Spider Saloff Sings Gershwin At The Ferguson July 16

Although she is far from a household name in the Hampton Roads area, the upcoming performance by Chicago based vocalist Spider Saloff promises to be a special evening for jazz vocal music  aficionados.  Saloff has been a fixture on the vibrant Chicago jazz vocal scene for me many years.   She has recorded about a half dozen albums over the last 20 years.    Her latest was a musically adventurous collection entitled “Like Glass”.  It was released in 2005 and was featured heavily on “The Vocal Sound of Jazz”.   In presenting her Gershwin program at The Ferguson she will be drawing from her 1997 release “The Memory of All That”, which was an all Gershwin musical...

Diane Hubka – West Coast Strings

Diane Hubka’s newest release offers her ample opportunities for vocal jazz adventures amid the stimulating companionship of eight West Coast master guitarists. This far-ranging program of music follows up her critically acclaimed 2002 recording, You Inspire Me, (VSOJAZ) which featured the singer in the company of seven world class “East Coast based” guitarists. More than simply gathering eight guitarists – she organized them into fascinating combinations. On some tracks she’s backed by a single guitarist; on others there are pairs. Some tunes have rhythm sections, some don’t. Three romping blues-infused tracks feature soul-jazz veteran Bobby Pierce on Hammond B-3. Diane also plays guitar on three tracks, each one resonating with her affection for the lush sounds of her 7-string guitar, including a duo with 7-string guitar legend, Ron Eschete. (14 strings!) Add to that the almost symbiotic way in which she relates vocally to her stellar guitarist friends in each of the instrumental combinations, bringing the rhythmic spirit of jazz to her musical storytelling. A vital member of New York’s jazz scene for two decades, Diane moved to Los Angeles in 2004 and quickly linked up with the large community of gifted guitarists there, primarily via John Pisano’s “Guitar Night”. It’s no surprise that she selected Pisano as the first on her list when she began the line up for this recording. The majority of the players hail from Los Angeles, with Mimi Fox based in the San Francisco Bay area, and Peter Sprague in San...

Richmond’s Quartra Na Bossa

Richmond Virginia’s Quartra Na Bossa has just released their superb second recording “Bossa Nossa”.   Kevin Harding and Laura Ann Singh formed Quatro na Bossa in 2003. Drawing initially from early Brazilian bossa nova composers and performers, Quatro na Bossa’s repertoire has expanded to include familiar classics, rare or forgotten pieces, and some original material. In addition to private functions and clubs, Quatro has performed at several music festivals around the country, and has been a guest artist at several universities.  Quatro na Bossa comprises vocalist Laura Ann Singh, guitarist Kevin Harding, and Rusty Farmer on bass. In 2011, Andy Brockman joined QNB on drums and percussion. Laura Ann has studied with sambista Fabiana Cozza in Sao Paulo and with Oscar Castro-Neves. Kevin, who teaches at the University of Richmond and the College of William and Mary, has studied with Brazilian guitarists Romero Lubambo and Toninho Horta, and in Rio de Janeiro with choro guitarist Bilinho Teixeira. Quatro has performed with many drummers and percussionists including Robert Jospe, Rogerio Boccato, Adriano Santos and Jorge Alabe.  The group has played many engagements at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center with guests Nilson Matta, Maucha Adnet, Romero Lubambo, and Harry Allen. Also in New York, they recorded the album Summer Samba for the Japanese jazz label Venus Records with Adriano Santos and Rodrigo Ursaia. In the fall of 2012, Quatro will participate in a concert series paying homage to the influence of bossa nova. Composer and performer Carlos Lyra will share the stage with QNB as they perform at the Berklee Performing Arts Center in Boston, the Olympia Theatre at the Gusman Center in Miami, and the Frederick P. Rose Hall at Lincoln Center and the Merkin Hall in New York. Quatro na Bossa’s arrangements and unique style aim for authenticity while showcasing the power of Brazilian music to traverse...

Virginia Arts Festival Brings Jazz Vocal and Brazilian Music

Nicki Parrott is making her second visit to Hampton Roads in the past year.   She wowed all of us in attendance in an earlier stint at Virginia Beach’s Havana Nights.   Parrott is the complete musical package.   An attractive and talented bass player, she displays the poise and prescence of a rising star.   And then there is her voice, a warm and flexible instrument that beautifully shapes and colors whatever she chooses to sing.   In the past year Parrott has released four albums in Japan each celebrating a different season of the year.   She has also done a duet album with Ken Peplowski and is a member of the Les Paul Trio that performs every Monday night at Iridium in New York City.  Parrott will be at the Attucks Sat May 18th at 8pm. Sutton is making a return visit to the Virginia Arts Festival.    But this time with a twist.  She will be peforming with the always adventerous Turtle Island String Quartet.   Sutton and the Quartet have recently collaborated on Sutton’s upcoming album.   They will be featured Wednesday May 1 at the Sandler Center. Which brings me to Luciana Souza, the Brazilian born vocalist who will be showcased at the Robin Hixon Theatre in the Virginia Arts Festival building in Norfolk 8pm on May 10.  Souza has an understated quiet style, showcased so effectively on her latest album “Brazilian Duos” Volume 3.    ...

Marcus Goldhaber “Almost Love”

MARCUS GOLDHABER has been called “wonderfully imaginative” (JazzTimes) and “exciting and fresh” (Jazziz) as he quickly gains a reputation among critics and fans for his accessible songwriting and intimate approach to straight-ahead jazz. His first two albums garnered tremendous critical acclaim, with PEOPLE Magazine, in a four-star review of his most recent, saying the New Yorker “will have you giddy one moment and melancholy the next and loving every note.” On his third CD, ALMOST LOVE (Fallen Apple), Marcus will have you thinking about love in ways you may not have considered, and others which bear reminding. He’s written 13 new songs and each introduces a unique perspective toward love, a different journey through love or a moment inside love. “Some of these songs have been inspired by moments in my life, but I also wanted to write from a place that is equal parts conviction and uncertainty,” says Marcus.  “This album explores the paths from possibility to bliss … heartbreak to acceptance … anxiety to anticipation … and denial to rediscovery.  Each tune tells its own story and sets its...

Live Jazz in Virginia Beach

Havana Nights at Towne Center in Virginia Beach has quickly become Hampton Roads premiere venue for live jazz.    I have had the opportunity to visit many jazz clubs throughout the country.  Havana Nights is probably the nicest jazz venue I have ever had the pleasure of attending.   The sound is superb.  The cover charges are very reasonable.  And the food is quite good as well.   We are so fortunate to have a  venue like this in Hampton Roads. Live music is presented Thursday through Saturday .   For a schedule of upcoming events check out their website at  http://havananightsvb.com.  Call 855 301 2822 for reservations.   Upcoming guests include the legendary Randy Brecker and vibraphonist Joe Locke.    ...