Buffalo Live Jazz

www.myspace.com/michaeltjonespiano

www.myspace.com/wbt6

www.cindymiller.biz

Take that first step...

The start is what stops most people.

– Don Shula

Health,

Hope,

Dialogue,

Respect,

Tolerance,

and Friendships.

dan

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Danny Hull: Musically This Week Vol XIV, No 46

Hello friends. Again.

An insidious disease has stolen yet another beautiful spirit. Jody Sandhaus was the embodiment of ease, courage, strength, and dignity. And every facet of her persona, she revealed in her song. How does a singer bare her soul, at once with confidence and humility? Jody would stand before an audience of a thousand listeners, betraying not a hint of fear, and sing her song absent any look-at-me affectation. The song was the star. Jody was the vehicle. Such a rare gift of talent and grace... So singular a personality, Jody the singer, and Jody the woman, were the same. Beauty, wisdom, patience, kindness, and a personal investment in this gift of life, shared not only with her precious children and her beloved Pete, but with everyone she touched... Thank you Jody, for your song, and for the privilege. It was an honor to share the music and the moments. Your voice may be still, but it sings yet. Rest peacefully, knowing your contribution lives.

Impious as it seems, I offer the following invitations. Jody would want us all to hear the music...

Sunday, 7/22 at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery 2:00 - 4:30

The Buffalo Brass

Phil Sims - music director, trombone & arrangements

Dennis Tribuzzi, Tim Clarke, John Maguda, Nelson Starr, Kathy Irish - trumpets

Lon Gormley, Stu Easter, Fred Secor - trombones

Russ D'Alba, Kenny Kuriscak, Kelly Bucheger, Chris Peracciny, Craig Incontro - saxophones

Mike Moser, Tommy Paladino, Jack Kulp, yours truly - rhythm

Heather Holden - vocals

Maybe you've noticed in these pages before a biweekly invitation to our open rehearsals at the Iris Restaurant. The proof in the work ethic is revealed this Sunday. Phil has written some new charts and reworked some old ones. And though the arrangements are each a work of art unto themselves, rehearsing 17 disparate musicians into a unified voice is a decidedly different challenge. Come sit with us under the sun, at the foot of one of the leading art institutions in the world, and hear your home town big band - not a throw back to another era, but a nod to tradition and a look to the future of a distinctly American musical genre. Thanks to Stan Lipsey & the News, and to Don Metz for his unique organizational skills.

Sunday, 7/22 at the Niagara Arts & Cultural Center 6:00 - 8:00

It's Kenny's Fault

Kenny Kuriscak - saxophone John Hasselback, Jr - trombone Pat Georger - piano Greg Piontek - bass dh - drum set

It was mentioned last week that this iteration of Kenny's Fault would actually rehearse for this gig. And we did! God bless Kenny. He's organized, he's inspired, and his choice of material is both musically stimulating and challenging. No original music yet, but tunes from Antonio Sanchez, Don Grolnick, Eddie Gomez, Mike Stern & Pat Metheny are among the offerings for our NACC performance. This band has potential. Watch for an Iris Restaurant appearance this fall. The NACC is the former Niagara Falls High School.

Tuesday, 7/24 at the Iris Restaurant 7:30 - 10:30

Sam Noto, trumpet Tommy Paladino, piano Sabu Adeyola, bass your host, drum set

And now a legend... Musicians and musical historians the nation over know this to be a fact: Sam Noto was one of the greatest trumpet players of the later half of the 20th Century. Performances with Basie, Sinatra, Kenton, Rob McConnell, Kenny Drew, Al Cohn, Dexter Gordon, Louie Bellson, and a legion of 70's recordings on the Xanadu label reveal a legacy of unparalleled trumpet artistry. If any trumpet player could fill the void when jazz lost Clifford Brown, it was Sam Noto. It is with the utmost respect and gratitude that we offer Sam to our Tuesday audience. Be there, and you will be in the presence of jazz history. The Iris Restaurant is in the plaza at the intersection of Maple & Sweet Home Roads in Amherst. 831-3271 Legendary musicians, good music, good food, good people, chilled spirits, and a great hang.

