EDMONTON JAZZ SOCIETY 11 TOMMY BANKS WAY - Yardbird Suite

Volume 23, Issue 5 – November/December 2005®Publication Mail # 40047729• Cuong Vu Trio• Steve Amirault Trio• Fernanda Cunha Quartet• McNeill/DeJong Quintet• The Bill Richards Quartetwith special guest Lee Kozak• Tony Wilson Sextet• Min Rager Quintet• Barry Romberg’s Random Access• Georgette Fry withspecial guest Tim Williams• Ken Chaney QuintetEDMONTON 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 1973Edmonton 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 2004-2005:President: Jasiek PoznanskiVice-President: Adrian AlbertTreasurer: Norma DavisSecretary: Shelley ChebryDirectors: Dave Babcock,Dino Dominelli, Dwayne Hrynkiw,Pam Josey, Craig Magill, AllanStoski, David WardMemberships: Pam Josey, ColetteSlevinskyLittlebirds 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, Frank Peterson, Jasiek Poznanski,Bruce StovelProduction: Jasiek PoznanskiHouse Managers and Volunteer Co-ordinators:Pam JoseyOffice: Pam JoseyTransportation: Alan SpancePress Releases: Paul WildeJam Sessions: Don BernerYardbird Suite Newsletter is published fivetimes per year by the Edmonton JazzSociety (1973)Newsletter Editor: Allan StoskiContributing Writers: Adrian Albert, Julie King,Craig Magill, Jasiek Poznanski, Bruce StovelAdvertising: Shelley ChebryGraphic Design: Kim Deley, Critical PathMarketing CommunicationsDistribution: Monique Bielech,Shelley Chebry, Bill HarperPrinted by: Nisku Printers (1980) Ltd.www.yardbirdsuite.com9 p.m. - MidnightEVERY TUESDAY!November 1Doug OrganNovember 8Glenn HallsNovember 15Craig BrenanNovember 22Wayne FeschukNovember 29Marc BeaudinDecember 6thAudrey OchoaDecember 13Charlie AustinHosted 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

cuong•vu•trioTrumpeter Cuong Vufrom is widely recognized asa leader of a newNew Yorkgeneration of innovativemusicians. Born inVietnam and raised in Seattle,Cuong moved to New York in 1994and, since then, has collaboratedwith the likes of Dave Douglas,Gerry Hemingway, Myra Melford,Chris Speed, Andy Laster and BillFrisell. Besides leading his owngroup, he is currently a member ofthe Pat Metheny Group, touringand recording with the guitar giantsince 2002. As a member ofMetheny's group, he won aGrammy Award for BestContemporary Jazz Album forSpeaking of Now.Vu has released four discsunder his own name, the mostrecent being It's Mostly Residualon the web-based Artists Sharelabel. His recordings demonstratethe way in which he has built asingular sonic architecture on thetrumpet, playing music rooted injazz, pop and funk, thatnonetheless blurs stylistic borders.Sometimes compared toBitches Brew era Miles Davis,Cuong Vu is extending the trumpetoeuvre in new directions, utilizingelectronic devices to take hisinstrument into uncharted territory.Equally important are thecontributions of bassist StomuTakeishi and drummer Ted Poor.Feeding off Vu's distinctive,electronics-influenced playing,Takeishi also uses electroniceffects to develop the trio's soundwhile Ted Poor, one of the risingstars on his instrument, swervesthrough ever-shifting moodterrains.Cuong Vu - trumpetStomu Takeishi - bassTed Poor - drumsFRIDAY • NOVEMBER 4DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $18/GUESTS $22steve•amirault•triofromMontreal/TorontoMontreal-based pianist SteveAmirault is one of Canada'smost innovative and uniquevoices as both pianist andcomposer. He is a past winner of theMontreal International Jazz FestivalCompetition and also received a JunoAward for his collaboration withsaxophonist Francois Carrier.Steve spent many years in New York,affording him the opportunity to workwith many great musicians includingsome who have performed at theYardbird Suite such as Joe Lovano, DaveLiebman, Sheila Jordan and Tim Hagans.His performance credits with Canadianmusicians represents a "who's who" ofthis country's best including MikeMurley, Seamus Blake, the Jensensisters and Michel Lambert. As the longtimehost of the Official Jam Session ofthe Montreal International Jazz Festival,he has been able to work with GeorgeBenson, Wynton Marsalis, RussellMalone and Chris Potter.His most recent recordingRendezvous Point is described by criticLen Dobbin of the Montreal Mirror as"great playing and composing from aworld-class pianist". The music rangesfrom the loping Surrendering to thedriving title track to the beauty of As IWatched You Leave. Like all great artists,Steve Amirault just gets better andbetter, and this trio really gets inside themusic.Joining Amirault for this concert willbe one of this country's most highlyrespectedbassists, Jim Vivian, and adrummer who is quickly gaining a verysolid reputation, Greg Ritchie.SATURDAY • NOVEMBER 5DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $8/GUESTS $12Steve Amirault - pianoJim Vivian - bassGreg Ritchie - drumsNOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2005 • www.yardbirdsuite.com• 3

