KEVIN BALES QUARTET
By some measures, Kevin Bales was a latecomer to jazz, already 17 when he encountered the sounds and structures and became captivated by the freedom and corresponding challenges of the music. But if late to the party, he wasted no time in immersing himself in the celebration, declaring total commitment to what would be his life’s work and backing his announcement by resigning his job and designated career in computer programming. Kevin could commit to jazz with a reasonable degree of expectation. He was already an accomplished pianist, with classical chops refined since the age of 10. So accomplished he was invited to audition for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, then under the direction of its most storied conductor Robert Shaw, at age 16.
Kevin’s initial career move was to the University of North Florida and a budding if little-known jazz program. There he met and performed with, and went on to record and tour with, a number of monumental artists who had settled into that burgeoning North Florida jazz scene. Giants like Wynton Marsalis, Louie Bellson, Eddie Daniels, James Moody, Ben Tucker, Ira Sullivan, Sam Rivers, and Nat Adderley. He counts among his mentors bassist Ben Tucker, multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan, guitar legends Nathen Page and Jack Petersen, and the fiercely individual saxophonist Bunky Green. His meeting with Bunky Green led to five years of tours. His encounter with guitarist Nathen Page blossomed into 15 years of spot tours and four albums. And his work with trumpeter extraordinaire Marcus Printup has become a lifetime association that has included recordings on Blue Note/Capital records. Ten years touring and recording with vocal iconoclast Rene Marie culminated in a Grammy Nominated album. His most recent recording of music composed by Fred Rogers was selected as one of the top 10 albums of 2018 by Cadence Magazine and AllAboutJazz.com
Few artists have the patience for teaching – as are few teachers accomplished players. But Kevin has amassed a reputation for his prowess in both professions. While still a senior at North Florida he was drafted into a full teaching load, and continued to be an integral part of the school’s jazz program for upwards of a decade. Today, Kevin manages his own jazz program, overseeing an ambitious schedule of ambitious jazz students and runs the improvisation and small group programs at Georgia State University.
Kevin has amassed a long list of awards and a reputation as one of the finest jazz pianists performing anywhere. In 1994, less than a decade into jazz, he won the American Pianist Association’s Jazz Piano Competition. In addition to nearly every important jazz venue in the South, he has performed in some of the most acclaimed clubs and festivals in America and around the world: the JVC Jazz Festival in New York, The Bakery in Los Angeles, The Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center jazz series, the Toronto and Edinburgh jazz festivals, and the Moscow Center for the Performing Arts.
Shows ~ 7:30pm | 9:30pm
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Fernand Coppieters was born in Brussels, Belgium on March 3, 1905. He took up piano in his youth and also played the Hammond organ. His first professional work was with the ensemble Bistrouille ADO in 1920 at age 15. Following this, he played in the Red Mills Ragtime Band and the Rhythmic Novelty Dance Orchestra.
Leaving Belgium for France he landed a place in Fud Candrix’s ensemble in France and Holland. Returning to Brussels in 1929, he played in a trio with René Compère and again with Candrix. Soon after this, he joined the 16 Baker Boys, led by Robert de Kers and, later, Oscar Aleman.
In the early 1930s, he accompanied Josephine Baker on tours of Europe, then worked with Roland Dorsay, Candrix once again, and Willie Lewis. In the 1940s and 1950s, he recorded as a leader and worked as a house pianist for Radio Schaerbeek, an independent Belgian radio station.
In the late 1950s and 1960s, he recorded several albums on Hammond organ, for Fontana Records and Philips Records. Pianist and organist Fernand Coppieters, who also played accordion, saxophone, and violin, transitioned on September 9, 1981 in Brussels.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
LaDonna Smith was born on March 2, 1951 in Birmingham, Alabama. She learned to play violin and went on to perfect viola and piano. Since 1974 she has been performing free improvisational music with musicians Davey Williams, Leland Davis, Michael Evans, Gunther Christmann, Anne Lebaron, Derek Bailey, Eugene Chadbourne, Misha Feigin, Michael Evans, David Sait, Jack Wright, John Russell, Sergey Letov, Toshi Makihara, Andrew Dewar and many other world major improvisers.
As a performer, she has toured the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, Siberia, Korea, India, China and Japan. She produced concerts and festivals in Alabama and the Southeast, including the Birmingham Improv Festival and The Improvisor Festival. She serves on the Board of Directors of the International Society of Improvised Music (I.S.I.M.).
In 1976, Smith co-founded TransMuseq Records with Davey Williams. She is editor-in-chief and publisher of The Improvisor magazine which began in 1980 as an extension of The Improvisor’s Network, a grass-roots organization in New York City that attempted to connect improvising musicians across America. She is a member of the Fresh-Dirt collective (Alabama Surrealism).
Avant garde violinist, violist, and pianist LaDonna Smith, who has recorded 37 albums, continues to perform and record.
