Pictures of Jeff Peronto Big Band

The Jeff Peronto Big Band, and the trombone quintet, Hot Cross Bones, warmed up the crowd before the Drums On Parade Drum & Bugle Corps show June 28th in Baraboo.  Here’s a link to pictures of the concert. It’s good to see Jeff Peronto appearing healthy.

Jeff Peronto update

Many of you are wondering how Jeff Peronto is doing. Just to bring everyone up to speed, in January I wrote an article about Jeff’s retirement from MATC  after thirty-some years as the band and jazz band director. A short time later Jeff wrote a very popular retrospective recalling pleasant memories from his time at MATC. Since then, Jeff had major surgery to remove a tumor on his spine, one of several growths that are part of the incurable cancer he has been dealing with in recent years. Here’s Jeff ’s report:

I made it through the surgery which ended up being the most painful of the three that I have had.  The tumor ended up to be the size of a fist and they had to go through the muscles around it to make sure it was all gone. Since the tumor had destroyed part of my spine, I had to have it fused with a piece of metal. The pain afterwards took time to get under control, but I am able to walk without a limp and with less pain. I received clearance to start a new cancer medication named Afinitor. Despite its cost which is well over $7000 for 28 pills, my body is not accepting it very well. All of the muscles in my back including those around the surgical area have swollen up causing pain similar to that of post surgery.  We have tried to control the pain but so far it has had a huge affect on my sleep, limited movement, and no pill has been able to help.  I have just stopped taking it since the side effects are taking quite a toll.

Jeff also reports that Jon Schipper has taken over conducting the Jeff Peronto Big Band (The band is essentially the MATC jazz band that MATC cut from its curriculum last year). They have been practicing at Memorial High School where Jon is the band director. Jeff made it to the two spring performances but his health has limited his role to that of an advisor. The band plays again 6/28 at Drums on Parade, and in Baraboo on 7/30.

Let’s all wish Jeff some healing vibes. As one commenter said, ” He’s one of the good guys.”

Jazz this last weekend of March

I heard from several people that took issue with my statement that ticket prices for Eric Schneider were higher than expected for an unknown player. Some of these comments went through the contact page rather than as comments on the site. I encourage everyone with differing views to send comments directly to the site. It will add to the diversity of opinions and enrich the site.

And now on to the highlights for jazz in Madison this weekend (see the Crazeology site for a complete listing).

Thursday March 26: Madison Jazz Orchestra’s monthly gig at the Brink. This is Madison’s finest big band at the best jazz listening venue in Madison.

Friday March 27: Jazz piano lovers take notice: Steinway Piano Gallery of Madison is proud to present jazz pianists Tim Whalen and Dave Stoler, each presenting an individual program of solo jazz piano. This is a rare opportunity to see two of Madison’s best jazz performers in a concert setting, performing selections spanning the entire jazz repertoire The program will take place at the Steinway Piano Gallery of Madison, located at 6629 Mineral Point Road on Friday March 27th at 7:30pm. Tickets $10

Saturday March 28: Lots to pick from tonight. 

If you don’t mind driving to Brookfield a sure bet is the Blue Note 70th Anniversary on tour. The Blue Note 7, an all-star band led by music director and pianist, Bill Charlap stops at the Wilson Center on a 50-city North American tour.  Joining Mr. Charlap is Peter Bernstein (guitar), Ravi Coltrane (tenor sax), Lewis Nash (drums), Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Steve Wilson (alto sax and flute), Peter Washington (bass).

The group will explore classic tunes by legendary artists such as Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock, Lee Morgan, and Wayne Shorter.

Single Tickets

Prime Orchestra $48

Regular Orchestra $39

Balcony $25

 

Here in Madison there are two funk shows worth considering. At the Overture Center is the New Orleans funk of Porter, Batiste, Stolz, an outgrowth of the Funky Meters. The Majestic has  Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe.

Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in Milwaukee

This review was authored by Tony Walczak of Milwaukee who thought Madison jazz fans might be interested in jazz events just ninety minutes away.

Sunday March 8th was a typical offering in the Wisconsin weather department, freezing rain and blowing wind  chased me through the glass doors of the Marcus Center for Performing Arts. Heating it up inside was the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis. The program was divided into two parts: big band music by Thelonius Monk seldom performed these days, and various selections from the famed Blue Note label.

Your Weekly Jazz: Tim Whalen Nonet

Since Tim Whalen moved to Ohio, performances by the Tim Whalen Nonet in Madison have become rare events not to be missed. This Saturday at 9:30 the Nonet brings its powerful horn driven harmonies back to the Magnus and you will want to be there. I don’t care what the polls say, the Nonet is the most popular jazz group in  Madison. Nobody brings out a larger, livelier crowd. Get there early to get a good seat!

To get you primed, Madison Jazz is featuring “Old School” from the Magnus CD released last year. This is a live CD recorded over a weekend in December 2006 and one night in November 2007. I was at 2 of the 4 nights of recording and the band was on fire as usual. 

