Turk Mauro's Final Jazz Performance this Week at Arts Garage - Second Show Added Due to Demand

*Editor's Note - We have just (9am, Tuesday, January 8) been informed that a second show has been added for this weekend due to demand. The second show is scheduled for 8pm, Sunday, January 13, 2013. As this is a intimate 175 seat venue, it is expected that the second show will sell out quickly. TICKETS

TurkMauro's farewell concert

 by Bob Weinberg

Photo: Amy Pasquantonio | amtistaphoto.com

            After nearly 20 years on the South Florida jazz scene, Turk Mauro is hanging up his saxophone and heading back to New York. Before he leaves town, though, Mauro will present his big-toned tenor and baritone horns in a farewell concert at Delray Beach's Arts Garage on Saturday night. He'll be joined by trombonist Dante Luciani, pianist Doug Bickel, bassist Gary Thomas and drummer Mike Piolet, with a special guest appearance by Nicole Yarling. Citing the desire to live closer to his youngest daughter and grandchildren, and scheduled to undergo surgery later this month, Mauro, 68, leaves behind a considerable legacy on the local scene, not to mention a career spanning more than 50 years.

            The New York native moved from Paris, where he lived and worked for several years, to South Florida in 1994, to care for his elderly father. Quickly establishing himself on area stages, Mauro gigged regularly at O'Hara's Pub with the cream of the local jazz crop, and also played frequently with his friend and colleague, altoist Richie Cole. After meeting Prestige Records founder Bob Weinstock, who also lived in South Florida, Mauro recorded a couple of swinging, straightahead CDs for the Milestone imprint: 1995's Gene Ammons tribute Hittin' the Jug and 1997's The Truth. He also lent his bluesy, fluid tenor or baritone to Milestone recordings by Billy Marcus and Eric Allison, who returned the favor on Mauro's recordings, along with Florida-based allstars such as Pete Minger, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Duffy Jackson and Danny Burger.

            As the son and younger brother of musicians, Mauro Turso grew up with a love for music that was fostered at the windows of New York City jazz clubs. Too young to actually enter those clubs, an 11-year-old Mauro would stand on the sidewalk and listen to the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Charlie Shavers, Charlie Ventura and Red Allen. Allen became something of a mentor to the aspiring saxophonist, who thrived on encouragement and acceptance from heroes such as Gene Krupa, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn and Billy Mitchell. His 1977 debut album, The Underdog, actually featured Cohn on a few tracks. Mauro also worked in the bands of Dizzy Gillespie and Buddy Rich, and became friendly with Stan Getz and Sonny Rollins, among other jazz legends. In fact, it was Rollins who suggested that Mauro move to Paris in 1987.

            In recent years, Mauro became a familiar fixture at South Florida jazz clubs. He held down a popular night at Blue Jean Blues in Fort Lauderdale, where he entertained audiences with his command of the tenor idiom, from swinging hard on muscular bop and blues to caressing heartbreaking ballads, and even singing his bawdy trademark "Turk's Dirty Blues." Expect all these elements to play a part in Mauro's farewell concert, which takes place 8 p.m. Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Arts Garage, 180 N.E. First Street, Delray Beach. Call 561-450-6357, or visit Artsgarage.org.

"We are humbled that Turk's last concert in South Florida takes place at Arts Garage.  He is one of our iconic gems and is much beloved by our audiences. Turk's contribution to the regional jazz scene is immense and he will be missed greatly." Alyona Ushe, Executive Director, Arts Garage

Mauro is also a featured artist in this month's online edition of Jazz & Blues Florida that can be found at www.JazzBluesFlorida.com .

~ ~ ~

Posted by Jazz & Blues Florida

Please visit http://www.jazzbluesflorida.com to see the scene.

Or, just email me at Charlie@JazzBluesFlorida.com to sign up to have

Florida's jazz & blues news delivered to your inbox.

And, if you like what you see here, please HIT THAT FACEBOOK SHARE BUTTON below!

Thanks!