Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Gus Bivona was born on November 25, 1915 in New London, Connecticut. He got his musical start under the close eye of his musician parents, his mother was a pianist, and his father was a guitarist. His first instrument was violin, but he switched to a combination of alto saxophone and clarinet at the age of 16.
He began his professional debut in the Spider Johnson Band, followed by performing around New England in Leo Scalzi’s Brunswick Orchestra. 1935 saw Gus begin a lengthy stint with the Jimmy Monaco Orchestra and worked with the Hudson-DeLange Orchestra, He went on to spend several months with Bunny Berigan in 1938. Through the end of the decade he worked with bandleaders Will Hudson and Teddy Powell.
In 1940 he put his name on his first band but work as a sideman in more established bands appeared to be what he was after. He spent a period with Benny Goodman in 1940 through the spring of 1941 alongside Charlie Christian. Prior to joining the Naval Air Force Band, Bivona gigged with Jan Savitt and Les Brown & His Band of Renown. He went on to have a series of gigs with Tommy Dorsey and Bob Crosby post World War II.
Signing on with MGM In 1947 he performed numerous studio sessions and on freelance recordings into the 1950s. He connected with Steve Allen, the two would occasionally hit the concert trail, including a lengthy club residency at the Roundtable in New York City. Their collaboration rendered Music for Swingers: Gus Bivona Plays the Music of Steve Allen in 1958 followed by many other West Coast jazz recordings. They were in the company of top studio players and arrangers, such as Skip Martin, Henry Mancini and Pete Rugolo.
Clarinetist Gus Bivona, who also palys saxophone and flute, died on January 5, 1996 in Los Angeles, California.
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ULYSSES OWENS
Award-winning drummer and bandleader Ulysses Owens, Jr. returns to Dizzy’s Club with his powerhouse big band for a five-night engagement. Known for his electrifying performances, Owens crafts a thrilling musical journey through original compositions and vibrant arrangements of works by giants like Terence Blanchard, John Coltrane, and Mulgrew Miller. His repertoire serves as a canvas for masterful improvisation, rich orchestrations, and spirited performances that carry on the legacy of the great big band drummers who have inspired him. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the joy and passionate musicianship that defines Owens’ artistry.
The Band: Ulysses Owens Jr. ~ drums & music director | Nathaniel Williford ~ trumpet | Noah Halpern ~ trumpet | David Sneider ~ trumpet | Brandon Woody ~ trumpet (12/3-5, 12/7) | Anthony Hervey ~ trumpet (12/6) | Michael Dease ~ trombone | Pablo Muller-Santiago ~ trombone | Altin Brennan Sencalar ~ trombone | Jack Trathen ~ trombone | Erena Terakubo ~ alto saxophone | Bruce Williams ~ alto saxophone | Diego Rivera ~ tenor saxophone | Jason Hainsworth ~ tenor saxophone | Jason Marshall ~ baritone saxophone | Luther S. Allison ~ piano | Thomas Milovac ~ bass | Charles Turner III ~ special guest vocalist (12/6-12/7) Matthew Whitaker ~ special guest organist (12/7)
Tickets: $25.00~$65.00 | Saturday @ 7:00pm ~ Sold Out
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HERLIN RILEY AND FRIENDS
A native of New Orleans, Riley started on the drums when he was three. He played trumpet through high school, but he went back to drums in college. After graduating, he spent three years as a member of a band led by Ahmad Jamal. He has worked often with Wynton Marsalis as a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and of Marsalis’s small groups. He has also worked with George Benson, Harry Connick, Jr., and Marcus Roberts.
Cover Charge: Wednesday: 7:00pm ~ $25~65 | 9:00pm Sold Out | Friday & Saturday: Sold Out | Sunday: 5:00pm & 7:30pm $25~$60
Celebrate Thanksgiving at Dizzy’s Club with a full menu of sumptuous holiday fare and the sounds of Herlin Riley. The celebrated New Orleans drummer, brings his vibrant energy to Dizzy’s Club. Known for his melodic finesse and dynamic rhythms, he has played alongside jazz legends like Ahmad Jamal and Wynton Marsalis. Experience his masterful drumming as he continues to honor the city’s rich musical legacy and inspire the next generation of artists.
Lineup: Herlin Riley ~ drums | Stacy Dillard ~ saxophone | Tyler Bullock ~ piano | Liany Mateo ~ bass
Cover Charge: Thanksgiving ~ $250.00 | Event price includes a three-course menu, gratuity, and admission (does not include alcohol). Please Note: There are no physical tickets for this event. Your reservation will be held under your name at the Dizzy’s host stand, located on the fifth floor of Frederick P. Rose Hall.
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NICOLE HENRY: MY FAVORITE THINGS
She has earned four national TOP 10 jazz CDs and a Soul Train Award, will add her singular twist to songs that remind us of the miraculous gifts of life, love, family and the reason for the season.
Come find out why The New York Times has called this world-renowned jazz vocalist “a pop-soul superwoman,” and why Miami Herald declared her “the vocal love child of Whitney Houston and Sarah Vaughan.”
“She has been perfecting the art of mesmerizing audiences all around the world. Henry is a vocalist of beautiful sensitivity and solid phrasing that feels genuine and heartfelt the whole way.” – All About Jazz
“(She) should be standing on the biggest stages of the world, alongside the biggest divas in the world. Everyone everywhere needs to be exposed to this magical force of musical artistry.” – BroadwayWorld
Tickets: $62 ~ $117 including fees | $25 Food & Beverage Minimum
Use Code HENRY5 for $5.00 Off Main Room and bar Rail Cover Charge
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Les Fish was born on November 24, 1955 in Boston, Massachusetts. As a teenager in the 1970s he was into rock and played guitar in various bands throughout the greater Boston area. He performed jazz-rock influenced original compositions in shows from the North Shore to Cape Cod.
Enrolling at Berklee College of Music, Fish studied and formed his own jazz fusion group, and made money splitting his time between teaching guitar, nightclub gigs and recording jingles for local television stations. After Berklee and studying with jazz guitar greats Mick Goodrick and Barry Galbraith, he met his future wife Lori Starr and formed the band Amante.
Touring full time for eighteen years with Amante, they worked at top hotels around the world and still performs throughout New England. The inspiration for the recording, Les Fish and The Latin Jazz Cats came three years ago, when he was touring in Cuba.
Returning from Cuba, Les returned home to seek out the best musicians to transfer his vision into reality.. At Berklee he recruited two-time Latin Grammy winning bassist Oscar Stagnaro, saxophonist George Garzone, pianist Osmany Paredes, his son Lee on drums and percussionist and bandleader Eguie Castrillo.
He has performed with many artists including Tito Puente, Arturo Sandoval, Steve Winwood, Danilo Perez, Warren Wolf, Gary Burton, Julian Lage, John Ellis, David Gilmore and Ryan Scott, among others. Guitarist Les Fish continues to perform and record.
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