GA Russell

"Five and More," 3rd CD by the FivePlay Jazz Quintet, To Be Released September 17 by Auraline Records Guitarist Tony Corman & Pianist Laura Klein Co-Lead the Quintet, Which Also Features Saxophonist Dave Tidball, Bassist Paul Smith, & Drummer Alan Hall CD Release Shows Scheduled for 9/29 Bird & Beckett, San Francisco 11/2 Musically Minded Academy, Oakland 2/1/14 The Jazzschool, Berkeley August 1, 2013 Mainstays of the San Francisco Bay Area jazz scene since the 1980s, the members of the adventurous quintet FivePlay share a long musical history stretching back to their student days at Berklee in Boston. Co-led by husband and wife Tony Corman (guitar) and Laura Klein (piano) and also including reedman Dave Tidball, bassist Paul Smith, and drummer Alan Hall, the band has now completed work on its third album, Five and More, to be released September 17 on the Auraline label. The new disc is FivePlay's most ambitious to date, with an array of special guests on hand to enhance the group's already rich sonorities: vibraphonist Ted Wolff (another Boston friend), trombonist Frank Phipps, the Albatross Clarinet Quartet, and a four-man trombone section. "So much of the fun for us is the interaction," says Corman, "especially with people you've been playing with for three decades. It can be really psychic." Klein composed four of the numbers on Five and More: "Enology," named in honor of her and Tony's son Evan, recently graduated with a degree in wine and viticulture; the jazz waltz "Glow in the Dark"; "Stella Steps Out," a modal swinger; and "Abbott's Lagoon," which conjures up a magical place in rural Point Reyes, California. Corman wrote the Latin-tinged "The Girl You Look Right Past"; "What Bobby Said," in honor of Tony's musical hero Bobby Paunetto and featuring Wolff and the Albatross quartet; "One Better," a swinger pitting the trombone section against Tidball's tenor and Corman's guitar; the bossa nova "Rosa Rugosa"; and "Making Spirits Rise," a gently swinging jazz waltz. Tidball, who switches between soprano and tenor saxophones and clarinet and bass clarinet on the album, contributed "Glamorgan," a ballad named for the county in Wales where he grew up. Seated: Alan Hall, Laura Klein: Standing: Paul Smith, Dave Tidball, Tony Corman. New York City-born and raised Laura Klein earned a B.A. in music from SUNY Buffalo and spent two years "playing all over Buffalo, from elegant nightclubs to funky little chitlin circuit dives" with the ten-piece Equinox Soul Band. After that she attended Boston's Berklee College of Music, where she met her future husband. Tony Corman was born in Boston and played both piano and clarinet as a child; he took up saxophone at 16. After meeting Klein at Berklee, the two soon began jamming together ("This girl's got a sound, a beautiful tone," he thought at the time) and then, in 1979, living together. They married in 1984, shortly before moving to the Bay Area. Dave Tidball, Alan Hall, and Ted Wolff, all friends from Boston, eventually relocated west as well. Of the five members of FivePlay, only bassist Paul Smith is a relative newcomer to the couple's circle of Boston buddies. Corman's saxophone-playing days and the group Triceratops (a sextet including Corman, Klein, Hall, and Tidball) came to an end in 2002 when a jaw problem prevented him from continuing to play woodwinds. "I changed a fundamental of my technique that fried something in my basal ganglia, which caused my jaw to permanently forget what is required to play," is how Corman describes the situation. "I spent a little time in a very dark place, finally realized I wasn't done, and grabbed a guitar and got busy at age 50. Though I'll never have the hours of practice you get when you start young, I do think that 35 years of saxophoning makes me approach the guitar differently. The lines are in my head; the challenge is to get them out on this new axe." Since its inception in 2005, FivePlay has performed at venues throughout Northern California, including Yoshi's, the Piedmont Piano Company, and jazz festivals in Sonoma, Danville, San Ramon, Vallejo, Brentwood, and Livermore. Their previous CDs are FivePlay Jazz Quintet (2010) and Five of Hearts (2011). "We write music to charm and enchant and engage as opposed to impress with instrumental prowess or some sort of sophisticated conceptual approach," Corman says. "My hope always is to write a song that, the minute it's over, you'll want to play it again." FivePlay will be bringing the music from Five and More to three Bay Area venues in the coming months: 9/29 Bird & Beckett, San Francisco (4pm); 11/2 Musically Minded Academy, Oakland (8pm); and 2/1/14 The Jazzschool, Berkeley (8pm). Photography: Irene Young Web Sites: www.fiveplayjazz.com www.tonycorman.com www.lauraklein.net Listen to a three-minute montage from the new CD! Follow Tony:

