Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Art Anton was born on September 8, 1926 in New York City. In the early 40’s he was a private student of Irving Torgman, and was a music major at New York University from 1943 through 1944. He returned for further studies from 1946 through 1947. In between, the Navy grabbed him to play its own military paradiddles. From the late ’40s onward, he began working with leaders such as Herbie Fields, Sonny Dunham, Bobby Byrne, Tommy Reynolds, and Art Wall.

In 1952, he got into the combo of saxophonist Bud Freeman, moving to pianist Ralph Flanagan’s band the following year. Anton’s drumming style stuck closely to straight-ahead jazz swinging or whatever other beat was required. After gigs in 1954 with Jerry Gray and Charlie Barnet, he relocated to the west coast and began freelancing. He performed and recorded with the big band of Stan Kenton to multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Giuffre’s smaller units.

Maintaining steady employment as a jazzman on the stingy Los Angeles, California scene was difficult, and Artie looked for other types of employment. During the ’60s, he turned to selling vacuum cleaners, worked as a private detective, while remaining a highly respected West Coast percussionist.

Drummer and percussionist Art Anton, who is also listed as Artie or Arthur, died on July 27, 2003 in Yakima, Washington.

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MEL BROWN’S B3 ORGAN GROUP

In fact, this true all-star band (all four members are Oregon Music Hall Of Fame inductees) has been a sensation going back to 1997, when they began a 20-year run on Thursday evenings at Portland’s legendary “Jimmy Mak’s” (The Oregonian dubbed them “Jimmy Mak’s signature group”).  They’ve continued their Thursday night tradition at the Jack London Revue for the past 6 years. With a collective resume that reads like a “Who’s Who” of NW jazz, blues, and soul, this group has the talent and confidence to be completely spontaneous–from their blistering solos to their improvised arrangements and segues.  No wonder they’ve thrilled audiences wherever they’ve played.

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GEORGE COLLIGAN QUARTET

Jazz pianist and Portland State University Professor, George Colligan has made a name for himself not only as an impressive, world-class performer, but also as a mentor and collaborator with younger musicians on the Portland jazz scene. George will be hosting an intimate evening at The 1905 with some of the most talented, young musicians in Portland.

He will be joined by versatile drummer and band leader, Cory Limuaco, virtuoso bassist, Robert Rodriguez, and extraordinary pianist and promising vocalist, Devasate’ Phelps.

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CHRISTOPHER BROWN QUARTET

Christopher Brown is an acclaimed musician, composer, bandleader, and educator who seeks to be a voice within the advocacy of Jazz music and American culture. And through the expansive range of groups that he has assembled and/or performed with—which span from duos to Jazz big bands to military marching bands and orchestras—his musical and personal experiences have led him towards an interest in synthesizing the principles of jazz with the day-to-day practicalities of life.

However, given that businesses shape the global market economy that everyone lives and participates in, is why he has found it useful to integrate business philosophies with that of music to help develop himself and his band. Which as he likes to say, “we’re all in the same business…the people-trusting-people business. No people, no business.”

The Band: Greg Goebel – piano, John Nastos – sax, Chris Brown – drums, Garrett Baxter – bass.

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CLIFF RICHMOND & THE CLIFFNOTES

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