By Donald True Van Deusen
Singers and swingers are keeping the Philadelphia jazz pot perking over the
next
couple of weeks.
Tierney Sutton, a winsome Wisconsin singer with winning ways with a lyric,
was at Zanzibar Blue, Broad and Walnut Streets, Nov. 15 and 16
with shows at 9 and 11 p.m. for $15 (215.732.4500). Randy Brecker, a
nationally acclaimed Philadelphia trumpet star was with another local
trumpet titan, John Swana and the incomparable Mark Kramer Trio Nov. 15 from 9
p.m. until 1 a.m. at Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street for a $12 cover
(215.568.3131). Kramer's trio will also be with the renowned bassist Eddie
Gomez offering a reprise of their recent CD "Fiddler On The Roof" at Temple
Shalom, Large Street and Roosevelt Blvd., Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. for a $16
admission (215) 288-7600.
Big band jazz lovers will get their fill with the return of the Lars Halle
Orchestra Nov. 22 9 p.m.-1 a.m. for a $12 admission at Chris' performing
the music of John Swana and featuring him.
The delightful vocal duo of Joann Pascale and Meg Clifton, who made a hit with
their last gig there will be back at Chris' Nov. 23 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. for
a $10 admission. And Nov. 17, The Midiri Brothers were joined
again by the rollicking piano man, Derf Nolde, at Cafe Classics, 816 N.
Easton Road, Doylestown (215.489-3535) at 6 and 8:30 p.m. for $50 covering
dinner and show. These guys give a hand-clapping, toe-tapping, treatment to
everything from two beat Dixieland to swinging standards.
Sutton has garnered rave reviews for her distinctive jazz vocalizing with the
inevitable comparisons to Ella Fitzgerald, but she has her own distinctive
voice and treatment. She is sure to demonstrate some of the songs featured on
her acclaimed recent CD "Something Cool" at the Zanzibar Nov. 15 and 16.. She
is
backed by her band, Christian Jacob, piano; Trey Henry, bass and Ray Brinker,
drums on such standards as "Route 66" and and a truly touching treatment of
Willie NelsonÃÂÃÂÃÂùs "Crazy." The Zanzibar had another fine female singer working
here just the week before with Karrin Allyson.
Those two fine local-area vocalists, Pascale and Clifton, will be back at
Chris' with a selection of songs by Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and June
Christy. They will be more than ably supported by the Larry McKenna/Pete
Smyser Quartet, one of the finest jazz combos working anywhere.
Gomez was part of the Bill Evans Trio and worked with the likes of Miles Davis
and Dizzy Gillespie. Kramer, a top piano man has worked with Gomez on several
recordings as well as with Lee Konitz and George Coleman. Brecker, of course,
was part of the renowned Brecker Brothers covering jazz, R&B and rock, working
with James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen and George Benson.
