VOL 21 ISSUE 6 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012 The newsletter of Vegas Jazz Jazz Happens Here!

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1 VOL 21 ISSUE 6 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012 The newsletter of Vegas Jazz Jazz Happens Here!

2 VOL 21 ISSUE 6 NOV-DEC President s Column 3 Holiday Party Reservation Form 4-6 Upcoming Events 6-9 Reviews 9-10 Vegas Jazz Member/Picnic Memories/ Caption Contest Winners 11 In Memoriam/Member Lists/ Announcements bk cvr 2013 Annual Membership Application VEGAS JAZZ OFFICERS PRESIDENT Carolyn Freeman V. PRESIDENT Judy Tarte TREASURER Joyce Devers SECRETARY Samantha Badgley PAST PRESIDENT Frank Leone BOARD OF DIRECTORS J. J. Brennan Matt Koerner Kim Linzy Dave Loeb Emanuel Schmidt Katrina Sumner Judy Tarte Mimi Williams Manny Gomez Dave Rowell ADVISORS Rocky Gordon Daniel Teich JAZZ NOTES! is published bi-monthly by Vegas Jazz, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. Subscribe by membership at: vegasjazz.org or by ing: info@vegasjazz.org Send newsletter s to Editor@vegasjazz.org or AdMgr@vegasjazz.org Deadline for publication is 1st of the month prior to issue date. SEND MAIL: JAZZ NOTES!, Editor, P. O. Box 60396, Las Vegas, NV EDITOR Judy Tarte CONTRIBUTORS Greg Blando Ginger David Ed Foster Ken Franckling Carolyn Freeman Rocky Gordon Dave Loeb Travis Lohman Gary Marshal Sue Smuskiewicz Dave N. Viger, Jr Mimi Williams PHOTOGRAPHY Paul Spyder Evans Ed Foster Debby Loeb Emanuel Schmidt Judy Tarte Web files DESIGN Julee Flicker VEGAS JAZZ MSG. LINE (702) WEBSITE vegasjazz.org CAROLYN S CORNER There are so many new projects happening that I hardly know where to start. Vegas Jazz is getting a new look. We are redesigning our webpage and getting our Facebook page updated regularly. Our membership recording system is being moved to a newer software program that will allow us to keep current with our notifications and give us better communication with all of you. Moving into the 21st century is very exciting but makes my senior brain spin. Luckily we now have Board members who understand and can use social networking and the computer to fit our needs. I look forward to our future. The Jazz Picnic was hot in more ways than one. I had fervently wished that we would have no rain and I certainly got my wish. I did not ask for heat but we got it anyway! I hope our faithful members who weathered the heat with us enjoyed the music as much as we did. Gary Anderson s quintet plus guests, Curt Miller s The Boneheads, Cocho Arbe and his Latin sextet were all at their best. It is another example of how lucky we are to have so many great Las Vegas musicians to share their music with us. I send my thanks to everyone who helped to make the afternoon hot. John Nasshan for the great sound; Patrick Gaffey, Joseph House, Erika Borges, John Bartlett and the Winchester staff who made us feel so welcome and helped us in every way; all of the volunteers who came early, worked hard and helped clean up; and I cannot thank Nathan Tannenbaum enough for hosting our event. He is now a member of Vegas Jazz and we are so fortunate to have his support. Look for the photo of the Three Nathans in this issue, it s a keeper. Pictured are Nathan Kimball, Nathan Tanouye, and Nathan Tannenbaum. I am at present listening to my late husband s tune The Wind recorded by the Fred Hersch Trio. It is so beautiful. Russ called it his semi classic. Recently, a friend sent me 2 CDs full of nothing but The Wind all recorded by different artists. I actually listened to all of them and was astounded by the different interpretations. Russ once told me that he composed it in one session and made very few changes. He said that it was a rare moment for him. The creative process has always been fascinating to me. Where does the improvisation come from? I was told that for him it was like the flow of talking. Well, we know that I can talk, so maybe I get it! Life with Russ was an adventure and definitely a walk on the wild side. Be sure to check out the exciting events we have listed in this issue of JazzNotes! We have a lot coming up in the next couple of months and we hope you are able to attend many of them! We look forward to seeing you there. Remember, Music is Forever! TO ALL MEMBERS Just a reminder that Vegas Jazz switched to an annual dues format for the year 2012 and all memberships, unless otherwise notified, will expire December 31, If you wish to jump the gun on renewing for the annual year 2013 please fill out and send back the form on the back of this issue of Jazz Notes! We look forward to your continued support! Thanks... WE RE LOOKING FOR SHELVING FOR THE NEW VEGAS JAZZ STORAGE UNIT. