Jazz Kitchen

Chill out on a hot weekend at The Jazz Kitchen

The thermometers will hit 80 degrees this weekend. When it’s hot outside, there’s no better way to chill out than with great music and a satisfying meal from the Jazz Kitchen menu that’s not too heavy.

 

Our Strawberry Spinach Salad embodies summer on a plate. The caramelized pecans add a sweet crunch that complements the fresh spinach perfectly. To balance the sweet, the fresh-cut strawberries and homemade strawberry champagne vinaigrette add a tart punch to the mix. The blue cheese crumbles finish off the refreshing flavor combination with bite and creaminess.

Haven’t had the chance to clean your grill yet? We have. And our grilled salmon is always keepin’ it light. The eight-ounce filet is topped with a yellow pepper saffron sauce and served with garlic mashed potatoes or Cajun rice and fresh veggies.

Fresh tomatoes signal summer is on its way. We’ve brought in the freshest, brightest roma tomatoes, right off the vine, for our Five Cheese and Tomato Pizza. We slice ‘em up just right and put them atop a combo of mozzarella, provolone, smoked gouda, parmesan and goat cheese. Is it as good as it sound? Oh, yeah!

Stop in tonight or tomorrow! You can enjoy any of these chill-out dishes, as well as the rest of our eclectic menu, while you listen to Pharez Whitted’s trumpet trill with his Chicago-based band at 8 and 10 p.m.

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More funky beats for the weekend

As promised, here's the lineup for the rest of the week!

Thursday, things heat up with our weekly Latin Dance Party. Shake your hips and kick up your feet to the beats of Marco Dominguez, our king of all things salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton and Latin hip-hop, from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $7 cover charge, but free for ladies until 10 p.m. And, as always, join Cyntha Limon at 8:30 for free salsa lessons!

When the weekend hits, things don't slow down here! 

FRIDAY

C-U Jazz Crusaders

& Doug Johns

The C-U Jazz Crusaders plays a combination of jazz, blues, funk and Latin jazz through the songs of "The Jazz Crusaders" and "The Crusaders," which is an important jazz, blues and funk band from the 1960s that featured Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Stix Hooper and Wayne Henderson. 7:30-10 p.m.

Cover is $10.

 

Doug Johns is a bassist, composer, arranger and clinician hailing from Cleveland, Ohio. After working with greats like Dweezil Zappa and Dana Rasch, Johns was inspired to mix his first solo CD, which dropped in 2006. He is known for his grabbing stage presence that will keep you entertained from his first note to his last. 11 p.m.-1 a.m. Cover is $5.

SATURDAY

Dave and Jeff Devine 

& Twin Cats

Guitarist Dave and drummer Jeff return to the Jazz Kitchen stage with their many talented friends for a night of mix-it-up music. 7-10 p.m. Cover is $10. 

Then we welcome some hometown favorites, the Twin Cats. Why the funky name? Because they're twin brothers, Adam and Seth Catron, with a love of jazz/funk sounds. 11 p.m.-1 a.m.;$5 cover.

You had to find something to spark your interest in that impressive collection of talent. So pick what you like, and join us! Our door is always open to newcomers and familiar faces alike.

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Find your funky side this week at the Jazz Kitchen

Beat these April shower blues with some sweet jazz! As always, we start of the week with two of our favorites: the Frank Glover Quartet and the Midcoast Swing Sextet.

Every Monday, the Frank Glover Quartet takes the stage for a night of high-energy jazz standards from one of Indy's best jazz groups. With Claud Sifferlen on piano and Frank Glover on the saxophone, this group of four helps cheer up anyone's Monday blues. The best part? This great performance is free! Come from 6:30-10:30 p.m. and check it out!

The Midcoast Swing Sextet keeps things hoppin' every Tuesday. The six-piece band takes listeners back to the 1930s and '40s with their dedications to the greats like Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Their fans were in a similar boat with money that we are all now. If it brightened their spirits and kept them hopeful for a brighter day, it definitely will in these times. The Sextet plays from 7-10:30 p.m. Cover is $10. 

Wednesday is a night of funk at the Jazz Kitchen! Root Movements, presented by Old S.O.U.L. Ent. and Twin Peaks, is no stranger to the Jazz Kitchen stage. Hear saxophonist Rob Dixon mix jazz and funk for a night of good music, good people and good food from 6-10 p.m. Cover is $5. 

