One of the things that I'm most proud of in my tenure as the manager of Smalls is the audio archive that we started in September of 2007. My firm belief is that the work done at this club is of historic importance. Since 2007 we've recorded and archived nearly every set of music played at Smalls. This is now represents well over 500 musicians and more than 7000 recordings. It's currently offered for free on our website (you just have to provide a valid email). I know that this archive gets a lot of use world wide. I've had music students tell me they use it for reference and study. Fans access it to research artists they aren't familiar with and musicians use it to listen to their own works and the work of their colleagues. This archive has also opened up debate among musicians in regards to intellectual property rights and recording in general. However, I should say that the vast majority of the artists support our archive. It's not mandatory to post and any artist that doesn't want his or her work posted doesn't have to.
Things have changed dramatically in the last six years in terms of the recording industry. The age of marketing physical CDs is clearly over. The internet has leveled the playing field in terms of distribution. For a small company like SmallsLIVE, this is an incredible opportunity to make our enormous amount of content available to the world. The question is how to compensate the artists for their work?
I believe that subscription based libraries are a viable model. In the same way Netflix offers unlimited access to their library of movies, so can we offer our ever-growing library of Jazz performances to an audience. The idea is to measure how much each artists' work gets listened to within a specific amount of time. We can then distribute a revenue pool fairly among all our artists based on the percentage their work was accessed. Popular artists are rewarded for their popularity. In addition, all musicians participating on a date can get credited for their work. In this way, popular sidemen can accrue as much credit as leaders and earn just as much. The idea is to make it as fair as possible.
My vision for the future of SmallsLIVE is to create this revenue sharing model for all of the artists that have performed at Smalls. I want to reverse our current system and make the live stream free (with a valid email). The ever growing library will be accessible for a small subscription fee which will be pooled and distributed to the artists on a monthly or quarterly intervals. We will also include our archived video (about 2 years worth) in this new system.
I'll be speaking more about this in the coming weeks. We are about to begin a crowd-funding campaign to raise some funds to make this system a reality. I do look forward to hearing your comments if you have constructive ones. Email me at smallsjazzclub@gmail.com
This Week At Smalls:
We begin our week on Monday with Peter Bernstein who will be playing two solo guitar sets. If you haven't heard Pete play solo, please take the opportunity to do so - he has a beautiful concept. We've recorded Pete for SmallsLIVE for a solo CD. Watch for it in the next few months. Following Peter is Ari Hoenig and his group which is featuring the amazing Jean-Michel Pilc, who is an incredibly original and inventive pianist. Joining them in the original and inventive Tivon Pennicott on tenor and Sam Minaie on bass.
Tuesday night will feature my own trio with Paul Gill & Yotam Silberstein and then at 10PM we are presenting Lucas Pino and his "No Net Nonet". This is a talented nine-piece group with original arrangements and a great, vital spirit. This group features some remarkable players including, Camila Meza, Glen Zaleski, Colin Stranahan, Desmond White, Rafal Sarnecki, Andrew Gutauskas, Alex LoRe & Mattew Jodrell. I'm trying to get them in the mix on a monthly basis. Come out and check out this group. Also, be sure to read the interview with Lucas on our SmallsLIVE Interview Blog conducted by Spencer Murphy - CLICK
Wednesday we are hosting pianist Simona Premazzi's CD Release "The Lucid Dreamer". Fresh from her week with Greg Osby at the Vanguard, she's brining in the creative Melissa Aldana on tenor, Desmond White on bass and Damion Reid on drums. For our "Round Midnight" concert we have organist Jared Gold and his trio with Dave Stryker on guitar and Chris Beck on drums. Also, this Wednesday we are offering our live stream for free. If you've never seen our feed, check it out tonight. Just go to our website and click "LIVE VIDEO" anytime on Wednesday evening.
This Thursday we have an appearance from Miriam Sullivan aka Mimi Jones. Mimi is a musician I've known for a long time and has always been an amazing bass player and singer. She's coming in with her group to feature her original music. In her group is Nadje Noordhuis on trumpet, Camille Thurman on tenor, Helen Sung on piano and Otis Brown III on drums.
This weekend for our featured show we are excited to have saxophonist Lew Tabakin back at the club. Lew is a true jazz legend and one of the most remarkable tenor saxophonists and flautists performing today. If you haven't had a chance to hear Lew's visceral shows then take this opportunity. With him is the rhythm section team of Boris Koslov on bass and Mark Taylor on drums. For our 7:30 PM set on Friday we have the wonderful vocalist Marion Cowings and his trio with John DiMartino, Steve LaSpina & Alvin Atkinson. On Saturday for the 7:30 PM slot is pianist Peter Zak and his trio featuring Dwayne Burno & Joe Strasser. Pete is an old friend and an under rated star on our scene. If you don't know his name or have never heard him then take the time to come hear this tasteful and swinging pianist.
This Sunday Smalls Jazz Club will be closed - Please come see us the next day!
