Tracy Bonham & Co., Dave Smith Quarter & More Set for Cornelia Cafe

This Week At Cornelia Street Cafe

Mon Mar 01 

8:30PM AMRAM & CO
(David Amram, piano, french horn, flutes, composition & surprises; Kevin Twigg, drums, glockenspiel; John de Witt, bass; Adam Amram, percussion; John Ventimiglia, actor)
This series explores in his highly personable, generous and informal style the astonishing variety of David Amram's interests and accomplishments--renowned composer of symphonic classical music, jazz compositions, improvisation, spoken word, scat, he sits at the piano, schmoozes about music, about the greats, the beats, the obscure, the legendary; plays the French horn, pulls out all kinds of instruments (flutes, drums, horns) gathered from his many circumnavigations of the globe, pulls in guests drawn from just about every artistic walk of life.
Cover $10 http://www.davidamram.com

Wed Mar 03
6:00PM FREE RANGE READINGS
(Stephen Elliott, author of the book, The Adderall Diaries; Diana Spechler, author of the book Who By Fire; Jeffrey Gustavson, author of Nervous Forces; Adrienne Meloni, currently working on a novel, based on a true story)
Creative Nonfiction, a marriage of sorts.
Featuring: Stephen Elliott, author of seven books, including The Adderall Diaries, which has been described as "genius" by both the San Francisco Chronicle and Vanity Fair. The Adderall Diaries was the best book of the year in Time Out New York, a best of 2009 in Kirkus Reviews, and one of 50 notable books in the San Francisco Chronicle. His novel, Happy Baby, was a finalist for the New York Public Library's Young Lion Award as well as a best book of the year in Salon.com, Newsday, Chicago New City, The Journal News, and the Village Voice. Elliott is also the editor of The Rumpus.

Diana Spechler, author of the book Who By Fire, which was published in 2008 by Harper Collins. Diana's writing has appeared in Glimmer Train, Moment, Lilith, and elsewhere. She received her MFA degree from the University of Montana and was a Steinbeck Fellow at San Jose State University. She lives in New York City, where she is at work on her second novel.

Jeffrey Gustavson, author of Nervous Forces (Alef Books) and an editor of Epiphany literary magazine. He lives in Brooklyn.

Adrienne Meloni is a proud Sarah Lawrence MFA, and was until recently the managing editor of the literary magazine Lumina. Her essays and poetry have been published in various literary magazines, including the Citron Review and Ducts. She has also published two books for children, among other works of nonfiction, and is currently working on a novel, based on a true story about love and madness, manifest destiny, religious intolerance, and a kidnapped child.

Twitter: @miraptacin, @freerangereads

Facebook: Mira Ptacin, Freerange Nonfiction Reading Series

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it is too dark to read. -Groucho Marx

Mira Ptacin, host. Cover $7 http://www.freerangenonfiction.com

8:30PM TRACY BONHAM & COMPANY
(Tracy Bonham, vocals,violin,guitar, piano; Nicole Federici, viola, violin; Dan Cho, cello; Mike DuClos, bass; Konrad Meissner, drums; + special guest Tony Trischka, banjo)
Join multi instrumentalist Tracy Bonham for new music from her upcoming release Masts Of Manhattan as well as old favorites and covers with new twists. She has an amazing line up: Nicole Federici: viola, violin. Dan Cho (Regina Spektor): cello. Mike DuClos: bass. Konrad Meissner: drums (Matt Nathanson). Tracy weaves in and out of alternative rock, where she is most commonly known, to bright moments of Classical, Eastern European, and Gypsy music in just a few brushstrokes. Tracy and her band will be joined by special guests Tony Trischka www.tonytrischka.com) on banjo Come join Tracy and her friends every first Wednesday of each month for the next four months, and watch collaborations unfold.
This classically trained Boston singer-songwriter sets meandering Aimee Mann-like melodies over bright electro-pop folk with string-laden atmospherics.
-Rolling Stone
Cover $15 http://www.tracybonham.com

Thu Mar 04
8:30PM LAINIE COOKE
(Lainie Cooke, vocals; Peter Zak, piano; John Miller, bass; Quincy Davis, drums)
No hype or attitude just the pure emotion that only true life experience can endow in an artist. That's what Harlemwood Records recording artist Lainie Cooke brings to each and every performance. Lainie has been singing in New York and LA for two decades, but is best known for her voice-over work on some of your very favorite commercials. She has graced the café with her sophisticated jazz many times and this month she brings music in celebration of March being Women's History Month. She is joined, as always, by some of the most talented musicians in the business and their combined artistry makes more than good music - it makes a good time.
"This lady can sing the Blues. And ballads, and...well just about anything." Jazz Improv Magazine, June 2008

