The Augmented Ear

The new year is off to a good start for local jazz fans — Princeton’s Mediterra Restaurant has jazz Wednesday and Thursday nights through the month, and other local favorites are returning to their regularly-scheduled performances.

Friday, Jan. 1
Start your New Year with jazz singer Laura Hull, who’s appearing at the Hibiscus Restaurant in the Morristown Inn for tonight’s Jazz Fridays presentation. She picks up the microphone at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 2

Altoist Julian Pressley will visit the Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic St. in Trenton, for this week’s meeting of the Jazz Disciples. Stop by at 3 p.m. to enjoy.

Eryn Shewell is having a CD release party at the Havana Restaurant in New Hope, Pa., at 2 p.m. Her music covers a lot of territory, including references to jazz and the Great American Songbook.

Sunday, Jan. 3
Jonathan Russell is 14-years-old, and when he plays the violin, the New York Times says, “he embraces his instrument and enters a private cocoon, where he conjures sophisticated improvisations on the melodies of jazz standards.” You can catch him at the Maplewood Women’s Club at 60 Woodland Road, Maplewood, at 2 p.m. Call the club at 973-762-9877 for more information.

Pam Purvis, Bob Ackerman and Matt Chertkoff will be at Cecil’s in West Orange at 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 4
Jim Jasion and His Jazz (the Somerset Jazz Consortium Horn Squad) will be at Home Town Buffet, 561 US Highway 1, Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 5
The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session lead by Jim Jasion has moved to the Subterranean Recording Studios in Edison. Call Jim if you’re interested in joining — 732-325-7464.

Wednesday, Jan. 6
Patty Cronheim is back at Princeton’s Mediterra, on Hulfish Street. She’ll be performing every Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. this month.

The Somerset Jazz Consortium Second Generation Band will be at Home Town Buffet on Route 1 in Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Vocalist Margie Notte lights up Libretti’s Restaurant, 554 Orange St. in Orange, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Thursday, Jan. 7
The Eric Mintel Quartet will perform 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Thursday night through January at Mediterra.

Friday, Jan. 8

Dick Gratton returns to the Chambers Walk Café in Lawrenceville, playing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. He’ll head to the Farnsworth House in Bordentown, Jan. 9.

There’s a great list of events to enjoy this week, while you’re basking in the glow of the holidays. Get out and enjoy live music.

Saturday, Dec. 26
Guitarist B.D. Lenz and his quartet (which includes James Rosocha, Abe Fogle and Geoff Mattoon) will be at Triumph Brewery in Princeton for a late-night show. The music begins at 10 p.m. — take advantage of the low, low $5 cover and enjoy.

Philadelphian Orrin Evans will appear at this week’s meeting of the Jazz Disciples at 3 p.m. at the Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic St. in Trenton. Next week, it’s altoist Julian Pressley.

Monday, Dec. 28
Jim Jasion and His Jazz (the Somerset Jazz Consortium Horn Squad) will be at Home Town Buffet, 561 US Highway 1, Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 29
The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session lead by Jim Jasion has moved to the Subterranean Recording Studios in Edison. Call Jim if you’re interested in joining — 732-325-7464.

Wednesday, Dec. 30
The Somerset Jazz Consortium Second Generation Band will be at Home Town Buffet on Route 1 in Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Vocalist Margie Notte lights up Libretti’s Restaurant, 554 Orange St. in Orange, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Thursday, Dec. 31
Rio Clemente will join this year’s First Night-Morris County non-alcoholic New Year’s celebration in Morristown, performing at 9:45 p.m. and 11 p.m. at the Morristown High School, Early Street and Atno Avenue, Morristown. Tickets are $25 and can be ordered here.

