Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Songs for a Summer Evening! June 28th

Count Basie - Splanky
Freddie Hubbard - Blues by Five
Gene Harris - Bird's Idea
Hiromi - Now or Never
Alex Pangman - You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me
Search Engine - A Night in Tunisia
Cannonball Adderley with Bill Evans - Waltz for Debby
Corea/Clarke/White (Return to Forever IV) - Hackensack
Count Basie - Makin'Whoopee

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Songs for the Solstice

Count Basie - Splanky
Bryan Carter - At The Crack of Dawn
Sonny Rollins - St Thomas
Jerry Granelli - Bones
Brad Shepik - Marburg
The New Gary Burton Trio - Late Night Sunrise
Return to Forever - On Green Dolphin Street
Melvin Jones - The Jug-or-Not
Count Basie - Makin' Whoopee

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The Songs You Heard on the 14th

Count Basie - Splanky
Alphonse Mouzon - Birds on a Wire
Ranee Lee - Oh Lady, Be Good
Grant Green - Jean De Fleur
Milt Jackson - What A Difference A Day Made
The Alex Goodman Quintet - Changes
Russell Malone - Flirt
Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane - I Never Knew
Bob Mamet - At Play
Joe Lovano - Powerhouse
Oliver Jones - Waltzing Matilda

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Playlist from June 7th

Count Basie - Splanky
Melvin Jones - Funkytown Shuffle
The John Brown Trio - I'm Beginning to See the Light
Brad Shepik - Across the Way
Alphonse Mouzon - Harlem Blues
Rebirth Brass Band - Why Your Feet Hurt
James Mcrae - Three Friends
The Alex Goodman Quintet - Tristano Bach
Alphonse Mouzon - More Miles in the Sky
Count Basie - Makin' Whoopee

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Jesse Palter to play Cliff Bell's


Detroit native Jesse Palter returns home for a one night engagement at Cliff Bell's. Make plans to catch this set on June 25th. I was fortunate enough to see her play the Pyramid stage at the 2009 Detroit Jazz Festival and this is a terrific opportunity to enjoy her performance in the intimate surroundings of Cliff Bell's. Don't miss this show!

Palmer Woods Jazz Fest


The last weekend in June, June 24, 25 and 26, Palmer Woods Music in Homes JAZZ in the WOODS festival presents three summer performances featuring diverse styles ranging from Afro-Caribbean to bebop and beyond. The music is inspired by the sounds and rhythms from north and south of the equator, Africa, the heartbeat of Jazz Town Detroit, and from the creative composing and improvisational skills of some of our area's great talents. The concerts for June are held beneath a tent under the stars and sunshine in the gardens of one such very cool home. Built in 1939 for Tom Bormans (founder of the Farmer Jack grocery), the home is one of the treasures of the Streamline Moderne movement. Concert attendees can dance and sway to the grooves of Orquesta La Inspiracion on Friday night (8pm), A. Spencer Barefield Quintet on Saturday night (8pm) and Marion Hayden's Legacy Ensemble on Sunday afternoon (2pm). They can also tour the home and learn about it from our Palmer Woods historian or architect Daniel Redstone, son of famed architect Louis Redstone who designed the home. Each concert includes a buffet of delicious, fresh foods, desserts and beverages.
Tickets — $35 or groups of six or more for $30 each can be purchased online at palmerwoods.org or by calling 313-891-2514. Buy two tickets to each concert and get one ticket free. The location of the home is provided to ticket holders. The concerts are special opportunities to hear world-class musicians who have Detroit-based roots and are internationally recognized.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Songs from the 31st!