Friday, 7/27 at Milkie's on Elmwood 10:00 - 1:00

Joe Rozler - piano, guitar & vocals Mark Harris, bass your correspondent, drum set

Milkie's on Elmwood is proud to present one of the most eclectic musicians the Western New York scene has ever produced. Personally, I think Joe Rozler is a genius. He can do anything! He knows every tune ever written, whether from the great American Songbook or from pop culture. His vocal range and his soul are as wide as his piano, he does musical impressions ranging from Louis Armstrong to Tom Waits to the Chipmunks, he plays guitar, accordion, and french horn, and he's one of the few musical practitioners of the theremin. But lest you think that Joe is one of those freak-of-nature talents and everything comes easy to him, be reminded that this is a musician who has earned his praise. Joe works at it. He's forever curious, and if he needs to learn a tune or work out a figure on any of his myriad of instruments, into the woodshed he goes. Please think of us should you find yourself on the Elmwood Strip this Friday night. Milkie's on Elmwood is the former Elmwood Lounge at the corner of West Utica. 882-5881

next Sunday, 7/29 at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery 2:00 - 4:30

Don Rice, tenor saxophone Bobby Jones, piano Wayne Moose, bass yours truly, drum set

The tradition continues. For the twenty-second consecutive year, the silky, smooth tenor sound that defines Don Rice will haunt the air at the Art Gallery next Sunday. Now in its 31st season, Jazz at the Albright-Knox is reputed to be the longest running free concert series in the country. Flying in from the desert as he does, there's no rain date for Don Rice. Should the weather not cooperate, we'll be in the auditorium in the Art Gallery.

next Tuesday, 7/31 at the Iris Restaurant 7:30 - 10:30

Bill Todd, alto saxophone Michael T. Jones, piano Greg Piontek, bass your host, drum set

upcoming at the Iris Restaurant...

Tuesday, 8/7 Larry Covelli

Tuesday, 8/14 Don Menza

Tuesday, 8/21 Kenny Kuriscak & Tim Clarke

Tuesday, 8/28 Chris Ziemba

Tuesday, 9/18 Colin Gordon

Tuesday, 9/25 Paul Tynan

Tuesday, 10/2 Darcy Hepner

Tuesday, 10/9 Patty Flaherty & Craig Kastelnik

Tuesday, 10/16 Miles & Wayne Tucker

Tuesday, 10/23 Nelson M. Starr

Tuesday. 10/30 Bruce Johnstone with Sax & Violins

Tuesday, 12/18 Sein Oh

upcoming at Milkie's on Elmwood...

Friday, 8/10 Gary Keller

Friday, 8/31 Bobby Jones

Friday, 9/7 Nelson M Starr

Friday, 9/14 Chuck Buffamonte & Gerry Youngman

links...

www.myspace.com/sabuadeyola

www.myspace.com/samnoto

www.donriceonline.com/

Jody...

Jody Sandhaus, "You Are There"

Jody Sandhaus, "It's a Lazy Afternoon"

Health,

Hope,

Dialogue,

Respect,

Tolerance,

Memories

and Friendships.

dan

YouTube - Videos from this email

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Danny Hull: Musically This Week Vol XIV, No 45

Hello friends. Another great summer week for music and life...

Tuesday, 7/17 at the Iris Restaurant 7:30 - 10:30

Thursday, 7/19 at Russell Park in Akron noon - 1:00

Laurie Bordonaro, vocals Michael T. Jones, piano Sabu Adeyola, bass your host, drum set

Two dates with Laurie this week, two opportunities to be a part of the swing and the joy that makes her so unique, and two chances to play with Mike Jones & Sabu... Did you see the Buffalo News review of Joe Gransden's concert at the Art Gallery last Sunday? Finally someone in the media commented on what all of the musicians already knew. Mary Kunz publicly recognized that Laurie's favorite pianist just keeps getting better. And that's every musician's plan. (But as some plans go...) So join us if you can. Hear why Laurie is so special. Feel what we mean when we say she swings so hard. Hear what Mary meant in her praise of Mike Jones, (and Tuesday on a grand piano thanks to Hamburg Music Center). And witness why Sabu toured with Ahmad Jamal & Gary Burton among countless other legends. And if you appreciate this art form, please keep in mind that the new management at The Iris Restaurant stayed with us when they took over. Through times good and bad, they have remained committed to us and our audience. We need to support their vision and their trust. Find us in the plaza at the intersection of Maple & Sweet Home Roads in Amherst. Good music, good food, good people, chilled spirits, and a great hang.

