RHODE ISLAND JAZZ LISTINGS 12/31/2018 TO 1/7/2018

Written by Bill Melone on January 6, 2019 and posted in Jazz Listings .

Posted Weekly on wriu.org Click on “Jazz Listings” or picture of URI Big Band at Newport Jazz Festival.

(notes: some gigs may require tickets, cover charges, or minimums; advanced purchase or other discounts may be available; and some may have been sold out, changed, or canceled – check with venue to confirm)

PLEASE CONTACT [email protected] with any corrections or additions

URI events or artists in blue

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31 (NEW YEARS EVE – check with venue)

Leland Baker with the Alexus Lee Band: jazz, CAV Restaurant, 14 Imperial Place, Providence. 751-9164. 6 p.m.-midnight.

New Year’s Eve Party: Jaded, 50s & 60s, The Coventry Elks, 42 Nooseneck Rd., West Greenwich, 397-3700, recommend call early for reservations. Doors 6:30pm, dinner 7:15, music to 12:15am.

Steve Burke Duo: jazz, Tumblesalts Cafe, 1 Morgan Ave., North Providence. 349-0557. 7 p.m.-midnight.

The Groove Merchants, feat./Marcus Monteiro, sax, jazz, funk, blues, The Fifth Element, 111 Broadway, Newport, 619-2552, thefifthri.com, 7 pm

Sound of Newport Dance Band feat./Nancy Paolino, Atlantic Resort/Windham Hotel, 240 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown. 847-2570 for reservations (recommended,) facebook.com/MacChrupcalaTrio/, 8 p.m.

New Years Eve: Neal & The Vipers., R&B, dance, Courthouse Center for the Arts, 3481 Kingstown Rd. (Rt.138) Kingstown, 782-1018, courthosearts.org. Dinner 7:30, show 8:45 – 1am.

Roger Ceresi’s All Starz: New Years Eve, jump blues, R&B, rock, Knickerbocker Music Center, 35 Railroad Ave., Westerly. 315-5070. knickmusic.org. doors 7:30 pm, show 8:30 pm

Midnight Masquerade at the G, New Providence Big Band feat/Katie Kleyla, vocals, swing standards, dance, Ballroom @ The Providence G, 100 Dorrance St. Providence, reservations (recommended) include dinner, a drink, 585-8005 https://www.newyearseveprovidence.com/midnight-masquered/tickets, 8pm-2am

Vini Ames Duo: swing, pop, rhythm and blues, oldies, Ritrovo Pub and Grille, 1050 Main St., East Greenwich. 398-7600. 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Groovy New Year: The 60’s, tribute band, Sandywoods Farm House, 43 Muse Way, Tiverton, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3602408, BYO food & drink, 8:30pm – ?am

Dick Lupino, bass, vocals, Mary Andrews, vocals, Steve Heck, piano, Jeff Fountain, drums, pop, rock, standards, Grace Vanderbilt Hotel, 41 Mary St., Newport, 846-6200, gracehotels.com/vanderbilt/contact-us/9pm – 1am

New Years Eve: Fat City Band, Chan’s Restaurant, 267 Main St., Woonsocket. 765-1900, chanseggrollsandjazz.com. Admission includes dinner buffet, hats, noise makers, Champagne toast, 9 pm.

Superchief Trio: swing, blues, AS220, 115 Empire St., Providence. revueyearseve.brownpapertickets.com. 9 p.m.

The House Combo: rhythm and blues, blues, Nick-A-Nees, 75 South St., Providence. 861-7290. 9 p.m.-midnight.

Manny Morales (trumpet) Quartet, New Years Eve, Norey’s Bar and Grille, 156 Broadway, Newport. 847-4971, noreys.com. doors open 4 pm for beverage and food service, music 9 pm – 12:30 am

New Years Eve Dance Party: Hosted by Robin & Jonny Hathaway w/guests from 5 flavor Discount , Whole Lotta Heart, and more, The Narragansett Café, 25 Narraganstt Ave, Jamestown, 423-2150, narragansettcafe.com, 9 pm – 12:30 am

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1 (NEW YEAR’S DAY DAY)
Jazz Brunch: John Monllos (guitar) Trio, Castle Hill. 590 Ocean Ave, Newport, 849-3800,

castlehillinn.com. 11:30 am – 3 pm.

New Year’s Day Bash, Nasty Habits, rock, dance, The Narragansett Café, 25 Narragansett Ave, Jamestown, 423-2150, narragansettcafe.com, from 12 noon on.

Reasons: pop, Venda/Costantino’s Ristorante, 265 Atwells Ave., Providence. 421-9105. 6-10 p.m. The Groove Merchants, feat./Marcus Monteiro, sax, jazz, funk, blues, The Fifth Element, 111

Broadway, Newport, 619-2552, thefifthri.com, 7 pm

The House Combo: rhythm and blues, blues, Nick-A-Nees, 75 South St., Providence. 861-7290. 9 p.m.-midnight.

