Our music has lost a giant. Mulgrew Miller, one of the true recognized and respected masters of this music has passed away tragically young. Only 58 years old, Mulgrew died this week from a massive stroke. There are few artists who were as beloved as Mulgrew Miller by the community of musicians and fans. His gentle and soft-spoken demeanor touched everyone that knew him. He epitomized consumate modesty, graciousness and humorous self-effacement. At the piano, he was unequaled. He style was fully hewn from the tradition of Jazz, Blues and ballads but with an absolutely modern outlook and original composing voice. From a pianistic point of view he was flawless - a touch that could be as gentle as a whisper or blow you out of the water and always, always swinging.
I heard Mulgrew for the first time when I was 19. He was at the Blue Note with Woody Shaw's band. This was one of the very first Jazz shows I had ever seen and it blew my mind. I was dumbfounded by it all - everyone was so serious in that band! A few months later, I saw him again playing at the Village Gate in a duet. I sat right next to the keyboard and tried to take in everything I could. When the set ended, Mulgrew came up to me and in the friendliest manner possible said; "you must be a piano player". I couldn't even believe he was speaking to me but I mustered a "how did you know?" Mulgrew's response; "I can see your ears"!
I'm proud to say that years later I had the opportunity to record Mulgrew twice for SmallsLIVE - once with Neal Smith's group and most recently with Joe Magnarelli's release. I got to know him personally. The photo above, taken by Michelle Watt for the date, was taken just a few months ago right in front of Smalls.
The loss of Mulgrew Miller is a serious one for this music. It leaves a huge hole in the landscape. As time passes and we lose our masters we also lose our leadership and inspiration. This is a time when all serious Jazz musicians need to take stock of themselves and understand that time is of the essence. We must all aspire to masterhood and then to share what we have with others if the tradition of this music is to continue. We must also pay attention to the ideals that someone like Mulgrew set - that is to say, modesty, a humble attitude, a spiritual outlook and complete mastery of the instrument and the language. Also, to have the spirit to give and teach. All these things were what Mulgrew Miller was about.
Rest in peace, Mulgrew Miller - you were a gentleman, an artist and a scholar. Losing you is a tough one. You will be sorely missed.
This Week At Smalls:
On Monday we feature a double bill starting with pianist John Chin and his trio. John has been on the scene awhile now and is getting more and more recognized. He is an excellent pianist with a swinging modern outlook. Please be sure to check out his interview on our SmallsLIVE Interview Blog this week. CLICK. Following John is the young drummer Dana Hawkins who will be coming in with his group. Dana has a very diverse musical outlook and I'm sure his show will be surprising and interesting.
On Tuesday my trio with Yotam Silvertein & Paul Gill will play at 7:30 to 9:45 PM. Following me is the amazing Smalls Legacy Band which features the amazing Frank Lacy. Also amazing is Josh Evans, Theo Hill & Stacy Dillard who are the regulars in this excellent ensemble. They juggle the directorship from week to week. If you haven't yet heard the group, please take the time to do so.
On Wednesday, we are happy to have bassist Greg August back at Smalls with his quartet. Greg is an excellent composer and always presents an engaging concert. With him is the fantastic Sam Newsome, Luis Perdomo & Donald Edwards. Our "Round Midnight" concert that evening showcases Roxy Coss and her quartet. Roxy has been making a name for herself with Jeremy Pelt's group. She has a big sound and a big heart. Be sure to take the time to check her out.
On Thursday I'm really happy to have back at Smalls a "old-school" Smalls Alum, Greg Tardy and his group. Greg has a deep concept and is not heard that often these days. With him is Joel Weiskopf on piano, Sean Conly on bass and the wonderful Jaimeo Brown on drums.
This weekend we are happy to bring back to Smalls the amazing piano playing of Mark Soskin and his group. Mark is a long time associate of Sonny Rollins (and I think he's recently back with the group). He'll be coming in with a quartet featuring Zack Brock on violin, Harvie S on bass and Anthony Pinciotti on drums. Mark's shows are on Friday and Saturday at 10:30 PM. On Saturday for the 7:30 PM show we are bringing back the wonderful Joel Press and his quartet. At 80-something years old, Joel is a delight to listen to and profound in his statements.