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO DONATE PLEASE CALL THE MESSAGE LINE: CONGRATULATIONS TO Vegas Jazz member LAURA TAYLOR for her recent appearance at the Cabaret Jazz venue in the Smith Center. A review of this event will appear in the next issue of JazzNotes! We re proud of you, Laura! 2 I JAZZ NOTES! Nov-Dec 2012

3 join us For an evening of entertainment, cocktails, dining and dancing... A VEGAS JAZZ holiday party at the tastefully elegant MAD GREEK Restaurant DECEMBER 1, P.M. TO 9 P.M. THE MAD GREEK 8564 W. SAHARA AVE. (SE CORNER OF DURANGO AND SAHARA) MUSIC BY AMBIENCE TRIO Jeff Davis/bass Cocho Arbe/keyboard Mike Candito/drums 6 p.m. cocktails on the heated patio 7-9 p.m. dining & dancing $30 INDIVIDUAL / $55 COUPLE, INCLUDES TAX & GRATUITY FULL BAR SERVICE AVAILABLE LIMITED SPACE SO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY!!! DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS IS NOVEMBER 24, 2012 YES, RESERVE MY SPACE!!! PLEASE INDICATE # IN YOUR PARTY m $30 INDIVIDUAL m $55 COUPLE NAME(S) CONTACT INFO Please circle entrée choice(s): FISH CHICKEN VEGETARIAN MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: VEGAS JAZZ MAIL TO: PO BOX 60396, LAS VEGAS, NV CALL MESSAGE LINE FOR FURTHER DETAILS: Nov-Dec 2012 JAZZ NOTES! I 3

4 WARRIOR S JOURNEY NATE KIMBALL With his 19-piece Jazz Big Band & Guest MC - Nathan Tannenbaum Thursday, November 1 Smith Center Cabaret Room 7:30 p.m. Nate Kimball, ASCAP Award-Winning composer, International Trombone Association JJ Johnson Competition-Winning trombonist, UNLV graduate and Las Vegas native will premiere his first album, Warrior s Journey at the Smith Center on November 1st. As part of his campaign to...kick-start the Las Vegas jazz scene into looking forward and looking back at the same time, he will present an evening of original music with his quintet and jazz orchestra. Kimball, feels that...jazz music has for the most part metamorphosed into a cerebral technical exercise only understood and appreciated by a niche network of like-minded musicians. He states that: quite simply, the art of improvisation and speaking from the soul has lost some degree of its fundamental soul. To combat that he has put together an ensemble comprised of the city s finest musicians for a unique evening, beginning with his Nate Kimball Quintet and followed by a big band-style jazz orchestra, finishing out the night with original compositions. This will truly be a MUST SEE performance and one that you will not want to miss! For tickets contact the Smith Center Box Office: Phone: ; more information at: thesmithcenter.com Further information on Nate s projects can be found at natemusic.com Joe Williams Scholarship Fund Concert Sunday, November 11 Ham Hall, UNLV 2 p.m. After 23 years with CSN, this year s Joe Williams Scholarship Fund Concert will now support the Jazz Program at UNLV, providing scholarships for students in David Loeb s Jazz Studies program. This program was Downbeat s seleclion for the Best College Jazz Band in the nation in Featured performers will include Clint Holmes, Earl Turner, Pere Barbutti, The Cunninghams, and a few surprise guests. Tickets are $20, available through the UNLV PAC box office at 95-ARTS. Photos by Ed Foster Clint Holmes Pete Barbutti Earl Turner The Cunninghams 4 I JAZZ NOTES! Nov-Dec 2012

