2006-7 Concert Preview

By Bob PROTZMAN

In its 13th year and only third full concert season, JazzErie is offering an all-star lineup of some of the very best performers in jazz today, and also turning fuller attention to promoting jazz education in Erie area schools.

In deep-throated, versatile vocalist Kevin Mahogany (Oct. 20), multi-saxophonist/woodwinds player James Carter (Feb. 3), and near-legendary cross-genre guitarist Larry Coryell (Dec. 28), JazzErie's performance committee came up with a roster of major artists that jazz fans in areas much larger than Erie would envy.

Besides the Big 3, JazzErie's 2006-2007 season will include a noted Latin-jazz group-U.S.-born Brazilian saxophonist Dave Pietro and Banda Brazil, in sponsorship with Penn State Behrend's annual Logan Series on April 18 and 19.

Special efforts are being made this year in education. A benefit concert is set for Jan. 19 to raise funds to send an Erie area all-star student band to Europe next summer to attend and play at the famed Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival and perhaps another jazz event or two.

Also, three area high school music directors plan to put together a JazzErie All Star High School Band, which is scheduled to perform at Collegiate Academy on May 5 as part of JazzErie's annual "Kids Have Their Say" program.

Back to the Big 3, each is among jazz's most highly praised and popular artists. "The standout jazz vocalist of his generation" says Newsweek of the 48-year-old Mahogany. On Mahogany's current CD, "Big Band," on his own self-named label, there's this quote from the New York Times: "Nature unleashes a gale force voice."

Of the 37-year-old Carter, the Detroit News says, "One of the larger lions of modern-day jazz"; "One of the most exciting young virtuosos in contemporary music," maintains Jazz Times; the Los Angeles Times has called him "The Jimi Hendrix of the saxophone."

Coryell, 66, has recorded some 70 albums over the past 35 years, garnering voluminous raves from critics and fellow musicians alike. Guitarist Al DiMeola dubbed him "the godfather of (jazz-rock) fusion." Rolling Stone's Jazz Record Guide says, "Beautiful, intelligent music, with guts and urgency." "Perhaps the most original guitarist around," trumpets Down Beat.

Incredible versatility, as well as extraordinary talent, is the trademark of these three.

Mahogany, a Kansas City native, offers amazing variety on his recordings and in concert. He sings it all--gospel, R&B, soul, blues, ballads and be-bop. He has recorded complete albums of Motown ("Pride and Joy," on Telarc) and (jazz great Charles) Mingus ("Pussy Cat Dues," Enja).

His Erie visit is part of a national tour to promote his scheduled February '07 release of a CD in tribute to another singer, the greatly admired Johnny Hartman (1923-1983), whose 1963 album with legendary tenor saxophonist John Coltrane is arguably the most critically acclaimed male vocal recording in jazz history.

Mahogany's show is titled "In Celebration of Johnny Hartman-His Life, His Music." For those perhaps concerned that Mahogany will be limited in his repertoire by the Hartman tribute, there's a report that he may open the show's second half to audience requests.

(NOTE: Due to differing reports, there has been some confusion over Mahogany's starting time. It is 8 p.m.)

Carter's playing practically covers the entire history of tenor saxophone. One hears such past giants as Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Lester Young and others-although he's anything but a copy-yet he also can be as edgy or avant as just about anyone. While tenor is his main instrument, he also plays alto, soprano, baritone (the horn on which he has won Down Beat's annual International Critics Poll in recent years), clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bass flute and maybe more. We will have to see what he will bring to Erie.

Stylistically, he moves effortlessly among R&B, gospel, swing, funk, be-bop, avant-garde and more.

Coryell is a guitarist's guitarist, as well as a composer, educator (author of two hard cover instruction books), and innovator.

Perhaps no other guitarist has crossed genres and moved between electric and acoustic with as much skill or success.

That's not surprising, since he cites a diverse list of players as major influences, from country/pop's Chet Atkins to rock 'n' roll giant Chuck Berry to influential jazzman Wes Montgomery.

