Jazz Scene 082107

By Don Henke

Last week: We caught Tammy Powell and the Randy Villars Trio for a set at the Crowne Plaza Stars Lounge Thursday night. Tammy was in excellent voice and the trio was exceptional. Bill Jackson subbed on electric bass but nothing went amiss. Randy fed him the chord changes and tempos before each tune and Bill picked them right up. John Taylor’s drumming was devastating; some of the best we’ve heard lately. The trio played Dave Brubeck’s “In Your Own Sweet Way” and Cedar Walton’s “Bolivia”. Tammy sang “East of the Sun”, “Lover Man” and a wildly up-tempo version of “Bye, Bye Blackbird”, along with a duo performance (with Randy) of Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life”. Randy also gave a solo reading of Thelonious Monk’s “Ruby, My Dear.”

Farther up Main St. Mario Abney was hosting his weekly jazz party. Participating musicians included outgoing bassist Chris Slone (who left for grad school in Philadelphia Sunday); incoming bassist Ian Baggett (formerly of Stivers High School); saxophonists Josh Atkin and Clarence Slaughter; pianist Rashaun Murph; and the redoubtable drummer, Julian Addison. Among the tunes they played were: a beautiful rendition of Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood” by Atkin’s alto; Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon” and Cantaloupe Island”; and Horace Silver’s “Jody Grind”.

This week in Dayton: Pacchia features the Ian Ross Duo Thursday, the Ian Ross Duo Friday and the Tim Berens Trio Saturday. David Simpson sings and plays at Café Boulevard Friday and the John Wagner Duo is there Saturday. Puzzle of Light is at Therapy Café Friday night. The Tm Daugherty Orchestra is on Riverscape Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30. The Dayton Jazz Orchestra is at The Greene Wednesday from 5:30 to 9:30. Chris Bowman and friends are there Sunday from 1 to 4.

In Cincinnati: Ricky Nye and Dottie Warner are at Arnold’s Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30. Also Thursday, the Marc Fields sextet is at Jordan Crossing from 6 to 8. The Blue Wisp Jazz Club has Brasilia, featuring Rusty Burge, Friday and Saturday. Pianist Jim Connerley and vocalist Pamela Mallory are featured at Chez Nora in Covington Friday. The Blues Merchants will be at Down Under in Newport Friday from 9 to 1. Triage is at Dilly Deli n Mariemont Friday from 7:30 to 10.30. April Aloisio sings with the Jim Hart Trio at the Hilton Palm Court Friday and Saturday. Wayne Yeager and Michael Sharfe are at Washington Platform Friday from 5:30 to 8:30. Ricky Nye and the Swingin’ Mudbugs appear at A Taste of Blue Ash Saturday from 3:00 to 4:30.

Columbus happenings: Bobby Salvaggio’s quartet inaugurates the new Quartet Thursdays series at Columbus Music Hall this week. The weekly jam sessions continue at Park St. Tavern Tuesdays.

Out of town: The Ron Jones Quartet will be at the Jazz Factory in Louisville Friday night from 7:30 to 10:30. Saturday night there will be no cover at the Factory for the Groove Organ Trio, which features Ron Jones, Rob Allgeyer (on organ) and Darryel Cotton. The Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis has Columbus’ Urban Jazz Coalition Saturday.