Jazz Scene 062607

By Don Henke

We got out for a little while Thursday and went to two clubs. Pacchia Café was featuring the Jim Leslie Trio, without Jim Leslie who was unfortunately in the hospital. In his place was Jason Smart, who is a member of Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey. While that band has been inactive, Smart is gigging around Cincinnati and happened to have Thursday open. The other two members of the trio are among Cincinnati’s finest – bassist Mike Sharfe and vibraphonist Rusty Burge. Burge uses the four-mallet approach to the vibes to striking effect. The trio worked very well together on tunes such as Tom Harrell’s “Sail Away”, Clifford Brown’s “Joy Spring” and Gerry Mulligan’s “Line for Lyons”.

After one set at Pacchia, we journeyed up to the 88 Club to catch a set by trumpeter Mario Abney’s quintet. Alto saxophonist Josh Atkin was back with the group, along with pianist Rashaun Murph, bassist Chris Brown and drummer Julian Addison. Clarence Slaughter sat in on tenor on John Coltrane’s “Equinox” and veteran pianist Eddy Howard took a turn on Miles Davis’ “All Blues”. Vocalist Martin Bakari lent his smooth vocal chops to “Body and Soul” and “My Funny Valentine”. The group closed with “Burnout”, which is essentially a free-for-all that is never played the same way twice.

Sunday the 25^th annual Women in Jazz Festival got through all eight hours without even a hint of rain. The weather-guessers are usually wrong and they were this time, too. We got there late, so we missed the opening act – Connie and Kenny – and part of Teresa “Misty” Monee’s set. The latter sang “Misty”, of course, and “The Girl From Ipanema”, among others. Backing her was the Jazz Central Band – trumpeter John Hampton Wagner, keyboardist Kenny Baccus and drummer Crescendo Baccus

Next up was April Aloisio, who sang some Portuguese (“A Felicidad”), some jazz (“Blue Monk”), some Italian (“Estate”) and some ballads from her new CD (“Body and Soul”). She was accompanied by pianist Phillip Burkhead, bassist Aaron Jacobs and drummer Jason Smart. On her new CD, titled Daydream, she and Burkhead do mostly ballads.

Kat Collins, who is the daughter of Dayton legend Gene “By Golly” Barry, was on next. She said she didn’t really belong there because she’s a rock ‘n’ roll singer, but she and her band swung pretty well on “Feelin’ Good”, the old Ruth Brown chestnut “Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean” and “Ain’t No Sunshine”.

Louise Cramer was accompanied by the Tim Berens band – Tim on guitar, his colleague from Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Julie Spangler on keyboards, Doug Richeson on bass and Reggie Jackson behind the drums. She sang some of her original tunes, including “Mama Bear”, and a few standards, such as “All Right, Okay, You Win”. Her stage presence is more and more commanding as she becomes more comfortable.

Columbus organist Linda Dachtyl was joined by husband Cary Dachtyl on drums, guitarist Giles Ponticello and saxophonist Brian Coon. Theirs was a more straight-ahead session, including “Southern Samba, Thelonious Monk’s “Well, You Needn’t’ and Eddie Harris’ “Goin’ Home”. She learned a lot from the great Hank Marr.

Indianapolis songstress Cynthia Layne brought along some of her friends from Indy – saxophonist Rob Dixon, keyboardist Reggie Bishop and drummer Kenny Phelps – to back her singing of mostly original tunes.

Closing the festival were Tammy Powell and the Randy Villars Trio. She sang many of the tunes that are favorites of her Thursday night crowds at the Crowne Plaza Stars Lounge, such as “One Note Samba”, “Route 66” and “Help Me (I Think I’m Falling). The trio also played their inimitable version of “Caravan”.

This is the last week for trios and quartets at Pacchia Café, making way for the duos at Pacchia Prima starting in July. One pairing will be there Wednesday – the popular Mike Teckenbrock-Jeff Hufnagle duo. New York violinist Zach Brock will be in with his quartet Thursday, the Ron Jones Quartet is there Friday and saxophonist Brent Gallaher brings in a trio Saturday.

Dean Simms is at The Greene Wednesday from 5:30 to 9:30 and Rick Evans and friends are at Yankee Trace Golf Club in Centerville Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:30. In Cincinnati, there are a few things happening Wednesday. The Calhoun St. Jazz Quintet is at the Cincinnati Art Museum from 5:30 to 8:30, vocalist Andrea Cefalo and keyboardist Billy Larkin are at Gajah Wong Retaurant in Northside and April Aloisio and Bob Roetker are at Tink’s Café in Clifton.

The Mario Abney Quintet is at the 88 Club Thursday from 9 to 12. David Simpson is at Café Boulevard Friday. Gregory’s Piano Bar has the Alec Delfinic Trio from 9 to 11 Friday. The Mike Wade Quartet is at The Greene Sunday from 1 to 4. Teresa Hunt is at the Captain’s Point in Lakeview Friday from 7 to 10.

The Phil DeGreg Trio plays at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati Thursday with former CCM professor Brad Goode bringing his trumpet to join Phil Friday and Saturday. Rachel Z plays at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Friday night at 8. Ricky Nye and Dottie Warner are at Arnold’s Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30. Pamela Mallory sings with the Jim Hart Trio at the Hilton Palm Court Friday and Saturday.

Triage will be at Hooligan’s Friday and at Mecklenburg Gardens Saturday. Pianist Wayne Yeager and vocalist Larry Kinley play at DeSha’s American Tavern Thursday from 7:00 to 10:30. Ricky Nye and the Swingin’ Mudbugs have a weekend gig at Chez Nora in Covington Friday and Saturday. The Smart Set is at the Federal Reserve Restaurant Saturday night.

Bryan Olsheski will be at the Columbus Music Hall with the Tim Cummiskey Trio Friday at 8:30. The Mark Flugge Trio plays the Hall Saturday at 8:00