Last week, Jason over at RocBike and, closer to my heart (come to think of it, my heart could use some biking), The Jazz Session, has tagged me with a meme that's been going around the blogosphere to let you all know 5 random things about me that might not be readily apparent.  I'm going to take the tack of Seth, who Jason also tagged, and focus my "random" things a bit. So here goes:

1. In addition to listening to jazz (no . . . really), I listen to an eclectic range of music, including alt country, singer-songwriters and folk, blues, 80s alternative, classical, electronica and dance, world music (particularly from Africa), and hip hop (well, old-school hip hop).
2. I still listen to vinyl from time-to-time as I still have over 700 LPs.
3. I ran a record store back in the early 1980s while a student at the University of Chicago and worked for about a year at the flagship store for the old Chicago record store chain Rose Records (which alas is no more), where I ran the cutouts section. A good portion of my record collection came out of this experience, including an almost complete set of Coltrane's LPs on Impulse! were bought at the latter after the label was bought by MCA and the old Impulse! pressings were cut out. Now if I could only find a turntable that works . . . .
4. I wish I played any instrument well enough to improvise. Of course, then I'd have to practice . . . . a lot.
5. This tag showed up another issue I'm finding with this blog . . . I don't have enough of a network.  Unfortunately, Jason has tagged some of the folks that I would have tagged already and I'm not sure there are enough left in my network who want to be "tagged" (and if they don't wish to carry it on, I understand and won't be hurt . . . really).

So, if you don't mind Tom (disclosure. . . I also write on this blog), George and Peter—tag you're it !  Do with it what you want. I'm giving my friend Annie a pass this time as I see she's already done this meme at least once.  Now I need to look into expanding my network a bit, eh?

My good friend saxman Jimmie Highsmith Jr. is having a CD release party for his new album "It Is What It Is". This one is special for me. Jimmie provided me the opportunity to be at two of the recording sessions for this album, including the session where trombonist Wycliffe Gordon laid down his tracks. Hearing those tracks and then hearing the final result really was a great experience.

Joining Jimmie at the party will be the neo-soul group Black August, who are also celebrating their own self-titled debut CD, and are appearing with Jimmie in several coming gigs around Rochester. 

The show will be at the High Fidelity club in Rochester. Admission is $10.00 at the door (there will be no advance tickets). Doors open at 7:00 pm, with the show commencing at 8:00 pm. See you there, Jimmie!

Here are the next seven days of jazz in and around Rochester. Seems like a lot of our locals may be getting paid doing the "private party" circuit or just taking a much needed break.

Check the venue sites or call for more information. I've compiled these from other sources so forgive me if there are any discrepancies with reality.  Artists and groups, please feel free to let me know via email (link on left panel) if one of your gigs isn’t on here and I’ll try to add it to the post before the gig happens. Email subscribers should check back here to see if there has been an update or revision before you make decisions on jazz to see (subscribers won't get an update email or posting).

Thursday, July 26

• Gap Mangione Big Band @ Performing Arts Gazebo, Irondequoit Farmers Market, 6:30 pm
• Lumiere @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Paul Hofmann @ The Grill at the Strathallan Hotel, 6:00 pm
• Deborah Branch @ Flat Iron Cafe, 8:00 pm

Friday, July 27

• Paul Hofmann/Mike Kaupa Duo @ The Grill at the Strathallan Hotel, 5:00 pm
• Fred Stone & Company @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:30 pm
• Gap Mangione Big Band @ Horizons at the Lodge at Woodcliff, 8:30 pm
• Paul Meyers (guitarist) w/ Bob Sneider Trio @ The Grill at the Strathallan Hotel, 8:30 pm
• Diane Schuur @ Clayton Opera House (Syracuse), 5:00 and 8 :00 p.m.
• Phil Woods with CNY Jazz Orchestra @ Syracuse Jazz in the Square Festival, 8:15 p.m.
• Hubert Laws @ Syracuse Jazz in the Square Festival, 10:00 p.m.
• NOMO @ Ohm Lounge (Syracuse), 11:00 pm