fernanda•cunha•quartetEdmonton's jazz fansfrom will have a rareopportunity toBrazilexperience the music ofBrazil first-hand at theYardbird Suite when Rio deJaneiro's Fernanda Cunha makesher first appearance in Canada.Fernanda comes from a musicalfamily. Her mother is a singer andher aunt, Sueli Costa, is a wellknowncomposer in Brazil. Shebegan performing in 1997 atvarious clubs around Rio deJaneiro. She then spent a couple ofyears living in the United States,mainly in Cleveland, Ohio. As partof Grupo Brasil, she performed atvarious local venues and festivals.In June, 2002, she recorded herfirst album "O tempo e o lugar" inCleveland.Returning to Brazil, shecontinued her musical career. In2004, she realized a long-timedream when she recorded hersecond disc "Dois coracoes" (TwoHearts) featuring compositions bytwo of the most important Braziliancomposers, Johnny Alf and heraunt Sueli Costa.For her Yardbird Suiteperformance, Fernanda will bebringing her accompanist fromBrazil, pianist Ricardo Rito.Rounding out the quartet will beEdmonton's own bassist Mike Lentand drummer Sandro Dominelli.Fernanda Cunha - vocalsRicardo Rito - pianoMike Lent - bassSandro Dominelli - drumsFRIDAY • NOVEMBER 11DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $16/GUESTS $20McNeill/DeJong•quintetfromSaskatoonTrumpeter DeanMcNeill and saxophonistMark DeJong return toAlberta to join Edmontonbasedjazz artists BobbyCairns on guitar, Mike Lent on bass andDan Skakun on drums for one night onlyat the Yardbird Suite. Repertoire willinclude original compositions by McNeilland DeJong as well as selections fromthe Chet Baker/Gerry Mulligan quartetlibrary of the 1950's.Originally from Edmonton, where hisassociation with the Yardbird Suiteincluded being the Musical Director ofthe Little Birds Big Band and the JazzWorks music festival, Dean McNeill iscurrently the Head of the Department ofMusic at the University of Saskatchewanwhere he teaches jazz ensemble,trumpet, and jazz arranging. Dean isgraduate of McGill University, theUniversity of North Texas, and GrantMcEwan College. Dean can be heard on16 CD recordings and he has performedwith the likes of Bob Mintzer, RufusReid, Tommy Banks, Kenny Wheeler, P.J.Perry, Hugh Fraser, Campbell Ryga, andBrad Turner.Originally from Calgary, where hewas instrumental in establishing the BeatNiq jazz club as well as working as a fulltime professional musician, MarkDeJong is currently a SessionalInstructor at the University ofSaskatchewan where he teachescourses in the Department of Music.Mark holds a Masters in JazzPerformance from Rutgers University,and has toured throughout Canada, theUnited States, and Europe. Mark is afounding member of the Steve HudsonQuintet whose CD entitled Outer Bridgeis currently on the play list of several jazzradio stations in the Eastern UnitedStates. Mark has shared the stage withLenny Pickett, Rob McConnell, MoeKoffman and Ray Charles, among manyothers.Dean McNeill - trumpet and flugelhornMark DeJong - saxophonesBobby Cairns - guitarSATURDAY • NOVEMBER 12DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $8/GUESTS $12Mike Lent - bassDan Skakun - drums4 • www.yardbirdsuite.com • NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2005