5 presents in cooperation with the Gateway Arts Foundation The Irv Gordon Memorial Scholarship Concert Saturday, December p.m. Reed Whipple Cultural Center $12 donation at the door 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North Featuring saxophonists: Charles McNeal / alto John Asti / tenor Steve Golden / tenor Garrett Hypes / Bari Special guest artists will be featured in a saxophone ensemble tribute The rhythm section will consist of: Jon Jacquemoud / guitar John Matteson / keyboards Geoff Neuman / bass Joe Thomasula / drums sponsored by IRV GORDON The Irv Gordon Memorial Scholarship Concert Reed Whipple Culture Center Saturday, Dec p.m. Originally from Philadelphia, Irv Gordon s career spanned the bebop era of the 1950s coming up alongside such other Philadelphia jazz greats as the Heath Brothers, Stan Getz, and John Coltrane. He began performing actively at the age of 16. When he was 18 he played the same tenor sax chair as the famed Lester Young behind Billie Holiday for the first interracial jazz concert in Philadelphia in the summer of He came to Vegas in the early 60s and played in orchestras at many of the resorts, including the old Thunderbird and Caesars Palace. During his career he performed with legends in and out of the jazz world such as Sarah Vaughan, Stan Getz, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Lena Horne, The Four Freshmen, Vido Musso, Frances Faye, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Abby Lincoln, Ike & Tina Turner, Johnny Mathis, Liberace and Elvis Presley. Gordon retired from playing in Vegas production shows in the 90s, and concentrated on playing jazz with such greats as Irv Kluger, Carl Fontana and saxophonist Bill Trujillo. He was a student of the legendary Philadelphia music instructor, Dennis Sandole, and later studied with arranging master Wes Hensel, as well as Los Angeles studio composers of that period, His writing and arranging credits included Lena Horne, Siegfried & Roy and Minsky s Burlesque. Although he dropped out of high school one month before his sixteenth birthday, Gordon eventually became an advocate for education. He was a voracious reader of ancient history, and considered an expert on the rise and fall of the Third Reich. In his fifties, Irv decided to go back to school and get his GED, the equivalent of a high school diploma, which was something he had always regretted not achieving in his youth. Irv, who passed away in November, 2007, was regarded as one of the most studious, disciplined musicians of his time. He would have been proud to have this scholarship awarded in his name to an aspiring, dedicated college-bound musician. Nov-Dec 2012 JAZZ NOTES! I 5

6 HAPPENINGS UNLV Sunday, November 11 Ham Hall UNLV 2 p.m. Joe Williams Scholarship Jazz Concert with UNLV Jazz Ensemble I and Clint Holmes and other special guest performers, tickets available through PAC box office. Wednesday, November 14 Flamingo Library Theater 7 p.m. UNLV Jazz Ensemble I and UNLV Jazz Ensemble III, free to the public. Wednesday, November 28 Black Box Theater 7:30 p.m. UNLV Jazz Guitar Ensemble and The UNLV Latin Jazz Ensemble, tickets available through PAC box office. Thursday, November 29 Black Box Theater 7:30 p.m. UNLV Contemporary Jazz Ensemble and UNLV Jazz Ensemble II, tickets available through PAC box office. CSN Friday & Saturday, November 2 & 3 VOCAL JAZZ SOLO NIGHTS 7:30 p.m. The Department of Fine Arts Jazz Singers will showcase their talent at 7:30 p.m. in the BackStage Theatre. In addition to ensemble selections, each individual performs a solo, ranging from jazz standards to Broadway. $8 adults, $5 students/seniors. Sunday, December 2 CSN JAZZ COMBOS & JAZZ SINGERS 2 p.m. The Department of Fine Arts Jazz Combos and Jazz Singers present an afternoon of jazz standards, classics and contemporary works at 2 p.m. in the BackStage Theatre. $8 adults, $5 students/seniors. Wednesday, December 5 CSN BIG BAND 7:30 p.m. The Department of Fine Arts dynamic big band entertains audiences with classics, standards and a few surprises at 7:30 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre. $8 adults, $5 students/seniors. CSN events are scheduled to be held on the Cheyenne campus, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas. For reservations call 651- LIVE (5483). More information is available at WINCHESTER CULTURAL CENTER Saturday, January 19 Jazz Workshop Quartet 7 p.m. A combo inspired by the sounds of Charles Mingus featuring: Mike Gonzales: trumpet and flugelhorn; Julian Tanaka: woodwinds; Justin Peterson: upright bass; Eric Schauer: drums Winchester Cultural Center 3130 S. McLeod, north of Desert Inn CD REVIEW 6 I JAZZ NOTES! Nov-Dec 2012 Smilin Eyes Reviewed by Ken Franckling Reprinted with permission from Jazz Times This latest recording project by the 39-year-old UNLV jazz programs premier big band features tracks