jazzandbluesnews

OK, I am just going to admit that every weekend I pick a show from the Velvet Lounge.  I swear, I never intend to do this, but every time I look at the events calendar, it’s the show at that particular venue that stands out to me.

This weekend they have a show with a prominent Chicago musician named Tatsu Aoki.  From the WDCB website, here are the details:

Contact Venue * contact the Venue listed below for ticketing information  

Dates and Times:

Saturday, May 30; 9:30 pm

Artist/Group:

Tatsu Aoki bass, Ed Wilkerson and Mwata Bowden woodwinds, Hide Yoshihashi & Amy Homma drums

Venue Information

Venue:

Velvet Lounge  

Address:

67 E. Cermak
(between Wabash and Michigan Avenue)  

City:

Chicago 

State:

IL 

Zip Code:

60616 

Country:

United States 

Telephone:

(312) 791-9050

Check out his website as well.  He is a bass player.  You never know about bass players, but Charles Mingus was one and he was great at finding talent, so I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt.  Plus, he’s from Chicago, which automatically puts him high on my list of must-sees.

The last weekend in May is here.  What a perfect time to head out and check out some live music.  The weather is rather cool, the hockey season is over and the baseball teams around here are dreadful beyond comprehension.  I say it’s time to start enjoying the local jazz and blues scene.

Below, the information comes from radio station WDCB and their Events Calendar section.  Check them out and give them a listen.

JAZZ

The Flat Cats
Date: March 27 - May 29 on
Friday 8:30 P.M. to 11:30 P.M.
Venue: Onesti Dinner Club, St. Charles

Sounds of Summer - Jazz Vocalist Frankie Wesson
Date: Friday, May 29; 7:30pm-10:30pm
Venue: Stonefire Restaurant, Yorkville

Ernest Dawkins New Horizon Ensemble
Date: Friday, May 29; 9:30 to 1:30 am
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

Bob Perna & Persistance
Date: Friday, May 29; 5 to 8:30 pm
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

The Elaine Dame Trio
Date: Friday, May 29; 8:00 pm - 12:00 am
Venue: Philander’s, Oak Park

David Drazin piano concert
Date: Friday, May 29; 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Venue: Joplin’s Java and Ragtime Cafe, Waukegan

Tony Smith Show
Date: Friday, May 29; 9 pm
Venue: Chambers, Niles

Kimberly Gordon with Tom Hope
Date: Friday, May 29; 6:30 pm
Venue: Katerina’s, Chicago

Green Mill Quartet Jam Session
Date: Friday, May 29; 1:30 to 4 am
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Happy Hour with Chris Foreman on Hammond B-3 Organ
Date: Friday, May 29; 5 to 8 pm
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Harry Brown opens for Gomez-Farr singing his original songs
Date: Friday, May 29; 5:30 pm
Venue: Bill’s Blues Bar, Evanston

Bruce Williams Trio
Date: Friday, May 29; 9 pm to 1 am
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Evanston, Evanston

Tony Monaco Trio
Date: Friday, May 29; 9 pm to 1 am
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Ed Daugherty
Date: Friday, May 29; 9:30 pm
Venue: Velvet Lounge, Chicago

Eddie Harrison’s Jump Stars
Date: Friday, May 29; 8 to 12:30
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Wheeling, Wheeling

The Flat Cats
Date: March 28 - May 30; 8:30 P.M. to 12:00 A.M.
Venue: Drake Hotel - Palm Court, Chicago

The Rodney Brown Duo
Date: May 2 - 30 on
Saturday 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Venue: Blues Bar, Mt Prospect

After Hours Jazz Party with Sabertooth
Date: Saturday, May 30; Midnight to 4
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Bruce Williams Trio
Date: Saturday, May 30; 9 pm to 1 am
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Evanston, Evanston

Eddie Harrison’s Jump Stars
Date: Saturday, May 30; 8 to 12:30
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Wheeling, Wheeling

The West Side Winders
Date: Saturday, May 30; 6 to 10 pm
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Wheeling, Wheeling

Ernest Dawkins New Horizon Ensemble
Date: Saturday, May 30; 9:30 to 1:30 am
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

Bob Perna & Persistance
Date: Saturday, May 30; 5 to 8:30 pm
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

Petra Van Nuis with Andy Brown
Date: Saturday, May 30; 6:30 pm
Venue: Katerina’s, Chicago

Tatsu Aoki’s Miyumi Project
Date: Saturday, May 30; 9:30 pm
Venue: Velvet Lounge, Chicago

