From the Gable's Travelogue

On Wednesday, February 16 Rosemary, I and our friend Barbra Dooley went to see Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers at Alex’s on 725.  I’m please to say it looks like they have found a new haunt.  After a long stint at the top of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, their new dig appears to be a wonderful fit.  Alex’s is a true supper club with good food, outstanding service and a large beautiful dance floor – what more could a Trad-jazz band ask for?  As they say for those who know, no explanation is necessary but for those of you who have not had the pleasure of knowing the Stompers I offer a bit of their own website verbiage:

“Here is a territory band from Dayton, Ohio which is magnetized by the moment in the late 1920's and early 1930's when classic jazz evolved into small band swing. The fluidity and polyphony of the front line remained intact, while the driving rhythm of the banjo and tuba was lightened by the substitution of guitar and string bass. Unhampered by the horn sections and written arrangements of the big band jazz that captured the years from the dawn of the depression through the denouement of World War II, the music left lead players free to explore their individual creativity with the support of a "modern" rhythm section. It looked backward with an affectionate smile, and forward with an appreciative glance.

After amassing and absorbing the wonderful music of the giants of jazz and the schools and styles of New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Kansas City and San Francisco, the aficionados who used to be affectionately termed "mouldie fygges" would scour the second hand stores for recordings from the "territories" -- those areas of lighter population density where under-recorded and under-appreciated bands often established their own sound and local traditions. Dayton, the home of the Wright Brothers and Dunbar, has been as fertile and inventive in music as it has been in technology and poetry. As inheritors of its territorial approach to traditional jazz, the Classic Jazz Stompers have enjoyed almost two decades of pleasurably fanning the flames of that tradition.”

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

They say “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” we’ll see.  Now I’m confronted with this “Social Networking” thing.  First I ignore it but then, next thing people I know want to be friends on Facebook, or Linkedin and since they are my friends of course I agree.  This keeps going on and on until one day I notice I have close to two hundred friends on Facebook that I don’t know what to do with.  Next, many of the organizations who’s meetings I attend are also talking about social networking and conducting workshops.  So I found out at the last seminar the definition of social networking is simply a conversation between two people.  Well now this has been the core element of Jazz Advocate from the beginning, so the old dog doesn’t have to learn a new trick, just another software program or two - this also has been going on since the advent of computers.  Where they rope you in on new technology is the productivity it offers.  I first started with publishing a website on this new Internet thing.  Next I began emailing newsletters out to over 5,000 supposed readers.  After a while the ISPs stopped allowing bulk emails and I had to go to an online emailing service (Constant Contact), at an additional cost.  I found composing newsletters on their server had a number of formatting issues so I now post my newsletters on our website, where I can have better control the formatting and then send out announcements using the Constant Contact email service.  The announcements include the list of subjects covered and a link to the website.  It’s now my understanding we (you and I) can set up Facebook to post my newsletter announcements on your news feed.  This simple act of networking will allow me to eliminate Constant Contact and let Jazz Advocate use that money for other jazz promotions.  I have about five months left on my current contract with Constant Contact in which to get Facebook set up.  I have created a Facebook page called Jazz Advocate in Dayton, Cincinnati & Columbus, which I will be using to post newsletter announcement.  The thing you need to do is find the page and click “Like” this page if you desire to receive our announcements.  Those not wanting to be on Facebook will be able to get the newsletters directly on our website but will have to check on a regular basis without the usual email notice.  I will say I’m finding Facebook easier to use than traditional email.  Rosemary has found it a better way to keep up with distant grandkids and their pictures. I’m not giving up on email or websites but at the same time I have no fear of this “Social Networking” thing.

The Blue Wisp Wed/Thurs

Believe I mentioned that it has been a hectic month for me, little time to get out and hear live jazz as I like to. Missed the DJO at Harrigan's South (heard it was great, including Fenton Sparks on drums) and I missed guitarist Tim Berens performing in Centerville, good music close to home and the added benefit of little cost involved. But Wednesday, 2-16-11, I and two other jazz lovers made our way down to the Blue Wisp to catch The Blue Wisp Big Band. They played some tunes that were just killer, even with about five new faces in the band. The last song was a fantastic send off enticing those in attendance to come back again soon.

But I really write at this time because I had to work late in Cincinnati the very next day, Thursday night. I had spoken with far out jazz drummer Ron Enyard at the Big Band gig and he had invited me back. I got finished early and ended my evening with Ron Enyard on drums, Dan Karlzberg on keyboards and Dan Drees on saxophone. Ron Enyard has an uncanny sense of timing no matter what he is saying on the drums, I love to hear the piano playing of Dan Karlzberg and I had actually completely lost touch with Dan Drees whom I first heard at the Old Pacchia's in Dayton. He knew his way around a tenor saxophone then and I enjoyed him again this night. Heck, it was like old home week for me. The set I heard they played Star Eyes, Surrey with the Fringe on Top and they closed out with a John Coltrane tune entitled Bessie's Blues, very enjoyable. But the surprise of the evening was a reincarnation of Chet Baker on vocals. I will admit that I will take a reincarnation of Chet Baker on trumpet over a reincarnation of Chet Baker on vocals but David Tarbell, who doubled as the bar tender, made me take a double take when he launched into a version of "I Should Care." I just kept shaking my head in amazement. It was actually a little eerie, the similarity in the voice was almost scary. He also sang "Getting Sentimental Over You" and "It Could Happen to me." I still shake my head in wonder. If you like Chet Baker vocals then get down to The Blue Wisp on Thursday nights and catch the singing bar tender, David Tarbell. You too will shake your head in wonder.

Kenny Baccus

As I was walking away from my computer I realized that I had omitted the name of the person playing the instrument that owner Butch Stone considers the foundation of Jazz Central, the B3 Organ. Mastered for 30 years by Lincoln Berry [ who by the way will be playing there again April 9th along with Adrienne Hindmarsh on B3 and her husband Josh Hindmarsh on guitar] and is currently played by Kenny Baccus. Though I missed the gig myself, it is my understanding that the Baccus Brothers packed the place the night before, on 2-12-11. A lot of talent on one stage. Congratulations.

