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Where To Go & Who To See Since 1982
December 2017 www.hothousejazz.com
Fostina DixonPage 2175 Club
Stanley CowellPage 17Smoke Jazz & Supper Club
Page 10Joe's PubPage 10The Django
Rachel TherrienMichael Dease
THE LATIN SIDEOF HOT HOUSE P31
The only jazz magazine in NY in print, online
and on apps!
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Refreshments, Raffles & Holiday FunCash Door and Online Admission $25www.internationalwomeninjazz.org
212 560-7553 Free Street Parking on Sundays
�JAZZ IT UP AND CELEBRATE WITH US�International Women in Jazz
HOLIDAY JAMFUNDRAISERSunday December 10, 2017
3:00 pm – 7:00 pmSWING 46 JAZZ & SUPPER CLUB
349 W. 46th Street NYC 212-262-9554In the Heart of the Historic Restaurant Row
JAM HOST
ANTOINETTE MONTAGUE
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Michael displays his versatility on"Black Bottom Banter," a duet withRodney wherein he employs a variety ofmutes, excelling on each. His virtuosityand creativity also reign on "Gullah RingShout," a trio (bass and guitar) numberwhere he ranges from low growls to trum-pet-like high notes. "Memphis BBQ & FishFry" is a one-off trio of trombone, Steve'ssoprano sax and Renee playing Wurlitzerkeyboard (her first time). The album is athoroughly enjoyable, many faceted tour ofAmerican regional jazz and blues styles.
Why Don't You Try, Rachel TherrienQuintet (Free Run Artists/MCM), makes aconvincing case for Rachel as one of thebrightest and most creatively accom-plished trumpeters on today's jazz scene.Her clear, clarion tone and precise articu-lation, a sound rivaling many first trumpetchair holders in big bands, is matched by acornucopian fecundity of improvisationalstrategies and ideas. That she and herbandmates are all Quebecois (French-Canadians) should not be surprising giventhe global scope of jazz today, but it is.
The opening songs represent variedtakes on post-bop, acoustic quintet jazz,from the quicksilver opener, "Spectrum,"and rolling 6/8 title track (both by Rachel)to saxophonist Benjamin Deschamps'Herbie Hancock-like, rhythmically shifting"Demi-Nuit" and Rachel's bouncy, jazz-march "Adirondack Jump." PianistCharles Trudel switches to electric pianoon three numbers, including his own"Rocket Launch," with a funky beatenhanced by Simon Page doubling on elec-tric bass guitar, Rachel superimposingpost-bop solo lines over it all. Charles alsoplays (electric?) harpsichord and calliopeon the album's most experimental, "farout" offering, Simon's "Tombe En Cinq,"which incorporates the sounds of mewlingcats and an eerie theremin.
Rachel contributes three other distinc-tive originals: "I Am Alone" ranges fromsemi-rubato quiet moments to acceleratedrhythms, her solo mining the trumpet'srich middle register; "CRS" pairs trumpetwith flute over post-swing straight-eightrhythms, and "Hayde Santamaria" is a rareexample of Rachel's tightly muted trumpetleads and soloing, in a piece notable forshifting rhythms and dynamics.
Michael Dease is at The Django on Dec.21. Rachel Therrien joins Mireya Ramos ina Tribute to Mercedes Sosa at Joe's Pub onDec. 13 and has a CD release party at TheCell Jan. 13.
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By George Kanzler
Dixon cover photo by Marlon S. McNeil Sr.
TWO TALENTED BRASS PLAYERSwho both are millennial 30-some-
things—trombonist Michael Dease andtrumpeter Rachel Therrien—have newalbums as leaders that comprise thisWinning Spins. Both are accomplished,even virtuosic, masters of their respectiveinstruments as well as seasoned bandlead-ers whose own music is featured on theirCDs. Michael composed the dozen trackson his latest, while Rachel contributed sixof the 11 on hers, the others written bymembers of her quintet. And both leaderspresent a wide, adventurous variety ofsounds on their recordings.
All These Hands, Michael Dease (Posi-Tone), is dedicated, according to Michael,to the "Great Migration of African-Americans northwards…as they searchedfor opportunity and equality." His songspay homage to the unique musical culturesof different cities and regions of the UnitedStates. Six compositions from a basic quin-tet/sextet encapsulate the vitality and bus-tle of urban centers, while trio (or duo orsolo) offerings "capture the simplicity andpower of the countryside."
Michael's first stop is New Orleans,with "Creole Country," a modern take onthe Big Easy with a prancing, syncopatedbeat more Fats Domino or Marsalis thanKing Oliver or Satchmo. The track intro-duces the basic quintet, anchored bypianist Renee Rosnes, bassist GeraldCannon and drummer Lewis Nash. Coremember alto saxophonist Steve Wilson,here on flute, is joined by Etienne Charleson flugelhorn. Renee, Etienne, andMichael on open trombone, solo after thetheme and Steve's flute trades with theother horns in a vampy coda.
"Delta City Crossroads," is a trio tuneemphasizing Southern bluesmen's propen-sity to "talk" with their instruments,Michael trading solos with guitarist RandyNapoleon and bassist Rodney Whitaker.Rodney is also out front on the closingnumber, "Up South Reverie," with an acappella pizzicato solo.
Etienne's trumpet makes it an all-brassfrontline on "Good & Terrible," a tribute toBig Apple bebop based on a Dizzy Gillespiephrase, and blends mutes with Michael on"Chocolate City," evoking Washington,D.C., the birthplace of Duke Ellington, inthe great train tradition of Ducal songs.With Steve on alto sax, the quintet honorsPhiladelphia and Benny Golson with"Benny's Bounce," while tenor Dan Pratttakes the sax role and Rufus Reid com-mands bass on "Brooklyn," the last quintettrack.
WINNING SPINS
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will be returned unless enclosed with a self addressedstamped envelope. Domestic subscriptions are available for $37 annually (sent first class). For Canada $39 and
international $50.PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Dave N Dittmann
CO-FOUNDERS: Gene Kalbacher, Lynn Taterka & Jeff Levenson
For press releases and CD revues send a copy toGwen Kelley: PO Box 20212 - New York, NY 10025
PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR:Gwen Kelley (formerly Calvier)[email protected] EDITOR: Yvonne [email protected] & ART DIRECTOR:Karen Pica [email protected] WRITERS:Ken Dryden, Nick Dunston, Yvonne Ervin, Ken Franckling, Seton Hawkins, Eugene Holley Jr., Stephanie Jones, George Kanzler, Elzy Kolb,Michael G. Nastos, Tomas Peña,Cary Tone, Gary Walker, Eric WendellCONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: Fran Kaufman
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CLUBS & HALLS
For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com.
UPPER MANHATTAN(Above 70th Street)
449 LA: 449 Lenox Av (bet 132nd & 133rd Sts).212-234-3298. Sun: 4-7pm Patio Jazz; Thurs:1-3:30pm Jazz & Dessert; Fri-Sat: 8:30pm.
BILL’S PLACE: 148W 133rd St (bet Lenox & 7thAvs). www.billsplaceharlem.com. 212-281-0777. Fri-Sat except 12/2: 8&10pm $20 donBill Saxton Bebop Band. Dec 2: T.K. BlueQrt.
BLOOMINGDALE SCHOOL OF MUSIC:323W 108th St. www.bsmny.org. 212-663-6021. Dec 8: 7pm Mark Mollica w/guests NateRadley & John Ellis.
CLEOPATRA’S NEEDLE: 2485 Bway (bet92nd & 93rd Sts). www.cleopatrasneedleny.com. 212-769-6969. Sets: Early (E), Late (L);Sun E 4-8pm, L 9pm-1am; Mon-Tues E 8-9pm, L 10pm-1am; Wed-Thurs E 7-11pm, L11:30pm-2:30am; Fri-Sat E 8pm-12am, L12:30-3am. Free adm/$10 min. Trios exceptMon&Thurs Duets. L Jam. Residencies: SunE Open mic w/Keith Ingham, L Kelly GreenDuet; Mon Nathan Brown; Tues Marc Devine;Wed E Open mic w/Les Kurtz, L NathanBrown; Thurs L Kazu; Fri L Ben Zweig; Sat LT. Kash. Dec 1: Chip Shelton; 2: MasamiIshikawa; 3-6: R; 7: Matt Baker; 8: LibbyRichman; 9: Kayo Hiraki; 10-13: R; 14: JoelForrester; 15: Bob Albanese; 16: SachamoMannan; 17-20: R; 21: Sonelius Smith; 22:Denton Darien; 23: Fuku & Chihiro Trio; 24-27: R; 28: Nicholas Masters; 29: AiMurakami; 30: Mike Lattimore; 31: R.
GINNY’S SUPPER CLUB: At Red Rooster.310 Lenox Av (bet 125th & 126th Sts).www.ginnyssupperclub.com. 212-792-9001.Sets: 7:30&9:30pm $15/20 adm unless other-wise noted. Dec 1: Chris Turner; 2:6:45&8:45pm $30 Bobbi Humphrey; 15:Igmar Thomas & Revive Big Band; 16: $20Rachel Brown.
HARLEM STAGE: At Aaron Davis Hall. 150Convent Av at W135th St. 212-281-9240.www.harlemstage.org. Dec 1: 7:30pm $20/30adm John Beasley & Manhattan School ofMusic MONK’estra Ens; 7: 7:30pm freeJazzmeia Horn.
LUCA’S JAZZ CORNER: At Cavatappo. 17121st Av (bet 88th & 89th Sts). 212-987-9260.www.lucasjazzcorner.com. Sets/adm: Mon 7-10pm free adm Roger Lent Solo; Tues 8-10pm $10; Thurs 9-11pm $10. Dec 5: JonnyKing Trio; 7: Ronald Wilkins Trio; 12: 7-9pmMartin Pizzarelli Trio; 14: Peter Maness &The Master Keys; 19: Jam w/Mike Sailor; 21:Dave Gibson Qnt; 26: Dennis Joseph Qrt; 28:Ed Cherry Trio.
MINTON’S: 206W 118th St (bet St. Nicholas Av& Adam Clayton Powell Blvd). 212-243-2222.www.mintonsharlem.com. Sets: 7:30&9:30pm. Residency (R): Sun except 12/24&31Singer Meets Saxophonist w/ChristopherMcBride & guest. Dec 1: Theo Hill; 2:Giacomo Gates Trio; 3: R w/Vuyo Sotashe; 5:Yago Vazquez Trio; 6: Ross Kratter Qrt; 7:Spinkick; 8: Sofia Tosello; 9: Queen Esther;10: R w/Linda Epo; 13: Jane Irving Qrt; 14:Yuri Juarez Afroperurano Gp feat CamilleThurman; 16: Emily Braden/Willerm
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13For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com.
Delisfort; 17: R w/Lauren Henderson; 19:Emilio Solla; 20: Kelly Green Trio; 21:Brandon Bain; 22: JP Jofre Qnt; 23: HectorMartignon Trio; 24: Tony Middleton Qrt; 26:Chiara Izzi; 27: Juan Carlos Polo Qrt; 28:Adam Moezinia Trio; 31: Shareef Clayton.
NATIONAL JAZZ MUSEUM IN HARLEM:58W 129th St at Malcolm X Blvd. 212-348-8300. www.jmih.org. 7-8:30pm $10 don. Dec2: 2pm Monk Centennial Jam by DavidDurrah; 5: Harlem Speaks series feat AminaClaudine Myers; 9: Move & Groove Yoga; 12:Jazz For Serious Listeners series feat A yearin Jazz w/Nate Chinen; 17: 2pm Jazz ForSerious Listeners series feat Intergene-rational Jam by Eli Yamin; 19: Jazz & SocialJustice w/William Parker.
NEW AMSTERDAM MUSIC ASSOCIATION:107W 130th St (bet Lenox & Adam ClaytonPowel Blvds). 347-712-8568. $5/15 adm. Mon:7-11pm Jam.
PARIS BLUES: 2021 Adam Clayton Powell Jr.Blvd at 121st St. www.parisbluesharlem.com. 212-222-9878. Sets: Early (E) 5-9pm,Jam 9pm-1am. Free adm. Sun: E Double G &the Possee, 9pm 1st&3rd La Banda Ramirez.Mon: Keyed Up series w/John Cooksey Qrt;Tues: The Sultans of Soul; Wed: LesGoodson & the Intergalatic Soul Jazz Band;Thurs: Tyrone Govan & Top Secret; Fri: tba;Sat: alternate The 69th Street Band/TheAntoine Dowdell Gp.
SHRINE: 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd(bet 133rd & 134th Sts). 212-690-7807.www.shrinenyc.com. Sets unless otherwisenoted: Early (E) 6-7pm, Late (L) 7-8pm.Residencies (R): Sun 6-8pm Jam w/Lu Reid;1st Sun 8-11pm The Shrine Big Band. Dec 1:E Kimberly Fergie of Mexico; 3: R; 6: E-L NickDi Maria; 7: E NY Jazz Force, L EsterWiesnerova; 9: E David LoveTet; 10&17: R;21: 7:30-9pm The James LabrosseCollective; 24: R; 28: E Alessandro Fadini.
SILVANA: 300W 116th St at FrederickDouglass Blvd. www.silvana-nyc.com. 646-692-4935. Sets unless otherwise noted:Early (E) 6-7pm, Late (L) 7-8pm. Dec 1: EAdam Moezinia; 3: 12-5pm New York JazzWorkshop Recital; 5: E Elise Wood Duo; 6:E-L Adam Machaskee & Jazz Trombone Ens;7: E-L Mike Fahn; 8: E Jocelyn Shannon Qrt;10: 12-5pm New York Jazz WorkshopRecital; 11: E-L Joe Breidenstine Qnt; 14: E-L Joshua Levinson Spt; 15: E Mike DeiCont;21: E-L Glenn Makos; 27: L Dana Reedy; 28:E-L Brian Pareschi.
