Gable's Jazz Travels

Editor Comments:

Rosemary and I go to many jazz events and would like to share some pictures from our travels and encourage you to take in some live jazz. You'll be surprised at the fun and friendships that will come from your travels.

Dateline 12/07/2007 (At Pacchia's Jazz Room)

Chris Berg, Lee McKinney and returning visitor Kent Burnside

Dateline 10/18/2007: (At The 88 Club)

The UD Jazz Combo played the 88 Club Thursday night to a pitiful small crowd. Stop and think about it, if you're not attending UD chances are you've never seen or heard of this group. Consequently as entertaining as they are they have little to no following. How to rectify this sad situation? - You take some pictures and write a small blurb to let the local jazz fans know that youth in jazz in Dayton is on the move and they're great. Also my hat goes off to Rick & Esther of the 88 Club for giving these young jazz artist their 3rd Thursday slot. These club owners are determined to make Thursday a jazz night at their club.

This evenings performers consisted of: Tylor Hoying (piano), Mike Beale (bass), Chris Cornelius (trumpet),
Rebeeca Holloway (tenor sax), Jacob Holloway (drums), Christian Eck (guitar), Evan King (alto sax) and
Dina Nocifora (vocalist -not shown). All University of Dayton Students.

Dateline 9/15/2007: (Gregory's Piano Bar)

Some years back I remember my guitarist Kent Burnside telling me he was performing some with Mary Knapke and she had a good voice. For one reason or another I'd never seen her until this evening and Kent's words came back to mind and were an understatement. This was billed as a cabaret performance so there was a variety of music. There was, much to my liking a good deal of jazz, with excellent back-up by the Ron Meyer Quartet but it was a song written by a country singer that convinced me this lady can really sing. The song I Will Always Love You written by Dolly Parton and sung by Whitney Houston in the movie The Bodyguard can only be, in my opinion, rendered by someone with an outstanding voice. Ms. Knapke sat on a stool in what I would call a relaxed stance and simply let her voice do all the work. It was as good as it gets a wonderful rendition and well worth the admission cost. The cast of the cabaret was Mary Knapke (vocals), Ron Meyer (keys), Jeff Spurlock (sax), Steve Chenowithe (bass) and Ken Monnier (drums). All took place in Gregory’s Piano Bar and it’s my understanding they do these Encore Theater Company Cabaret shows on a regular basis. We intend to catch some more of these. – Ron Gable

Dateline 09/02/2007 (At Jazz Central in Dayton, Ohio)

Typical Sunday Night Jam at Jazz Central

Dateline 07/06/2007 (In and outside of Gregory's Piano Bar)

Jazz artist David Simpson is willing to perform anyplace, with most anybody and is always great entertainment.

Dateline 06/16/2007 (Tenor Sax Face-Off at Jazz Central)

Gene Walker, Meilana Gillard, Charlie Cook, Michael Kotur and Eddie Bayard

Excerpt from Don Henke's Jazz Scene 061907

If you like your tenor saxophonists to play nothing but tenor – no doubling on flute and soprano and alto – Jazz Central was the place for you Saturday night. Columbus legends Gene Walker and Charlie Cook were there, along with Eddie Bayard to give it a more modern, Coltrane-type touch. Teenage phenom Clarence Slaughter was supposed to be the fourth but he was ill; so Walker called one of his former students, now living in New York, Meilana Gillard. Another Columbus legend (are they all legends up there?), Uncle Dave, played Hammond B3. The rest of the rhythm section included guitarist Michael Kotur, drummer Miles Preston and percussionist Cliff Darrett.
Walker’s playing is in the Ben Webster-Coleman Hawkins tradition; Cook has a tone more like Sonny Stitt; Gillard shows what she learned from Walker with a big bottom sound reminiscent of Gene Ammons; and Bayard, as mentioned, is in the Coltrane style. Most of the tunes were definitely be-bop. They opened, fittingly enough, with Sonny Rollins’ “Tenor Madness”, followed by Kenny Dorham’s “Blue Bossa” and Rollins’ “Oleo”. Then it was time for individual features, with Walker playing “Georgia On My Mind” beautifully. Then his protégé, Gillard, also did a lovely job on Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood”. Bayard had the joint jumping with Eddie Harris’ “Freedom Jazz Dance”. Bob Bass sat in on organ for that one. Then Cook, with Jack Hart taking over the organ duties, played “On Green Dolphin St.” The group closed out with two Ellington gems, “Satin Doll” and “In a Mellow Tone”. The entire night was truly “Tenor Madness”.

