Edmar Castenada @ Jazz Standard 8/23/11

I never get sick of this trio.  The trombone blew me away.  I loved all of them.  Some of the old songs, some new songs.  It was awesome.  The drum/percussion setup is awesome.  He's great.  Andrea came out and sang for the last 3 songs.

EDMAR CASTANEDA TRIO plus special guest ANDREA TIERRA
Edmar Castaneda – Colombian Harp
Andrea Tierra – vocals
Marshall Gilkes – trombone
David Silliman – drums, percussion

“A jazz harpist of imposing talent” (The New York Times), Edmar Castaneda transforms the unique and beautiful sound of the Colombian harp with his commanding technique and ingenious improvisations. Edmar has performed and recorded with Paquito D'Rivera, John Scofield, Trio De Paz, Lila Downs, and Chico O'Farrill’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra. Paquito D’Rivera calls Edmar Castaneda “an enormous talent” and “one of the most original musicians living in the Big Apple” – don’t miss his trio, with special guest vocalist Andrea Tierra, as they record live at Jazz Standard for future CD release!

Bienestan @ Jazz Standard 8/21/11

The project is named after a fictitious country.  It's co-led by Aaron Goldberg on piano and Guillermo Klein on keyboard and they assembled an awesome ensemble with Matt Penman on bass, Eric Harland on drums, and Miguel Zenon on sax.  The listing says Reuban Rogers on bass, but I guess he couldn't make it.  Matt did just fine.

The music was awesome.  I found myself especially caught by the piano and the bass.  The sax was awesome, also.  They were all great and the music flowed nicely.  Guillermo wrote most of the songs and a couple had his vocals as well as keyboard.

AARON GOLDBERG & GUILLERMO KLEIN: BIENESTAN
Miguel Zenon – alto saxophone
Guillermo Klein – piano, vocals
Aaron Goldberg – keyboards
Reuben Rogers – bass
Eric Harland – drums

In June 2011, a remarkable recording entitled Bienestan (Sunnyside Records) brought together two gifted pianist/composers, Aaron Goldberg and Guillermo Klein, with the former as featured soloist on songs written and/or arranged by the latter. (The two have been friends for two decades, dating back to their student days in Boston.) On Bienestan, The New York Times’ Nate Chinen heard “saxophonists Miguel Zenón and Chris Cheek exchanging meticulous phrases and vibrant solos” while “the full ensemble, with Matt Penman on bass and Eric Harland on drums, often shifts gears during a song, according to a sleek calculus of rhythmic modulation favored by Mr. Klein…The music is complex but never cold.”

Jenny Scheinman @ Village Vanguard 8/16/11

This is one hellofa band!  I loved it at the Vanguard.  The music is phenomenal.  She said each set will be different.  We could stay for the 2nd set for an additional 1 drink minimum, but I knew I couldn't do it.

They made another change to the paying system.  You now pay your server.  That means it takes a lot less time to seat everyone and my old strategies no longer work.  It's a good thing overall, you just need to get there earlier to get a good seat.

They had advance copies of the new CD available.  They will be available to the general public in early 2012.  It's awesome.  Everything they played was awesome as well. I loved it!

Mischief & Mayhem at The Village Vanguard, NYC
Jenny Scheinman, Nels Cline, Jim Black, Todd Sickafoose
Tuesday, August 16 – Sunday, August 21, 2011
Advance limited edition M&M cd available to Vanguard attendees only – come pick one up!

Baudolino’s Dilemma @ Local 269 8/14/11

This was awesome.  I had Sun night things to do at home, but the 15-20 min I got was great.  I loved those wild short frenetic trumpet blasts.  Unfortunately, I don't know who was playing trumpet.  There was a TBD sax in the listing..

