Category : diary

Kansas City: American Jazz Walk of Fame Concert

Wow, 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

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INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY – WASH DC

The 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

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I scat, you scat, Muscat

This 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

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Skokie, IL – North Shore Center for Performing Arts

As I realized the approaching of this date on the schedule, two things jumped out in my thinking. What and who. When I was a youngster in Milwaukee, we made occasional trips to Chicago and Indiana and Michigan and always passed through some little community called Skokie. We never stopped there, but somewhere in my vague memories was the name “Skokie.” Sure enough, we’ve played many dates in and around Chicago, but this one really surprised me. It’s a wonderful surprise however. This will be mostly a new audience, although there’ll be a large number of people who have seen me in other venues around Chicago.

Sure enough, those who knew me greeted me and the band, like it was home coming time. Lots of personal  yelps and hellos immediately. This is always a great kick off for a concert evening. It also identifies, in a special way, the specific occasion for the audience as they think back. As a matter a fact, it often happens, on some future occasion, when I see an audience member of a specific night, he’ll refer to that night, saying “Do you remember that time when that lady in the green dress and straw hat did so and so?” That’s fun!

We had one of those nights. We had some late comers. One guy wearing all black, with glasses and very husky. He was a great sport and allowed me to point at him and laugh about his coming late. And then there was the young pre-teen, around 12 years old, in the second row, with his mom and dad, who I made a special point in welcoming because kids his age are a delightful and welcome rarity. He laughed and grinned in embarrassment and answered that his name was Joseph. Joseph gave me the opportunity to once again say to the audience how important it was for them to bring their kids. ALTERNATIVES! He came backstage with his parents and they were just beaming when they commented about how they could not believe it when I introduced my keyboard player-musical director as Joseph Anthony Turano. That was exactly his first and middle name. Joseph Anthony.

There’s nothing, absolutely nothing, that’s quite like realizing in the middle of evening that “it’s working.” All this classic old stuff mixed in with some newer things, right there, in the ideal intimate setting, is a real big part of what you project for yourself and your music, as you approach every passing day, month, and year. It’s working!

It’s late winter 2016, snowing earlier this morning, outside my window in the hotel, and right now, just after the concert, I’m saying to myself, “It’s working.”

Thank you to Jack and Heather from Sensophonics for my new hearing equipment, for on stage and off.  You guys are fantastic.

Thank you everybody for this wonder concert day in my old neighborhood with new friends.

-Al

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New Albany, Ohio – at the McCoy Center for the Arts

Hello!! A new venue for me… Thank you! How blessed and lucky I am. I’ve been coming to Ohio forever. Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus are core Al Jarreau Audiences that watched it all happen for me. They not only watched with interest, but they bought records and called the radio stations and came to concerts. Now we’re getting to suburban communities like New Albany.

Many of the families in this community have been quite successful in business, and have then opened their hands to projects in this suburb. At this point in my life, I’ve become acutely aware of these settings, and I think it’s partly because they know about how I share that attitude of community spirit, and keep on inviting me to sing and even fund raise. One family in this town helped to build a performing arts center on a campus that serves junior and senior high schoolers, and they opened it’s doors to me and the band. The whole event was a huge success with the band rising to the occasion for this great audience- we loved performing in this beautiful, cozy little theater full of smiling faces and great energy.

This was not an orchestra date like the past two, so the band was really anticipating getting back to our normal concert program. They were fired up and excited, and played with brilliant flashes and quiet subtleties, that are so obviously satisfying and refreshing. You should have heard Mark Simmons really letting go and letting it all hang out. He was even shouting and laughing out loud. Thank you, Mark, that’s the sh##! I encourage these sorts of responses from the band. Be natural! Don’t force it! But… If you feel it, let it out, and don’t hold it in. In fact, be talking to each other verbally as you respond to each other’s work and playing. I knew it was ON AND HAPPENIN’ all night long. All day long, I kept shaking my head and saying, “Amazing! Man, oh, man.”  What a beautiful, wonderful night. Thank you! See you in Skokie.

-Love

Al

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