Friday, Jan. 1
Start your New Year with jazz singer Laura Hull, who’s appearing at the Hibiscus Restaurant in the Morristown Inn for tonight’s Jazz Fridays presentation. She picks up the microphone at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 2
Eryn Shewell mixes genres for an interesting blend of styles — she’s having a CD release party at the Havana Restaurant in New Hope, Pa., at 2 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 3
Jonathan Russell is 14-years-old, and when he plays the violin, the New York Times says, “he embraces his instrument and enters a private cocoon, where he conjures sophisticated improvisations on the melodies of jazz standards.” You can catch him at the Maplewood Women’s Club at 60 Woodland Road, Maplewood, at 2 p.m. Call the club at 973-762-9877 for more information.

If you’re a fan of “Best of” lists, read no further – when it comes to music, I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to really know what’s available. Thanks to the spread of low-cost recording technology, every saxman, ivory-tickler or picker can give expression to their musical muses, and share it with the world that’s just a mouse-click away.
Scouring Internet sites like CDBaby, emusic, Napster, et al, will turn up hundreds of hidden gems, and if you’ve ever started to follow the musical connections your favorite artists make, you know how many delightful musical finds you can make.
I’ve enjoyed dozens of new CDs this year, including many that were self-produced. I’ve learned the names and music of dozens of others who have been recording for years but doing so without the megaphone of a recording company’s marketing department.
And I’ve found some interesting musicians on the other side of the Atlantic.
It’s been a great year for me, jazz-wise. Was it for you?
But if you’re shopping for a jazz fans this year, here are some names to keep in mind:

Old favorites
This is the 50th anniversary of a magical year in jazz, the year Mingus gave us “Ah Um,” and Dave Brubeck showed what could be done outside of a 4/4 time signature on “Time Out.” Miles and Gil Evans turned in “Sketches of Spain,” a radical departure from the incredible “Kind of Blue.”
And John Coltrane recorded “Giant Steps,” taking his next giant step in jazz development.
If you haven’t listened to them in a while, this is a great time to reacquaint yourself with these masterpieces – I had forgotten the urgency and power Mingus captured on “Ah Um.” Update you friends’ – or your — collection with remastered reissues of these seminal recordings.

New faces
Several musicians who’ve been around for a while finally stepped up to record their own releases. Check out Scotty Barnhardt’s “Say It Plain” on Unity Music. He’s been the lead trumpet in the Count Basie Orchestra for years, and his skills are evident on his CD.
If your tastes run towards Latin sounds, try Gabriel Espinosa’s “From Yucatan to Rio” on Zoho Music. I loved this guy’s melodic sensibilities, with enough soloing muscle from Anat Cohen and Claudio Roditi to keep the smooth rhythms going, it’s an enjoyable recording.

Fresh sounds
It’s hard to resist bold creations and new ideas, and I think Stefon Harris and Blackout’s “Urbanus” (Concord) is one of the best this year. Check out the heavy groove Blackout gets on the remake of Miles Davis’ “Gone”; dig the ethereal Vocodor effect on Stevie Wonder’s “They Won’t Go When I Am Gone.”
I’m also intrigued by Wayne Krantz’s latest release, “Krantz, Carlock and LeFebvre” on Abstrakt Logic. It’s his first release he didn’t self-produce, and he’s getting a lot of buzz with it. It’s a hard one to pin down stylistically, but it’s very enjoyable and interesting. He intertwines themes throughout his compositions, manipulating and reworking ideas continuously.
And I’m really digging Hiromi’s Sonic Boom. She’s got the chops to keep up with Stanley Clarke and Lenny White on stage, and her band brings a modern twist to her traditional swing jazz piano stylings.

Home town heroes
Someday, New Jersey’s contributions will be fully recognized but it suffices to say that right now, there are more jazz musicians per square mile in the Garden State than anywhere.
Check out Madison resident Christian McBride and his band Inside Straight’s “Kind of Brown,” on Mack Avenue Records. George Benson has long called New Jersey home; his new release is “Songs and Stories,” on Monster Music/Concord.
There are many more big names here, but you can find releases new and old from local artists. CDUniverse lists many releases available from Eric Mintel, Laura Hull, The Rio Clemente Trio, and others.
And if you have a favorite local performer, odds are they have a Web site with links where you can buy a copy of their work. Make this holiday special – give your friends the gift of original music.

