Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Joseph Albert Morello was born July 17, 1928 in Springfield, Massachusetts of French and Italian ancestry. Suffering from partial vision from birth, he devoted himself to indoor activities. He began studying the violin when he was six and three years later, he was a featured soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, playing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, and again three years later.

By fifteen he met the violinist Jascha Heifetz, decided that he would never be able to equal Heifetz’s sound and switched to drumming. He first studied with show drummer Joe Sefcik and then with educator and author George Lawrence Stone. He was so impressed with Morello’s ideas that he incorporated them into his next book. Further study led him to Radio City Music Hall percussionist, Billy Gladstone.

Moving to New York City, he worked with Johnny Smith, Tal Farlow, Stan Kenton, Phil Woods, Sal Salvador, Marian McPartland, Jay McShann, Art Pepper, and Howard McGhee. After a period of playing in McPartland’s trio, Joe declined invitations from Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey, favoring a two-month tour with the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1955. This turned into a performing and recording residency that lasted for well over a decade, departing in 1967.

As an educator Morello became an in-demand clinician, teacher and bandleader, whose many of his former students went on to become well known in their chosen genres. He authored several drum books, including Master Studies, published by Modern Drummer Publications, made instructional videos and received many awards, and was inducted into several Halls of Fame.

Drummer Joe Morello, who appeared on over 120 albums, died at his home in Irvington, New Jersey on March 12, 2011 at the age of 82.

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GOTHAM YARDBIRD SANCTUARY RENAISSANCE CIRCLE

Gotham Yardbird Sanctuary is a not-for-profit 501 (C)(3) organization that was founded in response to the 2020 global pandemic and it’s impact on NYC’s Jazz community and local businesses.

After gaining strong collaboration experiences with great local nonprofits and businesses, we are planning to take on meaningful projects and campaigns for social justice causes. One venue is Ornithology Jazz Club.

Tonight they present two bands under the auspices of Renaissance Circle: Orfeu Talks Of Sonnets by @Jayshawn LivesLavish Lee

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The Jazz Voyager

The Jazz Voyager is leaving the Big Apple enroute to that Midwest state with the city that boasts the 630 foot Gateway Arch. Yes, people it’s St. Louis, Missouri. I love this city, even though that arch celebrates Lewis and Clark, history left out.

No longer hidden from the story, the arch now celebrates York, Clark’s enslaved servant, whose skills as a hunter, his ability to navigate and negotiate with Native American tribes, and his physical strength in tasks like hauling boats and building shelters, were all vital to their success.

Inside the city limits is a well known venue located in the Arts District named for its city, Jazz St. Louis. Two rooms feature a 220 seat and a more intimate 75 seats. It all started as Jazz at the Bistro in 1995 before becoming its current version.

On tap is a drummer I’ve yet to experience. Fortunately I have a ticket to this sold out date. Kaleb Kirby is bringing a quartet to play tribute to guitarist John Scofield. The ensemble will reimagine Scofield’s work showcasing the expressive range and rhythmic ingenuity that define the guitarist’s voice.

The Band:

Kaleb Kirby | drums

Greg Dallas | guitar

Chris Thomas | bass

Austin Cebulski | tenor saxophone

Jazz St. Louis is located at 3536 Washington Avenue, 63103. For more information contact the venue at jazzstl.org.

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Eric Soleil was born July 9, 1961 on the wind-swept plains of the Kansas prairie and began his musical career in elementary school where he was forced to play the trumpet that was handed down from his older brothers. He infuriated his band instructor by making up his own parts instead of playing the fourth-chair lines intended for him. He also began to compose little pieces on the family’s upright piano. In high school, Eric pursued concert choir and the thespian arts, earning a theater scholarship to college. At 19 years of age, he began studying the electric bass.

Deeply rooted in classical music, he also had an adoration for American jazz, which led to incorporating classic orchestral voices with some neo-Baroque, jazzified idioms that became Jazz-Symphonia. He later played the baritone, french horn, trombone, finally settling on the tuba where he remains an inveterate bass clef performer.

A unique blend of symphonic instruments with jazzy undertones, JasmPhonia is the nom de guerre of Eric, a gifted multi-instrumentalist/composer who utilizes acoustic symphonic voices and midi composition to create a rich mixture of chamber music and Nu-jazz styling. Eric has compiled his first CD, “Ad Astra Per Aspera” (To The Stars Thru Difficulty).

Tubist Eric Soleil continues to pursue a career in music, writing from the keyboard, drums, and bass, and performing his own unique original compositions. He is also continuously developing his skills as an artist, producer, and engineer.

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Karl Kiffe, born July 6, 1925 in Los Angeles, California first attracted attention as winner of the annual Gene Krupa Contest in 1943. Succeeding Chuck Falkner as leader of the Hollywood Canteen Kids he was featured in novelty numbers in several feature films before working as a single in Ken Murray’s Blackouts.

1945 saaw him hired by Jimmy Dorsey, with whom he worked for about a year, and then again from 1950 through 1953. Over the next decade, Kiffe worked with Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Charlie Shavers, Red Norvo and Woody Herman, as well as singers Andy Williams, June Christy, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Speaking in 1946, when asked which drummer he most admired, Kiffe cited the solos of Buddy Rich, while praising the big band work of Don Lamond and Jo Jones.

Drummer Karl Kiffe, who was great friends with saxophonist Warne Marsh, died on May 10, 2004 at the age of 76 in Las Vegas, Nevada

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