The Jazz Scene: Fall festivals boast big talent

The Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, being held from October 15 to October 18, is entering its 26th year as a festival entity. It has evolved through the seasons from a straight ahead jazz confab to one that is almost exclusively a showcase for smooth jazz and fusion. Nonetheless, all involved are world-class players, singers, and entertainers. Among those appearing are vocalists Al Jarreau, Peabo Bryson, and Bettye LaVette; bassist Gerald Veasley; guitarist Marc Antoine; and saxophonist Kim Waters.

Tickets are now on sale for the Exit Zero Jazz Festival in Cape May, New Jersey, to be held November 6, 7, and 8. The lineup is impressive, and artists include drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, guitarist Pat Martino, bass legend Buster Williams, tenor saxophone giants Bootsie Barnes and Larry McKenna, and Israeli clarinetist Oran Etkin’s tribute to Benny Goodman.

South Africa and Cuba at MontCo and Abington

Abdullah Ibrahim, the South African pianist/composer formally known as Dollar Brand, remains not only among the foremost interpreters of the music of Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington, but was also one of the first to play what is now known as World Music. Ibrahim will appear with his group Ekaya, as a part of the Montgomery County Community College Lively Arts Series on October 24 for an 8pm show. On November 14, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington checks in at Montco with her band, Money Jungle: Provocative Blues, for an 8pm performance.

The Abington Arts Center has announced its fall jazz series lineup, and it’s a fine one. Singer Michelle Lordi and pianist Michael Kanan are appearing October 2, and guitarist Alex Bartlett is coming on October 9. Hear the Cuban music of the Conjunto ensemble on October 16, then pianist Spike Wilner on October 23, and saxophonist Larry McKenna and composer/pianist Josh Richman on October 30. All shows, held within the Arts Center’s Kellner Gallery, start at 7pm.

Two albums not to miss

Glenside’s Keswick Theatre books jazz from time to time, and on October 27 at 8pm the venue will present a powerhouse of a show, in the form of fusion pioneer and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty along with Yes co-founder/lead vocalist Jon Anderson. This show is part of a Ponty/Anderson tour to promote their new CD/DVD set, Better Late Than Never.

Guitarist/vocalist/composer and World Music artist Phyllis Chapell has recorded a marvelous new album called Naked World. On this varied and inspiring nine-song set, Chapell, who also sings in 12 languages with her group Siora and as a solo attraction, has assembled the best of our region’s jazz artists as guests. They include singer Paul Jost, vibraphonist Tony Miceli, and pianist Dave Posmontier. As always, Chapell combines the best elements of everything from Latin and Middle Eastern jazz to gypsy jazz and standard songs. Among her October dates are a solo jazz brunch performance at Paris Bistro & Jazz Café in Chestnut Hill on October 11 and a solo turn at the Wesley College Coffee House in Dover, DE on October 17 at 8pm.

Kimberton, Paris, the south, and Cherry Street

Kimberton Art Alliance presents its second season of “Le Jazz Hot” at the Kimberton Inn in Kimberton, PA. The trio of bassist Kevin MacConnell, featuring saxophonist Larry McKenna and trumpeter George Rabbai, will back the area’s top vocalists: Nancy Reed on October 23, Erin Cruise on November 20, Denise King on January 15, and Paula Johns on February 12.

Our region now has two new jazz spots. The Paris Bistro & Jazz Café, run by the brothers Bynum of Zanzibar Blue fame, is doing tremendous business, so the Bynums have added a second location. SOUTH, at 600 North Broad, will feature bourbon and Southern food specialties, in addition to local and national jazz six nights per week. And Tuesday nights have been turned over to jazz at the 100-plus-year-old Cherry Street Tavern in Center City. The trio of saxophonist Ben Schachter and special guests hold forth each Tuesday, beginning at 8pm.