Sixty on the NOTES. jazzhappens here. Alex Clements Jason Corpuz Otto Ehling Uli Geissendoerfer Matt Green Dave Richardson

Transcription

1 vegasjazz.org NOTES! The official publication of Vegas Jazz and the Las Vegas Jazz Scene. Sixty on the 88s N Alex Clements Jason Corpuz Otto Ehling Uli Geissendoerfer Matt Green Dave Richardson N Reviews Upcoming Gigs Meet the Artists jazzhappens here. Vol. 22 Issue 6 - November/December 2013

2 NOVEBER / DECEMBER 2013 FEATURES 5 Meet The Artists 53 Fifty Three 60 on the 88s Holiday Party Sandy Kastel DEPARTMENTS 3 President s Message Holiday Party reservation 4 Upcoming Concerts 6 Meet Vegas Jazz Member Jimmy Wilkins Holiday Greetings In Side 7 Reviews Contour Joe Williams Everyday Foundation Sextet Concert UNLV 40th Anniversary/Alumni Concert Groove al Fresco 9 Farewells Dr. Tom Ferguson Marian McPartland Cedar Walton Frank D Rone Dick LaPalm Announcements Early Bird Membership Application Form jazz happens here. VEGAS JAZZ OFFICERS PRESIDENT Carolyn Freeman V. PRESIDENT Judy Tarte TREASURER Joyce Devers SECRETARY Samantha Badgley PAST PRESIDENT Frank Leone BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kim Linzy Dave Loeb Emanuel Schmidt Mimi Williams ADVISORS Rocky Gordon Dave Rowell JAZZ NOTES! EDITORS CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHY COVER DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY DESIGN Judy Tarte Emanuel Schmidt Dave Loeb Travis Lohman Patricia O. Miranda Dave Viger Paul Spyder Evans Emanuel Schmidt Judy Tarte Woody Woods Web Files Emanuel Schmidt Emanuel Schmidt Judy Tarte Nov/Dec 2013 New & Renewing Members ARTIST Candace Kruse Woody Woods EARLY 2014 MEMBERSHIPS ELLA Sharon Barron Zola Gourdin Cathy Shelley Ada Steppes Catherine Thalley Jodi Warman MILES Keith Hubbell Bob & Marsha Tarte Sheila & William Wingfield DUKE Greg & Christine Blando SUBSCRIPTION by membership: vegasjazz.org by ing: info@vegasjazz.org Newsletter s: Editor@vegasjazz.org or AdMgr@vegasjazz.org Deadline for publication is 1st of the month prior to issue date. SEND MAIL TO: JAZZ NOTES!, Editor, P. O. Box 60396, Las Vegas, NV VEGAS JAZZ MESSAGE LINE: (702) VEGAS JAZZ WEBSITE: JAZZ NOTES! is published bi-monthly by Vegas Jazz, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. 2

3 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE It s hard to believe that summer has gone. This year has been such a busy one for us. I am very happy about the new look that Judy Tarte and Emanuel Schmidt have given to our Jazz Notes! Our next focus will be on the website design. We are struggling our way into the twenty-first century. I hope that you are enjoying where we are going. A good time was had by all at our annual Groove al Fresco jazz picnic. Special thanks to the Vegas Jazz regulars: Mimi Williams, Samantha Badgley, Judy Tarte and Ginger David, who gave their very best, as usual. Patrick Gaffey and his Winchester Cultural Center crew contributed their time and the beautiful stage with lighting and sound. (Our affiliation with Winchester has always been such a good thing.) Volunteers, Janet Safdeye, Evelyn Chavers, and Jim Johnson gave us so much assistance. Their energy was infectious and I cannot thank them enough. Dave Loeb was the music coordinator and a wonderful emcee. Ronnie Rose, who is the consummate entertainer, did not fail to give the audience a wonderful set. Michito Sanchez brought his 6 piece ensemble providing an infectious beat that made it impossible to sit still. Closing the concert was David Poe bringing us the swinging Dixieland sound as only he and his group can. It was a fine night! Sunday, October 27 at 2:00 pm Nathan Tanouye and the Las Vegas Jazz Connection presented Sizzle Fest II, an afternoon of Latin jazz. The concert was held at the Winchester Community Center. Jerry Lopez of Santa Fe was the featured singer. Dave Richardson wrote an arrangement and Toscha Comeaux, from the Elvis Show, sang a special arrangement written for her by Nathan. The full band, with strings and harp plus premiere percussionists, Michito Sanchez and Gabriel Falcon performed. It was a sold-out concert and it was wonderful to see so many new faces. Thank you all for your support. Please note that this was an American Jazz Initiative (AJI) project in cooperation with Vegas Jazz. It was so sad to hear of the passing of Bobby Rozario. He and Russ were good friends and worked together in television in California. I have lost touch with our Los Angeles friends and wonder what has elapsed. Looking through Russ address book is like taking a walk down memory lane. I will say it again, I am so lucky to have been with Russ and shared his friendships. It is like music history. At the time one takes it for granted, but in looking back I can see what wondrous times we had. I will never forget hearing Chick Corea playing in the middle of a cul-de-sac at his block party. Then there was the laughter we all know about