Jazz@Rochester

Future of Music Coalition brings a free seminar to help musicians learn new tools to improve their art and livelihood

The Future of Music Coalition is partnering with the the Rochester Musicians Association (AFM Local 66) and the Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester to bring a “What’s The Future for Musicians?” seminar to Rochester. This free event will be held at the Rochester Museum & Science Center on Monday, April 28, from 3:00-8:30 pm. The Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit that deals with issues at the intersection of music, technology, policy and law. One of FMC's missions is to help musicians understand these tricky issues in order to make better-informed decisions regarding their art and livelihood.

At the seminar, musicians will learn about such topical issues as promotion and distribution, internet marketing, access to media outlets such as radio, compensation in the digital age and the importance of open Internet structures. Artists from all genres—including jazz, classical, rock, folk and hip-hop—are welcome to come and learn. The seminar will be guided by a core group of presenters who have a wide range of expertise in the music, performance, technology, policy, copyright and law space. Attendees will have an opportunity to interact with peer-experts in breakout sessions and roundtable discussions. This seminar is part of a series of New York State music education events, which also includes presentations in Buffalo on April 2nd, Syracuse on April 29th, and Albany on the 30th.

It's free, but registration is necessary.  To RSVP, call the Rochester Musicians' Association at (585) 546-7633 or Tracy Kroft at the Arts and Cultural Council at (585) 473-4000 x 210 or via the online RSVP form.

I'll keep the image in the left panel until after the Rochester seminar. I'm reserving space in the left panel for this and other non-profit causes with a "jazz" or music focus.

A new voice on Jazz@Rochester tells you about his Friday night . . . .

Today I start bringing in some new voices to Jazz@Rochester—they'll include people I meet at gigs around town, artists, promoters and the people behind jazz venues in town. I'm sure people get tired of me rattling on (and I've had some trouble getting around to rattling for awhile anyway) and I know some would like to see some reviews and such, which are not really my bag, so I'm inviting some new voices to write a post from time to time. One person I see at many jazz gigs around town is Hal Schuler. He describes himself as a longtime jazz fan who remembers seeing, among others: Duke Ellington in East Rochester; Wynton Marsalis at Indigo's; Johnny Griffin at the Calabash; the Cannonball Adderly Quintet at Duffy's Backstage; Sheila Jordan, Claude Bolling and Dizzy Gillespie at Jazzberry's; Michel Petrucciani, Phil Woods, Betty Carter and Sun Ra at Red Creek; and Miles, Monk and  the U of R. Hal wrote the following about his night of jazz last night....

It was a busy day for jazz in Rochester. My first stop was at the Memorial Art Gallery for a 7 pm concert by Jeff Campbell's New York trio followed followed by a rush to hear Helen Sung's quartet in the Exodus To Jazz series, while having to miss the Student Degree Recital by a talented guitarist at Eastman.

The last jazz concert I can recall at the MAG auditorium was quite a while ago when rain caused a Jazzmobile concert by the Horace Silver Quintet to be moved inside. The last time the New York trio was in Rochester was for the 2006 RIJF. I suspect this concert is in preparation for a new CD to follow up their earlier recording, "West End Avenue". The leader is Jeff Campbell bass, with John Wojciechowski on tenor sax and John Hollenbeck drums.

By starting time a nice crowd had assembled and two things were evident. The only electronic device on stage was an amp for the bass and the program let us know there would be ten originals, nine by Campbell. The audience was immediately won over with brief, witty introductions of each song and as the music unfolded we were presented with a very pleasant musical treat. While Campbell is the leader the group functioned as a collective with each member carrying a share of the load. The compositions were varied and, if forced, I would put them in the broadest category of good jazz. There was a lot of interaction among group members often in the form of duets using all available combinations. For me a few specific highlights were the drum-bass duet at the end of "Tone Poem for the Desert," with Campbell using a drum stick percussively on the bass strings and the song sections where the bass and tenor were both playing the melody. The concert ended with the composition "Hoot Gibson" dedicated to the late bassist Dennis Irwin, who used this pseudonym when singing James Brown and Otis Redding songs while in an R&B band.

