Remembering Hank Jones
May 18, 2010
True Legend
Jones remained vital right up to the end, playing and touring in Japan earlier this year, staying active on the NYC scene and having been scheduled for a European tour this summer.
We are fortunate that his life and legacy have been well chronicled from their start. He received every honor the jazz world offers. His recordings easily number in the hundreds (and probably thousands).
Not to be forgotten is the role Hank played in breaking down racial barriers in network TV 60 years ago. With quiet dignity and personality, coupled with amazing talent, he truly resembled Jackie Robinson (sports) and Lena Horne (film) with their contributions.
Today no one thinks twice when they see a musician of color backing a Jay Leno, David Letterman or a Saturday Night Live host.
To a great degree, Hank Jones made that possible.
Mr Jones, we thank you
Submitted by Gary Hoffman
BEST DATE EVER!
The evening before, Mr. Cole and I spent a few hours together enjoying dinner at downtown restaurant. I have to admit, it was the best date ever! Mr. Cole shared lots of fond memories of his earlier days on the circuit – including many “He-couldn’t-possibly-make-this-stuff-up!”flashbacks of the Elks, Masonic Hall and the infamous Lawson’s Bar. (Having grown up in Harrisburg, I knew the stories weren’t farfetched, but rather, par for the course. They were some wild times!)
But the highlight of the evening was having my own private not-on-purpose concert with the fabulous Freddy Cole. The restaurant apparently subscribes to a Sirius jazz channel, one featuring all the jazz legends: Frank Sinatra, Nancy Wilson, Billy Eskstine, Ella Fitzgerald – and plenty others. When I tell you that Mr. Cole knew – and sang – every single song that came on that channel, I’m not exaggerating! (I still can’t believe a man 20+ years my senior recalled every word to every tune, while I have trouble remembering my middle name!)
He’s simply amazing.
Following dinner, we walked back to The Bar at the Hilton to hear Steve Rudolph at the piano. What a once-in-a-lifetime treat for all us listeners as Mr. Cole’s raspy voice accompanied Steve’s playing – totally impromptu – and pitch perfect!
It was the highlight of my evening. In fact, thus far, it’s been the highlight of my year! And definitely…
MY BEST DATE EVER!
Carl Allen Rodney Whitaker Project kicked it!
March 1, 2010
It’s early morning following CPFJs gig last night at the Hilton Harrisburg, where The Carl Allen Rodney Whitaker Project took center stage.
They were incredible.
To be frank, I didn’t know these guys before I’d read the lineup in December announcing their upcoming performance. And then I did some research (YouTube, Carl Allen’s Web site) and I started diggin’ them a little more.
But even those could not compare to last night’s live performance. Simply put: They blew us away!
From Marvin Gaye’s Inner City Blues to Smokey Robinson’s Get Ready to Carl Allen’s La Shea’s Walk (written for his wife), the audience was mesmerized by The Project’s skillful transitions and outright in-your-face, unapologetic interpretations.
But it was their sultry, hypnotic rendition of With You I’m Born Again that stood out. (Trust me, this YouTube clip doesn’t even come close!)
Yeah, they got me…and everybody else in the room too.
In closing: If you EVER have an opportunity to hear these guys LIVE – don’t miss it! You owe it to yourself.
Freddy Cole 3/28
Carl Allen and Rodney Whitaker: Plenty of Heat for February
February 16, 2010
The Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz (CPFJ) is happy to welcome The Carl Allen-Rodney Whitaker Project, direct from their engagement at Washington’s Kennedy Center, on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. at the Hilton Harrisburg & Towers in Harrisburg, PA.
They will perform hits from their latest release, “Work to Do” (Mack Avenue Records), which combines jazz, soul, pop and R&B.
Carl Allen performed for CPFJ in the 1990s with bass poll-winner Christian McBride and anchored a CPFJ Festival rhythm section for the Jon Faddis Quartet and the Kenny Drew, Jr. Trio. Rodney Whitaker made several CPFJ appearances in Harrisburg with the likes of Diana Krall and trumpet giant Roy Hargrove.
