Alma means Soul...and Seula means sole, and Al walks la charla...

Submitted by Al Kanovsky 3/27/13

Tuesday night is now Latin JAZZ night at BJB's. How would you define Latin JAZZ? Simply---Oriente!! Led by guitarist Eddie Balzola this talented group is a classic example of JAZZ musicians who have Latin souls. Alma. Last night the band was made up of Orlando Machado(drums),  Raymer Olalve(congas), Dony Felix(bass), and William Paredes playing trombone. The solos that each of them play all seem to be inspired by something deep inside them. Eddie played Nat Cole's "Lush Life" without accompaniment or lyrics. It didn't need it. The talent of the composer and now the player conveyed the feeling and thought of the song without a word. Just listening to the melody, as interpreted by Eddie, put me in "some small dive"---"with those who's lives are---------"

He transitioned from "Lush Life" to "Ordinary People" with the band joining in. Paredes plays trombone joyfully. He has fun creating melody bending lines and inserting song titles from every direction. At times he was having so much fun that he had me smiling and chuckling to myself. The band went from Tito Puente's "Oye Como Va" to the classic "Basin St. Blues" and had the audience (including me) up and dancing. Some one in the audience requested a "reggae" Okay---the rhythm section responded and Eddie paid homage to "ganji" singing "legalize it, don't criticize it, I will advertise it". A little later Eddie did a tribute to John Coltrane with a self-written poem, "Love, Music, Magic". Eddie calls Coltrane "the American Mozart". When you listen to Balzola you can't help notice his 'touch' and sensitivity. When asked the solo he wished he had played he responded with Pat Martino's on John Coltrane's "Africa".  He followed with, "There are a lot of them, but that's the one that pops up". I thanked the band and headed home with Miss Fields. I got there before she had a chance to say "goodnight." Sorry, Tracy. 
 ~ ~ ~

Traveling to catch some of Florida's good music? Check out these places and rates!

 ~ ~ ~

Posted by Jazz & Blues Florida 

Please visit http://www.jazzbluesflorida.com/ to sign up to have 

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

Or, just email me at Charlie@JazzBluesFlorida.com

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

Thanks!

Tradition! Tradition!...Al's got them...Al keeps them...

Submitted by Al Kanovsky 3/26/13

Monday night was the first night of the Jewish holiday, Passover. I went out for a traditional meal. 

It would be at one of my favorite restaurants, Cristina Wans in Ft. Lauderdale. Tradition held strong.

 Won-ton soup, Egg-Foo Young, a sip of hot sake and a dish of coconut ice cream. To continue commemorating the Israelites escape from the Pharaohs I headed for BJB's. A few well known rabbis would be there. Danny Burger, the drum rabbi, Jeff Prine, the guitar rabbi, Bobby Freeman, rabbi of the Hammond B3 and the Queen of the Je----- BLUES, Juanita Dixon. Celebrating the holiday with me were the indefatigable Babette, Alfreda, the Mom and daughter from Saturday, Gloria and Hope and a packed house of Juanita fans.

Juanita carries the torch of BLUES tradition. Bessie Smith, Big Mama Thornton, Big Maybelle and others helped lay the foundation of women in BLUES. Ms. Dixon joins them in song. She opened the set with "Down Home Blues". If you have ever been "down home" you could feel this song in your bones. When she does "You Can Have My Husband" every woman in the room seems to know exactly what Juanita's singing about. It's not the same old world anymore. "When There's Something Wrong With My Baby" tears at your heart strings. They closed the evening with B.B. Kings "I Like To Live the Love That I Sing About" When I asked Juanita about her favorite line in a BLUES song, she replied, "Why I Sing the Blues". It is part of another B.B. King hit. A word about Jeff Prine. I heard him soon after my arrival in south Florida, seven years ago. My first impression was that he just "alright". Jeff has dedicated himself to the music and last night he showed that it paid off. Technique, style, creativity all were present in his performance. I personally applaud his perseverance.

Juanita's renditions of some of the old BLUES tunes brought make other memories of days gone by. Maybe because of Paulette Dozier's portrayal of Billie Holiday, thoughts of her pervaded those memories. The great recordings with Lester Young (the Prez). Billie's recordings with Artie Shaw and Basie bands. Her passing in the same year as her musical soul mate Lester Young. Appearances at Peacock Alley and the Oasis in New York. Pleasant and sad. Just like the BLUES.  

