John Jensen: News

May 12 2011

Lots to cover here....5AM, the roof is the domain of a lone morning dove pulling sentry duty. I detect the musk of fox and see clumps of feathers indicating something sinister occurred before sunrise. We miss a lot.

Next week the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra flies to Russia. We're covering a lot of ground...concerts and workshops. I'm looking forward to meeting and hearing Russian musicians. Think on this: Duke Ellington's music in a land that was once under Stalin. 

We've a fine band with great charts to draw on.  Singer Delores King Williams will be featured....two trombones, two trumpets, three reeds and rhythm section....and two dancers! Photos to be posted.

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Mentors....

I'm still in debt to all the great musicians who continue to inspire and teach. Not a day goes by that I don't listen to Urbie Green and JJ Johnson, Clark Terry and Duke Ellington. Thanks. 

More on this to come.

 

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New Act: the john jensen good time trio....john o'brien, tom holtz and john jensen. the arsenal includes guitar, banjo, doublebell euphonium, trombone, strumpet, helicon...with a repertoire of hundreds of tunes played with spirit and drive. Swinging and happy. nothing like it!

 

 

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. OKLAHOMA.....Arena Stage this july and running into october. the photo was taken by george hummel and gives you some idea of the lines of the new arena stage....one helluva show in a breathtaking venue. 

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more to cover....but for now I'm gonna post this and get on with the day....check back and shoot an email.... tbonejohnjensen@gmail.com 

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So what's new?

Today marks the release of "Conversations" the new recording I did with good friend Robert Redd. Tune list is: Indian Summer * I Hadn't Anyone 'Til You * Don' t Get Around Much Anymore *
Cheek to Cheek * Star Dust * Sweet Lorraine * Sweet and Lovely *
Tea for Two * What am I Here For? * If I Had You
I Won't Dance * Things Ain't What They Used to Be

You can buy it here! Details to follow...watch this space.

Yes....January 2011 is already a quarter gone... the last three months have been a whirlwind. Most of this trombone player's time was spent in a school house. An incomplete school house. OK....a school house that was built at Arena Stage as part of the set for the show "Oklahoma". A hit performance of this classic musical presented by Molly Smith at the newly renovated Arena Stage in Washington DC. The show received terrific reviews and I gotta tell you....everybody involved with this production was world-class. Actors, wardrobe folks, all the fantastic stage crew, the orchestra, the volunteer ushers.. Arena Stage has some magic. It was a pleasure to work with a fine orchestra that made the music better and the experience deeper with every show. I will post some photos and links. 

The show closed Dec 30th...New Year's Eve I led a band with Chris Kosky, Jim Moulder, Ed Crow and Ericka Ovette to an enthusiastic crowd of listeners and dancers...and one large mouse. Jan 1st was a Tommy Dorsey tribute concert with the trio at Greenspring....a terrific theatre space. We look forward to playing there again. 

After that concert we enjoyed a three hour dinner to greet the New Year....great food, wine and conversation. 

Later this month I look forward to a tour in Kansas and Iowa with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. We'll be performing and teaching. The music: the small group sounds of Johnny Hodges. Great sounds. Later this year I will be traveling to Russia with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.

Tonight off to a job with saxophonist, writer, arranger and educator Leigh Pilzer. Will be a swinging band....Tommy Williams drums, Geoff Harper bass and Harry Appelman piano.

Next week...January 15th in Charlottesville there will be a celebration in honor of jazz pianist Hod O'Brien. Watch here for details. Not to be missed event!

End of this month release of a duo CD with pianist Robert Redd.

Later this year release of a CD from a long collaboration with Steve Treager. Details on both recordings to follow also!

coming: dates, pictures, retrospective on 2010 and things to look forward to in 2011. Huge thanks to Urbie Green. More later.....

Play on....

Chaise Lounge is gonna be in New York next week....The Iridium is a cool club. Really fine menu, great staff and a terrific place to hear music. Expect great music and high energy. See you next week in NYC!

Well, it happened again... fans came out in droves on a hot sticky night to groove to Chaise Lounge at Blues Alley. Lots of fun....band had a great time! Listeners had a great time! Bartender and waitstaff worked really hard and had a great time....and I hope they were tipped generously! CLounge will be at Iridium July 6th.

