Ernie Watts. WJO will perform ten of his. of them are original compositions, while the tenth is an arrangement. (continued on Page 10)

Transcription

1 JazzN Ce Tex ews The Newsletter of the Central Texas Jazz Society Spring 2015 Volume 8 Number 2 Watts Tops Quarter-century JazzFest The Temple Jazz Festival marks a quarter-century of jazz performances this year with the return of master saxophonist Ernie Watts. Watts will join the Temple Jazz Orchestra (directed by Tom Fairlie) in concert on Saturday, March 28. Watts, who last played with TJO in 2001, closes out an explosive weekend of jazz. Pianist Stefan Karlsson will join the Temple College Jazz Ensemble (directed by Ben Irom) on Friday, March 27, and will also play with TC7, the faculty jazz group previously called TC Fusion. Henry Brun and the Latin Playerz (featuring vocalist Judi Deleon) will share the stage with the Temple College Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Ernie Watts WJO Out-Foxed The Waco Jazz Orchestra will Music Industry Careers department. WJO will perform ten of his be chasing the Fox at its next concert on May 4, when it features arrangements in the concert; nine the music of guitarist/composer/arranger Jon Fox. while the tenth is an arrangement of them are original compositions, Fox is professor of guitar in of guitarist Pat Martino s Three McLennan Community College s Base Hit. Fox is also a member of the board of CTJS (Waco Division). He will be participating in this week s Temple College Jazz Festival as one of the clinician-judges for the student bands. WJO is directed by Tim Cates. The spring concert will be held in Jon Fox (continued on Page 10) on Thursday, March 26. Two-time Grammy Award winner Watts remains one of the most versatile and prolific saxophone players in modern music. His signature sound has been featured on hundreds of recordings, always adding his magic touch. Kurt Elling s collaboration with Watts, for example, a tribute to the classic collaboration of Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane, won the singer a Grammy in An active clinician and performer, Karlsson is a longtime member of the Eddie Gomez Trio and Quartet. He was professor of jazz piano at the University of North Texas from 2002 to 2014, and he has performed and recorded with a wide range of jazz greats. Latin percussionist Henry Brun is no stranger to the area; he has performed frequently with the Temple Jazz Orchestra in the past and toured Europe with the band in (See articles on each performer later in the newsletter). All festival activities take place in the Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center at Temple College, except for the JazzFest Jazz Jam. That jam session starts immediately following Friday night s concert, at the Hilton Garden Inn (continued on Page 10) CenTex Jazz News Spring 2015 Page 1

2 Go West, Young Band TJO To Tour Colorado The Temple Jazz Orchestra will head for the hills this June as it makes a two-week jazz tour of Colorado. It will be joined by saxophonist Ed Calle for the tour. TJO kicks off the tour with a special "Hit the Road" concert on Saturday, June 6. The concert will feature Ed Calle with TJO, performing material that will be featured on the tour. TJO and Calle will hit the road in the Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center at Temple College, starting at 7:30 PM. TJO then boards the bus for Amarillo, where a performance is scheduled the following night (June 7). The band arrives in Manitou Springs, Colorado, on Monday June 8 and plays a concert. Subsequent concerts are scheduled in Fort Collins (June 10), Estes Thomas Fairlie Dr. Benjamin Irom Jim Burns Bill Berning Larry Simonette Brent Colwell Greg Bashara David Wild John R. Francis Meet the Board President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Legal Advisor (Attorney at Law) CenTex Jazz News is published quarterly by the Central Texas Jazz Society, PO Box 643, Temple TX President: Tom Fairlie Editor: David Wild Ed Calle Park (June 11), a performance at the Estes Park Big Band Bash as featured band, on June 13, and a final performance in Estes Park on June 16. Venues and details for these appearances and other possible performances are still pending. Ed Calle, the tour's guest artist, is a renowned Latin jazz star. He has appeared in the area several times, as guest artist at the 2012 TC Jazz Festival, where he was featured with TJO, and the following year as the guest artist for the CTJS Jazz Party. His explosive mix of Latin, contemporary and straight ahead jazz has been heard in multiple contexts, from jazz recordings under his own name to supporting work for jazz, pop and Latin performers like Gloria Estefan, Miami Sound Machine, Bob James and Arturo Sandoval. Evan Klaras Johnny Walker Tim Cates Jon Fox Byron Swann Gary Smith Brent Mathesen Steve Pettit For more information: CenTex Jazz News Spring 2015 Page 2