They were closing the joint so I had to go home. I got the Real Tracy Fields to ride home with me. She had Melton Mustafa join us. A little later on Ms. Fields got his brother Jesse Jones Jr. and Dr. Lonnie Smith to play "I'm Goin' Home". She closed her show saying "It's always good for me". Me too, Tracy.

 ~ ~ ~

Traveling to catch some of Florida's good music? Check out these places and rates!

 ~ ~ ~

Posted by Jazz & Blues Florida 

Please visit http://www.jazzbluesflorida.com/ to sign up to have 

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

Or, just email me at Charlie@JazzBluesFlorida.com

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

Thanks!

Gema Corredera, News from Tigertail, & Miami On Stage 2013. All events @ MDCA

 

Gema Corredera returns to the stage as a solo artist with a brand new sound, a brand new band and a startling new CD: Derramando Luz. Together with Cuban modern-jazz maestro and Grammy® winner Yosvany Terry as her musical director, Gema has crafted a multi-genre masterpiece that combines a jazz-infused palette of filin, rumba, and vestiges of Cuban timba with elements of R&B and classical music. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see her live and with her very special guest, performing for the first time in US, the legendary Marta Valdes.

Saturday, April 6^th, 8PM

At Miami Dade County Auditorium, 2901 Flagler Street, in Miami

 

Prices: $55, $45, $35, $25 with $5 off in each price range for students and seniors

 

Miami-Dade County Auditorium

2901 W. Flagler St., Miami

By phone: 800.745.3000

BOX OFFICE HOURS: M-F 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

GENERAL INFORMATION: 305.547.5414

FREE PARKING!

 

Group rates available for groups of 10 or more persons.

 

After Concert Party at Cava Restaurant (3850 SW 8th St, Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 433-7666) One free sangria with the Ticket stub!

 

 

 

 

MIAMI ON STAGE 2013 Blazes with Local Music and Multimedia

at Miami Dade County Auditorium On.Stage Black.Box

Showcasing Leslie Cartaya, Alfredo Chacón, Mr. Haka and

Dinorah de Jesús Rodriguez

 

Local Latino Artists take center stage during FUNDarte’s high-powered Miami On Stage 2013 series! This year FUNDarte combines the work of three powerhouse musicians, Leslie Cartaya, Alfredo Chacón and Mr. Haka, each working in a unique genre.  Along with the musical offerings, experience the wildly psychedelic video work of experimental filmmaker and multimedia artist Dinorah de Jesús Rodriguez and her local, interactive “mujer_cita_MIA” project, presented in the theater lobby and façade as a visual arts component with each concert.

 

Leslie Cartaya in Concert!

 

On Thursday, April 18: Catch one of Miami’s hottest and most innovative female vocalists: Leslie Cartaya, best known as the unstoppable front woman for Palo! Miami’s signature Afro-Cuban Funk band, rising to local stardom thanks in large part to Leslie’s dynamic and contagious electricity on stage.  Wooing her audience via her trailblazing ability to fuse genres and provide constant surprises via the musically unexpected, Leslie will be performing from her new independent release entitled “No Pares.”

 

Alfredo Chacón in Concert!

On Friday, April 19:  Experience the unique, extraordinary sound of Latin Jazz master Alfredo Chacón on Vibraphone and Percussion.  Chacón’s mysterious, sensual music is imbued with influences from Latin America, Brazil, Europe and particularly Scandinavia, while rooted in the African-based rhythms of his native Cuba, creating an unforgettable, heart-stopping concert that will leave you breathless and renewed.  Trained classically in Cuba and aged like fine wine in Europe, Chacón will perform work from his latest independent project, “Magic Place,” transporting us to a hauntingly beautiful place of timeless romance and utterly unforgettable magic.

 

Mr. Haka in Concert!

 

On Saturday, April 20: Get ready for Mr. Haka, explosive underground rapero extraordinaire and local force-to-be-reckoned-with on the Latin HipHop scene, performing from his latest release “Autorretrato.”  This artist’s versatility and lyrical wizardry seamlessly merge raw HipHop and Urban Fusion while occasionally letting his Latin roots hijack the musical sensibility of the project, culminating in a riveting rhythmic explosion of socially-motivating music that energizes audiences across all genres of contemporary urban fusion. 

