An Beal Bocht Cafe

Last night was my first gig as producer of Linda's Jazz Nights with Eric Alexander on sax, Joe Farnsworth on drums, and John Webber on bass. The guys were on fire playing to an enthusiastic, ripe, sold out crowd at An Beal Bocht Cafe.

The best art gets inside you and changes you, gives you a new way to experience your own life. That's what happened to me when I first heard these guys which is why I'm doing this and it happened again last night.

They opened up with a bluesey, swinging original tune. Then Steve Davis, who stopped by for the first set, lead a melancholy, beautiful "The Nearness of You." His trombone is smooth and subtle, and then the depth of it catches up with you.

Joe Farnsworth's solo on on the next tune was explosive and hypnotic. He has tremendous presence as a musician. He is enticing and commanding while simultaneously leading you into a song and taking care of his audience. His distinctive, wide-ranging, nuanced voice comes through on those drums creating a whole world suspending me in the moment.

They opened the second set with a screaming version of "Night in Tunisia." Eric's playing was right on the edge, huge, insistent, and undeniably passionate. Joe hit it with his ravenous appetite and then all three of them dug into the music and took off flying.

Eric moved into "The Man With The Horn," graceful, lilting, click here to listen.

John Webber played a solo that was stunning in it's complexity. Jazz moves in oblique and unexpected patterns beyond my conscious control. It dives past all my logical reasoning and I have no choice but to let it happen. When I watch John play I feel his composure and pure concentration while his fingers race across the strings responding to the impulses of that particular time and place. He embodies the contradiction of control and risk, and it is endlessly fascinating to experience.

The guys killed it at the end of the night with a bluesy, sexy "Parker's Mood." The crowd was loving the swing and hard drive. It was a great night of music and I am thrilled to say we will back at An Beal Bocht Cafe on Wednesday, September 7th.

Coming Up . . .

My next gig will be Wednesday, June 22nd at An Beal Bocht Cafe, 445 West 238th Street, in the Bronx, 8:00 p.m., two sets, $15.00 cover. For reservations, tickets, or information email LindasJazzNights@gmail.com.

The night will feature world-renowned jazz musicians Eric Alexander on sax, Joe Farnsworth on drums, and John Webber on bass.

About Eric --
During the 1990's after placing second behind Joshua Redmond in the Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition, Alexander threw himself into the whirlwind life of a professional jazz musician. In the last twenty years he has amassed a considerable discography of critically-acclaimed recordings. He has appeared on countless recordings as leader, sideman, producer, and composer. His latest, "Don't Follow the Crowd" has received a tremendous response including a rave review from All About Jazz. Eric continues to tour the world over and play with numerous jazz legends. He is considered one of the greatest saxophone players of his generation. I am thrilled to have him.

I hope you will join us and spread the word.

New Stuff

My blog is changing . . . while I am searching for the right place to re-start a weekly jazz night, I am going out to hear the great musicians and their music that I have fallen in love with, and I will be writing about my experience here. I knew very little about jazz when I first started promoting over a year ago. My background is in the theater as a writer and performer. What I found in the musicians I met is a group of artists who are relentlessly dedicated to the live experience, the chance to play, the connection with their audience.

Last night I stopped by Smoke where Mike LeDonne was playing along with Peppe Merolla on drums, Dwayne Burno on bass, and Andrew Beals on sax. LeDonne killed it on 'Round Midnight. Andrew introduced Mike, the room got still, and there was just the piano. It was simple, clean, inviting, then a rupture full of heart and abandon happened that tore away any lingering walls. I turned to the guy next to me, a complete stranger, to see if he was feeling it too, and he looked back and just said, "Yeah." It's the live experience I crave -- hot, serious commitment to the expression of the truest part of our human experience. It burrows deep into you and at the same time sets you free to be right there, not thinking about the moment before or the next one to come.

Last Saturday I heard One For All play their last set of the night featuring my good friends, Eric Alexander on sax and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Eric brought his muscular, elegant sound to Michael Jackson's "She's Out of My Life." It was a stunner. I wait for Joe's drum solos every time I go to hear him play and he didn't disappoint. His controlled, brilliant havoc was riveting. I never know where he is going or what is going to happen next, but I'm on the edge of my seat taking the ride with him. http://www.smokejazz.com/ Wednesday night I will be at Smalls.

