News: Elvin Jones and the Pharaoh’s Tomb of Drum History
After Elvin Jones, John Coltrane’s go-to drummer, died in 2004, his widow Keiko was left with her husband’s absence and the monumental task of managing Jones’ gear collection. But to call it a “collection” borders on injustice to the initiated: It was a veritable pharaoh’s tomb of drums and drum history.
“It was an absolute treasure trove of the most amazing drum gear I’ve ever encountered,” recalls Donn Bennett, instructor and owner of Donn’s Drum School, an industry leader in rare, vintage drums and celebrity-owned drum gear for more than 30 years and arguably the industry leader and adviser on the topic. “You’d hear about this buried treasure; you’d hear stories from those who have been there: piles of old Zildjian Ks, ‘60s Gretsch kits still in the boxes.”
Profile: Pianist/Jazz Educator Bill Charlap
Born in New York City, Bill Charlap comes from a musical background. His mother was vocalist, Sandy Stewart and his father was Broadway composer, Moose Charlap. Charlap has been a profound influence in piano jazz, recording seven albums as a leader or co-leader for the Blue Note label, including two Grammy-nominated CDs: For the Japanese label Venus Records, he has recorded two albums as a leader, as well as eight albums as a member of the New York Trio. In addition to his own recordings, Charlap has worked with jazz giants, Gerry Mulligan, Benny Carter, Tony Bennett, Phil Woods and Scott Hamilton, as well as the Phil Woods Quintet.
Charlap was recently appointed as the new director of the Jazz Studies Program at William Paterson University in Wayne, N.J. Founded in 1973, the program has been directed by trumpeter and composer/arranger Thad Jones, bassist Rufus Reid, pianist James Williams and, most recently, pianist Mulgrew Miller, who died in May 2013.
In the News: Count Basie Theatre Expands
The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, one of New Jersey's most historic multi-purpose theaters, will be getting a much needed facelift. The theater recently announced a $20 million expansion plan, which will not only provide needed renovations to some of the 89-year-old venue's patron facilities and backstage areas, but build a 550-capacity "Second Space", a new, smaller performance venue, adjacent to the theater. Glass-fronted lobbies will bookend the two venues. The expanded performing arts center, complete with more space for educational initiatives, will span nearly an entire block on central Red Bank's Monmouth Street. Theater president and CEO, Adam Philipson, hopes to break ground on the project as early as 2018 and fund the project solely through private donations.
In the News: Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap: The Silver Lining
These jazz giants collaborated on a recording, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. This recording continues the classic series of Tony Bennett album releases celebrating the essentials of the Great American Songbook and points us back to one of the 20th century's most important American composers of musical theater and popular music.
Playing alongside Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap on The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern are pianist Renee Rosnes (on the piano duet pieces), Peter Washington (bass) and Kenny Washington (drums). Unrelated, though sharing the same last name, Peter and Kenny have been performing with Bill Charlap for nearly two decades and pianist Renee Rosnes has been Charlap's life partner for close to 10 years.
Both Bennett and Charlap will take part in NJPAC's fourth James Moody Jazz Festival in mid-November.
Ticket Giveaway: George Winston
Tuesday, December 1, you could be spending an evening with George Winston, who some call ''the father of new age music".Call him what you will, he is one of the great popularizers of minimalist, acoustic solo piano music. His best-selling albums Autumn, December, Winter Into Spring, Summer, Forests, and Plains feature pleasant, uncluttered melodies that invite the listener to relax. On the concert stage, however, Winston likes to get the audience tapping their toes to the boogie-woogie and stride piano pieces of such celebrated jazz pianists as Fats Waller and Professor Longhair.
Look for details this week on our ticket give-aways for his upcoming concert at the Bergen Performing Arts Center at the NJJazzList.comwebsite.
Philadephia's JazzBridge
The Jazz Bridge Project non-profit not only helps Philadelphia area musicians during hard times, but also helps to further public awareness of great music by presenting neighborhood concert events. In October, a new season of concert/fund raisers kicks off at the Collingswood Community Center with a great lineup of performers from our area.
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