Dateline 05/17/2007 (1st. & Main St. in Dayton)	Dateline 05/17/2007 (At Jazz Central in Dayton)
Marilyn Monroe & Sunny Thompson	John Harner & the Xenia High School Band

Dateline 05/04/2007 (At Cannery Art & Design Centre)

Louise Cramer, Tim Berens & Ian Baggette

M Rees Marlatt & Model

Art and Jazz simultaneously on this evening at the Cannery!

Dateline 05/03/2007 (At the Dayton Art Institute)

	Left-Dr. Willey Morris & the University of Dayton Jazz Orchestra. Right- Sunny (Marilyn Monroe) Thompson & Clay (Cooker) Collins.

Dateline 05/01/2007 (At Antonios in Westchester)

Wayne Yeager, Brett Wamsley, Ann Chamberlain and Eddie Morgan

Dateline 03/28/2007 (At Gregory's Piano Bar)

I didn’t know what to expect, when Judy Evans told me she had booked Deron Bell into Gregory’s Piano Bar, but it certainly wasn’t this. First it was his whole band plus; Deron Bell keys, Monty Bowman bass, Cardell Williams drums, J. T. Fedrick saxophone, Jesse Partridge guitar, David Cook keys, Deborah Key vocals and Yolanda Byrd vocals. Enough power to blow out the walls, not that they didn’t try; these guys always put on a good show and they really put themselves out on this night. The audience, around thirty, not bad for a piano bar on a Wednesday night and they were into it as much as the band. We all had a good party and when we left they were still going strong. This was the last of the series but look for more in the future. As for Deron Bell’s “Jazz For You Band,” they’ll be celebrating “Jazz Appreciation Month” at Gilly’s on Saturday, April 7 and back at Gregory’s on Saturday, April 14 with the SMAG Dance Collective for a special fund raiser and again on Friday, May 18 for Urban Nights. Check out our “Local Jazz Calendar” for times at: http://www.jazzadvocate.com/Local%20Jazz%20Calendar/.

Dateline 03/24/2007 (At the Packard Museum)

Hot Jazz and Vintage Cars, was the norm for this evening of fun. Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers with special guest John Otto from Chicago were playing their traditional Jazz in the styles of New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Kansas City and San Francisco as sort of a rehearsal party for their Xavier gig the next day. At break the entire museum was open for our inspection and I’ll tell you it’s worth seeing up to and including the 1938 Packard, which was Big Al Capone’s last car. The list of players on this evening: Dave Greer banjo, Jack Butler tuba, Jim Leslie drums, Greg Dearth reeds, Chris Moore cornet, Erik Greiffenhagen reeds, Gordon Moore trombone, John MacQueen bass, Ted Des Plantes piano and special guest John Otto bass saxophone. – Ron Gable

Dateline 02/23/2007 (At the Lighthouse Cafe in Dayton, Ohio)

Kenny Baccus (on the keyboard), 60th Birthday Party!

