Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Tom Archia was born Ernest Alvin Archia, Jr. on November 26, 1919 in Groveton, Texas, and moved with his family as a child to Rockdale and then Baytown, near Houston, Texas. He played saxophone in the Wheatley High School orchestra. Known during childhood as Sonny, but took the name Tom when he decided that neither his first or middle names were appropriate for a musician.

After graduating from Prairie View A&M University in 1939, he joined Milt Larkin’s band which included Eddie Vinson, Arnett Cobb, and Illinois Jacquet in the reed section and Cedric Haywood as pianist and arranger. 1942 saw Archia arrived in Chicago, Illinois with Larkin for a nine-month residency backing T-Bone Walker at the Rhumboogie Club.

The following year he joined the Roy Eldridge orchestra alongside Ike Quebec, Ted Sturgis, and Doc West that recorded in Chicago for the Brunswick label. He moved to the Rhumboogie Dream Band until mid 1944. Unfortunately he frequently disrupted band discipline and was fired by Marl Young who took over as bandleader.

In 1945 Tom went to Los Angeles, California and joined Howard McGhee’s combo, with Teddy Edwards, among others. Shortly afterwards, he was recording with the brothers Illinois and Russell Jacquet, as well as Helen Humes.

Returning to Chicago in 1946, Archia became a headliner at the Macomba Lounge, recorded extensively for Aristocrat Records during the late Forties, and recorded with Wynonie Harris and Hot Lips Page. He would go on to participate in tenor saxophone duels with Buster Bennett, Gene Ammons, Claude McLin, Hal Singer, Harold Ashby, Porter Kilbert and Lucius Washington.

By the Sixties he was struggling to find gigs and he retired to Houston in 1967, after being temporarily disabled by a broken jaw. After recovering, he played the Houston club circuit for the rest of his life. Tenor saxophonist Tom Archia died on January 16, 1977 at the age of 57.

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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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