Cool IS the Gang!! And Mayland, Too!!

By Andrew Martin

It scarcely seems possible that bandsinger Kat Gang, already poised to become one of the nation's most rapidly-rising stars of the jazz genre in her weekly appearances at the Plaza Hotel's Rose Club and the Algonquin's Oak Room, among many others, could have possibly improved even further in just a few short months after proving herself a top-notch entertainer. But that is exactly what has taken place since establishing her alliance with musician Nate Mayland. And if their recent CD Release Party at Iridium (for their debut disc The Wishbone Project) is any indication of what the future holds for these two as well as their additional backing combo, it's safe to assume that they will soon emerge as the definitive new "Bright Young Things" of the nightlife circuit.

NAT SINGS NAT: NATALIE DOUGLAS WARMS TO COLE

By Rob Lester

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Everywhere you look, there seems to be one singer saluting another. For example, in November in NYC cabaret, you can see a superstar named Janis saluted and a Janice who is a current singer saluting another superstar. That would be Janis Joplin's blues and bravura via Gretchen Reinhagen at Don't Tell Mama -- and MetroStar finalist Janice Hall leaning on Marlene Dietrich's legend at Metropolitan Room, guided by Bistro Award-winning director Peter Napolitano.

Cedar Walton All-Stars Perform at Iridium

By Lucy Galliher

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What finer virtuoso musicians could one imagine than Cedar Walton on piano, Javon Jackson on tenor sax, bassist Buster Williams and legendary drummer Jimmy Cobb? The Iridium Jazz Club was full to capacity on an early spring evening in 2010, with these four all-star jazz masters there to display their craft. The club changed the tables around, putting them at angles to the stage, so that now everyone has a great view of the bandstand.

The set I heard was bluesy and relaxed, which was a fresh and pleasant surprise against the hustle and bustle of New York City. They played some great song selections, ranging from Coltrane’s “John Paul Jones” to well-known standards (“All the Things You Are,” “Old Folks” and “My Shining Hour”).

Live Jazz at Creole Supper Club, A Review

By Lucy Galliher

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Live Jazz at Creole Supper Club. Jazz continues to be a strong force in New York City, and for five years, Creole’s owner Kevin Walters, has brought fabulous jazz acts to Spanish Harlem. On the night of December 12, 2009, I went to Creole, and heard a group called Doug Carn and the Black Jazz Legacy Band, which featured vocalist Kathy Farmer. Creole has a full southern-style menu, and often hosts private parties in addition to its live music tradition. There was a birthday party in progress on this night, and the festive mood helped add to the holiday atmosphere. Cover charges vary from night to night, and well-known musicians sometimes stop in to jam with the house band.

Jazz Notes for NiteLife Exchange

By Lucy Galliher

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Tammy McCann Debuts at Birdland. Jazz vocalist Tammy McCann, hailing from Chicago, made her NYC debut at Birdland on July 16, 2011. She’s celebrating a new CD, Never Let Me Go, and also is appearing at The Blue Note, Metropolitan Room, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola and Small’s (billed as “Five Clubs in Four Days”). Her New York band consisted of Bruce Barth, piano; Joel Frahm, tenor sax; Richie Goods, bass and Steve Williams, drums.

Johnny Rodgers Band – Bon Voyage Party

By Elli – The King Of Broadway

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Hello. My name is Elli, and I am a JRB-aholic. In my last review of the Johnny Rodgers Band (JRB), I made no attempt to hide the fact that I am a JRB fan. Not just your average, run-of-the-mill fan, but more along the lines of a bobby-sox-wearing Fan Boy. Tonight’s Bon Voyage Concert at the famous and fabulous Birdland Jazz Club really sealed the deal. Last time I complained about the “much too short hour long set” and Johnny, of course, took my criticism to heart and this time wooed us with nearly an hour and a half of his, oozing-with-charm style, and his delicious music.

Gerald Clayton at the Village Vanguard

By Lucy Galliher

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The Village Vanguard is celebrating its 75^th Anniversary this month, February of 2010, and Lorraine Gordon is still at the helm! This week she brought in a talented, award-winning group of young musicians to perform at the renowned jazz club, the Gerald Clayton Trio. Gerald Clayton (best known for playing with Roy Hargrove) was on piano, Joe Sanders - bass, and Justin Brown was the drummer.

JAZZ NOTES Carl Bartlett, Jr. CD Release at the Beechman

By Lucy Galliher

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On one of the coldest nights of the year (Jan. 21, 2011), alto saxophonist Carl Bartlett, Jr. brought a crowd to fill the spacious Laurie Beechman Theatre on 42^nd St. in Manhattan. He was celebrating his debut CD, entitled Hopeful. With him were the rhythm section of Sharp Radway on piano, Eric Lemon on bass and Emanuel Harrold on drums. Special guests were guitarist Ron Jackson and trumpeter Charles Bartlett, Carl’s uncle.

Valerie Holiday at The Iridium Jazz Club

By Daryl Glenn

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The marvelous Valerie Holiday is indeed on a bit of a vacation. From the history making girl group The Three Degrees, that is. Declared by the Guiness Book of World Records to be "the longest continually performing female trio,” their biggest and most well known hit came in 1974 with the internationally popular “When Will I See You Again.” The attractive and seemingly ageless diva made her solo debut this past week at the Iridium Jazz Club, and I was lucky enough to be in attendance. She did indeed honor us with her stellar rendition of her biggest hit as well as another (“Dirty Ol’ Man”) in her encore, but also charmed and impressed immensely throughout a crowd pleasing set of standards both familiar and not.

Emilio Solla at the Jazz Standard

By Lucy Galliher

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Pianist/Composer Emilio Solla and the “Tango Jazz Conspiracy” came to the Jazz Standard on a night in February, 2010, rejoicing in the release of their new CD, Bien Sur! It was a pretty packed house on a Tuesday night, as a lot of people enjoy Argentinean tango and jazz, along with good food from Blue Smoke Restaurant.

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