Tim Burke announced today that Justin Goltz will start at QB for the Bombers for the remainder of the year. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=428912

Today is IPA Day. Here is a subjective list of the author's favorites. I haven't seen any of these in the stores around here. http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/08/01/6-beers-to-celebrate-national-ipa-day/

The Als have fired Dan Hawkins, and replaced him with Jim Popp. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=428903 http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4613306 http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Montreal/2013/08/01/21016116.html

Bill Scranton has died. He was the commencement speaker at my girl friend's graduation. When he started talking about "geo-politics" and "eco-politics", all of the poly sci majors (who had heard four years of that) tuned out and fell asleep! http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/30/us/politics/william-scranton-former-pennsylvania-governor-dies-at-96.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

George Scott has died. I remember him best with the '67 Red Sox. As I recall, he used to call his home runs "'taters." http://www.boston.com/sports/blogs/thebuzz/2013/07/report_george_scott_has_passed_away.html

When I cut and paste a press release, I get that message every time. I delete all the photos, but I feel the post loses something because of it.

Welcome Chris!

This weekend is the first of the two bye weekends. ***** Ted Michaels power rankings http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4613114 ***** Greg Xenakes Week 6 picks http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4613208

Toronto Argonauts 38....British Columbia Lions 12 http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4613002 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=428799 Surprise! Zach Collaros made his first pro start and looked terrific.

Tonight's Toronto-BC game will be on the NBC Sports channel at 7:30.

Here is Matt Dunigan's valuable explanation of December's expansion draft, including an in depth analysis of the quarterback situation. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=428714

Paul Desmond: Complete RCA Albums Collection - $15.46 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005QOT6T6/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller= ***** Woody Shaw: Complete Columbia Albums Collection - $15.51 http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Woody-Columbia-Albums-Collection/dp/B005QOR1ZM/ref=pd_sim_m_6

The novel/movie The Exorcist was based upon the true story of a boy named Bobby who was inhabited by an evil spirit in the late 40s after his aunt taught him how to play with a ouija board. That's what I believe.

Blue Train, thanks for that short interview you link to!

There is a college professor (an economist) named Andrew Zimbalist who specializes in the business of pro sports, and is frequently quoted in the paper. He says that a city obtaining its first team receives economic benefits from it, but additional teams provide nothing to the city's economy.

Ricky Ray hurt his knee in last week's game, and won't play Tuesday. Zach Collaros will get the start. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=428648

Saskatchewan Roughriders 32....Hamilton Tiger-Cats 20 http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4612327 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=428607 The Ticats scored the first ten points, but after that the Riders pretty much had their way. Darian Durant's foot has been hurting the past two weeks, so Corey Chamblin gave him the day off and played Drew Willy instead. Kory Sheets has rushed for 100 yards all five games so far.

Happy Birthday 2013 Gary!

Calgary Stampeders 37....Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24 http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4612146 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=428531 Kevin Glenn's arm still hurt from last week, so the Stamps started their third stringer Bo Levi Mitchell. He looked good, so now the question is, who will be the one quarterback the Stamps protect in the Ottawa expansion draft? The Bombers made a game of it for a while, but the Stamps outscored them 10-0 in the third quarter, and the Bombers never caught up after that. Rene Parades set the record for most consecutive field goals, and is now up to I think 34. The Bombers started their second string QB Justin Goltz, and he didn't look bad.

