New York City June 30, 2016adminTown Hall, New York Hello, hello!! 4 O’clock, the day after, and all is well. It happened again. A thousand times, I’ve talked about how any performer hopes and prays his night in Paris or Rome or Berlin or Amsterdam or New York City or Chicago or Los Angeles is a good and special one. It happened again. We had a good and special one in New York City, at Town Hall. Oh, yes, we had a town hall at Town Hall. Thank you father, thank you New York City. And so here I am, the next afternoon, all grins and gratitude. And my gratitude list is growing, and includes the fact that right now I’m getting on an airplane to Poland.! I am so thankful for the long list of good stuff in my life. Now about Town Hall. What a fabulous venue. It’s warm and intimate, with a balcony, and around two thousand seats. Every seat within 30 yards. I commented to Joe Turano that they kept the lights at a dimmed ;eve; in the room so that I could have counted eyelashes of the people from the first row to the fifteenth row, and could see their jewelry and wristwatches almost three quarters of the way of these thirty yards. I could smell their perfume. This kind of intimacy makes for immediate fast flow communication that happens at the speed of thought. That’s faster than light! The person in the back immediately feels what the person in the front is feeling. One of the first words out of my mouth was that Jon Hendricks is here tonight. Pound for pound, the greatest jazz singer on the planet, ever. He has the sweetest daughter named Aria, and she and Jon’s nephew, Eldrege, who I know from half note days from 1965 in San Francisco, both accompanied him. I’ve been studying Jon since 1958. Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. I even had a vocal group in Ripon College, from 1958 to 1962, and we patterned ourselves after their work. We weren’t even close. And nobody gets close to what Jon Hendricks does. I commented proudly that he’s been knighted by the Queen and now stands with Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Winston Churchill, proudly representing jazz. He headed up a singing trio that sang jazz like horn players had been playing, with brilliant lyrics and glowing personalities, that immediately and immensely broadened the audience for jazz. This was an amazing feat that he accomplished. God bless you, Jon. The band was on fire last night, as though we had played the last two previous nights, and we had not. Our sound check earlier that day was light and lively, and full of anticipation for the performance last night. Surprise, surprise! I looked up, and there was Bob Z., knocking on my dressing room door. How wonderful. We see each other only about 2-3 times a year. His wife Denise was with him, and we all three laughed and talked more excitedly than ever. We shared a big and wonderful undercurrent of giddiness about staying relevant and alive in today’s music industry. Our set that night included a sort of historical walk through of my career, with most of the important pieces including “Mornin’,” and “Take Five.” It was so loose and joyful that evening, that we again popped in a version of Harry Belefonte’s “Day-o,” and closed out the night with George Duke and Al Jarreau’s “Roof Garden”. It had come and gone in a flash, and we were all laughing and grinning and hugging with energy and passion to spare. We could have done the whole evening again. We were fired up! We hung out with Jon after the show and did a lot of hugging, both of us wearing straw hats. I’ve never worn a straw hat on stage. Wow! Eldrige faithfully photographed everything, smiling and clicking away. He knew how special this moment was. I couldn’t stop hugging Jon and Aria. By the way, Jon has a daughter named Michelle, who can faithfully duplicate a lot of Jon’s scat singing. She performs and teaches. How fabulous and amazing. I got a chance to see Angel Rangelov, trombone player, composer, arranger, for Quincy and Sara, etc, who I met during the “L is For Lover” days, with Nile Rogers, in a studio, a few blocks from here. He’s from Bulgaria, and beautifully represents the impact and force of jazz as a bridge between cultures, some of them very closed in and either stifled or locked away. Somehow, they heard the voice of spirit and jazz, and escaped to freedom. Speaking of that, A Bu was there! Who??? I said A Bu! He’s a sixteen year old japanese piano prodigy, with a surprisingly deep and mellow voice, that could be reciting some ancient wisdoms. We met at The Jazz Academy in Montreux, Switzerland, with a wonderful young crop of jazz musicians and singers, that truly are reassuring and give us hope. I signed some autographs on the way out, and silently said my thanks to the four walls and muses of Town Hall. It really was a town hall in the early days. Now go hugyuself! -Al diaryShare : Tweet
