A HANDFUL OF STARS – A JAZZ GUITAR HISTORY LESSON AT ALICES ON TUESDAY, JULY 23 AT 6:30 pm
A Gulf Jazz Society Presentation
Robert Orr (guitar) and his quartet will explore the evolution of the guitar as a solo instrument in jazz and the relatively small number of guitarists responsible for the eventual acceptance of this instrument as a major force in jazz.
In addition to Robert Orr on guitar, the other memmbers of the quartet include Victor Payano ((saxophone and flute), Steve Gilmore ( bass) , and Charles Pagano (drums) , an all-star group by any measure. Robert Orr has played professionally for over 30 years including a long stint at the Red Bar in Grayton Beach. Prior to that he was a professor at the University of Northern Michigan and Auburn University in their Jazz Studies programs. He holds degrees from Auburn University and the University of Alabama.
Ludwig Van Beethoven reportedly remarked that “a guitar is a miniature orchestra in itself”. However, the guitar’s eventual rightful role in jazz music came only after travel down a long and winding road with a lot of help from technology and a handful of courageous guitarists (stars). The problem was that the pure acoustic guitar was unable to project sound of sufficient volume to compete with other instruments in early New Orleans jazz bands. Because of this shortfall, guitars were used only in rhythm sections, in many cases being augmented or replaced by the banjo which had a louder, metallic sound. In the early 1930s, The Gibson L-5 archtop with f holes appeared and was soon popularized by guitarist Eddie Lang. The enhanced volume and tone of the L-5 plus the virtuosity and improvisational skill of Lang opened the door for the guitar to move out of the rhythm section and up to a microphone as a full-fledged solo instrument. By 1934, largely due to Lang, the guitar replaced the banjo as a jazz instrument. In France, Django Reinhardt, a young gypsy guitarist also moved to the front as a soloist in Paris with his Hot Club of France quintet playing American Jazz. Then came Charlie Christian, the first person to explore the manifold possibilities created by the newly invented electric guitar. The genie was out of the bottle! The amplified guitar could now be fully heard and appreciated in the jazz idiom. Christian’s breathtaking work with the Benny Goodman orchestra inspired a whole generation of jazz guitarists. Every guitarist since is indebted to him including Barney Kessel, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Jim Hall, Tal Farlow, Johnny Smith, Herb Ellis, and many others.
For reservations, call Amy or Larry at 784-2106. But hurry because seating is limited. Pay at the door. Admission is $10 for GJS members and $12 for others. Membership applications will be available. Half of the net proceeds from this performance will be set aside for an “Oaks-by-the-Bay Park restoration fund.
Alice’s on Bayview at 1000 Bayview offers a full bar and a menu that includes a variety of sandwiches, salads, seafood, and steaks.
Andrew Tinch Jazz Quartet
Appearing at Alice’s on Bayview in St. Andrews - Tuesday, July 9, 6:30 PM
Since its inception in 1997, the Gulf Jazz Society has showcased young jazz talent in both our sponsored monthly events and our annual Jazz-by-the-Bay Festival.
On July 9, at Alice’s on Bayside, we are particularly proud to feature a jazz quartet consisting of a local gifted high school graduate and an FSU sophomore, accompanied by the Gulf Jazz Society’s Music Director and Grammy-winning bassist, Steve Gilmore together with a superb jazz saxophonist, Bob Maksymkow, from Pensacola.
Andrew Tinch, a recent graduate of Mosley High School, began private guitar lessons at the age of eleven with former U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors guitarist, Steve Cosper. His progress was almost immediate. Since then, Andrew has received numerous local, state, and regional awards. He was actively recruited by several prestigious college music schools, recently accepting a full scholarship to University of Miami. Andrew has performed with his own band and with other top-notch jazz groups in the area for more than two years. He is currently teaching prospective Salvation Army band members the essentials of music and brass instruments.
Nygel Anderson, a sophomore at FSU, is the son of Leon Anderson, a world-class jazz drummer, on the faculty of the FSU School of Music. Nigel is following in his father’s footsteps and is already a “first-call” drummer in Tallahassee.
Steve Gilmore, the bassist in this quartet, is a musician of perpetual youth –with a splash of vermouth. His Grammy-winning credentials should not be held against him.
Another veteran jazz musician in this quartet is saxophonist, Bob Maksymkow, educated at Juillard and served in numerous Air Force music ensembles during his career. He is now employed as a college professor in Pensacola.
For reservations, call Amy or Larry at 784-2106. But hurry because seating is limited. Pay at the door. Admission is $10 for GJS members and $12 for others. Membership applications will be available. Half the net proceeds from this performance will be set aside for an “Oaks-by-the-Bay Park restoration fund.
Alices’s on Bayview at 1000 Bayview offers a full bar and a menu that includes a variety of sandwiches, salads, seafood, and steaks.
****************************************************************************************************************************
THE FABULOUS WOFSEYs!