The Exodus To Jazz series for Spring 2008 has moved to the Clarion Riverside Hotel on the NW corner of Main and St. Paul. Heading west on Main. I took the first right after St. Paul and headed for the parking garage entrance at the far end of the building. Parking is free for Exodus attendees. I entered the lobby and familiar faces directed me to the Frontier Room on the second floor. I was a little late but had emailed the Exodus people and reserved a ticket. The new location is larger than Club Venu and has an elevated stage with good sight lines. Like Venu food and beverages are available. Exodus head Jose DaCosta refers to the site as a listening room and constantly circulates making sure the sound is good and loud conversation minimal.

I'd been looking forward to this show ever since I told some friends in Buffalo Helen Sung was going to be in Rochester and their reply was "She's great. We have three of her Cd's." When I got back to Rochester I visited her web sire and listened to some tunes. I also found some videos of Sung with the Lonnie Plaxico group on YouTube.com. Other videos worth seeing are two from Italy, Lucca Jazz Donna—Helen Sung and Jazz alla Fioreria—Helen Sung. In general YouTube is a great source for current and classic jazz videos.

For the Exodus gig the band was Helen Sung piano, Seamus Blake tenor, Richard Goods bass and Ulysses Owen Jr. drums. The set was a mixture of standards and originals. Favorites included Duke Ellington's "Fleurette Africaine" (African Flower) from the Money Jungle album with Ellington, Charles Mingus and Max Roach, a swinging version of Monk's "Bye-Ya" and "Sungbird" the title song from Sung's most recent CD which sold out after the show.

Thanks, Hal. I look forward to yours and other voices in the future.

No listings this week. . . April fools!

Sorry, but I just couldn't resist . . . . Now without further ado or additional tomfoolery (or should I say "April-foolery?"), here are your jazz listings for the next seven days.

Thursday, March 27th

• Nick Humphrey @ The Rabbit Room, contact venue for time
• Dave Spinner @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Matt Valerio @ The Grill at Strathallan, 6:00 pm
• Joe Santora and Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Lumiere @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Brendan Barber @ Merchants Grill, 8:00 pm
• Swing Dance @ St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 8:30 pm
• Salsa Dance Class @ Flat Iron Cafe, 9:00 pm
• Salsa Dance Lessons @ Tapas 177, 9:30 pm

Friday, March 28th

• Bob Sneider and Paul Hofmann @ The Grill at Strathallan, 5:00 pm
• Helen Sung Quartet (Exodus to Jazz) @ Rochester Clarion Riverside Hotel, 7:00 pm
• Westview Project with Nick Brust @ Tasteology, 7:00 pm
• Jeff Campbell Trio with John Wojciechowski and John Hollenbeck @ Memorial Art Gallery, 7:00 pm
• Joe Santora and Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Gap Mangione New Blues Band @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 7:30 pm
• Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Marimba Band @ SUNY College at Brockport, 7:30 pm
• Artisan Jazz Trio @ Starry Nites Cafe, 8:00 pm
• John Viviani and Filthy Funk with Lucid @ House of Hamez, 8:00 pm
• Bill Dobbins Quartet @ The Grill at Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• The Varnish Cooks @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:30 pm
• Madeline Forster @ Bistro 135, 9:00 pm
• Helen Sung Quartet (Exodus to Jazz) @ Rochester Clarion Riverside Hotel, 9:00 pm

Saturday, March 29th

• Salsa and Tango Dancing @ The Keg, contact venue for time
• Chris Ziemba @ The Grill at Strathallan, 5:00 pm
• Dave Spinner @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Fred Costello @ Brook House Restaurant, 6:00 pm
• Madeline Forster @ Tasteology, 7:00 pm
• Shared Genes @ Triphammer Grill, 7:00 pm
• Joe Santora and Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Bob Sneider Quartet @ The Grill at Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• Jennifer Heieck Trio @ Bistro 135, 9:00 pm
• Herb Smith Quartet @ Flat Iron Cafe, 9:00 pm

Sunday, March 30th

• After Hours Jam Session with the Quinn Lawrence Trio @ Flat Iron Cafe, 12:00 am
• Bill Slater @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 11:30 am [must be a brunch gig...sorry, Bill]
• Musicale Sundays hosted by Ernesto LaBella @ Artisan Works, 12:00 pm
• Hochstein Jazz Ensembles with Richard DeLaney, director @ Pittsford Community Library, 2:00 pm
• Nazareth College Jazz Combo with Paul Smoker, director @ Nazareth College Wilmot Recital Hall, 3:00 pm
• Matt Valerio (Eastman Student Degree Recital) @ Kilbourn Hall, 7:00 pm
• Fonda/Stevens Group @ Bop Shop Atrium, 8:00 pm
 

