November 15, 2005
To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected]
CORNELIA STREET CAFE 29 Cornelia Street, NYC, New York 212-989-9319 www.corneliastreetcafe.com between West 4th and Bleecker Sts, Greenwich Village 1,9 Subway to Sheridan Square; A, C, E, B, D, F to West 4th St.
DECEMBER Music
Thu Dec 01 SEAN SMITH QUARTET (John Ellis, saxophones; Keith Ganz, guitar; Sean Smith, bass; Russell Meissner, drums) The Sean Smith Quartet has played together for many years, and its members share a similar passion and vision for music. This kinship helps to define a very distinctive group sound noted for its rare lyrical quality. With Sean's songful and melodic compositions underscoring the quartet, their warm acoustic sound reveals a respect and love for the jazz tradition. At the same time, and with the same spirit, the group will take you on the occasional odd journey.
“The arrangements are cool, the ballads moody and gorgeous. Both sophisticated and emotional, intricate and uncluttered, it reveals richer artistry with each spin. Highly recommended." 4&1/2 stars Judith Schlesinger - AllMusicGuide.com
“Smith not only reiterates his talent as a bassist but establishes himself as a composer who shows you don't have to be quirky and abrasive in order to be freshly modern. His originals are highly listenable and thought provoking music for both head and heart." Ira Gitler
“Quiet, poetic, and lyrical, Sean Smith reminds us that the best jazz comes from the heart, not merely from the mind or the fingers. He takes us on compelling journeys, full of sounds that fall gracefully on the ear." James Gavin - Grammy nominated author and journalist
“Smith's been steadily building both a strong book of original pieces and a firm rapport" John Donohue - New Yorker Magazine 8:30PM Cover $10 www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid= 2:28:41|PM&sql=Bi97uak5kgm3v
Fri Dec 02 THE TUBA PROJECT FEATURING BOB STEWART (Lucian Ban, piano; Bruce Williams, alto sax & flutes; Derrek Phillips, drums; Bob Stewart, tuba) is a cooperative ensemble of renowned bari sax player Alex Harding, alto saxist Bruce Williams, pianist Lucian Ban, drummer extraordinaire Derrek Phillips and one of the most unique brass players ever in jazz, tubist Bob Stewart.
Founded in 2004 by long time musical collaborators Alex Harding and transylvanian born pianist Lucian Ban the group brings together some of the most creative voices in jazz today to form a unique ensemble built around the voices of saxophones and tuba.
Benefiting immensely from the extraordinaire talent of mr. Bob Steawart who's widely considered the best tuba player in jazz and who can play the tuba in any way possible the group also feature the soulful and bluesy baritone sax of mr. Alex Harding, the beautiful sound of Bruce Williams's alto sax & flutes, the strange eastern european influences of ban's piano and the creative rhythms of a master of modern jazz drumming, mr. Derrek Phillips.
Pulsating blues, new orleans riffs, post bop lines, funk grooves and free jazz outbursts can be found in their music but the sound of the group goes well beyond all those to become a voice of its own. playing original music the four musicians have to be seen and heard to get the full picture. 9:00PM Cover $10
Sat Dec 03 CHRIS LIGHTCAP GROUP (Tony Malaby, tenor saxophone; Mark Turner, tenor saxophone; Jacob Sacks, piano; Chris Lightcap, bass & compositions; Greald Cleaver, drums) Having released 2 critically acclaimed releases with his two-tenor quartet, bassist and composer Chris Lightcap brings another configuration of new music to Cornelia Street Cafe. Lightcap has been featured in the bands of Craig Taborn, Joe Morris, Mark Turner and Regina Carter, and tonight he will lead a band featuring his longtime collaborators Tony Malaby, Mark Turner ,Gerald Cleaver as well as Jacob Sacks on piano.
“One of the bright lights of New York's younger players, the bassist has been fashioning a group sound around a pair of tenor saxophonists for years. His writing can be simultaneously demonstrative and reflective, an accomplishment that gives his music emotional breadth." -Jim Macnie, Village Voice
“A bassist-bandleader who's made some excellent records with two tenor saxophones out front." - Ben Ratliff, New York Times
“Bassist Chris Lightcap has worked alongside avant-minded mavericks such as Cecil Taylor, Anthony Braxton, and Joe Morris, but he's also right at home in more mellifluous units led by Regina Carter and Craig Taborn. perhaps that explains the infectious swagger and fat grooves he brings to bear on Bigmouth (Fresh Sound New Talent), a playful bag of tunes featuring saxists Tony Malaby and Bill McHenry and drummer Gerald Cleaver" -Time Out New York 9:00PM Cover $10 www.chrislightcap.com
Sun Dec 04
ANDY GUTHRIE CD RELEASE PARTY MILK AND WASTE (Miki Hirose, trumpet; Jordan Perlson, drums; Apostolos Sideris, double bass; Catherine Bent, cello; Andy Guthrie, voice, piano, guitar, composition) Andy Guthrie releases tonight his third and most ambitious album Milk and Waste. An unheard mix of British pop, American folk and jazz, this album has just been selected to be featured on NPR's staple songwriters program All Songs Considered.
Singer, writer, composer, pianist, and guitarist, Andy Guthrie will lead a band featuring musicians Miki Hirose, Jordan Perlson, Apostolos Sideris, and Catherine Bent, performing songs from the new album, along with older compositions and new experiments.