3 Ernie Watts... It's an instantly identifiable sound, full and rich, with a characteristic edge and an immense range. And that sound can pop up anywhere--two-time Grammy-winning saxophonist Ernie Watts has been featured on over 500 recordings during his long and prolific career, literally ranging from "A" (Cannonball Adderley) to "Z" (Frank Zappa). Watts started playing saxophone at age 13 in Wilmington, Delaware. He went with a friend who was joining the local school music program, and found himself carrying home an instrument too. He later won a scholarship to the Wilmington Music School where he studied classical music and technique. Though they had no jazz program, his mother provided the spark by giving him his own record player plus a record club membership, for Christmas. That first record club promotional selection turned out to be the brand-new Miles Davis album, Kind of Blue. "When I first heard John Coltrane play, it was like someone put my hand into a light socket," Watts says. After a brief enrollment at West Chester University in music education, he won a Downbeat Scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, renowned for its jazz program. When Gene Quill quit Buddy Rich's Big Band in Boston, trombonist Phil Wilson (a professor at Berklee), was asked to recommend a student as temporary replacement. He referred the young Ernie Watts. The "student temporary" stayed with Rich from and toured the world, also recording two albums with the band Big Swing Face and The New. Watts then moved to Los Angeles and began working in the big bands of Gerald Wilson and Oliver Nelson. It was during his tenure with Nelson that Watts had the occasion to record with the legendary Thelonious Monk on Monk's Blues. During the 1970s and '80s, Watts was immersed in the busy production scene of Los Angeles. His signature sound was heard on countless TV shows and movie scores, on almost all the early West Coast Motown sessions, and on record dates with pop stars such as Aretha Franklin and Steely Dan. All the while Watts continued to pursue his passion for acoustic jazz in late-night clubs around Los Angeles. In 1983 Watts met bassist Charlie Haden after a TCJF Guest Artists concert in Los Angeles. The meeting led to Watts performing with Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra and to tours with Pat Metheny's Special Quartet which included Haden. It also led to Watts' charter membership in Haden's critically-acclaimed Quartet West, with which he toured and recorded for over twenty-five Ermie Watts years, until the bassist's death last year. Watts' wide-ranging career has included joining vocalist Kurt Elling in a 2009 tribute to Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane, which won Elling his first Grammy Award, concerts with the WDR Big Band in Cologne Germany and the National Radio Band of Slovenia, and tours with his own European Quartet in spring and fall. Since 2004 he has recorded a number of notable albums as a leader for his own label, Flying Dolphin. Ernie Watts will appear with the Temple Jazz Ochestra on Saturday, March 28, at 7:30 pm. He will also present a free clinic at noon on March 28, also in the Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center. CenTex Jazz News Spring 2015 Page 3

4 Stefan Karlsson... TCJF Guest Artists Born and raised in Vastervik, Sweden, Stefan Karlsson drew initial inspiration from his father, who played the piano professionally. He also started church organ lessons at the age of 13 and studied organ into his college years. After high school, Karlsson headed to the Stefan Karlsson United States on a scholarship to study at the University of North Texas. Stefan spent six years at UNT, three of them as pianist with the acclaimed One O'clock Lab Band. Karlsson made his recording debut during a 1985 return trip to his homeland, and also recorded five albums with the One O'Clock Band. After completing his Master's Degree in 1991, Karlsson moved to Denver, Colorado for three years, followed by an eight-year stint in Las Vegas, Nevada ( ), where he was Coordinator of Jazz Studies at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. In 2002 he joined the faculty at his alma mater, serving as professor of jazz piano and developing a successful jazz combo program with the jazz studies division during his North Texas tenure ( ). He also has been part of the Stanford Jazz Workshop for eight years, working as a clinician and performer. Stefan joined bassist Eddie Gomez as a member of the Eddie Gomez Trio and Quartet in The group has at various times included drummers Jimmy Cobb, Billy Hart, Duduka Da Fonseca, Billy Drummond, Nasheet Waits, and Ed Soph, and flautist Jeremy Steig. Karlsson has been part of six CD projects with Gomez. Today, Karlsson stays active as a clinician and performer, concertizing at festivals, clubs and conferences worldwide. His discography includes 72 recordings including eight CD projects under his own leadership. As a composer, Karlsson s music was featured in the 1994 movie releases Sugar Hill, Twenty Bucks, and the 1997 Independent film Strays. He contributed music to a number of television series, including Melrose Place, Party of Five, Wings and Homicide. Stefan Karlsson will appear with the Temple College Jazz Ensemble and TC7 on Friday, March 27, at 7:30 pm. He will also present a free clinic at noon on March 27, also in the Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center. Henry Brun... Born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, Master Conguero Henry Brun started playing congas at seven. After returning to Puerto Rico with his parents, he was playing semi-professionally around Ponce by the time he was eleven years old. He later studied jazz and other genres at the Juan Morel Campos Escuela Libre De Música (Liberal Arts School) in Ponce. After several years with the Air Force, Brun settled in Texas, where he soon became a busy performer. He has amassed over 700 recording credits, performing with (among many others) Little Joe y La Familia, Texas Tornados, Rubén Ramos, Los Lobos, Joe Posada, Joel Guzmán and David Lee Garza. In 1989, Henry created The Latin Playerz, an ensemble that incorporates a variety of Latin styles mixed with rhythm and blues, swing, and straight ahead jazz. The ensemble features vocalist Judi Deleon. Henry Brun and the Latin Playerz will perform on Thursday, March 26, at 7:30 pm. In addition to presenting a free clinic at noon on March 26 in the Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center, Henry will present a clinic at Henry Brun Temple High School on Wednesday March 26 at 1:30 pm (sponsored by CTJS). CenTex Jazz News Spring 2015 Page 4