SMOKE JAZZ & SUPPER CLUB: 2751 Bway(bet 105th & 106th Sts). 212-864-6662.www.smokejazz.com. Sets: Early (E), Late(L), Brunch (B); Sun B 11:30am,1&2:30pm, E7,9&10:30pm, L 11:30pm; Mon E 7&9pm, L10:30pm; Tues 7,9&10:30pm, Wed-Thurs E7,9&10:30pm, L 11:30pm; Fri-Sat E 7,9&10:30pm, L 11:45pm&12:45am; adm/minvary. Residencies: Sun B Annette St. JohnTrio, L Willerm Delisfort Qrt; Mon R except12/18&25 E Vincent Herring Qrt, L Jam byVincent Herring; Tues R except 12/19&26Mike LeDonne & Groover Qrt; Wed except12/20&27 L Emmet Cohen Organ Trio; ThursL except 12/21&28 Nickel & Dime OPS; Fri L12/1,15&29 Patience Higgins & Sugar HillQrt, 12/8&22 John Farnsworth Qrt; Sat LJohnny O’Neal & friends. Dec 1-3: BusterWilliams Qrt; 4-5: R; 6: Gregory Generet; 7:Freddie Bryant Qrt; 8-10: Stanley Cowell Qrt;11-12: R; 13: Lezlie Harrison; 14-30: JohnColtrane festival feat 12/14-17 Gary Bartzfeat Lenny White, 12/18-30 Harold MabernQrt feat Eric Alexander w/spec guests Mike
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LeDonne 12/18-19, Peter Bernstein 12/20-21,Jimmy Cobb 12/22-24, Louis Hayes 12/25-27,Jeremy Pelt 12/30; 31: 6:30pm $175, 9:45pm$275 w/all-incl dinner Harold Mabern Qnt featEric Alexander & guest.
SUGAR BAR: 254W 72nd St (bet Bway & WestEnd Av). 212-579-0222. www.sugarbarnyc.com.Sets: 8pm/$10 adm unless otherwise noted.Residencies: Wed except 12/6 Electrikana,Thurs 9pm Open Mic w/Sugar Bar All StarBand. Dec 2: 9pm Irini Res & the Jazz Mix;15: Marvin Thompson Jr.; 16: Rob SilvermanQrt; 22: Abe Ovadia Trio; 29: 8&9:30pm $15Joe Bonacci.
SYMPHONY SPACE: 2537 Bway at 95th St.212-864-5400. www.symphonyspace.org.Bar Thalia (BT). Dec 7 7pm, 8 8pm, 92&7:30pm, 10 2&7pm: Columbia UniversityEnsembles; 14: 7:30pm David L Harris Qrt;16: 7:30pm Storyville Stomp - The Last NightIn Storyville feat Aurora Nealand & TheRoyal Roses, Jon-Erik Kellso & MahoganyHall Pleasure Society Jazz Band w/MaraKaye, Dennis Lichtman & Hottet w/QueenEsther, Blind Boy Paxton & DaltonRidenhour; 21: 9pm BT Hendrik Helmer Trio;30: 5pm Peter & Will Anderson.
The WEST END LOUNGE: 955 West End Av.212-531-4759. www.thewestendlounge.com.www.vtyjazz.com/917-882-9539 $25 adm.Dec 10: 4-7pm Another Sunday Serenadefeat Bruce Harris & Grant Stewart; 20: 7:30-10:30pm Remembering Grady Tate feat TonyHewitt.
59E59 THEATERS: 59E 59th St (bet Park &Madison Avs). www.59e59.org. 212-753-5959. Sets: Sun 3:15pm, Tues-Thurs 7:15pm,Fri 8:15pm, Sat 2:15&8:15pm. Dec 1-31:Allan Harris feat Cross That River.
B. B. KING BLUES CLUB & GRILL: 237W42nd St (bet 7&8th Avs). 212-997-4144.www.bbkingblues.com. Lucille’s Grill (LG).Dec 18: 6pm Emilie Surtees; 21: 8pm LGPedrito Martinez; 27: 7&9pm LG The Musicof Buena Vista Social Club feat FrancoisWiss, Damian Quinones & Danny Valdez; 28:7:30pm Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orch.
BIRDLAND: 315W 44th St (bet 8th & 9th Avs).212-581-3080. www.birdlandjazz.com. Sets:8:30&11pm, except Mon 7&9:30pm, Sun6,9&11pm. Adm varies. Residencies: Sun9pm except 12/24&31 (R) Arturo O’FarrillAfro-Latin Jazz Orch; Mon 9:30pm JimCaruso Cast Party; Wed 5:30-7pm DavidOstwald & Louis Armstrong Eternity Band;Fri 5:15-7pm except 12/22 The Birdland BigBand; Dec 1-2: Marcus Roberts Trio; 3: 6pmGreg Ruvolo Big Band Collective, 9pm R; 5-9: Eliane Elias; 10: 9pm R; 12-16: StaceyKent; 14: 6pm Fleur Seule; 17: 9pm R; 19-25:Freddy Cole Qrt; 26-31: 12/31 8pm $75, 11pm$150 The Birdland Big Band w/spec guestVeronica Swift; 30: 6pm Veronica Swift.
CARNEGIE HALL: 57th St & 7th Av. 212-247-7800. www.carnegiehall.org. Dec 5: at ZankelHall 7pm Julian Lage Trio w/spec guestMargaret Glaspy.
CHRIST & ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH: 120W69th St (bet Bway & Columbus Av).www.csschurch.org. 212-787-2755. Dec 17:7pm $50-25 adm The Jazz Nativity featPaquito D'Rivera, Wycliffe Gordon, MauriceChestnut.
CLUB BONAFIDE: 212E 52nd St (bet 2nd &3rd Avs). 3rd Fl. www.clubbonafide.com.646-918-6189. Sets: Early (E) 7:30pm, Late(L) 9:30pm. Dec 1: L Harry Smith Qrt; 2: E
MID-TOWN MANHATTAN(Between 35th & 69th Street)
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1515For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com.
SlideAttack Jazz Qnt, L Malick Koly &Kounadya; 3: 12:30pm NY Jazz AcademyRecital; 4: E Andrew Kushnir Trio feat KyleNasser; 6: E Big Sur; 7: E Art Note Ens; 12: ESergej Avanesov 4tet; 15: E Minji Kim Qrt;17: E NY Jazz Flutet; 21: L Omer Ashano Qrt;22: E Matt Snow Sxt; 27: E-L Steve & JackieTrio; 28: E-L Dirk Quinn Band.
DIMENNA CENTER FOR CLASSICALMUSIC: 450W 37th St (bet 9th & 10th Av).www.dimennacenter.org. 212-594-6100. Dec16: 8-10pm $15/10 adm Bob Rodriguez Solo.
DIZZY’S CLUB COCA-COLA: At Jazz @Lincoln Center. 10 Columbus Cr at 60th St.5th Fl. www.jalc.org. 212-258-9800. Sets/ admunless otherwise noted: 7:30&9:30pm,11:30pm Late Night Sessions; Sun-Wed $35,Thurs-Fri $40, Sat $45; $10 min. Dec 1-3:Paula West Qnt; 4: $30 Juilliard Jazz Orch; 5-6: Omer Avital Qnt; 7-10: Renee Rosnes feat12/7-8 Melissa Aldana & Steve Nelson; 11:New York Youth Symphony Jazz Band; 12-13:Marquis Hill Blacktet w/spec guest WilliePickens; 14: Bria Skonberg; 15-17: 12/17 $30Riley’s Red Hot Holidays; 18-19: DickHyman; 20-24: 12/24 $50 7pm Sherman Irby;25: closed; 26-31: Carlos Henriquez Oct,12/31 7:30&11pm w/Paquito D’Rivera. LateNight w/Dec 1-2: Andrew Renfroe; 5-9:Russell Hall; 12-16: Evan Sherman 12/16w/Big Band; 19-23: Shenel Johns; 26-30: tba.
IGUANA RESTAURANT: 240W 54th St atBway. www.iguananyc.com. 212-765-5454.Mon-Tues: 8-11pm Vince Giordano & TheNighthawks.
IRIDIUM: 1650 Bway at 51st St. 212-582-2121.www.theiridium.com. Sets: 8:30pm unlessotherwise noted. Dec 4-5: $25/35 adm SimonPhillips; 13: $25/35 Jaimoe & Jasssz Band;17: $30/40 Stanley Jordan; 19-23: $40/55Mike Stern Band; 30 8:30&10:30pm, 317&10pm: $65-1,500 Macy Gray.
JAZZ AT KITANO: 66 Park Av at 38th St. 212-885-7119. www.kitano.com. Sets/adm: Sun12-2:30pm, Mon-Tues 8-11pm, Wed-Sat 8-9:15&10-11:15pm; Sun $40 buffet, Mon-Tuesfree/$15 min, Wed-Thurs $17/$20 min, Fri-Sat $32/$20 min. Residencies (R): Sun JazzBrunch w/Tony Middleton; Mon Jam by IrisOrnig; Tues except 12/5 Mamiko WatanabiSolo. Dec 1-2: Scott Robinson Qrt; 3-4: R; 5:Samba Meets Jazz; 6: Kellye Gray Qrt; 7:Megumi Yonezawa Qrt; 8: Sacha BoutrosQrt; 9: Janice Friedman Trio; 10-12: R; 13:Gil Spitzer Sxt; 14: Carl Bartlett Jr. Qrt; 15-16: Ken Peplowski/Frank Kimbrough; 17-19:R; 20: Deanna Kirk Trio; 21: MJ Territo Qrt;22: Jon Gordon Qrt; 23: Ronny Whyte Qrt;24-26: R; 27: Ayako Shirasaki Trio; 28: ChipWhite Dedications Sxt; 29: StephanieNakasian Qrt; 30: Marlene VerPlanck Qrt; 31:$145/40 min Brazil - New York Samba & JazzConnection feat Fabiana Masili, JulianShore, Paul Bollenback, Nilson Matta,Vincent Cherico.
JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER: 10 ColumbusCr at 60th St. 5th Fl. www.jalc.org. 212-258-9800. Appel Room (AR), Rose Theater (RT).Dec 1-2: 7&9:30pm AR Peter & Will Andersonfeat Wycliffe Gordon; 13 7pm, 15-16 8pm, 172pm: RT Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchw/Wynton Marsalis & spec guest CatherineRussell + Kenny Washington.
SAINT PETER’S CHURCH: 619 Lexington Av at54th St. (Citicorp Bld). www.saintpeters.org.212-935-2200. 1st Mon: 7:30pm $5 admInternational Women in Jazz Jam; Wed: 1pm$10 don Midtown Jazz at Midday; Sun:except 12/24&31 5pm free adm Jazz Vespersfeat Sara Caswell w/Alan Ferber 12/10. Dec6: Hell’s Kitchen Funk Orch; 13: YuletideCeleb w/Roz Corral/Erli Perez/Marlene Ver-
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16 For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com.
Late (L) 8:30&10:30pm, Fri-Sat 7:30,9:30&11:30pm. Adm: $12 all night + 1 drink min/setexcept Fri-Sat $12/set + 1 drink min/set, Efree. Mon-Thurs: E Emerging Artists series;Mon: L Vocal Mondays series. Residencies(R): Sun Peter Mazza, Wed L JonathanKreisberg. Dec 1: Adriano Santos; 2: BenMonder; 3: R; 4: E Alan Kwan, L PerryBeekman; 5: E Mark McIntyre, L tba; 6: EPaul Jubong Lee, L R; 7: E TommasoGambini, L Jon Irabagon; 8: Dave Pietro; 9:Brandon Coleman; 10: R; 11: E DanielDickinson, L Nora McCarthy; 12: E PrawitSiriwat, L Ben Bryden; 13: E NanJo Lee, L R;14: E David Kuhn, L Arun Luthra; 15: AlexGoodman; 16: Uri Gurvich; 17: R; 18: EJulphan Tilapornputt, L Dana Reedy; 19: EJoey Lamb, L Steve Bloom; 20: E HoraceBray, L R; 21: E Vaughn Stoffey, L AustinBecker; 22: Paul Bollenback; 23: MarkCocheo; 24: R; 25: closed; 26: E Cole Davis,L Assaf Kehati; 27: E Sagi Kaufman, L R; 28:E tba, L Alex LoRe; 29: Daniel Weiss; 30: EdCherry; 31: 6:30,8:30&10:30pm $80 incl 5-course meal w/champagne Benny Benack III.
BLUE NOTE JAZZ CLUB: 131W 3rd St at 6thAv. 212-475-8592. www.bluenotejazz.com.Sets: 8&10:30pm + Fri-Sat 12:30am LateNight Groove series, Sun 11:30am&1:30pmSunday Brunch. Adm varies. Dec 1-3:Fourplay; 4: Zeshan B + Victory Boyd; 5-6:Rebirth Brass Band; 7-10: Jimmy Heath BigBand; 11-31: 12/31 7pm $85/135, 10pm$95/195 Chris Botti. Late Night Groovew/Dec 15: Nitty Scott; 23: Richie Goods &Nuclear Fusion; 30: Lee Pearson & Family.Sunday Brunch w/Dec 3: Joe Lovano NYUEns; 10: Pete McGuinness Jazz Orch; 17:Svetlana Delancey Five; 24: Steven FeifkeTrio; 30-31: “Hot Lips” Joey Morant &Catfish Stew.
The CAVE: At St. George’s. 209E 16th St atRutherford Pl. www.olmstedsalon.com. 2ndFri: 7:30&9:30pm $15 adm. Dec 15: AChristmas Tapestry feat the JazzConceptions Orch Calvary-St. George'sChoir, Sea Dog Theatre.
The CELL: 338W 23rd St (bet 8th & 9th Avs).646-861-2253. www.thecelltheatre.org. Dec2: 9:30pm Caroline Davis & Heart Tonic; 9:9pm Gabriel Vicens Sxt.
CLEMENTE SOTO VÉLEZ CULTURAL &EDUCATIONAL CENTER: 107 Suffolk St(bet Rivington & Delancey Sts). 212-260-4080. www.csvcenter.org. Dec 7-30: Arts forArt feat Justice is Compassion/Action isPower feat 12/7 8pm Taylor Ho Bynum/KrisDavis, 9pm Victor/Vatcher/Stewart, 12/8 7pmKirk Knuffke Trio, 8pm Common Sense GunLegislation, 9pm Daniel Levin/Joe Morris,12/9 7pm Sean Conly Trio, 8pm Joe Morris/Mark Feldman, 9pm Rob Brown/JP Carletti,12/11 7pm Marty Ehrlich Trio Exaltation, 8pmRichard Keene Gp, 9pm Sam Newsome Trio,12/12 7pm crosscut metagroovia, 8pm LeilaBordreuil/Charmaine Lee, 9pm JonIrabagon/Dan Weiss, 12/13 7pm AngelicaSanchez Trio, 8pm Andrew Drury &ContenTrio, 9pm Jaimie Branch Trio, 12/147pm Steve Dalachinsky/Billy Cancel/JaneOmerod, 8pm Human Rites Trio, 9pm YoniKretzmer 5, 12/15 7pm Singchronicities, 8pmRosenbloom/Grimes/Conly, 9pm DariusJones Trio, 12/16 7pm AfroHorn SuperSpecial, 8pm Newman Taylor Washboard XT,9pm Cooper-Moore/Brian Price, 12/18 7pmAndrea Wolper Trio, 8pm Double Duo, 9pmCarol Liebowitz Trio, 12/19 7pm VirgDzurinko/Ryan Messina, 8pm TidepoolFauna 4, 9pm Nick Lyons Trio, 12/20 7pmMiriam Parker, 7:30pm Christine Bonansea,
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Planck/Danny Bacher/Alexis Cole; 14:7:30pm www.thedukeellingtonsociety.orgDuke Ellington Society Annual HolidayParty; 20: Yuletide Celeb w/SaundraSilliman/Gabrielle Stravelli/Eric Comstock/Barbara Fasano/Daryl Sherman; 24: JazzChristmas Carols w/Ike Sturm feat BalintKarosi; 27: Geoff Keezer.