Often compared to Tom Waits, Nick Drake or Tim Buckley, Guthrie's music is at the same time passionate and controlled, sincere and sophisticated, vibrant and cynical. By melting his incomparable voice with cello, trumpet, organ, guitar, piano, and bass, by combining genres and moods, Andy Guthrie has created a unique atmosphere and sound, a world of his own. 8:30PM Cover $10 www.andyguthrie.com
Mon Dec 05 AMRAM & CO (David Amram, piano; Kevin Twig, drums; John DeWirr, bass; John Ventimigla, actor) “Farewell to 2005" David Amram Trio (David Amram w. Kevin Twigg on drums and John DeWitt on bass), actor John Ventimigla of The Sopranos, Alana, Adira and Adam Amram plus surprise guests and readings from the works of Kerouac and Amram with musical accompanyment.
This series explores in his highly personable, generous and informal style the astonishing variety of David Amram's interests and accomplishments--renowned composer of symphonic classical music, jazz compositions, improvisation, spoken word, scat, he sits at the piano, schmoozes about music, about the greats, the beats, the obscure, the legendary; plays the French horn, pulls out all kinds of instruments (flutes, drums, horns) gathered from his many circumnavigations of the globe, pulls in guests drawn from just about every artistic walk of life. 8:30PM Cover $10 www.davidamram.com
Tue Dec 06 ARTURO O'FARRILL (Arturo O'Farrill, piano; Rafi Torn, percussion; Rafi Malakiel, trombone; Peter Brainin, tenor sax; Emilio Valdez, drums; Harvie S, bass)
Arturo O'Farrill y Riza Negra - Explorations in Latin Jazz
Arturo O'Farrill, son of the legendary Cuban composer/bandleader Chico O'Farrill and musical director of the Lincoln Center Afro- Latin Jazz Orchestra, performs at the Cornelia Street Cafe every second Tuesday of the month.
Arturo is currently on tour w/ the Lincolin Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra throughout the United States and recently had a premiere performance in Shanghai, China, yet he is still making time for his Y Riza Negra performances at Cornelia Street.
One of the highlights of this incredible musical opportunity, for both listeners and younger musicians: Arturo, the consummate teacher, is offering both a student discount rate and the opportunity for jazz students to sit in with his band during the second set.
This performance is a rare opportunity to see this high-energy, exceptionally gifted artist perform with his sextet in the intimate setting of The Cornelia Street Cafe's 60-seat downstairs lounge.
8:30PM Cover $10
Wed Dec 07 CHORAL MUSIC Our own dramatic bartender curates the show, a Christmas sing-along to benefit “Dress for Success". 6:00PM Lyndsay Becker. Cover $10
SPEAKEASY: STORIES FROM THE BACKROOM Real stories from real people 8:30PM Sherry Weaver, host. www.speakeasystories.com
Thu Dec 08 GNU VOX VOCAL SERIES: This season of Gnu Vox, the jazz vocal series, concentrates on emerging vocalists. The programs will showcase the singers unique abilities as interpreters, improvisers, composers and arrangers from traditional to avant-garde jazz. The Cornelia Street Cafe provides an intimate setting in which to hear these artists at a reasonable price!
8:30PM David Devoe, curator. Cover $10
Fri Dec 09 JEREMY STEIG QUARTET (Jeremy Steig, flute; Jim McNeely, piano; Cameron Brown, bass; Anthony Pinciotti, drums) Come and hear the HOTTEST jazz flutist playing in NY. Jeremy Steig has played with Bill Evans, Art Blakey, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter and many others. He brings with him three legendary musician. 9:00PM Cover $12 www.jeremysteig.info
Sat Dec 10 BEN WALTZER GROUP (Ben Waltzer, piano) “This no-nonsense jazz pianist in the Ellington and Monk vein (who has occasionally written for Arts & Leisure) gets a big, ringing sound out of the extreme registers of the instrument; he also takes a decisive stand against the ultra-sensitive, lush-harmony tendency of so many young jazz composers. “One Hundred Dreams Ago" (Fresh Sound), with a trio including the bassist Matt Penman and the drummer Gerald Cleaver, is by far the best thing he's done, but he hasn't been making records for very long." --Ben Ratliff, NYTimes, 7.18.04
“Brilliantly performed...very impressive." - Ahmad Jamal, jazz piano legend, of '100 Dreams Ago.'
“In the era of concept records, this startling young pianist has flipped the script: the message behind One Hundred Dreams Ago is 'let's just play.' Accordingly the trio gets its bustle on. Ellington's small groups are in the air here, and the pleasure Waltzer generates is bountiful." - Jim Macnie, the Village Voice 9:00PM Cover $10 www.benwaltzer.com
Sun Dec 11 NEW YORK JAZZ FLUTET (Dotti Anita Taylor, soprano and piccolo flute; Jan Leder, soprano flute; Elise Wood, soprano and alto flute; Michelle Smith, bass flute; Chip Shelton, contra bass flute; Art Lillard, drums) “an enchanting blend of flutes, Jazz with a Holiday Theme" 8:30PM
Mon Dec 12 COMPOSERSCOLLABORATIVE PRESENTS SERIAL UNDERGROUND THE 2ND MONDAY OF THE MONTH (Jed Distler, piano, composer; Ed Schmidt, play writer; Joshua Fried, composer; Rachelle Garniez, accordion, vocals, songwriter; Danny Mallon, percussion/composer; Molly Thompson, composer/multi- instrumentalist; Edwin Torres, poet) ComposersCollaborative inc's (CCi) Serial Underground introduces new multidisciplinary concert theater collaborations - the second Monday of the month
Meet once again our disgruntled protagonist in a preview from The Gold Standard by composer/pianist Jed Distler and playwright Ed Schmidt (The Last Supper). “The Diva with a difference" (Billboard Magazine) performs her own quirky songs on accordion. Danny Mallon and Edwin Torres pair up for a creative dialogue. Molly Thompson previews her upcoming cd of chamber works.
