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SmallsLIVE/Mezzrow Newsletter
February 5th, 2017
 
Dear Friends:

Just back in New York today after a week in Groningen, Netherlands, where I had the opportunity to teach at the Prinz Claus Conservatory as a guest artist.  As always, teaching is a challenge, particularly teaching something as amorphous as jazz.  I do have misgivings about institutionalized jazz education.  In general I don't think it really works.  My thoughts are that separating "classical" and "jazz" into two different kinds of schools is a limiting approach.  Jazz students could really benefit from the traditional classical education - the instrumental proficiency, sight reading, solfeggio and formal harmony training.  Classical musicians in turn could really benefit from the skills that a jazz musician learns - improvisation, real ear training, transcribing, transposition, rhythms and really using harmony on the fly.  I imagine a combination "music training" that incorporates all of these elements into one degree that creates a truly well-rounded musician.  A musician that can, after training, choose for themselves where they want to go musically be it performing classical or jazz or both.  The time has come to really break down the wall that divides "classical" and "jazz" into one educational experience.  Musicians should have all the skills of both disciplines.

As a teacher you constantly find yourself confronted with your own limitations.  Students are like sponges, eager for anything they can glean.  They are also highly perceptive and if the teacher is full of s**t there's no fooling them.  I've found that the only way to connect to jazz students is to be as honest as possible and just teach from the heart - teach what you know best.  Since "jazz" now has such a broad definition, it's impossible to say that "jazz is this" or "you must do this to play jazz".  Instead, you must just teach your version of jazz and be as truthful as you can.  Hold no punches, be compassionate and earnestly try to share.  I want to say that the students of Prinz Claus as a whole were all super-cool and hardworking.  Each one of them proved themselves to be serious students of music and a pleasure to interact with.  I am grateful for the time that I've had to be with this international group of serious young musicians.

As always, we have a smorgasbord of great music at both clubs this week.  Please check out our schedule and come out if you can to hear some of the great music that we present each night.  Smalls and Mezzrow are for you and everyone - take advantage and I look forward to seeing you at the clubs.

Regards,

Spike
 

Monday - 2/5
Franck Amsallem & Tim Ries

  Pianist Franck Amsallem is modernist with a wonderful jazz feel and fluid touch. Please join him for an evening of jazz duets with the excellent saxophonist Tim Ries.

Doors @ 7:30 PM
Seatings at 8 and 9:30 PM

Pasquale Grasso "After-hours" @ 11 PM

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

Tuesday - 2/6
Tom Beckham & Brad Shepik

 

Doors @ 7:30 PM
Seatings at 8 and 9:30 PM

Miki Yamanaka & Adi Meyerson After-hours @ 11 PM

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

Wednesday - 2/7
 Sullivan Fortner & Vuyo Sotashe
 

Doors @ 7:30 PM
Seatings at 
8 & 9:30 PM
Pete Malinverni "After-hours" @ 11 PM

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

Thursday - 2/8
Ben Paterson with
Chris Flory & George Delancey

 

Doors @ 7:30 PM
Seatings at 8 PM & 9:30 PM
Spike Wilner "After-hours" @ 11 PM

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

Friday & Saturday - 2/9-10
Michael Weiss with
Paul Gill & Daniel Sadownick


 Pianist Michael Weiss is a true jazz veteran. Join him for an evening of jazz duets.

Doors @ 7:30 PM
Seatings at 8 PM & 9:30 PM
2/9 - Jeremy Manasia "After-hours" @ 11 PM
2/10 - Lezlie Harrison "After-hours" @ 11 PM


To advance purchase a reserved seat click:
2/9 - CLICK HERE TO RESERVE
2/10 - CLICK HERE TO RESERVE  

Sunday - 2/11
Tadataka Unno & Gerald Cannon

 Pianist Tada Unno has become more and more in demand as a sidemen for stellar performers such as Harry Allen and others.  He has an elegant approach and supple touch. Joining him is veteran bassist Gerald Cannon.
Doors @ 7:30 PM
Seatings at 8 & 9:30 PM
John Merrill & Friends "After-hours" @ 11 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 - 2/5
Ari Hoenig Trio

 Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
     with Ari Hoenig - Drums, Nitai Hershkovits - Piano, Or Bareket - Bass
 
Monday - 2/5
Jonathan Barber Group &
After-hours Jam Session

 Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
     with Jonathan Barber - Drums
 
Tuesday - 2/6
Spike Wilner Quartet

 Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
     with Spike Wilner - Piano, Ian Hendrickson-Smith - Alto Sax, Paul Gill - Bass, Charles Ruggiero - Drums
 
Tuesday - 2/6
Frank Lacy Group

 Sets at 10:30 PM & 12 AM
with Frank Lacy - Trombone
Wednesday - 2/7
Jure Pukl's Sound Pictures
 Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
     with Jure Pukl - Tenor Sax, Joel Ross - Vibraphone, Charles Altura - Guitar, Harish Raghavan - Bass, Justin Brown - Drums
Wednesday - 2/7
Black Art Jazz Collective
Sets at 10:30 PM & 12 AM

with Wayne Escoffery - Tenor Sax, Jeremy Pelt - Trumpet, James Burton III - Trombone, Victor Gould - Piano, Rashaan Carter - Bass, Johnathan Blake - Drums
Thursday - 2/8
Itamar Borochov Quartet
 Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
     with Itamar Borochov - Trumpet, Rob Clearfield - Piano, Rick Rosato - Bass, Jay Sawyer - Drums
Thursday - 2/8
Pete Zimmer Trio
Sets at 10:30 PM & 12 AM

with Pete Zimmer - Drums, George Garzone - Tenor Sax, Peter Slavov - Bass
Friday & Saturday - 2/9-2/10
The New Slide Hampton Octet
Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM

$20 for this show
with Frank Basile - Bari Sax,Bruce Harris - trumpet, Sam Dillon - Tenor Sax, Robert Edwards - Trombone,  James Burton III - Trombone, Clovis Nicolas - Bass, Charles Ruggiero - Drums
Friday & Saturday - 2/9-10
Tim Armacost Quintet

Sets at 10:30 PM & 12 AM
$20 for this show
with Tim Armacost - Tenor Sax, Joe Locke - Vibraphone, Jonny King - Piano, Ira Coleman - Bass, Billy Drummond - Drums
Sunday - 2/11
Vocal Masterclass with
Marion Cowings

from 1:00 PM until 3 PM
The Marion Cowings Jazz Vocal Workshop is a weekly session that gives vocalists a forum to develop the elements that define a jazz vocal performance.
Sunday - 2/11
Taru Alexander Quintet

Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
with Taru Alexander - Drums, Stacy Dillard - Tenor Sax, Hanka G - Vocalist, Carlton Holmes - Piano, Gerry Eastman - Bass
Sunday - 2/11
Jerry Weldon Quartet

Sets at 10:30 PM & 12 AM
with Jerry Weldon - Tenor Sax, Steve Ash - Piano, Neal Caine - Bass, George Fludas - Drums
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