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THE HARPER COLLECTIVE
The Harper Collective ~ Terence Harper ~ Trumpet, Dishan Harper ~ Bass, Winard Harper ~ Drums, Eric “Elew” Lewis ~ Piano, Frank Houston ~ Saxophone, Larry Strickland on percussion
This incredible lineup features world renown touring artist, Eric “ELEW” Lewis. In addition to ELEW, the collective consists of three members of the Legendary Harper Family, which includes, The Harper Brothers co-leader Winard Harper, Grammy Nominated Trumpeter Terence Harper and international touring bassist Dishan Harper!
The resumes between these amazing musicians are extraordinary. Collectively these musicians have been featured on hundreds of recordings including Grammy nominated and Grammy winning projects!
The two featured artists in The Harper Collective, Eric “ELEW” Lewis and Winard Harper have been an integral part of the New York Jazz scene for decades. They are considered to be among the greatest musicians of their generation!
Eric “ELEW” Lewis began his career playing as a sideman for jazz artists like Wynton Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, Elvin Jones, Jon Hendricks, and Roy Hargrove. ELEW has also performed as a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and has toured and recorded with Josh Groban, Esperanza Spalding, Sting, The Roots and Natalie Cole, just to name a few.
Winard Harper was a member of the hit jazz group, The Harper Brothers, which gained international success and stardom back in the early 1990’s when they released their hit jazz song entitled Remembrance, on Verve Record label. Remembrance, which was written by the senior member of the Harper family, Danny Harper, reached number 1 on the billboard charts for 6 straight weeks! Winard has toured and recorded with Dexter Gordon, Betty Carter, Jimmy Heath, Johnny Griffin, Etta James, Frank Wes, Nancy Wilson and many more!
Terence and Dishan Harper who are some of the youngest members of the Harper Family Dynasty are currently touring around the world. They have played and recorded with the great Curtis Lundy, Steve Turre, Jimmy Heath, Musiq Soulchild, Solange, Keith David, Bobby Watson and Chinese Movie Star and Mandopop artist Andy Lau just to name a few! Terence and Dishan have also appeared on numerous television shows and movies including, The Orignals as well as the remake of the movie The Color Purple, directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders, Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey!
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Requisites
Overseas ~ Tommy Flanagan Trio | By Eddie Carter
Tommy Flanagan steps into the spotlight of this morning’s discussion with Overseas (Prestige PRLP 7134/PRST 7632), recorded during his 1957 tour with J.J. Johnson and released the following year. The pianist works with Wilbur Little on bass and Elvin Jones on drums on this album. My copy is the 2012 Analogue Productions US Mono audiophile reissue sharing the original catalog number. The album starts quickly with Relaxing at Camarillo by Charlie Parker. It was named for Bird’s six-month stay at Camarillo State Hospital, where he recuperated from drug addiction. Tommy takes off on the opening solo briskly. Wilbur’s bass walks lively on the next reading, then Elvin caps off the closing presentation, exchanging exquisite brushwork with Tommy ahead of the theme reprise and climax.
Chelsea Bridge by Billy Strayhorn is one of his best-loved compositions. Flanagan is the single soloist, and the pianist gives a gorgeous interpretation emphasizing his light touch. Eclypso, Flanagan’s first of six originals, has a Caribbean-flavored rhythm on the melody and closing chorus. Tommy offers a cheerfully bright mood in the opening solo, and Elvin shares an exuberant exchange with Flanagan before the song fades gracefully. Tommy’s tune Beat’s Up featuring him and Jones in two spirited interpretations with short interludes by Little that spices things up nicely. Skål Brothers is a concise midtempo blues by Flanagan, who cruises leisurely on the opening chorus and ending theme anchored by the relaxing foundation Wilbur and Elvin provide.
Little Rock opens Side Two with a delightful statement by Little. Flanagan and Jones join him; the pianist serves up some down-home cooking on a delicious performance. Wilbur delivers a tasty reading which walks firmly into the finale by Elvin, who adds a scrumptious dessert on the drums. Flanagan’s Verdandi brings the trio back to uptempo with an electrifying opening solo by Tommy and a fiery showcase for Elvin, who gives a virtuoso demonstration before the trio’s finale. Delarna is dedicated to the province in central Sweden, known for its breathtaking landscape. The trio opens with a beautiful melody that starts at a slow tempo but moves upward for Flanagan’s execution of a solo of extraordinary beauty into a gentle climax.
Willow Weep For Me comes from the pen of Ann Ronell, who also composed the lyrics. The jazz standard opens with a quiet demeanor collectively followed by a passionate performance by Tommy, and Wilbur takes us toward the album’s climax with a profoundly affecting presentation. Overseas began his forty-five-year career as one of the most respected and revered jazz musicians. The recording engineer was Gösta Wilholm, and Kevin Gray remastered the album. The sound quality of this Mono reissue is demonstration class with a superb soundstage that places the trio in your listening room with stunning definition. For anyone who’s a fan of this remarkable pianist, I invite you to treat yourself to Overseas by The Tommy Flanagan Trio on your next vinyl search. It’s a forty-minute trip that requires no luggage, passports, or plane tickets, just a turntable, stereo system, and your favorite drink to enjoy while you listen!
~ Chelsea Bridge, Relaxing At Camarillo, Willow Weep For Me – Source: JazzStandards.com ~ Tommy Flanagan – Source: Wikipedia.org © 2023 by Edward Thomas Carter
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