This guy is a colleague of Rahsaan Barber. I'm looking forward to this one. Nashville Trumpeter/Composer Imer Santiago Debuts with "Hidden Journey" CD to Be Released August 27 by Rahsaan Barber's Jazz Music City Label CD Release Show to Take Place August 24 At Nashville Jazz Workshop July 26, 2013 Imer Santiago's musical journey, which began in his native Ohio with stops in New Orleans and Austin, took an important turn in 2007 when he relocated to Nashville. There the accomplished young trumpeter forged a close bond with saxophonist Rahsaan Barber, one of the local jazz scene's key players as well as the owner of Jazz Music City Records. On August 27, Jazz Music City will release Hidden Journey, Imer Santiago's impressive debut as a leader. "You may not associate Nashville with jazz or Latin jazz," says Santiago, now 36, "but Rahsaan has an open mind to what the future can be. And he's an entrepreneur. He's one of my best friends and truly a brother. All those things led me to ask him to produce this record." Santiago contributed most of the album's compositions and, with Barber, all of the album's arrangements. The core quintet heard on Hidden Journey, in addition to Santiago and Rahsaan Barber, is rounded out by pianist Bruce Dudley, whose The Solo Sessions was released by Jazz Music City last year; bassist Jon Estes, who also mixed and mastered the new CD and shot the striking cover photographs; and drummer Josh Hunt, currently touring with bluegrass great Alison Krauss, among other artists. Guest musicians include percussionist Giovanni Rodriguez, who co-leads the Latin-jazz fusion band El Movimiento with Santiago and Barber; El Movimiento guitarist James DaSilva; Imer's younger brother Ivan Santiago on electric bass; trombonist Roland Barber, Rahsaan's twin; and Jazz Music City artist Stephanie Adlington, who's featured vocally on "The Very Thought of You." Santiago plays "What a Wonderful World" as a lyrical homage to Louis Armstrong, taking the tune in waltz time instead of the usual 4/4. Armstrong had been one of Santiago's earliest favorites. While he was working on his master's degree at the University of New Orleans, Santiago's admiration grew even deeper when he discovered the profound respect New Orleans trumpet players had for the late jazz giant. Edwin Imer Santiago was born on October 26, 1976, in Lorain, Ohio, to parents originally from Puerto Rico. He took up trumpet while in the fifth grade, and grew up listening to church hymns and to African-American gospel songs that had been translated into Spanish. Remaining active in church music, he toured from 2004 to 2007 as a member of the prominent Austin-based Christian rock band Salvador, with whom he still plays occasional dates. After high school, where he played in the orchestra, marching band, and jazz band and discovered the music of Miles Davis and Charlie Parker, Santiago spent five years at The Ohio State University, where trumpet-playing professor Pharez Whitted was a huge influence on his musical development. After earning bachelor's degrees in jazz studies and atmospheric sciences from Ohio State, Santiago received a master's of music degree in jazz studies in 2000 from the University of New Orleans, where his instructors included Ellis Marsalis, Wendell Brunious, Harold Battiste, and Clyde Kerr Jr. Initially drawn to Nashville because Salvador's management and record label were located there, Santiago began teaching middle school in 2007 and in August 2012 also began working part-time as an adjunct trumpet instructor at Tennessee State University. He will begin working in the fall of 2013 as the director of the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools' ambitious new district-wide mariachi music program for students in grades 6 through 12. Besides playing with and co-leading El Movimiento, which grew out of a weekly jam session that he, Barber, and Rodriguez launched in 2008, Santiago does sessions in Nashville studios on an average of twice a month. One of his most interesting studio dates was a recent collaboration with musicians in Mumbai, India, on a dance tune titled "Battameez Dil." Santiago recorded his trumpet, along with a horn section in Nashville, while the producers in India communicated with them over Skype. "They could see and hear us," he says of the Mumbai musicians. A lively Bollywood-style video of the song can be viewed on YouTube. With the release of Hidden Journey, Imer Santiago steps out of the shadows as a trumpet stylist and composer to be reckoned with in the jazz world at large, and provides additional evidence of the exciting new jazz movement that's emerging in the country music capital. Santiago will be performing a CD release show at the Nashville Jazz Workshop on Saturday 8/24 with additional dates to be announced in several cities. Photography: Jon Estes Web Sites: www.imersantiago.com www.jazzmusiccity.com Follow Imer: Like Imer:

Fast & Furious 1-5 Bundle - $30.49 http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Furious-1-5-Bundle/dp/B00BFZBSNM/ref=sr_1_11?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1374885957&sr=1-11&keywords=box+sets+movies ***** Married...with Children: Complete Series (32 DVDs) - $33.69 (!) http://www.amazon.com/Married-Children-Complete-Married/dp/B005CGI4EG/ref=sr_1_92?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1374886270&sr=1-92&keywords=box+sets+movies

The Ticats have removed Dave Stala from the nine game injured list early, and he will play tomorrow against the Riders. I didn't know that a player could be removed from the nine game list before the nine games were played. Since their salaries do not count against the cap, it would seem to me to be a place to stash players. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=428494

TCM Broadway Musicals - $9.96 Show Boat Annie Get Your Gun Kiss Me Kate Seven Brides for Seven Brothers http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001PO550A/ref=pe_360680_31316990_pe_epc__1p_1_ti

I didn't know that The Beatles were interested in Aleister Crowley. Do you think that was John's suggestion?