Sunday Jazz at Brandon Music

You hear rumors that jazz doesn't have an audience, but then a new jazz series appears in Brandon and refreshes one's faith in people and great music. This Sunday series is organized by saxophonist Jonathan Lorentz (pictured) and is the newest of three jazz locations that he curates, including Mondays & Thursdays in Laconia, and Tuesdays in Nashua, New Hampshire.

All shows are at 7 p.m. at Brandon Music. The schedule includes:

04.08 John Funkhouser, Acclaimed Boston Pianist

04.15 Charlie Hilbert, Traveling Bluesman

04.22 Chris Bakriges, Romantic Vermont Pianist

04.29 Trio Balkan Strings Guitar Family from Serbia

05.06 Jonathan Lorentz Anthony Santor & Gabe Jarrett, Modern Jazz

05.13 Gerry Beaudoin, Straight-Ahead Jazz Guitar

05.20 Benny Sharoni, Master Saxophonist

05.27 Sharon Jones, Swinging Vocals

06.03 Judi Silvano, Celebrated Vocal Artist

06.10 Michael-Louis Smith, NYC Jazz Guitarist

06.17 The Soul of a Man Rhythm, Blues & Jazz

06.24 Harvey Sorgen, Adventurous Drummer

Piano Jazz's Marion McPartland Retires

Marion McPartland, whose Piano Jazz program VPR has carried on Friday nights for many years, has retired. McPartland hosted her show for 31 years and was known for her improvisational skills in both music and conversation.

While no more shows are being produced, Marion is staying on to guide the Piano Jazz digital archive project and educational website. You can celebrate Piano Jazz's legacy with 30 favorite moments from NPR Music here.

She has big shoes to fill, but I am pleased to let you know that I'll be hosting jazz for an extra hour on Friday evenings beginning this Friday. I hope you'll join me beginning at 9 p.m. To suggest music or send your thoughts, visit VPR.net.


Marion McPartland Photo by RJ Capak

Missing From the Jazz Fest

I just got off the phone with VPR's Jazz Host, George Thomas. He asked me to let you all know how bummed he is to be missing the Jazz Fest - both on the town and on the air. He has been under the weather and will be staying under cover for at least one more day. George had great plans to play music from artists at the Jazz Fest and offer his own commentary. He'll likely cook up a Jazz Fest in review next week. In the meantime, Bob Parlocha - a veteran DJ and professional sax player - is filling in.

Bouncing With Bud

When the Tom Cleary Trio arrived in VPR's Performance Studio this past Monday night there was an expectation for jazz improvisation of a high order.

All three musicians (Tom Cleary-piano; John Rivers-bass; Jeff Salisbury-drums) are faculty of the UVM Music Department's Jazz Studies Program. They teach and communicate with students and audiences every day.

While setting up microphones and getting the drums and bass lined up so everyone could see each other, Tom told stories about his recent work with Mike Gordon (from Phish) and with the Vermont fusion band Fragile Zoe (fellow UVM faculty).

Tom then continued to draw from his widely diverse background to offer some very focused insights into the music of the great bop pianist, Bud Powell.

The piano trio in jazz has a similar place to the string quartet in classical music. It's an intimate form built around careful listening, and rich simultaneous improvisation often filled with melodic and chordal allusions and direct quotes from other songs. Cleary's trio also infused their melodies with layered lines of musical meaning, shifting moods from quietly introspective to bright and outwardly colorful.

Thanks to listener support for making special live moments like this possible every day (and night!) on VPR.

- George Thomas, VPR Jazz host

You can also catch the Trio in concert this Sunday, April 18th at 3 p.m. at Christ Church Presbyterian in Burlington.