5 Jazz Partying with Ken Wild... Above: Lecture at Temple College Below left: Clinic at McLennan Community College Bassist Ken Wild visited central Texas at the beginning of February. He played CTJS Jazz Parties in Waco (at the Valley Mills Vineyards) on February 5 and Temple (at the Hilton Garden Inn) on February 7. He also presented clinics at McLennan Community College, Temple High School and Temple College. Right: at the Vineyards in Waco Left: at Temple High School Right: sitting in with the Temple HS Highlighters at the Temple Jazz Party. Below left: sitting in at the Hilton in Waco. Below: the Temple Jazz Party. CenTex Jazz News Spring 2015 Page 5

6 25 YEARS OF JAZZFEST The first Temple Jazz Festival was held March 9, 1991, under the title TJC Jazz Festival. The one-day affair featured two student bands, which evidently were the winners of the judging during the day. They were followed by the Temple Junior College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Tom Fairlie, and guest artists the University of North Texas Seven O'Clock Lab Band, directed by Kris Berg. According to the program from this first festival, the TJC Jazz Ensemble was set to be on tour from March of that year, with concerts in Houston, Lake Charles, La., and the Loyola University Jazz Festival in New Orleans. Trombonist Brent Matheson, a current TJO member and member of the CTJS board, was a band member of that first jazz ensemble at that first festival, as was festival Technical Director (and drummer) Michael Morris. Right: The Temple Jazz Orchestra (TJC Jazz Ensemble), March By 1992 the festival looked a little more like the current Jazzfest. Scheduled for one day, March 28, 1992, the evening concert featured the ensemble, now called the Temple Jazz Orchestra, with soloist Ron Wilkins on trombone. Ten middle and high school bands performed during the day for the two judges. Wilkins began the tradition of midday clinics, with a clinic at 12:30 p.m. Familiar names in the TJO ranks included Denise Doyle on trumpet, Brent Colwell on trombone, Reese Liles on guitar, and Michael Morris on drums s festival featured the Temple Jazz Orchestra with special guest Marvin Stamm on trumpet. Held on March 27, 1993, the festival featured a total of 16 student bands. CenTex Jazz News Spring 2015 Page 6

7 25 Years of the TCJF... In 1994 the festival took place over three days, April 7-9. There were performances on the 7th by The Adventure, the Elison Saxophone Quartet, and the Temple Junior College 12 O'Clock Jazz Ensemble. The following evening there was a Dixieland jazz concert with the Temple Dixieland Band and Chuck Reiley and the Alamo City Jazz Band. The final night's concert featured TJO with by saxophonist Bob Mintzer with the Region 8 High School Jazz Ensemble opening the concert. In 1995 the festival again covered three days, March 30 through April 1. The Temple Junior College 12 O'Clock Jazz Ensemble was featured the evening of March 30, with Henry Brun and the Latin Playerz the guest artist on March 31. The April Fool's Day performance had TJO joined by pianist Russ Ferrante. 1996's festival marked the first appearance by trombonist Bill Watrous with TJO. The TJC Jazz Ensemble and The Adventure kicked off the three-day festival (March 21-23). Trombonist Ron Wilkins brought his quintet to play the Friday night concert. Tom Fairlie 1997: festival dates were March 20, 21, and 22. The TC Jazz Ensemble and TC Vocal Jazz Ensemble played on March 20, Ron Wilkins, Morgan King and Henry Brun guested with the Tim Doherty Quartet on March 21, and Allen Vizzutti joined TJO on 3/ JazzFest '98 ran from March 19 to 21. The TC Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Baylor Showtime split the bill on March 19. Guest artist Peter Erskine was featured with the Temple College Jazz Ensemble on March 20. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal guest starred with TJO on the 21st. CenTex Jazz News Spring 2015 Page 7