SERIAL UNDERGROUND evenings and THE GOLD STANDARD are directed by Arnold Barkus, while David Lovett's lighting design adds glitz to the underground experience.
As of 1998 “the ever imaginative COMPOSERSCOLLABORATIVE" (Time Out) has presented such new music fare as the SOLO FLIGHTS and NON SEQUITUR festivals. Launched in the fall of 2004, SERIAL UNDERGROUND presents multidisciplinary collaborations between composers, playwrights, directors, spoken word artists. Allan Kozinn (New York Times) contextualizes SERIAL UNDERGROUND, CCi's monthly performances in the basement of the Cornelia Street Cafe - “Informal performances of concert works were part of the musical ecology, and to some extent part of the ecology of urban night life as well. That tradition lasted into the 20th century, when ... “serious music" reserved the concert hall as its home, and jazz (and later other popular forms) took its place at street level. ... Composers Collaborative and its inventive artistic director, the composer and pianist Jed Distler, have decided that this [lost] intimacy [between listeners and performers] is worth recapturing."
Telephone for advance sale tickets: 212-663-1967 all major credit card accepted: AMEX, MC, Visa Advance purchase tickets (incl. one house drink): $15 Tickets purchased at the door on day of perf (incl. one house drink): $20 8:30PM www.composerscollab.org
Wed Dec 14 RIBS & BRISKET (Paul Shapiro, saxophone, vocals; Babi Floyd, vocals; Cilla Owens, vocals; Tony Lewis, drums; Booker King, bass; Brian Mitchelll, piano)
Back in the 30's and 40's bluesy, comedic, swing musicians like Louie Jordan and Cab Calloway made some great music that still sounds fresh today. Yiddish was a pretty active street language in New York City at that time, and it was woven into the music. You had Slim Gaillard singing “Matzo Balls", Mildred Bailey recording “A Bee Gezindt", and Calloway's hysterical yiddish/gibberish cantillation intro to “Ot Azoy" (That's the Way).
Paul Shapiro celebrates this interplay of 40's hipster swing with some Yiddish thrown in at the Cornelia Street Caf. Calling it the Ribs and Brisket Revue*, the saxophonist/composer features Babi Floyd, (of Keith Richard's Expensive Winos et al) and Cilla Owens (one of New York's best kept secrets). They will be backed by musicians from Paul's CD “Midnight Minyan", on Tzadik Records, which was released lastyear. *Paul was visited in a dream state by the ghost of Fats Waller who convinced him that R&B originally stood for Ribs & Brisket 8:30PM Cover $8
Thu Dec 15 PO'JAZZ The medicine woman of poetry & jazz, with friends and students, once a month on our lovely diminutive stage. 6:00PM Golda Solomon, host. Cover $13
YALE STROM AND HOT PSTROMI Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi with special guest percussionist David Licht (Klezmatics) bring their unique blend of Hasidic-Rom-World Beat klezmer & new Yiddish vocals by Elizabeth Schwartz
“A leading light of the klezmer revival" (Time Out New York)
“Strom not only feels klezmer innately, he can play the hell out of it, too. Yale Strom is a Jewish roots trip unto himself" (Dirty Linen Magazine)
“Elizabeth Schwartz is a revelation" (Sing Out! Magazine) 8:30PM Cover $10 www.yalestrom.com
Fri Dec 16 JOHN MCNEIL: EAST COAST COOL (John McNeil, trumpet; Allan Chase, baritone saxophone; John Hebert, bass; Ted Poor, drums) On Friday, Dec. 16th John McNeil brings a striking new band called “East Coast Cool" to the Cornelia St. Cafe. They will be playing music from John's upcoming OmniTone CD of the same name (scheduled release, January 10th). The instrumentation of trumpet, baritone saxophone, bass and drums is a nod to the Gerry Mulligan pianoless quartets of the 1950's, but the music is contemporary and uses free form improvisation. It's a brand-new take on a classic concept. 9:00PM Cover $10 www.mcneiljazz.com
Sun Dec 18 MALABY/SANCHEZ/ RAINEY TRIO (Tony Malaby, saxophone; Angelica Sanchez, piano; Tom Rainey, drums) CD release party for Live in Brooklyn II
The husband and wife team have been playing with their drummer pal Tom Rainey for years now; their bedrock rapport doesn't vanish for an instant when they're truly hitting it. That gives their well- conceived abstractions an inner balance that often eludes others. Sax, piano, percussion - quite a concept. Jim Macnie/Village Voice NYC
This is a particularly articulate small ensemble in a time where subtle ensemble articulation is a lost art to many musicians. The trio subtly balances between the overt and the introvert. Intuitive ensemble-play moments find their space, without ever loosing sight of precise process and motion within the longer time-lapses. This is quite a compliment when you consider the fact that all their material is improvised and crafted; on the spot. How often have you not listened to a “free-jazz" combo and felt: “well, some good moments here and there, but there is just no focus, no story, and no narrative." Not so with this trio. Come out, listen intently, and you will hear fluid narratives you can relate to, all night long. This is modern improvised chamber music. Structure and exploration go hand in hand, not one sacrificed for the other. Malaby's embracing sound is reminiscent of the more lyrical sax players from both American as well as European traditions; he is thus quite unique in the American landscape these days. With Rainey's highly intelligent and intuitive rhythmic play/counter play, Sanchez's colorful and imaginative harmonic musings; this trio has enough musical intelligence and heart to capture anyone out there with half an ear for any kind of music. Gaute Solaas 8:30PM Cover $10 www.tonymalaby.com
Mon Dec 19 BIG BANG (Taylor Ho Bynum, cornet; Rachel Bernsen, dancer; Jorrit Dijstra, saxophones & lyricon; Marieken Cochius, painter; Rolf Sturm, guitar; Bohdan Hilash, bass clarinet; Rob Henke, trumpet; Jody Espina, sax; Alan Brady, clarinet; Jim Whitney, bass) Terry Down
“Big Bang", the latest new and all-inclusive music and mixed media series at Cornelia Street Caf, beginning Monday, October 17th, 2005 and every third Monday of the month thereafter.