There are lots of special gigs coming up for the holidays — special dates for the Jazz Celebration Big Band, Karen Rodriguez and Gordon James. Why not put some swinging rhythm into Christmas classics?
You can start with the Princeton University Concert Jazz Ensemble and University Orchestra’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite,” as arranged by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Check it out at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday nights at the Richardson Auditorium.

Thursday, Dec. 10

Rio Clemente is at the Bernards Inn tonight from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 11

Gordon James and Jose Loo will return to Scampi’s in Somerville next week for a Dec. 17 Christmas show, but this week they’re at the Salt Creek Grille in the Forrestal Village, Route 1 South. The date is actually a gig for the full Gordon James Band, which adds Chris Plunkett on bass and Al Johnson on drums.

Jim Popik’s Black Diamond Jazz will be at Kline’s Gallery, 25 Bridge St. in Lambertville, for two sets, the first at 8 p.m. This acoustic outing will feature Jim and Richard Cann on nylon string guitars, with Karttikeya on a drum set and Halo drum, and special guest Kathy Ridl, upright bass. A $10 donation will be greatly appreciated, but not mandatory.

The Eric Mintel Quartet will be at the Crossing Vineyards and Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road in Washington Crossing, Pa., at 7:30 p.m. The Quartet includes Mintel on piano, Nelson Hill on alto and soprano sax and flute, Dave Antonow on electric bass, and Dave Mohn on drums. Tickets are $45 and may be purchased online here or by calling 215-493-6500, ext. 19.

Laura Hull has a gig at the Hibiscus Restaurant in the Morristown Inn, playing from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call 973-350-0200 for reservations.

Guitarist Dick Gratton will perform at the Chambers Walk Café, 2667 Main St., in Lawrenceville, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Trumpeter James Gibbs is at Cecils in West Orange tonight and tomorrow night at 9 p.m. Click here for a taste of his new CD.

The Marriott in Trenton, 1 West Lafayette, will have live jazz from 5:30
p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 12
Akiko Tsuruga is this week’s visiting Jazz Disciple, meeting at 3 p.m. in Trenton’s Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic St. The list of fantastic keyboardists from Japan keeps growing …

Darla Tarpinian
returns to the Hopewell Inn’s Starlight Lounge, with accompaniment by husband Rich (vocals/guitar), Jim May (guitar), Joe Bezek (alto sax) and David Stier (drums).

Karen Rodriguez will make your Navidad muy feliz with her show at the Salt Creek Grille, at 1 Rockingham Row, Forrestal Village, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Dr. Karen Zumbrunn and her jazz trio will be at the Hopewell Valley Vineyard, 46 Yard Road in Pennington, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. There’s no cover or minimum.
John Bianculli will be at the Heldrich Hotel, 10m Livingston Ave, in New Brunswick at 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 13

The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session at PJ’s Coffee on Raritan Avenue in Highland Park is a great place to meet musicians – or join the band. They play from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday.

Monday, Dec. 14
Rio Clemente is helping out at New Hope’s Bowman’s Tavern neighborhood outreach foundation fundraiser 6:30 p.m.- 11 p.m.. There’s a suggested minimum donation of $50 ($100 per couple). The tavern is at 1600 River Road. Call 215-862-2972 for more information.

Jim Jasion and His Jazz (the Somerset Jazz Consortium Horn Squad) will be at Home Town Buffet, 561 US Highway 1, Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 15
Ted Broncado will be at the Hibiscus Restaurant in the Morristown Inn from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

McCaffrey’s in the Edgewood Shopping Center in Yardley will feature The Tom Adams Jazz Trio at 7:30 p.m.

The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session lead by Jim Jasion has moved to the Subterranean Recording Studios in Edison. Call Jim if you’re interested in joining — 732-325-7464.

