Sunday, February 24, 2013

Danny Hull: Musically This Week Vol XV, No 23


Hello everyone.  I should probably re-title this week's treatise "No Musically This Week".  It seems that we're done at the Iris Restaurant.  Damn.  I'm going to miss that piano.  But I hope not to miss all of you...

OK, why?  Well, if you've been there, you know why.  Since the beginning of this year, you didn't exactly have to fight for a spot at the bar.  Business is business.  And when there's no such business, the inevitable laws of macro-economics take over.  Vinnie Lesh at the Iris asked me to explain that they are going in another direction.  (Isn't that what they say when a coach gets fired?)  And there is some truth to that.  He doubled the size of the club by removing a wall.  And he brought in a sound system with speakers the size of the Mars lander.  He wants to bring in national acts, and appeal to a larger audience.  (That being the kind of audience that likes their music loud...)  And I think another factor was the intimacy we lost when that big stage was constructed in a zip code different from the bar...

But if we're going to be honest with ourselves, even given the new direction the club is taking, we know the truth.  Vinnie would have continued our Tuesday jazz experiment if it had at least paid for itself.  So we're on to other things...

By way of an experiment - and that's exactly what this is - we're going back to where we started, only different.  On March 5th we're taking our Tuesday thing to Milkie's on Elmwood.  We're going to try an early start time to see if we can draw a downtown audience for dinner, drinks, and music before people go home from work.  And we have to face the daunting economic reality of trying to offer live music while keeping the club viable: we have to ask for a $5.00 cover charge.  I hate to do it, in that I almost feel like we're penalizing the very people who have kept us going for almost 15 years.  But if we are not generating enough sales to cover the little bit that we're paying the artists, there will be no gig.  We'll see what happens.

If it doesn't fly at Milkie's, there are other venues.  We can adapt.  Maybe it doesn't have to be a Tuesday.  We'll see where this takes us, and whether the jazz community wants us to keep our effort alive.

My thanks to the good people at Hamburg Music for the generous use of their grand piano.  Phil Georger is a prince of a human being.  Gentle, honest, salt of the earth...  And Pat, now president of Hamburg Music, besides being on the short list of first call pianists in Buffalo, is one and the same.  Easy going, direct, straight and honest...  The comfort I take from doing business with people like Phil & Pat Georger is that you know you are being dealt with honestly.  They're not out to gouge you or retire on your sale alone.  They know what they have to charge for their services in order to stay in business for the long haul, but they will be as fair to you as they are to their own responsibilities.

So we'll be off this Tuesday, 2/26.  My apologies to the Brothers Stirtzinger and John Werick for the cancellation.  If it flies at Milkie's, or elsewhere, we'll reschedule.  So for now...

Tuesday, 3/5 at Milkie's on Elmwood     6:30 - 9:30
Dave Schiavone, saxophones & flute     Bobby Jones, piano     Cameron Kayne, bass     your humbled host, drum set

And maybe?
Tuesday, 3/12 Cindy Miller
Tuesday, 4/2 Rick Strauss
Tuesday, 4/23 trioPAYAZZO Ainse que Deux
Tuesday, 4/30 Clay Jenkins
Tuesday, 5/14 Laurie Bordonaro
Tuesday, 6/18 Western New York Jazz Orchestra

links...

We'll keep trying...
The capacity to change is indispensable.  Equally indispensable is the capacity to hold fast to that which is good.
 - John Foster Dulles

Health,
Hope,
Dialogue,
Respect,
Tolerance,
and Friendships.
dan

Janice Mitchell & Jim Beishline - Wed. Feb. 27th

Janice Mitchell


https://www.facebook.com/events/533219810052057/



  • Cecelia's Ristorante & Martini Bar 716 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222
  • Please come out and join Jim Beishline and me for some
    bluesy jazz and some jazzy blues straight from the heart.
    It won't be any fun unless YOU're there!
    Wednesday, Feb 27th 7-10 pm

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Danny Hull: Musically This Week Vol XV, No 22


Hello everyone.  This week...