“Big Bang' is a creative collision of musicians with artists in spoken word, dance, visual art, video art, found words, theatre, etc. presenting works in progress in a new series every third Monday at the Cornelia Street Caf. The evenings will include two featured groups followed by a brief talk back with the audience after each set. Every evening will end with a jam session in which we fish names out of a hat (including names of audience members) that will go for about 10 minutes.
8:30 - Cornetist, Taylor Ho Bynum, and dancer, Rachel Bernsen working on a performance duo, trying to move away from the traditional confines of dance/music collaboration and [move] towards creating a shared interdisciplinary improvisational language. 9:20 - Saxophonist and Lyriconist, Jorrit Dijkstra working with sculptor and painter Marieken Cochius whose art works will be on display downstairs specifically for their performance/collaboration.
10:10 - Guitarist Rolf Sturm presents his project “456" performing with silent film and video. Rolf is joined by Bohdan Hilash: bass clarinet, Rob Henke: trumpet, Jody Espina: sax, Alan Brady: clarinet, Jim Whitney: bass 8:30PM Katie Down, curator. Cover $10 www.strikeanywhere.info
Tue Dec 20 PETE ROBBINS & CENTRIC (Pete Robbins, alto saxophone, compositions; Sam Sadigursky, tenor & soprano saxophones; Ryan Blotnick, guitar; Thomas Morgan, bass flute; Dan Weiss, drums)
8:30PM Cover $6 www.peterobbins.com
Wed Dec 21 THE SONGWRITER'S BEAT Stephanie Winters; Valerie Ghent; JJ Appleton; Paula Mlyn; John Beltzer; and more!
The FIFTH ANNIVERSARY of the Songwriter's Beat!! Come celebrate the holiday AND our 5th Birthday! Special guests
8:30PM Valerie Ghent, host. Cover $5 songwritersbeat.com
Thu Dec 22 GNU VOX VOCAL SERIES SPECIAL: SHEILA JORDAN + CAMERON BROWN (Sheila Jordan, voice; Cameron Brown, bass) GNU VOX VOCAL SERIES SPECIAL: Sheila Jordan + Cameron Brown CD Release party for Celebration, High Note HCD 7136
Few singers, regardless of age, bare their soul like Sheila Jordan, let alone do it accompanied only by a bass. That Jordan is now in her late seventies and performs the type of immaculate club sets documented on Celebration refutes most of the conventional wisdom about the biology of the human voice. Her projection, intonation, phrasing and coloration on these 76th birthday party performances with bassist Cameron Brown rarely even hint at her age. Recorded at NYC's Triad, these performances compare very well with Jordan's work with Arild Andersen on her first voice-bass album, Sheila (Steeplechase), recorded in 1977. If anything, Jordan is more joyful, radiant and reconciled, particularly when she reaches way back to tunes like “Humdrum Blues" and “Let's Face the Music and Dance," which she sang on her 1962 debut, Portrait of Sheila (Blue Note). Most folks Jordan's age are in the autumn of their lives; she's in Indian summer. (taken from www.pointofdeparture.org) 8:30PM David Devoe, curator. Cover $10 www.cameronbrownmusic.com
Wed Dec 28 SOUL OF THE BLUES (TBA) This special edition of Soul of the Blues features.....TBA.
SOUL OF THE BLUES, NYC's premiere *inexpensive* live blues and soul music series, happens the fourth Wednesday of every month at Cornelia Street Cafe.
8:30PM Jon Sobel. Cover $5
Fri Dec 30 MARK HELIAS; OPEN LOOSE (Mark Helias, bass; Tom Rainey, drums; Tony Malaby, sax) “The trio's name “Open Loose" refers not only to its musical style, but to Mark Helias' compositions which are written with plenty of space in them, and are designed to be interpreted openly and loosely. They allow for seamless transitions between composed passages and improvisation, never easy to achieve. This threesome fully exploits the creative possibilities of the compositions, never opting for a clichd theme-solos-theme format. The group has the knack of starting with a rather loose - sometimes even ramshackle - piece and slowly allowing it to evolve until it emerges as a tight theme. Open Loose has been touring for six years and has released three CDs." 9:00PM Cover $10 www.markhelias.com
Cornelia Street Caf Press Contact:
Jim Eigo Jazz Promo Services 269 S Route 94 Warwick, NY 10990 T: 845-986-1677 / F: 845-986-1699 E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.jazzpromoservices.com/ “Specializing in Media Campaigns for the music community, artists, labels, venues and events."