 

“mujer_cita_MIA” by Dinorah de Jesús Rodriguez

Dinorah de Jesus Rodriguez’s “mujer_cita_MIA,” a project that addresses social issues relating to women, will be screened outdoors on the façade of the building, as well as in the lobby of the theater and inside the Ladies’ Room during each concert.

 

WHEN: Friday-Saturday, April 18-20, 2013 @ 8:30 PM

WHERE: On.Stage Black.Box Theater at Miami Dade County Auditorium

2901 W. Flagler St., Miami

HOW MUCH: $20 per performance /
$5 discount for Students (18 and under) & Seniors (65 and over) with ID.

TICKETS: (800) 745-3000  // www.ticketmaster.com or www.fundarte.us

Box Office Hours: M-F 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

GENERAL INFORMATION: 305. 547. 5414

+ INFO: www.fundarte.us / info@fundarte.us or (305) 316-6165

 

The event is presented in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Auditorium, and as part of FUNDarte’s Miami On Stage series.

 

FUNDarte is a multidisciplinary non-profit organization dedicated to producing, presenting, and promoting music, theater, dance, film and visual arts that speak to Miami’s diverse cultures.

 

VIP Event with JUDY SPELLMAN Benefiting Lung Cancer Research

VIP Cocktail Party with Renowned

Jazz Artist Judy Spellman at

The Reef Waterfront Blues Festival

April 13, 2013 7-9 pm

$75 per person

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW

The Hemingway Room at The Reef

Reef Waterfront Restaurant

4290 SE Salerno Road, Stuart, FL 34997 

 (772)210-2427

Benefiting Lung Cancer Research


Hosted by Greg & Jonnie Flewelling

The Reef Waterfront Blues Festival brings together the area’s best musicians including Captain Reese, Famous Frank Ward, Josh the Pitbull of Blues, Raul Hernandez and others on April 13th, 2013 at 4pm.  The entrance fee is $5 and includes a free drink.  A portion of the Festival proceeds will benefit lung cancer research – America’s #1 cancer killer. "

During the Festival, our friends Greg and Jonnie Flewelling are hosting an exclusive, invitation-only cocktail party with special guest renowned New Orleans jazz/blues/gospel artist Judy Spellman from 7-9 pm in the Hemingway room benefiting the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI) - a patient-founded, patient-focused non-profit.

Judy Spellman is a New Orleans native born into a family of music; her father was the R&B legend Mr. Benny “Lipsticktraces” Spellman and her mother has been a gospel pianist/vocalist for nearly 70 years.  Her eclectic musical sound allows her the flexibility to move across many genres of music styles, from jazz to blues, and standards to gospel.  Judy recently returned from Europe in her first international collaboration with Germany-based band Phavior Adelic. 

The fee includes entrance to the Blues Festival and VIP Cocktail Party with an intimate performance by Judy, a special menu and wine pairing designed by Executive Chef Andreas Kotsifos of Tapas Stuart and a silent auction.  The proceeds of this exclusive event will support ALCMI’s efforts to bring new treatment options to lung cancer patients, today.

Can't make it?  Donate today!

~ ~ ~

Paid Promotional Distribution by:

Jazz & Blues Florida

www.JazzBluesFlorida.com

If you wish, and we really wish you wouldn’t, like to be removed from this list, please reply with REMOVE in subject line.

If you are simply getting more emails from us than you would like, just let us know your preference for receiving one per month (new edition posting announcements, or weekly  emails (WWWBTW), or if you wish to be excluded from the ads we send out. Just let us know and will fix it right up for you. Thanks

Jamie Ousley, Jazz Bassist and FIU Faculty Member Wins "Best of Show"

Global Music Awards Announces 

Latest Winners

BEST OF SHOW

A Sea of Voices

Jamie Ousley, A Sea of Voices, acoustic music, is soulful and soothing with surprises here and there. Intended as a not-for-profit album to benefit the environment, the album features Ousley’s own compositions and a few others you wouldn't expect on a jazz compilation. Ousley is a professor of jazz bass at Florida International University in Miami and tours internationally with a trio that joins him on most of the tracks on the album. He has performed for heads of state including Bill Clinton and King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain. Ousley performs on double bass, Joe Davidian and Gabriel Saientz on the piano, Austin McMahon plays drums, Carlomagno Araya handles percussion, and Nanami Morikawa provides vocals.

