Happy Birthday, Bean!
We honor our November birthday heroes, including Lou Donaldson, Don Cherry, Paul Desmond, Gato Barbieri, Ernestine Anderson, Teddy Wilson and the legendary Coleman Hawkins, known as “Hawk” or “Bean.” Considered the father of modern jazz saxophone playing, Hawkins, a Missouri native, had at least one memorable performance recorded in DC. It was the “Coleman Hawkins Roy Eldridge Quintet, Complete Live at the Bayou Club 1959,” a three-CD set, recorded at the old Bayou Club in Georgetown in January 1959 and released in 2008 by the Lone Hill label. The CD information sheet says, “As was usual with these one-nighters, only the main stars were called, and the rhythm section was completed with local musicians. The repertoire is a combination of jazz standards and compositions by Hawkins.” See www.amazon.com or www.allmusic.com for more on the recording.
East River Jazz Brings More “Bird” Events
East River Jazz brings us more “In the Spirit of Bird” events this month, with the Warren Wolf Ensemble and Craig Alston Quartet the featured performers.
The Warren Wolf Ensemble plays the “In the Spirit of Bird#3” concert from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m., Nov. 21, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 5312 Connecticut Ave. NW. Appearing with vibraphonist Wolf will be Lawrence Huffles, bass, and Gavin Horning, guitar. Admission is $15 online, $20 on day of event.
This performance is the third in a series in recognition of the 99th birthday of legendary saxophonist and innovator Charlie (also known as Yardbird or Bird) Parker Jr. The ensemble will perform compositions by Parker and original music to which he significantly applied his influence, according to East River Jazz.
Saxophonist Alston’s group performs in the “Charlie Parker Tribute/Craig Alston Quartet’s in the Spirit of Bird #4” event at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 29, at the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center, 847 North Howard St., Baltimore. Admission is $15 online, $20 on day of event.
For more information see www.eastriverjazz.net.
Other top events of the month include vocalist Akua Allrich’s “Akua’s Blues Revolution,” Nov. 14 at Montpelier Arts Center, in which Allrich explores music and poetry as tools for message, revolution and love, highlighting Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Muddy Waters, Nina Simone, and rising stars the String Queens, performing Nov. 16 at the Kennedy Center and Nov. 26 at Blues Alley.
The “Bringing in the Future” show on Nov. 22 at Westminster Presbyterian Church features the Dorseys, the young brother-sister players Ephraim, tenor sax, and Ebban, alto sax, who were mentored by master saxophonist and educator Carl Grubbs. They’ll be playing with Nasar Abadey, drums, James King, bass, and Janelle Gill, piano, with London Clark Meva’a on vocals.
In Review: Roberto Magris Sextet’s “Sun Stone”
Pianist Roberto Magris has another winner with his “Sun Stone” CD, a hauntingly bluesy and melodic excursion. The Italian Magris, now based in the US, has fashioned a remarkable career as an internationally acclaimed composer and pianist, known for classical ripples and runs along with bebop flourishes. “Sun Stone” players include Ira Sullivan, flute, alto sax and soprano sax, Shareef Clayton, trumpet, Mark Colby, tenor sax, Jamie Ousley, bass, and Rodolfo Zuniga, drums.
Highlights, with most tunes by Magris, include the title tune “Sun Stone,” with Magris’ vintage melodic romps on piano and Clayton, Colby and Sullivan’s soaring horn riffs; “Planet of Love” with Sullivan’s sweet flute work; and “Malibllues,” a winding jam showing off all the players’ gifts. See www.jmoodrecords.com.
November Highlights:
Michael Bowie/“My Time with Abbey & Betty,” Nov. 11, Blues Alley; Nico Sarbanes, Nov. 11, Keystone Korner/Baltimore; Marcus Miller, Nov.11, The Birchmere; Helen Sung, Nov. 13, Blues Alley; Twins Jazz Orchestra, Nov. 14, Twins Jazz; Akua’s Blues Revolution, Nov. 14, Montpelier Arts Center; Arturo Sandoval, Nov. 14-17, Blues Alley; Elijah Balbed & Young Lions, Nov. 15, Westminster Presbyterian Church; Jeff Antoniuk & the Jazz Update, Nov. 15-16, Twins Jazz; Concerts for Young Audiences: The String Queens, Nov. 16, Kennedy Center; The Kojo Odu Roney Experience featuring Antoine Roney, Nov. 16, Kennedy Center; Brad Linde Team Players, Nov. 18; Bringing in the Future/Nasar Abadey/The Dorseys, Nov. 22, Westminster; Joe Vetter Quartet, Nov. 24, Twins Jazz; Carr-Keys Quintet, Nov. 25, Blues Alley; The String Queens, Nov. 26, Blues Alley; Russell Malone, Nov. 27, Blues Alley; Bobby Felder Big Band, Nov. 29, Westminster; Jazz Night at the Movies/Oscar Peterson, Nov. 29, Westminster; Janel Leppin’s Ensemble Volcanic Ash, Nov. 29-30, Local 16; John Lamkin “Favorites” Quintet, Nov. 29-30, Twins Jazz.
November Birthdays:
Lou Donaldson 1; Phil Woods 2; Arturo Sandoval 6; Hubert Laws 10; Ernestine Anderson 11; Sam Jones 12; Hampton Hayes, Idris Muhammad 13; W.C. Handy 16; Don Cherry 18; Coleman Hawkins 21; Teddy Wilson 24; Paul Desmond, Nat Adderley 25; Randy Brecker 27; Gato Barbieri 28; Billy Strayhorn 29.
Steve Monroe is a Washington, DC, writer who can be reached at steve@jazzavenues.com and followed at www.twitter.com/jazzavenues.