To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected]
CORNELIA STREET CAFE 29 Cornelia Street, NYC, New York 212-989-9319 www.corneliastreetcafe.com between West 4th and Bleecker Sts, Greenwich Village 1,9 Subway to Sheridan Square; A, C, E, B, D, F to West 4th St.
DECEMBER Music
Thu Dec 01 SEAN SMITH QUARTET (John Ellis, saxophones; Keith Ganz, guitar; Sean Smith, bass; Russell Meissner, drums) The Sean Smith Quartet has played together for many years, and its members share a similar passion and vision for music. This kinship helps to define a very distinctive group sound noted for its rare lyrical quality. With Sean's songful and melodic compositions underscoring the quartet, their warm acoustic sound reveals a respect and love for the jazz tradition. At the same time, and with the same spirit, the group will take you on the occasional odd journey.
“The arrangements are cool, the ballads moody and gorgeous. Both sophisticated and emotional, intricate and uncluttered, it reveals richer artistry with each spin. Highly recommended." 4&1/2 stars Judith Schlesinger - AllMusicGuide.com
“Smith not only reiterates his talent as a bassist but establishes himself as a composer who shows you don't have to be quirky and abrasive in order to be freshly modern. His originals are highly listenable and thought provoking music for both head and heart." Ira Gitler
“Quiet, poetic, and lyrical, Sean Smith reminds us that the best jazz comes from the heart, not merely from the mind or the fingers. He takes us on compelling journeys, full of sounds that fall gracefully on the ear." James Gavin - Grammy nominated author and journalist
“Smith's been steadily building both a strong book of original pieces and a firm rapport" John Donohue - New Yorker Magazine 8:30PM Cover $10 www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid= 2:28:41|PM&sql=Bi97uak5kgm3v
Fri Dec 02 THE TUBA PROJECT FEATURING BOB STEWART (Lucian Ban, piano; Bruce Williams, alto sax & flutes; Derrek Phillips, drums; Bob Stewart, tuba) is a cooperative ensemble of renowned bari sax player Alex Harding, alto saxist Bruce Williams, pianist Lucian Ban, drummer extraordinaire Derrek Phillips and one of the most unique brass players ever in jazz, tubist Bob Stewart.
Founded in 2004 by long time musical collaborators Alex Harding and transylvanian born pianist Lucian Ban the group brings together some of the most creative voices in jazz today to form a unique ensemble built around the voices of saxophones and tuba.
Benefiting immensely from the extraordinaire talent of mr. Bob Steawart who's widely considered the best tuba player in jazz and who can play the tuba in any way possible the group also feature the soulful and bluesy baritone sax of mr. Alex Harding, the beautiful sound of Bruce Williams's alto sax & flutes, the strange eastern european influences of ban's piano and the creative rhythms of a master of modern jazz drumming, mr. Derrek Phillips.
Pulsating blues, new orleans riffs, post bop lines, funk grooves and free jazz outbursts can be found in their music but the sound of the group goes well beyond all those to become a voice of its own. playing original music the four musicians have to be seen and heard to get the full picture. 9:00PM Cover $10
Sat Dec 03 CHRIS LIGHTCAP GROUP (Tony Malaby, tenor saxophone; Mark Turner, tenor saxophone; Jacob Sacks, piano; Chris Lightcap, bass & compositions; Greald Cleaver, drums) Having released 2 critically acclaimed releases with his two-tenor quartet, bassist and composer Chris Lightcap brings another configuration of new music to Cornelia Street Cafe. Lightcap has been featured in the bands of Craig Taborn, Joe Morris, Mark Turner and Regina Carter, and tonight he will lead a band featuring his longtime collaborators Tony Malaby, Mark Turner ,Gerald Cleaver as well as Jacob Sacks on piano.
“One of the bright lights of New York's younger players, the bassist has been fashioning a group sound around a pair of tenor saxophonists for years. His writing can be simultaneously demonstrative and reflective, an accomplishment that gives his music emotional breadth." -Jim Macnie, Village Voice
“A bassist-bandleader who's made some excellent records with two tenor saxophones out front." - Ben Ratliff, New York Times
“Bassist Chris Lightcap has worked alongside avant-minded mavericks such as Cecil Taylor, Anthony Braxton, and Joe Morris, but he's also right at home in more mellifluous units led by Regina Carter and Craig Taborn. perhaps that explains the infectious swagger and fat grooves he brings to bear on Bigmouth (Fresh Sound New Talent), a playful bag of tunes featuring saxists Tony Malaby and Bill McHenry and drummer Gerald Cleaver" -Time Out New York 9:00PM Cover $10 www.chrislightcap.com
Sun Dec 04
ANDY GUTHRIE CD RELEASE PARTY MILK AND WASTE (Miki Hirose, trumpet; Jordan Perlson, drums; Apostolos Sideris, double bass; Catherine Bent, cello; Andy Guthrie, voice, piano, guitar, composition) Andy Guthrie releases tonight his third and most ambitious album Milk and Waste. An unheard mix of British pop, American folk and jazz, this album has just been selected to be featured on NPR's staple songwriters program All Songs Considered.
Singer, writer, composer, pianist, and guitarist, Andy Guthrie will lead a band featuring musicians Miki Hirose, Jordan Perlson, Apostolos Sideris, and Catherine Bent, performing songs from the new album, along with older compositions and new experiments.
