Cincy Jazz Talk

Bruce Menefield - shaping lives through music

2010-03-08T21:45:00.001-05:00

Bruce Menefield is more than an extraordinary Saxophonist - he's an ambassador for the enrichment of music education for our youth. He is the President and CEO of Omni Works Music, a non-profit organization that provides programs demonstrating the expression and creativity of Jazz music to young people. Bruce is a Humanitarian - pulling together some of the city's most talented musicians to hold the "Help them to Sing Again" benefit for the Haitian children displaced from the earthquake last January.

Bruce has played professionally for over 35 years, collaborating with some of the best artists in the industry, and performed in countless venues. Bruce operates on another stratosphere that extends beyond performing music. He navigates his abilities for enriching lives, guidance, and love. The community sees this, and is very grateful for his work. This is why Bruce Menefield is this month's Featured Artist.To learn more about Bruce Menefield, including scheduled shows, visit his website or his facebook page.

- jh

The Winter Blahs

2010-03-05T00:20:00.002-05:00

Shortly after the month of January, the "newness" of the new year wears thin. The bleak, cold, and overcast days of winter begins to take its toll on weary cabin-fevered people; as they dream of sunshine, warmth, and cargo shorts (and for me, my scooter). This is traditionally known as "The Stretch of Winter" - that time when everyone's tolerance, moods, and patience is put to the test. As we draw closer to that spring finish line, it actually appears further and further. Some of us have "vices" to get us by: The Superbowl, College basketball, Xbox, the list goes on.

The first two months of the year has already given us the one-two punch of frigid temperatures in January, and a major dumping of snow in February. But fret not, for it's now March, and the first day of spring is within our grasp. Very soon, clocks will move forward one hour, the Reds will begin training, we'll start filling our NCAA brackets, and colouring our easter eggs. To prepare, I recommend shaking off that cabin fever and step out of the house to see some of the many scheduled jazz events this month. It is only fitting that Mr. Larry Kinley starts us off with his quintet at the Fairfield Community Arts Center on March 5th.

And while my next statement to you may be premature, it is in fact imminent: Welcome to Spring; and Congratulations on surviving Winter.

- jh

(the aforementioned is the Editor's note in the Spring edition of the Inner Circle, the official newsletter of The Jazz Half).

The voice of Annie Sellick... soon to thaw out the Tri-State

2010-02-24T23:43:00.002-05:00

Nashville Jazz Vocalist Annie Sellick has it all figured out.

You can hear it in her voice, as it struts through tunes with the assurance of a flight pilot. You can also see it in her physical demeanor with the artwork of her past 4 CD's. On March 27th & 28th, the Queen City will see this confidence live at the Blue Wisp.

The level of self-assurance on Annie's 5th CD, "Street of Dreams" (Chalice Music) is no different, and this is proven as it continues to move up the Jazz Week and CMJ charts, (#36 & #14, respectively). Her vocal depth and experience is extraordinary, as she's worked with Bela Fleck, Joey DeFrancesco, and John DiMartino, among many others. Annie's had repeated performances in Jazz Festivals from Montreal, to Newport Beach, to Vail, and more.

Annie also conducts vocal workshops, helping others maximize their singing abilities and realize thetrue potential in their voices. Her students are very fortunate to have guidance from someone with such knowledge of the vocal art, as well as an extensive touring and performing background.

Annie Sellick will be in Cincinnati for two shows, March 27th & 28th; both at 8:30pm at the Blue Wisp, 318 East 8th Street, Cincinnat, OH 45202; phone 513-241-9477. Performing with Annie will be the trio of Rob Allgeyer on Piano, Elisa Pruitt on Bass, and Justin Varnes on Drums. Admission is $15.

We'll see more of the sun shining in late March, and on the 27th & 28th, there no better way to welcome it than with the bright voice of Annie Sellick.

To learn more about Ms. Sellick, visit http://www.anniesellick.com/.

- jh

Cincinnati Jazz responds to those in need in Haiti

2010-02-07T22:36:00.002-05:00

On January 12th, massive devastation occurred as a 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti’s capital Port Au Prince. Hundreds of thousands of lives were lost. Victims have become homeless and need medical care. Resources such as fresh water, food, and shelter have become close to non-existent. The risk of widespread disease increases with each passing day.