Gary Onady originals & Jazz Central does it again

After posting my Eddie Brookshire at Gilly's comments I heard from trumpeter, flugle horn player Gary Onady. I am glad I did because now I know the actual names of his original compositions instead of just what I thought I heard. I quote from Gary as follows:

The name of the tunes I wrote were: Rena's Dream (written for my youngest daughter Rena); Hailey's Here (written for my granddaughter the day she was born).  I was writing it with the inspiration of Lee Morgan and Kenny Durham, and was to call it Kenny and Lee, but then my wife came into the room and said, Gary we have to go to the hospital, Hailey's Here, and that is how the song got its name... Sorry Kenny and Lee).

Now on to Jazz Central. I have mentioned before that I try not to write about Jazz Central too much because I go there just about every Sunday night from 8:30 to Midnight but Sunday night was special. To quote M.C., singer and trumpet player extraordinaire (not to mention a mighty fine flugle horn too), John Hampton Wagner, "two of the best tenor sax players in the Dayton area" played back and forth Sunday night, Chuck Wade (whom I am most familiar with as part of the Sinclair College Jazz Band) and King Kohler (who is part of the Air Force Band of Flight) - These two knocked the ball right out of the park on Tenor Madness - thank you John for suggesting the tune - it was truly magical. They kept things jumping all night long but they hit another home run on Mr. Magic later in the evening. They were more than ably assisted by Joseph Glenn on steel drums, Wagner on trumpet/flugle horn, Ron Applebury on electric bass, Greg Webster on drums, Cliff Darrett on congas and latin percussion, Ahmed Abdullah on congas and Mike Pilkenton on alto sax. We also heard from Ishmael Muhammad and "Craig" on drums. It was a night for the books. Thank you Butch Stone for keeping Jazz Central a place where jazz can be experienced.

Finally got out to hear some live jazz again on 2-11-11 at Gilly's - in fact, hadn't been there in a while either. Snow, ice, frigid cold, all can take their toll. Some jazz events even got postponed/canceled. Adding to all of that in my case is teaching a four hour class three nights a week but last night I finally made it out again. Heard a group I have written about before and try to catch every time I can, The Eddie Brookshire Quintet, now made up of the original core trio, Eddie Brookshire on bass, Jack Novotny on tenor sax, soprano sax & flute and Gary Onady on trumpet and flugel horn. Two newer members who seem to now be permanent members are Fenton Sparks on drums and Keigo Hirakawa on piano - you can check them all out at the band website; http://www.eddiebrookshiremusic.com/bios.html - I was running out of steam last night as the evening wore on at my house but I forced myself out the door and down to Gilly's - am I glad I did. The band was clicking on all cylinders. It has been a while since I have heard a Bebop oriented band that listened to each other so well and played together so well, playing off each other like they had practiced a million times. It was quite a treat.

As you no doubt can tell by my slow start, I got there about mid-way through their scheduled performance. It must have been near perfect timing for the set because they played for at least an hour after I got there before taking a break. The first tune I heard was blues, unfortunately I did not catch the entire name of the song. As they say in some circles these days, it was all good. A group near perfectly melded in purpose. The next tune was entitled Myth of the Poseidon, which I believe was written by Keigo Hirakawa. I have always loved the way that Gary & Jack do their ensemble work and this tune was what I would call frantic Bebop. It went a little over the edge for me but that is one thing you can count on out of The Eddie Brookshire Quintet, they are going to take you right to the ragged edge a few times a night and you just have to hold on for ride. This was followed up with a jazz standard, thought not heard that often, If I were a Bell. The Quintet played perfectly on this one. Eddie talked his wife Brenda Flowers into coming up to sing My Funny Valentine and I must say I really enjoyed her scatting on this tune. Next up was another original, I believe by Gary Onady entitled Winter Dreams. It actually put me in mind of Minor Blues from their CD "Bass Notes - The Heart Beat of Jazz" - a song I love. There was a break in there somewhere but they later played a really memorable version of Cedar Walton's Bolivia. It is hard to go wrong with Cedar Walton tunes. The bass solo was intriguing. This was followed by another Gary Onady original, the name of which I did not catch and there was a particularly good bass solo, everybody was cookin' and Fenton Sparks tore it up on the drums.

I thought they were ending the evening with a Kenny Burrell tune, added to their book thanks to sweet talking Brenda Flowers from a previous gig with the great guitarist Kenny Burrell. Thank you Brenda. It was a beautifully played and interplayed song, especially Jack Novotny on flute and Gary Onady on flugle horn, but I was sitting there thinking that as beautifully played as it was, it was a bit anticlimactic to what they had played previously for a final song. But I anticipated incorrectly, even with the Twelve o'clock hour knocking on the door the Quintet played one final tune of the night. Once again the band Bebopped their way excellently through the final tune, the bass solo and drum solo of particular note, in fact, the drum solo was fantastic. If you haven't heard The Eddie Brookshire Quintet you are in for a treat and if you weren't there last night, you REALLY missed it. Thank goodness I made myself head down to Gilly's. Thank you Jerry Gilloti.