On Sunday we have our usual all day vocal music marathon - 1PM Marion Cownings' vocal workshop. 4:30PM Vocalist Michelle Zangara. 7:30 PM Vocalist Diana Kirk and at 9:30 Vocalist and pianist Johnny O'Neal. Our 11PM show features another old-time Smalls alum, Charles Owens and his quartet. Charles has a huge sound and feeling and will surely blow you out of the water. Come join us.
As always, we appreciate your support of the club and hope to see you in person at Smalls Jazz Club.
Best Regards,
Spike Wilner
6/3
The John Chin Trio
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
John Chin - Piano
Joe Martin - Bass
Jaimeo Brown - Drums
6/5
The Gregg August Quartet
9:30 PM to 12:30 AM
Sam Newsome - Spr. Sax Luis Perdomo - Piano Gregg August - Bass Donald Edwards - Drums
6/7 & 6/8
The Mark Soskin Quartet
10:30 PM to 1:00 AM
Mark Soskin - Piano
Zack Brock - Violin
Harvie S - Bass
Anthony Pinciotti - Drms
6/3
The Dana Hawkins Quartet
10:00 PM to 12:30 AM
Dana Hawkins - Drums
6/5
"Round Midnight" with:
The Roxy Coss Quartet
12:30 AM to close
Roxy Coss - Tenor Sax Alex Wintz - Guitar
Glenn Zaleski - Piano
Alexander Claffy - Bass
6/8
The Joel Press Quartet
7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Joel Press - Tenor Sax
Nial Djuliarso - Piano
Chris Haney - Bass
Fukushi Tainaka - Drums
6/4
The Smalls Legacy Band
10:00 PM to 12:30 AM
Stacy Dillard - Tnr.
Josh Evans - Trumpet
Frank Lacy - Trombone Theo Hill - Piano Rashaan Carter - Bass Chris Beck - Drums
6/6
The Greg Tardy Quartet
9:30 PM to 12:30 AM
Greg Tardy - Tenor Sax
Joel Weiskopf - Piano
Sean Conly - Bass
Jaimeo Brown - Drums
6/9
The Charles Owens Quartet
11:30 PM to close
Charles Owens - Tnr. Sax Peter Bernstein - Guitar
Randall Pharr - Bass
Brian Caputo - Drums
OUR REGULAR WEEKLYS SHOWS:
Mon, "Afterhours" - Spencer Murphy Jam
Tues, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM - Spike Wilner Trio
Tues, 10PM to 12:30 AM - Smalls Legacy Band (featuring Frank Lacy, Josh Evans, Theo Hill & Stacy Dillard)
Tues, "Afterhours" - Kyle Poole "Next Generation" Jam
Wed, 6PM to 8:45 PM - Michela Lerman Tap Jam
Thur, 5PM to 8:45 PM - Sam Raderman Afternoon Jam
Fri, 4PM to 7PM - Paquale Grasso Afternoon Jam
Sat, 4PM to 7PM - The Dwayne Clemons Quintet
Sun, 10PM to 11:30 PM - The Legendary Johnny O'Neal
SmallsLIVE Interview BLOG
Interesting and insightful interviews with the artists that perform at Smalls Jazz Club.
Interviewed by bassist Spencer Murphy - these interviews shed light on the thought process of the musicians and their relationship to Smalls.