Tuesday, 2/19 at the Iris Restaurant     7:30 - 10:30
Doug Stone, tenor saxophone     Mike Conrad, piano     Wayne Moose, bass     your host, drum set
Buffalo legend Ray Chamberlain has performed with or heard every musician of consequence that has come through Buffalo in the last 65 years.  He knows of what he speaks.  The week following Doug Stone's maiden appearance at the Iris, Ray took me aside: "Who was that tenor player last week?"  That question alone is high praise, considering it's not so easy to impress those seasoned ears.  But who is Doug Stone?  And if that praise is deserved, why don't we know about him?  'Cause he wasn't born here...  A native of Peoria, Doug earned his undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University, toured with Maynard Ferguson's 2004-05 Big Bop Nouveau, and then enrolled at the Eastman School.  Choosing to raise a family in Rochester, he's now among us.  Serendipity.  I know I say it every week, but you don't want to miss this hit.  And to add further intrigue to this week's Tuesday feature, Doug will be introducing us to pianist Mike Conrad, unknown to all of us save Doug himself!  So join us if you can.  Hear one of the most exhilarating saxophonists to newly join our Western New York jazz community...  Still and only at The Iris Restaurant - in the plaza at the intersection of Maple & Sweet Home Roads in Amherst.  831-3271.  Good music, good food, good people, chilled spirits, and a great hang.

Wednesday, 2/20 at the Iris Restaurant     7:30 - 9:30
Buffalo Brass open rehearsal
All invited.  No cover.  Stop in to witness the inner workings of a big band rehearsal.

next Tuesday, 2/19 at the Iris Restaurant     7:30 - 10:30
Randy Stirtzinger, vibraphone     Warren Stirtzinger, guitar     John Werick, bass     your host, drum set

upcoming at the Iris Restaurant...
Tuesday, 3/5 Dave Schiavone
Tuesday, 3/12 Cindy Miller
Tuesday, 4/2 Rick Strauss
Tuesday, 4/23 trioPAYAZZO Ainse que Deux
Tuesday, 4/30 Clay Jenkins
Tuesday, 5/14 Laurie Bordonaro
Tuesday, 6/18 Western New York Jazz Orchestra

links...

February 12, 1809 - April 15, 1865
Whenever I hear any one arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.
 - Abraham Lincoln

Health,
Hope,
Dialogue,
Respect,
Tolerance,
and Friendships.
dan

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Jazz Guitar legend Martin Taylor, Sunday Feb. 17th.


Hello Gentlemen,
Is it possible to make mention on your excellent Jazz site of the Sunday's International Guitar Night at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute?  The headliner is none other than jazz guitar legend Martin Taylor.  I'm not sure why it hasn't gotten much publicity, but it's a show that I know local Jazz lovers would love.
There are still some tickets left at www.sjci.com, (Register for an Event tab) or directly through me at mdeveso@sjci.com
Thank you!

Marcus Deveso



Martin Taylor, Jazz Guitar


INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT HITS BUFFALO

by John Schnitter

Exclusive Western New York engagement features four world-renowned guitarists

Posted On: Thu, Jan 3rd 2013 11:55 am
The International Guitar Night (IGN), the world's premier touring guitar festival, will stop in Buffalo for the first time on Sunday, February 17. This exclusive experience will be offered at the Cullen Center for the Arts at St. Joe's. Audience members will be treated to an intimate concert experience featuring four of the world's most accomplished and critically-acclaimed acoustic guitarists. 
"The tour unites four guitar players who are well-known all over the world," said St. Joe's Spanish teacher and Guitar Club instructor Marcus Deveso, who was instrumental in bringing the tour to Buffalo. "I'm thrilled that we will be hosting this world-class act in our building."
The IGN guitarists decided to make a special stop at St. Joe's - their only performance in Buffalo and only stop in New York outside of New York City - after Deveso and another St. Joe's faculty member, physics teacher Jim Ferrantini, met IGN guitarists Martin Taylor and Brian Gore following a performance in Toronto.
Both Deveso and Ferrantini have studied with Taylor through his Martin Taylor Guitar Academy for several years and make a point to see his performances whenever he is near Buffalo. After the Toronto show in early November, Gore and Taylor discussed with the St. Joe's teachers their so far unsuccessful attempts to book a show in Buffalo.
"I told them that when I got back to Buffalo I would see if I could get them some solid contacts to get the IGN to the area," said Deveso. "Among all the other contacts, I kind of casually mentioned that I have access to an intimate state-of-the-art performance space - the Cullen Center for the Arts at St. Joe's. After a lot of discussions with various people at St. Joe's and with IGN's promoter, we were able to get it done."
Although the St. Joe's Cullen Center for the Arts is not typically known in Buffalo as a venue for touring performances, Deveso expressed excitement that this space would prove to be outstanding for the performers and audience members alike.
"I honestly couldn't think of a better space for a concert like this," said Deveso. "The show is very intimate and personal - all the [performers] are very accessible as people. To be able to experience them so up close and personal will truly make for a special night."
Taylor and Gore are two of the guitarists who will perform at International Guitar Night. Taylor is a 14-time British Jazz Award winner, Grammy nominee, and has received special recognition from the Queen of England for his contributions to music. Gore is the architect of the IGN and is a 17-year veteran of the tour. Also performing are Solorazaf, a French-Malagasy guitarist who was one of the few musicians requested to play at Nelson Mandela's prison release celebration, and Brazilian guitarist Celso Machado, a previous World Solo Guitarist of the Year. 
Gore founded the IGN in 1995 as a forum for the world's premier guitarists and composers to play their latest original songs and share musical ideas and talent with their peers. This year's North American tour includes stops at high-caliber performance spaces all across the continent, including the Blue Note in New York City, Wolf Trap Barns outside of Washington, D.C., the Napa Valley Opera House in Napa, California, and the Brava Theater in San Francisco.
A limited number of tickets will be on sale at St. Joe's. Tickets are $30 each and can be obtained at the St. Joe's Main Office at 845 Kenmore Avenue or online at sjci.com. 

