Seattle jazz singer now based in LA. John Clayton and Tierney Sutton mentee. Very hip. ... See MoreSee Less
Sara Gazarek | KNKX Studio Session
Though some jazz fans around the Seattle area will always think of Sara Gazarek as the talented young singer with the Roosevelt High jazz band, her new album... Video
A Gentle Man and His Music - The Shelley Denny Quintet with Scott Collard on piano, Rick Lotter on drums, Darius Babazadeh on sax, Steve Roach on trumpet, and Shelley Denny on bass. A dinner option is offered. Don't miss. Tickets at Eventbrite.com ... See MoreSee Less
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As jazz is America's true art form, pop music must be jazz's greatest ambassador. None more than the music of Sammy Cahn. Come hear the "Magic" on November 4th with the Shelley Burns Quartet featuring Aaron Garner on piano, Shelley Denny on bass, Jeff Minnieweather on drums, and Shelley Burns. Why not have dinner with us?
Radicchio, parmesan, and asparagus salad with Sliced Steak, served with creamy corn, and wilted greens, or Seared Scallops with roasted spiced cauliflower, and a cauliflower puree. Both entrees offered at $35. Dinners order must be pre-ordered no later than October 31, 2019. Eventbrite.com ... See MoreSee Less
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Keeping Classic Jazz Alive ... See MoreSee Less
Keeping Classic Jazz Alive
Your new and renewed memberships helps the Sacramento Jazz Cooperative maintain its mission dedicated to the preservation of classic jazz as the true America... Video
See the Laura Klein Trio on October 28, 2019 at Jazz at Dante with Ruth Davies, Kelly Fasman, and Beth Duncan, guest vocalist. ... See MoreSee Less
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Any mention of the word “female” along with jazz and an image may come to mind of a jazz singer. The image may be so strong that no last name is required. Billie, Ella, Dinah, Sarah, Carmen, Nancy, and Nina majestically appear in all their jazz splendor. While I'm sure they are happy to have been endowed with that class distinction, the fact can’t be ignored that the field of jazz has been, and to some great extent, continues to be predominately male, often including the very term “musician.” To test this hypothesis, I went to the Internet and put in “Images of Jazz Musicians.” The first ten images were men, but image eleven was of Billie Holiday. I then had to scroll through 75 photos before another image of a female appeared, Esmeralda Spalding. Although a good choice, I can think of a plethora of other female musicians they have contributed greatly to jazz over the last 100 years.
While we are grateful to the singers' distinction, there are other roles and responsibilities required by the jazz profession that women carried out with aplomb and expertise. These include promoters, producers, writers, arrangers, and composers. It is the latter on which I wish to focus on this writing, women composers.
The great Marian McPartland once stated she had a triple threat against her when it came to jazz. She was British, she was white, and she was female. While her marriage to jazz cornetist Jimmy McPartland may have open some doors, her talent and training speak for themselves. Given the opportunity, it was all Marian that persevered, forging ahead. Another woman composer icon, who just may have been one of the greatest of all time, was the Illustrious Mary Lou Williams. Talented and tough, not only did she compose and arrange for Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman, she mentored and taught the likes of Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Bud Powell. I was once taken aback while discussing the impresario with a colleague who remarked, “Mary Lou Williams played like a man!” I wanted to speak up, but restrained myself, understanding this was my colleague’s way of giving his bumbling approval. But for the record, Mary Lou Williams did not play like a man; she played like Mary Lou Williams.
Because there is much to be told in this regard, it is with great honor that the Sacramento Jazz Cooperative presents the Laura Klein Trio on Monday, October 28, 2019, with “Women Jazz Composers”, featuring Laura Klein on piano, Kelly Fasman on drums, Ruth Davies on bass, and guest, Sacramento vocalist, Beth Duncan…and why not have dinner? The Dante Club will be offering a Gnocchi with Braised Oxtail (option One), and Gnocchi with butternut squash puree, with sweet peppers and eggplant (option Two). Both are served with a Panzanella Salad and offered at $35. As usual, the dinners must be pre-ordered. See Eventbrite under tickets for details. By the way, have dinner with us and we’ll pick up the online fees for this show. ... See MoreSee Less