Carl Allen has over 150 recordings to his credit. The gifted Milwaukee-born, New York-based drummer, sideman, bandleader, entrepreneur and educator, whose profound and propulsive percolations provided soulful and syncopated support for nearly three decades.
In 2006, Rodney Whitaker, who is also a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, was nominated for the Juno Award, Canada’s equivalent to the Grammy, for his work on “Let Me Tell You About My Day,” produced by Alma Records. Whitaker collaborated with musicians Phil Dwyer and Alan Jones on the album, which was nominated for Traditional Jazz Album of the Year.
The Project Band is comprised of pianist Xavier Davis, who visited recently as part of the hugely successful Tom Harrell Quintet. He too teaches at Juilliard.
From the faculty at the Manhattan School of Music comes guitarist Rodney Jones, perhaps best known for his time with Dizzy Gillespie; and up-and-coming altoist Tim Green makes his first appearance at CPFJ.
The Millersville University Jazz Band, headed by Keith Wiley, opens promptly at 5pm.
Ticket prices are as follows:
. General Adult Admission – $25;
. General Student Admission – $12;
. CPFJ Adult Member – $19;
. CPFJ Student Member – $10; and
. CPFJ School Member Student with School ID – $5
. Children under 12 are always FREE!
Tickets may be purchased at http://www.cpfj.org, by phoning 717.540.1010 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 717.540.1010 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or at the door at 4:30 pm on the day of the concert.
Hope to see you there!
CPFJ PRESENTS GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING VOCALIST PATTI AUSTIN!
February 10, 2010
The secret’s out. (And boy am I glad — I was about to BURST!)
It’s official: Grammy award-winning vocalist Patti Austin will be the headliner at CPFJ’s 30th Annual Jazz Festival on Saturday, June 12th at the Hilton Harrisburg!
Festivities will kick off at 5pm Thursday, June 10th with the Jazz Walk, which includes great jazz performances throughout various venues in the downtown and mid-town areas. This year’s festival is dedicated to Women in Jazz and will feature some of the finest female jazz vocalists from Harrisburg and surrounding areas during the Walk.
On Thursday, June 10th at 5pm, a hearty “Welcome” will officially begin the Jazz Festival at the Hilton Harrisburg after which time “nuttin’ but jazz” will permeate most downtown and mid-town arenas.
The show-stopping performance of the remarkable Patti Austin will highlight the festival on Saturday night in the ballroom of the Hilton.
In addition to Austin, the outstanding 15-member, all-female DIVA will perform on Friday evening! For certain, CPFJ provides the finest in jazz – and most notably during its jazz festivals; however, even WE have to admit: we pulled out all the stops for this baby, our 30th!
You’ll want to be there. Reserve your tickets now by calling (717) 540-1010 or by visiting us online at www.cpfj.org. Space is limited – and this is the festival everyone will be talking about for years to come.
Don’t say we didn’t warn ya’.
CPFJ Jan/Feb 2010 newsletter offers something new
January 15, 2010
Hello all!
For those of you who received the December 2009 CPFJ newsletter, you might have read that CPFJ will combine its newsletters to distribute every other month (due to economic factors) as opposed to the monthly distribution we’ve practiced in the past. Because of this we found it necessary also to change our timeline for distribution (to coincide with the 2-month stretch).
...something to offer
For those of you who have yet to subscribe to our newsletter, or join the ranks of our membership, now is the time to do so: CPFJ is conducting a membership drive to offer NEW members a 14-month membership, which means YOU GET TWO WHOLE MONTHS ABSOLUTELY FREE (when was the last time you could say THAT?!).
So what are you waiting for? Just step right in…the water’s fine.
‘Til next time,
Judith Brown / Publicist, CPFJ
Bobby Broom – right here in the ‘burg Jan 31st!
January 12, 2010
I need to take a breather. I’m hyperventilating and can hardly contain myself. Why? Bobby Broom, that’s why! (Have you HEARD him play?)
