[Dixielandjazz] SOME MORE EAST COAST GIGS

[Harry Callaghan]

Concert producer Bruce Gast provided me with the following last Friday.

Being primarily (perhaps selfishly) concerned with promoting Herb Gardner's
Groundhog Day, I neglected to include these considering that it might be
rejected by the list due to its length but now I guess I can chance it

   Wednesday, February 9 (OCC) -- MidWeek Jazz continues, back at their OCC
campus home, with acclaimed multi-instrumentalist *Dorian Parreott*, playing
both saxophone and drums.  He's backed by *Stanton Davis* on trumpet and
flugelhorn, plus keyboard artist *Mark Cohen*.  Dorian himself is
classically trained and has played with groups as varied as the Scott Joplin
Orchestra, Eastern Wind Ensemble, Monmouth Symphony, the Garden State
Philharmonic and the Top Brass Quintet.  What a talent!  His main instrument
is actually the tuba, and in some contexts he also plays trumpet or
trombone!  This very versatile group plays jazz, blues, swing and more.

Monday, February 28 -- Pianist *Rio Clemente* will play the first piano solo
of the year here.  Come hear the Bishop of Jazz, unencumbered by sidemen.
Rio is immensely popular throughout the region, and Morristown is his home
turf.  He can do wonders with their big Kawai grand, with his own stylistic
facets that are difficult to categorize.

 *PEE WEE RUSSELL MEMORIAL STOMP*

The New Jersey Jazz Society's *Pee Wee Russell Memorial Stomp* is scheduled
for Sunday afternoon, March 6.  In addition to the *Jazz Scholarship
All-Stars*, the featured bands will include *Vince Giordano's Nighthawks*, *Ed
Wise and his New Orleans Jazz Band*, *Baby Soda* and *Tom Artin's TomCats
Dixie Unit*.  It is once again at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany,
conveniently located just off Interstate 287.

Tickets for the full afternoon of music (noon to 5 PM) are $40 at the door,
$30 in advance.  NJJS members get a $5 discount from those prices.  Students
with ID: just $10.  Send check payable to NJJS to Mike Katz, 382 Springfield
Avenue, Suite 217, Summit,  NJ   07901 (enclose SASE or $3/ticket handling
fee).  Or use your credit card via the NJJS web site, www.njjs.org.  Or
phone (800) 303-NJJS.  Or fax your order to (908) 273-9279 with all your
credit card information.  Or bring cash or credit cards to the door.  No
shortage of ways to get your tickets!
**
*MARCH JAZZ ATTRACTIONS*

 Wednesday, March 2 (OCC) -- The *Big Bix Beiderbecke Birthday Blast*,
organized this year by reed maestro *Dan Levinson*  (playing both clarinet
and a period-correct C-melody sax) features *Randy Reinhart* on the critical
cornet parts.  In addition, you'll hear *Brian Nalepka* (bass), *Kevin
Dorn*(becoming the "house drummer" here!) and
*Gordon Webster* (who wowed them here with Mona's Hot Four recently) playing
piano.  During a tragically short career, Bix caught the attention of early
jazz musicians, who listened carefully to the way he constructed his solos
and altered their approach accordingly.  His legacy is small band
traditional jazz as we know it today, and this band can handle his material
well.

SPECIAL: Monday, March 7 (Bickford) -- The 18 piece *Jazz Lobsters* return
for a special concert.  Vocals and instrumentals that really shine.  This
will be a benefit to help the parent Morris Museum through a difficult
period, as their usual corporate sponsors and state aid are cut drastically
back.  You didn't think they were surviving on these low ticket prices!
 For this event only, they're asking $20 per seat, in advance or at the
gate, with cash preferred so they don't have to absorb the climbing credit
card fees.  If you've enjoyed the concerts at the Bickford, make an effort
to take in this concert and help them during this tight period.  The
Lobsters are a stunning swing band, so you'll certainly enjoy the evening.
Your applause will be part of the recording they will be making that night.

NEW DATE: Monday, March 14 (Bickford) -- The annual *Big Bix Beiderbecke
Birthday Bash at the Bickford* goes all out, with the *South Shore
Syncopators* bringing fully 16 musicians and singers for this special
program.  They are one of those rare hot dance bands (on the order of Jean
Goldkette) playing today.   Only a few nationwide, the Nighthawks being
another example of this style.  Leader *Ray Osnato *knew both arranger Bill
Challis and Bix-era trombonist Spiegle Willcox, and has prepared a program
that makes full use of the band's extensive repertoire and period
instrumentation.  He's even unearthed a unpublished James P. Johnson
composition that will be played for the first time in New Jersey.  Get your
tickets early for this one!