Saturday, July 28

• Chris Ziemba (Solo Jazz Piano) @ The Grill at the Strathallan Hotel,  5:00 pm
• Fred Costello @ Brook House Restaurant, 6:00 pm
•   Bob Dibaudo Quartet @  Horizons at the Lodge at Woodcliff, 7:30 pm
• Jimmie Highsmith Jr. "It Is What It Is" CD Release Party (also Black August CD release party) @ High Fidelity, 8:00 pm
• Shared Genes @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:00 pm

Sunday, July 29

• Bill Slater @ Horizons at the Lodge at Woodcliff, 11:30 am
• Nostalgic Reunion @ Irondequoit Gazebo, 2:30 pm

Monday, July 30

• Steve Greene & The White Hots @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm

Tuesday, July 31

• Tony Giannavola @ Beale St II, 6:00 pm

Wednesday, August 1

• Metro Vibe @ Aqueduct Park, southwest side of Main Street Bridge, 12:00 pm
• Concerts By The Shore Series w/Greece Choral Society and Jazz Band @ The Gazebo @ Ontario Beach Park, 7:00 pm

Because of the focus of Jazz@Rochester, I'm often asked whether I'm a musician.  I wish. . . .  I have dabbled around its edges.  I took piano lessons as a child, played trombone and drums in junior high band, and in the past year have bought a mandolin, which alas sits in its gig bag in a corner of the room for the time being. I may want to check out Jazz Licks to get some licks to play when the time comes that I actually want to use my limited ability to read music and play an instrument.  The blog is being used by its writer to try to collect jazz licks for publishing in a book later.  While compiling, "he" (I'm assuming by the "Big Buzzard" moniker, but who knows?) is publishing them on his blog.  As he writes:

Like all jazz musicians, over the years I've learned from those who have gone before, by listening to recordings, and transcribing improvised solos. It's a great way to keep your brain in tune, and to improve your listening and playing skills. Last week I was approached by a music publisher and asked if I would be interested in compiling a set of 50 'Jazz Licks' to be published as a set of cards. It was obvious immediately that this was far too big a task for one person, if there's to be any hope of some kind of comprehensive coverage of the whole of jazz. So, I'm opening this appeal to jazz musicians everywhere to 'send me your favourite licks'.

The writer is interpreting a "lick" as a short phrase, up to 4 bars in length, played as part of an improvised solo or accompaniment. He's got 21 posted so far (as of this post), with music notations and an mp3, ranging from Dizzy Gillespie's Salt Peanuts to Pat Metheny's Third Wind.

I actually haven't forgotten that I had promised another post on the 2007 Rochester International Jazz Festival. Still have that one in the works (had to wait at least until my Geri Allen interview was posted), but just noticed in my Allaboutjazz.com feed in the left panel that Robert Iannapollo has written up his thoughts on RIJF 2007 for the online magazine.  Thought you might want to read his take on what we all agree was a great 6th Annual RIJF.

Here they are:

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3

Here are the next seven days of jazz in the Rochester environs. Check the venue sites or call for more information. I've compiled these from other sources so forgive me if there are any discrepancies with reality.  Artists and groups, please feel free to let me know via email (link on left panel) if one of your gigs isn’t on here and I’ll try to add it to the post before the gig happens. Email subscribers should check back here to see if there has been an update or revision before you make decisions on jazz to see (subscribers won't get an update email or posting).

Thursday, July 19

• Paul Hofmann @ The Grill at the Strathallan, 600 pm
• Michael Gonzalez @ Beale St II, 6:00 pm
• BHS Jazz Ensemble @ Sagawa Park, Downtown Brockport, 7:00 pm
• Shaul Einav @ Beale Street Cafe, 7:00 pm
• Julie Ketchum @ The Rabbit Room, Honeoye Falls, 7:00 pm
• Lumiere @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Devon Trumell Group @ Starry Nites Cafe, 8:00 pm
• Lucas Carpenter/The Sonic Duality Quartet @ Boulder Coffee Co., 8:00 pm
• Deborah Branch @ Flat Iron Cafe, 8:00 pm
• I don't know about you, but jazz isn't EVERYTHING I listen to.  I'm heading out to catch Lucinda Williams, who was supposed to play a Party in the Park gig over at High Falls, but due to the likelihood of rain (someone was FINALLY thinking ahead) has been moved to the Main Street Amory, with doors opening at 5:00 pm.  OK, so it's not jazz.  Gotta branch out from time to time.

