EDMONTON JAZZ SOCIETY 11 TOMMY BANKS WAY - Yardbird Suite

Volume 24, Issue 3 – May /June 2006®• Jerrold Dubyk with the nuSteps Trio• Canada/Poland Jazz Quartet• Bomba Trio with P.J.Perry• The Dave Babcock Group• Rhonda Withnell CD Release• Jan Jarczyk Group featuring Kent Sangster• Texas Johnny Brown - Yardbird Suite BluesPublication Mail # 40047729Rhonda Withnell with Don Bradshaw play the Yardbird Suite on May 20 whenRhonda releases her new CD If I Ruled the World. See page 5 for more details.EDMONTON JAZZ SOCIETY11 TOMMY BANKS WAY(Corner of 102 St & 86 Ave)EDMONTON AB T6E 2M2

membershipYour Edmonton Jazz Society Membership supports a variety ofactivities and ensures that the best of live jazz will continue tohave a home in our city.Membership Options (check one):❒ Gold Card $200 tax receipt & free admission for one year ........$450.00❒ Silver Card free admission for one year ....................................$250.00❒ Regular ..........................................................................................$40.00❒ Student or Senior ..........................................................................$25.00Prices include GSTMake cheques payable and mail to:Edmonton Jazz Society, 11 Tommy Banks Way, Edmonton AB T6E 2M2Name ______________________________________________________________Address ____________________________________________________________City ________________________________________________________________Postal Code_____________________Phone ______________________________Email Address _______________________________________________________Purchase Date_______________________________________________________Amount paid for membership _____$___________________________________Amount of tax deductible donation $___________________________________Total amount enclosed ___________$___________________________________Bringing the best in live jazz to Edmonton since 19739 p.m. - MidnightEVERY TUESDAY!May 2Jim BrenanMay 9Jim Head TrioMay 16Jamie CooperMay 23Dan SkakunMay 30Marty MajorowiczEdmonton Jazz Society (1973)11 Tommy Banks Way(corner of 102 Street & 86 Avenue)Edmonton, Alberta T6E 2M2Phone: (780) 432-0428Fax: (780) 433-3773Board of Directors for 2005-2006:President: Jasiek PoznanskiVice-President: Adrian AlbertTreasurer: Norma DavisSecretary: Shelley ChebryDirectors: Dave Babcock,Craig Magill, Pam Josey, Allan StoskiMemberships: Pam Josey,Colette SlevinskyLittlebirds Music Director: Joel GrayYardbird Suite Jazz is a registeredtrademark of the Edmonton JazzSociety (1973).Canadian Publication MailProduct Sales Agreement# 40047729Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:EDMONTON JAZZ SOCIETY11 TOMMY BANKS WAYEDMONTON AB T6E 2M2Programming: Adrian Albert, Julie King,Craig Magill, Jasiek Poznanski, Bruce StovelProduction: Jasiek PoznanskiHouse Managers and Volunteer Co-ordinators:Pam Josey, Colette SlevinskyOffice: Norma DavisTransportation: Alan SpencePress Releases: Paul WildeJam Sessions: Don Berner, John NewtonYardbird Suite Newsletter is published fivetimes per year by the Edmonton JazzSociety (1973)Newsletter Editor: Jasiek PoznanskiContributing Writers: Lane Arndt,Bruce StovelAdvertising: Shelley ChebryGraphic Design: Kim Deley, Critical PathMarketing CommunicationsDistribution: Monique Bielech,Shelley Chebry, Bill HarperPrinted by: Nisku Printers (1980) Ltd.www.yardbirdsuite.comHosted by a different professional band every week.Host set from 9-10 p.m. with amateurs &professionals sitting in after 10 p.m.Only $3 admission (applies to all members,guests and musicians)COME LISTEN OR SIT IN!Doors: 8pm • Show: 9pm