Monday, March 31st

• Rick Holland Evan Dobbins Little Big Band & The Rick Holland Quartet @ Tasteology 7:15 to 10pm [added]
• The White Hots @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Open Mic/Jazz Jam Nite with Reflecshunz @ Clarissa's, 8:00 pm
• Big Apple Mondays Swing Dance Class and Live Jazz with Quinn Lawrence Trio @ Flat Iron Cafe, 8:30 pm
• Nathan Smith (Eastman Student Degree Recital) @ Eastman School of Music, 9:00 pm

Tuesday, April 1st

• Joe Santora and Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Big Band Night with Penfield Rotary Band @ Penfield Community Center, 7:30 pm
• Bill Dobbins (Eastman Faculty Artist Series) @ Kilbourn Hall, 8:00 pm

Wednesday, April 2nd

• Big Band Dance featuring The Gateswingers @ Ontario Beach Park, 6:00 pm
• The Margaret Explosion @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm

I've compiled these listings from information obtained from the performing artists themselves and from other listings sources. Please forgive me for any discrepancies with reality; feel free to let me know what the problem is, and I'll get the corrections up on the site as soon as possible.

Any list items that contain the notation "[added]" or struck-through text reflect corrections implemented after initial publication of this post. Email subscribers should check the listings post online for updates or revisions before making decisions based on the information in this post.  For additional information regarding a particular performance (where I haven't previewed it in a separate post in advance), check the web sites (or my space page) of the venue and the performing artist.

For a more portable, printer-friendly version of this listings post, click on the title at the beginning of the post.

Exodus to Jazz series continues at the Claron Riverside Hotel with the Helen Sung Quartet

The Exodus To Jazz Series, now at the Clarion Riverside Hotel is presenting the Helen Sung Quartet on Friday, March 28, 2008. Helen Sung (Helen Sung on MySpace) returns to Rochester after accompanying Denise Thimes in mid-December to lead a dynamic combo of young jazz musicians to watch, including bassist Richie Goods, saxophonist Marcus Strickland and drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. (who is becoming quite familiar to regular ETJ patrons). [Update-March 28: Due to illness, Marcus Strickland will not be performing this evening, but Helen Sung will be joined by Seamus Blake instead, who has been a member with Sung in the Mingus Big Band and performed with the Sylvia Cuenca Quartet in her October 2007 ETJ engagement.]

In a review of Sung's 2006 album Helenistique on Allaboutjazz.com, Donald Elfman wrote that the CD's title:

...refer[s] to this sterling young pianist's ability to sculpt intelligent and vital improvisations. She is a confident, technically brilliant keyboard artist who uses a fertile imagination to create new lines and shapes from her raw materials. Thus these “standards,” played by countless pianists and other jazz players, take on different colors and textures and tell new stories in her hands.

Sung's playing was incredible when I saw her at the ETJ gig with Denise Thimes in December; she seemed to be having a lot of fun, too.  I look forward to hearing her as a leader.

Check out the new venue at the Clarion (I had to miss Freddy Cole, but look forward to catching one of the sets). The shows are at 7:00 and 9:00 pm in the Frontier Room at the Clarion Hotel Riverside in downtown Rochester. Parking is free for Exodus to Jazz patrons. Tickets are $20.00 and are available at TicketWeb.com (search “Helen Sung” or “Exodus To Jazz”), at the door (night of show) or through an email sent to: ExodusToJazz@aol.com (you will receive an email confirmation within 24 hours). Student tickets are $10.00 with a current ID. All tickets are available for pick-up at the ETJ Ticket/Will Call desk (on the hotel’s mezzanine level, outside the Frontier Room) beginning at 6:00 PM on the night of the show. For more information visit ExodusToJazz.com or call (585) 733-7685.

A tisket, a tasket, some Jazz@Rochester listings for your Easter basket...

Back from Chicago, where I saw some bagpipers in my hotel but alas no jazz. We have some new things and some old regulars.  Click on the title for a handy guide that you can print out for the jazz in town over the next seven days.