Friday, July 20

• Hochstein Jazz Ensemble Camp Performance @ Hochstein Performance Hall, 5:00 pm
• Bob Sneider / Paul Hofmann Duo @ The Grill at Strathallan, 5-8pm
• Doublestuff @ Big City Summer Music Fest, High Falls, 6:00 pm
• Bopfest 2007 w/Respect Duo @ Village Gate (Bop Shop), 6:00 pm
• Gap Mangione New Blues Band @ Horizons at the Lodge at Woodcliff, 7:30 pm
• Squeaky Chair Jazz Trio @ Starry Nites Cafe, 8:00 pm
• [Added 7/19] Bill Tiberio Group @ McCool's Music Room (Seneca Street in Geneva), 8:00 pm
• Fred Stone & Company @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:30 pm
• Don Menza (sax) w/ Bill Dobbins Trio @ The Grill at Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• [Added 7/19] The Sonic Duality Quartet @ Flat Iron Cafe, 9:00 pm

Saturday, July 21

• After hours jazz jam w/Quinn Lawrence Trio @ Flat Iron Cafe, 1:00 am
• Bennett Alliance Music Fest w/Charlie Hunter Trio, Daniel Bennett, Gregory Paul @ Fireman's Field, 383 Monroe St, Honeoye Falls, All day
• Bop Shop Fest @ Village Gate, 3:00 pm
• Chris Ziemba (Solo Jazz Piano) @ The Grill at Strathallan, 5:00 pm
• Fred Costello @ Brook House Restaurant, 6:00 pm
• Mambo Kings @ Big City Summer Fest, High Falls, @ 7:30 pm
• Gap Mangione New Blues Band @ Horizons at the Lodge at Woodcliff, 7:30 pm 
• Shared Genes @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:00 pm
• Jazz Dawgs @ Starry Nites Cafe, 8:00 pm
• Don Menza (sax) w/ Bill Dobbins Trio @ The Grill at Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• Brad Batz Group @ Pomodoro Grill, no time listed

Sunday, July 22

• Bill Slater @ Horizons at the Lodge at Woodcliff, 11:30 am
• Gateswingers @ Irondequoit Gazebo, 2:30 pm
• Bop Shop Fest @ Village Gate, 3:00 pm

Monday, July 23

• The White Hots @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• [Added 7/22] Big Apple Swing Dance Class and Live Jazz with Herb Smith @ Flat Iron Cafe, 8:30 pm

Tuesday, July 24

• Tony Giannavola @ Beale St II, 6:00 pm
• Michael Gonzalez @ Beale Street Cafe, 7:00 pm
• Open mic w/String Theory @ Johnny's Irish Pub, 7:00 pm
• Bending and Breaking @ Boulder Coffee Co., 8:00 pm   

Wednesday, July 25

• Jazz Dawgs @ Starry Nites Cafe, 8:00 pm
• Joe Santora (pianist) & Emily Kirchoff (Vocalist) @ Anthony's, no time listed

On June 8th, the first evening of the Rochester International Jazz Festival, I conducted my first "jazz interview" with pianist Geri Allen. It was a wonderful experience.

Ms. Allen invited us into the "green room" at Kilbourn Hall in the Eastman School of Music, where she had performed a killer early set in Kilbourn kicking off the 6th Annual RIJF.  While I've edited out an interruption toward the end, and made a few other adjustments to try to make it easier to hear me or Ms. Allen, it is pretty much as we recorded it.  I left it as is as I think it is a true document of the experience.  Clearly, my interview style could use some work but I think that Ms. Allen more than made up for that with her thoughtful responses. This is an artist that knows herself and where she is going.

In addition to Ms. Allen's voice and mine, the other voice you'll hear on the podcast is my wife Dianna.  She promised me going in that she'd just take notes . . . but anyone who knows Dianna knows that when she hears something that moves her, it is impossible for her to contain herself. I think you'll agree that her participation was invaluable in making the interview a unique document. 