What a cooker of a day today. Here's what I played to cool things down
Count Basie - Splanky
David Leonhardt - In The Still of the Night
Zoot Sims - Someone To Watch Over Me
Amanda Tosoff - Good Bye Grey Sky
Anita O'Day - It Don't Mean a Thing
Herbie Hancock - Survival of the Fittest
Dean Pallen - Strathcona Park
Terrence Blanchard - Sidney
Count Basie - Makin' Whoopie

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

What I Played on the 17th

Count Basie - Splanky
Chick Corea - Oblivion
Joey Defrancesco/Jimmy Smith - I've Got My Mojo Workin'
Cory Weeds - Juicy Lucy
Maynard Ferguson - My Sister
Christopher Plock - Blue Skies
Pierre Leduc - Soya
Carmen McRae - You're Looking at Me
Count Basie - Makin' Whoopee

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Tuesday, May 10th

Count Basie - Splanky
Hank Jones and Oliver Jones - Groove Merchant
Dean Pallen - Strathcona Park
Irvin Mayfield - Mardi Gras Second Line
Linnzi Zaorski - Blue Skies
David Friesen - Serenade
Krisanne Crowell - Stuck on You
Dave LeFebvre - A Nordic Tale
Jeff "Tain" Watts - Goldaze
Willie Nelson/Wynton Marsalis - Hallelujah I Love Her So

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

This is Going to be a Busy Weekend!


Lot's going on for the Mother's Day Weekend.
Baker's Keyboard Lounge
Friday - Al Mckenzie Trio
Saturday - Remembering Don Mayberry (pictured)
for Baker's 77th Anniversary!

Cliff Bell's
Friday - The Desean Jones Quartet
Saturday - Mike Jellick

Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe
Wednesday thru Saturday - Stanley Jordan

Worth Checking Out


Film Documentary "CHOPS" with music by Ricio Fruge
MSU Community Music Center (next door to the Bonstelle Theater)
3408 Woodward Avenue,
(313) 578-9716

Wednesday, May 11, 2011
"CHOPS" takes audiences inside the Essentially Ellington Festival, a national high school jazz
band competition hosted by Wynton Marsalis at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Before the film, guests can tour the MSU Community Music Center, learn about jazz education opportunities and meet Ricio Fruge, one of the film's stars. There will be light refreshments and popcorn.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Here is What You Heard on the 3rd

Count Basie - Splanky
Roberto Occhipinti - Herbie's Mood
Brad Turner Quartet - Small Wonder
Jeff "Tain" Watts - Family
Laura Kahle - 20/20 Vision
Jane Bunnett - Mambo Shin Shin
Dinah Washington - I'll Close My Eyes
Jazz Pistols - Sex in a Pan
Barbara Morrison - Things Ain't What They Used To Be
Herbie Hancock - The Eye of the Hurricane
The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra - Captain Bill

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Playlist from April 19th

Count Basie - Splanky
Bob Erlendson - Kay-Yea-Ate
Carlo De Rosa - Headbanger's Bawl
Wayne Goins - Choppin' Wood
Jazz Pistols - Superstring
Robert Hurst - Forty Four
Alex Pangman - A Hundred Years From Today
Jonathan Kreisberg - Twenty One
Michelle Gregoire - Diversity

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

What You Heard on the 12th!

Count Basie - Splanky
Joe Lovano - Powerhouse *
Michelle Gregoire - Dichotomy
Dave Brubeck - Pick Up Sticks *
Karl Schwonik - The Dean
Anat Cohen - Jitterbug Waltz *
Gary Burton - Anthem *
Ivan Lins - E De Deus *
Peter Hum - Take The High Road
* Booked to play the 2011 Detroit Jazz Fest

Friday, April 1, 2011

Don't Miss This!


The Detroit International Jazz Festival presents 2011 Artist in Residence Jeff "Tain" Watts with the WSU Big Band, Tuesday, April 12th at Cliff Bell's. The intimate surroundings at Cliff Bell's will provide the perfect setting for this session. Tickets are only $8 and the show is slated to start at 7 PM.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

What's on This Weekend!