jerrold•dubykwith the nuSteps TrioEdmontonfrom saxophonist,Edmontoncomposer andpedagogueJerrold Dubyk waspraised by jazz masterStanley Cowell as 'one of thebest saxophonists to comethrough our program inseveral years of my tenure.'Jerrold has been pursuingmusic with a newly acquireddetermination and it is thispursuit that led him to NewJersey/New York where hecompleted his Mastersdegree in Jazz Studies atRutgers University. He hashad the privilegedopportunity to study withand perform alongside of hismentor, saxophonist RalphBowen of the 80s hard-bopJerrold Dubyk - saxStuart Crosley - guitarsuper group OTB as well aslegendary drummer VictorLewis, pianist StanleyCowell, Vic Juris, jazzGrammy nominatedtrombonist Conrad Herwigand many otherdistinguished jazz musiciansin the New Jersey/New Yorkarea. He has been featuredas a soloist during the‘Rutgers in New York’ seriesat the Blue Note Jazz Club inNew York City.Jerrold strives for thehigh melodic ideals of tenorgiants such as Sonny Rollinsand Joe Henderson,saxophonists who put a wellplacednote ahead of a sheetof sound.Looking beyond hisimmersed time on the eastJohn Taylor - bassGord Graber - drumscoast, he is focused ontouring, recording his ownmusic and expanding hissideman activities. Appearingwith Jerrold at the YardbirdSuite is the nuSteps Triofeaturing John Taylor onbass, Stu Crosley on guitarand the quintessential quietstorm of the drumset, GordGraber. This trio exhibits adepth of compositional andimprovisational skill on theirrecent CD 'Get the Groove'.This quartet looksforward to presentinglisteners with an evening oforiginal compositionsexpressed through aundeniably modernisticapproach when they take thestage at the Yardbird Suite.FRIDAY • MAY 5DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $8/GUESTS $12canada•poland•jazz•quartetfromCalgary/PolandCanada/PolandQuartet, featuressome of the topjazz musicians fromPoland. This groupcompleted a tour of Poland inSeptember 2005 with ravereviews and will now betouring and performing inCanada for the first time. Themusic will featurecontemporary compositionsfrom the band showcasingthe lyricism of Sikala andGrzywacz, and the rhythmicalforce of Lemanczyk andHornby.Maciej Sikala has had astellar career winningnumerous awards as thebest saxophonist in Polandand recording over 40 albumsincluding two with LesterBowie. Piotr Lemanczyk hasperformed with many artistsacross Europe, and recentlyreleased his first solo jazzCD. Maciek Grzywacz, one ofPoland's most versatileguitarists and anaccomplished composer,comes to Canada after justrecently performing withmodern jazz-fusion bassistAvishai Cohen.Tyler Hornby rounds outthe quartet and has recentlyreleased his first solo disc'Shadows of a Brighter Day'.A welcome opportunity tosee a few of Poland's topjazz musicians!SATURDAY • MAY 6DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $12/GUESTS $16Maciej Sikala - tenor saxMaciej Grzywacz - guitarPiotr Lemanczyk - bassTyler Hornby - drumsMAY • JUNE 2006 • www.yardbirdsuite.com• 3

omba•trio with PJ PerryfromEdmontonEvery night at the Yardbird Suiteis a special night, but this one couldoutshine most as the lilting yetpowerful energy of the Bomba! LatinJazz Trio joins forces to support andinspire the sounds from the horn of our veryown P.J. Perry. This is an instance of certifiablelegend-meets-burgeoning-legendon a nightthat will feel the fire of Central Americamingling with the intensity of Bebop from theglory years of Jazz.Three artists of contrasting cultural andmusical backgrounds form the core ofEdmonton's Latin/World group Bomba!,drummer Mario Allende from Chile, bassistRubim de Toledo from Brazil, and keyboardistChris Andrew from Canada. Together they formThe Bomba! Latin Jazz Trio. Marking the adventof a new generation of musicians, thesegentlemen are well schooled in traditional Latinforms from timba to rumba, to son, salsa,songo, not to mention North American funkand jazz.The instrumental Latin jazz music the Trioplays is emotional, rich, and sensual. As withany incarnation of the larger ensemble ofBomba! the various and diverserhythms are embraced andperformed with