I’ve heard great things about BLU Jazz+ in Akron for years, and finally made it happen! Made this into a fancy night out in Akron, stopping at the Diamond Grille for a great meal and then BLU Social for a cocktail before the show. Occidental Gypsy was a treat. Classy and fabulous, all the way around. Looking forward to doing it all again.
What a thrilling piece of history being restored and redistributed.
"Filmed at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island and directed by world-renowned photographer, Bert Stern. JAZZ ON A SUMMER'S DAY features intimate performances by an all-star line-up of musical legends including Louis Armstrong, Thelonius Monk, Gerry Mulligan, Anita O'Day, Chuck Berry, Dinah Washington, and closes with a beautiful rendition or The Lord's Prayer by Mahalia Jackson at midnight to usher in Sunday morning."
(Via (182) Jazz on a Summer's Day (1959) – Official Re-Release Trailer - YouTube.)
Stumbled upon this excellent performance at the Music Settlement’s Bop Stop by Horns and Things. An interesting perspective was noting the rich history of established jazz musicians in the area - something that isn’t necessarily reflected in today’s pop/rock community (as far as I know).
Hessler Street Fair celebrated it’s 50th year!!! The bad news is, it may also be its last. Sure they say “hiatus” but with the Barking Spider gone, I can’t help but be skeptical. However, when I arrived on Sunday evening, the weather could - not - have - been - nicer. It was a celebratory crowd and had some good eats and tunes. It’s been a good run Hessler Street Fair!!
Oh, and speaking of the Barking Spider Tavern, this was also my first stop by the new Dave’s Cosmic Subs. It’s hard not to be heartbroken. They were in between bands when I stopped by, so I’ll have to try again when there’s some music playing.
On my way home from DC9, I walked past Columbia Station and heard some great jazz. Swung in to catch the end of the first set by the Peter Edelman Jazz Trio. Excellent sound, with some amazing horn solos! So glad I stopped.
After a beautiful night seeing Ray LaMontagne & Neko Case at Nautica, we stumbled upon Tri-C’s Jazz Fest in Playhouse Square! I always have plans to go every year, but seeing this will make it a priority next year!
It was such a pleasure to see the venerable Vanessa Rubin back at Nighttown, this time with proper seats! She and Don Braden played an excellent night of jazz, with some of my highlights being her covering of Besame Mucho (in the video!).
IngenuityFest was back again, this time at The Hamilton Collaborative. A cool space, which I think really aided the festival this year. Our visit was more of a breeze through to check things out, and it was cool enough to keep me interested and still considering attending next year. I hope this event makes it back to a must-attend status in the future!
Last night was such a gorgeous night for a show at Cain Park! Esperanza Spalding’s performance was fresh & effervescent, performing with a new band just for this tour with Andrew Bird. You would have never known it.
This was my 3rd or 4th (5th?) time seeing Andrew Bird. In preparation, I was going back through his catalog and it reminded me how good his albums are! The live show was decent, but I can’t say it was anything particularly spectacular. Thankfully the weather was.
Ronnie Foster Organ Trio was a show highly recommended by Vanessa Rubin, which was all I needed to hear. So good, and so fun.
Incredibly, I finally had my first experience with Euclid Beach Live (and Euclid Beach)! What a great experience, and one I’d recommend. Thought I’d share a couple photos...
Rostam finally has a new single out and video for Gwan, hopefully signaling anew full length album soon! Jeremy Messersmith hasn’t had anything new in a while, and this new track for Everything is Magical is oddly refreshing. Nora Jones has slipped off my radar recently, but this new video has brought some new focus, with her political lyrics and new album on Blue Note.
Bonus. I’m not quite sure what’s going on in this video, but if it’s from Big Thief then you know it’s worth watching. :-)
Expanding my musical exposure even more, I attended The Abyssinian Mass, composed by Wynton Marsalis and featuring Damien Sneed along with The Jazz Heritage Orchestra and Community Mass Choir. Performed in Waetjen Auditorium at Cleveland State University.
"The Abyssinian Mass is a sweeping composition for big band and gospel choir written by Wynton Marsalis to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church. The piece earned significant acclaim upon its release in 2008 and sparked a 16-city, 19-concert tour, featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Chorale Le Chateau directed by prominent recording artist Damien Sneed. On April 8, Sneed will conduct one of the first regional productions of the Mass at Cleveland State University’s Waetjen Auditorium, featuring CSU’s Jazz Heritage Orchestra and the Community Mass Choir.
