SWING ME WITH RHYTHM: ROSSANO SPORTIELLO and DANNY TOBIAS, CONTINUED (Pennsylvania Jazz Society, October 30, 2022.)

Joy, continued. I’ve posted the first half of this concert here and here and here. But wait! There’s more!

I described them as a dynamic duo without superhero costumes — in concert, presented on October 30, 2022, by the Pennsylvania Jazz Society (at Brith Sholom Synagogue in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania). Rossano Sportiello, piano; Danny Tobias, trumpet, flugelhorn, Eb alto horn. Thanks to the PJS [its gracious volunteers!] for having the foresight to present these two friend-heroes; thanks to Pete Reichlin for tuning the piano and many other generosities; thanks to the good people who filled the hall.

The song Claude Hopkins took as his theme — co-composed by Alex Hill, an anthem of love-submission:

Check your watches, check your hearts:

The falling leaves converse in French:

James P. Johnson’s melody of devotion put into action:

“Did I make a mistake?”:

Delicious, profound, playful, sweet. And if that weren’t enough, a little jam session, scored for three, ensued. I’ll share those joys in a post to come.

May your happiness increase!

MAESTRO SPORTIELLO’S CAPRICE (October 30, 2022)

Hold on tight.

Rossano Sportiello is the Maestro, no questions about it. Classically trained with a deep jazz feeling and impeccable technique, he astonishes us. Here’s his solo version of Nicolo Paganini’s Caprice # 24, which rocks all the way through . . .from the Milan conservatory to Harlem stride to super-Tatum without a quiver.

Rossano performed this as one of his solo features in a duet concert with brass wizard Danny Tobias put on by the Pennsylvania Jazz Society (October 30, 2022).

I suggest that you play and watch this several times, so that you can assure yourself it actually happened, the creation of Maestro Sportiello.

May your happiness increase!

SOMETHING TO SWING ABOUT: ROSSANO SPORTIELLO and DANNY TOBIAS, PART TWO (Pennsylvania Jazz Society, October 30, 2022.)

Just what it says: the second installment of joys created for us on the spot by Danny Tobias, trumpet, flugelhorn, Eb alto horn, and Rossano Sportiello, piano –at Brith Sholom Synagogue in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania — made possible by the gracious people of the Pennsylvania Jazz Society.

Thanks to the PJS for having the foresight to present these two friend-heroes; thanks to Peter Reichlin for tuning the piano and many other generosities; thanks to the good people who filled the hall.

In my first post, I shared LADY BE GOOD, EMILY, I GOT IT BAD, and IF DREAMS COME TRUE — a wonderful assortment. Here’s more.

First, a solo interlude by Rossano, connecting Ralph Sutton, Fred Chopin, and Willie “the Lion” Smith — pianists who had much in common when it came to melody and drama:

A completely tender SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME:

and Rossano’s sweet commentary on it:

I’LL CLOSE MY EYES:

and the concluding performance of the concert’s first half, I WANT TO BE HAPPY:

It was an extraordinary afternoon. And there’s a whole second half to be shared.

May your happiness increase!

A SUNDAY KIND OF PLEASURE: DANNY TOBIAS and ROSSANO SPORTIELLO (October 30, 2022: Pennsylvania Jazz Society, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)

Maestro Tobias:

Photograph by Lynn Redmile

and Maestro Sportiello:

Attentive readers will note that it is not yet Sunday, so this post is to inform or remind you that a wonderful duo-concert is about to happen, featuring Danny Tobias, trumpet and perhaps Eb alto horn, with Rossano Sportiello, piano. It’s given by the Pennsylvania Jazz Society at Congregation Brith Sholom, 1190 West Macada Road, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I believe the times are 2 to 4:30. I don’t know the admission price, but my previous experience with the PJS has shown they are reasonable people; should any JAZZ LIVES readers show up and find themselves short of a few dollars, I will be happy to offer the official Blog-Subsidy.

In announcing and promoting concerts, I’ve always tried to offer musical evidence — the equivalent of the tasting table at Trader Joe’s — but here I am slightly at a loss. One of the most exciting aspects of this concert is that, although I know Rossano and Danny have played together, they have not yet recorded in duet. So I cannot say to you, “This is what it will sound like on Sunday!” However, Danny’s newest CD, SILVER LININGS, features himself and Rossano along with Scott Robinson, reeds and brass; Joe Plowman, string bass; Kevin Dorn, drums — so I present two delightful musical interludes as somewhat larger versions of the blisses to come our way on Sunday.

I know there will be Pretty:

and I know there will be Swing:

As Elizabethan-era bloggers used to write c. 1604, “Get thee hence.” “Thee” means you; “hence” means 1190 West Macada Road, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

May your happiness increase!

“BENNY GOODMAN’S BOYS” (plus MOLLY RYAN) on July 11, 2010

The PENNSYLVANIA JAZZ SOCIETY will present their annual JAZZFEST with a TRIBUTE TO BENNY GOODMAN on Sunday, July 11, 2010, from noon to 5:30 p.m. at the Plainfield Township Fire Company Hall, 6480 Sullivan Trail, Wind Gap, PA 18091.  The two bands featured that day are THE MIDIRI BROTHERS and DAN LEVINSON’S PALOMAR QUARTET.

The Midiri Brothers will play from noon to 2:30 p.m.  Their group is Joe Midiri on clarinet, Paul Midiri on vibraphone, drums, and trombone, Dan Tobias on trumpet, Pat Mercuri on guitar, Steve Kramer on piano, Ed Wise on bass, and Jim Lawlor on drums.

Dan Levinson’s Palomar Quartet will play from 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. and will feature Dan on clarinet, Mark Shane on piano, Matt Hoffmann on vibes, Kevin Dorn on drums, and Molly Ryan on vocals.  In addition, because Dan believes that “One Good Twin Deserves Another,” he has invited the Anderson twins (Will and Peter Anderson) to be part of his group, playing clarinet and saxophone.Advance Tickets are $ 20.00. (For advance tickets and directions, send SASE to Pennsylvania Jazz Society, P. O. Box 995, Easton, PA 18044.)  Tickets at the door are $ 25.00.  Student Admission is FREE!  For more information, phone 610-625-4640 or go online at pajazzsociety.org

A WILD BLEND — COMING SOON!

The PENNSYLVANIA JAZZ SOCIETY is presenting A WILD BLEND OF HOT JAZZ AND SWINGING TUNES featuring THE PRESIDENT’S MEN JAZZ BAND. . . ! 

MIKE KUEHN – leader, banjo, guitar

DREW NUGENT – piano, vocals, cornet

RANDY REINHART – cornet, trombone

DAN BLOCK – clarinet

GARY CATTLEY – tuba, string bass

JOHNNY PEPPERS – bass saxophone

JASON SHIPTOSKI – percussion

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2010, 2 – 5 P.M.

EASTON MOOSE LODGE, 3320 FOX HILL ROAD, EASTON, PA 18045

TICKETS: $ 20.00 at the door, $ 18.00 members, STUDENTS FREE

SWING DANCERS – DRESSED TO IMPRESS – $ 10.00

For more information phone 610-625-4640 or visit www.pajazzsociety.org