Jazzin'

By Tim Roberts

In this era of instantaneous information dumps and News that Ages in Seconds, the City of Louisville is officially stoked (Doesn't that word grab you? It's forceful, almost nasty. Makes you wanna clench your fist when you say it.) about the news from Playboy - from almost six months ago - that Louisville is a Music Mecca. Their response: put on a show!! They created City Stage, concerts every Friday night until September 8 featuring local bands. A few of our city's jazz and jazz-oriented acts will be part of it. The Java Men open the show at 5:00 on August 7. L'Woo has the 7:00 to 8:30 slot on August 14. And Splatch plays at 5:00 on August 21. The Ron Hayden Group opened the July 24 show. Thanks to the City, and Gary Deusner of Triangle Talent who booked the acts, for acknowledging that jazz is a segment of this town's hotbed of musical talent.

Speaking of Splatch, saxophonist Myron Koch is no longer with the band, but percussionist John Paul Wright is. Greg Acker will also join as flutist/saxophonist/percussionist. For their City Stage performance, Splatch may even add a mystery keyboardist. It isn't know exactly who will fill that slot, but word is his initials are Pete Peterson. Pete had left the band earlier this year.

Jamie Masefield brings his Jazz Mandolin Project (JMP) back to Louisville as part of the band's continuing Tour de Flux. Catch them on Tuesday, August 4 at 9 PM at the Phoenix Hill Tavern. There was a stoked-up, standing-room only crowd for the JMP's visit to Louisville last January at Jim Porter's, mainly because the band featured drummer John Fishman of the band Phish. He won't be with this iteration of the JMP because of commitments to his other band. Bassist Chris Dahlgren will be there, and it should still be a great show. Call the Phoenix Hill Tavern at 589-4957 for ticket prices and more information.

Jazz in Central Park ties off a fun summer of jazz in Louisville. Catch it on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23 at the Raney Amphitheater. Once again, here's the rundown in order of appearance each day:

Saturday - Jamey Aebersold Quartet, Boogie Morton and Friends, Culture Shock - consisting of Dick Sisto, Hugh Peterson, Booker T. Williams, Steve Schmidt, and Bob Bodley - and the Sonny Fortune Quartet, featuring pianist John Hicks.

Sunday - Bobby J. and the Flying Martinis, the Ron Jones Quartet, Kamal Abdul Alim and Super Blue from Atlanta, and the Jack McDuff Quintet.

Music gets underway at 5:00 p.m. both days. There will be a short opening ceremony at 4:45 before the Saturday show. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, pack a dinner (or buy food at the festival), and enjoy the music.

I owe Bellarmine's Jeff Sherman an apology. He graciously provided me a summary of the Jazz Guitar Clinic, which was held June 8 and 9 at Bellarmine College. In last month's column I completely forgot to include what he had sent me. Jeff reported that attendance was down. Only 23 were students at the clinic, but their caliber of playing was incredibly high. About 180 people enjoyed the clinic faculty concert, featuring Jeff, Kenny Poole, Jack Wilkins and Jimmy Bruno. Tyrone Wheeler and Michael Ferrarachio provided the rhythm section on bass and drums, respectively.

Sorry about the omission, Jeff.

Live Jazz in Louisville: Get stoked!