When a natural disaster occurs in any given place in the world (or any disaster for that matter), it’s more than just an issue for that country, it becomes a global issue – everyone on this planet is affected, and there’s a moral obligation to respond by any means, and in any capacity necessary.

In the wake of the Haiti devastation, the spirit of humanity has shined though. It continues to shine through. Doctors from the U.S. and other countries have flown there to assist in treating injured victims. More than 40 charities have collected more than a half a billion dollars in aid. Volunteers offer their time to rescue those caught under building structures, and facilitate incoming resources like food, water, clothing and more.

Natural disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti, the tsunami in India, and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans serve as resounding reminders that we, as humans, all exist on ONE LEVEL PLANE. Financial or socio-economic status means nothing when the survival of our species is in jeopardy. Many celebrities such as professional athletes, actors & actresses have leveraged their talents and means to contribute to the efforts of restoring Haiti and helping those in need.

Throughout the United States, this effort has reached the local level in many cities and towns. Cincinnati is among those cities with Jazz Saxophonist Bruce Menefield, President and Founder of Omni Works Music.

On Monday, January 15th, Omni Works Music presents “Help them to Sing Again”, a jazz jam fundraiser for the children of Haiti. This event features the best of Cincinnati Jazz, with Saxophonist Bruce Menefield, Global Jazz vocalist/percussionist Eugene Goss, Trumpeter Mike Wade, Marc Fields, and Ricardo Wilkins. This great lineup gets better, as The CCM Student Jazz Ensemble will also appear as special guests.

Come down to the Blue Wisp on Monday, February 15th. The show starts at 7:00pm, with a suggested donation of $10. The Blue Wisp is located at 318 East 8th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. Telephone 513-241-9477.

100% of the proceeds will benefit the Haitian Children, through the Bush-Clinton Foundation.

-jh

The playing style of Christian Howes - no strings attached

2010-02-05T19:23:00.001-05:00

The playing style of Christian Howes - no strings attached

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Jazz 101 - Arts & Literature in Jazz

2010-01-21T23:55:00.003-05:00

As jazz music evolved during the World War II years, writers and photographers began to embrace jazz as another method of artistic expression. On paper and film, the music appeared oblique and absolute. For people who were interested in jazz but not quite sure how to approach the music, pictures and writings were an encouraging introduction.

Gordon Parks and William Claxton were photographers who appreciated Jazz music so much, they found a way to express it through the lens. Gordon Parks has often acknowledged the influence of jazz on his life. As a Photojournalist for Time Magazine, he's captured iconic photos of Duke Ellington; and his edgy black-and-white photos of Clifford Brown and Ornette Coleman, among others have matched the grittiness of hard bop and free jazz.

William Claxton listened to big band, and in the 1950's, started shooting jazz musicians for album covers. Musicians felt relaxed when working with Claxton, allowing him to capture their inner emotions that now represents youthfulness, and the rebellious spirit of the music. Exhibitions of Claxton's work have been held in London, Paris, Tokyo, and Los Angeles.

Writers like Bill Moody and Geoff Dyer have offered perspective through words. Bill Moody presents a look into the life of Evan Horne, a fictional Jazz clarinetist in novels like "Solo Hand" and "Looking for Chet Baker".

Geoff Dyer is an award-winning writer whose authored a collection of stories called "But Beautiful: A Book About Jazz". The music of Art Pepper, Charles Mingus, Bud Powell, and Thelonious Monk was Goeff's inspiration behind these stories.

Many more photographers and writers have collaborated to produce magnificent picturebooks chronicling the history of jazz. Poets like Langston Hughes have also contributed their art to jazz music. The efforts of these artists interprepations of jazz has also resulted in scores of pricesless documentaries that can be found in public libraries across the country. Cheers!

- jh

Dana Hall's "Into the Light" - A CD Review

2010-01-20T23:04:00.002-05:00

After nearly 20-plus years playing as a sideman for musicians like Kenny Barron, Branford Marsalis, and many others, Dana Hall gets his just due with his debut CD, Into The Light, as a bandleader. Debut or not, Hall’s professional and masterful approach to the music is without question, and clearly evident with his jaw-dropping, all-star lineup of Terell Stafford (Trumpet), Tim Warfield, Jr. (Saxes), Bruce Barth (Piano) and Rodney Whitaker (Bass).

