This Week at Nighttown (week of 2/19/06) Sun   2/19     No live music - just great food and atmosphere Mon   2/20     George Foley (piano)  No Cover Tues  2/21     Vusi Mahlasela   7PM   $10 Wed  2/22     Joe Hunter Thurs 2/23     Dennis Lewin (piano)  No Cover Fri     2/24     Helen Welch (vocals)   No Cover Sat    2/25     Moss Stanley  (piano)   No Cover Next Week at Nighttown (week of 2/26/06) Sun   2/26     Jackie Warren Trio     7 PM   $10 Mon   2/27     John Pizzarelli Quartet   7PM & 9PM  $30 Tues  2/28     John Pizzarelli Quartet   7PM & 9PM  $30 Wed  3/01     Erin Bode   7PM   $10 Thurs 3/02    Dennis Lewin (piano)   No Cover Fri     3/03     Helen Welch (vocals)   No Cover Sat    3/04     Moss Stanley  (piano)   No Cover

From South Africa
In Celebration of Black History Month
Vusi Mahlasela
Tuessday February 21     7PM    $10

Tune into WCPN 90.3FM's "Around Noon" with host Dee Perry on Tuesday February 21th for an interview and performance with Vusi Mahlasela

"He was the voice of hope during the revolution,  a voice of hope, sort of like a Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan of South Africa, and he still is.
Dave Matthews
 
"Vusi Mahlasela sings as a bird does: in total response to being alive.  Music was at the heart of the struggle for freedom; Vusi was there.  Music is at the heart of reconstruction; Vusi's music is here to stir and delight us.  He is a national treasure.
Nadine Gordimer,  1991 Nobel Prize Winner
 
South Africa is a distinctly musical country.  Out of the deep divides created by the Apartheid era, several important musicians and musical groups have achieved worldwide recognition in spite of incredible obstacles.  Mariam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Abdullah Ibrahim, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, are all names that have achieved worldwide fame and recognition.  The next in this distinguished line is Vusi Mahlasela, a singer-songwriter who has been dubbed "The Voice" by his countrymen, and is rapidly achieving worldwide recognition for his unique abilities.

Born in 1965, Mahlasela has enjoyed major recognition in South Africa, where he still lives.  His first CD "When You Come Back" a reference to the many exiles who left South Africa during the Apartheid era, was released in 1991.  Just three years later he was asked to perform at the inauguration of South Africa's new president, Nelson Mandela.  Since then he has recorded four more CD's and has achieved gold status with his recordings.  In the past two years he has just started to reach the North American and European markets.  This is due in no small part to signing a record deal with ATO records, which is owned by fellow South African Dave Matthews.  Matthews is a longtime admirer of Vusi Mahlasela and he featured him as a special guest on the title track of his 2000 multi-platinum record "Everyday." 

Currently touring in support of the new CD which is a compilation of his top tracks from all five of his previous CD's, Mahlasela is receiving rave reviews everywhere he goes.  In addition to his recordings, Mahlasela's music has also been featured in the acclaimed "Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony", a film that chronicles the role of music in the struggle against Apartheid.  This film won two awards at the 2002 Sundance Film festival.  Additionally the music of Vusi Mahlasela will be featured in another international film release "Psotsi", which opens later this month at the Cedar-Lee theater.

 Don't miss the rare opportunity to see the internationally renowned singer/songwriter and guitarist, Vusi Mahlasela performing solo, live at Nighttown on Tuesday February 21st.

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Jackie Warren Trio
Sunday February 26     7PM    $10

Jackie Warren's "Black Orpheus"

jackie Warren's "Nardis"

Jackie Warren is one of the most in demand and prolific jazz artists working in the Great Lakes region.  On any given night she can be found playing solo, leading her trio, or she may be heard as the featured soloist and arranger for Sammy DeLeon's Salsa and Latin-Jazz ensemble. Jackie is also a professor of music at Tri-C and has several private students.   Jackie gets calls constantly from vocalists who want her to back them, and she is frequently called on to guest with national artists.  In the past few years Jackie has performed with David "Fathead" Newman, Bobby Watson, Jane Bunnett, and Gerald Wilson.  Her arrangements can be heard on  Sammy DeLeon's new CD, and recently she recorded a session in collaboration with the legendary producer Tommy LiPuma.  

So it is not a surprise to see that Jackie has finally released her long awaited solo CD "Near You".  This gem is an all solo CD.  It showcases her skills as an interpreter of jazz classics and as a composer.  Fans of jazz throughout the area, and regulars at Nighttown know they can always count on Jackie Warren to provide them with an artistic and entertaining experience. 
 
For this special appearance at Nighttown, Jackie Warren and her trio will be featuring material from her new group CD which will come out later this year.  Backing Jackie Warren will be her longtime bandmates Peter Dominguez on acoustic bass, and Ron Godale on drums. 

