youngstown State University where he was a featured soloist in the Down Beat award winning Jazz Ensemble I. David toured for six years with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra as featured soloist. While in the Youngstown/Cleveland area, Perrico performed with The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Chuck Mangione, Benny Golson, Maria Scheinder, Eddie Daniels, the Youngstown Symphony Pops and Nightbreeze. Since relocating to Las Vegas, David’s lead trumpet and improvisational skills have earned him work with Ben Vereen, Michael Feinstein, Toni Braxton, James Darren, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Joe Lano, Walter Murphy and The Family Guy, Larry White, Paul Casey’s American Trilogy, Frankie Valli, Ruth Brown, Barry Manilow, Johnny Pate, Gladys Knight, The Royal Dixie Band, Latin Breeze, Laura Taylor, the Las Vegas Philharmonic, B.B. Neuwirth, Tommy Tune, The Rat Pack Show, and as featured artist for the Las Vegas Jazz Society’s 2006-2007 Concert Series. Perrico, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, began playing the trumpet at age 9. He has completed a world cruise with the prestigious Crystal Cruise Lines as lead trumpet in the Galaxy Orchestra, and was a featured soloist in the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Perrico is currently studying composition and arranging with veteran jazz guitarist Joe Lano, pianist and director of UNLV Jazz Studies Dave Loeb, film score with the legendary Johnny Pate, and trumpet studies with Jeff Kaye. Larry Coryell
Musicians: Track Listings: BluesBeat Nevada
Chill out hepcat and dig them crazy singing strings. If impressively smooth guitar sounds are your thing, then Johnny A. is your main man. Whatever your particular flavor of preference: jazz, blues, country, rockabilly, surf -- just name it. This Boston guitarist's solo debut displays a diverse range of talent and technique spread across a wide array of styles. In addition, Mr. A. possesses a flair for showmanship without going overboard, along with an innate sensitivity to the music. -- Gary Glauber, PopMatters. For more information on the event go to this week's BluesBeat Calendar. For in depth coverage of the Las Vegas Blues scene, visit BluesBeat Nevada, your weekly guide to "all things blues." Chico Hamilton Biography
b. Foreststorn Hamilton, 21 September 1921, Los Angeles, California, USA. Hamilton's future career as a drummer was well established even before he left school. By that time he had played with many other young fledgling jazz artists, including Dexter Gordon, Ernie Royal, Charles Mingus and Buddy Collette (who would later become his musical partner). In 1940 he performed briefly with Lionel Hampton and Slim Gaillard, but military service interrupted his career. In the late 40s he worked with Jimmy Mundy, Count Basie and Lester Young; between 1948 and 1955 he was regular accompanist to Lena Horne. In 1952 he recorded with Gerry Mulligan's revolutionary pianoless quartet and in 1955 formed his own quartet which, with shifting personnel, remained in existence for several years. Hamilton's groups of the 50s featured several outstanding musicians - among them Collette, Fred Katz, Eric Dolphy, Ralph Peña, Dennis Budimir and Ron Carter - and experimented with unusual instrumental combinations, notably cello and flute. Their relaxed, mellow sound attracted the attention of fringe jazz audiences and their popularity was enhanced by the film, Jazz On A Summer's Day (1960), which showed the group in rehearsal for their appearance at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival. In the 60s Hamilton's group continued to perform, but changes in instrumentation and style saw the cello replaced by the trombone. In the mid-60s Hamilton was invited to write and perform advertising jingles; this proved so successful that he formed a production company, the running of which kept him from active participation in jazz for several years. In the mid-80s, however, he was back with a new band, Euphoria, which he described as "heavy metal jazz" and had started to record again. In the 90s and into the new millennium he was particularly prolific, notably recording with younger musicians wanting to be associated with a giant from the golden age. Discography: Compilations: Copyright Muze UK Ltd. 1989-2004 |
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jazz news | calendar | jazz chart | birthdays | new releases | feature | clubs | beyond the neon | biography | blues news
Calendar
Rodger Fox is New Zealand’s foremost jazz trombonist, big band leader, jazz educator, arranger and producer.
"We're not digging up old arrangements; we're creating new ideas. That's what's so beautiful about interpretation. This music, it's not about age as much as it is about style, and about always trying to move the music forward.” -- John Pizzarelli
"[Larry Coryell] plays all the styles, Latin, jazz-rock, straight ahead jazz, European classical music, you name it, he's a master of it... [Coryell] takes all of the elements that are a part of the great guitar literature and kind of puts them into a special style." -- Dr. Billy Taylor
Lenny White
This year the City of North Las Vegas hosts the first BalloonaPalooza, a three-day hot air balloon festival. Festivities will take place from Friday night, September 22 to Sunday noon, September 24. It is on Sunday, from 9:30-11 a.m. that the Shapiro Project will play for your jazz enjoyment.
News
(1968)
Drummer Chico Hamilton's reputation is built on his skills as a band-leader and one-man finishing school for promising young players. Eric Dolphy, Charles Lloyd, and Larry Coryell all logged early time in different incarnations of Chico's band. Along with his focus on melodic development from behind the trap set, Hamilton has consistently refused to stay stuck in the cool jazz style of his youth.