MARCH2010

Gary Burton’s Next Generation Eldar Djangirov

Cassandra WilsonSpider John Koerner

Béla Fleck

The Nighthawks

David Sanborn

Paulette DozierLeo Kottke

Terence Blanchard

Nick Moss

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WINNING SPINSTWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD PIANISTEldar Djangirov seems to have been ahead ofthe curve his entire life. Born in Bishkek,Kyrgyzstan, in the former Soviet Union, hestarted taking classical piano lessons fromhis mother at age five. By age nine, he wasplaying at Russian jazz festivals; at 11, hemoved to the United States to continue hiseducation. His latest CD, Virtue (SonyMasterworks), is the sixth release of hisrecording career, which started at age 14.

Going only by his first name, Eldar hasreleased his last four albums on the Sonyimprint. Virtue fulfills the promise of his 2006CD Live at the Blue Note and Grammy-nomi-nated 2007 studio release Re-Imagination byblending the energy of a live performancewith the immaculate instrumental sounds ofa controlled environment—in this case,Avatar Studios in New York City.

Much of that energy derives from therhythm section. Eldar moved to Manhattanin 2007, and while sitting in with ArturoSandoval, met electric bassist Armando Gola,who was working with the trumpeter.Drummer Ludwig Afonso was recommendedby Gola, and the chemistry among the threemusicians is powerful from the first minuteof the opening “Exposition.” Also featuringsaxophonist Joshua Redman, the trackexplodes from the start, as Redman andEldar surf the wave of odd, shifting time sig-natures set by Afonso and Gola.

Eldar’s touring saxophonist, the Cuban-born, Miami-based Felipe Lamoglia, appearson four tracks. “Blues Sketch in Clave” dis-plays the pianist’s Latin jazz vocabulary, nodoubt aided by other members of his fiery tour-ing quartet. Lamoglia’s tenor shines on Eldar’scomplex, classically tinged composition “LongPassage,” and the saxophonist adds sopranoto Eldar’s electric keyboards on the futuristiccloser “Vanilla Sky.” On “Blackjack,” a mus-cular highlight, Lamoglia and trumpeterNicholas Payton play darting, interlockinglines as Eldar, Gola and Afonso make standard4/4 time sound like anything but.

The other half of Virtue features only thecore trio, but is equally compelling. Eldar playsa beautiful solo intro to “Iris,” a ballad on

which Gola and Afonso offer delicate interplay,shading and restraint. “Lullaby Fantazia”shifts between 4/4 and 5/4 time and showcas-es a haunting melody. The frenetic “Exorcist”is also haunting—and not just in title—asEldar plays both acoustic piano and JoeZawinul-inspired electronic keyboards overshape-shifting rhythms by Gola and Afonso.

In the liner notes to Virtue, Eldar calls themusic “a fitting soundtrack to my life and thethings I have seen and experienced while livingin New York City.” With that in mind, thetrack “Daily Living” might offer his trio’sbest summation. Eldar’s cat-and-mouse pianointro is underscored by backward-soundingsynthesizer pulses, followed by shimmeringride cymbal work by Afonso and a pulsating,staccato bass line by Gola. The unpredictablecomposition simultaneously shows the key-

ELDAR DJANGIROV

By Bill Meredith

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boardist’s respect for jazz tradition and arefreshing penchant for exploring unchartedterrain within the genre.

A decade ago, the 12-year-old Eldar was theyoungest guest ever on venerable pianistMarian McPartland’s Piano Jazz program onNational Public Radio. Constantly seeking toimprove, he might advance just as far in thenext 10 years, especially if he can keep hiscurrent simpatico band together. Virtue’smemorable melodies, rhythmic fury, acehorn players, and the single-minded play-ing of the core trio mark it an instant classic for adventurous jazz fans.

Eldar performs with his quartet at 7PM March 11,and with the Russian National Orchestra at 7PM March 12, at theCount de Hoernle Amphitheater at Mizner Park in Boca Raton as part ofFestival of the Arts Boca. Call 561-368-8445 or visit festivaloftheartsboca.org.