"...her unique brand of steel-lined warm-an enticing style that suggests the musical astuteness of Sheila Jordan blended with the salty panache of Anita O'Day..." Jazz Times, March 2009
Cover $15 http://www.lainiecooke.com

Fri Mar 05
9:00PM & 10:30PM THE 4TH ANNUAL BJU FESTIVAL
9PM: Dave Smith Quartet
Dave Smith, trumpet; Nate Radley, guitar; Gary Wang, bass; Jordan Perlson, drums
David Smith is a Canadian-born trumpeter currently residing in New York City. His debut album as a leader, "Circumstance", was released in October of 2006 on the Fresh Sound New Talent label (FSNT 267), and a followup is forthcoming in early 2010. While the roots of his music are in classic jazz, he combines elements of classical harmony and counterpoint resulting in a very original compositional style. His approach to the trumpet is also unique, intervallic and harmonically sophisticated yet lyrical and emotional. In addition to his own recordings, he is featured as a sideman on numerous recordings including for Fresh Sound New Talent (Alan Ferber Nonet, Delphian Jazz Orchestra) Steeplechase (Kim Bock Quartet, Russ Spiegel Sextet) ArtistShare (Jon Gordon) and Interplay Records (Cecilia Coleman Quintet) as well as numerous independent releases (Paul Carlon Octet, Sarah Lynch, Numinous).
http://www.davesmithtrumpet.com/

10:30PM: Alexis Cuadrado - Quinteto Ibérico
Alexis Cuadrado, bass; Jeremy Udden, sax; Brad Shepik, guitar; Dan Tepfer, piano; Richie Barshay, drums & percussion

Born in Barcelona and residing in Brooklyn, New York since 1999, Alexis Cuadrado is an active member of the city's jazz scene. Cuadrado has released three CDs as a leader: Puzzles (BJURecords 2008), Visual (Fresh Sound, 2004) and Metro (Fresh Sound, 2001). These recordings feature all-original compositions and have received rave reviews and enthusiastic reactions from fans around the globe.

As a composer, Cuadrado has worked in a large variety of contexts. In addition to writing for his working quintet, he has created pieces for jazz big band, saxophone quartet, string quartet and solo bass. He has also has scored two short films. Over thirty of his compositions can be heard on published recordings. Cuadrado's music aims to stretch the limits of form, meter, harmony, and improvisation all in the context of contemporary jazz.

Alexis Cuadrado is a co-founder of the Brooklyn Jazz Underground and BJURecords, a bandleader/composer collective that strives to promote originality and create awareness of innovative jazz artists from Brooklyn.
More info: http://www.alexiscuadrado.com/

Cover $10 per set/$15 for the whole night
Festival pass for three nights $35

The Brooklyn Jazz Underground is an association of independent artists with a shared commitment to creativity and community. Through cooperative efforts, the BJU aims to build a greater awareness of original music emerging from Brooklyn, NY.

"Consider this the opening shot in the latest revolution to hit New York's improv scene." - Time Out New York

"These days integrity counts for a lot. That's what keeps jazz relevant in a fragmented music industry. Musicians like Cuadrado and The Brooklyn Jazz Underground understand that it takes more than talent."
- NPR.org/music

THE BROOKLYN JAZZ UNDERGROUND SAMPLER, VOL. 4 Available NOW at http://brooklynjazz.bandcamp.com
http://www.brooklynjazz.org

Sat Mar 06
8:30PM THE 4TH ANNUAL BJU FESTIVAL
8:30PM: Adam Kolker Trio
Adam Kolker, saxophone; Ugonna Ukegwo, bass; Billy Mintz, drums
Adam Kolker (saxophones, clarinets, flutes) is a multi-talented performer, composer and arranger.He performed and recorded with latin-jazz artist Ray Barretto from 1994 through 2002 (with whom he received two Grammy nominations). He has also appeared with such groups as the Village Vanguard Orchestra, the Maria Schneider Big Band, Bruce Barth, Judi Silvano, David Berkman, Kenny Wheeler's Large Ensemble, Lucia Pulido, Alan Ferber's Nonet and many others. He has recorded with Bruce Barth, John Hebert, Peter Herborn, The Story, Ben Sher, Allan Chase, Bobby Previte, Gunther Schuller, Bruce Saunders, Frank Carlberg, and others. Adams first release as a leader, Crazybird, on A Records (with Tim Hagans, Kevin Hays, Jeff Ballard and Doug Weiss), reached the top ten on the CMJ Charts, and received critical acclaim from such publications as Jazz Times, JazzIz and the Village Voice. Other CDs include "Sultanic Verses" on SatchmoJazz Records (with Bruce Barth, Billy Hart, Ray Barretto and John Hebert), "Change Of Time" -- a trio comprised of Kolker, Russ Lossing and John Hebert , and performing music based on Bela Bartok's "Mikrokosmos" on OmniTone Records also received critical acclaim, including 4 1/2 stars in Downbeat Magazine. Meditacions," also on Satchmo and co-led with Catalan drummer Xavi Maureta, received the award for "Best Modern Jazz CD" from the Catalan Jazz Society in 2002. Adam's most recent CD is "Flag Day," with John Abercrombie, John Hebert and Paul Motian. It has received high acclaim (see reviews) from the New York Times, Jazz Times, Stereophile, Downbeat to name a few.
http://www.adamkolker.net/