Coryell's also toured and/or recorded with an astounding variety of artists. His bandmates for the Erie gig-bassist Mark Egan and drummer Paul Wertico-are nearly, if not, Coryell's equals in musicianship, versatility and as band leaders.

Egan, 55, has played with many notables, from Pat Metheny (1977-80) to the Gil Evans Orchestra (1983-85). He has a new 2-disc album in stores with drummer Danny Gottlieb (with whom Egan formed the group Elements) and guitarist John Abercrombie titled "As We Speak."

Though he's played with many others, Wertico, 53, blossomed in Metheny's band. Replacing Danny Gottlieb in 1983, he made 10 recordings and won seven Grammy Awards until leaving in 2001.

Finally, the highly lauded Dave Pietro and Banda Brazil is guaranteed to add spice to the season. The sextet was booked by Dan Barnard, choral director and director of the music-at-noon series at Behrend.

The band recently released "Embrace: Impressions of Brazil" (A-Records), the group's fifth for the label.

By the way, JazzErie's performance committee received invaluable assistance in booking Carter and Coryell from Steve Frumkin, a booking agent with Jim Wadsworth Productions in Cleveland, which chooses the artists for Night Town, the Cleveland Heights restaurant/jazz club.

The schedule:

Oct. 20: Vocalist Kevin Mahogany, with pianist Doug Bickel and bassist Chuck Bergeron: "In Celebration of Johnny Hartman-His Life, His Music." Tickets $20, adults, $15, JazzErie members, $10, students. 8 p.m., East Erie Turners, 829 Parade St. An Erie group comprising Frank Singer, piano; Tony Stefanelli, upright bass, and Mike Ohm, guitar, will play from 6:30-8 p.m. For tickets, information, dinner reservations, call (814)-452-2546.

Dec. 28: Guitarist Larry Coryell, with bassist Mark Egan and drummer Paul Wertico; 8 p.m., Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center, 7792 Peach St. Tickets $25, adults; $20, JazzErie members; $10, students. For information, tickets and dinner reservations, call (814)-866-9999.

Jan. 19: Erie Area High School All-Star Band, Mercyhurst College Jazz Band, and saxophonist Charles Ventrello's Sack O' Bones band in a benefit to send Erie students to next summer's Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival. 7:30 p.m., East Erie Turners, 829 Parade St.; $20 adults, $15 JazzErie members, $10 students. For information, call (814)-452-2546.

Feb. 3 Saxophonist James Carter, with Gerard Gibbs, Hammond B3 organ/keyboards; Leonard King, drums; 7 p.m., East Erie Turners, 819 Parade St.; tickets $20, adults; $15, JazzErie members; $10, students; (814)-452-2546.

March: Singers Night. Date, venue and performers to be announced.

April 18-19: Dave Pietro and Banda Brasil, noon on the 18th, 7 p.m. the 19th; McGarvey Commons, Penn State Erie, Behrend Campus. Noon concert is free. Tickets for the 7 o'clock performance are $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 Behrend students and children 12 and under. Information at 814-898-6171, the Reed Union Building Information Desk, or online at pserie.psu.edu/musicatnoon.

May 5: JazzErie All Star High School Band and other student ensembles; 7 p.m., Collegiate Academy, 2825 State St.; 874-6300.

ADVANCE TICKETS
Romolo Chocolates, 1525 W. 8th St., 814-452-1933
Lynch Music Inc., Rte. 98 and 20, Fairview, 814-474-2047 or 2970
East Erie Turners, 829 Parade St., 8114-452-2564
Mercyhurst College, Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center Boxoffice, 501 E. 38th St.; (814)-824-2000
World of Music, 1355 W. 26th St. 814-459-2585
Erie Art Museum, 411 State St., 814-459-5477
Glass Growers Gallery, 20 E. 5th., 814-453-3758

Bob PROTZMAN a member of JazzErie's Performance Committee, is a freelance jazz writer and hosts “Everything Jazz,’’ 9 to midnight Sundays on WQLN-FM 91.3. You can reach Bob at protz@verizon.net or jazzhosts@wqln.org.