 |
Dobbin's Den - August 7, 1997 |
|
en francais Home & News What's New Montreal Scene Musicians Listings Clubs & Venues Festivals Radio New Releases Reviews Gallery Columns Forums Archives Links Help/FAQ About Contact Register/Log In |
DOBBIN’S DEN By Len Dobbin Posted Thursday, August 7, 1997 Contents
Leon Jacobs died on July 30, 1997 in his 83rd year. Jacobs was an excellent bassist active in the 40s and early 50s. He appeared at Westmount’s Victoria Hall in the early 40s with a Myron Sutton group that included the leader on alto; George Sealey, tenor; Steep Wade, piano; Wilfie Wade, drums; and special guest Willy Girard on violin. In 1951 he was in Baie Comeau with pianist Lou Hooper's band with the other saxophone-playing Sealey brother, Hugh, and Lloyd Duncan and trumpeter Arnold Butterfield. He also was heard in the early 50s at Café St. Michel with the other musical Sealey brother, pianist Milton, and Oliver Jones. The latter remembers him as a good steady bassist. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Garner; children Leon Jr. (a saxophone player), Ron, Diane, Margaret, Starr, David and Arthur; nine grandchildren and a great grandson. This hard-working little group has just announced its 1997-98 programme which begins on Friday, September 12 with a performance by saxophonist Greg Osby and continues through May of 1998 (and not January as The Gazette headline reads). Steve Turre, a trombonist who isn’t allergic to shell fish, appears on Wednesday, October 8 with a group made up of Stephen Scott, piano; Buster Williams, bass; and the marvellous drummer Winard Harper, who was here with Jimmy Heath and Slide Hampton during the festival. Soprano saxophone giant Steve Lacy arrives from France on Wednesday, November 19 with bassist Jean-Marc Avanel and drummer John Betsch (not Detsch). On December 10, it’s altoman Antonio Hart, whose group includes the highly overrated James Hurt on piano, who is apparently a legend in his own mind. Karen Young and associates, including Charles Papasoff, reprise their recent CD on February 11. It’s a benefit concert with tickets aimed at the hoi polloi at $50 a crack. The annual Women in Jazz evening takes place on March 11 with pianist Lorraine Desmarais at the helm. A singer named Terez Montcalm appears on April 8 and noted arranger and band leader Maria Schneider caps the whole thing in May. She will not, as reported by Alan Hustak in The Gazette, be bringing her New York band but will be working with the marvellous local ensemble Altsys. Schneider will be doing a workshop on May 5 at 11 AM, two open rehearsals at 3 PM on May 4 and 5 and finally a 7:30 PM concert with Altsys on May 6. All these events take place at Salle Gesù. Also connected to Saison Jazz are a series of double concerts at Maison de la Culture Frontenac for broadcast on the Radio Canada programme Silence . . . on jazz! produced by Daniel Vachon. The Steve Hall Quartet with Kevin Hays, the Fred Henke Trio, the Richard Parris Quintet with Joe Sullivan and Greg Clayton, Ranee Lee, the Alain Trudel Quartet with John Stetch and the duos of François Bourassa and André Leroux, Michel Donato and Dave Young, and Joe Sealy and Paul Novotny are among those appearing. The dates for the Frontenac series are October 17 through 25, except October 21. For musicians’ information, this year’s Ottawa Jazz Workshops will take place from August 22 through 24 at Christie Lake Camp, near Perth, Ontario. Chelsea Bridge members Roddy Ellias (guitar), Rob Frayne (sax/flute), John Geggie (bass) and Jean Martin (drums), will be joined by a guest faculty which will include Joe Sullivan (trumpet), Alain Labrosse (percussion), Holly Arsenault (piano) and Julie Michels (voice). The whole thing is coordinated by Judy Hemenick. More information is available by contacting Ottawa Jazz Workshops '97, c/o 908 Rob Roy Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K2B 5V9. The e-mail address is jazz@magma.ca and the web page is at http://www.magma.ca/-jazz Regarding Tommy Turrentine [Dobbin’s Den July 17], I am told by Carleton Baird, one of my mentors in the Emanon Jazz Society, that Tommy Turrentine and Blue Mitchell were with a group that Earl Bostic brought into the