Dateline 02/02/2007 (At the Cannery Art & Design Center)

David Simpson, Bobby Allen & Luke Wright

Dateline 12/3/2006: (At Gilly's in Dayton)

Laura Gentry

George Cables, Rodney Whitaker, Javon Jackson and Jimmy Cobb

I wish to commend Cincinnati jazz promoter Laura Gentry for bring the Javon Jackson Superband to Dayton, Ohio. I know a lot of our jazz fans missed what was amongst the best of 2006 jazz performances in our city. We need to take note; if we really want good jazz to come to us, we're going to have to make some show of support. Our local promoters cannot live on the love of jazz alone when they're paying these groups to come to town. Talk it up among your friends and make an effort to catch a few jazz events through out each year. -- Ron Gable

Dateline 11/12/2006: (Makoy Center in Hilliard, Ohio)

The Earlville Jazz Band from Kent, Ohio

It was the annual Fall Harvest of Jazz festival put on by the Central Ohio Hot Jazz Society. This years event offered the Earlville Jazz Band from Kent, Ohio, Buffalo Ridge Jazz Band from Cincinnati, the Toll House Jazz Band from Columbus and "a dual piano shootout" with John Ulrich and John Sheridan. This is where their society carries on the tradition of great music with their annual charity Christmas food drive. – Ron Gable

Dateline 10/28/2006 and 10/29/2006

Deron Bell's Jazz For You Band at the Ware Banquet Center

Taylor Eigsti, at Gilly's

Dateline 09/07/2006: (At the Dayton Art Institute)

Teresa Hunt sings with Ed Clay's Jazz Patrol – Ron Gable

Dateline 09/02/2006: (At Jazz Central)

Giles Ponticello (guitar), Cary Dachtyl (drums), Gene Walker (sax) & Linda Dachtyl (B3 Organ)

Dateline 08/24/2006: (At RiverScape Metro Parks)

The Eddie Brookshire Big Band featuring Brenda Flowers

Dateline 07/29/2006: (At Captain’s Point, Indian Lake)

Some of the greatest food I’ve tasted; the folks up here sure love Rick Evans!– Ron Gable

Dateline 08/03/2006: (At the Dayton Art Institute)

The Ron Jones (sax) Quartet w/Rob Allgeyer (keys), Sonny Stephens (bass) & Bruce Morrow (drums)!

Dateline 08/09/2006: (In the Stars Lounge of the Crowne Plaza Hotel)

Randy Villars, Tammy Powell, John Taylor and Tony Whack

Dateline 07/27/2006: (At Jazz Central)

Hello, I'm writing to invite everyone out to Jazz Central on Tuesdays. For the next several weeks we will be recording our sets there for an upcoming CD. Come help us out and get you hand clapping preserved on CD forever! We begin every Tuesday at 8pm (roughly). – Thanks John

Dateline 05/21/2006: (At Central State University)
The Jim Smith Septet – Smith on guitar, trumpeter Pat Harbison, trombonist Marc Fields, saxophonist Hal Melia, pianist Jeff Hufnagle, bassist Mike Sharfe and drummer Jim Leslie

Dateline 05/08/2006: (At the Hamilton Freshman School)
The Underdog Sextet – Misty Boyce (keys), Bill Burns (bari), Hal Melia (tenor), Scott Belck (trumpet), Noah Bellamy (trombone), Chris Sloan (bass) & Phil Tipton (drums) I had the pleasure of being MC for the wonderful Hamilton City Jazz Festival, which presented the talents of five area High School Jazz Bands. (Go Here For Pictures)

Dateline 05/04/2006: (At the Dayton Art Institute’s Just Jazz)
It’s not jazz but it’s a lot of fun. Soul Express, a group that plays and sings Motown and Memphis tunes from the ‘60s and ‘70s, played this month’s “Just Jazz” concert at the Dayton Art Institute last Thursday. Mark Funke, filling in for regular saxophonist Ken McCall, sang “Under the Boardwalk”, “Mustang Sally” and “Ain’t No Sunshine”. Keyboardist Chris Demmons sang “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” and James Brown’s “I Feel Good”. Bassist Tom Beyerlein sang “Funky Broadway” and others and the band played a good instrumental on Booker T’s “Green Onions”. The main thing about the group is that they stay true to the music they’re playing. As Duke Ellington once said, “There are two kinds of music – good music and the other kind.” These guys play good music. – Don Henke

Dateline 04/29/2006: (At Gilly's in Dayton, Ohio)
Mike MacArthur (sax), Reggie Jackson (drums), Roger Hines (bass) and Diane Schuur (piano) I sat on the edge of my seat the whole performance while jazz flowed over me like a river springing from the fountain of youth! Sorry about the attempt at poetry but that was my impression of a true jazz experience.