musician s humor. Keep listening to the music and laughing with the guys. It is the best. We owe it to these wonderful artists to keep the music alive and growing. Remember: Music Is Forever! CAROLYN FREEMAN President Please join us at the annual VEGAS JAZZ Holiday Party December 1st 2013, 6 to 9 p.m. 6:00 pm cocktails / 7:00 pm dinner Full bar service available - Menu: antipasto, salad, pasta marinara, and chicken Music by the Ambience trio: Mike Candito**-drums; Jeff Davis**-bass; Cocho Arbe**-keyboard The Italian American Club (IAC) 2333 EAST SAHARA AVENUE cost: $40 per person, tax and gratuity included PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS BY NOVEMBER 22 Mail in this form and your check to: VEGAS JAZZ; PO Box 60396, Las Vegas YES, RESERVE MY SPACE FOR VEGAS JAZZ HOLIDAY PARTY!!!! INDICATE NUMBER IN YOUR PARTY $40 per person SPECIAL REQUESTS YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION 3

4 4 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER UPCOMING CONCERTS - LAS VEGAS *indicates Vegas Jazz member **indicates Vegas Jazz Artist level member Date/Time Artist(s) Venue Cost November 1-2 Vocal Jazz Solo Nights CSN BackStage Theatre $8 Adults-$5 Students/Seniors 7:30 pm CSN Jazz Singers 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave N. Las Vegas call for ticket info ensemble & individual performances- jazz standards to Broadway November 13 UNLV Latin Jazz Ensemble Flamingo Library Theater free 7 pm with guest vocalist and 1401 E. Flamingo Rd conducted by Uli Geissendoerfer November Emanuel Schmidt* (guitar) Lloyd D. George U.S. Courthouse free and open to the public visit: 12-1 pm & Kimberly Delibero-Glennie (harp) 333 LV Blvd So./Jury Assembly Rm artslasvegas.org or call November 17 Joe Williams Scholarship Concert UNLV Ham Hall $20 through UNLV PAC Box Office 2 pm featuring Ronnie Rose**, Tina Walsh, call 895-ARTS Laura Taylor**, Pia Zadora, Vinnie Falcone, Pete Barbutti and surprise guests with UNLVJazz Ensemble 1 directed by Dave Loeb* November 18 UNLV Fall Jazz Festival, UNLV Black BoxTheater $10 through UNLV PAC Box Office 7:30 pm Jazz Guitar Ensemble and The Latin Jazz Ensemble call 895-ARTS November 19 UNLV Fall Jazz Festival, Jazz Ensemble III & UNLV Black Box Theater $10 through UNLV PAC Box Office 7:30 pm The Contemporary Jazz Ensemble with guest trumpet artist-in-residence George Stone call 895-ARTS November 20 UNLV Fall Jazz Festival, UNLV Black Box Theater $10 through UNLV PAC Box Office 7:30 pm Jazz Ensembles I and II with guest trumpet artist-in-residence George Stone call 895-ARTS November 23 VJ presents 60 on the 88s 6 pianist, Winchester Cultural Center $12 in advance or VJ members W/ID 2 pm 60 fingers, 88 keys...great JAZZ! 3130 S. McLeod (N of DI) $15 at door with pianists: Alex Clements, Jason Corpuz, Otto Ehling, Uli Geissendoerfer, Matt Green, Dave Richardson, with Jeff Davis**,bass & Santo Savino, drums November 24 Tom Ferguson Memorial Concert CSN Horn Theatre $10-proceeds to Tom Ferguson 2 pm CSN Big Band with special guests 3200 E. Cheyenne, N.LV Memorial at CSN; reception to follow* Donations may be sent to CSN Foundation/Tom Ferguson fund December 1 VJ Holiday Party Italian American Club (IAC) $40 per person call pm-cocktails Music by the Ambience Trio with 2333 East Sahara Avenue or send reservation/check: Vegas 7 pm-dinner Mike Candito**/Jeff Davis**/Cocho Arbe** Jazz PO Box LV,NV Donations will be collected at this event to support the non profit organization Baby s Bounty December 8 CSN Jazz Combos CSN BackStage Theatre $8 Adults-$5 Students/Seniors 2 pm & Jazz Singers 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave N. Las Vegas call for ticket info December 8 Sandy Kastel** Canyon Gate Country Club $35 call for reservations 5:30 pm-dinner Holiday Special 2001 Canyon Gate Drive (W. Sahara west of Durango) 7 pm show featuring the Dick Kastel Orchestra - Opera/ Sinatra Tribute/Michael Leonetti note: a portion of the proceeds will be donated to WIMA scholarship fund for LV students in performing, visual and literary arts December 11 UNLV Combos Flamingo Library Theater free 7 pm & vocalists 1401 E. Flamingo Rd December 12 CSN Nicholas Horn Theatre $8 Adults-$5 Students/Seniors 7:30 pm Winter Choral Concert: 3200 E. Cheyenne N. Las Vegas call for ticket info Choral ensembles, Chamber Chorale, Jazz Singers and members of voice classes directed by Dr. Mark Wherry Recurring Artist Member Level Events: All events are currently at the E-String 1st Saturday of the month Jimmy Wilkins** "New Life Orchestra" 2nd Saturday of the month Bruce Harper** "Great American Legacy of Big Band Jazz" 4th Saturday on the month Tom Hall* "The Boss BeBop Jazz Septet" Check EVAN DAVIS* at evandavisjazz.com/calendar for updated listings