~ ~ ~

Global Music Awards (GMA) is a top-tier music talent competition that honors talented artists. GMA is a showcase for original music and unique voices. We are committed to helping you!

Global Music Awards are a stamp of credibility for gifted, emerging musicians. Winning a GMA brings recognition, valuable publicity and an opportunity to stand out. GMA grants a humanitarian award for music dedicated to social justice, humanitarian causes or environmental issues.

~ ~ ~

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!

Attn: Festival Management! Need to increase festival attendance? Check out this limited-time special offer from Jazz & Blues Florida NOW!

Jazz & Blues Florida is proud to announce that we are within days of reaching the 5,000 maximum friend level of Facebook connections. In celebration we are offering a limited-time special promotion to festival events as a way for you to reach this very select group of people that are interested in what YOU present.

If a full page display ad in our magazine, an email blast/news blog posting, and a home-page side banner placement are purchased for a minimum of one month (a package total of $320), Jazz & Blues Florida will include an invitation to our FB friends group of almost 5,000 music fans to your event at NO ADDITIONAL COST.

Contact me immediately if you have a need for this package deal for our April 2013 online magazine issue – deadline is TODAY for contacting us. Contact me as soon as possible regarding any other time frames so we can plan a timing strategy that fits your particular event or season.

Working together, more fans will become aware of your festivals/series & special events allowing time for travel plans and their enjoyment of more good live music, made by real people, in real places!

Please check out this link to view reports of our increasing readership (our blog readership is going to hit TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND lifetime views later today!):
www.JazzBluesFlorida.com/reports

Please give me a call or shoot me an email!

Best!

 Charlie

Charles R. Boyer, Publisher

Jazz & Blues Florida

www.JazzBluesFlorida.com

www.Facebook.com/JazzBluesFlorida

www.youtube.com/JazzBluesFlorida

jazz-bluesflorida.blogspot.com

(561) 313-7432

Charlie@JazzBluesFlorida.com

 ·         Did you know that as Florida’s ONLY promotion platform for live jazz & blues:

o       We have the most comprehensive festival page for Florida jazz & blues: www.JazzBluesFlorida.com/Festivals

o       We have the most complete listing of Florida jazz & blues performances: www.JazzBluesFlorida.com/MusicListings.htm 

o       We have the most comprehensive and active news blog for Florida related jazz & blues news: www.JazzBluesFlorida.com/Blog

o       We have the largest listing of current releases from Florida jazz & blues artists: www.JazzBluesFlorida.com/NewFloridaMusic

o       We have the most complete and current listing of Florida jazz and blues associations and radio/broadcast programs: www.JazzBluesFlorida.com/links

Details:

·         Jazz & Blues Florida must limit our Facebook “INVITE ALL” policy to one invitation per multi-day, multi-artist, destination music events, Grand Opening announcements, or season announcements.

·         Festival/series management must create a Facebook Event in order for Jazz & Blues Florida to have this “Invite All” capability.

Billie remembered...and Al remembers...

Submitted by Al Kanovsky 3/25/13

Yesterday, I went to the Miami Beach Stage Door Theater. The reason, to see a performance by Paulette Dozier in a play titled "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill". If I used the word great, to describe Ms . Dozier's portrayal of Billie Holiday, it would be a gross understatement. Dramatically, Paulette, conveyed every one of Billie's mannerisms, moods, feelings, mental anguish and frailties. (Hey Al, you write about JAZZ & BLUES. What do you know about the art of theater?) Yo! I'm a person. I can see. I can hear. I can feel. If an actor can make me feel the way Paulette did yesterday than I know what acting is all about. It's true that I've listened to tens of thousands of hours of "live" music. I've seen less than 125 plays. You needn't be an expert to be a witness.

The time frame of the play is the late "50s", at the tail end of Billie's life. Paulette sings 13 of the numbers that highlighted Miss Holiday's   career. She does it in her own voice and style and yet makes you envision "Lady Day".

She takes you through Billie's life, from the glitter to the gutter. From the joy of singing with the big bands to the anguish over the racial inequalities of the time. From making her first record to the ravages of drug and alcohol addiction.  I remember New York City lifting her Cabaret Card so she could no longer work the clubs. I saw and heard Billie Holiday at the height, filling Carnegie Hall, and then at the depths. The last time was at a club, way out in Queens. I don't remember the name but it wasn't famous or even notable. The place was packed. Billie came on stage and started to sing. It wasn't the Lady Day of "ooh-ooh-ooh" or "Easy Livin'". This was a woman who had suffered the heartaches of too many bad relationships and the degradation of incarceration and drug addiction.  The audience started talking among themselves and soon you couldn't even her Billie. Paulette Dozier, the ACTRESS, brought me back to those days. Thank you Paulette.