Thursday, 7/19 at the Wilson Boat House 6:00 - 9:00

Ralph Fava Trio

Ralph Fava, guitar Buddy Fadale, bass your correspondent, drum set

The good news is that the Iris isn't the only venue with the wisdom to feature our uniquely American art form. Ralph returns to the Wilson Boat House this week, leading his trio through some arrangements both interesting and challenging. In a trio setting there lives the potential for some intuitive interplay, and each soloist shares an equal third of the improvisatory work load. Fortunately for Ralph and me, Buddy Fadale is that other third. What's so special about Buddy? Only that his concept is entirely his own. He has his influences as we all do, but he hasn't hung his conceptual hat on Ray Brown or Paul Chambers. Buddy has instead fashioned an individual style that defines the creative responsibilities of jazz music: he sounds like himself and no one else. He has the strength and the confidence to take the music wherever his muse directs him, and whether you're an equal sideman or a lucky listener, you're along for the experience. The Wilson Boat House is at 57 Harbor Street. (716) 751-6060

Sunday, 7/22 at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery 2:00 - 4:30

The Buffalo Brass

Phil Sims - music director, trombone & arrangements

Dennis Tribuzzi, Tim Clarke, John Maguda, Nelson Starr, Kathy Irish - trumpets

Lon Gormley, Stu Easter, Fred Secor - trombones

Russ D'Alba, Kenny Kuriscak, Kelly Bucheger, Chris Peracciny, Craig Incontro - saxophones

Mike Moser, Tommy Paladino, Jack Kulp, yours truly - rhythm

Heather Holden - vocals

And now for something completely different: a band that rehearses. Maybe you've been out to hear Phil work us through his arrangements. The management at the Iris Restaurant generously contributed the rehearsal space, and we've been at it on a biweekly basis since January. With a small group, musicians know the language and the vocabulary. They know the Great American Songbook and the jazz tunes that have become standards. With the quality and caliber of Buffalo musicians, it's an easy matter to book the date, make the gig, and play - all with no rehearsal. But with a 17 piece big band, with everyone trying to blend and play together, the rehearsed band is the one that will shine. So if the star we orbit should do the same next Sunday, you are invited to hear this singular band in a reprise of our 2009 appearance, with arrangements both new to us and our audience. Again, thanks to Stan Lipsey & the News, and to Don Metz for the savvy way he puts this entire series together.

Sunday, 7/22 at the Niagara Arts & Cultural Center 6:00 - 8:00

Kenny Kuriscak - saxophone John Hasselback, Jr - trombone Pat Georger - piano Greg Piontek - bass dh - drum set

And for something else completely different: a small band that will rehearse. Once. But it's still a rehearsal. (And it's one more rehearsal than everyone else. Almost.) Actually, with the music that Kenny is planning on performing, (a mere couple of hours after we've exhausted ourselves at the Art Gallery), we had better rehearse. Material from Antonio Sanchez, Jackie McLean, and Dave Holland is not from the aforementioned Great American Songbook. This is challenging music that requires some attention before the fact, and a beer after. So bring your own, sit on the lawn of the former Niagara Falls High School, and take in the rare quintet that will rehearse.

next Tuesday, 7/24 at the Iris Restaurant 7:30 - 10:30

Sam Noto, trumpet Tommy Paladino, piano Sabu Adeyola, bass your host, drum set

upcoming at the Iris Restaurant...

Tuesday, 7/31 Bill Todd

Tuesday, 8/7 Larry Covelli

Tuesday, 8/14 Don Menza

Tuesday, 8/21 Kenny Kuriscak & Tim Clarke

Tuesday, 9/18 Colin Gordon

Tuesday, 9/25 Paul Tynan

Tuesday, 10/9 Nelson M. Starr

Tuesday, 10/16 Miles & Wayne Tucker

upcoming at Milkie's on Elmwood...

Friday, 7/20 Wendell Rivera

Friday, 7/27 Joe Rozler

links...

www.myspace.com/lauriebordonaro

www.myspace.com/michaeltjonespiano

www.myspace.com/sabuadeyola

www.wilsonboathouse.com/

Bumper sticker wisdom...

Reality. It's not what you think...

Health,

Hope,

Dialogue,

Respect,

Tolerance,

and Friendships.

dan

Monday, July 2, 2012

Danny Hull: Musically This Week Vol XIV, No 43

Hello friends. Hope to see you...