Baker's Keyboard Lounge
Friday - Al Mckenzie Trio featuring Penny Wells
Saturday - Johnny Trudell Quartet

Cliff Bell's
Friday and Saturday
Bill Heid Trio (pictured)

Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe
Wednesday thru Saturday
Bobby Lyle

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Here's What You Heard on the 22nd

Count Basie - Splanky
Thad Jones - Blue Room
Kenny Burrell - Wavy Gravy
Hank Jones and Oliver Jones - Groove Merchant
Dave Young Quintet - Oscar Pettiford
Christopher Plock - I've Got The World on a String
The Andrew Scott Quartet - Salute to the Band Box
Brandi Disterheft - Sketches of Belief
Jazz Men of Detroit - Cotton Tail
Joe Coughlin - I Love Being Here With You

Friday, March 18, 2011

Now This is a Great Idea!


Five-time Grammy Award winning bassist Robert Hurst will make strings sing with Kresge Arts Fellow guitarist A. Spencer Barefield for two performances on Saturday, March 26 in a spacious French Eclectic style home built in 1928 in Detroit's historic Palmer Woods neighborhood.

The first, a free concert for invited children, including students from the Detroit Public Schools and Sphinx Prep Academy, will be held at 4 pm. The ticketed event, part of the Palmer Woods Music in Homes series, begins at 8 pm. Tickets for the evening concert — $35 each or groups of six or more for $30 each — include a reception with culinary delights and can be purchased online at palmerwoods.org or by calling 313-891-2514. The location of the home is provided to ticketholders.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

What's Going On This Weekend!


Baker's Keyboard Lounge
Friday - Vincent Bowen Quartet
Saturday - First Flight

Cliff Bell's
Friday - Thaddeus Dixon Quartet
Saturday - From New York The Sheryl Bailey 3 (pictured)

Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe
Wednesday thru Saturday
Johnnie Bassett

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Henry Grimes and A. Spencer Barefield to Play N'Namdi



A couple of very fine musicians are joining forces this weekend for what could be one of the best shows in Detroit this year. Bassist Henry Grimes and Detroit icon Spencer Barefield will play two shows this Saturday, March 19th at the N'Namdi Center, 52 East Forest at Woodward. Tickets are $25 or $40 for both sets.

Playlist for Tuesday, March 15th

Yes, I've changed time slots from Saturday to Tuesday night. Please make a point of joining me every Tuesday at 6 PM on CJAM 99.1 FM

Here's what I played this week!

Count Basie - Splanky
Marcus Miller - Blast!
Dave Brubeck Quartet (In Memory of Joe Morello) - Kathy's Waltz
Karl Schwonik - The Dean
Peter Hum - Sojourner's Truth
Marty Williams - On a Clear Day
Matt Savage - You Are Here
Frank Butrey - Boisterous Voiceterous
Diana Krall - From This Moment On

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

In Honour of Black History Month

I came across this forward that was written by Dr Martin Luther King for the Berlin Jazz Festival in 1964. It was thought for many years that Dr King gave this address to open the festival, when in fact it was published in the program. It's remarkable.

"God has brought many things out of oppression. He has endowed his creatures with the capacity to create - and from this capacity has flowed the sweet songs of sorrow and joy that have allowed man to cope with his environment and many different situations. Jazz speaks for life. The Blues tell the story of life's difficulties, and if you think for a moment, you will realize that they take the hardest realities of life and put them into music, only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph. This is triumphant music. Modern Jazz has continued in this tradition, singing the songs of a more complicated urban existence. When life itself offers no order and meaning, the musician creates an order and meaning from the sounds of the earth which flow through his instrument.

It is no wonder that so much of the search for identity among American Negroes was championed by Jazz musicians. Long before the modern essayists and scholars wrote of "racial identity" as a problem for a multi-racial world, musicians were returning to their roots to affirm that which was stirring within their souls. Much of the power of our Freedom Movement in the United States has come from this music. It has strengthened us with its sweet rhythms when courage began to fail. It has calmed us with its rich harmonies when spirits were down. And now, Jazz is exported to the world. For in the particular struggle of the Negro in America there is something akin to the universal struggle of modern man. Everybody has the Blues. Everybody longs for meaning. Everybody needs to love and be loved. Everybody needs to clap hands and be happy. Everybody longs for faith.

