SZECHUAN TOKYO JAZZ CALENDAR
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Updated
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
SHOWTIMES: ALL THURSDAY SHOWS ARE 7:30 TO 10:30. ALL FRIDAY SHOWS ARE 8-11,
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
Thursday, August 21
NU DIREXIONS: Smooth jazz with flair! Edmund Peart,
percussion-lead vocals; Miana Nielson, saxophone and percussion; Winston
Fisher, guitar and vocals; Vinny Delaria, keyboards and vocals. Showtime
7:30
 Friday, August 22
Vocalist
MAYDIE MYLES and the TOM DEVINO QUARTET featuring Rob Aries, Piano;
Henry Lugo, Bass; Kris Jensen, Saxophones and Tom Devino on drums. Cover $5. RESERVATIONS A MUST! Showtime 8:00
Perennial
favorite soulful vocalist with a serious jazz sensibility plays with an
all-star combo put together by drummer, composer and side-man of choice
TOM DEVINO. Ms. Myles has been in the music business all her life,
addressing various genres with creativity and aplomb. Jazz, particularly
the Great American Songbook (with a scattering of R&B and soul) is her
bag these days, and what a lovely "bag" she has! THIS SHOW IS A MUST FOR
LOVERS OF JAZZ WITH A SOULFUL SENSIBILITY. In addition to being a
vocalist, her years of experience and big heart make Maydie not just a
singer, but a true entertainer!
Tom and
Maydie are joined by a stellar combo of seasoned musicians who're
well-known in the studio and on stage. Rob, Kris and Henry have graced
the Szechuan Tokyo stage many times in the past. As always, we
appreciate the fact that all of these busy musicians have decided to
join us!
Thursday, August 28 and Friday, August 29th
NO JAZZ: HAPPY HOLIDAY!
Thursday, September 4
TIDO HOLTKAMP ENSEMBLE Drummer Tido is joined by Sax
sensation Kris Allen, Craig Hartley on piano and special guest Dezron
Douglas on bass. Bebop, post-bop and more! This is the kind of jazz that
made Szechuan Tokyo famous! Reserve early! Showtime 7:30
Friday, September 5
THERESA WRIGHT and her DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMEN:
Standards and contemporary jazz from a two-time featured artist at the
Hartford Jazz Festival. Showtime 8:00 - RESERVE EARLY, THIS SHOW IS VERY
POPULAR. Get ready for excitement; Theresa's more than a singer - she's
an entertainer! And don't forget your dancing shoes!
Thursday, September 11
FERDINAND BANNISTER GROUP Superb soul/funk jazz from
seasoned professionals who're members of popular local bands playing in
an ensemble sure to please and get you moving! Bring your dancing shoes!
Showtime 7:30
Friday, September 12
THE LIVIU POP EXPERIENCE: Join Liviu the drummer with special guest
stars. Liviu consistently brings us superb talent - New faces from
Boston's hottest jazz clubs: Amy Bowles, keyboards; (from Sam Kinninger
band); Aaron Bellamy, bass and John Notto, guitar. FUNK, FUNK AND MORE
FUNK!!! Showtime 8:00
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
(Sam) Kininger was backed by a first-rate funk machine.
Keyboard player Amy Bowles had a wonderful control of her
instrument. Bassist Aaron Belamy journeyed from blistering jazz
technique to funky slap bass in the same solo. Nikki Glaspie kept a
tight funk feel for the entire concert and turned in an extended
solo toward the end of the night. On every tune, the band provided
an unrelenting funk groove, but also knew how to change things
around. One piece called for a techno feel, and that's exactly what
they played. Bowles provided floating, stagnant chords over
Glaspie's high hat upbeats. Each member was an equal with Kininger
when it came to solos, and the group's ensemble playing was nice and
balanced.
- Noise Forest by Jon Ross
Thursday, September 18
MARY ELLEN LONERGAN: This delightful vocalist is not
only quite the songbird; but is very easy on the eyes as well. A protege
and student of jazz legend GIACOMO GATES, this is her Szechuan Tokyo
debut - and it's been too long in coming. For those who want superb jazz
vocal stylizations from the Great American Songbook, this is a show not
to miss. Personnel include Walter Gwardiak, piano; Richard Sylvester,
drums - with special guest, now nationally-acclaimed bassist, Dezron
Douglas. Showtime 7:30. RESERVATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED FOR THIS SUPERB
EVENING OF JAZZ.