Tuesday, 7/3 at the Iris Restaurant 7:30 - 10:30

Ron Corsaro & the Upstate Express

Ron Corsaro - piano & arrangements Tim Clarke - trumpet Kenny Kuriscak & Russ D'Alba - saxophones John Hasselback, Jr - trombone Wayne Moose - bass your host - drum set

Ronnie's arrangements, a big band sound from a septet, high energy swing, and committed soli from fearless musicians: a summation of the Upstate Express. Ron Corsaro's horns & rhythm concept has been entertaining listeners since the early days of the Thursday Gazebo concerts in Lewiston. It's always hard to predict how large of an audience we'll draw, but everyone is off on Wednesday. You might want to make your plans now, or get to the club early enough to secure a table. Vinnie has brought in a new chef, the beer selection in The Library is killer, and the wait staff is second to none. The music? We hope you know... The Iris Restaurant, in the plaza at the intersection of Maple & Sweet Home Roads in Amherst. Good music, good food, good people, chilled spirits, and a great hang. Thanks for your continued support.

Friday, 7/6 at Milkie's on Elmwood 10:00 - 1:00

Bobby Jones, piano Wayne Moose, bass yours truly, drum set

What? Milkie's on Elmwood? C'mon. Don't pretend you didn't know it was coming. The man cannot sit down. And Godblessim' Mike has done it again. The former Elmwood Lounge is now Milkie's on Elmwood. His niece, whom I have yet to meet, is the newest chef on Elmwood Avenue, bringing her experience from both the Park Lane & Sienna to her new project. Now Mike can manage the venue and charm his customers absent the kitchen responsibilities, and still present a world-class menu. But his dream is to offer a complete experience for his customers, which is where we come in. Obviously, steady Fridays is an experiment depending on business. But if we can draw from the 10 o'clock Elmwood crowd and our loyal audience, we'll have another weekend venue for musician and listener alike. We do hope to see you. The new Milkie's on Elmwood is at the intersection of West Utica. 882-5881

Sunday, 7/8 at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery 2:00 - 4:30

Joe Gransden, trumpet & vocals Michael T. Jones, piano Danny Vitale, bass your correspondent, drum set

This is year 30! Can you believe that? Stan Lipsey, through his own personal generosity, will this Sunday celebrate a 30 year commitment to the Buffalo, NY music community. And that means everyone - musicians, dedicated listeners, casual listeners, visitors, expatriates, everyone. I'm not privy to the books. I can't claim to know where the money is coming from. We do know that the Buffalo News is the sponsor. And Stan is the publisher of our storied daily. But I've heard it whispered that what the News doesn't pay for, Stan does. And who knew? Mr. Lipsey is a class act: brilliant, and quietly generous. While Carl Paladino embarrasses himself by taking public shots at Stan, Mr. Lipsey's only goal has been to serve his community. He has done so by his stewardship of The News (not so easy in the digital world), and by way of this free Sunday concert series, now 30 years running. This week we welcome the return of a Buffalo born talent who has steadily earned a national reputation. Son of Buffalo pianist Bobby Grant, Joe Gransden relocated to Atlanta upon his graduation from the Williamsville schools. He is now playing golf with Clint Eastwood, fronting his own big band, and playing jazz festivals the country over. Thank you Stan, and thanks to Don Metz for his deft handling of every contractual nuance.

next Tuesday, 7/10 at the Iris Restaurant 7:30 - 10:30

Randy Stirtzinger, vibraphone Warren Stirtzinger, guitar

upcoming at the Iris Restaurant...

Tuesday, 7/17 Laurie Bordonaro

Tuesday, 7/24 Sam Noto

Tuesday, 7/31 Bill Todd

Tuesday, 8/7 Larry Covelli

Tuesday, 8/14 Don Menza

Tuesday, 8/21 Kenny Kuriscak & Tim Clarke

Tuesday, 9/18 Colin Gordon

Tuesday, 10/9 Nelson M. Starr

Tuesday, 10/16 Miles & Wayne Tucker

upcoming at Milkie's on Elmwood...

Friday, 7/13 George Caldwell

Friday, 7/20 Wendell Rivera

Friday, 7/27 Joe Rozler

Friday, 8/3 Nelson M Starr

links...