9:45 PM: Sunny Jain
Sunny Jain, drums, percussion; Donny McCaslin, saophones; Marc Cary, piano; Gary Wang, bass

From the resounding hall of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, to the intimate setting of Smalls Jazz Club in New York City, to the thunderous applause of India's festival stages, Sunny Jain is an internationally respected drummer, composer and educator.
http://www.sunnyjain.com/

11 PM: Rob Garcia
"Rob Garcia wields his sticks like a quill, drumming like a discerning composer. Which he is." - Jeff Potter; Modern Drummer. On his third recording as a leader drummer/composer Rob Garcia delivers compelling originals and a modern version of Ray Noble's "Cherokee" (in thirteen!), that he has been hearing in his head for about ten years. Garcia, who has worked with a startling array of top jazz artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Joseph Jarman, Anat Cohen, Woody Allen, Brad Shepik, John Benitez, Chris Cheek, Joe Lovano, Myra Melford, Dave Binney, Ben Monder, Diana Krall, Reggie Workman, Bob Berg, Bill McHenry, Howard Johnson, Sonny Fortune, Bruce Barth, Wycliffe Gordon, Chris Potter, among others, is very much a musician confident in his intuition and highly attuned instinct, as evident in his powerfully engaging drum solos on the CD, and the fact that much of the music on Perennial was composed in a stream of consciousness way.

Garcia, who majored in psychology at NYU, and has studied yoga, meditation, holistic healing and spirituality, describes his creative aim and music's healing power, "music can go beyond the intellect and touch people on a very deep level," Rob explains, "I strive to integrate all the aspects of my being into everything I do." Naturally the music on Perennial is informed by the journey and exploration he has embarked on in these areas. The opener "Joe-Pye Weed" (a wild flower) uses a progression of pentatonics, giving it a country feel and "Seasons of Stone" reflects on the deep untouched elements of the human psyche. The title track is a cyclical tune that was written by "just getting my mind out of the way and letting things come", explains Garcia. "A Flower For Diana", and the entire recording, is dedicated to Garcia's late mother.

Perennial was born and raised in Brooklyn. The recording is a superb addition to the ever growing Brooklyn jazz canon and a new valuable piece of the multi-faceted soundtrack to this vibrant scene. It features Dan Tepfer (piano), Noah Preminger (tenor saxophone), Chris Lightcap (bass), Rob Garcia (drums, & piano on track 10)
http://www.robgarcia.com/

Cover $10 per set/$20 for the whole night
Festival pass for three nights $35

The Brooklyn Jazz Underground is an association of independent artists with a shared commitment to creativity and community. Through cooperative efforts, the BJU aims to build a greater awareness of original music emerging from Brooklyn, NY.

"Consider this the opening shot in the latest revolution to hit New York's improv scene." - Time Out New York

"These days integrity counts for a lot. That's what keeps jazz relevant in a fragmented music industry. Musicians like Cuadrado and The Brooklyn Jazz Underground understand that it takes more than talent."
- NPR.org/music

THE BROOKLYN JAZZ UNDERGROUND SAMPLER, VOL. 4 Available NOW at http://brooklynjazz.bandcamp.com
http://www.brooklynjazz.org

