Jazz Scene 070307

By Don Henke

Last weekend: There was saxophone madness at Pacchia Friday and Saturday. The Ron Jones Quartet was there Friday and the Louisville alto saxophonist, generally considered one of the finest musicians to play regularly in the area, brought his “A” team – keyboardist Rob Allgeyer, bassist Sonny Stephens and drummer Bruce Morrow. They played Hank Mobley’s “This I Dig of You”, Charlie Parker’s “Donna Lee” and John Coltrane’s “Moments Notice”, along with a tune written for his wife (who was present) “A Vision of Beauty”, which is also the title of his CD.

Tenor saxophonist Brent Gallaher’s wife, Vanessa, was there Saturday night, but he didn’t play the song he wrote for her. He did, however, play Freddie Hubbard’s “Up Jumped Spring”, Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Lady” and Sonny Stitt’s “The Eternal Triangle” and a lot of standard tunes, some of which (such as “Three Little Words” and “The Girl From Ipanema”) he dressed up in new clothes. He was ably assisted by bassist Steve Whipple and drummer Jim Leslie, coming back from a health problem.

This week in Dayton: Pacchia Café is going out with a bang this week. Christian Howes’ Creative Strings Festival will occupy the stage four nights: Tuesday (7 to 10), Thursday (7 to 11) and Friday and Saturday (8 to 12). There will be 10 to 12 musicians on stage playing non-stop. They all play stringed instruments – violin, viola, cello, string bass, guitar, anything that has strings. The music can range from jazz to classical to folk to pop. If your ears are open to new things, you’ll enjoy this.

Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers will celebrate the Fourth Wednesday night at the Crowne Plaza Stars Lounge from 7:30 to 11:30 and then will do it again in Tipp City at 2^nd and Main at 7:30 Friday. The Crowne’s lineup for the rest of the week is Tammy Powell with the Randy Villars Trio Thursday and the Shawn Stanley Trio Friday and Saturday. Vocalist April Aloisio and guitarist Bob Roetker are at Cena Brazilian Restaurant at the Dayton Mall Friday from 6 to 10.

The Mario Abney Quintet will be at the 88 Club Thursday from 9 to 12. The Tom Daugherty Orchestra plays on Riverscape Thursday from 7 to 9. Friday guitarist Andrew Hartman and vocalist Jessica Agler are at Café Boulevard. Teresa Hunt and friends will be at the Cannery Art and Design Center on East Third St. Friday from 7 to 10. Teresa Hunt will also be at The Greene in Beavercreek with the Patrol Sunday from 1 to 4. Also in Greene County the Clifton Opera House presents Goodvibes Saturday at 7:30. David Simpson plays and sings at Gregory’s Piano Bar Friday from 7 to 10.

In the Queen City: Guitarist Dick Sorice and bassist Dave LaRocca play at the Glendale Pub tonight (Tuesday). The Blue Wisp Big Band plays at the club for which it was named Wednesday night. Saxophonist Oz Landesberg brings a group in Thursday and Jim Connerley returns with his Vintage Keys Friday and Saturday.

Vocalist Andrea Cefalo and keyboardist Billy Larkin play at Gajah Wong Indonesian Restaurant in Northside Wednesday. Bone Voyage is at the Cactus Pear in Blue Ash Thursday at 7. Vocalist Larry Kinley and pianist Wayne Yeager appear at deSha’s American Tavern on Montgomery Rd. Thursday from 7:00 to 10:30.

The Mario Abney Quintet will be at the Hyatt Regency Sun Garden Lounge Friday at 8. Ricky Nye & the Red Hots will do their thing at Mansion Hill Tavern in Newport Friday from 10 to 2. Ricky, joined by bassist Buck Stevens, will be at Junie’s Lounge in the Southgate House, also in Newport, Saturday from 10 to 1. April Aloisio sings with the Jim Hart Trio at the Hilton Hotel’s Palm Court Saturday from 9 to 1.

Up in the Cap City: The New Basics Brass Band plays at the Park St. Tavern tonight (Tuesday) from 10 to 2. They’ll also be at Short North Tavern Friday from 10 to 2. The Vernon Hairston Trio plays at the Worthington Inn Friday from 7 to 10. Saxophonist Matt Adams will be playing with the Erik Augis Trio at the Easton Mall Saturday from 3 to 5. The Lenox Avenue Express plays at the Newark Jazz Festival from 4 to 6 Saturday.