Buffalo Live Jazz: 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