Cleveland, Ohio – Tri-C Jazz Festival June 29, 2016adminThis is an amazing and wonderful jazz festival, that invites all of the premier jazzers in America (some from abroad), to come and perform on any of the six stages, composed of both outdoor and indoor venues, which happens over three or four days. This is in the real classic tradition of “the jazz festival”. We’ve become accustomed to the newer brand of festival that very often happens on one day, with eight or nine acts, appearing between eleven in the morning and ten at night. This is exhausting for an audience. Even if you go no farther than this description, which also includes its thirty seven years in existence, you describe a pretty special kind of festival event. This is my third time here. This time was to honor Tommy LiPuma, who’s from Cleveland, and celebrate his career as an extraordinary world class music entrepreneur, with credits that read like a phone book. His projects and artists describe who we are today musically, and the pathway that we took for getting here. You can even say Tommy and his colleagues’ form of music had an impact and an influence on who we are culturally, how we think, and what our attitudes are. Surely, we are the influence of people like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley, and the Beatles who studied them, and Herb Alpert and Moss, Bill Evans, Willy Nelson, Miles Davis, Dan Hicks, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Barbra Streisand. This music and its message and attitude and posture has impacted who we are socially and culturally. We walked like them, we talked like them, we thought like them, and even pretended to be them. Tommy and Al Schmidt produced and engineered my “Look to the Rainbow” album, a live double album, from 1978, thought by many to be my best recorded work. That was almost 40 years ago. Wow! Well, I was with a stage full of people, who also had long and wonderful relationships with Tommy (Al, too!), and who sang and played his music, and laughed and told funny stories and choked back tears from time to time. During my segment on stage, I meant to thank his wife, Jill, who has taken such good care of him over the years. For all his brilliance and competence in the studio, anyone who knows Tommy knows that the same guy might be walking around with oatmeal on his tie or jacket and desperately be looking for his car keys. The beautiful thing is that he can laugh about that and still has the spirit and exuberance and excited eyes of a six year old. He can laugh about that. Jill has always been there by his side and sometimes clearing a path. Thank you, Jill. And so, Leon Russell, Dr. John, Diana Krall, Ben Sidran, Christian McBride, Gerald Wilson, Terrance Blanchard, and I rehearsed the day before, along with John Clayton’s big band. Oh, what a band! One of two or three working big bands in America. These occasions always have the feel of reunions with old friends, from college, or high school. You can see grown men huggin’ and kissin’ and cryin’ sitting around sharing war stories, sometimes called “laughin’ and lyin'”. Pat Rains, my first manager, and I just looked at each other, shakin’ our heads, with sh__ eatin’ grins, all the way back to our ears. Almost unable to talk. There are no words to describe it… the unfolding of the dreams that began so long ago. One of the most unexpected surprises was Wendy Rains, knocking on my dressing room door, all smiles and giggles, just like she was when I saw her the last time, too long ago. Talk about a free spirit from another realm. We couldn’t’ stop yakking away. I sang two songs that Tommy LiPuma produced on my album “Accentuate the Positive” album, that “none of you bought”, I said to the audience, and it’s true. Tommy and I thought we had done the long awaited true jazz project, with Al Jarreau singing some jazzy classics. I think we sold 23 copies, that’s the size the of my family and just a couple of immediate friends. The third song we did was a request song from the festival, featuring the duo, me and Joe Turano. Joe and I jumped at it. And with two people, him playing and singing a couple of background lines, and me singing with an occasional click on the cabasa, we introduced ourselves with a great response to our first two thousand seater jazz audience. It worked. More to come about this new duo…. There are way too many people to thank, so I’ll pass on that. You know who you are, and I bow to you and say thanks. Ok, I’ll see you in New York at Town Hall on Saturday or in Poland next week! -Al Jarreau diary, newsShare : Tweet
Jazz Foundation of America June 28, 2016adminWhat a wonderful occasion and event and fabulous stay in the Big Apple. Oh, my, my, my, I’ve been here so many times, but never experienced the city like this. I sang with keyboard player/singer, Joe Turano, from my band, at a wonderful and elegant fundraiser party. I must begin by introducing you as well as I can to Wendy Oxenhorn. She is an angel in appearance, and most importantly, in her enormous heart. I wonder where she puts her wings. We first met in Montreux, Switzerland, at an international jazz singing festival and competition. We listened to a dozen singers, representing all continents in the world, who sang their butts off! You’d have been laughing and smiling and reassured. Montreux is fabulous on any occasion, and any event. Swiss Alps, Lake Geneva. This occasion in New York was the one for the memories. Spring time, seventy-two degrees, trees just becoming full in their bloom, and spring flowers everywhere, with a crescent moon at night. Take a deep breath, and you can smell the beginning of summer. This was the perfect time to ask benefactors and patrons to open their hearts and minds and contribute to the fund for aging and struggling musicians who’ve come upon hard times. The line stretches from here to New Orleans. Wendy is the engine, cheerleader, and