Tom Wurth Conceert Melba Performing Arts Center June 15

By Steve Monroe

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Trombonist, arranger – and pioneer
for women in jazz, Melba Liston

"Melba [Liston] had the incredible ability of making musicians audio better through what she wrote for them. That's the mark of a neat arranger," says jazz chief pianist, composer and bandleader Randy Weston in his autobiography, "African Rhythms," written with our own DC Jazz Festival guru Willard Jenkins. "She wrote for Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Quincy Jones, Gloria Lynne, the Supremes, Bob Marley …"

photo from http://www.randyweston.info

Weston, whose career has included a National Endowment of the Arts tribute and many other awards, too said in the book: " … By this time I had met Melba Liston and this tape ["Piffling Niles"] became our first collaboration … [It] was a corking example of the genius of Melba Liston. Nosotros had Jamil Nassar on bass, Johnny Griffin on tenor sax, Ray Copeland and Idrees Sulieman on trumpet, Charlie Persip on drums, and Melba Liston herself played trombone."

Washington Women In Jazz events
headline rich weekend of sounds

Karine Chapedelaine

This March we over again celebrate Women'southward Calendar month and we hither honor the legacy of women in jazz, similar Melba Liston, known for her musicianship and her arrangements, (born 1926 in Kansas City, MO.; died 1999) who helped pave the way for stars of today, similar this year's Washington Women In Jazz Festival performers Amy Bormet, Leigh Pilzer, Jessica Boykin-Settles, Sarah Hughes, Shannon Gunn, Laura Dryer and many others.
Bormet leads a ring tonight, Friday, March 3 for "An Evening with the Washington Women in Jazz Festival at 6 p.yard. at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Performers include Bormet, piano and vocals,
Shacara Rogers, vocals, Gabrielle Tater, alto sax, flute, Kim Sator, harp, Delandria Mills, flute, Karine Chapdelaine, bass and Ana Barreiro, drums.
Tomorrow, Saturday, March 4, WWJF presents a "Immature Creative person Showcase and Jam Sessions at Levine at THEARC in Southeast D.C., with "emerging jazz women musicians in high school and college," per WWJF information. And uptown Sat, eclectic multi-instrumentalist Anita Thomas appears with the Amy Thou. Bormet Trio at Wesley Church, 5312, Connecticut Avenue N.Westward. WWJF performers volition likewise appear Sunday, March 5 at the DC Jazz Jam at The Brixton Restaurant and Friday March 10 at Bowie State University, with Bormet on pianoforte, Hughes and Vinkeloe, saxophones, Karine Chapdelaine, bass and Savannah Harris, drums.

Jessica Boykin-Settles appears at the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum March 11.

Other WWJF events this calendar month include vocalist-educator Jessica Boykin-Settles' show, "Oh Ella! Celebrating the 100th Ceremony of Ella Fitzgerald," a Rhythm Café functioning at two p.grand., Sat, March 11 at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Identify, S.Eastward. The gratuitous event features "a special tribute to one of jazz music's virtually distinctive voices known for her scat style of singing, diction and perfect pitch." Museum information advises to annals early, online or by calling 202.633.4844. See http://www.anacostia.si.edu for complete data. And Swedish alto saxophonist/flautist and bandleader Biggi Vinkeloe leads an Improvisation Workshop at 2 p.m. March 12 at Robert Harper Books, 6216 Rhode Isle Avenue, in Riverdale Park, Doctor.

See http://www.washingtonwomeninjazz.com for complete information on WWJF events.

Ella Fitzgerald

Other women performers this month include honour-winning composer and usher Maria Schneider and her Orchestra Sabbatum, March four at the Kennedy Center, and The Jennifer Scott Earth Jazz Ensemble Sat, March 4 at the Atlas Performing Arts Centre, as role of its 2017 Intersections Festival.
Vocalist Christie Dashiell is at the Kennedy Center Jazz Order March xi, singer Alison Crockett volition perform March xi at Twins Jazz, while Vocalist Danielle Wertz appears March 11 at The Alex within The Graham Georgetown Boutique Hotel, with Howard Academy's own, vocaliser Shacara Rogers at the Alex March 18.

Danielle Wertz is at The Alex in Georgetown March 11.

Christie Dashiell is at the Kennedy Eye Jazz Lodge March 11.

Lori Williams is at Westminster Presbyterian Church March 24.

Dynamic multi-genre vocalizer Lori Williams will announced March 24 at Westminster. Vocalist Jackie Ryan appears March 26 at The Baltimore Museum of Art, and singer Marianne Matheny-Katz performs March 26 at O'Callaghan Annapolis Hotel, with a band that includes saxophonist Craig Alston, Vince Evans, piano, Eric Kennedy, drums and Tom Baldwin, bass.
And, women are featured at the Montpelier Arts Heart jazz series in Laurel, Md. this month with Baltimore's internationally known singer Ethel Ennis March 9; vocalist Esther Williams with her husband Davey Yarborough March 10; vocalist Kristin Callahan performing with the Thad Wilson Quartet March 17; saxophonist Laura Dreyer appearing March 24; and the serial closes with the special event "Women in Jazz: From Classrooms to Careers" March 26, with Dreyer, trombonist and bandleader Shannon Gunn and others. Phone call 301-377-7800 or 410-792-0664 for more than data on the Montpelier jazz.

