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---main---rock---pop---JAZZ---reviews--- April 27th I could not leave my one-week vacation in London without going to a jazz club. I celebrated my 21st birthday at the famous Ronnie Scott’s in London three years ago and was ready to check out more of the city’s jazz scene. A group of about six of us stumbled upon The Pizza Express Jazz Club in a London entertainment magazine and figured we’d give it a try. The club was a fantastic combination of simplicity and class (which to me is the quintessential jazz club). The cost of admission was 15 British Pounds (about U.S. $30). The food was reasonably priced, especially for an establishment in the Soho area of London. The Scott Hamilton Quartet set the place on fire. Hamilton’s swinging tenor sax was accompanied by John Pearce on piano, Dave Green on bass, and Steve Brown on drums. The quartet kept the crowd’s heads bobbing and feet tapping the whole night. The highlight for me was hearing the chemistry between the bass and drums. Green and Brown fed off each other extremely well. As a souvenir, I bought the quartet’s CD, Live in London. It was recorded at Pizza Express on April 2, 2002. I highly recommend the CD that makes you feel like you’re in the club stuffing yourself with pizza and downing a few pints. Below is the contact information for Pizza Express: The Pizza Express Jazz Club March 2nd Some Jazz CD’s in my Collection
For those of you looking for some jazz CD’s to add to your collection, here are a few I’ve been listening to lately:
1. John Coltrane, A Love Supreme
This is a necessity in every jazz collection. Originally released in 1965, this is Coltrane’s “thank you” to God. It is broken up into four sections: “Acknowledgement,” “Resolution,” “Pursuance” and “Psalm.” Coltrane is on tenor sax along with McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. I bought this CD about a year and half ago and it blows me away every time I listen to it.
2. Diana Krall, The Girl in the Other Room
Just released in 2004, I picked this CD up last month and love it. It’s a great sound if you want something relaxing. Krall’s voice and piano skills are extremely soothing. Most of the songs are written by Krall and her husband, Elvis Costello. She is accompanied by: Anthony Wilson on guitar, Neil Larsen on hammond B-3, Christian McBride and John Clayton on bass, and Peter Erskine, Jeff Hamilton, and Terri Lyne Carrington all on drums.
3. Dave Brubeck, On Time
This recording is most famous for two songs, “Take Five” and “Blue Rondo a la Turk.” “Take Five” (written by Paul Desmond) has been used in at least one car commercial. It’s a song that almost everyone instantly recognizes. “Blue Rondo a la Turk” (written by Dave Brubeck) is a unique piece done in 9/8 time. All the songs from On Time were originally released from 1959-1966. Each song has its own flavor and the album is a great example of the west coast jazz sound.
If you have any comments or questions or want your band to be reviewed, please contact me via e-mail at evanefarber@spouzic.com . --------------- I have to admit that I have never really been a big jazz guitar fan.
It’s never been one of the real classic jazz instruments to me.
I’ve always loved the sax, drums, trumpet, and piano, but never
got into the sound of the jazz guitar. It always sounded so cheesy to
me. However, my attitude was forever changed with the performance of
Ron Jackson and Brian Lynch at Caffe dell Artista in New York on 2/17.
Jackson made his guitar speak in perfect, mellow tune with Lynch’s
trumpet. The laid-back crowd and atmosphere allowed for some more loose
improvisation. Ron and Brian took an intermission to let some jazz students
in attendance play. I believe they were Jackson’s students, which
is proof he is as great a jazz educator as a musician. Overall, it was
one of the most fun performances I’ve seen in awhile and Ron Jackson’s
skills allowed me to gain an appreciation for the jazz guitar that I
was missing. I also want to thank Caffe dell Artista for providing me
with another great night of jazz and port wine. For more information
on Ron Jackson and Brian Lynch, check out their respective websites
at http://ronjacksonmusic.com/ and http://brianlynchjazz.com/. If anybody
knows of any jazz gigs around New York they think I should check out,
please feel free to e-mail me at evanefarber@spouzic.com Feb. 9 "Jazz on a Budget" Like many jazz fans around New York, I find myself in a paradox. New York has a myriad of jazz venues, but at the same time, who has the money in their wallet to go to these places? After rent, food, and utilities are paid for the month, there isn’t much cash left for entertainment. Below are a just a few jazz clubs around New York that provide great music without killing your checking account. The best finds are in the West Village. They are easily accessible by subway at either Christopher St. or West 14th street. First, there is Arthur’s Tavern. There is no cover and a one drink minimum, per person, per set. You can hear jazz seven nights a week. The club was founded in 1937 and has a nostalgic, neighborhood feel to it. On the other side of 7th Ave. is Garage Restaurant. This was the first jazz club I went to in New York and I keep coming back. There is no cover and no drink minimum. The food here is excellent and the prices are pretty reasonable for Manhattan standards. I highly recommend the Asian spring rolls. Caffe dell Artista is another option. Although it is more of a coffee shop than a jazz club, there is some great music to be heard. Bands squeeze into the cramped space to play in this cozy environment. They have great dessert (try the strawberry cheesecake) and no covers or drink minimums whatsoever. If you compare any of the previously mentioned places to a jazz club like the legendary Village Vanguard and its $30 cover (this includes $20 to enter and a $10 drink minimum), you are saving some big-time cash. These are just a few places to hear great jazz and not be evicted next month. Below is contact information for the jazz clubs mentioned. If anybody knows of anymore, please feel free to e-mail me at evanefarber@spouzic.com. Arthur’s Tavern Caffe dell Artista Garage Restaurant The Village Vanguard |