Sept. 18 Monterey Jazz Festival

[MusicFan005]

Upcoming jazz festivals that feature Pat Metheny Trio:

September 18th: Monterey, CA Monterey Jazz Festival (Lyons Stage)

Other tour dates can be found at: http://www.patmethenygroup.com/travels.cfm

[Pete C]

Will anybody else be at Monterey this year?

[Valerie]

. . . and me, hopefully!

valerie

[Rob March]

Less than 2 weeks to go...

And Dee & I are pretty stoked. David, I hope we get to hang out again this year. Your guidance through some of the lesser known (to us) acts made last year's festival (with its weak arena lineup) a very good time for us.

[Mike Schwartz]

Spanish Harlem Orchestra is outstanding.

I've taken considerable time away from the office this summer, and will be away again for Thanksgiving, so no Monterey for Mikey this year.

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Mike Schwartz

Spanish Harlem Orchestra is outstanding.

I've taken considerable time away from the office this summer, and will be away again for Thanksgiving, so no Monterey for Mikey this year.

can i tell you how disappointed i am or am i just repeating myself?!?!?

[Mike Schwartz]

Originally Posted by Valerie

can i tell you how disappointed i am or am i just repeating myself?!?!?

That was regarding San Jose, so you can repeat yourself;-)

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Mike Schwartz

That was regarding San Jose, so you can repeat yourself;-)

no, it was about iaje but i'm even more disappointed about monterey!!

what's a little sister to do?!?

xoxo

[Mike Schwartz]

Now I'm geting confused....at this hour I'm planning on going to '06 IAJE

Me thinks you are confusing me with Peter.AHHH! So many handsome men and do little time;-))

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Mike Schwartz

Now I'm geting confused....at this hour I'm planning on going to '06 IAJE

Me thinks you are confusing me with Peter.AHHH! So many handsome men and do little time;-))

i certainly may be confused, big bro', but not about the difference between you and peter! i do not get my men confused, especially since peter has a wife!! lol!! ok, may i now get really excited about the fact that you're going to be at iaje in january?!?!? YIPPPEEEE!!!

[Peterdubya]

Hey, we'll be there (at Monterey) and are really looking forward to it.
I think it's a pretty strong line up and plan on absorbing a lot of music.

[Peterdubya]

Oh, Valerie:

Stick topped cars!!!

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Peterdubya

Oh, Valerie:

Stick topped cars!!!

i will be there and "they" will also be there!! LOL!!

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Peterdubya

Hey, we'll be there (at Monterey) and are really looking forward to it.
I think it's a pretty strong line up and plan on absorbing a lot of music.

i don't know about the "strong line up" part but i'll look forward to seeing both of you anyway! do you know where you'll be sitting?

[Peterdubya]

Originally Posted by Valerie

i don't know about the "strong line up" part but i'll look forward to seeing both of you anyway! do you know where you'll be sitting?

Come on now, Sonny Rollins, Pat Metheny, Tony Bennett, Scofield, Carla Bley Big Band, McBride Band, NEW GROOVES
- John Scofield Uberjam Band
- Banyan: Stephen Perkins, Nels Cline, Willie Waldman, Mike Watt, Norton Wisdom with special guests Herman Green & Calvin Newborn


- Jay Collins Band
- Benny Green & Russell Malone
- The Lost Chords: Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Andy Sheppard, Billy Drummond
- John Handy Quintet
- Donny McCaslin Group
- Jacqui Naylor Quartet
- Berklee-Monterey Quartet 2005
- Mavis Staples
- Andy Bey Quartet
- Lounge Art Ensemble: Peter Erskine, Bob Sheppard, Dave Carpenter
- Joey Calderazzo Trio
- Miguel Zenón
- Larry Carlton & Sapphire Blue
- Claudia Acuña
- Ledisi
- Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
- Sheila Jordan & Steve Kuhn
- Mighty Mike Schermer
- New Orleans Jazz Vipers
- O-maya
- Matthew Bourne
- Army Blues-Jazz Ensemble
- Northcote College Jazz Band
- Australian Jazz All-Stars
- Madeleine Peyroux
- John Scofield Trio with Steve Swallow & Bill Stewart
- Christian McBride Band
- Denny Zeitlin Trio with Buster Williams & Matt Wilson
- Jang Seven
- Doug Wamble Quartet
- Clairdee
- Valerie Joi Fiddmont & TruJoi
- Natasha Miller
- Clifford Brown-Stan Getz Fellows
- Kyle Eastwood Group
- The Country’s Best High School & College Jazz Group

