T he Jazz Culture
"Lookin' Up" by Joe Magnarelli on Posi-tone Records, Features: Joe Magnarelli, trumpet, flugelhorn, Steve Davis, trombone, Anthony Wonsey, piano, Mike Karn, bass, Jason Brown, drums The Jazz Culture, V.III:34
1
Lookin’ Up!
Joe Magnarelli CD by L. Hamanaka
Personnel: Joe Magnarelli Trumpet, Flugelhorn; Steve Davis, trombone, Anthony Wonsey, piano; Mike Karn, bass, Jason Brown, drums. Produced by Mark Free; on Posi-tone Records. Enginner: Nick O’Toole; Ass’t Engineer-Mike Broby, recorded at Acoustic Sound on October 23, 2013; Mixed & Mastered Woodland studio Lake Oswego, OR, photography Simon Yu, package design, Jamie Bronson. “Shooting is nothing. Anybody can shoot. The big charge is putting on a show for the crowd.” A quote from Pete Maravich…Taking things seriously is part of Mr. Magnarelli’s personality, and in “Lookin Up!” he offers young people an example of the above; juxtaposing music as a 'better angel… ' 1. 44-An original, (at about 132=quarter note) with harmonized long tones, a positive melody, looking forward to better things, with a Latin groove, Magnarelli, fluently runs 2
The Jazz Culture, V.III:34
through a poignant, but hopeful and In these pages flowing bittersweet lines; Mr. Wonsey, Joe Magnarelli "Lookin' Up!" 1‐3/8‐ has a modern sound on piano, with 10 runs leading into groups of chords, August Listings 5‐6 emphasizing key beats, a little funky at John Watson Ad the end, when the theme is restated, Kuni Mikami Ad with trumpet accenting high notes in Roma Jazz Workshop Ad the melody, as if expressing, having Concert Pix been through so many ups and downs, Obituaries using a lot of seconds, and improvising in concert with Mr. Davis on trombone, experimenting with duos in improvisation, making them both listen constantly, and ending on a vamp. 2. Third Set-an original a hip bluesy theme, played medium up with Mr. Davis, ending in a long tone, almost like a fugue. Mr. Davis has the first solo here, playing some whole tone licks, in a swinging way, which allow him to express some feelings of alienation, with nice textures by the drummer, and steady beat of the bass. Mr. Mags repeats a short lick played by pianist and makes that the take off for his solo; and then extends it and makes it into a scalar thought; he also uses the whole tone scale, and some altered voicings, as the third set reaches into the unconscious to pull through the night; and ends on two note licks as if he were talking to ya’.. with good interplay by drummer. Then the blues theme repeats, with charm and excellent articulation of the trombonist and trumpeter. 3. Inner Beauty-An original, a ballad with a pealing melody, sensitive and evoking private moments, dwelling on high notes in the theme, then falling, into a swaying feel. The architecture is like a modern work of art with sleek lines. The solo is like a fine artist drawing the inside of a soul observed. The tone quality is pretty without being too pretty, but subservient to the subject. Mr. The Jazz Culture, V.III:34
3
Wonsey finds melodic intervals, and some chords that are nicely voiced, falling into scalar ascents with triplets that descend and chords that enunciate phrases well; his lines are delicate. Mr. Magnarelli then repeats the theme which is shown off like a lovely work of art against minimal accompaniment. (at about 68=) 4. You Go To My Head-as a 138 swing; with a groovy feel, and nicely phrased, it is a bit surprising to hear this standard in an other than ballad tempo; it is a swinging groove maintained by everyone, and trumpeter referring back to high points of the melody, and playing through changes with a feel of sexual intrigue in scalar lines; trombonist building small effective motifs that counter each other in call and response, short and spicy, with effective accents and syncopation in well articulated lines. Mr. Wonsey plays a swinging solo with some glisses and falls and funky chording; then doubles into 16ths a bit; then goes back into an 8th note groove and uses arpeggios. The bassist Mr. Karn adds contrasting tone quality in his short soul with a deep bass sound, Mr. Davis returns, and the trumpeter, leads the group out, and builds a small crescendo at the end to a long tone ending. 5. Blue Key: A pretty original with a Latin feel, the melody long tones that evoke a foreign landscape, with a few 16th note triplets inserted. The bridge is a pretty contrast that goes deftly back to the A section; it does sound a bit sad, as if written with a yearning feeling. Mr. Wonsey starts off in a nice contrast to the horns, with a poignant solo, adding notes at the end of small motifs in a high obbligato that sings; ending with chimeric thirds in the upper register, and some chordal movements; the trumpeter maintains the zone using small intervals, painting an inner world of striving and reaching for that perfect paradise seen in the mind; with effective use of falls that emphasize the key notes; and using 4
