The Best Jazz Club I've Never Been to

I grew up listening to Jazz in Cleveland, Ohio. I remember seeing several clubs in town, like The Jazz Temple, when I was too young to get in. As I got older, I left for college, and eventually moved out of town. But before I left, one club, the Nighttown opened in Cleveland Heights, near the campus of Case, Western Reserve University. Having made very few trips home in the last three decades, I have never found the opportunity check out this venue. My loss.

The Nighttown is a first class spot. Vogue Magazine had this to say about it, "The late night Cleveland crowds head to The Nighttown, a dimly lite Jazz bar, where everyone from Wynton Marsalis to The Count Basie Orchestra, has graced the stage. Also, for the ninth straight year, The Nighttown has been named one of the best Jazz clubs in the world by Downbeat Magazine.

So, this post is a plug for the best Jazz club in my home town, and I have recommended it before. That recommendation was to my brother a couple of years ago when I read somewhere that Jazz pianist, Amina Figorova, from Azerbaijan, would be performing at The Nighttown, for free. I was a fan of hers since my days as host of the Evening Jazz program at 90.7fm wncu in Durham, NC. I told my brother that if I were in Cleveland I go to see her even if it wasn't free. He and and my sister-in-law went and enjoyed it immensely.

If you plan to be in Cleveland during the holidays, check out The Nighttown. You might just see world percussionist Jamey Haddad, or sultry song stylist Vanessa Rubin, both are scheduled to be on the bill this month, and both are highly recommended

For more news on the Nighttown go to, http://home.ezezine.com/640_2/640_2-2012.12.23.14.45.archive.html  

Freddie Hubbard, Live at the East Town

I had been following the work of the great trumpeter, Freddie Hubbard, since the sixties. But, hadn't seen him live before his 70's date at the East Town Hotel in East Cleveland, Ohio. My college room-mate's father owned the East Town, and I was offered a free pass. As a broke, Jazz loving college student I jumped at the opportunity.

Of course, Freddie achieved popularity in 1970's through his association with CTI Records, particularly with his release of Red Clay. But, it was during the bebop, hard bop and post bop periods of Jazz that he was first recognized for his contribution to new perspectives in modern Jazz, playing with 'Trane, Ornette Coleman, and other greats.

But, this was the 70's and Miles Davis was setting the tone, not only in music, but also in appearance with a vast array of clothing styles. This was Miles's Bitches Brew, On The Corner period. Many young lions had worked with Miles, and later joined Freddie as Miles had moved on.

Hubbard won a Grammy in 1972 for his First Light release.

So, it was only at this point in time, early 70's, that I was able to see him. It was vintage stuff that night from Freddie, but I was very surprised to see him on stage dressed in a sparkling, bright silver jumpsuit, with matching platform-heeled boots, and "spaced out" sunglasses. I'll never forget that sight. Freddie had clearly taken a page from Miles's wardrobe inventory.

 RIP: Freddie Hubbard

Jazzin' it up in Seattle

While living in Seattle in early 90's, I found a city with an impressive Jazz history, and great live performances from some of best Jazz has to offer. The most popular club I found was Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, conveniently located in the Belltown section of downtown, and is still there. The Jazz Alley has been jammin' for more than 30 years, and is the third longest running dinner and music spot in America.

Dimitriou's Jazz Alley has an international reputation, and first class artists who would gig there on their west coast swing. I've seen Archie Shepp, Marian McPartland, Pharoah Sanders, and Seattle resident, vocalist Ernestine Anderson among others. The club itself is also the home of the Pacific Jazz Institute.  It has two levels and can seat about 400. Wherever I am, I've always tried to connect with the artists between sets, and the setting at the Jazz alley allows one to do that in the hallway leading to the restrooms. I've stood in that hallway and had conversations

Two Young Lions on the Move

I haven't caught either of them live, at least not yet. But, two young lions in Jazz have evolved in the past ten years, Pianist Robert Glasper, and trombonist Christian Scott, also known as Christian aTunde Ajuah.

I was introduced to the music of both artists while hosting the Evening Jazz Program at 90.7fm wncu. Robert Glasper had been working with several regulars in my playlist like Russel Malone, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, and others. Glasper, Downbeat Magazine's Readers' Choice for "Beyond Artist" and "Black Radio", refuses to be pinned down to any particular genre, drawing on

Travel through North Carolina with the best in mainstream Jazz

Jazz fans, if you're traveling by car anywhere near central North Carolina, you'll find the best in mainstream Jazz by tuning in to award winning 90.7fm, wncu.

Now, you could say that I'm biased. After all, I did spend almost a decade hosting the Evening Jazz Program at 90.7fm. But, I can tell you that it was not uncommon for folks driving through my neck of the woods to call the station, from their cell phones, and give high marks to our playlist. We also got good feedback for having live programs, with real people.

Certainly, there are many great Jazz stations out there. So, all I'm saying is check out 90.7fm, and see how it stacks up.

For more info go to: wncu.org

Jazz in the park, then and now

Gone, but not for forgotten

If  it was a summer, between the years 1968 and 1976, and you were in New York City, you may have attended one of the many music concerts at Wollman Skating Rink in Central Park. The concerts were sponsored by the Schaefer Beer people, and it was only a dollar to get in. I was in my early twenties.

At my first Schaefer Beer concert I saw Herbie Mann, whose musical journey had allowed him to blend the sounds of many different cultures. That said, at this particular concert some guy tried to give Herbie a hard time. The guy was in the front row, right below the stage, and as Herbie played this guy actually stood up and also played the flute, right in Herbie's face! Well, the great musician stopped playing, looked down at the guy and said, "...I can't play if you're going to". Within seconds, the NYPD was escorting the guy from the park. All turned out well.

Still free

There are still free Jazz concerts around the planet. One of the really good ones, if you

Pleasantly surprised at Chicago's Green Mill

Before leaving on a trip to Chicago a few years ago someone suggested I check out the Green Mill, North Side Chicago's historic Jazz hang. Looking forward to the experience in one of my favorite cities, I was glad to hear that Kurt Elling was artist in residence there.

Elling is a favorite of mine, and was a regular in my rotation when I was host of the Evening Jazz Program at 90.7fm, wncu in Durham, NC. A few of my listeners were quite critical of Elling, and told me they actually turned down the volume when I played his music. I reminded one listener that in 2006 the legendary Jazz vocalist, John Hendricks, was quoted as saying that