Accompanying Ms. Dozier was a rhythm section which had David Nagy (acting as Jimmy) on piano, Brian Sayre on drums and a familiar face, Kai Sanchez on bass. I found out that Paulette is a member of ASCAP & SAG. Quite a gal-----and absolutely gorgeous!!!!

*Editor's note - This was the finale show of this run of Ms. Dozier's show. There will be more, as the show is in high demand in many places. Stay tuned!

 ~ ~ ~

Traveling to catch some of Florida's good music? Check out these places and rates!

 ~ ~ ~

Posted by Jazz & Blues Florida 

Please visit http://www.jazzbluesflorida.com/ to sign up to have 

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

Or, just email me at Charlie@JazzBluesFlorida.com

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

Thanks!

It is with deep regret------that Al can't be everywhere...all the time...

Submitted by Al Kanovsky 3/24/13

It is painful to admit, even to myself, that I can only be in one place at a time. It is a blessing and a curse. I can only get so tired. I can only travel so far. The result is tough choices have to be made. Sometimes I disappoint people I shouldn't. Other times I show up at places I should have avoided. Saturday night was a night of too many choices and only one me. Good JAZZ and BLUES artists allover the Southland. Where to go? Who to see? Decisions---decisions---decisions---The Betty Fox Band was at Arts Garage. I had never seen or heard them. They hail from Tampa and make few appearances on the East coast. Opportunity knocks!!!

Betty Fox is out front and singing. The band has Josh Nelms on guitar, Matt Walker on bass and Sam Farmer at drums. No vocalist could ask for better. Ms. Fox came to sing the BLUES and she did. From New Orleans to Austin. From Chicago all the way back to  Cajun Country. This gal has a set of "pipes" and a personality to match. Adding to those talents she composes and writes the lyrics,  collaborating with Josh,  to a lot of the bands material. Just listening to the opening notes of "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water" convinced me that I had made a good choice. Betty is bubbly and animated. She adds visual entertainment to the audible. During her performance they played compositions Betty had written for her boyfriend of 5 years, her grandmother and her Dad. Each reflected her deep feelings for them. She mentioned that she loves Howlin' Wolf and did a couple of his songs. She recently celebrated her ??th birthday. She is almost below the age of legal consent. 

Like many BLUES and JAZZ vocalists Betty started singing in church when she was little. She says that she always knew she wanted to sing in a band. Old Time BLUES singers like Bessie Smith were her early inspiration. Her favorite lyric line is "You don't know what love is until you get the feelin' of the BLUES". She did Etta's "Blind Girl" and Patsy Kline’s "Walking" but it was all Betty Fox and all the BLUES.

While Betty was singing "No Other Man", a love song written for her "man" , Sam the drummer man, got all sleepy eyed and dreamy. BLUES lyrics can do that to a guy. Even tough guys. On the other hand Matt Walker dances with his face. Smiling, frowning, grimacing, making lips. All the while strumming out a strong bass line. The only thing I can say about Josh Nelms is one word. Brilliant. Knocked-out, dragged down BLUES. Jump tunes, 2d line rhythms none of it makes a difference. Brilliant solos to each.
If you listen closely you hear a little bit of a JAZZ singer in Betty's lyrical mannerisms. Every once in a while there will be a bar or two or three of "scat". Her use of facial expressions, eyes and mouth add to the dramatics of every song. 

As the evening continued I became aware of a familiarity with her style. Old memories haunted me. Note by note it started to come back. ----Janis Joplin----that was it. The timing, the phrasing. Betty must have listened to hundreds of hours of Janis Joplin. When I asked her about it, she seemed puzzled. "Why?" she asked. I told her about what I felt. She replied that she had seldom listened to Janis, but was flattered by my comment. I think Janis would be pleased as well. Charlie Boyer in his comments about her said "This little gal has soul". He's right.

My apologies to all the other guys and gals who I didn't see last night but I can only be in------------

 ~ ~ ~

Traveling to catch some of Florida's good music? Check out these places and rates!