Thursday, March 20th

• Matt Valerio @ The Grill at Strathallan, 6:00 pm
• Dave Spinner @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Joe Santora and Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Lumiere @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Footnote @ Merchants Grill, 8:00 pm
• Salsa Dance Class @ Flat Iron Cafe, 9:00 pm
• Dave Rivello Ensemble @ Village Rock Cafe, 9:00 pm
• Salsa Dance Lessons @ Tapas 177, 9:30 pm
• Filthy Funk @ Dub Land Underground, 10:00 pm
• Joan Matthews with Jim Rhody @ Spot Coffee (call for time, was listed for 7:00 or 8:00 pm)

Friday, March 21st

• Bob Sneider and Paul Hofmann @ The Grill at Strathallan, 5:00 pm
• Bobby DiBaudo Trio @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Gap Mangione New Blues Band @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 7:30 pm
• Ian Mutch @ Triphammer Grill, 7:00 pm
• Squeaky Chair Jazz @ Starry Nites Cafe, 8:00 pm
• David Gibson with the Bill Dobbins Quartet @ The Grill at Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• Filthy Funk @ Dub Land Underground, 9:00 pm
• Mark Cassara @ Bistro 135, 9:00 pm

Saturday, March 22nd

• Dave Spinner @ Brio Mediterranean Bistro, contact venue for time
• Jazz trombone master class with David Gibson @ Eastman Community Music School, 1:30 pm
• Chris Ziemba @ The Grill at Strathallan, 5:00 pm
• Ben Britton Jazz Trio @ Bistro 135, 5:30 pm
• Fred Costello @ Brook House Restaurant, 6:00 pm
• Ralph Scicchitano @ Flat Iron Cafe, 6:00 pm
• Steve Greene and Tina Albright @ Bodhi's Café & Lounge, 7:00 pm
• Madeline Forster w/ John Nyerges @ Tasteology, @ 7:00 pm
• Gap Mangione New Blues Band @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 7:30 pm
• Devon Trumell @ Starry Nites Cafe, 8:00 pm
• Grinion CD Release Party @ Flat Iron Cafe, 8:00 pm
• DubbleStuff @ The Black Pearl, 8:00 pm [added]
• David Gibson with the Bob Sneider Quartet @ The Grill at Strathallan, @ 8:30 pm
• Steve Curry Trio with Todd East @ Bistro 135, 9:00 pm

Sunday, March 23rd

• After Hours Jam Session with the Quinn Lawrence Trio @ Flat Iron Cafe, 12:00 am
• Musicale Sundays hosted by Ernesto LaBella @ Artisan Works, 12:00 pm
• Bill Slater @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 11:30 pm

Monday, March 24th

• The White Hots @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Rick Holland Quartet @ Tasteology, 7:30 pm
• Swing Dance Class and Live Jazz with Quinn Lawrence Trio @ Flat Iron Cafe, 8:30 pm
• Rick Holland Little Big Band @ Tasteology, 8:30 pm

Tuesday, March 25th

• Deborah Branch @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Dave Brubeck Quartet @ University of Buffalo Center for the Arts, 8:00 pm

Wednesday, March 26th

• Steve Curry Trio with Todd East @ Bistro 135, 5:30 pm

Those with "[added]" or that are stricken, if any, were changes found after initial publication of the post. Check the venue sites or call for more information. I've compiled these from other sources and from the artists themselves, so please forgive me if there are any discrepancies with reality and feel free to let me know if something is wrong and I'll get the change up on the site as soon as possible. Email subscribers should check back here to see if there has been an update or revision before you make decisions on going out to see jazz.

You don't know where you're going without knowing where you've been . . . the roots of jazz on Jazz Roots

Greetings from Chicago (I'm still here following a conference of lawyer geeks), where some of those roots may be found, but for Tom Morgan and many others, the deepest roots are of course found in New Orleans. Some of those roots were transplanted to the Windy City when King Oliver, Louis Armstrong and others came up here from NOLA. Morgan has produced sites that focus on the early years of jazz music, from 1895 to the 1920s and the foundation of this music in the culture and history of African-Americans. Morgan is a writer and radio producer, who hosts (at least at the time he did the site) the New Orleans Music Show on the legendary WWOZ-FM in New Orleans.