STEINWAY HALL: 11155 6th Av bet 44th &45th Sts. www.steinwayhall.com. 212-246-1100. Dec 13: 6:30pm Judy Carmichael Qrtw/Harry Allen & spec guest Alan Broadbent.
SWING 46: Jazz & Supper Club. 349W 46th St(bet 8 & 9th Avs). www.swing46.com. 212-262-9554. Sets: Sun-Thurs 8:30-11:30pm,Fri-Sat 9:30pm-1am. Residencies (R): Monexcept 12/25 Swingadelic; Tues George GeeSwing Orch; Wed Stan Rubin Orch w/JoePoliti. Dec 8: The Jive Aces; 10: 3-7pmInternational Women in Jazz Holiday party;14: Eyal Vilner & Hanukkah Big Band.
TOMI JAZZ: 239E 53rd St (Bet 2nd & 3rd Avs).Lower level. www.tomijazz.com. 646-497-1254. Sets: Sun 8-11pm; Mon-Wed L 8-11pm,N 11pm-12:30am; Thurs 9-11:30pm; Fri 9pm-1am; Sat E 6-7:30pm, L 8-10:30pm, N 11pm-1:30am. Adm: Sun-Wed free/$5 min, Thurs-Sat $10/10 min. Dec 1: Juan Carlos Polo; 2:E Ken Kobayashi, L Rocco John, N SharpTree; 3: David Love; 4: L Nicholas Brust, NAndrew Kushnir; 5: L Miho Sasaki, N AlanKwan; 6: L Miyoko Yamakawa, N MotonoriKobayashi; 7: Omer Ashnov; 8: TakenoriNishiuchi; 9: E Yuko Togami, L TomokoYanagita, N Craig Brann; 10: Bill Stevens; 11:L Atsushi Ouchi, N Arthur Sadowski; 12: LDorian Davis, N Jun Xiao; 13: L YoshikiMiura, N Richard Thai; 14: Greg Merritt; 15:Sharp Tree; 16: E the Highliners, L KenKobayashi, N Candice Rayes; 17: KengoYamada; 18: L Wishing On Stars, N TomokoOmura; 19: L Mark Kross, N Dillion Mansour;20: L John Marino, N Gil Schwartz; 21: LindaPresgrave; 22: Takenori Nishiuchi; 23: E tba,L Daniel Bennett, N Paul Lee; 24: tba; 26: LYukiko Masuda, N Danny Bennett; 27: LMichael Gallant, N Alex Frondell; 28: MariusDubboulie; 29: Kuni Mikami; 30: E AkihiroYamamoto, L Yuto Kanazawa, N AtsushiOuchi; 31: 7pm tba, 10pm Senri Oe.
55 BAR: 55 Christopher St (bet 6th & 7th Avs).212-929-9883. www.55bar.com. Sets: Early(E) 7-9pm except Sun&Fri-Sat 6-9pm, Late(L) 10pm. 1st Mon: E Sean Wayland; 1stThurs: E Amy Cervini; 1st Sat: E Ayana lowe;2nd Thurs: E Nicole Zuraitis; 2nd Fri: E TessaSouter; last Wed: E Paul Jost; last Fri: EKendra Shank. Dec 11: L Brian Charette; 24: E Nate Birkey Qrt.
75 CLUB: At the Bogardus Mansion. 75 MurraySt (bet W Bway & Greenwich St). 212-268-1746. www.wilburwareinstitute.com WilburWare Institute presents Wilbur’s Warehouse.Sets/adm: 7:30&9:30pm; Tues-Thurs freeadm, Fri-Sat $25. Residencies: Tues-Thursexcept 12/19&21 Tardo Hammer & JohnWebber. Dec 1-2: Fostina Dixon Qrt; 8-9:Reggie Workman 6tet; 15-16: Bill Easley Qrt;19: Annie Ross Qnt; 21: Elise Wood & JohnHicks Legacy Band; 22-23: Jerry Waldon Qrt.
BAHA’Í CENTER: 53E 11th St (bet Bway &University). www.bahainyc.org. 212-222-5159. Dec 5: 8&9:30pm $10/15 adm GoldaSolomon, Poetry & Jazz.
BAR NEXT DOOR: 129 McDougal St. 212-529-5945. www.lalanternacaffe.com. Sets: Sun8&10pm, Mon-Thurs Early (E) 6:30-7:45pm,
LOWER MANHATTAN(Below 34th Street)
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VERY FEW PIANISTS ARE STILLalive today who can match the bound-
ary-shattering, versatile gifts of StanleyCowell. A consummate keyboard masterwhose work helped to define albums fromMarion Brown to Max Roach, Cowell notonly shaped the direction of modern pianoplaying, he also helped to transform therole of the artist in production and self-determination through musician-ledefforts like Strata East and CollectiveBlack Artists. While Stanley's touringefforts slowed in the 1980s as he took aseries of teaching posts, this decade hasseen him retire from his professorial dutiesin favor of an expanded touring schedule.
As his performance footprint has contin-ued to grow, Stanley has also brought hisart to many new listeners through a fruit-ful relationship with SteeplechaseRecords. With this year's release of NoIllusions, Stanley continues to showcasehis compositional talents in a series ofpieces that highlight an artist who stead-fastly refuses to stop learning, growing,and absorbing new sounds.
"The title tune of No Illusions is an orig-inal that implies a purity of thought, nonegative outcomes, and no delusionalexpectations," Stanley explains. The piece,drawing on an Ornette-style melodyplayed with exceptional bite by BruceWilliams, ultimately gives way to aremarkable array of similarly remarkableoriginals and one cover. For listenersaccustomed to Stanley's trio records, thisalbum's augmented quartet will come withsome unique surprises. "I'm using electron-ics on three of the songs, I think the listen-er will be surprised—I hope they won't betoo shocked—that I'm doing that," Stanleysays with a laugh.
Indeed, the album features severalunique timbres hailing from different
STANLEY COWELLNo Illusions
By Seton Hawkins
touch points in Stanley's career: In addi-tion to the electronics, a sound designpackage called Kyma that Stanley beganutilizing in the 1990s, the record also findshim returning to the mbira, an Africanthumb piano that graced some of Stanley'sworks in the 1970s.
However, lest one thinks the album isan experimental electro-acoustic outing,Stanley pivots just as readily into excep-tional piano rhapsodies. Indeed, his takeon John Lewis' Milano is a truly remark-able reading of this piece. "It's been perco-lating in my mind for years," Stanleyexplains. "Back in college I always listenedto the Modern Jazz Quartet, and I'vealways enjoyed John's sense of form andhis preoccupation with European cities'architecture. I had the opportunity in col-lege to study in Europe and experiencethose things firsthand."
Even more surprising, however, mightbe a pianistic detour midway throughStanley's Miss TE&O into stride piano ter-ritory. In fact, Miss TE&O is a dizzyingtour of Stanley's singular capabilities,jumping across jazz's history with aninsouciant ease. "Miss TE&O is a referenceto Thelonious, Erroll, and Ornette, notOscar, as many might think," Stanleyexplains. "The piece pays tribute to theirstyles. The Ornette part is the dronemoment, there's a middle section where Iplay stride, and the outer parts of the tuneare more angular, where I think ofThelonious. I knew these gentlemen, andthey impressed me so much with whatthey did for the music. They were wonder-ful exemplars of this tradition."
Ultimately, the entire album seems toshine a light on the many influencesStanley has incorporated throughout hiscareer. In that respect, it also showcaseshis unique standing as one of the fewartists still active who grew up immersedin these styles of jazz, and who is able toplay comfortably in all of them.
"Certainly, I feel that I am pretty obvi-ously reflecting all of my influence at thispoint in my life," Stanley notes. "I go backand get some, and then I find some newones as I go along. As long as I'm living, I'llkeep my ear to the ground and keep tryingto grow and find my own identity in thismusic."
Retirement or not, Stanley has unques-tionably held true to his goal of continuingto grow and develop in the music. Whilemany other jazz masters have sat comfort-ably on their well-deserved laurels,Stanley has continued to grapple with newmusical styles, forever finding uniquelyexciting means of incorporating them intohis own sounds.
"At my age, I'm trying to do qualitywork, and keep my constituents in theband," Stanley notes. "These guys havebeen learning my music, and I try to be
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Cole photo by Andrea Canter, Hampton Callaway by Bill Westmoreland, Pizzarelli by Stephen Sorokoff, Stern by Sandrine L
SOFIA TOSELLOMINTON'S PLAYHOUSE / DECEMBER 8Among South American vocalists, Cordoba, Argentina's Sofia Tosello has carved out aunique place since arriving in NYC in 2011. Her repertoire of traditional, neuvo tango,ritmo, zambas, chacereras and Afro-Peruvian songs are presented front and center forthis CD release party in Harlem, celebrating the issue of Lluvia Fue. Work withHoratio “El Negro” Hernandez or Guillermo Klein, solo recordings Tangolando withYuri Juarez (Lilihouse Music) and her 2009 debut Alma Y Luna (Sunnyside Records)glimpsed at her commanding presence and growing talent. Grammy-winningarranger/pianist Fernando Otero contributes the charts that enhance and accentSofia's perfectly timed, lilting, lovely voicings. Bassist Pedro Giraudo, guitarists YuriJuarez and Federico Diaz, violinist Nick Danielson, cellist Brian Sanders and pianistFernando Otero join her on the bandstand. MGN
JOEL ROSSJAZZ STANDARD / DECEMBER 6Moving through changes with a bluster of harmonic depth as elemental as his feel,vibraphone player and composer Joel Ross offers listeners an expanding spectrum ofvirtuosity. Precision and refinement, together with spontaneity and reflex, hasallowed the twice-selected Monk Institute All-Star to perform with Herbie Hancock,Christian McBride, Marquis Hill's Blacktet, Gerald Clayton and AmbroseAkinmusire, among other luminaries of the music. A Chicago native, Joel has gracedthe bandstand of iconic venues from coast to coast, including Smalls Jazz Club, TheJazz Gallery and Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola in New York, Club Vibrato in Los Angeles,and SFJazz. Joel's debut release Good Vibes features original compositions and newarrangements of familiar tunes. His quintet includes Immanuel Wilkins, Aaron Parks,Harish Raghavan and Marcus Gilmore. SJ
STEVE CARDENAS ZINC BAR / DECEMBER 4 A reputable electric guitarist in contemporary jazz, the credentials of Steve Cardenasare impressive. His collaboration with Strings Attached here is alongside guitaristsVic Juris, Jack Wilkins and Joe Cohn. The ensemble was seen on ABC-TV's "GoodMorning America," bringing jazz widespread attention. A native of Kansas City, inNYC since 1995, Steve has turned a modest discography as a leader into a sustainablecareer. A prominent member of bands led by Paul Motian, Joey Baron and BenAllison, and Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra, he has recorded for FreshSound New Talent and Sunnyside records, taught at Cal Arts and The New School,and continues to develop a sound well under the surface of his louder counterparts.Essiet Essiet on bass and David Gibson on drums back Strings Attached. MGN
PAULA WESTDIZZY'S CLUB COCA-COLA / DECEMBER 1-3Although she is known for her powerful contralto voice—she sang in the Jazz atLincoln Center Orchestra's performance of Wynton Marsalis's Blood on the Fields in2013—Paula West is also a master of intimacy and subtlety, equally at home on bigstages and in small jazz clubs and cabarets. Paula emerged on the jazz and cabaretscene in San Francisco in the 1990s, also finding a place at the Big Apple's best jazzcabarets. Paula differs from most of her contemporaries in often choosing songs notassociated with jazz or cabaret and putting her own sophisticated stamp on them. Herrepertoire includes a few Bob Dylan works as well as songs by The Beatles and JohnnyCash. Paula is still based on the West Coast so this gig at Dizzy's is a rare chance tohear this wonderful singer in New York. GK
MATTHEW WHITAKERFIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MOUNT VERNON / DECEMBER 10Keyboard enthusiasts have gushed about Matthew Whitaker for years, calling atten-tion to his effortless virtuosity and comfort traversing a wide range of musical styles.The praise itself is not surprising: Matthew's keyboard playing is truly exceptional,featuring a silky-smooth touch and a creative harmonic sense. What is surprising,however, is that given this multi-year set of accolades, we might not expect him to stillbe in his mid-teens. Indeed, sporting musical talents that would enviable for a sea-soned professional, Matthew brings a prowess and maturity that is jaw dropping for ateenager. His talents is on full display at the PJS Society, whose Sunday soirées makefor a superb way to hear top-flight talent. SH
By Ken Dryden, Yvonne Ervin, Ken Franckling, Seton Hawkins, Stephan
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f, Stern by Sandrine Lee, Whitaker by Rob Davidson.
