Classes, Concerts, and Cafes—Oh, My!

A busy month started off with Sheryl Ann Mckinley and her sextet for her debut at the Gaslight Music Hall, one of our favorite venues. She is a vocalist we follow regularly and this performance had Rob Boone (tb), Max Goldschmid (tp, alto), Sly Slipetski (p), Jack Wood (bs gtr) and Kenji Lancaster (dr). The Gaslight is a much larger venue for her and it was pretty well sold out—the audience was enthusiastic and it was fun to see her on a much larger stage and with a full band. I think it was a true success!

The following evening we attended a concert, HallowSwing, with Lizzy & the Triggermen (a band we have enjoyed at the San Diego Jazz Party) at one of Tucson’s newest venues, La Rosa, a converted Benedictine Monastery chapel in mid-town. It was only the third performance after its recent opening so I was anxious to see how it was laid out. The diocese and nuns sold the property to a developer a few years ago and apartments and small businesses were built on site.

The acoustics were terrific and the outdoor areas were now converted to a veranda bar with some “small bites” available. The elevated stage allowed for good viewing and Lizzy had a few of her regular band members on tour including Chris Dawson (p), Nate Ketner (reeds), and Sam Rocha (bs). Local musicians Jason Carder (tp) and Nick Coventry (vln) also joined the 8 piece band and fit in nicely with the theme. Besides some of her own compositions, Lizzy specializes in the 1930s big band/swing era and has an outstanding collection of appropriate dresses with a flare to match!

Lizzy’s vocal range is extensive. As a trained operatic singer, she defies expectations and always hits the right note when you think it is impossible!

The following day began our four week course through The Learning Curve (an adult education program) with musician Khris Dodge (p, dr) at Tucson’s iconic Arizona Inn. Khris is the Conductor and Music Director for the local Tucson Pops Orchestra and also the Executive Director of the Tucson Jazz Festival that will occur again in January over two full weekends. This is the fourth class we have taken from Khris and I always enjoy his enthusiasm as an instructor and his personal involvement in developing the outline for the classes.

This class was titled The Sounds of Change and profiled Miles Davis (tp) and John Coltrane (sax). Both musicians were part of the “change” in jazz history and I think of Miles as the “Louis Armstrong” of more “contemporary” jazz although both Miles and John were born in 1926!! Miles’ genius is evident as was Armstrong’s—both men being icons of their eras and developers of the genre. I didn’t know much about John Coltrane but appreciated Khris’ explanations as he played significant pieces from both of their early and well-known albums. One of Miles’ quotes gave an interesting bent to the often less than melodic tunes – “It’s not the note that you play that’s wrong—it’s the next one.” It does explain how an accomplished musician can turn an “unintentional” note into the beginning of a perfect chord or arpeggio.

Another “first” Tuesday event took us to the Coronet Restaurant and Cafe for Pop-Up Piano Bar night. With Marco Rosano on the keys and emcee Briggs Clinco at the mic—the audience was led in numerous sing-a-longs while some brave and talented individuals sang their hearts out with favorite tunes. It is always a fun group and a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Having arranged several gigs up in Chandler and Scottsdale for the following weekend, drummer extraordinaire Danny Coots was in Tucson with his trio, Groovus, with Brian Holland (p) and Steve Pikal (bs). They loved the Century Room at the Hotel Congress for its intimate stage and we managed to fill the audience with his local fans. The theme was a Tribute to Songwriters and Brian noted that “songwriters teach us how to dream.” What a fitting analogy as the trio delved into some of their favorite songwriters of the past. Charles “Lucky” Roberts, Eubie Blake, and Scott Joplin were several of those highlighted during this engaging evening while Brian explained the meanings of ostinato and rubato. The first being a short repeated musical phrase or pattern persistent throughout the composition and the second being a temporary abandonment of tempo allowing the performer to be flexible with the tempo. A few demonstrations of both techniques brought additional clarity to the pieces.

That weekend we basically followed Groovus to the site of Helen Daley’s birthday party bash at our beloved San Marcos Resort in Chandler, Arizona. Helen and Bill Daley, with dozens of volunteers, ran the Chandler Jazz Festival for many years until it closed in 2024. What a fun weekend to see numerous local former attendees and celebrate Helen’s birthday with Groovus and Cheryl Thurston’s various bands. Months ago, Helen arranged for Groovus to play for her party and started the ball rolling for their additional gigs in Tucson and Scottsdale.

The first evening in the lobby bar of the hotel had Cheryl (p, v) and Bruce Wilson who succeeded in playing both an alto and tenor sax, a flute, a clarinet and a bass clarinet. Lots of talent here! Pieter and Alida Meijers flew in from California and I was anxious to hear Pieter play again after a short hiatus while he had thoughts of retiring—but music calls!! Pieter plays a clarinet and a soprano sax with a bell, making it look like a toy alto…but nobody plays it better. During some conversations with them, I found out Alida used to play banjo prior to being a successful jazz cruise tour operator and it was Bob Barta (Wolverine Jazz Band) that took over her spot with the Isotope Stompers many years ago. I mentioned we will be seeing Bob in New Orleans next month!

Groovus played in the afternoon at the birthday party held in the San Tan Ballroom during the delicious lunch and had some special tunes for Helen and Bill while keeping the theme light. Cheryl’s group played during the breaks and Pieter joined them both for several pieces. Cheryl Thurston’s trio with Pieter and Howard Alden (gtr) gathered later in the hotel lobby for the evening performance. Helen’s mother attended the luncheon and both evening performances and at 99 is still able to get out on that floor and cut the proverbial rug. Helen has some powerful genes in her family, many of whom were part of the birthday celebration.

Returning after that fun weekend, we headed to the Century Room at Hotel Congress for a performance with the Manhattan Dolls. Taking us back to the 1940s, Chelsee Hicks, Vanessa Helms and Heather Stricker filled the stage with Alassane Diarra (p), Jack Wood (bs gtr), Arthur Vint (dr) and Ric Peron (tp). With lots of gestures and choreography, the Dolls gave us a glimpse into the past and how the Hollywood Canteen and famous locals like Bette Davis always wowed their audiences! Their number one requested song, “Sentimental Journey,” reminded all of the troops returning to their hometowns after the wars.

A few weeks later we were at Sullivan’s Steakhouse for another evening with Sheryl Ann Mckinley in the lounge area, this time with Jack Wood (bs gtr), Michael Friedman (gtr) and Rob Boone (tb). Always a delightful setting, Sheryl Ann set the mood with a variety of familiar tunes and some Holiday favorites. Along with some other “regulars” we always enjoy the time well spent.

Another evening at the Gaslight Music Hall brought a tribute to the Blues Brothers with regular Gaslight performers Charlie Hall and Mike Yarema. With members of the local Bad News Blues Band that included Tucson favorite Hurricane Carla Brownlee on a baritone sax and Ric Peron (tp), they started playing while the Blues Brothers made their entrance and Charlie (as Jake) and Mike (as Ellwood) cartwheeled onto the stage.

Utilizing the stand-up microphones as props along with lots of footwork and tight choreography, the two of them danced and boogied across the stage managing to not run into each other or fall down, all the while singing their hearts out! It was an exhausting performance and extremely energetic and energizing! The audience sang along with a few favorites and both Charlie and Mike jumped off the stage and danced with some of their fans. It was exhilarating to exhibit their energy amid audience applause and enthusiasm!

It was a fitting end to a music-filled month in sunny Arizona!