FREE LIVE VIDEO TUESDAY, June 4th
7:00 PM to close
Go to www.smallsjazzclub.com and click "LIVE VIDEO" - please enjoy our live video show. We hope you consider becoming a subscribing member
Catch all our shows on our LIVE STREAM. Become a SmallsLIVE Member and watch our shows from your home computer or mobile device. Also, sign up for the free use of our Audio Archive, nearly 6 years of recorded material, artist bios and information. All at www.smallsjazzclub.com
OUR SCHEDULE THIS WEEK:
Monday June 03
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM - The John Chin Trio John Chin- Piano , Joe Martin- Bass , Jaimeo Brown- Drums 10:00 PM to 12:30 AM - The Dana Hawkins Quartet Dana Hawkins- Drums , 12:30 AM to close - Afterhours with: Spencer Murphy Spencer Murphy- Bass ,
Tuesday June 04
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM - Spike Wilner Trio Spike Wilner- Piano , Paul Gill- Bass , Yotam Silberstein- Guitar 10:00 PM to 12:30 AM (two sets) - The Smalls Legacy Band Stacy Dillard- Tenor Sax , Josh Evans- Trumpet , Theo Hill- Piano , Rashaan Carter- Bass , Frank Lacy- Trombone , Kush Abadey- Drums 12:30 AM to close - The Next Generation Sessions hosted by Kyle Poole and Friends Kyle Poole- Drums ,
Wednesday June 05
6:00 PM to 8:45 PM - Tap Dance Jam! Hosted by Michela Lerman ($10 cover/Musicians free) Michela Marino Lerman- Tap Dancer , 9:30 PM to 12:00 AM - The Gregg August Quartet Gregg August- Bass , Sam Newsome- Soprano Sax , Luis Perdomo- Piano , Donald Edwards- Drums 12:30 AM to Close - "Round Midnight" with: Roxy Coss Alex Wintz- Guitar , Glenn Zaleski- Piano , Roxy Coss- Tenor Sax , Alexander Claffy- Bass
Thursday June 06
5:00 PM to 8:45 PM ($10 cover/Musicians free) - Afternoon Open Jam Session with: Sam Raderman and Luc Decker Luc Decker- Drums , Nial Djuliarso- Piano , Sam Raderman- Guitar , 9:30 PM to 12:00 AM - The Greg Tardy Quartet Greg Tardy- Tenor Sax , Joel Weiskopf- Piano , Sean Conly- Bass , Jaimeo Brown- Drums Midnight to Close - "Round Midnight" with: The Carlos Abadie Quintet Carlos Abadie- Trumpet ,
Friday June 07
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM ($10 cover/musicians free) - Happy Hour Jam Session with: Pasquale Grasso Pasquale Grasso- Guitar , 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM - The Ray Gallon Trio Ray Gallon- Piano , Paul Gill- Bass , Peter Van Nostrand- Drums 10:30 PM to 1:00 AM - The Mark Soskin Quartet Mark Soskin- Piano , Zack Brock- Violin , Harvie S- Bass , Anthony Pinciotti- Drums 1:15 AM to close - Afterhours with: The Ehud Asherie Trio Ehud Asherie- Piano ,
Saturday June 08
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM ($10 cover/Musicians free) - The "Early Bird" Session hosted by Dwayne Clemons & Sasha Perry Jimmy Wormworth- Drums , Sacha Perry- Piano , Dwayne Clemons- Trumpet , Josh Benko- Alto Sax ,Murray Wall- Bass 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM - The Joel Press Group Joel Press- Tenor Sax , Nial Djuliarso- Piano , Chris Haney- Bass , Fukushi Tainaka- Drums 10:30 PM to 1:00 AM - The Mark Soskin Quartet Mark Soskin- Piano , Zack Brock- Violin , Harvie S- Bass , Anthony Pinciotti- Drums 1:15 AM to close - Afterhours with: Stacy Dillard Stacy Dillard- Tenor Sax ,
Sunday June 09
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Vocal Masterclass with Marion Cowings $20 entry - $40 to participate Marion Cowings- Vocalist 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM - The Smalls Showcase Presents: The Michelle Zangara Group Dwayne Clemons- Trumpet , Murray Wall- Bass , Tadataka Unno- Piano , Michelle Zangara- Vocalist , 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM - Vocalist Deanna Kirk Deanna Kirk- Vocalist , John DiMartino- Piano 9:30 PM to 11:00 PM - The Legendary Johnny O'Neal Johnny O'Neal- Piano , 11:30 PM to close - The Charles Owens Quartet Peter Bernstein- Guitar , Charles Owens- Tenor Sax , Randall Pharr- Bass , Brian Caputo- Drums