Don't miss the return of the Jackie Warren Trio to Nighttown on Sunday, February 26th.

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John Pizzarelli Quartet
Monday and Tuesday,  February 27 & 28   
2 shows each night  7PM & 9PM    $30

John Pizzarelli & George Shearing - 'The Rare Delight of You'

Tune into WCPN 90.3FM's "Around Noon" with host Dee Perry on Tuesday February 28th for an interview and performance with John Pizzarelli

John Pizzarelli has cultivated a winning career by singing classic standards and late-night ballads, and by playing sublime and inventive guitar. Using greats like Nat "King" Cole and Frank Sinatra, and the songs of writers like Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen as touchstones, Pizzarelli is among the prime revivalists of the great American songbook, bringing to his work the cool jazz flavor of his brilliant guitar playing.
 
Born on April 6, 1960, in Paterson, New Jersey, Pizzarelli has been playing guitar since age six, following in the tradition of his father, guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli. Hanging out with his father, John was exposed to all the great jazz music of the era, from Erroll Garner and Les Paul to Django Reinhardt. At 20, he began playing with his father, then went out on his own. Since 1992, the John Pizzarelli Trio has toured extensively. In 1993, they received the honor of opening tour dates for Frank Sinatra and joined in the celebration for Sinatra's 80th birthday at Carnegie Hall.
 
John Pizzarelli's voice has continued to develop with time, displaying both charm and humor. He has recorded as a leader for Chesky, Stash, Novus and RCA, and in 1997 appeared in Dream, a Broadway production of Johnny Mercer songs.
 
 Along the way, Pizzarelli has earned rave reviews. "The John Pizzarelli Trio has never been tighter, and Pizzarelli himself has never been looser," the Village Voice said of a 1998 New York show. "We can say we're as lucky to listen to (Pizzarelli) as Nat Cole fans were in the years before he became a legend."  Pizzarelli was also named "Jazz Vocalist of the Year" by Swing Journal in their 1999 Readers Poll.
 
Telarc records of Cleveland signed Pizzarelli at the end of 1999 and has had six highly acclaimed and successful albums on the label to date.
 
Currently John Pizzarelli is touring in support of his latest Telarc release "Knowing You".  Backing John Pizzarelli at Nighttown will be his brother Martin Pizzarelli on acoustic bass, drummer Tony Tedesco, and the newest member of his group, pianist Larry Fuller.  Nighttown fans may remember Fuller from his appearances here with the legendary bassist Ray Brown.
 
Don't  miss John Pizzarelli and his Quartet live at Nighttown on Monday and Tuesday, February 27th and 28th. 

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Erin Bode
Wednesday March 1     7PM    $10

Erin Bode's "Holiday"

In recent years there has been plenty of speculation about which vocalists will rise up and compete with the incredible success that has visited Norah Jones.  A leading candidate is St. Louis vocalist Erin Bode.  Bode is similar to Jones in several respects.  She is not a pure jazz singer, but she is more closely linked to jazz than any other genre.  While she is quite capable with standards, she really shines the most with her original material.   And finally and most importantly her music has plenty of heart; something that both jazz fans and pop music fans are eager for. 

Bode has just released her second CD for the MaxJazz label, which is also based in St. Louis.  Whereas her first CD featured several well known New York musicians and covered time honored standards and pop material, her new CD is undoubtedly a more accurate portrait.  It features her hometown band and with the exception of Paul Simon's wonderful "Graceland", it features all original material that she has written along with her pianist Adam Maness.  In her younger years Erin Bode was involved in several musical productions and also studied opera for a brief time.  Her voice is confident and warm and communicates beautifully.  She combines the originality of the best of singer/songwriters with her versatile band who are all obviously first rank jazz musicians.  Bode has already achieved considerable success after releasing her first CD playing at several major jazz clubs, the Kennedy Center in Washington, and toured Europe last summer.  With an ever better second CD, her career is clearly on the upswing.
 
Currently on tour to support her new CD "Over and Over",  Erin Bode will be backed by her terrific group consisting of Adam Maness on piano and guitar, Syd Rodway on bass, and Chris Higginbottom on drums.  These are all the same musicians featured on the new CD.  Don't miss the Cleveland debut of the lovely and exciting new vocalist Erin Bode at Nighttown on Wednesday, March 1st.

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Chuchito Valdes Quartet
Wednesday March 8     7PM   
& Thursday March 9    8PM
$25



Born in Havana Cuba, Chuchito Valdes comes from one of the most distinguished musical families in Cuba. He has recorded and performed piano with the world renown Cuban band, Irakere, which he led for 2 years. He has performed at festivals, clubs and concerts throughout the world: from Cuba and the Caribbean, across the United States and South America, and throughout Europe.