from 2011 and 2012, demonstrating the strong consistency of this band from one academic year to the next. The CD opens with a high-flying take on Don Sebesky s Grammy-winning arrangement of Duke Ellington s Gladly ; the band s ensemble groove is cooking here. An inventive solo by Nate Kimball, 2009 winner of the International Trombone Associations J.J. Johnson prize, sets the bar high for those who follow, and tenor saxophonist John Summers, trumpeter Kevin Early and bassist Nick Schmitt meet his challenge. Composer-arranger Vince Mendoza s samba Old Friends, New Bottles feature beautiful improvisations by Early, Kimball and pianist Otto Ehling that enhance its blend of breezy and languid moods. Grad student Ehling is back in the spotlight on Bill Cunliffe s Grammy-winning arrangement of Oscar Peterson s West Side Story Medley. Drummer Austin Pooley and soprano saxophonist Nick Tulli are the other featured soloists. Ehling s understated piano solos are the link from segment to segment, and he delivers a mighty solo during the Maria section, as well as very effective counterpoint to the full ensemble on I Feel Pretty.

7 Pianist Stefan Karlsson, former UNLV coordinator of jazz studies, wrote the title track, Smilin Eyes, which was orchestrated for this recording by student arranger Tulli to spotlight the ensemble s brass. Kimball, Schmitt and Ehling are lead soloists on this gem as well, delivering robust improvisations between band segments. Late valve trombonist-composer Bob Brookmeyer wrote two tunes on this CD, Tah DUM! and Get Well Soon. The first piece spotlights trumpeter Kevin Early; the latter does the same for Tulli on tenor sax and drummer Austin Pooley. Nate Kimball wrote Gaea, a beauty with lush ensemble statements, with Tulli on tenor sax and Jorge Machain on trumpet offering dark solos that capitalize on the composition s overall pensive mood. The other student original, Summer s Love Unknown, is a film-noir-type ballad that evokes Charlie Haden s Quartet West. Summer s tenor solo builds over the ensemble, with the rest of the woodwinds contrasting at times on flute or sax. It s stunning. The CD winds down with a Spring 2011 recording of the Gershwin s I Got Rhythm as arranged by Rob McConnell. This fine standard spotlights drummer Paul Ringenbach, saxophonist Julian Tanaka (who was an iron man on UNLV s 2010 and 2011 recordings) and Kimball. Considering the level of performance on Smilin Eyes, it will be interesting to see what Director of Jazz Studies Dave Loeb and the 2013 edition of the ensemble cook up for the jazz program s 40th Birthday. NOTE: UNLV Jazz Ensemble I received their third consecutive outstanding review from the international jazz publication, Jazz Times, for their new CD release on TNC Recordings, Smilin Eyes. Hear Me Now Release by Tyler Williams on Elephant Rug Recordings Reviewed by Dave Loeb-Director of Jazz Studies, UNLV Tyler Williams launches his artistic recording career with this magnificent jazz CD release, Hear Me Now! Tyler s compositional skill is exhibited in all of the selections except in his unique treatment of Rogers and Hammerstein s, The Sound of Music. Opening with The Bistro, the innovative jazz guitar approach of Dirk K is featured in this medium swing piece that also includes world-class drum work by the incredible Peter Erskine who contributes greatly to the success of this project. Following with the introspective, Blues for the Road, Mr. Williams interacts musically with both Dirk and Peter in a swinging mid-tempo tune that showcases Tyler s melodic acoustic bass soloing. Flicka s Funk provides a welcomed contrast with Tyler playing electric bass, Dirk utilizing distortion in his guitar sound and Peter using bamboo sticks to create a contemporary straighteighth groove demonstrating an understated but driving rhythmic pulse. In the title track, Hear Me Now, Dirk s versatility is shown with a lovely acoustic guitar introduction leading into this beautiful ballad with sensitive playing by Tyler in his delicate bass solo. I Wish I d Met You is another gorgeous ballad that continues the tonal palette of Dirk s acoustic guitar prowess with unobtrusive drum accompaniment by Peter along with Tyler s lyrical improvisational bass conception. Returning to electric guitar in, Me and Herb, Dirk