TRIBUTE TO MCCOY TYNER

Opening night of this week celebrating the 10th anniversary of the SFJAZZ Center honors the life, music, and legacy of the late pianist and composer McCoy Tyner, featuring a stellar lineup of musicians who recorded and performed with him. As part of the 10 anniversary celebration of SFJAZZ, and honored to be part of this wonderful show with Joe Lovano (Music Director), Gary Bartz, Kenny Barron, Eddie Henderson, Gerald Cannon, and Jeff “Tain” Watts.

From his early work with John Coltrane to his peerless career as a composer and bandleader, Tyner’s impact on jazz has been monumental. He was a major figure in SFJAZZ’s evolution as well, appearing over 10 times on our stages including the historic Opening Night concert at the SFJAZZ Center in January 2013 and his final appearance in June 2016 for an all-star tribute to him featuring Chick Corea, Geri Allen, Kenny Barron, and others.

 

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JOE LOVANO

JOE LOVANO AND FRIENDS: A CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND MUSIC @ BOP STOP

We are excited to close out 2022 with one of Cleveland’s favorite sons, renowned saxophonist Joe Lovano, in a special New Years Eve Eve performance featuring a host of local talent. Join us as we celebrate all that 2022 has taught us, and all that 2023 has to offer. Tickets to this final BOP STOP show of the year are $35. This concert will not be livestreamed.

Featuring:

  • Judi Silvano, voice
  • Anthony Fuoco, piano
  • Aidan Plank, bass
  • Carmen Castaldi, drums
  • Jamey Haddad, drums
  • Gary Jenkins, drums
  • Anthony Lovano, drums
  • David Thomas, organ

And special guest appearances:

  • Ernie Krivda, tenor saxophone
  • Dominick Farinacci, trumpet

Hailed by the New York Times as “one of the greatest musicians in jazz history,” Grammy Award winning saxophone giant Joe Lovano has distinguished himself for some three decades as a prescient and path finding force in the arena of creative music. The secret to Lovano’s success is his fearless ability to push the conceptual and thematic choices he has made in his quest to find new modes of artistic expression within the jazz idiom.

Since 2009, Lovano’s main vehicle for his exploration has been Us Five a dynamic young band—which features drummers Otis Brown III and Francisco Mela, bassist Esperanza Spalding, and pianist James Weidman The band’s most recent release – Bird Songs— Lovano’s 22nd album for Blue Note Records (the release of which marked his 20th year on the label) is an exploration of the Charlie Parker songbook that breaks the mold of Bird tribute records. “I didn’t approach this as a tribute record,” states Joe Lovano, dispelling right off the bat any preconception that his latest album is a mere retread. In 2011 the JJA (Jazz Journalist’s Association) named Bird Songs Recording of the the Year and named Us Five Small Ensemble of the Year. It was also the Downbeat Editor’s Pick for Album of the Year. Us Five’s debut recording—2009’s Folk Art—was a wide-ranging set of Lovano’s original compositions that resulted in Us Five being awarded Best Small Ensemble of the Year at the 2010 JJA Jazz Awards and winning the Best Jazz Group of the Year category in the 2010 DownBeat Critics Poll. Lovano completed a double-triple of awards by also winning the JJA’s Musician and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year, and DownBeat’s Jazz Artist and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year.

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Requisites

Nica’s Dream ~ Red Holloway Quartet | By Eddie Carter

For my discussion this morning, I’ve chosen a swinging 1984 session by The Red Holloway Quartet. Nica’s Dream (SteepleChase Records SCS 1192) highlights the group in a program of jazz standards and original tunes. Red was born James Wesley Holloway in Helena, Arkansas. He began playing the banjo and harmonica as a child before graduating to the tenor sax at age twelve. In this session, he is equally skilled on the alto sax (tracks: A2, B2, B4) and tenor sax (A1, A3, B1, B3). Red is joined on this date by an excellent rhythm section, Horace Parlan on piano, Jesper Lundgaard on bass, and Aage Tanggard on drums. My copy used in this report is the original Danish Stereo release.

Side One starts with Reshma Rani Barnase, an uptempo original by Red Holloway. Red initiates the song’s lively theme, then gives an enthusiastic opening solo. Horace takes the baton and sprints through the following reading. Jesper does a bit of brisk walking next; afterward, Red returns to add a few more spirited remarks ahead of the finale. The leader switches to the alto for a gorgeous rendition of Lover Man by Jimmy Davis, Roger Ramirez, and Jimmy Sherman. The quartet begins with a lovely melody that leads to a stunning opening statement by Holloway. Parlan demonstrates his affection for this song in the next delicately tender performance. The saxophonist concludes the piece in fine form with a dreamy climax.