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Peterdubya

Come on now, Sonny Rollins, Pat Metheny, Tony Bennett, Scofield, Carla Bley Big Band, McBride Band, NEW GROOVES
- John Scofield Uberjam Band
- Banyan: Stephen Perkins, Nels Cline, Willie Waldman, Mike Watt, Norton Wisdom with special guests Herman Green & Calvin Newborn


- Jay Collins Band
- Benny Green & Russell Malone
- The Lost Chords: Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Andy Sheppard, Billy Drummond
- John Handy Quintet
- Donny McCaslin Group
- Jacqui Naylor Quartet
- Berklee-Monterey Quartet 2005
- Mavis Staples
- Andy Bey Quartet
- Lounge Art Ensemble: Peter Erskine, Bob Sheppard, Dave Carpenter
- Joey Calderazzo Trio
- Miguel Zenón
- Larry Carlton & Sapphire Blue
- Claudia Acuña
- Ledisi
- Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
- Sheila Jordan & Steve Kuhn
- Mighty Mike Schermer
- New Orleans Jazz Vipers
- O-maya
- Matthew Bourne
- Army Blues-Jazz Ensemble
- Northcote College Jazz Band
- Australian Jazz All-Stars
- Madeleine Peyroux
- John Scofield Trio with Steve Swallow & Bill Stewart
- Christian McBride Band
- Denny Zeitlin Trio with Buster Williams & Matt Wilson
- Jang Seven
- Doug Wamble Quartet
- Clairdee
- Valerie Joi Fiddmont & TruJoi
- Natasha Miller
- Clifford Brown-Stan Getz Fellows
- Kyle Eastwood Group
- The Country’s Best High School & College Jazz Group

don't forget, peter, that my heydays were in the 60's and 70's so i'm really spoiled. i do expect to enjoy some of the above but probably not nearly as many as you will!

[Peterdubya]

Oh, sorry, I do not know where we'll be sitting yet.

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Peterdubya

Oh, sorry, I do not know where we'll be sitting yet.

i'm sure we'll bump into each other regardless. i'll be mostly moving around, as usual.

[Lois Gilbert]

Tony Bennett draws inspiration from Monterey Peninsula

By MARC CABRERA
Herald Staff Writer

Pop culture icon. Music legend. Renowned painter.

Tony Bennett carries all of those titles with the ease of a nobleman who has earned the respect of his kingdom.

He has endeared himself to several generations of music and art fans with his talent and understated cool. Long billed as Frank Sinatra's favorite crooner, Bennett has carried over his credentials from the Rat Pack era into the new millennium with poise.

But what even some of his fans may not know is that Bennett (born Anthony Benedetto) has been painting since he was 5 and started drawing chalk pictures on the sidewalks of his hometown in Astoria, Queens, N.Y.

Since then, his artwork has been commissioned by the United Nations and the Kentucky Derby, and displayed in the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio, and the prestigious National Arts Club in Gramercy Park in Manhattan.

This week, he will provide the Peninsula with a double dose of his talent. Tony Bennett the singer headlines Saturday's lineup at the Monterey Jazz Festival, performing in the main arena at 10:40 p.m.

Not to be outdone by himself, Tony Bennett the painter will have an exhibition of his works at the Oliver Elliott and Sebastian Fine Art gallery in Carmel, running from Friday through Oct. 9. The exhibition showcases more than 70 of Bennett's paintings, which include oils, watercolors and sketches.

An e-mail interview

Bennett took time out last week to respond to a few e-mail questions from The Herald about his music, his art and his affection for the Peninsula.

He may have left most of his heart up the coast, but a piece of it rests somewhere along the Peninsula. Although his publicist firmly denied that Bennett owns any property in the area, he has been seen at Clint Eastwood's Mission Ranch, and makes no bones about his affection for the Peninsula's naturally beautiful scenery.

What do you think about the Monterey Peninsula? What are some of your memories?

Well, the two greatest scenic spots on earth are the Monterey Peninsula and the hills of Tuscany, so I hold both locales in high esteem, both as a singer and a painter. There is nothing that is more inspiring to the creative appetite than the beauty of nature.