organizer extraordinaire. Just look up “Wendy Oxenhorn.” Just google her. It’ll blow your mind. That’s commitment. That’s love. That’s “the ethic of Jesus.” Normally, this event takes place at the Apollo Theater, with a couple of thousand people in the house. This time, we were at the fabulous townhouse, 3 floor apartment, of one of her generous and faithful board members, who always answers the call. We gathered in a large living room, with a modern fireplace on one end, with windows all around, about sixty feet square. It was amazing. Joe played the grand piano and an electric keyboard too. I played the cabasa and sang, and Joe also joined me to sing on some choruses. It felt and seemed special, even at the time that we did it, and from the reaction of this very smart and hip audience, Joe and I feel pretty convinced that we made new friends for the duo. diaryShare : Tweet
Kansas City: American Jazz Walk of Fame Concert June 27, 2016adminWow, I wish you had been there! You’ve heard me say that before, and I mean it every time… but did I say that about singing in the rose garden for President Obama and family and administration on International Jazz Day a month ago? Well, I mean it. Congressman Cleaver coined the term “somebodyness,” and it seems to refer especially to Kansas City’s efforts to acknowledge some special activities and achievements that came out of black communities. They opened the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and more recently the American Jazz Walk of Fame. There are so many recognizable names and faces of jazz greats, who either were born and lived in Kansas City, or who began their international careers in Kansas City. And, if you open this whole subject matter to include St Louis, Missouri, then the importance and impact of this community is huge. Look out, New Orleans! I was at the Baseball Museum’s opening, and now I’ve been a part of an induction ceremony this weekend. I shared an evening’s performance with Ellis Marsalis and Queen Bey. The evening was electric. Everybody seemed plugged in, and in the verge of jumping out of their seats. They didn’t miss a lick, and Congressman Cleaver and Alcee Hastings with his classy and classic white suit, were right down in front, first ones to clap hands and dance. Sometimes, supercharged evenings like this are disappointing… maybe too much hype. Well, not this time! Everybody was in the zone. Athletes talk about the zone and go there all the time. I do, too. It happened in Kansas City. I sang the right things, I made the right comments, I pushed and pulled at the right time, and the band was smokin’, and right there with me! An outstanding moment for me was when after several Jarreau pieces, R&B’ish and pop, we did our quiet, poignant version of one of the greatest jazz songs of all time – “The Midnight Sun.” We weren’t done, and went on to do “We’re in this Love Together,” and “Roof Garden.” What a night! They stood up and ovationed us. Thank you, Kansas City. It’s so wonderful to be with you again. A special thanks to the American Jazz Walk of Fame, Congressman Cleaver, Alcee Hastings, Gayle Holliday, and the JDRC. Let’s do it again. Love Al diary, newsShare : Tweet
INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY – WASH DC May 5, 2016adminThe first capital city for this celebration was Washington DC – Kennedy Center. The second was Instanbul. The third was Osaka. The fourth was Paris. The fifth was the White House, in Washington DC. This event, which celebrates jazz in more than one hundred and eighty cities on April 30 of each year, is presented by UNESCO and Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. I’ll save all my ravings and cheers about the brilliance and beauty of this for another time… You can do it as well as I can. One result this year was a concert on the White House lawn, with the President and First Lady sitting in the first row, surrounded by various cabinet members, officials, supporters and other guests. President Obama made wonderful opening remarks about the bridge-building importance of jazz, and it’s peace making effects. And then with a twinkle in his eye, and a cool smile, he said, “Let’s do this thing,” and out came Aretha Franklin. In the spirit of celebration that jazz evokes, crossing borders and uniting people, I find myself drawn to the harmony of diverse cultures and opportunities present in the South. Just as each city has its unique rhythm, so too do the real estate listings in Georgia reflect the region’s vibrant character. Whether it’s the historic charm of Savannah, the bustling streets of Atlanta, or the serene landscapes of the state’s countryside, these listings encapsulate the rich tapestry of life in Georgia. As the notes of jazz linger in the air, from concerts at the White House to local festivities, the search for a place to call home in this melodious state offers its own sense of discovery and connection. I won’t try to do a review of the concert event, but it was wonderful, and it featured Lee Ritenour, Terrence Blanchard, David Sanchez, Brian Blade, Pat Metheny, Terri Lyne Carrington, Christian McBride, and Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Chick Corea, Sadao Watanabi, Esperanza Spalding. It also included soloists Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, DeeDee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, Sting, and many more. Viewing