The third rule, The Slaughter Brothers, Grammy nomination & Jazz Alley

[The third rule & The Slaughter Brothers] - All I can say is Wow! Last night at Jazz Central was one to remember. The third rule was in full swing, a Holiday on Monday brought out Todd Bridges, a killer trombone player; Mark Smarelli, an unbelievable vibes player; and M.C. John Hampton Wagner's wife (no wait, she was part of the audience) - then to top it all off, fresh from a Grammy nominated recording and N'awlins was Clarence Slaughter (the Grammy nominated recording is Backatown with Trombone Shorty) and his "little" brother William Patrick Slaughter (who now has a regular gig up in Cleveland - for the uninitiated, Patrick is affectionately know as "Little Pops") - the two of them just brought the house down, especially on a very rapid rendition of Straight No Chaser. We also were blessed with the presence of Cameron Voorhees on guitar and last night he was on fire. From Clarence to Patrick to Mark to Cameron, the solos just kept cookin' on Straight No Chaser. Did I mention Todd Bridges on trombone? That cat can play! Seriously, the whole place was electric all night long. Owner Butch Stone and I just kept shaking our heads at the music coming from the bandstand area. Kenny Baccus did some serious cookin' as well on the B3 organ and Greg Webster never missed a beat on drums. Cliff Darrett was his usual creative self on latin percussions and Rodderick Wilson was lighting things up on trumpet. Whew! John Hampton Wagner kept the party going with some very fitting solos and his usual great vocals. It was just an incredible night. But wait, I'm not finished. Kenny Baccus' brother Roger was in from California and he played B3 during the usual break time. Things ratched up a notch because Roger came to play. He was joined by Fenton Sparks on drums and Fenton Sparks not only came to play but was having more fun than anyone else and believe me, everyone else was having lots of fun. Between Roger on B3, Fenton on Drums and Cameron on guitar, their level of music on a tune called Pepperdine Drive (no doubt Pepperdine in California) brought all the musicians back up from break and then things really lit up. As we always say on nights like this, "Isn't anybody recording this stuff?" Pure enjoyment. Just about forgot, we even had a steel drum player last night. I've been going to Jazz Central for over ten years and I never remember a steel drum player. Kraig Brock from Central State University wowed the crowd and gave the song St. Thomas an authenticity heretofore not experienced at Jazz Central. Frankly, it was good to see some Central State jazz musicians back down at Jazz Central. That has not been a regular occurrence since Mario Abney took off for New Orleans some years ago. And last but most certainly not least, guest drummers Ishmael Mohamed and Henry Miles Preston added to the mix as they always do when the join the jazz jam. What a night!

I want to make a special comment about the Grammy nominated recording, Backatown. Some years ago when Clarence Slaughter was still in high school, he played with the Dayton area Serious Young Musicians. The band, which included previously mentioned Mario Abney, opened for the touring Motown back up band often called collectively The Funk Brothers. I wrote about this then, heck, you might even be able to locate my write up in the Jazz Advocate Jazz Talk archives if you looked hard enough, but I saw Clarence Slaughter bring a packed house at The Fraze Pavilion to their feet! I've always said over 2,000 people but I just did a quick Google check and it was probably over 4000 people. He brought the house down! What a performance. I just want to extend a special congratulations to Dayton's own Clarence Slaughter for his participation in a Grammy nominated recording. Clarence, you deserve it.

Last but most assuredly not least, there is no way around it any more. There is a new Jazz Alley in the Dayton area. It is Ohio 725 starting at Alex's Supper Club on Monarch Drive just east of Alex Road where Dave Greer and the Classic Jazz Stompers play every Wednesday night, past the Dayton Mall to Carver's Restaurant just east of Yankee Trace/675 where The Shawn Stanley Trio is playing every Friday night, to just around the corner from the intersection of Lyons Road & 725 to Harrigan's South where DJO holds forth on the first Thursday of every month to just a block or so down the road (but before you get to Ohio 48) to The Liquid Room which has jazz every Thursday night. So Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night jazz lovers can hear jazz somewhere on 725 between Miamisburg and OH 48 in Centerville. Hats off to the new Jazz Alley! [OK, technically The Shawn Stanley Trio does not play a lot of jazz abut they are a very talented group and when they DO play jazz, they really have the chops.]

One final note (not indicated in the header for this blog entry), I just heard some excellent jazz at Spinoza's out at the Mall at Fairfield Commons. Tim Berens and Frank Proto (who has a bass older than the United States) laid down some memorable music. Everything was clicking and they were even better than usual and that is saying a lot. Apparently the duo is doing a performance at the Taft Theater in Cincinnati sometime in March. They played a world premier of one of their compositions and we were all glad we were there to have that experience. Thanks Glen for having jazz at Spinoza's.

Holiday Jazz Central Jazz Jam

Three things: the last hour is the best, you never know what is going to happen and Holidays bring returning jazz jammers. I have said for many years that even if you have other things you need to tend to on Sunday night, 11:00 to Midnight at Jazz Central is still worth the trip. You never know who is going to show up and what musical magic can happen, and often does. But one rule that I even forget about is the Holiday rule. Musicians originally from the area come home for the Holidays. Last night we were blessed with the presence of a musician who started playing there even before he could drive and now he has graduated college and is attending graduate school on Memphis, Keith Moore - Keith always had a distinct style and now he plays even stronger and more confident. It was quite the treat. And another jazz jammer who has moved back into the area after being down in Atlanta for some time is trombonist Todd Bridges. He teaches in the area now and does not always feel he can come down on Sunday nights but no school Monday meant jazz jam on Sunday night. He has some serious chops and trombone players are so rare at the Jazz Central Jazz Jam. Then, to top things off, guitar player extraordinaire Cameron Vorhees showed up to play, and I do mean play! We heard some great solos. The usual jazz jam cast and crew was down to bare bones, John Hampton Wagner, trumpet and vocals, Ron Applebury on bass guitar, Greg Webster on drums (relieved a couple times by "Craig" and Henry Miles Preston) and of course Kenny Baccus on B3 organ but all four carrying the weight of the jazz jam as usual, and it was a good night for a jazz jam.

Spinoza's and The Blue Wisp

Thanks to Mr. Jazz Advocate himself, Ron Gable, I was able to catch the first set by Brian Cashwell and Mike Teckenbrock at Spinoza's recently. Both Brian and Teck are worth going to see so to have them both on the same stage was a treat. One song I inquired about was Black Orpheus, a song I never seem to be able to recognize - what a beautiful solo by Brian Cashwell on keyboards and Mike Teckenbrock on flugle horn. This was also one of long time jazz aficionado, Don Henke's, favorite tunes. You may be gone Don but you are certainly not forgotten. This was followed by the song Yesterdays which was very nicely done. Teck played flugle horn on this one so elegantly. It is always an enjoyable experience to hear these guys and they closed out that first set with Oh Christmas Tree. A great closer. Both musicians played off each other as if they had rehearsed the song over and over. Sorry I could only stay for one set.

