Jazzin'

By Tim Roberts

February runs a little short on days, so we're on a tighter deadline this month. Our Editorship tells us to have our material in sooner than usually expected (i.e. before the last minute, instead of at the last minute), so I don't have any dispatches from the University of Louisville Jazz Week to bring you. Check back here next month.

Almost six months after releasing their debut CD, and two months after their cover story here in the LMN, Splatch has announced some personnel changes. Keyboardist Pete Peterson has left the quartet to follow-up on other solo opportunities. Gutiarist Gary Crawford, who contributed some work to the CD, joins as a regular, along with saxophonist Myron Cook. Splatch trumpeter Tony McDaniel is excited about the new lineup and says, "We're practicing more, there's more energy, and we're taking more of a jazz bend with the music." Tony also hopes to make Splatch a sextet and is shopping for a keyboardist or another guitarist to fill out the sound. Any interested talent should contact Sam Gray at 568-6474.

When Derby time rolls around this spring, look for Splatch to perform the Garden Ridge Chow Wagon on Saturday, April 25^th. Then they'll be at the downtown Chow Wagon on Friday, May 1^st. Performance times for each are 3:30.

Tony is one of the many local jazz performers who contributed to the forthcoming new release from local folk-master Misha Fegin. Others include Sonny Stevens, Sam Harris, Sam Gray, and Danny Kiley. The recording is currently being mixed and is to be released in the near future.

Swing 39 has been working on their CD off and on for awhile. Band member Ben Andrews says they "squeeze [recording] in when we can." Look for this release, also, "in the near future."

For the sooner future, look for a CD re-release from the Java Men. The trio is reprinting their first release, A Letter to St. Paul, which is to become available this month at all Java Men shows and at "supporting" record stores. Up to now, Letter was available only on cassette. It had been available as a CD, but sold out. This reprint follows hot behind their second release Void, which came to us last summer.

It may be sacrilege to inform you of an even that occurs during the same time as the Kentucky Derby Festival, but I'm aware that not everyone stays in this city to see an often-postponed balloon race, two old paddlewheelers lumber up a dirty river, and a bunch of horses run around a track while drunken people disrobe a few yards from them. Nevertheless, if you like music and nothing but, head south to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, going on over two weekends: April 24^th through the 26^th and the 30^th through May 3^rd. The lineup is way too full to describe here, since the entire festival includes rock, Cajun, blues, reggae, and much more. Those on the net can find a full lineup at www.petdak.com.

Dates and acts slated for the Playboy Jazz Festival were announced last month. The festival, in its 20^th year, will run Saturday, June 13^th through Sunday the 14^th at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Saturday's performers will be Al Jarreau, Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Royal Crown Revue, Arturo Sandoval, and Ruth Brown. Sunday's featured guests will include Fourplay, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Louis Bellson, Shelia E., and Kenny Garrett.

Acting LJS president Jeanette Kays reports that someone has accepted the presidency of the Louisville Jazz Society, but the name is being kept confidential until the groups Board of Directors officially votes the person into the office. The society has been without a president since Todd Lowe resigned from the position late last year.

An early-month performance you may want to catch in town is The Jerry Tolson Band, the next First Monday concert sponsored by the Louisville Jazz Society. Jerry and his band will perform on Monday, March 2^nd at 7:30 at the Comedy Caravan in the Mid-City Mall. Tickets will be $3.00 for LJS members, $5.00 for non-members. Over the next few months look for First Monday performances from Jamey Abersold, Mike Tracy, and a host of other local talent that doesn't get in front of an audience too much. So far the Comedy Caravan has worked well as a venue for the First Monday series.

Live Jazz in Louisville: If you build it, they will come. But they'll probably gripe about paying a $1.00 cover charge.