Pardon the sound quality, but my "professional" equipment was a Griffin iTalk microphone plugged into my iPod Nano. The delay in posting this interview is my bad timing . . . it took me a week after the end of the festival to have the time to do the editing (and learn the Audacity software I used to do the editing). By that time, Ms. Allen was near to leaving for a European tour and I had promised I'd send her a copy to hear before publishing it on the blog. We finally connected over the weekend and she wrote it was "good to go".  So, here it is ... a bit over 11 minutes:

Jazz@Rochester Interview with Geri Allen

I note one thing . . . Geri Allen indicated all she needs to come back to play in Rochester is an invitation.  Someone going to step up?

The Bop Shop, one of few remaining independently-owned record stores around, will be celebrating its 25th year of doing business in the Rochester beginning its celebration of this great achievement on the weekend of July 20-22 birthday celebration with a series of free concerts, Bop Fest 2007, in the courtyard of the Village Gate Square, which has been its home all that time. Starting on Friday evening, at the Bop Shop, there will be an exhibit by local photographer Garry Geer of his digital captures of jazz artists. Reception and music by the Respect Duo from 6 to 8pm. There will also be concerts from 3pm to 6pm Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, the concert will feature Brokedown, Barrence Whitfield, and The Hi-Risers with other special guests. On Sunday, the Tarbox Ramblers will appear and a special acoustic performance by Joe Beard.

With the formation of Bop Arts Inc., a non-profit, and community support, owner Tom Kohn will be able to continue the ongoing series of free jazz shows in the atrium of the Village Gate adjacent to the Bop Shop as well as other music projects throughout the community.

Get out there and help Tom Kohn celebrate! Help him keep that unique place alive by buying lots of CDs (and difficult to find vinyl). Hope to catch some of it myself.

Doug Ramsey, who knows a thing or two about Paul Desmond's "Take Five", located yet another odd performance of the Desmond tune made famous by Dave Brubeck.  This video is VERY odd, with up to 12 Japanese ladies playing the well-worn tune on an assortment of Japanese instruments.  I don't know if "enjoy" is the word I'd use, but just remember when you start watching it isn't actually that long:

For those of you that want it in a more "traditional" way (and what isn't more traditional than koto?), here it is with Desmond himself:

It's that time of week again. Here are the next seven days of jazz in our fair city. Check the venue sites or call for more information. I'll try to link or provide a phone number if the venue isn't in my Jazz Venues link list on the right panel.

Artists and groups, please feel free to let me know via email (link on left panel) if one of your gigs isn’t on here and I’ll try to add it to the post before the gig happens. Email subscribers should check back here to see if there has been an update or revision before you make decisions on jazz to see (subscribers won't get an update email or posting).

Thursday, July 12 

• MIchael Gonzalez @ Beale St II (Webster), 6:00 pm
• Paul Hofmann (Solo Piano) @ The Grill at Strathallan, 6:00 pm
• Lumiere @ Little Theatre Café, 7:30 pm
• Deborah L Branch @ Flat Iron Café, 8:00 pm
• Jazz Open Mic @ Bodhi's Café & Lounge When: Thursday July 12, 2007 @ 9:00 pm
• Standard Jazz Quartet @ Starry Nites Café, 8:00 pm
• Dave Spinner (Piano) @ The Rabbit Room (61 N. Main St, Honeoye Falls, 582-1830), no time listed

Friday, July 13 

• Paul Hofmann Duo @ The Grill at Strathallan, 5:00 pm
• Tom Passamonte & Special Blend @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 7:30pm
• Dan Puccio Quartet @ Starry Nites Café, 8:00 pm
• Fred Stone & Co. @ Little Theatre Café, 8:30 pm
• Gerry Niewood @ The Grill at Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• Sonic Duality Jazz Quartet and Jam Session @ Flat Iron Café, 9:00 pm
• Tom Monte Trio @ Pomodoro Grill and Bar, no time listed

