January 5, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $25

BILL CUNLIFFE PLAYS RICHARD RODGERS

Grammy nominated composer, arranger and jazz pianist Bill Cunliffe is gathering nationwide attention with his innovative and swinging recordings and compositions.
http://www.billcunliffe.com

January 6, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $25

THE OUTLAW COLLECTIVE

Cameron is an up and coming drummer who is accomplished beyond his years. He started playing when he was 10 and music has been part of his life ever since. With the Cameron Outlaw Quintet, composed of local pros, he made his professional debut at H.R. 57 Jazz Club in Washington, DC. in 2005. Much sought-after and admired for his distinct sound and style, Cameron has played at numerous all-star festivals around the nation and has collaborated with some world-renowned stars in the music field such as Greg Osby, Hal Crook, Gary Grainger, Benito Gonzalez (pianist for Kenny Garrett). He graduated from North Stafford High School in 2006 having won four different scholarships from various music organizations. When he’s not in school or performing, Cameron teaches private lessons to area youth. Cameron is currently attending Berklee College of Music in Boston where he is completing his second year.

http://www.cameronoutlaw.com

January 7, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $25

VOCALIST JULES (JULIE) DAY

Don Heckman, jazz critic for the Los Angeles Times, reviewed Jules’s Hollywood performance as “having the vibe, the enthusiasm, and the sheer irresistibility of a star in the making.” Heckman wrote, “At 21, Day has the blond and slender look of a youthful Diana Krall, but the resemblance stops there. Unlike Krall, whose vocals have always worked best when they flow from her piano playing, Day is a stand-up singer, intimately immersed in her songs, digging into their inner meaning with a constantly surprising sense of emotive maturity.”

http://www.julieday.org

January 8-11, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $25

JOHN ABERCROMBIE GUITAR / ORGAN QUARTET

Note: video has same drummer, but a different organist than will be appearing at JB)

January 11, 2009 Matinee 4pm $25

BARA BURNS “25” W/ SPECIAL GUESTS

vocalist that takes the cake

January 12, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $25

FREDDY & FRANCINE FEAT. LEE FERRIS

The duo, FREDDY & FRANCINE, was formed in early 2008 by multi-talented singer-songwriters Lee Ferris and Bianca Ferrari Caruso. Both have performed in many musical projects over the past five years including the award winning Los Angeles production of HAIR. They are now taking the stage together with their exciting, original project -- Freddy & Francine.

Drawing on influences from musical icons that include Aretha Franklin and The Fleetwoods and modern day indie pop stars Feist and Yael Naim, Freddy & Francine create a dazzling combination of retro panache and up-to-date jaw dropping vocal harmonies.

This combination leaves the listener begging for more of Freddy & Francine's distinct, soulful and memorable tunes.

Freddy & Francine recently got back from a successful tour in Austin, TX promoting their new self-titled EP and look forward to more tours in the coming year.

You can hear tunes from their EP on their site or MySpace.

January 13, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $30

GABRIEL ALEGRIA AFRO-PERUVIAN JAZZ SEXTET

Alegria combines his experience playing jazz as it developed in the U.S. with a passionate interest and careful study of the black music of coastal Perú. By incorporating and exploring the common African roots found in both styles, he has developed a uniquely Afro-Peruvian jazz music concept. The rich legacy of the black music of coastal Perú can be heard in a contemporary jazz context. In all of Alegria’s work, a crosscultural exchange between the Americas is always present, carefully defining Afro-Peruvian jazz music as the newest voice to come from Latin America.

Lots of music on his site:

http://www.gabrielalegria.com/

January 14, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $25

CHRISTIAN JACOB TREY HENRY RAY BRINKER
CD RELEASE

In 2007 Christian was invited to tour and record in Japan. Christian always loved Japanese audiences, and to make this recording special, he chose 4 Japanese melodies that every Japanese person would recognize and arranged them for his trio. They were the highlight of the tour. Surrounding these 4 tunes are some of Christian s originals and well known standards. He brought with him his 2 longtime partners: Trey Henry on Bass and Ray Brinker on Drums, and the result is another well-balanced CD with a mix of sweet tenderness and raw burning jazz. This recording was made on October 12th, 2007 at the Tokyo TUC Jazz club. -http://www.wilderjazz.com

January 15, 2009 17 8:00 and 9:30pm $25

PIANIST ELDAR TRIO

Eldar came to the US from Kyrgyzstan in the former Soviet Union when he was nine. Downbeat’s 4 star review states, “Few musicians on any axe swing like Eldar...his groove is intense and overwhelming. It’s not the flash and fire that should stir interest in Eldar. It’s what he does when the razzle-dazzle dies down and we sense substance within and beyond his pyrotechnics.” The NY Times noted a “formidable technique wedded to a mature grasp of musical structure.”
http://www.eldarjazz.com

January 18, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $25

PIANIST MARILYN CRISPELL

"Hearing Marilyn Crispell play solo piano is like monitoring an active volcano. She is one of a very few pianists who rise to the challenge of free jazz."
Jon Pareles, N.Y. Times

"Ms Crispell has created a rich personal expression that is breathtaking in its originality and visceral energy."
Amy Duncan, Christian Science Monitor

"one of the most remarkable pianists in the jazz-and-beyond realm"
Derk Richardson, Piano and Keyboard

"seeing and hearing Crispell play live is a stunning experience.... a passionate motivation that approaches shamanistic spirituality."
"labyrinthine structures held together by a deeply personal logic"
"one of the most technically brilliant, imaginative and impassioned contemporary musicians now expanding the expressive potential of the piano."
Derk Richardson, The East Bay Express (CA)