JUST ADDED: Wednesday, March 30 (Bickford) -- Engaging bassist (from the
ChickenFat Ball) *Nicki Parrott* is putting together a trio for this date.
Cornetist *Warren Vaché* is already on board, and guitarist  *Vinnie Corrao
*has been asked to join them.  Talk about an all-star trio!  Nicki will
doubtless contribute some vocals too.  This trio played to a full house in
Toms River, as well as other locations, but this will be their first time in
the Morristown site.

*APRIL IS JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH (JAM!)*

Wednesday, April 6 (OCC) -- The return of 85 year old jazz legend *Bucky
Pizzarelli*, with young violinist *Aaron Weinstein *("the rebirth of hot
jazz violin." -- Nat Hentoff) and swinging bassist *Jerry Bruno*.  Don't
expect to find a lot of empty seats for this one!

Monday, April 11 (Bickford) -- The popular *Midiri Brothers* return to weave
their amazing jazz and swing magic in this acoustic hall.  They'll be
introducing their new CD here, backed by the band that did so well reopening
OCC in January: *Brooks Tegler* (drums), *Pat Mercuri* (guitar), *Ed
Wise*(bass) and
*Dean Schneider* (piano).  *Joe Midiri *plays various reeds, while *Paul
Midiri *plays vibes and occasional trombone.

Monday, April 25 (Bickford) -- What better way to spend Easter Monday than
with *Elite Syncopation*, the outstanding quintet that plays early jazz,
ragtime and pop favorites in a spritely manner, using chamber music
instrumentation.  Absent here for a couple of years, and sorely missed.  A
rare visit from New England.

*AND THEN...*

AT THE BICKFORD:  The multifaceted *Beacon Hill Jazz Band*, boogie woogie
pianist *Bob Seeley*, and *Dan Levinson's* tribute to Chicago jazz, the *Apex
Project*.

AT OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE:  The return of the popular *Atlantic City Jazz Band
*, *"Boogie Bob" Seeley* solos, and a first visit by trumpeter *Al
Harrison's Dixieland Band*.  They're back on the Ocean County College campus
again, just outside of Toms River.

*WHERE TO FIND JAZZ*

*The Bickford Theatre/Morris Museum:* On Columbia Turnpike/Road (County Road
510) at the corner of Normandy Heights Road, east of downtown Morristown.
Near Interstate 287 and the Route 24 expressway.  This is a 300-seat hall
with generous parking on site.  Wheelchair access.  Weeknight concerts are
one long set (8 to 9:30 PM).  Tickets are generally $15 in advance, but $18
at the door.  Tickets may be purchased via credit card over the phone by
calling the box office at (973) 971-3706.  The box office can also provide
information, directions or a simple "jazz map."

*New Jersey Jazz Society:*  Multi-band concerts and festivals are held at
various locations several times each year.  Information is available by
calling (800) 303-NJJS.  Tickets may be purchased at the gate (higher prices
generally) or by mail with SASE.  Checks payable to NJJS.  Membership is
inexpensive, and gets you significant event discounts plus the acclaimed
Jersey Jazz monthly magazine.  Membership information and ticket orders:
www.njjs.org.

*Ocean County College:  *Midweek Jazz concerts are held on Wednesday
evenings (now back at their comfortable, newly refurbished Arts and
Community Center).  Concerts begin at 8 PM and run as one extended set until
about 9:30 PM.  Tickets are $13 in advance, but $15 at the door.  RESERVED
SEATS too!  Call their Box Office at (732) 255-0500 for information, credit
card purchases (no fee) or driving directions, which are also available from
their web site: www.ocean.edu.  The hall is at the end of College Drive,
just off County Road 249, known locally as Hooper Avenue.  There is a HUGE
parking area just across from the building.

*The American Rag*, a monthly publication with "news you can use" about
traditional jazz and ragtime, should be on your subscription list.  Learn
about it at www.americanrag.com.  Nationwide festival news.

*TELL YOUR JAZZ-LOVING FRIENDS ABOUT THIS E-MAIL REMINDER SERVICE.  Send us
an e-mail at Jazzevents at aol.com if you wish to unsubscribe.  Make it clear
you are not signing up again!  Please also let us know of changes of e-mail
address.  There is no forwarding service, so we lose you when you move.

Listings are available on the Internet, too.  Consult the NJJS web site at
www.njjs.org 24 hours a day.

Thank you for supporting live jazz!*



-- 
Beware of Greeks bearing gifts
      - Vergil: The Aeneid Book II