Cincinnati is very fortunate to be among the stopping places for Hall to celebrate the release of his CD. The Queen City is certainly in for a treat. Into The Light brings forth a spirited welcome to Hall as a bandleader on CD, but make no mistake – there is nothing “rookie” about this project. Six of the nine tunes are Dana Hall compositions. Into The Light journeys through flavours of Modern Jazz, Soulful Bop, and Rhythmic Swing. In an attempt to avoid “spoiling the surprise” for Jazz enthusiasts, five of the nine tracks are covered in this review. The rest you’ll just have to listen for yourself (ha-ha).

The CD opens with the Herbie Hancock tune, “I Have a Dream”. Dana and Bruce jumps in without haste, in a very moving tempo, which is maintained through Tim’s solo on Sax. The pace slows down for a few ticks as Terell enters his solo on Trumpet, but not a shred of intensity is lost. The “Call & Response” melody between Tim and Terell adds spice to this number. The same can be said with Rodney’s walking bass pattern through Bruce’s keyboard solo.

“Conversation Song” sounds as if it’s just that – a conversation. Tim & Terell exchange dialogue through melody and solos with a socially supportive rhythm section. “Orchids” is a modern and mystical tune that showcases Rodney’s masterful bass work as his solo moves through various ranges and tempos.

The Hall-composed title track “Into The Light” is the fingerprint of the entire CD - Intense, driving, and artistically explosive. Everyone lets loose on this number, while skillfully preserving the core. This keeps the listener engaged, as the core prevents them from becoming lost in the layers of the song. The creativity is really pronounced at the end, as every piece “returns to earth” for a contrasting, yet complimenting wrap.

The quintet closes with “Tin Soldier”, composed by Tim Warfield. This tune opens with a punch; as Dana runs a solo lead-in at the head that includes an exhibition of tom rolls of varying volumes. Tim’s soprano provides a lively head-nodding solo that seamlessly transitions to Terell’s trumpet. Halfway through, Bruce’s piano solo effortlessly pushes the rhythm, followed by Tim and Terell’s return to melody. The last 30 seconds is an all-out party, with playful and expressive banter amongst everyone. Wrapping up the tune in a cheerful, optimistic fashion.

The modern and straight-forward sound of Into The Light is a commanding presence, containing drive and purpose. The quintet is locked into the complexity of their ever-changing rhythm patterns; and Dana does an excellent job maintaining the intensity throughout.

This next comment is nothing more than speculation, but the “light” that Hall may be referring to in the CD name and title track might be that which is created by the energy that travels from the quintet’s instruments to our ears.

Congratulations go to Dana Hall and his Quintet. Mr. Hall's CD Release Party will be held at the Blue Wisp on Jan. 29th & 30th at 8:30pm. Admission is $20.

The Blue Wisp is located at 318 E. 8th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 513.241.9477. For more information, visit thebluewisp.com. Cheers!

- jh

A Celebration of Oscar Treadwell

2009-12-04T23:01:00.002-05:00

For many years, jazz radio show host and historian Oscar Treadwell provided insight on jazz and blues to Cincinnati and the world. “O.T.’s” smooth demeanor and fluid delivery of words resonated with all his listeners from his opening greeting to his memorable “Sweet Love” signoff. He not only gave us wonderful jazz & blues music from countless artists, he also educated us, and shared stories making us feel as if we were generously invited into his home for a cup of coffee.

In addition to his many listeners, Oscar was extremely recognized and respected by the musicians of the jazz community. In 1949, Charlie Parker recorded “An Oscar for Treadwell” with Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and Buddy Rich. The following year, fellow saxophonist Wardell Gray recorded “Treadin’ with Treadwell”. And several years later in 1955, “Oska T” was composed by Thelonious Monk.

For decades, O.T. has graced the airwaves of WNOP (1965), WGUC (1973 to 1995), and WVXU where he hosted “Jazz with O.T.” until retiring in 2001.

Oscar Treadwell passed away in April of 2006, and is still missed to this day. But his legacy lives on, and continues to grow. The Public Library of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati MacDowell Society, and the Blue Wisp have joined to give a very special gift to O.T.