Dateline April 8, 2006: (At The Dayton Cotton Club in Dayton, Ohio)
The Serious Young Musicians; Tumust Allison (leader & keys), Craig Hill (tenor sax), Devone Newsome (trumpet), Tyrone Martin (alto sax) and Mario Abney (drums)

Dateline April 7, 2006: (At Cannery Arts Design Center in Dayton, Ohio)
The UD Jazz Combo; Ty Hoying (leader & keys), Mike Beale (bass), Evan King (sax), Doug Buettgen (trumpet) and Maureen Longo (drums)

Dateline April 5, 2006: (At Gilly’s in Dayton, Ohio)
Vital Information: Steve Smith (drums), Tom Coster (organ & accordion), Frank Gambale (guitar) and Baron Browne (bass)

Dateline February 18, 2006: (At Simone's in Cincinnati, Ohio)
Brian Glader (keys), Dave LaRocca (bass), Brian Hogg (sax) & Phil Tipton (drums)

Dateline February 15, 2006: (Stars Lounge in the Crowne Plaza Hotel)
Happy Birthday Dave Greer!

Dateline February 13, 2006: (2nd Katrina Jazz Benefit at Gilly's in Dayton, Ohio)
I’m very pleased to say we had another successful benefit event and wish to thank all of the support we were given. The Eddie Brookshire Band and Brenda Flowers, Gilly’s, the American Federation of Musicians, the Crowne Plaza of Dayton, PMI Parking Management, the Michelob Jazz Experience, the Pizza Factory, Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers, Culture for Livable Communities, Jefferson Street Community Projects, Smooth Jazz 106.5 FM the Metropolitan Condominiums the Dayton City Paper the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Bonita Rogers & Richard Moore, Furst Florist and Balloons-R-Us. These are the folks that made it possible to send another $1,700.00 to aid in the Gulf Coast Relief effort. -- Ron Gable

Dateline January 25, 2006: (At Jazz Central in Dayton, Ohio)
Randy Fankell (drums), John Slate (organ) and Bill Burns (saxophone)

Dateline January 21, 2006: (At Gilly's Night Club in Dayton)
Remnant Soul (Formally Smooth Jazz Praise)

Dateline January 15, 2006: (At the Placc in West Carrolton, Ohio)
Pieces of a Dream

Dateline November 20, 2005: (At Central State University)
Steve Schmidt, Michael Scharfe and John von Olan

Dateline September 25, 2005: (Cincinnati Musicians Katrina Benefit at Simones)
Randy Villars Entertaining The Crowd	Chief Michael & Atif Raodolf

Dateline September 19, 2005: (Jazz & Blues Vocals with Rick Evans & Mandy Gaines at the Crowne Plaza)
They're Watching Mario Abney	Mandy Gaines

Dateline September 15, 2005: (Crowne Plaza & Classic Jazz Stompers Katrina Benefit)
Classic Jazz Stompers & Guest	Don Vappie

Dateline September 12, 2005: (1st Dayton Musicians Katrina Jazz Benefit)
Eddie Brookshire Big Band	Vinnie Marshall & Coran Henley

Dateline September 9, 2005: (A Night Of Expressions With David Sain at the Schuster Center)
Poet David Sain	Chris Bowman & Friends

Dateline August 20, 2005: (At the Trotwood Jazz Festival)
Boney James on Stage	Deron Bell & Friends