5 MEET THE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ARTISTS November 15 - DOWNTOWN CULTURAL SERIES Lloyd D. George U.S.Courthouse - 12 noon 53 FIFTY THREE 53 is a new project by guitarist Emanuel Schmidt* and harpist Kimberly Delibero-Glennie. These two collaborators bring their eclectic musical backgrounds to bear on a handpicked collection of aural gems from a variety of musical periods and styles, creating a fusion of Baroque, South American, Impressionist, Modern European, Folk, and improvised music. November ON THE 88s 6 pianists, 60 fingers, 88 keys...great JAZZ! Winchester Cultural Center - 2 pm PIANISTS: Alex Clements - this Canadian jazz pianist and composer is an internationally recognized artist, performing in the U.S., Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and Africa. Jason Corpuz - grew up in Las Vegas and is currently enrolled in the Jazz Piano Performance program at UNLV. He is a member of the Joe Williams Everyday Foundation Scholarship Sextet as well as the award winning UNLV Jazz Ensemble I band. Otto Ehling - currently a UNLV graduate student pursuing a doctorate in classical piano after earning his master s in jazz studies in He was a Joe Williams Every Day foundation scholarship recipient to UNLV which provided him opportunities to discover the modern jazz idiom. Uli Geissendoerfer - pianist/composer Uli, originally from Germany, explores rhythms and melodies across many styles of music with a special emphasis on World Jazz and improvisation. Matt Green - currently keyboardist for O Dave Richardson - composer/arranger keyboardist with Las Vegas premier horn band: Sante Fe RHYTHM SECTION: Jeff Davis - is an acoustic and electric bassist whose credits include Pete Christlieb, Joe Lano, Richie Cole, Joe Williams and many others. He has been a mainstay of the Vegas music scene for over 30 years. Santo Savino - is a long-time veteran drummer in Las Vegas. Santo has performed with a who s who of superstars including such greats as Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Billy Eckstine, Sarah Vaughan, Tom Jones, Vic Damone and Bob Hope. December 1 - VEGAS JAZZ HOLIDAY PARTY Italian American Club - 6 pm AMBIENCE TRIO: Jeff Davis (see November 23 listing) Mike Candito-a drummer best known for his versatility and love of working in various music styles including Jazz, R&B, Funk, Country, Rock and Latin, Mike has appeared with, among others, Pat Cooper, Milton Berle and Joan Rivers. Cocho Arbe-performer, conductor, composer, arranger and recording artist, keyboard player Cocho has toured worldwide with artists such as Marlene Shaw, Paquito D Rivera, Carlos Santana and many more. December 8 - SANDY KASTEL** HOLIDAY SPECIAL Canyon Gate Country Club - 5:30 pm Sandy Kastel is a singer, songwriter, performer and author focusing on women s empowerment. She has performed in many Las Vegas lounges and showrooms, in production shows, musicals, plays, commercials, television and film. She has toured in the US and Canada and parts of Europe and Asia. She is currently host of the Sandy Kastel & Friends Variety TV/Radio Talk Show. CONGRATULATIONS Vegas Jazz Artist level member JIMMY WILKINS who was recently enshrined into the fans Entertainment Hall of Fame as Jazz Musician of the Year, The UNLV Jazz Studies Program for having received their fourth straight outstanding review from the respected international magazine, JazzTimes, for their recent CD The Four of Us, on TNC Recordings.This CD may be purchased at UNLV concerts or through TNC Recordings online. Ken Franckling s JazzTimes review of this CD will appear in the January/February edition of JazzNotes!. 5

6 MEET VEGAS JAZZ MEMBER JIMMY WILKINS photo by Paul Spyder Evans Jimmy Wilkins, in his 90s, was recently voted 2013 Jazz Musician of the Year by the Las Vegas Entertainment and Consumers Exchange, Inc. Born and raised in St. Louis, he began listening to jazz at a very early age. He started playing the violin, then trumpet and finally discovered the trombone when his band director in school couldn t find anyone else to play it. This led to the path he took for most of the rest of his life. He, with his New Life Orchestra, can be heard playing his trombone and scatting the first Saturday of each month at the E-String Bar & Grill. The band s book features charts by his older brother Ernie and Frank Foster. Jimmy, his brother, and their friend Clark Terry joined the Navy in the early 40s and were stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Ernie and Jimmy were then shipped out to Hampton Institute in Virginia where they learned advanced techniques for reading music and Jimmy began his first formal training on his horn. After his stint in the Navy he moved back to St. Louis, playing in local bands and eventually got a call from Clark Terry, who asked him to join the Count Basie band. He went on the road with the Basie band and eventually ended up playing with his brother from 1953 to 1955, when Ernie joined Basie s band. Upon leaving the Basie band Jimmy moved to Detroit to manage his uncle s barbecue restaurant. He, however, wasn t