On Friday December 18th, the Blue Wisp will host a CD Release Jazz with O.T./Christmas Party. The party starts at 5:00, and this is The Jazz Half "Event of the Month" for December. Oscar’s Radio Show catalog, available at the Main Library downtown, will receive a brand new cover design, along with a new CD index. This index will improve the ability to access information on the 170-plus musicians he’s featured on his show. A new CD will be released as well - Remembering O.T.: A Celebration of Oscar Treadwell will premier the same day. Produced by The Cincinnati MacDowell Society, this CD will only be available at the Public Library.

Also mark your calendar for Friday, December 12, where a preview of the new CD design will be unveiled on the first floor of the Main Library at noon. Cheers!

- jh

Siriusly Miles

2009-11-21T21:06:00.002-05:00

Miles Davis is widely recognized as one of the most innovative and prolific figures in the 20th Century. Extending far beyond the reaches of the already unconventional genre of Jazz, he has boldly pioneered paths, deepening the true essence of the music. Over decades, his music has journeyed through bop, fusion, techno, and many others, all while maintaining the core jazz element. In the countless ensembles he's lead, he is credited for the early careers of many other Jazz icons including Herbie Hancock, Cannonball Adderley, Chick Corea, Jerry Mulligan, John Coltrane, and the list goes on. Ask any Jazz enthusiast and most likely they'll all have "Birth of the Cool", or "Kind of Blue" or "Bitches Brew" within their collection.

Learning the trumpet at 13 then playing professionally (while still attending school) at 16, Miles was equally talented on the flugelhorn, piano, and organ.

If you are one of the many who listen to satellite radio, these facts and more are shared on a 6-day exclusive called "Miles Davis Radio". This will be aired on SiriusXM Channel #72 (the original "Real Jazz" channel) from 3:00pm EST November 20th through November 25th. Hosted by Miles' son Erin Davis, his nephew, drummer Vince Wilburn Jr. and bassist Marcus Miller, hear music from his extensive catalog, along with interviews from former band members and some of the most accomplished and respected figures in the industry. There is a clip from Miles 1989 interview on 60 Minutes, and listen to the premiere of the never before heard recording of his soundtrack for the 1986 film Wise Guys.

Set your Sirius receiver dial to channel 72 and learn about the legend. Hear his music, and the many invaluable stories as told by his colleagues. For more information, visit sirius.com/realjazz . Cheers!

- jh

Jazz and mobile technology

2009-11-15T22:00:00.003-05:00

Jazz Tenor great Sonny Rollins has an application for the iPhone that allows you to watch video performances, listen to his music, check his performance schedule, and even purchase tickets. Furthermore, with a simple tap of the ‘Buy’ button, you can purchase and download his music directly from the iTunes store.

Think about that: An American classic and original art form, converging with modern mobile technology. Even better, this mobile technology happens to be the most popular and widely used platform on the planet.

The brilliance of iPods, iPhones, and iTunes is how its embraced by people across generations. Obviously, the younger crowd is always up on the hippest, hottest things with clothes, music, and technology. But with the simplicity of how everything that is ‘i’ works, the element of intimidation is minimized, encouraging older demographics to invest in the easy-to-learn gadgetry.

Another thing to think about: The opportunity for broadening the audience of jazz enthusiasts WORLDWIDE. This really spikes the musician’s sales potential. There are over 35 million iPhone users in the world - how’s that for a customer base?

The point? While traditional methods of promoting music (especially jazz) is proven and still practiced, its high time we embrace and leverage technology to supplement, but not replace our current methods. This requires having an open mind to new things, and a little reading, but it does not require programming, or learning how to program; which is a good thing for us non-coders.

And while Sonny Rollins has opened his mind to technology (and significantly increased his already wide visibility), waving the jazz flag is not restricted to the musicians alone. Jazz enthusiasts have the same opportunity to spread the word. So what do you say? Are you ready to wave the flag?

Cheers!

The Free Sonny Rollins iPhone App can be downloaded at
http://www.tinyurl.com/sonnyrollinsapp

B.J. Jansen & Frank Stagnitta - CD Review

2009-11-12T23:31:00.002-05:00

Baritone Saxophonist B.J. Jansen recently released “Syracuse Connection” in early November. In this 4th album, B.J. is back with Pianist Frank Stagnitta, offering original compositions on a total of 5 out of 7 tracks (B.J. with 4, and Frank with 1, respectively). Born and raised in Cincinnati, and now living in New York City, Jansen’s talents extend beyond Musician. He’s the founder of the Jazz Development Group, a non-profit organization that offers free clinics on Jazz education to school-age children. He’s the host of his own radio show, “The Jazz Life”, and a number of other noble endeavours.