Morgan's Jass.com (yes, with "s", it's the spelling found in the earliest jazz history) is clearly a labor of love, providing links and explanation of the early days of jazz music, which he describes thusly:

As a musical language of communication, jazz is the first indigenous American style to affect music in the rest of the World. Brass Band From the beat of ragtime syncopation and driving brass bands to soaring gospel choirs mixed with field hollers and the deep down growl of the blues, jazz's many roots are celebrated almost everywhere in the United States.

While my tastes run to jazz recorded in the last 50 years, I can't help loving the music from this early era of jazz. Its bubbling sense of joy belies the prejudice and struggle that many who played it found in their lives. It's powerful in that way, not nostalgic. All music should be considered within its own context and time. It may not be on my turntable all the time, but from time to time, I just need that sound of jasssssss. It is the first site added to my "Jazz History" category.

100 great jazz albums on the wall . . . 100 great jazz al-bums . . . take one down and pass it around. . . .

I've been meaning to let you know about the blog 100 Greatest Jazz Albums for some time.  Blogger Ken Watkins brings you his choices for the best in jazz, highlights the greatest jazz albums, and selects the best of the jazz CD and mp3 new releases. The site includes the following features and links:

• The 100 Greatest Jazz Albums (an ongoing review of the 100 greatest jazz albums)
• Recently released and recommended top jazz CD albums
• Recent re-releases
• Forthcoming jazz new releases and jazz re-releases
• What's selling best on the Amazon Top 100 jazz download and jazz album charts (updated hourly)
• Links to free video and audio jazz podcasts
• Jazz news
• Jazz on DVD
• A jukebox that plays and directs you to mp3 tracks that are approved for download
• A jazz gig guide

Now you might not agree with all of Ken's choices, but he's collected a lot of stuff and it's definitely worth some exploration.

Some listings from the Windy City . . . well I'm there, but this jazz is in Rochester

These listings are brought to you, with the help of the lovely Dianna, from Chicago where I'm at a conference for lawyer nerds. There's some good jazz here this weekend, including the SF Jazz Collective (I'm thinking its possible we may see them this summer...I don't know that they are for sure, but it just seems right). However, some of my favorite jazz haunts in the city seemingly have departed the mortal coil, including the Jazz Showcase, where I first saw (and wrote about) Mulgrew Miller and HotHouse, the dark remnants of which are a mere block from my hotel. Oh well, life is change....

Thursday, March 13th

• Rachelle Fleming with Dave Mancini, Fred Stone & Rod Blumenau @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Matt Valerio @ The Grill at Strathallan, 6:00 pm
• Lumiere @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Russell Fielder Quintet @ Merchants Grill, 8:00 pm
• Artisan Jazz Trio @ Starry Nites Cafe, 8:00 pm
• Swing Dance @ St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 8:30 pm
• Dave Rivello Ensemble @ Village Rock Cafe, 9:00 pm

Friday, March 14th

• Bob Sneider and Paul Hofmann @ The Grill at Strathallan, 5:00 pm
• Bobby DiBaudo Trio @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Jazz Jam Night @ Finger Lakes Community College (Canandaigua, NY), 6:00 pm
• Footnote @ Tasteology, 7:00 pm
• Freddy Cole Quartet (Exodus to Jazz) @ Rochester Clarion Riverside Hotel, 7:00 & 9:00 pm
• Mambo Kings @ Immanuel Baptist Church (Jazz at Immanuel Series), 7:00 pm
• Rochester Rat Pack @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 7:30 pm
• Tom Monte Trio @ Pomodoro Grill and Wine Bar, 8:00 pm
• Swing Dance with John Seiger and the All Stars @ Rochester Museum and Science Center, 8:00 pm
• Jimmie Highsmith Jr. & Filthy Funk @ Club Network (470 Central St., Rochester), 8:00 pm
• The Varnish Cooks @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:30 pm
• Mark Cassara @ Bistro 135, 9:00 pm
• Joshua Breakstone Quartet @ The Grill at Strathallan, 9:30pm

Saturday, March 15th

• Chris Ziemba @ The Grill at Strathallan, 5:00 pm
• Ralph Scicchitano @ Flat Iron Cafe, 6:00 pm
• Shared Genes @ Triphammer Grill, 7:00 pm
• Madeline Forster @ Tasteology, 7:00 pm
• Jazz Dawgs @ Starry Nites Cafe, 8:00 pm
• Joshua Breakstone @ The Grill at Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• Pat Martino Quartet (replaces Dave Holland Quintet) @ Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY, 8:00 pm