MARTIN PIZZARELLILUCA'S JAZZ CORNER AT CAVATAPPO GRILL / DECEMBER 12It's no surprise that bassist Martin Pizzarelli followed his father Bucky and olderbrother John into a jazz career, given his immersion into family jam sessions from ayoung age. Martin has recorded and performed extensively in John's trio since theearly 1990s, in addition to joining Bucky on numerous CDs. Martin's skill as an accom-panist and knowledge of a vast repertoire of songs make him an asset to any recorddate. But this special evening brings Martin to the forefront as the leader instead of asideman. He promises to share some of his favorite standards, which will be interpret-ed by a first-rate band including pianist Larry Fuller, saxophonist Linus Wyrsch andguitarist/vocalist Ed Laub, the latter known for his frequent duo work with Bucky. KD
FREDDY COLE BIRDLAND / DECEMBER 19-25Freddy Cole can't escape the long shadow of his elder brother, the late Nat "King"Cole; but he has learned to live with it. He followed his 1990 CD I'm Not My Brother,I'm Me with 2016's unabashed tribute He Was the King. While he digs into Nat's song-book occasionally, the singer and pianist has a powerful vibe all his own. In additionto exploring perennial favorites, obscure gems and a bit of holiday fare with his duskybaritone, this jazz ballad master may preview material from his next recording. Ineach instance, he never sings a song unless he identifies with it. Freddy is backed bythree regular band mates: guitarist Randy Napoleon, bassist Elias Bailey and drum-mer Quentin Baxter. Harry Allen guests on tenor sax. KF
GAIA WILMERSHAPESHIFTER LAB / DECEMBER 14Saxophonist and composer Gaia Wilmer's marriage of post-bop rhythmic devices andthe graceful melodic sensibilities of her native Brazil have resulted in a timeless yetthoroughly modern sound that she further developed in 2013, when she moved toBoston to attend Berklee College of Music where she studied with saxophonist GeorgeGarzone, guitarist Mitch Haupers and several others. Praise and accolades followedsoon after with Gaia receiving a grant by the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil and the2017 Outstanding Big Band award by DownBeat for her arrangement of "7 Aneis" byBrazilian composer Egberto Gismonti. For her concert at ShapeShifter Lab, Gaia isjoined by her octet in celebration of their upcoming release Migrations on Red PianoRecords. EW
ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY JAZZ FORUM / DECEMBER 29-31Singer, pianist and songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway is best known for her Tony-nominated performance in the hit Broadway musical Swing! and for writing andsinging the theme song to the popular TV series "The Nanny." Her songs are featuredon seven of Barbra Streisand's CDs. She even "collaborated" with Cole Porter, puttingmusic to lyrics he wrote but hadn't set to music. Possessing a formidable vocal rangeand technique, Ann is a gifted and fearless improviser: At each performance she takeswords and phrases from her audience and magically creates a song almost instantly,whether alone at a piano or with a symphony orchestra. Ann rings in the New Yearwith a first-rate jazz trio with pianist Ted Rosenthal, bassist Martin Wind and drum-mer Tim Horner. YE
MIKE STERNIRIDIUM / DECEMBER 19-23A distinctive, searing guitar style has been Mike Stern's jazz fusion hallmark datingback to his early work with Blood, Sweat & Tears and as a sideman in the Miles Davis,Brecker Brothers and Jaco Pastorius bands. Now we can add his sense of humor to themix. Mike broke both shoulders and his right arm during the summer of 2016 aftertripping on construction debris while hailing a cab in Manhattan. After multiple sur-geries and much perseverance, he has returned to good form. He titled his new CDTrip for the accident, not some geographic journey. Three of the 18 players who joinedMike on that session are with him here. They are trumpeter Randy Brecker, bassistTom Kennedy and drummer Dennis Chambers. KF
kins, Stephanie Jones, George Kanzler, Michael G Nastos & Eric Wendell
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20 For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com.
8pm Vincent Chancey Trio, 9pm BobStewart/Curtis Stewart, 12/21 7pm Gyname,8pm Music for a Free World Trio, 9pmWISQtet, 12/22 7pm Lisa Sokolov, 8pmAndrew Lamb Qnt, 9pm Secret MusicSociety, 12/28 7pm Ned Rothenberg, 8pmBisio/Fefer/Dalachinsky, 9pm ClarinetMadness, 12/29 7pm Jochem Van Dijk Qrt,8pm Foster/Lopez/Weston, 9pm SarahBernstein Qrt, 12/30 7pm Jeff Lederer/KirkKnuffke, 8pm Jemeel Moondoc, 9pm KarenBorca Qrt.
CORNELIA STREET UNDERGROUND: 29Cornelia St. www.corneliastreetcafe.com.212-989-9319. Sets unless otherwise noted:Sun 8:30&10pm, Mon-Thurs 8&9:30pm, Fri-Sat 9&10:30pm. Adm varies. Dec 1: JulienLabro/Olli Soikkeli Qrt; 3: Luke Hendon; 4:8:30pm Amram & Co; 5: 8pm Lauren Lee,9:30pm MATKOT; 6: The Out Louds; 7: MattHolman, 9:30pm Nick Brust Qnt; 9: Scott Lee& Cloning Americana; 12: Carmen Staaf; 13:New York Bojaira Project; 14: Nitzan GavrieliTrio; 15: 6pm Audrey Silver, 8:30&10pm SaraSerpa & City Fragments; 16: 6pm EdithLettner/Jed Distler, 8:30&10pm Dan WeissTrio; 17: Liz Rosa; 19: 6pm Nick Finzer, 8pmJure Pukl/Darius Jones, 9:30pm EliasStemeseder Trio; 20: 8pm Amanda MonacoThree, 9:30pm Roxy Coss Qnt; 21: AlexLoRe Qrt; 22-23: Petros Klampanis Spt; 26:Eri Yamamoto Trio; 30: Tom RaineyObbligato Trio.
The CUTTING ROOM: 44E 32nd St (betMadison & Park Av). 212-691-1900. www.thecuttingroomnyc.com. Dec 30: 4pm JAZZ ISPHSH.
The DJANGO: At Roxy Hotel. 2 Av of theAmericas at Walker St. www.roxyhotelnyc.com. 212-519-6600. Sets: Early (E), Late (L);Wed-Thurs E 7:30-9:45pm, L 10pm-1am; Fri-E 7:30-10:15pm, L 10:30pm-1:30am; Sat E7:30-10pm, L 10:30pm-1:30am. Residencies:Wed E Pasquale Grasso Solo, L Jam by AlexClaffy; Fri E Ken Fowser Qnt. Dec 2: E BrianCharette Organ Trio, L Hudson Horns; 7: EDavid Gibson Qnt, L Chris Norton; 8: LSolomon Hicks; 9: E Frank Basile Qnt, LProfessor Cunningham & his Old School;14: E Ed Cherry, L Mark Whitfield; 15: L MikeSailors Nnt; 16: L Los Hacheros; 21: EMichael Dease Qnt, L Ian Hendrickson-Smith; 22: L Havana Special; 23: E EmmetCohen Trio, L Svetlana & the Delancey Five;28: L Wayne Tucker; 29: L Alita Moses; 30: LHigh & Mighty Brass Band; 31: 10:30pm-1:30am Evan Sherman Orch feat Joy Brown.
DOWNTOWN MUSIC GALLERY: 13 MonroeSt (bet Market & Catherine Sts). 212-473-0043. www.downtownmusicgallery.com.Sun: 6pm In-Store shows.
The EAR INN: 326 Spring St (bet Greenwich &Washington Sts). www.earinn.com. 212-431-9750. Sun: 8-11pm EarRegulars feat Jon-ErikKellso & friends. Dec 3: w/Scott Robinson;10: w/Evan Christopher.
FAT CAT: 75 Christopher St at 7th Av. 212-675-6056. www.fatcatmusic.org. $3 adm/no min.Sets unless otherwise noted: Early (E), Late(L), Night (N); E 7pm except Sun-Mon&Fri6pm; L 9pm except Thurs&Sat 10pm, Fri +10:30pm; N 1:30am except Sun 1am, Mon-Wed 12:30am. Residencies (R): Sun E TerryWaldo & Gotham City Band, N BrandonLewis & Renee Cruz; Mon N Billy Kaye; TuesE except 12/5 Saul Rubin Zebtet; Wed ERaphael D'Lugoff Trio + 1, N Ned Goold; FriL The Supreme Queens; Sat N GregGlassman. Dec 1: E Dida Pelled Qrt, L R +Jared Gold/Dave Gibson, N Ray Parker; 2: EAsaf Yuria Qnt, L Raphael D'lugoff Qnt, N R;3: E R, 8:30pm Jade Synstelien & FCBB, N R;
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4: E Jarod Kashkin, L Katsuko Tanaka, N R;5: E Sharif Zaben, L Willie Martinez y laFamilia, N Craig Wuepper; 6: E R, L GrooverTrio, N R; 7: E Eiko Rikuhashi & La DescargaBand, L Saul Rubin Zebtet, N Paul Nowinski;8: E Corin Stiggall Qnt, L R + Stafford Hunter& Continuum, N Ray Gallon; 9: E Steve BlumTrio, L Organ Monk, N R; 10: E R, L Jon DavisTrio, N R; 11: E Camille Celin, L Ned GooldQrt, N R; 12: E R, L Peter Brainin & the LatinJazz Workshop; 13: E R, L Harold MabernTrio, N R; 14: E Ed Cherry Trio, L GregGlassman Qnt; 15: E Ian Duerr, L R +Lummie Spann, N Avi Rothbard; 16: ESanfoNYa Brasileira, L Eric Wheeler, N R; 17:E R, L Ark Ovrutski, N R; 18: L George Braith,N R; 19: E R; 20: E R, L Don Hahn/MikeCamacho Band, N R; 21: E Tim FergusonFlamenco Gp, L POD; 22: L R; 23: E FKAjazzaka. Samir Zarif, N R; 24: E&N R; 25: N R; 26:E R, L Itai Kriss & Gato Gordo, N JohnBenitez & Latin Bop; 27: E R, L SanahKadoura, N R; 29: L R + David Weiss & Pointof Departure; 30: N R; 31: E&N R.
GREENWICH HOUSE MUSIC SCHOOL: 46Barrow St (bet 7th Av S & W 4th St). 212-242-4770. www.greenwichhouse.org. Dec 14:8pm $15/12 adm Sound It Out series featMike Baggetta/Anders Nilsson.
JAZZ GALLERY: 1160 Bway at 27th St. 5th Fl.www.jazzgallery.org. 646-494-3625. Sets/adm: 7:30&9:30pm $15/10, $25/10 Fri-Sat.Dec 1-2: Pedro Giraudo Tango Ens 12/1, BigBand 12/2; 6: Tony Tixier; 7: Sam Harris Trio;8-9: Kris Davis & Borderland Trio; 10:Samurai Mama Big Band; 13: The ChoirInvisible; 14: Adam O’Farrill; 15-16: JamesFrancies; 20-21: $25/10 Eric Revis; 22-23:$40/25 Roy Hargrove.
JAZZ STANDARD: 116E 27th St (bet Park &Lexington Avs). www.jazzstandard.net. 212-576-2232. Sets/adm unless otherwise noted:7:30&9:30pm, Sun add 2-3pm, Sat Brunch(B) 12-2:30pm; $25 Mon-Wed, $30 Sun, $35Thurs-Sat, Sun 2-3pm free/$5 don; Sat B$10/$35 all-inclusive. Residencies: Sun 2-3pm Jazz for Kids, Mon (R) Mingus Mondayfeat Mingus Big Band, Sat B TheSmokestack Brunch. Dec 1-3: $30 12/1-2Danilo Pérez Trio; 2: B w/Allegra Levy; 4: R;5: Duchess; 6: Joel Ross Qnt; 7-10: $30 12/7Bill Frisell/Thomas Morgan Duo; 9: B w/AlexGoodman; 11: R; 12-17: $35 12/12-13&17 JoeLovano Classic Qrt; 16: B tba; 18: R; 19-20:$30 Matt Wilson Christmas Tree-O feat NelsCline; 21-23: Spanish Harlem Orch; 23: Bw/Gabrielle Stravelli; 24-25: closed; 26-27:$35 Raul Midón Trio; 28-31: 12/31 7:30pm$135 incl three course meal, 9:30pm $195incl three course meal & midnight cham-pagne toast René Marie.
JOE’S PUB: At Public Theater. 425 Lafayette St& Astor Pl. www.joespub.com. 212-967-7555.Adm varies. Dec 12: 7pm Julian Fleisher; 13:9:30pm Mireya Ramos feat Rachel Therrien.
KNICKERBOCKER BAR & GRILL: 33University Pl at 9th St. 212-228-8490.www.knickerbockerbarandgrill.com. Fri-Sat:9pm-1am. Dec 1-2: Joanne Brackeen/CecilMcBee; 8-9: Michael Wolff Trio; 15-16: JohnColianni/Boots Maleson; 22-23: Jon Davis/Gianluca Renzi; 29-30: Russ Kassoff/JayAnderson; 31: Valerie Capers Trio.
MEZZROW: 163W 10th St (bet 7th Av &Waverly Pl). www.mezzrow.com. 646-476-4346. Sets/adm: Early 8-10:30pm, Late (L)11pm-close; adm varies. Residencies: Sun LJohn Merrill & friends; Mon L PasqualeGrasso; Tues L Jam w/Miki Yamanaka & AdiMeyerson; Wed L Pete Malinverni; Thurs LSpike Wilner w/spec guest. Dec 1: David
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DELAWARE-BASED SAXOPHONIST,singer and composer Fostina Dixon
was on a time-out from touring and giggingfor a while, spending more time in theclassroom than onstage. But since herrecent retirement from teaching, Fostina isback on the bandstand and eagerly hittingthe road again.
Before she became an educator, shemade quite a splash playing baritone, alto,soprano, flute and clarinet with everyonefrom Frank Foster to James Blood Ulmer.Fostina also worked with Gerald Wilson,Slide Hampton, Leslie Drayton, CharliePersip, Abbey Lincoln and a host of others,plus fronting her own bands, Collage, andWinds of Change.
Sometimes landing a job was a breeze.Fostina recalls the night Frank Morganinvited her to jam with him at a club inCalifornia. Marvin Gaye's band directorhappened to be in the audience, and heliked what he heard; he asked her to audi-tion, and hired her for what turned out tobe a four-year stint with the R&B legend."We all wish life was that easy all thetime," Fostina muses.
There was at least one other time whenit was. Fostina still sounds surprised ather own brashness, describing phoningDavid Sanborn to say she wanted to subfor him on any gigs he couldn't make.Later, she was amazed to get a call to stepin with Gil Evans. "I was scared as hell,"she admits. It clearly worked out—theyasked her back several times during theband's long Monday night run at SweetBasil.
But Fostina also felt the pressure of theongoing hustle for gigs and trying to bal-ance the artistic and business sides ofearning a living in music. Abbey Lincolnencouraged the saxophonist to hang inthere and trust that things would open forher, saying, "They will come to you, youhave to believe that."
Trombonist, composer, arranger MelbaListon was another inspiration. Fostinafelt the pull of the Big Apple while living inL.A. and earning a degree from Cal Arts. "Iwanted to get into what I thought of asdeeper jazz. I don't belittle the West Coast,but something led me to New York. Melbawas my prompt to move to New York."
Besides playing in the Melba Liston andCompany band, Fostina credits the trom-bonist with not only teaching her to write,but instilling in her a lifelong love for com-posing. "I can't do big band charts like
Teachable momentBy Elzy Kolb
Melba—I didn't get it like she got it," thesaxophonist says. "But she gave me myfoundation; what I know came from herteachings. That was a wonderful experi-ence. You had to listen to her."