intersperses chorused be-bop lines with a modern sound that segues into Tyler s octave lines and Peter s solid and yet subtle ride cymbal alternating with an authentic Jamaican Reggae feel. The One That Got Away again displays Tyler s electric bass performance in his well-crafted rubato intro and Dirk s fine classical guitar technique in this slow but poignant rock-influenced ballad. Tyler s arrangement of The Sound of Music uses alternating time signatures of seven and five-four and a reharmonization with modal key areas that includes exceptional improvisations from Dirk, Tyler and Peter, who solos over the final chordal sequence. Straight Answer also incorporates six and five/four time signatures that reveal Tyler s penchant for building rhythmic tension and is released with the subsequent jazz waltz solo section, negotiated brilliantly by Dirk and Tyler, culminating in Peter s exquisite drum solo. Where We Are closes Tyler s debut CD with another example of the outstanding musicality of this amazing trio and the compositional range and prolific output of Mr. Williams. We look forward to enjoying many more wonderful recordings from Tyler in the immediate future! Nov-Dec 2012 JAZZ NOTES! I 7

8 REVIEWS 8 I JAZZ NOTES! Nov-Dec 2012 New Group for a New Year September 7 Flamingo Library Review by Travis Lohman The newly formed Joe Williams Scholars sextet ensemble featured this year at University of Nevada Las Vegas is comprised of members Jason Corpuz on piano, Nick Schmitt on bass, Austin Pooley on drums, Jorge Machain on trumpet, Carlos Alvarez on saxophone, and Max Acree on trombone. They presented a fantastic concert at the Flamingo Library on September 7. This concert kicked off the beginning of the new semester, as well as debuted the talents of these fine individuals. A great variety of music was played on this evening; those who were in attendance were truly treated to something amazing and special. For the first selection, Max Acree presented an incredibly ornate and colorful trombone solo. Following his lead, Jorge Machain gave a fantastic and musically contoured trumpet solo. Jason Corpuz finished with a blues-inflected solo, utilizing the whole range of the piano s timbre. As an ensemble, these guys really pay attention to blend and color. There was much detail in the shape of their phrasing, dynamics, and intensity when soloing. The rhythm section is extremely precise and the band always keeps the groove locked. Another great selection was the classic ballad A Child is Born. UNLV s own Nathan Tanouye wrote this arrangement. A sharp contrast tempo-wise compared to the previous selections, this tune allows the lead players to really project the gorgeous melody. Carlos Alvarez gave a wonderfully lush and palpable solo over the sustained chord changes of this lovely tune. The tasteful comping and chords provided by Jason Corpuz really helped to accentuate the mesmerizing quality this ballad still has. Not only does this sextet play standards, but original compositions are also a part of the creative process. A blues written by Corpuz, about a teddy bear, was a cleverly written selection and has a very musical melody. This blues had nice brass hits and featured virtuosic and melodically interesting solos by every player in the band. Following this blues tune was an original tune by Nathan Tanouye titled: Nana. The piece gets its name from the Japanese word for seven. Rightfully so, the time signature of the piece is also in seven. Rhythmical complexity can be challenging for some musicians, but definitely not for these guys. This tune has a very strident and pronounced melody by the trombone. Austin Pooley was given a chance to show off with a ridiculous drum solo, all the while being backed by Corpuz s ostinato. The final selection of the evening was another Corpuz original. How s That was a wonderful end to the evening. This tune is extremely fast-paced, melodically complex, and gives a chance for the soloists to shine. This sextet certainly showed the audience they are more then capable of putting on a show. With a new school year comes a new ensemble. This ensemble will certainly leave its mark on the UNLV Music Department. UNLV CD Release Party and Concert September 23 Ham Hall at UNLV Review by David N. Viger, Jr, Chm. UNLV Jazz Studies