 ~ ~ ~

Posted by Jazz & Blues Florida 

Please visit http://www.jazzbluesflorida.com/ to sign up to have 

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

Or, just email me at Charlie@JazzBluesFlorida.com

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

Thanks!

A unique concert of solo and duo works for marimba, vibraphone, and violin - Only at Drummersonly in Port St. Lucie!

DRUMMERSONLY 
 Drum Shop

Is Proud to Present

  

“Voices and Variations”

3PM  Sunday  March 24^th  2013

DRUMMERSONLY Drum Shop

1532 SE Village Green Drive

Port Saint Lucie   FL   34952

772-337-4002
http://www.Drummersonly.net

Percussionist George Nickson and Violinist Samantha Bennett join forces to present a unique concert of solo and duo works for marimba, vibraphone, and violin. In this program, entitled “Voices and Variations,” musical selections have been chosen to highlight the similarities and differences between the (often) single melodic voice of the violin and the polyphonic capabilities of mallet percussion instruments.

The solo works being presented are representative of the classical form of theme and variations. Alejandro Vinao’s Khan Variations displays the full ability of a solo marimbist to explore various polyrhythmic and polyphonic material. In this case, the piece is a unique set of 8 variations based on a traditional theme from Qawwali music as sung by the Pakistani singer Ali Kahn.

Sergei Prokofiev’s Sonata for Solo Violin highlights the challenge of writing and performing a complete solo work with only the single voice of the violin, therefore requiring the composer and listener to infer much of the harmonic content while focusing on the single voice of melody. This piece is quite like a monologue where the actor has to both set the scene and play all of the characters simultaneously. The second movement exists in a true theme and variations form.

The Stillpoint, by Edward Top, focuses on the concept of two instruments (vibraphone and violin) playing the same melodic material, sometimes in unison, but most of the time in asymmetrical rhythms. The title is derived from T.S. Elliot’s Four Quartets (Burnt Norton II) ‘At the Still point of the turning world.’ The piece has four movements, each of which with a subtitle. Mvt 1, ‘in the silent croacking night’ has a mysterioso character, consisting of a six-tone mode in different tempos. Mvt 2, ‘as the world turns’ is a unison melody that increases in tempo step by step. The whole tone scale plays a prominent role in the third movement, ‘a pattern of timeless moments’, and the final movement, ‘the point of intersection of the timeless with time’, opens with an enormous fortissimo where the vibraphonist lets a glissando ring.

Paul Lanky’s Hop, is an unmistakable fusion of folk and blues in a contemporary style. Lansky has composed a freewheeling group of variations that ultimately culminates in the combination of voices, both marimba and violin, playing a modern take on the traditional chords of the American blues idiom. The marimba and violin seamlessly riff through a series of interlocking melodies. Lansky worked closely with marimbist Nancy Zeltsman during the composition of this work.

A percussionist of great versatility and virtuosity, George Nickson has been hailed as “a performer handling his role with ease and flair” by The New York Times. George, a native of Port St. Lucie, is the Principal Percussionist of the Sarasota Orchestra. In addition to his engagements with the the SO, George performs regularly as a soloist and chamber musician, including concerts at Lincoln Center and Le Poisson Rouge in New York City, Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida. An ardent proponent of new music, George has worked closely with our greatest living composers, in particular, Elliott Carter, Charles Wuorinen, Oliver Knussen and Steve Reich.

Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as a violinist “requiring no age-related caveats, full of subtlety and poise”, Violinist Samantha Bennett is an active soloist and chamber musician around the Boston area. As a recitalist, Ms. Bennett has performed in Boston’s Jordan Hall, London’s Wigmore Hall at the invitation of the Razumovsky Academy, and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall. Ms. Bennett made her solo orchestral debut with the Central Iowa Symphony at age 11 and since performed concerti with several Midwest orchestras including the Des Moines Symphony, the Ottuma Symphony, the Oskaloosa Symphony and the La Crosse Symphony.  She has participated in internationally renowned music festivals such as the Spoleto Festival USA, the Music Academy of the West, and the Tanglewood Music Festival.  As a member of the Tanglewood Music Center Ms. Bennett had the privilege of performing as part of the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Charles Dutoit, and accompanied legendary soloists Yo-Yo Ma, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Gil Shaham and Emanuel Ax as part of the PBS broadcast Tanglewood’s 75th Anniversary Celebration.  Currently, Ms. Bennett is a leading member of the Discovery Ensemble, the Boston Philharmonic, and the Haffner Sinfonietta.  A fierce advocate of new music, she has premiered works by Gunther Schuller, Oliver Knussen, John Cage and Philip Glass.  