Rumor has it you frequent Clint Eastwood's Mission Ranch, sometimes even going up and singing at the piano bar. Can you speak on that?

It happened only once, when I was on a painting tour of the area. We had a great time there and I was never treated better anywhere else in my travels than I was there.

What do you think about the Jazz Festival? How did you get invited to perform there?

Being aware of the history of the Monterey Jazz Festival, it is really a big honor for me to have been asked to perform... and the fans there are so enthusiastic and appreciative that being there really stands out.

How does your music, widely categorized as pop or adult contemporary, fit in with the rest of the music presented at the Jazz Festival? What jazz influences are apparent in your music?

Jazz music was and remains my first love.... I grew up in a great time in New York City, when you could go to all the jazz clubs in Manhattan and in a single night hear legendary performers.

I consider myself a pop singer with a jazz influence and have always been fortunate to have superbly talented jazz musicians tour with me. They keep you honest.

What are you displaying at the exhibit?

It's going to be a pretty big show with over 70 pieces being shown and there will be oils, watercolors and sketches.

Will any of your artwork influenced by jazz be on display?

My very favorite painting will be there. It is a portrait I did of Duke Ellington that I called "God Is Love" and there are several other jazz artists as well.

Is any of your art work on California to be on display? Anything inspired by the local scenery?

Well, I don't think anyone would be surprised to know that I have painted the city of San Francisco several times over so there will be some there, but I hope people will stop by the gallery while the show is there and see for themselves.

For fans of Bennett the singer, tickets to the main arena are no longer available, so you're basically out of luck. But you can at least hear him with a grounds ticket, still available by calling 925-275-9755.

The gallery is at Ocean Avenue at San Carlos Street in Carmel. More information is available at 626-0178.

For ticket information and the full schedule of the Monterey Jazz Festival go to www.montereyjazzfestival.org

[Valerie]

thanks for posting. i'm going to try to see the exhibit on monday.

[Surfer]

Not going myself, but Banyan sounds pretty interesting outside of the jazz idiom.

Part of the New Grooves program, this group is led by drummer Stephen Perkins of Jane's Addiction. It features guitarist Nels Cline, bassist Mike Watt, trumpeter Willie Waldman and ``visualist'' Norton Wisdom, who paints during the performance. Special guests: saxophonist Herman Green and guitarist Calvin Newborn from Memphis. ``It's really a cool mix,'' Jackson says. 10:30 p.m. Friday, Dizzy's Den

From the SJ Mercury News

[Mike Schwartz]

David,

Did you see Bley at Yoshi's with the Lost Chords quartet?
They were fantastic and so much fun!

[David Gitin]

Carla Bley group augmented to orchestra with George Young, Marty Wehner, Weber Iago, and other California musicians played her commissioned work "Appearing Nightly at the Black Orchid" (commemorating her first professional gig as cocktail pianist in Monterey when she was 18 years old). It was a fascinating work that everyone I spoke to got into, some thinking it the 'best' of the commissioned works ever.

Another interesting group was Jon Jang's Septet (with Francis Wong, Wayne Wallace, among others) using Chinese folk melodies as a springboard for jazz
(well-arranged by Wallace).

David Sanchez guested with Pat Metheny, Christian McBride, Antonio Sanchez, which proved to be a fine combination.

And JCers at Monterey: I finally met Valerie, saw Rob March again.

(No time to write more....tired...and must go to work must go to work must...)

[jazzy mary]

Val, your impressions!!?

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

Val, your impressions!!?

have been wanting to write a word or two but i've been absolutely swamped at work. i'm really "paying" for taking those two days off! will post asap.

[jazzy mary]

I understand! Can't wait until you come up for air!

[Peterdubya]

I have been to the Monterey Fest every year for the last 14 years.

In the past, I've 'roamed' seen a little of this and a little of that every night, for the last 2 years, though, I've changed my routine. This year we spent most of our time in the arena. The line up was so great it was almost impossible to leave.

Friday night, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra proved why so many call them the greatest Salsa band around. They were not perfect all the way through. Jimmy Bosch was great as was the whole band!

Then Sonny Rollins came on!! Everyone knows that you can get good Sonny or the other Sonny. This was the great Sonny. This was SONNY ROLLINS, he came out of the gate blowin and did not really let up for the whole hour set. Sure, it was Bob Cranshaw, but it was okay, Sonny was really playing great. Bobby Broom, Steve Jordan, and Kinmati Dinizulu were there, but it was Sonny all the way.

