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

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!

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!

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)

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

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

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.

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