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Stars on the Horizon

By Jack Bowers
October 8, 2012
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Even before Groovin' Hard, the Los Angeles Jazz Institute's latest foray into the world of contemporary jazz, kicked off its four-day run (October 11-14) at the Marriott LAX Hotel, a letter arrived from LAJI director Ken Poston announcing details of next May's extravaganza, also at the Marriott. The theme is Big Band Spectacular, and the bands who have thus far signed up to take part are the

Bill Holman

composer / conductor
- 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Holman Band,

Gordon Goodwin

composer / conductor
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, the

Tom Kubis

arranger

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Kubis Band,

Bob Curnow

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Curnow's L.A. Big Band,

Roger Neumann

saxophone, tenor
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Roger Neumann's Rather Large Band, the

Kim Richmond

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra, the

Mike Barone

composer / conductor
b.1936

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Barone Band, the

Steve Huffsteter

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Huffsteter Band, and the L.A. Jazz Orchestra playing the music of Bill Russo. Even though that should be more than enough to satisfy almost any big-band enthusiast, Poston promises that there's more to come. Preceding the event (which runs from May 23-26) is a day-long trip to Las Vegas for a reunion concert by a Las Vegas All-Star Big Band featuring

Bobby Shew

trumpet
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Shew,

Carl Saunders

trumpet
1942 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Carl Saunders,

Santo Savino

" data-original-title="" title="">Santo Savino and others, and a performance by the

Tommy Vig

vibraphone
b.1938

" data-original-title="" title="">Tommy Vig Big Band. The "bonus" event is limited to the first one hundred VIP registrants, with transportation and concert tickets included. For information, phone 562-200-5477.

ZootFest, an afternoon celebration of the music of

Zoot Sims

saxophone, tenor
1925 - 1985

" data-original-title="" title="">Zoot Sims and

Al Cohn

saxophone, tenor
1925 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Al Cohn, will be held Sunday, October 21, in the Keystone Room at Pennsylvania's East Stroudsburg University with proceeds to benefit jazz education and preservation. Among those scheduled to appear are

Phil Woods

saxophone, alto
1931 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Phil Woods,

Dave Liebman

saxophone
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Liebman,

Bob Dorough

vocals
1923 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Dorough,

Bill Crow

bass, acoustic
b.1927

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Crow,

Joe Cohn

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Cohn,

Adam Niewood

saxophone
b.1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Niewood,

Harry Allen

saxophone
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Harry Allen,

Rossano Sportiello

piano
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Rossano Sportiello,

Joel Forbes

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Joel Forbes, "Sweet"

Sweet Sue Terry

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Sweet Sue Terry,

Nancy Reed

bass and vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Nancy Reed, Rick Chamberlain,

Nelson Hill

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Nelson Hill,

Marko Marcinko

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Marko Marcinko,

Sherrie Maricle

drums
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Sherrie Maricle,

Kim Parker

vocals
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Kim Parker and the COTA Festival Orchestra. Yes, it is short notice, but if you'd like information, phone 570-422-3828, e-mail [email protected], or go online to www.jazzatesu.com

Also on short notice, Berkshires Jazz has announced the lineup for the eighth annual Pittsfield (MA) CityJazz Festival, which runs from October 4-13 at various venues in Pittsfield. Among those set to appear are the Sister City Jazz Ambassadors (Oct. 4 and 5), the Woody Stroebeck Duo and Franz Tokarz Guitar Trio (Oct. 5), the Rob Fisch Quartet, Johnny Pontoon Quintet and Ted Murray Trio (Oct. 6), the Benny Kohn Piano Brunch (Oct. 7) and Andy Wrba and Friends (Oct. 8). Also performing will be the New England Jazz Ensemble with guests Giacomo Gates and Ali Ryerson, trumpeter Adam O'Farrill, and the Jazz Arts Trio led by pianist Frederick Moyer. For details, phone 413-442-7718 or e-mail [email protected]

The Westchester (NY) Jazz Orchestra has announced its 2012-13 schedule, which actually began last month with "West Side Stories." Other concerts (all starting at 8 p.m.) are set for December 1 ("10th Year Retrospective—Our Greatest Hits"), February 2 ("Top Pops: WJO Covers Dylan, Joni and Sweet Baby James") and April 27 with special guest

Paquito D'Rivera

clarinet
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Paquito D'Rivera. The WJO, led by artistic director

Mike Holober

piano
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Holober, includes in its all-star lineup trumpeters

Tony Kadleck

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Kadleck,

Marvin Stamm

trumpet
b.1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Marvin Stamm, Craig Johnson and

Scott Wendholt

trumpet
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Wendholt; saxophonists

Jay Brandford

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Jay Brandford,

Ralph Lalama

saxophone
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Ralph Lalama,

Jason Rigby

saxophone, tenor
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Rigby, David Brandom and

David Brandom

" data-original-title="" title="">David Brandom; trombonists

Larry Farrell

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Farrell, Keith O'Quin},

Bruce Eidem

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Bruce Eidem and

George Flynn

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">George Flynn; pianist

Ted Rosenthal

piano
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Ted Rosenthal, bassist

Harvie S

bass, acoustic
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Harvie S and drummer

Andy Watson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Andy Watson. For information, phone 914-861-9100, e-mail [email protected], or go online to www.westjazzorch.org

The Manhattan School of Music Jazz Arts program is presenting a series of concerts entitled "Harlem Nights," celebrating the spirit of Harlem through its music. The series includes "The Symphonic Ellington" (October 19), "Harlem Hothouses" (October 26), "Dizzy Atmosphere" (November 9), "

Oliver Nelson

saxophone
1932 - 1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Oliver Nelson's Blues and the Abstract Truth" (December 4), "Miles Ahead" (March 1), "Harlem Lives!" (March 28) and "

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis's on the Corner" (April 17). Performing groups are the MSM Concert Jazz Band, Chamber Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Philharmonic and Jazz Orchestra (all conducted by Justin DiCioccio) and the Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, directed by

Bobby Sanabria

congas

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Sanabria. Guest artists include trumpeter

Jon Faddis

trumpet
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Faddis ("Dizzy Atmosphere") and saxophonist Dave Liebman ("Miles Ahead," "On the Corner"). MSM will also present a 30th Anniversary Festival Week (April 2-7) at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola with Liebman returning as guest artist on April 7. For information, phone 917-493-4469, or go online to www.msmnyc.edu

And that's it for now. Until next time, keep swingin' . . . !

New and Noteworthy

1. Michael Treni Big Band, Boy's Night Out (Bell Production Co.)

2. Tall & Small (Pete Christlieb / Linda Small), High on You (Bosco Records)

3. Stan Kenton / U Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Double Feature, Vol 3 (Tantara Productions)

4. Budman / Levy Orchestra, From There to Here (OA2 Records)

5. Frank D'Rone, Double Exposure (Whaling City Sound)

6. Alon Yavnai / NDR Big Band, Shir Ahava (NDR)

7. Landes Jugend Orchester Bayern, Wie Heisst der Typ? (Self Published)

8. Millennium Jazz Orchestra, Distrust All Rules (MJO>

9. Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Sharks and Manatees (Dazzle Recordings)

10. Red Bank Jazz Orchestra, Strike Up the Band! (Hip City Jazz)

11. University Big Band, Stompin' at the University (Cat Sound Records)

12. Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, Live on the Plaza (KCJO Records)

13. Harry Smallenburg Jazz Ensemble, Just What I Was Thinking (Self Published)

14. Jens Wendelboe Big Band, Fresh Heat (Rosa Records)

15. Elmhurst College Jazz Band, Blue Comedy (Self Published)

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