"Syracuse Connection" comes highly recommended for any jazz enthusiast's collection. To continue reading the CD review, visit the Jazz Half's Examiner Article. For more information on B.J. Jansen, visit his website at http://www.bjjansen.com/. Enjoy!

- jh

The CEA Awards - Cincinnati's appreciation to tri-state musicians

2009-10-31T21:47:00.003-04:00

Cincinnati has an impressive number of bands and groups, covering many genres, that perform all over the tri-state. In addition to bars and restaurants who feature live music, there are various events that take place providing musicians with more opportunity to increase their visibility and notoriety. Such events include Oktoberfest, MidPoint Music Festival, and The World Music Fest, to name a few.

Consider a day in the life of a musician or band: Trying to coordinate schedules with all the other members to nail down a consistent practice time. Finding a "loud-volume-friendly" place to practice (don't dare call it "noise"). Contacting venue owners and managers to secure gigs. And there's a lot more than this; not even mentioning (in some cases) supporting a family, and holding down a steady day job to keep the heat on. In most cases, the budgets for bands are low, so groups mostly rely on self-sufficiency when it comes to PR, marketing, and booking.

There is a love for the music, and how its received by the community that is a driving force in the efforts of a Musician. From the sound of the crowd when the first chord is played of a popular song, to them yelling for an encore after the last tune, the energy from the show reasonates within the mind of a Musician, thus continuing the love affair between band and audience.

Musicians and vocalists of all genres deserve to be recognized for their efforts. Their level of talent and expression of their art is too significant to oversee. Fortunately, Cincinnati has such a forum for this recognition: The Cincinnati Entertainment Awards (The CEA's).

In its 13th year, this year consists of 104 nominees, across 19 categories. Cincinnati publication CityBeat seeks input from Music Writers, promoters, venue owners, and more to compile a list of nominees. The awards include the best in various genres, as well as 'Artist of the Year', 'Album of the Year', and 'New Artist of the Year'.

The Jazz Half hones in on the Jazz category, observing a very worthy list of nominees including:

- The Wade Baker Jazz Collaboration

- Dan Faehnle- The Faux Frenchmen

- Dan Karlsberg

- The Northside Jazz Ensemble

Click here to place your vote for every category. But hurry, the voting deadline is Monday, Nov. 9th. The awards ceremony will be held Sunday, Nov. 22nd at the Madison Theater. For more information on the CEA's, visit citybeat.com. Cheers!

The Examiner

2009-10-31T21:35:00.002-04:00

In keeping with the Jazz Half's mission of broadening the presence of Jazz music in Cincinnati, I have recently joined a team of writers for The Examiner, a local insider publication source. I will be writing 3 to 5 articles each week covering various stories surrounding Jazz in the Queen City.

The Examiner is a division of the Clarity Media Group, and covers thousands of topics across hundreds of cities and towns throughout North America.

When you have a moment, please visit my Examiner article page - http://www.examiner.com/x-27554-Cincinnati-Jazz-Scene-Examiner . Mind you, there are only a few articles at this point (and soon to be more), but if you like what you read, please subscribe to my page by clicking the "Subscribe to Email" link then enter your email address. You will receive an alert whenever I publish a new article.

Last (and importantly), please spread the word - tell ALL your friends about the Jazz Half Examiner article page. Share the link, and let's work together to keep the community informed with Jazz news in Cincinnati!

Cheers!

The Wade Baker Jazz Collaboration CD Review

2009-10-31T21:13:00.003-04:00

Dynamic Trumpeter Wade Baker is a "Man about Town" - tearing through the Cincinnati Jazz scene like a double-time, 16-bar solo. He's holding down steady performances all over the city, from The Redmoor in Mt. Lookout, to The Cincy Grill in Greenhills, to Mr. Pitiful's downtown and more.

On October 17th, Wade Baker officially released his first CD from the group of his namesake, The Wade Baker Jazz Collaboration. The CD was recorded live at The Redmoor, and showcases the work of Wade on Trumpet, Ben Walkenhauer on Tenor, Brandon Meeks on Bass, Andrew Tooms on Piano, and Anthony “T” Lee on Drums. The CD predominantly consists of Wade’s original compositions. The craft and sequence of the tunes meticulously demonstrate the capabilities of every musician.

The review on Wade's debut CD was written by the Jazz Half in The Examiner. Click here to read the review. Cheers!

- jh

The Jazz Half introduces Video Promos!

2009-09-30T23:32:00.002-04:00

Okay, I know you're asking "What is a Video Promo"?

Well, up 'til now, you've heard about Jazz events in Cincinnati by way of show reviews, the event calendar, the blog, and newsletter. With Video Promos, you can now SEE a live event!! Each video will spotlight a venue and the musicians, and offer a glimpse into the world of exciting live jazz shows that are taking place every night around the city!

WCJSVideo is the official YouTube Channel of The Jazz Half. Check out the latest video above, featuring Mandy Gaines and her Dream Band at the Fifth-Third "It's Commonly Jazz" series.

For more Jazz Half videos, visit http://www.youtube.com/WCJSVideo

Cheers!

- jh

The other side of the interview desk

2009-09-30T23:11:00.003-04:00

Great news!

In August, The Jazz Half was interviewed by "The Jazz Life", a New York City-based radio show hosted by Baritone Saxophonist B.J. Jansen. Click here to have a listen!

Cheers!

- jh

The Doctor is in!

2009-09-30T21:59:00.003-04:00

Cincinnati Event Promoter Walter Broadnax is the President & CEO of Doc B Productions. Since 1999. He has presented live jazz events to the midwest featuring Regional, National, and International musicians. Mr. Broadnax works very hard to maintain a steady calendar of events at two of the most increasingly well-known venues: The Redmoor (in Mt. Lookout), and the Cincinnati Grill (in Greenhills). The audience continues to grow in both venues with each passing week; with performances by outstanding musicians like Bruce Menefield, Mike Wade, Randy Villars, Mark Lomax, and vocalists April Aloisio, Pamela Mallory, and Mandy Gaines.

Save the date of October 8th. On this evening, the distinct drumming style of Winard Harper and his sextet comes to The Redmoor for a wonderful night of live jazz. The show starts at 7:30, with an admission of $12.

To learn more about Doc B Productions, visit Walter's website at www.jazzincincy.com

Cheers!

- jh

Baseball & Latin Jazz

2009-08-17T22:11:00.002-04:00

Happy August, everyone!

For me, my days are usually filled with completing at least two dozen different activities. Yesterday was Sunday, and this particular Sunday, I’ve only done two. It may sound as if I was a lazy bum (I really should have finished my yardwork), but if I was ever limited to doing only 2 things in a day, I wouldn’t choose any other tandem. The first half of the day, I took in a Reds game from the comfort of my companies’ posh clubroom suite (I’m still in shock with my luck over this). Then it was home for a brief intermission: eat, freshen up, etc… then back downtown to the Blue Wisp for the Play it Forward event. Play it Forward hosts events with various groups on the 3rd Sunday of every month. They're a non-profit organization with the mission of supporting local musicians and to help foster a strong music community in the Greater Cincinnati Area.

The Latin Jazz Group, Canela, started the evening off and I must say their energy was felt throughout the entire club. Canela is the subset group of members from Poco Loco, the very popular Cincinnati Latin Jazz Band. Led by Cesear Venegas & Liz Wu, Canela opened with the appropriate “Summertime”, and offered their own latin flavours of Afro Blue and Equinox. The tune that resonated with me was their closing performance of Santana’s “Oye Como Va” – talk about energy!

Cincinnati-Area Musicians and groups are graciously donating their time and effort to perform for a very good cause. I recommend we all follow their example and attend a PIF event to help all musicians in their time of need. Visit the Jazz Half Calendar or the Play it Forward website for upcoming dates and performances. Have a great week!

Cheers!

- jh

A Newport Arts & Jazz Fest Concern

2009-07-10T22:12:00.002-04:00

Happy Friday everyone!