APPEARING AT ALICES ON TUESDAY, JUNE 18 AT 6:30 pm
A Gulf Jazz Society Presentation
A swinging and exciting jazz quartet will perform a program of jazz standards at Alice’s on Bayview at 1000 Bayview in St. Andrews on Tuesday, June 18 at 6:30 pm.
The ensemble will feature noted flutist Dr. Jill Wofsey, and Gary Wofsey, trumpet and flugelhorn artist, with Steve Gilmore on bass, and Charles Pagano on drums.
Dr. Jill Wofsey is a professional flutist, pianist, bassist, teacher, and clinician. She received a Doctor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and degrees from the University of Minnesota and Eastman School of Music.
Dr. Wofsey is bassist and co-leader of the Gary Wofsey Jazz Orchestra. A Yamaha Performing Artist, she was voted into the 67th annual Downbeat Reader’s Poll and has served as chairman of the National Flute Association Jazz Committee.
Brass player Gary Wofsey, also a Yamaha Performing Artist, has toured with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. Originally from Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and later settled in New York. In New York he formed a 13-piece jazz orchestra featuring some of the best jazz musicians in the city. Wofsey is known for his unique ability to play trumpet and flugelhorn simultaneously.
Bassist Steve Gilmore, a three-time Grammy award winner, is regarded as one of the finest jazz bassists in the world. He was Tony Bennett’s bassist for five years; and has toured internationally and recorded with many jazz icons.
Drummer Charles Pagano is in reality a gifted percussionist who adds to the excitement of any performance and stimulates creativity in the improvising members of the group.
For reservations, call John at 785-6360 or Amy/Larry at 784-2106. But don’t wait too long because seating is limited. Pay at the door. Admission is $10 for GJS members and $12 for others. Membership applications will be available to enroll new members. 50% of the net proceeds from this event will be set aside for an “Oaks-by-the-Bay Park restoration fund”.
Alice’s on Bayview at 1000 Bayview offers a full bar and a menu that includes a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, seafood, and steaks.
***********************************************************************************************
CHRIS MONDAK JAZZ QUINTET
Performs at Alice’s on Bayview on Tuesday, June 4 at 6:30 pm
A Gulf Jazz Society Presentation
The Chris Mondak Jazz Quintet is appearing in Panama City during their spring tour of selected Florida and Alabama venues. Their latest CD, Eternal Youth, was released on May 1, 2019. If there ever was any doubt that today’s young musicians are willing and able to perform jazz music at a high level, this group will definitely dispel any doubts of that nature.
The makeup of the quintet is both youthful and international. Three members are students at the prestigious New England Conservatory in Boston and another will be an entering freshman there in the fall. One member is a senior at the University of Illinois. Two members of the quintet are foreign students, an indication that jazz music has a worldwide audience. Members of the Chris Mondak Jazz Quintet include the following:
- Chris Mondak (bass) -- born in Venezuela, raised in Illinois and studied with great jazz bassists including Cecil McBee, Dave Holland, and Larry Gray. Toured the U.S. with the Jazz Band of America and his own jazz combo, “West of Staley”. Chris has also performed in Australia and Mexico, and has toured throughout China as a member of the Nextgen Quartet. He is a senior at the New England Conservatory.
- Max Hubbard (alto sax) – recently completed high school in Champaign, Illinois. At 17, Max is the youngest member of the quintet. Two-time Downbeat winner, winner of several Essentially Ellington Awards, two-time Young Arts winner, and former member of the Grammy Camp Jazz Band. He will enroll as a freshman at the New England Conservatory in the fall.
- David Counter (drums) – from Illinois, David is an experienced jazz drummer who has performed with Chris Mondak for 11 years. He is a senior at the University of Illinois.
- Haoran Li (trombone) – from China, Haoran is a student at the New England Conservatory and an outstanding jazz trombonist.
- Carlos Heredia (guitar) – from Ecuador, Carlos is a virtuoso jazz and classical guitarist.
Alice’s on Bayview at 1000 Bayview offers a full bar and a menu that includes a variety of sandwiches, sauces, salads, seafood, and steaks.
Welcome back to the Gulf Jazz Society, Sean Dietrich
Jazz pianist, vocalist Sean Dietrich heads jazz trio in tribute to Mose Allison at Alice’s on Bayview, May 21 at 6:30 pm
A Gulf Jazz Society Special Event
Santa Rosa Beach jazz pianist and vocalist will head a jazz trio in performance of the music of legendary blues and jazz artist, Mose Allison who died in November, 2016. The performance will be held at Alice’s on Bayview in St. Andrews on May 21 at 6:30 pm.
Mose Allison, jazz pianist, vocalist, and song writer, had a unique style and sound that set him apart from all the others. He was a social critic before Bob Dylan and a music satirist before Randy Newman. However, in the 1950s, before forming his own group, he was a straight ahead jazz pianist in groups led by top jazz musicians such as Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Gerry Mulligan, and Phil Woods. Later, with his own group, Allison’s performances were described as being “delivered in a casual conversational manner with a melodic southern accented tone that has a pitch and range ideally suited to his idiosyncratic phrasing, laconic approach, and ironic sense of humor”. In 2013, at Lincoln Center, NYC, he was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts, the nation’s highest honor for a jazz musician.