Latin Quarter on Mountain Street in the early 50s, and that they both played at an Emanon meeting (one I obviously missed). Besides writing the words and music to Just Believe, on John Labelle's new Jazz Inspiration release, Don't Say No, Steve Amirault is also responsible for the music to the title tune, The Losers, First Call and Why Don't We as well as some of the lyrics of two or three including Theme For Montreal. Sorry about that! THE LAST FEW WEEKS IN MONTREAL I heard an excellent pair of quartets at Upstairs. The first one was led by bassist Ron Séguin with Frank Lozano on tenor and soprano, Steve Amirault on piano and Michel Lambert on drums. Later I saw altoman Dave Turner's quartet, which was composed of an especially inspired Wray Downes on piano with Fraser Hollins on bass and Claude Lavergne on drums. I also heard a bit of a set there by Paolo Ramos and Jean-François Groulx in the best Brazilian tradition. A recent Wednesday night at Biddles was a particularly happy, foot-tapping affair with Billy Georgette’s piano joined by Daniel Lessard, bass; Andy Shorter, drums; Leroy Mason, tenor; and Glenn Bradley, alto. The latter pair were joined by a young alto player from Detroit who sat in, expanding the front line to three saxophones. Summertime is supposed to be a slow period for record releases- thank God! The following 30-plus items have arrived since June. The Bloomdaddies (Criss Cross) is the second release under the leadership of tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake, one of the most exciting and intelligent players on the scene today and a Canadian to boot! He's joined here by fellow tenorman Chris Cheek, Jesse Murphy on bass guitar and drummers Jorge Rossy and Dan Reiser. The eight cuts include a new look at an old warhorse Sing, Sing, Sing, three by Cheek and four by the leader. Check this out before buying another by Joshua Redman or James Carter. Intuition (Lost Chart) is by a veteran altoman from Quebec City, François Carrier. He's joined by bassist Pierre Côté and drummer François Côté in an exciting program of eight originals by the leader and Trane's Lonnie's Lament. There's an Ornette Coleman feel to this one. Je Me Souviens (Ambiances Magnétiques) is a marvellous outing by reedman Jean Derome. The 26 short pieces, inspired by the writings of Georges Perec, are delightful. Frank Lozano, Robert Lepage, Ivanhoe Jolicoeur, Pierre Cartier and Pierre Tanguay are among the many excellent musicians heard here. Eddie Harris' Last Concert (ACT) is made up of material recorded by the late saxophonist in March of 1996 in Germany with the WDR Big Band conducted by Gil Goldstein and arranged by Goldstein and Arif Mardin. Harris’ famed Freedom Jazz Dance is heard, as are Lee Morgan’s Sidewinder and Bobby Timmons’ Moanin' plus 5 others. Strings For Holiday (Enja) is a superb series of treatments of songs associated with Billie Holiday, arranged by Daniel Schnyder and played by alto saxophone giant Lee Konitz, bassist Michael Formanek and drummer Matt Wilson with six string players, including Mark Feldman and Erik Friedlander. Alto saxophonist Steve Wilson has been a frequent visitor to Montreal. He's been here with the 29th Street Saxophone Quartet, James Williams, T.S. Monk and Leon Parker. On Four For Time (Criss Cross) he’s joined by Bruce Barth, Larry Grenadier and Parker on Juan Tizol’s Perdido, Dizzy’s Woody 'n You and six originals, including Parker’s Belief and a pair by Wilson himself. Another fine young musician. Texas Tenors (Prestige) is 13-cut anthology put together by Bob Porter. Among the well and lesser known tenors from the Lone Star State heard here are Illinois Jacquet, Arnette Cobb, Buddy Tate, "Fathead" Newman, Budd Johnson, "King" Curtis, John Hardee, Booker Ervin, Don Wilkerson and Clifford Scott. Yes Virginia, there is a Texas tenor sound. Latin Jazz (DIW) consists of four long cuts. The shortest is 14:20. Spotlighted are Paquito D’Rivera, whose group includes Claudio Roditi and Daniel Ponce; Hilton Ruiz; a duet with George Coleman on Body and Soul; Mario Rivera with Ruiz; Ponce and Ignacio Berroa; and a solo outing from Jorge Dalto. Canadian Jane Bunnett is quite at home on her latest, Jane Bunnett . . . and