In music, especially this broad category called Jazz, there is a stepping stone towards all of these."

George Shearing Passed Away February 14th


My first introduction to George Shearing was a recording he made with Carmen McRae called "Two for the Road". I nearly wore it out and to this day I can turn the worst of days around simply by giving it a listen. His touch, his ability to interpret a tune and his great talent for "locked hands" technique, playing parallel melodies with two hands truly set him apart.

Here's What's Up! (Feb 23rd thru 26th)


Baker's Keyboard Lounge
Friday and Saturday
Duane Parham Sax Appeal (pictured)

Cliff Bell's
Friday - Paul Keller Trio
Saturday - Vincent Chandler Plus

Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe
Wednesday thru Saturday
Cliff Monear Quartet

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Freda Payne to Play Dirty Dog!


Detroit native Freda Payne returns home for the week of March 9th thru March 12. Familiar to many for her hit "Band of Gold" Ms Payne has been touring with her tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, playing to sold out crowds in New York and L.A. Be sure to mark your calendar and catch her act at the Dirty Dog!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Playlist for February 19th

Count Basie - Splanky
Ranee Lee and Oliver Jones - Traveling Man
Esperanza Spalding - Chacarera
Grace Kelly and Phil Woods - The Way You Look Tonight
Karl Schwonik - You and the Night and the Music
Elizabeth Shepherd - Shining Tear of the Sun
Joshua Redmond - You've Got a Friend in Me
Michelle Gregoire - Dichotomy
Avery Sharpe Trio - Now That's What I'm Talkin' Bout
Adia Ledbetter - Closer/You and the Night and the Music
Marcus Miller - Blast
Marty Williams - On A Clear Day
Christine Fagan - That's Blue
Bob Zjaner - Ragman
Joe Coughlin - Summer Wind
Herb Albert and Lani Hall - Here Comes The Sun
Matt Savage - You Are Here
Milan Latin Jazz Quartet - Navy Blue
Woody Shaw - Well You Needn't

Grammy Winner Heading to Music Hall!


Fresh off of her Grammy win for Best New Artist, (the first jazz artist to ever do so), Esperanza Spalding is coming to the Detroit Music Hall on Friday March 11th!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Here's Something a Little Closer to Home!!

This Sunday, February 20th, All Saint's Church at city hall square is hosting a jazz concert of "Swinging Sacred Songs". This matinee performance features Bob Fazecash and Alan Matheson on trumpet, Vaughn Klugh on guitar and Paul Keller on bass.

Make Plans for the Weekend!


Baker's Keyboard Lounge
Friday - Vincent Bowen Quartet
Saturday - LL7

Cliff Bell's
Friday and Saturday
Thaddeus Dixon Quartet

Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe
Wednesday thru Saturday
Thornetta Davis (pictured)

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Save the Date!

Things To Do This Weekend!


Baker's Keyboard Lounge
Friday - Tricia Moore Quartet
Saturday - David Gadd Quintet

Cliff Bell's
Friday - Jessaly Brooks Quartet
Saturday - Shannon Wade Quintet

Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe
Wednesday thru Saturday
Paul King String Orchestra

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Here is What I Played on the 5th!

Count Basie - Splanky
Bob Szajner - Chagrin
Bob Szajner - Delicate Balance
Bruce Hornsby/Christian McBride/Jack Dejohnette - Straight No Chaser
Karrin Allyson - Sweet Home Cookin' Man
Milan Latin Jazz Orchestra - Primo
Anat Cohen - Washington Square
Robert Hurst - Optimism
Graham Reynolds and the Golden Arm Trio - Caravan
Laila Biali - Human Condition
Peter Scherr - August
Mario Romano Quartet - Night in Tunisia
Wayne Wallace - Los Gatos
Roxy Coss - The Cherry on Top
Roxy Coss - I Think So
Shawn Bell Quintet - Lost Pursuit
Groove:55 - Good Planets are Hard to Find
Charles Kynard - Belladonna
Christine Jensen - Dancing Sunlight