After Dixon tears it up, stay for a special Hump Day treat! The dynamic bassist Michael Houston returns with his crew to College Avenue with his funky, soul sounds. Cover is $5 for Houston, as well.

That should get you through half a week nice and easy. Check back to see what's on deck next later this week!

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No weekend plans? Come visit us!

No plans for the weekend? We’ve got you covered!

FRIDAY

Uptown Quartet: 7-9:30 p.m.; $10 cover

Chicago Afro-beat Ensemble: 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.; $12 cover

Onstage tonight are the Uptown Quartet and Chicago Afrobeat Project.

Led by drummer Arthur Haan, Uptown Quartet pays tribute to the hard-bop world we all know and love. Let their smooth sound relax you after a busy workweek.

Chicago Afrobeat Project combines Chicago sound with afro-beat rhythms. The seven-piece group got their start playing parties in the Chicago loft scene and has been touring the country for the last six years. Their sound encompasses a wide range of influences and styles, including jazz, funk, rock, afro-cuban,West African highlife and juju. With the group’s upbeat and catchy style, you’ll be tapping your toes and snapping your fingers along with the music for the entire set.

 

SATURDAY

Cynthia Layne: 7:30-9:30 p.m.; $10 cover 

Check out the vocal ventures of Cynthia Layne and her band, drummer Kenny Phelps, pianist Reggie Bishop and sax player Rob Dixon. The band is perfect if you have music ADD (and, really, don’t we all?) Their sound combines jazz, R&B and soul for a sound any listener will love.

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Legendary label arrives at turning point. What will happen next?

Blue Note Records is an institution in the world of jazz musicians. Last month, the legendary label celebrated its 70-year anniversary with some of its most successful artists, including Norah Jones and Lou Donaldson.

Photo courtesy of perole/flickr.com

At 70 years old, one would think a company would have certain security in the business, but Blue Note’s future as a primarily jazz label isn’t too comfortable. The company has already made attempts to keep up with the times and trends of the music industry. It is now owned by the larger music corporation EMI, which was bought by Terra Firma in 2007. Blue Note also opened its doors to more commercial artists like Jones and Anita Baker in the past decade.

Even with these adjustments, Blue Note is still finding it hard to be profitable as a jazz-focused label. And with their current leader, Bruce Lundvall, heading into the retirement years of a career — Lundvall took over the label in 1984, making 2009 his 25^th year at Blue Note and 49^th year in the business — the company has some restructuring to do to remain a top name in music.

After Blue Note received the Record Academy’s President’s Merit Award at the 2009 Grammy Salute to Jazz last month, EMI’s president for A&R, Nick Gatfield, hinted at future changes for the label.

“Blue Note as a label and a heritage is very important to EMI. There is no question that it’s not going to be just a catalog. It needs to flourish and grow.”

But the company admits that’s difficult in the jazz world because of the extremely focused audience. Guitarist Lionel Loueke’s debut album, despite high acclaim, sold just 6,000 copies since its release last year. And that’s on the higher end for jazz records. Compared to the more than 500,000 albums Britney Spears sold her debut week for “Circus,” that number is petty cash.

“With the serious jazz artists, you look to break even or make a small profit,” Lundvall told The New York Times.

“You keep the budgets in line, do the best marketing job that you can and stay with the artists as they develop.”

The best investment to help an artist grow is to offer the albums in digital form on services like iTunes and Rhapsody because catalog is no longer cutting it. Lundvall said that catalog once accounted for about half of Blue Note’s revenue and now is only one-third. Furthermore, the label made some cuts recently, offering some albums in solely digital form on the aforementioned services.

But never fear! All hope is not lost for Blue Note to remain the legendary jazz-focused label it is. Lundvall said he doesn’t see a smaller future headed for the company, whether he remains at the helm or not. Blue Note’s longevity at the top demonstrates its knowledge of the industry and ability to adjust to the ever-changing world.

Plus, even if he does retire, Lundvall’s won’t be completely out of the blue note picture.

“I don’t want to sit around the house and mow the lawn,” he said. “I want to keep doing this.”

In other words, optimism exists. Success will continue.

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Avishai Cohen Trio combines new and old in perfect harmony

If you're a fan of modern jazz, especially the piano trio, you will really enjoy the Avishai Cohen Trio's album Gently Disturbed. Although the album is nearly a year old, I just discovered it on several writers' Top Ten of 2008 lists. The bandleader, Avishai Cohen, is an Israeli bass player who gained notoriety playing in Chick Corea's band beginning in the early 1990s. The trio delivers an album that is well-played and incorporates both traditional Israeli music and modern classical music influences.