A Night in Ibiza

The band took the stage last Thursday to a full house. A hush fell over the crowd as they waited for those first notes . . . it was a lovely moment of mutual anticipation and respect between the artists and the audience . . . that fertile quiet before the storm. Eric Alexander on sax, Joe Farnsworth on drums, David Hazeltine on piano, and Seth Lewis on bass opened with "Blues for Rosalene," composed by Eric and Joe for Frankie's (the owner of Ibiza) baby daughter who was born on a thursday night jazz night back in May. It is a beautiful, romantic tune. They played a smoking version of "Bye Bye Blackbird," and one of my favorites, "Soul Eyes" featuring Eric's dynamic, monster, sexy sound. Eric's opening notes of "Tenderly" were just that, a tender, almost mournful cry. When Joe opened up on those drums he held us in the palm of his hand. We don't know where he is taking us next but we hang on every pulse as he weaves a precise thread with the perfect combination of power and restraint. David Hazeltine is a poised craftsman at the piano bringing grace and serious swing to his improvisations. Will Caviness on trumpet, Jack Sorock on piano and David Ruffles on bass sat it on a hot rendition of "A Night in Tunisia." David Croce on bass sat in for the last tune of the night "Blues for Frankie." There was something in the air last Thursday that made it a particularly great night . . . that ephemeral, captivating feeling that live performance is all about. We are closed for Thanksgiving, but will be back on December 2nd with Joe and Eric once again leading the band. Happy Holiday to all of you.

Fearless Exploration

The dictionary definition of jazz: "...generally marked by intricate, propulsive rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, improvisatory, virtuosic solos, melodic freedom...." That's what we get from Eric, Joe, John and Rick, fearless explorers, carving out new territory every time they play. This past Thursday was no exception. Eric Alexander's playing was precise and beautiful, full of longing and depth -- "A Night in Tunisia" was a stunner. Joe Farnsworth's timing is impeccable. He always knows when to sit back, move forward and then let it rip. His drum solos are surprising, playful ... virtuosic. I have been told by more than one musician who has been standing in the crowd listening that John Webber is the best, period. He is a true artist, disciplined, skillful and always willing to take a risk. Rick Germanson is a brilliant piano player. He lets me find my way into the songs through his nuanced choices. What goes on every Thursday night at Ibiza Jazz Nights with each song and improvisation is the creation of something new, art coming into existence immediately before your eyes and ears. Food for the soul. Eric and Joe are off to Europe this week to play and teach. John Webber will be heading up the band on Thursday, October 7th.

George Coleman at Ibiza

About half way through the second set on Thursday, September 23rd, George Coleman walked into Ibiza Lounge. As far as I know, no one was expecting him. Joe anounced that Mr. Coleman had arrived and the air in the room changed. He sat down on the white couch and listened to our tight house band, Eric Alexander on sax, Jim Rotondi on trumpet, Rick Germanson on piano, Tyler Mitchell on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Then he stood up and played along with the band on

John Coltrane's "Blue Train." The reverence and joy that we all felt to have Mr. Coleman present and to hear him play was palpable. At the end of "Blue Train" the audience roared. Joe asked Mr. Coleman to come up on stage and Eric Alexander said to me, "Get your camera ready, you are about to hear something fantastic." So I did. Click here to see the video of George Coleman and the band playing "Portrait of Jenny." All the musicians gave the best of themselves and out poured their accumulative experience, mutual respect, faith, and love for the music. Great art offers us the best of ourselves, if we open to it and give ourselves over to the experience. That is what happened to me. It was a rare, thrilling, generous night. Eric and Joe are back this week, Sept. 30th, with John Webber on bass and Rick Germanson on piano. There is not a better way to spend your Thursday night than in the presence of these hot musicians.

Mozzin at Ibiza Jazz Nights

On Thursday, Sept. 9th John Farnsworth, Carlton Holmes, Peppe Merolla and Mike Boone wailed! Mike Boone, an accomplished, soulful bass player came all the way up from Philly to play for us. They started the set with John's original compositions "Mozzin" and "Street Beat," and then played a stomping version of Blue Bossa. John's poetic, sweet sax always captivates me. Carlton Holmes tells his own story on the piano. His touch is artful and sensitive and then he takes off down the road and you've got no choice but to follow. Peppe's freewheeling, explosive drumming got cheers from the crowd. And Angel Rose sang a gorgeous version of "Wave" and a sultry "Midnight Sun." Will Caviness, a young trumpet player, stopped by and sat in for a few tunes. They all came together at the end for a hard-driving "A Night in Tunisia." I came to this not as an experienced jazz listener, but more and more with each week I find myself getting lost in the music and feeling contented to be right where I am. That is a lovely gift . . . . Next week, after many, many weeks of traveling Eric Alexander will be back with us. We look forward to it.

Riverdale Press

Great article in the Riverdale Press this week!