The next night, Carla Bley gave what I thought was the best Monterey jazz Festival comissioned piece ever. The music was inventive, exciting and the band (which only rehearsed twice) was spot on the whole night.

Tony Bennett came next and totally wowed the crowd. I loved him too. It was a magic night with a full moon, bats flying overhead, and Tony singing about his heart that he left somewhere.

Scofield followed with his Ray Charles thing, with Mavis Staples... but it didn't kill me.

The next night Branfor Marsalis came out and completely smoked, the band was on fire. It was complex, difficult music and just killed. I wanted to hear Christian McBrides new group, so I went over to hear them for a minute. He played with Ron Blake, Patrice Rushen, and DJ Logic and it was really good. Standards and stuff with Logic providing the beats. Patrice sounded perfect playing this kind of stuff.

Then back to the arena for Pat Metheny with Christian again, Antonio Sanchez and guest David Sanchez. I thought I would listen for a litttle whil and go hear Sco with Swallow and Stewart, but again, it was so good, I couldn't leave. He played 2 pieces solo, then the trio came out, then David came out and they played stuff from Song X.

Another stellar year that I could not do justice here.....

[Valerie]

well, i'm finally getting a chance to get down my monterey thoughts but this will definitely not be a "review" of any kind. unlike peter, i was almost constantly moving around the six venues but still didn't get to hear everyone i wanted to since there were lots of overlapping/conflicting stuff, especially on sunday. anyway, for whatever it's worth . . .

heard john handy's group rehearsing which was interesting. as it turned out, they definitely needed more time to my ears since i believe they had just come together for the first time! hadn't heard steve miller since the 70s but he didn't knock me out.

spanish harlem orchestra was happening - big-time. it was even more amazing to me as i had ridden with them in the van from the hotel to the fairgrounds and had time to chat a bit. they were absolutely exhausted from traveling but sure got their second wind shortly after hitting the stage!

believe it or not, i wasn't able to get my second wind on friday night so only heard very little of sonny rollins. the only reason i didn't slit my wrists over that was that i had heard him very recently in los angeles. heard nothing but extremely positive reports though.

benny green and russell malone were their usual dazzling and polished selves. although i love benny (personally, as well) and admire russell's technical abilities, overall i find them just a bit too flashy and busy for my tastes. just wish there was more space allowed in their playing.

i enjoyed mavis on saturday afternoon although the intense sun moved me inside to watch her on the live feed. it was nostalgia time for me as i remember her and her family's group from the 70s. i'm glad she's back out there doing her thing and wish her well with her new cd. she's still adorable to me and needs to get her sea-legs back as she's not as confident as she could/should be.

caught some of john handy's downbeat blindfold test with dan ouellette which was interesting. i've always had the feeling though that john is harboring lots of bitterness and it especially comes out in a setting like this one.

the conversation with branford marsalis, hosted by yoshi kato, was an absolute killer!! i could have sat there for several more hours, i think - it was that fascinating. given that, to me, branford is so intelligent, articulate, outspoken and opinionated is certainly good for starters!! and on top of all that, he can really be quite charming, funny and thinks "outside the box" most of the time. as if all those ingredients aren't enough to sustain interest, he's adorable!!! i thoroughly enjoyed his thoughts/ideas/plans, etc. and got a hug afterwards for good measure! i hadn't seen him to talk to since he worked with herbie hancock which is just a few years ago - lol!! he had some interesting stuff to say about having to shut down his website bulletin board. since he hadn't imposed any rules/regulations/restrictions, it just got completely out of control, unfortunately. you could tell he was very disappointed with that as he didn't want to have to impose "spyware" and hopes to open it back up in the future but with a more traditional structure.

saw the documentary on the heath brothers called, "brotherly jazz: the music & stories of percy, jimmy & albert" which i really enjoyed. it is a great slice of jazz history that has been captured, especially since percy is now gone. especially loved the interviews with jimmy's wife, mona, and milt jackson's widow. even peter jennings was interviewed which of course made it all the more emotional. i hope they show it at iaje in january so lots more folks can see it.