Then I was lucky enough to be able to go down to the Blue Wisp Jazz Club in Cincinnati the very next night and catch The Blue Wisp Big Band. Their performance always leaves us shaking our heads and asking ourselves why we don't get down there more often. They are just outstanding. We heard outstanding solos by Hank Mountner on trumpet, Kim Pensyl on trumpet, Joe Gaudio on tenor sax, Paul Pillar on trombone, Steve Schmidt on piano and many others. Of course, the Big Band that has been together now going into their 32nd year is held together and driven by Jon Von Ohlen, former drummer for Stan Kenton, and someone Don Henke once called the best big band drummer in the world. He sure makes it look easy. And I want to give a special shout out to Larry Dixon on baritone sax and Mike Sharfe on bass for stirring the crowd up with one of my favorites, Paging Betty, written by Larry Dixon in honor of Betty Page. A fantastic night of big band music. The place was packed and as Jon Von Ohlen told the crowd, the best audience is a big audience that is listening, and everybody was. I encourage you to visit the Blue Wisp on Wednesday night and catch The Blue Wisp Big Band yourself. It is a treat.

Rick Evans, The Masters of Jazz & more

Saturday night I was lucky enough to get finished with my Christmas tree hunting and related activities in time to catch some of the celebration get together for crooner Rick Evans and his Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations to Rick! Rick was backed by The Masters of Jazz, the inimitable Jim Smith on guitar, Vinnie on the skinny [Vinny Marshal on bass] and the flugle horn player extraordinaire, Mike Teckenbrock. Rick was also joined by guest vocalist Beverly Jackson - geez, haven't heard her in months and get to hear her twice within just a couple of weeks. All-in-all, very enjoyable.

The first Thursday of this month of December, 2010 I was also able to catch the Dayton Jazz Orchestra (DJO) at Harrigan's South in Centerville. It is always a good night if you get to hear DJO as they are quite the accomplished big band jazz group. Naturally the players change slightly from performance to performance but that never seems to hurt their sound. It was a fun night, got to take my granddaughter for part of it, heard some great Christmas carols and former Stan Kenton trumpet player John Harner played one of the sweetest solos I have ever heard. DJO & Big Band aficianado Bob Young agreed with me that it was a perfect solo. Thank you John Harner and thank you DJO.

While I was glad to catch DJO just a few minutes from my house, I unfortunately missed other accomplished musicians down in the Cincy area at the Redmoor where arguably my favorite bass player, Mike Sharfe, joined piano player Steve Alee. Mike called Steve a great artist and an amazing piano player as he lamented the all to often "very dismal turnouts" - so I hope their turnout was a good one. Speaking of missing a desirable gig, somehow I managed to miss the Eddie Brookshire Quintet when they recently performed at The Liquid Room, a new jazz venue just East of 48 on 725 in Centerville. My apologies Eddie, hope the gig lived up to expectations. well, that's it for now. Hope to see some of you around town at the live jazz performances. We may have lost the Crown Plaza but we have gained The Liquid Room, Harrigan's South, and hopefully Carvers, now hosting the displaced Shawn Stanley Trio (who can lay down some pretty good jazz licks). May have to start calling OH 725 between Yankee Trace and OH 48 the new jazz corridor.

Special Performances at Jazz Central

I attend the Sunday night jazz jam at Jazz Central out on East Third in Dayton just about every Sunday night. The jam starts around 8:30 and goes to around Midnight. Frankly, I try not to write about Jazz Central all that much or I would be posting something just about every week but this past week saw Adrienne Hindmarsh on B3 organ with husband Josh Hindmarsh, accompanied by Henry Miles Preston on drums as they faced off with Jazz Central Jazz Jam B3 organist Kenny Baccus with Greg Webster on drums. John Hampton Wagner was master of ceremony and got to sing and play pocket trumpet a little bit. I will take this opportunity to sing the praises of Josh and Adrienne. If you missed it I am sorry you did. You can sample their music by picking up a copy of their newest recording, Blue Skies, which I believe is available at CD Baby. It was a great night of music.

The very next night I did not get to the jazz jam until the last hour. I got there just in time to see Serious Young Musician prodigies Craig Hill on Tenor Saxophone and Tyrone Martin on alto saxophone and Coran Henley on drums. Any one of them can play and with all three on the bandstand it was almost overwhelming, AND, Cameron Vorhees has returned from his goodwill trip to the southern hemisphere to play his usual wonderful jazz guitar. These guest musicians were ably accompanied by the usual cast of characters, Kenny Baccus on B3, Cliff Darrett on latin percussions, Ahmed Muhammad on congas, John Hampton Wagner on trumpet and vocals and Roderick Wilson on trumpet. We were even blessed by the presence of Beverly Jackson who had not graced the stage in over a year. A memorable last hour for sure.

Was just down in Cincinnati at the Washington Platform seafood restaurant and heard Sandy Suskind on flute and Rob Allgeyer on keyboards. Took my daughter and her daughter along with me and enjoyed the "Second Sunday" buffet sponsored by Washington Platform and owner Jon Diebold. Thanks to Jon for reminding Ron Gable who reminded me that this jazz scene is still happening. And I do mean happening. Heard some excellent flute work by Sandy on "There is no Greater Love" and a swinging rendition of "Sonny Moon for Two", both musicians listening and playing off each other and then some enjoyable keyboard work on "My One and Only Love." Readers can hear both Rob and Sandy in various jazz venues around the area, especially Cincinnati, but I highly recommend second Sundays at the Washington Platform. Thank you again Jon. Following the first set break the duo was joined by Mike Sharfe. I love to hear Mike any time that I can and they kicked off the second set with "Agua de Babar" - (don't hold me to that spelling) written by Antonio Carlos Jobim. This was followed by an invigorating rendition of "The Masquerade is Over". Up next was some particularly nice bass work by Mike on "Memories of Tomorrow", a Keith Jarrett tune. Unfortunately, this was all I could stay for but thoroughly enjoyable. The food is good and there is quite a beer selection, always an attraction for me. I have been to hear jazz at Washington Platform before and it always delights. Thanks again Jon Diebold. Remember readers, the second Sunday of each month at Washington Platform from 2:00 to 5:00 at 1000 Elm Street in Cincinnati.

