Jazz on WSUM student radio

by Jesse Ponkamo

Hello, just dropping in to say hi on behalf of UW-Madison’s WSUM student radio. I do a free jazz program every week the title of the program is FREEFORALL. I believe there is another jazz program at WSUM as well which might interest you, if I recall his show is more focused on straight ahead type stuff. Mine is delving more into “obscure” post bop players and focusing on their sessionography as leaders and side-people. I recently acquired access to the university’s Mills Music Facility which has a very extensive catalogue of jazz spanning many era’s of jazz and at the moment due to this my program is now almost completely vinyl. My program is every Saturday at 4PM-6PM. More information can be found at www.wsum.org regarding our fall program schedule. I hope you’ll tune in this Saturday either on the radio here in madison at 91.7FM or on our live webstream which can be found at www.wsum.org

Great River Jazz Fest

The Great River Jazz Fest is an annual event this time of year in La Crosse. Here’s a note from the folks at the Great River Jazz Fest:

Great River Jazz Fest
La Crosse, WI
Interstate I-90 Exits 3 & 4

Aug 14-16, 2009

On the Mississippi, 13 bands in 2 venues, all indoors, Fri, Sat, Sun. Bobby Lewis’ Cats ‘n Jammers, Wally’s Warehouse Waifs, jazz vocals with Lisa Roti Quartet, New York City pianist Dave Marck Quartet, Arne Fogel-Tanner Taylor Quartet, Mostly Blues Quartet, Optimism Sextet, Pianorama, Wonderful World Jazz Band, Dick Chaffee’s Stardust Big Band in our Avalon-style ballroom with dance floor and tables, The DC Five, The Phat Cats, West Salem Community Big Band, Coulee Region High School Jazz All-Stars, Meet the Musicians reception (advance ticket required), Mardi Gras-style Parade, jam sessions, Sunday jazz church service, CDs, raffle, merchandise. Main gate is at the La Crosse Center. Call (608) 791-1190 and log on to www.lacrossejazz.com

Cabana Room cuts Jazz, Jam survives

The economy continues to take its toll on the Madison jazz scene. The Cabana Room has featured live jazz Wednesday through Saturday nights since January, but Scott Stenton tells me that as of July 1st all the jazz except the New Breed jam  has been discontinued.  Scott played there every Saturday night and says it’s been slow since the beginning of summer. The crowd for the jam was a little off last night but has otherwise been consistently strong.

It doesn’t sound like the jazz will be replaced by another kind of live music, and Scott has no idea if jazz will return when the students do in the fall.

Cafe Montmartre has closed

Story and many comments at the Cap Times.

I guess I’m not up enough on these kinds of things; it came as quite a shock. I haven’t been to Cafe Montmartre in a while but I’ll miss it. Kind of a funky arrangement for live music but I heard some good music there including Ben Sidran with Richie Cole, and Ben Sidran with Bob Rockwell. It’s tough to see another jazz playing venue close.

Uncle Larry Memorial Service in Janesville

This is another comment by Genie that merited the front page:

There will be another memorial service on May 8th in Janesville. It’s at 11 am at Cargill United Methodist Church, 2000 Wesley Ave. – Phone # – 608-752-0548.

The information about that and more details about Uncle Larry’s life and family are on this link:

http://gazettextra.com/obits/2009/apr/29/lawrence-hancock/

Sad News: Uncle Larry passes

WORT Jazz Programmer Uncle Larry (Lawrence Hancock) died unexpectedly on Thursday night. He collapsed in the parking lot on his way home from work Thursday, and paramedics were unable to revive him. 

Uncle Larry was the host of “Crazyology” from midnight to 6AM Saturday mornings on WORT for about the last two decades,  maintainer of the “Madison Jazz Calendar,” and a musician (he played bass in avant-jazz ensemble “The Barbaric Yawps”).

Information about memorial services in Milwaukee and Madison is not available yet.

Craigslist ad for Jazz “Club”

I found this post on Madison Craigslist tonight and thought I’d share it:

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Reply to: comm-vg9qr-1097426599@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}
Date: 2009-03-29, 10:35AM CDT

I’m thinking of forming a weekly get-together of jazzers to trade ideas, materials, and such. Kind of like Evans’ basement apartment was for Miles and company. I don’t really have a place to meet up, but I figured I’d post this and maybe someone who likes the idea would have a spot. Shoot me an email if you like the idea. Looking for anyone who likes jazz, be it musicians or just listeners. An understanding of theory and a basic knowledge of jazz styles/standards would be a requirement. I don’t want to spend all night teaching people. I want to spend all night sharing ideas.

Musicians think differently

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have evidence that musicians think differently than non-musicians. In this study trained musicians used both the left and the right sides of their frontal cortex more heavily than the average person, and also used divergent thinking more. Divergent thinking is the ability to come up with new solutions to open-ended, multifaceted problems and is found in highly creative individuals. The authors suggest that musical training may be at the crux at of these differences.

Read more about the study here, or read the actual study in the February 2009 issue of “Brain and Cognition.”

Culture Coach Summer Tour 2009 seeks additional community support

This article is authored by Howard Landsman

It looks like the Madison Center for Creative and Cultural Arts (MCCCA) is still alive and kicking, despite having lost its home/performance space last year. I just received a sponsorship solicitation letter from MCCCA Director, Hanah Jon Taylor, seeking support for MCCCA’s upcoming Culture Coach Summer Tour.  This program promises to bring local and regional artists in multiple disciplines (music and jazz among them) to a variety of neighborhood and public spaces. The letter noted that MCCCA has received grants from the City of Madison and Dane County to offer this program for another year (in partnership, for the first time, with the Madison Media Institute).

In his letter, Hanah notes that “after three successful years of use and wear, the Cultural Coach is in need of minor improvements necessary to maintain its functional standard.” He also notes the need for repair of hand drums, replacement of chairs, and purchase of new canvas for the program’s community painting activities.

Sponsorships are available at several different levels ($100 Friend, $250 Supporter, $500 Patron, and $1,000 Benefactor), but I’m sure that Hanah will accept charitable gifts of any amount. If you’re interested in supporting this year’s program, send your check (payable to Arts Wisconsin, MCCCA’s fiscal agent) to Culture Coach Summer Tour 2009, c/o Arts Wisconsin, 23 North Pinckney Street, 3^rd Floor, Madison, WI 53703. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law (i.e., unless you have a substantial income, 100% of your gift will be deductible).

For more information, contact Hanah at 347-5988 (cell), 251-2787 (landline), or mccca_306@hotmail.com

Grammy winners for Jazz

Alright, since there will be no MAMA jazz awards this year, here are last night’s Grammy winners instead:

Field 10 – Jazz

BEST CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ALBUM

“Randy in Brasil,” Randy Brecker

“Floating Point,” John McLaughlin

“Cannon Re-Loaded: All-Star Celebration Of Cannonball Adderley,” Various Artists

“Miles From India,” Various Artists

“Lifecycle,” Yellowjackets featuring Mike Stern