the assurance,communal joy, virtuosity and spiritlong characteristic of Chris, Marioand Rubim.Not to mention the excitingpresence of Edmonton's own altosaxophone legend P.J. Perry. P.J. ishigh atop the wake of renewedrecording vigor and internationalacclaim that sees high praise goingto everything he does. From hisnewest CD, 'Time Flies', to theHammond B3 inspired celebrationsof his sets and recordings withorgan virtuoso Doug Riley, to hisinfiltration of Rob McConnell'sTentet band and his own releasesgarnering Juno nods andnominations, it seems like theseare the days to be P.J. Perry.FRI & SAT • MAY 13 & 14DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $14/GUESTS $18P.J. Perry - saxChris Andrew - pianoRubim De Toledo - bassMario Allende - drumsthe•dave•babcock•groupfromEdmontonEdmonton saxophonistDave Babcock, together withsome†old friends, returns toThe Yardbird Suite stage forwhat should be a memorablenight of music. Joining Dave on guitar isformer Edmontonian and currentMontrealer, Jim Head, who continues toamaze with his highly personal guitarstyle. Also making their presence felt inthis five-piece setting†are the brilliantpianist Chris Andrew, masterful bassistMike Lent and energetic Canadian IndieAward 'Jazz Artist of the Year', drummerSandro Dominelli.One of Edmonton's premierreedmen, Dave has long been active inthe Western Canadian†music scene andbrings a wealth of experience to thestage as a bandleader and sideman. He'sled†the ARIA Award winning 'JumpOrchestra' and has performed andrecorded with the likes of Long JohnBaldry, Solomon Burke, Amos Garrett,Big Jay McShann and Duke Robillard.With the release of his solo debut'Happenstance' in 2004, Dave hasreached a†new level of artistic maturityand continues to explore fresh directionsin his music. Tracks from 'Happenstance'and from his group 'Audioluxe' havebeen receiving significant airplay onEdmonton's newest radio station, Magic99. Dave has also been busy in therecording studio, working with Chris,Mike and Sandro on other group projectsthat youíll be hearing from in the not toodistant future.On May 19, you can expect to hearsome†great original grooves drawn fromDave’s soulful blend of jazz and blues aswell as a few other surprises.FRIDAY • MAY 19DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $8/GUESTS $12Dave Babcock - saxChris Andrew - pianoJim Head - guitarMike Lent - bassSandro Dominelli - drums4 • www.yardbirdsuite.com • MAY • JUNE 2006

honda•withnell CD Release EventfromEdmontonRhonda Withnell is a nameyou know you've heard,though from where or whenyou might not exactly recallbecause it doesn't seempossible that the chanteuse youheard at the Winspear Centre with theTommy Banks Orchestra could be the samevoice as the smoke-hued singer leading aband of ne'er-do-wells at the local blues bar.But it is. It is a voice that you wouldremember if you were brave enough toattend TINFest, put on by Edmonton's FreeImprov community every summer. And it isalso a voice that you hear live and on the radiowith naught but an acoustic bass, played byDon Bradshaw, recorded and released in 2005as "Once Was". Rhonda is also responsiblefor leading the next generation of vocal talentas a private teacher and as an instructor forthe Grant MacEwan music program.Inspired by the great voices of modernmusic, singers like Shirley Horn, Sheila Jordanand Mercedes Sosa, Rhonda is open tonewer sounds and counts Canada's indiedarling Leslie Feist as a current favourite. Allthis diversity adds up to a singer who can andwill do more than you might expect.Ms. Withnell's freshly completed quintetalbum, "If I Ruled the World" is a uniquelywonderful group consisting of piano,accordian/melodica, trumpet, and guitar.Rhonda's primary musical compatriot bassistDon Bradshaw has finally been receiving theattention he deserves as a virtuoso on themost unforgiving of all