Solomon Douglas Swingtet at the Don Vicente in YBOR

Al Downing Jazz Education Scholarship Winners Concert

From Dwayne White:

"Jazz is most certainly alive and well in the hands of a younger generation of future jazz stars.
Join us for an exciting evening of jazz featuring Al Downing Jazz Education Scholarship Winners of the past few years.

This spectacular group of musicians will be in session at the Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. South, St. Petersburg on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association remains committed to the cause of Jazz Education. Each year ADTBJA sponsors scholarships for high school seniors who plan to continue their study of America's Music, Jazz.

These are the students who will be playing and representing the future of jazz at its finest:

Bryan Downing, guitar Mark Feinman, drums Ray Friere, saxophone

Quinn LaHiff, saxophone Nick Lembo, drums Billy Norris, bass

John Paul, bass"

LaRue Nickelson live at WMNF Live Music Studio

Join an intimate crowd of only 30 people lucky enough to see local jazz guitarist and composer, Larue Nickelson, perform live with his band in the Mike Eisenstadt Live Music Studio at 7:30 p.m. on August 14, 2008, 2008.

LaRue Nickelson is a jazz guitarist and composer from the Tampa Bay area. He has had a varied and diverse music career with many different groups. LaRue has played in New York, Italy, South Africa, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Montreux, and California as well as staying very busy doing festivals and clubs in the Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Orlando, and Sarasota, Florida areas. LaRue has performed with Rich Perry, Peter Erskine, Jeff Berlin, Ira Sullivan, Ingrid Jensen, Don Braden, Rufus Reid, Sheila Jordan, Hank Marr, David Leibman, Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge, Chick Corea, Conrad Herwig, Robbie Ameen, Giovanni Hildalgo, Gary Versace, Walt Weiskopf, Frank Foster, Mike Maineri, Adam Nusbaum, Steve Davis, Marcos Cavalcante, Patrick Bettison, Eric Darius, and Mike MacArthur. He has also recorded with Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge, The Michael Ross Quartet, Greenwich Blue, Shawn Ashby, Kristen Lomholt, Mark Gould, and Cory Christiansen.

As well as recording and performing, LaRue is also a composer with almost 40 compositions to his credit, many of which have appeared on recordings by Greenwich Blue, The Michael Ross Quartet, and his own projects. His first solo project titled Dark Water has just been released featuring his original compositions. There are also some other recording projects in the works with Tom Brantley, Jeremy Douglas, Chuck Owen's tribute to Michael Brecker, Tom Carabasi, Patrick Bettison, and a duo album with Jeremy Powell. He also has written for two Mel Bay anthologies. He is the jazz guitar instructor at the University of South Florida and currently resides in Tampa, FL with his beautiful wife, Joy, and his slightly less attractive cat, Ornette.

The LaRue Nickelson Group features, Ryan Pate on guitar, Jeremy Powell on saxophone, Joe Porter on bass, and Ian Goodman on drums. Come listen to some great jazz and interact with the band and this month's emcee, ADTBJA member Kenny Walker.

WMNF’s Live Jazz Series was started to offer a venue where the Bay Area’s finest jazz musicians could perform not only standards, but their original compositions, to a crowd who truly cares about their music,” said Carrie Core, volunteer coordinator at WMNF and originator of the series. The concerts are the second Thursday of each month at 7:30pm.


Where: WMNF 88.5 FM Community Radio is located at 1210 E. Martin Luther King Blvd.Tampa, FL.

When: 7:30 p.m. on August 14, 2008., 2008.

How Much: Tickets are $20 advance purchase and $25 day of the show. Call 813-238-8001 during business hours to reserve seats.

For more information on the WMNF Live Jazz Series, visit www.wmnf.org or call Carrie Core at 813/238-8001, ext. 134.