cont. p. 8 The Jazz Culture, V.III:34
The Jazz Culture Newsletter Jazz Tours in NYC are available; also music teachers in various countries for students & jazz lovers. email: info@thejazzculture.com. Ads are available in The Jazz Culture Newsletter. The Jazz Culture Newsletter has been read in 79 countries. Brian McMillen is a contributing Photographer. Connie MacNamee and Arnold J. Smith are contributing writers." Countries: US, UK, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bangladesh, Belize, Brazil, Burma, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam
August Listings Robert Anderson‐ Saturdays, Univ of the Streets 10:30 Clarence Banks‐ Swing 46 w/ Felix and the Cats, 346 W. 46 St. Ray Blue: Germany tour Bertha Hope: pianist/quintet every Thurs, Fri & Sat at Mintons Restaurant,116th&St Nicholas Av. Reservations strongly recommended. 212‐243‐2222 Richard Clements: Pianist, 11th Street Bar most Mondays, 8 Luciano Fabris‐Rome George Gee Orchestra at Swing 46, every Tues, most Fridays 9:30 Lafayette Harris: Aug 1 & 2 Sankofa Aban107 Macon St. Brooklyn Bedstuy $30 includes fish fry. Café Loup Sunday 3rd 6:30pm ‐ 9:30pm 105 W 13th St. Aug 4th Antique GarageSolo Piano 7‐10pm 41 Mercer St. Corner of Grand St. Aug 5th Little Branch 22 7th Ave corner of Leroy Aug 6th Guess Senior Center 2070 Clinton Ave E 180 Bronx 1:30 Aug 13th The Garage Corner Christopher and 7th Ave S. Aug 14th Antique Garage Solo Piano/Aug 19th
The Jazz Culture, V.III:34
5
Loston Harris: Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle; Tues ‐ Thur 9:30pm ‐ 12:30am, Fri‐Sat 9:30pm‐1:00am The Carlyle, 35 East 76th St., New York, NY 10021 (76th St. & Madison Ave.) 212‐744‐1600 Mike Longo: Tuesdays Gillespie Auditorium in the NYC Baha'i Center at 53 East 11th Street 8:00 and 9:30 Joe Magnarelli: July 6, Sun. leads Small’s late session
Mark McGowan/Dave Sat Aug 9, Riverside Drive at 97 St. concert 7‐9 John Mosca & Michael Weiss, Vanguard Orchestra every Monday at the Village Vanguard 8 p.m. David Pearl‐ Mondays at the Thalia, 95 St. bet. B'way & West End 8 p.m. Valery Pomoronov‐ Zinc Bar on the first Wednesday in August, 9:30 p.m. Bill Saxton: Every Friday and Saturday Bill’s Place 133 Street Rick Stone:Sunday, August 3rd from 7:30‐10pm Nighttown, 12387 Cedar Rd., $10 cover. August 8th the Rick Stone Trio at the Bar Next Door. Shows at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30pm. 129 MacDougal St (between W3rd & W4th), NYC. $12 cover. Call: 212‐529‐5945 August 21st from 6‐10pm the Rick Stone Trio the Garage, 99 7th Avenue South (at Grove Street), NYC. Evans Thompson, pianist, concert on August 2, Original, Rumba, Jazz, and Bebop,All Stars Project / Castillo Theater 453 W.42 St.10‐11th Ave ‐Aug. 2‐ 1 PM Free Murray Wall, bassist, 11th Street Bar most Mondays, 8 p.m.
THE JOHN WATSON TRIO
LEEE JOHN & IMAGINATION LIVE AT JACK UP THE 80s-Saturday 9th August 2014 John will play with Leee John & Imagination on Saturday 9th August at the Jack Up The 80s Festival in Newchurch, Isle of Wight. For more information visit: jackupthe80s.co.uk John Watson/Tel: 01442 217825 /Mob: 07990 574562/ Website: www.johnpianoman.co.uk 6
The Jazz Culture, V.III:34
KUNI MIKAMI, Pianist is also an acclaimed, talented Videographer Special Introductory Sale: Five Minute Edited (with music) Video Resume for Performers $300 Contact Kuni @: 123mime@gmail.com
Artist must provide: • Good quality HD video on computer file • Good recorded audio sound • A photo of yourself • Text you want to see on the video
Luciano Fabris in Rome, David Pearl at Thalia, Mike Longo's Bahai Center on Tuesdays, Leroy Williams at Minton's,
The Jazz Culture, V.III:34
7
cont. from p. 4 6. Easy Transition- at about 14= quarter note, a swing, perhaps making the observation that some changes are happily made, with a love of life and sunshiny weather. The motif seems to be full of call and response ideas. The trombonist seems to be talking personally to each of us; about the good things that happen that we should be grateful for… with zest . The trumpeter has a personal and recognizable style of building phrases using rhythmic ideas that mark a hip mentality; and seems to be stating the ability to see things from many points of view. The pianist plays a flowing and uses small three note comments that grow into six note motifs, then falls back to two note ideas, that blossom into scalar falling lines. The trumpeter restates the theme; and the ensemble plays a hip and interesting phraseology, with a triplet line inserted that contrasts to the long tone section, with good articulation by the group, and backing by the drums and bass.