WINNING SPINS

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THE NIGHTHAWKSTHE BACK ROOM, BOCA/MARCH 5ACE’S LOUNGE, BRADENTON/MARCH 6Amps? The Nighthawks don’t need no stinkin’ amps.On their latest recording, Last Train to Bluesville,D.C.’s toughest blues band chugs through an unpluggedset of jukebox faves by Big Joe Turner, Muddy Waters,Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson and Slim Harpo,among others. Captured live and acoustic in Sirius/XM’s D.C. studios, veteran harpmeister Mark Wennereffortlessly leads the four-piece through these genreclassics. Wenner started The Nighthawks with guitaristJimmy Thackery in the early ’70s. Drummer PeteRagusa came aboard in 1974, but Last Train markshis final stop with the band. While Ragusa will be

missed, he leaves hiskit in the capablehands of Mark Stutso.Rounding out the bandare bassist JohnnyCastle and guitaristPaul Bell, whose virtu-osity extends fromrockabilly and jump toChicago and Deltablues. By the time youread this, the ’Hawksmay have collectedthree WashingtonArea Music Awards(the “Wammies” wereheld Feb. 28). BW

S P O T L I G H TSPIDER JOHN KOERNER LUNA STAR CAFE, NORTH MIAMI/MARCH 14DEERFIELD BEACH ROTARY CLUB/MARCH 21THE GREEN PARROT, KEY WEST/MARCH 26-28“Koerner was tall and thin with a look of perpetualamusement on his face,” Bob Dylan wrote in Chronicles,Volume One, describing the singer and guitarist hebefriended at the University of Minnesota. “He wassoft-spoken, but when he sang, he became a field-hollershouter.” Fifty years later, Dylan’s sketch of SpiderJohn remains apt. While passionate about the tuneshe performs—from country blues to mining-camp stompsto obscure folk gems—Koerner peppers his sourmashvocals and sparkling 12-string delivery with wit andirreverence. That sly sense of fun has been obvious

since he hooked upwith similarly mindedguitarist Dave “Snaker”Ray and harmonicistTony “Little Sun”Glover, with whom herecorded the seminal1963 LP Blues, Ragsand Hollers. Last year,a live recording ofKoerner and Gloverwas released—Raypassed away in 2002—of a 2006 performanceat their Minneapolisstomping grounds, The400 Bar. BW

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TERENCE BLANCHARDROBINSON THEATER, UNIVERSITY OF N.FLORIDA, JACKSONVILLE/MARCH 25Trumpeter Terence Blanchard’s latest release, thevibrant 2009 live CD Choices, may have been catharticfor the New Orleans native after its two heart-wrenching predecessors. Blanchard has composed thesoundtrack to every film by director Spike Lee since1991, but writing music for Lee’s post-HurricaneKatrina documentary When the Levees Broke in 2006literally hit close to home, as evidenced by the trum-peter’s anguished commentary in the HBO film.Blanchard also released the haunting A Tale of God’sWill (A Requiem for Katrina) in 2007. On Choices, themood is lighter, but still thought-provoking. Author

and activist Dr. CornelWest lends spoken wordto six of the disc’s 15tracks, and saxophon-ist Walter Smith III,guitarist Lionel Loueke,pianist Fabian Almazan,bassist Derrick Hodgeand drummer KendrickScott contribute to oneof Blanchard’s bestrecent releases. Blanchardhas achieved the raretrifecta of Grammy,Emmy and GoldenGlobe noms, and haswon four Grammys. BM

S P O T L I G H TPAULETTE DOZIER HEIDI’S JAZZ CLUB, COCOA BEACH/MARCH 12-13GLENRIDGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER,SARASOTA/MARCH 14After studying at Brooklyn College, Panama City,Florida-born vocalist Paulette Dozier venturedabroad, finding audiences throughout South Americaand Europe, where she also delved into contemporaryclub music. Returning to settle in her homestate inthe early ’90s, Dozier also returned to her jazz roots,which are in abundance on recordings like 2007’sexcellent Over and Over Again. In collaboration withpianist and producer Mike Levine, with whom shewrote the sexy title track, the singer invests plenty ofemotion into standards such as “You’ll Never Know”

and “The Very Thoughtof You,” displayingimpeccable intonationand creative yet taste-ful phrasing. Just asmuch of a treat areher jazz interpreta-tions of pop chestnutssuch as Chicago’s“Saturday in the Park,”Van Morrison’s “MoonDance” and Al Green’s“Let’s Stay Together,”and her backing by A-list area horn playersEd Calle, Dante Lucianiand Jason Carder. BW