Brad Farberman's
SUNDAY NIGHT SOUND PARTY IISunday, August 14
@ the Local 269
269 East Houston Street
F train to 2nd Avenue
$10 *for the night*

7PM
The Hands Down
Jessica Lurie (reeds, leader)
Ben Syversen (trumpet)
Brian Drye (trombone)
Michael Bates (bass)
Sean Dixon (drums)
jessicalurie.com

8PM
Baudolino’s Dilemma
TBA (alto sax)
Warren Smith (vibes)
Ken Filiano (bass, leader)
Michael T.A. Thompson (drums)
http://www.myspace.com/kenfiliano

9PM
Brad Farberman’s Stringful Souls feat. Steve Dalachinsky
Jason Kao Hwang (violin)
Sarah Bernstein (violin)
Brad Farberman (guitar)
Marco Cappelli (guitar)
Ken Filiano (bass)
Dominic Lash (bass)
James Ilgenfritz (bass)
Steve Dalachinsky (words)
***We'll be premiering a piece I've assembled for Steve! "Thoughtful Ruminations" collects YouTube comments in response to free-jazz videos. Don't miss this!***
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/BradFarbermanSextet

10PM
Pet Bottle Ningen
Nonoko Yoshida (alto sax)
Dave Scanlon (guitar)
Dave Miller (drums)
http://www.reverbnation.com/petbottleningen

Hands Down @ Local 269 8/14/11

Sun nights are going to be jazz nights at Local 269.  Brad Farberman is curating once a month.  Dee Pop is curating I think once a month.  I'm not sure about the rest.

Hands Down is Jessica Lurie's new project and it is fantastic.  I only got about 20 min or so, but I loved it.


Brad Farberman's
SUNDAY NIGHT SOUND PARTY II
Sunday, August 14
@ the Local 269
269 East Houston Street
F train to 2nd Avenue
$10 *for the night*

7PM
The Hands Down
Jessica Lurie (reeds, leader)
Ben Syversen (trumpet)
Brian Drye (trombone)
Michael Bates (bass)
Sean Dixon (drums)
jessicalurie.com

8PM
Baudolino’s Dilemma
TBA (alto sax)
Warren Smith (vibes)
Ken Filiano (bass, leader)
Michael T.A. Thompson (drums)
http://www.myspace.com/kenfiliano

9PM
Brad Farberman’s Stringful Souls feat. Steve Dalachinsky
Jason Kao Hwang (violin)
Sarah Bernstein (violin)
Brad Farberman (guitar)
Marco Cappelli (guitar)
Ken Filiano (bass)
Dominic Lash (bass)
James Ilgenfritz (bass)
Steve Dalachinsky (words)
***We'll be premiering a piece I've assembled for Steve! "Thoughtful Ruminations" collects YouTube comments in response to free-jazz videos. Don't miss this!***
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/BradFarbermanSextet

10PM
Pet Bottle Ningen
Nonoko Yoshida (alto sax)
Dave Scanlon (guitar)
Dave Miller (drums)
http://www.reverbnation.com/petbottleningen

Bustle In Your Hedgerow @ Brooklyn Bowl 8/12/11

This may very well be the best show I've seen all year.  I walked in at 9:30 and they were already on.  I remember thinking I haven't been to truly great music this level ever.  Of course that's not true, but it really was better than you could possibly imagine.  It's the right venue for this.  They've also gotten so much better over the years.

They are all magnificent, but Joe Russo is the most magnificent of all.  I'm happy for him and his career, but I selfishly want more of him playing with magnificent musicians at small venues here in NYC.  I also really miss The Duo.  I miss them almost as much as I miss Tonic.

It was 2 sets of amazing excellent Led Zeppelin music played better than Led Zeppelin themselves in the studio.  Questlove came out at the end so we had 2 great drummers.  It was so awesome!

Bustle In Your Hedgerow
Featuring Joe Russo, Marco Benevento, Dave Driewitz and Scott Metzger

http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/questlove-sits-in-with-bustle-bk-bowl/

Nicholas Payton @ Iridium 8/6/11

I really wanted to get to this.  I didn't really look into it too carefully, I just wanted to see Nicholas.  I was disappointed - too smooth.  The people there who knew what they were getting themselves into were loving it.  Nick was playing the Rhodes a lot and the trumpet a little.  I mostly didn't care for the style of the keyboard.  It just wasn't my kind of sound.  The music was heavy on the contrabass and light on the drums which definitely isn't my preference.  The drums and bass were excellent, which was a saving grace.

There were moments - some killer trumpet riffs, great bass solos, and some good drum moments.  It was definitely more in the smooth jazz side - which is one of the few sides of jazz I'm not into.  Actually, I would categorize it as "Smooth Soul Jazz".  Double whammy.  Oh well, it's so rare for me to get a show with talented artists that I don't enjoy.  Live and learn.