Saturday, July 14 

• Chris Ziemba (Solo Jazz Piano) @ The Grill at Strathallan, 5:00 pm
• Fred Costello @ Brook House Restaurant, 6:00 pm
• MIchael Gonzalez Trio @ Beale Street Café, 7:30 pm
• Tom Passamonte & Special Blend @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 7:30 pm
• Shared Genes @ Little Theatre Café, 8:00 pm
• Second Saturday Jazz Session @ Daily Perks Coffee House, 8:00 pm
• Gerry Niewood @ The Grill at Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• Dee Daniels, Wycliffe Gordon, Bobby Floyd and Byron Stripling with Jeff Tyzik and the RPO @ The Constellation Brands Summer Series Cool Blues--CMAC (Canandaigua), 8:30 pm
• Freddie Colon Latin Jazz Quartet @ Flat Iron Café, 9:00 & 11:00 pm
• String Theory @ Pomodoro Grill and Bar, no time listed

Sunday, July 15 

• After Hours Jam w/ Quinn Lawrence Trio @ Flat Iron Café, starting at 1:00 am
• Bill Slater (Solo Piano) @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 11:30 am

Monday, July 16 

• Steve Greene & the White Hots @  Little Theatre Café, 7:30 pm

Tuesday, July 17 

• Tony Giannavola @ Beale St II (Webster), 6:00 pm
• Open Mic w/ String Theory @ Johnny's Irish Pub, 7:00 pm

Wednesday, July 18 

• Joe Santora (pianist) & Emily Kirchoff (Vocalist) @ Anthony's (1292 E Ridge Rd, 266-3110), no time listed.

For several years I have tried to shake off the post Rochester Jazz Festival fatigue and head over to Syracuse for the M&T Syracuse Jazz Festival. This year was no exception, but alas "woulda, shoulda, coulda" is not enough.  Bill Milkowski over at JazzTimes.com, the online version of Jazz Times magazine (which has now been added to my jazz media links), recently wrote:

For 25 years, Syracuse Jazz Fest has been sustained by the sheer over-the-top enthusiasm of its colorful and endlessly energetic leader, festival organizer Frank Malfitano. From its humble origins in 1982 at the intimate Oliver’s nightclub on Erie Boulevard East, this free event has been embraced by the locals and revisited year after year by music lovers from all over New York State. With financial support coming from M&T Bank, Syracuse Jazz Fest has now become a major event on the summer festival circuit, providing music lovers with three full days of jazz, with a little bit of R&B, funk and blues on the side. Read more of the JazzTimes review....

Sounds like a good time and, like I said before, it's FREE...Maybe next year?

If you missed Charlie Hunter at last year's RIJF? Here's another chance to catch this amazing guitarist. The Charlie Hunter Trio will be headlining with a a wide spectrum of jazz, folk and other artists at the Bennett Alliance Music Fest on July 21, all day from noon to 9pm. Admission is only $8. Festival will be rain or shine as it is held under a covered pavilion. This year's festival will feature:

• Charlie Hunter Trio
• Gregory Paul
• Daniel Bennett Group
• The Jazz Mad Lab (featuring Sean Jefferson)
• Kerry Hoffman Trio
• Furr Project
• Homespun Vector (featuring Rob Servo and Dave Kinde)
• Timothy Dick and more!

The Bennett Alliance festival will be in Honeoye Falls at Fireman's Field (Map: 383 Monroe St, Honeoye Falls, NY), located 15 miles south of Rochester. Call (585) 944-4869 for tickets or get more info and tickets at the Bennett Alliance website.