the concert is a must if you’re interested in what really happened besides hearing the line up of guests, so please stream it at this site: http://jazzday.com InJoy it! One of the beautiful aspects of International Jazz Day is the cooperation and collaboration between the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and UNESCO. The institute has jazz studies and programs for young people in institutions all around America. A few months ago, I helped judge a vocal competition held at UCLA. This is truly a great shot in the arm for young musicians and singers, and very obviously, for jazz itself. All forms of music struggle these days in the shadow of pop-ish forms, like hip hop, and “new country,” and teeny-bopper bubblegum. Many of us believe that jazz is the truly singular American art form. It was indeed born from slavery and poverty, that in its practice calls for great discipline, and for freedom of expression at the same time, and one that is deserving of its own special place in the history of music. Every contemporary rocker from Eric Clapton, to Slash, to Prince, to Jimi Hendrix, is right in the tradition of Charlie Parker, Coletrain, and Diz, when they find their nightly freedom and solo. In Ken Burns’ History of Jazz Series, he points out that while the faculty members of our scholarly institutions of music, based in their European tradition, were scratching their Freud-like beards, and pondering the question of, “what shall be the American contribution to music history,” it was happening all around them in work songs, street corners, church pews, all produced by these dark skinned people, in a struggle for freedom and dignity. It lives today, shouting the story around the world, of freedom and dignity, self expression, and joy, On Saturday morning, we invited the general public to The Kennedy Center for a wonderful mini concert of music from the T-Monk institute band from UCLA, with DeeDee Bridgewater, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, and me. Dormeshia was the highlight of the event for me. Tap dancers these days are a rare breed, and she was truly part of the contemporary tradition. Her elegance and creativity were like jazz drumming, horn playing, and soloing. Daniel Seeff, from the Monk Institute, moderated a lively discussion with the audience and the band and me and DeeDee and Dormeshia, that touched on some very interesting topics and subject matters, including the joys of artistic creation. This was a wonderful part of the 2016 international jazz day for me. I still don’t believe that I was at the White House for two days. I’ll be a while sorting that out for a while… Great memories! Thank you, President Obama and First Lady Michelle. I loved being there with you, everyone else in attendance, and everyone on all the personnel teams who worked to make this possible. -Al diary, newsShare : Tweet
I scat, you scat, Muscat May 3, 2016adminThis country and city are at the southern end of the Persian Gulf and part of the larger Arabian Peninsula. We don’t get to this part of the world very often. I’ve been in this region probably six or eight times over the years. These are countries where you quickly become aware of a difference in dress, but these days, I think the whole world is relatively accustomed and comfortable with many kinds of international apparels. The folks who greeted us were accustomed to hosting international guests, with perfect english and an accommodating welcome. They made getting through Immigration so quick and easy, that it was remarkable. It was a long day’s travel, nearly 24 hours, so we were all very glad to get to bed. The following day, we did some press, which turned out to be fun and humorous. The journalists spoke english – one was British – and we laughed and joked about being British, and not! The performance venue was the Royal Muscat Opera House, which was modern and simple in structure. Lots of straight lines and right angles and arch shaped windows, but with a little flare of ornate filigree and chandeliers. The performance area had a huge back stage for storing and building operatic sets. Remarkably big. The audience had cushioned seats and four balconies. I could reach out and touch the first row… every time this proximity occurs, you find yourself remarking, and sometimes out loud to the audience, “how wonderful it is to be so close to you!” They get it, too, when that’s happening. Here lately, in the last several years, I’ve been commenting on our getting to perform for new audiences who are first timers with me and the band. Even at home, in America, we’re meeting new people, and LOVING IT! And so, when that also happens abroad, it’s really a treat because the response is so enthusiastic and fresh. But you would have been amazed how they sang along on Nitaku (I will be here for you), and “We’re in This Love Together,” and other very spontaneous phrases that I asked them to sing. When we finished, they were on their feet and showed a lot of love to the whole band as we went down front. Chris was a big hit, as usual., and they screamed loud for Mark, and Joe and John and Larry, when I introduced them. We all exited and Larry and I came back with a nice surprise… Summer Time. They were on their feet and danced during Roof Garden. It seems like they’d like us to return soon, and so would I! Thank you, Oman. -Al diary, newsShare : Tweet
