I’m participating in a Twitter discussion of Don DeLillo’s new novel, Zero K, today, May 31, from 3-4:30 EDT. Hope you can join us: http://www.baas.ac.uk/usso/bookhour/nextbookhour/

Cold Spring Jazz Quartet Presents a Valentine’s Day Special Event
“Amour Fou: Shades of Love in Film Noir.”

For almost twenty years CSJQ has been treating Baltimore-Washington audiences to their signature blend of current, classic and cool jazz. The emphasis for this evening, however, is on the classic, as CSJQ presents an evening of love songs associated with the films noir of the 1940s and ‘50s. “Amour Fou” highlights the many shades of love, from bliss to blues, rhapsodies to red wagons.

Noir films were crime stories, but most were also tales of amour fou (crazy love): the detective who falls for a dead woman; women who love too easily; men who can’t be trusted. A few even showed how wonderful love can be. In this show CSJQ plays classics such as “I’ll Remember April” (from Phantom Lady), “Stella by Starlight” (The Uninvited), “I Hear a Rhapsody” (Clash by Night), “Your Red Wagon” (They Live by Night), “Never Let Me Go” (The Scarlet Hour) and “One for My Baby” (Road House), as well as the title themes from Laura, Body and Soul, Kiss Me Deadly, and others. Along with this evocative, romantic jazz, the show features clips from the movies and introductions by CSJQ saxophonist and vocalist Mark Osteen—author of Nightmare Alley: Film Noir and the American Dream.

This dazzling, unique multi-media event is sure to delight jazz aficionados, classic movie fans and anyone who has ever been in love.

Germano’s Piattini
300 S. High St., Baltimore
Friday, February 12th, 7:30-10 pm
410-752-4515
http://germanospiattini.com/events/

Check out this video of my band performing Oscar Brown Jr’s classic “Humdrum Blues!”

I’m excited about my upcoming visit to Brigham Young University, where I’ll be giving a talk on jazz in classic film noir. After that we’ll visit the Herman Leonard jazz photography exhibit. Should be fun!

The photo is of the fabulous actress and director Ida Lupino in Road House, where she sings a mean rendition of “One for My Baby.”

In this show, Cold Spring Jazz Quartet showcases the full range of Charles Mingus’s work, punctuating the selections with humorous, informative stories about the man and his music.

Virtuoso bassist, innovative bandleader, composer of genius and legendary jazz character, Charles Mingus was a man driven by many passions. His music is as varied and passionate as his personality, embracing everything from joyous gospel (“Better Get Hit in Your Soul”) and a myriad of blues, all the way to quasi-classical suites like “Sue’s Changes,” political commentaries such as “Fables of Faubus,” and tender tributes to his musical heroes (“Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love,” “Reincarnation of a Lovebird”). We’ll also present vocal versions of some tunes, featuring lyrics by luminaries like Joni Mitchell (“The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines”), Elvis Costello (“Jelly Roll”), Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown (“Devil Blues”) and Mingus himself.

If you haven’t been officially introduced to this amazing jazz artist’s work, or if you’re already a Mingus maven, this is your chance to celebrate his music. Come on out, tap your feet, clap your hands, and feed your brain!
October 16th, 2015 7:30-9:30
Germano’s Piattini
300 S. High St.
Tickets: 410-752-4515 or visit ticket source.

Virtuoso bassist, innovative bandleader, composer of genius and legendary jazz character, Charles Mingus was a man driven by many passions. Mingus’s music is as varied and passionate as his personality, running the gamut from joyous gospel and a multitude of blues all the way to quasi-classical suites, political commentaries, and tender tributes to his musical heroes. In this show, Cold Spring Jazz Quartet showcases the full range of Mingus’s work, punctuating the selections with humorous, informative stories about the man and his music. Come on out, tap your feet, clap your hands, and feed your brain!
October 16th, 2015 7:30-9:30
Germano’s Piattini
300 S. High St.
Tickets: 410-752-4515 or visit ticket source.

Cold Spring Jazz Quartet will be appearing at 49 West, Annapolis’s finest coffeehouse and wine bar, on Friday, July 10th, from 8-11 pm. It’s a great place to listen to music while enjoying your favorite beverage. Get tickets by calling 410-752-4515. Hope you can join us!

By popular demand, we’re reprising our Horace Silver show. Come on out to Germano’s on May 29th and enjoy an evening of delicious Italian food, cool beverages, and scintillating Silver songs.

Open for dinner at 6; the music starts at 7:30, at Germano’s Piattini, 300 St. High St., in Baltimore’s Little Italy. Call 410-752-4515 for reservations, or click here for tickets.

I’ll be appearing on Chesapeake Collectibles, talking about the Louis G. and Shirley Hecht collection of jazz records now housed at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. This collection is amazing: it contains most of the significant jazz records of the 20s to the 40s, and even a copy of the very first jazz hit, “Livery Stable Blues.” The show airs at 8 pm on Maryland Public Television this Thursday, April 2nd. Tune in and find out more about this collection and jazz history!

Pianist, bandleader and composer Horace Silver was a pivotal figure in modern jazz: as a co-founder of the Jazz Messengers, he was one of the main inventors of hard bop. Silver’s work looked backward and forward, as he both returned jazz to its roots in blues and gospel and introduced novel rhythms and moods to the music. No matter the style, Silver’s tunes feature memorable melodies and a contagious beat. Many of his works, such as “Song for My Father,” “Doodlin,’” “The Jody Grind,” “Peace,” and “Nica’s Dream,” have become jazz standards. CSJQ will perform these favorites, vocals and instrumentals, along with several equally great but less-known tunes, in this all-Silver show. Come on out and let CSJQ—and Horace—blow your blues away!

I’ve just finished reading Silver’s autobiography and will share some entertaining stories from his fascinating life. Hope you can make it!

April 3, 2015
7:30 pm
Germano’s Piattini
300 S. High St.
Baltimore
410-752-2515
Click here for tickets