Monday, February 11, 2013

Phil Sims: Jazz Happenings February 2013 Vol II

Hello everyone,
I wanted to thank everyone who has remained on the Jazz happenings list, even if you haven't been able to come out for some live music. I know everyone must get a lot of emails, and I appreciate that you still want to be on the list, thanks. As always, please remember that if you'd like to be off the list, a simple email will get that taken care of for you. But we do hope you want to stick around.
Also, many thanks to those folks (new to the list and old) who have been able to join us recently. This past weekend was truly epic. Saturday night with Joanna Batt at Lebros was great fun, Sunday afternoon at the Elm Street Bakery with my jazz quartet was one of the nicest settings and gigs I've been on in a while (they're all nice, this was really cool, though), and then last night at Milkie's Elmwood Lounge with the Buffalo Brass 19 piece big band was, well, just stunning.

Sorry to go on a bit, but, well, here goes. Skip down to events if you like. Just want to prop up my people. 
It's important to note, and I'm sure many of you really know this, that Buffalo is a haven for world class musicians (and not just the people I'm fortunate enough to play with). True, we do all come in a variety of styles and experiences, but the real magic is in the fact that Buffalo musicians are truly committed. We seek each other out, we form bonds, we collaborate, we rehearse diligently, and we very much enjoy performing for you. We're proud of our work, and we know who we are. You can feel it on a gig like the Elmwood. The band was stupendous, the crowd got it, but it's also like we all are neighbors. it's probably like that because we really are neighbors. As special as that is, we sometimes (aren't we all really busy?) lose sight for a minute that our Buffalo neighbor really is a truly world class, gifted, and committed musician. Heck, I'm guilty. I was just on the phone with my good buddy Sal Andolina, and it re-dawned on me, "oh my God, I'm on the phone with an incredibly gifted and world renowned jazz and classical musician! That is just so cool.

Here's some more cool stuff, hope to see you when you can join us...

Tuesday, February 12, Coffee Culture on Elmwood (at Bryant) The Michael McNeill / Phil Sims duo 6:00 to 8:00PM
Michael McNeill, Jazz Pianist


Here's one of those collaborations. Michael and I have met through a variety of shared musical experiences, but an opportunity arose, and we said, "let's do this". Michael and I have prepared a nice list of chestnuts and maybe a few not so obvious tunes to perform together in a coffee house setting. Michael is an incredibly thoughtful and deep pianist. We hope you're thirty for java and jazz.

Thursday, February 14th, Bacchus Restaurant (Chippewa and Franklin) The New Phil Sims Jazz Quartet 6:30 to 9:30PM
Warren Stirtzinger, guitar, Paul Zapalowski, bass, Tom Kasperek, drums
Valentine's Day in a fine dining atmosphere. Valet parking available. It's all good. Reservations a good idea if you'd like to join us (854 9463)

Sunday, February 17th, Milkie's On Elmwood (at Utica) The New Phil Sims Jazz Quartet 5:30 to 8:30PM
It's back to quartet Sunday, with open jazz jam on the second half.

Have a great week, thank you so much for joining us when you can, and we hope to see you very soon.

~Phil Sims

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Danny Hull: Musically This Week Vol XV, No 21


Hello everyone.  This week...

Monday, 2/11 at the Iris Restaurant     7:30 - 9:00
Western New York Jazz Orchestra open rehearsal
All invited.  No cover.

Tuesday, 2/12 at the Iris Restaurant     7:30 - 10:30
Gerry Youngman, organ. Melvin Henderson, guitar. 