8 25 Years of the TCJF The festival dates were March 25, 26, and 27. The Thursday concert featured the TC Jazz Combo and the TC Jazz Singers, followed by Ron Wilkins and Small World. Friday's performance featured the Dave Wild Quartet opening for the TC Jazz Ensemble with pianist Frank Mantooth. Saturday paired TJO with trombonist John Fedchock March 30, 31 and April. 3/30: TC Jazz Combo, TC Jazz Singers, Dario y su Comborican. 3/31: TC Jazz Ensemble with drummer Dave Weckl. 4/1: TJO with vocalist Kevin Mahogany March 29, 30 and 31. 3/20: TC Jazz Singers and vocalist Connaitre Miller with the Ben Irom Trio. 3/30: TC Jazz Ensemble with trumpeter Randy Brecker. 3/31: TJO with saxophonist Ernie Watts. TJO, November March 7, 8, 9. 3/7: TC Jazz Singers, followed by Henry Brun and the Latin Playerz. 3/8: TC Jazz Ensemble with trombonist Jiggs Whigham; 3/9: TJO with trumpeter Lew Soloff March 27, 28, 29. 3/27: TC Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Elephants Gerald; 3/28: TC Jazz Ensemble with Rufus Reid; 3/29:TJO with trombonist Bill Watrous (and bassist Ken Wild) March 25, 26, 27. 3/25: TC Vocal Jazz Ensemble; vocalist Connaitre Miller with the Ben Irom Trio. 3/26: TC Jazz Ensemble with trumpeter Mike Vax. 3/27: TJO with saxophonist Eric Marienthal (and bassist Ken Wild) March 31, April 1, 2. 3/31: TC Vocal Jazz Ensemble; The Beat Divas with the Ben Irom Trio. 4/1: TC Jazz Ensemble with saxophonist Ed Calle. 4/2: TJO with trumpeter Wayne Bergeron (and bassist Ken Wild). CenTex Jazz News Spring 2015 Page 8

9 25 Years of the TCJF March 30, 31; April 1. 3/30: TC Vocal Jazz Ensemble; vocalist Connaitre Miller with the Ben Irom Trio. 3/31: TC Jazz Ensemble with trumpeter Jeff Jarvis. 4/1: TJO with drummer Ed Shaughnessy March 29, 30, 31. 3/29: TC Vocal Jazz Ensemble; vocalist Beth Ullman with the Ben Irom Trio. 3/30: TC Jazz Ensemble with drummer Butch Miles. 3/31: TJO with saxophonist/clarinetist Eddie Daniels March 27, 28, 29: 3/27: TC Vocal Jazz Ensemble; saxophonist Tony Campise and band. 3/28: TC Jazz Ensemble with trombonist Steve Wiest. 3/29: TJO with arranger/composer/saxophonist/ pianist Gordon Goodwin March 26, 27, 28. 3/26: TC Fusion; vocalist Suzi Stern with the Suzi Stern Band. 3/27: TC Jazz Ensemble with trombonist Bill Watrous. 3/28: TJO with trumpeter Randy Brecker March 25, 26, 27. 3/25: TC Vocal Jazz Ensemble; vocalist Jackie Lee with the Ben Irom Trio. 3/26: TC Jazz Ensemble with saxophonist Chris Vadala. 3/27: TJO with trumpeter Brian Lynch and trombonist Conrad Herwig. Wayne Bergeron with TJO March 24, 25, 26. 3/24: TC Vocal Jazz Ensemble; TC Fusion. 3/25: TC Jazz Ensemble with saxophonist Dave Pietro. 3/26: TJO with trumpeter Allen Vizzutti March 22, 23, 24. 3/22: TC Vocal Jazz Ensemble; Waco Jazz Orchestra with vocalist Beth Ullman. 3/23: TC Jazz Ensemble with trumpeter Marcus Printup. 3/24: TJO with saxophonist Ed Calle April 4, 5, 6. 4/4: TC Vocal Jazz Ensemble; vocalist Calabria Foti with the Ben Irom Trio. 4/5: Bill Watrous Clinic 2003 TC Jazz Ensemble with trombonist Bob McChesney. 4/1: TJO with saxophonist Eric Marienthal March 27, 28, 29. 3/27: TC Vocal Jazz Ensemble; Pete Rodriguez Afro-Taino Sextet. 3/28: TC Jazz Ensemble with saxophonist Bob Mintzer; TC Fusion featuring Bob Mintzer. 3/29: TJO with trumpeter Wayne Bergeron. CenTex Jazz News Spring 2015 Page 9

