Category Archives: Jazz

UPDATE: Another free summer concert in the park, this time featuring my resurrected fusion band, Aurora.

Just a quick update about these three (FREE!) upcoming gigs.  It’s been a busy summer and it’ll be cool to relax and see some good friends.

• Reservoir of Jazz ~ Sunday, August 22, 2010 ~ 5:00 – 7:00 pm
  Aurora, presented by MCG Jazz
  Highland Park
  Free

• Pittsburgh Jazz Legacy CD Release Party ~ Thursday, July 29, 2010 ~ 8:00 – 9:30pm
  Stick around after for the Roger Humphries Jazz Jam Session
  CJ’s Restaurant and Lounge
  2901-2911 Penn Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA 15201
  412-642-2377
  Reservations suggested

• Citiparks Bach, Beethoven and Brunch ~ Sunday, July 18 ~ 10:30 am – noon
  Pittsburgh Guitars presented by MCG Jazz
  Mellon Park
  Fifth and Shady Avenues, Point Breeze/Squirrel Hill
  Free

• Monroeville Jazz Festival ~ Saturday, July 17, 2010 ~ 3:00 – 9:00pm
  Boyce Park Wave Pool North Parking Area
  Free with a non-perishable food donation for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
  Line-up:  (all local musicians)
  Center of Life Youth Jazz Band
  Etta Cox – Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald
  Mike Tomaro – Tribute to Benny Goodman  (I’m playing  in this band)
  Eric Mintel Quartet with Donna Bailey – Tribute to Dave Brubeck

After a recent workshop on Barney Kessel I gave at Duquesne University several of the students asked me about the art of taking short/concise solos.  Barney Kessel, Johnny Smith, and Herb Ellis to name a few were all  masters at taking only a chorus or two – yet they made very powerful musical statements.  The students asked me to post some examples of short solos in a live context.  Here are four of mine:

Solo on ‘Air Mail Special’ – Duo with Joe Negri

Solo on ‘Someday My Prince Will Come’ – Duo with Joe Negri

Solo on ‘Four on Six’ – Duo with Joe Negri

Solo on ‘There’s a Boat Leaving for China’  – with Doug and Dane Richeson