Buffalo Live Jazz: 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...