Often compared to Tom Waits, Nick Drake or Tim Buckley, Guthrie's music is at the same time passionate and controlled, sincere and sophisticated, vibrant and cynical. By melting his incomparable voice with cello, trumpet, organ, guitar, piano, and bass, by combining genres and moods, Andy Guthrie has created a unique atmosphere and sound, a world of his own. 8:30PM Cover $10 www.andyguthrie.com
Mon Dec 05 AMRAM & CO (David Amram, piano; Kevin Twig, drums; John DeWirr, bass; John Ventimigla, actor) “Farewell to 2005" David Amram Trio (David Amram w. Kevin Twigg on drums and John DeWitt on bass), actor John Ventimigla of The Sopranos, Alana, Adira and Adam Amram plus surprise guests and readings from the works of Kerouac and Amram with musical accompanyment.
This series explores in his highly personable, generous and informal style the astonishing variety of David Amram's interests and accomplishments--renowned composer of symphonic classical music, jazz compositions, improvisation, spoken word, scat, he sits at the piano, schmoozes about music, about the greats, the beats, the obscure, the legendary; plays the French horn, pulls out all kinds of instruments (flutes, drums, horns) gathered from his many circumnavigations of the globe, pulls in guests drawn from just about every artistic walk of life. 8:30PM Cover $10 www.davidamram.com
Tue Dec 06 ARTURO O'FARRILL (Arturo O'Farrill, piano; Rafi Torn, percussion; Rafi Malakiel, trombone; Peter Brainin, tenor sax; Emilio Valdez, drums; Harvie S, bass)
Arturo O'Farrill y Riza Negra - Explorations in Latin Jazz
Arturo O'Farrill, son of the legendary Cuban composer/bandleader Chico O'Farrill and musical director of the Lincoln Center Afro- Latin Jazz Orchestra, performs at the Cornelia Street Cafe every second Tuesday of the month.
Arturo is currently on tour w/ the Lincolin Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra throughout the United States and recently had a premiere performance in Shanghai, China, yet he is still making time for his Y Riza Negra performances at Cornelia Street.
One of the highlights of this incredible musical opportunity, for both listeners and younger musicians: Arturo, the consummate teacher, is offering both a student discount rate and the opportunity for jazz students to sit in with his band during the second set.
This performance is a rare opportunity to see this high-energy, exceptionally gifted artist perform with his sextet in the intimate setting of The Cornelia Street Cafe's 60-seat downstairs lounge.
8:30PM Cover $10
Wed Dec 07 CHORAL MUSIC Our own dramatic bartender curates the show, a Christmas sing-along to benefit “Dress for Success". 6:00PM Lyndsay Becker. Cover $10
SPEAKEASY: STORIES FROM THE BACKROOM Real stories from real people 8:30PM Sherry Weaver, host. www.speakeasystories.com
Thu Dec 08 GNU VOX VOCAL SERIES: This season of Gnu Vox, the jazz vocal series, concentrates on emerging vocalists. The programs will showcase the singers unique abilities as interpreters, improvisers, composers and arrangers from traditional to avant-garde jazz. The Cornelia Street Cafe provides an intimate setting in which to hear these artists at a reasonable price!
8:30PM David Devoe, curator. Cover $10
Fri Dec 09 JEREMY STEIG QUARTET (Jeremy Steig, flute; Jim McNeely, piano; Cameron Brown, bass; Anthony Pinciotti, drums) Come and hear the HOTTEST jazz flutist playing in NY. Jeremy Steig has played with Bill Evans, Art Blakey, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter and many others. He brings with him three legendary musician. 9:00PM Cover $12 www.jeremysteig.info
Sat Dec 10 BEN WALTZER GROUP (Ben Waltzer, piano) “This no-nonsense jazz pianist in the Ellington and Monk vein (who has occasionally written for Arts & Leisure) gets a big, ringing sound out of the extreme registers of the instrument; he also takes a decisive stand against the ultra-sensitive, lush-harmony tendency of so many young jazz composers. “One Hundred Dreams Ago" (Fresh Sound), with a trio including the bassist Matt Penman and the drummer Gerald Cleaver, is by far the best thing he's done, but he hasn't been making records for very long." --Ben Ratliff, NYTimes, 7.18.04
“Brilliantly performed...very impressive." - Ahmad Jamal, jazz piano legend, of '100 Dreams Ago.'
“In the era of concept records, this startling young pianist has flipped the script: the message behind One Hundred Dreams Ago is 'let's just play.' Accordingly the trio gets its bustle on. Ellington's small groups are in the air here, and the pleasure Waltzer generates is bountiful." - Jim Macnie, the Village Voice 9:00PM Cover $10 www.benwaltzer.com
Sun Dec 11 NEW YORK JAZZ FLUTET (Dotti Anita Taylor, soprano and piccolo flute; Jan Leder, soprano flute; Elise Wood, soprano and alto flute; Michelle Smith, bass flute; Chip Shelton, contra bass flute; Art Lillard, drums) “an enchanting blend of flutes, Jazz with a Holiday Theme" 8:30PM
Mon Dec 12 COMPOSERSCOLLABORATIVE PRESENTS SERIAL UNDERGROUND THE 2ND MONDAY OF THE MONTH (Jed Distler, piano, composer; Ed Schmidt, play writer; Joshua Fried, composer; Rachelle Garniez, accordion, vocals, songwriter; Danny Mallon, percussion/composer; Molly Thompson, composer/multi- instrumentalist; Edwin Torres, poet) ComposersCollaborative inc's (CCi) Serial Underground introduces new multidisciplinary concert theater collaborations - the second Monday of the month
Meet once again our disgruntled protagonist in a preview from The Gold Standard by composer/pianist Jed Distler and playwright Ed Schmidt (The Last Supper). “The Diva with a difference" (Billboard Magazine) performs her own quirky songs on accordion. Danny Mallon and Edwin Torres pair up for a creative dialogue. Molly Thompson previews her upcoming cd of chamber works.