Billy Norris Performing for WMNF Live Jazz Series

Bass player Billy Norris left Tampa a couple years ago to entertain jazz audiences in New York City, but he hasn’t forgotten his roots in the Tampa Bay area. On Thursday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m., he returns to Tampa for the WMNF 88.5 Live Jazz Series with friends LaRue Nickelson (guitar), Alex LoRe (sax) and Michael W. Davis (drums). Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Seating is limited in the intimate live music studio and refreshments will be available.

Norris has been playing music since childhood, starting with the guitar, then evolving to play the bass, drums and sing. These days, he concentrates on perfecting his bass playing under the guidance of legendary Harvie S at the Manhattan School of Music, where he received a full-ride scholarship to attend after two impressive stints in the Grammy Jazz Ensemble in 2005 and 2006. Drummer Michael Davis also attends the Manhattan School of Music and is in the band Minor Blues alongside Norris. He hails from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Well-known Tampa Bay area guitarist LaRue Nickelson teaches guitar at University of South Florida and has several recordings to his credit, both as a leader and sideman. The LaRue Nickelson Trio has opened for many touring jazz artists and performs regularly in the region. As a member of Chuck Owen's Resurgence group, Nickelson was a performing artist at the 2000 International Association of Jazz Educators Conference in New Orleans. He also has performed at the Clearwater Jazz Festival, the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy and throughout South Africa as a member of the USF JAZZTET, the premier performing group of the USF Jazz Program.

Saxophonist Alex LoRe is a native of Tarpon Springs and resides in Jacksonville where he studies with legendary jazz master Bunky Green in the University of North Florida jazz studies program. LoRe has shared the stage with artists such as Benny Green, Russell Malone, Dianne Shuur and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones while playing lead alto saxophone chair in UNF’s award-winning Jazz Ensemble 1. He has performed at the Next Generation Jazz Festival, the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, The Ravinia Festival, the North Texas Jazz Festival, The Savannah Jazz Fesitval and the Mahaffey Theatre in St Petersburg.

For more information on the WMNF Live Jazz Series contact Carrie Core, CarrieC@wmnf.org, 813.865.8261

Jam Session at Coconuts Comedy Club

Jazz Jam
(8p-11:30p)
Every Tuesday
@ Coconuts Comedy Club
2950 Gulf to Bay Blvd. Clearwater

727-797-5653

Hosted By

The Tom "T-Bone" Hamilton Trio

bass: Tom Hamilton

Piano: Stretch BruYn

Drums: Fred Edinborgh

Sit in and play, enjoy some delicious food and drinks, and listen to some live jazz.

Homemade: A Music Symposium

The Artists and Writers Group will debut HOMEMADE: A Music Symposium on Saturday, June 7, 2008. This free event will be a music conference and performance event with interactive educational music workshops.

The theme is the do-it-yourself music business that is swiftly growing with the rise of the Internet and inexpensive editing software. Self-promotion and production has always been necessary and important to the beginning and independent musician anyway — but now ‘taking care of business’ is ever more important and relevant to each musician.

Hillsborough Community College-Ybor City campus (Tampa) is a partner and will host the event in their new performing arts building located at Palm Ave and 14th Street, across from the Cuban Club. The event will run 10am to 5pm Saturday, June 7, 2008.

The symposium is free and open to the public and is supported by a grant provided to the Artists and Writers Group from the Ybor City Development Corporation. The Bay Area Artists and Musicians Organization (BAAMO) are assisting with organizing the event.

Presentations, discussions and workshops will range from writing songs to making a low-cost video for the Net; from how to make an electronic press kit to improving live performance with acting techniques; from recording at home to booking a tour; from samples of the history of the American Songbook to playing for silent films; from how to tune and play a Irish bouzouki to making rock jazzy and jazz rock.

Schedule

Presentations and Workshops are in the Performing Arts Building, located at Palm Ave. and 14th Street.