Sun Mar 07
8:30PM THE 4TH ANNUAL BJU FESTIVAL
8:30 PM:Alan Ferber Nonet
Performing music from his new Sunnyside Records CD, due out in April 2010
Alan Ferber - trombone Dave Smith, trumpet; Jon Gordon, alto sax; Dan Pratt, tenor sax; Adam Kolker, bass clarinet; Nate Radley, guitar; Dave Cook, piano; Alexis Cuadrado, bass; Quincy Davis, drums
Alan Ferber joins the new resurgence of talented young trombonists with vision and leadership." (Mark F. Turner, All About Jazz) Since moving to Brooklyn in 1999, Ferber (a Northern California native) has built a solid reputation both as a forward-thinking improviser and composer. It didn't take him long to catch the attention of renowned eight-string guitarist, Charlie Hunter. In 2001, Hunter asked him to join his Quintet with whom Ferber toured with for a year. Upon returning to NYC, Alan has rapidly become one of the city's most highly demanded sidemen. He played lead trombone in the U.S. premiere of the "Sweet Ruby Suite" with Kenny Wheeler and his Large Ensemble. He has performed extended engagements with the Lee Konitz Nonet, Don Byron's Large Ensemble, the Benny Wallace Nonet, and the John Hollenbeck Big Band in clubs ranging from The Village Vanguard, the Blue Note, Birdland, and Iridium. In addition, his compositions and arrangements have received awards from ASCAP and CAPA. Alan Ferber has two recordings as a leader. His most recent release on Fresh Sound New Talent (Alan Ferber Nonet, "Scenes From An Exit Row") has been described as "extremely uplifting, enlightening, and just plain gorgeous" by All About Jazz New York and graced many "Best new releases of 2005" lists. Featuring nine of New York City's most in-demand young players, Ferber's music brings out the strongest qualities of each band member and truly reflects the strength, energy and creativity of the city's current jazz scene. After playing regularly for six months at Smalls Jazz Club in Greenwich Village, the Alan Ferber Nonet went into the studio to record a follow-up record for Fresh Sound New Talent. Due for release in the Winter of 2007, the CD will be called "The Compass.
http://www.alanferber.com/

10 PM: Dan Pratt Organ Quartet
Performing music from their new Posi-Tone Records CD, Toe The Line, due out in March 2010
Dan Pratt, saxophone; Jared Gold , organ; Alan Ferber, trombone; Quincy Davis, drums

Dan Pratt has the rare talent of writing tunes that bring out the strongest qualities of himself and his sidemen. The result is a band whose communication is instinctive and whose unity is undeniable. A band fronted by sax and bone, heard through the filter of the classic rhythm section of Hammond B3 organ and drums, and just as modern today as it was in the days of Jimmy Smith and Larry Young. That band is DPOQ.
http://www.danpratt.com/

Cover $10 per set/$15 for the whole night
Festival pass for three nights $35

The Brooklyn Jazz Underground is an association of independent artists with a shared commitment to creativity and community. Through cooperative efforts, the BJU aims to build a greater awareness of original music emerging from Brooklyn, NY.

"Consider this the opening shot in the latest revolution to hit New York's improv scene." - Time Out New York

"These days integrity counts for a lot. That's what keeps jazz relevant in a fragmented music industry. Musicians like Cuadrado and The Brooklyn Jazz Underground understand that it takes more than talent."
- NPR.org/music

THE BROOKLYN JAZZ UNDERGROUND SAMPLER, VOL. 4 Available NOW at http://brooklynjazz.bandcamp.com
http://www.brooklynjazz.org

Mon Mar 08
8:30PM COMPOSERS COLLABORATIVE: SERIAL UNDERGROUND
(Ed Schmidt, theater; QUATTRO MANI: Alice Rybak; Susan Grace, piano; CYGNUS: Thelonius Griffin, rapper, baritone; Liana Stillman, soprano; Nehemiah Luckette, baritone; William Anderson, guitar)
Serial Underground, "the subversive nightclub series" (Time Out NY)
Allan Kozinn (New York Times) contextualizes CCi's monthly performances in the basement of the Cornelia Street Cafe - "... part of the ecology of urban night life." CCi artistic director, Jed Distler, curates the programs abetted by director Arnold Barkus and lighting designer David Lovett.
Tonight:
Another monologue written and performed by Ed Schmidt (theater). More info: http:// http://www.edschmidt.info

QUATTRO MANI play Celestial Mechanics by George Crumb (piano)
More info: http://http://http:/www.bridgerecords.com/management-page.php?artist=Quattro Mani

presents Rapproachment: Urban Hip Hop & the Classical Scene with Thelonius Griffin rapper, baritone. Liana Stillman, soprano, Nehemiah Luckette, baritone and William Anderson, guitar.

Box office: 212.663.1967 (advance purchase discount available)
Admission at the door: $15 + one drink minimum

CORNELIA STREET CAFÉ
29 Cornelia Street, NYC, New York 212-989-9319
http://www.corneliastreetcafe.com
between West 4th and Bleecker Sts, Greenwich Village
1 Subway to Sheridan Square; A, C, E, B, D, V, F to West 4th St.