Nicholas Payton’s XXX band featuring Billy Drummond & Robert Hurst
Sexy music for grown ups

Dr. Lonnie Smith Nonet @ Jazz Standard 8/3/11

I just had to go.  It was phenomenal.  John Ellis and Logan Richardson were there.  I loved the trumpet.  I think the trombone was the musical director.  Dr. Lonnie Smith was so entertaining.  He has 2 drum pads on each side of the keyboard that has an African drum sound.  There was also a special guest percussionist that sat in from time to time.  He was in the audience when he wasn't playing, so I suspect he was a one night, perhaps one set, special guest.

I loved the experimentalish piece.  I think it was called Beehive.  I also loved the funk piece.  Actually, all of it was great.  We even got a little encore because we wanted more.

John Ellis – tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
Kyle Wilson – tenor saxophone
Logan Richardson – alto saxophone
Max Seigel – tuba, trombone
Corey King – trombone
Dr. Lonnie Smith – Hammond B-3 organ
Jonathan Kreisberg – guitar
Jamire Williams – drums

When Dr. Lonnie Smith led a blazing big band for some special New Year’s Eve appearances at Jazz Standard, Ben Ratliff of the New York Times said it “sounded superfine. What I heard operated on two settings: nasty funk and wine-dark ballads. That was enough…song after song, he dug a valley in the music and spread out…” Now the Doctor is IN with a brand–new nonet (or “little big band”) featuring top–shelf soloists like saxophonists John Ellis and Logan Richardson alongside Lonnie’s stalwart accompanists Jonathan Kreisberg (guitar) and Jamire Williams (drums).

Robert Hurst Quartet @ Jazz Standard 8/2/11

I went "by accident". I have a feeling I would have ended up there anyway. I had my nights mixed up and I thought it was Dr. Lonnie Smith, but that wasn't until later that week. The funny thing was I didn't realize I was in the "wrong" place until they announced the band. I thought it was funny yet knew it was likely to be great because everything at that place it great. Then I saw Jeff "Tain" Watts come on stage and I remembered this show was on my list, too! I didn't know the other 3, including the leader, but I gotta have some Tain every now and then.

As you can imagine, the music was phenomenal. The "other 3" were awesome, especially Rafael Statin on sax. I loved the piano and bass, too. Tain was as awesome as ever.

Rafael Statin – saxophone
Lawrence Fields – piano
Robert Hurst – bass
Jeff “Tain” Watts – drums

In 2011, bassist/composer Robert Hurst’s protean accomplishments as in–demand sideman, film composer, and university educator led to the release of not one but two outstanding – and very different – new recordings on his own BeBob label. Bob Ya Head is an intriguing foray into world music and electronica, featuring Darryl “Munyungo” Jackson, Marcus Belgrave, and Karriem Riggins; UnreHurst Vol. 2 is an all–acoustic trio peformance recorded live in New York City in 2007, with pianist Robert Glasper and Chris “Daddy” Dave. For this much–anticipated Jazz Standard double–header, Hurst returns to the classic quartet format to play four sets of steaming straight–ahead jazz powered by the dynamic drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, and two rising stars in saxophonist Rafael Statin, from Hurst’s hometown of Detroit, and pianist Lawrence Fields.

Chuck Brown @ Prospect Park 7/30/11

I may not have seen Chuck since Tramps closed.  It was good.  I was dancing and into it.  I wasn't clear on the timing before I went.  I got there around 7:40 and left a little after 8:30 and they were on the whole time.  I would like to have stayed for some of Dr. John but I needed a real bathroom and didn't want to wait in a long line.  I like Dr. John, it just wasn't worth "the tragedy of the commons", the economics theory that says when it's free it tends to be more crowded.  Although, Dr. John tends to pull a big crowd.  Prospect Park IS really nice.  I just wasn't in the mood for all the talkers and the crowd.  I definitely enjoyed Chuck Brown, although I don't think I would go out of my way to see them again

It's only a matter of time before I get to Red Baraat.


http://www.bricartsmedia.org/events/dr-john-the-lower-911-with-chuck-brown-and-red-baraat

Affectionately known as the Godfather of Go Go, Chuck Brown’s notorious combination of Latin beats, African call and response chants, and American Jazz led to a unique sound coming out of Washington D.C in the 1970s; “I got sick and tired of watching people sitting around,” Brown says, “Disco was too fast—people didn’t want to get all sweaty, and they just sat down. So we cut the beat in half.” Brown called this new sound Go Go, “because it never stops.”  Brown’s albums have topped the charts, and his mid-80’s album Go Go Swing was released to international acclaim.