The Jim Guter Quartet
Date: Saturday, May 30; 7 P.M. - 11 P.M.
Venue: Francesca’s Passaggio Ristorante, Naperville

Tony Monaco Trio
Date: Saturday, May 30; 8 to midnight
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

The Paul Abella Trio
Date: April 5 - May 31 on
Sunday 7:30 pm to 11:30pm
Venue: MECCA Supper Club,

Chicago Andy’s Jam Session
Date: Sunday, May 31; 9 pm to 1 am
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

Dean Allrick
Date: Sunday, May 31; 5 pm
Venue: Chambers, Niles

Velvet Lounge Jazz Jam
Date: Sunday, May 31; 9:30 pm
Venue: Velvet Lounge, Chicago

Kimberly Gordon Organ Trio
Date: Sunday, May 31; 11 pm to 2 am
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Chicago Jazz Composers Collective
Date: Sunday, May 31; 2 to 4 pm
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

CheckerJAZZ - Dee Alexander
CD Release Party
Date: Sunday, May 31; 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Venue: Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago

Jordan Baskin Trio
Date: Sunday, May 31; 5 to 8:30 pm
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

BLUES

Eddy ’The Chief’ Clearwater Blues Band
May 30, 2009
Bill’s Blues Bar, Evanston
Watseka Theatre’s 2nd Annual Blues & BBQ Fest
May 30, 2009
Watseka Theatre, Watseka
 

I am just in a New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival kind of mood.  Maybe it’s the weather or something.  I haven’t been able to find quite as much 2009 footage as I was hoping, but I found a bunch of footage people took from the 2008 version.  Maybe people are just slower to upload.

Just to show how the festival covers all kinds of music, here is Stevie Wonder in a harmonica duet:

Here is a man named George French and his band, playing under a tent.  I love music festivals and the small tents just off the main drag that you can find all kinds of cool things in:

Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers.  I love the jazz and blues band names!  They are really the most creative.  Take THAT “Coldplay.”

OK, that’s just three different samples.  They get all of the big names, but the true joy, at least in my opinion, are the local bands and smaller tents and festival venues that have the people playing just becuase they love to play. 

Festival season is here!  Stay tuned!

The cool thing about this week having started late is that you are halfway through it already and the weekend is almost here.  Still, maybe you could use a nice jazz show in the middle of the week to get you more in the mood for summer and get you over the hump and into the weekend.

Thankfully the Velvet Lounge has music during the week and it’s a great place to see a live show.  They have a show that you have to see just because of the name of the band!  Below, the information is from WDCB’s website and I want to send a big thank you out to them.

Milton Scruggs and Deep Thought 

Well, May is on the way out as the year progresses ever-onward.  I have a hard time believing how fast the year is going, but then again, I am getting old.  I will be 38 in June.  I have a hard time staring 40 in the eyes.

Still, one thing does cheer me up and that would be the new releases and reissues that I can add to my collection.  Yes, it is Tuesday and while you are moaning about having to go back to work, you can thank AllAboutJazz.com for the list below and start planning on when and where to buy these albums.