The jazz guitarist will perform on Sunday, January 31st at the Hilton Harrisburg. He starts promptly at 6pm (Lebanon Valley College Jazz Band under the leadership of Tom Strohman begins at 5pm), and I am psyched!
Broom’s latest CD, “Bobby Broom Plays for Monk” features several of the most memorable of Thelonious Monk’s tunes, including “Straight No Chaser” and “‘Round Midnight” – and I’m highly anticipating hearing these in person – up close and personal.
Just as jazz was meant to be enjoyed.
CPFJ 30th year brings forth changes…
November 23, 2009
2010 will be an exciting year for CPFJ. In addition to throwing one of the biggest parties of the year during our annual festival, we’re laying the groundwork for a new design of our semi-monthly newsletter.
Our newsletter includes upcoming concert and ticket information, membership information and letters from our president and board. But we’ll be adding more entertaining features beginning in January, such as interviews with both local and nationally-known jazz artists, profiles of jazz venues (and their owners) and perhaps even some editorial content.
That said, we’ll offer YOU, our members, the opportunity to express yourselves regarding your love, support and concern for jazz.
Exciting times, indeed.
Looking forward to bringing you many more years of America’s truest musical contribution, in all its forms – Jazz!
So THAT’S Eldar!
October 12, 2009
Conspiracy!
On October 11th, three unassuming “kids” walked onto the stage at Hilton Harrisburg.
Eldar Djangirov, whose bio says is 22-year-old, sits at the shiny grand piano. Sharing the stage are bassist Armando Gola and drummer Ludwig Afonso. They’re just kids, you think to yourself. How great can this be?
And then they played. And it was then that I realized this was some sort of inside joke: no WAY can these “kids” be so young: they’re FAR too advanced. These are 50-yr-olds in young-men bodies.
The musical genius of this trio was absolutely astounding! I had no idea what to expect next. One moment the beat was forthright and traditional; the next – choppy, “in your face,” unexpected.
They were Beowulf/Dragon-slayer…and we were their prey.
The crowd LOVED it!
Through several of Eldar’s own compositions from the latest VIRTUE CD, the trio mesmerized, hypnotized and everything in between.
Do I sound over-the-top? It’s quite fitting.
The old/young boys received a standing ovation.
Twice.
For me, though, my evening was just beginning after they took their bows: they sat around snapping pictures, signing CDs, books, just like they were regular old folk out for any evening stroll in the park. (As if they didn’t leave us in complete awe. As if, in less than 12 hours, they wouldn’t be on their journey to plunder and pillage the next village along their way to the land of Legends, leaving us mere mortals behind to wonder ‘what just happened?’.)
Brutal.
Brilliant.
That’s Eldar.
Kevin Hays, YOU Are MY Sunshine!
September 14, 2009
He makes it look so effortless.
As a (former) classical pianist, I can tell you that manipulating 88 keys on a piano is anything but, and to form those keys in such an elegant and entertaining way so as to hypnotize your listeners – well, that’s just simply awe-inspiring.
Yeah, maybe I’m sounding like an 8-year-old kid watching her handsome teacher at the blackboard (translation = I MIGHT be smitten) but it’s not unfounded.
On Sept 13th, the Kevin Hays Trio graced the audience with two outstanding sets at the Hilton Harrisburg (Downtown), many from Hays’ latest CD, You’ve Got a Friend, which includes the Monk classic Think of One as well as Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Waters. But it was Hays’ magnificently-executed rendition of You Are My Sunshine that blew me away. And I’m sure I was not the only one: you could hear a pin drop during that tune. In the vernacular: He laid this thang down!
Following the performance he did the artist thing: signed CDs, schmoozed, etc., but what was even more impressive to me was that he took “a moment” to speak with me for my “After Hours with…” piece (written for CPFJ’s member newsletter). That “moment” turned into 45 minutes where we chilled.
We laughed.
I gawked.
(Yeah, definitely smitten.)
Up next: Some 22-year-old kid they call Eldar. Check out that post later.
CentralPAFriendsofJazz 