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             NEWSLETTER & SCHEDULE
April 6th, 2015
Dear Friends:

It's always a great pleasure when my old friend Greg Hutchinson comes to town.  He currently lives abroad in Italy but when he comes back to New York City it's always a joyful reunion.  There's few musicians in my generation that garner as much respect and love from their peers as Greg does.  When he plays, not only is there a line around the corner at Smalls but also a huge turnout from the musicians who come to sit and listen and to learn.

Yesterday we did a masterclass at Mezzrow which was really successful and hopefully will be an ongoing feature, jazz educational classes there.  Greg came in the afternoon and we had about 35 people who had signed up in advance for the class.  Anyone who's seen that idiotic piece of drivel called "Whiplash" needed to be at this class yesterday to see how a real drum master teaches students about drumming, time, jazz, being a professional and life in general.  Greg was generous and gentle.  He was funny and direct.  He had everyone in the room smiling and laughing and listening intently.  Greg was patient and gracious and, above all, humble.  Humble to the great tradtion that he represents and the lineage that he is a part of - a direct link to masters such as Art Blakey, Art Taylor, Ray Brown, Joe Henderson and the numerous others that Greg learned from, worked for and interacted directly with.  All the participants in the class left with a positive feeling and everyone learned something.

It's infuriating to see jazz music maligned and portrayed in such a clearly erroneous way over and over again in the popular media.  Maybe it's just impossible for the general public to understand anything except for the "sports mentality".  Buy music is not a sport and it's not the military - it's the complete opposite.  It's not about some insane drill sergeant throwing chairs and and demanding "are you rushing or dragging" - does anyone even know what that means?  Music is a personal excursion into the self - self discovery.  It's about love and joy and the discipline to play an instrument with perfection - not from fear but from a burning joyful desire to play.

All the great teachers in Jazz share this.  My own experience with the great teachers I've had in my life such as Barry Harris, Walter Davis Jr., Harry Whitaker, Kenny Barron - they've all been generous, gentle, funny and really, really concerned that I understood the importance of the lessons they were giving me.  No abuse, no anger - that's just some Hollywood bullshit.  They share because they love this music so much that they want to pass it on to the next generation and hope that we do the same.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the clubs this week.  My best wishes to you and your loved ones.

Spike


Spike
NOW: A cover paid at Mezzrow also gets you admission to Smalls.
 
Mezzrow proudly endorses Steinway pianos

Tonight! Monday - 4/6
Spike Wilner With
Yotam Silberstein & Paul Gill


Spike Wilner comes to Mezzrow with his trio that features guitarist Yotam Silberstein and bassist Paul Gill.

John Merrill Solo Guitar @ 7:30 PM
Duo Sets @ 9:30 PM & 11 PM


To advance purchase a reserved seat click:
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE
 

Tuesday - 4/7
Norman Simmons & Doug Weiss

Jazz legend, pianist Norman Simmons comes to Mezzrow for an evening of duets with the consumate Doug Weiss on bass.

Doors open @ 7 PM
Duo sets @ 8 PM & 9:30 PM

Mezzrow "polite jam session" @ 10:30 PM

To advance purchase a reserved seat click:
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE

Wednesday - 4/8
Bryan Roberts & Lage Lund

Pianist Bryn Roberts is a sensitive and thoughtful improvisor.  With him in duet is the remarkable Lage Lund for a evening of improvised duets.

 Happy Hour Solo Piano @ 7:30 PM
Duo sets @ 9 PM & 10:30 PM

Mezzrow "polite jam session" @ 11:30 PM

To advance purchase a reserved seat click:
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE
 

Thursday - 4/9
Jean-Michel Pilc & Ira Coleman

Jean-Michel Pilc is a pianist of astonishing virtuosity and imagination.  He makes his Mezzrow debut this evening for an night of far-reaching duets.
With him is a rare appearence from jazz legend Ira Coleman on bass.

 Happy Hour Solo Piano @ 7:30 PM
Duo sets @ 9 PM & 10:30 PM

Jon Davis Solo Piano @ 11:30 PM

To advance purchase a reserved seat click:
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE

Friday, Saturday - 4/10-11
Laurence Hobgood & Gerald Cannon
  • Laurence Hobgood is a piano virtuoso.  He has a modern approach to improvisation and a fleet fingered style.  With him is the rock-solid swining Gerald Cannon.

    Fri - Ehud Asherie Solo Piano @ 7:15 PM
    Sat - Spike Wilner w. special guests 
    @ 7:15 PM
    Duo sets @ 9 PM & 10:30 PM

    To advance purchase a reserved seat click:
    FRI - CLICK HERE TO RESERVE
    SAT - CLICK HERE TO RESERVE

Sunday - 4/12
Gene Bertoncini Solo Guitar
  • The master guitarist Gene Bertoncini makes his Mezzrow debut with a solo guitar recital.  Please come out to discover this lyrical master of the American Songbook.

    Sets from 7:30 to 9PM

    $15 advanced seats or $20 at the door.

    CLICK TO RESERVE

Sunday - 4/12
Richard Clements with
Charles Davis & Murray Wall 
  • Veteran jazz musicians come to Mezzrow to speak the Gospel of Bebop.  Pianist Richard Clements, tenor saxophonist Charles Davis and bassist Murray Wall represent the very best of the New York Jazz Scene.