Next Wednesday at Oxon Hill Manor John will be performing in concert. Along with Robert Redd and James King he will present music associated with the legendary Tommy Dorsey. Expect to enjoy both fresh and traditional interpretations of great sounds from the Great American Songbook.

More to come....Thanks everyone!

John and his Classic Tribute Jazz Band recently performed for the Potomac River Jazz Club. The focus was the music of immortal jazz trombonist Jack Teagarden. The band's performance was swinging and happy, Here's what some of the listeners had to say:

"According to all reports, the PRJC was greatly impressed by your Teagarden tribute concert yesterday at the Knights of Columbus.  The trad music was very appropriate for our organization for both listening and dancing!  The musical acumen of you and all your fellow musicians was superb!  I especially liked Teagarden's favorites, I Got a Right to Sing the Blues and and your arrangement of Sentimental Over You.  What an enjoyable afternoon of wonderful music!  We hope to have you back again some day soon."

Check out the Chaise Lounge podcast on itunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cd-baby-top-sellers-podcast/id317220812

Lots going on with the band! We'll be at DC's Blues Alley June 16 and at the Iridium right off Times Square July 6.

We enjoyed our visit with Urbie. He provided a window on American history and particularly jazz that is insightful and fascinating. Urbie contributed to the performances of hundreds of jazz artists including Benny Goodman, Bobby Hackett and Billy Holiday. He ran the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and succesfully led his own bands covering wide genres of music. He embraced contemporary jazz rock sounds with tunes like Aretha Franklin's "Spirit in the Dark" and Bobbie Gentry's "Ballad of Billie Joe" and experimented succesfully with electronic effects on the trombone.
He maintained a full recording calendar; highly sought out as a soloist and lead trombonist. Throughout his career Urbie maintained his musical integrity and the highest standards of trombone mastery. The oral history interview with Urbie will soon be posted at the this link:
http://smithsonianjazz.org/oral_histories/joh_start.asp along with interviews already there with the likes of Benny Golson, David Baker, JJ Johnson, Quincy Jones and many others.
Thanks to Urbie and his wife Kathy, son Jesse (magnificent jazz pianist) and family for their gracious hospitality and friendship.

Uribe Green...I grew up listening to Jack Teagarden on a couple records my folks had and also Tommy Dorsey. When I was 18 or 19 yrs old I had the opportunity to hear and see Urbie Green. An electrifying experience. The sound, the energy and the pure music that came from his horn was life changing. Over the years whenever I've had the chance to hear him I've been inspired by his performance.
Next week Ken Kimery, executive producer and drummer with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and I will be sitting with Urbie and conducting an oral history of his fascinating life in music.
From Gene Krupa to Benny Goodman, Buck Clayton, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Billy Holiday and Count Basie...Urbie has played with them. We're looking forward to visiting with this true gentleman and undisputed master of the trombone.
Check out UrbieGreen.com

Last week at the Lincoln Theatre the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra was featured performing the music of Duke's Cotton Club days.
Great music....Dicty Glide, The Mooche, Mood Indigo, Black and Tan Fantasy....
Listening deep to the Ellington band play that music makes you realize how string and mature the musicianship was on that stand. Remarkable artistry and unique voices. I'm once again amazed at the artistry....and the plunger work of the brass players sets the standard for everyone who follows.
Serious music.....

Chaise Lounge returned from a whirlwind tour....actually a two day jaunt through central Virginia.
Thursday night we played at Staunton's Gypsy Hill for the Jazz in the Park series. Enthusiastic crowd. Terrific stage and sound support. Band played it's collective tail off.....and thanks to Laurie we were fueled by exceptional Virginia barbeque for the concert.
Friday night we played at Bel Rio in Charlottesville. A restaurant that is particularly well suited to music. The place was packed....people had a ball. Great to meet new friends of the band!
Looks like Chaise Lounge will be returning to that part of the world!
More later.......

Chaise Lounge!

Gonna be at Jazz in the Park in Staunton VA next thursday the 27th. Great venue! bring your dinner and a blanket, bring us all something cool to drink.