the•bill•richards•quartetwith special guest Lee KozakfromEdmonton/SaskatoonFor the past thirty-twoyears, guitarist/composer LeeKozak and pianist/composerBill Richards have worked andperformed together on numerousmusical projects including liveperformances and recordings. Lee andBill have been featured several times atthe Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, at theSaskatoon Jazz Society's Bassment,and on CBC Radio. Lee's lastappearance at the Yardbird Suite waswith Bill during the 1987 Alcan Festival.On Friday November 18, Lee returns tothe Yardbird Suite to join Bill Richards,J.F. Picard (saxophones), Gord Graber(drums), and Thom Golub (bass) in aprogram featuring compositions by Leeand Bill, and new arrangements ofsome favorite jazz standards.Bill Richards performs as a soloistand ensemble musician in WesternCanada. In addition to performing as afreelance ensemble musician, Bill leadshis own groups and co-leads theEdmonton-based free-music collectiveFLUX. Bill has composed numerousworks for chamber ensembles, soloists,and jazz groups. His compositional styleis eclectic, embracing modernist andtraditionalist elements as well as jazzand popular idioms. Bill has been amember of the Music Program facultyat Grant MacEwan College since 1998.Lee Kozak attended Grant MacEwanCollege (Edmonton) and the BerkleeCollege of Music (Boston) during the1970s. Since his return to Saskatoon inthe 1980s, Lee continues to perform asa soloist and ensemble player as wellas lead his own groups, compose,record, and teach guitar. Lee has alsobeen part of several theatre productionsas composer and performer, includingthe Dancing Sky Theatre production ofMary's Weeding, and as housebandleader for Andrea Menard's playThe Velvet Devil. He is often heardperforming improvisationalaccompaniment for poetry readings.Lee was featured in a concert ofpreeminent Saskatchewan guitaristscelebrating Saskatchewan's centennialalong with Jack Semple, Bob Evans,Freddie Pelletier, and Brad Johner, andopened for Dave Holland at this year 'sSaskatchewan jazz Festival.Lee, Bill, Gord, J.F., and Thom willbe recording Lee's new CD featuringcompositions by Lee and Bill inDecember for release in 2006 (CDrelease concert: April 29, 2006, at theBassment, Saskatoon).FRIDAY • NOVEMBER 18DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $7/GUESTS $11tony•wilson•sextetGuitarist Tony Wilsonfromemerged as a central figure inVancouver Vancouver's burgeoningcreative music communitysoon after his arrival there in the late1980s. He is or has been a member ofthe Francois Houle Quintet, the PeggySATURDAY • NOVEMBER 19DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $10/GUESTS $14Bill Richards - pianoLee Kozak - guitarJ.F. Picard - saxLee Band and Primal Orbit as well asduos with Ron Samworth and BillSmith.Wilson's compositions have beenperformed by many groups includingthe Hard Rubber Orchestra, one ofCanada's finest big bands, MarilynCrispell and BarrePhillips. Wilson hastoured worldwideand shared gigswith the likes ofVinny Golia, MyraMelford, WilliamParker, GerryHemingway andHan Bennink.Formed in 1991,the Tony WilsonSextet is one ofseveral groups ledby Wilson. Thesextet features over60 originalcompositions aswell asThom Golub - bassGord Graber - drumsarrangements of works by Don Cherry,Sun Ra, Captain Beefheart and DukeEllington, to name a few.As Mark Miller states in The MillerCompanion to Jazz in Canada, "...[his]work reflects the value that Wilsonplaces on originality within tradition. Hisown guitar playing is either deceptivelyunfashionable in its hard, picked tone,its angularity and its rough edges, oratmospherically textural in the mannerof Bill Frisell. His writing, meanwhile,shows an intuitive gift for the shapeand flow of melody."The balance of the Tony WilsonSextet consists of J.P. Carter ontrumpet and electronics, Jesse Zuboton violin, Masa Anza on alto sax andelectronics, Russell Sholberg on bassand Skye Brooks on drums.Tony Wilson - guitar, loops, kalimbaJ.P. Carter - trumpet/electronicsJesse Zubot - violinMasa Anza - alto sax/electronicsRussell Sholberg - bassSkye Brooks - drumsNOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2005 • www.yardbirdsuite.com • 5