NEW RELEASES

X Tremely Fun:Jazz Dance (Zyx )
Singi Swingin Jazzi SSJ (3D Japan/Zoom )
Antonio Carlos Jobim - Girl From Ipanema (Universal Japan )
Astrud Gilberto - Shadow Your Smile (Universal Japan )
Astrud Gilberto / Walter Wanderley - Certain Smile A Certain Sadness (Verve )
Benny Goodman - 100th Anniversary Box Set (Sony Legacy )
Bill Perkins - Confluence (Indies Japan/Zoom )
Billie Holiday - Purely Billie Holiday (Delta (Uk) )
Blue Note - Best Of Blue Note 2009 (Phantom )
Candy Dulfer - Sax-A-Go-Go (MSI Music )
CELIA MALHEIROS - CENARIO BRASILEIRO (INDIE)
Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um (Sony Legacy )
Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um (50th Anniversary Legacy Edition) (Legacy )
Clarence Bucaro - ‘Til Spring (Megaforce )
Coco Schumann - Rex Casino (Trikont Records/Lita )
Count Basie / Ray Charles - Count Basie & Ray Charles Together (Legacy )
Dave Brubeck - Time Out: 50th Anniversary Legacy Edition (Sony Legacy )
Dave Brubeck - Time Out (50th Anniversary Edition) (Sony Legacy )
Dick Todd - You Can’t Brush Me Off (Delta (Uk) )
Donald Byrd - Steppin Into Tomorrow (EMI Japan/Zoom )
Duke Jordan - Dangerreuses (Indies Japan/Zoom )
Eddie Higgins - A Handful Of Stars (Phantom )
Eddie Higgins - Standards By Request-1st Day (Phantom )
Eddie Higgins - Standards By Request-2nd Day (Phantom )
Eddie Higgins - I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me (Phantom )
Elvin Jones - Live At The Lighthouse (EMI Japan/Zoom )
Fully Celebrated - Drunk On The Blood Of The Ho (AUM Fidelity )
Fully Celebrated - Drunk On The Blood Of The Holy Ones (AUM Fidelity )
Fully Celebrated Orchestra - Drunk On The Blood Of The Holy Ones (AUM Fidelity )
Gary Burton - Quartet Live! (Concord Jazz )
Gene Harris & The T - Elegant Soul (EMI Japan/Zoom )
Grant Green - Alive (EMI Japan/Zoom )
Harvey Averne - Avenue Anthology (Fania )
Hotel Bossa Nova - Boosa Nova Hotel (EMI Japan/Zoom )
J.Dee - Smoove On The Move (NuGroove )
Jack ‘Brother’ Mcduff - Moon Rappin (EMI Japan/Zoom )
Jazz Masterpieces - Jazz Masterpieces (Legacy )
Jimmy McGriff - Electric Funk (EMI Japan/Zoom )
Jimmy Sommers - Time Stands Still (NuGroove )
Kenny G - Super Hits (Sony BMG Special Markets )
Kenny Werner - With A Song In My Heart (Venus Jazz Japan )
Linda Merrill - Sings (3D Japan/Zoom )
Lonnie L. Smith - Drives (EMI Japan/Zoom )
Luciana Souza - Tide (Verve )
Luiz Bonfa - Composer Of Black Orpheus Play & Sings B (Phantom )
Luiz Bonfa - Composer Of Black Orpheus (Universal Japan )
Luiz Bonfa / Stan Getz - Soft Samba (Universal Japan )
Marcello Giombini - Ehi Amico C’E Sabata Hai Chiuso Sabat (Indies Japan/Zoom )
Marcello Giombini - Tornato Sabata? Hai Chiuso Un’Altra (Indies Japan/Zoom )
Marilyn Scott - Dreams Of Tomorrow (Wounded Bird )
Michael Kaeshammer - Lovelight (Phantom )
Miles Davis - Sketches Of Spain (50th Anniversary Edition) (Legacy )
Nick Brignola - La Bound (Indies Japan/Zoom )
One For All - Killer Joe (Venus )
Our Ladies Of Jazz - Our Ladies Of Jazz (Legacy )
Paul Hardcastle - Collection (Trippin & Rhythm )
Paul Hardcastle - The Collection (Trippin & Rhythm )
Phil Woods - Ballads & Blues (Phantom )
Richard Galliano - French Touch (Phantom )
Simply Jazz - Simply Jazz (Simply )
Simply Swing - Simply Swing (Simply )
Splinters - Split The Difference (Reel Recordings )
Stan Getz / Joao Gilberto - Getz & Gilberto (Universal Japan )
Stan Getz / Joao Gilberto - Getz & Gilberto 2 (Universal Japan )
Sweetbottom - Angels Of The Deep (Wounded Bird )
Sweetbottom - Turn Me Loose (Wounded Bird )
Tito Puente - Puente In Percussion (Fania )
tRIO -THOMAS CLAUSEN, CELIA MALHEIROS, CARLOS MALTA - AFTER THE CARNAVAL (STUNT RECORDS)
Wicked Jazz Sounds Band - Biggest Sin (United Recordings NL )

REISSUES

Annette Hanshaw - Ain’t She Sweet (Sounds Of Yesteryear)
Antonio Carlos Jobim - Tide (Universal)
Antonio Carlos Jobim - Wave (Pid )
Astrud Gilberto - Album (Universal)
Astrud Gilberto - Beach Samba (Universal)
Astrud Gilberto - Look to the Rainbow (Universal)
Astrud Gilberto - Windy (Universal)
Bobbi Humphrey - Satin Doll (Blue Note)
Bobby Hutcherson - Montara (Blue Note)
Charles Mingus - Ah Um (Columbia/L )
Dave Brubeck - Jazz Goes To College (Sbme Special MKTS. )
Dave Brubeck - Time Out (Pid )
Luiz Bonfa / Stan Getz - Jazz Samba Encore (Universal)
Marcos Valle - Samba 68 (Universal)
Miles Davis - Sketches Of Spain (Columbia/L )
Moacir Santos - Saudade (Blue Note)
Stan Getz / Gary Mcfarland - Big Band Bossa Nova (Pid )
Tamba 4 - Samba Blim (Universal)
Walter Wanderley - Batucada (Universal)
Walter Wanderley - Cheganca (Universal)
Walter Wanderley - Rain Forest (Universal Japan )

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is really one of the premier music festivals in the country.  Given what New Orleans has been through in recent years, the fact that the Festival has come back and come back strong is an amazing thing.  It is still one of the premier music festivals in the country.  The cool thing about our modern all-digital, all-the-time culture is that if you miss a certain event or festival, you can always find it on some place like YouTube. 