The Cuban Piano Masters (World Pacific). Carlitos del Puerto is on bass and Frank Emilio Flynn and Jose Maria Vitier are the pianists on this 10-cut CD. Another Cuban pianist of the first rank is Hilario Duran. Killer Tumbao (Justin Time) is his second excellent CD for that label. On this nine-track recording (including a Homage To Chano Pozo), he's joined by a Cuban All Star group that includes Changuito and Tata Grimes. Jane Bunnett is here as well. Playing For Change (Uptown) is a swinging outing by trumpeter (and sometime comedian) Jack Sheldon, whose excellent quintet here is made up of the unsung Jerry Dodgion on alto and a rhythm team of Barry Harris, Rufus Reid and Ben Riley. Recorded in 1986 by Rudy Van Gelder, the 13 cuts include Phil Silvers’ Nancy, Cecil Payne’s Follow Me, Tadd Dameron’s The Chase and Benny Golson’s Along Came Betty, where Don Sickler guests on flugelhorn. I Will (Postcards) is a CD consisting of 10 contrasting pieces played by groups of various sizes and personnel led by John Clark, a French horn player known for his work with the Carla Bley, Gil Evans, George Russell and McCoy Tyner ensembles. Seven of his compositions are here, along with Trane’s India, Sonny Rollins’ Airegin and the standard, My One and Only Love. Stanton Davis, Bob Stewart, Howard Johnson and Mike Richmond are among the personnel here. Another superb musician from Canada's West Coast is pianist/composer Renee Rosnes. As We Are Now (EMI Canada} is her latest and consists of nine pieces, including Tony Williams’ Pee Wee and six of her own compositions. Among them is Abstraction Blue (a dedication to Georgia O'Keefe). Chris Potter on tenor and soprano saxes is here, as are Christian McBride and Jack DeJohnette. If you like mainstream piano playing, you'll love Old Fashioned Love (Sackville) a 16-cut release done live in Toronto at Café des Copains in 1987 and at the Montreal Bistro in 1993 by Barbara Sutton Curtis, a wiz of a pianist who just happens to be the sister of another first-rank pianist, Ralph Sutton. Among the unusual material heard here is Gary McFarland’s Chuggin', Pete Johnson’s Blues On The Downbeat, the Gershwins’ He Loves and She Loves and Errol Garner’s Eldorado. Groove (Jazz Inspiration) is pianist Jean-François Groulx’s second and superior outing as a leader. On his seven originals and an extended look at Bronislav Kaper’s Invitation, he's joined by the commanding Norman Lachapelle on bass and Pierre Tanguay on drums. Abdullah Ibrahim, the pianist formerly known as Dollar Brand, is heard on Cape Town Flowers (Tip Toe), an eleven-cut trio outing with Marcus McLaurine on bass and George Gray on drums, recorded in 1996, again by Rudy Van Gelder. The leader’s Monk In Harlem is among the highlights here. Joel Forrester may not be as well known as he should be, but he can always be relied upon for some first-class playing and writing. As a member of the Microscopic Septet, he played the Montreal and Lake George festivals. No . . . Really! (Koch) is by his marvellous new quartet, People Like Us, which consists of bassist Dave Hofstra, also a Microscopic alumnus, drummer Dennis Charles of Cecil Taylor and Gil Evans fame, and a new voice to be heard on baritone saxophone, Claire Daly, who also anchors the Diva saxophone section. On three cuts, another Microscopic member, Dave Sewelson, is also heard on baritone. The 12 quirky originals are by Forrester and include Dodo, a salute to an almost forgotten bebop pianist. I say almost forgotten as low and behold! Dr. Bob Sunenblick has done us all a great service by not only spending a lot of time and money in tracking down this illusive musician (who played with some heavyweights, including Artie Shaw, Boyd Raeburn, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Young, Wardell Gray and Slim Gaillard) but also by releasing Marmarosa, Pittsburgh, 1958 (Uptown), which consists of some long-awaited new examples of the piano of Dodo Marmarosa. The proceedings open with a few words from Dodo himself recorded in June of 1995. The music stems from appearances in his native Pittsburgh in 56, 57, 58 and 62 in various combinations with local musicians, the best known of whom are bassist Dan Mastri and altoman