    Sets at 9:30 pm and 11:00 PM

    To advance purchase a reserved seat click:
    CLICK HERE TO RESERVE

THIS WEEK AT SMALLS
(a selection of featured shows)

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

Monday - 4/6
Walking Distance

Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
w. Caleb Curtis - Alto Sax, Kenny Pexton - Tenor Sax, Adam Cote - Bass, Shawn Baltazor - Drums

Caleb Curtis, Kenny Pexton, Adam Cote and Shawn Baltazor come into Smalls with their collective grouo "Walking Distance"
Monday - 4/6
Reeds Ramble
Sets at 10:30 PM & 12 AM

w. Chris Cheek - Tenor Sax, Seamus Blake - Tenor Sax, Ethan Iverson - Piano, Matt Clohesy - Bass,
Jochen Rueckert - Drums

Tenor saxophonists Chris Cheek and Seamus Blake come into Smalls with their co-led group "Reeds Ramble" and feature the work of pianist Ethan Iverson.
Tuesday - 4/7
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, Frank Lacy - Trombone, Kush Abadey - Drums

The Legacy Band continues it's residence and provides their solid, hard-swinging book of great material and great solos.


 
Wednesday & Thursday - 4/8-9
Joe Martin Quartet
Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
 w. Mark Turner - Tenor Sax, Kevin Hays - Piano, Joe Martin - Bass, Nasheet Waits - Drums

Bassist Joe Martin returns to Smalls with his excellent all-star quartet that features the wonderful Mark Turner, pianist Kevin Hays and drummer Nasheet Waits for two nights.
Wednesday - 4/8
Alex LoRe Quartet
Sets at 10:30 PM & 12 AM
w. Alex LoRe - Alto Sax, Sam Harris - Piano, Harish Raghavan - Bass, Ziv Ravitz - Drums

Alto saxophonist Alex LoRe is a modern thinking improvisor and composer.  He comes in with his quartet that features the work of Sam Harris on piano.
Thursday - 4/9
The Spencer Murphy Band
Sets at 10:30 PM & 12 AM

w. John Chin - Piano, Stacy Dillard - Tenor Sax, Spencer Murphy - Bass, Tivon Pennicott - Tenor Sax,
Evan Sherman - Drums

Bassist Spencer Murphy brings in his excellent group that features the work of Stacy Dillard and Tivon Pennicott as well as the amazing piano playing of John Chin.
Friday - 4/10
 Tardo Hammer Trio
Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
$20 for this show
w. Tardo Hammer - Piano, Lee Hudson - Bass, Jimmy Wormworth - Drums

Tardo Hammer is a musician's musician.  A veteran player with a top-shelf trio that features the work of legend Jimmy Wormworth.
Friday, Saturday - 4/10-11
Mike Moreno Quartet
Sets at 10:30 PM & 12 AM

$20 for this show
 w. Mike Moreno - Guitar, Aaron Parks - Piano, Kendrick Scott - Drums, Harish Raghavan - Bass

Guitarist Mike Moreno returns to Smalls with his kickass group that features pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Harish Raghavan and the tasty drumming of Kendrick Scott.
Saturday - 4/11
Dmitry Baevsky Quartet
Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
 w. Dmitry Baevsky - Alto Sax, David Hazeltine - Piano, Mike Karn - Bass, Jason Tiemann - Drums

Dmitry Baevsky is a hard swinging fluent improvisor cut from the be-bop cloth.  He features the stellar piano playing of David Hazeltine.
Sunday - 4/12
Larry Gelb Trio
Sets at 4:30 PM & 6 PM
 w. Cameron Brown - Bass, Larry Gelb - Piano, Michael Stephans - Drums

Larry Gelb returns to Smalls for an afternoon show that features the wonderful Cameron Brown on bass.
Sunday - 4/12
Alice Ricciardi Quartet
Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
w. Alice Ricciardi - Vocalist, Spike Wilner - Piano, Paolo Benedettini - Bass, Luca Santaniello - Drums

Italian vocalist Alice Ricciardi makes her Smalls debut.  She sings a repertoire of American Song Classics with a clear and swinging voice.
Sunday - 4/12
Ned Goold Quartet
Sets at 10:30 PM to close

w. Ned Goold - Tenor Sax, Charles Goold - Drums, Andrew Renfrow - Guitar

Ned Goold is a complex and enigmatic improvisor with a highly original sound and concept.

SMALLS JAZZ CLUB REGULAR SHOWS

Monday - 4/6, 1 AM to close
Afterhours with Jonathan Michel

 

Tuesday - 4/7, 7:30 PM to close 
The Spike Wilner Trio

Tuesday - 4/7 12:30 AM to close 
The Next Generation Sessions with Kyle Poole


Wednesday - 4/8, 1:30 AM to close 
Afterhours Jam Session

 

Thursday - 4/9, 1:30 AM to close 
Afterhours Jam Session

 

Friday - 4/10, 4:30 PM to 7 PM
Friday afternoon open jam session With :
Ai Murakami Trio

 

Friday - 4/10, 1:15 AM
Friday Afterhours With :
Lawrence Leathers


Saturday - 4/11, 4 PM to 7 PM
Saturday Afternoon Open Jam Session
With : Tuomo Uusitalo Trio

Saturday - 4/11, 1:30 AM to close
Afterhours with Philip Harper

Sunday - 4/12, 1 PM to 3 PM
Vocal Masterclass with Marion Cowings 
$20 entry, $40 to participate


 

ENJOY SmallsLIVE records!

Find them on www.smallslive.com


   
 

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