Note: Avishai Cohen wrote or co-wrote 9 of the 11 songs on the record; the remaining songs "Lo Baiom Velo Balyla" and "Puncha Puncha" are traditional Israeli songs that are re-arranged by the trio. 

Note #2: Keep your eyes out for the trio's 21-year-old Israeli piano player, Shai Maestro. With his excellent playing on this album he establishes himself as a rising star in jazz. 

I've posted nearly all of the tracks from Gently Disturbed below. Enjoy. 

Avishai Cohen Trio - Gently Di...

- "posted by ITYW", http://tellyouwhatmusic.blogspot.com/

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Celebrating John Coltrane: Giant Steps 50th Anniversary

This week the Jazz Kitchen celebrates the 50th anniversary of one of the greatest jazz LP's of all time, John Coltrane's Giant Steps. At the time of the recording Giant Steps, John Coltrane had established himself as one of the most significant tenor players in jazz, having supported both Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. He had begun to establish himself as a bandleader with albums including Blue Train (1957) on Blue Note. But Giant Steps, Coltrane's second LP on Atlantic, was the first album to feature original Coltrane compositions exclusively.

For Coltrane, Giant Steps marked the end of bebop and the beginning of a fascination with modal jazz. Featuring seven melodic but complex compositions, Coltrane expresses his mastery of the bebop form (improvisation over fast chord changes), playing incredible solos that recall both the blues and Eastern music forms.

On this session Coltrane was supported by two different trios. The recording of Giant Steps began in May 1959 with Tommy Flanagan (piano) and Art Taylor (drums), as well as Paul Chambers (bass) — who was the only band member other than Coltrane to have performed on every date. Recording resumed in December of that year with Wynton Kelly (piano) and Jimmy Cobb (drums) from Miles Davis' Kind of Blue session.

Perhaps not surprisingly, all of the songs on Giant Steps became jazz standards. It is not uncommon to hear artists like Frank Glover or Rob Dixon re-interpreting compositions from Giant Steps on any given night at the Jazz Kitchen. A few examples:

The title track "Giant Steps" was a milestone in jazz composition. It features both a catchy melody and a rapid progression of chord changes that progress through three keys shifted by major thirds.

"Cousin Mary" is a mid-tempo blues-based tune, featuring another memorable melody and blistering Coltrane solos.

"Naima," perhaps the best-loved composition on Giant Steps, is a beautiful ballad, memorable for its rich chords over a bass pedal.

"Countdown" may be the most "modern" composition on the album, possessing fast chord changes like "Giant Steps," an extended drum solo to begin the tune, and free playing by Coltrane over the first minute of the tune. In fact, unlike a typical bebop tune, the main melody or "head" does not appear until the 1:57 mark(!).

Never inclined to stay in one place for long, Coltrane all but abandoned the bebop form after Giant Steps, beginning a journey into modal jazz that led him to Eastern music forms and eventually free jazz. Still, Giant Steps marks Coltrane's peak as a jazz composer and is absolutely essential for both the casual jazz fan and the jazz aficionado. The Jazz Kitchen celebrates the 50th anniversary of this artistic statement that still sounds as new and vital today as it did upon its release in 1959.

John Coltrane - Giant Steps

- "posted by ITYW", http://tellyouwhatmusic.blogspot.com/

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Indy Jazz Fest Story: WTHR Channel 13

Indy Jazz Fest under new leadership

Indianapolis - New leadership may change the tune of Indy's Jazz Fest.
 
The Indy Jazz Fest Corp.  is taking over production of the event from the American Pianists Association. Organizers hope to move away from high-priced headliners to more concerts at more venues in the week leading up to the two-day event.

Read more

Top 5 Concerts at the Jazz Kitchen

Now we know putting a top 5 list of any kind together is difficult. But, we're dying to put together our own Jazz Kitchen Top 5 list.Top 5 favorite show? Top attended show? Show with the longest line? Show you had the most fun at? How about all of the above. We're looking for a visceral reaction, not a long drawn out, over-thought, rationalized set of responses. Give us the first answers that come to mind. We're going to start the list out with some ideas.