Earlier this week, I read in the Cincinnati Enquirer that the Newport Arts & Jazz Festival will be cancelled due to declining crowds and artist participation. This festival is usually held over a weekend during the summer, and has been organized by the city of Newport for the past 13 years. Newport officials & business owners are hoping to put together a one-day arts festival in the fall.

I have to say that I have mixed thoughts about this. Don't get me wrong, I'm all in favour of an Arts Festival ANY part of the year. But I'm concerned about the possibility of our Jazz Musicians not having the opportunity to perform at this fall event (with sincere hopes that its successfully launched). Maybe I take things too literally, but the article says (without revealing too much) that the Newport Arts & JAZZ Festival will be cancelled this summer, but city officials are working to organize a one-day ARTS festival this fall. "Jazz" is not mentioned in the fall event. With the preface of "There's no such thing as a stupid question", I think I'm going to send an email to Newport Mayor Jerry Peluso, simply asking if the officials plan to include Jazz musicians in this one-day fall event.

Take a look at the article - here's the link: http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20090707/NEWS0103/907080337/

After reading this, feel free to chime in on this blog. What are your thoughts on the cancelling of this festival? Do you think the city of Newport will be successful in organizing one in the fall? Do you think Jazz musicians will be included in this festival? I certainly hope so!

While typing the last few lines I've decided to email Jerry Peluso with this simple question. I'll be sure to update everyone on his response as soon as I get it. Have a great weekend - cheers!

- jh

Supporting Jazz in Louisville

2009-06-30T23:37:00.002-04:00

Happy end of June everyone!

While the focus on The Jazz Half encompasses Cincinnati-area jazz, its important to know that its not uncommon for Cincinnati Musicians to perform gigs in places like Louisville, Dayton, or Columbus. Conversely, Musicians from these areas are known to perform here in Cincinnati.

Knowing this, its easily understood that Jazz music really needs to thrive on a regional scale. On March 29th, 2008, the Louisville-based Jazz Factory hosted their final show before closing its doors. The Jazz Factory had a good 5-year run, hosting regional, national, and international Jazz Artists.

This is unfortunate, but significant efforts are being made to keep jazz going in Louisville. Saxophonist Ron Jones has been instrumental (no pun intended) in spreading the word about his shows. His Duo, along with Sonny Stephens on Bass, have been playing at Bourbon's Bistro on Sunday nights from 7-9pm. Their next show is Sunday July 5th. And starting earlier that day, Ron & Sonny will perform at Brendan's Restaurant from 11am-2pm for brunch. Starting July 5th, they'll play at Brendan's on the first Sunday of every month.

Ron's quartet will be on hand for a free concert at the Turtle Run Winery on Sunday, July 12th from 1:30 to 5:30pm. Ron is keeping busy with all his shows in Louisville. He's working hard to keep the music going and I want to help pass the word along.

Cincinnati/Dayton Residents: If you have relatives or friends who live in Louisville, encourage them to go see Ron at Boubon's or Brendan's. Or perhaps take a short overnight trip to catch a show and dinner. Let's help support our neighboring cities and their Jazz performances. To learn more about Ron Jones, visit his website. For phone number, directions, and a menu for Bourbon's Bistro, click here.

Louisville: A good getaway, without going far away for some Ron Jones Jazz! Cheers!

- jh

Brent, Wings, & Rings

2009-06-27T00:51:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone!

As the summer heats up, the Brent Gallaher Trio is making things even hotter with a string of performances at Buffalo Wings & Rings in Tri-County. Stop by BWR on Sunday evenings from 7pm to 10pm for a cold drink, hot wings, and hot jazz.

Visit www.bwrtricounty.com for directions to Buffalo Wings @ Rings, and their full menu.

To learn more about Brent Gallaher, visit his website at http://www.brentgallaher.com/ and don't forget to become a member on his network!

Hope to see you there - cheers!

- jh

Coming to a venue near you... it's SDSJ!

2009-06-21T23:23:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone, and welcome to the first day of June.

Keep your eyes peeled for a VERY talented young Jazz Trio beginning to play throughout the Queen City. The group is SDSJ, and consists of Ian McCullough on Keys, Kyle Smith on Bass, and Megan Lindle on Vocals. Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hearing SDSJ at a very special event. The group performed numbers such as "Sugar", "All the Things You Are" and more. The Alto of Megan's voice seamlessly gels with Kyle & Ian's accompaniment. All three musicians performed together in the Xavier University Jazz Ensemble under the Director of Jazz Studies, Mr. John DeFoor.

