Randy Brecker with The Temple Jazz Orchestra -- Sat. 4/9/09

Temple Jazz Orchestra Personnel

Woodwinds: Colin Mason, Karen Baston, Greg Bashara, DJ Eisenhart, Frank Nelson
Trumpets: Keith Fiala (lead), Tim Cates, Byron Swann, Lee “Sparky” Thomason, Denise Doyle
Trombones: Gary Smith (lead), Gannon Phillips, Brent Mathesen, Cameron Aiken
Piano: Dave Wild, Benjamin Irom
Guitar: Reese Liles
Bass: Vince Bryce
Drums: Michael Morris
Percussion: Hayes Bunch

Director: Tom Fairlie
Technical Director: Tim Kidder

Jazz/funk legend Randy Brecker, fresh off of winning a Grammy for his 2008 album “Randy in Brasil”, was this year’s featured artist on Saturday night at the Temple Jazz Festival, backed by the Temple Jazz Orchestra, directed by Tom Fairlie. Mr. Brecker arrived on Friday afternoon and conducted clinics and rehearsals, and participated in the Friday night jam session (together with Bill Watrous). Although I was not able to attend the Saturday performance, which was reportedly played to an enthusiastic near-capacity crowd , I attended the Friday afternoon rehearsal and was privileged to meet Mr. Brecker and take some up-close photos of him and TJO.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

The first half of the program featured the Temple Jazz Orchestra alone and consisted of:

1. “Blues and the Abscessed Tooth” (Matt Catingub)
2. “It’ll Count if it Goes” (Gordon Goodwin)
3. “Molten Swing” (Buster and Benny Moten/arr Ernie Wilkins)
4. “Who You Callin’ Predictable?” (Gordon Goodwin)
5. “Magic Flea” (Sammy Nestico)

After an intermission Randy Brecker took the stage and performed these numbers, backed by TJO:

1. “Some Skunk Funk” (Brecker/arr. Vince Mendoza) -- Mr. Brecker mainly kept to the repertoire that gained him fame performing with his brother, Michael, as the “Brecker Brothers”. His set kicked off with this upbeat, fast and funky favorite (which, coincidentally, is the title track from another Grammy-winning album in 2005). Vincent Bryce played electric bass on this tune and Ben Irom electric keyboard. D.J. Eisenhart contributed an alto sax solo to go along with Brecker’s masterful trumpet.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

2. “Sponge” (Brecker/arr. Mendoza) -- Dave Wild took over the piano duties on another upbeat “Brecker Brothers” tune with D.J. Eisenhart again taking an alto sax solo.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

3. “Freefall” (Brecker/arr. Mendoza) -- This song is less funky and more of a fast, 4/4 swing tune and is also included on the 2005 release “Some Skunk Funk”. Several TJO musicians contributed solos on this number, including Colin Mason on soprano sax, Karen Baston on flute, Dave Wild on keyboard, Lee “Sparky” Thomason on trumpet, and D.J. Eisenhart on alto sax.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

4. “Secret Heart” (Brecker/arr. Jim McNeely) -- This “Brecker Brothers“ ballad had a “shuffle” beat and was originally released on their 1994 recording “Out of the Loop“. Dave Wild assumed the piano duties, and the trumpets and trombones played muted. Colin Mason contributed a soprano sax solo.

5. “My Ideal“(Robin, Whiting & Chase/arr. Maria Schneider) -- This jazz standard was the only non-original tune on the program. Mr. Brecker played an extended solo and Irom took over on piano duties. The woodwinds changed out for three flutes, a clarinet and a bari sax, and the entire trumpet section played flugelhorns, although the trumpets and saxes came back towards the end.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

6. “There’s a Mingus a Monk’ Us” (Brecker/arr. Frank Reinshagen) -- This tune, from Mr. Brecker’s solo album “In the Idiom,” had a very complicated, chromatic melody with syncopated beats and rhythm changes. Ben Irom played a piano solo and Greg Bashara a tenor sax solo, but the main melody was handled by Mr. Brecker’s trumpet. After rehearsing the song everyone was kind of wiping the collective sweat off of their brows, so to speak, and Mr. Brecker commented, “My friend Frank was pretty drunk when he wrote this,” which elicited chuckles from the orchestra.

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200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

Brecker and Watrous Perform at the Friday Night Jam Session, 3/27/09

Tom Fairlie and the organizers of the 19th Annual Temple Jazz Festival finally succeeded in finding a suitable venue for the traditional Friday night jam session on the enclosed patio of Las Casas Mexican Restaurant in Temple. The great food, ample space and large bar accommodated an exceptional crowd who stayed past midnight to hear local musicians jam with visiting stars.

The highlight of the evening was the much-anticipated duet by trumpeter Randy Brecker and trombonist Bill Watrous, who performed two jazz standards, “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise” (Romberg/Hammerstein), and “Stella By Starlight” (Victor Young/Ned Washington), backed by Ben Irom on keyboard, Vincent Bryce on bass, Michael Morris on drums and Reese Liles on guitar.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

The evening's tunes came fast and loose, with myriad line changes which included students and professionals alike, so I made no attempt to track the songs played. But here are a few shots of the musicians and the crowd:

Dave Wild (keys), Vince Bryce (bass) and Mike Brumbaugh (trombone):

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

Reese Liles takes a turn from Watrous and Brecker:

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

Ben Irom on keys and Vincent Bryce on bass:

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

Bassist Utah Hamrick:

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

Utah Hamrick, trumpeter Tim Cates and saxophonist DJ Eisenhart groove along while Alonzo Ellison (Yoe High School student and TC Jazz Ensemble lead trumpet) takes a solo:

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

All of this great music was engineered by The Hardest Working Man at the Temple Jazz Festival, Technical Director Tim Kidder:

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

In case anyone was wondering who was having the most fun, it was festival organizer and TJO Director Tom Fairlie. Most of us dream about one day meeting our musical heroes and maybe getting to hang out with them; Tom gets to do it at least once a year! Tom poses here with Brecker and Watrous:

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

Bill Watrous with the Temple College Jazz Ensemble at the Temple Jazz Festival, Fri. 3/27/09

Front and center for Friday night’s performances was the Temple College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Benjamin Irom. Special guest for the evening was trombonist Bill Watrous, who in addition to his mellifluous playing, entertained the crowd in his laid-back style with humorous anecdotes. The highlight of the evening was one particular story where he took the slide off of his trombone and waved it around, then put it back on and sang into the bell end of his instrument.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

Set list:

1. “Blues for Poland” (Tony Klatka) -- The evening opened with this Woody Herman swing tune.

2. “Aha” (Bob Mintzer) -- This be-bop style tune featured a duet and trade off between Jeremy Ledoux on tenor sax and Keith Frasier on trombone.

3. “Days of Wine and Roses” (Mancini, arr. Tom Kubis) -- Bill Watrous made his first appearance of the evening and soloed on this popular tune from the 60s. Nestor Rios played a tenor sax solo.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

4. “Your Sister’s Samba” (Frank Mantooth) -- The TC Ensemble wrapped up the first half (sans Watrous) with this Frank Mantooth number during with several band members soloed.

-intermission-

5. “Three And One” (Thad Jones) -- After an intermission Mr. Watrous took over emcee duties and soloed on all of the numbers, beginning with this swing tune for which Eric Treviño played bari sax solo and Jonathan Wisinski a bass solo.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

6. “A Time for Love” (Johnny Mandel, arr. Sammy Nestico) -- Another tune made famous by Woody Herman, this one slow and romantic. Watrous played the melody and soloed over a soft backing band with muted horns.

7. “When You’re Smiling” (Shay, Goodwin & Fisher, arr. Kubis) -- Watrous began with a funny anecdote then traded his trombone for a microphone and sang on this 1920s standard.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

8. Blue Bossa (Kenny Dorham, arr. Kubis) -- Several musicians in the ensemble traded off solos with Watrous on this quick little 4/4 favorite.

9. Just Friends (John Klenner, arr. Kubis) -- Eddie Mora played a guitar solo on this standard.

10. On Purple Porpoise Parkway (Kubis)

11. Village Dance (Kubis) -- The evening concluded with this upbeat number that Watrous recorded on his 1995 album “Space Available.“ Vincent Limón also played a soprano sax solo.


Temple College Jazz Ensemble Personnel:
Saxophones: Vincent Limón (Austin), TeAda Short (Plainview), Jeremy Ledoux (Harker Heights), Nestor Rios (Cameron), Ben Straver (Georgetown)

Trumpets: Alonzo Ellison (Cameron), Eric Treviño ((Temple), Kenneth Marina (Copperas cove), Matthew Sennett (Georgetown)

Trombones: Keith Fraser (Temple), Andre Koumanidis (Copperas Cove), Phillip Troy (Temple), Jacob Bridges (Belton)

Guitar: Eddie Mora (Cameron)

Piano: Ajay Narayanan (Temple)

Bass: Jonathan Wisinski (Temple)

Drums: Chris McBride (Temple)

Bill Watrous' web site:
www.billwatrous.com

Link to more pictures from Friday night:

200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

Suzi Stern at the TC Jazz Festival, Thurs. 3/26/09

The headliner for the evening was Austin-based vocalist and poet Suzi Stern, who entertained the crowd with unique renditions of jazz favorites, some of which included original lyrics written by Ms. Stern. In addition to her tight 4-piece backing combo, she was joined on stage for two numbers by guest trombonist Bill Watrous. The combo was comprised of:

Utah Hamrick, bass
Ben Irom, piano
Rob Kazenel, drums
John Mills, tenor sax

1. “I Concentrate on You” (Cole Porter) -- The set kicked off with this Cole Porter tune with kind of a “Night in Tunisia” feel to it. Stern performed a scat solo, Irom a piano solo, and Mills a sax solo.

2. “Bye Bye Blackbird” -- Stern’s rendition of this jazz standard was slow and smoky and featured Mills on a sultry solo.

3. “Hide and Seek” (Josh Redman) -- Stern contributed her original lyrics to this fusion tune with a rock beat.

4. “Never Let Me Go” -- Watrous stepped out to join Stern on this number, which had an amazing section where Watrous’ trombone played a duet alongside Stern’s vocals.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Thursday

5. “It Might As Well Be Spring” (Rodgers & Hammerstein) -- Stern continued to shake things up with a samba rendition of this jazz standard that featured a trombone solo by Watrous and a piano solo from Irom.

6. “Quiet Now” (Denny Zeitlan) -- This slow, 4/4 song featured original lyrics from Stern and Mills on a flute solo.

7. “Granted” (Joe Henderson) -- Things picked up considerably with this jazz jam during which Stern displayed her scatting prowess. Everyone got a solo on this one, including Hamrick on bass, Irom on piano, Mills on tenor sax, and Kazenel on drums.

8. “Seven Steps to Heaven” (Miles Davis) -- Stern’s set concluded with another tune highlighting her talent as a lyricist, and featured a scat solo from Stern, a sax solo from Mills and a piano solo from Irom.

Link to Suzi Stern’s website and blog:
www.suzistern.com
suzistern.blogspot.com

Pictures from the event can be viewed here:

200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Thursday

TC Fusion at the Temple Jazz Festival, Thurs. 3/26/09

The three-day festival is held on the last weekend in March each year at the Mary Alice Marshall PAC on the Temple College campus in Temple, Texas. The 7-piece combo “TC Fusion” set the tone for the event with an awesome set to kick off the first night. The combo is comprised of TC faculty, except for Chris McBride, who is a student.

“TC Fusion” personnel:

Vincent Bryce, bass
Keith Fiala, trumpet
Benjamin Irom, piano
Reese Liles, guitar
Colin Mason, saxophones
Chris McBride, drums
Gary Smith, trombone

Set list:
1. “Against the Wall” (Dave Weckl) -- The first number had a rock-driving groove with a funky bass and featured a solo from Irom playing keyboard and Mason on tenor sax.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Thursday

2. “The Necessary Blonde” (Tribal Tech) -- This tune was a “bass-workout” and began with Bryce playing in a 6/8 grove, and Fiala switching to flugelhorn. Solos included Smith on trombone, Bryce on bass, Lyles on guitar, Mason on tenor sax, and Irom on piano.

3. “Blue Miles” (Chic Corea) -- Irom switched over to electric keys with a “Rhodes” setting for this 4/4 rock-rhythm tune. Smith played a trombone solo, Lyles a guitar solo, and Fiala laid down an awesome flugelhorn solo using a plunger. This song really got cooking towards the end.

4. “Evensong” (Yellowjackets) -- This tune had a 4/4 soulful feel and began with Irom playing a gospel-style piano solo. The meat of the song featured some bluesy guitar work from Reese Liles (a la Robben Ford) and also a bone solo from Smith and a tenor sax solo from Mason.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Thursday

5. “Chromosome” (Jim Payne Band) -- TC Fusion wrapped up their set with this funk/jazz tune which featured a guitar solo from Liles, Irom playing keys on a Hammond organ setting, and a tenor sax solo from Colin Mason.

At the end of the set all of the faculty members in the band congratulated and thanked drummer Chris McBride, who will be leaving TC after the spring semester to continue his studies at UT-Arlington.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Thursday

More pics from the event:

200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Thursday