Jazz & Blues Florida September 2023 Issue

MANHATTAN

Celebrating their 50th anniversary last year, The Manhattan Transfer continues to set the standard as one of the world’s most innovative vocal bands. Winners of ten Grammys, with millions of records sold worldwide, this amazing quartet continues to build upon the extraordinary legacy created by the late Tim Hauser who organized the four-part harmony group along with Janis Siegel (alto), Alan Paul (tenor), and Laurel Massé (soprano) in 1972. Cheryl Bentyne (soprano) replaced Masse in 1979, and Trist Curless (bass) replaced Hauser in 2014. Known for their amazing harmony and versatility, incorporating pop, jazz, R&B, rock and roll, swing, symphonic, and a cappella music, the group has sung with such giants as Tony Bennett, Smokey Robinson, Bette Midler, B.B. King, and many others.

In the early 1970s, The Manhattan Transfer emerged out of the underground, avant-garde movement in New York City, and released their self-titled debut in 1975. Their name comes from title of John Dos Passos’ 1925 novel, and refers to the group’s New York origins. Then known primarily as an east coast cult act, the group expanded their following by starring in their own 1975 CBS variety series as a summer replacement for The Cher Show. Their popularity went international when “Chanson D’Amour” from the 1976 Coming Out album hit No. 1 in Europe. In 1978, Cheryl Bentyne replaced Laurel Massé, who dropped out of the group after surviving a car crash. The group’s 1979 Extensions album produced the hit “Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone,” along with a cover version of “Birdland,” an instrumental by the jazz fusion group Weather Report, with lyrics by Jon Hendricks. The song won the Grammy for Best Jazz Fusion Performance, while Siegel won for Best Vocal Arrangement.

Defying categorization, the quartet became the first vocal group to win Grammys in the pop and jazz categories in one year. Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “Boy From New York City” and Best Jazz Performance by a Duo

From left: Curless, Siegel Bentyne, Paul

or Group for “Until I Met You (Corner Pocket)” in 1981. Both of these songs appeared on the group’s fifth album, Mecca for Moderns. In 1982, the group won another Grammy, for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group, for its rendition of “Route 66” featured on the soundtrack to the Burt Reynolds film Sharky’s Machine. Another unforgettable highlight for the group was presenting and performing at the 1983 Grammy Awards with Ella Fitzgerald.

In 1985, Vocalese made history with 12 Grammy nominations (and two wins). Featuring jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Ron Carter, and the Count Basie Orchestra, the CD changed the public’s perception of the group. “Now we were accepted as jazz singers for the first time after being pop stars,” says Paul. “We were always very eclectic musically,” says Paul, “and we did not want to be limited or locked into one style of music.” Siegel emphasizes the group’s unmatched ability to excel performing a wide variety of music: “We didn’t say we were a pop group. We didn’t say we were a jazz group. We’re a vocal group.”

In 2011 and again in 2013, Bentyne left the group temporarily to undergo medical treatment, and was temporarily replaced by Margaret Dorn. It was during that time that Hauser became ill and Curless took his place, becoming an official member in 2014.

While these veterans may be ready to give up the rigors of touring, Siegel says, “This new chapter is exciting. I’m exhilarated about what we will come up with next.” The group’s 29th and latest CD, 2022’s Grammy-nominated FIFTY, – recorded with the WDR Funkhausorchester during the pandemic on two continents – celebrates their musicality and versatility.

Their recent inductions into the East Coast Music Hall of Fame and the Vocal Music Hall of Fame aptly commemorate the quartet’s place in music history. We’re letting you know about this show now, because it’s the only Florida date on their 50th Anniversary and Final World Tour! More at manhattantransfer.net.

FERNANDINA BEACH

JW Gilmore

A master storyteller, wellversed musician, showman extraordinaire, and absolute demon on the harp, JW Gilmore keeps audiences laughing, smiling and dancing into the night. Over more than two decades, Gilmore has been playing harmonica with greats like Chris Thomas King, Louisiana Red, Todd Hart, and International Blues Challenge winner Joey Gilmore. Now a regular on the South Florida blues circuit, Gilmore currently brings his burning harp playing and soulful song stylings to thousands of fans in the Ft. Lauderdale and Naples/Ft. Myers areas, and can also be heard on his CDs Choice Cuts Vol 1 (2005) and Live At the Beach (2018), along with Tabby Thomas’s 2002 Blues From the Swamp Gilmore puts on an energetic and entertaining show while keeping true to the real roots of the music. More Muddy than Stevie Ray, more Little Walter than Eric Clapton, Gilmore plays a pure blues rather than rock versions of blues classics. And just like the great bluesmen, he can surprise you with new tunes and new interpretations of older songs. JW Gilmore and the Blues Society were winners of First Coast Blues Society’s 2022 Regional IBC, and made it to the quarter-finals at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. And Gilmore has received the Florida Harmonica