I was fortunate to sit down for a chat with Ian & Kyle to learn a little more about the group. Click here to listen to my Exclusive Interview with SDSJ.

The Jazz Half will continue to follow this Trio closely. For more information on SDSJ, including upcoming dates, keep visiting The Jazz Half's Event Calendar. Cheers!

- jh

2 New interviews on "The Half"

2009-05-31T22:23:00.002-04:00

Good Sunday Evening to everyone,

I hope you have enjoyed your weekend. Just wanted to drop a line letting everyone know this week, the summer edition of "The Inner Circle" newsletter will be released to those who have subscribed to receive it from The Jazz Half. If you haven't subcribed, but interested in receiving this FREE newsletter, simply send an email to thejazzhalf@gmail.com . Make sure to include your full name and email address in the body of your message. This information is for the sole purpose of sending the free newsletter. The Jazz Half DOES NOT solicit email addresses to ANY OTHER organizations or groups.

While waiting for the newsletter, feel free to drop into "The Half" and listen to the 2 most recent exclusive interviews - one with the hip, dynamic Trumpter Wade Baker, and the other with a sensational musician & educator, Russel Blake - a magnificent bassist from Los Angeles.

Click here to listen to my chat with Wade Baker, and learn what he wanted to play before the Trumpet.

Click here for the Russel Blake interview, and learn how his musicianship runs in the family.

And stay tuned for The Inner Circle newsletter! Cheers!

- jh

LOVE this time of year!

2009-05-22T23:53:00.002-04:00

Hey, its me again...

Just as the title of this post indicates, I love this time of year - Memorial Day Weekend! I love it for a number of reasons. First off, at my place of work, this is the first off-day holiday we'll have since New Year's Day - that's one helluva stretch! We don't get MLK or President's Day off. And keeping in the spirit of my annual tradition, I have taken the Friday off prior to the big weekend. And I must say this day off was used quite productively; as I have some BIG Jazz Half updates coming soon!

But as I was saying, I love this weekend for lots of reasons. As for the weather, we're out of the bitter cold and still have a short while before the miserable humidity. St. Ann's Festival is every Memorial Day weekend - Kicking off the Church festival season (I LOVE Church Festivals - BIG SIX! All bets down, no more bets!). The Taste of Cincinnati is held downtown this time of year as well. Hundreds of restaurants around the city set up booths showcasing some of their featured menu items in sample sizes. Beer booths in every direction you turn and of course, 6 stages featuring some great music ranging from R&B, to Rock, to Indie, Country, and Jazz.

Hey, speaking of Jazz, if you're downtown in the early evening of Saturday the 23rd, grab a couple cheese coneys or a gyro, a beer, and stroll over to the Blues & Jazz stage to catch the incomparable Wade Baker and his group. They will be performing from 6 to 8pm and everyone whose anyone will be there (including me, courtesy of my scooter. I'll be the one eating the pulled pork sandwich with barbecue sauce on my shirt). Hope to see you down there! Cheers, and have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend!

- jh

In Honour of Louie...

2009-05-14T00:35:00.004-04:00

Hello Everyone,

I certainly hope everyone is enjoying the month. The jazz world recently lost a dear friend and Pioneer to the music. On February 14th of this year, legendary drummer Louie Bellson passed away at the age of 84.

Born in Rock Falls, Illinois in 1924, he's played the drums since the age of three. By the time he was 17, he beat out over 40,000 drummers to win the Gene Krupa Contest. Louie served in the U.S. Army Band and over the years played with Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey, Lionel Hampton, and countless others. He is well known for his work with Duke Ellington for which he wrote "Skin Deep".

Louie has been the leader of his Orchestra for over 40 years, and has given back to the music 1,000 times over by way of holding drum clinics at High Schools & Colleges. He has earned dozens of accolades, including the prestigious American Jazz Masters Award by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Musicians and Jazz Studies Students alike are more enriched by the efforts of Louie Bellson - whether directly or indirectly. The Jazz Community is profoundly grateful for Louie's music, creativity, teachings, and overall efforts.

For more information on Louie Bellson, please visit http://www.louiebellson.info/home.html

Cheers!

- jh