able to leave his music behind and became a staff musician for Motown Records, playing with, among others, the Supremes, Spinners, Four Tops and Temptations while working a day gig as a letter carrier. Jimmy and his wife Cynthia moved to Las Vegas from Detroit in the early 90s..to escape the Michigan winters and partake of the jazz scene that was much more prevalent then than it is today. Upon his arrival he formed a group that played his Basie library in such venues as the Four Queens and the Riviera. He also became active in the Las Vegas Jazz Society. You can read more about Jimmy and his life in a three part interview by writer March Meyers on JazzWax marc@marchmyers. com) We are proud to claim him a most valued member and thank him for his many years of devotion to our passion...jazz! 6

7 REVIEWS CONTOUR September 8, Hattie s House review by Patricia Ortega-Miranda This cozy concert room lent itself to an intimate afternoon of wonderful music. The trio, comprised of Emanuel Schmidt on guitar, Alex Clements on piano and accordion and Jeff Davis on bass, displayed a dynamic and eclectic repertoire. Contour, the title of this presentation, is a visceral exposition of an anthology of melodies carefully extracted from their different realms of ethnic, jazz and film music. With theme songs from the films The Godfather and Cinema Paradiso, a whole visual imagery of passionate love stories and Mediterranean cities were evoked by Clement s energetic accordion playing and Schmidt s skillful execution on the guitar, often reminding us of Portuguese fados and Spanish flamenco. Schmidt s soulful style complimented the moving melodies while setting a trance-like mood. Davis bass solos were outstanding, especially on the more upbeat selections such as I Hear A Rhapsody and Herbie Hancock s Dolphin Dance. Clements was outstanding on piano, especially on the jazz Classic How Deep Is The Ocean. A NIGHT OF JAZZ UNLV Joe Williams Every Day Foundation Scholarship Jazz Sextet Concert September 11, Flamingo Library review by Patricia O. Miranda There is no doubt, after this unforgettable night of jazz music, the audience left assured that there are strong reasons why we should support jazz education. To the noble people who contribute to help that seed grow and make a difference in the community, we must say thank you. In this case, specifically, our deepest and most sincere appreciation goes to Jillian Williams and all the sponsors of the Joe Williams Everyday Foundation, for giving the opportunity to the UNLV jazz students who have benefited from that scholarship and whose talent was demonstrated during the show. The sextet, consisting of Austin Pooley, drums; Jason Corpuz, piano; Nick Schmitt, bass and a horn section with Carlos Mata, saxophone; Jorge Machain, trumpet and Nick Veslaney, trombone, opened with Takuya Kuroda s Grappa. With this classic of contemporary jazz, the group demonstrated the character of the night: a music marked by the two main universals of jazz, Rhythm and Melody. Throughout the concert these elements interacted with one other in constant dialogue. Following was Hende-man, a piece written by saxophonist Carlos Mata who demonstrated great skill at composing through his rhythmically varied musical work and in playing by his dynamic phrasing during his solos. Jorge Machain s trumpet improvisation also stood out. Machain s extending or delaying of the notes created a stream of energized articulations. The legacies of Parker and Davis were present through the bebop and cool styles that have, undoubtedly, influenced this new generation of musicians. Next was McCoy Tyner s Contemplation played by pianist Jason Corpuz. Jason very assertively conveyed the essence of this piece. Tyner s famous theme, masterfully arranged by bassist Nick Schmitt, was a wonderful demonstration of what, in music, can be understood in terms of Hegel s dialectics: a constant struggle and opposition of different forces which seemed to conform to a sort of narrative. Outbursts and rampages of drumbeats like screams were tamed by the sweet whispering of the trombonist s gentle sound. This piece is full of paradoxical ruptures and unifications, revealing an order that continuously develops out of a chaos. The soft voice of Halsey Harkins, who effortlessly exhibited her virtuosity at hitting high notes, delighted the audience in her interpretation of the standard I Remember You. During the execution of this piece, arranged by Harkins herself, trombonist Nick Veslaney delivered a beautiful solo while Schmitt s improvisation displayed a high technical level. Vocalist Ira Hill, opted for a more upbeat theme, sounding at ease with his lively interpretation of Kurt Weill s Speak Low. Truly outstanding was Jason Corpuz s Everafter, in which the pianist showed his skill as a jazz composer through a theme charged with a sensibility for the melancholic and nostalgic. Corpuz delivered an intense solo