"one of the great performer composers at work today. Not only is the music fresh and alive, but its improvisational components hold together more than the music of many composers who write in a similar fashion."
Ear Magazine

"one of a handful of great contemporary improvising musicians"
Larry Kelp, The Tribune (Oakland, CA)

"Her improvisational approach is so personal, so explosive and so devastating that it makes jazz (and most other music) sound like the archaic language of an ancient people. There's also a gentle side that makes even simple melodies seem radiantly beautiful."
Larry Kelp, San Francisco Express

Live clips of Marlin playing:

http://www.marilyncrispell.com/photosandvideo.htm

January 18, 2009 Matinee 4pm $25

• First in a series •
CATHY SEGAL GARCIA “SINGERS’ ROUND TABLE”

The ground rules are simple: 1. CSG will interview. 2. audience members will be invited to ask questions. 3. A pianist will be on hand to accompany spontaneous performances!

http://www.cathysegalgarcia.com/

January 19, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $25

MATT SLOCUM -BILL CUNLIFFE DAREK OLES

January 21-24, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $25

JEREMY PELT QUINTET

http://www.peltjazz.com

January 25, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $25

SPENCER DAY

“I want to create a passionate fusion of all the musical styles that have inspired me,” Day says. “As I grow as an artist, I hope to continue paying homage to the great artists who have shaped my style and sensibilities. I want to create music that is smooth and sophisticated but teeming with raw emotion and fire under the surface. It is in life’s contradictions where the most beautiful things are created.”

January 25, 2009 Matinee 4pm $25

JUDY WOLMAN'S SING! SING! SING! “REMEMBER...IRVING BERLIN”

Judy Wolman's onstage singers lead the way, with
Howard Lewis’ droll and delightful narration punctuating the songs.
All ages show up to SING ALONG with these great songs
which feature Judy herself at the grand piano.
Other featured musicians and honored guests
drop by frequently – you never know whom you might meet.
But you ALWAYS know you’ll have an great afternoon of singing!
http://www.laxsingalong.com/

January 26, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $35

REMEMBERING RUSS FREEMAN

Russ is remembered primarily for his work with Chet Baker. Chet played many tunes that Russ composed for him.
Russ Freeman's originality stems both from a healthy respect and knowledge of tradition and a completely personal and intriguing manner of presenting his musical thoughts. The best way to describe Russ' music is to say that he is one of the very few improvisers whose every single note counts; take out any one and a definite gap would be felt in the musical entity of his performance. Russ is a member of an even smaller elite group, namely the jazz composers. When he picks up pencil and paper to put down an original, it is just that: not simply an interesting line built on familiar chord changes or comfortable progressions, but a real piece, original in mood, concept and harmony.

If all this tends to make Russ sound deadly serious, then let me hasten to correct that impression. His music is often filled with humor; a sardonic kind rather than the baggy-pants kind, but a very definite humor nevertheless.

- Pete Welding

peacockent.com

January 27, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $25

HOENIG/PILC PROJECT

"Ari Hoenig and Jean Michel Pilc throw ideas around the room like rockets and missiles…Their music rains fire all night long…Ari Hoenig and his musical partners forge a seamless bridge that is designed to carry Jazz’s modern mainstream away from the ordinary and forward to new horizons."
- All About Jazz

Hoenig is "a slice of wondrous beauty" and Pilc is a "fabulous pianist." - JazzTimes

As leaders and composers, Jean-Michel Pilc and Ari Hoenig bring their sense of musical architecture and colors, not to mention their love of innovative rhythms and uncharted territories. As instrumentalists, they create sounds and flows which are always different, fascinating and unique.

http://www.arihoenig.com/

http://www.jmpilc.com/

January 28-31, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $25

BUD SHANK QUARTET

"Shank's alto work is absolutely entrancing -- a fiery mixture of unmatched technical prowess and interpretive sensibilities that have matured to perfection. Then there's Shank's signature sound; crisp, cool, and singing; it remains one of the most instantly recognizable in the whole of improvisational music. Add to the long list of attributes his passion for lyricism and the art of balladry, and Shank should be near the top of any list of living jazz greats."
-- JAZZIZ

http://www.budshankalto.com/

February 1, 2009 8:00 and 9:30pm $25

LESLIE DRAYTON & ‘FUN’

Funk, rock, and jazz have been equally adapted to the sweet jazz sounds of Leslie Drayton’s trumpet. A founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire. He arranged and conducted sessions for Nancy Wilson and New Birth and served as music director/conductor for Marvin Gaye and Sylvester. He played big-band jazz with the Cab Calloway, Gerald Wilson, and Louis Bellson orchestras.
http://www.answers.com/topic/leslie-drayton?cat=entertainment

February 1, 2009 Matinee 4pm $30

BILL HENDERSON music.com CD RELEASE PARTY

Tateng Katindig -pno Chris Conner -bass Roy McCurdy -dr

"Beautiful Memory: Bill Henderson Live at the Vic", celebrates the veteran jazz vocalist's 50th anniversary as a recording artist and the first independently released recording from his own AHUH PRODUCTIONS. Bill's pliant baritone voice remains as soulful and resonant as it was when he made his debut on vinyl singing "Senor Blues" with Horace Silver and on his own early albums for the Vee-Jay and Verve labels. It is plain to see four decades in Hollywood as a character actor in countless motion pictures and television sitcoms and dramas have helped to give an even greater depth to his clearly enunciated readings of lyrics.
http://billhendersonmusic.com