Some of his worldwide appearances have included Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in London and Catalina's in Los Angeles. His festival appearances include the Jazz Festivals of Havana, Cancun, Merida, San Francisco's Yerba Buena Music Festival, Detroit Chicago, San Jose, Aspen, and many others . His band has toured the U.S. on several occasions and has played all the major clubs in all the major cities as well concert halls in Chicago, San Francisco, Detroit and more.
 
In his youth he studied with many Cuban masters, such as the great Cuban pianist, Chucho Valdes (who also happens to be his father). Chuchito is recognized as a master at Cuban music including Mambo, Danzon, and Cuban Timba and Guaguanco. He has also extensively studied classical music including harmony and composition.  When he is not travelling around the world performing, Chuchito lives in Cancun, Mexico where he leads his Afro-Cuban based Latin-Jazz ensemble. His original compositions and arrangements draw on classical harmonic and structural techniques.  In his performances, Chuchito's music draws on many styles including Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz, Bebop, Danzon, Cha-Cha-Cha, Son Montuno and much more.  While Chuchito is technically brilliant, his music makes people move and possesses warmth and radiance.  Chuchito Valdes is clearly a star on the rise.
 
Appearing with Chuchito Valdes for his engagement at Nighttown will be his Quartet featuring Laksar Reese on saxophones and flute, Jonathan Paul on acoustic and electric bass, and he will have as a very special guest his brother, Emilio Valdes, currently living in New York City, on drums.  Don't miss the return by popular demand of the dynamic Cuban pianist Chuchito Valdes on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 8th and 9th at Nighttown.

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Kurt Elling
Sunday March 12     Two shows  7 & 9PM    $25

Kurt Elling's "Minuano"

Of the current generation of jazz stars, Kurt Elling is clearly at the head of the class.   A devotee of vocalese, Elling respects the tradition, but never plays it safe.  He is definitely moving the art form forward.  With each new CD, Elling has proven to be a great interpreter of jazz classics. Combining orginal lyrics with great arrangements by his pianist Lawrence Hobgood, each song contains the distinct Elling imprint.  Additionally Elling and Hobgood continue to write new compositions that are both poetic and musically distinctive.  Elling is an artist of marvelous range.  

On his latest CD "Man In The Air" (Blue Note) contains very modern originals, alongside of chestnuts from the pens of Pat Metheny, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, and Grover Washington Jr..  With seven CD's out on the Blue Note label Elling has an increasingly significant body of work.  A native of Chicago, Elling still plays weekly at the Green Mill when he is not touring all over the world.  Along with pianist Lawrence Hobgood and bassist Rob Amster, who have been with him from the first album on, Elling's music has developed a depth and richness that only a longstanding musical group can achieve.  His writing is more sophisticated with each new CD and requires great vocal skill and breath control, qualities that Elling possesses in abundance. 
 
Joining Kurt Elling at Nighttown will be Lawrence Hobgood on piano, Rob Amster on acoustic bass, and Kobie Watkins on drums.

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Frank Morgan Duo
Featuring Jackie Warren
Thursday March 16     8PM    $15




Frank Morgan made his first record in 1956.  He is a true bebopper...he was heavily influenced by Charlie Parker, knew him and performed with him too.  Unfortunately Parker influenced Morgan too much in some ways. Like many musicians from that era Frank Morgan had a serious drug habit. However, Frank Morgan has a strong constitution and a strong spirit and since 1985 he has enjoyed a regular presence on the international jazz scene, recorded several award winning CD's, and inspired those around him.  His comeback is emblematic of the power of jazz music, and of Frank's dedication and artistry.

Morgan has a significant catalogue of recordings on labels like Contemporary, Antilles, Cleveland's Telarc, and most recently with High Note.  He will be featuring material from his two recent High Note records "City Nights" and "Raising the Standard" recorded live in New York City with George Cables on piano, Curtis Lundy on bass, and Billy Hart on drums. He is a master of blues, ballads, and bebop. Wynton Marsalis has said of Frank Morgan "There is no one around who is better on the alto saxophone." 

Joining Frank Morgan at Night Town will be pianist Jackie Warren.  Don't miss saxophone legend Frank Morgan with pianist Jackie Warren at Night Town on Thursday, March 16th.

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Special Events at Nighttown Winter 2006

12387 Cedar Road (top of Cedar Hill)
Cleveland Heights, OH
Tickets/reservations 216-795-0550
www.nighttowncleveland.com
Map to Nighttown

Jim Wadsworth Productions
www.jwpjazz.com

Artists That Have Appeared in the Past at Nighttown

Nighttown
12387 Cedar Road
Cleveland Heights
Tickets/reservations by calling 216-795-0550
www.nighttowncleveland.com
Map to Nighttown

Jim Wadsworth Productions
www.jwpjazz.com