exhibiting prodigious ability. Drummer Austin Pooley also impressed the audience with his tour de force during the performance of his own rhythmically complex and highly creative composition titled Bear Whisperer The group also played one of Machain s original themes, Tango Más which was inspired by a rather peculiar combination of influences, Cuban saxophonist Paquito D Rivera and Argentinian tango composer Astor Piazzolla. It was a perfectly balanced fusion of Latin rhythms evoking a variety of images: the sound of marching military troops recalling Argentinian s tragic past, the samba from Rio and the boldness of the trombone which referenced a Cuban musical style of the 1950s. A fitting end to this concert was Ellis Marsalis Swinging At The Haven with its intoxicating rhythm and contagious melody. Reflecting upon this special night I came to realize that the future of jazz would seem assured. It s being renovated but has never been more alive. 7

8 UNLV Jazz Band 1 September 17, Ham Hallr review by Dave Viger, Jr Chairman, UNLV Jazz Studies Advisory Board It was a star-studded night of Jazz, glitter galore, and a packed house at Ham Hall, with the UNLV Alumni Band and all its distinguished professionals heading up the first half of this concert. Not to be outdone, under the leadership and guidance of David Loeb, Director of Jazz Studies at UNLV and his colleague, noted trombonist and arranger, Nathan Tanouye, Jazz Ensemble 1 took the stage for the second half of the evening s concert. The audience never left their feet..exuberant applause and ovations continued with each breathtaking, challenging, intricate and power-packed performance of the youngsters, who clearly exhibited their raw talent and musicianship, making it clear that they are heading towards the same bright futures as their predecessors. We enjoyed outstanding solos throughout the evening. Among them were Juan Carlos Mata-Alvarez on tenor sax, who performed a number of solos and who has also written and arranged for Band 1 and the award-winning Latin Ensemble; Andrew Silva on electric guitar; Daniel Alameda on vibes; Alec Bart and Jason Corpuz on piano; Jorge Machain on trumpet and Nick Veslany on trombone. Also heard were the rich pipes and golden voice of JoBelle Yonely, UNLV Jazz Vocal Faculty, singing Old Country. Added to the mix were Paul Olesuk on trombone, Patrick Garcia on alto sax, RJ Reyes and Nick Schmitt on bass; Gyasi Greer and Austin Pooley on drums. Directing one of the bands musical numbers was recent Masters degree recipient, John Summers. Guest artist for this concert was Dennis Mackrel, a UNLV graduate, standout drummer and former leader of Count Basie s band for many years. Needless to say it was truly a Jazz feast! Thanks, Dave and Nathan, and all the marvelous students of the multiple Awardwinning UNLV Jazz Studies Program. Bridging the Gap September 17, Ham Hall review by Travis Lohman This UNLV 40th Anniversary Jazz Alumni Concert held a special place in UNLV s history: it honored both the alumni of previous UNLV Jazz Ensembles as well as the current lineup of members. Director David Loeb acknowledged several people in the audience including Dean of UNLV Fine Arts, Jeff Koep; Carolyn Freeman, Vegas Jazz president, widow of pianist Russ Freeman; and Jillian Williams, widow of singer Joe Williams. Dr. Ken Hanlon gave a brief speech about the history of the UNLV Jazz Ensemble and the influence of Frank Gagliardi s presence and direction of this fantastic ensemble. The leadership, the dedication, the sound, as well as the work ethic of this band were unveiled to the audience s eyes and ears. It is a history, indeed! One of the best quotes of the night was: The one thing that makes a jazz ensemble work is if you have a rhythm section that works. A final anecdote given by Dr. Hanlon was about the Village Vanguard club and when, with some persuasion, Frank Gagliardi got the UNLV Jazz Ensemble to perform there. Following the introductions, Assistant Director Nathan Tanouye was welcomed onto the stage and kicked the concert off with a wonderful piece titled: Three and One by Thad Jones. This tune featured fantastic orchestration, saxophone solis, and great solos by Gary Hypes on baritone sax, Glenn Colby on trumpet, Frank Solerno on piano, and Geoff Neumann on bass. The next selection was Rose Tattoo by Don Menza. A lovely change of pace, this piece featured beautiful trumpet harmonies and a relaxed, slower groove. Glenn Colby provided a beautiful and inventive solo, demonstrating fantastic range and soaring melodic ideas. Julian Tanaka gave a powerful and musical tenor sax solo, with Gary Hypes providing a pristine solo in conclusion. It might also be mentioned that the saxes were also given a chance to double on woodwinds. Next, saxophonist Jay Rasmussen was featured on a Nathan Tanouye arrangement of the Russ Freeman composition The Wind. A mysterious and extremely lush introduction