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Log on to www.bostonsonthebeach.comfor our complete lineup, menus, photos and more!Located on the waterfront in Delray Beach, Boston’s is the ideal place

for casual dining, live music and sports viewing in our first-floor restaurant, The Beach. Or enjoy great cuisine and cocktails

upstairs at our fine dining restaurant, The UpperDeck. And be sure to check out our Back Bay Tiki Bar for a tropical cocktail

while listening to some of the area’s finest musicians on our outdoor stage. Boston’s… something for everyone!

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LEO KOTTKECAPITOL THEATRE, CLEARWATER/MARCH 19COLONY THEATER, MIAMI BEACH/MARCH 20Guitarist Leo Kottke became a troubadour early in life.The Athens, Ga., native, who was raised in 12 differentstates, soaked up a variety of musical and culturalinfluences. His peripatetic upbringing, and influences,including Mississippi John Hurt and John Fahey, helpedhim create an idiosyncratic acoustic guitar style all hisown. Kottke’s fingerpicking technique on early classics,like the 1971 album 6 and 12 String Guitar, displayeda blend of folk, blues, jazz and classical influences ashe mixed original compositions with Bach classics like“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” After achieving cult statusin the ’70s, tendonitis caused Kottke to downshift his

performing schedule andabandon fingerpicksfor a classically influ-enced fingerpluckingstyle. A pair of collab-orations with Phishbassist Mike Gordon,2002’s Clone and 2005’sSixty Six Steps, intro-duced this ahead-of-his-time guitarist to a21st-century audience.Ever the charmingraconteur, Kottke isalso known for hishumorous stage patterand engaging vocals. BM

S P O T L I G H TGARY BURTON’S NEXT GENERATIONMINIACI THEATER, NSU CAMPUS, FORT LAUDERDALE/MARCH 13Hard to believe, but Gary Burton actually started hisrecording career 50 years ago. The vibraphonist was only17, and playing a Nashville session with guitaristsHank Garland and Chet Atkins. Four years later, hiswork with saxophonist Stan Getz introduced Burton toworldwide acclaim. Some of the musicians in his NextGeneration band may have been as green as Burtonwas in the early ’60s, but have gained valuable seasoningalongside the master vibist and educator. Ukrainianpianist Vadim Neselovskyi, its elder statesman, is barelyin his 30s. Bassist Luques Curtis and drummer JamesWilliams are in their mid-20s, and guitarist JulianLage was discovered by Burton while playing on the1998 Grammy Awards telecast at age 11. Lage’s deli-cate ballad “Clarity,” which closes this band’s self-titled 2005 debut (as a duet with Burton), displays

depth beyond hisyears, as doeshis 2009 solodebut SoundingPoint. The groupalso revampsstandards, likeR odgers andH a r t ’ s “ M yRomance,” withan ease andgrace befittingits leader. BM

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BELA FLECK & THE AFRICA PROJECTPLAZA THEATER, ORLANDO/MARCH 8SUNRISE THEATER, FORT PIERCE/MARCH 9FLORIDA THEATER, JACKSONVILLE/ MARCH 10Most things that banjoist Béla Fleck has touched overthe past 20 years have turned to gold, usually with hisfunky bluegrass-jazz hybrid band Béla Fleck and theFlecktones. But lately, his Midas touch has applied toeverything but. Last year’s stellar The Melody of Rhythmrelease seamlessly blended genres as Fleck workedalongside tabla master Zakir Hussain, double bassistEdgar Meyer, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.Fleck’s 2008 documentary film Throw Down Your Hearttraced the banjo’s roots back to Africa, and featuredcollaborations with African musicians. Its soundtrack

won two Grammys,and Fleck released asecond volume throughhis website. It too fea-tures fascinating cross-cultural performances.The Africa Projectband with which Fleckis touring includesBassekou Kouyate andNgoni Ba, musicians whoplay the n’goni—theoriginal banjo of Mali—as well as vocalist/thumb pianist AnaniaNgoliga and guitaristJohn Kitime. BM