min•rager•quintetLast March, pianist JoshuafromRager brought his fine quintetMontreal to the Yardbird Suite. Now, hiswife Min Rager brings her ownquintet to Edmonton for the first time.The Korean born pianist beganperforming in her native Seoul beforemoving to Montreal in 1997 where shestudied at McGill University with WrayDownes, Jeff Johnston, Kevin Deanand Jan Jarczyk.In 2003, she formed her ownquintet as a vehicle for her originalcompositions and arrangements. Thisled to a CBC Radio Two Jazz Beatrecording in 2004 with Kevin Dean ontrumpet, Donny Kennedy on alto sax,Kieran Overs on bass and Andre Whiteon drums which will be released thisfall on the Effendi label under the title"Bright Road". This group, with bassistAlec Walkington substituting for KeiranOvers, will perform at the YardbirdSuite.Recognition for her talents as acomposer and performer include anomination for her quintet for the"Grand Prix de Jazz General Motors" atthis year's Montreal International JazzFestival and the "Best New Artist"award at the recent L'OFF Festival deJazz in Montreal for her trio with AndreWhite and Alec Walkington.Min is an exceptionally gifted youngpianist ... whether it be a beautifulballad or an up-tempo burn, the result isalways a musical pleasure.- Jeff JohnstonShe produces a beautiful sound atthe piano ... when she improvises, Ialmost always get the sense that she istelling a story.- Andre WhiteFRIDAY • NOVEMBER 25DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $10/GUESTS $14Min Rager - pianoKevin Dean - trumpetDonny Kennedy - alto saxAlec Walkington - bassAndre White - drumsbarry•romberg’s•random•accessfromTorontoBarryRomberg hasestablishedhimself as oneof Canada's mostunique drumset stylistsin his more thantwenty-five years onthe Canadian jazzscene. Romberg'spercussive approach isas much about colourand texture as it isabout pulse and hisplaying is consistentlyimaginative.In addition toRandom Access, heleads or co-leadsvarious bands includingthe Barry RombergGroup, Inside Out, theMRC Trio and ThreeSisters. He hasaccompanied anextensive list ofCanadian andinternational artistsincluding Gil Evans, JoeHenderson, Don Pullen,Don Byron, Sam Riversand Sonny Greenwich.His recording creditstotal over fifty discs,ten of them as leaderor co-leader. Romberghas also participated inseveral projects whichhave been nominatedfor, or won, Junoawards.Random Accesswas founded byRomberg as a personaljourney into the worldof spontaneouscomposition. Asdaunting as that maysound, he is able tocreate structure wherestrictly speaking noneexists. Of course, thisis made possible withthe stellar support ofthe other members ofRandom Access, HughSATURDAY • NOVEMBER 26DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $14/GUESTS $18Marsh on violin, KevinTurcotte on trumpet,Kelly Jefferson on sax,Rich Brown on bass,Geoff Young on guitarand Blair Mackay onpercussion. All ofthese players areprominent members ofthe Toronto jazzcommunity.In a review of thegroup's CD Part 3,jazzreview.com says:"The interplay amongtruly freely-improvisingmusicians who areused to each other canbe breathtaking -witness the work ofEvan Parker and PaulBley. There are times inthis recording whensimilar moments ofmagic occur."Bary Romberg - drumsKevin Turcotte - trumpetKelly Jefferson - saxHugh Marsh - violinGeoff Young - guitarRich Brown - bassBlair Mackay - percussion6 •www.yardbirdsuite.com • NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2005

georgette•fryfromKingston/CalgaryGeorgette Fry is a powerfulsinger with a distinctive,smoky voice. She is also atalented songwriter and guitarplayer. Georgette was born into aCanadian Armed Forces family in St.Jerome, Quebec in 1953 and spent thefirst 20 years of her life moving around.She eventually settled in Kingston,Ontario and began performing. Sincethen Georgette has become a regularon the Ontario festival and concertcircuit, and she has also toured acrossCanada and in South Africa.Georgette's first recording is theJuno-nominated "Rites of Passage"(1995). Her second release, "Georgette -Live" earned her the Jazz Report Awardfor Blues Musician of the Year. Hernewest release is "Let Me Drive"(2002), for which Georgette wroteseven of the twelve songs.She recently received her fourthnomination from Maple Blues Awardsfor "Female Vocalist of the Year". Inwith special guest Tim Williamsand the Graham Guest BandJanuary 2004 she received Real BluesAwards for "Best Blues Songwriter","Best Blues Release - Female Artist"(Let Me Drive) and Best Canadian BluesVocalist (Female).Bluesman extraordinaire TimWilliams will appear as a special gueston these shows. Born in California, TimWilliams was both a published poet andan emerging coffee house phenomenonby his late teens in the mid-1960s. Hisfirst LP recording, "Blues Full Circle",with appearances by Pee Wee Craytonand George Harmonica Smith, came outwhen