Saturday night the Nonet will be highlighting songs from the Magnus CD. The group got its start by covering Art Blakey and the Messengers tunes but now mix in many originals and other jazz songs. The tunes on the CD traverse a  wide range of jazz styles but seven of the eight have one thing in common; they are original compositions by the leader, Tim Whalen.  You can listen to the songs and read more about the CD at CD Baby.

The soloists on “Old School” are Joel Adams and Al Falaschi. Here’s the full list of musicians:

Tim Whalen – piano/music director
Jon Schipper – trumpet
David Cooper – trumpet
Joel Adams – trombone
Al Falaschi – alto saxophone
Paul Daugherty – tenor saxophone
Anders Svanoe – baritone saxophone
Nick Moran – bass
Jamie Ryan – drums

Jazz this Thursday and Friday

First the bad news: there’s almost no live jazz going on in Madison this Saturday. There’s piano jazz at Lilliana’s and Louisianne’s and nothing else that I know of. I noticed a trend like this over the last few Saturdays. What’s up with that?

 The good news is jazz is alive and well tonight and tomorrow. My pick for tonight is Gerri Dimaggio 8:30 – 10:30 at the Cabana Room. Gerri plays every Wednesday at Sambas upstairs but I much prefer hearing jazz in the Cabana Room; the room is intimate and the sound much cleaner. The Sambas dining room is large, the volume not enough to overcome the talking, and nobody seems to pay attention to the music. Sambas is great for gorging on huge slabs of beef, but the Cabana Room does jazz better.

MATC MUSIC – LOOKING BACK – Part One – Jeff Peronto

A few weeks ago, I received a call from Bob Kerwin about my retirement from the groups at MATC. We had a wonderful extended conversation about all that had taken place during this difficult process. It was decided that I would write a piece about the experiences that we had.

Back in 1972, the head of MATC, Norman Mitby felt that the school needed a music program to balance the other programs of the school. He appointed Roland Johnson, the symphony conductor, to hire staff to conduct new musical groups. I was lucky enough to be given the job of starting a band and other ensembles. The college band was started and continued for about ten years until the lack of a rehearsal room downtown and the increased length of the college class day took its toll. The MATC Jazz Ensemble made it for three decades and has had a terrific run. The first MATCJE was basically a group of the Madison Scouts along with an all female sax section. It was fun and a great success as we performed at concerts around the area especially at schools that loved how exciting the band was. As time passed, the level of musicians and experience grew and the quality of the group rose. This was at a time when were able to get sponsorship money to bring in name groups to share the school stage along with the Oscar Mayer Theater. We had the honor of sharing the stage with Buddy Rich, Mercer Ellington, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, Toshiko, and Stan Kenton among others.

Jazz events this week

The next few days are looking good for Madison jazz fans.

Tonight is the New Breed Jazz Jam at the Cabana Room. Last week there was another good turnout with a mix of new and familiar faces. The rule of thumb seems to be get there by 9:30 if you want a good seat.

Thursday night the Madison Jazz Orchestra is playing their monthly gig at the Brink Lounge. The Brink is the best jazz club in Madison and the Madison Jazz Orchestra is the best Big Band – an unbeatable combination.

Friday night from 6:30 – 8:30 it’s another jazz show at the Brink. Lynette Margulies, the 2007 MAMA winner of the Best Jazz Artist of the Year, will unveil her new group, Lynette’s Enchanted. The group features Lynette on vocals; Joe Wickham on guitar; Diedre Buckley on viola and Jane Reynolds on keyboard. Lynnete will feature several of her compositions revamped and reconstructed for this quartet.

That’s 3 straight days of high quality Madison jazz – go check it out!

It’s official: Jeff Peronto done after 36 years at MATC

If you are a MATC municipal band or jazz band member do not show up next Thursday for rehearsal.

Yesterday morning I talked with MATC and found out a letter will be going out next week to all members of the band and jazz band informing them that a search is underway for a new conductor, and the groups will resume in early March.

Your weekly jazz: All That Jazz

This week we highlight All That Jazz Big Band playing “Orange Colored Sky.” This selection comes from their second CD recorded in 2000.

Arranged by Roger Holmes
Vocalist – Ann Nichols

All That Jazz is a 22 piece big band started in 1985 to capture the swing sound of the true American Big Band. All That Jazz keeps an active schedule and has played for many events throughout the Madison, WI area including the Isthmus Jazz Festival, Tunes At The Terrace, many corporate events, wedding dances, anniversaries, company picnics, private parties, and reunions. 

Keep sending in your mp3s for this weekly series. A new song is streamed each week and remains available via the archives. I expect the mix to run the gamut from traditional jazz to the avant garde. The idea is to provide a representation of Madison jazz. Mail to tniwrek AT hotmail DOT com. If your file is larger than 10 MB or you plan to snail mail a CD for me to rip then use the contact form to ask for alternate instructions. Include the name of the song, names of musicians, and any comments you want to include.