Jazz Central Jazz Jam does it again

Visited my usual Sunday night destination again this week and was treated to the talent of Archie McPheerson on the fluglebone. Yeah, that's right, I said the fluglebone. What in the world is a fluglebone you might ask? Well, as the name implies, it is a cross between a flugle horn and a trombone. I am so glad that I was at Gilly's recently to hear the Eddie Brookshire Quintet because that is where I ran into Archie. We talked about the last time he was at Jazz Central (way too long ago) and how he had played a bass trumpet and a fluglebone. I urged him to come down again in the near future and so he did. He was invited up to play with Eddie's Quintet along with two excellent sax players from Detroit (I apologize for not getting their names) and local trumpeter, Roderick Wilson [who has a new CD out by the way, a copy of which can be purchased in person at Jazz Central on most Sunday evenings] - Roderick is often at the Jazz Central Jam on Sunday nights but this particular night he was filling in for John Hampton Wagner and I might add that he did quite the credible job! Ron Applebury was there on bass guitar, Cliff Darrett was there on congas and Latin Percussion, Kenny Baccus on the B3, Greg Webster on drums (helped out by Henry Miles Preston) and "the fish boat man" also on congas. Roderick played some solos that would just knock you out and Archie helped keep things fired up on that fluglebone. You never know what you are going to get at Jazz Central on Sunday but some of those nights are pretty special.

E-mail From Greg Turner: jazzgt@fuse.net

Dear Ron:

In case you were wondering I did attend the Chicago Jazz Festival this Labor Day Weekend and I noticed a few changes.

In addition to the weekend concerts at the 3 Grant Park stages and the Friday afternoon Cultural Center concerts, Thursday and Friday featured evening concerts at nearby Milllennium Park. I missed Thursday and Friday afternoon, but was at the park all day Saturday and Sunday. .

Flautist and composer Nicole Mitchell, who has performed in Cincinnati several times for the Loft Society, was the festival artist-in-residence, performing with 5 groups in 3 days.. I saw her with her Black Earth Orchestra, premiering a composition written for the festival, and the smaller Black Earth Ensemble, with special guest harpist Edmar Castaneda.

Pianist Ramsey Lewis became very popular during the 60s thru hit records such as "The In Crowd" and his version of the spritual "Wade In The Water". Now 75 years young,, the Chicago native closed Friday evening Victor Lewis
at Millennium Park with a joyous birthday celebration featuring new versions of his hits, some swinging gospel songs, and some newer unmamed compositions, earning a rousing standing ovation.

While again I noticed less local or regional participation than in years past, I was treated to a great surprise. While catching the fire from drummer Dana Hall's killer quintet Saturday, with trumpeter Nicholas Payton, subbing for Terell Stafford(!), someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and there was Anthony Lee. The former Cincinnati resident now lives in Brooklyn and was in the quartet of another former Cincinnatian, former CCM professor Brad Goode, whose quartet played Sunday afternoon. at Grant Park and Sunday morning at the Jazz Record Mart. Now teaching at the University of Colorado, Goode also sat in with another current Colorado resident, vocalist Rene Marie, who I recall performing a at a well attended outdoor concert at Central State Universsity several years ago.. By the way, Hall had a release party for his debut CD at the Blue Wisp in January of this year. (I think I saw you there) After Marie's excellent Saturday evening set came my favorite performance of this year's festival, the Lee Morgan tribute. Conceived by Trumpeter David Weiss and boasting a front line of Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, and Bennie Maupin, and a rhythm section of George Cables, Dwayne Burno, and Victor Lewis, this is a true 'all-star" group .After the grand introduction to Harper's "Capra Black" I knew we were in for a memorable musical experience. They ended the set with Morgan's all time classic "The Sidewinder", which got some people dancing in the aisles

Sunday afternoon I had to deal with the dilemma of 2 groups I wanted to see on at the same time, Chicago vocalist Saalik Ziyad's 5 after 7 Project and drummer Brian Blade's Fellowship.. Ziyad played in Newport KY for the Loft Society a day earlier, so I wanted to see what I'd missed, since I usually MC the shows there, while Blade is simply one of the baddest drummers on the scene. So I caught the first half of Ziyad's set, really digging his version of Joe Henderson's "Black Narcissus", and the last half of the Fellowship, where Myron Walden's passionate alto and Blade's dynamic drumming brought the house down.. Speaking of drummers , Vocalist Kurt Elling's group ended the festival on a high note displaying his style and versatility on old standards and jazzy versions of recent pop songs. His group featured a killing young drummer who I had never heard of. His name is Ulysees Owens Jr. and I can't wait to hear him behind some horns. And as always, here are a few photos to share with my fellow Jazz Advocate readers. Till the next time...

Greg Turner

Spinoza's is a live jazz venue of note

Recently heard Greg Abate on alto sax with Lee McKinney (drums) & Randy Villars (keyboards) and as always, Greg put on an excellent performance. But just this past weekend I heard Time Berens on guitar and Frank Proto on bass. Both of these were at Spinoza's - hats off to Spinoza's for sponsoring live jazz and their food and drinks are noteworthy as well. Tim and Frank played a version of All Blues that I am quite certain was different from any version ever played before and Frank Proto played his 200 year old bass like I am pretty sure no one has ever played it before. If you weren't there then you really missed an unbelievable version of All Blues. I am still shaking my head in amazement.

Jazz Central Jazz Jam delivers

Here is another report from the jazz trenches - Sunday, 9-26-10, found the Jazz Central Jazz Jam with no saxophones, not one, instead there was John Hampton Wagner on trumpet (John being the usual M.C., vocalist, trumpet & flugle horn player), Rodderick Wilson on trumpet and flugle horn and Dale Carpenter on trumpet. Rodderick has been showing up more frequently to participate in the jams [and he has a new CD out] and we are always glad when Dale Carpenter stops in (which he has done a couple times recently) - these three trumpet players were in rare form in that they delivered six of the best consecutive solos that I (or WDPS Big Band host Conrad Jessee) have heard at Jazz Central since I started regularly attending in 2001. I always say the last hour is the best so even when you cannot get down until 11:00 p.m. on a Sunday, and sometimes I cannot, it is worth the trip. Wow!

Running behind on reporting some of my recent jazz excursions. Some weeks ago my wife and I traveled to The Redmoor in the Cincinnati area to listen to one of her favorite jazz guitar players, Dan Faehnle (mine too), accompanied by Jim Connerly on keyboards, Mike Sharfe on bass and Tony Franklin on drums. Dan Faehnle once again accompanied by some of the Cincinnati areas best and for my money, it is tough to beat Jim Connerly on piano or Mike Sharfe on bass but all are excellent jazz musicians. Many thanks to Doc B. Productions and Walt Broadnax for keeping jazz alive. I urge all who can make it to attend the performances Doc makes available.