Sunday, March 16th

• Quinn Lawrence Trio at the After Hours Jam @ Flat Iron Cafe, 12:00 am
• Bill Slater @ Lodge at Woodcliff, 11:30 am
• Musicale Sundays hosted by Ernesto LaBella @ Artisan Works, 12:00-5:00 pm

Monday, March 17th

• Deborah Branch @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• The White Hots @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Rick Holland Quartet @ Tasteology, 7:30 pm
• Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Big Band @ Tasteology, 8:30 pm

Tuesday, March 18th

• Steve Curry Trio @ Bistro 135, 5:30 pm

Wednesday, March 19th

• The Margaret Explosion @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm

Click on "Permalink" at the foot of the post and print out the page for a handy guide to jazz in town over the next seven days. Those with "[added]" or that are stricken, if any, were changes found after initial publication of the post. Check the venue sites or call for more information. I've compiled these from other sources and from the artists themselves, so please forgive me if there are any discrepancies with reality and feel free to let me know if something is wrong and I'll get the change up on the site as soon as possible. Email subscribers should check back here to see if there has been an update or revision before you make decisions on going out to see jazz.

Pledge early, pledge often, pledge now . . . Jazz 90.1 needs your support!

Jazz 90.1, our local jazz radio station (and one of the few left in the country), is going to start its Spring 2008 Membership Campaign on March 12th. I'm going to pony up, so please show your supportand help them reach their goal of $50,000 for the drive, which will be running from the 12th until the goal is met. The station relies on your support to stay on the air. All donations are tax deductible.

If you make your online donation to Jazz90.1 between now (actually it was last Wednesday, but I just saw the email) and Wednesday March 12th at 6:00 am, you can get a special bonus CD or DVD from the Jazz 90.1 prize closet in addition to the thank you gifts they are making available at each level. Those interested can also make pledges by calling (585) 966-5299, 1-800-790-0415, or pledge securely on line at www.jazz901.org, where you can listen live any time, anywhere.

Movin on up . . . Exodus to Jazz moves to the Clairon Hotel Riverside with Freddy Cole Quartet

Exodus to Jazz will be presenting the Freddy Cole Quartet at the Clarion Hotel Riverside with two shows on Friday, March 14, 2008. Cole will be joined by drummer Curtis Boyd, guitarist Randy Napoleon and bassist Elias Bailey. The brother of Nat King Cole, Freddy Cole is the real deal and a singer with a wonderful voice (Tony Bennett called him "without a doubt one of our greatest singers.” The shows will be at 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm. at The Clarion Hotel Riverside, 120 East Main Street, Rochester, New York 14604.

Tickets are $ 20.00 at TicketWeb.com (search for “Freddy Cole” or “Exodus To Jazz”) or at the door, night of show. Tickets can also be reserved with an email sent to: ExodusToJazz@aol.com (you will receive an email confirmation within 24 hours). Student tickets are $ 10.00 with a current ID. Tickets are available for purchase and pick-up at the Ticketing/Will Call desk beginning at 6:00 PM. Jose DaCosta, the man who's bringing us the Exodus to Jazz series has announced some additional "enticements" to this new venue: First, Clarion Riverside Hotel parking will be FREE for Exodus To Jazz patrons by showing the parking attendant a copy of your TicketWeb.com receipt or a copy of the “Artist Highlights” page from ExodusToJazz.com. There will be reasonably priced hor d’oeuvres buffet available in the Skyway Lobby (adjacent to the Genesee Suites) beginning at 6:00 p.m. and before the 9:00 show. Finally, there will be dance floor for those who feel it necessary to strut their stuff while Mr. Cole struts his (check out this video of Freddy Cole to bet a taste).

Jose has also challenged those who have been patrons of Exodus to Jazz to turn more folks on to this excellent jazz series. If you have attended at least one Exodus To Jazz show in the past, you eligible for a discounts for the ETJ shows on March 14 and March 28, 2008. Bring ONE new patron with you:

• You get a 50% discount on your ticket (i.e., your guest pays $20, you pay $10).
• Bring 2 new patrons: You get a 75% discount on your ticket (i.e., your guests pay $20 each, you pay $5).
• Bring 3 or more new patrons: You get a FREE ticket (your guests pay $20 each, you pay $0!).
• If your guests include students, than two students equate to one regular, full price patron; therefore: Bring 2 new student patrons with you: You get a 50% discount on your ticket (your student guests pay $10 each, you pay $10)
• Bring 4 new patrons (two students & two non-students): You get a Free ticket (your student guests pay $10 each, non-student guests pay $20 each, you pay $0!).