showcased the brilliant writing and arranging. Rasmussen s tone, bold and robust was mellifluous and flowing when required. The solo, filled with contoured lines, soaring melodic ideas and flurries of embellishments, maintained qualities of spontaneity and originality. Colorful bursts of trumpets and flowing saxophone lines were also noted. UNLV concerts usually feature student arrangements and compositions and this concert was no exception. Bus Dust a composition written by drummer and former alumnus Dennis Mackrel, was a real swinger. This joyful tune featured great melody, bursts of harmony and never let up on the groove. Highlights were an amazing solo by Brian Murphy on tenor, trombonist Michael Evans checking in with an energetic solo featuring hints of blues and plenty of growls and slides and a magnificent short chorus in conclusion. Other selections included Yesterdays and another Dennis Mackrel tune, Lemon Juice. This gospel/blues inspired tune was a great closer and showed that UNLV continually produces amazing ensembles and music. Bridging the Gap from then until now, that s what this music is all about. 8

9 FAREWELLS JAZZ PICNIC IN REVIEW photos by Woody Woods The annual Vegas Jazz Picnic, held Saturday, October 5, proved to be a resounding success. A positive groove vibrated throughout the event enhanced by splendid weather and great music. We d like to acknowledge the special people who made it happen: The wonderful musicians who performed and produced such a diversity of sounds: Ronnie Rose with: Vinnie Falcone, Gary Anderson, Chris Gordan, and Boris Shapiro; Michito Sanchez with Melvin Macias, Purovicente Hernandez, Miguel Rodriguez, Leonardo Mena and Jonny Rodriguez; David Poe with Mike Candito, Gary Queen and Bill Bailey; and David Loeb who coordinated the music and served as M.C. Thanks also to the Winchester Cultural Center crew: Patrick Gaffey, Erika Borges, Julie Navis, Laura Valverde and Joseph House (a special thanks to Joseph for finding the last minute substitute food wagon) and the sound crew: John Bartlett, Rob Hays and Ellis Rice. A very special thank you to the Vegas Jazz regulars: Mimi Williams, Samantha Badgley, Judy Tarte, Carolyn Freeman and Ginger David. Ginger, with her trio of enthusiastic and hard working volunteers Janet Safdeye, Evelyn Chavers, and Jim Johnson, provided most welcome and valuable assistance. An additional thank you to Ericka Lowe, our charming and efficient bartender. And last, but certainly not least the many Vegas Jazz members and friends of jazz who came out in support of the event. It s safe to say that a good time was had by all!!! l to r: Gary Anderson, Ronnie Rose, Michito Sanchez, David Poe DR. TOM FERGUSON passed away August 29, He was 81. Tom received his masters of music and doctor of philosophy in Music Theory degrees from Eastman School of Music. He served in the U.S. Army, teaching theory, conducting and arranging in the Army Band Master program at the U.S. Naval School of Music. He was director of bands at Memphis State University (composing their fight song) and became professor of music and jazz studies at Arizona State University in Leaving Arizona in the early 80s, he moved to Las Vegas to concentrate on a career as a professional jazz musician. Tom played at several of the Strip hotels including Caesar s Palace (where he taught Dustin Hoffman a few jazz licks during the filming of The Rainman), Bally s and served 7 years as pianist/conductor at the Las Vegas Hilton. He played five years on the National Public Radio broadcast of Jazz at the Four Queens performing with such artists as Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Joe Williams, Louie Bellson, Carl Fontana, Lou Tabakin and many others. Tom returned to his academic roots in the late 80s, when he become Director of Jazz Studies at the Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN), chair of the CSN Fine Arts Department and chair of the Performing Arts Department until his retirement in Tom was Past-President of the International Association of Jazz Educators and appointed to the Jazz Panel of the National Endowment for the Arts in 1976, serving a four year term. He also gave clinics and adjudicated at high school and college jazz festivals throughout the United States. A Memorial Concert is being planned for him at the CSN Horn Theatre on November 24 with proceeds to go to the Tom Ferguson Memorial scholarship for music students at CSN ( see the upcoming events calendar on page 4 of this issue of JazzNotes! for further details.) CEDAR WALTON, pianist and composer died August 19, He was 79. For more than 50 years, Mr. Walton was one of the most respected figures in jazz, sharing the stage as a young man with singer Billie Holiday and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, and continuing to work until shortly before his death, inspiring younger jazz musicians, including trumpeters Roy Hargrove