tony bennett was off the hook! i can't even count all the times i've seen him over the years but this was definitely a special one. he was completely adored for the entire time he was onstage and could do no wrong. the audience just went crazy and he responded accordingly. i've never seen him so happy. he was even doing little spins and kept applauding the audience, as well as actually skipping off the stage at the end. yes, skipping!! of course they gave him about three standing ovations which hardly ever happens at monterey. i was very happy for him. and to add further icing on the cake, his other artistic endeavors were on exhibit at a gallery in carmel. i stopped by there on monday and enjoyed seeing approx. 70 of his works in oils, watercolors and sketches. he's captured landscapes from practically every place in the world he's visited. it was also great seeing harold jones playing with him. i used to love hearing him with sarah years ago. and tony definitely gave him his due with a special introduction/acknowledgment.

the lounge art ensemble was actually one of the most enjoyable groups of the weekend for me - peter erskine, bob sheppard and dave carpenter. they were simply splendid and everything a jazz group should be. swung all the way! it was obvious that they've been playing together for many years.

heard a bit of sheila jordan with steve kuhn but i'm afraid her time has passed. that may be a bit harsh to say but unfortunately was the way i felt while listening to her.

lee ritenour w/ dave grusin, patrice rushen, ernie watts, brian bromberg and alex acuna were wonderful but would have been even better with more rehearsal time. that's what happens though with some of these groups that don't usually play with each other, which doesn't mean you get a bad performance 'cause they're all professionals - just less than what it could be.

valerie joi fiddmont and her gospel group were disappointing to me. just not seasoned enough. i'll bet she'll be much better in about 10 years!

i wanted to like clairdee but it just wasn't happening for me. she's adorable, sweet, very attractive and can sing - but just nothing special. i don't really know what ingredient was missing except maybe some life experience! she opened with ernestine anderson's "never make your move too soon" and the contrast between the way ernestine sings it and clairdee's interpretation was embarrassing (to me). of course, ernestine is extremely soulful which was definitely missing with clairdee's performance. but . . . she was good, nevertheless.

as has been mentioned by peter, branford's group was sizzling. i also heard him in the afternoon with the youngsters and i could tell he was exhausted. these guys sure know how to rise though. he and his group are really exciting and quite amazing.

heard some of the pat metheny group - unfortunately some of the live feed leaking through to the denny zeitlin set!!! that was not good!! but pat's group was wonderful and especially when he got into some of his old stuff. i was only a fan during the 80s and really loved his "off ramp" cd.

madeleine peyroux was very disappointing for me - a snoozer, in fact. don't know how much all the hype contributed to my feelings but she's really more of a folksinger than anything else, as far as i can see/hear. i must say, though, that even though a lot of folks wandered out way before it ended (as i did), many seemed to be thoroughly enjoying her. different strokes . . . as they say.

one of the most pleasant surprises for me was hearing kyle eastwood's group. they were really quite hot and interesting. kyle has definitely improved his bass work (acoustic/electric) through the years and is surrounding himself these days with young, excellent (mostly british) musicians. they're presently playing around the l.a. area and i'm going to try to catch them again thursday night. they do a nice mix of straight-ahead and more cutting edge stuff. it was sweet to see more than a full row of kyle's family gazing at him adoringly. he was born and raised in monterey. even papa was there in a supporting role.

enjoyed the zeitlin trio but really mostly because of buster williams. he's just the greatest. i'm afraid denny, although a magnificent player, is not my cup of tea. i joked to my friend that he plays like a psychiatrist!! just very involved and very busy. no breathing room at all. his posture while playing is reminiscent of bill evans's.

well, those are some "off-the-top-of-my-head" thoughts and recollections. the weather could not have been better. it was absolutely gorgeous the entire four days i was there. the festival food and assorted vendors though didn't seem as good as in past years. it could be just me though - getting older and remembering the "good old days" (when diz, joe williams, sarah and mingus were among the participants)!!!

[hornplayer]

Thanks for posting that, Val!

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by hornplayer

Thanks for posting that, Val!

you are welcome, june. another plus of the festival was hanging out with our recent NEA jazz master and mutual friend, John Levy. it was a treat, as although we only live about 20 miles from each other, we don't get to hang very often. and let me add that he "out-hung" me every night! as a matter of fact, as i was leaving the fairgrounds every night, i left behind john (93 years young) and gerald wilson (87 years young)!!! ain't that somethin'?!?