Fostina continues, "I thank God for thestrong women I was around who encour-aged me to be the best I could be, embracemy womanhood, not to tolerate a whole lotof stuff, and keep your dignity. I thankGod for the many women and men whotaught me."
She credits saxophonists David Murrayand Hamiet Bluiett with encouraging herto explore the more avant-garde aspects ofjazz: "They opened my mind up." Fostinarecalls Hamiet advising her, "Treat it likefun—don't say you're going to practice, sayyou're going to play! Play some, talk some,cry some."
On her upcoming gig, Fostina is likelyto include her arrangements of the DukeEllington/Juan Tizol classic "Caravan,"Charles Mingus' "Fables of Faubus," andmaterial she played with Abbey Lincoln,like "Story of My Father" and "The Musicis the Magic." The lineup will also includeoriginals, such as "Prayer of Jabez," fromher recent CD, Here We Go Again. Shepenned the tune to honor Marvin Gaye; "Ifyou hear some familiar chords in the songor a familiar feel, it was intentionallydone," she says.
Fostina also has a backlog of materialshe's written over the years that has neverbeen performed in New York. She predictsthe exact set list will be a game-time deci-sion and may include some new composi-tions. "Who knows, I might have anotherfive songs done by then," she says with alaugh.
Fostina Dixon performs at 75 Club at the Bogardus Mansion, Dec. 1-2 with Winds of Change featuring Ronnie Burrage on drums, LonniePlaxico on bass and Edsel Gomez onpiano.
Dixon photo by Marlon S. McNeil Sr.
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22 For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com.
Berkman, L Ben Paterson; 2: DavidBerkman, L tba; 3: JP Jofre; 4: RaphaelD’Lugoff; 5: Harvey Diamond; 6: Billy Test; 7: Monte Croft; 8: Rick Germanson, LSullivan Fortner; 9: Rick Germanson, L JonDavis; 10: Tardo Hammer; 11: Sam Harris;12: Marlene VerPlanck; 13: DarylSherman/Houston Person; 14: tba; 15-16:Aaron Diehl/Melissa Aldana, L tba; 17: BrynRoberts; 18: Mike Lipskin; 19: Plucky Strum;20: Richard Johnson; 21: Bob Devos; 22:Alan Broadbent, L Sullivan Fortner; 23: AlanBroadbent, L tba; 24-25: closed; 26: MelissaMorgan; 27: Ed Cherry; 28: Larry Fuller; 29-31: Harry Allen, L tba.
NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH: 269 Bleecker St(bet Jones & Cornelia Sts). 212-691-1770. 1stFri: 8&9:30pm free adm All Things Projectwww.allthingsproject.org. Dec 1: AdamLarson Qrt.
The NEW SCHOOL: 66W 12th St. 212-229-5600. www.newschool.edu. Dec 2: 6:30-10:30pm $25-35 adm Konceptions Fund-raiser feat Ravi Coltrane + Jen Shyu & NineDoors + Tim Berne & Sun of Goldfinger.
NEW SCHOOL JAZZ PERFORMANCESPACE: 55W 13th St, 5th Fl. 212-229-5488.www.newschool.edu/jazz. Fri-Sat: 8:30pmThe Stone at the New School. Dec 1-2: JohnZorn; 4: 7pm Reggie Workman, 9pm GeorgeCables; 5: 7pm Rory Stuart; 6: 5pm AndyMilne, 7pm Reggie Workman, 9pm AllisonMiller; 7: 5pm Steve Cardenas; 8: 12pmDiane Moser, 8pm Richard Boukas; 8-9:Peter Evans; 11: 2,7&9pm La Tanya Hall,2pm Reggie Workman; 15-16: Ikue Mori.
NORTH SQUARE: At Washington SquareHotel. 103 Waverly Pl at McDougal.www.northsquareny.com/about-jazz. 212-254-1200. Sun: 12:30&2pm free adm JazzBrunch Trios. Dec 3: closed; 10: Roz Corralw/John Hart & Matt Clohesy; 17: LindaCiofalo; 24: Jane Irving; 31: Roz Corral.
NUBLU 151: 151 Avenue C (bet 9th & 10thSts). www.nublu.net. Dec 22: 8pm The Co-Op.
NUYORICAN POETS CAFÉ: 236E 3rd St (betAvs B & C). www.nuyorican.org. 212-780-9386/212-505-8183. Sets: 9:30pm. Tues: $10adm Latin Jazz feat 12/5 Chembo Corniel,12/12 Bronx Conexión, 12/19 Willie Martinez& La Familia Sxt; 1st Wed: $13 All That - HipHop Poetry & Jazz; 1st Sat: $15 BananaPuddin’ Jazz series feat Rome Neal + Jam;last Sun: Bobby Sanabria & New SchoolAfro-Cuban Jazz Band.
ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL: 196 Allen St at EHouston St. www.rockwoodmusichall.com.212-477-4155. Dec 10: 9pm $10 adm ElsaNilsson Qrt.
RUSS & DAUGHTERS CAFE: 127 Orchard St(bet Delancey & Rivington Sts). 212-475-4880. www.russanddaughterscafe.com. LastThurs: 8pm free adm The Stone at Russ &Daughters Cafe. Dec 28: Jon Madof.
SMALLS JAZZ CLUB: 183W 10th St at 7th Av.212-252-5091. www.smallslive.com. Sets:Afternoon (PM) Sun 4:30-7pm, Sat 4-7pm,Early (E) 7:30-10pm, Late (L) 10:30pm-1am,Night (N) 1-4am; jam following N; adm varies.Residencies (R): Sun 1pm Vocal masterclassby Marion Cowings, PM Ai Murakami Triofeat Sacha Perry, N 12/3&17 Hillel Salem,12/10&24 Robert Edwards; Mon N 12/4Jonathan Michel Gp, 12/11&25 JonathanBarber Gp; Tues L-N except 12/12 AbrahamBurton Qrt; Wed N 12/6&20 Aaron Seeber,12/13&27 Jovan Alexandre; Thurs N 12/7&21Davis Whitfield, 12/14&28 Jonathan Thomas;Fri N 12/1,15&29 Joe Farnsworth, 12/8&22Corey Wallace; Sat N 12/2,16&30 BrooklynCircle, 12/9&23 Philip Harper. Dec 1: E
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Michael Weiss Qrt, N R; 2: PM Carmen Staaf,E Craig Brann Qnt, L Michael Weiss Qrt, N R;3: 1pm-PM R, E Todd Marcus Nnt, L FrankBasile Qnt, N R; 4: E Tal Gamlieli & Change ofHeart, L Will Sellenraad Trio, N R; 5: E UlyssesOwens Jr. & friends, L-N R; 6: E JeromeSabbagh/Greg Tuohey Gp, L Ken Fowser Qnt,N R; 7: E Jill McCarron Qrt, L Fukushi TainakaQnt, N R; 8: E David Gilmore Gp, L MikeDiRubbo Qrt, N R; 9: PM Mike Bond Trio, ESylvia Cuenca Qrt, L Mike DiRubbo Qrt, N R;10: 1pm-PM R, E Ian Hendrickson-Smith Qnt,L Corcoran Holt Gp, N R; 11: E Ari HoenigTrio, L Jonathan Kreisberg Qrt, N R; 12: EKirk Lightsey, L Jonathan Kreisberg Qrt, NAbraham Burton Qrt; 13: E Jochen RueckertQrt, L Kelly Green Sxt, N R; 14: E JochenRueckert Qrt, L Michael Blake Qrt, N R; 15: EDuane Eubanks Qnt, L Ralph Bowen Qrt, N R;16: PM Panas Athanatos Qrt, E DuaneEubanks Qnt, L Ralph Bowen Qrt, N R; 17:1pm-PM R, E Marianne Solivan Qrt, L RalphLalama & Bop-Juice, N R; 18: E Ari HoenigTrio, L-N Jonathan Michel/Jonathan Barber;19: E Spike Wilner Trio, L-N R; 20: E AlexWintz Qnt, L Todd Herbert Qrt, N R; 21: EJason Yeager Gp, L Tuomo Uusitalo Trio, N R;22-23: E Eddie Allen Qnt, L Metta Qnt, N R;23: PM Sam Raderman Trio; 24: 1pm-PM R, EMarion Cowings Qrt, L Alex Hoffman Qnt, NR; 25: E Fabien Mary Qnt, L tba, N R; 26: ELucas Pino Nnt, L-N R; 27: E PatrickCornelius Qrt, L Akiko Tsuruga Qrt, N R; 28:E Adam Larson Qrt, L Saul Rubin Qrt, N R;29: E Mark Whitfield Trio, L Dezron Douglas/Johnathan Blake Qrt, N R; 30: PM FimaChupakhin Qnt, E Mark Whitfield Trio, LDezron Douglas/Johnathan Blake Qrt, N R;31: 1pm-PM R, E Jon Roche Qrt, L SmallsLIVE All Stars.
SOCIETY CAFE: At Walkers Hotel. 52W 13thSt. 212-300-4525. www.societycafenyc.com.Dec 13: 7:30-10pm Joan Belgrave/KirkLightsey.
The STONE: 2nd St at Av C. www.thestonenyc.com. Adm varies. 8:30pm weekly resi-dencies. Dec 1-3: Jon Madof; 4: The AylerChristmas Show; 5-10: Ned Rothenberg; 12:Harris Eisenstadt + Hollenberg/Millevoi Qrt;12-17: Mark Feldman; 19-23: Ches Smith; 24-25: closed; 26-30: Makigami Koichi; 31:8:30pm $30 Makigami Koichi, 11pm $40Pachora.
VILLAGE VANGUARD: 178 7th Av S at 11thSt. 212-255-4037. www.villagevanguard.com.Sets: 8:30&10:30pm. Adm: $30/1 drink min.Residency (R): Mon except 12/25 VanguardJazz Orch. Dec 1-3: Christian McBride & TipCity; 4: R; 5-10: Christian McBride & InsideStraight; 11: R; 12-17: Kenny Barron Qnt; 18:R; 19-24: Kenny Barron Trio; 25-31: 12/319&11pm $200 The Bad Plus.
ZINC BAR: 82W 3rd St (bet Thompson &Sullivan). 212-477-8337. www.zincbar.com.Residencies: Sun 9pm-12am Tango featFernando Otero; Tues 11pm-3am Blue AfterDark; Thurs 10pm Román Díaz & RumbaHabanera; Sat 10,11:30pm&1am MonikaOliveira & The Brasilians. Dec 4: 8&10pmStrings Attached feat Steve Cardenas; 11:10pm VandoJam feat Vandoren Holiday SaxSection; 18: 8&10pm Strings Attached featPeter Bernstein.
AN BEAL BOCHT CAFÉ: 445W 238th St. 718-884-7127. www.lindasjazznights.com. 1stWed: 8&9:30pm $30-10 adm Linda's JazzNights. Dec 6: Akiko Tsuruga Qrt.
BRONX
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NEW JERSEY JAZZGary Walker, “Morning Jazz Host”, WBGO, 88.3 FM/wbgo.org
HORACEE ARNOLD WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY / DECEMBER 3Drummer Horacee Arnold remembers when he was 13 in Louisville, Ky., seeing theMassey Hall quintet with Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, BudPowell and Max Roach. Horacee would later play with Gillespie, Mingus and Powell,and was encouraged by Roach to come to New York, where his drumming was fea-tured with Stan Getz, Kenny Burrell, Oliver Nelson and John Handy. Additionalrhythm work with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company expanded Horacee'spalette, which would later be heard with Hugh Masekela, Archie Shepp and as amember of Chick Corea's Return to Forever. Horacee has shared a world of knowledgewith students since 1981 at William Paterson University. Featured in his favorite triosetting, Horacee drives a threesome with the legendary bassist Buster Williams.
RICHIE COLE 1867 SANCTUARY AT EWING / DECEMBER 23Richie Cole started playing alto saxophone when he was 10 years old in his hometownTrenton, N.J. Influenced by Sonny Rollins and Charlie Parker, Richie's dedicationwon him a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music. Richie's talents could beheard in the big bands of Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton and Doc Severinsen, a preludeto his "Alto Madness" style and collaborations with Art Pepper, Freddie Hubbard,Tom Waits and Nancy Wilson. Richie's library as leader has had him alongside EddieJefferson on Hollywood Madness (Muse), celebrating Leonard Bernstein on RichieCole Plays West Side Story (Music Masters) and his new CD, Richie Cole: Latin Lover(RCP). The Sanctuary's impressive acoustics sound a Richie Cole Christmas withpianist Peter Lauffer, bassist Frank Cook and drummer Dave Mohn.
GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRASOPAC / DECEMBER 15You know the tunes: "Moonlight Serenade," "In the Mood," "Tuxedo Junction," "AString of Pearls," "Chattanooga Choo Choo," "Pennsylvania 6-5000." Today's GlennMiller Orchestra embodies the founder's intent, with over 300 performances yearly,living up to Glenn's favorite quote, from Duke Ellington, "It Don't Mean a Thing If ItAin't Got that Swing!" Celebrating its 61st anniversary this year, the band performsaround the world, carrying its Road Book with over 300 charts, many from the origi-nal library, featuring arrangements from Billy May, Bill Finegan and Jerry Gray,among other notables. A Guinness Book Record for the Largest Dance was establishedin 1984, in Buffalo, N.Y. as a crowd of 25,000 danced to the music of the Glenn MillerOrchestra. It'll be hard to stay in your seat at SOPAC.
RAMSEY LEWISBERGEN PAC / DECEMBER 9It's hard to believe that pianist Ramsey Lewis' hit The In Crowd (Argo) was his 16thalbum. A singular voice with an astounding array of musical settings, bringing legionsof new jazz fans to the music, Ramsey's laser focus has paid tribute to Clifford Brown,jazzed the gospel hymn with Wade In The Water (Cadet), orchestrated the Beatleswith Mother Nature's Son (MCA) and plugged in for Sun Goddess and Salongo(Columbia), uniting jazz, rock and R&B crowds in global celebration. That focusmoves in many directions. As Ramsey told Sirius/XM's Mark Ruffin at the 2014Detroit Jazz Festival, Oscar Peterson led him to Nat "King" Cole, the outstandingpianist and vocalist who is the focus of Ramsey's current tour on which he joins JohnPizzarelli for a modern journey through Cole's legacy.
Lewis photo by Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune.
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UNIVERSITY OF THE STREETS: 2381Belmont Av. 2nd Fl. www.universityofthestreets.org. 212-254-9300. Sat: 6-9pm$10 don Jam w/Rob Anderson Qrt.