Down City Band: pop, Camille’s, 71 Bradford St., Providence. 751-4812. 9:30 p.m.-midnight. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2

Reminisce: oldies, Mohegan Sun, Wolf Den, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville, Conn. (888) 226-7711, mohegansun.com. No cover. Noon.

Steve Burke: jazz, Sorrento’s Restaurant 1848 Smith St., North Providence. 353-8800. 6-9 p.m. Caribbean Soul: Jhony Keys, piano, Becky Bass, vocals, steel drums, Rooftop at the G, 100

Dorrance St., Providence, 632-4904, rooftopattheg.com/events, 6 – 9 pm

CAV Jazz Night: Alexus Lee w/Jake Menendez, acoustic jazz, CAV, 14 Imperial Place, Providence, 751-9164, cavrestaurant.com, 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

Dick Lupino, bass, vocals, w/TBA, Sardella’s Restaurant, 30 Memorial Blvd., Newport. 849-6312. 7-9:30 p.m.

Let’s Dance Wednesday: Johnny and the East Coast Rockers, swingin’ R&B,, Knickerbocker Music Center, 35 Railroad Ave., Westerly. 315-5070. knickmusic.com. doors 6:30 pm, dance lessons 7 pm, music 7:30 – 10 pm.

Willie J Laws, guitar, vocals, and the VRBE Band, Tom Ferraro, guitar, Steven Bigelow, bass, vocals, Stan Kozlowski, drums, vocals, Paul Bouley, keys, blues, admission includes buffet, Pub On Park, 661 Park Ave, Cranston, 781-8888, pubonparkri.com/events/, dance lessons, 6:30, band, 7:30 -10:30 pm

Ashe’s Wednesday Jazz: Leland Baker (sax) and Friends, Acacia Club, Prince Hall Temple, 883 Eddy St. Providence, 8-11 pm.

Reasons: pop, Camille’s, 71 Bradford St., Providence. 751-4812. 9 p.m.-midnight

The Funky Autocrates w/John Allmark, trumpet, funk, R&B, The Parlour, 1119 N, Main St. Providence, 383-5858, theparlourri.com. 10 pm

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3

An Evening of Music w/Mini’s Gang & The Narrow River Band for the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale, to support their Food Bank & member programs, Pump House Music Works, 1464 Kingstown Rd., Wakefield. pumphousemusicworks.com. drinks and food available, doors 6:30pm , music, 7 pm – 9 pm

Steve Burke, sax, vocals, smooth jazz, dance, Cancun Family Mexican Restaurant, 175 Putnam Pike, Johnston, 232.0844, 7-10 pm

Live Jazz Night: Alan Bernstein (bass) Group, swing, jazz, Norey’s Bar and Grille, 156 Broadway, Newport. 847-4971, noreys.com. doors open 4 pm for beverage and food service, music 8 –11 p.m.

Glenn Kendzia, guitar, vocals, The Tap Room, Knickerbocker Music Center, 35 Railroad Ave., Westerly. 315-5070. knickmusic.com. 8 pm.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4
Steve Burke, sax, vocals, smooth jazz, dance, Tumblesalts, 1 Morgan Ave., North Providence,

349-0557, 12 n – 3 pm.

John, guitar. Joanne, vocals. Jo’s Bistro, 24 Memorial Boulevard West, Newport, 401) 847-5506, 7pm to 10pm

Two Cat Tango, feat./Rick McKinney and Dave Sienko, “introspective rock-oriented sound,” Pump House Music Works, 1464 Kingstown Rd., Wakefield. pumphousemusicworks.com. drinks and food available, Doors 7 pm, music 7:30 pm – 11 pm

Papa Chubby, NYC blues, Chan’s Restaurant, 267 Main St., Woonsocket. 765-1900, chanseggrollsandjazz.com. 8 pm.

Ed Cherry (guitar) Trio, w/Kyle Koehler, organ, Jason Tieman, drums, jazz, Side Door, 85 Lyme St. Old Lyme, CT, (860) 434-2600, thesidedoorjazz.com. doors 7:30 pm, show 8:30 pm.

Steve Burke, sax, vocals, smooth jazz, dance, Riviera Restaurant, 580 North Broadway, East Providence, 431-4131, 8:30 – 12 pm

Eight to the Bar, swing, boogie woogie, R&B, Motown, soul, Knickerbocker Music Center, 35 Railroad Ave., Westerly. 315-5070. knickmusic.com. Doors 7 pm, Show 8 pm

Albert Lee (guitar) Band, country rock, Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan St., Fall River. (508) 324-1926, narrowscenter.org. Doors 7pm, show, 8 pm

Sound of Newport Dance Band feat./Nancy Paolino, Camille’s, 71 Bradford St, Providence, 751-4812, camillesonthehill.com/ 9 pm – 12 am

Brass Attack, 9 piece band w/4 horns, a rhythm section, 5 vocalists, dance, blues, R&B, soul, rock, On Park, 661 Park Ave, Cranston, 781-8888, pubonparkri.com/events/, 9 pm

The Mistics. The Narragansett Café, 25 Narragansett Ave, Jamestown, 423-2150, narragansettcafe.com, 9 pm -12:30 am.

