Copy
             NEWSLETTER & SCHEDULE
November 3rd, 2014

Dear Friends:
 
I had the opportunity to re-read “Raise Up Off Me”, the autobiography of pianist Hampton Hawes.  It was a poignant re-read and struck me much harder than when I read it as a student.  Hawes had a remarkable life, living in the full blossom of the be-bop era.  He cut his teeth with Charlie Parker, Wardell Gray and Dexter Gordon and was part the first wave of this rebellious musical movement.  Like nearly everyone in that generation, he became a herion addict and most of the book is about his life as an addict and how it related to being an African American in a racist culture,  the culture of jazz and particularly bebop.  What’s also reflected in the book is the tenacity of the spirit of the music, the desperation of it, the difficulty of the lifestyle and the difficulty of living by the ideal of truth.  Also dealing with poverty and crime and terrible working conditions and yet maintaining this unwavering belief in the power of the music and what it takes to really play it.  This was no easy life.  This was not a pathway to fame.  For an addict like Hawes it meant real suffering and eventually prison.   Hawes was sentenced a severe 10 years for being involved with drugs.
 
Being a brilliant and original mind, he had the idea to petition to the President of the United States for a pardon on his sentence.  In his petition he wrote;“…as a citizen it is my duty to inform you that an injustice has been perpetrated, one of your people is being subjected to cruel and unjust punishment, and it is your duty to consider the evidence and reciprocate.”  The President at that time was John F. Kennedy and to everyone’s surprise (especially Hawes), Kennedy granted him clemency and Hawes was freed!
 
I came away from this book inspired.  Jazz music, in its pure form is something beyond and comes from a place where suffering was the daily bread of the people that forged it.  It's not frivolous art and great minds over many generations contributed to the tapestry.  Jazz musicians of today need to look at this past history and understand thoroughly the culture from which it came – look it right in the eye and ask themselves if they could have really made it back in the day.  Could they personally have pursued this music in such a hostile environment with such little financial reward?  I’m not sure I could have done it.  


Regards,
Spike
 

OUR WEEKLY SCHEDULE FOR MEZZROW
WALK-INS WELCOME
6:30 PM Solo Piano Every Night.
12:30 late shows on Fri & Sat.
$10 admission AT THE BAR at all times
Monday - 11/3
The Legendary Johnny O'Neal
Sets @ 9PM & 10:30 PM


Johnny O'Neal is a beloved figure on the jazz scene - come find out why!  The soulfulest singer/pianist around.


RESERVE MONDAY HERE

 
Tuesday - 11/4
Peter Zak & Ugonna Okegwo
Sets @ 9PM & 10:30 PM


Peter Zak is one of the stalwarts of the jazz scene.  A lithe improvisor with a modern concept.  Peter swings.  With him is Tom Harrell's bassist Ugonna Okegwo.

RESERVE TUESDAY HERE
Wednesday & Thursday  - 11/5-6
Jonny King & Ed Howard
Sets @ 9 PM & 10:30 PM


Jonny King was an original "young lion".  He has a driving sound and modern pallete.  With him is the highly regarded Ed Howard on bass.

RESERVE WEDNESDAY HERE
R
ESERVE THURSDAY HERE
Friday to Sunday  - 11/7-9
David Kikoski & Ed Howard
Sets @ 8:30 PM & 10:30 PM


David Kikoski is a force of nature - what more can I say?  If you've never heard him here's the chance to experience it in a intimate setting.


RESERVE FRIDAY HERE
R
ESERVE SATURDAY HERE
RESERVE SUNDAY HERE

THIS WEEK AT SMALLS
(a selection of featured shows)

For our full schedule please go to www.smallslive.com

Monday - 11/3
Brian Melvin's Modern Times

Sets at 7:30 PM & 9:00 PM
w. Raul Soot-alto sax, Virgo Sillamaa-guitar, Peedu Kass-bass
 
Tuesday - 11/4
Smalls Legacy Band
Feat. Frank Lacy

Sets at 9:30 PM & 11 PM
w. Stacy Dillard-tenor sax, Josh Evans-trumpet,Theo Hill-piano, Ameen Saleem-bass,Kush Abadey-drums 

 
Wednesday & Thursday - 11/5-6
Dayna Stephens

Sets at 9:30 PM & 11 PM 
w. Sam Yahel-piano, Ben Wendel-tenor sax, Dave Robaire-bass, Rodney Green-drums

 
Wednesday - 11/5
"Round Midnight" With:
Vitaly Golovnev Quartet

Midnight to close
w. Miki Hayama-piano, Marcos Verela-bass, Kush Abadey-drums

 
Thursday - 11/6
"Round Midnight" With:
The Nick Hempton Band

Midnight to close
w.  Tadataka Unno-piano, Dan Aran-drums, Dave Baron-bass

 
Friday - 11/7
Hod O'Brien Trio
Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
w.  Murray Wall-bass, Jimmy Wormworth-drums
$20 for this show.
 
Friday & Saturday - 11/7-8
Darren Barrett
sets at 10:30 PM & 12 AM

$20 for this show
w. Myron Walden-Tenor Sax,Takeshi Ohbayashi-piano, Alex Toth-Bass, Anthony Toth-Drums

 
Saturday - 11/8
Scott Robinson
Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
$20 for this show
w. Jim Ridl-piano, Martin Wind-bass, Peter Van Nostrand-Drums
 
Sunday - 11/9
Tom Tallitsch 6tet

Sets at 4:30 PM & 6 PM
w. Nick Hempton-alto sax, Peter Nelson-Trombone, Brian Charette-piano, Trifon Dimitrov-bass
 
Sunday - 11/9
The Legendary Johnny O'Neal

Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
w. Charles Goold-drums, Luke Sellick-bass
 
Sunday - 11/9
The Charles Owens Trio

Sets at 10:30 PM & 12 AM
w. Devonne Harris-drums,Andrew Randazzo-bass
 

SMALLS JAZZ CLUB REGULAR SHOWS

Monday -11/3
10:30 PM to 1 AM
The Ari Hoenig Quartet

Monday - 11/3
1 AM to close
Afterhours with : Jonathan Michel

Tuesday - 11/4
7:30 PM to 9 PM
The Spike Wilner Trio

Tuesday - 11/4
12:30 AM to close 
The Next Generation Sessions with Kyle Poole

Wednesday - 11/5
6 PM to 9 PM
Tap dance Jam! With Michela Lerman

Thursday - 11/6
6 PM to 9 PM
The "Early Bird" sessions with :
The Joel Press Quartet

Friday - 11/7
4:30 PM to 7 PM
Friday afternoon open jam session with Ai Murakami

Friday - 11/7 
1:30 AM to close
Afterhours with John Webber

Saturday - 11/8
4:30 PM to 7 PM
Saturday Afternoon Open Jam Session

Saturday -11/8
1:30 AM to close
Afterhours with Stacy Dillard

Sunday - 11/9
1 PM to 3 PM
Vocal Masterclass with Marion Cowings 
$20 entry, $40 to participate

    Enjoy SmallsLIVE records!

Our catalog on
smallslive.com


Smalls Legacy Band
Feat. Frank Lacy

 

                      



 

    

 
                              
Facebook
Twitter
Website
Instagram
Copyright © 2014 SmallsLIVE, All rights reserved.
unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences