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.

Mike DiRubbo leads the band

Mike DiRubbo stepped in at the last minute on Thursday and lead the band. He is an unassuming, soulful dude who plays the sax like a you-know-what. On "You've Changed" DiRubbo opened with a solo that killed me. It was deep, mystical beauty. John Webber, maybe my favorite bass player in New York, gave us a stunning solo on "Sentimental Mood" -- big and gutsy and then luscious and melodic. Peter Zak was also with us on piano, and Pete Von Nostrand on drums. The band was hot on "I Mean You." Rosie Steinberg stopped by and treated us to her lovely, warm voice on "Moonglow." This Thursday, November 4th, Joe Farnsworth is back leading the band. We will be having a complimentary wine tasting and toasting our six month anniversary of Ibiza Jazz Nights!

Autumn Leaves

"Green Dolphin Street" was written in 1947 by Bronislaw Kaper and Ned Washington for the film of the same name starring Lana Turner, Van Heflin and Donna Reed. The song became a jazz standard when it was recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis and Bill Evans among others. I heard it for the first time last Thursday with an extraordinary, beautiful introduction played by Anthony Wonsey on piano. Also with us last Thursday was the legendary powerhouse Dr. Eddie Henderson on trumpet. Our band leader, Joe Farnsworth, delivered his electric, unpredictable heart and soul on the drums. John Webber put his arms around me and held me just right with his warm solos, particularly during "Autumn Leaves." Paul West stopped by and played "Just In Time" with Joe and Anthony. And Ron Odrich showed up and sat in with his clarinet on "Old Folks" and "Autumn Leaves." Frankie Goris, the owner of Ibiza Lounge, has opened his doors to some of the world's greatest jazz musicians to create a thriving artistic community in our corner of the Bronx. Only in New York are we lucky enough to have such passionate entrepreneurs and world-class artists living and working next door.

Watermelon Man

One of my new favorite jazz standards is "Watermelon Man" by Herbie Hancock. I had not heard it before. It's got a soulful groove and the guys , John Webber on bass, Joe Magnarelli on trumpet, Rick Germanson on piano and Steve Williams on drums, made it pop. It was "all up in my body" to quote Miles Davis. John Webber lead the band and as always was the sturdy backbone with swing. They also played a version of "Summertime," which was, forgive me, steamy. Joe's trumpet was commanding, but easy and sweet too. Rick Germanson, who has played many times at Ibiza, is an open, thoughtful man with a charming wit and that is reflected in his luminous playing. It was the first time at Ibiza for Steve Williams who was cookin' on the drums. Tony Hewitt stopped by and treated us to his expressive, liquid voice on "Alone Together" and "Skylark." And the acclaimed jazz pianist Tardo Hammer sat in on "Shining Hour" and "I've Never Been In Love Before." They closed out the night with a provocative, alluring rendition of "Soul Eyes." I've said it before in this blog and I'll say it again ... we are so lucky to have these world-class musicians coming up every week to play in this spacious, beautiful club. John Webber will be back leading the band this week, October 14th, once again making it swing.

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.

Cool Jazz to End the Summer

The club was full this last Thursday as John Farnsworth lead the band. When the music started I was pulled to the stage by the intensity, the sharpness, the burst of melody, rhythm, and sound in the air. John is such a seasoned, smooth, and powerful player he takes care of his audience and brings us along on his ride. He opened with his own compositions, "Street Beat" and "The Princess of the Mountain." John Webber on bass played his composition "Mantillom." Jason Brown effortlessly backed the band on drums. And Carlton Holmes was dazzling on the piano. His solo during "Solar" knocked me out. Jazz Nights at Ibiza Lounge is a chance to feel the music, the night, your soul, and the passion of committed, fearless artists. John will be back next week with a new band and more extraordinary music.

Hot August

Joe Magnarelli put together a hot group of musicians on Thursday, August 5th. He played the trumpet with his usual virtuosity full of passion. Akiko Tsuruga was witty, smart and fearless on the B3 organ. Jerry Weldon was a powerhouse on the sax, and Joe Strasser on drums was the dynamic support underneath it all. They opened the night with a cookin' version of Herbie Hancock's "Driftin'." Joe Strasser delivered an electric drum solo on "Ladybird" by Tadd Dameron. I loved their version of "Hammerhead" by Wayne Shorter. "Polka Dots & Moonbeams" was also fantastic. This Thursday, August 12th, John Farnsworth will be leading the band with Peppe Merolla on drums and Frank Lacy on trombone and trumpet.

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 - John Farnsworth and the band

Last night with Joe and Eric traveling, Joe's brother, John Farnsworth (www.myspace.com/johnfarnsworth), the multi-talented sax player and composer put together a thrilling night of jazz. Steve Einerson was there on piano (www.myspace.com/steveeinerson), David Croce on bass (www.davidcroce.com), and Peppe Merolla on drums. They opened with a song titled "Street Beat" written by John, and went on to play a sexy, steamy version of "Moonlight in Vermont." That was my favorite. Steve's piano playing was sharp and evocative, and David was cool, inspired, impulsiveness on the bass. Later in the set Peppe blew the roof off the place with a drum solo during "Ferris Wheel", also written by John -- spontaneous and bold -- one of those unique, ephemeral moments of live music that I was so happy to be present for. (www.peppemerolla.com) We were lucky to have all these guys with us last night. Next week, June 24th, Eric and Joe will return to Ibiza Jazz Nights with some more great music. Be there!

Ibiza Jazz Nights - artistic home for jazz musicians in the Bronx

It was a full house this past Thursday at Ibiza Jazz Nights with an enthusiastic audience and some great new guest artists on stage. Along with Joe Farnsworth, our band leader, we had John Webber on bass, David Hazeltine on the piano, Jim Rotondi on trumpet and Sean Lyons on tenor sax. This is the first time Jim Rotondi has been up to Ibiza and it was a treat. He is a powerhouse of a player and he really blew the lid off "The Girl From Ipanama." In the second set of the night he played "Blue Moon" like nothing I've ever heard before -- shivers up my spine. Jim plays all over New York and the world, and has toured and recorded with a host of jazz luminaries. Check out his music at www.jimrotondi.com. Sean Lyons brought a warm, soulful sound to the night (www.lyonsjazz.com). John Webber heated up the bass and Dave Hazeltine was gorgeous on the piano. David Croce, an elegant bass player, who has played all over New York City and the U.S. (www.davidcroce.com) sat in while Tony Hewitt, a sensual, expressive singer, sang the "Theme from Black Orpheus." And Rosie Steinberg, a lovely jazz singer, sang "I'm Just a Lucky So and So" and gave us a lush rendition of "That's All."

As always, Joe lead the band with his world class drumming. A vibrant artistic community is happening at Ibiza Lounge thanks to Frankie Goris, the owner, who loves this music and has given us, audience and artists, a home to come together in. Frankie is an accomplished businessman with deep convictions and a huge heart. And I, for one, am very grateful to him for taking us all on this ride. See you this Thursday, June 17th.

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