The Folly Jazz Series for 1999-2000

by Doug Tatum


It is my pleasure to announce the final lineup of the 1999-2000 Folly Jazz Series. As part of his "80th Birthday Tour," it will be our great honor to present George Shearing on Friday, October 1. A native of Great Britain, George Shearing enjoys an international reputation as a pianist, arranger and composer. Equally at home on the concert stage as in jazz clubs, Shearing is recognized as an inventive spinner of creative and inventive melodies, quite often with a humorous twist. He has written over 300 compositions, including the classic "Lullaby of Birdland," which has become a jazz standard. Appearing in duo format with bassist Don Thompson, this concert is almost certain to be one of the highlights of the season.

The Bobby Hutcherson Quartet will take to the Folly stage on Saturday, October 30. Bobby Hutcherson first emerged on the jazz scene in the 1960s. Recording both as a leader and a sideman for the Blue Note label, his playing helped define that decade's sound. He has worked with just about everybody, including Dexter Gordon, Eric Dolphy, Sonny Rollins, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Jackie McLean, Tony Williams, McCoy Tyner and Grant Green. His latest recording, Skyline, on the Verve label, has created quite a stir this past year.

Tom Harrell

The Tom Harrell Quintet will appear on Friday, November 19. Tom Harrell is a multi-faceted musician whose talents as a trumpeter, composer and arranger shine forth with the ardor and passion of an artist who is not afraid of taking risks. Harrell's skills have been honed in the bands of Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Horace Silver and Phil Woods. His talents as a composer have resulted in wonderful contributions to the books of the Village Vanguard Orchestra, the Danish Radio Big Band, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, as well as his own big band. "Tom Harrell is the best musician I've encountered in 40 years of playing music," says Phil Woods, in whose quintet Harrell played for six years. "I've played with some great musicians and I've never played with anyone better than Tom Harrell."

The veteran team of Etta Jones and Houston Person will perform on Saturday, December 11. Tenor saxophonist Houston Person has worked with Eddie Harris, Cedar Walton, Horace Silver, Don Ellis, Don Menza, Charles Earland, Lena Horne, Lou Rawls, Johnny "Hammond" Smith and Charles Brown. He has recorded over 75 albums under his own name, and has appeared as a sideman on countless others. Song-stylist Etta Jones grew up in New York City, and has worked with Houston Person for over thirty years. She began her career as a teenager in Buddy Johnson's band and has worked with Earl "Fatha" Hines, Oliver Nelson, Jack McDuff, Kenny Burrell and J.J. Johnson. Etta received a Grammy nomination in 1981 for her album, Save Your Love For Me (Muse Records).

The Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band is scheduled to appear on Saturday, January 8, 2000. Transcending musical boundaries, pianist Eddie Palmieri is an inspired virtuoso who is deeply rooted in the Afro-Latin tradition. Sometimes termed the "madman" of Latin music, Palmieri consistently fuses a wealth of unorthodox instrumentation and genres into his own unique blend of jazz, classical and salsa elements. His career spans over three decades, and he is the winner of five Grammy Awards. In describing Palmieri's sound, Linton Chiswick had this to say in London's Time Out: "This music is so vital and joyous... a totally celebratory sound, bouncing, shuffling, weaving and grooving along on a beat so mesmeric and soul-wrenchingly right that you want it to go on forever." (That sounds like music for the new millennium to me! This concert will be a great test to determine if the Folly stage is Y2K ready!)

On Friday, February 11, the Folly will present the Tony Reedus "New Frontiers" quartet, which includes saxophonist Ravi Coltrane (son of the late John Coltrane), guitarist John Abercrombie, and bassist John Pattitucci. Originally from Memphis, drummer Tony Reedus was inspired by his uncle, jazz pianist James Williams to pursue a career in jazz. He is one of the most in-demand drummers today, and has worked with Woody Shaw, Steve Turre, Mulgrew Miller, Milt Jackson, Slide Hampton, Frank Foster, Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Garrett and Joe Lovano.

A very special duo appearance of Steve Lacy and Danilo Perez will take place on Saturday, March 4, 2000. One of jazz's most relentless individualists, Steve Lacy was recognized in 1992 with a MacArthur Fellowship, commonly known as a "genius" grant. Lacy is considered today to be the foremost interpreter of Thelonious Monk's music. He began forging his brilliant career by embracing the soprano saxophone as a contemporary instrument before it was fashionable to do so. It was Lacy's revival of the soprano as a contemporary instrument that, in fact, introduced John Coltrane to the instrument while Steve was a member of Monk's 1960 ensemble.

Pianist Danilo Perez is universally recognized as a leader in the new generation of jazz musicians. Never content to simply recreate the music of the past, this inspiring pianist and composer has earned a well-deserved reputation as a talented innovator. Danilo Perez applies a fresh, sophisticated approach to his abiding respect for the masters, creating exciting, dynamic music that moves jazz several steps ahead. Like Lacy, Perez is an avid devotee to the music of Thelonious Monk, as evidenced on his highly-acclaimed 1996 release, Panamonk (Impulse!)

Tommy Flanagan

The season will close with the Tommy Flanagan Trio on Saturday, April 29. Tommy Flanagan is a legendary jazz veteran whose associations read like a "Who's Who" in jazz. Among many others, he has worked with Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, J.J. Johnson, Wes Montgomery, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, Oscar Pettiford and Ella Fitzgerald. Since the 1970s, Flanagan has consistently led his own trio, and has been in great demand in the recording studios. Gary Giddins, writing in the Village Voice, stated that the Tommy Flanagan Trio is "the standard by which piano trios are measured." Flanagan's lyrical style, at once tough, tender and bouncing with jaunty humor, expresses a beautifully polished and melodic side of jazz. His playing has steadily grown in distinction and maturity, and through it all, it swings.

A flyer with complete details about the Folly Jazz Series is now available. To request a copy, simply call the Folly Theater at (816) 474-4444 during regular business hours.

(Doug Tatum is the Executive Director of the Folly Theater.)


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