Buffalo Live Jazz: February 2010

Monday, February 15, 2010

Musically This Week Vol XII, No 23

Tuesday, 2/16 at Bobby McGee's 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Clay Jenkins, trumpet Chris Ziemba, piano Jeff Campbell, bass your host, drum set

Jazz music is an art form that at once pays tribute to its traditions as it grows and evolves. If you want to hear a modern interpretation that is both personal and forward looking, pick up Azure Eyes by Clay Jenkins.

The engineering provides for state of the art fidelity, and the musicianship is unparalleled. A visit to the the Jazz Compass web site will offer you CD's not only by Clay, but by Joe and John La Barbera, Larry Koonse, Tom Warrington & Steve Houghton. Or you could stop into Bobby McGee's this Tuesday, hear the real thing in person, and purchase a signed copy of any of Clay's cutting edge recordings. Maybe I should record the musical proceedings this Tuesday and call it "Eastman & me". Both Clay & Jeff Campbell are on the jazz faculty at the esteemed Eastman School, and Buffalo's Chris Ziemba is enrolled and earning his graduate degree. Hear the present and the future of our uniquely American art form at the only restaurant in Buffalo dedicated to keeping this music alive and before a discerning public. The New Bobby McGee's is located in the Maple Ridge Plaza, Sweet Home & Maple Roads. Tina, Jyl, Magan, steady Billy & quiet Mike - good music, good food, good people, chilled spirits, and still a great hang.

Friday, 2/19 at Bobby McGee's 7:30 - 10:30

Ben Baia, vocals Michael T. Jones, piano Paul Zapalowski, bass your correspondent, drum set

The Great American Songbook will be explored this weekend with two distinct musical offerings. Vocalist Ben Baia is the restless type. He loves the standards, but he's always got his ears open for tunes that are fresh and accessible. If you're of a mood to take a pass on the dance floor, Benny has a book full of melodies that will suit your two-step. And if you choose instead to simply sit and hear the classics, we've got a table reserved.

Saturday, 2/20 at Bobby McGee's 8:00 - 11:00

Tenor Madness

Hanna Richardson, tenor guitar & vocals Tom Bronzetti, guitar Phil Flanigan, bass dh, drum set

And now for something completely different...
If you don't want to be tempted to come out Saturday night, don't go here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMOsprhPvPg Tenor Madness (no saxophones allowed) is one of the most engaging ensembles you will ever hear or witness. Hanna will steal your heart, as will the quaint and entertaining tunes that are the bedrock of their material. The truth is, they don't need me. They're a trio. But I just had to get them before our Savvy & Informed Audience, so that said audience could be even more savvy and informed. If you're among the curious who couldn't resist the temptation to view the aforementioned youtube clip, the number for reservations is (716) 831-3271. See you there...

Mondays at Bobby McGee's 7:00 - 10:00

2/15 Civiletto & Michaels

Tuesdays at Bobby McGee's 7:00 - 10:00

2/23 Three Brothers & a Distant Cousin

3/2 Chuck Buffamonte

3/16 Warren Stirtzinger & Mike Jones

4/13 John & Lisa Hasselback

7/13 Don Menza

Thursdays at Bobby McGee's 8:00 - 11:00

2/25 The Latin Jazz Project & Salsa Dance Lessons with Sarah Hooper

3/4 Wendell Rivera's Latin Jazz Ensemble

3/11 Blues Society of WNY

4/22 Pat Bianchi

Fridays at Bobby McGee's 8:00 - 11:00

4/16 Sue Kinkaid, Phil LaMacchia & Ron Davis

Saturdays at Bobby McGee's 8:00 - 11:00

3/20 John Stevens

links...

www.danhullmusic.com

www.bobby-mcgees.com/

www.BuffaloLiveJazz.com

www.hamburgmusic.com/

www.myspace.com/clayjenkinsjazz

www.jazzcompass.com/

www.myspace.com/chrisziemba

www.myspace.com/benbaiavocalist

www.myspace.com/michaeltjonespiano

www.myspace.com/tenorguitarmadness

President's Day Tribute...