BARBÈS: 376 9th St at 6th Av. Park Slope.www.barbesbrooklyn.com. 718-965-9177.Residencies: Sun 5pm except 12/24&31 JoelForrester, 9pm Stephane Wrembel; Mon 7pmBrain Cloud; Tues 9pm Slavic Soul Party;Wed 10pm Mandingo Ambassadors; Fri 5pmThe Crooked Trio. Dec 1: 10pm Big Lazy; 6:8pm Andy Statman; 9: 7pm Pedro GiraudoTango Qrt; 21: 8pm Luba Mason; 22: 8pmRegional de NY; 29: 8pm Endangered Blood.
BROOKLYN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC:58 7th Av. www.bqcm.org. 718-622-3300. 1stFri: 7pm $5 adm Open Stage. Dec 9: 7:30pm$15 adm Connection Works feat Wide OpenWorks w/Dana Lyn, Michel Gentile, AnnaWebber, Jacob Garchik, Daniel Kelly, MattPavolka & Rob Garcia.
The DRAWING ROOM: 56 Willoughby St #3.www.drawingroommusic.com. Sets/adm:7pm/$10 unless otherwise noted. Dec 2: $20adm Ted Brown; 3: 4pm $20 Marvin StammQrt; 5: Aaron Irwin; 10: Raf Vertessen Trio;17: $20 Gene Bertoncini.
I-BEAM: 168 7th St. www.ibeambrooklyn.com.Sets: 8:30pm $15 don. Dec 2: Lena BlochQrt; 9: Sperrazza/Drye/Roberts/Doxas; 14:Thomas Morgan Solo + Emi Makabe Qrt; 15:Mike McGinnis & Roadtrip.
JAZZ 966: 966 Fulton St. 917-593-9776.www.jazz966.com. Fri: 8:15&10:15pm.
KORZO RESTAURANT & BAR: 667 5th Av(bet 19th & 20th Sts). 718-499-1199.www.facebook.com/konceptions. Tues: 9&10:30pm $10 don/$10 min KonceptionsMusic series by James Carney. Dec 12: 9pmJames Carney, 10:30pm Ben Monder; 19:9pm Stephanie Richards, 10:30pm MartaSanchez.
NATIONAL SAWDUST: 80N 6th St. 646-779-8455. www.nationalsawdust.org. Dec 1: 7&10pm $25 adm David Liebman/MichaelEaton; 2: 11am $20/5 Oran Etkin &Timbalooloo; 13: 7pm $35 Nels Cline/LarryOchs/Gerald Cleaver; 27: 7pm $25 The Stonefeat Vicky Chow.
ROULETTE: 509 Atlantic Av at 3rd Av.www.roulette.org. 917-267-0363. Dec 5-6:8pm Adam Rudolph's Go: Organic Orchw/guests Jeremiah Cymermanestra 12/5,Darius Jones 12/6; 7: 8pm Graham Haynes/David Taylor & Calithumpians; 11: Go:Organic Orchestra - Murmuration; 21: PhillNiblock Solstice Concert.
SHAPESHIFTER LAB: 18 Whitwell Pl.www.shapeshifterlab.com. 646-820-9452.Sets/adm unless otherwise noted: Early (E)7pm, Late (L) 8:15pm, Night (N) 9:30pm; $10adm. Dec 1: N Addicted to Love; 5: 8pmArturo O'Farrill & Brooklyn CollegeConservatory Big Band; 6: E $20 Breakingthe ICE; 7-8: Forward festival feat 12/7 8pmKid Millions & Sarah Bernstein, 9pm PaulFlaherty, Gene Moore, Gene Janas, FedericoUghi, 10pm Andrew Lamb & Warren Smith,12/8 8pm Daniel Carter, Patrick Holmes,Matthew Putman, Hilliard Greene, FedericoUghi, 9pm Donald Sturge Anthony McKenzieII, 10pm L'Rain; 10: E Jared Saltiel/DawnCantwell/Katie Steinberg/Katie RoseSummerfield; 11: E Octopus 2000, L $15Wind and Stone; 12: E Jazz GalleryMentoring series w/Yosvany Terry Gp feat
BROOKLYN
Darryl Johns, N Waters Tones; 13: 5:45pmUrban Children's Choir; 14: L Gaia WilmerOct; 18: E Amantha Langstein Trio, L RafVertessen Qrt; 19: L Secret Mall, N eyehear;21: E Rosemary Minkler Trio.
SIR D’S LOUNGE: 837 Union St. 718-623-9065.www.facebook.com/Sirdslounge. Mon: 8-11pm Monday Night Big Band Jazz. Dec 11:Scott Reeves Jazz Orch feat Steve Wilson.
SISTAS’ PLACE: 456 Nostrand Av at JeffersonAv. www.sistasplace.org. 718-398-1766. Sat:9&10:30pm $30/25 adm. Dec 2: CharlesTolliver; 9: Carla Cook; 16: Fay Victor; 31:Kenny Gates.
WILLIAMSBURG MUSIC CENTER: 367Bedford Av. www.wmcjazz.org. 718-384-1654. Fri: 10pm-2am free adm/2 drink minexcept 12/8 Gerry Eastman Qnt w/specguests + Jam. Dec 3: 9&10:15pm $10 DavidDrake Trio; 8: 10pm $10 Tendayi & friends; 9:9&10:30pm $10 Ralph Lalama Trio; 14: 9pm$10 Jazz Couture, 10&11pm Broadbelt; 16:10pm $10 Sekouba & Bolomba; 17: 10&11pm$10 Conjuncto Guantanamo.
FIREHOUSE 12: 47 Crown St. New Haven. 203-785-0468. www.firehouse12.com. Fri: 8:30pm$20 adm, 10pm $15. Dec 1: Tim Berne &Snakeoil; 8: Nels Cline/Larry Ochs/GeraldCleaver Trio.
PALACE THEATER: 100 East Main St.Waterbury. www.palacetheaterct.org. 203-346-2000. Dec 8: 7pm Emmet Cohen.
The SIDE DOOR JAZZ CLUB: At Old LymeInn. 85 Lyme St. Old Lyme. 860-434-0886.www.thesidedoorjazz.com. Sets: 8:30-11pm.Dec 1: Brian McCarthy Qrt; 2: DaynaStephens; 8-9: Javon Jackson Gp; 15:Russell Malone Qrt; 16: Dave Stryker Qrt; 22-23: Christian Sands Qrt; 29: Melissa Morgan;30: Johnny O'Neal.
BAY BURGER: 1742 Sag Harbor Tpke. SagHarbor. 631-899-3915. www.bayburger.com.Thurs: 7-9pm Keyed Up series Jam. Dec 7:Charlie Lopresto; 4: Alex Sipiagin; 16: AfroCuban Jazz; 21: Ada Rovatti; 28: MarkMarino.
GRASSO’S: 134 Main St. Cold Spring Harbor.www.grassosrestaurant.com. 631-367-6060.
The JAZZ LOFT: 275 Christian Av. StonyBrook. 631-751-1895. www.thejazzloft.org.Sets/adm: 7pm $20-10. Wed: 7-8pm $10, 8pm$5 Jam w/FM Band. Dec 21: Rich Iancona &The Bad Little Big Band; 28: Interplay JazzOrch.
LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY-POST: 720Northern Blvd. Brookville. www.liu.edu/post.www.tillescenter.org. 516-299-2895. Dec 2: 8-10pm Dave Koz.
TREME: 553 Main St. Islip. 631-277-2008.www.tremeislip.com. Sets: Sun&Wed 7-11pm; Thurs-Sat 8pm-12am. Dec 2: Gil ParrisBand; 6: FTC Vocal Jazz Ens; 7: Sabori; 10:Interplay Jazz Ens; 13&17: Bill Heller; 21:Laintology; 28: Mambo Loco.
BERGENBERGEN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: 30
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CONNECTICUT
LONG ISLAND
NEW JERSEY
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ANOTHER REASON TO CELEBRATEBy Elzy Kolb
Top choiceWhen it comes to choosing material, it's
all about the story for vocalist MichelleLordi. "I feel very connected to songwrit-ers; I'm attracted to the intersection ofwords and melody," she says. Michellegrew up listening to pop, rock, punk andcountry music. Jazz came later, after afriend turned her on to Chet Baker playing"Zangaro," and singing "I Fall in Love TooEasily."
"I didn't get interested in jazz—I gotinterested in the songs and the people whosang them," Michelle explains. "I fell inlove with Chet's trumpet playing and hisvoice, and sought out others. I fell in lovewith the songs, and the people who singthose songs are jazz people."
For the Philadelphia-based vocalist,part of jazz's appeal is its directness. "Itcan be very emotional without seemingcontrived or maudlin. You can connectwith an audience without a whole lot ofbells and whistles. There's a richness ofthe language and sentiment," sheobserves. "Any feeling you're having, youcan open The Real Book and find a songthat expresses it."
Michelle didn't start singing jazz profes-sionally until she reached her 30s, but itdidn't take her long to get up to speed. Shehas released a couple of CDs—her newalbum of standards, Dream a Little Dream,and a 2015 release, Drive, produced bypianist Orrin Evans. "He's a force ofnature, encouraging me to pick the songs Ifelt most passionate about at the moment.I didn't intend to record mostly ballads,but that resonated for us, so that's what wemade."
Drive includes the first song Michelle
heard Chet Baker sing, "I Fall in Love TooEasily," a bluesy interpretation of "If IOnly Had a Heart" from The Wizard of Oz,and "You're My Thrill," which is often asso-ciated with Billie Holiday.
Dream a Little Dream features veteranmusicians Sonny Troy on guitar and LarryMcKenna on tenor. Michelle got to knowthem at a weekly jam that she's run for thepast three years, and now considers themboth friends and mentors. "I got my educa-tion from booking them and listening tothem," she shares. "Dream a Little Dreamis full of songs we play at the session."
Lately, Michelle has been trying herhand at songwriting, which she rates asthe hardest thing she's ever done. Thesongs pour out easily when inspirationstrikes. "But those moments are few andfar between—I don't have a whole lot oforiginals."
She aims to eventually record some ofher own tunes and she has a couple ofother recording projects in mind: A PatsyCline songbook album with a jazz trio, anda "mix tape" recording combining jazz andnonjazz musicians, playing a mélange ofgenres.
Catch Michelle in a duo setting withpianist Orrin Evans at Maureen's JazzCellar in Nyack, N.Y., Dec. 3, focusing onmaterial from her recent recordings andmore.
Pop quizOn her gigs, bassist Iris Ornig never
announces the name of a tune before sheplays it, especially if she's delving into herarrangements of pop hits. She doesn'twant anyone to have a preconception of
Michelle Lordi, Maureen’s Jazz Cellar
Iris Ornig, Deer Head Inn
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ANOTHER REASON... continued from page 25
how a song should sound, and she enjoysseeing audience members react as theyrecognize it.
Iris has seen a lot of smiles and sur-prised faces in the crowd this year,responding to her versions of familiarmaterial such as "Do You Know the Way toSan Jose" and "Anyone Who Has a Heart,"both composed by Burt Bacharach withlyrics by Hal David. The bassist fell in lovewith their music as a child, and came toappreciate it even more as her understand-ing of it increased. "It sounds so very lyri-cal, very simple, but everything behind itis so complex and interesting," sheobserves. "There are different meters,uneven forms, big interval jumps, and atthe same time it's very melodic."
Arranging more Bacharach/Davidmaterial is an ongoing project for Iris, whointends to take on at least another handfulof their tunes. "Next year is Burt's 90thbirthday, that's something to celebrate,"she points out. She's writing all of thearrangements so they can be sung; she'skeeping her eyes and ears open, but so farshe hasn't found the perfect vocalist for thejob. Don't count on Iris doing the honorsherself: "I get scared when I hear myselfsing!" In the meantime, she's had goodfeedback on the instrumental versions."People who know the song have the lyricsin their heads and they unconsciously tendto sing along, even if they don't do it outloud."
This isn't the first time the bassist hastaken on the task of arranging beloved pophits for a jazz ensemble—for the past fewyears she's been immersed in "Iris OrnigReimagines Michael Jackson," anotherbeloved entertainer from her childhood."When I was 6 or 7, I tried to moonwalk. Iloved him, I thought he was so cool."
She also finds time to work on originalmaterial, and is planning to record analbum of her compositions this month withher IO-5 band, with an eye on springrelease. "I like having different projects, Ican mix up the shows and attract differentaudiences," Iris muses. "I love to arrangeand compose; I like to stay busy. Peoplecan pick and choose which music theywant to hear, which gigs to attend."
Join Iris as she plays her arrangementsof tunes from the Bacharach/David song-book at the Deer Head Inn, DelawareWater Gap, Pa., Dec. 8, with Dave Smith,trumpet and flugelhorn; Jeremy Powell,tenor saxophone; Billy Test, piano andJesse Simpson, drums.
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N Van Brunt St. Englewood. 201-227-1030.www.bergenpac.org. Dec 9: 8pm $99-39 admRamsey Lewis/John Pizzarelli.
ESSEXBETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH: 275W Market
St. Newark. www.bethany-newark.org. 973-623-8161. Dec 2: 6-7:30pm Jazz Vespers featThe Baylor Project.
CLEMENT’S PLACE: At Rutgers University. 15Washington St. Newark. Dec 21: 5:30-7pmWells Fargo Jazz for Teens, 7:30-9:30pmJam by James Austin, Jr.
DLV LOUNGE: 300 Bloomfield Av. Montclair.973-783-6988. Dec 8: 8-11pm free adm ScotAlbertson Trio.
NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CEN-TER: 1 Center St. Newark. 888-466-5722.www.njpac.org. Dec 3: 3pm $50/70 admMarlene VerPanck Qrt w/Robert Kimball.
SOPAC: 1 SOPAC Way. South Orange. 973-313-2787. www.sopacnow.org. Dec 15: 8pm$30/45 adm Glenn Miller Orch.
SUZYQUE’S BBQ & BAR: 34 S Valley Rd.West Orange. www.suzyques.com. 973-736-7899. Free adm. Thurs: 8pm-12am John Lee& friends; Sun: 2-5pm Brunch w/CurtisLundy Ens. Dec 17: 8pm Glenn Franke'sBigBand.
TRUMPETS: 6 Depot Square. Montclair. 973-744-2600. www.trumpetsjazz.com. Sets:7:30-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 8-11pm/adm varies.Dec 1: James Gibbs & The Brick City SoulCollective; 9: Bob Baldwin; 16: HoustonPerson Qrt; 17: 3-4:40pm One More OnceBig Band; 27: The Real Deal Big Band.
HUDSONNEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY: 2039
Kennedy Blvd. Jersey City. www.njcu.edu.201-200-2000. Dec 4: 7:30pm Gabriel Alegría& NJCU Jazz Ens.
HUNTERDONFLEMINGTON DIY: 90 Main St. Flemington.
www.flemingtondiy.org. Dec 16: 7:30pm $10adm Stephan Crump & Rosetta Trio.
MERCER1867 SANCTUARY AT EWING: 101 Scotch
Rd. Ewing. www.1867sanctuary.org/seriesjazz. 609-392-6409. Dec 10: 8-9:30pm EricMintel Qrt; 23: 8-10pm Richie Cole.
CANDLELIGHT LOUNGE: 24 Passaic St.Trenton. www.candlelightevents.way.to. 609-695-9612. Sat: 3:30-7:30pm free adm/$10min. www.jazztrenton.com. Dec 2: Joe Ford;9: Mike Boone; 16: Baritone Nation; 23: LynnRiley; 30: Josh Lee.
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY: RichardsonAuditorium. 68 Nassau St. Princeton. 609-258-5000. www.princeton.edu/music. Dec 2:8pm $15/5 adm Darcy James Argue &Princeton’s Creative Large Ens w/specguest Archie Shepp w/Amina ClaudineMyers.
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY: Fine Hall. 304Washington Rd. Princeton.609-258-4200.www.princeton.edu/music. Dec 10: 5pm freeadm Jay Clayton & Vocal Improvisation Ens;13: 7:30pm free Rudresh Mahanthappa &Jazz Small Groups.
MIDDLESEXGARDEN STATE ALE HOUSE: 378 George
St. New Brunswick. www.gsalehouse.com.732-543-2408. Tues: 8pm + 9:30pm Jam freeadm The New Brunswick Jazz Project/www.nbjp.org feat Emerging Artists. Dec 5:
LISTINGS...continued from page 24
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By Seton Hawkins
HOT FLASHESArtists Talk Inspirations:
Roxy Coss
THIS YEAR, ROXY COSS CELE-brated the release of her third record,
Chasing the Unicorn. In doing so, she fur-ther cemented her status as one of themost exciting composers in jazz today, aswell as one of its most gifted saxophonists.A highly intelligent and thoughtful writerwhose works show off a wonderful creativespirit that is willing to experiment withcompositional tools and norms, Roxybrings these same qualities to her improv-isation, yielding incredibly memorablehorn work in any project she undertakes.
In discussing inspirations for her work,Roxy deferred away from specific artists toa much broader and overarching concept."My most driving inspiration for composi-tion is in part coming from things I'm goingthrough in my life, and partly related tocurrent events and social issues," sheexplains. "I think music should largely becontextualized from our lives and society,and be related to conceptual ideas thatpeople can relate to." Indeed, throughoutChasing the Unicorn, relatable stories ofpersonal development, interpersonal con-nections, and challenges to the socialnorms abound in the songs' descriptions.
The title track refers to the mythic sym-bolism of the unicorn, a symbol thatembodies openness to new possibilities andthe courage to follow them. Other workslike Free To Be address entering a state offlow and casting aside mental blocks andinhibitions, while Never Enough chal-lenges societal expectations and pressureson women.
For Roxy, this interest in connecting themusic to concepts and issues dates fromher earliest experiences with art. Growingup, she would visit art galleries with her
mother—a visual artist—and the twowould discuss what they were seeing.
"I found that the most interesting artpieces were the ones that had a story," sheexplains. "If I knew what the artist wastrying to convey, and if it was something Icould relate to, it made the experience moremeaningful to me. I've taken that conceptinto my own compositions, and I want mywork to mean something to people."
Drawing on this inspiration and infus-ing her compositions with narratives hascertainly built a remarkable song libraryfor Roxy, though the obvious challenge ofimparting a theme or story in instrumen-tal music to the audience can trip up anyartist. For her, this situation has parlayeditself into a new opportunity to connectwith audiences, opening up a conversationbetween Roxy and listeners at shows.
"One of the skills I'm working on as abandleader is talking to the audience,engaging with them and finding what sto-ries seem to make sense to tell in a live set-ting," she says. "When I first playedChasing the Unicorn in a live setting, Italked a lot about female empowerment,because of what was going on in the newsat that time. That seemed to really res-onate with people. It can be a lot, but Ithink what's cool is that if people connectwith something you say, they can come upand engage with you after. Maybe theyhave questions, or they have somethingthey want to share."
Indeed, bringing the stories and theirthemes to the audience, and pairing thediscussion with the music has enhancedRoxy's own connections with listeners, andopened up new conversations with fans.With luck, a wider jazz audience will con-tinue to relate to her music, and learn fromits message.
Roxy Coss plays at the Cornelia Street Underground Dec. 20. To learnmore, visit www.roxycoss.com.
Celebrations California-based Kellye Gray's name
demands a prominent place on any list ofvocalists whose talents warrant widerrecognition. A thoughtful singer with asmoky lower register, Kellye sports a vocalstyle that can recall Carmen McRae orNancy Wilson, and is particularly capableof heart-wrenching pathos in her balladwork. While not a household name in NewYork, Kellye deserves the undivided atten-tion of any fan of vocal jazz, and her per-
Roxy Coss
continued on page 28
Coss photo by Anna Yatskevich.
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By Nick Dunston
FRESH TAKES
HOT FLASHES...continued from page 27
IF YOU'VE BEEN TO SOME OF THEmany jam sessions in New York City,
you've probably heard pianist KellyGreen. Already an accomplished instru-mentalist, Kelly also uses her skills as ajazz vocalist to connect with her audiences.
"Singing's been a big part of me sincechildhood," she recalls. "When playersknow the lyrics, they have a deeper rela-tionship with the song. This allows them tophrase the melody with more meaning,and, in turn, their improvisations have astronger connection to the piece."
Among frequent performances at venuesall around New York, Kelly hosts a weeklyjam session at Cleopatra's Needle onSunday nights with bassist Alex Tremblayand drummer Evan Hyde. "I love connect-ing with people on the bandstand," sheexplains, "You may have never met or spo-ken a word to each other, but the secondyou begin to play you allow the other musi-cians into your world. I think musicians
should be encouraging each other and cre-ating a nice atmosphere. This is what we'vedone at Cleopatra's Needle with my trio."
Kelly Green brings her sextet fea-turing Christian McBride and SteveNelson to celebrate the release of heralbum Life Rearranged at Smalls JazzClub Dec. 13. She also performs withher trio at Minton’s Playhouse Dec. 20.
formance at Jazz at Kitano on Dec. 6with the Frank Kimbrough Trio featuringMike Clark undoubtedly serves as the per-fect introduction for the uninitiated.
Gary Bartz kicks off the Countdown2018 John Coltrane Festival at SmokeJazz & Supper Club on Dec. 14. The festi-val series, running into January, will fea-ture performances by stalwarts likeHarold Mabern, Eric Alexander, Jimmy Cobb, Louis Hayes, Jeremy Pelt and more. Visit www.smokejazz.comfor a full schedule.
The annual Jazz Nativity takes placeDec. 17 at the Christ and Saint Stephen'sChurch. This year features PaquitoD'Rivera, Wycliffe Gordon, and
Kellye Gray
Maurice Chestnut as the three wise men,with a backing band that includes ScottRobinson, Art Baron and more. Visitwww.chelseaopera.org for tickets.
New Year’s ConcertsRene Marie rings in the New Year at
Jazz Standard with a special prix fixe mealand champagne toast for revelers. Visitwww.jazzstandard.com for more details.
At the Village Vanguard, The BadPlus celebrates the New Year at one of theclubs that helped launch the band's nation-al profile. Visit www.villagevanguard.comto make a reservation.
Chris Botti celebrates the New Yearwith his 13th annual holiday residency atthe Blue Note. More information availableat www.bluenotejazz.com.
At Birdland, The Birdland Big Bandwith special guest Veronica Swiftwelcome 2018. Check details at www.birdlandjazz.com.
John Zorn, Chris Speed, Brad Shepik, Ikue Mori, Jim Black and a bevy of master improvisers ring in the NewYear at the last-ever New Year’s perform-ance at The Stone, before the venue closespermanently in February. Find out moreat www.thestonenyc.com.
At Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, PaquitoD’Rivera teams up with CarlosHenriquez to lead a Latin jazz celebrationof the year. Make a reservation online atwww.jazz.org.
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B A C K S TA G E PA S SJAZZ ANECDOTE BY BILL CROW
Bill Crow's books "Jazz Anecdotes" and "From Birdland to Broadway" can befound at your favorite bookstore, and at www.billcrowbass.com
along with many interesting photos and links.Many years ago, while I was playing with the Gerry Mulligan Quartet at Storyville in
Boston, two college boys came up to the bandstand. One of them asked Art Farmer for hisautograph and Art obliged, but when the guy read his signature, he said: "Oh, aren't youChet Baker?" Chet hadn’t been a member of Gerry’s quartet for years.
The guy started to rip up the slip of paper. "Don't tear it up!" exclaimed his friend, "Hemay be somebody too, someday!"…
continued on page 28A Moment You Missed by Fran Kaufman Hot HouseContributing Photographer
On the first night of the Litchfield JazzFestival in 2010, the Benny Green Triowas a featured act. Here, the trio: saxophon-ist Wes “Warmdaddy” Anderson, bassistBen Wolfe and Benny go over the set list inpreparation for their gig. The next year, Imet Ben on West End Avenue and he toldme how excited his parents were when theysaw my photo of him and Benny in my exhi-bition at the Oregon Jewish Museum. I did-n’t know until then that Ben was a Portlandnative.
COWELL...continued from page 17
faithful to them in terms of securing theright situations for all of us."
Stanley Cowell performs at SmokeJazz & Supper Club Dec. 8-10 withBruce Williams, Jay Anderson andBilly Drummond in a celebration ofthis year's release of No Illusions.
LISTINGS...continued from page 26
Nathan Bohach Gp; 12: Diamond AndersonGp; 19: Greg DeAngelis Gp.
HYATT HOTEL: 2 Albany St. New Brunswick.www.newbrunswick.hyatt.com. 732-873-1234. Thurs: 8-11pm free adm The NewBrunswick Jazz Project/www.nbjp.org. Dec7: Josh Evans Qrt; 14: Dave Stryker Qrt; 21:Charlie Sigler Qrt.
INC RESTAURANT: 302 George St. NewBrunswick. www.increstaurant.com. 732-640-0553. Wed: 8-11pm free adm The NewBrunswick Jazz Project/www.nbjp.org. Dec6: Marianne Solivan Trio; 13: Molly MasonTrio.
NOVITA: 25 New St. Metuchen. 732-549-5306.www.novitanj.com. Dec 31: 9pm-1amChampian Fulton.
MONMOUTHMANALAPAN LIBRARY: 125 Symmes Dr.
Manalapan. 732-431-7220. Dec 10: 2-4pm
Marlene VerPlancks Qrt w/spec guest HarryAllen.
MORRISBICKFORD THEATRE: 6 Normandy Heights
Rd. Morristown. 973-971-3706. www.morrismuseum.org/jazz-showcase. Dec 14: 7:30-9:30pm $20-17 adm Champian Fulton w/specguests Antoinette Montague & “King”Solomon Hicks.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH: 51 Washington St.Morristown. www.fbcmorristownnj.com. 973-538-4477. Dec 31: 9:45-11:30pmMorristown's First Night feat Maurício deSouza & Bossa Brasil®.
SHANGHAI JAZZ: 24 Main St. Madison. 973-822-2899. www.shanghaijazz.com. Free adm.Sets: Sun 6-8:30pm, Tues 6:30-9pm, Wed-Thurs 7-9:30pm, Fri 6:30&8:35pm, Sat6:15&8:35pm. Closed Mon. Tues: JohnKorba. Dec 1: Tony Desare; 2: April & NathanWebb; 3: Brynn Stanley; 6: Dan LevinsonTrio; 7: Adrian Cunningham Trio; 8: DonBraden/Karl Latham Big Funk Band; 9: PabloBencid Trio; 10: John Carlini/Bill Robinson;13: Ed Laub Trio; 14: Tomoko Ohno/JayLeonhart; 15: Rob Paparozzi Qt; 16: AxelTosca; 20: Nicki Parrot/Rossano Sportiello;21: Andrew Van Tassel; 22: Charlie BrownChristmas feat Eric Mintel; 23: ChampianFulton; 31: “King” Solomon Hicks Qrt.
OCEANOCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE: College Dr.
Toms River. 732-255-0500. www.ocean.edu.$18/22 adm. www.njjs.org. Concerts: 8-9:30pm. Dec 13: Peter & Will Anderson.
continued on page 30
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30 For comprehensive daily updated listings with sort-by options—by artist, location, day or time—go to www.hothousejazz.com.
continued from page 29
PASSAICWILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY: 300
Pompton Rd. Wayne. www.wpunj.edu. 973-720-2371. Dec 3: 4pm Horacee Arnold Triow/Buster Williams; 9: 8pm WP Jazz Orch &guests.
SOMERSETWATCHUNG ARTS CENTER: 18 Stirling Rd.
Watchung. www.watchungarts.org. 908-753-0190. Dec 9: 8pm $18-22 adm Amani featMarty Eigen.
WARRENRUTHERFURD HALL: 1686-R Rte 517.
Allamuchy. 908-852-1894. www.rutherfurdhall.org. Dec 10: 3-5pm $25/20 adm Jazz atthe Rutherfurd feat Houston Person & DavidLeonhardt Trio.
76 HOUSE: 110 Main St. Tappan. 845-359-5476.www.76house.com. Wed: 8-11pm free admQuintets w/Mark Hagan & feat artists + Jam.Dec 6: Tim Armacost; 13: Warren Vaché; 20:Andy Gravish; 27: Bill Mobley.
ANNARELLA’S RISTORANTE: 247 MaldenTpke. Saugerties. 845-247-7289. www.annarellaristorante.com. Ev Wed: TeriRoiger.
ATLAS INDUSTRIES: 11 Spring St.Newburgh. www.atlasnewburgh.com. 845-391-8855. Dec 2: 8pm $20 adm Jazz at Atlasseries feat Mars Williams.
The FALCON: 1348 Rte 9 West. Marlboro.www.liveatthefalcon.com. 845-236-7970.$20 don suggested. Sets: 8-10pm. FalconUnderground (FU). Dec 3: David Amram; 6:Roland Vazquez Qnt; 8: Jonny Rosch &friends; 10: Sexmob & Cultural Capital; 13:7pm FU Jazz Sessions; 14: Latin JazzExpress; 17: Eliot Zigmund Qrt; 20: 7pm FUPetey Hop's Roots & Blues Sessions; 21: FUbigBANG; 28: Charlie Hunter & friends.