he was 20 years old.A multi-instrumentalist, Tim Williamsis well known for his work in thepopular acoustic blues trio Triple Threat.He has released several solo cds andcontinues to tour in Canada andinternationally. Tim has just released ananthology, "Passed Through Here :Selected Recordings", and in 2003 hereleased "Tim Williams & The Electro-Fires Live At Kaos" which was namedardbird SuiteBLUESBest Live Blues Recording (Canadian)by Real Blues magazine.Georgette Fry and Tim Williams willbe backed up by the Graham GuestBand, with Graham Guest on piano,Ken Hoffman on saxophone, ChrisBrzezicki on bass and Jeff Lisk ondrums.FRI & SAT • DEC 2 & 3DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $18/GUESTS $22ken•chaney•quintetfromChicagoKen began his musiccareer as a teenager, playingpiano with bands in hishometown Edmonton wherehe was one of the founding membersof The Yardbird Suite. After a shortstay in Detroit, where he met andplayed with many fine musicians, Kenmoved to Chicago where he studiedcomposition at Roosevelt Universityand worked with jazz greats such asMilt Jackson, Donald Byrd, SlideHampton, Harold Land, BobbyHutchison, Max Roach, RandyCrawford, Chet Baker, Clark Terry,Houston Person, David FatheadNewman and many others.While touring and recording withYoung-Holt-Unlimited "Soulful Strut"became a hit record which led toperformances at Carnegie Hall,Madison Sq. Gardens, Apollo Theatre,Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerlandand major clubs and concertsthroughout United States and Canada.After Young Holt, Ken formed thegroup the "Awakening" and recordedthree albums for Black Jazz Records,"Here, Sense & Feel", "Mirage" and"Brand New Feeling". The albumsreceived strong critical approval. Ontheir 25th anniversary in 1998 theyperformed at the Chicago Jazz FestivalGeorgette Fry, guitar, vocalsTim Williams, guitar, vocalsGraham Guest, piano, organ, vocalsKen Hoffman, saxophoneChris Brzezicki, bassJeff Lisk, drumsin Grant Park.The Ken Chaney Xperience hasappeared at the Ravinia Festival andthroughout Chicago, the Midwest,Europe and Singapore. They haveappeared on concerts with Miles Davis,Roy Ayers, Natalie Cole, AngelaBofield, Dianne Reeves, Nancy Wilsonand others. In 1992 the Ken ChaneyXperience was the first prize winnersof $10,000 for the Hennesy Best ofChicago Jazz Search.Ken has appeared and played in fourmovies, Trial Run, The Last Affair, ColdJustice and Hoodlums, featuring LaurenceFishburne and Vanessa Williams.At present Ken performs inconcerts and clubs in Chicago and is onthe Board of Directors of the JazzInstitute of Chicago and is the musicdirector for the Jazz City Series coordinatingand writing for BeBop Brassand Sax Summit and also teachesmusic for the Chicago Park District.FRI & SAT • DEC 9 & 10DOORS 8PM • SHOW 9PM • MEMBERS $18/GUESTS $22Ken Chaney - pianoCorey Wilkes - trumpetKent Sangster - saxMike Lent- bassCharles Heath - drumsNOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2005 • www.yardbirdsuite.com• 7

Yardbird Suite at a GlanceAll shows begin at 9 PM unless otherwise notedMONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAYNovember 3 Cuong VuSteve 6TrioAmiraultTrio7 1/8 9 10 FernandaMcNeill/ 13CunhaDeJongQuartetQuintetJAMS1: Doug Organ8: Glenn Halls14 15 16 17 The BillTony 20Richards QuartetJam withWilsonwith special guestCraig BrenanLee KozakSextet21/28 22/29 23/30 24 MinBarry Romberg’s27Random AccessJAMS22: Wayne Feschuk29: Marc BeaudinFriday • November 4 Saturday • November 5Friday • November 11 Saturday • November 12Friday • November 18 Saturday • November 19RagerQuintetFriday • November 25 Saturday • November 26MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAYDecember1 4ardbird Suite BLUESFriday & Saturday • December 2 & 35 6 7 8 11JAMS6: Audrey Ochoa13: Charlie AustinGeorgette Frywith special guest Tim Williams & The Graham Guest BandKen Chaney QuintetFriday & Saturday • December 9 & 10For more information about this month’s performers,please visit the following websites:THE YARDBIRD SUITE IS A CONCERT VENUE. DURING THE SHOW,PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES AND PAGERS.For upcoming shows visit www.yardbirdsuite.comwww.cuongvu.comwww.steveamirault.comwww.fernandacunha.com.brwww.ragermusic.comwww.barryromberg.comwww.georgettefry.ca