Jazz Scene 061207

By Don Henke

We’ll start this column by letting you know about three duo gigs tonight (Tuesday). Saxophonist Bill Burns and pianist Brian Cashwell will be at Sips Café in Centerville from 6:30 to 9:30. Also guitarist Dick Sorice and bassist Dave LaRocca are at the Glendale Pub in Glendale. Also tonight, we just found out that Tammy Powell will be singing in a duo performance with pianist Randy Villars at Pacchia from 7 to 10.

Other doings at Pacchia this week include Louise Cramer singing with the Tim Berens Quartet Wednesday. Tim is bringing a couple of his colleagues with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra – pianist Julie Spangler and drummer Marc Wolfley – along with bassist Doug Richeson from Columbus. Thursday night the Erik Augis Trio makes one of its rare appearances there. Friday night fusion group Magnolia Bolthead comes in and Saturday night it’s the Doug Simon Quartet. Across the street, Café Boulevard features vocalist Patricia Berg and pianist Brian Cashwell Friday and the John Wagner Duo Saturday.

The Crowne Plaza Stars Lounge has its regular lineup: Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers Wednesday from 7:30 to 11:30; Tammy Powell and the Randy Villars Trio Thursday from 8 to 12; and the Shawn Stanley Trio Friday and Saturday from 9 to 1. The Mario Abney Quintet plays at the 88 Club Thursday from 9 to 1 and across the street from there David Simpson is the featured act at Gregory’s Piano Bar Friday from 7 to 10.

Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express, always a favorite in these parts, will be at Gilly’s Thursday night. Saturday night at Jazz Central there will be one of those face-offs they love so much. This time it will be four tenor saxophonists – Columbus giant Gene Walker, Dayton phenom Clarence Slaughter, Charlie Cook and Eddie Bayard. Kenny Baccus leads the jam session Sunday night.

Kick-n-Flava are at the Greene Wednesday from 5:30 to 9:30; Sunday it’s the Deron Bell Band from 1 to 4. The G. Scott Jones Freedom Ensemble will be at the Emporium in Yellow Springs Monday from 8 to 9. Jumping up to Clark County, Larry Halpern and Gail Keen will be at Un Mundo Café in Springfield Monday at 7:30.

In the south burbs, David Simpson will be at Yankee Trace Golf Club Wednesday from 7 to 9:30. Guitarist Andrew Hartman and vocalist Jessica Agler are at Cena Brazilian Restaurant Friday from 8 to 10. Sunday morning saxophonist Randy Villars and keyboardist Tim Jennens will be at the Fraze Pavilion from 11 to 2.

One of Dayton’s favorite sons will be at the Blue Wisp Jazz Club in Cincinnati this weekend. Saxophonist Hal Melia will join the Phil DeGreg Trio Friday and Saturday. The Steve Schmidt Trio plays at the Wisp Thursday and the big band on Wednesday. The Bruce Menefield Quartet will be at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Friday night at 8.

Elsewhere downtown, Ricky Nye is at Mr. Pitiful’s Sunday as part of a tribute to Paul Sebron and he’ll be at Arnold’s with Dottie Warner Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30. He’ll also be at Paxton’s Grill in Loveland Saturday from 9 to 12 and as part of another tribute, this one to Big Joe Duskin, at Rhino’s in Sharonville Monday. Ricky will also be at his usual stand, Chez Nora in Covington, Wednesday night.

Vocalist Andrea Cefalo and keyboardist Billy Larkin are at Gajah Wong Restaurant in Northside Wednesday and Billy and his regular partner Eugene Goss will be at Hooligan’s (Ridge and Highland) Friday. The Cactus Pear in Blue Ash has Bone Voyage Thursday and Cherry Blonde Sizzle Friday. Sawyer Point Park, down by the river, will have a pre-Father’s Day blast Saturday from 5 to 10. It features the Deron Bell Band, vocalist Mandy Gaines and special guest star Kirk Whalum. From one end of town to the other, Crosstown Jazz plays at Henke Winery (no relation, unfortunately) on Harrison Friday from 8 to 10 and Mandy Gaines will be at Antonio’s in West Chester with the Steve Schmidt Trio Monday from 7 to 9. In between, the Dick Sorice Organ Trio is at the Pike Bar and Grill in Woodlawn Thursday from 7 to 10.

Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon will be the special guest with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra this week at the Southern Theater. Shows are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2:00 and 7:30. The Dwight Lenox Trio is at the Worthington Inn Friday from 7 to 10. The Russ Schmidt Trio is at Columbus Music Hall Saturday at 8:30. The University of Dayton Choir will give a concert at Battelle Music Center on the Otterbein campus in Westerville Monday. Special guest will be guitarist Jim Smith.