The Festival is also one of the earlier music festivals in the country.  While we are still waiting for the Chicago Blues Festival, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival as already played out at the end of April.  By all accounts, it was another amazing showcase for music of all kinds.  While Jazz is featured prominently, because New Orleans was one of the birth places of jazz, it is not the only form of music shown throughout the weekend.  No, rock and roll, blues, and just about every other genre you could want is featured there.

So, I encourage you to click on the link above and check out the information they have on the official website.  I the meantime, here is some amature video taken at the festival for you to enjoy as well.

One of the cooler places to check out some great blues is a place called Bill’s Blues Bar in north suburban Evanston, Illinois.  Evanston is the home of Northwestern University and the home of the Wildcats.  It is separate from Chicago, and is an entirely different city just moments from the bigger city.  It’s full of old homes and those run right up against the shiny new high-rise buildings and condos that make up downtown Evanston.

The place is a great one to see some blues live and in person.  They have shows nearly every night there.  They also have pretty decent food, which is always a plus.  Anyway, they have another “Blues Jam” coming up and I thought I would give you the details.

The following is from radio station WDCB’s events page:

Bill’s Blues Jam 

With the Memorial Day holiday with us now, it is time to start looking at the jazz and blues festivals in and around Chicago.  Right now there is a jazz celebration continuing in the Chicago suburb of Elmhurst that is starting to wind down.  You should check it out.

This is from the radio station WDCB’s website:

Elmhurst Jazz: A Celebration of an American Art Form 

General Event Information
Event Category:	Jazz Calendar
Price:	Free
Dates and Times:	April 28 - May 24 on Tuesday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Artist/Group:	Elmhurst Historical Museum
Artist/Group Email Address:	ehm@elmhurst.org
Description
Explore the eclectic history of jazz through rare images and artifacts celebrating 75 years of DownBeat magazine, and the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival’s 42-year run. See Louis Armstrong’s trumpete, Benny Goodman’s clarinet, and lear about notable jazz greats and their influence on the Chicago jazz scene. Free admission. Tues.-Sun.
Venue Information
Venue:	Elmhurst Historical Museum
Address:	120 E. Park Ave.
City:	Elmhurst
State:	IL
Zip Code:	60302
Country:	United States
Telephone:	630-833-1457
Email Address:	ehm@elmhurst.org

It is Memorial Day Weekend, folks.  Isn’t that supposed to be the official start of the summer.  A nice three day weekend and you are supposed to get the barbecue grill out and have a party.  I won’t be having a party, but I will enjoy the time off.

The jazz and blues shows listed below come courtesy of WDCB and their events calendar section.  Enjoy!

JAZZ CALENDAR

Makaya McCraven Ensemble
Thursday, May 21; 8:30 pm
Velvet Lounge, Chicago 

The Skinny
Thursday, May 21; 8 to 11 pm
Pete Miller’s - Evanston, Evanston 

Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra
Thursday, May 21; 9 pm to 1 am
Green Mill, Chicago 

Brookfield Jazz Society presents Zvonimir Tot Trio
Thursday, May 21; 7:30 p.m.
Cottage @ Irish Times, Brookfield 

Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express
Thursday, May 21; 9 to 11 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

Jodie Christian Quartet
Thursday, May 21; 8 pm
Katerina’s, Chicago 

John Bany, Chalres Braugham, Don Stille
Thursday, May 21; 7 pm
Chambers, Niles 

Frank Catalano Trio
Thursday, May 21; 5 to 8 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

WDCB Jazz in the Bistro
Jeremy Kahn and Eric Schneider
Thursday, May 21; 7 to 10 p.m.
Marion Street Cheese Market, Oak Park 

Happy Hour with Chris Foreman on Hammond B-3 Organ
Friday, May 22; 5 to 8 pm
Green Mill, Chicago 

Pat Mallinger Quartet featuring Bill Carrothers
Friday, May 22; 9 pm to 1 am
Green Mill, Chicago 

