REMEMBERING - New Jersey Jazz Society

’RoundJerseyMorris JazzThe Bickford Theaterat the Morris MuseumMorristown, NJ 07960Tickets/Information: 973-971-3706“String of Pearls shows an authentic andaffectionate spirit, with an extraordinarykaleidoscope of group singing styles,” observesMichael Bourne of WBGO-FM. “They sound good.They look good. Pearls of great price, indeed.” Noextra charge to you when this lively group visitsthe Bickford Jazz Showcase for the first time onMonday evening, October 5, to help the seriescelebrate its tenth birthday.Susan Halloran, Jeanne O’Connor and HolliRoss all have impressive vocal resumes asindividuals, but it is as a trio that they really shine.They capture the sound of the Boswell Sisters, theAndrews Sisters, the McGuire Sisters — even theMills Brothers — without the taint of slavish imitation.They and their expert backup musicians expand fromthat base to include other jazz, cabaret and popmaterial, presented with similar zest. “If you’d like toknow why I play cuts from String of Pearls’ CD at leastthree days a week,” says DJ Gil Ellis, “it’s becausethey’re damned good, and I get favorable audiencefeedback.” Their 90-minute set will fly by quickly.World-class trombonist Dan Barrett will return to NJfor a short visit, touching down in Morristown onMonday evening, October 19 to continue the anniversarycelebration there. Dan first gained nationalattention when, as a youth, he played the difficult“Ory’s Creole Trombone” at jazz pioneer Kid Ory’s funeral, but he is mostfamiliar to Easterners for an intense period of playing and recording in the NYCarea. He has plenty of Concord and Arbors CDs in circulation, having becomemusical director at the latter label. “He is one of the delights here,” wrote notedNew York Times jazz columnist John S. Wilson about one of his early recordings.“He’s a melodist, a colorist who knows how to use a plunger mute with tasteand, in total, a player Duke Ellington would have loved."Dan will be backed by some familiar names at his Bickford visit. Dan Tobias,who assembled the band, will play cornet. Perhaps he’ll duet with Barrett, whoalso plays and records with that instrument. Their all-star rhythm section hasIsraeli pianist Ehud Asherie, Jazzfest bassist Joel Forbes anddrummer Kevin Dorn, a frequent guest here.The intensity of the fall anniversary season continues with theMidiri Barnhart Trio on November 2. Potent pianist JeffBarnhart joins popular twins Joe Midiri (reeds) and PaulMidiri (vibes and drums, at least) as they return to the Bickfordto try to improve upon past triumphs. Their edge this time isAnne Barnhart, who will join them from time to time on flute.They really look forward to these reunions, and have beenworking on comprehensive arrangements for this expandedinstrumentation all year!JerseyEventsJazzJeanne O’Connor, Susan Halloran and Holli RossDan BarrettDan TobiasClarinetist Dan Levinson is also looking forwardto November 16, when he will introduce FêteManouche, his Django-style Gypsy jazz grouphere. Three expert string players back him asthey romp through the challenging Reinhardtrepertoire. Italian pianist Rossano Sportiello(remember him from the 2009 ChickenFat Ball?)closes the year by soloing on December 7. The2010 season is already taking shape, withanother Great GroundHog Day Jam, the Big BixBeiderbecke Birthday Bash and centennialcelebrations for Artie Shaw and DjangoReinhardt. Lots of familiar names involved, plussome new discoveries.Jazz For ShoreNOTE temporary venue change!Mancini Hall, Ocean County LibraryToms River, NJ 08753Tickets/Information: 732-255-0500During the period that trombonist Dan Barrett waslocated in the NYC area, jazz fans in large numbersdiscovered his talent at Eddie Condon’s and severalother Manhattan nightspots. Or perhaps at one of hisfour appearances at Carnegie Hall. Or playing withBenny Goodman, Woody Allen or Buck Clayton. Sincehis return to California, we now only get a taste of himvia recordings with Rebecca Kilgore, John Sheridan,Randy Reinhart and other top names.Live visits are all too rare. MidWeek Jazz learned of one,and booked him for Wednesday, October 14. For 90intense minutes he’ll be on their stage, backed bycornetist Dan Tobias, plus that hot “new” pianist Ehud Asherie and familiarbassist Joel Forbes. Low prices still prevail, so if you miss this moment, you’llhave to spend a bit more to catch Barrett at any one of numerous jazz parties,cruises and festivals in other parts of the United States, Canada, Europe, theUnited Kingdom, Australia, and Japan. Might be awhile before he gets backhere!Drummer Kevin Dorn’s popular group, the Traditional Jazz Collective, takes athird encore with this series on November 18. Their fan club knows them as theTJC, and they have no shortage of talent. Pianist Jesse Gelber and cornetistCharlie Caranicas have been applauded here with other groups. Alto andsoprano sax phenom Michael Hashim, trombonist J. WalterHawkes and bassist Doug Largent are also committed for thisdate.Clarinetist Allan Vaché had a sellout here in August, so fans ofthat talented family can also hear his brother, world-classcornet star Warren Vaché, when he appears with his trio onDecember 16. He’ll be with a local favorite, guitarist VinnieCorrao, who also appeared with Allan. Also featured is stunningbassist Nicki Parrott, a hit last year with Bria and Jim. The 2010season is taking shape, with the Midiri Brothers and guestsopening things on January 20.JJ’Round Jersey concerts are produced by Bruce M. Gast in conjunction with the New Jersey Jazz Society. Performance photos by Bruce Gast.56_________________________________ October 2009