Wednesday, Dec. 16
Singer-songwriter Patty Cronheim returns to Mediterra 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. tonight. Make your reservations here.

Rio Clemente’s night at Attilios Tavern on Route 46 in Dover will include the Hon. Judge Michael Wright, of Morris County. Starts at 8 p.m. Call 973-328-1100 for reservations or more information.

The Somerset Jazz Consortium Second Generation Band will be at Home Town Buffet on Route 1 in Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Vocalist Margie Notte lights up Libretti’s Restaurant, 554 Orange St. in Orange, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Dec. 17
The Jazz Celebration Big Band, featuring Claudia Perry, will jingle your bells, Count Basie-style, at the Temperance House, at 5 S. State. St. in Newtown, Pa., from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 17 during the band’s Holiday Gala. They’ll also play Stan Kenton’s “Christmas Medley,” and more favorites. $10 cover. Call 215-860-9975 to make a reservation.

The “infectious grooves” of the B.D. Lenz Trio will be at Mediterra in Princeton, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Rio Clemente is at the Bernards Inn tonight from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

If you’re a jazz lover, jazz-beau or jazzbo, head over to Shanghai Jazz Club in Madison for the New Jersey Jazz Society annual meeting at 2 p.m. Meet up with your favorite local musicians, and fellow jazz fans, and welcome incoming NJJS President Laura Hull a warm welcome. Pam Purvis will be joined by Brandon McCune and Bob Ackerman to provide entertainment.

Thursday, Dec. 3

John Henry Goldman and friends are at Looking Pond Studio, 800 Alexander Road in Princeton Junction. Come and listen at 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m. or 8:45 p.m. The suggested donation of $5 helps defray some of the expenses at the studio. Send John a note if you need more info: johnhenrygoldman@straightjazz.com, or call 609-610-1655.

Friday, Dec. 4

The Carrie Jackson Duo will entertain at Morristown’s Hibiscus Restaurant in the Morristown Inn, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Marriott in Trenton, 1 West Lafayette, will have live jazz from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Dick Gratton solos at the Chambers Walk Cafe, 2667 Main St. in Lawrenceville, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Westminster Choir College of Rider University will present “Cool Yule Jazz,” with pianist Philip Orr and clarinetist Jerry Rife, at 8 p.m. at the college, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton. For ticket prices or more information, call 609-921-2663 or click here.
Sotto 128 Lounge, on Nassau Street in Princeton, hosts The Meg Hanson Group at 9 p.m. tonight.

Saturday, Dec. 5

Trenton’s Jazz Disciples will feature Melvin Sparks at 3 p.m. in the Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic St. in Trenton.

The Princeton University Concert Jazz Ensemble, directed by Anthony D.J. Branker, will  presenting “The Voice of the Jazz Composer: The Latin Influenced Music of Michael Philip Mossman” at 8 p.m. Saturday, in Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall, located on the Princeton campus. Tickets are $15 ($5 for students).  Call 609-258-9220 or order online at www.princeton.edu/utickets.

Small World Coffee, on Witherspoon Street in Princeton, will have <b>Adelante</b> at 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 6

Monday, Dec. 7

Jim Jasion and His Jazz (the Somerset Jazz Consortium Horn Squad) will be at Home Town Buffet, 561 US Highway 1, Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 8

The Somerset Jazz Consortium jam session lead by Jim Jasion has moved to the Subterranean Recording Studios in Edison. Call Jim if you’re interested in joining — 732-325-7464.

Wednesday, Dec. 9

Patty Cronheim is featured at Princeton’s Mediterra, 29 Hulfish St., tonight from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Rio Clemente heads over to Attilio’s Tavern, on Route 46 in Dover, tonight.Catch him at 8 p.m.

The Somerset Jazz Consortium Second Generation Band will be at Home Town Buffet on Route 1 in Edison, beginning at 6 p.m.

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