Advisory Board The ambiance was set when arrivals to the CD Release Party and Concert were greeted in the lobby of Ham Hall to a sterling UNLV Jazz Quintet made up of Gyasi Greer, drums; Halsey Harkins, piano; Nick Schmitt, bass; Paul Olesuk, Trombone; Julian Tanaka, sax. As all assembled in the auditorium, UNLV Jazz, Fall 2012, opened its program with the UNLV Contemporary Ensemble and its splashy show of musical magic under the direction and arrangements of Nathan Tanouye. Musicians were: Saxes: Carlos Mata, Scott McKell, Gizmo Hall; Trumpets: Jessie Garcia, Jorge Machain; Trombone: Max Acree; Guitar: Andrew Silva; Piano: Jason Corpuz; Bass: R.J. Reyes; Drums: Austin Pooley. The songs played by the Contemporary Ensemble were announced from the stage. After a brief intermission, UNLV Jazz Band 1 took the stage, and dazzled the audience with 7-fast paced, stand-on-you-feet-and-cheer jazz numbers, well known standards, UNLV student arrangements, and voicings that reached every jazz-happy nerve in each attendee s jazz-loving souls! The musical selections played by Band 1 Jazz Ensemble were: Bolivia (Cedar Walton, Arr. Mike Crotty), Happy Little Sunbeam (Russ Freeman, arr. by Nathan Tanouye), Love Unknown (John Summers), Kaleidoscope (Julian Tanaka), Nice to Meet You (John Clayton), Pink Magnolia (Julian Tanaka), and Smilin Eyes (Stefan Karlsson, Arr. Nick Tulli). Musicians were: Saxes: John Summers, Patrick Garcia, Julian Tanaka, Juan Carlos Mata-Alvarez, Gizmo Hall; Trumpets: Jessie Garcia, Jorge Machain, Richard Paugh, Phil Parsons; Trombones: Nick Veslany, Max Acree, Stephen Anongthep, Paul Olesuk; Guitar: Jarret Myers; Piano: Jason Corpuz, Alec Bart; Bass: Nick Schmitt; Drums: Austin Pooley, Larry Aberman; Percussion: Daniel Alameda. What was remarkable about both the performance of the Contemporary Ensemble and Band 1 s performance was the unique blend of fabulous solos and accompaniments by seasoned veterans such as Julian Tanaka, John Summers, Nick Schmidt, Austin Pooley, and exciting new upstarts such as sophomores: Jorge Machain on trumpet, Max Acree on trombone (who won Down Beat award as best college musician last year), Jason Corpuz on piano, and Carlos Mata-Alverez on alto sax. UNLV Jazz is loaded with talent, fresh and experienced. We are closing in on 40-years in the Jazz Business at UNLV, and what a group to celebrate, with the best yet to come! Photo by Debby Loeb

9 For those of you who attended the CD Party and Concert at Ham Hall, and for those who were not able to attend, please buy our Award- Winning Smiling Eyes CD for only $10 a great Christmas Gift, and all the proceeds will go to the UNLV Jazz Studies Program, and to repay the costs of this great CD. Much of the music on this priceless CD was from the UNLV Band 1 s spectacular performance at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago where they had been invited to perform, one of only two universities worldwide accorded this honor. UNLV Jazz received an outstanding award and recognition in Jazz Times for Smilin Eyes and UNLV s Jazz Program was featured in Downbeat Magazine. Please join us in celebrating this wonderful Season of UNLV Jazz at our UNLV Concert Halls and Flamingo Library (Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, every month a free concert). NOTE: CD s may be purchased online from TNC recordings, at any UNLV Jazz Studies Program concerts or by contacting Dave Loeb at dave.loeb@unlv.edu Emanuel Schmidt Group September 24 E-String Review by Mimi Williams with a little help from her friends - Greg Blando & Marsha Ross On this special occasion, Emanuel Schmidt and his group of obviously accomplished players (Wayne de Silva on sax, Cocho Arbe on keyboards, Jeff Davis on bass, and Jess Gopen on drums) treated an appreciative audience to an evening of great music. They played refreshing renditions of some old favorites: Days of Wine & Roses, Moonlight in Vermont, and Shenandoah. My Funny Valentine was a lovely partnership of guitar & piano. Emanuel s plaintive interpretation of Stella By Starlight was outstanding, as was his original Long Way From Home. The group sounded tight and well-balanced, yet relaxed. Each player contributed tasty, creative solos. All in all, it was an event of class and classics. Now that we ve been introduced to