S P O T L I G H TNICK MOSS AND THE FLIP TOPSPARADISE BAR & GRILL, PENSACOLA/MARCH 7B.B. KING’S, ORLANDO/MARCH 9B.B. KING’S, WEST PALM BEACH/MARCH 10THE BACK ROOM, BOCA/MARCH 11BONITA SPRINGS BLUES FEST/MARCH 12MOJO KITCHEN, JACKSONVILLE BEACH/MARCH 13COMMON GROUNDS, GAINESVILLE/MARCH 14Guitarist Nick Moss built his rep as a traditional Chicagobluesman, whose heroes, mentors and employers haveincluded Jimmy Rogers, Jimmy Dawkins and Willie“Big Eyes” Smith. Moss and his Flip Tops broughtnew vigor to the rhythmic Windy City sound andearned critical raves. But he takes a hard right turninto heavy, crunching blues-rock with Privileged, his

eighth release and firstto drop the “and theFlip Tops.” Moss investsthe same passion hehas for straight-upChicago blues into hishigh-volt hybrid, andPrivileged doesn’t feellike a purely commer-cial compromise. Mossamps up tunes byHowlin’ Wolf andSonny Boy Williamson,and classic rock loverswill hear echoes ofHendrix, Clapton andPage in his leads. BW

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DAVID SANBORN, CASSANDRA WILSONJAZZ IN THE GARDENS, SUN LIFE STADIUM,MIAMI GARDENS/MARCH 21With a lineup heavy on R&B superstars, the two-dayJazz in the Gardens festival presents a couple of heavyjazz cats on Sunday. Alto-sax giant David Sanborn haslong straddled the jazz and pop worlds, and his recogniz-able sound has graced hits by David Bowie, Paul Simonand James Taylor. Although he’s cut smooth-jazz albumsover the years, Sanborn’s heart and chops are never farfrom the blues. This is particularly evident on his latestCD, Only Everything, on which he pays tribute to heroessuch as Hank Crawford, David “Fathead” Newman andLouis Jordan through a set of gritty jukehouse classics.Like Sanborn, vocalist Cassandra Wilson comfortably

dips into the pop world.Throughout her career,the singer has lent herhoneyed contralto totunes by Joni Mitchell,Neil Young, Sting andU2. The singer isequally at home withjazz standards, as herGrammy-winning 2008recording Loverly aptlydisplays. When she digsinto the blues, you canfeel the humid air of herJackson, Miss. hometown. For more, visitJazzinthegardens.com. BW

S P O T L I G H T

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P.O. Box 2614, Palm Beach, FL 33480PUBLISHER: Charlie Boyer

charlie@JazzBluesFlorida.comCONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Bob Weinberg

bob@JazzBluesFlorida.comART DIRECTOR: Hope Jason

hope@JazzBluesFlorida.comCONTRIBUTING WRITER: Bill MeredithPHOTO CREDITS: Leo Kottke Spotlight by

Demi Ebrite Nick Moss cover and Spotlight by Kate Moss, Terence Blanchard cover and Spotlight by Jenny Bagert

Jazz Blues Florida is published monthly. All copyrights are the property of Charlie Boyer. Allrights reserved. No material may be reproduced without written permission of the Publisher. Nounsolicited manuscripts will be returned unless sent with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

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WIN 2 Wanee Music Fest weekend passes ($180 each)at Boston’s March 30–Blue Tuesday w/Shawn Kellerman

WIN 2 Bonita Springs Blues Fest weekend passes ($20 each)at Orange Door March 6–Guitars XXXIX: David Shelley, Mario LaCasse & Bonefish Johnny

WIN 2 Bonita Springs Blues Fest weekend passes ($20 each)at Chef John’s March 8–Kal David & The Real Deal

WIN 2 Tampa Bay Blues Fest weekend passes ($80 each) at Earl’s March 14–Rockin' Jake

WIN 2 Tampa Bay Blues Fest weekend passes ($80 each) at Buckingham Blues Bar March 20–Bluesfest

WIN 2 JAMS Rose Max concert tickets ($35 each) tix at PBAU March 29–Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert

No cost to enter. Email address required. Drawings take place on site. Winner must be present.

Details at www.JazzBluesFlorida.com/Promotions.

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