The Obama Administration will be honoring the 43rd President of the United States by naming the gap between the tectonic plates beneath Haiti after him. The area will now officially be referred to as "Bush's Fault".

Health,

Hope,

and Peace.

dan

Monday, February 8, 2010

Danny Hull's Newsletter: Musically This Week Vol XII, No 22

Hello friends. Another good week...

Tuesday, 2/9 at Bobby McGee's 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Russ Carere, saxophone & flute Jim Calabrese, piano Paul Zapalowski, bass your host, drum set

Bobby McGee’s welcomes one of Buffalo’s most respected and beloved musicians to his first appearance at our new venue. Our advice is to get there early. Though we now enjoy expanded seating and a more generous space, the last time Russell did the gig in our venerable former location, nary a seat was to be found. And now our Savvy and Informed Audience gets to hear Russell in a true jazz setting, thanks to the generosity of Hamburg Music Center. Musically, that six foot grand is the difference maker. So it’s sure to be a love fest with Russell in the company of his good friends, both on and off the bandstand. And we invite you to complete the evening by joining all of the good people at the new Bobby McGee’s in the Maple Ridge Plaza, Sweet Home & Maple Roads. Tina, Jyl, Magan, steady Billy & quiet Mike - good music, good food, chilled spirits, and still a great hang.

Friday, 2/12 at Bobby McGee's 7:30 - 10:30

Sophisticated Swing

Jessica Condes, vocals Jim Sansone, trumpet & vocals Gary Dieboldt, keys & vocals your correspondent, drum set

Remember three part harmony? Or Lambert, Hendricks and Ross? Then don’t miss Sophisticated Swing. Featuring New York City singing sensation Jessica Condes, Sophisticated Swing is the only Western New York ensemble that I know of that dedicates itself to a swinging vocal style seemingly lost to the age of Rock. Enjoy the show from the comforts of your table, or dance to the classic standards of a bygone era. Either way, you’ll go home singing those unforgettable tunes, newly a fan of the unique and fresh vocal stylings of Sophisticated Swing.

Saturday, 2/13 at Bobby McGee's 8:00 - 11:00

Barbara Jean, vocals Michael T. Jones, piano Sabu Adeyola, bass yours truly, drum set

She’s back! Our Southtowns singer/songwriter returns for her fist weekend appearance at Bobby McGee’s. Barbara Jean so impressed her audience during a Tuesday night performance last month that she was the subject of a Buffalo News article before the week was out. So we’ve invited her back to render her cleverly crafted tunes to our Saturday night crowd. Treat your valentine to dinner and a show at Buffalo’s only true supper club.

Mondays at Bobby McGee's 7:00 - 10:00

2/8 Civiletto & Michaels

2/15 Civiletto & Michaels

Tuesdays at Bobby McGee's 7:00 - 10:00

2/16 Clay Jenkins

2/23 Three Brothers & a Distant Cousin

3/2 Chuck Buffamonte

3/16 Warren Stirtzinger & Mike Jones

4/13 John & Lisa Hasselback

4/20 Pat Bianchi

7/13 Don Menza

Thursdays at Bobby McGee's 8:00 p.m.

2/11 WNY Blues Society

Fridays at Bobby McGee's 7:30 p.m.

2/19 Ben Baia, Jr

Saturdays at Bobby McGee's 8:00 - 11:00

2/20 Tenor Guitar Madness

2/27 Frankie & Chrissy Scinta

3/20 John Stevens

links...

www.danhullmusic.com

www.bobby-mcgees.com/

http://www.BuffaloLiveJazz.com

www.hamburgmusic.com/

Happy Valentines Day...

Who, being loved, is poor?

- Oscar Wilde

Health,

Hope,

and Peace.

dan

Monday, February 1, 2010

Danny Hull Newsletter: Musically This Week Vol XII, No 21

Hello friends. We might just be turning the corner. No surprise last Tuesday, our new venue was packed for Bobby Militello. And Janice Mitchell had a full house and everyone's rapt attention Saturday night. We're still tweaking things, and we're considering another direction musically on Friday nights, but as of last week, things are looking up. Please accept our thanks for your loyal support. To express our gratitude, we will simply continue to present the elite musical artists that you have come to expect. To that end...