Love For Sale by Cole Porter places Red back on tenor for a gentle introduction that climbs to the ensemble’s festive theme. Red opens with a lusty statement that’s full of energy. He shares the next reading with Jesper in a robust exchange before the quartet’s closing chorus fades into nothingness. Side Two starts with Nica’s Dream by Horace Silver. It was composed in honor of Baroness Kathleen Annie Pannonica de Koenigswarter, a friend and patron of jazz musicians. This one starts from the group’s swift melody and does not let up until the final note. Holloway charges into the opening statement with a blazing interpretation. Parlan ignites the second statement with intense heat, and Red and Aage get their licks in an immensely satisfying finale.

Georgia on My Mind by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell gets going with Red back on alto for the medium theme and the tasty treat he delivers with deceptive ease on the opening solo. Horace takes the second spot with an endearing presentation he handles skillfully. Aage gets the last word and strolls in the finale toward the foursome’s closing chorus. Red Holloway’s 369 Blues is a happy groove that commences with the quartet’s collective melody that gets your foot tapping along from the outset. Holloway provides plenty of enjoyment on the opening tenor solo. Parlan steps up next to take a short, exhilarating ride, then Red and Tanggard engage in a delightful conversation ahead of the theme’s return.

Wee by Denzil Best brings the album to a close with the quick notes of the ensemble’s melody. Red takes his final turn on the alto sax and flies furiously through the first solo. Horace continues the aggressive pace on the second interpretation. Red and Aage bring a few more fireworks in a fleet interchange of ideas before the quartet wraps it up. Nils Winther produced Nica’s Dream, and Thomas Brekling was the recording engineer. The sound quality is superb, and the musicians draw the listener into the music. If you’re new to Red Holloway or are a longtime fan, I would like to offer Nica’s Dream by The Red Holloway Quartet for your consideration. It’s an enjoyable album that would make a terrific addition to any library and is worth every penny!

~ Georgia on My Mind, Love For Sale, Lover Man – Source: JazzStandards.com ~ Nica’s Dream, Red Holloway – Source: Wikipedia.org ~ © 2022 by Edward Thomas Carter

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Pekka Juhani Pöyry was born on December 10, 1939 in Helsinki, Finland and became interested in jazz music at school and began studying the violin and clarinet. However, he was more taken with playing the alto saxophone, having been inspired by Charlie Parker. In addition, he played the flute and soprano saxophone.

After graduating with a Master of Laws in 1966, Pöyry decided to become a professional musician. In the same year he represented YLE, Finland’s national public broadcasting company at EBU’s concert in London, England. By the mid-1960s, he had his own quartet with pianist Eero Ojanen, bassist Teppo Hauta-aho and drummer Reino Laine. Joining the group was Norwegian-Finnish singer Pia Skaar to form a quintet, going on to perform at festivals and gain recognition from the likes of Bill Evans.

Increasingly interested in progressive rock and jazz fusion in the late 1960s and 1970s, with his later groups he attempted an international breakthrough, including the Reading Festival in England in 1973. However, his band Tasavallan Presidentti, broke up in 1974.

By 1975, Pekka was touring northern Europe with the North Jazz Quintet, later joining the orchestra of Heikki Sarmanto, later the UMO Jazz Orchestra, playing in what was then Yugoslavia, as well as,  Poland, Czechoslovakia, Cuba, the Soviet Union, Britain and the United States with other bands.

Saxophonist and flutist Pekka Pöyry, was part of the Pekka Pöyry Quartet and Quintet, being a manic depressive committed suicide and transitioned in Helsinki on August 4, 1980. The Pekka Pöyry Award is named in his honor and given to young, talented saxophonists in Finland since the early-1980s.

GRIOTS GALLERY

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DONALD HARRISON QUARTET

“Donald Harrison is one of the most confident and convincing improvisers in jazz today. The boundary leaping New Orleans alto saxophonist’s distinctive broad toned sound is immediately recognizable as his own, regardless of the environment in which it is being heard, be it bebop, hardbop, New Orleans R & B or funk.” – Jazz Times

NEA Jazz Master Donald Harrison is more than a brilliant alto saxophonist, composer and bandleader. He’s a Renaissance man: The Big Chief of Congo Square, a New Orleans-born traditionalist and innovator, merging modern jazz with Second Line music and hip-hop. He’s a TV actor.

He nurtures young talent like his mentor Art Blakey. Harrison performed with countless legends (Miles Davis, Lena Horne, Dr. John) and recently revived the Charlie Parker with Strings repertoire in concert.

Showtimes: 7:00pm & 9:30pm

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