Friday, September 19
THE SUSAN DUNCAN BAND featuring Keith Cooper: Vocalist
Susan is at home singing the standards as she is with blues and R&B
favorites! They're joined by Keith Cooper on keys and his trio. Showtime
8:00
Sunday, September 21
UNFULFILLED DESIRES: Top-notch, world-class
quartet playing progressive jazz, bebop, post-bop with a unique
sensibility. Cover: $5. Be sure to reserve for this show; their latest
recording is climbing the charts and demand will be heavy!
Thursday, September 25
The PETE GREENFOGEL Ensemble. Superb local talent
playing bebop/post-bop. Showtime: 7:30.
Friday, September 26
TENTATIVE: MARK SMITH funk, soul jazz and Old-School R&B
Thursday, October 2
THE JOSH EVANS ENSEMBLE: young lion Josh brings some of
his pals to have a bebop/post-bop free-for-all. This is a top quality
show! Reservations are strongly recommended. Showtime: 7:30
Friday, October 3
 THE LIVIU POP FUNK/JAZZ ENSEMBLE FEATURING BLUES
LEGEND LUCKY PETERSON. This is a reprise of our sold-out summer
show! COVER ONLY $5
Showtime: 8:00.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
By the time Lucky Peterson was only five,
he had already recorded his first single, produced by none other
than the legendary Willie Dixon. Before Lucky turned six, his career
had been propelled into the national spotlight with television
appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show with Johnny
Carson and even What’s My Line?
As a child prodigy, Lucky was somewhat of a
novelty act. Now he is a true blues veteran. Over the last three
decades, Lucky has played to audiences all over the world, dazzling
both fans and critics with his multi-instrumental talents (he plays
keyboards, guitar, bass, drums and trumpet), his soulful vocal style
and his youthful approach to the blues.
Chicago’s Reader raved, "His musicianship is
unassailable…a combination of sleek-handed dexterity and
imagination…a happy marriage of blues authenticity and foot-pleasing
danceability. This is a young musician of unlimited enthusiasm and
nearly unlimited potential having the time of his life and excelling
at every stop along the way." Born Judge Kenneth Peterson in 1963,
Lucky was raised on music in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, His
father, James Peterson, was a blues singer and owner of the
Governor’s Inn, a northern version of a Deep South "chitlin’
circuit" roadhouse club. Artists like Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Muddy
Waters and Koko Taylor played there regularly. Virtually growing up
on stage, little Lucky began playing almost before he began talking.
He started on drums, but after hearing the famed
Bill Doggett one night, Lucky became fascinated by the huge Hammond
B-3 organ. "Bill had a fit trying to keep me from it," recalls
Lucky. After some lessons from Doggett and the legendary Jimmy
Smith, Lucky focused most of his musical energy on the organ. In his
spare time, he also mastered bass and piano, becoming good enough to
sit in with his father’s band and back touring artists like Lightnin’
Hopkins and Jimmy Reed. "At first, people wouldn’t believe he could
play so well," says James Peterson. "They would think the organ was
rigged."
By the time Lucky was five, word of this child
prodigy had spread among the blues community. Willie Dixon, a friend
of James Peterson, heard little Lucky and produced the boy’s first
record, a single entitled 1,2,3,4 and a follow-up album for
Chicago’s Today Records. The single hit the airwaves with a bang and
the national television appearances followed.
As Lucky continued to grow, he honed his
instrumental skills by learning from and jamming with some of the
best blues players in the world. When Little Milton’s band came up
short an organ player one night, Milton asked the then 17-year-old
Lucky to sit in. One gig was all it took for Milton to fall in love
with Lucky’s playing. He asked Lucky to join the band permanently.
After seven months, Lucky had become Milton’s bandleader. Opening
shows with his own 45-minute set on vocals and keyboards, Lucky’s
three-year stint with Milton led to an equally long gig with Bobby
"Blue" Bland as Bobby’s featured soloist.
During a break in Bobby’s touring schedule, Lucky
headed to Europe on a package tour billed as "Young Blues Giants."