Following night CLounge will be in Charlottesville. Show atarts at 8:30. Bel Rio. The band is getting some recognition....listen for a feature on Saturday's Morning Edition. NPR.

Stay in touch....

 

Well, it's August in Washington. That translates as hot and humid. The city can feel like a pair of still warm sweat socks. Folks who can, leave town....or huddle inside around something cold. Well, Blues Alley was hot the other night, and the only thing cold to cuddle up to was a cold drink. Turre and his quartet were burning and the folks that came out to hear the music were richly rewarded. Gorgeous and plaintive plunger mute rendition of Duke's "In a Sentimental Mood".... "Rainbow People" "Blackfoot"....Steve's rendering of the changes to "Cherokee" featuring dynamic drummer Ignacio Berroa The club went to church on "Brother Ray" a gospel flavored tune that takes it's time. Terrific night of music. Closed out with Miles "All Blues" featuring the sonorous shells Turre is so well known for. Not a gimmick at all...pure music. But don't ever forget, we're talking world class trombone playing here. Steve Turre....check him out.

Tuesday Aug 25 the music of Ellington alto saxman Johnny Hodges will be featured. Performed by the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra Septet this is rocking swinging music. Deep grooves informed by Jeep's years with Duke and the blues. The band is solid. Scott Silbert (Alto Sax), Charlie Young (Tenor Sax), Tom Williams – (Trumpet), John Jensen (Trombone), Tony Nalker (Piano), Regan Brough (Bass) & Ken Kimery
Gonna be a fun night.

Steve Turre is going to appear at Blues Alley Wednesday, Aug 19th. He's playing great...I'm looking forward to being there. Don't miss it!

Tenorman Bruce Swaim has released "Lucky Strikes"....long overdue CD with a strong trio and very fine tunes. Bruce's absolutlely brilliant playing ranges from tough to tender. Definitely a recording I'll be listening to a lot.

Saturday night June 13 I visited Shanghai Jazz http://shanghaijazz.com/ in Madison New Jersey to hear Steve Turre http://www.steveturre.com/ and his group. I like the venue.....fine food, really good room and most important, the management is dedicated to the continued presentation of good jazz. Steve brought in a swingin' rhythm section including Todd Coolman on bass, Ignacio Berroa on drums and Xavier Davis playing piano. Steve had the audience in his corner from the first gorgeous note of his intro to "Do Nothin' "Til You Hear From Me", a nod to Duke which was rounded out by "Satin Doll" of all things. Big beautiful trombone sound. Special guest on drums for "Steve's Blues" laid down a solid groove and played with taste and confidence....knows the music. Always good to hear a young drummer who plays with confidence and respects the music. Did I mention his name? Orion Turre. He'll be in college in a year or so... In the course of the evening, Turre's group played the blues, played a Rassaan Roland Kirk titled E.D. A couple references to Ray Charles including a gospel tinged "Brother Ray" penned by the leader. Also heard a reworking of the changes of Cherokee....Steve calls "Blackfoot". Davis and Turre tore it up, Todd Coolman was solid and master drummer Berroa who was featured prominently on this tune was impressive. Both sets were terrific. The quartet was tight and swung hard. Steve Turre played great. Everyone was definitely on top of the game...and it was all about the music. Both sets Steve brought out the shells for a tune. No gimmick the way he plays them... The best night listening to music I've had for a long time. If you have the chance to hear Turre and his band don't miss it...and check out Shanghai Jazz. JJ

Once again, the Augusta Heritage Center at Davis and Elkins College hosts Swing Week! This summer's dates are July 26-31, 2009.
This is a one of a kind music happening. The location is a gorgeous setting in the West Virginia mountains. Check out the website: http://www.augustaheritage.com/swing.html There's nothing else quite like it!
Every year folks return to have a terrific time with music and friends. Watch this space for more info and feel free to email with any questions you might have!

Welcome to the new web site of John Jensen Music. Here you'll read about upcoming performances, and learn about past ones also. News about recordings will be here....along with opportunities to purchase CDs. Wow! Music for money, what a concept! John will write about his teaching studio and ways of helping students realize their potential. We may get into a discussion on the philosophy of music. Check back often.