JazzNights is a series of house concerts begun in 2002 by Mary Wisnovsky and Maitland Jones. Over the years, we have hosted some of the best jazz musicians in the world. We would be pleased to have you join us; just browse the website and contact us if you are interested.
Next Show - JazzNights (52)
POSTPONED
Bill Campbell (d), Joel Frahm (tenor saxophone),
Joe Martin (b)
Sunday, May 13th at 4 pm at 78 Moores Mill - Mt. Rose Road, Hopewell, NJ 08525
For reservations, just email Mait at mjjr@princeton.edu
JazzNights (52)
On Sunday, May 13that 4 pm, JazzNights will present Bill Campbell on drums, tenor saxophonistJoel Frahm, and bassist Joe Martin.
The concert will take place in the Jones/Hockaday barn-turned-modern-house at 78 Moores Mill Mt. Rose Road, Hopewell.We are asking for a contribution of $50 per person. We will send out a response form, directions, and a return envelope to everyone who reserves a place. This time you can email reservation requests to Mait at:
One of the too-little-known treasures in New York is The Bar Next Door, the cozy basement room attached to the Italian restaurant La Lanterna on MacDougal Street. For years, most Tuesdays found this trio in residence. There were substitutions of course, but most of the time these three would present a mixture of standards, jazz tunes, and the occasional original. The atmosphere was informal, and the music generally excellent. It was not uncommon to find other musicians in the audience or sitting in – it was a comfortable hang. In May, JazzNights will end its 10th season by reconstituting this excellent trio.
And a fine trio it is. I’d like to treat them as a group rather than dwell on individual talents. Group longevity makes for a familiarity that leads to looseness and ease in experimentation. This trio favors tunes by Parker, Monk, Jackie McLean, and other giants, but they are not always the famous (overdone?) ones, and they often lead to unexpected places. Sam River’s Beatrice may wind up as Paper Moon, or McLean’s great Little Melonae turns into Tadd Dameron’s Hot House. I’ve seen both things happen. When they play Mr. Monk, it is more likely to be Eronel or Ugly Beauty (Monk’s only waltz) than Blue Monk. A Bird tune is likely to be something such as Moose the Mooche, an I Got Rhythm-based bop classic that one never hears anymore.
To be sure, from the perspective of today, these are all traditional songs. They are, after all, over half a century old. One of the pleasures of hearing them replayed, at least by musicians of this quality, is that the lessons of those 50-60 years are applied to them. If the composition is high quality, it leaves space for new treatments or, perhaps, can absorb new treatments. That’s why a Mozart opera “survives” – even prospers in modern productions. See, for example the New York City Opera’s treatment of Giovanni last year: modern dress, minimalist sets – it worked splendidly. Our modern day Mozarts are Ellington, Parker, Mingus, and Monk, and their work does well, too, when talented contemporary musicians work on them.
None of these fine musicians have graced JazzNights before, although Mr. Frahm did play duets with Fred Hersch at the JazzNights-produced afternoon at the 2010 Princeton Festival.Joe Martin is a first-call bassist who plays all over the world with the very best groups. For example, his recent CD as a leader, Not By Chance, features Chris Potter, Brad Mehldau, and Marcus Gilmore. It is exceptional – no surprise, given Mr. Martin’s talents and the presence of those gentlemen.
You can still catch Bill Campbell at The Bar Next Door on Tuesdays where he leads “Bill Campbell and Friends.”It’s well worth the effort. He’s a drummer of skill and sensitivity.
So, join us in Hopewell in May. It will be beautiful at the barn, although we can’t absolutely promise that the wild turkeys who showed up to join the audience for JazzNights 51 will repeat.
Four sample CDs that I like a lot:
Campbell on Jon Gordon, The Things You Are, artistShare 0056 with Joe Martin as well.
Frahm; Live at Smalls with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Otis Brown III, and Joe Martin
And with Carol Morgan, Martin Wind, Matt Wilson, Blue Glass Music. BBMO 19
