Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Fame - Phil Baker

Last Friday night, Jimmy Maks was the venue for the annual Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Fame concert honoring the musical accomplishments of Phil Baker.  Phil's accomplishments are highlighted in a recent OregonLive article:(www.oregonlive.com/music/index.ssf/2011/10/portland_bassist_phil_baker_ea.html)

The show opened with a set from the West Linn High School jazz ensemble; the current holders of the Jeff Cumpston trophy won in last springs competition.  The following students brought their "A" game to the same stage where they won the right to defend the trophy next spring (more to be revealed in a future entry):

Tony Glausi, trumpet

Joonas Lemetyinen, trombone

Jenna Tatiyatrairong, piano

Austin Stofiel, bass

Alex Koehler, bass

Connor Betterman, drums

The main event was a quartet led by Phil Baker with Greg Goebel, Ron Steen and Rick Greene.  We were treated to two solid sets that both concluded with some very nice tunes sung by the lovely Toni Lincoln.  One particularly moving tune was an instrumental piece by Greg Goebel, "Oolitic" - I'm sure I missed the spelling.  A member of my table wrote the following note describing this tune:

"That song made me feel like I knew all of the contentment and all of the melancholy the songwriter had ever felt".  I can't put it any better than that.  Listening to these 4 excellent musicians and one fine singer again made me grateful to be in Portland, where I am treated to such inspired musical excellence every time I go to one of our local clubs.  Thanks for this memory!!!!!

Presentation of Hall of Fame Award from Jazz Society President Bill Powers 

2011 JSO Hall of Fame member Phil Baker

Ron Steen (JSO Hall of Fame member)

Greg Goebel

Rick Greene

with Toni Lincoln

Javon Jackson - "We Four"

Last Tuesday and Wednesday at Jimmy Maks, Portland jazz fans were treated to a John Coltrane inspired set from Javon Jackson, Mulgrew Miller, Nate Reeves and the legendary Jimmy Cobb (really!).
We heard music from a range of Coltrane numbers; songs like "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Freddie Freeloader".   As I was listening to one of the tunes, I was reminded of the first time I heard "Giant Steps" and immediately noted a mathematical structure to many of the tunes on that disc.  Try listening to a Coltrane tune and think of those days (way, way back) when you first balanced an equation.  Then listen to the tune again.  OK, don't; up to you!
Also, clearly, Javon Jackson, Jimmy Cobb and Mulgrew Miller were the noted players in this quartet but, I was continually drawn to the bass of Nate Reeves as he provided the connective tissue between solos and kept each tune moving at a brisk pace.

This was a special night of music.  Getting to attend a show from such luminaries left me with two thoughts:

• Jimmy Mak has done a fine job of booking some excellent music for our community.
• AND, we have local musicians (Mel Brown, Devin Phillips, Nancy King, and many, many more) that turn out shows just as excellent, every week, throughout our city!

Javon

Jimmy Cobb - 81 years young!

Mulgrew Miller 

Nate Reeves; holding it all together!

Pete Petersen Septet featuring Johnny Martin October 20th

Pete has a monthly gig at Tony Starlight's Supperclub and Lounge.  Last Thursday Johnny Martin joined the Pete Petersen Septet as part of the Sinatrafest celebration running for the rest of the month at Tony Starlight's.  This was a real treat.  They opened with "Come Fly with Me", "Fly Me to the Moon" and "One for My Baby".  I loved the songs and the support by Pete's talented and energetic septet.  You can tell when a band is engaged and this one really swung!  Many of the songs in the first set were taken from Count Basie's "Live at the Sands" LP.

In the second set, Johnny performed "It Was a Very Good Year"; you need to go hear him just to catch this tune.  Trust me on this.  Another high point of the second set was an instrumental version of "Makin' Whoopee" with inspired solos by Stan Bock  (told you this was a talented band) and pianist Greg Goebel.

If you like the music of Frank Sinatra, check out Tony Starlight's events calendar; there are a number  of Sinatra inspired shows this month.  Next up - Javon Jackson at Jimmy Mak's on Wednesday - see you there!

You Make Me Feel So Young....

It Was a Very Good Year......

And it was a VERY GOOD SHOW!!!!

Pete - you da man!

The Tony Starlight Show

My niece Mandy and her friend Kandie are visiting from South Carolina this weekend.  We took them to Tony Starlight's last night for The Tony Starlight Show.   If there was a James Brown award for the hardest working man in the Portland music scene, Mr. Tony Starlight would be the man to beat. I cannot imagine how he runs his club and still performs several times per month.

The show is a musical comedy revue featuring many of Tony's characters such as Jimmy Durante, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond (yuk!), and Sammy Davis. Tony is supported by a very capable band led by Reece Marshburn on keyboards and featuring Arick Gouwerok on bass and Sam Foulger on drums.  Tony moves quickly between skits and musical numbers; the appreciative crowd is engaged.  I  had fun; but, I always have fun at Tony Starlight's Supperclub and Lounge.  Check out the website; he has some good shows coming up.  Patti and I are going Thursday night to hear the Pete Petersen Septet with Johnny Martin.  See you there!

Sabrina, celebrating her birthday, is interviewed by the Star Trek Guy (my favorite character)

Tony as Neil - God, I hate "Sweet Caroline"

At the Copa

And they say there are no good lounge singers anymore...

My favorite singer Meredith, friend Kandie and cousin Mandy

Martha Reeves at Jimmy Maks!!!!!

There is a special symmetry about Martha Reeves (of Martha and the Vandellas - but if you don't know that, you probably can stop reading this now!) playing Jimmy Maks.  After all, it is the title to a major, major Motown hit, right?

In the heyday of Motown, Martha and the Vandellas were backed by the legendary Funk Brothers, that incredible ensemble of Motown musicians that very well may have played on more #1 hits than the Beatles, Stones, and Elvis combined.  It is only right and just that Martha was backed last night by a group of Portlands finest musicians (how about the "Stump Brothers?").  Check it out; Louis Pain on the B3, Renato Caranto and Robert Crowell on tenor and baritone sax, Stan Bock on trombone, Derek Sims on trumpet, Dennis Caiazza on bass, Dan Balmer on guitar, Curtis Kraft on percussion and, of course, Mel Brown on drums.

Martha opened with the Van Morrison tune, Wild Nights, followed with a Motown Medley, an emotional Jimmy Mack (damn right), an original Watch Your Back (with very significant blues riffs by Mr. Balmer) and closed with Dancing in the Streets.  Now, you know how this writer feels about old white people dancing.  Well, I gave special dispensation with Martha's closing number.  How're you gonna tell these old folks not to get up and dance when they had permission from Miss Martha Reeves?

I've recently been to a couple of geezer rock shows featuring Johnny Winter and Leon Russell and at times found myself more sympathetic than excited by the music.  Some folks need to retire when they can no longer get it done.  Hey, I hung up my baseball spikes, right?  HOWEVER, Miss Martha is not ready for the musical equivalent of assisted living; no, no, no!!!  While no 70 year old has the pipes they once had, she still emotes the joy and energy of an artist in her prime and gave us one helluva show.  No sympathy here, baby.  You go, girl!!

Hey, a brief plug for JD, Lisa, and the staff at Jimmy Maks - they had a full house yet the service was fast, friendly and efficient.   Thanks for a great evening!

Singin' the blues; wow!

 Martha and the Stump Brothers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTj917IGIGA

Shakin' it, Baby!

OK, gang, this one time!