Sean Dietrich is one of a handful of jazz pianist/blues singers able to capture the essence of Mose Allison’s piano and vocal styles. A Kansas City native, Sean grew up playing and singing Gospel music in the church from as early as he can remember. He wasn’t born in the South but he got here as quickly as he could, eventually marrying a sweet Alabama woman.
Sean has received national recognition for his musical and vocal talents, placing in the Phillips National Jazz Piano Competition, performing on NPR, PBS, and other prominent venues with some of the finest musicians in the country and has become a well - established favorite of the Gulf Jazz Society. Possessing talent without limits, Shawn is also a best - selling story - teller and author with over two dozen books in print. As “Sean of the South”, he writes lovingly and positively of ordinary southern people, always stressing their self-worth and importance to the social fabric of the region.
Joining Dietrich for this performance will be Steve Gilmore on bass and Charles Pagano on drums. Steve was Mose Allison’s bassist for an extended period during his career as a first call bassist in NYC.
For reservations, call Amy or Larry at 784-2106. Since Sean is a favorite of many of our GJS members, we recommend calling as early as possible for reservations. Pay at the door. Admission is $10 for GJS members and $12 for others. Membership applications will be available to enroll new member. 50% of the net proceeds from this event will be set aside for an “Oaks-by-the-Bay Park restoration fund”.
Alice’s on Bayview at 1000 Bayview in St Andrews offers a full bar and a menu that includes a variety of sandwiches, salads, seafood, and steaks. Do not overlook the wonderful she-crab soup and daily specials.
A Gulf Jazz Society Special Event
Santa Rosa Beach jazz pianist and vocalist will head a jazz trio in performance of the music of legendary blues and jazz artist, Mose Allison who died in November, 2016. The performance will be held at Alice’s on Bayview in St. Andrews on May 21 at 6:30 pm.
Mose Allison, jazz pianist, vocalist, and song writer, had a unique style and sound that set him apart from all the others. He was a social critic before Bob Dylan and a music satirist before Randy Newman. However, in the 1950s, before forming his own group, he was a straight ahead jazz pianist in groups led by top jazz musicians such as Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Gerry Mulligan, and Phil Woods. Later, with his own group, Allison’s performances were described as being “delivered in a casual conversational manner with a melodic southern accented tone that has a pitch and range ideally suited to his idiosyncratic phrasing, laconic approach, and ironic sense of humor”. In 2013, at Lincoln Center, NYC, he was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts, the nation’s highest honor for a jazz musician.
Sean Dietrich is one of a handful of jazz pianist/blues singers able to capture the essence of Mose Allison’s piano and vocal styles. A Kansas City native, Sean grew up playing and singing Gospel music in the church from as early as he can remember. He wasn’t born in the South but he got here as quickly as he could, eventually marrying a sweet Alabama woman.
Sean has received national recognition for his musical and vocal talents, placing in the Phillips National Jazz Piano Competition, performing on NPR, PBS, and other prominent venues with some of the finest musicians in the country and has become a well - established favorite of the Gulf Jazz Society. Possessing talent without limits, Shawn is also a best - selling story - teller and author with over two dozen books in print. As “Sean of the South”, he writes lovingly and positively of ordinary southern people, always stressing their self-worth and importance to the social fabric of the region.
Joining Dietrich for this performance will be Steve Gilmore on bass and Charles Pagano on drums. Steve was Mose Allison’s bassist for an extended period during his career as a first call bassist in NYC.
For reservations, call Amy or Larry at 784-2106. Since Sean is a favorite of many of our GJS members, we recommend calling as early as possible for reservations. Pay at the door. Admission is $10 for GJS members and $12 for others. Membership applications will be available to enroll new member. 50% of the net proceeds from this event will be set aside for an “Oaks-by-the-Bay Park restoration fund”.
Alice’s on Bayview at 1000 Bayview in St Andrews offers a full bar and a menu that includes a variety of sandwiches, salads, seafood, and steaks. Do not overlook the wonderful she-crab soup and daily specials.
Photos From The 2015 Jazz By The Bay Festival
Here are a few photos from the 2015 Jazz By The Bay festival.
If you have any you'd like to share, we'd love to add them to this slideshow, so please send them our way!
If you have any you'd like to share, we'd love to add them to this slideshow, so please send them our way!
JAZZ FEST 2014 WAS A WONDERFUL TIME!
Well, the 2014 Jazz By The Bay is over and it was quite possibly our best yet! Below is a slideshow of photos from the festival, please feel free to send us yours if you took some. We'll be adding more as we get them. Thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed the music. A special thank you to the family of Dr. Ralph Peterson, this year's festival was dedicated to him! His spirit will always be with the Gulf Jazz Society.
