NEW - Michael's Jazz Corner

Jazz Performance & CD Reviews

Jazz at it’s best, is a live medium. The interplay between musicians, the immediacy of the moment, the collective appreciation of the audience, even the feel of the sound are all part of what KSFR’s DJ and sax master Arlen Asher calls the "Jazz Experience". Santa Feans are indeed lucky to have many jazz greats visit and play in or around town, and even without a dedicated jazz club, there are several weekly jazz bands and jams to keep our ears busy. This new column will focus on my reviews of local and some out of town artists that are not covered by the local press or other writers, and hopefully listeners/readers will be informed by my experience as a musician and a former writer for other national and local jazz publications..

So we’ll be back in a few days and welcome your feedback.
-- Michael Handler
moviemike15@msn.com

================================================================

The Three Faces of Jazz
Fridays at El Meson’s Chispa Bar
By Michael Handler

The Friday night jazz scene at the Chispa Bar at El Meson was one of my first musical discoveries here in Santa Fe some six years ago, and it remains one of my favorite hangs. Drummer Bryan Lewis has assembled a consistently top notch jazz trio, augmented each week with a guest “front line” player, be it of the sax, trumpet, flute, or guitar variety. The occasional singer or harmonica player might also join in (as I have had the honor of doing a few times). Past guests have included Richie Cole, Jan McDonald, Ali Ryerson, Bobby Shew and harmonica and piano ace Ron Kalima. So each week it’s a bit different and it keeps things fresh for both the band and the regulars, who’s numbers are growing. According to local jazz singer Joan Kessler, “The surprise guest each week is always so unexpectedly wonderful!”
Now, Brian has been at this a long time...over ten years at El Meson alone. His story is now available here at www.jazzsantafe.com. He has played with a who’s who of jazz greats, and we’re lucky to have such a veteran in our jazz community. The band has also been together as a unit most of these ten years, and it shows with the wonderful interplay between pianist Rick Bowman, bass player Richard Snider, and of course Brian on drums and vocals. Lately, drummer Ron Ogden has been filling in at the drum chair as Bryan fights tinnitus, a condition that causes buzzing in the ears and is the bane of many famous musicians. But Bryan is always there, being the MC and channeling Louis Armstrong on a tune or two. All the guest bookings are also handled by Mr. Lewis. But even with all these great players and guests every week, Bryan has a saying that “the only star on the bandstand is the music.” And that’s the essence of jazz itself, with its collaborative nature within an improvisational framework.

The night I was there recently featured Chief Sanchez on trumpet, and it was like a party of old friends both on the stage and off. Both on up tempo tunes or on a slow blues (like the wonderful “Georgia”, played with the mute), Chief was a wonderful addition as the “fourth” face of jazz. His dedication of “Lover Man” to our own Irene Campos was especially cool. At the time Brian looked over at me and just said, “Sweet groove…”. Sweet indeed, man.

Check out the Featured Player page for Bryan Lewis' bio and story!

==================================================================
Michael Handler was a former contributor and photographer for Downbeat, a writer for the Oakland, CA. based Jazz Now, a reviewer for the online magazine Jazz West, and a commentator on KCSM, the Bay Area’s full-time jazz station. Since coming to Santa Fe, he has been seem playing his harmonica with a variety of musicians including Michael Hearne, the Three Faces of Jazz, Joe West, Bill Hearne and Magdalena’s Dream.