and Jeremy Pelt and bassist Christian McBride. He appeared on more than 400 albums including 60 as a leader, working with almost every major jazz performer of his era, from John Coltrane and Milt Jackson to Abbey Lincoln. From he was part of Art Blakey s Jazz Messengers. Other members of the group at this time included Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter and Curtis Fuller. In 2010 National Endowment for the Arts named him a jazz master, the country s highest honor for a jazz musician. DICK LaPALM, record promoter, died October 7. He was 86. In an era when music appeared on vinyl and the only way to expose the public to artists was to convince radio stations to play their records, LaPalm promoted singles and albums by jazz and pop artists such as Nat King Cole, Ahmad Jamal, Peggy Lee, Woody Herman, Sarah Vaughan, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Sonny Rollins and many others. Rather than the usual practice of promotion during the 1950s, which was to offer the disc jockey gifts, money and various other enticements (payola: pay for play), Dick would, instead, offer them invitations backstage to meet performers, in-station appearances by the artists, photo opportunities and exclusives for their new releases. He also made sure that local record stores were stocked with the recordings the public heard on the radio. continued next page 9

10 He was a fervent champion of jazz and absolutely loved the music. He cared about the artists and used what influence he could to promote their efforts. In his own words he was a jazz lobbyist whose advocating on behalf of jazz was an almost tireless and fruitless task. MARIAN McPARTLAND, jazz pianist and radio host died August 20, She was 95. Trained as a classical pianist Ms. McPartland was drawn to the freedom of the jazz idiom in spite of, as critic Leonard Feather put it, she had three hopeless strikes against her. She was British, white and a woman in a world and musical realm dominated by men. Perhaps most widely known through her interviews and impromptu performances with musicians on her longrunning NPR program, Piano Jazz, she became successful during the 1950s leading a trio in New York nightclubs, most notably the Hickory House, and soon became one of the era s few women to become established as jazz instrumentalists. As a pioneering woman in jazz, she was one of only two women included in Art Kane s renowned group portrait of jazz musicians on a Harlem street in 1958 which was the inspiration for the 1994 Oscar-nominated documentary, A Great Day in Harlem. (She stood in the front row, next to Mary Lou Williams.) She often appeared at the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center. She wrote reviews and essays for DownBeat and other musical journals, composed songs that were recorded by notables such as Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee and Sarah Vaughan and established her own record label in the late 1960s, when major labels began to drop jazz. It was in the 60s that she began her broadcasting career with a weekly show in New York during which she played records, conducted interviews and discovered her talent for getting musicians to talk about their lives. These are skills she utilized for her award winning Piano Jazz show. During that show she often played with and discussed performer s personal stories with musicians ranging from Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Steely Dan, Elvis Costello, Ray Charles and Willie Nelson. By the time Ms. McPartland left this series in 2011, she had won a Peabody Award for broadcasting and a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement. FRANK D RONE, singer, guitarist died October 3, He was 81. Leonard Feather once said of D Rone he is one of the few finer singers and performers around Nat King Cole in the liner notes on D Rone s first album stated [Frank D Rone] is a singer with an individual sound that invites no comparison who understands a lyric and tells the story when he sings it and doesn t just mouth words. A singer who can seemingly sustain a note forever. Tony Bennett echoed this sentiment in the notes for D Rone s 2008 release, Falling in Love with Love In this album, Frank proves to be one of the masters of the art of intimate singing. During the 1960s and 70s Frank appeared frequently with Perry Como, Merv Griffin and on Johnny Carson s Tonight Show. He also opened for such acts as Jonathan Winters, the Smothers Brothers, Lenny Bruce, and Mort Sahl at the hungry i in San Francisco. Reputedly, hungry i owner Enrico Banducci heard about him from Frank Sinatra who reportedly said of D Rone Here s a guy who phrases better than me. Go see him and hire him. Among the many club venues he played were the Copacabana in New York; Caesar s Palace, the Sahara, Sands and Riviera Hotels in Las Vegas; Mr. Kelly s, in Chicago; and the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. Frank