FROM A PHOTO BY WAYNE FUSCO PHOTOGRAPHY

Paul English

SEPTEMBER 8

Internationally recognized composer, pianist, producer and educator Paul English has performed and recorded with jazz, blues and country legends. He has composed music for film, theatre, choral groups, symphony and chamber orchestras and his own performing ensembles. English is well-known to Texas audiences as an outstanding jazz pianist who has performed and recorded with such greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Arnett Cobb, David “Fathead” Newman and Mark O’Connor. Alumni of the high-spirited Paul English Group of the 1980s include Kirk Whalum and Dwight Sills. A University of Miami alumnus, English performs with his various jazz and classical crossover groups: PICO (Paul’s Improvising Chamber Orchestra), PIVO (Paul’s Improvising Vocal Orchestra), The Paul English Jazz Quartet, et al. His 1980s jazz groups were a vital part of a vibrant jazz scene in Houston and were instrumental in the establishment of many of its successful jazz venues. English is a prolific and versatile composer, having written music for radio, film and , chamber and symphony orchestras, jazz and theater groups. He has collaborated with poets, dancers, photographers, painters and filmmakers, and created music for the literary works of Tennessee Williams, Pablo Neruda, and Voltaire, among others. English has appeared on more than 350 recordings as a studio musician, and he has arranged and produced CDs and soundtracks, including several for classical artists. For this Blue Bamboo Jazz Festival appearance he will be part

BLUE BAMBOO WINTER PARK

Blues Beatles

SEPTEMBER

24

Fernando Ferrarone

As a trumpet player, Miami native Fernando Ferrarone was a member of the 2013 and 2014 Grammy Jazz Band, 2013 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, and Music for All’s 2013 Jazz Band of America; received a 2013 YoungArts Merit Award; and was presented an Outstanding Trumpet Soloist Award from Wynton Marsalis at the 2013 and 2014 Essentially Ellington Competition at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. Ferrarone had the honor of taking lessons and performing with John Clayton, Terrell Stafford and Wycliffe Gordon while attending the 2013 Vail Jazz Workshop. As a saxophonist, Ferrarone was First Alto Saxophone Chair in the 2013 Florida All-State Jazz Band, and participated in the 2013 Brubeck Institute Summer Jazz Colony. He has had the honor and privilege of having Brian Lynch as his private instructor. Ferrarone is also the winner of a 2013 Student Music Award for jazz soloist on trumpet and alto saxophone. Ferrarone attended Berklee College of Music on a full tuition scholarship in Boston. He also played with the Berklee concert jazz orchestra and the Beantown swing orchestra in Boston. Currently he is a member of the Denis Noday Jazz Orchestra and the Raices Jazz Orchestra in Miami. More at fernandoferrarone.com

Jamell Richardson

SEPTEMBER 22

LR’S QUINCY

By the age of one (yes, one)

Jamell Richardson was already being influenced by church musicians, so much so that his grandmother soon bought him his first guitar. By age 11 he was already an active studio and church musician and vocalist. Richardson honed his skills playing behind numerous gospel quartet groups, including Rance Allen, Paul Beasley, Donnie McClurkin and Marvin Sapp. As he matured, Richardson’s musical horizons expand to the likes of B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, George Benson and Eric Johnson. By 2012 he was on the road touring and recording with the legendary Southern Soul Bluesman Mel Waiters, becoming a Youtube sensation for his memorable solos. The next year Richardson was cast as guitarist Jimmy Nolen in the James Brown biopic Get On Up starring Chadwick Boseman, and also worked as the movie’s guitar instructor and coach, teaching performers and some cast members. His debut EP, Gulf Coast Blues Boy, was released in 2014. To date Richardson has shared stages with Bobby Womack, Bobby Bland, Latimore, Al Green, Millie Jackson and many more. In 2017, aside from releasing his full-length album Blues How I Wanna Blues, Richardson was honored on the 198th Mississippi Blues Trail Marker in his hometown of Meridian, MS, making him a living legend at age 29. In 2021 he was awarded the “King of the Blues Award, a tribute to B.B. King by the Jus Blues Music Foundation.

jamell richardsonlive.com

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Alain Bradette

SEPTEMBER 14

BLUE BAMBOO WINTER PARK

After witnessing a live performance of the Count Basie Orchestra, a young Alain Bradette decided that saxophone was his instrument of choice to best express himself musically. Today, while known mostly as a tenor and soprano saxophonist, Bradette also plays multiple woodwind instruments and is an accomplish improviser and skilled composer. Before moving to Florida, the Montreal native was in demand as a freelance musician, and led his own group performing and creating original music. In 1998 he joined the Cirque Du Soleil’s production La Nouba in Orlando, where he played multiple reed instruments on a show seen by millions. While at La Nouba, Bradette released his 2005 debut State Of Mind with the Alain Bradette Jazz Quartet. Other releases include 2017’s Ruda and a Bandcamp collection of fusion jazz titled Hesitation. As a composer, Bradette wrote music for the Brazilian productions Um Sonho Real and Maraba from Circo Ruda. These shows blending circus art, theater and dance toured in Brazil for years to very positive reviews. Bradette has toured and collaborated with such stellar musicians as John Patitucci, Frank Lacy, Dick Oatts and Third Kind Of Blue, to name a few. In 2004, two of Bradette’s compositions were recognized by the prestigious Great American Song Contest: “Montreal-Marseille” took first place honors and “A Bird’s Dream” ranked second in the top five Outstanding Composi tions in the jazz category. Collaborations include performances with The International Montreal Jazz Festival Orchestra, the Vic Vogel Big Band, and Tiger Okoshi. He continues to release tracks via Band camp. More at alainbradette music.com