10 TC JazzFest Celebrates 25 Years (continued from Page 1) Temple, and will feature the guest artists sitting in with faculty, students and the house band (Dave Wild Trio). The concerts and jam session are only the tip of WJO Plays Fox-y Music (continued from Page 1) the Ball Performing Arts Center at McLennan Community College in Waco. The performance starts at 7:30 pm and is free to the public. Originally from Detroit, MI, Fox has lived and taught in Waco since He received a BA in Jazz Studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, moving to the University of Colorado to complete a Masters of Music in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy. March 26, Dave Wild Trio, El Chico Mexican Restaurant, 2111 S Valley Mills Dr, Waco, (254) , 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm March 26-28, Temple College Jazz Festival, Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center, Temple College, Temple March 28, Steve Pettit and Swingtime Big Band, Havana Nights, Azalee Marshal Cultural Activities Center, Temple 6:30 pm Every Sunday, Dave Wild (solo piano), Barnett s Jazz Brunch, Barnett s Irish Pub, 420 Franklin Ave, Waco, (254) , 11:00 am - 1:00 pm First and Third Sundays, Dr. Gleam, The Crescent Lounge, 2100 East Elms Rd., Killeen, , 7:00 pm Every Thursday, Pat McKee and Tram Kelly, Diamondbacks, 217 Mary Avenue, Waco, 6:00 pm April 2, Bruce Carbonara, Rosati s, 824 Hewitt Dr. #900, Hewitt, , 7:30 pm April 3, Dave Wild/Tim Cates, First Friday Jazz, Muddle, 727 Austin Avenue, Waco, (254) , 6:00 pm. April 3, Greg Bashara/Evan Klaras, Hilton Hotel Waco, 113 S University Parks Drive, Waco, , 7:00 pm April 17, Dave Wild Trio, Jazz Appreciation Month presentation, Harker Heights Public Library, 400 Indian Trail, Harker Heights, (254) , 6:00 pm April 24, Dave Wild Trio, Barnett s Irish Pub, 420 the Festival iceberg. The festival also allows student ensembles the opportunity to perform for and be evaluated by professional jazz educators. 44 middle school, high school and college jazz ensembles will participate in this year s festival. The festival also offers a range of free jazz clinics. Watts will present a clinic at noon on Saturday 3/28, and Karlsson will present a clinic at the same time on Friday 3/27. Other clinics are scheduled for Friday and Saturday afternoons during the three-day festival. Tickets are $20 for adults ($5 for students) for each day s event, and $40 ($10 for students) for the full three-day festival. Tickets are available through the Temple College Fine Arts office and other area locations, or at the door on the days of the festival. For more information call (254) Franklin Ave, Waco, (254) , 9:00 pm - 12:00 pm Waco 7:30 pm April 25, Greg Bashara and Jon Fox, Barnett s Irish Pub, 420 Franklin Ave, Waco, (254) , 9:00 pm - 12:00 pm May 1 Dave Wild/Tim Cates, First Friday Jazz, Muddle, 727 Austin Avenue, Waco, (254) , 6:00 pm. May 1, Greg Bashara/Evan Klaras, Hilton Hotel Waco, 113 S University Parks Drive, Waco, , 7:00 pm May 4 Waco Jazz Orchestra, Music of Jon Fox, Ball Performing Arts Center, McLennan Community College, Waco 7:30 pm May 8, Dave Wild Trio, Barnett s Irish Pub, 420 Franklin Ave, Waco, (254) , 9:00 pm - 12:00 pm May 16, Dave Wild Trio, Saturday Sip and Swirl, Valley Mills Vineyards, 8532 Highway 6 Sip and Swirl at the Valley Mills Vineyards, 8532 Highway 6 North, (254) , June 5, Dave Wild/Tim Cates, First Friday Jazz, Muddle, 727 Austin Avenue, Waco, (254) , 6:00 pm. June 5, Greg Bashara/Evan Klaras, Hilton Hotel Waco, 113 S University Parks Drive, Waco, , 7:00 pm June 6 Temple Jazz Ochestra, Hit the Road concert, with special guest Ed Calle, Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center, Temple College, Temple, 7:30 pm CenTex Jazz News Spring 2015 Page 10