instruments. Don isRhonda's other half on the aforementionedduo disc which exposes the generous talentheld in reserve by these two musicians.Listeners at the Yardbird Suite can expectto hear some not-so-standards alongsidesome Spanish and world-tinged tunestogether with a re-worked pop-tune or twothrown in for good measure. This is a nightthat will be as entertaining as it will bemusically rewarding.SATURDAY • MAY 20DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $8/GUESTS $12Rhonda Withnell - vocalsAnder Glover - pianoDon Bradshaw - bassDan Skakun - drumsjan•jarczyk•group featuring Kent SangsterfromEdmonton/MontrealThe Yardbird Suite pullsno punches for its final jazzshow of the 2005-2006season. This event is abang-up affair withEdmonton's own Kent Sangsterpreparing the runway for the arrival of aheavy-hitting piano trio from Montreal, theJan Jarczyk Trio featuring Alex Walkingtonon bass and Dave Laing on the drumset.Kent Sangster has been a perennialfavourite on the Alberta scene for years asa performer and a pedagogue. He hasbeen putting out consistently great projectsincluding a couple of high-quality recordingsmade with some of the greatest musiciansin the history of Jazz music, with MickGoodrick and Dave Leibman coming easilyto mind. Kent has also been shaping thefuture of Jazz performances in Canada withhis duties as a faculty member at GrantMacEwan Music program. Sangster has atone on his horn that suggest wine andsmoke, eschewing the acrid screech ofthat other way of playing the tenor andsoprano saxophones. It is a tone worthhearing.Jan Jarczyk, Polish-born pianist andcomposer, has lived in North America since1977. While in Boston Massachusetts heworked with a lot of local musicians andtaught harmony and composition from1980 to 1985 at the Berklee College ofMusic. Over the years Jarczyk has writtenmusic for various size ensembles, fromsolo pieces to full-size symphony orchestra,the likes of which have been performed inBoston, Washington (DC), Chicago,Minneapolis, Montreal, Mainz (Germany),London, Bruxelles and Poland. Since 1994he has recorded 7 CDs in Montreal aspianist, leader and arranger-composer. Oneof them, 'Things to Look For', received anomination for a Felix Award in 1996. Mr.Jarczyk has composed music for ThePolish Jazz Studio Orchestra, Polish TV andRadio, theaters and films both in Polandand North America. Recipient of the PolishComposers Society Annual Scholarship in1969-71, also won the Grand Prix of theConcours d'improvisation de piano jazz inLyon, France in 1974 and the SOCANaward for 'Best Jazz Composition' duringthe Montreal Jazz Festival in 1999. Mr.Jarczyk is dividing his time betweencomposing, performing and attending tohis teaching duties asProfessor at the McGillUniversity ShulichSchool of Music.Jarczyk hasperformed andrecorded in Poland,Germany, the CzechRepublic, Hungary, Austria, France,Benelux, Scandinavia, the USA, Japan,Spain, Kuwait and Canada with suchprominent musicians as Tomasz Stanko,Phil Wilson, Greg Hopkins, Tim Hagans,Donny McCaslin, Pat LaBarbera, Jan DeHaas, Michel Donato, Kevin Dean, NeilSwainson, Andre White, Dave Laing, andRemi Bolduc among many others.FRI & SAT • MAY 26 & 27DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $14/GUESTS $18Jan Jarczyk - pianoKent Sangster - saxAlec Walkington - bassDave Laing - drumsMAY • JUNE 2006 • www.yardbirdsuite.com • 5