Led by Dholi Sunny Jain, Red Baraat is the first and only Dhol ‘n’ Brass band in North America, melding North Indian rhythm Bhangra with brass funk.  The NYC-based big band improvises a powerful live sound, comprised of dhol (a double-sided, barrel-shaped North Indian drum slung over one shoulder), drumset, percussion, sousaphone and five horns.  Mixing originals and Bollywood favorites, Red Baraat has performed internationally from the Montreal Jazz Festival to Lincoln Center and the group’s debut album Chaal Baby was realeased on Sinj Records in 2010.

MTO w/ Henry Butler @ WFC 7/30/11

A couple of songs and then Henry Butler came out and stayed for the duration.  This was his first time playing with them and I hope there's many more to come.  Steven was talking about them playing together at Carnegie Hall.

It just clicked that Dean Bowman is the gospel singer from the Undead Jazzfest Park Slope Night.  I love it when things come together.  There was also a female vocalist that came out twice.

The entire show was phenomenal.  I think they came on a little after 5:30 and played until 6:45, which was 15 minutes past the end time.  I love this band more than I can say.  I'm looking forward to the new CD - music of Sly & the Family Stone.

Millennial Territory Orchestra
Erik Lawrence baritone/soprano
Doug Weiselman clarinet
Charlie Burnham violin
Curtis Fowlkes trombone
Michael Blake tenor sax
Ben Allison bass
Ben Perowsky drums
Steven Bernstein slide trumpet, conduction, composition
 

ABB @ Beacon 7/27/11

I didn't have a ticket.  I think when I tried to get one right after they went on sale there were none on the floor.  I figured I'd wait. Then I completely forgot about it until I got an email the day of.  I went on line and there was a ticket in the center in Row Y.  For whatever reason I wasn't sure I wanted to go and I had a feeling I could do better outside the Beacon.  At around 7 I was in Tribeca thinking about my options for the evening.  I felt a huge pull to get on the 2/3 at Canal and get my butt up there.  I bought a full price ticket out front from a guy with an extra, Row X center.  I guess that counts as better than Y.

Thank God I went because it was spectacular!  I still can't get over it.  It started a little slow but picked up real quick into a very special show.  The first 1.5 hour set could have been the whole show and we would have left elated.  It was mainly ABB with Danny Louis popping in and then Ron Holloway Natalie Cole came out and tore it up.  I was thinking Natalie was somewhat similar to Aretha and then she did The Weight.  Toward the end she forgot the words and Warren stepped in to help.

After a 30 min intermission we got an even more amazing 1.5 hour set.  It started with David Crosby, Graham Nash, and Derek Trucks.  Then we had a little duo thing.  Then a trio with Warren.

Next it was one of those special one night bands I could have never possibly dreamed up myself.  Crosby, Nash, Haynes, Trucks, Lewis, 2 drummers (Butch and Jamoe), and Phil Lesh!  Wow!  Phil had come out the song before to do a Crosby song.  We got treated to a mini Dead set of Sugaree, Shakedown Street, and Franklin's Tower.  It killed.  Greg came out at some point, but he doesn't really count.  Although, we wouldn't have this show at all if he wasn't public about his illness and wanting to do something for others.  So, kudos to Greg!

Then it went back to ABB.  Natalie came out one more time to do a sick Whipping Post.

We got Barry Gibbons on the 2nd encore.

A show of a lifetime!