s last concert was August 24 in Chicago with singer-pianist Judy Roberts and saxophonist Greg Fishman. Roberts described him on that occasion: He bounded up the stairs like an athlete he was so glorious and poised and charming and funny I could see his skin was white. He was completely pale. But that didn t stop him. He put on the show of his life. We also wish to pay our respects to Jim Belk who died September 3; Mike Goldberg who died September 19; Bob Rozario who died October 3; Butch Warren who died October 5; Jim Trimble who died October 10 and Ronald Shannon Jackson who died October 19. Further details will be included in the next issue of JazzNotes! ANNOUNCEMENTS MEMBERS: PLEASE NOTE Just a reminder that ALL VJ memberships EXPIRE on December 31, Because of increased costs in printing, supplies and most everything else we anticipate an increase in membership rates for the 2014 Annual Membership dues. We appreciate your support and would like to offer a PRE-INCREASE special for those of you who wish to re-opt before the 2014 membership renewal letters are sent out. If you fill out and send in the membership renewal form in this issue of JazzNotes! (send to Vegas Jazz P.O.Box L.V., NV 89160) you can still join at the 2013 rate with your membership effective through December 31, CONTACT INFORMATION If you have a change in contact information please let us know ASAP by calling the message line: or writing to Vegas Jazz P.O. Box 60396, LV, NV Your Jazz Notes! and s are NOT automatically forwarded so If you don t let us know you won t receive correspondence from us. 10

11 EARLY BIRD MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL JOIN NOW...Rates are expected to go up... VEGAS JAZZ MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 2014 Calendar Year Annual Membership Dues from January through December 2014 Circle: New Member / Renewing Member CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP LEVEL CHOICE: STUDENT (Monk) - $10 INDIVIDUAL (Ella) - $25 FAMILY (Miles) - $35 ARTIST - $50 NOTE: Artists who pay dues at this level or above are entitled to list their Jazz Related events in the JAZZNOTES! bi-monthly magazine, on the Vegas Jazz website in the monthly events calendar as well as submit a photo, short description and link to their web site on the ARTISTS page. Listings and information should be sent to: calendarlistings@vegasjazz.org SATCHMO - $100 DUKE - $250 SPECIAL PATRON LEVELS: COLTRANE - $500 BIRD - $1,000 DIZZY - $1,500 Corporate and individual Sponsorships are also available; for additional information contact Carolyn Freeman at Send payments to Vegas Jazz - P.O. Box Las Vegas, NV Name(s): Address APT # City: State: Zip code: preferred contact method: phone # ddress: Check for interest in volunteer activities: Preferred activities: JOIN VEGAS JAZZ KEEP JAZZ ALIVE & THRIVING vegasjazz.org STAY CONNECTED: When you change your address, name, or , please let us know , message line; info@vegasjazz.org, ; or mail the info to us. TICKET POLICY: Members will be asked to show their membership cards when purchasing tickets. Membership dues entitle members to concert ticket discounts, an electronic version of Jazz Notes!, and a bi-monthly mailed version of Jazz Notes!. Additionally, your membership supports the following outstanding jazz functions: Printing/ mailing of Jazz Notes!, Jazz Education Programs; maintenance to the website; the Annual Black History Celebration; and partnerships with UNLV, CSN, Clark County School District, the Joe Williams Foundation, and the Las Vegas Academy of the Performing Arts High School. Please consider increasing your membership level to help us continue these outstanding programs. Vegas Jazz Member Information Policy: All information is confidential, and will never be shared with other organizations or individuals. Please support our advertisers...mention you found them through their Vegas Jazz JAZZNOTES! ad 11

12 vegasjazz.org NOTES! The official publication of Vegas Jazz and the Las Vegas Jazz Scene. PO BOX LAS VEGAS,NV MESSAGE LINE: NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID LAS VEGAS, NV PERMIT NO RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Sixty on the 88s Saturday, November 23, 2:00pm Winchester Cultural Center 3130 McLeod Drive Las Vegas, NV (north of Desert Inn) Tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Vegas Jazz Members $12 with ID Alex Clements/Jason Corpuz/Otto Ehling/ Uli Geissendoerfer/Matt Green/Dave Richardson with Jeff Davis (bass) & Santo Savino (drums) For bookings call (702) Sunday, December 1 VEGAS 6:00pm cocktails / 7:00pm dinner jazz Italian American Club 2333 East Sahara Avenue Holiday Las Vegas, NV Tickets: $40 per person. Featuring the Ambience Trio Cocho Arbe (piano) Jeff Davis (bass) Mike Candito (drums) See advance reservation form on page 3 of this JazzNotes! issue or call (702) or info@vegasjazz.org Party VEGAS jazz jazz happens here.