There he recorded his second career album this time for the French
label Isabel Records. In 1988, Lucky left Bland’s touring band,
relocated to Florida’s Tampa Bay area and began concentrating on a
solo career. His reputation quickly led to regular session work for
tiny Florida-based King Snake Records. His funky keyboards sparked
Kenny Neal’s Big New From Baton Rouge!, Rufus Thomas’ That Woman Is
Poison! and Lazy Lester’s Harp And Soul, which were all released by
the more visible Alligator Records label. In 1989, Alligator
released Lucky’s third solo outing, Lucky Strikes! Lucky co-wrote
three songs for the album and played all of the keyboard parts and
all but one of the guitar solos.
Alligator’s promotion helped to bring Lucky’s
music to the attention of radio stations and music critics
nationwide. They liked what they heard. Billboard called Lucky "…a
prodigy whose raw talent bodes well for his future as a leader."
Keyboard said, "Peterson is a 26-year-old blues master." The album
received airplay on nearly 200 radio stations nationwide, and Lucky
toured the U.S. several times.
Lucky’s next Alligator recording, 1990’s Triple
Play, picked up right where Lucky Strikes! left off, again featuring
his dynamic organ fills and leads with equal emphasis on his
stinging lead guitar and soulful vocals. The material blended
straight-ahead blues, Memphis soul and funky grooves that placed
Lucky Peterson on the cutting edge of the blues.
Extensive session work behind everyone from Etta
James and Kenny Neal to Otis Rush also commenced during this period.
In 1992, Peterson's first Verve label album, I'm Ready, found him
boldly mixing contemporary rock and soul into his simmering blues
stew. More high-energy Verve sets followed, making it clear that
Peterson's luck remains high (as does his father's, who's fashioned
his own career as a bluesman with albums for Ichiban and Waldoxy).
Lucky made his debut for new label Blue Thumb with a self-titled
effort released in 1999. Double Dealin' followed in early 2001.
Thursday, October 9
CHARMAGNE & PORTER SOUL: Join us for an evening of soul
jazz and R&B, old-school style. Showtime 7:30.
Friday, October 10
TONY ALLEN, vocalist! That "Front Street" guy is back
for some great, jazzy crooning. Critically acclaimed by Dick Robinson on
Music By The Sea and Owen McNally of the Hartford Courant.
Thursday, October 16
THE J.R. LA ROSA ENSEMBLE: Superb young talent playing
straight ahead, bebop; more. Showtime 7:30.
Friday, October 17th
Enjoy the vocal stylizations of ETHEL LEE and her combo.
Thursday, October 23
Vocalist SUSAN DUNCAN and her ensemble. Showtime 8:00.
Friday, October 24
Vocalist
MAYDIE MYLES and the TOM DEVINO QUARTET featuring Rob Aries, Piano;
Henry Lugo, Bass; Kris Jensen, Saxophones and Tom Devino on drums. Cover $5. RESERVATIONS A MUST! Showtime 8:00
Perennial
favorite soulful vocalist with a serious jazz sensibility plays with an
all-star combo put together by drummer, composer and side-man of choice
TOM DEVINO. Ms. Myles has been in the music business all her life,
addressing various genres with creativity and aplomb. Jazz, particularly
the Great American Songbook (with a scattering of R&B and soul) is her
bag these days, and what a lovely "bag" she has! THIS SHOW IS A MUST FOR
LOVERS OF JAZZ WITH A SOULFUL SENSIBILITY. In addition to being a
vocalist, her years of experience and big heart make Maydie not just a
singer, but a true entertainer!
Tom and
Maydie are joined by a stellar combo of seasoned musicians who're
well-known in the studio and on stage. Rob, Kris and Henry have graced
the Szechuan Tokyo stage many times in the past. As always, we
appreciate the fact that all of these busy musicians have decided to
join us!
Thursday, October 30
THE PAT MARAFIOTE ORGAN TRIO
Friday, October 31 - Sze-Tok's Famous Halloween Party
We'll be entertained in fine style by young lion MIKE
BAFUNDO and his superb young group with a jazz sensibility many players
twice their age are missing. Showtime: 8:00. Costumes recommended, as
are reservations for this great show!
MORE ADDITIONS COMING UP SOON - CHECK BACK OFTEN!!!
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