Here's some other reviews with more details and accuracy.  There's some videos in there as well:

http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/allman-brothers-band-welcome-cole-lesh-crosby-nash-and-more-beacon-benefit/

http://www.spinner.com/2011/07/28/allman-brothers-beacon-hep-c/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Spinner+%28Spinner.com%29

1. Don't Want You No More
2. It's Not My Cross To Bear
3. I Walk On Gilded Splinters
4. One Way Out
5. Into The Mystic
6. Statesboro Blues
7. Blind Willie McTell
8. Black Hearted Woman
with James van der Bogert, drums
9. Change Is Gonna Come
with Natalie Cole, vocals; Danny Louis, keys; Ron Holloway, sax
10. The Weight
with Natalie Cole, vocals; Danny Louis, keys; Ron Holloway, sax
11. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
with Bill Evans, sax

Set II
12. Teach Your Children
with David Crosby & Graham Nash, guitar & vocals, Derek, guitar
13. Guenevere Green
with David Crosby, guitar & vocals, Graham Nash, vocals
14. Find The Cost Of Freedom
with Crosby, Nash Haynes a capella
15. Cowboy Movie
with David Crosby; Graham Nash; Phil Lesh, bass; Danny Louis, keys; James van der Bogert , drums
16. Almost Cut My Hair
with David Crosby; Graham Nash; Phil Lesh, bass; Danny Louis, keys; James van der Bogert , drums
17. Shake Down Street
with Phil Lesh, bass & vocals; Danny Louis, keys; James van der Bogert , drums
18. Sugaree
with Phil Lesh, bass & vocals; Danny Louis, keys; James van der Bogert , drums
19. Franklin's Tower
with Phil Lesh, bass & vocals; Danny Louis, keys; Bill Evans, sax; James van der Bogert , drums; Oteil, vocals
20. Whipping Post
with Natalie Cole, vocals
Encore
21. Midnight Rider
with David Crosby, Graham Nash, vocals; Devon Allman, guitar & vocals
22. Will the Circle Be Unbroken
with Natalie Cole, vocals; Billy Gibbons, guitar, Crosby & Nash, vocals; Danny Louis, piano

Rob Duguy @ Jazz Standard 7/26/11

I got the last spot for the first set.  I'm always surprised at full it is on a Tues night.  I recognized a lot of live music lovers in the audience.

The music was excellent and highly worthy of the venue.  You can say that about every single band they book there.  Rob and Yvonne both work there, so it was extra special to see them up there.  I mean, you go somewhere on average a few times a month and you are bound to make friends with people who work there.  Especially THAT place.  It has an aura that supports people being very nice and happy.  I mean, they get to see excellent music and likely get a staff meal every shift.  That's where I would be working if I was still in the restaurant business.

Anyway, this ensemble was fantastic.  Rob was great on bass.  I didn't realize he does some percussion as well.  The 2 tenors were fantastic.  I could really get into the piano.  The drummer was awesome.  Yvonne has a great jazz voice.  There was also an unlisted special guest Alex Cowings, the tap dancer.  He added to the show,  it was fun to see him jam with the drummer.  Rob called him back up later during an African Suite to jam with Rob on hand-drum AND Nadav Snir–Zelniker on drums.

He was having so much fun they went a little long.  It was about 1.5 hours and it looked like another sold out set coming up.

ROB DUGUAY’S SONGEVITY featuring ABRAHAM BURTON, NOAH PREMINGER & YVONNE SIMONE
Abraham Burton – tenor saxophone
Noah Preminger – tenor saxophone
Yvonne Simone – vocals
Justin Kauflin – piano
Rob Duguay – bass
Nadav Snir–Zelniker – drums

Countless Jazz Standard patrons have been greeted nightly by our skilled and friendly maitre’d, Rob Duguay – but do they know that Rob is also an in–demand bassist, inventive composer, and first–rate bandleader? Tonight, Jazz Standard is proud to present Rob Duguay’s Songevity in its first appearance on our stage. Beginning in his student days at the University of Vermont, Rob has played with Clark Terry, Paquito D’Rivera and Arturo O’Farrill, among others. Rob later spent significant periods of musical development in Paris and pre–Katrina New Orleans before arriving in the NYC area in 2007. He’s gigged extensively with both his Low Key Trio and the Rob Duguay Quartet, but Songevity is his most expansive and unique experiment to date – don’t miss it!

Lytle/Burgener @ DMG 7/24/11

I'm on Michael's mailing list ever since I saw him at The Stone.  I'm still waiting for the opportunity to see him play the monster bass clarinet.  There has been at least one opportunity, but I haven't been able to make it.

This bass clarinet/ violin duo set was great.  I love the combination and had a good time.

Lytle/Burgener to play this sunday!
July 24th, 2011
Hans is coming to town for a visit. This is a rare opportunity to see him and to hear us play as a duo. Our association goes back to the early 90's and includes 3 tours, a workshop, and an excellent recording. - A terrific guy, and a great improviser and good friend, we have enjoyed every minute of playing together! Come and join us for a short set early THIS Sunday evening at the DOWNTOWN MUSIC GALLERY, http://www.downtownmusicgallery.com/Main/index.htm http://www.downtownmusicgallery.com/Main/instoreshows.html

Ras Moshe Music Now Ensemble @ DMG 7/24/11

The M15 Select is quick and takes me 1 block from Downtown Music Gallery!  Shame on me for not going there more.  Now I know.  It only takes me about 20 minutes door to door.  You can take the L train from any of the 14th St stations to 3rd Ave and then get the M15 Select on 2nd Ave just above 13th St.  There are machines to put in your Metrocard and get a paper receipt.  The machine knows if it is a free transfer or an unlimited card.  You don't show the ticket to the bus driver, but you may be asked to show it by an inspector.  It makes loading the bus much quicker.

DMG has free creative music every Sun night at 6pm.  Sometimes it's one band, sometimes there is a double-header with another band at 7pm.  There have been a few occasions with a band at 8pm.  I'm on their mailing list, which is a good source for seeing what they have in stock AND nyc creative music listings.

So this night was a double-header and I was curious about the 2nd band.  I didn't pay much attention to the listing, so I didn't realize Ras was up first.  Lucky me! I love all of his projects! He seems to have different and great people every time I see him. He had Kyoko Kitamura, the singer (I've seen him with her before), Anders Nilson an guitar, and Andrew Drury on drums.  It was awesome and very engaging.  I'm glad I came out early.

Steve Coleman & 5 Elements @ Jazz Gallery 7/21/11

All July and August shows are free for members.  They are also offering a special Summer membership for $35 for July and August.  If you go to at least 2 shows, you made out.  It's also a great space to support.

There was an A/C controversy.  Since we were having a heat wave, health reasons won out and they kept it on during the performance.  They usually turn it off when the music is on so it doesn't interfere.  Steve said they rehearsed the night before without it.  He said that having it on will affect what they play.  In addition to the constant hum, it's always a B-flat sound.

Whatever the A/C influence, the music was awesome.  They may have kept to more loud parts and less soft parts, which I certainly enjoyed.  I love how it was Steve and Marcus, who I've seen around a lot over the years playing with a bunch of great emerging artists I've seen a lot of in more recent years.

Jen Shuy was on vocals.  It was voice as an instrument - part of the band as opposed to over top of the band.  I flashed back to when Steve Coleman curated The Stone and his vocalist was Cassandra Wilson.  That's right, Cassandra Wilson at The Stone! It was awesome! All I remember is loving every minute and drums.  I also remember getting in line very early and barely making it in to the 1st set.

Anyway, this set last night was excellent.  Everyone was on and wonderful.

Here's the 2007 listing from The Stone:
1/27 Saturday (JC)
8 and 10 pm Cassandra Wilson Group Cassandra Wilson (vocals) Steve Coleman (sax) Yosvany Terry (sax, shekere) Marvin Sewell (guitar) Jason Moran (piano) Lonnie Plaxico (bass) Pedro Martinez (percussion) Dafnis Prieto (drums) 20 dollars

Here's the JG listing from that evening:
 Steve Coleman and Five Elements
Wednesday, July 20th, 2011 to Thursday, July 21st, 2011

9:00 & 10:30 p.m.
$20.00 | FREE for Members and SummerPass Holders, buy ticket
Steve celebrates the release of his new CD The Mancy of Sound on Pi Recordings in this two-night outing.

Steve Coleman - alto saxophone
Jonathan Finlayson - trumpet
Jen Shyu - voice
Miles Okazaki - guitar
David Virelles - piano
Marcus Gilmore - drums