Green Mill Quartet Jam Session
Friday, May 22; 1:30 to 4 am
Green Mill, Chicago 

Bill McFarland & The Chicago Horns with Special Guest Vince Willis
Friday, May 22; 10 pm
Katerina’s, Chicago 

Andy’s Presents - Mark Colby
Friday, May 22; 9:30 to 1:30 am
Andy’s, Chicago 

Guy King Organ Trio
Friday, May 22; 9 pm to 1 am
Pete Miller’s - Evanston, Evanston 

The Wind Gypsies
Friday, May 22; 8 pm to 12:30 am
Pete Miller’s - Wheeling, Wheeling 

Kimberly Gordon with Tom Hope
Friday, May 22; 6:30 pm
Katerina’s, Chicago 

Lesley Byers
Friday, May 22; 5 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

Kevin Nabors Group
Friday, May 22; 9:30 pm
Velvet Lounge, Chicago 

Nicole Mitchell
Saturday, May 23; 9:30 pm
Velvet Lounge, Chicago 

Pat Mallinger Quartet featuring Bill Carrothers
Saturday, May 23; 8 to midnight
Green Mill, Chicago 

After Hours Jazz Party with Sabertooth
Saturday, May 23; Midnight to 4
Green Mill, Chicago 

Skinny Williams Quartet
Saturday, May 23; 8 pm to 12:30 am
Pete Miller’s - Wheeling, Wheeling 

Lesley Byers
Saturday, May 23; 5 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

The West Side Winders
Saturday, May 23; 6 to 10 pm
Pete Miller’s - Wheeling, Wheeling 

Petra Van Nuis with Andy Brown
Saturday, May 23; 6:30 pm
Katerina’s, Chicago 

Ed Collins
Saturday, May 23; 9 pm
Chambers, Niles 

Andy’s Presents - Mark Colby
Saturday, May 23; 9:30 to 1:30 am
Andy’s, Chicago 

Guy King Organ Trio
Saturday, May 23; 9 pm to 1 am
Pete Miller’s - Evanston, Evanston 

Elmhurst Jazz: A Celebration of an American Art Form
April 28 - May 24 on
Tuesday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Elmhurst Historical Museum, Elmhurst 

Jordan Baskin Trio
Sunday, May 24; 5 to 8:30 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

Connie Marshall & Johnny Gabor
Sunday, May 24; 5 pm
Chambers, Niles 

Velvet Lounge Jazz Jam
Sunday, May 24; 9:30 PM
Velvet Lounge, Chicago 

Andy’s Jam Session
Sunday, May 24; 9 pm to 1 am
Andy’s, Chicago 

Kimberly Gordon Organ Trio
Sunday, May 24; 11 pm to 2 am
Green Mill, Chicago 

Mike Finnerty & The Heat Merchants Jazz Jam
Monday, May 25; 8 to 10:30 pm
Bill’s Blues Bar, Evanston 

The Andy Brown Trio featuring Jeannie Lambert
Monday, May 25; 8 pm and 10 pm
Jazz Showcase, Chicago 

Yoko Noge Jazz Me Blues
Monday, May 25; 9 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

BLUES CALENDAR

Keith Scott Blues Trio
May 21, 2009
Pete Miller’s - Wheeling, Wheeling

 Sammy Fender Blues Band
May 23, 2009
Bill’s Blues Bar, Evanston

 Guy King Organ Duo
May 25, 2009
Andy’s, Chicago

I have really become a fan of the website Jazz.com.  You would think that I would have found such a website a long time ago, but I only just discovered it.  They have a huge collection of articles and they talk to some of the greatest names in contemporary jazz.  They also spend a lot of time talking about jazz in general, the future of the musical genre and ways to expand where jazz is listened to.

They have a series of articles where they look at twelve “essential” albums  you should have as a fan of jazz in various styles.  They have had twelve essentials for female jazz singers, for example.  They did another one where they looked at rock and roll and jazz musician team-ups.

This week they have an interesting cover story called “How to Build a Jazz Audience.”  One of the things that most jazz radio stations struggle with is finding an audience.  Too many jazz fans are aging, while the younger kids think jazz is old and boring.  They don’t know about the history or about how cool jazz can be.  So, how do you build a jazz audience?

Here in Chicago, there has been such a drawback in jazz audiences that there are almost no jazz stations left anymore.  There is a Smooth Jazz radio station, but no classic jazz except for WDCB. 

The same problem holds true with jazz concerts and concert series.  This article looks at those jazz concert series.  In particular they look at MCGJazz.  So, check it out, read the article, leave a comment and tell the you heard about it here.