The Exodus To Jazz "Patron Honor Code" will prevail: If you and your guest(s) say the show is their first event, that is good enough for Jose. However, you must come with your guest(s) as a group. You will receive your discounted ticket at the Will Call/Ticket Desk prior to the show. No cash refunds will given for tickets purchased through TicketWeb.com under this incentive program.  Come on out and help Jose and ETJ launch the Series at the new venue.  Unfortunately, I am out of town and will not be able to join Jose with Freddy.  But I'm aiming for the Helen Sung Quartet on March 28th.

Want to hear some jazz over the next seven days in Rochester? Read on!

We've got the jazz in some clubs around town and I've tried to gather as many of them as possible here. Let me know if you know of something else.

Thursday, March 6th

• Matt Valerio @ The Grill at Strathallan, 6:00 pm
• Lumiere @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Jimmie Highsmith and Friends @ Merchants Grill, 8:00 pm
• Standard Jazz Quartet @ Starry Nites Cafe, 8:00 pm
• Swing Dance @ St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 8:30 pm
• Dave Rivello Ensemble @ Village Rock Cafe, 9:00 pm

Friday, March 7th

• Bob Sneider and Paul Hofmann @ The Grill at Strathallan, 5:00 pm
• Greg Wachala and Dave Arenius @ Stucko's Bar and Grill, 6:00 pm
• Gap Mangione New Blues Band @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 7:30 pm
• Eastman Studio Orchestra with Bill Dobbins, conductor @ Eastman Theatre, 8:00 pm
• Bill Dobbins/Mike Kaupa Quartet @ The Grill at Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• The Varnish Cooks @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:30 pm

Saturday, March 8th

• Chris Ziemba @ The Grill at Strathallan, 5:00 pm
• Fred Costello @ Brook House Restaurant, 6:00 pm
• The Westview Project @ Bodhi's Café & Lounge, 6:30 pm
• Madeleine Forster @ Tasteology, 7:00 pm
• Bob Sneider Quartet @ The Grill at Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• John Nyerges/Vince Ercolamento Quartet @ Bistro 135, 9:00 pm
• Filthy Funk @ Bodhi's Café & Lounge, 9:30 pm
• Tom Monte @ Brio Mediterranean Bistro, contact venue for time

Sunday, March 9th

• Quinn Lawrence Trio at the After Hours Jam @ Flat Iron Cafe, 12:00 am
• Musicale Sundays hosted by Ernesto LaBella (with Rachelle Fleming, Dave Mancini, Fred Stone, and Rod Blumenau) @ Artisan Works, 12:00-5:00 pm
• Jazz with Tony Giannavola @ Artisan Works, 1:00 pm
• Paul Smoker conducts the Cornell University Jazz Band and Nazareth College Jazz Ensemble @ Bop Shop Atrium, 3:00 pm
• Bill Slater @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 11:30 pm

Monday, March 10th

• The White Hots @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Big Apple Monday (Swing Dance Class and Live Jazz with Quinn Lawrence Trio) @ Flat Iron Cafe, 8:30 pm

Tuesday, March 11th

• The Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary Tour with Terence Blanchard, James Moody, Benny Green, Nnenna Freelon, Derrick Hodge, Kendrick Scott @ University of Buffalo Center for the Arts, 8:00 pm [oops... it was on my other calendar]
• Improvisational Caucus "Gettin After It" (Aaron Staebell Series) @ Boulder Coffee, 8:30pm

Wednesday, March 12th

• The Margaret Explosion @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra @ Lappy's, East Rochester 7:30 pm [corrected]

Those with "[added]" or that are stricken, if any, were changes found after initial publication of the post. Check the venue sites or call for more information. I've compiled these from other sources and from the artists themselves, so please forgive me if there are any discrepancies with reality and feel free to let me know if something is wrong and I'll get the change up on the site as soon as possible. Email subscribers should check back here to see if there has been an update or revision before you make decisions on going out to see jazz.