what Emanuel can deliver, we ALL want to see and hear him and his group again...soon. Introducing Vegas Jazz Member GINGER DAVID Vegas Jazz member Phyllis Ginger David moved to Las Vegas in 1989 after attending a West Coast Swing Dance Convention. This was only one facet of her long history and association with dance, music and creative enterprises. Ginger was born into a family of music and musicians, who ran the gamut from her grandfather who was a renowned bassoonist with Koussevitzky a Russian born orchestra conductor in the United States; her uncle who was also a bassoonist and a member of the woodwind section of Toscanini s NBC Symphony and noted in the Who s Who of Music, 1962 edition; and a great uncle, a violinist who also played with Toscanini, and was a member of a Chamber Music Quartet in which Piatigorsky was a member. Her childhood memories recall returning from school and walking on tiptoe so as not to disturb their rehearsals, which were held in her parents home, and of spending much time at Carnegie Hall when her uncle was performing. Another set of relatives included Benny Meroff and his sister Sonja. Benny was a Big Band leader, among famous future stars that played in his orchestra were Benny Goodman, Vernon Brown and Wild Bill Davison. Sonja was a vocalist. Benny also wrote the lyrics for Happy Days Are Here Again. Ginger s mother was a Ballroom dancer and a great influence on Ginger s decision to dedicate herself to that art form. Over the years life brought many circumstances, experiences and people into her life, among these was when she was Executive Secretary to the Controller at Simon and Schuster and had the opportunity to met Leonard Bernstein, Will and Ariel Durant and many others. In 1960 she and her family moved to Los Angeles where she became involved as a boutique ownerfrom there she became a buyer and designer. Her designs were worn on the TV show Playboy After Dark which ran for 52 weeks. She also wardrobed many high profile personalities such as Tina Turner and a young Cher. This led to many fashion shows in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, with the Playboy Bunnies as models. Las Vegas also become another outlet for her designs and she set up private showings for Las Vegas show girls. The move to L.A. also presented another chance experience when, in 1974 she stopped to give a little lady a lift while driving down Mulholland Drive. This little lady invited Ginger to a luncheon of the famous Ziegfeld Girls Club, Inc.. Ginger was embraced into the club as a new member because of her family s musical history and was nominated to be their first non- Ziegfeld Girl secretary/treasurer. Through these associations she recalls meeting her namesake Ginger Rogers and Ann Miller, among others. She entered into the Jazz world with her involvement with the Jazz Forum of Los Angeles by raising funds for young students scholarships to further their musical aspirations...this kindled her love for jazz. We are fortunate that this interest has carried her to us. She has become an avid fan and faithful volunteer for our own Vegas Jazz. Nov-Dec 2012 JAZZ NOTES! I 9

10 PICNIC MEMORIES The jazz picnic on September 30th was great fun. A rousing cheer and applause to the special people who helped make it a success: Patrick Gaffey, Joseph House, Erika Borges, John Bartlett and the staff at the Winchester; John Nasshan, sound man extraordinaire; Nathan Tannenbaum for his enthusiasm and hosting skills; and the wonderful musicians who made the day worthwhile! Special thanks to Freddie M for his bar tending duties as well as Keith Potts for his donation of liquid refreshment; Emanuel Schmidt, Keith Potts, and Gary Marshal for their loading and hauling; Gary Marshal, also, for his sign making and hanging skills; Chuck Carter for his help setting up; Matt Koerner for his backstage organization as well as filling in where needed; and the usual cast of characters for setting up and making sure that all ran smoothly - Samantha Badgley, Mimi Williams, JJ Brennan, John and Susie Cowan, Ginger David and Judy Tarte and to all of YOU who attended, made suggestions for future events and hung in there for the afternoon, in spite of the heat and lack of shade. MEMBER EXCHANGE With all the money Stan and I spent on clothes, we should have gone to Julliard! GB ADD A CAPTION CONTEST WINNERS A TIE Greg Blando and Gary Marshal 10 I JAZZ NOTES! Nov-Dec 2012 how come on these street casuals it s always the reed players that get to sit down? GM