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

New Owners for Baker's Keyboard Lounge



Baker's Keyboard Lounge has new owners who have pledged to keep jazz alive in the venerable club. Detroiter's Eric Whitaker and Hugh Smith submitted the winning bid in a recently held bankruptcy auction. Smith, who has served as night manager for the past two years, said of the club, "We're going to clean her up and make her feel good. The 77 year old Baker's has played host to some of the greats over the years including Dizzy Gillepie, Stan Getz and John Coltrane. This is great news for area jazz lovers and The Topic is Jazz wishes them all the very best in keeping this great institution up and running.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Detroit Jazz Fest Announces Artist in Residence for 2011


The Detroit Jazz Festival has announced that drummer Jeff 'Tain' Watts will hold the position of Artist in Residence for 2011. The award winning percussionist has worked with the likes of McCoy Tyner, The Marsalis Brothers, Geri Allen and Michael Brecker. In addition to a stint with the Tonight Show Orchestra, Mr Watts also played the role of Rhythm Jones in Spike Lee's movie, "Mo Better Blues". His first performance in his role as Artist in Residence will take place February 11th at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Hot Jazz to Help Melt the Snow!


Baker's Keyboard Lounge
Friday - Dwight Adams Quartet
Saturday - Ed Stone (pictured)and the Flowmasters

Cliff Bell's
Friday - Gino Fanelli's Red Hot Sugar Daddies
Saturday - Sean Dobbins and the Modern Jazz Messengers

Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe
February 2nd thru 5th
Spencer Barefield

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Playlist for January 29th

Count Basie - Splanky
Milan Latin Jazz Quartet - Navy Blue
Spencer Day - I Got A Mind To Tell You
Bob Szajner - Notably So
Kermit Ruffins - Sugar
Matt Savage - You Are Here
Herb Harris - In A Little Minute
Jane Ira Bloom - Freud's Convertible
Hank Mobley - Hank's Other Bag
Sergeo Mendes - So Tinha De Ser Com Voce
Gerry Hebert Quartet - New Tribe
Mario Romano Quartet - Norwegian Wood
Matt Savage - Welcome Home (Boston)
Joey DeFrancesco, Robi Botos, Vito Rezza and Phil Dwyer - There Is No Greater Love
The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra - Captain Bill
Quinson Nachoff - Devil's Advocate

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Playlist for January 15th

Count Basie - Splanky
Joe Coughlin - Summer Wind
Shawn Bell Quintet - Things Yet Unknown
Defrancesco, Botos, Rezza and Dwyer - Village Green
Matt Savage - On The Farm
John L Holmes - Where We Goin?
The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Pennies From Heaven
Peter Paulsen Quintet - Goes Without Saying
Laila Biali - The Best Is Yet To Come
Richard Underhill - This House
Luis Bonilla - Vertigo
Leslie Pintchik - There You Go
Quinsin Nachoff - Devil's Advocate
Mario Romano Quartet - On Green Dolphin Street
Barbara Morrison - Chains of Love
Ron Carter - Mi Tiempo
Lee Morgan - The Rumproller

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Happy New Year!!

Tito Puente - Machito Forever
Peggy Lee - I've Got the World on a String
Joe Lovano - Santa Lucia
The Don Berner Sextet - Gabriel's Horns
Charles Mingus - Slop
Brad Mehldau - It Might As Well be Spring
Renee Yoxon - The Look of Love
Sonny Fortune = Come in Out of the Rain
John L Holmes - La Vida Loquita
Mr Ho's Orchestrotica - Andalucia
Manhattan Transfer - 500 Miles
Shawn Bell Quintet - Things Yet Unknown
John Pizzarelli - Coquette
Barrett Deems Big Band - Groovin' Hard
Heavy Tin - The Swing Prophet
Jane Monheit - Waters of March
Mark McLean - Which Way