SERIAL UNDERGROUND evenings and THE GOLD STANDARD are directed by Arnold Barkus, while David Lovett's lighting design adds glitz to the underground experience.
As of 1998 “the ever imaginative COMPOSERSCOLLABORATIVE" (Time Out) has presented such new music fare as the SOLO FLIGHTS and NON SEQUITUR festivals. Launched in the fall of 2004, SERIAL UNDERGROUND presents multidisciplinary collaborations between composers, playwrights, directors, spoken word artists. Allan Kozinn (New York Times) contextualizes SERIAL UNDERGROUND, CCi's monthly performances in the basement of the Cornelia Street Cafe - “Informal performances of concert works were part of the musical ecology, and to some extent part of the ecology of urban night life as well. That tradition lasted into the 20th century, when ... “serious music" reserved the concert hall as its home, and jazz (and later other popular forms) took its place at street level. ... Composers Collaborative and its inventive artistic director, the composer and pianist Jed Distler, have decided that this [lost] intimacy [between listeners and performers] is worth recapturing."
Telephone for advance sale tickets: 212-663-1967 all major credit card accepted: AMEX, MC, Visa Advance purchase tickets (incl. one house drink): $15 Tickets purchased at the door on day of perf (incl. one house drink): $20 8:30PM www.composerscollab.org
Wed Dec 14 RIBS & BRISKET (Paul Shapiro, saxophone, vocals; Babi Floyd, vocals; Cilla Owens, vocals; Tony Lewis, drums; Booker King, bass; Brian Mitchelll, piano)
Back in the 30's and 40's bluesy, comedic, swing musicians like Louie Jordan and Cab Calloway made some great music that still sounds fresh today. Yiddish was a pretty active street language in New York City at that time, and it was woven into the music. You had Slim Gaillard singing “Matzo Balls", Mildred Bailey recording “A Bee Gezindt", and Calloway's hysterical yiddish/gibberish cantillation intro to “Ot Azoy" (That's the Way).
Paul Shapiro celebrates this interplay of 40's hipster swing with some Yiddish thrown in at the Cornelia Street Caf. Calling it the Ribs and Brisket Revue*, the saxophonist/composer features Babi Floyd, (of Keith Richard's Expensive Winos et al) and Cilla Owens (one of New York's best kept secrets). They will be backed by musicians from Paul's CD “Midnight Minyan", on Tzadik Records, which was released lastyear. *Paul was visited in a dream state by the ghost of Fats Waller who convinced him that R&B originally stood for Ribs & Brisket 8:30PM Cover $8
Thu Dec 15 PO'JAZZ The medicine woman of poetry & jazz, with friends and students, once a month on our lovely diminutive stage. 6:00PM Golda Solomon, host. Cover $13
YALE STROM AND HOT PSTROMI Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi with special guest percussionist David Licht (Klezmatics) bring their unique blend of Hasidic-Rom-World Beat klezmer & new Yiddish vocals by Elizabeth Schwartz
“A leading light of the klezmer revival" (Time Out New York)
“Strom not only feels klezmer innately, he can play the hell out of it, too. Yale Strom is a Jewish roots trip unto himself" (Dirty Linen Magazine)
“Elizabeth Schwartz is a revelation" (Sing Out! Magazine) 8:30PM Cover $10 www.yalestrom.com
Fri Dec 16 JOHN MCNEIL: EAST COAST COOL (John McNeil, trumpet; Allan Chase, baritone saxophone; John Hebert, bass; Ted Poor, drums) On Friday, Dec. 16th John McNeil brings a striking new band called “East Coast Cool" to the Cornelia St. Cafe. They will be playing music from John's upcoming OmniTone CD of the same name (scheduled release, January 10th). The instrumentation of trumpet, baritone saxophone, bass and drums is a nod to the Gerry Mulligan pianoless quartets of the 1950's, but the music is contemporary and uses free form improvisation. It's a brand-new take on a classic concept. 9:00PM Cover $10 www.mcneiljazz.com
Sun Dec 18 MALABY/SANCHEZ/ RAINEY TRIO (Tony Malaby, saxophone; Angelica Sanchez, piano; Tom Rainey, drums) CD release party for Live in Brooklyn II
The husband and wife team have been playing with their drummer pal Tom Rainey for years now; their bedrock rapport doesn't vanish for an instant when they're truly hitting it. That gives their well- conceived abstractions an inner balance that often eludes others. Sax, piano, percussion - quite a concept. Jim Macnie/Village Voice NYC
This is a particularly articulate small ensemble in a time where subtle ensemble articulation is a lost art to many musicians. The trio subtly balances between the overt and the introvert. Intuitive ensemble-play moments find their space, without ever loosing sight of precise process and motion within the longer time-lapses. This is quite a compliment when you consider the fact that all their material is improvised and crafted; on the spot. How often have you not listened to a “free-jazz" combo and felt: “well, some good moments here and there, but there is just no focus, no story, and no narrative." Not so with this trio. Come out, listen intently, and you will hear fluid narratives you can relate to, all night long. This is modern improvised chamber music. Structure and exploration go hand in hand, not one sacrificed for the other. Malaby's embracing sound is reminiscent of the more lyrical sax players from both American as well as European traditions; he is thus quite unique in the American landscape these days. With Rainey's highly intelligent and intuitive rhythmic play/counter play, Sanchez's colorful and imaginative harmonic musings; this trio has enough musical intelligence and heart to capture anyone out there with half an ear for any kind of music. Gaute Solaas 8:30PM Cover $10 www.tonymalaby.com
Mon Dec 19 BIG BANG (Taylor Ho Bynum, cornet; Rachel Bernsen, dancer; Jorrit Dijstra, saxophones & lyricon; Marieken Cochius, painter; Rolf Sturm, guitar; Bohdan Hilash, bass clarinet; Rob Henke, trumpet; Jody Espina, sax; Alan Brady, clarinet; Jim Whitney, bass) Terry Down
“Big Bang", the latest new and all-inclusive music and mixed media series at Cornelia Street Caf, beginning Monday, October 17th, 2005 and every third Monday of the month thereafter.