In the meantime, I traveled back down to the Cincinnati area with WDPS FM (89.5) Big Band Show Guru Conrad Jessee to hear one of our favorite singers, April Aloisio. She did not disappoint plus she was accompanied by Phil Burkhead on keyboards and Sandy Suskind on flute. They did make the trip worthwhile and Phil tipped me off to a faculty recital coming up in September.

Shortly after that, Conrad and I (plus this trip his son-in-law came too) made our occasional sojourn to the Blue Wisp Jazz Club on a Wednesday night to hear the Blue Wisp Big Band. Every time we hear them we just have to shake our heads in amazement and wonder why we do not get down there more often. So many world class musicians and driven by what the late jazz aficionado, Don Henke, referred to as 'the world's best big band drummer" - Jon Von Ohlen, a former Stan Kenton drummer. They are always fantastic but on this night a special shout out to Hank Mountner and Kim Pensyl on trumpet.

Today I made time to run over to the University of Dayton to hear a faculty recital headed up by Garin Webb on Saxophone [thank you Phil Burkhead for the tip]. It was not very well publicized, a loss for those who might have attended otherwise, but Garin on tenor sax, Phil Burkhead on a "real piano" with Eddie Brookshire on bass and Fenton Sparks on drums. The Faculty recitals usual last about an hour but three songs are worth note, Phil Burkhead kicked off "Blue Monk" and the bass and drums made it quite an interaction between the three performers with Garinn Webb playing the role of Monk's long time tenor sax player, Charlie Rousch. I have heard Ishfahon many times, a Billy Strayhorn composition played by Ellington's band among others but today I really heard it for the first time. What a beautiful tune. Garin Webb was absolutely at his best as he turned another beautiful Billy Strayhorn composition into something truly special. Thank you Garin. The quartet ended the performance with a rousing rendition of "In Walked Bud" - another Monk tune. All musicians played excellent solos but what kept coming through to me throughout the final tune was the baseline laid down by Eddie Brookshire and he added a memorable solo as well.

Excerpt from a Wilbert Longmire press release.

My Other Mother - Touching a life

By Wilbert Longmire

Join me for a special musical tribute to “My Other Mother”, Dr. Bessie C. Noble.

        When I was young and didn’t know what I wanted to be in life, I had very encouraging people around me. People with strong ethics and principles. Of course I had my mother, Mrs. Mildred C. Longmire-Nichols (known as Mother Mildred by the city of Cincinnati, the police force, City Hall, the Urban League, 48 Hrs of CBS television network, etc), and my father, W.T. Longmire, a city of Cincinnati employee for many years. Both parents gave me an example of things to follow that I will never forget.
        Moving from Mobile, AL, via Pensacola, FL, to Cincinnati’s west-end was no easy task. My parents arrived with little funds looking for opportunities, like many others before them from the south (I was only three years old).
        As I grew up, the west-end of Cincinnati (primarily a black neighborhood) was quite an experience for me. Back then we didn’t have much in the way of financial opportunities. My mother had to do what we call day work; or what was known as domestic work, working for wealthy white families. The one thing we did have was a cohesive caring community, a village of sorts. Somebody else’s family, or mother, could discipline us while our mother was away; this was an accepted practice.
        As a youngster we would play, fight each other, but we’d also fight for each other - fighting one day, playing the next. In our village we were inspired by great caring heroes and sheroes who made sure we were armed with integrity, values, respect, dignity, pride, and an iron-willed desire to make something out of ourselves. They inspired us to go for our greatness, while assuring us that if we worked hard and prayed, we could reach any goal, no matter how many obstacles in our path.
        There were many great teachers that inspired me in those days, but none got my attention as much as Mrs. Bessie C. Noble of Hayes Elementary School (my 6th grade teacher). Mrs. Noble was much more than a teacher, she was larger than life, to me as an 11-year old student. She took a personal interest in all of her students…it was as though we were her kids. She was like our mother, teaching us everything from hygiene to manners. She was my other mother!
        She was a stern, no nonsense educator who had zero tolerance for mediocrity, insisting on excellence from all her students. When somebody would act out in her class she had a little red stick, which she would quickly give you a few good licks in your hand, and usually that was all it took to get you back in line. She is the lady that changed and redirected my life.
        She told me that if I was good the remainder of the year, she would recommend me for instrumental music to Mr. Charles Keys (music teacher at Porter Jr. High). This was the spark that triggered a 53 year musical career that included: two international major recording companies (United Artist (1969), C.B.S. Records (1977)); producer, writer, arranger, lecturer, and radio personality; and provided international exposure, allowing me to tour the USA, Asia and Europe.
        Her guidance and tutelage inspired me to encourage others, where I later aided in igniting such world-renowned talents as: Bootsy Collins, Sugarfoot Leroy Bonner (Ohio Players), Sheldon Reynolds (EWF), Roman Johnson (Isley Brothers), Nate Best (O’ Jays, Levert), Odeen Mays (Kool and the Gang), and Darnell (Dee) Bristol (The Deele). To further help others, I founded Millie’s House of Music, a nonprofit organization teaching music to inner-city youth, while also awarding free musical instruments, all the while keeping “my other mother” in mind.
        Mrs. Noble, not only touched my life, but many others’ in our community, including a young Diana Ross passing through Cincinnati, on her way to greatness in Detroit with Motown and Berry Gordy.
        Ms. Bessie never stopped reaching for higher education herself; obtaining her Bachelor of Science in education (1942); Bachelor of Education (1943); Masters of Education (19 47); and then obtaining her Doctorate of Education (1973) Ms. Noble also went on to teach at the college level after 24 years in Cincinnati’s public school system. She taught at the college level in upstate New York (Syracuse University and Liverpool Central School). In total, she contributed more than 50 years in the classroom and retired in 1992. What’s so astounding is, all these momentous accomplishments were achieved by a lady that as a young girl, she walked eight miles each day to school.
        To show my appreciation to “my other mother”, for all the things, she has done for me and countless others, I dedicate a special musical tribute to Dr. Bessie C. Noble on Friday, June 18, 2010 at 8:00pm at The Redmoor Theater, 3187 Linwood Ave., Cincinnati, OH, (513) 871-6789. Tickets are $20.00.
        I also invite all of Dr. Noble’s special students, friends and family to join us to celebrate her legacy. Come enjoy an evening with Wilbert Longmire and Special Guests, for a tribute to “My Other Mother . . . Dr. Bessie C. Noble – A True Legend.
        For additional information call (513) 807-5577, or go to http://www.wilbertlongmire.com/.  Also, become my friend on Facebook.