Buzz Renn. Standards, bebop tunes like Moose The Mooche, Billie's Bounce and Oblivion are heard, along with a number of originals by Marmarosa, an original himself. As usual, it’s a beauty of package that includes a 1995 interview with Dodo and bios of the musicians involved. Live at Orfeo (Zinnia) is a trio outing led by pianist Larry Bluth, a musician in the Lennie Tristano/Sal Mosca tradition. His trio of Don Messina on bass and Bill Chattin on drums was recorded live in 1991 and 1992 at Orfeo, a music venue in Manhattan’s East Village. The oldie I'll See You In My Dreams and Bird's Dewey Square are here, along with ten by the members of the group, and, in the best Tristano tradition, based on the changes of some first-rate standards. (Zinnia Records, 295 Mill Road, Stamford, Ct.06903, USA ). Bassist leaders appear on four new releases: Les Fleurs du Tapis (Ambiances Magnétiques) is an October 1989 quartet session led by Pierre Cartier on electric bass. On this welcome CD reissue he's joined by reedmen Derome and Jean-Denis Levasseur and drummer Tanguay. All eight compositions are by the leader. Respect (Label Bleu) has not only leader Henri Texier on acoustic bass but also the electric bass player, Steve Swallow. The compositions, ten in all, include a pair by the leader, Swallow, Lee Konitz, Bob Brookmeyer and Paul Motian. Those gentlemen are also heard as members of the group here. Ed Schuller, the bass-playing son of noted musician Gunther Schuller, is the leader on The Force (Tutu), a 199l recording with musicians like Dewey Redman, 0scar Noriega, Gary Valente, Andrew D'Angelo and Jim Black heard in various combinations on some superb compositions, including the Ellington-Strayhorn piece Star-Crossed Lovers and three by the late Jim Pepper. More fine writing spotlights 13 Sketches (Mons) by bassist Ben Wolfe. Here the music is all by the leader and is well played by a number of lesser known musicians. Wolfe himself is best known for his work with Wynton Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr. but is a talent to be watched. Seamus Blake, Steve Wilson and Larry Grenadier, plus pianist Bill Carrothers turn up Telepathy (Blue Note), a second outing as a leader by a most musical drummer, Bill Stewart of Des Moines, Iowa. This highly recommended set has six originals by the leader plus Jackie McLean's Little Melonae and Monk's view of Gershwin, Rhythm-a-Ning. It was recorded last September in NYC. Dubai (Criss Cross) is by a quartet led by drummer Billy Drummond. Peter Washington is the bassist and the reeds are handled by Walt Weiskopf and Chris Potter. Among the eight cuts are Strayhorn's beautiful Daydream and The Best Thing For You, a not overworked standard by Irving Berlin. Minor Thang (Criss Cross) is the third new CD with a drummer up front. This time it's Tony Reedus, He's joined by tenorman Ron Blake, guitarist Dave Stryker, bassist Ritchie Goods and, on one cut, percussionist Ron McBee. Mr. Kaper's Invitation is heard again as are Frank Strozier’s Frank's Tune, Milt Jackson’s Sam Sack, Woody Shaw’s Beyond All Limits and Mingus’ Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. Dave McMurdo's roaring Toronto-based band has a new two-CD set out, Fire & Song (Sackville), made up of eighteen compositions recorded live at the Montreal Bistro in March 1996. Among the superb soloists in this band are Reg Schwager, Don Thompson, Alex Dean, Perry White, Pat LaBarbera, Chase Sanborn, Kevin Turcotte and the leader. The standards here include You Stepped Out Of A Dream, Easy Living, My Old Flame, Blue Monk and Mal Waldron's oft-recorded Soul Eyes. I am honoured to have Red Pepper Rose co-dedicated to myself and Pepper Adams. The title refers to a day in Ottawa when I accompanied Pepper to a supermarket where he proceeded to buy an cart load of Red Rose tea to take back to New York. To the cashier, who seemed somewhat startled by the purchase, Pepper explained that he was on a macrobiotic diet. On the ride back to Montreal that day I told the story to Reg and hence the title to this piece in which he, and Perry White on baritone, capture the essence of my late friend. Thanks! Wow! There’s a new CD by Frank Sinatra.Live In Australia was recorded