Ibiza Jazz Nights - Eric and Joe

Eric and Joe were back in full force this week. John Webber was there on bass and Mike DiRubbo on sax. Once a month Frankie, the owner, has a comedy night with 3 or 4 comics doing stand up on Thursdays so the crowd was an eclectic mix of jazz lovers and comedy fans. The place was full and the energy was high when the band started playing. Eric and Joe began their set with a song they wrote for Frankie's new baby girl. And then they played "Misty," the 1954 standard by Erroll Garner. Eric's playing rode that fine line of tension between letting go and staying in control - contained sensuality. It is that mix of intelligence and passion that I love. Joe played one of his signature drum solos; signature in that you never know where they are going to go -- volatile, powerful, fascinating. Every time I watch him I wait for the moment when he takes off and does his thing. (And I found out on Thursday night that in addition to John Webber being a great bass player he is a fantastic dancer. He spun me around, dipped me and had me back up on my feet before I knew what happened.) Mike DiRubbo brought his inventive, rich, soulful sound to the mix. David Croce, a bass player who has played at Ibiza, showed up and we had a conversation about the elastic boundaries of jazz, where the artistry lies, and how a musician can move "outside" the song taking the audience with them and then bringing them back. At the end of the night Jose Fernando, a singer who was in the house, got up and sang a gorgeous version of "Besame Mucho," written in 1940 by Consuelo Velazquez. Don't forget Jazz Nights starts at 6:00 p.m. with an open bar for an hour and the music is at 8:00 and 10:00. Hope to see you there this Thursday.

Ibiza Jazz Nights guest artists

There was a great turnout last night. The club was full and the music was hot. John Webber put together an impressive quartet with himself on bass, Mike LeDonne on piano, Mike DiRubbo on alto sax, and Jason Brown on drums. John's fingers were flying during a fast, intense version of "The End of a Love Affair." And Mike DiRubbo was inspired. He has studied the tradition and history of African-American music, performed as a leader and sideman all over New York City and abroad, and he has an extensive discography. Check him out at www.mikedirubbo.com. Dmitry Baevsky, alto sax, stopped by and sat in on the second set. Dmitry, a young musician, came to NYC from Russia at the age of fifteen and has made his way into the established jazz world and performed with the some of the greats. Learn more about his music at www.dmitrybaevsky.com.

I have lived in Riverdale for eleven years and have craved an artistic life here that has been missing. Well, it's starting . . . . Every Thursday at Ibiza the room is full of musicians who are immersed in their work and want to share it. Aside from the people we love, art is the only thing, the only thing that can honestly reflect back to us the meaning of our lives. The music enters my brain, rolls around in my thoughts and then moves deeper to where I feel alive and whole and present in the moment. Joe Farnsworth and Eric Alexander will be at Ibiza next week, June 3rd, and who knows what stories they will have to tell and whom they will bring back from their travels. I look forward to it.

Ibiza Jazz Nights - never predictable

Eric Alexander and Joe Farnsworth were cooking again last night, along with the help of John Webber on the bass and Mike LeDonne on piano. In the middle of the first set owner of Ibiza Lounge, Frankie Goris, had to bolt from the club when his wife went into labor. We all kept in touch with Frankie via text as the band played on. The great trumpet player Joe Magnarelli stopped by to sit in on the second set, www.joemagnarelli.com. In honor of Frankie they played "A Child is Born" by Thad Jones. It was an inspired night! Eric and Joe are off to Japan to play at the Cotton Club in Tokyo and the Blue Note in Nagoya. They will be back home in the Bronx for Ibiza Jazz Nights on Thursday, June 3rd. Be there! (photo of Eric Alexander)

Ibiza Jazz Nights first night

Frankie Goris, owner of Ibiza Lounge in Riverdale in the Bronx, a latin dance club on Friday and Saturday nights, started a whole new gig last Thursday. JAZZ! Hot, smoldering, soulful, gorgeous, jazz. It has been a long time dream of Frankie's to have a jazz night in his club, and with the help of virtuoso tenor sax player Eric Alexander and the gifted Joe Farnsworth on drums IBIZA JAZZ NIGHT was born. In their first set Eric played a romantic, passionate version of "Didn't We" by Jimmy Webb. And they ended the night with a smoking combination of "Estate" by Bruno Martino and "Girl From Ipanema." These guys love what they do and they give themselves to it completely. Eric is an elegant and powerful player. Joe Farnsworth creates his own world with rhythm on top of rhythm and sound on top of sound until you find yourself somewhere you've never been before. It's raw, real artistry. They are playing again this Thursday and every Thursday beyond that I hope. www.ibizany.com, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0K6brhD27M&feature=related