Products of the west end of Cincinnati:

EZZARD CHARLES. ..HEAVY WEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD
BUD SMITH… LIGHT WEIGHT CHAMPION
JIM WYNN…HOUSTON ASTROS
WALT JOHNSON…CLEVELAND BROWNS
AL NELSON…PHILDELPHIA EAGLES
CLEOPHUS EDWARDS…NFL GREAT
NEAL CRAIG…CINCINNATI BENGAL
ROLAND WEST…NBA GREAT
JUDGE CHERYL GRANT…
VICTOR MOORE…WORLD KARATE CHAMPION
GILBERT YOUNG… WORLD RENOWNED ARTIST
PHILLIPE WYNN…SPINNERS LEAD SINGER
DR.ODELL OWENS…HAM CO.CORONER
DR.STANLEY BROADNAX... FORMER HEALTH COMISSIONER
MEL TURNBOW…BOXING GREAT
HAL DAVID… MOTOWN PRODUCER
GILBERT (SKIP) STARKY…MOTOWN EXEC.
WM.F.BOWEN…STATE SENATOR OF OHIO
WM. L.MALLORY…MAJORITY LEADER OF OHIO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AND MANY OTHERS

Teachers and leaders that inspired them

MAXWELL MAX… COACH, MENTOR, LINCOLN CENTER LINN ST.
WILL STARGELL…TEACHER COACH MENTOR
PERCY REED…BOYS CLUB 9TH AND WADE STREET
MR VINEGAR…9TH ST. YMCA
LEO HOPKINS (SCOUT MASTER)…TROOP 55
VIVIAN J. BEAMON…PRINCIPAL HAYES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MR TURPOLE…STOWE SCHOOL
MRS BEASLEY…PORTER JR.HIGH
MRS SADIE PARKER…HAYES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MR CHARLES KEYS…MUSIC TEACHER PORTER JR HIGH
AND MANY OTHERS.........

DJO at DAI

As newly renewed members of the Dayton Art Institute (DAI) my wife, Jane, and I performed our first official activity by attending the Just Jazz series on 6-3-10. Host, Clay Collins, morning DJ on Dayton Public Schools Radio, WDPS FM, 89.5 [Your home for Jazz] was in usual form. Jazz Advocate master mind, Ron Gable, was close by as well. Attendees heard from Sponsor Ed Winsap, owner of Price Brothers downtown - a business proud to be downtown. Not sure how well this comment fits into a Jazz blog but seeing Ed was a pleasant surprise to my wife as they were classmates in high school. Ed's lovely wife Nancy, also a classmate, was there too. Attendees also heard from WDPS Station Manager Ken Kreitzer who touted the new Big Band radio show with Host, Conrad Jessee, that is streamed over the internet at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday nights. You can listen by going to http://www.wdpsfm.com.

We had the pleasure of hearing the Dayton Jazz Orchestra (DJO) which is always a treat. The DJO spokesperson was former Stan Kenton band member and trumpet player extraordinaire John Harner. He played some notes in the upper register that only dogs could hear to kick off the evening. Wow! The trumpet line further consisted of Reg Richwine, Al Parr, Brian West and Dick Fox. An all star lineup for sure. The rhythm section was Jeff Black on piano, Jim Leslie on drums and Chris Brown on bass. Jim Leslie's work as band leader with the UD Jazz Ensemble is noteworthy as well. The trombone section was Tom Billing, Todd Couch, Denny Seifried, and Columbus big band leader Vaughn Weister. The sax section consisted of Josh Adkins, Dan Nicora, Rick Johnson, Jeff Spurlock & Bill Burns. Rick Evans again provided some vocals. At times you would swear that you were listening to Joe Williams of the Basey Band himself. Rick can really belt out a tune. All of these guys do lots of other things musically but I would at least mention that Jeff Spurlock & Bill Burns are also part of a quartet known as The Gem City Saxophone Quartet. Rick Johnson has also played with the Quartet as does Tim Spence (who was absent from the DJO performance at the DAI). I have heard them live one time and know they recently performed at The Blue Wisp in Cincinnati. They are worth the trip. But back to the DJO. I was only able to catch two sets of the performance but the band was in rare form (I have it from good sources that the last set was at least as good as the first two). Usually I provide a list of songs performed and names of band members that solo but this time I just sat back and enjoyed. It is uplifting to hear the DJO and they did not disappoint.

You can learn more about the DJO by visiting their website which can be found at http://www.daytonjazzorchestra.com - DJO will also be involved in hosting a Jazz Camp the week of June 14th with at least one performance at Stubbs Park in Centerville on June 16th, Wednesday at 7:30 PM - did I mention that it is free to the public? Attendance is highly recommended. Hope to be seeing you around at live Jazz venues throughout the Summer.

Jazz alive at Beavercreek High School

Ron,
Saturday, 3-6-10, I attended a large segment of the Saturday weekend of jazz where so many junior high and high school jazz bands perform, along with occasional college bands/combos. It did not disappoint, though I unfortunately missed the one band that was on my must see list, The Lebanon High School Jazz Band under the direction of David Iannelli. They always do such a great job, caught the last few bars as I stood outside awaiting the doors to open when the song was finished. I did overhear one of the judges tell guest artist Tito Puente, Jr. that the band rotated three drummers and had some great vibes. Hated to miss it. C'est la vie.!