Paradigm Shift
Melvin Henderson, guitar     Gerry Youngman, organ     your host, drum set
My conception of Paradigm Shift is that of a classic organ trio with a contemporary muse.  Think Jack McDuff, Grant Green and Idris Muhammad meets Medeski, Martin & Wood - straight ahead meets the straight eighth.  The tunes in their set list are melodic and the groove is infectious.  Can we persuade you to lose the cabin fever and come out for the music?  You'll stay warm just by tapping your foot.  The Iris Restaurant - in the plaza at the intersection of Maple & Sweet Home Roads in Amherst.  831-3271.  Good music, good food, good people, chilled spirits, and a great hang.

next Tuesday, 2/19 at the Iris Restaurant     7:30 - 10:30
Doug Stone, tenor saxophone     Mike Conrad, piano     Wayne Moose, bass     your host, drum set

upcoming at the Iris Restaurant...
Tuesday, 2/26 Randy Stirtzinger
Tuesday, 3/5 Dave Schiavone
Tuesday, 3/12 Cindy Miller
Tuesday, 4/2 Rick Strauss
Tuesday, 4/23 trioPAYAZZO Ainse que Deux
Tuesday, 4/30 Clay Jenkins
Tuesday, 5/14 Laurie Bordonaro
Tuesday, 6/18 Western New York Jazz Orchestra

links...

And maybe not...
As to the fable that there are Antipodes, that is to say men on the opposite side of the earth, where the sun rises when it sets to us, men who walk with their feet opposite ours, that is on no ground credible.
 - St. Augustine, November 13, 354 - August 28, 430

Health,
Hope,
Dialogue,
Respect,
Tolerance,
and Friendships.
dan

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Danny Hull: Musically This Week Vol XV, No 20


Hello friends.  This week...

Tuesday, 2/5 at the Iris Restaurant     7:30 - 10:30
3 Brothers & a Distant Cousin
Phil Sims, trombone & arrangements     Andy Weinzler, Russ D'Alba & Kelly Bucheger, tenor saxophones   George Caldwell, piano     Paul Zapalowski, bass     your host, drum set  
Three tenors, trombone & rhythm?  Has anyone else thought of that instrumentation?  Ever?  This concept evolved, as I understand it, because Phil wanted to challenge himself from a facility standpoint.  Could he play lines on trombone with the ease and technique of a saxophonist?  So he set about lifting tunes from some Hank Mobley and Jay Jay Johnson recordings, and harmonizing the solos for the aforementioned instrumentation.  Incredible!  Hear for yourself this Tuesday...  The Iris Restaurant - in the plaza at the intersection of Maple & Sweet Home Roads in Amherst.  831-3271.  Good music, good food, good people, chilled spirits, and a great hang.

Wednesday, 2/6 at the Iris Restaurant     7:30 - 9:30
Buffalo Brass open rehearsal
Phil is preparing the band for a hit on Sunday.  But I can't make that gig, having already committed to Ronnie Corsaro.  My thanks to Tom Kasperak for subbing on the rehearsal and the gig.

Sunday, 2/10 at Christ United Methodist Church     7:00 - 9:30
Ron Corsaro Upstate Express
Or it could be the Ron Corsaro Trio - still don't know yet.  Ronnie periodically offers his musicianship as a fundraiser for his church, located at the corner of Harlem Road and Saratoga in Snyder.

upcoming at the Iris Restaurant...
Tuesday, 2/19 Doug Stone
Tuesday, 2/26 Randy Stirtzinger
Tuesday, 3/5 Dave Schiavone
Tuesday, 3/12 Cindy Miller
Tuesday, 4/2 Rick Strauss
Tuesday, 4/30 Clay Jenkins
Tuesday, 5/14 Laurie Bordonaro
Tuesday, 6/18 Western New York Jazz Orchestra

links...

There's no excuse now...
The only real success I ever feel is if I feel like I did the best I could do.  We ... are living in one of the greatest possible times to be a musician...  The tools we have at our disposal make complaining about anything obsolete.
 - Pat Metheny

Health,
Hope,
Dialogue,
Respect,
Tolerance,
and Friendships.
dan

Friday, February 1, 2013

Phil Sims: Jazz Happenings Feb 2013 vol. 1


Hello, everyone
This past month has been a great month for welcoming new folks to the email list. If you've just joined us, thanks so much, and welcome! If you've been with us a while, thanks for sticking around and visiting us when you can! These emails are intended to let you know when one of my groups is out making music and to give you a chance to choose what you like. We're all very pleased to see you whenever you can come out. Those of you out-of-towners who are on the list, I hope you enjoy the updates.