HUDSON VALLEY VINYL: 267 Main St.Beacon. www.hudsonvalleyvinyl.com. 845-765-1411. Dec 16: 7-9pm Joe McPhee/BillyStein.
MAUREEN’S JAZZ CELLAR: 2 N Bway.Nyack. www.maureensjazzcellar.com. 845-535-3143. Sets/adm: unless otherwise notedSun 6pm, Fri-Sat 8&9:30pm $15. Dec 1: PeterFurlan Qnt; 2: Chris Pasin Qrt; 3: MichelleLordi/Orrin Evans; 6: 9pm $5 Purchase Jamw/Jason Clotter & friends; 8: Sylvia CuencaOrgan Qrt; 9: Manuel Valera Trio; 10: $25Sheila Jordan/Cameron Brown; 15: DaveStryker Qrt; 16: Alan Broadbent Trio; 17:Judi Marie Canterino; 29: Ralph Lalama Qrtw/Nicole Pasternak; 30: Pete Levin Trio.
QUINN’S: 330 Main St. Beacon. 845-202-7447.www.quinnsbeacon.com. Dec 3: 8pm $10adm Gary Lucas w/guest Jordan Shapiro.
TURNING POINT CAFÉ: 468 Piermont Av.Piermont. www.turningpointcafe.com. 845-359-1089. Mon: 8-11:30pm $5 adm MondayJam by John Richmond.
DEER HEAD INN: 5 Main St. Delaware WaterGap, PA. www.deerheadinn.com. 570-424-2000. Sets: Sun 5-8pm, Thurs 8-11pm, Fri-Sat 7-11pm. Adm varies. Residency (R):Thurs Jam w/Bill Washer & friends. Dec 1:Larry McKenna Qrt; 2: La Tanya Hall/AndyMilne; 3: 5-8pm Bovine Social Club; 7: R; 8:Iris Ornig; 9: Nancy Reed Trio; 10: Bob
NEW YORK STATE
PENNSYLVANIA
Dorough Trio; 14: R; 15: Houston Personw/David Leonhardt Trio; 16: MarianneSolivan Trio; 17: Skip & Dan Wilkins Qrt; 21:R; 22: Behn Gillece Trio; 23: Charlie BrownJazz w/Eric Mintel Qrt; 24-25: closed; 28: R;29: Esteban Castro Trio; 30: Kate Baker/VicJuris; 31: Bill Goodwin & The Resolutions.
FLUSHING TOWN HALL: 137-35 NorthernBlvd. Flushing. www.flushingtownhall.org.718-463-7700. 1st Wed: 7pm $10 adm Jamw/Carol Sudhalter. Dec 8: 8pm $16/10 TheBrubeck Brothers Qrt; 15: 8pm $10/free NewMusic Horizon.
JACKSON ROOM: 192-07 Linden Blvd. StAlbans. www.jacksonroom.com. 718-525-2387. Last Sat: 8&10pm $15 adm inclsnacks/beverage feat Ed Jackson Qrt.
JAMAICA CENTER OF ARTS & LEARN-ING: 161-04 Jamaica Av. Jamaica.www.jcal.org. 718-658-7400. Dec 14: 8pmJazz Gallery feat Camila Meza.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG HOUSE MUSEUM: 34-56 107th St. Corona. 718-478-8274.www.louisarmstronghouse.org. Sun&Sat 12-5pm, Tues-Fri 10am-5pm: $10 adm GuidedTours of Louis Armstrong House.
TERRAZA: 40-19 Gleane St. Elmhurst.www.terraza7.com. 718-803-9602. Sun:9:30pm-2am $5 adm Jam w/John BenitezTrio.
ALVIN & FRIENDS: 14 Memorial Hwy. NewRochelle. www.alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com. 914-654-6549. Sets: Fri 7-10:30pm, Sat7:30-11pm/free adm. Dec 9: Leslie Pintchik;15: Joey Berkley Qrt; 16: Peter Hand Trio;22: Julius Rodriguez; 23: Leslie PintchikTrio; 29: Victor LaGamma Trio.
BEANRUNNER CAFÉ: 201 S Division &Esther St. Peekskill. 914-737-1701.www.beanrunnercafe.com. Fri-Sat: 8-10:30pm $10 adm. Dec 1: Orlando MarinOrch; 2: Bob Baldwin; 3: 4-6pm S i m o nBoyar School Jazz Ens; 9: Chip White Sxt;16: Doug Munro; 22: Tony Garnier/RobScheps Qrt; 23: Ray Blue; 29: Alva NelsonTrio; 30: Fred Smith Jazz Ens.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: 199NColumbus Av at E Lincoln Av. Mount Vernon.www.pjsjazz.org. 914-636-4977. 2nd Sun:5:15-9pm $25 adm Second Sunday Jazzseries. Dec 10: Matthew Whitaker Trio.
JAZZ FORUM: 1 Dixon Ln. Tarrytown. 914-631-1000. www.jazzforumarts.org. Sets: Sun4&6pm; Fri-Sat 7&9pm. Dec 1-2: Bill CharlapTrio; 3: Luiz Simas Qrt, 8pm $10/5 Jam; 8-9:Paquito D’Rivera Qnt; 10: Maria Tiscia & RioBound; 15-16: Duchess; 17: Isabella MendesQrt; 22-23: Houston Person Qrt; 29-31: 12/316&9:30pm Ann Hampton Callaway Trio.
Hot House is not responsible forany errors in the listings which mayhave occured from late changes orincorrect information supplied to
us. Please call the venues or checkwebsite for up to date calendars.
QUEENS
WESTCHESTER
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31Perez photo by John Abbott.
THE PANAMANIAN PIANIST, COM-poser, producer and bandleader
Danilo Perez is no stranger to the musicof Thelonious Sphere Monk. In 1996 herecorded Panamonk (Impulse!), whichreceived rave reviews and hailed byDownBeat as one of "50 top essential pianorecordings."
Today, Danilo is an influential GrammyAward winner widely known for his workwith jazz icons Dizzy Gillespie and WayneShorter and his recordings as a leader.
Also, he is seasoned, and more sensitiveto Monk's "architecture and design." "Oneof the beautiful things about growing as anartist is, everything you are exposed toinfluences you," Danilo says. "When yourevisit a tune or an artist like Monk, yousee things that you didn't see before, suchas the sound, the emotion, the mystery andbeauty."
Before Panamonk Danilo wasn't quiteinto Monk's music, but his perspectivechanged when he toured with WyntonMarsalis, who performed Monk's reper-toire with a Caribbean/New Orleansgroove. Hearing the music played that waymade him realize the connection betweenthe groove and the clave, the African link,and the folkloric connection to his country.He also credits the late saxophonist andcomposer Steve Lacy, who played withMonk, for helping him to understandMonk's work more deeply.
Danilo is one of many Latino musicianswho cite Monk as an influence. Amongthem: Eddie Palmieri aka The Latin Monk,Jerry Gonzalez (who can forget RumbaPara Monk?), and Omar Sosa, who praisesMonk for embodying "the philosophy offreedom."
Danilo began his musical training atage 3 with his father Danilo Sr., a profes-sional bandleader and singer, who gaveDanilo Jr. his first set of bongos. By the
time he was 10, he was studying theEuropean classical piano repertoire at theNational Conservatory in Panama, eventu-ally transferring to the Berklee College ofMusic to study jazz composition and thenserving as a professor at the New EnglandConservatory of Music. Perez's influencesinclude the works of Gershwin, Ellingtonand Coltrane, among others.
The pianist's prominence increasedexponentially when he moved to theUnited States. Also, he played with jazzlegends who shaped his technique andstyle including Jon Hendricks, DizzyGillespie, Terence Blanchard, ClaudioRoditi, Paquito D’Rivera, Wynton Marsalis,Tito Puente and Charlie Haden.
At Jazz Standard, the trio revisitsPanamonk, drawing from the Monk song-book and presents new, original material."Monk keeps helping me to ask more ques-tions," Danilo says. "He left a lot of 'win-dows' open. Now it's up to us to openthem."
The Danilo Perez Trio featuresbassist Ben Street and drummer TerriLyne Carrington. They celebrate thebirth and music of Thelonious Monk,one of the 20th Century's mostremarkable composers at JazzStandard Nov 30-Dec. 3.
Brilliant Corners
Panamonk Celebrates 100 Years of Monk
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EVERY YEAR AS THE HOLIDAYseason descends on us, with Christmas
music blaring in malls and stores, thisspace recommends some jazz related giftsfor listening or reading. In previous yearsclassic holiday albums from jazz giantsand big bands of the 20th Century havebeen recommended, so by now the abun-dance of such perennial jazz albums anddownloads should be obvious. So, thisHoliday Gift Guide will not reprise allthose great musical options. The CD/albumportion here spotlights new holiday musicand/or performances. Some books and web-sites are also recommended.
NEW VOICES AND SONGS ON THEHOLIDAY FRONT
One of the most enjoyable, and jazzfriendly, new albums is Baby It's ColdOutside , Chris Pasin and Friends(Planet Arts). Chris, a trumpeter andflugelhornist, is featured as the only hornin two quartets, one with Armen Donelian,piano; Ira Coleman, bass, and Jeff Siegel,drums. The other with Peter Einhorn, gui-tar; Rich Syracuse, bass, and Jeff again ondrums. In the quartets, Chris and the restmanage to create jazz inspired chords,tempos and rhythms for such familiartunes as "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"and "Christmas Time Is Hear."
Another refreshing take on familiarsongs is Christmas with Champian,Champian Fulton (champian.net). Thesinger and pianist swings through a pro-gram of familiar songs with her trio, some-times joined by her father, Stephen Fulton,on flugelhorn. Christmas Days, JasonPaul Curtis (jasonpaulcurtis.com), is amore ambitious holiday album, singerJason having written all but one of the 11tracks, and singing with the Swing Shiftbig band on five of them. The other six fea-ture the Swinglab quartet rhythm section.Jason, a jazz-pop singer in the mainstreamtradition, has written some appealing newholiday songs, and as a bonus duets on apair of them with singer Isabelle Curtis.
WORTHY EXPLORING IN PRINTOne of the best and most needed books
to come out over the last few seasons isSoul Jazz: Jazz in the Black Community,1945-1979 by Bob Porter (ExLibrus,$19.99). Bob covers a period after theswing era, when most white jazz criticsand fans were following the rise of bebop,
Holiday Gift Guide2017
By George Kanzler
Illustration by Karen Pica.
cool jazz and the trad jazz revival. It wasbefore hip-hop and rap, when R&B wasstill an outgrowth of blues and jump jazz,and there was still a vibrant live, andlargely segregated, theater and club scenein the inner city, from New York's Harlemto Newark's Central Ward, Detroit's BlackBottom and Chicago's South Side, to LosAngeles' Central Avenue. It was a networkof clubs and theaters known as the"Chitlin' Circuit." And integral to it werejazz and blues clubs in the cities, many ofthem hosting their own Hammond B3organs. The blues tinged jazz that came tothose clubs came to be known as "souljazz," and its stars were organ players,tenor saxophonists, guitarists (it’s whereGeorge Benson got his start) and drum-mers. Porter's book, divided into short sec-tions headed mostly by the names of musi-cians and other players on the scene, is acomprehensive guide to the people andplaces that made up that soul jazz scene,one that faded, due to hip-hop, rap andDJs, after the 1970s.
Good Things Happen Slowly: A Life Inand Out of Jazz by Fred Hersch (CrownArchetype, $28.00). Fred Hersch is one ofour top jazz pianists, as well as a composerwho has straddled musical categories, fromjazz to opera and chamber music. He's alsothe first openly gay and HIV-positive jazzmusician. In this autobiography he tellshis story, satisfying most questions jazzfans would want to ask about his music, aswell as candidly revealing his struggles asa gay man trying to balance his sexual ori-entation with the often very macho, heteroworld of jazz. How he managed to surviveand thrive in both is the fascinating taletold in this very readable book.
SURFING THE JAZZY WEBThe worldwide web is now bursting
with jazz related sites, blogs and apps.Jazz periodicals almost all have a pres-ence, some with a pay wall, others like thisone (www.hothousejazz.com) completelyopen and free. Many colleges and universi-ties also have jazz sites, often withdiscographies of prominent, and even notso familiar, musicians in jazz history. Ifyou are reading this from outside the NY-NJ metro area that Hot House's calendarcovers, you can check jazz events in your
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immediate area on www.jazznearyou.com.There is also a comprehensive weekly sur-vey and digest of jazz stories in periodicals,newspapers and web sites around theworld with the apt motto: "We read themorning paper for you!" It is posted week-ly by the Jazzinstitut Darmstadt inGermany at the website www.jazzinstitut.de. The posts are short precise of sto-ries from worldwide sources in many lan-guages and each features a link to thestory itself. You may need to use yourtranslate function on your browser to readthose in other languages, for the scope ofthe digest is admirably comprehensive.
DON'T OVERLOOK THESE REISSUES
Two reissues from 2017 capture twoiconic greats at the height of their careers.Les Liaisons Dangereuses 1960,Thelonious Monk (Sam Records),unearths the master tapes recorded forRoger Vadim's 1960 film version of theclassic French tale/play. The two CDsinclude incomplete takes and alternatetracks, but Thelonious was at the height ofhis powers at the time and every track isdifferent. Joining him are his regulargroup of the time: Charlie Rouse, tenorsax; Sam Jones, bass and Art Taylor,drums plus French tenor saxist BarneyWilen. Zurick 1950, Nat "King" Cole Trio(Montreux Jazz), part of the Swiss RadioJazz Series, this album captures Nat andhis trio performing mostly instrumentals,even though his recordings at the timewere mostly hit pop vocals ones. It remindsus what a great and influential pianist Nat"King" Cole was.
GIFT GUIDE...continued from page 32
Celebrate
The Hot House Jazz Awards
At the Bickford Theatre
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
Sponsored by
Join us for a celebratory concert with theWinner for Best Female Vocalist in the 2017Fans Decision Jazz Awards: CHAMPIANFULTON with special guests: AntoinetteMontague, Awards evening emcee andJazz & Blues Entertainer of the Year Awardfor 2017 and “King” Solomon Hicks, MaleRising Star Winner.
Bickford Theatre at the Morris MuseumThursday, December 14, 7:30 PMTickets start at $18.00Box Office: 973-971-3706 www.morrismuseum.org/jazz-showcase
Champian Fulton
“King” Solomon HicksAntoinette Montague
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