Prokofiev: Sonata for Violin solo in D major, Op. 115

Viñao: Kahn Variations

Top: The Stillpoint

Lansky: Hop

Glentworth: Blues for Gilbert

$10 Admission at the door or anytime before at DRUMMERSONLY Drum Shop.

T' ain't easy(no es facil)...even though JAZZ ROOTS makes it look that way!

Submitted by Al Kanovsky 3/23/13

'T ain't easy to follow in the footsteps of greatness. Last night Larry Rosen, producer of JAZZ ROOTS series, at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami presented two of Dizzy Gillespie's disciples in a program titled "Cubop". Senor Paquito D'Rivera and Mister Jon Faddis paid tribute to the "Diz" and the great congero Chano Pozo.

As young men, both of these artists decided that be-bop and Cuban JAZZ would play major roles in their careers. They chose Dizzy as their guide. Not an easy row to hoe. But they persevered and succeeded. Their careers are star-studded and filled with musical accomplishments. 

On stage with Jon and Paquito was a rhythm section with Rudolfo Zuniga at drums, Kemuel Roig on piano and Armando Gola playing upright bass.  I mentioned the latter two in yesterdays review. The quintet represented the past, present and future of JAZZ. They opened the program with "Dizzy Atmosphere" and closed it, playing with the FIU JAZZ Big Band, and a rousing rendition of "Manteca". In between they were joined on stage by famed congero, Giovanni Hidalgo and vibraphonist/marimbist, Dave Samuels. They ran the gamut of Dizzy and Chano's creative compositions and arrangements.

On previous occasions, I have said that Jon Faddis is the greatest living trumpeteer. He left no doubt with his performance last night. Range(some notes are so high above the staff, they run off the page) Technique, Tone, Articulation and Alacrity.  Jon has it all. I can say the same of Paquito. Somewhere, in Heaven above, Chano & Dizzy were "boppin'" along.

Although the evening was dedicated to John Burkes and Chano they also paid tribute to other Cuban JAZZ artists like Mario Bauzo, Chico O'Farrill and Benny More`. Paquito told the audience that Dizzy and Chano's composition "Night In Tunisia", written in the 40's was originally titled "Interlude" and was recorded by the Boyd Raeburn Orchestra, way back then. 

The FIU Studio JAZZ Big Band is under the direction of Mr. Jim Hacker who also plays trumpet. The band has a 5 member sax section, 5 trombonists and 6 playing trumpet. (the trumpet section includes one young lady).  Also, drums, bass, guitar, piano, timbales and bongos. All I can say is "These cats can play".

Comments: During Giovannis congo solos, Paquito displayed some "Palladium" moves. Jon could use a writer for some new material and Spanish lessons. I can use one also. I missed most of Paqiuto's humorous patter "en espanol". My Spanish, like Jon's, is limited to "No problemo" and "Quanto?"  

 Flo and I have two children, Melissa and Jon. They were born 20 months apart. The first lyric they learned as toddlers, was "Salt Peanuts". To this very day if you scat the first bars they will joyfully respond with "Salt Peanuts, Salt Peanuts".  Paquito had the audience doing that phrase during the closing number. Needless to say, I enjoyed every moment from the opening licks to the closing notes. 

In the audience with me were Dr. Jules Oaklander(friend and Patron of the Arts), Nicole Henry's friend, Lourdes and two gracious ladies I had met at BJB's(mother and daughter) Gloria and Hope. They may join me on the trip to the HavanaJAZZ Festival in December.

Congratulations to Mr. Larry Rosen for producing a successful JAZZ ROOTS series. Thanks to Ms. Mari Beth Bittan (Public Relations for the Arts) for her hospitality. And most of all my sincere gratitude to all the dedicated JAZZ musicians who fill my life with so much pleasure and joy.   

Traveling to catch some of Florida's good music? Check out these places and rates!

 ~ ~ ~

Posted by Jazz & Blues Florida 

Please visit http://www.jazzbluesflorida.com/ to sign up to have 

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

Or, just email me at Charlie@JazzBluesFlorida.com

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

Thanks!