The Bennett Alliance is a Boston-based record label and production company, founded by saxophonist Daniel Bennett, who lived in Rochester for many years, where he played with artists like Joe Santora, Ted Poor, and Ike Sturm. In 2002, Daniel Bennett moved to Boston to complete his Masters at the New England Conservatory. There he formed a drummerless trio with fellow Rochester native John Servo on bass, joined by acoustic guitarist Chris Hersch. The group played a strange clash of jazz, folk, and 20th century minimalism. In 2003, the Daniel Bennett Group began performing extensively throughout Boston and New York and searching for ways to promote his niche-oriented jazz music. With a strong cult following but little money, Bennett Alliance was formed. The first Bennett Alliance Music Fest was held in Honeoye Falls, New York in the summer of 2003. The festival started off neighborhoodood concert, but quickly grew from there. In 2004, Bennett Alliance returned to Honeoye Falls with better funding and having learned from the first festival, moving to the Honeoye Falls Fireman's Field, a well known venue that seats over 300 people. In the summer of 2006, Bennett Alliance teamed up with west coast indie label Velvet Blue Music to put on the third Bennett Alliance Music Fest, returning to Honeoye Falls with a fresh line-up of jazz and rock groups from across the country.  I'm hoping that Custom Brewcrafters will be involved as they are located near there in Honeoye Falls.  Good beer, good music ... what else could you ask for?

Hope you all are having a great 4th of July celebration.  After brats and beer, you may want to curl up with some jazz, so here it is for the next 7 days.

Check the venue sites or call for more information. Artists and groups, please feel free to let me know if one of your gigs isn’t on here and I’ll try to add it to the post before the gig happens. Email subscribers should check back here to see if there has been an update or revision before you make decisions on jazz to see (subscribers won't get an update email or posting).

Thursday, July 5th

• Summer Jazz Studies Combo Concert @ Kilbourn Hall, 3:00 pm
• Paul Hofmann Duo @ The Grill at the Strathallan, 5 pm
• Eastman Jazz Faculty Quartet @ Kilbourn Hall, 7:30 pm
• Deborah Branch @ Flat Iron Cafe, 8:00 pm
• Bill Dobbins Quartet @ The Grill at the Strathallan, 8:30 pm 
• Fred Stone & Co @ The Little Theater Cafe, 8:30 pm[7/6-Sorry Fred]

Friday, July 6th

• High School Jazz Big Bands @ Kilbourn Hall, 3:00 pm
• Shared Genes @ Woody's II, 5:30 pm
• Gap Mangione New Blues Band @ Horizons at the Lodge at Woodcliff, 7:30 pm
• Lumiere @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Bill Dobbins Quartet @ The Grill at the Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• Fred Stone & Co @ The Little Theater Cafe, 8:30 pm

Saturday, July 7th

• Paul Hofmann (Solo Piano) @ The Grill at the Strathallan, 5:00 pm
• Rhapsody in Rochester: Dinner and Dancing with the RPO @ Rochester Riverside Convention Center, 5:30 pm
• Saborajazz @ VENU Resto-Lounge, 6:00 pm
• Fred Costello @ Brook House Restaurant, 6:00 pm
• Phil Freeman Trio @ Horizons at the Lodge at Woodcliff, 7:30 pm
• Shared Genes @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:00 pm
• Phat Cats @ Pane Vino, 8:00 pm [New-7/5]
• Paul Hofmann Quartet  @ The Grill at the Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• Paradigm Shift @ Six Pockets, no time listed
• After Hours Jam with Quinn Lawrence Trio @ Flat Iron Cafe, 1:00 am Sunday [New 7/6]

Sunday, July 8th

• Bill Slater, Solo Piano @ Horizons at the Lodge at Woodcliff, 11:30 am

Monday, July 9th

• Diana Krall and Chris Botti @ CMAC, 7:30 pm
• Steve Greene & the White Hots @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Big Apple Swing Dance Class (taught by Inikori Dance) and Live Jazz @ Flat Iron Cafe, 8:30 pm  [New 7/6]

Tuesday, July 10th

• Bob Sneider Quartet with Don Menza @ Town of Penfield Amphitheater (Atlantic Ave. near Jackson Rd. behind Penfield Town Hall), 7:00 pm [New 7/6]
• Bending and Breaking @ Boulder Coffee Co., 8:00 pm
• Steve Greene & the White Hots @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Big Apple Swing Dance Class (taught by Inikori Dance) and Live Jazz @ Flat Iron Cafe, 9:00 pm  [New 7/6]

Wednesday, July 11th

• Margaret Explosion @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Joe Santora (pianist) & Emily Kirchoff (Vocalist) @ Anthony's, no time listed