Tuesday, 2/2 at Bobby McGee's 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Cindy Miller, vocals Lisa Hasselback, piano Wayne Moose, bass your host, drum set

It really says something about a singer's musical lineage when said singer is invited to do a jazz gig. The requirements are a bit more challenging than say, a dinner dance. In vocalist Cindy Miller, we have a creative improvising musician whose instrument is her voice. We were lucky to catch her between her travels and concert appearances, so we invite you to be in the audience for some hard swinging vocalise. The New Bobby McGee's, located in the Maple Ridge Plaza, Sweet Home & Maple Roads. Tina, Jyl, Magan, steady Billy & quiet Mike - good music, good food, good people, chilled spirits, and still a great hang.

Thursday, 2/4 at Bobby McGee's 7:30 - 10:30

Wendell Rivera's Latin Jazz Ensemble

Wendell, latin percussion Andy Weinzler, tenor saxophone Lisa Hasselback, piano John Curry, bass your correspondent, drum set

Here's the plan: Salsa dance lessons with Sarah Hooper and the Latin Jazz Project on the 4th Thursday of the month, followed by Wendell Rivera on the 1st Thursday. Come out on Thursday 4 and learn some salsa steps. (Hint: It's all in the hips. Am I right, Sarah?) Then explore what you learned from Sarah on Thursday 1 with Wendell. And Wendell is phenomenal. Chops. Confidence. Experience. It can't hurt your salsa pedigree when you're born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico. And to use a sports metaphor, he's like a coach on the floor. How else do you explain such an authentic salsa groove & feel, considering he's surrounded himself with a menagerie of Buffalo-born gringos? Bobby Militello welcomed his audience last week to the "only jazz club in Buffalo". The truth is we'd love some competition. We'd love to see a healthier scene in our home town. But if we are the standard bearer, we accept the responsibility. And we do so by presenting not only jazz in it's all-American virtue, but by recognizing the connection among all genres musical. Help us keep this treasure of a venue alive. Join us for the infectious rhythms of Wendell Rivera's Latin Jazz Ensemble.

Friday, 2/5 at Bobby McGee's 7:30 - 10:30

Blueprint

Kristin Parisi, vocals Steve Parisi, piano & arrangements Andy Weinzler, saxophone Nelson Starr III, trumpet Jim Kurzdorfer, bass yours truly, drum set

And now back to the Great American Songbook. On most weekends at Bobby McGee's you can treat yourself to the vocal stylings of a world-class singer accompanied by a piano trio. This Friday we raise the bar a little. Creative both in the kitchen and in the studio, pianist Steve Parisi orchestrated a book with the idea of featuring his lovely and gifted wife. The product of that effort is featured this weekend, and you are invited to dine, dance, and to enjoy the show as Kristin, accompanied by a horn section, makes her debut appearance at our newly conceived location.

Saturday, 2/6 at the Rapids Theatre 7:00 - 11:00

Jack Civiletto & the Pyramid Band

Civiletto sings Sinatra and all-things-standard with the Pyramid Band at the Rapids Theatre next Saturday. Is this a new venue I wonder? It appears that their web site is under construction. If your idea of a night out is dancing to the big band and vocal stylings of a forgotten era, here's your opportunity. The Rapids Theatre is located at 1171 Main St in Niagara Falls.

Mondays at Bobby McGee's 7:00 - 10:00

2/1 Justin Michaels

2/8 Civiletto & Michaels

2/15 Civiletto & Michaels

Tuesdays at Bobby McGee's 7:00 - 10:00

2/9 Russ Carere

2/16 Clay Jenkins

2/23 Three Brothers & a Distant Cousin

3/2 Chuck Buffamonte

3/16 Warren Stirtzinger & Mike Jones

4/20 Pat Bianchi

7/13 Don Menza