Jake Menendez, guitar, jazz, Café Pazzo, 150 Acorn St., Providence, 455-1234, 9:30 pm – 12 am. SATURDAY, JANUARY 5

Becky Chase (guitar, vocals) Band w/Brian Minisce, guitar, Mark Minisce, bass, Eric Hastings, drums, rock & blues, covers & originals, Pump House Music Works, 1464 Kingstown Rd., Wakefield. pumphousemusicworks.com. drinks and food available, doors 7 pm show 7:30 pm

Jaded: oldies, swing, Smithfield Elks, 326 Farnum Pike. 213-9820. 7:30-11 p.m.

Songs in the Attic, a Billy Joel experience, Stadium Theatre, 28 Monument Square, Main Street, Woonsocket. 762-4545, stadiumtheatre.com. 8 p.m.

Julie Rhodes, singer songwriter, The Meadows Brothers, guitar, vocals, roots, The Wolff Sisters, folk, rock, Knickerbocker Music Center, 35 Railroad Ave., Westerly. 315-5070. Kickmusic.org. Doors 7pm, show 8pm

Heidi Nirk (vocals) Band, blues, Chan’s Restaurant, 267 Main St., Woonsocket. 765-1900, chanseggrollsandjazz.com. 8 pm.

(SOLD OUT) The Funky White Honkies, Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan St., Fall River. (508) 324-1926, narrowscenter.org. Doors 7pm, show, 8 pm

Caroline Davis (sax) Quartet, w/Marquis Hill, trumpetenor sax, Julian Shore, piano, Chris Tordini, bass, Jay Sawyer, drums, jazz, Side Door, 85 Lyme St. Old Lyme, CT, (860) 434-2600, thesidedoorjazz.com. doors 7:30 pm, show 8:30 pm.

Cartune Heroes, The Narragansett Café, 25 Narragansett Ave, Jamestown, 423-2150, narragansettcafe.com, 9:30 pm -1 am.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6
Steve Burke: jazz, Lake Pearl, 299 Creek St., Wrentham. (508) 384-3003. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bobby Ferreira jazz brunch, Clarke Cooke House, 1 Bannister’s Wharf, Newport. 849-2900. 12:30-3:30 pm

Steven Palumbo, as Dean Martin, standards, win River Casino, Lighthouse Bar, 100 Twin River Rd., Lincoln. 723-3200, twinriver.com. 2 pm.

Mac Chrupcalla Jazz Series: TBA, jazz, standards, Johnny’s at Atlantic Resort/Windam Hotel, 240 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown. 847-2570 for reservations (recommended,) facebook.com/MacChrupcalaTrio/, 3-7 p.m.

Sunday Jazz w/Sonic Surfers: Dan Moretti, sax, flute, Steve DeConti, guitar, vocals, Marty Richards, drums, Lou Bocciarelli, bass, jazz, Pump House Music Works, 1464 Kingstown Rd., Wakefield. Doors 3:30 pm, Show 4 pm

Diane Blue (vocals, harmonica) Band, The Narragansett Café, 25 Narragansett Ave, Jamestown, 423-2150, narragansettcafe.com, 4 – 7 pm

Warren Pettey (keys) Trio, with Ian Quinton Banno, bass, Jon Sundstrom, drums, standards, jazz, funk, Sam’s Inn, 2227 West Shore Rd., Warwick, 737-6073, samsinnri.com/new-events/, 5-8pm.

MONDAY, JANUARY 7
The Groove Merchants, feat./Marcus Monteiro, sax, jazz, funk, blues, The Fifth Element, 111

Broadway, Newport, 619-2552, thefifthri.com, 7 pm

The John Allmark Jazz Orchestra: The Met, Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket. 729-1005, themetri.com. 9 p.m. All ages.

The House Combo: rhythm and blues, blues, Nick-A-Nees, 75 South St., Providence. 861-7290. 9 p.m.-midnight.

COMING UP: FRIDAY, JANUARY 11

Brian James (sax) Quartet, contemporary jazz, Chan’s Restaurant, 267 Main St., Woonsocket. 765-1900, chanseggrollsandjazz.com. 8 pm.

