MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S JAZZ PARTY
WHEN: Monday, July 27, 8 to 9:30 PM
WHERE: Bickford Theatre (BT), Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Hgts. Rd., Morristown
TICKETS: $15 in advance, but $18 at the door. Tickets may be purchased via credit card over the phone by calling the box office at (973) 971-3706. The box office can also provide information, directions or a simple "jazz map."
Dan Levinson brings us SWEET THUNDER: A Midsummer Night’s Jazz Party with Dan Levinson and Friends! Those friends include Mike Davis (cornet), Jim Fryer (trombone), Mark Shane (piano), Mike Weatherly (bass), Kevin Dorn (drums), and the charming, evocative vocals of Molly Ryan. Count on a stirring selection of tunes, delivered in a first rate manner. Audience members are still raving about Dan’s (and Mike’s) recent appearance here with Stéphane Séva.
FRANK VIGNOLA
WHEN: Monday, August 3, 8 to 9:30 PM
WHERE: Bickford Theatre, Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Hgts. Rd., Morristown
TICKETS: $15 in advance, but $18 at the door. Tickets may be purchased via credit card over the phone by calling the box office at (973) 971-3706. The box office can also provide information, directions or a simple "jazz map."
When it comes to dexterity, musicality and pure showmanship, no guitarist presents quite the performance excitement that Frank Vignola delivers. All About Jazz called his recent album “a finely crafted collection of some of the greatest classic(al) music melodies in existence, arranged by one of the most talented, earnest-and-enlightened guitarists in the business today.” He knows how to surround himself with partners who are equal to the task, so this concert will have Vinny Raniolo on a hard-driving second guitar and Gary Mazzaroppi on the bass. As one California presenter put it, “Yes, Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo are amazing guitarists with extraordinary technical skills, but what you should also know is that their music is fun!”
GEOFF GALLANTE
WHEN: Wednesday, August 5, 8 PM and run as one extended set until about 9:30 PM
WHERE: Ocean County College (OCC), Grunin Center is at the end of College Drive, just off County Road 549, known locally as Hooper Avenue. There is a HUGE parking area just across from the building. Ramp entry, elevator to the balcony.
TICKETS: $18 for Seniors, $22 for others. RESERVED SEATS too! Call their Box Office at (732) 255-0500 for information, credit card purchases (no fee) or driving directions, which are also available from their web site: www.ocean.edu.
Trumpeter Geoff Gallante is only 14, but his talent is middle aged. He’ll be bringing a small group of his own choosing, and is likely to play a bit of piano and sing as well as tooting the horn of his choice for each tune: trumpet, cornet or flugelhorn. Backing him are Jim DeSalvo (piano), Steve Varner (bass), Steve Johns (drums) and Behn Gillece (vibes), a truly full, veteran rhythm section. Geoff’s is among the most popular segments of the season here.
NICKI PARROTT
WHEN: Monday, August 17, 8 to 9:30 PM
WHERE: Bickford
TICKETS: $15 in advance, but $18 at the door. Tickets may be purchased via credit card over the phone by calling the box office at (973) 971-3706. The box office can also provide information, directions or a simple "jazz map."
Bassist and “chick singer” Nicki Parrott is putting together an all-star group for this date. Her theme is “Day In, Day Out,” a tribute to Doris Day. Pianist Rossano Sportiello and sax star Harry Allen are also on board, adding to the star power, so you should be reserving your seats now. Any one of them could be at the top of the bill.
THE SHANE GANG
WHEN: Monday, August 24, 8 to 9:30 PM
WHERE: Bickford
TICKETS: $15 in advance, but $18 at the door. Tickets may be purchased via credit card over the phone by calling the box office at (973) 971-3706. The box office can also provide information, directions or a simple "jazz map."
The Shane Gang Swings Again, with pianist Mark Shane headlining a stage filled with talent. He’s invited Dan Levinson (clarinet and sax), Matt Hoffmann (vibes), Jennifer Vincent (bass) and Kevin Dorn (drums) to play those foot-tapping favorites. There’s enough fine music in this crew to make the audience want more and more.
LOOKING FORWARD TO FALL
Wednesday, September 9 (Bickford) – Cornetist Warren Vaché has many talented friends, and he’ll be inviting a few of them to join him for this return date. “Vache, who always had a beautiful tone and a chance-taking style… gained early experience playing with Benny Goodman, Vic Dickenson, and Bob Wilber; and has been a leader since the mid-'70s,” writes Scott Yanow, typical of the great reviews he always gets.
