With a brief lull in the high-profile Colorado festivals over the next couple of weeks (up next: the Telluride Jazz Celebration, Aug. 3-6 with Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Flora Purim and Airto Moreira), there are a few events scheduled in days to come that would be unfortunate to miss, including a rare appearance from a blazing drummer, some of the sweetest vocal harmonies from Africa and a trad jazz party that takes over an entire community.
Ralph Peterson’s name appeared on an excellent series of discs for the Blue Note label in the late 1980s and early ’90s that have since slipped into out- of-print oblivion. (My personal favorite is “Ornettology” from 1990.) Peterson isn’t as high-profile as he was then, but there should be ample sonic excitement at Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge when he heads up a session in the “Mile High Recording Series” on Saturday. Denver organist Pat Bianchi will be on hand, and since he can conjure up the spirits of Jimmy Smith and Jack McDuff, some high energy interaction will come about from these two shows, at 7 and 9 p.m.
On July 23, South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a vocal group best known in America for its contributions to Paul Simon’s 1986 “Graceland” album, performs as part of a taping of the syndicated “etown” radio show. The group has a new disc, “Long Walk to Freedom.” Call 303-786-7030 for tickets.
Finally, traditional jazz freaks – and they are a special breed, valuing the innovations of Bix Beiderbecke over those of Charlie Parker – commandeer Evergreen every summer for one weekend at the Evergreen Jazz Festival, July 28-30. The music is inviting enough, with scheduled performances from James Dapogny’s Chicago Jazz Band, some of the most committed practioneers of the music in its earliest form. Also slated: Andy Stein’s Blue Four, Independence Hall Jazz Band and Colorado’s Queen City Jazz Band. The music should be stomping and the audience appreciative.
Evergreen’s performance spaces all will be employed to house the numerous acts, including the Little Bear, Evergreen Lake House, The Elks Lodge and the Evergreen Christian Church. Now that’s civic commitment to a cultural event. Find out more at evergreenjazz.org.
Jazz violinist Carter
Regina Carter is a charismatic violinist, mastering an instrument few utilize in current jazz. Though she’s recorded in pop and R&B modes, she’s really found a home in the realm of swinging jazz, demonstrating an affinity for the same kind of music made popular generations ago by violinists like Stephane Grappelli and Stuff Smith. Her new disc, “I’ll Be Seeing You: A Sentimental Journey” (Verve) is both a tribute to the music that was performed on stages well before she was born and as a celebration of the life of her late mother.
Perhaps it’s the less than obvious choices that make it work as well as it does: After all, who records the Ella Fitzgerald-associated “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” or the bittersweet “I’ll Be Seeing You” anymore? Carter has recruited like-minded vocalists for the project too: Dee Dee Bridgewater and Carla Cook are more concerned with relating matters of the heart than stage pyrotechnics, and that’s what these songs need.
Carter brings the music of the ’40s into contemporary times here, and she accomplishes it without cheesy nostalgia. The enthusiasm she and her guests bring to the music proves that the power of the best material knows no age barriers. It’s tasteful, vibrant music that should bring her new admirers.
Set list
Saxophonist Laura Newman and the B3 Jazz Project appear at Herb’s on Tuesday … on Wednesday, Cheryl Barnes sings at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret … trumpeter Hugh Ragin is a featured part of The Latin Soul Express at the Robusto Room on Saturday … drummer Colin Stranahan teams up with saxophonist Marcus Strickland at Dazzle on July 28.
Bret Saunders’ column on jazz appears every other Sunday in A&E. Saunders is host of the “KBCO Morning Show,” 5:30-10 a.m. weekdays at 97.3-FM. His e-mail address is bret_saunders@hotmail.com.