in concert in 1959 with a combo led by Red Norvo. Never before issued, this is top-notch Sinatra. It’s a must if you collect jazz singers! A couple of Norvo instruments with Jerry Dodgion on board preface 17 cuts by Frank. Even the patter is vintage Sinatra. The little known Weslia Whitfield is a favourite of veteran producer Orrin Keepnews. He recorded her for his Landmark label, and now she appears on Teach Me Tonight on HighNote, his new label. This January 1997 session of standards has Mike Greensill, her musical director, on piano, with Michael Moore on bass, Joe LaBarbera on drums and reedman Noel Jewkes. Nice Work If You Can Get It (Ursh) is vocalist Karen Young's latest. That Gershwin tune is the only standard heard here. Karen's lyrics to Oliver Nelson's Stolen Moments are here again. Charles Papasoff, Kelsley Grant, Bill Mahar, Marc Villemure, George Mitchell, Martin Auguste and special guest Norman Lachapelle help bring this one off. Finally a pair that will appeal to blues fans: Gate Swings (Verve) is the latest by veteran Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. In this 1996 session, produced in part by John Snyder, we hear the leader's guitar and vocals in front of a rather large ensemble, which includes Tony 0agradi on tenor, arranged by Wardell Quezergue. 'A' Train, Caldonia, Since I Felt For You and One O'Clock Jump are among the cuts. Junior Wells’ Live at Buddy Guy's Legends (Telarc) is also a John Snyder production. Backed by a nine-piece band, Wells’ harmonica and vocals are out front on an 11 cut program which includes Hoodoo Man, Sweet Sixteen and ... Mojo Working. It’s an exciting and well-recorded CD. The Brian Hurley trio is at Upstairs this Friday and Saturday. The duo of pianist Jean Beaudet and bassist Skip Bey are the attraction the same nights at Jazzons. The new schedule at Biddles has Charlie Biddle appearing Thursday through Saturday from 10 PM as well as on Sundays. Drummer Bernard Primeau appears Tuesdays. Pianist Billy Georgette appears Mondays with a trio and Wednesday through Saturday in the early slot with Glen Bradley, Erroll Walters and Andy Shorter. Leroy Mason is added to that foursome on Wednesdays. Ron Séguin has taken an engagement in the United Arab Republic with Kevin Coady on drums. They'll be joining pianist Paul Tobey for the beginning of the engagement and he'll be followed by Dave Restivo. Ron will be away into the beginning of 1998. His bass will be sorely missed on the local scene. As well, drummer Pete Magadini has packed up and moved to San Francisco. He received a bachelor of music degree there in 1965. Pete was born in Great Barrington, Mass. and played and studied in Arizona and California before settling in Canada in 1976, first in Toronto and then in Montreal where he was active both as a player and a teacher. A large contingent of Canadians, including Ed Bickert, Ranee Lee and Richard Ring and an Oliver Jones Trio rounded out with Dave Young and Norman Villeneuve, are off on a tour of Argentina and Brazil come September 2. On Friday, October 17, guitar giant Tal Farlow will be appearing with bassist Dave Young and drummer Andre White at the Lion d'Or - mark this one on your calendar! There are lots of birthdays this month, including Vic Vogel (born August 3, 1935), the late Buddy Jordan (August 12, 1923), Oscar Peterson (August 15, 1925), the late Stan Patrick (August 15, 1935), Joe Sealy (August 16, 1939), Colin Biggin (August 19, 1937), "Boogie" Gaudet (August 21, 1928), Roy Eastman (August 21, 1934) and Michel Donato (August 25, 1942). Former Miles Davis pianist GiI Coggins who lived here in the late 50s/early 60s celebrates his 69th on August 23. The DSM label is readying releases by Dave Turner, Stéphane Crytes and Arlene Smith for release in late September. The Turner recording is with his Latin sextet, drummer Crytes’ is a trio outing with Dany Roy and Norman Lachapelle, and Arlene Smith’s is the material recorded live at the Montreal Bistro in Toronto. [See Dobbin's Den of May 29, 1997 for more details].
Back to Dobbin's Den Index
|
|
 |
Copyright© 1996-2004 JAZZ Montréal Web Site, Montréal, Canada - All rights reserved. Questions or comments to: webmaster@jazzmontreal.com |