‘The Abyssinian Mass is a stirring work that combines jazz, gospel and blues and evokes the African-American experience while also emphatically stating that all people have a place in this world,’ notes Donna Whyte, interim director of CSU’s Black Studies Program. ‘We are very honored to host the fantastic Damien Sneed and present this amazing concert to the Cleveland community.’"
(Via The Abyssinian Mass Comes to Cleveland | Cleveland State University.)
Trying out some new stuff with the Dr. John A Flower Faculty Concert Series at Drinko Recital Hall in Cleveland State University Music Department.
Joseph Miller, Trumpet
Jason Smith, Trombone
Rock Wehrmann, Piano
Chris Vance, Bass
Bill Ransom, Drums
Last show of the year! We slipped into the sold-out show at Nighttown and was lucky enough to grab a table in the bar area. While we couldn’t see the performance, we were still able to hear and enjoy the excellent jazz vocals. I was reminded how great of a space Nighttown is for concerts, and what a great space to be on the night before Christmas Eve.
In what would be my last visit to the Barking Spider Tavern before they closed, we stopped to catch some of Ernie Krivda’s Jazz Workshop. It was such a gorgeous night, fill with some amazing music. This place will be sorely missed.
More live music in the area…
Rockefeller's adds music to its menu - The Heights Observer
"If you’re looking for a place to hear live music, there’s a new venue in Cleveland Heights. Rockefeller’s, the restaurant in the historic Rockefeller building at the corner of Mayfield and Lee roads, now presents live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.
The focus is on jazz and blues, and some artists—including Hot Djang!, Anita Keys and Tom Letiza—appear every month. ‘We’re getting good turnouts for the music,’ said Mike Adams, the restaurant’s owner. ‘There’s a nice eclectic mix of live music in Cleveland Heights, with the Grog Shop, the Wine Spot, Nighttown, and now us. It’s great for Cleveland Heights to have this mix of music.’"
(Continued... Rockefeller's adds music to its menu - The Heights Observer)
This was my 3rd House Concert, which I'm calling the Princeton Road Sessions. This went so well... Everyone was in a great mood, despite it being like the 8 day of rain in a row. But then maybe it could have been the keg of Great Lakes (that we killed before the end of the show!).
Stephanie Nilles was superb, her performance just oozed talent. The way she handled those keys, her dynamic "had a cold for years" voice. She was just an all-around cool person. Of course for this show, I will be posting the entire performance online - as soon as I can. In the meantime, here's a couple photos:
If you haven't had a chance yet, please RSVP for Sunday's performance by Stephanie Nilles (or email thezenderagenda at gmail.com). This will be my 3rd house concert, and my first with a keyboard performer! I've been thrilled with the results of the previous shows and have high expectations for this one as well.
$10 will get you a performance, free beer, and what's turning out to be a bit of a pot-luck. All food, beer and effort is being donated, with all proceeds going to the artist.
Show starts at 6:00pm. Location: Cleveland Heights (address will be provided to all RSVPs)
Here's some info on Stephanie:
"Nilles, an ex-classical pianist turned jazz and blues belter, tours year-round singing personally and passionately with a voice reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald, if Ella was a little tweaked and really adamant about sticking it to the man." -Spinner
"Singer/songwriter Stephanie Nilles makes something fresh out of things lost. A graduate of Cleveland Institute of Music, she is a serious classical pianist gone bard. When you think Nilles, think of a quirky mix of subversive vagabond and sultry artist, a burlesque cocktail of wit and substance. No need to wonder what she's thinking -- she weaves it into her music, which growls like Eartha Kitt and bites like Tom Waits ... With a unique outlook on life, music that's as intellectual as it is entertaining and a voice capable of transcending the tracks of the indie railroad, Nilles is just the kind of treasure that music aficionados love to discover." -The Tennessee Journalist
"Stephanie Nilles is a Bad Ass ... Her songs are full of political satire and bold, shocking ideas you've subconsciously formed but never figured out how to articulate. And she only uses maybe 7 or 8 chords..." -Christian Howes
A great little bio / interview here: http://www.fromthetop.org/content/stephanie-nilles
Check out some sounds:
For a High Life Commercial - Stephanie Nilles by ladybangbeat