texas•johnny•brownardbird SuiteBLUESfromHoustonTexaxLegendaryguitarist TexasJohnny Brownreturns to theYardbird Suite, backed up bythe Graham Guest Band.His first appearance at theYardbird Suite two yearsago was recorded for CBC'sSaturday Night Blues, andthe radio broadcast of thatconcert was a highlight ofthe year on the nationalblues scene.Born in Ackerman,Mississippi in 1928, TexasJohnny Brown moved toHouston, Texas in 1946, andbegan his professionalmusical career with R'n'Bpioneer Amos Milburn. Hetoured extensively andplayed on Milburn's AladdinRecords sessions. He madehis own Atlantic recordingsin 1949, backed up byMilburn and his band, andalso played on RuthBrown's early Atlanticrecordings.In the 1950s and 1960s,Johnny toured as the leadguitarist and band leader forBobby Bland and JuniorParker and was a studiomusician at Houston'sDuke/Peacock Records,before becoming leader ofhis own Houston-basedband. His distinctive guitarstyle graces many classicrecordings. He is thecomposer of the beautifulblues classic "Two Stepsfrom the Blues" whichbecame one of Bobby "Blue"Bland's biggest hits.Johnny has a beautifullyfluid, sophisticated guitarstyle. His clear, soulfulbluesy voice complementshis fine songwriting andarrangements. He hasreleased two excellent CDs,"Nothin' But the Truth" in1999 and "Blues Defender"in 2001 (Choctaw CreekRecords). "Nothin' But theTruth" was nominated for aW.C. Handy Award (1999)for Comeback Album of theYear and received RealBlues Magazine's RealBlues Awards as Best TexasBlues CD and BestIndependently ReleasedBlues CD for 1998. TexasJohnny Brown has beengiven numerous HoustonPress Awards for BestBlues, Best Blues Guitaristand Best Male Vocalist.Since his appearance atthe Yardbird Suite two yearsago, Texas Johnny Brownhas been keeping busyperforming at the LucerneBlues Festival inSwitzerland, the WaterfrontBlues Festival in Portland,the Hayward-Russell BluesFestival in California, amongothers, and touring inEngland, California andTexas. He has recorded alive CD which will bereleased this summer. Forhis second appearance inCanada in recent years,Texas Johnny Brown will bebacked up by a six-pieceblues band led by GrahamGuest on piano, organ andvocals.Texas Johnny Brown - guitar, vocalsGraham Guest - piano, organ, vocalsDave Babcock - saxophoneKen Hoffman - saxophoneJoel Gray - trumpetChris Brzezicki - bassJeff Lisk - drumsFRIDAY & SATURDAY • JUNE 2 & 3DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $18/GUESTS $226 •www.yardbirdsuite.com • MAY • JUNE 2006

2006 YARDBIRD JAZZ FESTIVALJune 23 – July 2Volunteer SessionsSign-UpSunday, May 281 pm - 5 pmat the Yardbird SuiteShift Information andOrientationSunday, June 181 pm - 5 pmat the Yardbird SuiteThe 2006 Yardbird Jazz Festival will presentapproximately 60 shows featuring performers from allacross North America, Europe and Australia, with aspecific focus on Canadian and Edmonton artists.Once again the festival is proud to offer educationalworkshops for aspiring jazz professionals.Please visit www.jazzworks.ca forregistration details.The venueswill include:Maclab TheatreYardbird SuiteCatalyst TheatreVarscona TheatreLa CiteFrancophoneFaculte Saint-JeanOutdoor venues inOld StrathconaFour-Rooms,Bravo, La Table deRenoir and otherdowntownrestaurantsMAY • JUNE 2006 • www.yardbirdsuite.com• 7

Yardbird Suite at a GlanceAll shows begin at 9 PM unless otherwise notedMONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAYMay3 4 Jerrold7Dubykwith the nuSteps Trio Canada/Poland Jazz QuartetFriday • May 5Saturday • May 68 2/9 Jams 10 11 142: Jim BrenanBomba Triowith PJ Perry9: Jim HeadTrioFriday & Saturday • May 12 & 1315 16 17 18 The Dave21Jam withBabcockRhondaJamieGroupWithnellCooperFriday • May 19 Saturday • May 2022 23/30 24 25 Jan Jarczyk 28Jams23: Dan SkakunGroupfeaturing Kent Sangster30: MartyMajorowiczFriday & Saturday • May 26 & 27MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAYJuneardbird Suite BLUESTexas Johnny BrownFriday & Saturday • June 2 & 34THE YARDBIRD SUITE IS A CONCERT VENUE. DURING THE SHOW,PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES AND PAGERS.For upcoming shows visit www.yardbirdsuite.comFor more information about this month’s performers,please visit the following websites:www.tylerhornby.comwww.pjperry.comwww.bombaweb.comwww.davebabcock.comwww.inyourear.cawww.kentsangster.comwww.texasjohnnybrown.com