11 In Memoriam We pause to remember those we ve recenty lost from our Jazz World Eddie Bert, swinging bebop trombonist, died on September 28. He was 90. Eddie became interested in music at an early age and studied informally with Benny Morton of the Count Basie band as a teenager, beginning his professional career shortly after that; his first high-profile job was a long engagement with Red Norvo in After joining Charlie Barnet in 1943, Eddie met Dizzy Gillespie, who taught him bebop chord changes. After a stint with Barnet s band he joined Woody Herman. He was drafted off Woody s band and went into the Army in 1944 where he ended up playing with Bill Finegan. After his discharge he was hired by Stan Kenton. He left Kenton in 48 and joined Benny Goodman s bebop band. He was quoted in a 2004 interview as saying:...benny Goodman trying to play bebop was a laugh, but I ended up working for him many times after that. While working in and around New York, as well as touring, he studied for his bachelor and master s degrees in music at Manhattan School of Music. During this period he was also recording, sometimes doing two or three dates a day. (From the early 40s, Eddie is known to have played in over 336 recording sessions including New Faces, New Sounds, Rudy Van Gelder s first engineered LP in 1952.) Although primarily a jazz musician, Bert was in the pit orchestras of Bye Bye Birdie, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Ain t Misbehavin and other hit Broadway musicals of the 1960s, 70s and 80s. He played on countless radio and television commercials and was a member of the house band on Dick Cavett s television show from 1968 to Through the years Eddie often worked with his own jazz group as well as other small groups and big bands. He was featured in such bands as Gene Krupa, Charles Mingus, Nat Pierce, Thelonious Monk and Thad Jones & Mel Lewis. He continued performing until he was The Source Program Schedule Gateway Arts Foundation Presents Join KUNV at kunv.unlv.edu or call MEMBERS LIST New & Renewing Members Sep-Oct 2012 ARTIST Emanuel Schmidt DUKE David Clark & Linda Marvin ELLA-Individual Sharon Barron Kenneth Caschette Barbara LaCoste Ann Parenti Bob Scann Cheryl Waites Ronald L. Woods MILES-Family Tony Madre & Ed Ryan Paul Sullivan Nate, Linda & Guy Tannenbaum Bob & Marsha Tarte Artistic Expression: Although Vegas Jazz informs those whom we feature that the core of our membership are mainstream jazz lovers, we in no way wish to curtail artistic expression, freedom, and experimentation. Therefore, we beg your indulgence, cooperation, and support on the rare occasions that artists present more adventurous or even experimental music. Artists Membership: Artists who pay membership dues at the $50 or above membership level receive a listing of their jazz-related gigs on the Vegas Jazz web site in the monthly Events calendars, as well as a photo, short description, and link to their web site on the Artists page. All Artist level members please your gig listings to: calendarlistings@vegasjazz.org Nov-Dec 2012 JAZZ NOTES! I 11

12 The newsletter of Vegas Jazz P.O. BOX LAS VEGAS, NV VEGASJAZZ.ORG MESSAGE LINE: Vegas Jazz Membership Application 2013 Calendar Year Annual Membership Dues $10.00 Monk-Student $25.00 Ella-Individual $35.00 Miles-Family $50.00 Artist $ Satchmo $ Duke SPECIAL PATRON LEVELS $ Coltrane $1,00.00 Bird $1, Dizzy 2013 Annual Membership Dues are for January through December 2013 JOIN VEGAS JAZZ KEEP JAZZ ALIVE & THRIVING STAY CONNECTED: When you change your address, name, or , please let us know , message line; vegasjazz.org, ; or mail the info to us. TICKET POLICY: Members will be asked to show their membership cards when purchasing tickets. vegasjazz.org Sponsorships are also available, for further information on these please contact: Carolyn Freeman at Please Mail with Check or MO Payable to: Vegas Jazz, PO Box 60396, Las Vegas, NV Members; Credit Cards OK Online: vegasjazz.org Message Line 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!, JOTB 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.