Harry Connick Jr. (a rare intimate concert by a global superstar)

Charlie Hunter (coz this cat is always groovin', always innovative, always hip)

J.J. Johnson (his return performance to Indianapolis after a 30 year absence, a once in a lifetime concert)

Rob Dixon (coz he's our very own local, now nationally recognized saxophonist that always a show full of high energy originals and jazz classics)

Terence Blanchard (one time Art Blakey alum who blends old school styling with modern day flair)

Now what's your top 5 list? Bring it and you could win a special prize. Maybe a complimentary ticket to a concert, maybe we'll buy you a drink, you ready?

Blossom Dearie dies at 82; jazz and cabaret singer

We're saddened to hear of the death of Blossom Dearie on Saturday, February 7th. "Blossom Dearie, the singer and songwriter whose sweet soprano voice, harmonically innovative piano stylings and sophisticated performances made her a popular attraction in jazz and cabaret for nearly half a century, has died. She was 82." - L.A. Times Read the rest of the LA Times article here. Here's a couple of tracks from Blossom. The Jazz Kitchen salutes you Blossom!

Jazz Winners at the Grammys 2009

We figured you might want an update on all the winners in the various Jazz categories from the Grammys last night.

Category 45 - Best Contemporary Jazz Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

Randy In Brasil
Randy Brecker
[MAMA Records]

Floating Point
John McLaughlin
[Abstract Logix]

Cannon Re-Loaded: All-Star Celebration Of Cannonball Adderley
(Various Artists)
Gregg Field & Tom Scott, producers
[Concord Jazz]

Miles From India
(Various Artists)
Bob Belden, producer
[4Q/Times Square Records]

Lifecycle
Yellowjackets Featuring Mike Stern
[Heads Up International]

Category 46 - Best Jazz Vocal Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)   

Imagina: Songs Of Brasil
Karrin Allyson
[Concord Jazz]

Breakfast On The Morning Tram
Stacey Kent
[Blue Note]

If Less Is More...Nothing Is Everything
Kate McGarry
[Palmetto Records]

Loverly
Cassandra Wilson
[Blue Note]

Distances
Norma Winstone (Glauco Venier & Klaus Gesing)
[ECM]

Category 47 - Best Jazz Instrumental Solo
(For an instrumental jazz solo performance. Two equal performers on one recording may be eligible as one entry. If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter's name is in parenthesis for identification. Singles or Tracks only.)

Be-Bop
Terence Blanchard, soloist
Track from: Live At The 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival (Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars)
[Monterey Jazz Festival Records]

Seven Steps To Heaven
Till Brönner, soloist
Track from: The Standard (Take 6)
[Heads Up International]

Waltz For Debby
Gary Burton & Chick Corea, soloists
Track from: The New Crystal Silence
[Concord Records]

Son Of Thirteen
Pat Metheny, soloist
Track from: Day Trip
[Nonesuch Records]

Be-Bop
James Moody, soloist
Track from: Live At The 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival (Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars)
[Monterey Jazz Festival Records]

Category 48 - Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

The New Crystal Silence
Chick Corea & Gary Burton
[Concord Records]

History, Mystery
Bill Frisell
[Nonesuch Records]

Brad Mehldau Trio: Live
Brad Mehldau Trio
[Nonesuch Records]

Day Trip
Pat Metheny With Christian McBride & Antonio Sanchez
[Nonesuch Records]

Standards
Alan Pasqua, Dave Carpenter & Peter Erskine Trio
[Fuzzy Music]

Category 49 - Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
(For large jazz ensembles, including big band sounds. Albums must contain 51% or more INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

Appearing Nightly
Carla Bley And Her Remarkable Big Band
[WATT]

Act Your Age
Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band
[Immergent]

Symphonica
Joe Lovano With WDR Big Band & Rundfunk Orchestra
[Blue Note]

Blauklang
Vince Mendoza
[Act Music and Vision (AMV)]

Monday Night Live At The Village Vanguard
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
[Planet Arts Recordings]

Category 50 - Best Latin Jazz Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Afro Bop Alliance
Caribbean Jazz Project
[Heads Up International]

The Latin Side Of Wayne Shorter
Conrad Herwig & The Latin Side Band
[Half Note Records]

Song For Chico
Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra
[Zoho]

Nouveau Latino
Nestor Torres
[Diamond Light Records]

Marooned/Aislado
Papo Vázquez The Mighty Pirates
[Picaro Records]