Daveydread Birthday Bash: SoulShot w/Hope Road and Dub Squad, reggae, Knickerbocker Music Center, 35 Railroad Ave., Westerly. 315-5070. Kickmusic.org. Doors 7pm, show 8:30pm

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12
Kim Trusty (vocals, guitar) Band, blues, originals, Chan’s Restaurant, 267 Main St., Woonsocket.

765-1900, chanseggrollsandjazz.com. 8 pm.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17
Bill Frisell (guitar) Trio, feat/Tony Scherr, bass, Kenny Wollesen, drums, jazz, Narrows Center

for the Arts, 16 Anawan St., Fall River. (508) 324-1926, narrowscenter.org. Doors 7pm, show, 8 pm

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19

Blue Clue Quintet w/Manuel Morales, trumpet, Collin Larkin, sax, James Himmelman, piano, Evan Magno, bass, Nick Motroni, drums, jazz, standards, Shaidzon Brewery, 141 Fairgrounds Rd. West Kingston, shaidzonbeer.com, 3 – 5 pm.

John Kirby, bass, 12/31/1908, Baltimore, MD, (d. 1952, Hollywood, 43) Bio by Scott Yanow

John Kirby led a most unusual group during the height of the big-band era, a sextet comprised of trumpeter Charlie Shavers, clarinetist Buster Bailey, altoist Russell Procope, pianist Billy Kyle, drummer O’Neil Spencer, and his own bass. Although Shavers and Bailey could be quite extroverted, the tightly arranged ensembles tended to be very cool-toned and introverted yet virtuosic. Kirby, originally a tuba player, switched to bass in 1930 when he joined Fletcher Henderson’s Orchestra. He was one of the better bassists of the ’30s, playing with Henderson (1930-1933 and 1935-1936) and Chick Webb’s big band (1933-1935). By 1937, Kirby had his own group at the Onyx Club; Frankie Newton and Pete Brown passed through the band before the personnel was set. With Maxine Sullivan(Kirby’s wife at the time) offering occasional vocals, the John Kirby Sextet was quite popular during 1938-1942. Shavers’ “Undecided” became a hit and the band’s abilities to “swing the classics” caught on. The sextet gradually declined in the ’40s. Spencer became ill and was replaced by Specs Powelland later Bill Beason, Kyle was drafted and Procope was replaced by George Johnson. By 1945, after with Shavers’ departure to join Tommy Dorsey, the only original members still in the group were Bailey and Kirby himself. The following year the band disbanded and despite some attempts by the bassist to form another similar sextet (including a poorly attended Carnegie Hall reunion in 1950), John Kirby was never able to duplicate his earlier successes. Classics has reissued all of Kirby’s prime recordings.

Jonah (Robert Elliot) Jones, trumpet 12/31/1909, Louisville, KT (d. 2000, NYC, 90) Bio by Scott Y anow

A talented and flashy trumpeter, Jonah Jones hit upon a formula in 1955 that made him a major attraction for a decade; playing concise versions of melodic swing standards and show tunes muted with a quartet. But although the non-jazz audience discovered Jones during the late ’50s, he had already been a very vital trumpeter for two decades. Jones started out playing on a Mississippi riverboat in the 1920s. He freelanced in the Midwest (including with Horace Henderson), was briefly with Jimmie Lunceford (1931), had an early stint with Stuff Smith (1932-1934), and then spent time with Lil Armstrong’s short-lived orchestra and the declining McKinney’s Cotton Pickers. Jonesbecame famous for his playing with Stuff Smith’s Onyx club band (1936-1940), recording many exciting solos. He gigged with Benny Carter and Fletcher Henderson and became a star soloist with Cab Calloway (1941-1952), staying with the singer even after his big band became a combo. Jones played Dixieland with Earl Hines (1952-1953), toured Europe in 1954 (including a brilliant recording session with Sidney Bechet), and then led his quartet at the Embers (1955), hitting upon his very successful formula. His shuffle version of “On the Street Where You Live” was the first of many hits and he recorded a long series of popular albums for Capitol during 1957-1963, switching to Decca for a few more quartet albums in 1965-1967. Jonah Jones recorded a fine date with Earl Hines for Chiaroscuro (1972) and still played on an occasional basis in the 1980s and early ’90s; he died April 30, 2000, at the age of 91.

Billy Taylor, Jr. bass, 12/3/1925, Washington, DC, (d. 1977, Fairfax VA, 51) Bio by Sean Westergaard

Billy Taylor Jr. was the son of bass player Billy Taylor Sr., and was also a bass player, though not as well documented. He was a member of the house band at the Howard Theater in Washington, D.C., one of the first major venues to feature black entertainers, from the mid-’50s to the mid-’60s. After that, he played with several bands local to the Washington, D.C., area, appearing mostly in supper clubs, while maintaining a day job working for the Department of the Interior. Billy Taylor Jr. passed away in February of 1977.

RHODE ISLAND JAZZ LISTINGS ​12/31/2018​ TO 1/7/2018