The Matthew Wengerd Trio will once again be joining jazz vocalist Roxanne Goodman for an evening of standards at the Sanctuary at Wesley.  Roxanne hails from Ottawa, ON and is making her second appearance in Lakeland this year.  She’ll also be conducting a vocal workshop on Saturday.  Information is available at SanctuaryAtWesley.org.

The Matthew Wengerd Trio for this evening will be:

Matthew Wengerd | Bass
John O’Leary | Piano
Jose Cochez | Drums

Friday, 19 June 2009 | 8 pm
The Sanctuary at Wesley
719 N. Massachusetts Ave. Lakeland, FL 33801

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Take note:

Failure to get things done on time can have serious consequences and no excuse in the world can work every time.

I received an email yesterday that someone else had been booked for a gig I though I had already confirmed.  Frantically, I emailed and called the client simultaneously to see what could be done to fix the situation.  There wasn’t.  I neglected to send an invoice in a timely manner; an invoice which was a requisite for confirmation.  Though I had confirmed by email, I had not yet sent the invoice I promised.

I had reasons.  None of them were good.

I’m sad that I won’t be able to play this gig, as it’s one of my favorites and I truly enjoy working for the client.  You better believe this won’t happen again.

I kid.

I know I should just focus. Focus in life, on this blog. But I can’t do it.

One of my many interests is product/marketing design. I absolutely love good design and have deep appreciation for thoughtful juxtaposition of contrasting elements in design. Maybe that’s why I’m absolutely in love with these BlueNote-themed album covers Logan created for his iTunes copies of Wu-Tang related albums. Be amazed:

Happy birthday, Charles Mingus.

[youtube | explicit language]

And Darcy’s off and running.  Infernal Machines is out in 3 weeks and already has a nice little review from James Hale at the Jazz Chronicles.  Hale references DJA’s hit at the ultimate IAJE conference with Secret Society North and his (apparently groudbreaking - amongst the jazz illuminati, at least) use of social media.

The performance by the Canadian version of his big band, Secret Society—featuring an outrageously gifted trumpet section—was on the lips of everyone who caught it, and his views on digital marketing were the best illustration of the gaping divide between his generation and the establishment core of the soon-to-be-defunct IAJE.

If you, my loyal reader, have never heard Darcy, go listen now.

An exciting stylist with an abundance of ideas, Argue deserves his place alongside Schneider, Hollenbeck and other contemporary big band arrangers who are looking beyond traditional notions of what a large jazz orchestra should, and can, sound like.

I will grant that I’m not nearly as educated on the matter as I’d like to believe, but I am disappointed by critics’ immediate hearkening to Darcy’s fellow Brookmeyer alumni.  There are few bands and writers actively seeking new territory (and only one that I know of drawing heavily from the “pop” music of my youth); it’s a pity they must all be lumped together.

Go out and pre-order your copy of DJA’s Infernal Machines today on May 12!

House concerts are a concept that started with the jazz of the 1920’s.  They were called rent parties then and allowed neighbors to help neighbors, raising money for the musicians or other poor tenants looking to keep their landlords off their backs.

As the bell tolls for the music industry as we know it and jazz institutions fade into oblivion, the music struggles to find room to breathe.  I first heard of house concerts in December by way of David Valdez and his excellent blog, Casa Valdez.  He quotes friend John Stowell:

John was saying today that he was hearing from musicians all over the country that things were getting pretty rough. He thinks that the future of Jazz is house concerts. He may be right about that. The future certainly doesn’t seem like it’s going to be the Jazz clubs. There’s nothing more rewarding than playing for a small room full of people who are intensely interested in your musical performance. No blenders whining in the middle of a ballad or smokers in the first row chatting away, just attentive listening.

House concerts appear to be finding various levels of success from coast to coast.  Baltimore’s Jazzway 6004 is a not-for-profit group dedicated to bringing live jazz to listeners via  Marianne Matheny-Katz’s home (pictured).  50-60 guests pay $20-50 for a concert and dinner, dessert, or hors d’ouvres.  You’ll find the concerts advertised at various venues in the area and even on Craigslist.

You’ll also find house concerts at Chez Hanny in San Fransico.  The $20 suggested donation includes a potluck dinner there.  Evansville, Indiana’s Harry and Linda George have hosted concerts in their home after seeing folk acts perform in a similar venue and Minneapolis residents Kathy Vessells and John Hughes started hosting musicians for the entertainment of family and friends.  There is even an organization devoted to the development and promotion of house concerts.

NYC trombonist elizabeth! (Who I had the pleasure of meeting at IAJE - she was one of the Swayettes) lists at the top of her itenerary “Your Address Here” as she explains the plasures and responsibilities of hosting House Concerts.

The day I bought our 1917 Bungalow in Lakeland, Florida, I though it’s wide transitions from room to room lent themselves to small crowds.  I quickly realized that, until the floor is reinforced, the 100-year-old TNG pine just won’t allow it.  Until then, I invite you to invite me.

If you are interested in producing a house concert in Central Florida (or anywhere, for that matter) and would like to discuss the details, please feel free to email me.  House concerts can be produced at little or no cost for the host and are an excellent way to show homes for sale or gather friends for special occasions.

Thanks so much to Bille Porche at Image Creations By Billie!

A very special drummer-less version of the Matthew Wengerd Trio will be playing tonight at Keel and Curley Winery in Plant City. It’s a great venue with plenty of great food and drink. We’re playing all night (7-12), so come out before or after you visit the Strawberry Festival or any other Tampa Bay attraction.

john rodriguez | ts
john o’leary | p
matthew wengerd | b

Keel and Curley is at 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road  in Plant City.  Come say hello and stay a while!

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See the guy standing next to the electric bass player with all the hardware on the top of his bass (that’s called an extension)?  His name is Bill Moring and he’ll be playing at the University of South Florida tonight as a part of their Monday Night Jazz Series.    Bill’s a phenomenal bass player and I had the opportunity to sit and watch him play duets with Chris Fitzgerald at the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camps.

The concert starts at 8:00 tonight at the University of South Florida.  I’ll be there.  Will you?