Next up was the Lakota East High School 2 O'clock Freshman Jazz Band under the direction of Todd Hartmann. This group had nine saxophones, kicking off with All The Things You Are followed by The Way You Look Tonight and finished with Hog-Squealin', Rip-Snortin', Belly-Achin Blues which was enthusiastically played, was a lot of fun to listen to and even had a baritone sax solo. The Lakota West High School 8 O'clock Jazz Band followed with an enjoyable sax soli on Well You Needn't, an ear catching muted trombone intro on Duke Ellington's Come Sunday[in a sort of Twilight Zone sort of moment, I happen to be listening to a version of Come Sunday by The Spirit of Life Ensemble, a CD I would highly recommend by the way.] The performance contained a couple of nice sax solos as well. The group finished up with a crowd pleasing funky RU Chicken. This band is under direction of Andrew Carr who always seems to put a great performance together. The final band before the first break of the day was the Kings High School Jazz Band under the direction of Joe Polen. This band had a mighty mite on drums but he was definitely a big band drummer. They kicked off with a very credible version of Moten Swing, followed by a Classics IV hit, Traces (arranged by Sammy Nestico) and finished with Joe Zawinul/Cannonball Adderly jazz classic Mercy, Mercy, Mercy [OK, this may be too much for readers to believe but in a continued Twilight Zone mode, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy follows Come Sunday on the Spirit of Life recording previously mentioned - the coincidence gave me goose bumps, but I swear it is true].

Let me interject right here that one of the really great things about this annual session is that judges listen to the bands as they perform, recording simultaneous feedback during the performance and then one of the judges takes a half hour right after the performance to provide the band with feedback. What a great learning experience. Three judges that I have heard play before and would go to see any one of them play a gig again was Tom Pompei, former Dayton Jazz Orchestra big band drummer, Bill Dixon, a great trumpet player and Hal Melia, a fantastic saxophonist and band director. Hats off to these folks.

The first band after break was The Lakota East High School 12 O'clock Freshman Jazz Band [discerning a trend here for band names within the Lakota system?] and with eleven saxophones the band played WAY beyond their chronological age on Go Ask Your Mother - wow! They continued with a really BIG sound by playing A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square and finished with an energetic version of The Mask of the Chili Pepper. This final tune contained a perfect latin percussion/drum solo and even contained a baritone sax solo. Job very well done, under the direction of Todd Hartman. The next band was the Beavercreek High School Jazz Ensemble II with a really BIG sound as well. Stan Kenton would have been proud. The first song was A Hint of Mint by Lenny Niehaus followed by a Gordon Goodwin tune entitled The Jazz Police which contained a "Pink Panther-like" funky beat on high octane and also contained some very nice guitar work. The final number was Bye Bye Blackbird done very well but what was so unusual about it was that one trumpet player stood to the side and pretty much carried the entire song. What a great job. I tracked down a Beavercreek band director and learned that the soloist was Nick Shuman. Great job Nick!

The Lakota West High School 10 O'clock Jazz Band was up next, kicking off with Splanky, a Neil Hefti song with a Sammy Nestico arrangement. The piano player had some tasty licks and the female drummer was a definite big band drummer - I overheard one of the judges exclaim, "Whew!" at the conclusion of that song performance. The group followed that with a vocalist on Willow Weep for Me with a really nice and easy trombone solo very well done. They ended with Los Brujos De Cisano played latin funky with a Carlos Santana-like guitar solo, a tenor sax solo worth note and some excellent keyboard work. Andrew Carr at work again. The last group before lunch break was the Kings High School Jazz Band under the direction of Joe Polen. This band really swung! The were tight and swingin' on Secret Love, swingin' again with a memorable muted brass throughout on Shiny Stockings and finished with the ambitious Joe Zawinul tune, Birdland. This song was so well done with such a great big band sound that it brought the entire auditorium to its feet in appreciation. A rousing rendition that I think would have made the late Zawinul proud.

The Lancaster High School Swinging Gales kicked things off right after lunch with Take the "A" Train, followed by My One and Only, then the Norah Jones tune, Don't Know Why and they finished with 500 Miles High. Personally, I figured 500 Miles High might be too complex and intricate for a high school jazz band but the band pulled it off with some good vibes work, nice piano and a particularly pleasing drum ending. Good work. This band was under the direction of Bart Pickenpaugh. Next band was the Moeller High School Jazz Band under the direction of Bob Browning. It was a small big band and the director had to fill in for a missing sax player but they sounded good on All of Me, followed by Herbie Hancock's Canteloupe Island and finished strong with Louis Prima's Sing, Sing, Sing [maybe Benny Goodman made it famous but Louis Prima wrote it], with some excellent drum work.

The next band has been a band that tends to be an anticipated performance, the Lakota West Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Andrew Carr. They kicked off with a hard chargin' version of Thelonious Monk's Straight No Chaser with some excellent drum work. The next selection was Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me with a vocalist and then the band kicked into a higher gear with Teddy the Toad by Neil Hefti which had some noteworthy keyboard and trombone work. It wasn't until the final song choice though that the crowed got what they were expecting, the Stan Kenton composition entitled La Suerte de los Tonto (probably off his recording Cuban Fire) and all I can say is it was amazing. The band was 23 strong for the final number and included a french horn. I am pretty sure no high school jazz band could possibly sound that good but the performance was jaw dropping. I overheard one of the judges exclaim, "That may be the best high school jazz band I have ever heard!" He will get no argument from me. It brought the entire auditorium to their feet for only the second time of the day. It was incredible. I sure hope somebody was recording that. Frankly, I would not wanted to have been the band to follow such a performance but I have to hand it to the Troy High School Jazz Band as they stepped into the breach. The drummer on the first tune, Charlie Parkers's Now's the Time had absolutely perfect rhythm, the next drummer on the second tune, Herbie Hancock's Watermelon Man was driving the band as a big band drummer should. Switching back to the first drummer, the band played tight on the Harold Arlen tune It's Only a Paper Moon and with the second big band drummer in for the final number they closed out with Chick Corea's La Feista. The band was tight with notable trumpet, tenor sax and piano solos. Congratulations to all. The band is under direction of Katherine McIntosh (the only female director the entire day, for what that may be worth). Good job!

Unfortunately I missed the Beavercreek High School Jazz Ensemble, always enjoyable to listen to and biggest disappointment for me, other than missing the Lebanon High School Jazz Band, was not being able to catch the Central State Jazz Band under the direction of Hal Melia. I am sure it was a crowd pleaser. But all-in-all, a great day of jazz at Beavercreek High School. Keep up the good work.