7. –Suddenly It’s Spring-Jimmy Van Heusen-(at about 184=quarter note). With a springy and lovely theme, it’s refreshing at this up tempo pace. Mr. Mags plays relaxed and hot at the same time, with ace articulation on key notes, very clear and clean notes at up tempos. Mr. Wonsey, seems to be doubling and has a good bright sound playing mostly middle register, playing small intervals and lots of scalar lines, with some chromatic descent at the beginning of his line. The bass player plays through the changes with a nice touch and sound, occasionally throwing in anticipation that kicks the beat ahead, and then the group trades 8’s, with a popping, positive feel , taking it out with lots of snaps.
cont. p. 11 8
The Jazz Culture, V.III:34
Links: Lionelleh.com, lostpuppyblues.com The Jazz Culture, V.III:34
9
Frankie Dunlop, drummer,
Obituary
born December 6, 1928, died on August,
2014 in Buffalo, New York. A memorial will be held at St. Peter’s Church on August 27, 2014 at 7 p.m. He was a veteran, serving in the Korean War, and toured with Big Jay McNeeley, and Moe Koffmann. He worked and recorded with Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Lena Horne, Wilbur Ware, Randy Weston Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins and Lionel Hampton. He was 85 years old. When he died he had recorded on over 100 albums, on Riverside, Columbia and other labels. Idris Muhammed, drummer,
born November 13, 1939, died on July 29,, 2014, at his home in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. He was from New Orleans, Louisiana. He worked and recorded with Grant Green, George Benson, Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Lou Donaldson, Ahmed Jamal, John Hicks, Freddie Hubbard, Gene Ammons and many others on Prestige and Kudu. His father played the banjo and 4 siblings played the drums. He started playing in his teens, and at the age of 16 played on Fats Domino’s Hit “Blueberry Hill,” and with Mardi Gras bands in New Orleans. He converted to Islam in the 1960’s with his wife Dolores; they had two sons and daughters, and he had a daughter from a prior marriage to Gracie Lee Edwards.
Dave Glasser Quintet featuring Mark McGowan, with Or Baratrak on bass, Jefferson, drums, and Joe Cohen, Guitar, Riverside Park at 97th Street (Story next week).
10
The Jazz Culture, V.III:34
8. Miles’ ModeJohn Coltrane(about 184=quarter note) Mr. Magnarelli playing the theme, with excellent articulation, intriguing collection of ideas, spinning out long tones and contrasting them with swiftly enunciated lines and good use of space. The bass player’s solo is a good contrast in space and tonality, and the trumpeter ends the tune after an interlude with Mr. Karn. 9. Darn that Dream (by Jimmy Van Heusen) a ballad with a piano introduction that climbs to the top of the upper register, stating the theme’s beginning. A soft and sensitive full tone, with a beautiful feeling of worship and adoration, revealing a romantic passion. An outstanding in this performance is the individual phrasing and dynamics seemingly rubato. Time comes in at the bridge; (at about 68=quarter note). The solo sometimes starts on a high note and falls with grace; and slowly, building suspense well, developing interest while revealing inner thoughts, is one of the best interpretations heard of this song so far, and ends on a short cadenza. It might be a statement of the player’s love of music. 10. In Walked Lila(J. Handy) (at about 200), a using half note triplets. The trumpeter plays short lines that evolve into longer scalar thoughts and shows off the popping with the rhythm section, which has a burning feel. The trombonist plays the slow under the fast, and climbs the scale with a few comments, accenting the final notes of his motifs often, and starts using 5 five note ideas, three note ideas, and ends crisply. After a piano solo, the group trades 8’s, the drummer sounds really good, and the pianist sounds funky. The group repeats the short theme and end on a crash that fades. In this cd, Mr. Magnarelli reveals several fine originals with a unique sound, phrasing, articulation, and fine interpretive ability; his additions to the group of modern jazz standards by today’s players, as well as arranging, playing improvisatory duos with Mr. Davis, a sensitive and aware player, and swinging hard with his band. He is a musician gaining a following in several countries with his own appealing style and contributions.
The Jazz Culture, V.III:34
11
Some of the Cats: Photo courtesy of Lonnie Hillyer: The Brass Company Colors 1974: Clifford Jordan, Harry Hall, Lonnie Hillyer, Eddie Preston, Charles tolliver, Bill Hardman, Kamal Abdul Aim, Cliff Lee, Charles Stephens, Kiani Zuwadi, Bob Shepherd, Stanley Cowell, Bill Lee, Sonny Brown, Billy Higgins (D, dir)
Evans Thompson, Subscriber of The Jazz Culture Newsletter & Composer/pianist, was featured in a concert and also did a radio show on August 2, featuring original, Rumba, Jazz, and Bebop,All Stars Project / Castillo Theater 453 W.42 St.10‐11th Ave ‐Aug. 2‐ 1 PM Free
12
The Jazz Culture, V.III:34