Lobby
9:00 AM	Attendees Sign in Coffee and nibbles
Main Stage
10:00 AM	The American Songbook Rosa Rio, David Pomeranz, Paul Wilborn (Moderator)
Noon	Lunch Bring lunch or visit restaurants in Ybor City
1:00 PM	The New Music Democracy Scott Leonard
1:30 PM	Media Panel: Getting the Word Out Lee Courtney (Moderator - BAAMO), Julie Garisto (TBT-St. Petersburg Times), Bob Ross (Independent journalist, blogger), Curtis Ross (Tampa Tribune), Wade Tatangelo (Music critic, Creative Loafing), Megan Voeller (Art critic, Creative Loafing), Randy Wynne (Program director, WMNF Radio)

Workshops

Main Stage
2:30 PM	Building a Song John McEwen, Judy Tampa, George Pappas, Dan Bradbury
3:00 PM	House Concerts: How and Why Gloria Holloway, David Brown, Susan Reiss
3:30 PM	Instruments: History and Use of the Bouzouki and Concertina John McEwen, Dan Bradbury
4:00 PM	Inside the Song: Singer / Songwriters Maggie Council, Ronny Elliott, Jules Dobrowolski, John McEwen, George Pappas, Denise Moore, Judy Tampa
Rehearsal Hall
2:30 PM	Jazz: Stylings and Improv Ken Hanks, Denise Moore, Martin Dalmasi
3:15 PM	Jazz: Models and Arranging Ken Hanks, Martin Dalmasi
Art Gallery
2:30 PM	Writing Comedy Songs Jules Dobrowolski
3:15 PM	The Art and Business of the Jingle Jeff Arthur
Studio Theater
2:30 PM	Videoing Live Performance: Theatrical Concepts Part 1 Stan Arthur, Fred Smith, Eugenie Bondurant, Keith Arsenault Performers: Handshake Squad, Next Exit
3:15 PM	Videoing Live Performance: Theatrical Concepts Part 2 Stan Arthur, Fred Smith, Eugenie Bondurant Performers: Handshake Squad, Next Exit
Ensemble Room
2:30 PM	To Be Announced
3:15 PM	The Pranayama of Voice Denise Moore
Classroom 102
3:15 PM	Creating an Electronic Press Kit Gary Burge, Fred Smit

Presenters

Keith Arsenault (Producer - production), Jeff Arthur (Vocalist, producer, composer), Stan Arthur (Music videos - The Ditchflowers), Dan Bradbury (Concertina - banjo), Eugenie Bondurant (Acting coach - actress), David Brown (Guitar - house concerts), Gary Burge (Web developer - electronic press kits), Robert Constable - David Rogers (Experimental Rock – Handshake Squad), Maggie Council (Singer - songwriter), Lee Courtney (BAAMO), Martin Dalmasi (Jazz sax, flute, percussion), Jules Dobrowolski (Singer - songwriter), Ronny Elliott (Singer - songwriter), Julie Garisto (Journalist), Kenneth Hanks (Jazz pianist - composer), Mia Hartley – Nikolas Hartley – Justin Lincoln – Brian Rothenberger (Folk rock - Next Exit ), Gloria Holloway (Concert promoter), Scott Leonard (Lead tenor, Rockapella), John McEwen - Judy Tampa - George Pappas (Folk rock - Bunko Squad), Denise Moore (Jazz singer), David Pomeranz (Broadway and pop singer - composer), Susan Reiss (House concerts), Rosa Rio (Silent era organist), Bob Ross (Journalist), Curtis Ross (Journalist), Fred Smith (Drummer - music video), Wade Tatangelo (Journalist), Ray Villadonga (bassist - composer), Megan Voeller (Journalist), Paul Wilborn (Pop singer - pianist) Randy Wynne (Radio Program Director)

Showcases

New World Brewery
1313 E 8th Avenue
5:00 - 7:00 PM	Next Exit, Bunko Squad, Ronny Elliot, Maggie Council
Tre Amici at the Bunker
1907 N 19th Street
7:00 - 10:00 PM	Denise Moore and Then Some, Bunko Squad, Ronnie Elliot, Jules Dobrowolski, Handshake Squad

Copyright © 2008 by Artists and Writers Group, Inc., a non-profit corporation
For information contact: David Audet, Executive Director, email: daudet@hccfl.edu - voice: +1 813-253-7674

Or for more information please email Denise Moore at denise@denisemoorejazz.com

The Al Downing Jazz Association Annual Membership Meeting and Concert

Dwayne White Sent this to me. The Al Downing Jazz Association has severed the Tampa Bay Area for years and contiunes to provide support for great support music in our community. It's something well worth supporting!


The Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association, Inc. invites you to
its annual meeting and free concert
(come and find out more about our association)
Sunday, May 18th - 2:00 p.m.
Al Downing Theatre
(at Perkins Elementary school)
2205 18th Avenue South, St. Petersburg


The FREE Concert Begins at 3:30 p.m.
featuring
The Boca Ciega High School Jazz Band
directed by FRANK WILLIAMS
Come hear this fabulous group of youngsters
and experience the jazz sounds of the next generation.

The Daniel Joiner Trio at Harry's

The Daniel Joiner Trio will be performing every Wednesday night at Harry Seafood Bar and Grill on Sheldon Road. When asked do describe his music, Joiner replied, "The Trio performs a variety of jazz standards with vibrant and fresh interpretations, with styles ranging from swing, blues, ballads, Bossa Nova, and funk." He continued by saying, "The atmosphere in the restaurant is both sophisticated and comfortable. You can either relax in the bar area and enjoy friendly conversation and half-off martinis while catching your favorite sports team overhead, or enjoy fine dining at one of the charming tables or booths. The combination of elegant lighting, friendly and professional staff, great food, and the constant sound of jazz, make Harry's a perfect destination for either a romantic evening or a fun night out with friends."


Daniel Joiner is a graduate of Stetson University in DeLand Florida, where he studied classical piano with Dr. Michael Rickman. His style has been greatly inspired by jazz pianists such as Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Fats Waller, Michel Camillo, Errol Garner, and his teacher Harold Blanchard, in addition to influences from his study of classical literature. Having performed both in the University setting and in the community utilizing the classical genre, he now continues his performance endeavors as a jazz pianist. Since college, he has continued his studies in jazz improvisation with legendary New Smyrna jazz pianist Harold Blanchard. Joiner is focused on developing as a professional musician, making connections between a variety of styles including classical, jazz, Latin, blues, and gospel. He is currently attending the University of South Florida in Tampa to pursuing a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies" (excerpt from The Daniel Joiner Trio CD baby bio).

Where: Harry's Seafood Bar and Grille 11935 Sheldon Road Tampa, FL 33626
When: Every Wednesday 6:00 - 9:00pm
Phone: (813) 920-6020

Buster Plays What?

I posted this earlier today on my personal blog, and Matt pointed it out that this should be posted here as well.

I was just hipped to a great video of the Tampa Bay area's very own Buster Cooper. Buster has been playing for years now down at The Garden Restaurant in St. Petersburg and always generously allows young aspiring jazz musicians to sit in. Sitting down to talk to him about his experiences is veritable history lesson in jazz and more specifically a recount of the late 1960's Duke Ellington Orchestra. Here he takes the second solo blowing over "The Opener," but what's he playing?

The Mars Trio Performing at Local Art Show

This Friday April 25, The Mars Trio will be performing live at DaSilva’s Coffee House and Roastery in Fish Hawk. DaSilva’s is hosting nearly 20 local artists for an art show from 7-11 pm. This event will be similar to that of the Canvas Art Events hosted at the Crossings Church in Brandon FL. Click here to see related posts.

DaSilva’s: the best coffee, the best friends, the best destination in town.

Where: 15282 FishHawk Blvd, Lithia FL, 33547.
When: 7:00pm.
Admission: Free.
Open To All Ages.


The Mars Trio Personnel:
Rich Van Voorst: Saxophone
Alejandro Arenas: Bass
Mark Feinman: Drums