“Big Bang' is a creative collision of musicians with artists in spoken word, dance, visual art, video art, found words, theatre, etc. presenting works in progress in a new series every third Monday at the Cornelia Street Caf. The evenings will include two featured groups followed by a brief talk back with the audience after each set. Every evening will end with a jam session in which we fish names out of a hat (including names of audience members) that will go for about 10 minutes.
8:30 - Cornetist, Taylor Ho Bynum, and dancer, Rachel Bernsen working on a performance duo, trying to move away from the traditional confines of dance/music collaboration and [move] towards creating a shared interdisciplinary improvisational language. 9:20 - Saxophonist and Lyriconist, Jorrit Dijkstra working with sculptor and painter Marieken Cochius whose art works will be on display downstairs specifically for their performance/collaboration.
10:10 - Guitarist Rolf Sturm presents his project “456" performing with silent film and video. Rolf is joined by Bohdan Hilash: bass clarinet, Rob Henke: trumpet, Jody Espina: sax, Alan Brady: clarinet, Jim Whitney: bass 8:30PM Katie Down, curator. Cover $10 www.strikeanywhere.info
Tue Dec 20 PETE ROBBINS & CENTRIC (Pete Robbins, alto saxophone, compositions; Sam Sadigursky, tenor & soprano saxophones; Ryan Blotnick, guitar; Thomas Morgan, bass flute; Dan Weiss, drums)
8:30PM Cover $6 www.peterobbins.com
Wed Dec 21 THE SONGWRITER'S BEAT Stephanie Winters; Valerie Ghent; JJ Appleton; Paula Mlyn; John Beltzer; and more!
The FIFTH ANNIVERSARY of the Songwriter's Beat!! Come celebrate the holiday AND our 5th Birthday! Special guests
8:30PM Valerie Ghent, host. Cover $5 songwritersbeat.com
Thu Dec 22 GNU VOX VOCAL SERIES SPECIAL: SHEILA JORDAN + CAMERON BROWN (Sheila Jordan, voice; Cameron Brown, bass) GNU VOX VOCAL SERIES SPECIAL: Sheila Jordan + Cameron Brown CD Release party for Celebration, High Note HCD 7136
Few singers, regardless of age, bare their soul like Sheila Jordan, let alone do it accompanied only by a bass. That Jordan is now in her late seventies and performs the type of immaculate club sets documented on Celebration refutes most of the conventional wisdom about the biology of the human voice. Her projection, intonation, phrasing and coloration on these 76th birthday party performances with bassist Cameron Brown rarely even hint at her age. Recorded at NYC's Triad, these performances compare very well with Jordan's work with Arild Andersen on her first voice-bass album, Sheila (Steeplechase), recorded in 1977. If anything, Jordan is more joyful, radiant and reconciled, particularly when she reaches way back to tunes like “Humdrum Blues" and “Let's Face the Music and Dance," which she sang on her 1962 debut, Portrait of Sheila (Blue Note). Most folks Jordan's age are in the autumn of their lives; she's in Indian summer. (taken from www.pointofdeparture.org) 8:30PM David Devoe, curator. Cover $10 www.cameronbrownmusic.com
Wed Dec 28 SOUL OF THE BLUES (TBA) This special edition of Soul of the Blues features.....TBA.
SOUL OF THE BLUES, NYC's premiere *inexpensive* live blues and soul music series, happens the fourth Wednesday of every month at Cornelia Street Cafe.
8:30PM Jon Sobel. Cover $5
Fri Dec 30 MARK HELIAS; OPEN LOOSE (Mark Helias, bass; Tom Rainey, drums; Tony Malaby, sax) “The trio's name “Open Loose" refers not only to its musical style, but to Mark Helias' compositions which are written with plenty of space in them, and are designed to be interpreted openly and loosely. They allow for seamless transitions between composed passages and improvisation, never easy to achieve. This threesome fully exploits the creative possibilities of the compositions, never opting for a clichd theme-solos-theme format. The group has the knack of starting with a rather loose - sometimes even ramshackle - piece and slowly allowing it to evolve until it emerges as a tight theme. Open Loose has been touring for six years and has released three CDs." 9:00PM Cover $10 www.markhelias.com
Cornelia Street Caf Press Contact:
Jim Eigo Jazz Promo Services 269 S Route 94 Warwick, NY 10990 T: 845-986-1677 / F: 845-986-1699 E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.jazzpromoservices.com/ “Specializing in Media Campaigns for the music community, artists, labels, venues and events."
For more information contact All About Jazz.