Wednesday, September 16 (OCC) – When it comes to Big Bands, it is hard to beat the Jazz Lobsters. The size, variety and quality of its book are well known, and they manage to attract top players, including musicians who are leaders in other contexts. They’ve filled this room before, because they’ve filled the stage with musicians and singers who really care about their craft.
Monday, September 21 (Bickford) – Sarah Partridge comes to sing, backed by her own group. “Ms. Partridge belongs to a tradition of jazz singers who use hard rhythm as a kind of emotional armor,” says the New York Times. “Instead of exploring the interior worlds of her material, she sustains the image of a plucky, can-do gal and good sport who swings at a steady jogging pace.”
Monday, October 5 (Bickford) – They’re back! The Beacon Hill All Stars have brought smiles to Bickford audiences before, always drawing from their extensive stable of top local talent to present a program specifically tailored to each date. Come and see what they have prepared for this visit.
Wednesday, October 14 (OCC) – Guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli is New Jersey’s jazz icon, and when he plays for MidWeek Jazz, the seats quickly become scarce. He’ll be back with fellow guitarist Ed Laub doubtless at his side, demonstrating mastery of the seven string guitar that has made him a living legend. Reserve seats early.
Monday, October 19 (Bickford) – A new name in this series, but Rondi Charleston is known to her NYC area fan club. You’ll want to join up when you hear her sing, and the quartet behind her is impressive as well. Geoff Mirelowitz observes that “Charleston proves equally adept at all of it, weaving the disparate material into a memorable performance.”
Monday, November 2 (Bickford) – Morristown deserves a Sinatra Centennial Salute, and the Full Count Big Band is just the outfit to do it. Their book is filled with favorites associated with Ol’ Blue Eyes, and they have the singers and musicians to do it justice. This is their annual return visit, with a compelling theme to boot.
TUESDAY, November 10 (OCC) – Daryl Sherman does it all. She sings, of course, but also accompanies herself on piano with a skill level that gets her invited to play as a pure instrumentalist. She’s worked with Artie Shaw, but also Mel Lewis, Wycliffe Gordon, Scott Robinson and even Marian McPartland.
Monday, November 16 (Bickford) – Jazz fans wait all year for the Bickford Benefit Band Reunion because the stage is always filled with players and singers they want to hear, assembled for this date only, to raise a little money for the Bickford and its parent, the Morris Museum. This time they’ve invited (ladies first!) Bria Skonberg, Nicki Parrott, Molly Ryan, Rossano Sportiello, Dan Levinson, Joe Midiri, Jim Fryer and Paul Midiri to entertain. Special pricing though: $20 in advance, $25 at the door, if any seats are left (which have been few in the past). Very reasonable for a fundraiser.
WHERE TO FIND JAZZ
The Bickford Theatre/Morris Museum: On Columbia Turnpike/Road (County Road 510) at the corner of Normandy Heights Road, east of downtown Morristown. Near Interstate 287 and the Route 24 expressway. This is a 300-seat hall with generous parking on site. Wheelchair access. Weeknight concerts are one long set (8 to 9:30 PM). Tickets are generally $15 in advance, but $18 at the door. Tickets may be purchased via credit card over the phone by calling the box office at (973) 971-3706. The box office can also provide information, directions or a simple "jazz map."
New Jersey Jazz Society: Multi-band concerts and festivals are held at various locations several times each year. Information is available by calling (973) 879-6330. Tickets may be purchased at the gate (higher prices generally) or by mail with SASE. Checks payable to NJJS. Membership is inexpensive, and gets you significant event discounts plus the acclaimed Jersey Jazz monthly magazine. Membership information and ticket orders: www.njjs.org.
Ocean County College: Midweek Jazz concerts are held on Wednesday evenings (now back at their comfortable, newly refurbished Arts and Community Center). Concerts begin at 8 PM and run as one extended set until about 9:30 PM. Tickets are $18 for Seniors, $22 for others. RESERVED SEATS too! Call their Box Office at (732) 255-0500 for information, credit card purchases (no fee) or driving directions, which are also available from their web site: www.ocean.edu. The Grunin Center is at the end of College Drive, just off County Road 549, known locally as Hooper Avenue. There is a HUGE parking area just across from the building. Ramp entry, elevator to the balcony.
The American Rag, a monthly publication with "news you can use" about traditional jazz and ragtime, should be on your subscription list. Learn about it at www.theamericanrag.com. Nationwide festival news.