Ground Hog's day tomorrow! you work for a really cool company if they're giving you tomorrow off. Oh, wait, it's Saturday! Well, it's still cool if you're a Mon thru Fri-er and don't have to come in tomorrow! I can never seem to remember the shadow, no shadow, six weeks, more than six weeks formula...it's just way too scientific for my little trombone brain to grasp! So, let's plan on a little more winter, no biggie, and enjoy some indoor, warm, cozy music in early February. Lots to report, including a biggie (read to the bottom, please!)

Friday, February 1st Phil Sims and Alfie Alessandra at Franchesca's Restaurant (2022 Seneca near Mineral Springs) 8-11PM
Alfie Alessandra, guitar and vocals, Phil Sims, trombone 
This little duo has a song list over 600 in number, everything from jazz standards to "King Of The Road" to folk, to rock. If you want to hear it, we probably know it!
Saturday, February 2nd Katy Miner Quartet at Canvas on Hertel (1206 Hertel bewtween Delaware and Colvin) 8-11PM
Katy Miner, vocals, Phil Sims, trombone and piano, Warren Stirtzinger, guitar, Jack Kulp, bass
A slightly different setting for Katy as we venture into Canvas for the first time, now under new ownership. Can't wait!

No Music Sunday 2/3 at Milkie's, Superbowl Sunday, closed for private function, back 2/10 with a biggie!

Tuesday, February 5th Three Brothers and a Distant Cousin at Iris (Maple and Sweethome) 7:30-10:30
Andy Weinzler, Russ D'Alba, Kelly Bucheger, tenor saxes, Phil Sims, trombone, George Caldwell, piano, Paul Zapalowski, bass, Dan Hull, drums
What happens when you mix three world class tenor saxes (of Ferguson, Dorsey, and the Minneapolis jazz scene fame), myself, The Basie band pianist, Dorsey band bassist, and the leader of the longest running jazz series in Buffalo history? Really amazing music, that's what. Quoting the music of trombone legend, JJ Johnson, and sax legend, Hank Mobley for much of the evening. A total don't miss. 
Wednesday, February 6th Buffalo Brass Big Band open rehearsal at Iris 7:30-9:30PM
The full 18 piece band in rehearsal mode (open to the public), ramping up for 2/10, please read on.
Thursday, February 7th the Carol McLaughlin Big Band at the historic Colored Musicians Club (Broadway and Michigan) 8:30-10:30PM
Carol's book of over 250 big band charts gets a great workout. Full 17 piece big band.
Saturday, February 9th Joanna Batt Quartet at Lebros (Campbell and Dodge, Getzville) 8:30-11:30PM
Joanna Batt, vocals, Phil Sims, trombone and piano, Jack Kulp, bass, Tom Kasperek, drums
Joanna is fairly new on the scene but what a voice! Recent gig at Milkie's brought the house down! She can belt out the most wide ranging jazz standards like no one else. Come for dinner, stay for jazz.
Sunday, February 10th the New Phil Sims Jazz Quartet at the Elm Street Bakery (Elm off Main E. Aurora) 12:30-2:30PM
Phil Sims, trombone, Warren Stirtzinger, guitar, Paul Zapalowski, bass, Tom Kasperek, drums
Kim and Jay at Elm Street have something special going on. The pastries, lunches (bar menu available!) are really out of this world. Hottest spot going in EA.
*Huge event Alert*
Sunday, February 10th The Buffalo Brass Big Band at Milkie's Elmwood Lounge (Elmwood and Utica) 5:30 to 8:30PM
That's correct, not a misprint! Our first "2nd Sunday" guest artist will be, well, about 14 of em! The full Buffalo Brass with vocalist, Heather Holden will be swinging like mad in concert. We're going to kick off at 5:30 with the rhythm section cats backing up some of our great individual soloists, and then at 6:30, the band will take the stage for two full sets! Charge at the door is just $10! This band is unbelievable, and here's a chance to catch it live in concert. Get in the door early (or call for a reservation 882 5881 or cell 440 1055), we're going to be packed!
Tuesday, February 12th Michael McNeill and Phil Sims at Coffee Culture on Elmwood (at Bryant) 6:00-8:00PM
Coffee culture has live music! How cool! Michael is one of the most thoughtful and provocative pianists on the scene. Come for java, noshies, and really cool jazz.
Thursday, February 14th The New Phil Sims Jazz Quartet at Bacchus (Franklin and Chippewa)6:00-9:00PM
The quartet will be playing for Valentine's day. Make a reservation 854 9463 with Catherine for a great dinner and some thoughtful, sophisticated jazz from Warren, Paul, Tom, and myself.

OK, that covers the first two weeks of the month. I'm worn out just typing it all, but very thankful! Also, many thanks to those of you who can make it out to support these great musicians. We look forward to seeing you soon. There will be more happening the rest of the month and into the early spring (yay!).