As always, I appreciate your support of this club and of this music. I urge you to do good deeds and I wish for your well being.
Best Regards,
Spike Wilner
6/24
A set of solo guitar with:
Peter Bernstein
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Peter Bernstein - Guitar
6/26
"Round Midnight" with: The Jared Gold Trio
12:30 AM to close
Jared Gold - Organ
Dave Stryker - Guitar
Chris Beck - Drums
6/28
The Marion Cowings Quartet
7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Marion Cowings - Voc.
John DiMartino - Piano
Steve LaSpina - Bass
Alvin Atkinson - Drums
6/25
Lucas Pino's
No net Nonet
10:00 PM to 12:30 AM
Lucas Pino - Tenor Sax
Matthew Jodrell - Trumpet
Alex LoRe - Alto Sax
Andrew Gutauskas - Baritone Sax
Rafal Sarnecki - Guitar Camila Meza - Guitar Glenn Zaleski - Piano
Desmond White - Bass
Colin Stranahan - Drums
6/27
An Evening with Mimi Jones
9:30 PM to 12:00 AM
Nadje Noordhuis - Tpt
Camille Thurman - T. Sax
Helen Sung - Piano
Mimi Jones - Bass
Otis Brown III - Drums
6/26
The Simona Premazzi Quartet CD Release: "The Lucid Dreamer"
9:30 PM to 12:00 AM
Melissa Aldana - T. Sax Simona Premazzi - Piano Desmond White - Bass Damion Reid - Drums
6/28 & 6/29
The Lew Tabakin Trio
10:30 PM to 1:00 AM
Lew Tabackin - T. Sax
Boris Kozlov - Bass
Mark Taylor - Drums
6/29
The Peter Zak Trio
7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Peter Zak - Piano
Dwayne Burno - Bass
Joe Strasser - 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.
Downbeat gives 4 stars to Rick Germanson: Live at Smallsin September, 2012:
"So timeless in nature that the setting might be 1961 or 2011 (it’s the latter), Rick Germanson’s Live At Smalls makes the point that bandstand-level communication remains central to post-bop improvisation. The Milwaukee-native’s quartet is rock solid with trumpeter Eddie Henderson, drummer Lewis Nash and the underexposed Paul Gill on bass, and the set—recorded over two nights—is structured expertly."
FREE LIVE VIDEO Wednesday, June 26th
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 24th
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM - A set of solo guitar with: Peter Bernstein Peter Bernstein - Guitar , 10:00 PM to 12:30 AM - The Ari Hoenig Group Ari Hoenig - Drums , Jean-Michel Pilc - Piano , Sam Minaie - Bass , Tivon Pennicott - Tenor Sax 12:30 AM to close - Afterhours with: Spencer Murphy Spencer Murphy - Bass ,
Tuesday, June 25th
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM - The Spike Wilner Trio Spike Wilner - Piano , Yotam Silberstein - Guitar , Paul Gill - Bass 10:00 PM to 12:30 AM - Lucas Pino No Net Nonet Lucas Pino - Tenor Sax , Matthew Jodrell - Trumpet , Alex LoRe - Alto Sax , Andrew Gutauskas - Baritone Sax , Rafal Sarnecki - Guitar , Glenn Zaleski - Piano , Desmond White - Bass , Colin Stranahan - Drums , Camila Meza - Guitar Midnight to close - The Next Generation Sessions hosted by Kyle Poole and Friends Kyle Poole - Drums ,
Wednesday, June 26th
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 Simona Premazzi Quartet CD release "The Lucid Dreamer" Simona Premazzi - Piano , Damion Reid - Drums , Melissa Aldana - Tenor Sax , Desmond White - Bass 12:30 AM to Close - "Round Midnight" with: The Jared Gold Trio Jared Gold - Organ , Dave Stryker - Guitar , Chris Beck - Drums
Thursday, June 27th
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 - An Evening with Mimi Jones Nadje Noordhuis - Trumpet , Camille Thurman - Tenor Sax , Helen Sung - Piano , Mimi Jones - Bass , Rodney Green - Drums Midnight to close - "Round Midnight" with: The Emmet Cohen Trio Emmet Cohen - Piano ,
Friday, June 28th
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 Marion Cowings Trio Marion Cowings - Vocalist , 10:30 PM to 1:00 AM - The Lew Tabackin Trio Lew Tabackin - Tenor Sax , Boris Kozlov - Bass , Mark Taylor - Drums 1:00 AM to close - Afterhours with: The Anthony Wonsey Trio Anthony Wonsey - Piano ,
Saturday, June 29th
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 Peter Zak Trio Peter Zak - Piano , Dwayne Burno - Bass , Joe Strasser - Drums 10:30 PM to 1:00 AM - The Lew Tabackin Trio Lew Tabackin - Tenor Sax , Boris Kozlov - Bass , Mark Taylor - Drums 1:00 AM to close - Afterhours with: Philip Harper Philip Harper - Trumpet ,
Sunday, June 30th
- We Are CLOSED Today - please come back tomorrow!