Kristin Callahan is at The Montpelier Arts Center

with Thad Wilson March 17.

Pianists Johnson Evans, Mehldau, Eldar highlight other events

Our own pianist Allyn Johnson, jazz studies manager at the University of the District of Columbia, performs Saturday, March iv at the Intersections Festival at the Atlas Performing Arts Middle, presenting "Music of D.C. Musicians Past and Present" for a 6 p.m. prove. Later this month, Johnson plays host for this month's JAZZforum March 21 at the UDC Recital Hall (Bldg 46-West) when he interviews living legend educator Dr. Arthur Dawkins, former professor and director of jazz studies at Howard University. Run across http://www.jazzaliveudc.org.

Allyn Johnson appears March iv at the Intersections Festival

at the Atlas and hosts the JAZZForum with Dr. Arthur Dawkins

March 21 at UDC.

Pianist Orrin Evans is at the Arts Club of Washington March. vi.

Philadelphia'due south young master pianist Orrin Evans plays the Arts Club of Washington Monday, March 6 for a 7 p.m. show in the gild'south piano jazz series. Publicity for the evidence notes that Evans "… keeps his music on the front burner with the neo-soul/acrid jazz ensemble Luv Park, the commonage trio Tarbaby, and the raucous Captain Black Big Band. With 25 CD's to his credit, Mr. Evans paints with a broad musical brush that encompasses minor and large jazz ensembles, poetry collaborations, and film scoring." See http://www.artsclubofwashington.org.
Another highly acclaimed pianist, Brad Mehldau appears at the 6th & I Historic Synagogue in downtown D.C. March 16. Encounter http://www.bradmehldau.com. Eldar, the "pyrotechnic" marvel of a pianist appears with his trio March 22 at Blues Alley. Come across http://www.eldarmusic.com.

prototype from http://www.washingtonperformingarts.org

OTHER MARCH EVENTS INCLUDE: Jeff Antoniuk and The Jazz Update, March 3-four, Twins Jazz; Chuck Redd, March 4, The Alex/Georgetown; Project Natale, March 8, Alice'due south Jazz and Cultural Society (JACS); Antonio Parker & Friends, March 10, Westminster; Marty Nau, March 15, Twins Jazz; Steve Washington, March 15, JACS; Nicholas Payton CD Release Party, March 15-16, Blues Alley; Brad Mehldau, March 16, Sixth & I Celebrated Synagogue; Twins Jazz Orchestra, March 16, 30, Twins Jazz; Michael Thomas Quintet, March 17-18, Twins Jazz; Arnold Sterling'south Favorite Sons, March 17, Westminster Presbyterian Church; Rick Alberico, March 19, Twins Jazz; Howard Kingfish Franklin, March xix, JACS; Allyn Johnson Encounter the Artist/Dr. Arthur Dawkins, March 21, UDC Recital Hall/Bldg. 46 West; Cheyney Thomas, March 22, JACS; Eldar Trio, March 22, Blues Aisle; Kevin Eubanks Group, March 23-26, Blues Alley; R&B Jazz Quintet/Kenny Rittenhouse, Herman Burney, March 24-25, Twins Jazz; Jordon Dixon, March 26, DC Jazz Jam/The Brixton; Marianne Matheny-Katz, March 26, O'Callaghan Annapolis Hotel; Run across the Artist/Ralph Peterson, March 28, UDC Recital Hall; Roy Hargrove, March 28-31, Blues Aisle; JAZZforum/Bob Porter: Soul Jazz, March 29, UDC Recital Hall; Reginald Cyntje, March 31, Twins Jazz; Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra/Women in Jazz: The Influence of Ella Fitzgerald, Mary Lou Williams and Lil Hardin Armstrong, March 31, Museum of American History; Howard University Jazz Ensemble, March 31, Westminster; Jazz Night at The Movies/Nat King Cole, March 31, Westminster; Todd Marcus, March 31, Montpelier …

The Michael Thomas Quintet is at Twins Jazz March 17-eighteen

Todd Marcus is at Montepelier March 31.

"Tell Me More and Then Some"

"Baltimore was geographically located conveniently in the centre of New York, Atlantic City and Washington D.C. It was besides non likewise far from Chicago and New Orleans. With a central location in the state, it was a mutual stopping point for many well-known touring musicians," says information on the website for the film in production, "Tell Me More and then Some," about jazz in Baltimore.
"It was abode to a variety of night clubs and destinations that included … the famous Royal Theatre on Pennsylvania Ave, a definitive stop on the Chitlin Circuit. Baltimore hosted legends such as Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong and Lionel Hampton. All the while, simultaneously having a stiff local music and entertainment scene that included Eubie Blake, Chick Webb and Cab Calloway. Even the famous Lady Solar day spent virtually of her youth and teenage years growing up in Baltimore. Information technology was a urban center that was an essential part of American jazz History."
Stay tuned. Come across http://www.tellmemoreandthensome.com for complete information, and to donate to donate to this worthy venture.

Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation

photo by Steve Monroe

Herb Scott performing at the Mid-Atlantic

Jazz Festival in February.

Saxophonist/jazz activist Herb Scott said recently he is launching the website shortly for his Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation, at http://www.capitolhilljazzfoundation.org. Scott, who spoke about the foundation at the February Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival panel presentation on "Jazz Preservation, Pedagogy and Promulgation: Building A Mid-Atlantic Network," says "The mission of the foundation is to produce a weekly jazz jam session, annual jazz festival and Conference and, daily arts advocacy related work. Our mission is to financially aid D.C. based Jazz musicians, venues and Jazz education programs."
–InPerson … Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival

Vanessa Rubin, dazzling in her gold-sequined top and white pants, sang in a shout to the large crowd, "Are You Ready for Me?" at the feature bear witness the get-go nighttime of the 8th Almanac Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival at the Hilton Hotel & Meeting Executive Middle in Rockville final month. Then Rubin, with her guest Paul Carr, the festival impresario himself playing tenor sax, sang her way through a thoroughly entertaining set, including a rousing "All Blues," delighting her fans and officially boot off the festival.
Indeed, a VIP pre-event the night before featuring Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Rhythm Orchestra was a smash, per reports, and that first afternoon the T.C. Williams (Alexandria, Va.) High Schoolhouse jazz band and and so trumpeter DeAndrey Howard & Collector'due south Edition with sax man Tracy Cutler opened the weekend with some spicy sounds. Howard and Cutler shined on "Theme for Maxine," "Yesterdays" and other tunes, along with pianist Bob Butta. Alto sax human Herb Scott, backed by pianist Promise Udobi'southward melodic riffs. played a fine set that evening at the MAJF Lodge, with standards and originals, like his "Catch Me At The Jazz Testify" jazzy rapping jam.

Paul Carr

Sat that weekend opened in the large hotel atrium with Carr's Jazz Academy of Music group, highlighted by its Latin jam "Armando'south Hideaway," the horns singing sweetly over he catchy beats of the rhythm section, and then the Olney Large Ring delivered a peppery session of standards, with swinging horn section riffs.
The festival'south singer contest highlighted our own Danielle Wertz, shining on "Cute Beloved," and a fine operation by Monica Pabelonio, among the other contestants, simply Boston'southward Lydia Harrell, with her dramatic, heartfelt and sultry phrasing on tunes like "Black Butterfly," stole the testify for this observer. Then Noel Simone Wippler, the 2016 MAJF vocal winner, delivered a hot set of her ain, the statuesque dazzler a sultry, hip-shaking wonder on tunes similar "Sophisticated Lady" and "Moody's Mood for Love."
Likewise on Sat, the console give-and-take moderated by producer, journalist, promoter W.A. "Pecker" Brower on "Jazz Preservation, Education and Promulgation: Edifice A Mid-Atlantic Network," featured Scott, Barbara Grubbs of Contemporary Arts Inc., Prof. Judith Korey, Curator Felix Eastward. Grant Jazz Athenaeum at UDC, vocaliser/jazz activists Aaron Meyers and others for a lively session that aired thoughts and activeness steps on providing a better nurturing environment for jazz, including its musicians, its venues and its audiences.
The East Carolina University Jazz Ensemble, with saxes and swinging horns overall, wowed he atrium crowd, with singer "Samantha Kunz" soaring on "Stella By Starlight" and "I Wish I Would Know How Information technology Would Feel to be Free" and "September. Vocalist Kathy Kosins delivered a bluesy, downhome set and the Guitar Summit featured Russell Malone, Paul Bollenback and Bobby Broom strummed upwards a tempest with their session Saturday night.

Janelle Gill

Akua Allrich

Karen Lovejoy at Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival

The MAJF Collective, Akua Allrich on vocals, Janelle Gill, pianoforte, and Savannah Harris, drums, were a highlight that Sunday of the festival, Allrich a witty and engaging entertainer as well equally a stirring vocaliser, leading the way on tunes like "My Baby But Cares for Me," "Blackness Coffee," and her own tunes similar "Take My Time" and "Red Bawl," with Gill's insistent melodic charms on pianoforte and Harris' efficient pulsate passages complimenting Allrich's rich and bluesy vocals and scatting riffs. Vocalist Karen Lovejoy, the "Jazz Goddess," had a fine set up of her ain that twenty-four hour period on "Close Your Eyes," "St. Louis Dejection," here with her ain sultriness and her vintage half-weep phrasing and and so bluesy, finger-snapping, blues shouts. The Paul Carr Quartet that night featured Carr's bluesy sax, and singer Jamie Davis' booming baritone romantic treats on tunes like "Night and Twenty-four hour period."

Steve Monroe is a Washington, D.C. writer who can exist reached at steve@jazzavenues. com and followed at http://www.twitter.com/jazzavenues.

mcmilliancaravered44.blogspot.com

Source: https://jazzavenues.wordpress.com/2017/03/03/jazz-avenues-march-2017-blog/

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